cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examples Illustrating Regular and Singular Perturbation Concepts

Consider a linear spring-mass system with forcing, but without damping, and with a small spring constant. This yields the differential equation $$ y + \in y = f\left( x \right) $$ for the displacement y(x) as a function of time x, with the small positive parameter e being the ratio of the spring constant to the mass of the spring. This should be solved on the semi-infinite interval x ≥ 0, with both the initial displacement y(0) and the initial velocity y’(0) prescribed. The traditional approach to solving such initial value problems [cf. Boyce and DiPrima (1986)] is to note that for e small the homogeneous equation has the slowly varying solutions \( cos\left( {\sqrt \in x} \right) \) and \( sin\left( {\sqrt \in x} \right) \) and to look for a solution through variation of parameters. Specifically, one sets \( y\left( x \right) = v_1 \left( x \right)\cos \left( {\sqrt \in x} \right) + v_2 \left( x \right)\sin \left( {\sqrt \in x} \right) \), where \( v'_1 \cos \left( {\sqrt \in x} \right) + v'_2 \sin \left( {\sqrt \in x} \right) = 0 \) and \( - \sqrt \in v'_1 \sin \left( {\sqrt \in x} \right) + \sqrt \in v'_2 \cos \left( {\sqrt \in x} \right) = f\left( x \right). \) Since \( y\left( 0 \right) = v_1 \left( 0 \right) \) and \( y'\left( 0 \right) = \sqrt \in v_2 \left( 0 \right) \), solving for v’1 and v’2 and integrating provides the unique solution $$ \begin{array}{*{20}c} {y(x, \in ) = y(0)\cos \left( {\sqrt \in x} \right) + \frac{1} {{\sqrt \in }}y'(0)\sin (\sqrt \in x)} \\ { - \frac{1} {{\sqrt \in }}\cos (\sqrt { \in x} )\int_0^x {\sin } (\sqrt \in t)f(t)dt} \\ { + \frac{1} {{\sqrt \in }}\sin (\sqrt \in x)\int_0^x {\cos (\sqrt \in t)f(t)dt.} } \\ \end{array} $$
Coping with Marketplace Discrimination: An Exploration of the Experience of Black Men

David Crockett, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of South Carolina. He can be reached at the Moore School of Business, 1705 College Street, Columbia, SC 29208. His email address is dcrockett@moore.sc.edu. Jacqueline Williams, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at North Carolina A&T State University. She can be reached at North Carolina A&T State University, School of Business and Economics, Greensboro, NC 27411. Her email address is jacq@ncat.edu. Sonya Grier, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Stanford University. She can be reached at Stanford University, Graduate School of Business, Stanford, CA 94305-5015, (650) 725-9083. Her email address is sgrier@gsb.stanford.edu. The authors thank Jerome Williams and William Qualls for facilitating this collaboration. We also thank the editor, as well as Alan Andreasen, Sid Levy, Doug Holt, and Roberto Fernandez for their insightful comments on earlier versions of this article.
Did Codification of Economic Substance Repeal the Partnership Anti-Abuse Rule?

Since codification of the economic substance doctrine in March of 2010, representatives of the Treasury department have assured taxpayers that no change in substantive law was intended, and the statutory language is relatively narrow. But courts have used the phrase “economic substance” for a variety of anti-abuse doctrines, and several commentators have suggested that the new statutory language can encompass them all. The precise reach of the codified economic substance doctrine is important because of the new penalty regime that is triggered by a failure to satisfy the codified economic substance doctrine, and I argue that the breadth of the new penalties strongly supports a narrow reading of the codification language.
“We, John Cade”: Shakespeare, Marlowe, and the authorship of 4.2.33–189 2 Henry VI

In 2009, Hugh Craig acknowledged Christopher Marlowe as a probable collaborator on 2 Henry VI through the use of computational stylistics. His results most confidently identified Marlowe in 4.2.160–5.1.13, a section of the play that includes the majority of the Cade rebellion and the majority of the play’s dramatic prose. Despite the preponderance of Marlovian features in 4.2.160–5.1.13 – Craig’s data for 4.2.1–159 – a portion of the scene that includes our first exposure to Cade and the origin of the rebellion – were inconclusive. In 2011, Brian Vickers rejected Craig’s attribution to Marlowe on the basis of Craig’s failure to identify Marlowe (or any other candidate) for the authorship of 4.2.1–159. Vickers interpreted these inconclusive results as an indication that Craigrsquo;s methods were fundamentally flawed. Vickers then suggested that computational stylistics (a method that searches for the consistent preference of single words) was an inferior method when compared to traditional stylometrics (a ...
Institutional Constraints Limiting Social Services for Immigrants

ABSTRACTThis study advances the literature by identifying the factors that constrain the resource provision activities of social service agencies for immigrants. We consider whether and how coercive, mimetic, and normative constraints shape organizational practices in this field. Drawing on 25 in-depth interviews with social service providers in Utah, we find that despite providers' commitment to serving immigrants, organizations remain significantly constrained due primarily to external coercive constraints including restrictive state laws and increasing competition over limited funding. We conclude by exploring the implications of our findings for policy and practice.
Combined Duodenal Atresia and Pure Esophageal Atresia

