cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of measles in Liwan district,Guangzhou in 2008—2012

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of measles in Liwan district,Guangzhou,in 2008—2012 and provide the theoretical basis on prevention and control of measles.Methods The measles incidence in 2008—2012 was analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method.Results 222 cases of measles were reported in 2008—2012 in Liwan district.The incidence of measles is 21.68/105,4.67/105,0.56/105,0.56/105,and 3.01/105 respectively,in each year during this period,the onset peak is in May and June,which typically makes up 41.89% in all measles cases.Most cases concentrated in scattered children who were less than 5 years old,the incidence of measles in children age less than 8 months is 539.82/105.56 cases are permanent resident children accounted for 25.23% reported cases;166 cases are migrant children accounted for 74.77% reported cases.194 cases belong to the non-vaccinated and uncertain children accounted for 87.39% reported cases.Conclusion The cases of migrant children are the main reason caused the increse of measles incidence in Liwan district,in which the important factor is not to implement vaccination for measles.The key to control and eliminate measles is proper to control contraindication for measles vaccination and increase the coverage rate and timely coverage rate for the vaccine inoculation.
INFLUENZA VIRUS INFECTIONS AND IMMUNITY : A REVIEW OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL MODELS

Studies of the pathogenesis of influenza infection have involved the extensive use of animal models. The development of the current concepts of immunity to influenza and of the contribution the secretory immune system makes toward the protection of mucosal surfaces against influenza infection would have been impossible without this use of animals. The pathology and clinical signs of influenza infection in both natural and experimental hosts, the advantages and disadvantages of the most common experimental influenza infection models, and the contribution of animal models to the understanding of local and systemic immunity to influenza infection are discussed.
Space-time processing for increased capacity of wireless CDMA

Spatial and temporal processing are combined to increase the capacity of CDMA-based wireless communications systems. Degrees of freedom provided by space-time processing are exploited to combat both fading and co-channel interference (the near-far effect). The following methods are formulated and studied: (1) space-time diversity, (2) cascade optimum spatial-diversity (RAKE) temporal, (3) cascade optimum spatial-optimum temporal, and (4) joint domain optimum processing. It is shown that due to its interference cancellation capability, optimum combining provides significantly better performance than diversity processing. In particular, in a typical CDMA scenario with two antennas, the joint domain optimum combining system provides at least a 30% increase in capacity over diversity processing. Optimum combining may also be applied to compensate for imperfect power control of the signals received at the base station.
E. Theodor Voss, ed. Johann Heinrich Voss, Idyllen (Deutsche Neudrucke: Goethezeit.)

(1969). E. Theodor Voss, ed. Johann Heinrich Voss, Idyllen (Deutsche Neudrucke: Goethezeit.) The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 308-310.
Mutant Huntingtin Impairs BDNF Release from Astrocytes by Disrupting Conversion of Rab3a-GTP into Rab3a-GDP.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for neuronal differentiation and survival. We know that BDNF levels decline in the brains of patients with Huntington9s disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disease caused by the expression of mutant huntingtin protein (mHtt), and furthermore that administration of BDNF in HD mice is protective against HD neuropathology. BDNF is produced in neurons, but astrocytes are also an important source of BDNF in the brain. Nonetheless, whether mHtt affects astrocytic BDNF in the HD brain remains unknown. Here we investigated astrocytes from HD140Q knock-in mice and uncovered evidence that mHtt decreases BDNF secretion from astrocytes, which is mediated by exocytosis in astrocytes. Our results demonstrate that mHtt associates with Rab3a, a small GTPase localized on membranes of dense-core vesicles, and prevents GTP-Rab3a from binding to Rab3-GAP1, disrupting the conversion of GTP-Rab3a into GDP-Rab3a and thus impairing the docking of BDNF vesicles on plasma membranes of astrocytes. Importantly, overexpression of Rab3a rescues impaired BDNF vesicle docking and secretion from HD astrocytes. Moreover, ATP release and the number of ATP-containing dense-core vesicles docking are decreased in HD astrocytes, suggesting that the exocytosis of dense-core vesicles is impaired by mHtt in HD astrocytes. Further, Rab3a overexpression reduces reactive astrocytes in the striatum of HD140Q knock-in mice. Our results indicate that compromised exocytosis of BDNF in HD astrocytes contributes to the decreased BDNF levels in HD brains and underscores the importance of improving glial function in the treatment of HD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Huntington9s disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder that affects one in every 10,000 Americans. To date, there is no effective treatment for HD, in part because the pathogenic mechanism driving the disease is not fully understood. The dysfunction of astrocytes is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of HD. One important role of astrocytes is to synthesize and release brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is vital for neuronal survival, development, and function. We found that mutant huntingtin protein (mHtt) at the endogenous level decreases BDNF secretion from astrocytes by disrupting the conversion of GTP-Rab3a into GDP-Rab3a and that overexpressing Rab3a can rescue this deficient BDNF release and early neuropathology in HD knock-in mouse brain. Our study suggests that astrocytic Rab3a is a potential therapeutic target for HD treatment.
Creative Concept Mapping: from Reverse Engineering to Writing Inspiration

