cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Excitonic Coupling and Charge-Transfer States in the Absorption and CD Spectra of Adenine-Based Oligonucleotides Investigated through QM/MM Simulations

In this work, we study the photophysical properties of an adenine-based oligonucleotide using an ensemble of about 200 configurations obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. Specifically, a QM/MM approach is used to obtain the excited-state energies and properties of (dA)20(dT)20 with a dimer of π-stacked adenine bases included in the quantum region. The absorption and circular dichroism spectra are computed and analyzed using the algebraic diagrammatic construction through second order level of theory method (ADC(2)) combined with classical mechanics. We find that the experimentally observed red-shifted shoulder in the absorption spectrum is due to excitonic interactions, while charge-transfer states are present within the absorption band at the higher-energy end of the spectrum. More importantly, low-energy states with charge-transfer mixing exist, which could lead to excimers and bonded excimers. These observations suggest that mixing between charge-transfer and excitonic states plays an importan...
Role of IGF Binding Proteins in Regulating Metabolism

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) circulate in extracellular fluids bound to a family of binding proteins. Although they function in a classical manner to limit the access of the IGFs to their receptors they also have a multiplicity of actions that are independent of this property; they bind to their own receptors or are transported to intracellular and intranuclear sites to influence cellular functions that may directly or indirectly modify IGF actions. The availability of genetically modified animals has helped to determine their functions in a physiological context. These results show that many of their actions are cell type- and context-specific, and have led to a broader understanding of how these proteins function coordinately with IGF-I and -II to regulate growth and metabolism.
Etiological analysis of bacillary dysentery in Beijing in 2010

Objective To investigate the etiological distribution,serotype traits and features of PFGE patterns of bacillary dysentery in Beijing in 2010,thus to provide a reasonable evidence for epidemiological studies.Methods 195 Shigella strains isolated from six districts of Beijing were analyzed for their morphological characteristics,biochemical reaction,serotyping and PFGE genotyping traits.Results Out of 195 strains of Shigella,33(16.92%) were identified as S.flexneri and 162(83.08%) as S.Sonnei.F2a was the dominant serotype of S.flexneri.The incidence rate of Shigella hit the highest level during July,August and September.PFGE was used to analyze 55 strains of S.Sonnei,the result showed that a total of 27 PFGE patterns were identified with J16X01.BJ0016(11 strains) and J16X01.BJ0017(7 strains) found to be dominant.Conclusions Among Shigella strains isolated from six districts of Beijing in 2010,only S.flexneri and S.Sonnei were found with the latter to be dominant,and F2a was the most common serotype among S.flexneri while J16X01.BJ0016 was the major genotype of S.Sonnei.
Pathogenesis of hepatocarcinogenesis in non-cirrhotic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Potential mechanistic pathways

Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) primarily arises in the background of liver cirrhosis, the development of HCC in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) without cirrhosis is increasingly recognized. The pathogenesis of NAFLD associated non-cirrhotic HCC is distinct from that of cirrhotic HCC because the metabolic syndrome (MS) along with obesity and insulin resistance (IR) underlie several unique mechanisms that promote tumorigenesis. IR associated with MS, NAFLD, and type 2 diabetes mellitus lead to the release of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, leptin and resistin, as well as decreased amounts of adiponectin. These processes favor the development of hepatic steatosis and inflammation within the liver, which precede HCC development. Nevertheless, further investigation is necessary to elucidate the determinants for development of HCC in patients with NAFLD in the absence of cirrhosis.
Diabetes Diagnosis and Screen-Based Sedentary Behavior Among US Adults

Diabetes threatens a patient's health and quality of life, whereas disease diagnosis itself could potentially serve as a teachable moment for initiating behavior change. This study assessed diabetes diagnosis as a possible teachable moment for screen-based sedentary behavior among US adults. The nationally representative sample (n = 3690) came from the 2005-2006 and 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Self-reported hours spent on screen-based sedentary behavior (television/video watching, computer/digital device use) were measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Diabetes/prediabetes was identified by fasting plasma glucose and the glycated hemoglobin test. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the relationship between diabetes diagnosis and screen-based sedentary behavior, adjusting for individual characteristics and sampling design. Compared with those with undiagnosed diabetes, the adjusted values for prevalence of daily television/video watching ≥2 hours (77.45% vs 65.14%), computer/digital device use ≥1 hour (43.20% vs 36.52%), and total screen time (ie, television/video watching plus computer/digital device use) ≥3 hours (66.75% vs 45.78%) were all noticeably higher among adults with diagnosed diabetes, although only the difference in the prevalence of daily total screen time was significant at P < .05. No evidence was found regarding diabetes diagnosis as a teachable moment in reducing screen-based sedentary behavior in US adults.
Third Party Reproduction