Duodenal atresia is not an uncommon congenital anomaly, occurring in 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 10,000 live births [1]; it is also frequently associated with trisomy 21, which carries a high rate of congenital heart defects. On the other hand, pure esophageal atresia alone is rare, occurring in 1 in 36,000 births [2]. The present case is now the 14th reported case of combined duodenal atresia and pure esophageal atresia in the literature. Despite successful surgical treatment strategies for these two conditions, overall survival has been a dismal 50% [3] due to other associated anomalies.
The Effect of Positive Post-Debridement Cultures on Local Muscle Flap Reconstruction of the Lower Extremity.

Background Local muscle flaps are a reconstructive option for wound coverage in the distal lower extremity, particularly in high-risk patients who are poor candidates for free tissue transfer. At our institution, chronic and infected wounds are managed with serial debridement before definitive reconstruction. There is a paucity of data on optimal timing for reconstruction in this patient population. This study investigates the relationship of positive postdebridement cultures (PDC) and wound closure rates at 90 days. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing local muscle flap coverage of chronic distal lower extremity wounds between 2006 and 2012 was performed. All patients were managed with serial debridement until negative PDC were obtained. In some cases, PDC remained positive or exhibit delayed culture growth in the day(s) following closure. Data recorded include demographics, flap type/location, culture data, and wound closure at 90-day follow-up. Results Of 76 patients, 60 met inclusion criteria with minimum 90-day follow-up. Despite 100% flap survival, 17 patients (28.3%) had failure of wound closure at 90 days and 22 patients (36%) had positive PDC. Multivariate analysis identified positive PDC (odds ratio, 29.6; 95% CI, 3.6-246.4; P = 0.002) and smoking (odds ratio, 8.9; 95% CI, 1.4-57.6; P = 0.02) as independent predictors of nonclosure at 90 days. Conclusions In this series of local muscle flap coverage of distal lower extremity wounds, positive PDC were a strong independent predictor of failure of wound closure at 90 days. This study demonstrates the importance of serial debridement to negative cultures before definitive coverage in this patient population.
Management of Pregnancy and Survival of Infants with Trisomy 13 or Trisomy 18.

Objective The objective of this study was to describe antenatal/intrapartum management and survival of liveborn infants with known trisomy 13 (T13) or trisomy 18 (T18) based on planned neonatal care. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies complicated by T13/T18 at a tertiary center from 2004 to 2015. We included pregnancies with antenatal or neonatal cytogenetic T13/T18 diagnosis and excluded those which were terminated or had a fetal demise < 20 weeks. We compared antenatal/intrapartum management and neonatal survival by planned neonatal care, defined as either neonatal intervention (INT), including neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitative measures or comfort care (CC) without resuscitative measures. Results In this study, 32 women (10 with T13 and 22 with T18) met study criteria; 12 (38%) elected INT and 20 (62%) CC. Compared with those who elected INT, women who elected CC were more likely to undergo elective induction (40 vs. 0%, p = 0.01), have an intrapartum stillbirth (0 vs. 32%, p = 0.14), and deliver vaginally (25 vs. 63%, p < 0.01). In neonatal survival analysis (n = 26), median survival was longer in the INT group compared with CC group (64 days [interquartile range, IQR: 2, 155) vs. 3 days [IQR]: 0.3, 42), p = 0.28), but survival to hospital discharge was similar (53 vs. 57%, p = 0.95). Conclusion Regardless of desired level of neonatal INT, many women who continue pregnancies complicated by T13/18 have infants who survive beyond hospital discharge.
Fin-de-Siècle Ouida: A New Woman Writing Against the New Woman?

The novelist known as Ouida (Maria Louise Rame, or, as she preferred to be known, Marie Louise de la Ramee—1839–1908) is an interesting case study in the context of the present volume. Having leapt to fame in the wake of the sensation boom of the 1860s and having earned a reputation as a ‘fast’ or shocking novelist, Ouida continued to publish novels and stories through the succeeding decades of the nineteenth century and into the early years of the twentieth; her last novel, Helianthus: A Prince of Europe was published posthumously in 1908. In the later stages of her career Ouida also became well known (and often much mocked) for the ‘Views and Opinions’ (as she titled the essay collection she published in 1896) that she expressed with increasing force in letters to newspapers and essays in the periodical press in both England and Italy (where she lived from 1871). Throughout the latter half of the nineteenth century Ouida’s novels enjoyed great popular success with educated middle- and upper-class readers—including Queen Victoria, John Ruskin, and Oscar Wilde—and also with those who belonged to what Wilkie Collins called the ‘unknown public’. As a writer in Bow Bells (a weekly magazine aimed at lower-middle-class readers) remarked in 1882, ‘her works are as widely read by all classes of English society as those of perhaps, any living authors.’
A 0.5-3 GHz high linearity enhancement mode pHEMT mixer with square wave drive and sum terminating diplexer

A 0.5-3 GHz high linearity single balanced mixer has been developed using 0.5 /spl mu/m enhancement mode pHEMT technology. Features of the design include an integral LO buffer amplifier-active balun with drive waveshaping and a sum terminating diplexer that work together to provide an input third order intercept point of +30 dBm from a drive level of only -3dBm. The ideal mixing device drive waveform provides very low conversion loss and excellent LO drive saturation characteristics. The mixer operates from a 3-5 V supply and consumes 21 mA.
Timing and Safety of Postpartum Enoxparin.

