cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Economic Integration and Income Convergence: Not Such a Strong Link?

Abstract We would expect that the process of globalization between 1870 and 1914 and subsequent disintegration of the world economy during the interwar period would have led first to income convergence and then to income divergence between the participating countries. But in fact we find stronger evidence for income convergence during the interwar period than during the first globalization. Similarly, the average level of import protection in the world cannot be shown to have either helped or hampered convergence. The evidence for trade-induced convergence is therefore weak.
Ionic Current Rectification in Soft-Matter Diodes with Liquid-Metal Electrodes

A soft-matter-based diode composed of hydrogel and liquid metal (eutectic gallium indium, EGaIn) is presented. The ability to control the thickness, and thus resistivity, of an oxide skin on the metal enables rectification. First, a simple model system with liquid-metal/electrolyte-solution/Pt interfaces is characterized. The electrically insulating oxide skin on the EGaIn electrode is reduced or oxidized further depending on the direction of the bias, thereby allowing unidirectional ionic current. The forward current of the diode increases as the conductivity of the electrolyte increases, whereas backward current depends on the pH of the medium in contact with the insulating oxide layer on the EGaIn electrode. As a result, the diode shows a higher rectification ratio (defined as the ratio of forward to backward current measured at the same absolute bias) with more conductive electrolyte at neutral pH. Replacement of the liquid electrolyte solution with a hydrogel improves the structural stability of the soft diode. The rectification performance also improves due to the increased ionic conductivity by the gel. Finally, a diode composed entirely of soft materials by replacing the platinum electrode with a second liquid-metal electrode is presented. Contacting each liquid metal with a polyelectrolyte gel featuring different pH values provided asymmetry in the device, which is necessary for rectification. A hydrogel layer infused with a strong basic polyelectrolyte removes the insulating oxide layer, allowing one interface with the EGaIn electrode to be conductive regardless of the direction of bias. Thus, the oxide layer at the other interface rectifies the current.
Is KIT an important therapeutic target in small cell lung cancer

SCLC[1][1] represents a significant minority of lung cancer (15–25%) and typically presents as extensive-stage disease. Although SCLC is highly responsive to cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy, most patients have disease recurrence and few patients are cured. A plateau in the development of
Prevalence and Patterns of Sexual Assault Across the Life Span Among Incarcerated Women

This study investigated the prevalence of and associations among sexual assault by life stage (childhood, adolescence, or adulthood) and perpetrator (family, stranger, friend, or partner) via a survey of a statewide sample of incarcerated women (N = 484). Participants were 18 to 56 years old, and the majority were White (56%). Results demonstrate higher rates of sexual assault in childhood (35%) and adulthood (22%) as compared with adolescence (14%). Logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations between childhood sexual assault by family and adulthood sexual assault by friend, stranger, and partner; adolescent sexual assault was not significantly associated with sexual assault in childhood or adulthood. These findings suggest that the lifetime sexual victimization pattern of incarcerated women differs from that seen in the general population.
Is Narco-Violence in Mexico Terrorism?

Mexico's drug ‘war’ produced 100,000 deaths between 2006 and 2012. The extreme violence has raised the notion that Mexico has become a failed state wracked by terrorism. We categorise the forms of narco-violence in Mexico in light of the literature on terrorism and contemporary Mexican politics. Our study suggests three overlapping dimensions of narco-violence that should be considered terrorism: (a) narco-terror as a struggle for regional political control; (b) narco-terror as a practice ordered by cartel leaders rather than spontaneous violence of foot soldiers; and (c) narco-terror as an expansion strategy from solely drug trafficking to other kinds of organised crime.
Nonparaxial vector-field modeling of optical coherence tomography and interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy

A large-aperture, electromagnetic model for coherent microscopy is presented and the inverse scattering problem is solved. Approximations to the model are developed for near-focus and far-from-focus operations. These approximations result in an image-reconstruction algorithm consistent with interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy (ISAM): this validates ISAM processing of optical-coherence-tomography and optical-coherence-microscopy data in a vectorial setting. Numerical simulations confirm that diffraction-limited resolution can be achieved outside the focal plane and that depth of focus is limited only by measurement noise and/or detector dynamic range. Furthermore, the model presented is suitable for the quantitative study of polarimetric coherent microscopy systems operating within the first Born approximation.
Expression of CTNS alleles: subcellular localization and aminoglycoside correction in vitro.

