cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Financing Flexibility in a Global Market: The Metropolitan Distribution of Equity Investment1

As firms increasingly rely upon intangible assets such as human capital, innovative capacity, and brand equity, they are less able to tap traditional sources of capital such as bank or debt financing. Equity finance (the offering of ownership shares through public stock markets) is frequently the only means of finance available to knowledge-based firms or firms with few fixed assets. The intent of this research is to chart the spatial patterns of equity investment growth in the U.S. metropolitan system using the market capitalizations of 7,926 U.S. firms. Given the necessity of capital for economic growth, these patterns are of obvious importance to geographers. It is shown that volumes of equity investment are both highly skewed towards large firms, the service and FIRE sectors, and a core of metropolitan headquarters sites. Equity capital was found to flow away from Manufacturing Belt cities and towards cities dominated by smaller firms. In addition, it was found that changes in the volume of equity inv...
Mechanisms and Management of Hypertension in Pregnant Women

Hypertension is the most common medical disorder encountered during pregnancy. A recent report highlighted hypertensive disorders as one of the major causes of pregnancy-related maternal deaths in the United States. Significant advances in our understanding of preeclampsia, a form of hypertension unique to pregnancy, have occurred in recent years. The optimal timing and choice of therapy for hypertensive pregnancy disorders involves carefully weighing the risk-versus-benefit ratio for each individual patient, with an overall goal of improving maternal and fetal outcomes. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms thought to be involved, review the current management guidelines for hypertensive pregnancy disorders as recommended by international guideline groups, and outline some newer perspectives on management.
Correlates of Depressive Symptoms Among Women Seeking Cancer Genetic Counseling and Risk Assessment at a High-Risk Cancer Clinic

The aims of this study were to (1) assess the level of depression among women seeking cancer genetic counseling and risk assessment and to (2) identify and describe the demographic, health history, and health behavior correlates of clinically significant depression. Participants were 280 women presenting for an intake appointment at a university cancer risk clinic. During intake, participants completed questionnaires assessing demographics, health history, health practices, and depression. Twenty-eight percent of the sample met criteria for at least mild depression. Descriptive statistics indicated that depressed women were more likely to be African American, to have more children, less likely to receive a mammogram, and consumed fewer alcoholic drinks per week than nondepressed women. Given the known associations between depression, health behaviors such as cancer screening, and potential responses to the genetic testing process, assessment of mood disturbance remains an important consideration for genetic counselors.
Male lures for mediterranean fruitfly (Ceratitis capitata wied.): Structural analogs of α-copaene

Nine sesquiterpenes structurally related to the potent male Mediterranean fruit fly lure (+)-α-copaene were tested in a series of field bioassays to determine their male medfly attractiveness relative to one another and to (+)-α-copaene itself. This study was carried out to determine the relative importance of the various substructure components of the (+)-α-copaene molecule in eliciting an attractive response in the male fly. Tests indicated that any deviation from the three-dimensional structure of (+)-α-copaene leads to major losses in male fly attractancy. The tested analogs fell into two groups, based on their levels of attraction: (+)-α-ylangene, (+)-β-copaene, (+)-β-ylangene, and (-)-α-copaene were found to be somewhat attractive, although much less so than (+)-α-copaene, while (+)-cyclosativene, (+)-cyclocopacamphene, (+)-longicyclene, (+)-longipinene, and (-)-trans-α-bergamotene were not attractive.
GENETIC VARIATION IN ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES AND LUNG FUNCTION

Abstract Not all cigarette smokers develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and discovering susceptibility factors is an important research priority. The oxidative burden of smoking may overwhelm antioxidant defenses, and vulnerabilities may exist as a result of sequence variants in genes encoding antioxidant enzymes. This study explored the association between genetic variation in a network of antioxidant enzymes and lung phenotypes. Linear models evaluated single-locus marker associations in 2387 European American and African American participants in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study. After corrections were made for multiple comparisons, 15 statistically significant associations were identified, all of which were for SNP by smoking interactions. The most statistically significant findings were for genes encoding members of the isocitrate dehydrogenase gene family ( IDH3A, IDH3B, IDH2 ). For rs6107100 ( IDH3B ) the variant genotype was associated with a difference of 6% in the FEV 1 /FVC ratio in African American current smokers, but the SNP had little or no association with FEV 1 /FVC in former and never smokers (nominal p interaction = 5 × 10 − 6 ). A variant of the peroxiredoxin gene (rs9787810, PRDX5 ) was associated with lower percentage predicted FEV 1 and a lower ratio in European American current smokers, with little or no association in other smoking groups (nominal p interaction = 0.0001 and 0.0003, respectively). The studied genes have not been reported in previous candidate gene association studies, and thus the findings suggest novel mechanisms and targets for future research and provide evidence for a contribution of sequence variation in genes encoding antioxidant enzymes to susceptibility in smokers.
New species of Picea A. Dietrich (Pinaceae) from the middle Eocene of Axel Heiberg Island, Arctic Canada