A semi-formal meta-analysis of current research into concept mapping suggests that very few teachers are using concept mapping to help their writing students create better essays or stories. Most studies tend to focus on “content-based” subjects such as math and science. However, there is also content, and, therefore, structure in literature and writing. While some students who read prodigiously have some basic grasp of this content, most do not. To help them first realize that there is such a learnable schema of content in my domain, students work through a series of concept maps. Starting with teacher-generated maps demonstrating the relationships among such argumentative strategies as claims and appeals and such literary devices as plot, character, setting and language, my composition and creative writing students, respectively, move on to generating their own maps, or completing scaffold maps, based on essays, short stories or films. Thus they begin the process of “reverse engineering,” or “disassembling” essays and stories to analyze how their parts fit together structurally. Analyzing these primary sources teaches the basic components of exposition, argument and fiction in a more meaningful way than could be accomplished by lectures or “free for all” class discussion. From here, students use the maps as prewriting or planning documents. Finally, creative writing students use concept mapping as a peer- and self-critique device for workshop discussion and story enhancement.
Remote Droplet Manipulation on Self-Healing Thermally Activated Magnetic Slippery Surfaces

Manipulation of discrete droplets is a paramount procedure in a broad spectrum of disciplines from digital microfluidics to energy and water systems. In these applications, droplet manipulation is required for mass or energy transport in various physical and chemical interactions. The discrete droplet manipulation enables developments of integrated microfluidic platforms without the use of conventional pumps, valves, or channels. A variety of approaches are developed for droplet manipulation. In these approaches, either the solid surface characteristics or droplet properties are tuned to control the droplet motion. However, drawbacks such as custom fabrication of the solid surface (e.g., embodiment of actuators in the solid and physical or chemical modification), limited application for high viscous fluids, fixed functionalities, and enhanced friction by the solid substrate have impeded their widespread implementation. Here, a new self-healing surface called magnetic slippery surface (MAGSS) is reported for remote and controlled droplet manipulation with exceptional droplet mobility and a wide range of functionalities (e.g., transportation, guidance, removal, and merging of droplets). This surface allows droplet manipulation in a channel-free configuration independent of viscosity of the droplet. This study envisions that MAGSS emerges as a disruptive platform for energy systems (e.g., condensation), miniature reactors, microfluidics devices, and medical bioassays.
Identification Is Not Causality, and Vice Versa

We distinguish between identification and establishing causality. Identification means forming a unique mapping from features of data to quantities that are of interest to economists. Establishing causality by finding sources of exogenous variation is often considered synonymous with identification, but these two concepts are distinct. Exogenous variation is only sometimes necessary and never sufficient to identify economically interesting parameters. Instead, even for causal questions, identification must rest on an underlying economic model. We illustrate these points by analyzing identification in three recent papers and by examining the estimation of a simple dynamic model.Received June 6, 2017; editorial decision September 26, 2017 by Editor Gregor Matvos. Authors have furnished supplementary code, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Selective expression of eGFP in mouse perivascular astrocytes by modification of the Mlc1 gene using T2A‐based ribosome skipping

Perivascular astrocyte end feet closely juxtapose cerebral blood vessels to regulate important developmental and physiological processes including endothelial cell proliferation and sprouting as well as the formation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The mechanisms underlying these events remain largely unknown due to a lack of experimental models for identifying perivascular astrocytes and distinguishing these cell types from other astroglial populations. Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts 1 (Mlc1) is a transmembrane protein that is expressed in perivascular astrocyte end feet where it controls BBB development and homeostasis. On the basis of this knowledge, we used T2A peptide-skipping strategies to engineer a knock-in mouse model in which the endogenous Mlc1 gene drives expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), without impacting expression of Mlc1 protein. Analysis of fetal, neonatal and adult Mlc1-eGFP knock-in mice revealed a dynamic spatiotemporal expression pattern of eGFP in glial cells, including nestin-expressing neuroepithelial cells during development and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-expressing perivascular astrocytes in the postnatal brain. EGFP was not expressed in neurons, microglia, oligodendroglia, or cerebral vascular cells. Analysis of angiogenesis in the neonatal retina also revealed enriched Mlc1-driven eGFP expression in perivascular astrocytes that contact sprouting blood vessels and regulate blood-retinal barrier permeability. A cortical injury model revealed that Mlc1-eGFP expression is progressively induced in reactive astrocytes that form a glial scar. Hence, Mlc1-eGFP knock-in mice are a new and powerful tool to identify perivascular astrocytes in the brain and retina and characterize how these cell types regulate cerebral blood vessel functions in health and disease.
ACM SIGGRAPH 2006 Special sessions: Video presentations for special sessions are available by clicking on individual citation pages

