cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Derivation of the Pearson type (PT) III distribution by using the principle of maximum entropy (POME)

Abstract The principle of maximum entropy (POME) was used to derive the Pearson type (PT) III distribution. The POME yielded the minimally prejudiced PT III distribution by maximizing the entropy subject to two appropriate constraints which were the mean and the mean of the logarithm of real values about a constant >0. This provided a unique method for parameter estimation. Historical flood data were used to evaluate this method and compare it with the methods of moments and maximum likelihood estimation.
Apoptosis and DNA Fragmentation in the Bulbus Cordis of the Developing Rat Heart

Histologic, ultrastructural and nick end labeling studies were made of the process of apoptosis in the bulbus cordis of rat embryos. Apoptosis was observed between the 14th and 16th days of gestational age, at which time the bulbus cordis undergoes extensive remodeling. Three types of mesenchymal cells were identified in this region: cells undergoing apoptosis, cells engaging in the phagocytic removal of apoptotic cells, and cells not involved in either of these two processes. Fragmentation of DNA, demonstrated by nick end labeling, was found only in the apoptotic cells. The combined use of morphologic and labeling techniques is extremely useful in the evaluation of the contribution of apoptosis to cardiac morphogenesis.
WEANING STRATEGY WITH INHALED NITRIC OXIDE THERAPY IN PERSISTENT PULMONARY HYPERTENSION OF THE NEWBORN. 1928

BACKGROUND: A significant number of infants who respond favorably to inhaled nitric oxide (INO) therapy prove difficult to wean off INO. This INO dependence necessitates prolonged use of INO or, on occasion, the use of alternative treatments, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We observed that infants who appeared to be INO dependent could, in fact, be successfully weaned if the FIO2 was increased briefly during the withdrawal of INO therapy.
Beam optics of the 2 MeV proton injection line at the LLUMC proton accelerator

Abstract Simulations of the beam optics of the LLUMC proton accelerator injection line have been modeled using the computer codes Parmila [Los Alamos Nat’l Lab, Internal Report LA-UR-98-4478, Los Alamos Accelerator Code Group, Los Alamos, NM] and Trace 3D [Distributed by AccelSoft Inc, P.O. Box 2813. Del Mar, CA 92014, United States]. These simulations give reasonable agreement with the known accelerator dispersion, beam energy spread and optimal debuncher setting. The purpose of this paper is to understand the beam losses and show where improvements can be made, if required, in the future. It has previously been found [G. Coutrakon et al., J. Med. Phys. 20 (11) (1994) 1691] that most intensity losses in the synchrotron can be ascribed to the narrow energy acceptance of the synchrotron. While the present intensity of the accelerator is quite adequate for patient treatments, future plans to treat larger fields will make higher intensity more desirable. A simulation has been performed which adds a second debuncher, or energy compactor, which shows a reduction in energy spread by a factor of two yielding a factor of two increase in the available intensity. The present intensity of 2.5 × 10 10 protons per pulse with 34% of the injected intensity captured in the ring can possibly be improved to 5 × 10 10 protons per pulse by capturing 68% of the injected beam intensity. These results are discussed in this paper.
Clinical restenosis after coronary stenting: perspectives from multicenter clinical trials.

Abstract Objectives We sought to evaluate clinical restenosis in a large population of patients who had undergone coronary stent placement. Background One-year success after coronary stenting is limited mainly by restenosis of and requirement for repeat revascularization of the treated lesion. Methods We studied 6,186 patients (6,219 lesions) pooled from several recently completed coronary stent trials. Clinical restenosis was defined using three different definitions: target lesion revascularization (TLR) beyond 30 days, target vessel revascularization (TVR) beyond 30 days, and target vessel failure (TVF), defined as TVR, any death, or myocardial infarction (MI) of the target vessel territory after hospital discharge. Results By one year, 638 (12.2%) patients had TLR, 748 (14.3%) had TVR, and 848 (16.0%) had TVF, more than two-thirds higher than the rate of these end points at six months. The severity of angiographic restenosis (≥50% follow-up diameter stenosis [DS]) in 419 of 1,437 (29%) patients undergoing routine angiographic follow-up correlated directly with the likelihood of TLR (73% vs. 26% for >70% DS compared with Conclusions At one year after stenting, most clinical restenosis reflected TLR, which was predicted by the same variables previously associated with an increased risk of angiographic restenosis. The lower absolute rate of clinical restenosis relative to angiographic restenosis was due to infrequent TLR in lesions with less severe (
Be still my beating heart.

Abstract Marx, S.O. et al. (2000) PKA phosphorylation dissociates FKBP12.6 from the calcium release channel (Ryanodine receptor): defective regulation in failing hearts. Cell 101, 365-376
Heat capacity of multilayer methane on graphite: Phase transitions in the first four layers.