Mutations in CTNS result in one of three forms of cystinosis: benign, intermediate, or nephropathic. Homozygosity for a nonsense mutation in CTNS (753G → A), encoding a premature termination codon (PTC) at amino acid 138 (W138X), results in nephropathic cystinosis. Gentamicin is known to induce PTC readthrough and hence full-length protein production. We demonstrate that addition of gentamicin (300 μg/ml) to cystinotic fibroblasts leads to depletion of intracellular cystine in cell lines with a premature termination codon, but not in those with a large deletion or a deletion leading to a frameshift mutation. Plasmids were constructed with GFP as a C-terminal or N-terminal fusion to CTNS. The normal CTNS protein fused with either N- or C-terminal GFP colocalized with Lysotracker red, a fluorescent stain which selectively accumulates in lysosomes. PTC-GFP, a construct with GFP fused to the C-terminus of CTNS containing a PTC, allowed GFP to serve as a reporter of PTC readthrough. No significant fluorescence was observed in PTC-GFP-transfected cells in the absence of gentamicin but was seen and localized to lysosomes in its presence. A patient with a splice site mutation (IVS11 + 2T → C) that eliminates the GYDQL lysosomal targeting sequence of cystinosin on one allele, and a PTC mutation (753G → A) on the other, displays the intermediate phenotype. Transfection of the splice site mutant allele into CTNS null fibroblasts produced cystine depletion. Plasmids with GFP fused to the N-terminus of CTNS containing the splice site mutation (GFP-SS) were constructed. While the normal CTNS-GFP fusion protein was found to colocalize with Lysotracker red almost exclusively, the GFP-SS fusion product was found in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm, as well as lysosomes. A second lysosomal targeting motif in CTNS is present in this sequence, just proximal to the mutation, accounting for the partial lysosomal localization.
WRITING IN SPACE: GLOTTOGRAPHIC AND SEMASIOGRAPHIC NOTATION AT TEOTIHUACAN

The study of writing has in many cases devoted attention to the detection of forms of writing. It has also tended to distinguish these from forms of non-writing by relying on the western notion that true writing must represent language. This study departs from former work and applies an integrational theory of writing to the notational system of Teotihuacan in central Mexico, observing the distinction between glottographic (language-based) and semasiographic (idea-based) writing. The article suggests that scribes at Teotihuacan employed the graphic space of speech scrolls to differentiate consciously between glottographic and semasiographic writing. The analysis behind the study reveals an important difference, too, between the infixes and affixes of speech scrolls, whereby infixes always represented semasiographic writing; in contrast, affixes could consist of both glottographic and semasiographic writing. An integrational theory of writing that focuses on graphic space as a distinguishing feature of different writing systems can show how scribes of ancient Teotihuacan established and followed subtle distinctions within their notational system, in a manner unknown in western writing.
Reliability analysis of various station attachment schemes in a FDDI token ring

Five different attachment schemes proposed for the FDDI (fiber distributed data interface) token ring are compared in terms of reliability. For this purpose, the topologies are first studied in isolation (reliability of the path to the backbone) and subsequently end-to-end user reliabilities are computed by combining backbone reliability with the reliability of the path to the backbone. >
Integrating substance abuse treatment for the seriously mentally ill into inpatient psychiatric treatment

This paper offers guidelines for the assessment and treatment of substance abuse problems in seriously mentally ill persons who are admitted into inpatient psychiatric treatment. This approach has been used successfully by the authors and may be most useful in settings where a specialized dual-diagnosis treatment program is not feasible. The first step consists of identifying potential substance abusers using several sources of information including the patient's record, a brief patient interview, and an interview with the patient's family and caseworker. Patients who have a confirmed or suspected substance abuse problem undergo a substance abuse assessment designed to evaluate consumption patterns, the negative consequences of substance use, and high-risk situations for alcohol and drug use. Patients are then presented with individualized feedback in a non-coercive manner, which is intended to increase their motivation to change their substance-use behavior. Treatment consists of a structured coping skills group which covers nine specific topics. The topics covered in the group treatment include both general social skills and specific drug and alcohol coping skills intended to assist individuals in coping effectively with high-risk situations. The content of each group session is described along with guidelines for conducting coping skills group treatment with the seriously mentally ill.
A task-uncoordinated distributed dataflow model for scalable high performance parallel program execution

We describe a novel model for executing distributed memory parallel programs using uncoordinated tasks.We describe several off-line optimizations for the proposed model.We examine the effects of these optimizations on modern processors with wider vector units.Increasing levels of task coalescence can improve throughput and increase performance.Increases in performance are observed in both single node and multi node experiments. We propose a distributed dataflow execution model which utilizes a distributed dictionary for data memoization, allowing each parallel task to schedule instructions without direct inter-task coordination. We provide a description of the proposed model, including autonomous dataflow task selection. We also describe a set of optimization strategies which improve overall throughput of stencil programs executed using this model on modern multi-core and vectorized architectures.
Effect of H2O Vapor on the Internal Friction of Binary Alkali Silicate Glasses

Internal friction and shear modulus of Na, K, and Li disiticate glasses were measured by a torsional pendulum as a function of H2O vapor treatment at T=300°C. H2O produced changes in the acoustic spectra (between—100° and 400°C and f=0.5 Hz) similar to the mixed-alkali effect which appears upon introduction of a second alkali to a single-alkali glass. An Na2O·2SiO2 glass free from the common nonbridging oxygen relaxation was produced.
Metastatic insular thyroid carcinoma in the pediatric patient

