cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racial variation in the quality of surgical care for bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND Differences in quality of care may contribute to racial variation in outcomes of bladder cancer (BCa). Quality indicators in patients undergoing surgery for BCa include the use of high-volume surgeons and high-volume hospitals, and, when clinically indicated, receipt of pelvic lymphadenectomy, receipt of continent urinary diversion, and undergoing radical cystectomy instead of partial cystectomy. The authors compared these quality indicators as well as adverse perioperative outcomes in black patients and white patients with BCa. METHODS The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases for New York, Florida, and Maryland (1996-2009) were used, because they consistently included race, surgeon, and hospital identifiers. Quality indicators were compared across racial groups using regression models adjusting for age, sex, Elixhauser comorbidity sum, insurance, state, and year of surgery, accounting for clustering within hospital. RESULTS Black patients were treated more often by lower volume surgeons and hospitals, they had significantly lower receipt of pelvic lymphadenectomy and continent diversion, and they experienced higher rates of adverse outcomes compared with white patients. These associations remained significant for black patients who received treatment from surgeons and at hospitals in the top volume decile. CONCLUSIONS Black patients with BCa had lower use of experienced providers and institutions for BCa surgery. In addition, the quality of care for black patients was lower than that for whites even if they received treatment in a high-volume setting. This gap in quality of care requires further investigation. Cancer 2014;120:1018–1025. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Characterizing the Scalability of Decision-Support Workloads on Clusters and SMP Systems

Using a public domain version of a commercial clustered database server and TPC-H like decision support queries, this paper studies the performance and scalability issues of a Pentium/Linux cluster and an 8-way Linux SMP. The execution profile demonstrates the dominance of the I/O subsystem in the execution, and the importance of the communication subsystem for cluster scalability. In addition to quantifying their importance, this paper provides further details on how these subsystems are exercised by the database engine.
Joint haplotype assembly and genotype calling via sequential Monte Carlo algorithm.

Genetic variations predispose individuals to hereditary diseases, play important role in the development of complex diseases, and impact drug metabolism. The full information about the DNA variations in the genome of an individual is given by haplotypes, the ordered lists of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located on chromosomes. Affordable high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies enable routine acquisition of data needed for the assembly of single individual haplotypes. However, state-of-the-art high-throughput sequencing platforms generate data that is erroneous, which induces uncertainty in the SNP and genotype calling procedures and, ultimately, adversely affect the accuracy of haplotyping. When inferring haplotype phase information, the vast majority of the existing techniques for haplotype assembly assume that the genotype information is correct. This motivates the development of methods capable of joint genotype calling and haplotype assembly. We present a haplotype assembly algorithm, ParticleHap, that relies on a probabilistic description of the sequencing data to jointly infer genotypes and assemble the most likely haplotypes. Our method employs a deterministic sequential Monte Carlo algorithm that associates single nucleotide polymorphisms with haplotypes by exhaustively exploring all possible extensions of the partial haplotypes. The algorithm relies on genotype likelihoods rather than on often erroneously called genotypes, thus ensuring a more accurate assembly of the haplotypes. Results on both the 1000 Genomes Project experimental data as well as simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed approach enables highly accurate solutions to the haplotype assembly problem while being computationally efficient and scalable, generally outperforming existing methods in terms of both accuracy and speed. The developed probabilistic framework and sequential Monte Carlo algorithm enable joint haplotype assembly and genotyping in a computationally efficient manner. Our results demonstrate fast and highly accurate haplotype assembly aided by the re-examination of erroneously called genotypes. A C code implementation of ParticleHap will be available for download from https://sites.google.com/site/asynoeun/particlehap .
Ingando Solidarity Camps: Reconciliation and Political Indoctrination in Post-Genocide Rwanda

This Note, based primarily on interviews with ingando participants, government officials, journalists, and genocide survivors conducted in Rwanda in January 2004, evaluates the merits and limits of government-run ingando solidarity camps as a means of fostering reconciliation in the complicated social landscape of post-genocide Rwanda. Focusing on ingando for ex-combatants, ex-soldiers, students, and released genocidaires, this Note argues that much of the ingando project is focused on the dissemination of pro-RPF ideology, a dangerous undertaking in a country in which political indoctrination and government-controlled information were essential in sparking and sustaining the genocide. Furthermore, a successful reconciliation program must take place in a society that values human rights; therefore, we cannot evaluate ingando in isolation from human rights developments in Rwanda. This Note argues that ingando will fail as a reconciliation mechanism so long as the Rwandan government continues to attack public spheres of independent thought and criticism.
Organometallic ligands : The preparation and properties of complexes of the ferrocenylphosphines☆

