cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heresthetical Maneuvering on the US Supreme Court

Can an apparent loser snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat? This question occupied the attention of the late William H. Riker during the last ten years of his career, and it is one that he answered in the affirmative: By constructing choice situations in order to manipulate outcomes, losers can become winners, and vice versa. Riker even coined a term, ‘heresthetics’, to describe this ‘art of political manipulation’. But is Riker’s rather large body of work the ‘idiosyncratic’ product of a ‘singular genius’ or can it serve as the ‘foundation of a new theory of politics’? Scholars have recently raised this question, and not unreasonably so, for Riker’s theory of heresthetics has yet to gain a serious foothold into the political science literature. We develop a game-theoretic model, which enables leaders — in our case, Chief Justices — to engage in heresthetical manipulations. From this model, we deduce propositions about the circumstances that would lead them to invoke heresthetical devices, as well as ...
A non-repudiation message transfer protocol for e-commerce

In the business world, exchange of signatures or receipts is a common practice in case of future dispute. Likewise, it is critical in e-commerce applications to have the security service that generates, distributes, validates, and maintains the evidence of an electronic transaction. Quite of number of non-repudiation protocols have been proposed in distributed systems and evaluated based on some evaluation criteria. However, in the context of e-commerce, there are additional evaluation criteria to be considered: fairness to both the message sender and the message receiver with respective to their control over the completion of a transaction, the degree of trust on a third party, and existence dependency on a third-party for dispute settlement on a committed transaction. We identify the set of requirements for a message transfer protocol in e-commerce, and propose a new non-repudiation message transfer protocol that meets these additional criteria. Our protocol protects the confidentiality of message contents such that no unauthorized intermediary is able to see the contents. And, the protocol is superior to other protocols in that continuous existence of the third-party authority is not needed beyond the completion of a message transfer. Furthermore, with respect to the control over the commitment of a transaction, our protocol is fair to both the message sender and the receiver.
Voltage and calcium transients in basal dendrites of the rat prefrontal cortex

Higher cortical functions (perception, cognition, learning and memory) are in large part based on the integration of electrical and calcium signals that takes place in thin dendritic branches of neocortical pyramidal cells (synaptic integration). The mechanisms underlying the synaptic integration in thin basal dendrites are largely unexplored. We use a recently developed technique, multisite voltage–calcium imaging, to compare voltage and calcium transients from multiple locations along individual dendritic branches. Our results reveal characteristic electrical transients (plateau potentials) that trigger and shape dendritic calcium dynamics and calcium distribution during suprathreshold glutamatergic synaptic input. We regularly observed three classes of voltage–calcium interactions occurring simultaneously in three different zones of the same dendritic branch: (1) proximal to the input site, (2) at the input site, and (3) distal to the input site. One hundred micrometers away from the synaptic input site, both proximally and distally, dendritic calcium transients are in tight temporal correlation with the dendritic plateau potential. However, on the same dendrite, at the location of excitatory input, calcium transients outlast local dendritic plateau potentials by severalfold. These Ca2+ plateaus (duration 0.5–2 s) are spatially restricted to the synaptic input site, where they cause a brief down-regulation of dendritic excitability. Ca2+ plateaus are not mediated by Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, but rather by an NMDA-dependent small-amplitude depolarization, which persists after the collapse of the dendritic plateau potential. These unique features of dendritic voltage and calcium distributions may provide distinct zones for simultaneous long-term (bidirectional) modulation of synaptic contacts along the same basal branch.
Energy output:input ratio of maize and sorghum management systems in eastern Nebraska