Abstract Objectives The clinical history of a pediatric patient with metastatic insular thyroid carcinoma will be reviewed. Previously reported cases will be examined to allow for comparison of prognosis. Methods A 4-year-old female with the complaint of chronic cough, progressive shortness of breath, and weight loss for 2 months underwent cervical lymph node biopsy. The biopsy revealed metastatic thyroid carcinoma. Preoperative imaging was suspicious for miliary metastatic spread to the lungs. Results Surgical intervention included total thyroidectomy with bilateral paratracheal and modified radical neck dissections. The right internal jugular vein and recurrent laryngeal nerve were removed at the time of surgery because of gross tumor invasion. Final pathologic finding revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma with insular variant features and bilateral regional metastasis. Postoperatively, the patient underwent radioactive iodine I 131 treatment. Conclusion Pediatric metastatic insular thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon form of thyroid malignancy requiring aggressive surgical treatment and adjuvant radioactive iodine.
A new approach to ATE power

An approach to ATE power to improve the configurability, maintainability, reliability and functionality of the DC power subsystem has been developed. A description of the evolution of DC programmable power, the characteristics of the power subsystem architecture, and how it addresses the need for high-density, high-performance modern ATE is presented. >
Modeling Hydrogen Synthesis with Rigorous Kinetics as Part of Plant-Wide Optimization

Hydrogen for industrial use is manufactured primarily by steam reforming hydrocarbons, or is available as a byproduct of refinery or chemical plant operations. Hydrogen demand usually is significantly greater than that available as a byproduct, and many times the plant's ability to supply hydrogen limits overall plant throughput. An operating plant can exploit existing in-place steam reformer and related equipment designs with rigorous models that employ kinetics. During plant design kinetics models are not necessarily used because experience and more simple models using approach to equilibrium, space velocity, maximum heat flux, and other parameters allow designers to build hydrogen plants to supply whatever hydrogen amount, purity, and pressure that is desired. The objective of suppliers of hydrogen plants is to establish an economic feasible design, given these predetermined criteria. Additional hydrogen, or less expensive hydrogen can be manufactured from these facilities, after construction, when rigorous models are used in on-line, closed loop optimization systems. These systems manipulate independent operating conditions (degrees of freedom), maximize or minimize an objective function (usually operating profit), while honoring numerous constraints, such as tube metal temperatures, pressure drops, pressures, damper and valve positions. A good kinetic model is the cornerstone of the predictive capabilities of such on-line optimization systems. An on-line optimization system exploits equipment under operating demands and constraints that were not necessarily anticipated during design.
Efficacy of a human anthrax vaccine in guinea pigs, rabbits, and rhesus macaques against challenge by Bacillus anthracis isolates of diverse geographical origin

The efficacy of a licensed human anthrax vaccine (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA)) was tested in guinea pigs, rabbits, and rhesus macaques against spore challenge by Bacillus anthracis isolates of diverse geographical origin. Initially, groups of Hartley guinea pigs were vaccinated at 0 and 4 weeks with AVA, then challenged intramuscularly at 10 weeks with spores from 33 isolates of B. anthracis. Survival among the vaccinated groups varied from 6 to 100%, although there were no differences in mean time to death among the groups. There was no correlation between isolate virulence and variable number tandem repeat category or protective antigen genotype identified. New Zealand white rabbits were then vaccinated with AVA at 0 and 4 weeks, and challenged at 10 weeks by aerosol with spores from six of the isolates that were highly virulent in vaccinated guinea pigs. AVA completely protected the rabbits from four of the isolates, and protected 90% of the animals from the other two isolates. Subsequently, two of these six isolates were then used to challenge rhesus macaques, previously vaccinated with AVA at 0 and 4 weeks, and challenged at 10 weeks by aerosol. AVA protected 80 and 100% of the animals from these two isolates. These studies demonstrated that, although AVA confers variable protection against different B. anthracis isolates in guinea pigs, it is highly protective against these same isolates in both rabbits and rhesus macaques.
A novel approach towards the synthesis of the 3,4,5-trihydro-1,3-diazepin-5-ol ring structure

Abstract A catalytic reduction of the nitrile portion of the trimethylsilyl cyanohydrin 7 to a primary amine has produced an situ annulation to generate the 3,4,5-trihydro-1,3-diazepin-5-ol ring. This ring substructure has demonstrated important biological significant.3
Neuromodulation: acetylcholine and memory consolidation.

