Initial Rejection Research Articles

Book Review: Dirty Words & Filthy Pictures: Film and the First Amendment by Jeremy Geltzer

Dirty Words & Filthy Pictures: Film and the First Amendment. Jeremy Geltzer. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2015. 384 pp. $29.95 pbk.In March 2016, Michael Eakin joined Seamus McCaffery as the second Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice to quit the Keystone State's high court within an 18-month span, following scandal over alleged pornographic, racist, and sexually offensive emails. Readers of Jeremy Geltzer's new book, Dirty Words and Filthy Pictures, may find this fitting karmic payback.That is because, as Geltzer reveals in what he calls film-legal history, Pennsylvania in 1911 was the first state to adopt statewide motion picture censorship law (Chicago, he tells us, was the first city to embrace such measure in 1907). The Pennsylvania statute tasked censorship board with reviewing and disapproving of movies featuring sacrilegious, obscene, indecent, or immoral content. Furthermore, as Geltzer describes it, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from which Eakin and McCaffery recently resigned was once famously the workplace of Judge Michael Angelo Musmanno. In the 1950s, Musmanno was a zealous supporter of film censorship, known for writing fierce and fiery indictments against uncensored cinema. Make that, then, double dose of karma for Eakin and McCaffery, with Musmanno surely rolling over in his grave in Arlington National Cemetery at the alleged actions of his brethren.These are just several examples of the many filmic factoids Geltzer sprinkles into his chronological, comprehensive survey of the history and legal battles surrounding movie censorship (including self-censorship, not just the government variety) and controversies in the United States. Geltzer is well qualified to address the push and pull between the forces of government regulation and freedom of expression that frequently finds cinematic works caught in the middle. A California-based intellectual property attorney who worked as in-house counsel for several major Hollywood studios, Geltzer also teaches, including course taught in Spring 2016 for UCLA Extension called Cinema, Law & Censorship.The vast territory covered in this mile-wide, foot-deep (definitely more than an inch in some places, but not all) tome stretches from stirs in the 1890s caused by movies such as The Kiss and The Dolorita Passion Dance through the 2013 sentencing in Los Angeles of Ira Isaacs to 48 months in prison for distributing obscene videos featuring bestiality and scatology. In between, Geltzer covers, in often alliterative fashion, everything from the Supreme Court's initial rejection and later recognition of films as form of expression safeguarded by the First Amendment to the high court's shifting definitions of obscenity. The author touches on all genres of films that have faced the wrath of both moral custodians and prosecutors over the years. Prizefighting pictures were an early target (Maine banned them in 1897), for instance, as were sacrilegious films, war movies, and those with drug-based themes, such as provocateur Otto Preminger's The Man With the Golden Arm, starring Frank Sinatra. …

Biomimetic Extracellular Environment Based on Natural Origin Polyelectrolyte Multilayers.

Surface modification of biomaterials is a well-known approach to enable an adequate biointerface between the implant and the surrounding tissue, dictating the initial acceptance or rejection of the implantable device. Since its discovery in early 1990s layer-by-layer (LbL) approaches have become a popular and attractive technique to functionalize the biomaterials surface and also engineering various types of objects such as capsules, hollow tubes, and freestanding membranes in a controllable and versatile manner. Such versatility enables the incorporation of different nanostructured building blocks, including natural biopolymers, which appear as promising biomimetic multilayered systems due to their similarity to human tissues. In this review, the potential of natural origin polymer-based multilayers is highlighted in hopes of a better understanding of the mechanisms behind its use as building blocks of LbL assembly. A deep overview on the recent progresses achieved in the design, fabrication, and applications of natural origin multilayered films is provided. Such films may lead to novel biomimetic approaches for various biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, implantable devices, cell-based biosensors, diagnostic systems, and basic cell biology.