Abstract Coordiantion complexes of ferrocenyldiphenylphosphine, diferrocenylphenylphosphine, and triferrocenylphosphine have been prepared. An examination of the CO stretching frequencies of the eight possible compounds of the series (FcxPh3-xP) M(CO)5 (M = Mo, W) showed that the A11 and E modes decreased in frequency as the number of ferrocyney groups increased. This has been interpreted as resulting from a concomitant increase in the σ donor ability of the ferrocenylposphine. 1H NMR studies of (FcxPh3-xP)Me+I− and methylbis(dimethylglyoximato)(ferrocenylphosphine)cobalt(III) demostrate the same trend, that is, the PMe or CoMe groups are increasingly shielded with increasing ferrocenyl group substitution. Although the σ donor ability of the phosphine increases with increasing ferrocenyl substitution, the steric requirements of the ligand also increase greatly. As evidence, no ligand exchange is observed in solutions of Fc3P and methylbis(dimethylglyoximato)(pyridine)cobalt(III), nor is complexation observed between this same phosphine and bis(acetylacetonato)nickel(II); however, ligand exchange or complexation is observed for the other phosphines of the series. The contact shifted NMR spectra of FcPl2P and Fc2PhP show that spin may not be delocalized from the substituted π-C5H4 ring through the iron atom into the π-C5H5 ring and that more spin density may be delocalized into the phenyl groups than into the ferrocenyl groups; this latter result may be a manifestation of the fact that the phenyl group is less electron releasing than the ferrocenyl group. In a preliminary survey of the electrochemistry of these phosphine and their complexes, it was found that the ferrocenyl group of FcPh2P and (FcPh2P)Mo(CO)5 underwent reversible, one-electron oxidation at +0.48 and +0.62 V vs. S.C.E., respectively. At more oxidizing potentials, more complex, irreversible processes occur.
The Search for Hercules: Residual Owners, Directors, and Corporate Governance in Chapter 11

The Myth of the Residual Owner is vintage Lynn LoPucki. Befitting the leading empirical scholar on the Chapter 11 proceedings of large, publicly held companies, the piece rigorously exposes under-appreciated aspects of modern Chapter 11 practice. Myth enriches our understanding of reorganization practice by replacing the standard characterization of a business’s capital structure as consisting of secured debt, unsecured debt, and equity with a pattern that reveals a more complex priority structure. Rather than a single class of unsecured creditors lodged firmly between secured creditors on the top and equity holders on the bottom, LoPucki finds a plethora of classes, with a median number above three and some businesses having as many as thirteen. Which classes actually see money at the end of the day is more important than how many classes are seeking funds. A central function of a bankruptcy proceeding is dividing up the pie. The number of priority classes, just like the number of claims, provides an incomplete and often misleading picture of the reorganization process. What matters is money. LoPucki enlightens us along this dimension as well. In most cases, at least the most senior group of unsecured creditors is paid in full. They get what they contracted for. More surprisingly, however, is that there is often more than one group that gets partial payment. In over half of the cases in his sample, two or more groups of unsecured creditors received partial payment. These results are interesting in and of themselves. LoPucki’s data demonstrate that priority need not be tied to the institution of secured credit; contracts that establish priority are quite effective. In some cases,
Stancetaking and the joint construction of zine producer identities in a research interview

This article examines the construction of zine producer identities (self and other) during a research interview. Zines are self-published texts that circulate in mainly underground communities. In this study, I draw on dialogic understandings of the notion of ‘stance’ to show how a zine producer accomplishes a situated identity performance in the interview that also functions as an interdiscursive move in a larger conversation about the role Do-It-Yourself (DIY) ethics should play in zine communities. Specifically, I show how this speaker displays stances in relation to recognizable social types within zine communities but also the canonical stances associated with these social types. I unpack the features that work in support of this stancetaking, including discourse markers, constructed dialogue, referring terms, and prosodic cues. The analysis also foregrounds how the interviewer's turns contributed to these emergent stance displays, which furthers our understanding of the dynamic social context of the research interview.
Laser Annealing of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Thick Films

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon thick films deposited by dc glow discharge on molybdenum substrates were annealed by a pulsed Nd:glass laser. Mass spectrometry showed hydrogen remaining in all the laser annealed films. The amount of hydrogen remaining decreased with decreasing scan rate. The hydrogen evolved upon heating at 365 °C and mainly at 658 °C before laser annealing, but at 365, 575 (Mainly) and 645 °C after laser annealing, indicating weakening of the silicon-hydrogen bonding after laser annealing. The presence of hydrogen inhibited crystallization, as indicated by Raman scattering. The photo and dark conductivity of the film increased by one and three orders of magnitude respectively with increasing laser energy density up to 12 J/cm 2 at a fixed scan rate. This Means that the photoresponse was decreased with laser annealing, in spite of the associated increase in crystallinity. This photoresponse decrease is attributed to the hydrogen evolution.
Transient central hypothyroidism as a cause of failure to thrive in newborns and infants