Intermixtures of advanced design, engineering breakthroughs, and deep interactivity. In Special Sessions, leading explorers demonstrate recent achievements in ocean exploration, vehicle performance and marketing, interactive performance, and character animation.
Study of inter-correlations of solar radiation, wind speed and precipitation under the influence of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in California

Abstract El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is recognized as an influential climate pattern on meteorological variables such as global solar radiation (H), wind speed (V) and precipitation (P). California as one of the leading States in increasing renewable energy utilization, having established a Renewables Portfolios to meet its electricity demand from renewable energy resources. In this study, long-term 50 years datasets (1961–2010) of eight locations representing different climate conditions of California are utilized. The main objective of this work is to investigate the sensitivity of H, V and P and their variation to El Nino events (very strong and strong El Nino) and La Nina events (strong and moderate La Nino) in different regions of California. The results showed distinct impacts of El Nino and La Nina events on the magnitude and distribution of the studied meteorological variables. The impact of ENSO events on these variables are found to be geographically and seasonally dependent. Furthermore, the degree to which the variables link to ENSO depends on intensity of the events. Overall, the results suggest that ENSO is a potentially useful prognostic tool for California solar and wind energy and hydropower planning for upcoming events.
Shot Through with Democracy: Japan’s Postwar Myths and the 1948 Hanshin Education Incident

In 1948, Japanese authorities operating under directions from the US Occupation and the Japanese Ministry of Education tried to shut down independent Korean schools in Japan. Tens of thousands of civilians led by the League of Koreans in Japan streamed into the streets of Osaka and Kobe in April to protest. Hundreds raided prefectural headquarters, vandalized the buildings, and held government officials hostage. The Occupation and Japanese police brutally suppressed the uprising and shot and killed a Korean teenager. This paper parses the grammar of ideological utterance during this crisis, known as the Hanshin Education Incident, to reveal how politicians and social leaders feuded over the meaning of postwar Japanese democracy. Koreans buttressed the myth of democracy by being cast as what democracy was not. A policeman shot through the body of a Korean boy with impunity because the myth of democracy shot through Japanese sociopolitics.
Mind-Body Strategies for Health

Mind-body therapies are among the most widely recommended and used form of complementary and alternative medicine. Nursing has long championed these interventions, citing the healing potential of the mind on physiological systems. Professional beliefs about the inherent holism of the human being are now supported by advances in science; there is basic bench research that now suggests an observable connection between protein expression and stress, mood and hormones as well as the information transduction between the limbic, autonomic, endocrine, immune and neuropeptide systems.1-2 Recent research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning also provide insight about how mind-body therapies work (the mechanism of action) as well as the linkages between brain activity, intervention and physiological/behavioral/emotional changes.3 The public has increasingly embraced mind-body therapies. There were significant increases in the use of meditation, yoga and deep breathing between 2002 and 2007.4 Almost 12.7% of the US population reported using deep breathing, while over 9.4% of adults engage in meditation.4 Yoga was practiced by almost 20% of the surveyed adults and recommended by providers for problems associated with chronic osteoarthitis pain and stiffness, hypertension, depression and anxiety.4 A recent survey of practitioners working with underserved populations similarly reported use of meditation, relaxation and breathing exercises in their population, citing the ease of use and low cost of these self-help strategies to mitigate anxiety, depression and chronic pain.5
PHOSPHORYLATION OF ENDOGENOUS β-LIPOTROPIN AND OTHER PEPTIDES BY SLICES OF PITUITARY, ADULT BRAIN AND NEONATE BRAIN OF THE RAT

Pituitary slices incubated with H332PO4 yielded phosphorylated peptides which were analyzed on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Several phosphorylated peptides were apparent; one was identified as β-lipotropin (LPH) by comigration and peptide mapping. Incubation of adult and neonate brain slices yielded different patterns of peptide phosphorylation.
X-Ray Crystallography of Biomacromolecules