Abstract Crop management systems need to be designed to help farmers maintain economic profitability, while conserving external energy resources and farming in an environmentally responsible manner. The objective of this study was to determine the energy output:input ratio of several maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) management systems that are typical of eastern Nebraska, USA. Management variables were, (1) nitrogen (N) fertilization, (2) previous crop (cereal or legume), (3) tillage (none or traditional), (4) herbicide (none, banded, or broadcast), and (5) water (dryland, limited irrigation, or full irrigation). Eleven management systems were delineated from different combinations of the last four variables and compared at different levels of N fertilization. The energy output:input ratio ranged from 4.1±0.5 in fully irrigated, broadcast herbicide, traditional tillage systems with cereal as previous crop and no N fertilizer to 11.6±2.5 in dryland, broadcast herbicide, traditional tillage systems with legume as previous crop and no N fertilizer. The energy output:input ratio decreased with the addition of N fertilizer in all management systems, except in fully irrigated, continuous cereal systems. Management systems with legume as previous crop had a greater energy output:input ratio than those with cereal as previous crop. Under dryland conditions with traditional tillage, the energy output:input ratio was greater with herbicide usage than without. Dryland management systems had greater energy output:input ratios than systems with irrigation. The obvious short-term advantage of greater food production from irrigated agriculture using high levels of fossil fuel derived inputs must be balanced against the long-term costs to society of depleting a scarce and non-renewable energy resource. Rotation of cereals and legumes under dryland conditions in the western Corn Belt may be more sustainable for the future based on energy use efficiency because of lower fossil fuel requirements from N fertilizer and irrigation.
Preclinical Pharmacological Evaluation of Letrozole as a Novel Treatment for Gliomas

We present data that letrozole, an extensively used aromatase inhibitor in the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors in postmenopausal women, may be potentially used in the treatment of glioblastomas. First, we measured the in vitro cytotoxicity of letrozole and aromatase (CYP19A1) expression and activity in human LN229, T98G, U373MG, U251MG, and U87MG, and rat C6 glioma cell lines. Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 and ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells served as controls. Cytotoxicity was determined employing the MTT assay, and aromatase activity using an immunoassay that measures the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Second, in vivo activity of letrozole was assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats orthotopically implanted with C6 gliomas. The changes in tumor volume with letrozole treatment (4 mg/kg/day) were assessed employing μPET/CT imaging, employing [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (F18-FDG) as the radiotracer. Brain tissues were collected for histologic evaluations. All glioma cell lines included here expressed CYP19A1 and letrozole exerted considerable cytotoxicity and decrease in aromatase activity against these cells (IC50, 0.1-3.5 μmol/L). Imaging analysis employing F18-FDG μPET/CT demonstrated a marked reduction of active tumor volume (>75%) after 8 days of letrozole treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed marked reduction in aromatase expression in tumoral regions of the brain after letrozole treatment. Thus, employing multifaceted tools, we demonstrate that aromatase may be a novel target for the treatment of gliomas and that letrozole, an FDA-approved drug with an outstanding record of safety may be repurposed for the treatment of such primary brain tumors, which currently have few therapeutic options.
Female and Male Haplostomides Scotti (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) Living in the Compound Ascidian Polyclinum Aurantium

Abstract The female of Haplostomides scotti Chatton and Harant is redescribed, and the male is described for the first time, on the basis of specimens living in the compound ascidian Polyclinum aurantium collected at Roscoff (Brittany, France). Some morphological characters of the female are at variance with the original description, which was based on one specimen from the type locality (Penpoul, near Roscoff). (?) Enterocola beaumonti Scott and Scott may be a synonym of H. scotti. The male of H. scotti is compared with males of species of Botryllophilus with respect to the armature formula for legs 1–4. Similar comparisons are attempted for seven other species of haplostomatins (in the genera Haplostoma, Haplostomides, Haplosaccus) in order to establish morphological differences between males of haplostomatins and botryllophilins.
Truth and Law: Economics and Legal Interpretation

The art of lawyering is grounded in the process of interpretation. This involves the continuous encoding and decoding of meanings and values through exchange, where exchange is not limited to commercial activity but understood broadly to encompass all forms of interaction, substitution, and value and meaning transformation - including that which occurs in language. It is a process of semiotics and it is grounded in the idea of humans as sign-making and sign-interpreting beings. Prototypical sign systems include: law, economics, language, music, fashion, architecture, science, methods of investigation, styles of argument, legal categories, interdisciplinary frameworks and paradigms, and a full range of ways in which people communicate ideas among and between each other. I have referred to this semiotic process applied to law as a cultural-interpretive approach "because this term expresses the semiotic ideas that the individual interpretive actor is situated within a cultural context and that a culture, in essence, is an implicit interpretive system". In this paper I draw on my prior work, including two books for Cambridge University Press, to address the relationship between truth and law in a market context. In doing this I consider the ability of economic analysis to function as a cultural-interpretive sign of truth in law. For those familiar with my work, they will know that I spend considerable time examining the inability of economics to transform law into an objective and positive science. In this essay, however, I want to take a different perspective and focus on the ability of economics to reduce the subjectivity and indeterminacy of law.
Abstract A81: Investigation of possible cell state dependent differential protein homeostasis mechanism(s)