The course of two neonates and one 4-month-old infant with laboratory and clinical evidence of central hypothyroidism is described. All three presented with failure to thrive and improved after L–T4 therapy. Early recognition and treatment of newborns and infants with central hypothyroidism is important to maximize the potential for growth and development. Two of the three infants have been documented to have transient central hypothyroidism of hypothalamic origin, not previously reported.
Surface-based matching using elastic transformations

Abstract We introduce a methodology for the alignment of multidimensional data, such as brain scans. The proposed approach does not require fiducial-point correspondence; correspondence of surfaces provides sufficient data for registration. We extend multidimensional interpolation theory by using a more general form of energy functional, which leads to basis functions that have different orders at zero and infinity. This allows flexibility in the design of the interpolation solution. The problem is transformed into a linear algebra problem. Two techniques for better conditioning of the system matrix are described. Experimental results on two- and three-dimensional alignment of brain data used in neurochemistry research are shown.
A Simulation Environment for Intelligent Machine Architectures

A modelling and simulation environment for intelligent machine architectures (IMA) should be able to represent both the symbolic and the numeric processing required in IMAs at various levels of abstraction. It should make useful predictions about an analyzed system in a time that is short compared to the time needed to build and test the actual system. Also, it should support modular construction and reuse of IMA component models. DEVS-Scheme is a knowledge-based, object-oriented, simulation environment to support design of IMAs. We show how it satisfies the given requirements. An example of an IMA developed in the DEVS-Scheme environment is discussed to illustrate its concepts and operation.
A modular, open-source 3D printed underactuated hand

Commercially available robotic hands are often expensive, customized for specific platforms, and difficult to modify. In this paper, we present the design of an open-source, low-cost, single actuator underactuated hand that can be created through fast and commonly-accessible rapid-prototyping techniques and simple, off-the-shelf components. This project establishes the design of an adaptive, four-finger hand utilizing simple 3D-printed components, compliant flexure joints, and readily obtainable off-the-shelf parts. Modular and adjustable finger designs are provided, giving the user a range of options depending on the intended use of the hand. The design tradeoffs and decisions made to achieve the 3D-printable, compact and lightweight robotic gripper are discussed, as well as a preliminary discussion of the performance differences between the finger designs. The authors intend this work to be the first in a series of open-source designs to be released, and through the contributions of the open-source user community, result in a large number of design modifications and variations available to researchers.
Modeling urban landscape dynamics: A review

Reviewed here is the historical development of urban growth models, showing how different disciplines and diverse theories have come together over time to produce the models used today. This review is divided into two sections, the first section reviews the early models that are rooted in transportation and land-use planning and form the foundation on which nearly all modeling efforts are based. These models are already well documented in the literature and an overview here is sufficient. In the second section, an exploration is made into the theories and approaches that have been integrated into urban modeling efforts. The concepts are outlined and one or more contemporary examples are highlighted. These theories and approaches represent the major areas of development that exist in published work.
Use of Cardiac Phase-Contrast MRI to Examine Hemodynamics and Wall Deformation Within the Aortic Root for Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valves

As the most common congenital heart defect, bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) occurs in 1–2 % of the population and has been associated with serious complications such as aortic valve dysfunction, infective endocarditis, aortic dilatation, aortic aneurysm, and aortic dissection [1, 2]. While the pathogenesis of this valve malformation has been postulated to be genetic, the resulting vascular environment and abnormal hemodynamics are hypothesized to contribute to the progression of the disease and its subsequently high morbidity and mortality (greater than 33% of patients with BAV develop serious complications from the disease) [1]. However, clinical details supporting the causality between altered local blood flow dynamics and development of structural abnormality at the aortic root are still lacking.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Coilin interacts with Ku proteins and inhibits in vitro non-homologous DNA end joining

Coilin is a nuclear protein that plays a role in Cajal body formation. The function of nucleoplasmic coilin is unknown. Here we report that coilin interacts with Ku70 and Ku80, which are major players in the DNA repair process. Ku proteins compete with SMN and SmB' proteins for coilin interaction sites. The binding domain on coilin for Ku proteins cannot be localized to one discrete region, and only full-length coilin is capable of inhibiting in vitro non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ). Since Ku proteins do not accumulate in CBs, these findings suggest that nucleoplasmic coilin participates in the regulation of DNA repair.
Left ventricular transmural mechanics: tracking opportunities in-depth.