Abstract Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that hippocampal damage causes more severe disruption of episodic memories if those memories were encoded in the recent rather than the more distant past. This decrease in sensitivity to damage over time might reflect the formation of multiple traces within the hippocampus itself, or the formation of additional associative links in entorhinal and association cortices. Physiological evidence also supports a two-stage model of the encoding process in which the initial encoding occurs during active waking and deeper consolidation occurs via the formation of additional memory traces during quiet waking or slow-wave sleep. In this article I will describe the changes in cholinergic tone within the hippocampus in different stages of the sleep–wake cycle and will propose that these changes modulate different stages of memory formation. In particular, I will suggest that the high levels of acetylcholine that are present during active waking might set the appropriate dynamics for encoding new information in the hippocampus, by partially suppressing excitatory feedback connections and so facilitating encoding without interference from previously stored information. By contrast, the lower levels of acetylcholine that are present during quiet waking and slow-wave sleep might release this suppression and thereby allow a stronger spread of activity within the hippocampus itself and from the hippocampus to the entorhinal cortex, thus facilitating the process of consolidation of separate memory traces.
Regulation of immunity and inflammation by intravenous immunoglobulin: relevance to solid organ transplantation

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) products are derived from pooled human plasma from thousands of donors and have been used for the treatment of primary immunodeficiency disorders for more than 30 years. IVIg products are also effective in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, however, the precise mechanism(s) of action are not known. Recent data suggest that IVIg has a much broader ability to regulate cellular immunity, including innate and adaptive components. IVIg-induced upregulation of Fcγ receptor IIB on B cells appears to be an important mode of action in suppression of antigen-presenting cell activity and antibody production. IVIg is also a recently recognized modifier of complement activation and injury. Analysis of clinical studies examining the use of IVIg in desensitization protocols and for treatment of antibody-mediated rejection in transplant recipients are supportive. Here, we discuss these important advancements and their relevance to transplant medicine.
Maternal acid-base status during cesarean section under thiopental, N2O, and succinylcholine anesthesia

Abstract Maternal acid-base status was evaluated in 17 normal term pregnant women undergoing repeat cesarean section under thiopental, nitrous oxide, and succinylcholine anesthesia. Little change in maternal acid-base status was noted during the surgical procedure. The induction and maintenance of anesthesia for operation prior to delivery resulted in a very mild acidosis (pH 7.42 to 7.37) which was due to a slight increase in arterial carbon dioxide tension and a slight decline in bicarbonate. The dosages of thiopental used (2.5 to 4 mg. per kilogram of body weight) did not affect the fetal outcome. However, it appears that prolonging nitrous oxide-oxygen anesthesia at concentrations of 70 to 30 per cent results in a high incidence of fetal depression (Apgar 5 or less at one minute) at delivery but not fetal acidosis as shown by cord blood evaluation. The 5 minute Apgar score in 13 of the 14 newborns recorded was 7 or above. Balanced anesthesia is safe for cesarean section so long as the time from induction to delivery is not prolonged.
The Transformation of European Social Democracy: Political economy and left party fortunes

Even though the change of class structure, conceived in conventional terms of economic property rights, does not, by itself, account for the electoral fortunes of socialist parties, left parties are exposed to elementary social and economic forces by running for and holding office. These forces may shape their political fortunes. First, the mere fact that a party heads the government, regardless of specific government policies and policy outcomes, may subject it to a particular responsibility for a variety of social developments in the eyes of the voters. Government incumbency endows a party with vulnerabilities vis-a-vis competitors that may affect its subsequent electoral performance. Second, a governing party's achievements in economic and social policy-making may shape the electorate's voting intentions. Institutional features of government formation and authority may intensify or reduce the electorate's awareness of government policy and willingness to attribute policy outcomes to party actions. Third, the electoral fortunes of governing parties may also depend on political-economic institutions, such as the organization of interest intermediation in economic policy-making between business, labor, and the government and the scope and design of welfare states. Such institutions affect citizens' trust in the long-term feasibility of a party's general economic policy approach and citizens' economic self-interests. In a brief formula, three social and institutional conditions may be hypothesized to help social democratic parties in the electoral competition.
The Organizational Guidelines: R.I.P.?

The U.S. Department of Justice now uses deferred and non-prosecution agreements in cases of corporate wrongdoing rather than filing charges against the company that will lead to a guilty plea or trial. This new approach means that the sentencing analysis under the Organizational Guidelines, which focus on calculating the appropriate fine, are largely meaningless because the determination of a fine is of minimal importance to the potential corporate defendant. While fines are still imposed, they are negotiated outside the context of the Organizational Guidelines. Of greater importance to the corporation being investigated will be the terms of a deferred/non-prosecution agreement that can mandate extensive changes in corporate governance. This article argues that while the Organizational Guidelines served a useful purpose, time has largely passed them by and they should be dropped from the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Unified View on the Mean-Field Order of Coil–Globule Transition

It is concluded that the mean-field coil–globule transition of a polymer chain of finite length N immersed in a small-molecule solvent exhibits the type-I behavior; that is, it is either a first-or...
Goat Preference for Concentrates or Forages Is Influenced by Physical and Chemical Characteristics of the Feed1

