cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dark Heterotrophic Growth Conditions Result in an Increase in the Content of Photosystem II Units in the Filamentous Cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413

The filamentous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 is capable of heterotrophic growth in complete darkness. After 6 months of continuous dark growth, both the autotrophic and heterotrophic cultures were found to have the same doubling time of 14 h. On a cellular basis, the chlorophyll content remained the same and the phycobilin content showed an increase in the dark-grown cultures. Fluorescence emission spectra at 77 K of dark-grown cells indicated that the phycobilisomes are functionally associated with photosystem II (PSII). Moreover, upon transfer to light, the dark-grown cells readily evolved oxygen. Although photosystem I (PSI) and whole chain-mediated electron transfer rates were comparable in both types of cultures, the rate of PSII-mediated electron transfer was found to be 20% higher in dark-grown cells. The PSI to PSII ratio changed from 6:1 in autotrophic cultures to 4:1 in the dark-grown cells. These changes in the rate of PSII electron transfer and in the stoichiometry between the two photosystems under dark, heterotrophic growth conditions were brought about by a preferential increase in the number of PSII units while the number of PSI units remained unchanged. The advantages of using this organism in the selection of PSI-deficient mutants are discussed.
Sources of Public Revenue that Make Nations Richer

Among sources of public revenue that make nations richer, the most beneficial are charges for harms, such as pollution and congestion, and charges for the private benefits from public services. Increases in the money supply sufficient to keep price changes in line with expectations are also beneficial. Taxes on concentrations of wealth are beneficial if wealth inequality is considered harmful. Properly administered taxes on land do no harm and are beneficial when markets are imperfect. Among taxes that cause harm, the combination of a tax on labour income and a tax on inheritances is probably the least damaging.
Use of hypnosis in the alleviation of reading problems.

Abstract Through the alteration of self-concept, a client was helped to utilize the reading skills he learned as a child but could not consciously acknowledge. This was accomplished by using ego-strengthening, automatic writing, age regression and time progression. It supports the view that those skills and experiences which are inconsistent with the self-structure will not be symbolized or recognized.
Physiology of Ejaculation

Interest and research into the physiology of ejaculation began in the mid-1700s with the essays of the British surgeon John Hunter who wrote about the different compositions of semen at distinct points of ejaculation. He further reported on the anatomical organs that contributed to this process based upon his own human and animal dissections (Hendry, Ann R Coll Surg Engl 81(5):352–358, 1999). Over 200 years later, despite the prevalence of male sexual dysfunction and modern technological advancements, the intricacies of human ejaculation are still poorly understood. Neuroscientific studies on animals as well as brain imaging provide the bulk of what is understood today. This chapter provides the accepted gross anatomical and temporal progression models of ejaculation. The most current neuroanatomical and neurophysiological discoveries are also provided. An understanding of these processes will provide the foundation for approaching and understanding the disorders of ejaculation discussed later in this book.
A cardiac myosin binding protein C mutation in the maine coon cat with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the most common causes of sudden cardiac death in young adults and is a familial disease in at least 60% of cases. Causative mutations have been identified in several sarcomeric genes, including the myosin binding protein C (MYBPC3) gene. Although numerous causative mutations have been identified, the pathogenetic process is still poorly understood. A large animal model of familial HCM In the cat has been identified and may be used for additional study. As the first spontaneous large animal model of this familial disease, feline familial HCM provides a valuable model for investigators to evaluate pathophysiologic processes and therapeutic (pharmacologic or genetic) manipulations. The MYBPC3 gene was chosen as a candidate gene in this model after identifying a reduction in the protein in myocardium from affected cats in comparison to control cats (P< 0.001). DNA sequencing was performed and sequence alterations were evaluated for evidence that they changed the amino acid produced, that the amino acid was conserved and that the protein structure was altered. We identified a single base pair change (G to C) in the feline MYBPC3 gene in affected cats that computationally alters the protein conformation of this gene and results in sarcomeric disorganization. We have identified a causative mutation in the feline MYBPC3 gene that results in the development of familial HCM. This is the first report of a spontaneous mutation causing HCM In a non-human species. It should provide a valuable model for evaluating pathophysiologic processes and therapeutic manipulations.
WELL-BEING AND NEUROECONOMICS

Neuroscience can contribute to economics by inspiring new models, helping to distinguish models that have similar implications for readily available data, and guiding interpretations of decision-making processes by policy-makers. However, there is an additional less straightforward role for it to play: augmenting, along with survey data and other non-revealed-preference sources, assessments of well-being. The need for such augmentation lies in the slightly bizarre stance taken by modern economic theory, namely that economics is concerned only with choices and not with welfare per se. It is shown that this is neither historical nor at all necessary, even within the standard paradigm. Although neuroscience is by no means a panacea for determining true utility, which ultimately remains a subjective concept, it provides a uniquely useful complementary dataset.
The impact of occiput posterior fetal head position on the risk of anal sphincter injury in forceps-assisted vaginal deliveries