We present high-resolution heat-capacity data for methane adsorbed on graphite for nominal coverages of 0.87 to 7 layers, from T = 70 to 120 K. For films thicker than 1.1 layers, we find capillary condensate coexisting with the film. We have performed heat-capacity scans on films formed by both adsorption and desorption. By comparing the locations of the phase transitions in the chemical potential mu vs T plane, we find that there is no significant interaction between the film and the capillary condensate. The heat-capacity signals from the films map out an unexpectedly rich set of phenomena for the second, third, and fourth layers, including a two-dimensional triple point and a liquid-gas coexistence region for each layer. The fourth-layer critical temperature we find is lower than previous values found by vapor-pressure isotherms.
Cuff Repair Should Be Done Arthroscopically: The Future Is Now—In the Affirmative*

Arthroscopic techniques have evolved to the point where almost all tears of the rotator cuff can be repaired entirely arthroscopically. The authors outline their limited indications for open repairs, and discuss the advantages of the entirely arthroscopic technique.
Effect of phosphorus deficiency and copper excess on vegetative growth of bush bean plants in solution culture at two different solution pH levels

Abstract When moderate P deficiency and Cu toxicity were both imposed upon bush bean plants grown in nutrient solution, the interaction was synergistic when the solution pH was about 4. When the solution pH was about 8, the interaction was protective‐antagonistic. The high pH considerably suppressed the uptake of the Cu. Low P resulted in increased Cu in roots at the low solution pH. Copper excess resulted in some Fe deficiency. The P deficiency was more conducive to Fe deficiency induced by high Cu than was adequate P.
On "The Science of Substance Abuse"

The series of papers entitled “Frontiers in neuroscience: The science of substance abuse” (3 Oct. 1997, [p. 45][1]) provides a thoughtful review of recent research on how addictive drugs alter brain function. Several of the papers present the conventional view that addiction is a chronic and
Experimental Tests of CPT, CP, C and T Invariances

To say that a law of nature is “invariant” under some operation corresponds to the impossibility of obtaining some kind of information. Until about ten years ago, three symmetries were thought to hold in nature: i) invariance under P, which would make it impossible to objectively define the concept of right or left-handness; ii) invariance under C, which would make it impossible to objectively define the concept of particle or antiparticle; iii) invariance under T, which would make it impossible to objectively define the concept of positive or negative time.
Effect of Ultrasound Radiation Force on the Choroid

PURPOSE While visualization of the retina and choroid has made great progress, functional imaging techniques have been lacking. Our aim was to utilize acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) response to probe functional properties of these tissues. METHODS A single element 18-MHz ultrasound transducer was focused upon the retina of the rabbit eye. The procedure was performed with the eye proptosed and with the eye seated normally in the orbit. The transducer was excited to emit ARFI over a 10-ms period with a 25% duty cycle. Phase resolved pulse/echo data were acquired before, during, and following ARFI. RESULTS In the proptosed eye, ARFI exposure produced tissue displacements ranging from 0 to 10 μm, and an immediate increase in choroidal echo amplitude to over 6 dB, decaying to baseline after about 1 second. In the normally seated eye, ultrasound phase shifts consistent with flow were observed in the choroid, but enhanced backscatter following ARFI rarely occurred. ARFI-induced displacements of about 10 μm were observed at the choroidal margins. Larger displacements occurred within the choroid and in orbital tissues. CONCLUSIONS We hypothesize that elevated intraocular pressure occurring during proptosis induced choroidal ischemia and that acoustic radiation force produced a transient local decompression and reperfusion. With the eye normally seated, choroidal flow was observed and little alteration in backscatter resulted from exposure. Clinical application of this technique may provide new insights into diseases characterized by altered choroidal hemodynamics, including maculopathies, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.
Determination of the abundance of adsorbed light atoms on a surface using recoil scattering

Abstract Elastic recoil detection analysis is applied for the first time to measurement of the relative abundance of submonolayer amounts of light adatoms on well-characterized surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum. The technique is based on the use of energetic heavy ions under conditions such that the interaction with the adsorbate is described with simple classical formulae. As an example, the temperature dependent dehydrogenation of C 2 H 4 on Ni(100) is discussed.
Stoichiometries and energetics of proton translocation coupled to electron transport in chloroplasts