Proteasome inhibition has been shown to be an important strategy for treating many types of cancer. Although proteasome inhibitors are effective at eradicating rapidly proliferating cancer cells, a subset of cancer cells enter quiescence and survive, contributing to tumor recurrence. Using primary human fibroblasts as a model system we have shown that quiescent cells have decreased reactive oxygen species levels and protein aggregates, and undergo apoptosis less frequently than proliferating cells in response to proteasome inhibition. However, the precise mechanism by which quiescent cells become resistant to proteasome inhibition remains largely unknown. Using a GFP-tagged proteasome reporter, we investigated mechanisms protecting quiescent cells from proteasome inhibition-induced apoptosis. We found that, in proliferating cells, proteasome inhibition by MG132 led to high levels of a GFP-tagged proteasome reporter with a visible ubiquitination pattern. In contrast, MG132 treatment of quiescent cells resulted in reduced levels of the ubiquitinated form of this reporter as observed by Western blot analysis. Interestingly, preliminary immunoprecipitation followed by mass-spectrometry analysis revealed none canonical ubiquitin modification on lysine 27 of the reporter in quiescent cells. These findings suggested that quiescent cells may have one or more alternative pathways preventing specific proteasome substrates accumulation in response to proteasome inhibition. Moreover, our data has shown that, upon proteasome inhibition, a GFP-tagged proteasome reporter was secreted into the condition medium. Secretion of cytoplasmic proteins in response to proteasome inhibition is one possible mechanism for reducing protein aggregation and cytotoxicity. Identification of regulatory mechanisms that are activated in quiescent cells in response to proteasome inhibition may help to suggest strategies for improving the effectiveness of proteasome inhibitors in cancer treatment. Citation Format: Gordon-Victor Fon, Chandler R. Keller, David H. Perlman, Aster Legesse-Miller. Investigation of possible cell state dependent differential protein homeostasis mechanism(s). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A81.
In vivo two-photon imaging measuring the blood-brain barrier permeability during early postnatal brain development in rodent

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a unique structure between the cerebral blood circulation and the delicate neural environment that is important in regulating the movement of molecules and ions involved in brain development and function. However, little is known about the physiological permeability of molecules and ions across the BBB during brain development. In this study we applied an innovative approach to examine the development of BBB properties quantitatively. Two-photon microscopy was employed to measure BBB permeability in real time in vivo. Vascular growth and specific interactions between astrocyte end feet and microvessels were studied by using a combination of IB4 histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy and 3D analysis.
Di- and Tetrametallic Hafnocene Oxamidides Prepared from CO-Induced N2 Bond Cleavage and Thermal Rearrangement to Hafnocene Cyanide Derivatives

Carbonylation of the hafnocene dinitrogen complex [(η5-C5H2-1,2,4-Me3)2Hf]2(μ2,η2:η2-N2) with 4 atm of carbon monoxide yielded the tetrametallic hafnocene oxamidide complex [(η5-C5H2-1,2,4-Me3)2Hf(...
Preparation and characterization of carbon powder paste ultramicroelectrodes as tips for scanning electrochemical microscopy applications

We report a simple method of preparation of carbon paste ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) for use as probe tips in scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Carbon paste UMEs were prepared by packing the carbon paste into a chemically etched tip of a Pt-UME or a pulled glass capillary. Carbon-based UMEs are attractive in micrometer to nanometer gap experiments and in electrodeposition of single metal nanoparticles for electrocatalytic studies because of their high overpotential in proton and oxygen reduction. We have demonstrated the preparation of conically shaped carbon paste UMEs, appropriate for SECM measurements and micrometer to nanometer gap experiments.
Analysis of Standardized,Scientific,Differential Service Management in Outpatient Pharmacy

