cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hyperbaric oxygenation mitigates focal cerebral injury and reduces striatal dopamine release in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

The usefulness of the administration of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in the treatment of acute focal cerebral ischemia remains debatable. A significant association exists between focal cerebral injury and an excessive release of extracellular dopamine (DA). In vivo microdialysis was used in the present study to examine the effect of HBO on DA release in the striatum during ischemia and reperfusion in rats. The histological changes occurring were also evaluated. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using a surgically placed intraluminal filament. Control rats (n=8) were subjected to 1 h of ischemia, whilst the study rats (n=8) were in addition treated with HBO (2.8 atmospheres of absolute pressure 100% O2) during ischemia. Both groups were returned to breathing room air at normal pressure during reperfusion. Microdialysis samples were continuously collected at 15 min intervals at 2 µl·min–1. The [mean (SE)] increase in release of striatal DA attained significance after 30 min of occlusion of MCA [170 (24)%], and continued to increase [268 (26)% at 45 min] reaching a peak level at 60 min [672 (59)%] before returning to the baseline level during the late reperfusion phase. There was no significant change in the level of DA in HBO treated rats during the period of ischemia. A significant reduction in edema and neuronal shrinkage were observed by histological examination in HBO treated rats when compared to the control rats. The results showed that HBO, when administered during ischemia, offered significant neuroprotection in our experimental model of transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat. The mechanism seems to imply, at least in part, a reduced level of DA.
VoiceXML 2.0 and the W3C speech interface framework

The World Wide Web Voice Browser Working Group has released specifications for four integrated languages to developing speech applications: VoiceXML 2.0, Speech Synthesis Markup Language, Speech Recognition Grammar Markup Language, and Semantic Interpretation. These languages enable developers to specify quickly conversational speech Web applications that can be accessed by any telephone or cell phone. The speech recognition and natural language communities are welcome to use these specifications and their implementations as they become available, as well as comment on the direction and details of these evolving specifications.
Feulgen Staining of Rabbit Spermatozoa: Hydrolysis Time and Distribution of Chromatin

A period of 12–16 min was found to be optimum for hydrolysis, in 1 N HCl at 60 C, of rabbit spermatozoa for quantitative Feulgen staining. The gradient of optical density along the longitudinal axis of Feulgen-stained rabbit sperm cell nuclei followed a typical pattern, deviating from a linear regression. A 2 μ diameter spot centered at the midpoint of the nucleus with uniform density approximating the mean density was present in most of the cells measured. This central spot can be used with reliance in DNA assays using light beam core sampling methods of microspectrophotometry.
NAIL COSMETIC ISSUES

Nail cosmetics are a part of good hygiene and self adornment. These cosmetics can provide solutions to problems involving the nail plate and also can create disease. This article provides a diagnosis and treatment-oriented approach to nail cosmetic issues.
Design of a two-stage Si pumped Er:SiO 2 laser based on concentric microdisks

We propose a two-stage lasing device in which an electroluminescent Si nanocrystal (Si-nc) disk optically pumps a concentric Er:SiO 2 toroid. We also present fabrication and characterization of an Er:SiO 2 microdisk and demonstrate coupling of Si-nc emission to a concentric SiO 2 ring.
A Network-Based Analysis of Over-the-Counter Markets

I study how intermediation in over-the-counter markets affects the efficiency of resource allocation. I model an over-the-counter market as a trading network in which bilateral prices and agents' decisions to buy, sell, or act as intermediaries are jointly determined in equilibrium. Trading by strategic agents can result in an inefficient equilibrium allocation because bilateral prices depend not only on the private valuations of all agents, but also on the share of the surplus each intermediary receives. When a trading network is not sufficiently dense, the probability that the equilibrium allocation is always efficient tends to zero as the network size increases. I derive an analytical solution for the expected welfare loss and show that it can increase with the density of the trading network. I apply this theoretical framework to show that a large interconnected financial institution can improve efficiency even after accounting for a moral hazard cost due to a possible ex-post bailout. This welfare gain should be considered when deciding whether large financial institutions are too interconnected to exist.
α-fetoprotein in the woodchuck model of hepadnavirus infection and disease: Immunochemical analysis of woodchuck α-fetoprotein and measurement in serum by quantitative monoclonal radioimmunoassay