We have investigated the stoichiometry of electron transport-driven proton uptake from the external medium and proton release into thylakoid vesicles of chloroplasts during single-turnover flash illumination. Proton uptake from the external medium was measured using a glass pH-electrode. For each electron originating from the oxidation of water by Photosystem II and ultimately forming H2O2 via the photoreduction of methyl viologen, approx. 2.7 protons were taken up from the external medium. For each electron originating from the oxidation of duroquinol by the cytochrome bf complex and ultimately forming H2O2 via methyl viologen under conditions in which water oxidation was inhibited by diuron, approx. 1.7 protons were taken up from the external medium. It is presumed that for each electron involved in the formation of H2O2 that one proton is taken up. Therefore, these results indicate that the electron-transfer reaction from H2O to Photosystem I involves the uptake of approx. 1.7 protons per electron, and that in the reaction from duroquinol to Photosystem I approx. 0.7 protons per electron are taken up. Proton release within the thylakoid vesicles was measured spectrophotometrically using the pH-sensitive dye neutral red. Flash-induced absorbance changes due to neutral red indicated that for each proton released within the thylakoid vesicle due to water oxidation approx. 1.9 protons appear inside the vesicle as a result of quinol oxidation. The flash-induced formation of ATP was determined by the incorporation of 32Pi into ATP. The initiation of flash-induced ATP formation by Photosystem II operating alone required nearly twice as many flashes as were necessary when the Photosystem I-dependent turnover of the cytochrome bf complex was responsible for proton accumulation, and nearly three times more than when Photosystem II and the cytochrome bf complex operated together. This is taken to indicate that both of the reactions that result in proton accumulation within the vesicle contribute energetically to ATP synthesis and contribute in proportion to their measured H+e− ratio. All of these flash-induced measurements, proton uptake from the external medium, proton release inside the vesicle, and the filling of the energetic threshold pool required for the onset of ATP synthesis, demonstrate that for each electron transferred from water through the cytochrome bf complex to Photosystem I nearly three protons are accumulated within the thylakoid membrane. Thus, these data indicate that oxidation of quinol by the cytochrome bf complex is able to support the translocation of two protons per electron during flash energization.
Robust defenses for cross-site request forgery

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is a widely exploited web site vulnerability. In this paper, we present a new variation on CSRF attacks, login CSRF, in which the attacker forges a cross-site request to the login form, logging the victim into the honest web site as the attacker. The severity of a login CSRF vulnerability varies by site, but it can be as severe as a cross-site scripting vulnerability. We detail three major CSRF defense techniques and find shortcomings with each technique. Although the HTTP Referer header could provide an effective defense, our experimental observation of 283,945 advertisement impressions indicates that the header is widely blocked at the network layer due to privacy concerns. Our observations do suggest, however, that the header can be used today as a reliable CSRF defense over HTTPS, making it particularly well-suited for defending against login CSRF. For the long term, we propose that browsers implement the Origin header, which provides the security benefits of the Referer header while responding to privacy concerns.
Compliance with IFRS disclosure requirements and individual analysts’ forecast errors

Abstract We investigate the relationship between analysts’ earnings forecast errors and firm compliance with the disclosure requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Using a comprehensive disclosure index of selected IFRS for which previous research has indicated significant noncompliance, we develop an unweighted and an innovative weighted measure of IFRS disclosure compliance. We document that forecast error is negatively related to IFRS compliance, and that the magnitude of this effect is larger when controlling for analyst fixed effects. Our findings suggest that compliance with the disclosure requirements of IFRS reduces information asymmetry and enhances the ability of financial analysts to provide more accurate forecasts. Our findings also support the viewpoint that the extent of compliance with accounting standards is as important as the standards themselves. Our results are robust to alternative model specifications.
The New APA Definition of Hypnosis: Spontaneous Hypnosis MIA.

The new American Psychological Association definition of hypnosis (Elkins, Barabasz, Council, & Spiegel, 2015), complete with definitions of the hypnotic induction, hypnotizability, and hypnotherap...
Development of machine learning models of β-cyclodextrin and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin complexation free energies

Abstract A new set of 142 experimentally determined complexation constants between sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin and diverse organic guest molecules, and 78 observations reported in literature, were used for the development of the QSPR models by the two machine learning regression methods – Cubist and Random Forest. Similar models were built for β-cyclodextrin using the 233-compound dataset available in the literature. These results demonstrate that the machine learning regression methods can successfully describe the complex formation between organic molecules and β-cyclodextrin or sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin. In particular, the root mean square errors for the test sets predictions by the best models are low, 1.9 and 2.7 kJ/mol, respectively. The developed QSPR models can be used to predict the solubilizing effect of cyclodextrins and to help prioritizing experimental work in drug discovery.
Phonons in random alloys: The itinerant coherent-potential approximation

We present the itinerant coherent-potential approximation (ICPA), an analytic, translationally invariant, and tractable form of augmented-space-based multiple-scattering theory 1 8 in a single-site approximation for harmonic phonons in realistic random binary alloys with mass and force-constant disorder. We provide expressions for quantities needed for comparison with experimental structure factors such as partial and average spectral functions and derive the sum rules associated with them. Numerical results are presented for Ni 5 5 Pd 4 5 and Ni 5 0 Pt 5 0 alloys which serve as test cases the former for weak force-constant disorder and the latter for strong. We present results on dispersion curves and disorder-induced widths. Direct comparisons with the single-site coherent potential approximation (CPA) and experiment are made which provide insight into the physics of force-constant changes in random alloys. The CPA accounts well for the weak force-constant disorder case but fails for strong force-constant disorder where the ICPA succeeds.
Prominent Osseous and Unusual Dermatologic Manifestations of Early Syphilis in Two Patients with Discordant Serological Statuses for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Numerous case reports of atypical and/or severe forms of syphilis in individuals coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have led many authorities to conclude that HIV exacerbates early syphilitic infection. Herein we report prominent osseous and unusual dermatologic manifestations of early syphilis in two individuals whose serostatuses for HIV infection were discordant. Our cases emphasize the need for caution before conclusions are drawn from anecdotal data about the interactions between HIV infection and syphilis.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MULTIPLE MATING IN THE SOCIAL WASP VESPULA MACULIFRONS