Objective To explore the service optimization measures of outpatient pharmacy.Methods The new service model of standardized,scientific,differential management implemented from July 2009 to July 2010 in our outpatient pharmacy was investigated for 102 patients,and 97 patients were investigated for the pre-implementation from July 2008 to July 2009.One Way ANOVA was adopted to compare the changes of patients' satisfaction at service quality before and after the implementation of service management.Results The patients' satisfaction rate was up to 97.1% after implementing new service,which was significantly better than before(80.5%) with statistically significant difference(P 0.05).Conclusions Implementation of scientific,standardized,differential service model in the outpatient pharmacy has improved the efficiency of pharmacy staff and effectively shortened the time for patients to wait for drugs,which ensures the patients' safety,efficiency and rationality for medication,and fully satisfies the patients' requirements of high-quality,high-efficiency,and low costs of service.
Analysis of capital structure and profit ability of petroleum and petrochemistry listed company

In order to investigate capital structure affecting the profitability,with factor analysis(PCA) in statistics,taking 2008 year's financial data of listed companies in petroleum and petrochemistry as sample,the relationship between capital structure and profit ability is analyzed.Result indicates negative relationship exists between capital structure and profit ability.Thus suggestion to optimize capital structure in financial decision is put forward.
Theories and Methods in China's Chieftain System Studies during the 20th Century

Two phases were remarkable considering the theories and methods in China's chieftain system studies during the 20th century. The first was from the beginning of the century to the 1940s and the second, the remaining decades. Though the second phase was considered the time when studies enjoyed well development, it was in fact the development in the forms of study while traditional practical approaches still predominated. Moreover, analytical studies were uncommon. The author holds that, studies on the chieftain system should be put in the context of "ethnic policy studies," practical approaches and theoretical analysis be combined, workshops aiming to solve specific problems be held regularly, and materials and documents,be properly managed. Furthermore, it is necessary to establish a " Society for China's Ethnic Policy Studies in Different Dynasties." It is hoped that these efforts will promote the studies of China's chieftain system .
Advanced Reinforcement Learning

This chapter reviews issues of current research in reinforcement learning theories and their neural substrates. We consider how the formal constructs of states, actions, and rewards that these theories describe can be understood to map onto counterparts experienced by biological organisms learning in the real world. In each case, this correspondence involves significant difficulties. However, elaborated theoretical accounts from computer science clarify, in each case, how to extend these theories to more realistic circumstances while still preserving the core prediction error-driven learning mechanism that has been prominent in neuroeconomic accounts.
The Effect of Different Temperatures and Moisture Levels on Survival of Calonectria pseudonaviculata in Boxwood Leaves and Twigs and as Microsclerotia Produced in Culture

Leaves and twig sections of boxwood infected with Calonectria pseudonaviculata were incubated in sand at two moisture levels (36% [carrying capacity] and 5% water [vol/vol]) and at five temperatures (-10, 0, 10, 20, and 30°C). Percent sporulation from monthly tissue samples plated on glucose yeast-extract tyrosine media declined to zero after 5 months at 30°C and after 7 months at -10°C. At 0, 10, and 20°C, sporulation was observed through 30 months. Statistical analysis of data collected over 16 months of sampling showed a significant effect for temperature in all sample types, with maximum survival at 10°C. For discrete microsclerotia grown on cellophane sheets, sporulation was not observed after 2 months at 30°C or after7 months at -10°C. At all other temperatures, they continued to germinate over the 30 months of sampling. Statistical analysis showed significant effects for temperature and moisture level, with maximum survival at 0°C in moist soil over 16 months. These results suggest that extremes of heat and cold will kill the pathogen in plant debris but, at moderate temperatures, it will remain in soil for long periods, making replanting in affected sites in well-moderated climates difficult.
A study of methods for surgical interruption of the His bundle.