The discovery of several hundred fertile and vegetative remains of three new species of Picea A. Dietrich (P. sverdrupii, P. nansenii, P. palustris) from the middle Eocene (45 Myr) sediments of the Buchanan Lake Formation on eastern Axel Heiberg Island, Canadian High Arctic provides a basis for re-assessment of the fossil record of the genus and evaluation of the morphological variability in this taxon. The identification and classification of extantPicea is based on a whole-tree concept that in turn is based on the importance of one or more of the following features: cross-sectional shape of the leaves; degree of pubescence of the twigs; arrangement of the stomata on the leaves; colour of the leaves and new growth shoots; length and shape of the cones; shape and degree of pubescence of the buds; and cone-scale morphology. However, the degree of intraspecific variability of these characters is poorly understood and has contributed a great deal towards our general inability to interpret reliably the evolutionary history and phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Examination of the bracts of the Axel Heiberg spruces and all extant species of Picea indicates that bract morphology is distinctive for each species and useful for species circumscription. These data allow the genus to be divided into two broad morphological groups that are in general agreement with topologies based on molecular data.
Stage-specific and cell type-specific aspects of genomic imprinting effects in mammals

Recent studies have revealed that maternal and paternal alleles of some imprinted genes are differentially expressed from the earliest time of expression, with virtually no expression from one of the two alleles, while for other imprinted genes the normally silent allele can be transcribed during early development. In addition, a number of imprinted genes manifest their imprints only in select tissues. These observations indicate that the marks that denote parental chromosome origin need not directly determine allele expression, but rather bias later epigenetic modifications toward a particular allele. Thus, factors expressed at specific stages or in specific cell types are required to silence one parental allele or another. Stage-dependent and tissue-specific epigenetic modifications include the progressive establishment of the mature adult parental allele-specific DNA methylation patterns. These changes resemble and may share a common mechanistic basis with other epigenetic modifications that occur during development. Understanding the mechanisms by which these post-fertilization epigenetic modifications are mediated and regulated will be essential for understanding how genomic imprinting leads to differences in parental allele expression.
The Tectonic Framework of the Sumatran Subduction Zone

The great Aceh-Andaman earthquake of December 26, 2004 and its tragic consequences brought the Sumatran region and its active tectonics into the world’s focus. The plate tectonic setting of Sumatra has been as it is today for tens of millions of years, and catastrophic geologic events have likely been plentiful. The immaturity of our understanding of great earthquakes and other types of geologic hazards contributed to the surprise regarding the location of the 2004 earthquake. The timing, however, is probably best understood simply in terms of the inevitability of the infrequent events that shape the course of geologic progress. Our best hope is to improve understanding of the processes involved and decrease our vulnerability to them.
HIV latency: present knowledge, future directions.

Current therapies do not eradicate HIV from infected patients. Indeed, HIV hides in a latent form insensitive to these therapies. Thus, one priority is to eliminate these latent reservoirs. But what mechanisms are responsible for latency and what are the reservoirs of latently infected cells? The present knowledge in terms of HIV latency is still incomplete and current therapeutic strategies fail to eradicate latently infected cells. This article reviews present research and discusses possible future strategies.
PRODUCTS OF GRADUATE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE SCHOOLS: UNTAPPED RESOURCES?

This is a study of the employment situation and the types of positions potentially available for library and information science graduates. It presents a rather dismal picture for library and information science graduates. Certainly, it is evident that many positions require technical backgrounds, such as computer science and engineering. However, the relatively high ranking of communication and business administration majors indicates that this is not the sole consideration. In the less technical categories, such as technical writers, documentation specialists, editors, etc. in positions related to 'preparing data or information for use by others', library and information science respondents shed some light on the problem, which seems to centre around public relations.
Skeletal biology in the toothless (osteopetrotic) rat

The toothless (tl) rat is a nonlethal osteopetrotic mutation characterized by the presence of few osteoclasts and the failure to be cured by bone-marrow transplantation. We examined the skeletal biology of tl rats and normal littermates up to 6 weeks after birth. Osteoclasts in tl rats were small, reduced 25-fold in number, and had greatly reduced concentrations of acid hydrolases. Bone shape internally and externally reflected reduced bone resorption, and tl rats were hypophosphatemic and mildly hypocalcemic at 2 weeks. These data indicate that the basic defect in tl rats is one of differentiation of osteoclasts and, coupled with the observation that normal bone-marrow cells cannot develop into osteoclasts in the tl skeleton, suggest that the defect lies in the skeletal micro-environment.
Comparing models of computation