Woodchuck hepatitis virus infection of the eastern woodchuck represents a useful model for the study of hepatitis B virus infection and disease in humans, including hepatocellular carcinoma. In man, hepatocellular carcinoma is frequently detected and monitored using assays for serum alpha-fetoprotein. To study the relationship between alpha-fetoprotein and woodchuck hepatitis virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in the woodchuck model, we produced a monoclonal antibody to woodchuck alpha-fetoprotein and used biophysical and immunochemical methods to demonstrate its specificity and affinity (7 x 10(8) L/mol) for woodchuck alpha-fetoprotein. A competition radioimmunoassay was then developed and standardized for measuring serum alpha-fetoprotein concentrations. In the radioimmunoassay system, woodchuck alpha-fetoprotein was detected between 20 ng/ml (20% to 25% inhibition) and 8,500 ng/ml (97% to 98% inhibition). Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein concentrations (450 to 452,000 ng/ml) were measured in 21 of 23 woodchucks in the advanced stages of woodchuck hepatitis virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Serum alpha-fetoprotein was elevated above normal (greater than or equal to 450 ng/ml) as early as 3 to 11 mo before terminal hepatocellular carcinoma in 11 of 16 of the woodchuck hepatitis virus-carrier woodchucks. In a pilot study, serum alpha-fetoprotein became markedly elevated above normal in woodchuck hepatitis virus-carrier woodchucks that developed hepatocellular carcinoma but not in serologically recovered or uninfected woodchucks (i.e., without hepatocellular carcinoma). Thus, alpha-fetoprotein may provide a useful noninvasive marker in the woodchuck model for detecting and monitoring woodchuck hepatitis virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma from earlier stages.
Fundamentals of Optical Communication

The ultimate goal of the optical signal transmission is to achieve the predetermined bit-error ratio (BER) between any two nodes in an optical network. The optical transmission system has to be properly designed in order to provide the reliable operation during its lifetime, which includes the management of key engineering parameters. In this chapter, we describe the key optical components used in contemporary optical communication systems; basic direct detection modulation schemes; and basic coherent detection schemes. This chapter is based on [1–24].
The Relationship of Intimate Partner Aggression to Head Injury, Executive Functioning, and Intelligence

Measures of head injury, executive functioning, and intelligence were given to a community sample composed of 102 male perpetrators of intimate partner aggression (IPA) and 62 nonaggressive men. A history of head injury and lower mean score on a measure of verbal intelligence were associated with the frequency of male-perpetrated physical IPA as reported by male perpetrators and their female partners. Lower mean scores on a measure of verbal intelligence also predicted frequency of psychological IPA perpetration. Using the perpetrator subtypes outlined by Holtzworth-Munroe et al. (2000), analyses revealed that compared with other groups, the most severely aggressive subtypes (i.e., borderline-dysphoric and generally violent-antisocial) were the most likely to report a history of head injury and to have significantly lower mean scores on a neuropsychological test of verbal intelligence. The possible role of neuropsychological factors in IPA perpetration and implications for prevention and intervention programs are discussed.
How many suicide terrorists are suicidal

Suicide terrorists in recent decades total approximately 3,500. Lankford finds risk factors for suicide for about 40 of these cases. Given that many with risk factors for suicide never attempt suicide, a reasonable estimate might be that one percent of suicide terrorists are suicidal.
Initial experience with electronic tracking of specific tumor sites in men undergoing active surveillance of prostate cancer

Objectives Targeted biopsy, using magnetic resonance (MR)-ultrasound (US) fusion, may allow tracking of specific cancer sites in the prostate. We aimed to evaluate the initial use of the technique to follow tumor sites in men on active surveillance of prostate cancer. Methods and materials A total of 53 men with prostate cancer (all T1c category) underwent rebiopsy of 74 positive biopsy sites, which were tracked and targeted using the Artemis MR-US fusion device (Eigen, Grass Valley, CA) from March 2010 through January 2013. The initial biopsy included 12 cores from a standard template (mapped by software) and directed biopsies from regions of interest seen on MR imaging (MRI). In the repeat biopsy, samples were taken from sites containing cancer at the initial biopsy. Outcomes of interest at second MR-US biopsy included (a) presence of any cancer and (b) presence of clinically significant cancer. Results All cancers on initial biopsy had either Gleason score 3+3 = 6 (n = 63) or 3+4 = 7 (n = 11). At initial biopsy, 23 cancers were within an MRI target, and 51 were found on systematic biopsy. Cancer detection rate on repeat biopsy (29/74, 39%) was independent of Gleason score on initial biopsy (P = not significant) but directly related to initial cancer core length (P<0.02). Repeat sampling of cancerous sites within MRI targets was more likely to show cancer than resampling of tumorous systematic sites (61% vs. 29%, P = 0.005). When initial cancer core length was≥4 mm within an MRI target, more than 80% (5/6) of follow-up tracking biopsies were positive. An increase of Gleason score was uncommon (9/74, 12%). Conclusions Monitoring of specific prostate cancer–containing sites may be achieved in some men using an electronic tracking system. The chances of finding tumor on repeat specific-site sampling was directly related to the length of tumor in the initial biopsy core and presence of tumor within an MRI target; upgrading of Gleason score was uncommon. Further research is required to evaluate the potential utility of site-specific biopsy tracking for patients with prostate cancer on active surveillance.
Critical Issues: Circles of Kinship, Friendship, Position, and Power: Examining the Community in Community-Based Literacy Research1