The appropriate time to restart anticoagulation in the postpartum period is not known. Both the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) have issued guidelines regarding the use of anticoagulants during pregnancy but neither have generated recommendations regarding the timing of the first dose of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in the postpartum period. The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage was assessed in a retrospective cohort study of 95 women treated with enoxaparin and compared with 303 consecutive deliveries where anticoagulation was not administered. The rate of severe postpartum hemorrhage did not differ significantly for women treated with peripartum enoxaparin versus a control group of women undergoing vaginal delivery (3.6% versus 1.4%, P=0.72) or cesarean section (5.1% versus 3.4%, P=0.98). There were no severe postpartum hemorrhages following the re-initiation of enoxaparin postpartum. In 75% of vaginal deliveries and 49% of cesarean sections, enoxaparin was restarted within 24 hours. Two incisional hematomas were observed in the group of women who received enoxaparin within 24 hours following cesarean section. We conclude that severe postpartum hemorrhage is an infrequent complication following the administration of enoxaparin postpartum. In support of current clinical practice, enoxaparin can be safely administered 0 to 24 hours following vaginal delivery and 12 to 36 hours following cesarean section.
Expand innovation finance via crowdfunding.

Crowdfunding (CF) platforms, such as Kickstarter (KS), offer a means of funding innovation, connecting inventors and entrepreneurs with a multitude of supporters, who each provide a small fraction of the amount required to fund the project. Although considerable funding for innovation has historically come from venture capitalists (VCs), the entrepreneurs funded by VCs often mirror the investors in terms of their educational, social, and professional characteristics and end up concentrated in a small number of regions ( 1 – 4 ). Policy-makers have thus hailed CF platforms, hoping that they will expand access to entrepreneurial finance, including among women and minority innovators, and that the innovations funded will create jobs and spur economic growth ( 5 ). But if particular regions, or certain sorts of individuals, routinely produce better ideas ( 6 ), and VC concentrates on them, then CF might simply compete with professional investors to fund the same ideas. We find, however, that CF has been funding innovators in a large number of places that have typically been excluded from VC, and has also been expanding the geographic reach of VC itself.
Social-Skill Interventions for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students with Disabilities: A Comprehensive Review

Teachers and researchers have considered social-skill interventions to be an essential component in the development and progress of students with disabilities. However, there is still relatively limited research on these interventions for individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds. This literature review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of social-skill interventions for CLD students with disabilities in school settings. Electronic database searches and a manual search were completed to identify studies published between 2000 and 2017 (February). Seven studies (n = 18 participants) were identified for inclusion in this review, and five types of social interventions were identified. Most participants were male, aged between 8 and 13 years old, were considered at risk for having developmental delay or had developmental delay, and were identified as African Americans. The majority of studies we reviewed utilized single-subject research designs and focused on social interactions as the goal for their individual interventions. Peer-mediated interventions and social story intervention were the most frequently used interventions. Findings suggest that, when exposed to the social-skill interventions, CLD children with disabilities improved their social behaviours and skills. Some children with disabilities maintained and generalized these behaviours across settings or playmates.
Inhibition of Performance as a Function of Withdrawal from Nonreinforcement in a Partial Reinforcement Situation

Three groups of rats in three related experiments were used to test the effect of allowing withdrawal from the empty end box on the nonreinforced trials of a partial reinforcement runway situation. During acquisition the rats in one partial reinforcement group were permitted to retrace on the nonreinforced trials, whereas rats in the other partial reinforcement group were not. This no-retrace group and a continuous reinforcement group served as controls. In a well-differentiated alley in Experiment 1, the retrace group ran significantly slower during acquisition than both control groups. In Experiment 2 the runway response was subdivided into start, alley, and goal speeds and the retrace group ran slower in each section. Alley cues and extra-maze cues were removed in Experiment 3, which eliminated inhibition in the retrace group. When retracing from nonrein for cement is permitted this response appears to compete with reinforced approach, but only in a well-differentiated alley when withdrawal from nonreinforcement clearly occurs in a direction opposite to approach.
Classification of fractures and dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint

Detailed categorization of fractures and fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint should be done for all patients with these injuries. Fractures of the proximal portion of the middle phalanx and fractures of the condyles of the proximal phalanx vary greatly in their presentation, severity, prognosis, and treatment. Fractures of the condyles can be categorized simply by noting whether they are unicondylar or bicondylar, and with or without displacement. For the middle phalanx, I propose the grading system listed in Table 1. Universal acceptance and application of this classification system will advance our understanding and treatment of these difficult fractures.
Topical Vancomycin Reduces Surgical-Site Infections After Craniotomy: A Prospective, Controlled Study.