Two trials were conducted to determine easily measured physical and chemical characteristics that affected voluntary intake of forages or concentrates by goat kids in production settings. In Trial 1, goat kids were offered two concentrates simultaneously, and intake of each was recorded. Additionally, the time required by kids to consume 100 g of DM from each supplement was recorded. In Trial 2, kids were offered two forages for 3 h, and intake of each was recorded. Kids preferred pelleted supplements over those offered as a meal or liquid. They also preferred supplements offered as a meal over those offered as a liquid. Kids preferred supplements based on either corn or soybean meal over those based on fishmeal or molasses. Kid preference for concentrate supplements was highly related to time required for consumption of 100 g of DM. Kids consumed more DM from stored forages than from fresh forages. When offered fresh forages, kids consumed more DM from fresh cereal grain forages than from Brassica spp. or clovers. Kids also consumed more DM from Brassica spp. than from clovers. Consumption of forages by kids was positively related to DM content of the forages. Goats consumed concentrates and forages to maximize the nutrient intake in the allotted amount of time.
Imagining Nuclear Weapons: Hiroshima, Armageddon, and the Annihilation of the Students of Ichijo School

Depuis le debut du conflit entre les superpuissances, la reflexion nucleaire s'est inscrite dans le guerre froide et a mis en avant le danger de l'extinction humaine. La fin de la guerre froide a eu pour consequence l'obsolescence des strategies, mais egalement des images de la menace nucleaire. En dehors de l'obsession apocalyptique, plusieurs questions ont ete posees: la disparition instantanee de villes est-elle differente des autres modes de tuerie en temps de guerre? L'utilisation de l'arme nucleaire est-elle possible sous certaines conditions? Comment presenter une telle mort dans le systeme religieux de la guerre juste?
A Dark-Field Scattering Spectroelectrochemical Technique for Tracking the Electrodeposition of Single Silver Nanoparticles

Dark-field scattering spectroelectrochemistry is used to analyze the electrochemical formation of individual Ag nanoparticles (NPs) at the surface of an indium tin oxide electrode. Heterogeneities in redox potentials among NPs not visible in bulk electrochemical measurements are presented for the first time. Through correlated electron microscopy, single NP light scattering intensity is related to particle size according to Mie theory, enabling rapid particle size determination and the construction of voltammetric curves for individual NPs.
The potential for CMCs to replace superalloys in engine exhaust ducts

The Materials Systems Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has conducted research to develop decision tools that can facilitate materials selection and provide a deeper understanding of the design tradeoffs that occur when choosing among advanced aerospace materials for high-temperature applications. As an illustration of the use of these tools, this paper describes research done to evaluate the material alternatives currently under consideration for exhaust ducts in aircraft gas turbine engines. Although nickel-based superalloys currently prevail for this application, the increasing temperatures of modern engines are necessitating the usage of higher temperature materials.
Ipratropium Bromide Spray Compound Treatment of Bronchiolitis in the Clinical Observation

Objective Observe the curative effect of ipratropium bromide atomization for bronchiolitis patients.Method 432 patients with combined therapy were randomly assigned to treatment group(ipratropium,n=262,2 times a day) and control group(n=170).Results The treatment group had obvious curative effection when compared with control group(P0.01).Conclusion The application of ipratropium bromide atomization for bronchiolitis patients had obvious curative effection through soothing tracheal smooth muscles,expanding airways,inhibiting the histamine and leukotriene released in histaminemast cells to improve pulmonary function and shorten the course of treatment,which had a safe and convenient route of administration and obvious curative effect at the same time.
Detection of serum antiprothrombin antibody by indirect ELLSA

Objective To establish an indirect solid phase ELISA for the detection of IgG and IgM class au- toantibodies directed against prothrombin.Methods High activated polyvinylchloride plates were coated with 100μl of 10μg/ml purified human prothrombin in Tris buffered saline(TBS)overnight at 4℃.To avoid non specific bind- ing,wells were blocked with 150μl goat serum.After washing with TBS containing 0.1% Tween 20,100μl of ser- um samples diluted with TBS containing 1% bovine serum albumin(TBS 1% BSA)in 1:100 were added in dupli- cate.Plates were incubated for 1h at room temperature and after washing with TBS Tween,100μl of horse radish peroxidase(HRP)-conjugated goat antihuman IgG or IgM antibodies in TBS 1% BSA were added in the appropriate dilution.After half an hour incubation at room temperature followed by 3 washes,100μl tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)/H_2O_2 were added for 15 min,the reaction was terminated with 50μl 1 mmol/L HCl.Results were read at a wavelength of 450 nm against a background of 650 nm a plate reader.The sensitivity,specificity and reproducibility of ELISA,and its correlation to the imported kit from Germany were studied.Results The method for detecting IgG and IgM,aPT showed good sensitivity,specificity,reproducibility,and stabilization.Conclusion The ELISA kit is successfully developed,it is suitable to use in experimental and clinical application.
Fast sorting and pattern-avoiding permutations