Cancer treatments sometimes result in a lack of reproductive function in both male and female patients. For patients who did not undergo fertility preservation, options for fertility generally involve third party reproduction. For women with no or minimal ovarian function, options include egg or embryo donation. For women without a uterus, a gestational carrier is a treatment option. The only option for sterile men is donor sperm. While there are many medical, legal, and psychological issues with third party reproduction procedures, they allow these couples to have a family.
Pure erythroid leukemia

The category of acute erythroid leukemia was significantly revised in the recently published 2016 revision to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms. In the previous 2008 WHO classification, acute erythroid leukemia was categorized into two subtypes: erythroleukemia and pure erythroid leukemia (PEL), whereas in the 2016 WHO update, erythroleukemia was merged into myelodysplastic syndrome, and PEL becomes the only type of acute erythroid leukemia. PEL is a rare and aggressive form of acute leukemia whose biology remains poorly characterized. In this review, we discuss the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis, putative pathogenesis, and molecular biology of PEL, with an overview of novel concepts and future directions in this area.
Howell, William G., and Terry M. Moe. Relic: How Our Constitution Undermines Effective Government—And Why We Need a More Powerful Presidency

In the twenty-first century, an evaluation of the American constitutional governing structure is timely and needed. With the multiple changes in party control of Congress from 1994–2014, the 2013 s...
The Effect of Prophylactic Cerclage Wires in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Biomechanical Study.

Abstract Background Despite literature to support the use of various cerclage techniques to address intraoperative femoral fractures in total hip arthroplasty, there are limited data to support prophylactic cerclage wiring of the femur during cementless implant placement. This study aims to evaluate the effect of prophylactic calcar cerclage wires on the biomechanical parameters required to produce periprosthetic femoral fractures and on the morphology of these fracture patterns in stable cementless femoral implants. Methods Ten pairs of matched fresh frozen cadaveric femurs were implanted with anatomic tapered cementless implants with or without the addition of 2 monofilament calcar wires. Specimens were axially loaded and externally rotated to failure. Initial torsional stiffness, rotation and energy to failure, and torque at failure were measured. Statistical significance was set at P Results Wired specimens required significantly more rotation ( P = .039) and energy to failure ( P = .048). No significant difference was detected in initial torsional stiffness ( P = .63) or torque at failure ( P = .10). All unwired samples developed a Vancouver B2 fracture pattern. Seven of the 8 wired specimens also developed a Vancouver B2 fracture pattern, while the eighth wired specimen developed a Vancouver B1 fracture pattern. Conclusion Prophylactic cerclage wire placement increases the rotation and energy to failure in well-fixed press-fit femoral implants. The increase in torsional energy needed for failure may reduce the risk of early periprosthetic fracture. Further studies are needed to evaluate cost vs benefit and long-term outcomes of prophylactic wiring. Based on the results of our study, consideration of prophylactic wiring should be addressed on a case-to-case basis.
What quantum measurements measure

A solution to the second measurement problem, determining what prior microscopic properties can be inferred from measurement outcomes (``pointer positions''), is worked out for projective and generalized (POVM) measurements, using consistent histories. The result supports the idea that equipment properly designed and calibrated reveals the properties it was designed to measure. Applications include Einstein's hemisphere and Wheeler's delayed choice paradoxes, and a method for analyzing weak measurements without recourse to weak values. Quantum measurements are noncontextual in the original sense employed by Bell and Mermin: if $[A,B]=[A,C]=0,\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}[B,C]\ensuremath{\ne}0$, the outcome of an $A$ measurement does not depend on whether it is measured with $B$ or with $C$. An application to Bohm's model of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen situation suggests that a faulty understanding of quantum measurements is at the root of this paradox.
Water management in Mesopotamia from the sixth till the first millennium B.C.

The organization of ancient water control and irrigation has been a matter of debate in particular with regard to the role of the state. More often than not a deeply centralized management is assumed, especially for large-scale water control and irrigation systems, despite the lack of empirical evidence. Such assumptions are frequently based on the perception that irrigation and water control requires a massive (though often unquantified) amount of capital investment, labor, and a level of coordination and cooperation which could only be provided and enforced by a central authority. Given that most early civilizations, in particular of the Old World developed in river valleys, allegedly supported such notions of a close correlation between water management and socio-political complexity. More recently, claims about heavy state involvement in ancient irrigation and water management has been called into question, often however without being able to provide evidence for alternative explanations. Reason being that for most relevant cases we lack the necessary empirical evidence to measure the level of state involvement in the management of water and irrigation. The major exception is Mesopotamia with its exceptionally rich archeological and textual record on ancient water control which allows for a more nuanced understanding of the actual role of ancient states in the organization of irrigation and water management. This article reviews this evidence from the sixth till the first millennium B.C. and shows that state involvement in the organization of irrigation and water control within the same environmental context varied considerably over the course of several millennia. I argue for a close correlation between the level of state involvement in irrigation and water management and the way arable land was exploited by state institutions. In addition, I argue that environmental changes at times warranted state interventions out of necessity but also to the ideological concept of rulership as the protector and provider of agricultural profusion. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
The Route Guidance Problem: Decentralization, Optimality and Computational Complexity