We give a denotational framework (a meta model) within which certain properties of models of computation can be understood and compared. It describes concurrent processes as sets of possible behaviors. Compositions of processes are given as intersections of their behaviors. The interaction between processes is through signals, which are collections of events. Each event is a value-tag pair, where the tags can come from a partially ordered or totally ordered set. Timed models are where the set of tags is totally ordered. Synchronous events share the same tag, and synchronous signals contain events with the same set of tags. Synchronous systems contain synchronous signals. Strict causality (in timed systems) and continuity (in untimed systems) ensure determinacy under certain technical conditions. The framework is used to compare certain essential features of various models of computation, including Kahn process networks, dataflow, sequential processes, concurrent sequential processes with rendezvous, Petri nets, and discrete-event systems.
Applications of Symbolic Execution to Program Testing

The advanced method of symbolic evaluation can be applied to program testing situations with results close to those of formal correctness proofs–but without the high cost.
Kabat Database and its applications: 30 years after the first variability plot

The Kabat Database was initially started in 1970 to determine the combining site of antibodies based on the available amino acid sequences at that time. Bence Jones proteins, mostly from human, were aligned, using the now-known Kabat numbering system, and a quantitative measure, variability, was calculated for every position. Three peaks, at positions 24–34, 50–56 and 89–97, were identified and proposed to form the complementarity determining regions (CDR) of light chains. Subsequently, antibody heavy chain amino acid sequences were also aligned using a different numbering system, since the locations of their CDRs (31–35B, 50–65 and 95–102) are different from those of the light chains. CDRL1 starts right after the first invariant Cys 23 of light chains, while CDRH1 is eight amino acid residues away from the first invariant Cys 22 of heavy chains. During the past 30 years, the Kabat database has grown to include nucleotide sequences, sequences of T cell receptors for antigens (TCR), major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules and other proteins of immunological interest. It has been used extensively by immunologists to derive useful structural and functional information from the primary sequences of these proteins. An overall view of the Kabat Database and its various applications are summarized here. The Kabat Database is freely available at http://immuno.bme.nwu.edu
Using strongly typed networking to architect for tussle

Today's networks discriminate towards or against traffic for a wide range of reasons, and in response end users and their applications increasingly attempt to evade monitoring and control, resulting in an ongoing tussle whose roots run deep. In this work we explore an architectural paradigm that can accommodate such tussles in a systematic and transparent fashion. The key idea at the core of our design is strongly typed networking: the notion that application messages contain type information that fully describes the content being transferred. Our framework allows for transparency between parties which then leads to dialog and choice for both users and service providers. While in the early stages, we provide a possible framework for directly addressing the tussle between end users and "the network" without resorting to an ever-increasing degree of obfuscation and inference.
Development of a dual detector phase x-ray imaging system: design considerations

An in-line phase x-ray imaging prototype was developed based on an innovative dual-detector configuration. In this communication, the design considerations of the dual-detector concept, particularly on the detectors were discussed. Experimentally and with the prototype, signal and noise characteristics were measured. Both attenuation and phase contrast images of selected phantom were acquired. These images offer adequate image quality to facilitate the retrieval of quantitative phase maps of the phantoms. The results demonstrated that x-ray phase imaging is technically feasible under a single exposure; it has potential for improving the accuracy of clinical diagnosis, at reasonable radiation dose.
Infrared heterodyne spectroscopy of CO2 on Mars

An infrared heterodyne spectrometer operating near 11 micrometers with a resolving power of 1,500,000 has been used to obtain spectral line profiles of carbon dioxide absorption in the Martian atmosphere. For a periodic calibration of the system sensitivity, a black body at 500 K was placed in front of the chopper. Atmospheric transmission was determined by measuring heterodyne signals from the moon and Mars as a function of the zenith angle.
Software-Pipelining on Multi-Core Architectures

It is becoming increasingly evident that multi-core chip architecture are emerging as a solution to efficiently amortizing the ever-growing number of transistors on a chip. However the success of such multi-core chips depends on the advances in system software technology, such as compiler and run-time system, in order for the application programs to exploit thread level parallelism out of originally single-threaded applications and to fully utilize the hardware on-chip concurrency. In this paper, we propose a method which, from a parallel and non-parallel imperfect loop nest written in a standard sequential language such as C or Fortran, automatically generates a multi-threaded software-pipelined schedule for multi-core architectures. The generated schedule already contains all the necessary synchronization instructions and is guaranteed free of deadlocks and buffer overflow. The feasibility of the proposed method within a modern compiler infrastructure has been verified through a pilot implementation in the Open64 compiler and tested on the IBM Cyclops multi-core architecture. Experimental results show that the performance exhibits good scalability even with 100 cores. Our light-weight synchronization mechanism minimizes the dependencies stalls and synchronization overheads without the use of dedicated hardware support.
Morphological Manipulation and Plasticization of the Electrostatic Network in Perfluorosulfonate Ionomers