The evolution of the complex societies displayed by social insects depended partly on high relatedness among interacting group members. Therefore, behaviors that depress group relatedness, such as multiple mating by reproductive females (polyandry), are unexpected in social insects. Nevertheless, the queens of several social insect species mate multiply, suggesting that polyandry provides some benefits that counteract the costs. However, few studies have obtained evidence for links between rates of polyandry and fitness in naturally occurring social insect populations. We investigated if polyandry was beneficial in the social wasp Vespula maculifrons. We used genetic markers to estimate queen mate number in V. maculifrons colonies and assessed colony fitness by counting the number of cells that colonies produced. Our results indicated that queen mate number was directly, strongly, and significantly correlated with the number of queen cells produced by colonies. Because V. maculifrons queens are necessarily reared in queen cells, our results demonstrate that high levels of polyandry are associated with colonies capable of producing many new queens. These data are consistent with the explanation that polyandry is adaptive in V. maculifrons because it provides a fitness advantage to queens. Our research may provide a rare example of an association between polyandry and fitness in a natural social insect population and help explain why queens in this taxon mate multiply.
The chemistry of thiosulfate and vascular calcification

BACKGROUND Thiosulfate has been shown to inhibit vascular calcification in uremic rats and may inhibit calcification in humans with end-stage renal disease but whether this is due to a systemic or local action is unknown. The underlying mechanism is also unclear but complexation of calcium ions has been proposed. METHODS In vitro assays were used to determine the effect of thiosulfate on vascular calcification and hydroxyapatite formation. RESULTS Thiosulfate (EC50: 1-2 mM) prevented calcification of injured or devitalized aortas but not uninjured aortas, and similar results were obtained with sulfate. There was no effect on reversal of calcification. Measurements with an ion-sensitive electrode (corrected for changes in ionic strength) revealed a very weak interaction between thiosulfate and Ca(2+) (K(a) = 10.9 ± 1.0 × 10(-6) M(-1)) that resulted in a 4% decrease in ionized Ca(2+) in culture medium at 5 mM thiosulfate and a corresponding 5% increase in the solubility product for calcium-phosphate. Adjustment of the total Ca(2+) concentration to account for this did not prevent the inhibition of aortic calcification by thiosulfate. Thiosulfate did not inhibit hydroxyapatite formation from seed crystals or the calcification of purified elastin and did not alter medium pH. CONCLUSIONS Thiosulfate inhibits vascular calcification at millimolar concentrations through a direct extracellular effect that does not require intact smooth muscle cells but is related to cellular injury. This effect is not specific for thiosulfate since sulfate has similar properties. Inhibition cannot be explained by effects on ionized calcium, calcium-phosphate solubility, pH, oxidative stress or hydroxyapatite formation.
Litter ammonia losses amplified by higher airflow rates

SUMMARY Broiler litter use has largely been associated with land application as fertilizer. Reducing the NH3 released from litter enhances its fertilizer value (more N) and negates detrimental effects to the environment. A laboratory study was conducted to quantify the effect of airflow variation on litter NH3 volatilization. Increasing the airflow rate increased NH3 volatilization. The lower flows (8.4 and 16.9 L of air/h per L of litter) generated 59 and 86% of the NH3 generated, respectively, as compared with the highest flow (25.3 L of air/h per L of litter). By specifically studying flow rate per volume of litter, the results provide a basis for needed mitigation technologies to combine forced ventilation with other parameters known to increase NH3 generation (e.g., high temperature). Practical applications to reduce NH3 emissions on the farm may include covering litter stockpiles to reduce wind flow over them or using intense ventilation between flocks coupled with an NH3 scrubber.
Response to Comment on Sharma. Mitochondrial Hormesis and Diabetic Complications. Diabetes 2015;64:663–672

I appreciate the comments of Kumar et al. (1) on my recent article (2). Although I have followed the work and insights of Michael Brownlee (3), much to my surprise our group did not find any evidence of increased mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) activity and superoxide production in in vivo models of diabetic kidney disease (4). To my knowledge, our group's studies are the first in vivo imaging approach to measure superoxide production in diabetic kidneys, and there was no evidence of increased mitochondrial superoxide production in the diabetic kidney using different …
Planar batting under shape, pose, and impact uncertainty