Patient burden during appointment-making telephone calls to GP practices

ObjectiveThis study addresses, for the first time, the effectiveness of receptionists handling incoming calls from patients to access General Practice services. MethodsIt is a large-scale qualitative study of three services in the UK. Using conversation analysis, we identified the issue of ‘patient burden’, which we defined based on the trouble patients display pursuing service. We quantified instances of ‘patient burden’ using a coding scheme. ResultsWe demonstrate how ‘patient burden’ unfolds in two phases of the telephone calls: (i) following an initial rejection of a patient’s request; and (ii) following a receptionist’s initiation of call closing. Our quantitative analysis shows that the three GP services differ in the frequency of ‘patient burden’ and reveals a correlation between the proportion of ‘patient burden’ and independent national satisfaction scores for these surgeries. ConclusionUnlike post-hoc surveys, our analysis of live calls identifies the communicative practices which may constitute patient (dis)satisfaction. Practice implicationsThrough establishing what receptionists handle well or less well in encounters with patients, we propose ways of improving such encounters through training or other forms of intervention.

A qualidade de vida de usuários estomizados atendido na rede pública de Santa Maria/RS

Objective: to describe the quality of life of ostomates in the city of Santa Maria-RS. Method: a descriptive and quantitative study. Data collection took place in ostomies sector on the Health Unit Erasmus Crossetti in Santa Maria-RS. Results: of the 14 respondents, 43% said that life has completely changed, and that went through daily struggles to get a good adaptation to the use of the collection bag. Of these 43%, 21% did not know what would happen the construction of the stoma when they went to surgery, which is believed to have been an extremely important factor for the initial rejection. Conclusion: the acceptance of the stoma is seen in a diversified manner within this group and when it have great negative impact on the routine of the patient, it affects their quality of life.

Caught in the Trap: The Allure of Deceptive Publishers

Caught in the Trap: The Allure of Deceptive Publishers

Criteria for Assessing the Adequacy of Approximating Functions in the Method of Calibration Curves

We consider criteria for the adequacy of the model functions in the method of calibration curves used in quantitative immunoassays. It is shown that the Kolmogorov criterion, by virtue of simplicity, can be used for the initial rejection of obviously inadequate model functions.

Belonging: Ontogeny of a Gay Psychoanalytic Candidate

The author, a first-year candidate in psychoanalytic training, reflects on his personal history including aspects of the coming-out process, his first time in psychotherapy, his initial rejection of psychoanalytic theory and technique because of how it has been used to pathologize gay folk, and his decision later in his career to pursue analytic training for the depth of understanding it provides. He considers the work of Ken Corbett—specifically his analysis of the gay male’s passivity in relation to other men—and applies it to his own relationship to the psychoanalytic world. Throughout the article, the author reflects on perceptions of belonging personally and professionally.

Weed Research – our aims and editorial policies

<i>Weed Research</i> – our aims and editorial policies

The anti-biofouling properties of thin-film composite nanofiltration membranes grafted with biogenic silver nanoparticles

Biofouling is still one of the most challenging issues of nanofiltration. One of the practical strategies to reduce biofouling is to develop novel anti-biofouling membranes. Herein, biogenic silver nanoparticles (BioAg0-6) with the averaged diameter of only 6nm were firstly grafted on the surface of polyamide NF membrane. The effect of grafted BioAg0-6 on the performance of thin-film composite (TFC) NF membranes was systematically investigated with a comparison to the grafted chemical AgNPs. BioAg0-6 grafted membrane (TFC-S-BioAg) increased the hydrophilicity of the TFC membrane and water permeability, while maintaining the relatively high salt rejection. The result of silver leaching experiment indicated that the grafted BioAg0-6 had a better stability on the membranes, the ratio of remained silver in the TFC-S-BioAg membrane was 95%, after soaked in pure water for 50days. After 4month immersion, the rejection of TFC-S-BioAg membrane remained more than 90% of initial rejection. The results of disk diffusion test revealed that both of TFC-S-BioAg membrane and TFC-S-ChemAg membrane showed effective anti-bacterial ability to inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli growth, the TFC-S-BioAg membrane showed more excellent and longer lasting antibacterial property. Therefore, BioAg0-6 grafted TFC membranes could be potential as an effective strategy to decrease biofouling in nanofiltration process.