The addition of small molecule fluorosurfactants to perfluorosulfonate ionomers has been found to have a profound effect on the morphology and mechanical properties of solution processed membranes. Perfluorooctane sulfonates neutralized with both alkali metal and alkylammonium counterions have been incorporated into solution processed Nafion® membranes. Sodium neutralized fluorosurfactants were found to crystallize during membrane casting leading to the formation of a surface layer of crystalline material. Tetramethylammonium neutralized surfactants behave in a similar fashion with crystallization of the surfactant occurring during casting. The use of large tetrabutylammonium counterions is found to prevent crystallization of the surfactant and create a highly plasticized membrane.
Hyaloclastite and lava flows on young seamounts examined with a submersible

Four small seamounts that rise 800 to 1,200 m above the flanks of the East Pacific Rise at the Pacific-Rivera plate boundary were examined and sampled during four dives of DSV-3 Turtle . They are all volcanic cones, at least two of them with summit craters. Samples from three of the volcanos are tholeiitic basalt that chemically resembles the basalt erupted at the rise crest, although they are less fractionated. One of the cones within 15 km of the spreading axis has very young flows of sheet and pillow lava on its summit, including some en echelon pillow walls. The other seamounts, farther from the plate boundary, appear extinct and generally have more weathered lava with thicker ferromanganese crusts. They also have extensive flows of hyaloclastite that probably formed in deep-water phreatomagmatic eruptions. Typical hyaloclastite landforms are stone streams of rocks that have moved down side slopes of volcanos and been stabilized by precipitation of volcanogenic ferromanganese cements.
Oxidation inhibition effects of phosphorus and boron in different carbon fabrics

Abstract To improve oxidation inhibition, elemental boron and two phosphorus compounds were doped into an activated carbon cloth and a carbon felt. The hypothesis was that P can block active sites by virtue of the formation of C–P–O or C–O–P bonds at graphene edges while substitutional B can alter the chemical reactivity of the residual free active sites by reducing the electron density in the graphene layer. To increase the final dopant concentration, the carbon felt was activated in nitric acid. The crystallinity of activated carbon cloth was improved by heat treatment and substitutional B; that of carbon felt was also improved, but not necessarily due to substitutional B. In all cases the oxidation reactivity is suppressed by heat treatment and in the presence of dopants. The oxidation inhibition mechanism in P-doped samples appears to be active sites blockage because of a proportional increase of oxidation inhibition with increasing P loading. The results for B-doped samples are consistent with our previous studies in which B was found to exhibit both a catalytic and an inhibiting effect on carbon oxidation. Samples doped with both P and B showed the most effective oxidation inhibition and their oxidation behavior is described in detail.
Why does a trait evolve multiple times within a clade? Repeated evolution of snakelike body form in squamate reptiles

Why does a trait evolve repeatedly within a clade? When examining the evolution of a trait, evolutionary biologists typically focus on the selective advantages it may confer and the genetic and developmental mechanisms that allow it to vary. Although these factors may be necessary to explain why a trait evolves in a particular instance, they may not be sufficient to explain phylogenetic patterns of repeated evolution or conservatism. Instead, other factors may also be important, such as biogeography and competitive interactions. In squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) a dramatic transition in body form has occurred repeatedly, from a fully limbed, lizardlike body form to a limb-reduced, elongate, snakelike body form. We analyze this trait in a phylogenetic and biogeographic context to address why this transition occurred so frequently. We included 261 species for which morphometric data and molecular phylogenetic information were available. Among the included species, snakelike body form has evolved about 25 times. Most lineages of snakelike squamates belong to one of two "ecomorphs," either short-tailed burrowers or long-tailed surface dwellers. The repeated origins of snakelike squamates appear to be associated with the in situ evolution of these two ecomorphs on different continental regions (including multiple origins of the burrowing morph within most continents), with very little dispersal of most limb-reduced lineages between continental regions. Overall, the number of repeated origins of snakelike morphology seems to depend on large-scale biogeographic patterns and community ecology, in addition to more traditional explanations (e.g., selection, development).
Neuromodulation of ion transport in porcine distal colon: NPY reduces secretory actions of leukotrienes

Electrical transmural stimulation (ETS) was used to examine the neuroregulation of electrolyte transport in the porcine distal colon. ETS of the colonic mucosa-submucosa mounted in Ussing chambers produced rapid and transient increases in short-circuit current (Isc) that were inhibited 36% by serosal bumetanide, suggesting that a portion of the response may be attributed to Cl secretion. ETS actions were dependent upon stimulus intensity and frequency and were inhibited by tetrodotoxin and omega-conotoxin. Prazosin and pyrilamine had no effect on the mucosal responses to ETS, whereas atropine reduced the responses by 32%. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) also reduced the mucosal responses to ETS up to 60% (half-maximal effective concentration = 17 nM). In addition, the effects of leukotriene C4, previously shown to stimulate Cl secretion via a neuronal pathway, were also inhibited by NPY. These results indicate that cholinergic submucosal neurons play a role in the regulation of epithelial ion transport and that NPY acts as an inhibitory neuromodulator, particularly on leukotriene-sensitive neurons in the porcine distal colon.
The Role of History: Book Review, William Cuddihy, 'The Fourth Amendment: Origins and Original Meaning'