This paper explores the planning and control of a manipulation task accomplished in conditions of high uncertainty. Statistical techniques, like particle filters, provide a framework for expressing the uncertainty and partial observability of the real world and taking actions to reduce them. We explore a classic manipulation problem of planar batting, but with a new twist of shape, pose and impact uncertainty. We demonstrate a technique for characterizing and reducing this uncertainty using a particle filter coupled with a lookahead planner that maximizes information gain. We show that a two-step planner that first acts for information gain and then acts to maximize the expectation of achieving a desired goal is effective at managing shape, pose and impact uncertainty
Cellular telephone use while driving: Growing awareness of the danger

Cellular telephones (CT) made their deput in the mid 1980s. Today, they are a popular form of communication, with over 147.5 million US citizens subscribing to cellular telephone service. This number continues to rapidly increase, a trend that will likely persist. CTs have emergency, medical, and security benefits. Cellular telephone owners have used their CTs to report drunk drivers, request emergency medical treatment, and report serious crimes. Cellular telephone technology has advanced to the point where persons can use their CT to send and read electronic mail, search the internet, play games, organize their calendar, and even take and send photographs.
Investigation of Ensemble Variance as a Measure of True Forecast Variance

AbstractThe uncertainty in meteorological predictions is of interest for applications ranging from economic to recreational to public safety. One common method to estimate uncertainty is by using meteorological ensembles. These ensembles provide an easily quantifiable measure of the uncertainty in the forecast in the form of the ensemble variance. However, ensemble variance may not accurately reflect the actual uncertainty, so any measure of uncertainty derived from the ensemble should be calibrated to provide a more reliable estimate of the actual uncertainty in the forecast. A previous study introduced the linear variance calibration (LVC) as a simple method to determine the ensemble variance to error variance relationship and demonstrated this technique on real ensemble data. The LVC parameters, the slopes, and y intercepts, however, are generally different from the ideal values.This current study uses a stochastic model to examine the LVC in a controlled setting. The stochastic model is capable of sim...
Advances in Discriminative Parsing

The present work advances the accuracy and training speed of discriminative parsing. Our discriminative parsing method has no generative component, yet surpasses a generative baseline on constituent parsing, and does so with minimal linguistic cleverness. Our model can incorporate arbitrary features of the input and parse state, and performs feature selection incrementally over an exponential feature space during training. We demonstrate the flexibility of our approach by testing it with several parsing strategies and various feature sets. Our implementation is freely available at: http://nlp.cs.nyu.edu/parser/.
SYNCHROMODAL CLASSES: DESIGNING FOR SHARED LEARNING EXPERIENCES BETWEEN FACE-TO-FACE AND ONLINE STUDENTS

This paper introduces the efforts of the CEPSE/COE Design Studio at Michigan State University to design and implement synchromodal classes for the Educational Psychology and Educational Technology (EPET) Ph.D. program. Synchromodal classes refer to classes in which online and face-to-face students interact during shared synchronous sessions. Our efforts stem from the introduction of a hybrid Ph.D. program in the summer of 2010. In this paper, we describe the antecedents that led to the development of synchromodal classes. We then describe our strategy of a repeated cycle of designing, implementing, and adjusting our realization of synchromodal classes. We conclude by discussing the significance of synchromodal learning in the context of this case and possible future directions for our work.
Mercury species concentrations and fluxes in the Central Tropical Pacific Ocean

The formation of the toxic and bioaccumulating monomethylmercury (MMHg) in marine systems is poorly understood, due in part to sparse data from many ocean regions. We present dissolved mercury (Hg) speciation data from 10 stations in the North and South Equatorial Pacific spanning large water mass differences and gradients in oxygen utilization. We also compare the mercury content in suspended particles from six stations and sinking particles from three stations to constrain local Hg sources and sinks. Concentrations of total Hg (THg) and methylated Hg in the surface and intermediate waters of the Equatorial and South Pacific suggest Hg cycling distinct from that of the North Pacific gyre. Maximum concentrations of 180 fM for both MMHg and dimethylmercury (DMHg) are observed in the Equatorial Pacific. South of the equator, concentrations of MMHg and DMHg are less than 100 fM. Sinking fluxes of particulate THg can reasonably explain the shape of dissolved THg profiles, but those of MMHg are too low to account for dissolved MMHg profiles. However, methylated Hg species are lower than predicted from remineralization rates based on North Pacific data, consistent with limitation of methylation in Equatorial and South Pacific waters. Full water column depth profiles were also measured for the first time in these regions. Concentrations of THg are elevated in deep waters of the North Pacific, compared to those in the intermediate and surface waters, and taper off in the South Pacific. Comparisons with previous measurements from nearby regions suggest little enrichment of THg or MMHg over the past 20 years.
An Assessment of Steam Operated Spray Dryers