Properties of solar energetic particle events inferred from their associated radio emission

We study selected properties of Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) events as inferred from their associated radio emissions. We used a catalogue of 115 SEP events that consists of entries of proton intensity enhancements at one AU, with complete coverage over solar cycle 23, based on high-energy (~68 MeV) protons from SOHO/ERNE and we calculated the proton release time at the Sun using velocity dispersion analysis (VDA). After an initial rejection of cases with unrealistic VDA path lengths, we assembled composite radio spectra for the remaining events using data from ground-based and space-borne radio-spectrographs. For every event we registered the associated radio emissions and we divided the events in groups according to their associated radio emissions. The proton release was found to be most often accompanied by both type III and II radio bursts, but a good association percentage was also registered in cases accompanied by type IIIs only. The worst association was found for the cases with type II only association. These radio association percentages support the idea that both flare- and shock-resident particle release processes are observed in high-energy proton events. In cases of type III-associated events we extended our study to the timings between the type III radio emission, the proton release, and the electron release as inferred from VDA based on Wind/3DP 20-646 keV data. Typically, the protons are released after the start of the associated type III bursts and simultaneously or before the release of energetic electrons. For the cases with type II radio association we found that the distribution of the proton release heights had a maximum at ~2.5 Rs. Most (69%) of the flares associated to our SEP events were located at the western hemisphere, with a peak within the well-connected region of 50-60 deg western longitude.

The Oldham Notebooks: an analysis of the development of IVF 1969-1978. VI. Sources of support and patterns of expenditure.

Three major sources of financial support for the research undertaken by Edwards, Steptoe and Purdy between 1969 and 1978 are identified: the Ford Foundation, Oldham and District General Hospital (ODGH) Management Committee, and Miss Lillian Lincoln Howell via the American Friends of Cambridge University. Significant possible financial support from the World Health Organization was also identified. In addition, evidence of support in kind from GD Searle and Co. plus staff at ODGH was found. Expenditure on salaries of staff at Oldham was negligible, as most volunteered their time outside of their official paid duties. Work in Cambridge was evidently funded largely from Ford Foundation grants, as was Edwards' salary and probably that of Purdy. Clinical costs seem to have been largely borne by ODGH. The funds from Lillian Lincoln Howell supported travel and accommodation costs plus office costs. Overall, Edwards, Steptoe and Purdy achieved reasonable support for the programme of research, despite the initial rejection of funding by the Medical Research Council. However, this was at the expense of considerable inconvenience to Purdy and Edwards, and depended upon the good will of staff led by Muriel Harris in Oldham, who donated their time and expertise. As a result of our research, we conclude that, to Edwards, Steptoe and Purdy, should be added the names of two other hitherto neglected people who were essential to the success of this pioneering research: namely Muriel Harris and Lillian Lincoln Howell.

IL-10 enhances CTL-mediated tumor rejection by inhibiting highly suppressive CD4+ T cells and promoting CTL persistence in a murine model of plasmacytoma

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine that regulates immune responses. IL-10 has also been shown to enhance antitumor CD8+ T-cell responses in tumor models although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we used a series of genetic mouse models and the mouse plasmacytoma J558 model to investigate this issue. J558 tumors grew significantly faster in IL-10−/− mice than in wild type (WT) mice, but similarly in IL-10−/−Rag2−/− and Rag2−/− mice. Tumors from IL-10−/− mice contained fewer IFN-γ-producing CD8+ and CD4+ T cells than tumors from WT mice. Strikingly, depletion of total CD4+ T cells, but not CD25+ cells, resulted in tumor eradication in IL-10−/− mice. Adoptive transfer studies revealed that CD4+ T cells from IL-10−/− mice exhibited more potent suppression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated tumor rejection than their WT counterparts, and IL-10–deficient tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells expressed higher levels of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 inhibitory molecules. Although IL-10–deficient CD8+ T cells are not defective in activation and initial rejection of tumors, adoptive transfer studies using IL-10–deficient P1CTL transgenic T cells that recognize the tumor rejection antigen P1A reveal that IL-10 is required for long-term persistence of CTLs and control of tumor growth. Thus, we have found that IL-10 enhances antitumor CTL responses by inhibiting highly suppressive CD4+ T cells and promoting CTL persistence. These data have important implications for the design of immunotherapy for human cancer.