Objective A forceps-assisted vaginal delivery is a well-recognized risk factor for anal sphincter injury. Some studies have shown that occiput posterior (OP) fetal head position is also associated with an increased risk for third- or fourth-degree lacerations. The objective of this study was to assess whether OP position confers an incrementally increased risk for anal sphincter injury above that present with forceps deliveries. Study design This was a retrospective cohort study of 588 singleton, cephalic, forceps-assisted vaginal deliveries performed at our institution between January 1996 and October 2003. Maternal demographics, labor and delivery characteristics, and neonatal factors were examined. Statistical analysis consisted of univariate statistics, Student t test, χ 2 , and logistic regression. Results The prevalence of occiput anterior (OA) and OP positions was 88.4% and 11.6%, respectively. The groups were similar in age, marital status, body mass index, use of epidural, frequency of inductions, episiotomies, and shoulder dystocias. The OA group had a higher frequency of rotational forceps (16.2% vs 5.9%, P =.03), greater birth weights (3304 ± 526 g vs 3092 ± 777 g, P =.004), and a larger percentage of white women (48.8% vs 34.3%, P =.04). Overall, 35% of forceps deliveries resulted in a third- or fourth-degree laceration. Anal sphincter injury occurred significantly more often in the OP group compared with the OA group (51.5% vs 32.9%, P =.003), giving an odds ratio of 2.2 (CI: 1.3-3.6). In a logistic regression model that controlled for occiput posterior position, maternal body mass index, race, length of second stage, episiotomy, birth weight, and rotational forceps, OP head position was 3.1 (CI: 1.6-6.2) times more likely to be associated with anal sphincter injury than OA head position. Conclusion Forceps-assisted vaginal deliveries have been associated with a greater risk for anal sphincter injury. Within this population of forceps deliveries, an OP position further increases the risk of third- or fourth-degree lacerations when compared with an OA position.
The isolated perfused porcine skin flap (IPPSF): I. A novel in vitro model for percutaneous absorption and cutaneous toxicology studies

Abstract This article describes the development of a novel in vitro alternative animal model for dermatology and cutaneous toxicology. A single-pedicle, axial-pattern, island-tubed skip flap was created in crossbred Yorkshire weanling pigs in one surgical procedure, then transferred 2 or 6 days later to a computer-controlled temperature-regulated perfusion chamber for 10- to 12-hr studies. Perfusate consisted of Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4) containing albumin and glucose. Viability was assessed by glucose utilization, lactate production, an absence of significant concentrations of the intracellular enzyme lactate dehydrogenase in the perfusate, and light and electron microscopy. A mean lactate to glucose ratio of 1.6 for flaps harvested 2 days after surgery and 1.8 for flaps taken 6 days after surgery suggested primarily anaerobic glycolysis. This preparation would be a humane alternative animal model for studies in cutaneous toxicology, physiology, oncology, and percutaneous drug absorption and metabolism.
On superimposed-training power allocation for time-varying channel estimation

Channel estimation for single-input single-output (SISO) frequency-selective time-varying channels is considered using superimposed training. The time-varying channel is assumed to be described by an orthogonal polynomial basis expansion model (OP-BEM). A periodic (non-random) training sequence is arithmetically added (superimposed) at a low power to the information sequence at the transmitter before modulation and transmission. First we present a novel approach to channel estimation using only the first-order statistics of the data under a fixed power allocation to training. We then present a performance analysis of this approach for time-varying random channels to obtain a closed-form expression for the channel estimation variance. Finally, we address the issue of superimposed training power allocation. Illustrative computer simulation examples are presented where a frequency-selective channel is randomly generated with different Doppler spreads via Jakes' model
Comparative analysis of nanomechanics of protein filaments under lateral loading

Using a combination of explicit solvent atomistic simulation and continuum theory, here we study the lateral deformation mechanics of three distinct protein structures: an amyloid fibril, a beta helix, and an alpha helix. We find that the two β-sheet rich structures – amyloid fibril and beta helix, with persistence lengths on the order of μm – are well described by continuum mechanical theory, but differ in the degree to which shear deformation affects the overall bending behavior. The alpha helical protein structure, however, with a persistence length on the order of one nanometer, does not conform to the continuum theory and its deformation is dominated by entropic elasticity due to significant fluctuations. This study provides fundamental insight into the nanomechanics of widely found protein motifs and insight into molecular-scale deformation mechanisms, as well as quantitative estimates of Young's modulus and shear modulus in agreement with experimental results.
Characterization of the heat loading of Nd-doped YAG, YOS, YLF, and GGG excited at diode pumping wavelengths