The performance of a spray dryer using steam in lieu of air is modeled numerically to assess the feasibility of steam as a drying medium. The numerical predictions suggest that steam is the more effective drying medium because of the higher heat transfer coefficient and specific heat. The higher heat transfer coefficient augments the gas-droplet heat transfer rate while the higher specific heat results in a smaller depression in the medium temperature due to droplet-gas thermal coupling.
Entropy, Coldness and Absolute Temperature

The main objective of thermodynamics is the determination of the fields of density ρ(xk, t) velocity υi(xk, t) empirical temperature ϑ(xk, t).
Arteriovenous Malformation and Papilledema

Two patients, ages 13 and 14, who presented with papilledema were found to have arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in a report from University College, London, UK.
Medical management of Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology. Sulfasalazine and the newer 5-aminosalicylates remain the first agents of choice to treat mild to moderate disease and often are effective at high doses as maintenance therapies. Corticosteroids are often required to treat more moderate to severe disease activity, although approximately one-third of patients become steroid-dependent after a steroid-induced remission. Corticosteroids have proven ineffective in maintaining remission and side effects resulting from prolonged exposure preclude their long-term use. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are effective in the setting of steroid dependence and steroid resistance, as well as for the treatment of perianal and fistulizing complications unresponsive to antibiotics. Crohn's disease commonly recurs following surgical resection, and there is expanding evidence that postoperative prophylaxis with certain antibiotics (e.g., metronidazole), aminosalicylates or immunomodulators may be beneficial in the prevention of disease recurrence following resection. Cyclosporin may benefit patients with severe Crohn's disease or refractory fistulas. Recent trials of newer immunosuppressive agents commonly employed in transplant recipients and ongoing development of a new class of "biologic" agents targeting specific sites in the immunoinflammatory cascade, are expanding the pharmacological armamentarium available to treat certain patients.
Renin in glioblastoma multiforme and its role in neovascularization.

Significant proliferation of capillaries with hyperplastic vascular endothelium is one of the characteristic histologic features of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). It has been shown that the renin–angiotensin II cascade stimulates new vessel formation. The presence of renin in several types of highly vascularized neoplasm suggests that it may also be implicated in the mechanism of tumor angiogenesis. In order to study the possible relationship of renin to GBM, immunohistochemical search for human renin was carried out in ten instances of such a tumor. Eight of these cases demonstrated renin-containing neoplastic astrocytes, whereas seven cases of reactive gliosis and six cases of low-grade astrocytoma revealed no renin-containing cells. The immunostaining was not present after preabsorption of the renin antiserum with pure human renin or substitution of preimmune serum for the specific renin antiserum. Because it has also been demonstrated that a product of renin, angiotensin II, has angiogenic properties, it seems reasonable to postulate that renin, through angiotensin II, may play a role in the mechanism of GBM-associated neovascularization.
Photothermal Optical Coherence Tomography for Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging using Photothermal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) was demonstrated with antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles in phantoms and tissue constructs. Specific imaging of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was confirmed.
Effect of luminal angiotensin II on proximal tubule fluid transport: role of apical phospholipase A2

Recent micropuncture studies showed the existence of high concentrations of angiotensin II (ANG II) in proximal tubular fluid. In the present study, we have examined the effect of luminal ANG II, alone and in combination with peritubular ANG II, on fluid transport (JV) in the isolated perfused rabbit proximal convoluted tubule. In comparison with peritubular ANG II, luminal ANG II caused a similar but more potent biphasic effect on JV. At 10(-11) M, luminal ANG II maximally increased JV to 204 +/- 22% of the baseline compared with 142 +/- 10% by peritubular ANG II at 10(-10) M. At 10(-8) M, luminal ANG II suppressed JV to 9.7 +/- 16% of the baseline compared with 64 +/- 14% by peritubular ANG II. When luminal and peritubular ANG II were combined at concentrations that impose similar effect on JV, the effects of luminal and peritubular ANG II were not additive. However, when combined at concentrations that would otherwise impose opposing effects on JV, the stimulatory effect predominated. In support of the role of apical phospholipase A2 (PLA2) on the effect of luminal ANG II, ANG II stimulated PLA2 activity in isolated brush-border membrane vesicles, and addition of PLA2 inhibitor, mepacrine or dibucaine, to the luminal perfusate attenuated the effect of luminal ANG II on JV. In summary, these studies show a potent effect of luminal ANG II on proximal tubule JV involving activation of brush-border membrane PLA2. When combined, luminal and peritubular ANG II exert their effects in concert on proximal tubule JV.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: What Does it Really Do?