Abstract The main intent in routing control is the assignment of a “good” route to a vehicle which approaches an intersection. The vehicle is to indicate its intended destination and the local computer at the intersection is to respond by specifying the route the vehicle is to follow. After a brief review of research and applications in the area of Route Guidance, the interplay of the issues of decentralization, optimality and computational complexity is discussed. A simple, suboptimal, decentralized, feedback solution is contrasted to a hierarchical approach to obtaining an optimal, centralized solution.
Carbon Nanotube Synthesis from Block Copolymer Deposited Catalyst

A block copolymer/metal-salt solution was used to deposit metal nanoparticles on substrates, from which carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber. Mono and hybrid catalysts of Fe, Ni, and Co-nitrates were tested, and separately Co, Ni, and Cu-chlorides. In both cases cobalt/cobalt-hybrids produced the highest density of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Slight vertical growth, though sparse, was observed after growth at 800°C from a nickel catalyst on single-crystal aluminium oxide (~130nm diameter).
A Concise History of the Discovery of Mammalian Nitric Oxide (Nitrogen Monoxide) Biogenesis

Abstract In 1986–88 one of the most unexpected and important scientific paradigm shifts of the 20th century occurred, involving several seemingly unrelated phenomena in cardiovascular, immunological, and neurochemical research. It was discovered that mammalian cells produce the molecule nitric oxide (chemical formula NO), which had previously been known in animals as primarily a poison and pollutant. First discovered as a critical signal that is produced by and regulates multiple functions of the vasculature (for which the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Robert Furchgott, Louis Ignarro, and Ferid Murad), researchers in immunology and neuroscience immediately recognized that many previously puzzling phenomena are explained by NO. Here I present the historical development of this remarkable discovery and the initial establishment of the chemical and physical principles that define its extraordinarily pleiotropic biological actions, emphasizing the importance of the concept.
Chronic immunosuppression in the mature patient.

Abstract In the ever-aging population of the world, the field of geriatrics continues to grow in importance. As human beings age, the skin undergoes a unique array of changes that predispose it to a specific set of dermatoses, infections, and neoplasms. Some of these physiologic alterations are comparable to the changes that happen in immunosuppressed individuals. Given the importance of immunosuppressive medications in treatment of many common skin conditions, we have reviewed the current literature to assist the practicing clinician in using immunosuppressive medications in the geriatric population.
Co-suppression of AtMIPS demonstrates cooperation of MIPS1, MIPS2 and MIPS3 in maintaining myo-inositol synthesis

Co-suppressed MIPS2 transgenic lines allow bypass of the embryo lethal phenotype of the previously published triple knock-out and demonstrate the effects of MIPS on later stages of development. Regulation of inositol production is of interest broadly for its effects on plant growth and development. The enzyme l-myo-inositol 1-phosphate synthase (MIPS, also known as IPS) isomerizes d-glucose-6-P to d-inositol 3-P, and this is the rate-limiting step in inositol production. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the MIPS enzyme is encoded by three different genes, (AtMIPS1, AtMIPS2 and AtMIPS3), each of which has been shown to produce proteins with biochemically similar properties but differential expression patterns. Here, we report phenotypic and biochemical effects of MIPS co-suppression. We show that some plants engineered to overexpress MIPS2 in fact show reduced expression of AtMIPS1, AtMIPS2 and AtMIPS3, and show altered vegetative phenotype, reduced size and root length, and delayed flowering. Additionally, these plants show reduced inositol, increased glucose levels, and alteration of other metabolites. Our results suggest that the three AtMIPS genes work together to impact the overall synthesis of myo-inositol and overall inositol homeostasis.
Applying Psychoanalysis in an Unconventional Context: Adapting Infant-Parent Psychotherapy to a Changing Population

The model of psychoanalytically oriented infant-parent psychotherapy originally proposed by Selma Fraiberg and her colleagues has evolved in the nearly two decades since its inception. This paper provides an overview of current developments in the model's core intervention techniques, with special reference to modifications that have emerged in response to recent efforts to intervene with an exceptionally psychosocially disadvantaged population. A conceptual framework for the intervention is offered, emphasizing the special therapeutic opportunities offered during the couple's transition to parenthood. Finally, the concept of "bureaucratic transference" will be briefly elaborated as it has emerged in efforts to apply psychoanalysis in work with social agencies on behalf of infants and their families.
The Grimm Events of Causation