This is a review of William Cuddihy's treatise on the historical background of the Fourth Amendment and examines the debate regarding the role that history should play in its interpretation. There appears to be a never ending debate whether the exact historical practices or broader values that are seen as underlying those practices are the important lessons of history. Should exact historical practices be dispositive of Fourth Amendment claims? Or should the underlying values of the Framers be the ultimate guide, permitting the evolution of the regulation of searches and seizures? The second method of analysis is only inconsistent with the common law as a tool of interpretation if the common law is seen to have dispositive effect. The lessons of history are not inconsistent with the belief that the Constitution is a living document. Historical analysis is arguably important primarily to identify the values of the Framers, which should be used to inform the Court’s adaptation of the Fourth Amendment to modern conditions. Cuddihy's book, although not without flaws, is a major contribution to our knowledge of history.
Enriched surface acidity for surfactant-free suspensions of carboxylated carbon nanotubes purified by centrifugation

Abstract It is well known that surfactant-suspended carbon nanotube (CNT) samples can be purified by centrifugation to decrease agglomerates and increase individually-dispersed CNTs. However, centrifugation is not always part of protocols to prepare CNT samples used in biomedical applications. Herein, using carboxylated multi-walled CNTs (cMWCNTs) suspended in water without a surfactant, we developed a Boehm titrimetric method for the analysis of centrifuged cMWCNT suspensions and used it to show that the surface acidity of oxidized carbon materials in aqueous cMWCNT suspensions was enriched by ∼40% by a single low-speed centrifugation step. This significant difference in surface acidity between un-centrifuged and centrifuged cMWCNT suspensions has not been previously appreciated and is important because the degree of surface acidity is known to affect the interactions of cMWCNTs with biological systems.
Sex Pheromones of Spodoptera exigua S. eridania, and S. frugiperda: Bioassay for Field Activity

The reported sex pheromones for Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), S. eridania (Cramer), and S. frugiperda (J. E. smith) were bioassayed for attractiveness to native males by using pheromone-baited sticky traps. None of the chemicals tested either alone or in admixtures, were attractive to S. exigua or S. eridania Highly purified (Z)-9-dodecen-1-ol acetate (Z-9-DDA) was more attractive to ♂ S. frugiperda than Z-9-DDA plus the E isomer, but the E isomer did not appear to be strongly inhibitory pure (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate (Z-9-TDA) was not attractive to S. frugiperda , but a mixture containing the E isomer was moderately attractive. Addition of small amounts of Z-9-TDA to Z-9-DDA did not enhance the attractiveness of Z-9-DDA to S. frugiperda . A mixture of Z-9-TDA: ( Z,E )-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (96:4) also attracted a significant number of S. frugiperda males.
Mission and Motion Planning for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Operating in Spatially and Temporally Complex Environments

This paper seeks to enhance the autonomy of underwater vehicles. The proposed approach takes as input a mission specified via a regular language and automatically plans a collision-free, dynamically feasible, and low-cost trajectory which enables the vehicle to accomplish the mission. Regular languages provide a convenient mathematical model that frees users from the burden of unnatural low-level commands and instead allows them to describe missions at a high level in terms of desired objectives. To account for the constraints imposed by the mission, vehicle dynamics, collision avoidance, and the complex spatial and temporal variability of the ocean environment, the approach tightly couples mission planning with sampling-based motion planning. A key aspect is a discrete abstraction obtained by combining the finite automaton representing the regular language with a navigation roadmap constructed by probabilistic sampling. The approach searches the discrete abstraction to compute low-cost and collision-free navigation routes that are compatible with the mission. Sampling-based motion planning is then used to expand a tree of dynamically feasible trajectories along the navigation routes. The approach is validated both in simulation and field experiments. Results demonstrate the efficiency and the scalability of the approach and show significant improvements over related work.
Simple emulated computer improvements to facilitate understanding in introductory computer programming and computer organization/architecture classes

This paper describes improvements to a very simple, four instruction CPU, originally designed using digital logic simulation software, and used briefly in introductory C# programming classes to illustrate computer architecture concepts needed to appreciate the programming process. It is also used in a quick introduction to computer organization. One improvement is a C# version of this simple computer that hides the details of the complete logic simulation design. This implementation can also be used in a web programming environment of online classes. The other improvement provides an assembler again for use in an introduction to computer organization classes.
Clinical observation of Ligustrazine Injection adjuvant therapy 36 cases infant with bronchial asthma