Abstract 231: Impact of Insurance Type on Initial Rejection Requiring Hospitalization Post Orthotopic Heart Transplant

Background: Rejection is one of the largest causes of morbidity and mortality early post heart transplant. Patient selection is made to help reduce this risk. We hypothesized that comorbid diseases and socioeconomic status (SES) would lead to earlier readmission post heart transplant. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 188 patients who underwent orthotopic heart transplant between 7/1999- 11/2013 at our facility. All patients were followed until 9/2014 for rejection hospitalizations and death. Multivariable analysis with adjustment for median household income (MHI), insurance status, age, gender, and race was performed. Results: Medicaid insurance is a significant predictor for time to readmission post heart transplant compared to Non-Medicaid insurance (NMI) [Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.78, p= 0.047]. MHI was not a predictor (HR 1.04, p=0.835). After adjusting for SES, diabetes mellitus (DM) alone remained a significant independent predictor for time to first hospitalization for rejection (HR 3.47, p=0.001). In univariable analysis, race and hypertension approach significance as factors associated with time to first hospitalization respectively (HR 0.057, p=0.09; HR 1.97, p=0.08). SES and comorbidities did not impact time to death post transplant. Conclusions: Medicaid insurance was a significant predictor of time to first hospitalization for rejection, further raised in diabetics. This suggests that immunosuppression medications especially in diabetics require heightened attention.

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide–silica membrane for seawater desalination through pervaporation

A simple preparation of mesostructured cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)–silica membrane is reported. It effectively desalinates seawater to pure water through pervaporation separation process. The membrane thickness was of nanometer-length-scale obtained by deposition of CTAB–silica colloids on porous polysulfone support. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies were performed to characterize the membrane while the structure of the colloids in coating solution was probed by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The prepared membranes exhibited excellent salt rejection efficiency of 99.9% in desalination of synthetic seawater of 40,000 ppm NaCl by pervaporation at 25∘C. The pure water flux was in the range of 1–2.6 kg m−2 h depending upon the membrane configuration and thickness. The flux could be greatly enhanced by operating the process at higher temperatures of 40–80∘C but it was at the cost of decreased salt-rejection efficiency. The initial rejection efficiency and flux of the membrane was found to be restored upon cooling the membrane back to room temperature.

Mexican Secondary School Students’ Perception of Learning the History of Mexico in English

This article focuses on Mexican students’ perceptions of learning the history of Mexico in English through content-based instruction, which is one of many types of bilingual pedagogical approaches that are now considered established approaches in Mexico and around the globe. A phenomenological approach was chosen in order to understand and examine participants’ lived experiences through semi-structured interviews; this in turn led to the discovery of their acceptance or rejection towards learning the history of Mexico in English. The data suggest that despite students’ initial rejection to learning a sensitive subject as is the history of Mexico in English, most students found the content-based method as being meaningful, thus, they had a sense of pride in the end.

Pelvic kidney for living transplantation: case report and review of the literature

The difference between available kidneys and the number of patients on waiting list for kidney transplantation continues to grow. For this reason the trend is to use donors with expanded criteria, such as a pelvic kidney, as we describe below. Male patient 25 years-old with end-stage kidney disease, receives as a graft a pelvic kidney from his father, 49 years-old, known to have controlled systemic arterial hypertension and nephrolithiasis by history without new episodes in the last 10 years. Function and anatomy of the pelvic kidney were evaluated through magnetic angioressonance, computerized tomography and scintigraphy. After an initial rejection episode promptly treated, the patient has had an uneventful recovery. To increase the number of kidneys available for transplantation, it is reasonable to use a pelvic kidney, after a thorough investigation.