Background Surgical-site infections (SSIs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neurosurgical patients. Topical antibiotics are one potential method to reduce the incidence of these infections. Objective To examine the efficacy of topical vancomycin applied within the wound during craniotomy in a large prospective cohort study at a major academic center. Methods Three hundred fifty-five patients were studied prospectively in this cohort study; 205 patients received 1 g of topical vancomycin powder in the subgaleal space while 150 matched control patients did not. Patients otherwise received identical care. The primary outcome variable was SSI rate factored by cohort. Secondary analysis examined cost savings from vancomycin usage estimated from hospital costs associated with SSI in craniotomy patients. Results The addition of topical vancomycin was associated with a significantly lower rate of SSI than standard of care alone (0.49% [1/205] vs 6% [9/150], P = .002). Based on the costs of revision surgery for infections, topical vancomycin usage was estimated to save $1367 446 per 1000 craniotomy patients. No adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion Topical vancomycin is a safe, effective, and cost-saving measure to prevent SSIs following craniotomy. These results have broad implications for standard of care in craniotomy.
Anxious distress in depressed outpatients: Prevalence, comorbidity, and incremental validity

Abstract The goals of this study were to estimate the prevalence of the DSM-5 anxious distress specifier (AD) among depressed outpatients, to examine associations of AD with comorbid diagnoses, and to test the incremental validity of AD over comorbidity in predicting functional impairment and severity of anxiety and depression symptoms. The sample was 237 outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) or persistent depressive disorder (PDD), with and without AD, using the Anxiety and Related Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5. Outpatients also completed self-report questionnaires assessing functional impairment and anxiety, stress, and depression symptom severity. Two-by-two contingency tables were used to examine the associations of AD with comorbidity. Two-thirds (66.2%) of outpatients were assigned AD, with similar rates among those with MDD and PDD. Outpatients with AD were significantly more likely than those without AD to have a comorbid GAD diagnosis (OR = 2.47). Hierarchical multiple regressions were used to test the incremental validity of AD in predicting functional impairment and symptom outcomes beyond comorbid disorders. Controlling for comorbid disorders, AD was significantly associated with more severe functional impairment, autonomic arousal, stress, panic, generalized anxiety, and depression. The strongest incremental association were observed between AD and autonomic arousal (f2 = 0.12–0.18) and generalized anxiety (f2 = 0.17). These findings add to a growing literature that AD is common among outpatients and associated with important clinical outcomes, suggesting that AD should be routinely assessed in patients with mood disorders.
Ground-glass opacity heralding invasive lung adenocarcinoma with prodromal dermatomyositis: a case report.

Dermatomyositis, an inflammatory myopathy with cutaneous involvement, is associated with malignancy and often manifests paraneoplastically. While co-occurrence with small cell carcinoma is well attested, primary lung adenocarcinoma, which may present as focal ground-glass opacification on computed tomography of the thorax, is less frequently coincident. We report the case of a 72-year-old female patient with dermatomyositis — treated with a combination of prednisone, methotrexate, and intravenous immunoglobulin — and an indolent, subsolid, non-hypermetabolic pulmonary lesion, which was determined to be invasive primary lung adenocarcinoma. Supporting a paraneoplastic basis, immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued following tumor excision without relapse of signs or symptoms of dermatomyositis. While dermatomyositis prodromal to lung adenocarcinoma is not without precedent, association with an indolent, subsolid lesion has, to the best of our knowledge, not been reported. The case described herein illustrates the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for malignancy in the setting of dermatomyositis.
Turbulent Boundary Layers Over Compliant Walls: Low-Dimensional Models and Direct simulations

Since the realization by Reynolds (1883) more than a century ago, that flow turbulence brings with it a very significant increase in the drag forces that a flow exerts on bounding surfaces, reducing this effect has been a desirable goal for many practical applications. Thus, significant research efforts have been invested in trying to determine methods to control turbulence in order to reduce the turbulent drag.
POSTINFECTIOUS AND POSTVACCINAL ENCEPHALOMYELITIS

Encephalomyelitis associated with perivenular demyelination occurs as a delayed complication of a wide variety of immunizations and infections. An autoimmune etiology has been postulated both because the pathology and clinical disease closely resemble experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and because infection of the central nervous system has been difficult to demonstrate. Encephalomyelitis following post exposure administration of rabies vaccine prepared from the nervous system of adult animals and occurring late in the course of measles have been most extensively studied in an effort to understand the pathogenesis of this neurological complication. Studies of the immune responses in patients with rabies postvaccinal encephalomyelitis have demonstrated that lymphoproliferative and antibody responses to myelin basic protein (MBP) correlate with development of major neurologic complications and that cerebroside and ganglioside may have an augmentory encephalitogenic role. Studies of postinfectious encephalomyelitis also suggest a pathogenetic role for immune responses to MBP. Investigations of the mechanisms by which such an immune response is induced after diverse viral infections have focused on potential cross-reactivity between viral proteins and MBP and on the role of altered regulation of immune responses during and after infection. There is accumulating evidence that both of these processes may contribute to the development of this demyelinating disease.
Numerical Methods for Biomembranes Based on Piecewise Linear Surfaces