Objective: To discuss the effect of Ligustrazine Injection in treatment of Infant asthma.Methods: The clinical materials of 72 cases with infant asthma were retrospectively analyzed.Results: The markedly effective time of the observation group,the effective time were(11.83±1.25) d,(3.12±0.56) d respectively;those of treatment group were(9.75±1.30) d,(2.11±0.36) d respectively,both by u test,there were highly statistical significance(all P0.01).Conclusion: Ligustrazine Injection in treatment of children with asthma compared with conventional treatment of the disease can quickly correct the heart failure,respiratory failure and ventilatory function to improve significant effect.
Variations in serum calcium and phosphorus during pregnancy: I. Normal variations

Abstract During pregnancy there is a distinct seasonal difference in the serum calcium, since blood specimens drawn during the months January to May, inclusive, average less at every stage of the pregnancy than those drawn during the remaining seven months. Following delivery the difference tends to disappear. There is also a significant decline in the calcium, approximately 5 per cent, due to the pregnancy itself up to six or seven weeks before delivery; then a slight rise until delivery, followed by a sharp increase. The postpartum values remained high, approaching the early prenatal, even with nursing, until the end of the study, from eight to eleven weeks postpartum. Close successive pregnancies tend further to lower the serum calcium level of the individual during subsequent periods of gestation. Phosphorus showed no seasonal variation, but due to the pregnancy itself there was a significant fall in the average values, about 6 per cent, until the eleventh to the thirteenth week before delivery, followed by an equal rise until term. Immediately following delivery there was a sharp rise, 19 per cent, to higher values than those observed at the beginning of the study, from twenty-six to twenty-eight weeks before delivery. These high values were maintained until the dismissal from eight to eleven weeks postpartum. There was no evidence of a lowered phosphorus level as a result of previous pregnancies.
Priming for destruction: septins at the crossroads of mitochondrial fission and bacterial autophagy

Mitochondria are essential organelles for cell survival, programmed cell death, and autophagy. They undergo cycles of fission and fusion, which are subverted by infectious pathogens and altered in many human diseases. Mitochondrial fission is mediated by the dynamin‐related protein Drp1, but the precise mechanism of its action is not well understood. In the last and current issues of EMBO Reports , two new studies [1], [2] reveal that the filamentous septin GTPases interact directly with Drp1, promoting mitochondrial fission. Moreover, mitochondria were found to promote the assembly of septin filaments into cages around cytosolic Shigella flexneri bacteria [2], which are targeted for autophagy. Thus, septins emerge as integral components of the machinery of mitochondrial fission and may pose a novel link between mitochondria and autophagy.
Postoperative Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Arachnoiditis, and Epidural Analgesia

Background and Objectives A 58-year-old man developed progressive neurologic symptoms following a surgical procedure and postoperative epidural analgesia. Methods Neurologic evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and electromyography indicated the presence of both arachnoiditis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. The patient was treated with plasmapheresis and methylprednisone. Results The patient began to show clinical and electromyographic recovery but was lost to follow-up after his transfer to a rehabilitation facility. Conclusions Anesthesiologists should be aware of the possible postoperative occurrence of rare neurologic disorders, both in patients who have received epidural analgesia and in those who have not, but they should not be deterred from using epidural analgesia by this isolated case.
Domestic institutions and foreign assistance in Haiti: Requisites for economic development

Considering institutional and geographic explanations for economic development, the institutional thesis is relevant to explain the historically weak governance structure, even as there have been robust foreign assistance efforts for development in recent years. Taken together, the weak role of the state and low levels of human development are evidence of the challenges. Reviewing the postâ€ colonial legacy of Haiti, and its impact on economic development, this article discusses the lack of an integral state resulting in weak institutions. Especially since the earthquake in early 2010, the international development community has been an essential partner for reform initiatives, which will require accountable and inclusive domestic institutions to be effective.
Molecular Origin of the Vibrational Structure of Ice Ih

An unambiguous assignment of the vibrational spectra of ice Ih remains a matter of debate. This study demonstrates that an accurate representation of many-body interactions between water molecules, combined with an explicit treatment of nuclear quantum effects through many-body molecular dynamics (MB-MD), leads to a unified interpretation of the vibrational spectra of ice Ih in terms of the structure and dynamics of the underlying hydrogen-bond network. All features of the infrared and Raman spectra in the OH stretching region can be unambiguously assigned by taking into account both the symmetry and the delocalized nature of the lattice vibrations as well as the local electrostatic environment experienced by each water molecule within the crystal. The high level of agreement with experiment raises prospects for predictive MB-MD simulations that, complementing analogous measurements, will provide molecular-level insights into fundamental processes taking place in bulk ice and on ice surfaces under differe...
A TDMA data-buffering technique that provides minimum throughput delays while allowing time-slot reassignments without data-transfer interruptions