The parameter /spl xi/ (xi) is proposed as an alternative to the traditional solid-state laser media heating parameter, /spl chi/ (chi). /spl xi/ is the ratio of heat produced to energy absorbed, and /spl chi/ is the ratio of heat produced to the maximum stored energy in the upper laser level. The parameter /spl xi/ is particularly relevant to diode pumped systems. We demonstrate an experimental /spl xi/ characterization based on the determination of the steady state cooling rate (hence heating rate) of small sample crystals subjected to pump laser heating. Using measured fluorescent lifetimes of the samples and near zero doping (intrinsic) values, the doping independent (zero doping or zero quenching) parameters /spl chi//spl phi/ and /spl xi//spl phi/ are determined. The results for all samples are in excellent agreement with calculations based solely on energy defect and nonradiative quenching of the upper level. >
Modeling of membrane inflation in blow molding: Neural network prediction of initial dimensions from final part specifications

The use of neural networks in the modeling of the inflation stage of the blow molding process is discussed. The simulation is enacted in the reverse process direction, predicting initial membrane dimension requirements from final part thickness distributions. This situation has practical implications because tooling costs and machine down times can be minimized with the information obtained. The optimal network topology entails simultaneous pre- and postprocessing of the data. An adaptive window is employed for modeling of the effects of adjacent segments. The optimal window length is 16 for both the input and output layers in the network topology. Simulations are run for bottles blown using various constant and pulsed die gaps. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Distribution of particles creating “smart” material

A method is given for calculation of a density of distribution of small acoustically soft particles, embedded in a bounded region made of the material with known properties, so that the resulting material would have a desired radiation pattern for the plane wave scattering by this medium.
Optimization of Injection Rate Shape Using Active Control of Fuel Injection

The effect of injection rate shape on spray evolution and emission characteristics is investigated and a methodology for active control of fuel injection is proposed. Extensive validation of advanced vaporization and primary jet breakup models was performed with experimental data before studying the effects of systematic changes of injection rate shape. Excellent agreement with the experiments was obtained for liquid and vapor penetration lengths, over a broad range of gas densities and temperatures. Also the predicted flame lift-off lengths of reacting diesel fuel sprays were in good agreement with the experiments. After the validation of the models, well-defined rate shapes were used to study the effect of injection rate shape on liquid and vapor penetration, flame lift-off lengths and emission characteristics. A consistent trend was observed over the entire range of densities and temperatures, which lead to the conclusion that the fuel distribution can be controlled by modifying the injection rate shape. Since it is believed that the NOx and soot emissions are substantially affected by the equivalence ratio distribution of the gas mixture prior to the combustion, the variation of fuel distribution via the modification of injection rate shape offers a useful way of emission control. From the knowledge gained by this study, a control approach was devised to maintain the local equivalence ratios below a certain level using active control of fuel injection, thus preventing soot formation.
Vessel Performance Analysis and Fuel Management

A prototype Vessel Performance Monitoring and Analysis System (VPMAS) was deployed on a ferry to acquire needed performance data, to help improve vessel performance and reduce fuel consumption. A paper published in 2014 described preliminary data trends observed, key performance indicators computed, data products explored and exploratory tools developed for crews to gain insight into their vessel operation. The current paper describes further analysis of the operational data for speed optimization in calm sea states and the preliminary development of trim optimization software.It was found that trip durations around 7 hours (13.3 knots) use the least amount of fuel. The least amount of fuel is used when the excess distance travelled is minimized and the voyage time is optimized. There is a lot of leeway in terms of voyage time and excess distance travel by the ship before there is a heavy penalty on fuel consumption. Considering only a mean draft of 6 m and an average speed of 14 knots in the current paper, the optimal trim condition for the ferry is around −0.6 m (bow down), which reduces the resistance by 15% compared to the even keel condition. Positive trim causes the considerable increase of the total resistance consistently.Copyright © 2015 by The Crown in Right of Canada
Made on Earth: How Global Economic Integration Renders Trade Policy Obsolete