The shapes of phospholipid bilayer biomembranes are modeled by the celebrated Canham-Evans-Helfrich model as constrained Willmore minimizers. Several numerical treatments of the model have been proposed in the literature, one of which was used extensively by biophysicists over two decades ago to study real lipid bilayer membranes. While the key ingredients of this algorithm are implemented in Brakke’s well-known surface evolver software, some of its glory details were never explained by either the geometers who invented it or the biophysicists who used it. As such, most of the computational results claimed in the biophysics literature are difficult to reproduce. In this note, we give an exposition of this method, connect it with some related ideas in the literature, and propose a modification of the original method based on replacing mesh smoothing with harmonic energy regularization. We present a theoretical finding and related computational observations explaining why such a smoothing or regularization step is indispensable for the success of the algorithm. A software package called WMINCON is available for reproducing the experiments in this and related articles.
Hating in plain sight: The hatejacking of brands by extremist groups:

The adoption of brands as an identity marker for hate groups has been extensively noted for decades. The use of specific brands, often covertly, allows hate groups to have identity markers without ...
Combining Voice Rest and Steroids to Improve Diagnostic Clarity in Phonotraumatic Vocal Fold Injury

Summary Objectives (1) To describe a combination voice rest and steroid regimen to clarify ambiguous diagnoses in singers who present with phonotraumatic lesions and (2) to determine which videostroboscopic parameters show the most consistent response to this regimen. Study Design Chart review. Methods Singers with phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions seen at a tertiary care voice center over a 10-year period were identified. Those who had uncertain diagnoses on initial presentation, completed a combination regimen including voice rest and steroids, and had follow-up examinations were included in the analysis. The effect of this combination regimen was assessed by ratings of pre- and postregimen videostroboscopy examinations and by auditory perceptual ratings. Whether the combination regimen clarified the diagnosis was noted. Results Twenty-nine singers were prescribed the combination regimen with the intent to clarify the diagnosis. In 79% (23/29) of these singers, the regimen helped clarify diagnosis, for example, ruling in or ruling out specific lesions, confirming areas of scar, or distinguishing acute from chronic phonotraumatic injury. Stroboscopic exams were improved in 86% (25/29). The most common stroboscopic finding was a reduction in the lesion size (66%). Auditory perceptual ratings improved in 48% (14/29) of patients. Conclusions A “cool down” combination of voice rest and steroids can improve diagnostic clarity in a subset of singers with phonotraumatic lesions. This combination regimen can be considered, with both the side effect profile of steroids and possible financial ramifications of strict voice rest in mind, when the initial diagnosis is unclear.
Lymph protects metastasizing melanoma cells from ferroptosis

Cancer cells, including melanoma cells, often metastasize regionally through the lymphatic system before metastasizing systemically through the blood1-4; however, the reason for this is unclear. Here we show that melanoma cells in lymph experience less oxidative stress and form more metastases than melanoma cells in blood. Immunocompromised mice with melanomas derived from patients, and immunocompetent mice with mouse melanomas, had more melanoma cells per microlitre in tumour-draining lymph than in tumour-draining blood. Cells that metastasized through blood, but not those that metastasized through lymph, became dependent on the ferroptosis inhibitor GPX4. Cells that were pretreated with chemical ferroptosis inhibitors formed more metastases than untreated cells after intravenous, but not intralymphatic, injection. We observed multiple differences between lymph fluid and blood plasma that may contribute to decreased oxidative stress and ferroptosis in lymph, including higher levels of glutathione and oleic acid and less free iron in lymph. Oleic acid protected melanoma cells from ferroptosis in an Acsl3-dependent manner and increased their capacity to form metastatic tumours. Melanoma cells from lymph nodes were more resistant to ferroptosis and formed more metastases after intravenous injection than did melanoma cells from subcutaneous tumours. Exposure to the lymphatic environment thus protects melanoma cells from ferroptosis and increases their ability to survive during subsequent metastasis through the blood.
Reply to: The antibody response to the glycan α-Gal correlates with COVID-19 symptoms.