X-ray crystallography is still the primary method for obtaining high resolution structures of macromolecules. If you are interested in getting a quick overview of this topic, this is not the best book for you. If, however, you would like to understand the theory behind X-ray crystallography or are interested in adding this method to your toolset, X-Ray Crystallography of Biomacromolecules by Albrecht Messerschmidt is the perfect reference book. While the book discusses the production of recombinant proteins as well as methods used to obtain crystals, the primary focus is on the theoretical basis of solving a crystal structure. Several practical examples also are included at the end, all of which are detailed, up to date, and useful. They are tutorials on various computer programs used during model building, complete with step-by-step instructions and examples of macros, input files, and electron density maps. Overall the text is very dry. In general, the chapters contain minimal introduction to fundamental chemical, biological, and physical principles, so a good understanding of such topics is crucial for the full comprehension of the book. As expected, many of the chapters are heavy on mathematics, for example, when discussing diffraction of X-rays from a crystal or solving the phase problem. However, many illustrations and diagrams are included to facilitate understanding. For interested readers, every chapter is complete with a thorough list of references on all the topics discussed in the text. I would highly recommend this book to someone who is thinking about or already using X-ray crystallography and would like to obtain a deeper understanding of its theoretical basis as well as some practical guidelines.
Youth and Adult Arrests for Cannabis Possession After Decriminalization and Legalization of Cannabis

Importance Civil liberty advocates typically support legalization of cannabis, which targets adult use, rather than decriminalization, which can affect both adults and youths. However, it is unknown how arrests of youths for cannabis possession change when adult use of cannabis is legalized. Objective To model changes in arrest rates of adults and youths after decriminalization and legalization of cannabis. Design, Setting, and Participants This quasi-experimental study used the publicly available Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data: Arrests by Age, Sex, and Race administrative data set to examine arrest rates in 38 states from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2016. Adult (age, ≥18 years) and youth (age, Exposure Living in a state with a cannabis decriminalization policy (ie, making the penalty for cannabis possession similar to the small fine for a traffic violation) or legalization policy (ie, creating a legal supply of cannabis along with the removal of penalties for possession of a small amount of cannabis for recreational use). Main Outcome and Measures State cannabis possession arrest rate per 100 000 population. Results Data from 38 states were examined, including 4 states with cannabis legalization policies and 7 states with cannabis decriminalization policies. The adult arrest rate decreased by 131.28 (95% CI, 106.23-154.21) per 100 000 population after the implementation of decriminalization and 168.50 (95% CI, 158.64-229.65) per 100 000 population after the implementation of legalization. The arrest rate for youths decreased by 60 (95% CI, 42-75) per 100 000 population after decriminalization but did not significantly change after legalization in a state (7 per 100 000 population; 95% CI, −15 to 30). Conclusions and Relevance Legalization, as implemented through 2016, did not appear to reduce arrests for cannabis possession among youths, despite having benefited adults. The study’s findings suggest that decriminalization reduces youth arrests in most cases, but these findings also suggest that any benefit for youths could be lost when adult use has also been legalized. To address this problem, it appears that state decriminalization policies should take the additional step to explicitly describe when youths can be arrested for possession of small amounts of cannabis.
The role of genetics in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of type 1 Von Willebrand disease.

Purpose of reviewVon Willebrand disease (VWD) is a common bleeding disorder, but diagnosis of VWD is challenging, particularly with type 1 VWD. Although most clinicians use specific tests of von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity to classify patients with VWD, genetic testing for VWF defects is anothe
Designing combination therapies with modeling chaperoned machine learning.

Chemotherapy resistance is a major challenge to the effective treatment of cancer. Thus, a systematic pipeline for the efficient identification of effective combination treatments could bring huge biomedical benefit. In order to facilitate rational design of combination therapies, we developed a comprehensive computational model that incorporates the available biological knowledge and relevant experimental data on the life-and-death response of individual cancer cells to cisplatin or cisplatin combined with the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). The model’s predictions, that a combination treatment of cisplatin and TRAIL would enhance cancer cell death and exhibit a “two-wave killing” temporal pattern, was validated by measuring the dynamics of p53 accumulation, cell fate, and cell death in single cells. The validated model was then subjected to a systematic analysis with an ensemble of diverse machine learning methods. Though each method is characterized by a different algorithm, they collectively identified several molecular players that can sensitize tumor cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis (sensitizers). The identified sensitizers are consistent with previous experimental observations. Overall, we have illustrated that machine learning analysis of an experimentally validated mechanistic model can convert our available knowledge into the identity of biologically meaningful sensitizers. This knowledge can then be leveraged to design treatment strategies that could improve the efficacy of chemotherapy.
Action Office, or, Another Kind of ‘Architecture Without Architects’

When Robert Propst set out to transform the white-collar office, he began with a research protocol: observe, notate, quantify, represent. This process, based equally on the production of data and the use of representation to turn that data into information, led to Action Office, a system that aimed to transform every action and surface of the office environment into a data-rich cybernetic loop. For Propst, the key to turning the office into a space that produced information, rather than merely managed it, was display; as he wrote, ‘Action Office 2 provides no place for paper to hide or die – all paper material is displayed. You can see it, it is all signalled or marked and it will feed back a strong purge signal when it becomes overabundant.’ Propst’s Action Office system mobilised display to produce an information environment that cuts out noisy signals to frame clear communication.
CHAPTER 7 – Input-Output