Professors Grimm, Bennett, and Vollrath have defended a particular individuation of actions in the same way1 —namely, (i) identifying doing-C by A-doing with, simply doing-A (which we might label the Anscombe-Davidson thesis) by (ii) explaining how such a doing-of-A can become, or change into, doing-C. That is, recognizing that an event can change after its occurrence—what I would deem “grandfather change”, the acquisition of a “delayed characteristic” (Bennett) or a “posthumous property” (Vollrath)— provides a defense of the Anscombe-Davidson action identity thesis. In this chapter, I will primarily consider Grimm’s work, since it is the most sustained and detailed defense of the eventchange maneuver. My criticisms apply equally well, of course, to Bennett and Vollrath.
Long-term Follow-up of Neurogenic Bladder

Neuromuscular disorders may have a profound effect on lower urinary tract function. The lack of normal sensation accompanying most neuromuscular disorders means that patients may experience significant alterations in upper urinary tract function in the absence of the usual associated symptoms. For this reason, a systematic and long-term follow-up program for these patients is necessary and desirable. There is a variety of options for followup examinations of the urinary tract, but perhaps the most important ingredient is a systematic program for call-back in monitoring these patients.
Intersectional configuration of convex sets

For brevity, we call a family $ = [K Id e I] of closed convex sets, in d-dimensional euclidean space E d, an intersectional configuration of class n if $ satisfies the following conditions: (i) The intersection ]( = N [K~I~ e I] is a convex body set with a nonempty interior) and K is a proper subset of each K . (ii) There exists an integer m ~ 2 such that the intersection of any m members of ~ is K. The class n is the smallest such value of m. L.M. Blumenthal (private communication) pointed out to the author that, for d = n = 2, an intersectional configuration with three members has the property that if a convex set B intersects all three members of ~ then B must intersect K. In this paper, we extend this result to the general case by proving the following theorem. Theorem. If a convex set B intersects dn d + 1 or more members of an intersectional configuration $, then B intersects
Improved Sensitivity and Separations for Phosphopeptides using Online Liquid Chromotography Coupled with Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations Ion Mobility–Mass Spectrometry

Phosphoproteomics greatly augments proteomics and holds tremendous potential for insights into the modulation of biological systems for various disease states. However, numerous challenges hinder conventional methods in terms of measurement sensitivity, throughput, quantification, and capabilities for confident phosphopeptide and phosphosite identification. In this work, we report the first example of integrating structures for lossless ion manipulations ion mobility–mass spectrometry (SLIM IM–MS) with online reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) to evaluate its potential for addressing the aforementioned challenges. A mixture of 51 heavy-labeled phosphopeptides was analyzed with a SLIM IM module having integrated ion accumulation and long-path separation regions. The SLIM IM–MS provided limits of detection as low as 50–100 pM (50–100 amol/μL) for several phosphopeptides, with the potential for significant further improvements. In addition, conventionally problematic phosphopeptide isomers could be re...
A hundred years of consciousness: “a long training in absurdity”

There occurred in the twentieth century the most remarkable episode in the history of human thought. A number of thinkers denied the existence of something we know with certainty to exist: consciousness, conscious experience. Others held back from the Denial, as we may call it, but claimed that it might be true—a claim no less remarkable than the Denial. This paper documents some aspects of this episode, with particular reference to two things. First, the development of two views which are forms of the Denial —philosophical behaviourism, and functionalism considered as a doctrine in the philosophy of mind— from a view that does not in any way involve the Denial: psychological methodological behaviourism. Second, the rise of a way of understanding naturalism —materialist or physicalist naturalism— that wrongly takes naturalism to entail the Denial.
Long-Term Stabilization and Operation of a Soliton Micro-Comb for 9-Days

We report the long-term stabilization of a soliton micro-comb over 9 days of continuous operation. Using an integrated heater, the original pump-cavity detuning is maintained with a simple active feedback method. © 2019 The Author(s)
A QSR-Dissipativity Based Design for Event-Triggered Networked Systems

Compositional control methods are well-suited for the design of large-scale control systems. QSR-dissipativity and passivity are closely related to stability and may be utilized to show Lyapunov and finite-gain stability for dynamical systems under certain conditions. Additionally, passivity is preserved under feedback and parallel interconnections of passive systems and may be utilized to build larger stable systems. In this paper, we present a QSR-dissipativity and passivity based analysis for event-triggered networked control systems (NCSs). We characterize QSR-dissipativity , passivity, and stability conditions for an event-triggered NCS in cases where an input–output event-triggering sampler is located on the plant's side, controller's side, or both sides leading to a considerable decrease in the communication load among subunits. We calculate passivity levels for the entire NCS. We show that the general passivity and stability conditions of the NCS depend on passivity properties of the plant and controller. Our results illustrate the tradeoffs amongst passivity levels, stability, and the rates of communication between subsystems. The motivation behind our work is that by designing and connecting individual stable passive event-triggered NCSs with desired passivity levels, one can design larger stable passive compositional networked systems that are suitable for the design and control of large-scale systems, such as cyber-physical systems.
octoFLU: Automated Classification for the Evolutionary Origin of Influenza A Virus Gene Sequences Detected in U.S. Swine