We read with interest two recent papers which discussed possible connections between the immune response to galactose-âo-1,3-galactose (âo-Gal) and COVID-19(1, 2). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Mary Trouille. Wife-Abuse in Eighteenth-Century France : Oxford: Voltaire Foundation, 2009

French history contains no shortage of officially sanctified violence. Mary Trouille's Wife-Abuse in Eighteenth-Century France examines officially sanctified violence against women. According to th...
The Quest for Identity: A Conversation with John O'Leary

This article describes a discussion that the author had with John O'Leary, an Irish poet. It discusses the nature of what it means to be "Irish" and "Irish-American" and talks about how many modern people of Irish descent are focusing more on the ancient Irish traditions rather than the stereotypical Irish-American images of famine victims and green beer. This article is available in Constructing the Past: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/constructing/vol4/iss1/8
Ovarian pregnancy with in situ IUCD: Report of 2 cases

Case reports are presented of 2 ectopic ovarian pregnancies with an intrauterine device in situ. In both cases symptoms of abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain prompted exploration of the abdomen confirming ovarian pregnancies. It is concluded that intrauterine devices are no barrier to ectopic pregnancies ovarian or otherwise and that the diagnosis of such should not be delayed by the presence of an intrauterine device in situ.
Thermal alteration: A possible reason for the inconsistency between OMEGA/CRISM and TES detections of phyllosilicates on Mars?

Previous laboratory analyses have shown that high temperatures can modify the crystal structures of some phyllosilicates in such a way that their spectroscopic signatures appear different from various wavelength perspectives. This may be the case in the Nili Fossae region of Mars, where our analyses indicate that thermally altered (~400°C) Fe-rich smectites might be possible mineral analogs to the phyllosilicate-bearing units in addition to mineral assemblages formed by Fe/Mg smectite and amorphous weathering products. We suggest that thermal alteration of phyllosilicates induced by impact shock or other heat sources might be a widespread process throughout Martian history. The mixing of altered and unaltered phyllosilicates might be partially responsible for the apparent disconnect between VNIR and TIR observations of Fe/Mg smectite-bearing surfaces on Mars.
Mechanical properties of metal matrix composites

Abstract The concept of reinforcing a material by the use of a fiber is not a new one. The Egyptian brick layer employed the same principle more than three thousand years ago when straw was incorporated into the bricks. More recent examples of fiber reinforced composites are steel-reinforced concrete, nylon and rayon cord reinforced tires, and fiberglass reinforced plastics. In the last several years considerable progress has been made on new composite structures particularly utilizing boron (on tungsten substrate) fibers in various matrices. Many of these advances have been reviewed recently by P. M. Sinclair1 and by Alexander, Shaver, and Withers.2 An excellent earlier survey is available by Rauch Sutton, and McCreight.3 Boron-reinforced epoxy composites are being fabricated and tested as jet engine components, fuselage components, and even as a complete aircraft wing because of the tremendous gain in experimentally demonstrated properties such as modulus, strength, and fatigue resistance, particularly ...
Reply: reducing background fluorescence reveals adhesions in 3D matrices

1Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. 2Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences in Oncology Centre, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. 3Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. 4BRIGHT Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. 5Correspondence should be addressed to D.W. or G.D.L. (wirtz@jhu.edu or glongmor@dom.wustl.edu) Reply: reducing background fluorescence reveals adhesions in 3D matrices
Specifying Venturi Scrubber Throat Length for Effective Particle Capture at Minimum Pressure Loss Penalty

A simplified equation for specifying the optimum minimum length for commercial venturi scrubber throats is presented in this paper. This theoretical correlation is derived using an optimum velocity ratio (velocity of collector droplet at end of venturi throat to velocity of gas in throat) and is a function of throat gas velocity and liquid to gas ratio. This velocity ratio establishes the minimum throat length and is based on available literature data. Predicted venturi scrubber particle collection for throats specified by this procedure compare favorably with reported commercial venturi collection efficiencies and with modeled venturi efficiencies over the practical range of venturi scrubber operation.
X-Ray Fluorescence Microprobe Imaging with Undulator Radiation

Synchrotron x-ray fluorescence experiments were performed using a prototype undulator for the Advanced Photon Source installed on the CESR storage ring at Cornell University during a run in May, 1988. Fluorescence spectra were collected from a number of standard references and unknowns. Thick target minimum detectable limits (MDL) were about a factor of two higher than those obtained using white bending magnet radiation at the NSLS. The higher MDLs could be due to lower polarization and/or imperfect alignment of the Si(Li) detector. Thin target MDLs were about 10 times lower than the NSLS since the undulator produced a usable spot size which was also 10 times smaller. Several one dimensional multi-elemental scans and two dimensional images were made with 10 μm resolution and 30 ppm MDL. These experiments demonstrate that undulators on the proposed Advanced Photon Source will be ideal for a trace element x-ray fluorescence microprobe with excellent elemental sensitivity and spatial resolution.
The methods of operation and the credit accommodations of a commercial bank to small business in the Pittsburgh area