The way to do research is to attack the facts at the point of greatest astonishment. —Celia Green. During a heartbeat, the left ventricular (LV) wall shortens and thickens, reducing LV volume by two thirds. Over a day, this rhythmic action displaces approximately 8000 L of blood, which is equivalent to lifting a weight of 100 pounds 1 mile high. Although the contraction of a myocyte provides the cellular basis of force development, the changes in global mechanical function of the heart far exceed the magnitude estimated from myocyte contraction alone. Myocytes contract identically at all transmural depths, with 15% longitudinal shortening leading to 8% thickening of myocyte diameter. This change, however, is unable to account for the >40% LV wall thickening and >60% change in ejection fraction seen during a cardiac cycle. Rather, the mechanistic basis of the heart’s efficiency resides in the unique arrangement of myofiber sheets that amplify the strains over the endocardial surface. The presence of myocardial disease alters the relative contribution of myofiber layers, resulting in transmural strain dispersion and reduction in subendocardial-to-subepicardial strain gradients. The study by Tanimoto et al in this issue of JASE puts the features of LV transmural mechanics into clinical perspective. The authors compared a novel radial strain mapping algorithm with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for defining the transmural extent of cardiac muscle necrosis in patients with ST-elevation inferior wall myocardial infarctions.
Taking Stock of Empowerment Evaluation: An Empirical Review.

Empowerment evaluation entered the evaluation lexicon in 1993. Since that time, it has attracted many adherents, as well as vocal detractors. A prominent issue in the debates on empowerment evaluation concerns the extent to which empowerment evaluation can be readily distinguished from other approaches to evaluation that share with it an emphasis on participatory and collaborative processes, capacity development, and evaluation use. A second issue concerns the extent to which empowerment evaluation actually leads to empowered outcomes for those who have participated in the evaluation process and those who are the intended beneficiaries of the social programs that were the objects of evaluation. The authors systematically examined 47 case examples of empowerment evaluation published from 1994 through June 2005. The results suggest wide variation among practitioners in adherence to empowerment evaluation principles and weak emphasis on the attainment of empowered outcomes for program beneficiaries. Implicat...
Interconnection Networks for SIMD Machines

Many SIMD interconnection networks have been proposed. To put the different approaches into perspective, this analysis compares a number of single- and multistage networks.
Well-defined, reversible boronate crosslinked nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery in response to acidic pH values and cis-diols.

Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles are gaining considerable attention in the field of drug delivery due to their useful physicochemical changes in response to specific triggers, such as pH[1], temperature[2], enzymes[3] or redox conditions[4], present in certain physiological or disease microenvironment of interest. Among these nanoparticles, stimuli-responsive cross-linked micelles (SCMs) represent a versatile nanocarrier system for tumor targeting drug delivery[2c, 4-5]. For instance, SCMs exhibit superior structural stability under physiological condition compared to the non-crosslinked counterpart. As a result, these nanocarriers are able to better retain the encapsulated drug and minimize its premature release while circulating in the blood pool[2c, 4b, 5b]. The introduction of environmentally sensitive crosslinkers makes SCMs responsive to the local environment of the tumor (e.g. tumor extra-cellular pH (6.5-7.2), endosomal/lysosomal pH (4.5–6)[5b, 6], and tumor reductive intra-cellular condition[4-5]). In these instances, the payload drug is released almost exclusively in the cancerous tissue upon accumulation via the well known enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect[2c, 4b, 5b].
Synaptic development in the rabbit superior colliculus and visual cortex.

The development of synapses in the visual cortex (VC) and superior colliculus (SC) of the rabbit has been examined with the electron microscope. In both areas, the number of synapses reaches adult levels by 20–25 days of postnatal age, but the development in the visual cortex is delayed in comparison to that in the superior colliculus. When S synapses (spheroidal vesicles, asymmetric thickening) are compared with F synapses (flattened vesicles, symmetric thickening), even greater differences are seen. In both the VC and SC, S synapses develop earlier than F synapses, though there is considerable overlap. Of interest is the fact that synapses in the visual cortex seem to overshoot their adult levels late in development, suggesting that an excess of synapses may be formed in this system. Multiple synapses, probably of retinal origin, increase in the first 3 weeks of synaptic development in the SC, but never are present in significant proportions in the VC. Synapse formation most often is characterized by formation of a junction and a postsynaptic thickening, followed by acquisition of synaptic vesicles. After 15 days, there is only a small number of such “non-vesicle synapses” in either the SC or VC.
Spatial variations in total aluminum concentrations in drinking water supplies studied by geographic information system (GIS) methods

Abstract Aluminum sulfate (alum) is routinely added in many water treatment systems as a coagulant. Some amount of aluminum may persist in the filtered water designated for human consumption. However, there are no reliable data to predict the magnitude of residual concentrations that would reach consumers’ taps. Studies in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan associated aluminum in tap water with various health problems, most notably, neuro-skeletal disorders and cognitive impairments. Whether or not aluminum in the drinking water is, indeed, a risk factor for these diseases has not been resolved conclusively. However, evidence has accumulated to suggest that it might be prudent to minimize residual aluminum in drinking water supplies. Harris County, Texas, by virtue of its multiple water supply sources and treatment methods, provides a unique opportunity to study spatial variations in concentrations of aluminum in the tap water within a defined geographic location. Statistical analysis of sampling results, coupled with GIS mapping, showed a range of variations, from none detected to as much as 530 μ g/l of total aluminum in tap water. Peak concentrations were associated with source water treated with alum and were 2.5 times in excess of 200 μ g/l currently recommended for public drinking water supplies. Median concentrations in the alum-treated water were up to five times greater than in raw water, regardless of its origin (surface or ground), and greater than in the water treated with an alternative coagulant (ferric chloride). Our findings show that options exist to minimize residual aluminum and these options need to be explored.
Distribution of sodium channels in chronically demyelinated spinal cord axons: immuno-ultrastructural localization and electrophysiological observations.