Literacy research conducted in communities of practice outside classrooms and schools has proliferated in the last decade with little attention given to what it means to talk about literacy in “the community.” This article explores issues surrounding community-based literacy research and suggests that, although well intentioned, literacy researchers risk overdetermining, essentializing, and romanticizing what it means to engage in community-based literacy if we do not define and question what is meant by community. The need to define and complicate community as a construct is important, because communities are becoming more complex, and sometimes less communal, with the diversity and rapid change of new times and fast capitalism (Hall, 1995; Lankshear, 1997; Luke & Luke, 1999, in press). This piece examines various definitions of community that have framed community-based literacy studies to date and argues for concerted efforts to define and complicate perspectives on community in future research.
Creep flow, diffusion, and electromigration in small scale interconnects

This paper proposes a three-dimensional electromigration model for void evolution in small scale interconnects. Concurrent kinetics of creep flow and surface diffusion as well as the effect of the surrounding material is considered to provide better understanding of the evolution process. The multiple kinetics and energetics are incorporated into a diffusive interface model. A semi-implicit Fourier spectral method and the preconditioned biconjugate-gradient method are proposed for the computations to achieve high efficiency and numerical stability. We systematically studied kinetic processes in diffusion dominated to creep dominated regime. Which process dominates, as revealed by the analysis, is determined by a combination of viscosity, mobility, interconnect thickness, and void radius. Previous studies on electromigration suggest that a circular void subjected to an electron wind force and surface diffusion is always stable against any small shape perturbation. Our simulations show that a shape that is stable in surface diffusion can become unstable in a creep dominated process, which leads to a quite different void morphology. A spherical void can evolve into a bowl shape and further break into smaller voids. It is also shown that the interconnect geometry has an important effect.
Cardiac Gating Practice

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Requirement of Cardiac Gating 3 Methods of Cardiac Monitoring 4 Artifacts on the Electrocardiogram 5 Electrocardiogram Electrode and Lead Positioning 6 Prospective and Retrospective Gating 7 Implications of the Gating Type on the Accuracy of Blood Flow Mapping 8 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
Video Description Length Guided Constant Quality Video Coding with Bitrate Constraint

In this paper, we propose a new video encoding strategy &#x00E2;" Video description length guided Constant Quality video coding with Bitrate Constraint (V-CQBC), for large scale video transcoding systems of video charing websites with varying unknown video contents. It provides smooth quality and saves bitrate and computation for transcoding millions of videos in both real time and batch mode. The new encoding strategy is based on the average bitrate-quality regression model and adapt to the encoded videos. Furthermore, three types of video description length (VDL), describing the video overall, spatial and temporal content complexity, are proposed to guide video coding. Experimental results show that the proposed coding strategy with saved computation could achieve better or similar RD performance than other coding strategies.
Individual differences in the analysis of informal reasoning fallacies

Abstract After decades of research into formal or logical fallacies of reasoning, psychologists have only recently begun to examine the informal reasoning fallacies that are routinely present in critical discussions, debates, and other forms of argumentation. The present study considers several possible influences on an ability to identify and analyze these fallacies. College students completed measures of deductive reasoning, personal epistemology, and knowledge of specific argumentation norms and analyzed arguments containing fallacies such as argument from ignorance, begging the question, and slippery slope. Results indicated that effective analysis of informal fallacies was associated with some aspects of deductive reasoning—especially an ability to overcome belief bias—and with higher-order epistemic beliefs, as well as a commitment to argumentation norms for critical discussion. Results are discussed in terms of argumentation research and implications for pedagogical treatments of the fallacies are noted.
Towards an indoor location system using RF signal strength in IEEE 802.11 networks

Location is one of the most important contexts used in pervasive computing environments. GPS systems are intensely used to detect the location information; they mainly work in outdoor environment. Applications call for precise, easy-to-build, and easy-to-use indoor location systems. This paper presents our work to implement an indoor location determination system for Microsoft-Windows-based platforms using a preexisting IEEE 802.11 wireless network. The location is determined from radio signal strength information collected from multiple base stations at different physical locations. Our experiments show a high accuracy rate of this approach.
Implications of velocity overshoot in heterojunction transit-time diodes

The influence of transient transport in heterojunction transittime is discussed. It is argued that overshoot effects can be important in such devices, in which case the presence of the overshoot will significantly impact device design. Appropriately designed structures are predicted to be superior to their homojunction counterparts, particularly at millimetre wavelengths.
The influence of bottom morphology on reflectance: Theory and two-dimensional geometry model