During the past few decades, a truly global division of labor has emerged, presenting opportunities for specialization, collaboration, and exchange on scales once unimaginable. The confluence of falling trade and investment barriers, revolutions in communications and transportation, the opening of China to the West, the collapse of communism, and the disintegration of Cold War political barriers has spawned a highly integrated global economy with vast potential to produce greater wealth and higher living standards.The factory floor is no longer contained within four walls and one roof. Instead, it spans the globe through a continuum of production and supply chains, allowing lead firms to optimize investment and output decisions by matching production, assembly, and other functions to the locations best suited for those activities. Because of foreign direct investment, joint ventures, and other equity-sharing arrangements, quite often “we” are “they” and “they” are “we.” And because of the proliferation of disaggregated, transnational production and supply chains, “we” and “they” often collaborate in the same endeavor. In the 21st century, competition is more likely to occur between entities that defy national identification because they are truly international in their operations, creating products and services from value-added activities in multiple countries. There is competition between supply chains, but only after there is cooperation and collaboration within supply chains.But trade and investment policy has not kept pace with these remarkable changes in commercial reality. Our globally integrated economy requires policies that are welcoming of imports and foreign investment and that minimize regulations or administrative frictions based on misconceptions about some vague or ill-defined “national interest.” To nurture the promise of our highly integrated global economy, governments should commit to policies that reduce frictions throughout the supply chain — from product conception to consumption — as well as in the flow of services, investment, and human capital.
The Lacey Act: America's First Nationwide Wildlife Statute

ON APRIL 30, 1900 John Fletcher Lacey rose in the House of Representatives to urge passage of his twice revised "bird" bill-the best drawn in an unprecedented spate of wildlife protection proposals recently considered by Congress. The Iowa legislator had earned his reputation as a conservationist six years earlier by sponsoring Yellowstone's first effective game law. Now he spoke on a much broader theme. "There is a compensation in the distribution of plants, birds, and animals by the God of nature," he warned. "Man's attempt to change and interfere often leads to serious results. We have given an awful exhibition of slaughter and destruction, which may serve as a warning to all mankind. Let us now give an example of wise conservation of what remains of the gifts of nature." The House complied, a roll call vote overcoming the last opposition to the first nationwide wildlife statute.1
Anti-Reflective Surface Structuring of Optical Components - a Review

We present a review of our work on surface nanostructuring of many technologically important optical materials and components and illustrate record-low reflectivity losses, large bandwidth and record-high laser damage thresholds.
Glatt v. Fox Searchlight and the Rhetorical Value of Inter-Circuit Dialogue

In Glatt v. Fox Searchlight, the Second Circuit addressed the question of whether and when a worker is a properly unpaid intern, or an improperly unpaid employee. In the course of its decision, it cited very little previous authority on the subject – existing authority directly on point on many issues before the court. This essay addresses the rhetorical and analytical best practice of reviewing and engaging previous authority to reach a legal conclusion, concluding that the trust between reader and writer is violated when expectations of inter-circuit dialogue are unmet.
YUV video player based on table-searching method

The video sequences of YUV format are often used in video information processing. A YUV format video playing software is designed and implemented. The YUV to RGB's fast transform is implemented by using the table-searching method which can meet the real time demand. Video playing speed is controlled by the windows multimedia timer. The effect of the YUV format video playing is satisfactory.
The Relationship between Scholarly Journal Editors' Academic Ideal and the Quality of Journals

Scholarly journals serve as communication media,are close to academic disciplines and bear unshirkable responsibility for academic heritage.Journal editors play very important role in the success of a journal.The characteristics of scholarly journals require their editors to adhere to academic ideal and also possess the awareness to pass down culture.Editors of scholarly journal deal with scholarly articles from researchers and communicate with them;they are the medium between the academia and media.Scholarization of journal editors with professional ideals,positive attitude on life values and world can help to prevent editors from academic corruption and improve the quality of journals.Journals editors should keep vigorous work enthusiasm and believe in self-discipline to overcome job burnout.At the same time,they can keep improving their scientific research level through multiple strategies to ensure the sustainable development of their academic ideal.
Thoracic Duct Decompression for Protein-Losing Enteropathy in Failing Fontan Circulation

An infrequent but devastating late complication of Fontan circulation is protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), which results from unbalanced lymphatic homeostasis. Surgical decompression of the thoracic duct by redirecting its drainage to the pulmonary venous atrium has been introduced recently as a possible treatment. This report describes a single-institution experience with this innovative procedure in 2 patients with failing Fontan circulation with PLE refractory to optimized medical therapy.
Rosai-Dorfman Disease

Rosai-Dorfman disease is a rare systemic disease characterized by a histiocyte proliferation which presents with lymphadenopathy. Some patients present with extranodal disease.
Engaging students in control systems using a balancing robot in a mechatronics course

This paper describes hardware and activities used in a Mechatronics course to engage students in control systems. The course does not assume control systems prerequisites, but engages students in the use, coding, and tuning of multiple control loops in the completion of projects. The hardware used, a two-wheel robot kit purchased by the students, is described and models are developed for the two modes used in the course: line tracking mode and balancing mode. The models are provided to the students, but not used in control system design. Rather, the students are asked to complete tuning procedures. In addition to tuning, the students are required to write code implementing PID control and path generation that feeds commands to the control loops. Other course activities include soldering, construction, embedded systems programming, and debugging. The course climaxes with a light-hearted public competition and display at the University open house.
Object-to-group probabilistic distance measure for uncertain data classification