Abstract The immuno-ultrastructural localization of voltage-sensitive sodium channels was demonstrated within a central demyelinating lesion induced in the rat spinal cord by ethidium bromide/irradiation using polyclonal antibody 7493. Antibody 7493 has previously been shown to immunostain intensely axon membrane at nodes of Ranvier, and also perinodal astrocyte processes. At 25–35 days post injection/irradiation, the central portion of the demyelinating lesion is populated with chronically demyelinated axons and there is an absence of glial processes. Sodum channel immunoreactivity was not observed on the chronically demyelinated axolemma within this central portion of the lesion. Within the peripheral portion of the lesion demyelinated axons were occasionally abutted by astrocyte and Schwann cell processes. At these focal sites of apposition, the axon membrane displayed intense sodium channel immunoreactivity, while the abutting astrocyte and Schwann cell processes did not exhibit immunostaining. Also in the periphery of the lesion, some axons become ensheathed and myelinated by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. The axon membrane of circumferentially ensheathed axons displayed antibody 7493 immunostaining, and this immunoreactivity persisted on the axolemma until the ensheathing cytoplasmic processes compacted into myelin. Internodal axon membrane beneath the myelin sheath did not display sodium channel immunoreactivity, though (putative) developing nodal axon membrane adjacent to terminal paranodal loops exhibited robust sodium channel staining. Electrophysiological recordings within the ethidium bromide/irradiation lesion demonstrated that at least some axons conducted action potentials within the lesion, while others exhibited conduction block. These results indicate that there is a reorganization of sodium channels within the axon membrane of chronically demyelinated central axons.
Longitudinal Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Curriculum

Enhancing neuroscience education during psychiatry residency training requires the organization of comprehensive and longitudinal pedagogy in various aspects of clinical neuroscience. This process can be complex, and limited structured guidance is available for how to implement such a curriculum. The authors’ principal goal was to develop a longitudinal interdisciplinary neuroscience curriculum that spans 4 years, promotes collaboration of educators from multiple departments, and can be generalized to other psychiatry programs. The authors implemented a 4-year curriculum in a stepwise manner during psychiatry residency training. They obtained feedback and used it for improvement. Positive feedback was given for the curriculum, with improvement to scores across 2 years. Development of a clinical neuroscience curriculum at the authors’ program provides a potential framework for implementation in other psychiatry residency programs.
Precompound-model analysis of photonuclear reactions

A large body of photonuclear-reaction data has been compared with predictions of the hybrid-plus-evaporation model. The data are for monoenergetic photons of energy from 25 to 132 MeV on $^{16}\mathrm{O}$, Sn, Ce, Ta, and Pb targets, measured by the Saclay group. A quasideuteron absorption mechanism was assumed to give the primary excitation, and the hybrid-plus-evaporation model was used to predict the excitation functions, the neutron-emission widths and multiplicities, and the number of fast neutrons and protons emitted per absorbed photon versus photon energy for Sn, Ce, Ta, and Pb. The parameters used in the calculations were the global set recently selected for nucleon-induced reactions. The calculated results are in excellent agreement with the experimental data over the entire energy range. Additional experiments are suggested in order to make possible stricter tests of the precompound-decay models to provide further information on the details of the primary excitation process.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Photonuclear yield data for $^{16}\mathrm{O}$, Sn, Ce, Ta, Pb targets, 25- to 132-MeV photons, analyzed using hybrid precompound-plus-evaporation model assuming quasideuteron absorption mechanism.
Routine MRI evaluation of low imperforate anus reveals unexpected high incidence of tethered spinal cord.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Previous clinical practice has included evaluation for the presence of tethered cord in those children who have imperforate anus with a high lesion. To define the incidence in children with low lesions, the authors reviewed their experience with a protocol employing routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), regardless of the level of the lesion, to determine the presence of a tethered cord in all children with imperforate anus. Methods: A retrospective review of children with imperforate anus was conducted over the last 13 years at our institution. Lesions were categorized as high versus low based on the supralevator or infralevator position of the fistula. Results: Sixty-three patients completed evaluation for a tethered cord. Twenty-two (34.9%) of these 63 patients had a tethered cord: 11 of 41 (26.8%) patients with high lesions and 11 of 22 (50.0%) of those with low lesions. Of those children with a low lesion, 83% of the boys had a tethered cord, whereas 38% of the girls had a tethered cord. Forty-five percent of the patients with low lesions and a tethered cord did not have any other lumbosacral anomalies. All 22 children with a tethered cord underwent surgical release. Conclusions: The incidence of tethered cord in children with low lesions of imperforate anus is not lower than those with high lesions. The authors advocate early evaluation of all children with imperforate anus for a tethered cord. J Pediatr Surg 37:966-969. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Ideophones and (non-)arbitrariness in the K’iche’ poetry of Humberto Ak’abal