CC Genotype at rs12979860 of IL28B Is Associated With Lower Risk of New-onset Diabetes After Transplantation in Adult Patients With Liver Transplantation for Hepatitis C Cirrhosis

IntroductionNew-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation (NODAT) in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis is associated with more aggressive HCV recurrence on the graft, rapid progression of fibrosis, and lower rate of sustained viral response to antiviral therapy. The CC genotype at rs12979860 of the IL28B is associated with greater rates of spontaneous clearance of HCV and response to antiviral therapy. IL28B acts on the interferon-stimulated genes through the JAK-STAT pathway, which is related to the development of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate whether IL28B rs12979860 polymorphism is associated with the development of NODAT after LT for cirrhosis owing to HCV infection. MethodsWe analyzed 99 patients (age, 52.7 ± 9.4 years; 70% male) who underwent LT for HCV-related cirrhosis, with ≥1 year of follow-up and with available DNA sample. NODAT was defined starting from the sixth month after LT, according to the international consensus guidelines. Genotyping was carried out by real-time polymerase chain reaction and analysis of the melting temperature with the LightCycler 480 system. ResultsTwenty-eight patients (28.3%) developed NODAT. CC genotype at rs12979860 of IL28B was associated with a lesser incidence of NODAT versus non-CC genotypes (P = .05; odds ratio, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.11–0.92). We did not find any association between NODAT and age at transplantation, gender, pretransplant body mass index, presence of hepatocellular carcinoma, type of initial immunosuppression (cyclosporine, tacrolimus or corticosteroids) or acute rejection treated with steroids. ConclusionThe CC genotype at rs12979860 of IL28B is a protective factor for NODAT in patients with LT for HCV-related cirrhosis.

Reconciliation and research in Afghanistan: an analytical narrative

This article examines the evolution of western policy towards the idea of pursuing negotiations with the Taliban, or �reconciliation�, in Afghanistan and the role that research and expert opinion played in that process. The official western position has evolved iteratively from initial rejection to near complete embrace of exploring the potential for talks. It is widely assumed that the deteriorating security situation was the sole determinant of this major policy reversal, persuading decision-makers to rethink what had once been deemed unthinkable. Moreover, given the politicized and sensitive nature of the subject, we might expect the potential for outside opinion to influence decision-makers to be low. Nevertheless, this article demonstrates that it would be a mistake to underestimate the role that research and expert knowledge played�the story is more nuanced and complex. Research coalesced, sometimes prominently, with other key drivers to spur and shape policy change. Importantly, it often took experts to make sense of events on the ground, especially where the failure of the military approach was not recognized, understood or palatable to those in official circles. Research interacted with changing events, policy windows, the emergence of new personalities and the actions of various intermediaries to shape emerging positions. More broadly, the case of reconciliation in Afghanistan reveals the difficulties and challenges, but also the variety of opportunities and techniques, for achieving research influence in conflict-affected environments.

KEYNES AND THE BRITISH ACADEMY

ABSTRACTThis account of Keynes's relationship with the British Academy begins with his early, perhaps premature, nomination as a Fellow and its sequel, an initial rejection by the Academy on political grounds in 1920. The event became linked with the failure of his professorial colleague at Cambridge, Arthur Cecil Pigou, to be elected until 1927 on grounds that Keynes regarded as equally discreditable to the Academy. It was certainly one of the less edifying examples of Cambridge in-fighting. But having relented in his original decision not to allow his name to be put forward again Keynes was elected in 1929. The article deals with Keynes's subsequent participation in the affairs of the Academy, especially his part in nominating Beatrice Webb, the first woman to be elected to the Academy in 1930; and his contrasting failure to secure the election of Joan Robinson in the 1940s. The article is based mainly on archival sources and makes use of material drawn from the Academy's archive on the section that housed economists and economic historians between its foundation in 1902 and Keynes's death as its chairman in 1946. The article concludes by contrasting the part Keynes played in the Academy with his more dominant role as secretary to the Royal Economic Society.

Lung xenotransplantation: recent progress and current status.

Xenotransplantation has undergone important progress in controlling initial hyperacute rejection in many preclinical models, with some cell, tissue, and organ xenografts advancing toward clinical trials. However, acute injury, driven primarily by innate immune and inflammatory responses, continues to limit results in lung xenograft models. The purpose of this article is to review the current status of lung xenotransplantation--including the seemingly unique challenges posed by this organ-and summarize proven and emerging means of overcoming acute lung xenograft injury.