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mechanics of input and output with some specific examples. For the experienced programmer, the choice of a particular input–output equipment and format depends on personal preference, speed of operation, and the magnitude of the problem. The normal exchange of data is with relatively slow peripheral equipment and is geared to the particular rate of the device in use. While the octal content of a register is not desirable for results in most instances, it is most useful in the early stages of checking out programs. A unit of input or output information consists of a linearly ordered array or string of characters chosen from some admissible set of characters. A floating point decimal number is a fixed-point decimal number. A Hollerith sequence is composed of a sequence of alphabetic characters, special characters, digits, and blanks.
E-098 Effect of endovascular revascularization on neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and relationship to 90 day outcome

Purpose Admission Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) is significantly correlated with 90 days functional outcome in acute ischemic strokes. The aim of our study was to detect post thrombectomy changes in NLR over 1 week with various degrees of revascularization and identify a relationship between NLR changes and 90-day functional outcome. Methods We retrospectively reviewed our prospective stroke database from Nov 2016 to May 2018 for patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusions with an admission NLR (NLR 1) and 72 hours follow-up NLR (NLR 2). We measured stroke severity by NIHSS, degree of recanalization by modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score, and clinical outcomes by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months. Univariate analysis was conducted between age, NLR1, NLR2, change in NLR (NLR2-NLR1), NIHSS, mTICI and mRS using correlation coefficient. Change in mean NLR was assessed using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to identify effect of NLR 2 on favorable functional outcome (mRS≤2) while controlling for age, NIHSS and IV rtPA utilization. Results 88 patients met our inclusion criteria with a median NIHSS at admission of 18 (4–32), and 90 days mRS of 3 (0–6). An increase in NLR was identified in 75% of patients following endovascular thrombectomy. Mean NLR 2 was significantly higher than NLR 1 (5.5 vs 3.1, p Conclusion NLR is a readily available biomarker that correlates with degrees of revascularization post-thrombectomy. Improved recanalization and reperfusion is associated with lower follow-up NLR at 72 hours and follow up NLR is an independent predictor of functional outcome. Disclosures R. Abdalla: None. M. Darwish: None. M. Aly: None. M. Potts: None. B. Jahromi: None. A. Shaibani: None. M. Hurley: None. S. Ansari: None.
Multielectron Redox and Insulator-to-Metal Transition upon Lithium Insertion in the Fast-Charging, Wadsley-Roth Phase PNb9O25

PNb9O25, a Wadsley–Roth compound whose structure is obtained by appropriate crystallographic shear of the ReO3 structure, is a high-power electrode material that can reach 85% of the equilibrium ca...
General Purpose Computation with Spiking Neural Networks: Programming, Design Principles, and Patterns

Neuromorphic computer architectures utilize an event-based paradigm to operate in low-power environments and achieve high-throughput with massive parallelism. The integrate-and-fire (IF) neuron model has become a greatest common denominator among many emerging architectures built from materials with neuronlike response properties. There is recent interest in using these architectures as general purpose computing devices, especially for problems that are computationally demanding such as constraint satisfaction, integer factorization, and numerical analysis. However, programming a spiking neural network (SNN) to perform these kinds of tasks remains a difficult problem. There is currently a lack of overarching principles to guide this kind of development, and specific solutions generally remain unportable between different architectures. We identify some of the challenges to using neuromorphic computers for general purpose computing. To address these challenges, we introduce four design principles that aim to facilitate good design on a SNN architecture. We then describe several patterns that solve recurring neuromorphic design challenges, including serial execution on a parallel architecture and the implementation of structured memory in a SNN.
A Theory of Constitutional Norms

The political convulsions of the past decade have fueled acute interest in constitutional norms or “conventions.” Despite intense scholarly attention, existing accounts are incomplete and do not answer at least one or more of three major questions: (1) What must all constitutional norms do? (2) What makes them conventional? (3) And why are they constitutional? This Article advances an original theory of constitutional norms that answers these questions. First it defines them and explains their general character: they are normative, contingent, and arbitrary practices that implement constitutional text and principle. Most scholars have foregone examining how norms are conventional or have relegated them to coordinating behavior, like rules requiring drivers to stick to one side of the road. By contrast, this Article argues that constitutional norms are constitutive conventions, which constitute values into practices; they are akin to conventions of etiquette that concretize concepts like “politeness.” Constitutional norms implement abstract principles, like the separation of powers, or indeterminate text, such as “advice and consent,” into specific behavior and action. By understanding constitutional norms as constitutive conventions, this Article explains norms’ salient features, basic functions, and relationship to the Constitution. Norms are normative because they command respect and allegiance. They are contingent, because they depend on political, social, and intellectual conditions to emerge and endure. They are arbitrary, because they represent one of many possible ways of realizing constitutional text and principle. And they are constitutional because the values they implement arise from the Constitution itself. This Article animates its theory through case studies of three constitutional norms: blue slips, the norm against court packing, and executive non-interference in law enforcement. It concludes by questioning the use of historical practice in constitutional interpretation. It suggests that when scholars and judges draw on norms that are intrinsically contingent and arbitrary, they embed unstated normative assumptions about the past and how it should constrain the future.
The role of the shared environment in college attainment: An adoption study.