We say a permutation π "avoids" a pattern σ if no length |σ| subsequence of π is ordered in precisely the same way as σ. For example, π avoids (1, 2, 3) if it contains no increasing subsequence of length three. It was recently shown by Marcus and Tardos that the number of permutations of length n avoiding any fixed pattern is at most exponential in n. This suggests the possibility that if π is known a priori to avoid a fixed pattern, it may be possible to sort π in as little as linear time. Fully resolving this possibility seems very challenging, but in this paper, we demonstrate a large class of patterns σ for which σ-avoiding permutations can be sorted in O(n log log log n) time.
Commentary on genitourinary cancer survivorship: physical activity and prostate cancer survivorship

Previous definitions outlining cancer survivorship referred mostly to individuals who had life-threatening disease, but remained disease free for a minimum of 5 years (1-3). However the current iteration of the term “cancer survivor” as proposed by the National Consortium for Cancer survivorship refers to those “living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis” (4). This definition, accepted by the Institute of Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Society for Clinical Oncology represents a forward thinking practice of embracing all individuals affected by cancer regardless of oncologic status, and encourages advocacy for quality care for all patients.
Savings achieved through use of a less concentrated amino acid solution

The administrative process of adding a 5.5% crystalline amino acid solution to the formulary of two affiliated hospitals and the results of the addition are discussed. A formulary change was sought after it was found that many patients on parenteral nutrient therapy were receiving more amino acids than they needed. Nearly all patients on parenteral nutrient therapy were receiving 8.5% crystalline amino acid solution. The approach to achieving the pharmacy and therapeutics committee's approval of the formulary change included documenting amino acid needs from the literature, securing a multidisciplinary base of support and providing economic impact information. A standard TPN order form for physicians, education through the pharmacy newsletter, and presentations at surgery and medical conferences and grand rounds were implemented to assure that the change was effective. During the 12 months following approval of the formulary addition, 66% of the more than 20,000 total parenteral nutrient solutions were prepared using 5.5% amino acid solutions. This resulted in an annual savings of $41,028
Metastatic Bone Disease: Spine

Metastatic disease in the spine encompasses a heterogeneous group of tumors which cause a wide variety of clinical scenarios involving degrees of pain, mechanical instability, and neurologic injury. Ideal treatment plans are developed by a multidisciplinary team and are best tailored to the individual patient by consideration of spinal stability, neurologic status, and systemic status of disease. Treatment modalities are continuously evolving but include systemic medical therapy, conventional radiotherapy and radiosurgery, percutaneous and minimally invasive surgery, and traditional open surgery.
Do Cyclosporine A, an IL-1 Receptor Antagonist, Uridine Triphosphate, Rebamipide, and/or Bimatoprost Regulate Human Meibomian Gland Epithelial Cells?

Purpose Researchers have hypothesized that treatment with cyclosporine A (CyA), interleukin-1 receptor antagonists (IL-1RA; e.g., anakinra), P2Y2 receptor agonists (e.g., uridine triphosphate; UTP), and rebamipide may alleviate human meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and/or dry eye disease. Investigators have also proposed that prostaglandin analogues (e.g., bimatoprost) may induce MGD. Our goal was to determine whether these compounds directly influence human meibomian gland epithelial cell (HMGEC) function. Methods Multiple concentrations of each compound were tested for effects on immortalized (I) HMGEC morphology and survival. Nontoxic dosages were used for our studies. Immortalized HMGEC were cultured in the presence of vehicle, CyA, IL-1RA, UTP, rebamipide, or bimatoprost for up to 6 days in various media. Experiments included positive controls for proliferation (epidermal growth factor and bovine pituitary extract), differentiation (azithromycin), and signaling pathway activation (insulin-like growth factor 1). Cells were analyzed for neutral lipid staining, lysosome accumulation, lipid composition, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt (AKT), phosphorylation. Results Our findings demonstrate that CyA, IL-1RA, UTP, rebamipide, and bimatoprost had no effect on the proliferation; neutral lipid content; lysosome number; or levels of free cholesterol, triglycerides, or phospholipids in IHMGECs. Cylosporine A, IL-1RA, rebamipide, and bimatoprost significantly reduced the phosphorylation of AKT, as compared to control. Of interest, tested doses of CyA above 8 nM killed the IHMGECs. Conclusions Our results show that CyA, IL-1RA, UTP, rebamipide, and bimatoprost do not influence the proliferation or differentiation of IHMGEC. However, with the exception of UTP, these compounds do decrease the activity of the AKT signaling pathway, which is known to promote cell survival.
103 Changing Environments, Changing Practice: How the ‘Enhancing the Environment Project’ has Supported Changes in Practice and Increased Patient Choice Within Our Specialist Palliative Care Day Therapy Unit