IN THE BELIEF that additional information on bank loans to small business would aid in better understanding their financial problems, this study of the methods of operation and the credit accommodations of a commercial bank to small business in the Pittsburgh area was undertaken. It covered the post-World War II years 1946-50. The technique adopted was that of studying the credit records of one commercial bank in detail and discussing the results obtained with the loan officers of three other banks of varying size in order to determine if their experience was comparable. For the purposes of this study, businesses were judged to be small on the basis of the number of persons employed. Manufacturers were considered small if they employed less than 100 persons; contractors, less than 60; wholesalers and truckers, less than 50; retailers and personal service companies, less than 20. After discussing the operation of the loan division, data for each of twenty-one lines of business are exhibited in summary form and reviewed. Later, the data are summarized on an industrial basis. Some typical excerpts from the bank's credit records for each particular trade are presented in the appendix. Among the results found were: 1. Almost 45 per cent of the concerns obtaining credit were new ventures. 2. About one-fourth of the new credit department customers were old depositors at the bank. 3. A gap was found to exist with regard to the total assets, net worth, and annual sales of the manufacturers, construction contractors, and wholesalers on the one hand and the retailers, personal service companies, truckers, and dentists and physicians on the other hand. 4. In all, 1,279 loans, totaling $14,669,700, were made. The average loan was $11,500.
Glucose starvation reduces IGF-I mRNA in tumor cells: evidence for an effect on mRNA stability.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the mechanisms by which glucose regulates IGF-I gene expression in rat C6 glioma cells and in rat GH3 pituitary adenoma cells. Glucose starvation for periods of 12 to 48 h decreased IGF-I mRNA levels. In contrast, there was no stimulation of IGF-I mRNA by medium glucose between 1 and 25 mM over a 24-h period. Studies with hexoses and glycolytic metabolites suggested that glucose metabolism was required to maintain IGF-I mRNA. Glucose starvation lowered IGF-I mRNA half-life in both C6 and GH3 cells. Protein synthesis inhibition lowered IGF-I mRNA by about 20% in glucose-fed C6 and GH3 cells, while potently increasing IGF-I mRNA in glucose-starved C6 cells and not altering IGF-I mRNA in glucose-starved GH3 cells. Our results suggest that in these tumor cells, IGF-I mRNA stability is reduced by glucose starvation, secondary to a deficiency in intracellular glucose metabolism. Ongoing protein synthesis is not required for this mRNA de-stabilizing effect in GH3 cells. Rather, in glucose-starved C6 cells, decreased IGF-I mRNA stability may result from the action of a labile protein.
Startbox-goalbox confinement durations as determinants of self-punitive behavior

Abstract Two levels of confinement duration (5 or 60 sec) in either startbox or goalbox were factorially combined with presence or absence of shock during extinction of a runway escape response in a self-punitive paradigm under a spaced-trials procedure. All groups were equated for amount and temporal spacing of handling before and after each trial. Shocked rats were more resistant to extinction than nonshocked rats only when startbox confinement was short. When startbox confinement was long, shock facilitated extinction. Long goalbox confinement enhanced running speed for shocked rats, but only in the presence of shock. It was suggested that duration of startbox confinement affects strength of conditioned fear, with long confinement leading to its extinction.
Amyand's hernia: history, imaging, and management.

Amyand’s hernia is an inguinal hernia containing vermiform appendix. We report a case of this rare condition, diagnostic findings, and management considerations. A short review and history of Amyand’s hernia is presented as well. A literature search from Medline was done, and the published articles were reviewed. A case of Amyand’s hernia, which was recently managed by the authors, was studied and the data reviewed. Diagnosis of the Amyand’s hernia is usually made intraoperatively. The majority of the existing literature recommends doing open or laparoscopic appendectomy with open repair of the inguinal hernia, although some authors advise mesh repair of the hernia if the appendix is normal. Amyand’s hernia can be a challenge for the surgeon. We recommend laparoscopic appendectomy and open repair of the inguinal hernia without using mesh.
The use of domain decomposition genetic algorithms exploiting model reduction for the design of frequency selective surfaces

The application of domain decomposition genetic algorithms to the design of frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) is discussed. The analysis of FSS screens is briefly reviewed, along with a method of accelerating their characterization with a rational Krylov model order reduction technique. Using this technique, a hybrid genetic algorithm (which is a type of domain decomposition genetic algorithm that incorporates a local optimization scheme for real-coded quantities) is applied to the optimization of frequency selective surfaces. Several designs of frequency selective surfaces are presented, and the applicability of the algorithm to other types of problems is discussed.
Oral mucosal status and major salivary gland function

Normal salivary function is considered to be critical for the maintenance of healthy oral mucosa. However, few studies have examined mucosal changes in patients with objectively documented salivary gland performance. In the present report, the mucosal status of 298 subjects being evaluated in a dry mouth clinic was assessed. A complete oral examination was performed and unstimulated and stimulated salivary samples were collected separately from the parotid and submandibular/sublingual glands. Data were analyzed according to diagnosis and salivary output after the assignment of an oral mucosal rating to each subject. In general, the mucosal surfaces were well preserved and infections were not seen. Patients evaluated for Sjogren's syndrome and radiation-induced xerostomia had the lowest salivary gland performance but displayed a mucosal status similar to denture-wearing healthy subjects or patients with normal salivary flow who had idiopathic xerostomia. However, those patients with a total lack of salivary flow rarely had normal-appearing oral mucosa. These results confirm a role for saliva in oral mucosal preservation and also suggest that other factors may act to maintain oral mucosal integrity.
Computer simulation of water in cytochrome c oxidase