The relationship of the atrioventricular (AV) node and His bundle to surrounding structures is described from the viewpoint of the surgeon. A series of experiments were carried out for interruption of atrial to ventricular conduction that included electrocauterization of the His bundle, incision just above the tricuspid annulus to attempt to divide the His bundle, and finally excision of the right atrial wall and the insertion of the atrial septum into the right fibrous trigone to remove all connections from the A V node and atrium to the His bundle. This last procedure was the most satisfactory method, as judged by the certainty of accomplishing both His bundle interruption and interruption at its highest possible point.
Prediction of metastatic potential by cancer cell motility in the Dunning R-3327 prostatic adenocarcinoma in vivo model.

Abstract Many grading systems for prostatic carcinoma exist; however, none allows pathologists to predict accurately the prognosis of individual patients. The Dunning R-3327 prostatic adenocarcinoma model consist of sublines of known metastatic potential which were indistinguishable until recently. A visual grading system of cancer cell motility distinguished the metastatic potentials of Dunning sublines maintained in vitro and was validated prospectively. We used this grading system to assess the metastatic potential of cells harvested directly from in vivo Dunning tumors. We graded the motility of cells from three Dunning sublines of low ( 90%) AT3, MAT-LyLu, PAT2) metastatic potential. Cells obtained from primary tumors were studied by time lapse videomicroscopy after passages 1, 3 and 5 in vivo and in vitro. Membrane ruffling, pseudopodal extension and cellular translation were graded 0-10. Serial analysis of mean and heterogeneity (coefficient of variation) of membrane ruffling, pseudopodal extension and cellular translation demonstrated that subline motility grades were assessed adequately by a sample of 10 cells. Motility did not depend upon whether cells were maintained in vitro or in vivo; however, motility increased with successive passages in four of six sublines. In 60 cells harvested directly from the fifth in vivo passage, three sublines of low metastatic potential were distinguished from three sublines of high metastatic potential (Student’s t test, p
Gynecologic Brachytherapy: Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the 3rd most common malignancy in the world. Despite national trends of declining utilization, brachytherapy plays an integral role in the curative management of all locally-advanced and medically inoperable early-stage cervical cancer. Herein we review the practice implementation of brachytherapy critical to curing patients of cervical cancer, especially modern image-based high-dose rate brachytherapy.
Childrenâ€™s Way of Knowing: A Teacherâ€™s Reflection

I recently participated as a judge for a group of ninth-graders from the Synergy program at Montwood High School (MHS) in El Paso, Texas. As I arrived, student teams anxiously stood next to their projects, which collectively made an interesting chorus as ingenious contraptions hummed, bubbled, lit up, flowed, blew, smelled, turned, whistled and sputtered. Working together in small problem-solving teams, approximately 130 imaginative students impressed me with their thoughtful and surprisingly clever approaches to issues related to the environment and environmental sustainability. Judges, teachers, and visitors alike enjoyed themselves as they lingered over projects and talked to students about their presentations. It was obvious to me that scores of research, ample calculations, trial and error, and language skills were put to the test as I observed studentsâ€™ fascinating devicesâ€”like an apparatus that sequesters carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, unique energy sources powered by harnessed rainwater, a clever invention of highenergy building bricks from recycled newspaper, and a smartly designed solar powered flashlight. As the science teacher in the Synergy program from1995-May 2006, I understood, more than most visitors, the kind of curricular, pedagogical and philosophical framework necessary to support this kind of teaching and learning experience.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor rs6265 (Val66Met) polymorphism is associated with disease severity and incidence of cardiovascular events in a patient cohort