The reflectance of the bottom is of importance when interpreting optical data in shallow water. Closure studies of radiative transfer, interpretation of laser line scanner data, lidar, and remote sensing in shallow waters require understanding of the bottom reflectance. In the Coastal Benthic Optical Properties experiment (CoBOP), extensive measurements of the material reflectance (reflectance very close to the bottom) were made. Far field reflectance will be needed in carrying out closure of the radiative transfer model and observed radiometric and inherent optical properties. The far field reflectance is the bottom reflectance that includes the effect of bottom morphology (such as sand ripples) as well as the material reflectance. We present here a first-order analytical model to derive the relationship between the material and far field reflectances. We show that the effective reflectance of the bottom is proportional to the average cosine of the bottom slope. Using a simple two-dimensional geometry without scattering and absorption, we show that errors in ignoring the bottom morphology can lead to overestimations of the far field reflectance on the order of 30%.
Selective insulin-induced activation of class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase in PIKfyve immune complexes from 3T3-L1 adipocytes☆

Abstract A diverse range of insulin-regulated cellular processes are dependent on class I A phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI 3-Ks) and their association with and activation by up-stream signaling molecules. Here we report on the identification of the phosphoinositide 5′-kinase PIKfyve as a partner of class I A PI 3-K. Thus, both p85 and p110 subunits (class I A ) of PI 3-Ks co-precipitated with anti-PIKfyve antibodies from lysates of resting 3T3-L1 adipocytes and, vice versa, PIKfyve co-precipitated with anti-p85 PI 3-K antibodies. Assignment to class I A PI 3-K enzymatic activity was further substantiated by the inhibition of PtdIns 3-P production in PIKfyve immune complexes by low concentrations of wortmannin and Triton X-100, and its preferences for Mg 2+ versus Mn 2+ . Insulin but not PDGF or EGF stimulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes markedly increased the PtdIns 3-P production (4.2-fold) in PIKfyve immune complexes, primarily as a result of increased PI 3-K intrinsic enzymatic activity. Intriguingly, while both insulin and PDGF caused an increase of class I A PI 3-K activity co-immunoprecipitated with tyrosine phosphorylated proteins, only insulin treatment yielded an activation of class I A PI 3-K in PIKfyve immune complexes. Studies aiming at identifying the underlying mechanism revealed that PIKfyve-class I A PI 3-K association and the insulin-induced activation likely operate independently of tyrosine phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate proteins. Together, these results establish PIKfyve as a novel source of activated class I A PI 3-K molecules that may be relevant in the insulin-signal transduction pathway.
Review of Commercially Available Epilepsy Genetic Panels.

Next generation sequencing panels have revolutionized the diagnostic approach to patients with epilepsy. There are several commercial epilepsy panels available. We assessed the list of genes tested and consent forms for epilepsy panels available at seven laboratories. The panels varied in the number of genes included (70–465 genes). In some panels, genes not currently associated with epilepsy were included (up to 4 % of panel content). The panels also included genes for lysosomal storage disorders (6–12 %), congenital disorders of glycosylation (0–8.5 %), metabolic disorders (3.5–34 %), neurological syndromes (18–43 %) and multisystemic genetic syndromes (6.4–21 %). Informed consents differed significantly between laboratories ranging from basic information about genetic testing and possible results to information about insurance, genetic counseling and familial testing, and incidental findings.
Speed up of test generation using high-level primitives

A general methodology to speed up the test generation process for combinational circuits with high-level primitives is proposed. The technique is able to handle circuits in a hierarchical fashion, treats the signal at a bit-vector level rather than the bit level and takes advantage of the complex operations that are available in the computer system. The technique has been implemented and the results are presented for five circuits. It is shown that by using the high-level primitives a significant speed-up and significant reduction in storage requirement are achieved. More importantly, the reduction in storage size permits test generation for very large circuits. It is clear that use of high-level primitives is more efficient than use of low-level primitives in test generation. A dependency-directed backtracking mechanism is also present which reduces the number of backtracks. The technique presented is complete, permits test vector generation for a broad class of large circuits with complex primitives, and accommodates a very general fault model. >
Prisoners of War: Does the Fight Continue After the Battle?