OBJECTIVE College attainment is one of the few phenotypes to have substantial variance accounted for by environmental factors shared by reared-together relatives. The shared environment is implicated by the consistently strong parent-to-offspring transmission of college attainment. The mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. We use genetically informative methods with a longitudinal, adoption sample to identify possible environmental mechanisms underlying parent-offspring college transmission. METHOD Data were drawn from the Sibling Interaction and Behavior Study (SIBS), which includes 409 adoptive and 208 nonadoptive families, consisting of two offspring followed from adolescence into young adulthood and their rearing parents. Four domains of environmental mechanisms were examined: (a) skill enhancement; (b) academic support; (c) material advantage; and (d) supportive family environment. RESULTS Both shared environmental and genetic factors contributed to the parent-offspring transmission of college attainment. However, highly educated parents did not appear to be increasing their adopted offspring's attainment through skill development. The environmental factors that were associated with increased odds of offspring college attainment were mother's academic expectations and family income. CONCLUSIONS While complete mediation of the parent-offspring transmission of college attainment was not identified, the results shed light on some of the mechanisms associated with the common environment variance in the college attainment phenotype.
The role of UK local government in delivering on net zero carbon commitments: You've declared a Climate Emergency, so what's the plan?

Abstract Local authorities in the United Kingdom are recognised by central government as key agents to achieving the national net zero target aimed at stabilising global temperatures at or below 1.5 degrees in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. Since 2018, over 75% of local authorities have declared climate emergencies committing to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions. This paper presents the findings of a review of official public records published by 308 local authorities, City Regions and Combined Authorities declaring climate emergencies. Significant variability and ambiguity were found in their scope of commitment, delivery planning arrangements and funding plans. Few local authorities have embraced the concept of Citizens’ Climate Assemblies as a way of engaging civil society. A follow-up review showed that although there is near uniformity of political desire to tackle climate change, action planning is very much work in progress with tight delivery timelines for the majority, significant divergence in approaches, and an unclear role for the citizen. The research concludes that without a local-authority specific Net Zero duty and well-designed and financed delivery models, local authorities will choose their own routes and finishing lines shaped by a complex ecosystem of internal and external factors. A governance framework is proposed based on the concept of local area climate contracts to bring together national and local Net Zero ambitions.
Sub-ps Resolution Time-correlated Single Photon Counting Through Time Magnification

500-fs temporal resolution is achieved in time-correlated single photon counting for the first time with the assistance of a fiber parametric time magnifier. Time-of-flight depth imaging of a glass sample is demonstrated with 75-μm resolution.
Predatory Pricing and the Flaws in Brandesian Economics Challenging Recoupment Theory

The technology industry has seen rapid growth over the last few decades and many populists and reformers seek to reign in this growth with amendments to various antitrust regulatory structures. This paper continues my previous analysis of these general reforms while specifically analyzing predatory price discrimination and recoupment theory. Brandesian economists wish to swing the antitrust sword to protect small businesses against big corporations. Advocates look at the policy of bigness and claim that permitting its existence must be incorrect and that the courts should counteract bigness with antitrust litigation results shaped not based on economics and consumer welfare but on policy concerns. The critic of the current antitrust system that provides the most relevant and thorough critique of the current system is Yale’s Lina Kahn in her student note Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox. While her note raises several concerns with Amazon’s business strategy, she specifically targets the structural dominance of Amazon through an alleged predatory price discrimination scheme aimed at undercutting competition and establishing its monopoly in the ebook marketplace. Kahn analyzes Amazon’s growing market dominance along with the alleged difficulties in reigning in its market power through modern day antitrust authority. Most striking, is Khan contention that the Apple v. United States case should have examined Amazon’s role in why the book publishers developed a price fixing and exclusionary scheme against Amazon. These arguments, while in theory may seem particularly compelling for reformists who are troubled by the rise of big tech; are in fact flawed. As I advocate below, claiming predatory price discrimination as a theory of harm is illogical as a practical matter and opening up this theory would be cumbersome on courts, would lead to perverse results, and would not increase consumer welfare.
The protein folding rate and the geometry and topology of the native state