Background The rs6265 (Val66Met) single-nucleotide polymorphism in the BDNF gene has been related to a number of endophenotypes that have in turn been shown to confer risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). To date, however, very few studies have examined the association of the Val66Met single-nucleotide polymorphism with CVD clinical outcomes. Methods In a cohort of 5,510 Caucasian patients enrolled in the CATHeterization GENetics (CATHGEN) study at Duke University Hospital between 2001 and 2011, we determined the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and CVD event incidence through up to 11.8 years of follow-up. We examined the association of Val66Met genotype with time-to-death or myocardial infarction, adjusting for age, sex, CAD risk variables, and CAD severity measures. Results The Val/Val genotype was associated with a higher risk than Met carriers for clinical CVD events ( P = .034, hazard ratio 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.24). In addition, compared with Met carriers, individuals with the Val/Val genotype had a greater odds of having more diseased vessels (odds ratio 1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.30, P = .002), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (β = −0.72, 95% CI, −1.42 to −0.02, P = .044). Conclusions The Val/Val genotype was associated with greater severity of CAD and incidence of CVD-related clinical events in a patient sample. If these findings are confirmed in further research, intervention studies in clinical groups with the Val/Val genotype could be undertaken to prevent disease and improve prognosis.
Caring for the Transgender Patient

Abstract The perceived lack of interaction with transgender individuals fosters societal stigma and discrimination against this minority group. The lack of practitioners' ability to provide culturally competent care and knowledge of transgender health issues exacerbates severe health care disparities. Radiology and imaging nurses will routinely encounter transgender patients requiring radiological studies. This short communication provides an answer to a technical question posed about the estimate glomerular filtration rate for a transgender patient. Furthermore, the article provides nurses with several practical communication techniques that can have an immediate impact in improving transgender care by demonstrating dignity and respect toward this patient population.
Does Surgeon Sex Matter?: Practice Patterns and Outcomes of Female and Male Surgeons

OBJECTIVE We sought to compare postoperative outcomes of female surgeons (FS) and male surgeons (MS) within general surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA FS in the workforce are increasing in number. Female physicians provide exceptional care in other specialties. Differences in surgical outcomes of FS and MS have not been examined. METHODS We linked the AMA Physician Masterfile to discharge claims from New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania (2012 to 2013) to examine practice patterns and to compare surgical outcomes of FS and MS. We paired FS and MS operating at the same hospital using cardinality matching with refined balance and compared inpatient mortality, any postoperative complication, and prolonged length of stay (pLOS) in FS and MS. RESULTS Overall practice patterns differed between the 663 FS and 3219 MS. We identified 2462 surgeons (19% FS, 81% MS) at 429 hospitals who met inclusion criteria for outcomes analysis. FS were younger (mean age ± SD FS: 48.5 ± 8.4 years, MS: 54.3 ± 9.4y; P < 0.001) with less clinical experience (mean years ± SD FS: 11.6 ± 8.3 y, MS: 17.6 ± 10.0 years; P < 0.001) than MS before matching. FS had lower rates of inpatient mortality (FS: 1.51%, MS: 2.30%; P < 0.001), any postoperative complication (FS: 12.6%, MS: 16.1%; P < 0.001), and pLOS (FS: 18.4%, MS: 20.7%; P < 0.001) before matching. After matching, FS and MS outcomes were equivalent. CONCLUSION Surgeon practice patterns vary by sex and experience. FS and MS with similar characteristics who treat similar patients at the same hospital have equivalent rates of inpatient morality, postoperative complications, and prolonged length of hospital stay. Patients should select the surgeon who is the best fit for them regardless of sex.
Private Shuttles and Public Transportation: Effects of Shared Transit Stops on Travel Time and Reliability in Seattle:

An Employer Shared Transit Stop (ESTS) pilot was introduced in April, 2017 by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and King County Metro (KCM). Eleven bus stops within the City of Seattl...
Top-Down Etching of Si Nanowires

Abstract This chapter provides an overview of fabrication of silicon nanowires by top-down etching methods. The focus will be on wet and dry etching methods to achieve vertically aligned silicon nanowires. We will start by building an understanding of the dry etching process. Then we will delve deeper into the mechanisms, benefits, and drawbacks of these dry etching processes. This is followed by wet etching methods, primarily metal-assisted chemical etching methods. Finally, we will provide a guideline to fabricate vertically aligned Si nanowire arrays with both dry and wet chemical processes.
Principles of Fading Memory

In Lecture II we have seen that the theory of static elasticity and the statics of simple materials are one and the same thing. The stress in an elastic material is given by $${\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\thicksim}$}}{T}} = {{{\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\thicksim}$}}{\mathfrak{g}}}}_{{{\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\thicksim}$}}{\kappa }}}}}({\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\thicksim}$}}{F}},{\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\thicksim}$}}{X}}),$$ (11.2) no matter how the present deformation F from the reference configuration K has come about in time. In any simple material that has always been at rest, a result of just the same form holds.
Cardiac-specific knockout and pharmacological inhibition of Endothelin receptor type B lead to cardiac resistance to extreme hypoxia.