This paper examines the ways in which Ak’abal uses K’iche’ ideophones and arbitrariness to highlight differences between Mayan languages and Spanish. This paper focuses on Ak’abal’s sound poems constructed through the use of K’iche’ ideophones, primarily onomatopoetic forms representing natural phenomena such as animal sounds, the movement of water, and sounds associated with weather. Ak’abal often treats non-onomatopoetic words (such as the names of birds) as ideophones, suggesting a direct (unmediated) relationship between K’iche’ signs and the natural elements of the environment. These uses of ideophones allow Ak’abal to position Mayan languages and literature as spiritually connected to the environment, in sharp contrast to the environmental destructiveness he associates with Spanish and Ladino cultural dominance in Guatemala.
Review of Doug Wojcieszak, James W. Saxton, Esq., and Maggie M. Finkelstein, Esq., Sorry Works!: Disclosure, Apology, and Relationships Prevent Medical Malpractice Claims

Doug Wojcieszak, James Saxton, and Maggie Finkelstein's book Sorry Works!: Disclosure, Apology, and Relationships Prevent Medical Malpractice Claims is a handbook for healthcare professionals that ...
A course is a course, of course, of course (unless it’s an animals and society course): challenging boundaries in academia

Only within the past decade have sociologists begun to investigate the relationships between humans and other animals. Even more recently, college courses that examine this subject have emerged. This article looks at one such undergraduate sociology course – Animals and Society – at the University of South Carolina Spartanburg. It outlines the opposition to the course and the fight for its approval. Then an overview of the course objectives and content is presented, followed by an assessment of the impact of the course on students. Finally the implications of the emergence of animals and society courses in sociology, and the new sub‐field of animal studies, are discussed.
T cells in a (polymer) matrix

It is no secret that engineered T cells are the hot newcomers to the field of cancer immunotherapy. In recent months, several new companies have formed or joined academic centers to develop engineered T cells as commercially available clinical products. Although engineered T cells are a platform therapy that could be applied to multiple cancer types, most of the exciting clinical data have been in hematologic malignancies. One big question in the field is how well engineered T cells will traffic to and effect responses in solid tumors. Now, Stephan et al . demonstrate that the antitumor potency of antigen-specific T cells can be improved substantially by embedding the T cells in a polymer matrix placed in the tumor bed or cavity. The scaffold is composed of a naturally occurring polysaccharide, alginate, coated with a collagen-mimetic peptide that binds lymphocytes. The matrix can also be coated with proteins that enhance T cell function, including agonistic antibodies to CD3, CD28, and 4-1BB and/or enhancing cytokines such as IL-15/IL-15Ra complexes. The scaffold therefore acts as an active reservoir that enhances T cell function and slowly releases the T cells locally as the material degrades. In two mouse models of cancer, T cells delivered in a matrix were more effective than local or intravenous delivery. One outstanding question will be how to quickly generate T cells that are specific for the tumor; perhaps embedding checkpoint-blocking antibodies into the matrix will enhance the function of naturally occurring tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. In any case, the combination of a bioengineering/biomaterial approach with a biologic approach has great potential to maximize the potency of immunotherapy for cancer. S. B. Stephan et al. , Biopolymer implants enhance the efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapy. Nat. Biotechnol. 10.1038/nbt.3104 (2015). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v33/n1/abs/nbt.3104.html
Generational stack collection and profile-driven pretenuring

This paper presents two techniques for improving garbage collection performance: generational stack collection and profile-driven pretenuring. The first is applicable to stack-based implementations of functional languages while the second is useful for any generational collector. We have implemented both techniques in a generational collector used by the TIL compiler (Tarditi, Morrisett, Cheng, Stone, Harper, and Lee 1996), and have observed decreases in garbage collection times of as much as 70% and 30%, respectively.Functional languages encourage the use of recursion which can lead to a long chain of activation records. When a collection occurs, these activation records must be scanned for roots. We show that scanning many activation records can take so long as to become the dominant cost of garbage collection. However, most deep stacks unwind very infrequently, so most of the root information obtained from the stack remains unchanged across successive garbage collections. Generational stack collection greatly reduces the stack scan cost by reusing information from previous scans.Generational techniques have been successful in reducing the cost of garbage collection (Ungar 1984). Various complex heap arrangements and tenuring policies have been proposed to increase the effectiveness of generational techniques by reducing the cost and frequency of scanning and copying. In contrast, we show that by using profile information to make lifetime predictions, pretenuring can avoid copying data altogether. In essence, this technique uses a refinement of the generational hypothesis (most data die young) with a locality principle concerning the age of data: most allocations sites produce data that immediately dies, while a few allocation sites consistently produce data that survives many collections.
Use of the falling ball viscometer to obtain flow curves for inelastic, non-newtonian fluids