Just beyond the state there is a kind of limbo, a strange world this side of the hell of war, whose members are deprived of the relative security of political or social membership. Different sorts of people live there, mostly for indefinite periods of time, people who have been expelled from their state or otherwise deprived of legal rights, people whose state has been defeated in war and occupied or who have been separated somehow from its jurisdiction. Among the residents, two groups endure conditions paradigmatic for all the others: refugees, deprived of their rights by persecution; and prisoners of war, separated from their state by captivity. The two are very different, since refugees are stateless persons, radically dependent on their hosts and unable to look backward to any protecting authority, while prisoners remain citizens still and receive such protection as their states can provide. However distant and isolated they may be from their home country, their captivity is (hopefully) temporary; both captives and captors may one day be required to account for their behavior. Nevertheless, prisoners and refugees belong alike to the limbo world. They cannot expect effective help from any organized society; they do not know when, if ever, they will be “at home” again; they are compelled to reconstruct or redefine their obligations without reference, or without clearcut reference, to authoritative laws and commands.
Dipeptide-induced Cl−secretion in proximal tubule cells

During a survey of dipeptides that might be transported by the renal PEPT2 transporter in proximal tubule cells, we discovered that acidic dipeptides could stimulate transient secretory anion curre...
Mixtures of Two Bile Alcohol Sulfates Function as a Proximity Pheromone in Sea Lamprey

Unique mixtures of pheromone components are commonly identified in insects, and have been shown to increase attractiveness towards conspecifics when reconstructed at the natural ratio released by the signaler. In previous field studies of pheromones that attract female sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus, L.), putative components of the male-released mating pheromone included the newly described bile alcohol 3,12-diketo-4,6-petromyzonene-24-sulfate (DkPES) and the well characterized 3-keto petromyzonol sulfate (3kPZS). Here, we show chemical evidence that unequivocally confirms the elucidated structure of DkPES, electrophysiological evidence that each component is independently detected by the olfactory epithelium, and behavioral evidence that mature female sea lamprey prefer artificial nests activated with a mixture that reconstructs the male-released component ratio of 30:1 (3kPZS:DkPES, molar:molar). In addition, we characterize search behavior (sinuosity of swim paths) of females approaching ratio treatment sources. These results suggest unique pheromone ratios may underlie reproductive isolating mechanisms in vertebrates, as well as provide utility in pheromone-integrated control of invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes.
The American Jewish Response to Nineteenth-Century Christian Missions

Kenneth Scott Latourette properly characterized the nineteenth century as the "Great Century" of Christian expansion: the age when missionary activities spread to cover all corners of the world. Numerous facets of this development have been investigated. ' We know a great deal about the origins, growth, and impact of the missionary movement. But the immediate response of the missionized, their counteractive programs and battle for cultural survival, has received surprisingly scant attention. Most scholars continue to view the "unenlightened" only as objects of history, shaped by others.2 In some cases, written native evidence concerning missionaries simply does not exist. Folklore, travel diaries, and missionary reports must be employed, resulting in inevitable distortion. In the case of Jewish missions, however, responses exist in abundance. The special nature of missions to the Jews, particularly in America, militate against glib cross-cultural generalizations. Still, the range, diversity, and surprising result of the American Jewish response invite critical comparative study.3 The basic theme, after all, is a universal one:
Unfalsified Control for Slowly Varying Plants using Fading Memory and Windowing

A new cost function with fading memory and a finite-duration time-window is introduced in order to limit the effect of old data in unfalsified adaptive control applications where the plant varies slowly or infrequently with time. The effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated via a simple simulation in which a plant with a gain, which switches periodically, is stabilized by a time-windowed unfalsified adaptive control law that switches between two candidate PID controllers, neither of which alone would be able to stabilize the time-varying plant without switching. The result demonstrates that time-windowed/fadingmemory unfalsified methods can be effective for adaptive control of varying plants, even when the plant fails to satisfy the usual ‘feasibility’ requirement of unfalsified control that it must be stabilizable by one of the candidate controllers.
A Methodology to Generate a Time-Varying Adjustable Wave Impedance inside a TEM Cell

A methodology to generate a time-varying adjustable wave impedances inside a TEM cell is introduced for electromagnetic susceptibility tests of small electronic modules. The TEM cell is excited by two amplified arbitrary waveforms. By varying the excitation waveforms and their timing, the momentary wave impedance and field strength inside the TEM cell can be adjusted. Keywords—Arbitrary waveform; broadband amplifiers; susceptibility test; wave impedance; TEM cell
Spontaneous chronic meningo-encephalitis of rabbits

During the course of the last year we have been studying reactions which follow arsphenamin administration to rabbits. After each experiment, tissues were taken from all the organs as a routine measure and examined for any lesions that might be present. In the first group of experiments, animals were given repeated large doses of arsphenamin extending over a period of 10 days, and, as a rule, such animals died from the effects of this procedure. Lesions of various organs were found and especially a peculiar inflammatory process in the brain. A later group of experiments in which the animals died immediately or in the course of a few hours following the injection of massive doses of arsphenamin, also showed these same lesions of the central nervous system, and as in these cases sufficient time had not elapsed for the development of changes of this type, it seemed fairly certain that the lesions must be due to a disease spontaneously occurring in the rabbits. Supposedly normal animals from our stock-room were therefore killed and their brains examined.
Bio-preservative effects of Lactobacillus paracasei H9 in sodium alginate coating on grass carp