Data-buffering techniques currently used in time-division-multiple-access (TDMA) networks are described, including a short-delay technique called sub-framing. The sub-framing technique produces minimum user-to-user streamed-data throughput delays but results in data-transfer interruptions when TDMA time-slot resources have reassigned positions in the time frame. A simple modification to the sub-framing data-buffering technique is proposed, and it accommodates dynamic TDMA time-slot resource reassignments without data-transfer interruptions. This proposed data buffering technique provides the same minimum user-to-user streamed-data throughput delay, which is approximately equal to the difference between the TDMA frame time and the TDMA time-slot duration, but does not have data-transfer interruptions when TDMA time-slot resources have reassigned positions in the time frame.
ABSOLUTE MACROPHAGE REQUIREMENT FOR T-LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVATION BY MITOGENS

Publisher Summary The chapter describes an experiment in which in order to determine whether mitogen-induced T-cell activation is macrophage (MO) dependent, purified guinea pig T-lymphocytes containing 2% B-cells and 0.3% MO are prepared from lymph node cells. Purified T-lymphocytes by themselves no longer proliferated in response to either the antigen (DNP-OA) or mitogens (Con A or PHA). Their response to all three stimuli is fully restored by the addition of 10% x-irradiated syngeneic MO, thus clearly demonstrating the absolute MO dependency of mitogenic activation. The chapter discusses the mechanism of action of MO in this response. The presence of MO-derived soluble factors is demonstrated by using modified Marbrook chambers where the T cells and MO are separated by a 0.2 μ nucleopore membrane. Using this technique, it is possible to reliably and reproducibly demonstrate the functional ability of soluble factors from MO. In this form of T-cell activation, MO functions in two distinct ways: (1) by “presentation” of the mitogen to the T cell and (2) by elaborating a soluble factor that acts as a second activation signal for T cells that have already bound mitogens.
Convolving Shell Sensors and Actuators Applied to Rings

Spillover problems can occur when modal cross couplings introduced by the residual modes come into feedback in a closed—loop distributed control system. Observation spillover is due to the infinite summation of feedback control forces in the closed—loop control equations, and this spillover can introduce unstable dynamic responses in undamped structural systems (Meirovitch & Baruh, 1983). Thus, it is highly desirable that sensors only monitor those modes needed to be controlled such that observation spillover is prevented. In reality, however, sensors not only respond to controlled modes, but also those uncontrolled residual modes. There are several techniques of reducing the observation spillover. Conventional practice is to place sensors, spatially discrete sensors, at modal nodes or nodal lines of the residual modes. The difficulty with this arrangement is that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to avoid all uncontrolled residual modes. Another common approach is to pre—filter the sensor data using a comb filter with phase—locked loops (Gustafson & Speyer, 1976). The phase—locked loop filter reduces the observation spillover in the frequency domain. This technique requires that 1) the controlled modal frequencies are precisely known; 2) there is a reasonable separation from the nearby residual modes; 3) the signal—to—noise ratio is sufficiently high. The other method is to use spatially distributed modal sensors which respond only to a structural mode or a group of modes. In addition, feedback control forces for controlled modes could also appear in the governing equations of other uncontrolled modes resulting from modal interactions among all participating modes — control spillover.
Consequences of Dimerization of the Voltage-Gated Proton Channel

Abstract The human voltage-gated proton channel, hH V 1, appears to exist mainly as a dimer. Teleologically, this is puzzling because each protomer retains the main properties that characterize this protein: proton conduction that is regulated by conformational (channel opening and closing) changes that occur in response to both voltage and pH. The H V 1 dimer is mainly linked by C-terminal coiled-coil interactions. Several types of mutations produce monomeric constructs that open approximately five times faster than the wild-type dimeric channel but with weaker voltage dependence. Intriguingly, the quintessential function of the H V 1 dimer, opening to allow H + conduction, occurs cooperatively. Both protomers undergo a conformational change, but both must undergo this transition before either can conduct. The teleological purpose of dimerization may be to steepen the voltage dependence of channel opening, at least in phagocytes. In other cells, the purpose is not understood. Finally, several single-celled species have H V that are likely monomeric.
Chapter 19 - Multisite Cellular and Synaptic Mechanisms in Hermissenda Pavlovian Conditioning

Cellular studies of associative learning indicate that changes in synaptic strength and intrinsic enhanced cellular excitability are basic mechanisms supporting the formation and expression of memory within the nervous system. An analysis of the Pavlovian conditioned CR complex in Hermissenda has led to the identification of molecular mechanisms contributing to the acquisition of short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term memory. Cellular and synaptic changes have been examined at multiple loci within the neural network supporting the generation of the CR complex. The neural circuitry supporting the expression of the conditioned responses has been identified, and this provides for the opportunity to understand how cellular and molecular modifications at different loci within a neural circuit can reconfigure the network to express learned behavior.
Non-factive Understanding: A Statement and Defense