Abstract This paper reports on a numerical study of the drag force on a sphere moving at constant velocity in inelastic non-Newtonian fluids. The intended application of this work is in the use of the falling ball viscometer to determine flow curves for these fluids. Numerical solutions were obtained for the case of the sphere moving along the axis of a cylinder and ratios of cylinder to sphere diameter from 10 to 40 were examined. In obtaining the solutions inertia was neglected. To represent the fluid's flow curve the modified power law model was used. This model produces Newtonian behavior as the shear rate approaches zero and power law behavior as the shear rate becomes large. A control volume finite difference method was used to calculate the flow field and drag force. Solutions were obtained for values of the power law index from 1.0 to 0.35. Results are compared with others' calculated results in the power law limit and with published experimental data in the transition region of the flow curve. Two methods of using the falling ball viscometer to determine the flow curves of non-Newtonian fluids are presented. The first assumes that sphere drag data cover the Newtonian and power law limits. The second uses an apparent flow index, and an average shear rate and the corresponding shear stress. This is an extension of an approach used by others.
Multilayer Mirrors as X-ray Filters for Slit Scan Radiography

X-rays from a radiographic W-anode tube are reflected from a planar multilayer mirror into a slit-like beam of narrow energy bandwidth. The multilayer mirror functions as a tuneable energy filter which could be useful for radiological applications where a high contrast image (mammography, angiography) or tissue composition information (lesions, bone mineral loss) is desired. Low reflectivity at undesired energies permits; 1. operation of the W-anode tube at much higher voltage levels than is possible with conventional filtration, 2. the removal of most of all non-fixed beam filtration. These modifications significantly enhance the useable x-ray fluence. The slit scan imaging format also minimizes detected scattered x-rays and so improves image contrast. A simple model is used to optimize the energy dependent detected signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with respect to the total energy absorbed by the patient. Theoretical reflectivity curves for ReW-C mirrors which include the effects of surface roughness and layer thickness errors are presented along with W-anode tube spectra reflected from a 2x4 inch ReW-C mirror (11-22A).
Two-quanta progressive saturation: pulsed NMR of 23Na in single crystal sodium nitrate

Abstract Progressive saturation effects due to induction of two-quanta transitions in the quadrupolar-split levels of a spit, 3/2, (23Na) nucleus were studied by monitoring changes occuring in the 1/2 → − 1/2 magnetization after applying trains of identical pulses at various radiofrequencies and repetition rates. The variety of single- and double-quantum (DO) interconnected population effects observed in the experiments is explained by incorporating solutions of the ordinary two-level Bloch equations with those of the two-quanta, three-level Bloch-like equations (including off-resonance conditions) derived recently by Gold and Hahn. Small displacements of nuclear levels under DQ irradiation (analogous to the optical ac Stark shift) the cause rf power-dependent DQ frequency shifts are predicted for all spins I> 1, and explicit expressions are derived. Additional effects due to state mixing and to population transfer by satellite excitation are presented, and the relevance of DQ saturation to the recently developed double-resonance interferometric spectroscopy is discussed.
Plathypena scabra (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Populations and the Incidence of Natural Enemies in Four Soybean Tillage Systems

Soybeans were planted in four widely used tillage systems (fall-moldboard-plow, fall-chisel-plow, till-plant, and no-till) and monitored for insect populations of the green cloverworm (GCW), Plathypena scabra , (F.), populations, its parasitoids, and the presence of the entomopathogenic fungus, Nomuraea rileyi (Farlow) Samson. Each tillage regime was used to plant soybeans in randomized complete blocks; blocks were replicated three times. Weekly shake-cloth samples were taken in each tillage plot. Each collected GCW larva was maintained singly in a 26-ml plastic snap-top vial containing a soybean leaflet until its death or adult emergence. Analysis of variance detected that significantly fewer ( P 0.05) in the numbers of GCW larvae were detected among the tillage systems. The reasons for the differences in GCW larval numbers were not explained by analysis of incidences of natural mortality agents, including N. rileyi .
Labdane diterpenoids from nolana rostrata

Abstract Six new labdane diterpenes, methyl 3-oxo-18-hydroxylabda-8(17),13E-dien-15-oate, methyl 2β,3β- dihydroxylabda-8(17),13E-dien-15-oate, 2-oxo-labda-8(17),13Z-dien-15-oic acid, 3-oxo-18-acetoxylabda-8(17),13Z- dien-15-oic acid, 3-oxo-18-hydroxylabda-8(17),13Z-dien-15-oic acid, 2β,3β-dihydroxylabda-8(17),13Z-dien-15-oic acid, and the known compound kaempferol-3,7,4′-trimethyl ether were isolated from the aerial parts of Nolana rostrata. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.
Intestinal graft versus native liver cytokine expression in a rat model of intestinal transplantation: effect of donor-specific cell augmentation.