In the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Congress assumed that the private insurance sector will continue to underwrite health risks for most of the non-elderly population. But nothing requires private insurers to continue to do so. To the contrary, the burdensome nature of the ACA’s provisions is likely to eventually drive private insurers out of the individual health insurance market altogether. Meanwhile, large employers will chafe under their new obligation to provide health coverage under pain of penalty and will align with private insurers to shed their involvement in health insurance. They will be joined by the numerous individuals who discovered to their dismay that many of the subsidized plans that are marketed as affordable come with high deductibles and co-pays. With private insurers heading for the exits, employers following closely behind, and citizens demanding truly affordable health insurance with no costly hidden surprises, an odd coalition of forces will coalesce supporting change to a single-payer, government health insurance system. The ACA, however, has other, more lasting legacies, including value-based purchasing, comparative effectiveness research, and several related provisions which will dramatically change how new medical technology and new and existing practices are evaluated and delivered.
Review Essay: A Transnational Take on Krisch's Pluralist Structure of Postnational Law

This essay critiques Nico Krisch’s Beyond Constitutionalism: The Pluralist Structure of Postnational Law. The book’s primary foil is the turn to rethinking the international legal order in constitutionalist terms. Its contrasting normative vision is a postnational, pluralist one in which there is no legal center or hierarchy. This vision, although less ambitious than the constitutional program, is nonetheless quite radical, and shares more with most constitutionalist visions than it acknowledges. Krisch’s critique of his constitutionalist foil could be more radical than it is, and the essay provides arguments for such a critique. Nonetheless, the essay finds that Krisch’s postnational vision is also too radical for the world outside of Europe in being grounded in a European experience, as reflected in his case studies. The article contends that a framework addressing transnational legal ordering in which states continue to play a central role is superior given the ongoing centrality of the nation state in governance. The essay also finds that Krisch’s normative framework fails to address variation in its evaluation of institutional alternatives in which some hierarchy at times is preferable. Krisch’s vision is pluralist all the way through, while there are strong pragmatist arguments to be more context-specific in prescriptions.
Rape as a Tactic of Terror: Holding the Islamic State Accountable (Unpublished Draft on File with Author)

Sexual violence is an essential part of the political economy of the self-proclaimed Islamic State. The terrorist group uses rape, sexual slavery, and other forms of sexual violence for recruitment; to terrorize communities into compliance and displace them from strategic areas; to torture and extract intelligence; to compel conversion and indoctrination through forced marriage; and to generate revenue through sex trafficking, slave trade, and ransoms. Sexual violence during armed conflict can violate the law of war and in some cases can amount to torture. Under the doctrine of command responsibility, leaders can be prosecuted for war crimes when they knew or should have known that their subordinates were committing such crimes and failed to take adequate steps to prevent the crimes or punish those responsible. Holding the Islamic State accountable for sexual violence, particularly the systematic rape of women and girls from the Yazidi religious minority, would help disrupt the terrorist organization’s authority and resources, but finding a court with jurisdiction over these crimes is a challenge. Iraq has not joined the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Islamic State is not a recognized state, and domestic courts face obstacles in addressing these complex transnational crimes. Despite the difficulties, the ICC offers the most promising venue to investigate and try these cases, secure justice and reparations for the victims, punish the perpetrators, and deter future crimes. A version of this paper (under the same title) was published at on Just Security on August 11, 2017.
An Observational Study of Simultaneous and Sequential Interactions in Co-located Collaboration

Large-scale multi-touch displays provide highly interactive spaces for small group activities. These devices feature the ability to detect concurrent touch inputs, which enable multiple co-located collaborators to manipulate virtual spaces in myriad ways. This paper explores two types of interaction, simultaneous and sequential, with regard to how people engage in shared virtual space during a collaborative ideation task. Our findings suggest that the two types of interactions present different patterns in both temporal and spatial dimensions. Sequential interaction is the major interaction technique, while the simultaneous interaction is actively used for information exploration and manipulating objects in personal space. Observation of semantic actions suggests that some behaviors are preferably performed in turns, while others are used more in simultaneous manner. The relationship between the two interaction types with regard to different collaboration factors is explored. We share lessons learned from the study and suggest design implications for multi-user touch interfaces.
Expression of Differentiated Function in Neoplasms

“Once a cancer cell, always a cancer cell” is classic dogma that arose quite naturally from observation of the usual intractable course of cancer in human beings.1 Yet as difficult to manage as clinical cancer may be, the realization is emerging that some cancer cells in certain situations may give rise to cell progeny that are postmitotic and terminally differentiated.
OPTICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY.By F. Donald Bloss. Mineralogical Society of America (Monograph Series, Publication no. 5), 1999, Washington, D.C. 239 p. ISBN number 0-939950-49-9. $32.00. ($24.00 for MSA members).