The diversity of the 8 genes of influenza A viruses (IAV) in swine reflects introductions from nonswine hosts and subsequent antigenic drift and shift. Here, we curated a data set and present a pipeline that assigns evolutionary lineage and genetic clade to query gene segments.
Blepharitis: a rare side effect related to cetuximab in patient with colorectal cancer

Molecular targeted agents have emerged as an important part of systemic therapy for many cancer types. Cetuximab is a recombinant human/mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody which competitively inhibits the binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and other ligands were approved for metastatic colon
Clarifying Misleading Lumps and Sinuses in the Newborn

Neonates often have congenital lumps or sinuses. It is expected that pediatricians will distinguish those with important physiologic implications from those without. Accurate understanding of these lesions is important for the practitioner to avoid unnecessary tests and anxiety and to ensure that seemingly benign lesions with important implications are addressed in a timely manner. This review aims to clarify the consequences of some lesions that can easily be misinterpreted, offering guidance in the initial management of patients with congenital lumps or sinuses. We address several lesions that can easily be misconstrued, including wattles, preauricular lesions, sacral sinuses, second branchial cleft anomalies, torticollis, and dermoid cysts.
Leveraging Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy to Minimize the Burden of Axillary Surgery: a Review of Current Strategies and Surgical Techniques

Axillary nodal disease is significantly less likely in both clinically node-negative (cN0) and node-positive (cN+) breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). There have thus been significant efforts to “de-escalate” axillary surgery in this setting. This review discusses modern axillary surgical paradigms and techniques after NAC. In cN0 patients, the accuracy and feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after NAC is well-established, with prospective evidence supporting its oncologic safety. SLNB is also acceptable in select cN+ patients when certain criteria are met. There is mounting “real-world” evidence for the technical feasibility of this approach, including various methods of localizing and excising biopsy-proven nodes, with the ability to avoid axillary lymph node dissection in a substantial proportion of patients. However, outcome data is limited to small retrospective series. In appropriately selected patients, there is increasing opportunity to leverage the benefits of NAC to minimize the burden of axillary surgery.
Externalities in the Fragmented Metropolis: Local Institutional Choices and the Efficiency-Equity Tradeoff

A highly fragmented system of local governance represents a market-like arrangement in which competition among service providers benefits citizen-consumers by improving the efficiency of local public service delivery. Yet, the local public market can also fail, producing negative outcomes for some communities and their residents. Because fragmentation can have differential impacts on the welfare of different groups of citizens — benefiting others and harming some — the organization of the local public sector raises important equity questions. This research focuses on the negative outcomes or externalities generated by local government fragmentation, specifically urban sprawl and spatial economic segregation. The results of the empirical analysis suggest that the design of the local public sector structure involves a tradeoff between efficiency and equity.
Co-fractionation/mass spectrometry to identify protein complexes.

Summary Co-fractionation/mass spectrometry (CF/MS) is a flexible and powerful method to detect physical associations of proteins. CF/MS can be applied to any tissue or organism without the need for protein-specific antibodies or epitope tags. Here, we outline two alternate protocols for MS preparation of samples (containing low or high salt) and a computational pipeline (cfmsflow) that together allow the successful application of this approach. These protocols are based on CF/MS of over 16 diverse organisms including plants and animals. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to McWhite et al. (2020) .
Factors influencing adequate protein and energy delivery among critically ill children with heart disease in pediatric intensive care unit.

Summary Background & aims Inadequate nutrition delivery in critically ill children has shown associated with poor clinical outcomes. Therefore, identifying barriers to deliver adequate nutrition is vital. The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing adequate protein and energy delivery among critically ill children with heart disease in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods This single-centre prospective study, involved children aged from birth to 3 years old, admitted to PICU longer than 72 hours. They received either enteral nutrition (EN) or combination of EN and partial parenteral nutrition (PPN). Clinical and nutrition delivery characteristics were recorded from admission until transferred out of PICU. Multiple regression analysis at significant level p Results One hundred and thirty-nine patients were included in this study with median age 6.5 (1.8–20.6) months and median PICU length of stay of 6 (4–7) days. The median energy and protein adequacy were 83.2% and 46.7%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, children who underwent surgery (AOR 0.97; 95% CI 0.27–0.75; p = 0.041), with fluid restriction (AOR 0.97; 95% CI 0.25–0.73; p = 0.041), longer length of PICU stay (AOR 0.35; 95% CI 0.18–0.64; p = 0.001) and longer feeding interruptions (AOR 3.57; 95% CI 1.39–9.15; p = 0.008) were more likely to have lower energy intake. Children at risk of malnutrition (weight-for-age Z score of Conclusion This study highlighted the factors influencing adequate protein and energy delivery in critically ill children with heart disease in PICU. Strategies to improve the nutrition delivery in this group of patients should be outlined and implemented by the dietitians along with multidisciplinary team.
Populism from the Cold War to Today: Case Studies and Quantification (preprint)