Abstract Introduction Immunomodulation by portal vein delivery of donor antigen reduces intestinal graft rejection. We investigated the impact of portal venous donor-specific cell augmentation (blood versus bone marrow) on cytokine expression in intestinal grafts versus native livers. Methods Ten groups of intestinal transplants (brown Norway male to Lewis female rats) varied by (1) the type of donor-specific cell augmentation and (2) the use and dose of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. Tissue samples for histologic analysis and cytokine mRNA analysis were obtained at designated time points. Results Without immunosuppression, no type of cell augmentation reduced the rate of rejection. With immunosuppression, outcome was significantly better after portal donor-specific blood transfusion (versus bone marrow infusion). Irrespective of the type of cell augmentation, severe rejection caused strong intragraft expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α; liver expression mainly involved TNF-α. Of note, nonimmunosuppressed, cell-augmented rats showed hardly any differences in cytokine expression in their grafts versus significant increases in their native livers. With immunosuppression, bone marrow infusion (versus blood transfusion) increased intragraft cytokine expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, as well as TNF-α, and liver expression of IL-1β. Conclusions (1) Rejection and donor-specific cell augmentation independently caused differences in intragraft versus native liver cytokine expression after intestinal transplants. (2) Portal donor-specific blood transfusion (versus bone marrow infusion) lowered the incidence of rejection and diminished intragraft cytokine up-regulation. (3) In our study, TNF-α appeared to be the cytokine most strongly associated with rejection.
Quantitation of activation of the human terminal complement pathway by ELISA.

Abstract We have devised an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantitate fluid phase terminal complement pathway activation. Upon activation to form C5b-9, terminal complement components express neoantigens not present in the unassembled individual components. Expression of one of these neoantigens occurs at the step of C9 activation. C9 neoantigen is present in fluid phase SC5b-9 complexes, membrane-bound MC5b-9 complexes, and in vitro polymerized C9. Under physiologic conditions, the presence of C9 neoantigen indicates that the terminal complement pathway is activated through the terminal component C9. In our assay for C9 neoantigen, we used rabbit antiserum to polymerized C9 rendered specific for C9 neoantigen c determinants by serial absorption with human serum, human C9, and other terminal complement components bound to Sepharose. Using the IgG from this antiserum, we devised a sandwich ELISA to bind SC5b-9 from solution onto polystyrene plates. The ELISA plates were developed with the use of goat antiserum to native C9 epitopes followed by a swine anti-goat IgG-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. Quantitation of SC5b-9 in solution was performed by comparing sample OD to a standard curve generated with human SC5b-9 that was purified from zymosan-activated serum. The assay was sensitive to as little as 100 ng of SC5b-9/ml and should be useful for screening plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, or other biological fluids for the presence of terminal complement pathway activation.
Unfolded projection approach to machining non-coaxial parts on mill-turn machines

Abstract This paper presents a new method to analyze the effective cutting shapes and machined surface errors for mill-turn machining of non-coaxial parts. While the traditional projection methods fail in the mill-turn machining case, the Unfolded Projection Method maps the part surface and the cutter into an unfolded domain (Xu–Yu–Zu) to calculate the critical distance between the part surface and the cutter. The techniques presented in this paper can be used to analyze the machined surface errors and to improve the accuracy of the mill-turn machining processes. Computer implementation and illustrative examples are also presented in this paper.
Improving drug formulations for neonates: Making a big difference in our smallest patients

From the Institute for Pediatric Innovation, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Weil Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY; Division of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology, Children’s National Medical Center and Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA; and Pediatric Pharmacology Program, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey version 2.0: report of the development and initial testing of a subscale for assessment of oral health.

Background The prevalence, severity, and functional implications of adverse oral health outcomes attributed to head and neck cancer therapy are largely undefined. We report development of an oral health outcome subscale for the Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey (VHNSS). Methods Oral health outcome questions were formulated through literature review and consultation with an expert panel. Questions were incorporated into the VHNSS resulting in a 50-item survey, scored 0 (none) to 10 (severe). The tool was administered to 70 subjects who completed radiation to assess for feasibility. Results Patient acceptance was high with a completion time <10 minutes. A full range of scores was noted for 46 of 50 questions. Oral health symptom burden was high early and late posttreatment. Conclusions The VHNSS version 2.0 was feasible and could be completed in a timely manner. Validation studies are ongoing. The high prevalence of adverse oral health outcomes warrants further study. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011