Uncertain objects, where each feature is represented by multiple observations or a given or fitted probability density function, arise in applications such as sensor networks, moving object databases and medical and biological databases. We propose a methodology to classify uncertain objects based on a new probabilistic distance measure between an uncertain object and a group of uncertain objects. This object-to-group probabilistic distance measure is unique in that it accounts separately for the correlations among the features within each class and within each object. We compare the proposed object-to-group classifier to two existing classifiers, namely, the K-Nearest Neighbor classifier on object means (certain-KNN) and the uncertain-naive Bayes classifier. In addition, we compare the object-to-group classifier to an uncertain K-Nearest Neighbor classifier (uncertain-KNN), also proposed here, that uses existing probabilistic distance measures for object-to-object distances. We illustrate the advantages of the proposed classifiers with both simulated and real data.
Lipid metabolic changes in an early divergent fungus govern the establishment of a mutualistic symbiosis with endobacteria

The recent accumulation of newly discovered fungal-bacterial mutualisms challenges the paradigm that fungi and bacteria are natural antagonists. To understand the mechanisms that govern the establishment and maintenance over evolutionary time of mutualisms between fungi and bacteria, we studied a symbiosis of the fungus Rhizopus microsporus (Mucoromycotina) and its Burkholderia endobacteria. We found that nonhost R. microsporus, as well as other mucoralean fungi, interact antagonistically with endobacteria derived from the host and are not invaded by them. Comparison of gene expression profiles of host and nonhost fungi during interaction with endobacteria revealed dramatic changes in expression of lipid metabolic genes in the host. Analysis of the host lipidome confirmed that symbiosis establishment was accompanied by specific changes in the fungal lipid profile. Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) activity was important for these lipid metabolic changes, as its inhibition altered the fungal lipid profile and caused a shift in the host-bacterial interaction into an antagonism. We conclude that adjustments in host lipid metabolism during symbiosis establishment, mediated by DGKs, are required for the mutualistic outcome of the Rhizopus-Burkholderia symbiosis. In addition, the neutral and phospholipid profiles of R. microsporus provide important insights into lipid metabolism in an understudied group of oleaginous Mucoromycotina. Lastly, our study revealed that the DGKs involved in the symbiosis form a previously uncharacterized clade of DGK domain proteins.
Calculating with R

In this chapter, we begin with the most basic aspects of R: installing it, checking the installation by demonstrating some of its impressive graphics capabilities, and showing how it can be used as a powerful calculator. We will go well beyond these capabilities in subsequent chapters, but they should demonstrate that R can be a constant presence on your desktop for the kinds of calculations and graphs for which you would otherwise use a handheld graphics calculator or spreadsheet.
Screening Practices of New Business Incubators: The Evaluation of Critical Success Factors:

New firms are an important mechanism through which new jobs are created. However, the new venture failure rate is greater than the rate of creation. Business incubators have been organized to bring...
The Challenges of Diagnosing Cardiac Sarcoidosis

![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Despite various advances in cardiovascular imaging and blood-based biomarkers, the detection of cardiac sarcoidosis can be incredibly challenging, as there is no single reliable test for diagnosing this condition. Endomyocardial biopsy
“The Great God Pan is Alive Again”: Peacock and Shelley in Marlow

This chapter examines two particularly productive years in the life of a literary circle and demonstrates the extent to which an emphasis on community—exemplified by Hunt’s writing contests, correspondence, and the establishment of salons—makes this a fertile time for the pagan imagery that recurs in all of these connected authors. Barnett challenges the conventional reading of the relationship between Thomas Love Peacock and Percy Shelley as one of affectionate satire in favor of a more nuanced relationship characterized by influence and collaboration, exemplified by their shared classical studies and the interplays of many of their works (Peacock’s Genius of the Thames and Shelley’s Esdaile Notebook; Peacock’s Ahrimanes and Shelley’s Laon and Cythna; Peacock’s Calidore and Rhododaphne and Shelley’s Alastor and Prometheus Unbound).
Parent Involvement in the Getting Ready for School Intervention Is Associated With Changes in School Readiness Skills