Statistical mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out to study the distribution and dynamics of internal water molecules in bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase (CcO). CcO is found to be capable of holding plenty of water, which in subunit I alone amounts to about 165 molecules. The dynamic characterization of these water molecules is carried out. The nascent water molecules produced in the redox reaction at the heme a3–CuB binuclear site form an intriguing chain structure. The chain begins at the position of Glu242 at the end of the D channel, and has a fork structure, one branch of which leads to the binuclear center, and the other to the propionate d of heme a3. The branch that leads to the binuclear center has dynamic access both to the site where the formation of water occurs, and to delta-nitrogen of His291. From the binuclear center, the chain continues to run into the K channel. The stability of this hydrogen bond network is examined dynamically. The catalytic site is located at the hydrophobic region, and the nascent water molecules are produced at the top of the energy hill. The energy gradient is utilized as the mechanism of water removal from the protein. The water exit channels are explored using high-temperature dynamics simulations. Two putative channels for water exit from the catalytic site have been identified. One is leading directly toward Mg2+ site. However, this channel is only open when His291 is dissociated from CuB. If His291 is bound to CuB, the only channel for water exit is the one that originates at E242 and leads toward the middle of the membrane. This is the same channel that is presumably used for oxygen supply.
Arthropod extracellular hemoglobins: structural and functional properties

Abstract 1. 1. Structural and functional properties of arthropod extracellular hemoglobins from various branchiopod crustaceans were investigated. 2. 2. The hemoglobins of the notostracans Lepidurus lynchi and L. couesi closely resemble that of L. bilobatus in mol. wt of intact hemoglobin (700–800,000) and in subunit mol. wt (34,000) with 1 mol heme per 18,000 g protein. 3. 3. The hemoglobins from the three Lepidurus species show very similar oxygen binding characteristics: relatively low oxygen affinity ( p 1 2 = 18–22 mm Hg at 20°C), slight Bohr effect and cooperativity, n H = 2–3 . 4. 4. The hemoglobin of the conchostracan Caenestheriella setosa has an apparent mol. wt of 250,000, a subunit mol. wt of 34,000 and one heme per 22,700 g protein. 5. 5. Preliminary oxygen equilibrium studies of C. setosa hemoglobin show that it has a relatively high oxygen affinity ( p 1 2 = 5.9 mm Hg at 20°C), n H = 2.5 and a small Bohr effect. 6. 6. It is proposed that hemoglobins from different groups of branchiopod crustaceans are all constructed of multidomain subunits. 7. 7. Differences in oxygen binding affinities as well as aggregation states of the crustacean extracellular hemoglobins are discussed and their amino acid compositions compared.
Comparison of the primary structure of the acidic polypeptides of glycinin

Abstract Some essential features of the primary structures of five acidic polypeptides from the major 11 S soybean storage protein were studied. Each purified polypeptide was cleaved at methionine using cyanogen bromide, and then each resulting fragment was purified. A comparison of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of each fragment, coupled with an identification of both the carboxyl and amino terminal fragments, permitted ordering of the fragments along the polypeptides. It was found that the five acidic polypeptides were synthesized at the direction of a family of homologous genes. Evidence was also obtained which suggested that there were repeated domains of amino acid sequence within each of the five molecules.
Degradable nanocomposite preformed particle gel for chemical enhanced oil recovery applications

Abstract In this work, we present a preformed particle hydrogel with a more superior performance than conventional hydrogels with potential conformance control applications in mature oilfields. Preformed particle hydrogel was designed by the reaction of monomer, initiator, crosslinker, additives, and laponite XLG nanoclay, whereas conventional hydrogel is designed from just monomer, initiator, crosslinker and additives. The presence of nanomaterial in hydrogel design affords it tremendous improvement in nanocomposite gel properties and behavior compared to conventional hydrogels without any nanomaterial. On incorporation of nanomaterial, increase in gel strength of up to 394% was observed. Additionally, swelling performance, post-degraded gel viscosity, and long-term thermal resistance of nanocomposite gel increased by several orders of magnitude compared to hydrogels with no nanomaterial. Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) revealed the presence of a very dense 3-D network compared to hydrogels with no nanomaterial. It was observed that after degradation, nanocomposite hydrogel had a post-degradation viscosity of 4437 cp whereas hydrogel with no nanomaterial had a post-degradation viscosity of 170 cp. Thus, degradable laponite XLG nanocomposite hydrogels are recommended for secondary polymer flooding, since they have a high post-degradation viscosity under anaerobic conditions.
Solar-Heliospheric Group “SHINE” Sheds light on murky problems

Like a flashlight beam in muddy water, attention focused on murky science issues scatters a great deal, but reveals broad features of fundamental importance for future progress. The value of this approach was apparent at a recent meeting of the Solar Heliospheric Interplanetary Environment (SHINE) community. SHINE held its third annual workshop this summer simultaneously with those of its sister organizations, Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) and Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR). All three meetings were held in close proximity and were sponsored by the National Science Foundation.