The grass carps were divided into several parts and stored in 4 ℃, some treated by 107cfu/g Lactobacillus paracasei H9 alone, some singly coated with 1% sodium alginate solution, and some treated by Lactobacillus paracasei H9 fermentation solution(pH3.70), then coated with 1% sodium alginate solution, others were without any treatment. The sensory evaluation values, total volatile base nitrogen(TVB-N), pH value, the 2-thiobarbituric acid(TBA) and total bacteria count(TBC) were used to evaluate the fish quality during the storage. The results showed that samples treated by Lactobacillus paracasei H9fermentation solution and coated with sodium alginate had the best bio-preservation, which could restrain bacteria growth, keep the lower value of TVB-N, have no harmful effect towards the sensory quality and the shelf-life have prolonged 4 days.
Beautiful and sublime: the aesthetics of running in a commodified world

AbstractIn the United States, running as a leisure activity continues to grow in popularity. Healthism can explain some of this popularity, but it does not explain ultradistance running. Motivations for running can be seen through the framework of the Kantian beautiful and the sublime. Beauty arises through extrinsic motivation (e.g. products, physique, competition) and relates to an economy of form, while the sublime arises through intrinsic motivation (e.g. life meaning) and relates to confronting the challenge of infinity. The commercial, casual, and competitive aspects of distance running correspond to the beautiful, while its wilderness, serious, ultradistance aspects correspond to the sublime. This framework is used to explain the resistance of ultrarunning to the would-be detrimental effects of commodification, as well as ultrarunning’s ‘wild turn.’
Teaching to the tests: An economic analysis of traditional and modern education in late imperial and republican China

A traditional education system, based on the Confucian classics, was a pillar of imperial China's social structure for centuries, preparing elites for a series of highly competitive exams conferring gentry status and civil service positions. Reformers in late imperial China called for the modernization of educational institutions, seeing in Western education the skills necessary to develop China's economy. In the late 19th century, the traditional education system was joined by a “modern”, Western track, which offered teaching in science, math, social science, law, and engineering. In this paper, early 20th century employee records from the Tianjin-Pukou Railroad are analyzed to identify differences in labor market outcomes associated with study in the traditional and modern educational systems. The employee records reveal that modern and traditional education were both associated with wage premiums, but that these were significantly larger for individuals trained at high levels in the modern system, especially those trained in engineering. Individuals trained in the traditional system worked disproportionately in the clerical department of the railroad, while those with modern education were more often in managerial and technical roles. Qualitative and quantitative evidence suggests that these results are not driven by sorting into educational institutions according to ability. These findings indicate that beyond years of schooling, the content of schooling can play an important role in the process of economic development.
The β Sheet ⇌ Coil Transition of Polypeptides, as Determined by Circular Dichroism

Circular dichroism (CD) has seen three decades of use in the study of the s sheet ⇌ coil transition in polypeptides (Sarkar and Doty, 1966; Townend et al.,1966). The focus here will be on the application of CD to the s sheet ⇌ coil transition in three prototypical systems in which the transition is induced in a homopolypeptide: poly(l-lysine) [poly (Lys)], poly(l-tyrosine) [poly(Tyr)], and poly(S-carboxymethyl-l-cysteine) [poly(CM-cys)].
Stepped-impedance common-mode filter in differential lines

High speed digital systems require differential lines for chip-to-chip links. A common concern in differential lines is the presence of common-mode noise, which can also be converted to differential mode, affecting the signal integrity of the differential channel. This paper presents a methodology based on varying the common-mode impedance of a differential line, while keeping the differential-mode constant. The variation in impedance results in a filter response solely for the common-mode signals, improving the noise immunity of the differential pair.
Orbital Vascular Anomalies

Vascular anomalies are classified into vascular tumors and vascular malformations based on the classification system of the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) [1, 2]. Vascular tumors are characterized by proliferation and tumor enlargement, and the most common vascular tumor is infantile hemangioma, while a less common vascular tumor is hemangiopericytoma. Vascular malformations consist of non-proliferating vascular lesions in which blood flow is misdirected through anomalous channels. Malformations exist on a spectrum, ranging from high-flow arteriovenous malformation (AVM), low-flow venous (varix) and lymphovenous malformations, and capillary-venous malformations. Flow characteristics influence the natural history of vascular anomalies and are helpful in making the correct diagnosis.
The Effects of Night Shift Schedule on Workers’ Life and Wellbeing: Gender Differences