The role of parent involvement in school readiness interventions is not well-understood. The Getting Ready for School (GRS) intervention is a novel program that has both home and school components and aims to improve early literacy, math, and self-regulatory skills in preschool children from socioeconomically disadvantaged families. In this study, we first examined associations between family characteristics and different indices of parent involvement in the GRS intervention. We then examined associations between parent involvement and change in children's school readiness skills over time. Participants were 133 preschool children attending Head Start and their parents who participated in the GRS intervention during the academic year 2014-2015. Parent involvement was operationalized as attendance to GRS events at the school, time spent at home doing GRS activities, and usage of digital program materials, which included a set of videos to support the implementation of parent-child activities at home. Although few family characteristics were significantly associated with parent involvement indices, there was a tendency for some markers of higher socioeconomic status to be linked with greater parent involvement. In addition, greater parent involvement in the GRS intervention was significantly associated with greater gains in children's early literacy, math, and self-regulatory skills. These findings suggest that parent involvement in comprehensive early interventions could be beneficial in terms of improving school readiness for preschoolers from disadvantaged families.
Temperature- and Energy-Constrained Scheduling

Along with the performance improvement in state-of-art microprocessors, power densities are rising rapidly due to the fact that feature size scales faster than voltages [113]. In the last 5 years, though the processor frequency has only improved by 30%, the power density is more than doubled and expected to reach over 250 W/cm2 [32]. Since energy consumption is converted into heat dissipation, high heat flux increases theon-chip temperature. The “hot spot” on current microprocessor die, caused by nonuniform peak power distribution, could reach up to 120∘C [14]. This trend is observed in both desktop and embedded processors [127, 158].
Immunology of Islet Cells

Interest in the immunology of pancreatic islets has been sparked by the numerous clinical and experimental observations that an autoimmune mechanism is centrally involved in the pathogenesis of type I diabetes. Although much of this evidence is reviewed by Gepts and LeCompte (Chapter 16, this volume), it will be necessary to discuss possible immune mechanisms involved in experimental and clinical type I diabetes in this chapter.
Responses to Natural Disasters in the Greek and Roman World

Ancient Greek and Roman records contain many references to natural disasters. Analyzing the immediate reactions to the events, as well as the ensuing responses, is only possible where there is dependable evidence. Two case studies offer eyewitness accounts of disaster, as well as archaeological and scientific studies. These are the plague that struck Athens in 430 BCE during the Peloponnesian War, described by Thucydides who witnessed and suffered from it, and the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE, recorded in letters by Pliny the Younger, who saw it and fled from it during its height. The victims of these disasters were plunged into confusion and uncertainty about what to do to survive. In many cases, social cohesion dissolved, and individuals broke norms and traditions. Some sought help from the gods, and others felt there were no gods. In the aftermath, leaders responded with measures intended to help people, restore the body politic, and rebuild. Although frustrated by physical and social barriers, they achieved a degree of success.
Analysis of ambulatory blood pressure data in antihypertensive drug trials

In recent years a number of different methods have been evolved to analyse ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data, particularly for evaluating the relationship between blood pressure and target-organ disease and for assessing the effects of antihypertensive drug therapy. The most commonly used methods include calculation of mean or median values during wakefulness and sleep, assessment of blood pressure variability and distribution, calculating blood pressure load, and, more recently, integrating the area under the blood pressure curve over time. Although all of these methods of data analysis have merit, none has been used exclusively in assessing the effects of antihypertensive therapy. The rationale for using a particular method of analysis should be based on the physiological or pharmacological modality under investigation, the reproducibility of the method, the ease of statistical manipulation and, most important, the relationship between the blood pressure determinant and indices of the hypertensive disease process (e.g. left ventricular enlargement, vascular compliance). Ambulatory blood pressure recordings are superior to clinic recordings in assessing the duration of activity of an antihypertensive drug, while Fourier transformation of individual blood pressure curves (in contrast to a group of curves) may aid the evaluation of peak and trough activity. As the blood pressure load and the area under the blood pressure curve are closely related to target-organ disease in hypertension, the use of these methods is advocated in assessing the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs.
Technology’s Continuum: Body Cameras, Data Collection and Constitutional Searches

Police body camera programs have the potential to strengthen accountability for police violence, improve oversight of police-citizen interactions, and enhance public trust in law enforcement. Yet, these same cameras could also evolve into surveillance and evidence collection devices that may infringe on constitutional privacy rights. This chapter considers constitutional privacy constraints on police body camera recordings inside of the home, a space that has traditionally received heightened privacy protections. I find that the way judges analogized early police video recordings to prior technologies—specifically to still photographs, to audio recordings, and to the human eye—biased courts against applying robust constitutional privacy protections to police video recordings. By suggesting that today’s body cameras are instead better understood as part of a technological continuum of wearable and indiscriminate sensor-data collection devices, I seek to open a new doctrinal space to consider the constitutional privacy consequences of body camera programs.
A Role for Sensory end Organ-Derived Signals in Regulating Muscle Spindle Proprioceptor Phenotype.