An Introduction to the Methods of Optical Crystallography , by F. Donald Bloss, was first published in 1961. That edition still stands as a classic in the field. It is technically sound and the explanations are, for the most part, clear and understandable even to a typical sophomore-level geology major. The 1961 edition was reprinted, but not revised, in 1967, and for many years it remained a widely used textbook for undergraduate courses in optical mineralogy. If the number of adoptions and the overall popularity of this book declined over the following years, it was the result of several factors: 1. The need for the student to have a second textbook with mineral descriptions, data, and other reference material; 2. The escalating cost of textbooks no doubt weighed on the consciences of professors; 3. The publication of several new competing textbooks in optical mineralogy; and 4. The trend in many colleges and universities toward deemphasizing optical theory (the “how” and “why”) in favor of a “cookbook” approach (e.g., “Insert your gypsum plate, and if it turns blue, it’s positive.”). Coupled with this last item has been a trend toward a decrease and even total elimination of the use of the oil immersion method and a complete reliance on thin sections. In the past 15 years or so, the number of geology departments in the U.S. that require or even offer a course in optical mineralogy has decreased considerably, and the training our students receive in mineralogy and petrology is shrinking in scope. If the trend continues, we are headed toward a time when the only required course in this area will be a condensed course in “earth materials.” The skills and the understanding of optical mineralogy will be lost. I believe it is in this light that the MSA has chosen to reprint Bloss’ …
Thorium Metallocene Cation Chemistry: Synthesis and Characterization of the Bent [(C5Me5)2Th(C6H5)(THF)][BPh4] and the Parallel Ring [(C5Me5)2Th(NCR)5][BPh4]2 (R = Me, Ph) Complexes

Attempts to synthesize the base-free dication [(C5Me5)2Th]2+ by reaction of the bis(allyl) complex (C5Me5)2Th(C3H5)2 with 2 equiv of [Et3NH][BPh4] in benzene yielded a cationic phenyl complex that, in the presence of THF, crystallized from toluene as [(C5Me5)2Th(C6H5)(THF)][BPh4]. The reaction of the dimethyl complex (C5Me5)2ThMe2 with [Et3NH][BPh4] in toluene in the presence of nitriles RCN generates cations of the formula [(C5Me5)2Th(NCR)5][BPh4]2 (R = Me, Ph) in 40–55% crystalline yield. The molecular structures reveal the first examples of thorium cyclopentadienyl metallocene complexes with parallel rings.
Nanoscale multiphase phase field approach for stress- and temperature-induced martensitic phase transformations with interfacial stresses at finite strains

Abstract A thermodynamically consistent, novel multiphase phase field approach for stress- and temperature-induced martensitic phase transformations at finite strains and with interfacial stresses has been developed. The model considers a single order parameter to describe the austenite↔martensitic transformations, and another N order parameters describing N variants and constrained to a plane in an N-dimensional order parameter space. In the free energy model coexistence of three or more phases at a single material point (multiphase junction), and deviation of each variant-variant transformation path from a straight line have been penalized. Some shortcomings of the existing models are resolved. Three different kinematic models (KMs) for the transformation deformation gradient tensors are assumed: (i) In KM-I the transformation deformation gradient tensor is a linear function of the Bain tensors for the variants. (ii) In KM-II the natural logarithms of the transformation deformation gradient is taken as a linear combination of the natural logarithm of the Bain tensors multiplied with the interpolation functions. (iii) In KM-III it is derived using the twinning equation from the crystallographic theory. The instability criteria for all the phase transformations have been derived for all the kinematic models, and their comparative study is presented. A large strain finite element procedure has been developed and used for studying the evolution of some complex microstructures in nanoscale samples under various loading conditions. Also, the stresses within variant-variant boundaries, the sample size effect, effect of penalizing the triple junctions, and twinned microstructures have been studied. The present approach can be extended for studying grain growth, solidifications, para↔ferro electric transformations, and diffusive phase transformations.
Clinicians' Perspectives of Patient Engagement in Post-Acute Care: A Social Ecological Approach.

Aims: To identify rehabilitation providers' perspectives on barriers and facilitators of patient engagement in hip fracture patients in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) within the social ecologica...
When Do Entrepreneurs Learn From their Peers? A Contingent Approach to Social Influence

Our theoretical framework treats organizations as structuring the conditions under which employees potentially meet, learn from, and imitate others with current or previous entrepreneurial experien...
Fuel performance of chromium-coated zirconium alloy and silicon carbide accident tolerant fuel claddings

Abstract The U.S. Department of Energy’s Accident Tolerant Fuel program is focused on extending the time for fuel failure during postulated severe accidents compared to the standard UO2-Zr alloy fuel system. This paper investigates the feasibility of two different chromium-coated cladding concepts, one of which is zirconium-alloy based and the other is composite-SiC based. Both claddings had 50 µm coatings, deducted from the base layer thicknesses. The claddings were studied, using the multi-physics fuel performance tool BISON, under steady-state PWR operating conditions as well as under two transients: a power ramp and a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). The chromium-coated claddings showed comparable thermo-mechanical performance to the reference Zircaloy-4 cladding. As chromium is reported to provide an order of magnitude improvement in oxidation resistance, it is expected to be a better alternative in accident scenarios. Simulation results for both concepts show that further experimental investigation as well as modeling of beyond design-basis accidents is warranted.