The impact of night shift work on workers’ wellbeing and the relationship to gender is currently unclear. This study identifies the potential health impact of night-shift between male and female workers. Ninety workers (M = 45, F = 45) were surveyed. Males reported being sad and depressed 12% more than females. Females reported a higher incidence (18% higher) of finding it more difficult to sleep after work. Males were 7% more nervous and very fidgety than females after nightshift work. Females are more likely (8%) than their male counterparts to “more than usual have difficulty making decisions after work.” The effects of night-shift schedule on both genders demands an immediate intervention. This study could be a wake-up call for the OSHA to intervene in workers’ schedules.
Models, Mathematics, and Methodology in Economic Explanation

This book provides a practitioner's foundation for the process of explanatory model building, breaking down that process into five stages. Donald W. Katzner presents a concrete example with unquantified variable values to show how the five-stage procedure works. He describes what is involved in explanatory model building for those interested in this practice, while simultaneously providing a guide for those actually engaged in it. The combination of Katzner's focus on modeling and on mathematics, along with his focus on the explanatory performance of modeling, promises to become an important contribution to the field.
Exploring the human–nature relationship of conservation gardeners

Using a mail survey employing 4 connection to nature indicators—Connectedness to Nature, Nature Relatedness, Inclusion of Nature in Self, and Environmental Motives—we determine that conservation gardeners exhibit a strong multifaceted connection to nature. Results demonstrate that individuals have an emotional connection to nature, are pro-environmental, spend time in nature, and are motivated by non-human species and other people, as opposed to benefit for one's self. We conducted research with individuals ( n = 180) who had certified their property through a conservation gardening certification program in 1 of 3 regions in the US: Oregon, Illinois, or Delaware. This research provides information about the people who adopt environmentally friendly landscape practices and incorporate native plants into their landscape. Results of this research may aid in increasing sales of native plants and expanding conservation gardening programs. Cartwright K, Mitten D. 2017. Exploring the human–nature relationship of conservation gardeners. Native Plants Journal 18(3):212–225.
Lung cancer tissue samples discrimination through statistical analysis of polarimetrie angular-resolved diffuse measurements

The novelty of this study consists in the development of an in-vitro technique for efficient discrimination of lung tissue samples. The design principles of the applied technique, calibration, Figure-of-Merits (FOM)s, experimental results and applied statistics are presented. Specifically, the presented technique relies on the detection and efficient discrimination of angular-resolved diffuse reflectance contributions among healthy tissue (normal), Carcinoma In-Situ (CIS) (pre-carcinoma), and Stage I lung carcinoma, under cross-polarized geometry, by means of first and second-order statistics. The preliminary results of this study can be applied towards the further enhancement of the quality of imaging systems and devices in the areas of digital pathology and imaging of margins.
Journey Through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematics. By William Dunham

(1992). Journey Through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematics. By William Dunham. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 99, No. 3, pp. 285-289.
Summary of Research Issues in Behavior and Performance in Isolated and Confined Extreme (ICE) Environments

The papers presented in this section describe changes in behavior and performance in various isolated and confined extreme (ICE) environments, including Antarctic expeditions and research stations, space simulators and isolation chambers, and submarines. Each of these environments possesses characteristics that are in some way analogous to those found on long-duration space missions. Despite differences in length of mission, characteristics of mission personnel or crew, and characteristics in the physical environment, the various ICE environments described in this collection of papers appear to produce similar changes in behavior and performance. These changes include increased disturbances of mood, increased rates of psychiatric disorder, increased interpersonal tension, and a disruption of circadian rhythms. However, these environments do not inherently produce decrements in performance. Palinkas and colleagues suggest that prolonged exposure to the isolation and confinement in the Antarctic can actually have positive or "salutogenic" effects as well, evidenced by a decrease in mood disturbances and increase in performance measures.
Electron Spin Resonance Investigations of Free Radical Toxicology

Free radicals are difficult to detect, identify, and quantitate because of their reactivity. The reactivity of free radicals is also ultimately responsible for their toxicity. A free radical is any reactive organic or inorganic molecule with an odd number of electrons resulting in a species with one unpaired electron. Molecular oxygen with two unpaired electrons (a triplet species) and transition metals and their complexes with one or more unpaired electrons are excluded based on their stability.
Making the Voices of Female Trainees Heard.