Proprioceptive feedback from group Ia/II muscle spindle afferents and group Ib Golgi tendon afferents is critical for the normal execution of most motor tasks, yet how these distinct proprioceptor subtypes emerge during development remains poorly understood. Using molecular genetic approaches in mice of either sex, we identified twenty-four transcripts that have not previously been associated with a proprioceptor identity. Combinatorial expression analyses of these markers reveal at least three molecularly distinct proprioceptor subtypes. In addition, we find that twelve of these transcripts are expressed well after proprioceptors innervate their respective sensory receptors, and expression of three of these markers — including the heart development molecule Heg1 - is significantly reduced in mice that lack muscle spindles. These data reveal Heg1 as a putative marker for proprioceptive muscle spindle afferents. Moreover, they suggest that the phenotypic specialization of functionally distinct proprioceptor subtypes depends, in part, on extrinsic sensory receptor organ-derived signals. Significance statement: Sensory feedback from muscle spindle (MS) and Golgi tendon organ (GTO) sensory end-organs is critical for normal motor control, but how distinct MS and GTO afferent sensory neurons emerge during development remains poorly understood. Using (bulk) transcriptome analysis of genetically identified proprioceptors, this work reveals molecular markers for distinct proprioceptor subsets, including some that appear selectively expressed in MS afferents. Detailed analysis of the expression of these transcripts provides evidence that MS/GTO afferent subtype phenotypes may, at least in part, emerge through extrinsic - sensory end-organ derived - signals.
Comparing the associations between three types of adolescents' romantic involvement and their engagement in substance use

Using data on 838 middle adolescents, the current study compared the associations between three types of romantic involvement and alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. Off-time (i.e., serious romantic relationships) but not on-time (i.e., romantic socializing and dating) types of involvement were expected to be associated with increased odds of using each substance. Participating in romantic socializing was unrelated to substance use and dating was only positively associated with alcohol use. Participation in serious romantic relationships, however, was associated with an increased likelihood of having used each substance. Associations did not differ between males and females. Based on these results some but not all forms of romantic involvement may place middle adolescents at risk for substance use. Implications for parents and relationship education are discussed.
How Does Phosphorus Restriction Impact Soil Health Parameters in Midwestern Corn–Soybean Systems?

Limiting agricultural P losses to surface waters is essential to overall ecological sustainability of agroecosystems. Recent studies have suggested that decreasing P fertilization rates decrease organic matter content, adversely impacting other mitigation strategies. Corn–soy cropping systems from three soil regions of Ohio were subjected to 11 yr of P restriction to measure impacts on soil P availability and agronomic performance as well as both physical and biological indicators of soil health. While both soil P availability and plant tissue P contents decreased with P fertilization rate, crops did not exhibit signs of P stress, such as consistent decreases in corn yield. Organic P levels increased in plots with no P fertilization. Both physical and biological indicators of soil health showed mixed responses to P fertilization, although trends suggested greater organic matter stabilization in unfertilized plots relative to the fertilized plots. This study suggests that reductions in P fertilization can result in more efficient nutrient cycling without adverse agronomic impacts, although it is unclear how long this effect would persist before P restriction would consistently impact grain yields.
Estimating the relative magnitudes of adsorption to solid-water and air/oil-water interfaces for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances.

Abstract Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have attracted considerable concern due to their widespread occurrence in the environment and potential human health risks. Given the complexity of PFAS retention in multi-phase systems, it would be useful for characterization and modeling purposes to be able to readily determine the relative significance of the individual retention processes for a given PFAS and set of subsurface conditions. A quantitative-structure/property-relationship (QSPR) analysis was conducted for adsorption of PFAS by soils, sediments, and granular activated carbon (GAC), and integrated with a prior analysis conducted for adsorption to air-water and oil-water interfaces. The results demonstrated that a model employing molar volume provided reasonable predictions of organic-carbon normalized soil/sediment adsorption coefficients (log Koc), GAC-adsorption coefficients (log Kd), and air/oil-water interfacial adsorption coefficients (log Ki) for PFAS. The relative magnitudes of solid-water and air/oil-water interfacial adsorption were compared as a function of controlling variables. A nomograph was developed that provides a first-order determination of the relative significance of these interfacial adsorption processes in multi-phase porous-media systems.
Qualitative Interviewing in Ethnic-Chinese Contexts: Reflections From Researching Taiwanese Immigrants in the United States:

Qualitative interviewing is a broadly used method of data collection, but its discussions have rarely been situated in ethnic-Chinese contexts and immigrant communities. What factors are crucial fo...
Endourology survey on radiation exposure and post-ureteroscopy US and CT reveals a need for clear guidelines