This paper compares the use of populism to control the middle class during periods of economic turbulence in the Soviet Union, its satellite states during the end of the Cold War, and Deng’s China. These case studies show anecdotal evidence that falling economic expectations coincide with rising populism.We next survey academic literature describing economic and social drivers of populism as well as the relationship between populism and nationalism. This survey is leveraged to construct a critique of existing attempts to quantify the drivers of populism, examining both supply and demand models. We attempt to add to this discussion by constructing a model tracking macroeconomic variables across time series data available from the Global Populism Database. We find meaningful inverse relationships between measures of supply side populism as measured in national leader speeches and Real and Nominal GDP, and direct relationships to GINI coefficients and Unemployment.Post COVID economic forecasts show a step down in global growth. This step down is forecast to be most extreme in India, the Philippines and Thailand, indicating the highest chance for rising populism. China, by contrast, is forecast to see a strong recovery, which when combined with stable middle class share of income trends suggest that populism / nationalism fears in China may be overblown. We leverage our prior case studies to understand the actors that might seek to use nationalism in these countries, and for what purposes.Incremental research questions include the development of fuller populism data sets allowing for deeper statistical analysis, work to understand if economic drivers impact right wing vs. left wing populism differently, as well as work to ascertain a feedback loop between falling economic conditions driving populism, and the economic efficacy of populist policies (and if these vary with left vs. right wing populist policies).
The computer's role in the laboratories of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

This year, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will analyze about 50,000 exhibits of drug evidence in its seven laboratories. This expensive process, using well-equipped laboratories and experts in drug analysis, necessitates maximum use of every dollar of tax monies spent.
Relations Among Children's Use of Dialect and Literacy Skills: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose The current meta-analysis examines recent empirical research studies that have investigated relations among dialect use and the development and achievement of reading, spelling, and writing...
Construction of Shapes Arising from the Minkowski Problem Using a Level Set Approach

The Minkowski problem asks a fundamental question in differential geometry whose answer is not only important in that field but has real world applications as well. We endeavor to construct the shapes that arise from the Minkowski problem by forming a PDE that flows an initial implicitly defined hypersurface to an approximation of the shape under the level set framework. Tools and ideas found in the various applications of level set methods are gathered to generate this PDE. Numerically, its solution is determined by incorporating high order finite difference schemes over the uniform grid available in the framework. Finally, we use our approach in various test cases to generate various shapes arising from different given data in the Minkowski problem.
New Proof for the Existence of Locally Complete Families of Complex Structures

The purpose of the present paper is to give a simpler new proof and some improvement of the theory the writer developed in [5]. We start with an explanation of the problem. Take a compact C ∞ manifold M and a complex analytic structure M on M. We ask to what extent we can deform the structure M. By “Reform the structure M” we mean that we have a parameter space T with reference point t 0 and an assignment of a complex analytic structure M t for each t in T with M t 0 = M in such a way that M t depends nicely on t. Now, assume that we have such a family {M t : t ∊ T}, a space S with reference point s 0, and a nice mapping τ: S → T with τ (s 0) = t 0. Then the assignment s → M τ(s) is a family of deformations of M, which is called the family induced by τ(s) from the family {M t : t ∊ T}. To answer the question posed above, we would like to construct a universal family, i. e. a family {M t : t ∊ T} such that any family of deformations of M is homeomorphic to a family induced from {M t : t ∊ T}. Among such universal families, we also like to have one which is, in a sense, the most economical one. We are here interested in the local aspect of the theory, i. e. in the germs of families of deformations of M at the reference points.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE TOXIGENICITY OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Liu, Pinghui V. (University of Louisville, Louisville, Ky.). Factors that influence toxigenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J. Bacteriol. 88:1421–1427. 1964.—Hemolysin, lecithinase, and protease of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were produced with cellophane-covered plates and completely synthetic agar of simple composition containing α-alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glucose, and salts. The most critical factor in the production of these extracellular toxins appeared to be the concentration of phosphate, which had to be in the range of 0.003% for the lecithinase, 0.005 to 0.01% for the hemolysin, and 0.01 to 0.2% for the protease. α-Alanine and glutamic acid favored the production of the hemolysin and lecithinase, and aspartic acid supported the production of protease. The role of glucose in the production of these extracellular toxins appeared to be more important than just an energy source. It is likely that products of anaerobic metabolism of glucose are needed in the production of these toxins. In the absence of glucose, the production of protease was enhanced by lactic acid, pyruvic acid, or α-ketoglutaric acid. Possible implications of these findings in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa are discussed.
Thermostable Aldolase from Thermus aquaticus