Proteins fold in 3-dimensional conformations which are important for their function. Characterizing the global conformation of proteins rigorously and separating secondary structure effects from topological effects is a challenge. New developments in Applied Knot Theory allow to characterize the topological characteristics of proteins (knotted or not). By analyzing a small set of two-state and multi-state proteins with no knots or slipknots, our results show that 95.4% of the analyzed proteins have non-trivial topological characteristics, as reflected by the second Vassiliev measure, and that the logarithm of the experimental protein folding rate depends on both the local geometry and the topology of the protein9s native state.
Nationwide trends in middle meningeal artery embolization for treatment of chronic subdural hematoma: A population-based analysis of utilization and short-term outcomes

Abstract Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization represents a promising novel treatment modality for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH), yet utilization and efficacy data are limited. This study evaluates the utilization and short-term outcomes of MMA embolization for cSDH treatment in a large national inpatient registry. cSDH patients treated with MMA embolization and/or surgical evacuation (craniotomy/burr hole drainage) were identified using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) during 2012–2018 period. Temporal trends, complications, and discharge disposition were evaluated, and propensity score matching was implemented for adjusted comparisons and to mitigate confounding by indication. Among 60,045 cSDH patients identified, 390 (0.6%) underwent MMA embolization. Embolized patients presented more with high acute illness severity subclasses in comparison with surgically evacuated patients (53% vs. 34%, p = 0.004) yet did not experience any procedure-related hemorrhagic or ischemic complications. Although discharge disposition did not differ from those surgically managed, embolized patients had longer mean hospital stays (13 vs. 8 days, p = 0.023) and accrued greater hospital charges (p
Seamless Continuity versus the Nature of Materials

Gunite, or concrete shot through a hose, helped to shape twentieth-century modernist architecture, yet its history is largely unwritten. In 1927–29 Richard Neutra pioneered the architectural use of Gunite in the Lovell House in Los Angeles. Frank Lloyd Wright praised Neutra9s house, and he later used Gunite with a light steel frame in his Community Church in Kansas City, Missouri (1939–42). In Wright9s next public commission, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (1943–59) in New York City, he proposed that the great spiral gallery be wholly of Gunite set on a pre-stressed steel frame, in order to achieve his ideal of plasticity and continuity; the material was used to form the Guggenheim9s exterior walls as built. In Seamless Continuity versus the Nature of Materials: Gunite and Frank Lloyd Wright9s Guggenheim Museum, Joseph M. Siry narrates the manner in which the design of the Guggenheim9s wood formwork, its joints, and the choice of its exterior coating challenged Wright and his collaborators to achieve a form for the spiral that was consistent with his aesthetic ideal.
Lisp to Fortran—Program Transformation Applied

You have written a moderately large applicative Lisp program (3200 lines, 56 functions). It is thoroughly debugged and has been in use for several years. You have received numerous requests for the system of which the program is a part. You have decided to make that system available as part of a larger package for which Fortran has been chosen as the transportable implementation language. The program must run compiled in order for its use to be practical. What do you do?
Assessing Effectiveness: Strategies for Achieving Local Economic Development Goals

This paper presents findings of a study that examined the extent to which local economic-development policies and programs align with their stated goals. States and cities invest tremendous resources each year in efforts to reinvigorate struggling municipalities through economic-development policies. Yet in many cases, economic stagnation persists. This paper considers the problem of economic stagnation in municipalities by focusing on the complex interaction of economic development goals and policies. A body of economic development literature focuses on the effectiveness of local economic development policies. The purpose of this study was to gauge the alignment of goals and policies by comparing those expected policy outcomes to the stated economic development goals of municipality. The research is part of a larger study of the alignment of economic-development goals and actions among citizens and policy makers. In-depth case analysis of three cities provided evidence for several areas of goal/policy misalignment and drivers of that misalignment, including weak, “public relations” focused goal statements; and a lack of linkage between goal statements and the policy decision-making process. This paper seeks to assess the extent of the problem of misalignment by gauging the extent of alignment or misalignment among a broader sampling of 37 Massachusetts cities, using qualitative data.
Toxic effect of staphylococcal lysins for goldfish.