In 2007, we were fortunate to gain funding from the Department of Health under the King’s Fund Enhancing the Healing Environment Project to upgrade our hospice premises. The aim of the project was to enhance the wellbeing of patients by improving their environment through colour, light and art and to maximise patient choice. Our development of service user involvement and …
Textural Poaching Twin Peaks: The Audrey Horne Sweater Girl GIFs

This article aims to widen the lens of analysis of participatory culture inspired by long-arc serials like Twin Peaks. It considers GIF creation as a form of textural poaching, a new reception practice involving skimming off and repurposing top-of-the-mind content: the most arresting elements of costuming, set design, and dialogue. This behavior has become more popular as more series rely on textural storytelling and are filled with moments of excess that feel separate from the story. After an introduction to GIFs and GIF creation, it contrasts the impression of the character and series conveyed by Audrey Horne GIFs and the actual dynamics in the “Audrey’s Dance” scene. It establishes that Audrey’s look is most visually aligned with the Sweater Girl type, but as an allusive characterization it creates excess and calls attention to itself. Part of the “cool pop” reputation of the series may stem from the wider circulation of iconic moments of excess especially given that the GIFs detach the images from the series’ uneven storytelling and its challenging surrealist sensibility.
Why Tolerate Law

This is analysis of the fallacious logic, unsound premises, hidden premises, and inconsistent word meanings in jurisprudence questioning “Why Tolerate Religion?”. It will then argue that this question is essentially gloating because in Western Technological Society the law does not tolerate religion in any sense but a nominal one and most certainly not in any normative or pragmatic sense, the only senses that matter for either law or religion. Western Law has negated and displaced Western religion to become the only normative power in Western Civilization. Thus there is nothing left to tolerate of Western religion with only law remaining with a monopoly on violence to enforce its norms. The realistic question that should be asked is why tolerate law qua law: what principled argument is there for tolerating law with its special monopoly on violence? This essay also examines the philosophy that is the foundation for modern philosophy of law giving it the delusion it ought to negate and displace Western religion. Western law is ignoring the pragmatic importance of separate but equal religious normative power as a counterbalance to the by necessity violent normative power of law.
The Impact of the Cosurgeon Model on Bilateral Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

Background Microsurgical breast reconstructions (MBRs) are time and labor intensive procedures. To circumvent these barriers, plastic surgeons have started working together as cosurgeons (CSs). This study aims to evaluate the impact of the CS model (CSM) specifically on bilateral MBR. The hypothesis is that CS procedures reduce operative time and surgical complications. Study Design This was a single institutional retrospective cohort study, which included all consecutive patients who underwent bilateral MBR from 2014 to 2016. Patients were grouped into single surgeon (SS) or CSs based on the number of the attending plastic surgeons present. Demographic and clinical characteristics including age, body mass index, smoking, American Society of Anesthesiologist class, radiation, and the timing of the reconstruction were assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for outcomes including operative time and postoperative complications. Results Of the 136 patients included in the study, 41% had breast reconstruction performed by CSs, whereas 59% had a SS. Sociodemographic features were evenly distributed with the exception of a greater number of delayed reconstructions in the SS group (33 vs. 13%; p p p = 0.07). Conclusion The CSM is associated with improved operative efficiency for bilateral MBR. Further evaluation of the CSM may prove useful in other surgical disciplines with time and labor intense procedures.
Life Expectancy for Patients From the Southeastern United States With IgA Nephropathy.

Introduction Although end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and surrogate markers for renal dysfunction are frequently used as outcome markers for IgA nephropathy, the clinical course after reaching ESRD is not well documented. This study examined outcomes of progression to ESRD and age at death in a cohort of adults with IgA nephropathy with a long duration of follow-up. Methods Patient and kidney survival of 251 adult patients with IgA nephropathy from the southeastern United States diagnosed between January 1, 1976 and December 31, 2005 were analyzed. Results Median age at diagnosis was 36.9 years. Most patients were men (69%) and Caucasian (95%). Only 46% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate >60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at diagnosis. Mean follow-up time from time of diagnostic biopsy to death or end of study was 19.3 years. Of 251 patients, 132 (53%) progressed to ESRD and 97 (39%) died. Life expectancy was reduced by 10.1 years, with a median observed age of death at 65.7 years and a median expected age at death of 75.8 years. Eighty-three percent of the deaths occurred after progression to ESRD. Conclusion Life expectancy is substantially reduced for patients diagnosed with IgA nephropathy in the southeastern United States.
Synthesis of 3D-printed dielectric lens antennas via optimization of Geometrical Optics Ray Tracing