Data are presented on the purification and properties of the thermostable fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase of Thermus aquaticus, a nonsporulating, extreme thermophile. The enzyme shows little activity at temperatures below 60 C and optimal activity at about 95 C. The enzyme was purified 43-fold by diethylaminoethyl cellulose column chromatography and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. The enzyme is activated by high concentrations of NH(4) (+) and low concentrations of Fe(2+) and Co(2+) and is strongly inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The activation by Fe(2+) and Co(2+) and the inhibition by EDTA are both reversed by dialysis. The enzyme is greatly activated by cysteine and less so by other sulfhydryl compounds. Activation by cysteine is reversible by dialysis. The purified enzyme had a molecular weight as determined by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration of 140,000; after incubation of enzyme with cysteine, another molecular species was also found with a molecular weight of 70,000. The purified enzyme is stable at low protein concentrations to 97 C but is rapidly inactivated at 105 C. In cysteine the enzyme is more heat labile; heat inactivation in the presence of cysteine is prevented by substrate, although, in the absence of cysteine, substrate partially labilizes the enzyme to heat. The temperature optimum for enzyme activity is several degrees lower in the presence of cysteine than in its absence, and the K(m) is threefold lower. It is concluded that the T. aquaticus enzyme resembles some other aldolases of Rutter's class II, except for its extreme heat stability. The T. aquaticus enzyme is compared with that of Bacillus stearothermophilus, a moderate thermophile. Although the T. aquaticus enzyme is considerably more heat stable, the enzymes from the two thermophiles have many similarities. New data are presented which show that the B. stearothermophilus aldolase is metal ion-dependent, in disagreement with earlier reports.
Alcohol: effects on GABAA receptor function and gene expression.

The GABA synapse is a site of action for a variety of centrally acting convulsant, anticonvulsant, depressant, and anxiolytic drugs (Barnard, 1988; Olsen and Tobin, 1990; Ticku, 1991). These drugs bind to one of several allosterically linked sites on the GABAA receptor complex and either enhance or inhibit GABAergic transmission. GABAA receptor is a member of the ligand-gated ion channel family of receptors (Schofield et al., 1987). There are numerous reports which indicate that ethanol affects the receptors belonging to this family. Several lines of behavioral, electrophysiological and biochemical functional evidences implicate an involvement of the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor system in the action of ethanol in the CNS (reviewed in Ticku, 1990; 1991; Buck and Harris, 1991). Ethanol potentiates GABA-induced 36Cl-flux in cultured embryonic spinal cord neurons (Mehta and Ticku, 1988, 1989), rat cerebral cortical synaptoneurosomes (Suzdak et al., 1986a) and microsacs (Allan and Harris, 1986, 1987). Chronic exposure to ethanol results in tolerance and physical dependence. The mechanism of these actions of ethanol, its tolerance, physical dependence and withdrawal have not been clearly established. Chronic exposure to ethanol might be leading to cellular adaptive changes in the central nervous system, which result in craving due to the requirement of ethanol for normal functioning, which is a physical dependence. This adaptive change in the excitability of neurons due to withdrawal of ethanol administration causes anxiety and seizures. However, which cellular changes lead to the development of tolerance, physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms are not clear. Ethanol has a pharmacological profile very similar to benzodiazepines and barbiturates, and a partial inverse agonist of the benzodiazepine receptor, Ro15-4513 (ethyl - 8 - azido - 5, 6 - di hydro - 5 - methyl - 6 - oxo - 4H - imidazo [1, 5-α] - [1, 4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxyate) was reported to be a selective antagonist of the effects of pharmacologically relevant concentration of ethanol on GABA-gated chloride influx (Suzdak et al., 1986). Furthermore, behavioral studies have also demonstrated the ability of Ro15-4513 to antagonize some of the behavioral effects following acute administration of ethanol in animals (Suzdak et al., 1986; Ticku and Kulkarni, 1988). It is a known fact that ethanol withdrawal symptoms can be treated with benzodiazepines which potentiate GABAergic transmission. Also, the severity of withdrawal symptoms get enhanced by treatments which reduce GABAergic transmission e.g. Picrotoxin, as well as benzodiazepine inverse agonists. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying some of the behavioral effects of ethanol, including the development of tolerance and dependence, could be explained by understanding its unique interaction with the GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor complex.
Federal taxation in America : a short history