In epistemology and philosophy of science, there has been substantial debate about truth’s relation to understanding. “Non-factivists” hold that radical departures from the truth are not always barriers to understanding; “quasi-factivists” demur. The most discussed example concerns scientists’ use of idealizations in certain derivations of the ideal gas law from statistical mechanics. Yet, these discussions have suffered from confusions about the relevant science, as well as conceptual confusions. Addressing this example, we shall argue that the ideal gas law is best interpreted as favoring non-factivism about understanding, but only after delving a bit deeper into the statistical mechanics that has informed these arguments and stating more precisely what non-factivism entails. Along the way, we indicate where earlier discussions have gone astray, and highlight how a naturalistic approach furnishes more nuanced normative theses about the interaction of rationality, understanding, and epistemic value.
Functional Effects of a Neuromelanin Analogue on Dopaminergic Neurons in 3D Cell Culture

The substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) is a discrete region of the brain that exhibits a dark pigment, neuromelanin (NM), a biomaterial with unique properties and the subject of ongoing research pertaining to neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease (PD). Obtaining human tissue to isolate this pigment is costly and labor intensive, making it necessary to find alternatives to model the biochemical interaction of NM and its implications on PD. To address this limitation, we modified our established silk 3D brain tissue model to emulate key characteristics of the SNpc by using a structural analogue of NM to examine the effects of the material on dopaminergic neurons using Lund’s human mesencephalon (LUHMES) cells. We utilized a sepia-melanin, squid ink, derived NM analogue (NM-sim) to chelate ferric iron, and this iron-neuromelanin precipitate (Fe-NM) was purified and characterized. We then exposed LUHMES dopaminergic cells to the NM-sim, Fe-NM-sim, and control vehicle within 3D silk protein ...
Chromosome Effects Induced by Low Levels of Mutagens

In the past, the standard way to quantify the cytogenetic effects of mutagens has been to study the chromosome aberrations induced in somatic cells. The types of aberrations formed and the kinetic patterns of their induction, however, vary depending upon the mutagen and the part of the cell cycle treated,making inter-comparisons between mutagens rather difficult. For instance, with ionizing radiations chromosome aberrations that affect both chromatids of the chromosome identically are induced when G1 cells are treated, whereas when S or G2 cells are irradiated, chromatid aberrations are found (1). With ultraviolet light and with most chemical mutagens, on the other hand, mainly chromatid aberrations are found irrespective of the stage of the cell cycle treated. Ionizing radiations thus appear capable of breaking chromosomes at the time of treatment, whereas the other mutagens seem to induce lesions that lead to aberration formation as the cell proceeds through the S phase during which the chromosomes replicate.
Law and Politics under the Abbasids: An Intellectual Portrait of al-Juwayni

Abu Ma'ali al-Juwayni (d.478/1085) lived in a politically tumultuous period. The rise of powerful dynastic families forced the Abbasid Caliph into a position of titular power, and created instability. He also witnessed intellectual upheavals living amidst great theological and legal diversity. Collectively, these experiences led him to consider questions of religious certainty and social and political continuity. He noted that if political elites are constantly changing, paralleled with shifting intellectual allegiances, what ensures the continuity of religion? He concluded that continuity of society is contingent upon knowledge and practice of the Shari'a. Here, Sohaira Siddiqui explores how scholars grappled with questions of human reason and knowledge, and how their answers to these questions often led them to challenge dominant ideas of what the Shari'a is. By doing this, she highlights the interconnections between al-Juwayni's discussions on theology, law and politics, and the socio-political intellectual landscapes that forged them.
Non-modifiable Risk Factors Associated with Avascular Necrosis in the US Military

Introduction Often referred to as aseptic or osteonecrosis, avascular necrosis (AVN) typically affects people between 30 and 50 years of age. Given the substantial morbidity associated with AVN as well as overlapping age groups of both the military and average age at diagnosis for AVN, the military represents an ideal cohort for a large database study to elicit the incidence and epidemiology of AVN. The purpose of this study was to identify demographic risk factors in the United States military. Materials and methods First-time occurrences for ICD-9-CM codes for all types of AVN (head of humerus, head and neck of femur, medial femoral condyle, talus, and other bone) between 2004 and 2014 were queried in the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database. Multivariate data analysis was performed to obtain adjusted rate (adjusted for age, sex, race, rank, and branch of service). Results Between 2005 and 2014, 2,671 cases of AVN occurred among an at-risk population of 13,820,906 servicemembers for an unadjusted IR of 0.19 per 1,000 person-years. The most common location was located at the proximal femur, responsible for 41.7% of all cases. With an adjusted rate ratio of 18.7, the over 40 age-group accounted for 53.3% of cases. Servicemembers of black race, Senior rank, and the Army branch of service were more at risk for AVN. Conclusions The overall incidence of AVN was 0.19 per 1,000 person-years. Whilte increasing age had the greatest influence on the development of symptomatic AVN, other statistically significant risk factors were found to be increasing age, black race, senior enlisted rank, and Army branch of service.