A numerical recipe is presented to synthesize symmetric lenses via a hybridization of two numerical methods for potential space borne applications requiring a conical pattern scan. The algorithm is based on the concepts of Geometrical Optics Ray Tracing and Particle Swarm Optimization of a 10-term Quadratic-Tapered Legendre Series Expansion of the lens surface topology parameterized as a Body-of-Revolution to obtain azimuthal symmetry. Full-Wave analysis is used to validate the technique. An example of an on-axis fed shaped lens optimized for uniform phase is presented.
A two-year study using cerebral gray matter volume to assess the response to fingolimod therapy in multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Background Cerebral gray matter (GM) atrophy has clinical relevance in multiple sclerosis (MS). Fingolimod has known efficacy on clinical and conventional MRI findings in MS; the effect on GM is unknown. Objective To explore fingolimod's treatment effect on cerebral GM atrophy over two years in patients with relapsing forms of MS. Design/methods Patients starting fingolimod [n = 24, age (mean ± SD) 41.2 ± 11.6 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 1.1 ± 1.4; 58% women] were compared to untreated patients [n = 29, age 45.7 ± 8.4 years, EDSS 1.0 ± 1.2; 93% women]. Baseline, one and two year MRI was applied to an SPM12 pipeline to assess brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) and cortical GM fraction (cGMF). T2 lesion volume (T2LV) and gadolinium-enhancing lesions were assessed. Change was modeled using a mixed effects linear regression with a random intercept and fixed effects for time, group, and the time-by-group interaction. The group slope difference was assessed using the interaction term. Results Over two years, cGMF remained stable in the fingolimod group (p > 0.05), but decreased in the untreated group (p 0.05). T2LV increased over two years in the untreated group (p Conclusion These results suggest a treatment effect of fingolimod on cerebral GM atrophy in the first two years. GM atrophy is more sensitive to such effects than whole brain atrophy. However, due to the non-randomized, retrospective design, heterogeneous between-group characteristics, and small sample size, these results require confirmation in future studies.
Particulate Matter Air Pollution Exposure and Heart Disease Mortality Risks by Race and Ethnicity in the United States: 1997 to 2009 National Health Interview Survey With Mortality Follow-Up Through 2011.

Background:Most US studies of mortality and air pollution have been conducted on largely non-Hispanic white study populations. However, many health and mortality outcomes differ by race and ethnici...
A computational study of mucociliary transport in healthy and diseased environments

Mucociliary clearance is the primary defense mechanism that protects the airways from inhaled toxicants and infectious agents. The fluid medium is spatially non-homogenous, consisting of a viscoela...
Advances in micro- and nanotechnologies for the GLP-1-based therapy and imaging of pancreatic beta-cells.

Therapies to prevent diabetes in particular the progressive loss of β-cell mass and function and/or to improve the dysregulated metabolism associated with diabetes are highly sought. The incretin-based therapy comprising GLP-1R agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors have represented a major focus of pharmaceutical RD it normalizes β-cell sensitivity to glucose, has an antiapoptotic role, stimulates β-cell proliferation and differentiation, and inhibits glucagon secretion. However, native GLP-1 therapy is inappropriate due to the rapid post-secretory inactivation by DPP-4. Therefore, incretin mimetics developed on the backbone of the GLP-1 or exendin-4 molecule have been developed to behave as GLP-1R agonists but to display improved stability and clinical efficacy. New formulations of incretins and their analogs based on micro- and nanomaterials (i.e., PEG, PLGA, chitosan, liposomes and silica) and innovative encapsulation strategies have emerged to achieve a better stability of the incretin, to improve its pharmacokinetic profile, to lower the administration frequency or to allow another administration route and to display fewer adverse effects. An important advantage of these formulations is that they can also be used at the targeted non-invasive imaging of the beta-cell mass. This review therefore focuses on the current state of these efforts as the next step in the therapeutic evolution of this class of antidiabetic drugs.
The pediatric experience of living with a ventricular assist device

Abstract With the increasing use of long-term mechanical circulatory support in the management of pediatric heart failure, there is a growing patient population with unique qualities and needs. The objective of this review is to better understand the experience of having a ventricular assist device from the perspective of the child. The literature findings were categorized into the following themes: the persistent threat of mortality, identification with the device, the perception of life pre-device, and caregiver strain. While there is a large area that remains to be studied in future research, these findings can be utilized in the development of education and support programs to effectively meet the needs of this unique population.
Noumenal power: concept and explanation

Does ‘noumenal power’ adequately represent ‘the real and general phenomenon of power,’ as the capacity to secure the compliance of others? Does it include what is relevantly similar and exclude wha...
Being Suspicious of the Sense of Ease and Undeterred by the Sense of Difficulty: Looking Back at Schmidt and Bjork (1992).

Richard Schmidt and I titled our article “New Conceptualizations of Practice: Common Principles in Three Paradigms Suggest New Concepts for Training” to reflect our view that prevailing ideas about...
Generatingfunctionology. By Herbert SWilf

(1990). Generatingfunctionology. By Herbert SWilf. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 97, No. 9, pp. 864-866.
“For Now, We Are in Waiting”: Negotiating Time in Chile's Social Housing System:

Waiting for low–income housing is an increasingly common experience of the urban poor in both the global North and South, although little attention has been paid to its effects. Engaging a growing ...