Female physicians are less likely to become full professors and are paid lower salaries than their male colleagues. This article describes the discovery of a gender disparity in “shout-outs” in a r...
Mechanical and kinetic factors drive sorting of F-actin crosslinkers on bundles

In cells, actin binding proteins (ABPs) sort to different regions in order to establish F-actin networks with diverse functions, including filopodia used for cell migration, or contractile rings required for cell division. Recent experimental work uncovered a passive mechanism that may facilitate spatial localization of ABPs: binding of a short crosslinker protein to two actin filaments promotes the binding of other short crosslinkers and inhibits the binding of longer crosslinkers (and vice versa). We hypothesize this sorting arises because F-actin is semiflexible and cannot bend over short distances. We develop a mathematical theory and a kinetic Monte Carlo simulation encompassing the most important physical parameters for this process, and use simulations of a coarse-grained but molecularly explicit model to characterize and test our predictions about the interplay of mechanical and kinetic parameters. Our theory and data predict an explicit dependence of crosslinker separation on bundle polymerization rate. We perform experiments that confirm a dependence on polymerization rate, but in an unanticipated non-monotonic manner. We use simulations to show that this non-monotonic behavior can arise in situations where crosslinkers have equal bundling affinity at equilibrium, but differing microscopic binding rates to filaments. This dependence of sorting on actin polymerization rate is a non-equilibrium effect, qualitatively similar to non-equilibrium domain formation in materials growth. Thus our results reveal an avenue by which cells can organize molecular material to drive biological processes, and can also guide the choice and design of crosslinkers for engineered protein-based materials.
Mexican Immigrant Women's Reconstruction of Punishment and Victimhood in Intimate Partner Violence.

Utilizing 20 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Mexican immigrant women in Southern California, we argue that participants employ a bifocal lens to develop perceptions of intimate partner vi...
Brief overview: Protective roles of astrocyte-derived pentraxin-3 in blood-brain barrier integrity

Stroke is one of the world's leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Greater understanding is required of the underlying relationships in ischemic brains in order to prevent stroke or to develop effective treatment. This review highlights new findings about the relationship of blood-brain barrier with astrocytes, pentraxin-3 (PTX3), and other factors expressed during or after ischemic stroke. These are discussed with respect to their ameliorative or deleterious effects. These effects are measured in vivo in animal models as well as in vitro in cell cultures. Evidence was found to suggest that astrocytes play a key role in stroke by expressing PTX3, which, in turn, enhances endothelial tightness, increases tight junction proteins, and inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor. The role of astrocytes and PTX3 is examined in relation to hypoxic stress and conditioning as well as mitochondrial transfer. Astrocytes and PTX3 are placed in the context of brain circulation and related areas.
Huperzine A for the treatment of cognitive, mood, and functional deficits after moderate and severe TBI (HUP-TBI): results of a Phase II randomized controlled pilot study: implications for understanding the placebo effect.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Huperzine A on memory and learning in individuals with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phas...
Diet–microbiome–disease: Investigating diet’s influence on infectious disease resistance through alteration of the gut microbiome

Abiotic and biotic factors can affect host resistance to parasites. Host diet and host gut microbiomes are two increasingly recognized factors influencing disease resistance. In particular, recent studies demonstrate that (1) particular diets can reduce parasitism; (2) diets can alter the gut microbiome; and (3) the gut microbiome can decrease parasitism. These three separate relationships suggest the existence of indirect links through which diets reduce parasitism through an alteration of the gut microbiome. However, such links are rarely considered and even more rarely experimentally validated. This is surprising because there is increasing discussion of the therapeutic potential of diets and gut microbiomes to control infectious disease. To elucidate these potential indirect links, we review and examine studies on a wide range of animal systems commonly used in diet, microbiome, and disease research. We also examine the relative benefits and disadvantages of particular systems for the study of these indirect links and conclude that mice and insects are currently the best animal systems to test for the effect of diet-altered protective gut microbiomes on infectious disease. Focusing on these systems, we provide experimental guidelines and highlight challenges that must be overcome. Although previous studies have recommended these systems for microbiome research, here we specifically recommend these systems because of their proven relationships between diet and parasitism, between diet and the microbiome, and between the microbiome and parasite resistance. Thus, they provide a sound foundation to explore the three-way interaction between diet, the microbiome, and infectious disease.
Winning cures everything? Beliefs about voter fraud, voter confidence, and the 2016 election

Abstract Rhetoric about “rigged” elections has raised concerns about the solidity of public trust in the integrity of the voting system. Mitigating these concerns, research by Sinclair et al. (2019) on the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign documents a robust “winner's effect” on voter confidence despite intense partisan messaging aimed at influencing citizens' acceptance of the legitimacy of the election. This suggests that regularly fluctuating electoral outcomes in competitive democracies limit the impact of elite messages on trust in electoral institutions. A critical question is whether similar dynamics apply to dimensions of electoral trust that are more clearly partisan-branded and targeted, such as beliefs about the prevalence of illicit voting. This paper uses a panel study with waves conducted before and after Election Day 2016 to compare the effect of election on beliefs about the extent of illicit voting and voter confidence. Underlining both the promise and limitations of democratic competition as a counterweight to elite efforts to sow electoral distrust, there are significant “winner's effects” on both but substantially smaller impact on beliefs about illicit voting, a difference that is especially large among strong Republican partisans.