This brief survey is the first comprehensive historical overview of the US federal tax systems published since 1967. Its coverage extends from the ratification of the Constitution to the present day. Brownlee describes the five principal stages of federal taxation in relation to the crises that led to their adoption - the formation of the republic, the Civil War, World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II - and discusses the significant modifications during the Reagan presidency. While focusing on federal policy, Brownlee also attends to the related history of state and local taxation. This 'democratic-institutionalist' interpretation is a novel and major contribution to the history of taxation and public finance. Now in a new edition, Brownlee extends his coverage to the present, with a new chapter focusing on the current tax policies of the George W. Bush administration.
Religion and the War on Terror: Religion-State Connections and US-Muslim Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States launched the “war on terror,” a massive international effort to disrupt the al-Qaeda network. This involved significant pressure on Muslim states to take action against terrorist groups and provoked widespread religious opposition in Muslim countries. Yet, while religious opposition to US counter-terrorism efforts was present in most Muslim countries, their responses varied greatly; some cooperated extensively and other resisted US pressure. In addition to highlighting the interesting combination of religious politics, non-state security threats, and alliance politics, the “war on terror” thus also presents a puzzle: what explains the effects of religion on different levels of counter-terrorism cooperation?Common explanations either overemphasize religious motivations or downplay religion. I argue, instead, that religion affects US-Muslim counter-terrorism cooperation through the relationship between religion and state in Muslim countries. States with close ties to religion experience more intense religious contention in society, and are hesitant to provoke a backlash by cooperating extensively with the United States. States with greater distance from religion are more insulated from religious opposition, resulting in greater cooperation with the United States. I demonstrate this through a mixed-method study that combines a quantitative analysis — using an original dataset pre-processed with nearest neighbor matching and a time-series regression for data analysis — and a case study of Pakistan. I find that closer religion-state ties correspond to lower levels of counter-terrorism cooperation, and that this is due to the varying political power of religion. This paper contributes to the study of religion and international conflict, as well as the broader study of domestic influences on international conflict.
The Dynamic Motion of a Missile Descending Through the Atmosphere

A method is presented for computing rapidly, yet accurate^, the dynamic motion of a ballistic-type missile descending through the atmosphere. The equations of motion are separated into a set of "static" trajectory equations (zero angle of attack) and a set of "rotational" equations describing the oscillatory motion of the missile about its center of gravity. A transformation allows the rotational equations to be written in a manner analogous to the equation for an undamped oscillating spring mass system with the mass equal to unity and a time variable spring constant. For given initial conditions this equation can be solved to obtain the envelope of maximum angle of attack. An additional transformation allows the calculation of the complete oscillatory motion at any time during the trajectory as a function of the maximum angle of attack at that time. This solution shows that the maximum angle of attack of a missile descending through the atmosphere at relatively constant speed is reduced even when the aerodynamic damping is neglected.
Transcriptional regulation of the ospAB and ospC promoters from Borrelia burgdorferi

OspA, OspB and OspC are the major outer surface proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi that are differentially synthesized in response to environmental conditions, including culture temperature. We found that DNA was more negatively supercoiled in B. burgdorferi cultures grown at 23 degrees C compared with cultures grown at 35-37 degrees C. We examined the regulation of ospAB and ospC transcription by temperature and DNA supercoiling. DNA supercoiling was relaxed by adding coumermycin A1, an antibiotic that inhibits DNA gyrase. Syntheses of the major outer surface proteins, expression of the ospA and ospC genes and the activities of the ospAB operon and ospC gene promoters were assayed. ospA product levels decreased, whereas ospC product levels increased after shifting from 23 degrees C to 35 degrees C or after adding coumermycin A1. In addition, OspC synthesis was higher in a gyrB mutant than in wild-type B. burgdorferi. Promoter activity was quantified using cat reporter fusions. Increasing temperature or relaxing supercoiled DNA resulted in a decrease in ospAB promoter activity in B. burgdorferi, but not in Escherichia coli, as well as an increase in ospC promoter activity in both bacteria. ospC promoter activity was increased in an E. coli gyrB mutant with an attenuated DNA supercoiling phenotype. These results suggest that B. burgdorferi senses environmental changes in temperature by altering the level of DNA supercoiling, which then affects the expression of the ospAB operon and the ospC gene. This implies that DNA supercoiling acts as a signal transducer for environmental regulation of outer surface protein synthesis.
Kinetic study of electromigration failure in Cr/Al-Cu thin film conductors covered with polyimide and the problem of the stress dependent activation energy

The electromigration lifetime of Cr/Al-Cu conductors covered with polyimide passivation was studied as a function of temperature and current density. The activation energy for failure was found to be substantially higher than that found in studies of similar metals without polyimide. A current exponent of 2 was determined in the absence of temperature gradient failure. An improved method for calculating the activation energy for temperature gradient failure is described. The problem of the apparent stress-dependent activation energies is discussed. >