Nephrolithiasis patients undergo repeated imaging increasing their radiation risk. Guidelines recommend imaging following ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL), but not the modality or frequency of imaging. As such, we sought to elucidate common imaging practices following URSL and current knowledge of radiation exposure among endourologists. A web-based survey of Endourological Society members was used to evaluate knowledge and clinical practices regarding radiation exposure in post-URSL imaging. Respondents were grouped by years of experience ( = 10 years) and geographic location (USA or non-USA). An interaction term was included in the models to allow response rate to vary across experience level with geographic location and P values were derived from model main effects. A total of 309 respondents answered the survey out of the 1800 active members of the Endourological Society that received the survey (17.2% total response rate). 204 of the respondents were included in our analysis as fellowship trained endourologists that perform URSL with a mean of 13.3 years in practice (IQR 6.75, 20 years). Overall, routine postoperative imaging is performed by 92% of respondents: 97% in the USA and 88% outside the US (P = 0.143). 39% of respondents correctly estimated standard dose CT scan (SCT) dose, while 36% correctly estimated that of a low-dose CT scan (LCT). American urologists correctly identified the SCT radiation dose more often than non-US respondents (54% vs 32%, respectively) (P value = 0.004). Respondents with 30 kg/m2. We demonstrate a knowledge gap regarding radiation exposure during CT scans and the limitations of low-dose CT imaging. This gap is wider in non-US-based urologists and in those with over 10 years of experience. However, all urologists would benefit from improved education and clear guidelines regarding radiation exposure in nephrolithiasis patients.
Functional performance improvement data and patent sets for 30 technology domains with measurements of patent centrality and estimations of the improvement rate.

Abstract This article accompanies the study presented in Triulzi et al. (2020) [1]. It briefly describes and makes available the data on functional performance for 30 technology domains, their patent sets, the measurement of patent centrality and the method to estimate the yearly technology performance improvement rate (TIR) that underly that study. Some of this data (performance time series and the lists of patents for 28 domains) has been collected by other authors for previous studies but were previously unavailable to the public. Measurements of patent centrality and other patent-based indicators for the 30 domains, and for 5.259.906 utility patents granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office between 1976 and 2015 are novel data contributed by Triulzi et al. (2020) [1]. Here we organize, describe and make available the collection of data in its entirety. This allows anyone interested to replicate the study or use the method to estimate the improvement rate of a given technology for which patents can be identified. For a detailed description of the data and methods see Triulzi et al. (2020) [1].
Vocalization in subterranean and fossorial rodents

Abstract Vocal communication is crucial for fossorial and subterranean rodents thanks to the special sensory environment in their underground burrows. The intersection between the research on vocalization and hormones is very small in these rodents. The reproductive hormones seem to influence the tuc-tuc calls in ctenomyids. The naked mole-rat nonbreeders respond to pup calls thanks to the estradiol administered to them by the breeding female through coprophagy. The vocal recognition of reproductive status in Mashona mole-rats is probably independent of their hormonal profile. Oxytocin receptor distribution differs between social and solitary species in both ctenomyids and bathyergids. This review raises more questions than answers, such as how the hormonal levels influence the physical features of the calls in this special acoustic environment or the role of oxytocin in widening the vocal repertoires of social species.
Shallow P+-N Junction Fabrication by Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation

Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) has been applied to fabricate shallow p-n junction diodes and MOS test structures. BF3 ions created by an electron cyclotron resonance source were implanted into n-type Si(100) at an accelerating voltage of −2 kV. The implant doses ranged from 4×1014/cm2 to 4×1015/cm2. In some cases, the top layers of the Si(100) substrates were preamorphized by a 3×1015/cm2 to 1016/cm2 implant of SiF4 by PIII at −7.2 kV prior to the BF3 implant. The ideality factor exhibited in both non- and preamorphized samples during forward bias is 1.02 to 1.05. Reverse leakages were measured at 30 nA/cm2 at −5V. High frequency capacitance and high field breakdown measurements of the oxide test structures showed no significant damage to the oxide.
Designing QSARs for Parameters of High-Throughput Toxicokinetic Models Using Open-Source Descriptors

The intrinsic metabolic clearance rate (Clint) and the fraction of the chemical unbound in plasma (fup) serve as important parameters for high-throughput toxicokinetic (TK) models, but experimental data are limited for many chemicals. Open-source quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for both parameters were developed to offer reliable in silico predictions for a diverse set of chemicals regulated under the U.S. law, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. As a case study to demonstrate their utility, model predictions served as inputs to the TK component of a risk-based prioritization approach based on bioactivity/exposure ratios (BERs), in which a BER 1 using either in silico or in vitro parameters (767/848, 90.4%). Thus, the presented QSARs may be suitable for prioritizing the risk posed by many chemicals for which measured in vitro TK data are lacking.