Goldfish died within 24 hr after intraperitoneal injections of 0.2 ml of Seitz filtrates of hemolytic Staphylococcus aureus cultures grown on Dolman and Wilson medium under increased CO2 pressure for 72 to 96 hr. Two lethal toxins differing in heat sensitivity, antigenicity, and degree of toxicity were demonstrated. Studies of the relationship between the lethal factors and the hemolysins in the filtrates suggested that α- and β-lysin were responsible for the lethal effects. Filtrates of nonhemolytic staphylococcal cultures were innocuous. Goldfish were suitable animals for detecting toxicity in staphylococcal culture filtrates and for quantitative studies of the toxins. The results were highly reproducible.
Private Medical and MassHealth Liens Made Simple

This article, published in similar form in a practitioners' journal in 2008, discusses two of the most commonly asserted liens in Massachusetts personal injury cases: (1) private medical liens, including those asserted by private insurers, hospitals, and medical professional corporations; and (2) MassHealth liens, which are asserted against individuals who receive coverage through the Commonwealth's version of the Medicaid program. For both private medical and MassHealth liens, this article explains how the liens come into existence, how they are enforced, and how attorneys can effectively negotiate for their reduction on behalf of a client.
Legal Authority, Medical Basis and Public Policy for Controlling and Scheduling Controlled Substances

Publisher Summary The protocols for controlling drugs and estimates of United States medical requirements for scheduling drugs arose from the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). The responsibility for controlling and scheduling drugs and other substances is jointly shared by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) expressed through the United States attorney general, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA assesses the abuse potential through a risk assessment and labeling of abuse/dependence risks, and the DEA issues licenses for controlled substances and manufacturers, sets quotas, and licenses prescribers, and provides law enforcement. The states have the authority to regulate further the use and distribution of substances controlled by the CSA in medical practice, based on their broad police power to protect the public morals, and health and safety afforded by the United States Constitution. The medical basis for scheduling medications is a complex process that focuses on balancing the therapeutic value against the abuse potential of the medications as indicated by the numbered class (CI–V) assigned to the drugs and other substances. Evaluation of data is based on characteristics of the drug, which include chemistry, pharmacology (animal and human), pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and adverse events reported in clinical trials. The current drug control policy balances the availability for medical use against the prohibition to reduce actual and potential abuse from scheduled medications. The primary methods of reducing the misuse of controlled substances include increased monitoring and restrictions on availability of obtaining controlled substances through illicit and fraudulent means.
Factors Contributing to Petroleum Foaming. 2. Synthetic Crude Oil Systems

The influence of petroleum asphaltenes and resins on stabilizing model oil foams comprised of light mineral oil mixed with toluene (minerol) was investigated. Two factors contribute significantly to foam volume and stability: bulk viscosity and asphaltene state of aggregation. An increase in bulk viscosity was found to increase foam stability as gauged by the total time required for a foam to collapse. Asphaltene aggregation is governed primarily by the solvent aromaticity and resin/asphaltene (R/A) ratio. There is a threshold size in the state of asphaltene aggregation above which the ability of these aggregates to stabilize foams is markedly reduced. This appears to be closely related to asphaltene flocculation and precipitation at compositions beyond the solubility limit of the asphaltenes. Solvent systems generating the highest foam volume were found to reduce the air-oil surface tension to the greatest extent. Addition of an asphaltene dispersant increased the foamability of asphaltenes in minerol a...
Stabilization in vitro of the untransformed glucocorticoid receptor complex of S49 lymphocytes by the immunophilin ligand FK506

Abstract Untransformed steroid receptors are large heteromeric complexes which have been shown to contain the mammalian heat shock proteins hsp56, hsp70 and hsp90. Based on functional and sequence homology studies, it was recently discovered that hsp56 also belongs to the FKBP class of immunophilin proteins, which are thought to mediate the actions of the immunosuppressive drugs FK506 and rapamycin. This discovery has led to the speculation that FK506 and related drugs could influence the actions of steroid receptors. In this work, we have examined the effects of FK506 on the transformation and hormone-binding properties of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) present in the cytosolic fraction of mouse S49 lymphocyte cells. Based on immunoprecipitation studies, it was found that hsp56 was indeed a component of untransformed GR complexes in S49 cytosols. It was also found that the untransformed but not the transformed GR was retained following affinity chromatography with FK506-affigel resin, reinforcing the possibility that hsp56 within the untransformed GR complex could be a target for the actions of FK506. Using a DNA-cellulose-binding assay, FK506 exhibited a 60% inhibition of dexamethasone (Dex)-induced transformation of the GR to the DNA-binding state, while sodium molybdate, a transition metal oxyanion known to stabilize GR complexes, was 100% effective. This inhibition of GR transformation by FK506 was shown to correlate with an inhibition of Dex-induced GR/hsp90 dissociation, with 10 μM FK506 preventing 48% of the GR/hsp90 complexes from dissociating. Scatchard analysis of GR hormone-binding function was performed, with FK506 treatment of cytosols causing K d values to decrease (3.36 nM) as compared to vehicle (8.42 nM) and no-addition (9.82 nM) controls. Taken together, our results suggest that FK506 can stabilize the untransformed GR complex of S49 cells and that this stabilization in turn results in an increase in GR ligand-binding affinity. Although we speculate that these actions of FK506 on the GR complex are mediated by the associated hsp56 component, other possible mechanisms are also discussed.