Oxygen plays a central role in cardiac energy metabolism. At high altitude where the ambient oxygen level is low, we found EDNRB is associated with human hypoxia adaptation. Our subsequent study in global heterozygous knockout mice (Ednrb−/+) revealed that cardiac function was conserved in these mice when exposed to extreme hypoxia. The major goal of this study was (i) to determine the functional role of cardiomyocyte EdnrB in maintaining cardiac function under hypoxic stress and (ii) to validate the phenotypes we detected in Ednrb−/+ mice using EDNRB blockers. Unlike the global knockouts, cardiac-specific heterozygote (EdnrBflox/+) and homozygote (EdnrBflox/flox) EdnrB knockout mice were phenotypically normal. When treated with graded low levels of oxygen (10% and 5% O2), both EdnrBflox/+ and EdnrBflox/flox were hypoxia tolerant. The cardiac indexes at 10% and 5% O2 for EdnrBflox/+ were significantly higher and lactate levels were significantly lower when compared to the cre-negative controls (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, mice treated with BQ-788 (EDNRB-specific blocker) had a significantly higher cardiac index (P < 0.005) and significantly lower lactate levels (P < 0.0001) than in control mice. A similar result was obtained with mice treated with Bosentan (non-specific). These data indicate that a lower level or complete lack of EdnrB in the cardiomyocytes significantly improves cardiac performance under extreme hypoxia, a novel role of cardiomyocyte EdnrB in the regulation of cardiac function. Furthermore, this rescue under extreme hypoxia can also be achieved using EDNRB-specific pharmacological agents, e.g., BQ-788. This systematically confirms, both genetically and pharmacologically, the protective role of a lower EDNRB under extreme hypoxia stress.
“Seeing” structure in text: 11th graders’ perception of relationship in essay writing

The purpose of the study was to investigate differences in writers’ abilities to perceive global text organisation in self-, peer- and teacher/researcher-authored essays. Eight student participants...
Focal Chorangiosis: Does It Have Clinical and Pathologic Significance?

IntroductionChorangiosis is a proliferation of capillaries in terminal chorionic villi and is considered to be a marker for hypoxia and poor clinical outcome. Not all cases with hypervascular villi...
Racial Differences in Insurance Stability After Health Insurance Reform

Background:One of the potential benefits of insurance reform is greater stability of insurance and reduced coverage disparities by race and ethnicity.Objectives:We examined the temporal trends in insurance coverage by racial/ethnic group before and after Massachusetts Insurance Reform by abstracting
A Single Salt Bridge in VIM-20 Increases Protein Stability and Antibiotic Resistance under Low-Zinc Conditions.

ABSTRACT To understand the evolution of Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM) genes (blaVIM) and their clinical impact, microbiological, biochemical, and structural studies were conducted. Forty-five clinically derived VIM variants engineered in a uniform background and expressed in Escherichia coli afforded increased resistance toward all tested antibiotics; the variants belonging to the VIM-1-like and VIM-4-like families exhibited higher MICs toward five out of six antibiotics than did variants belonging to the widely distributed and clinically important VIM-2-like family. Generally, maximal MIC increases were observed when cephalothin and imipenem were tested. Additionally, MIC determinations under conditions with low zinc availability suggested that some VIM variants are also evolving to overcome zinc deprivation. The most profound increase in resistance was observed in VIM-2-like variants (e.g., VIM-20 H229R) at low zinc availability. Biochemical analyses reveal that VIM-2 and VIM-20 exhibited similar metal binding properties and steady-state kinetic parameters under the conditions tested. Crystal structures of VIM-20 in the reduced and oxidized forms at 1.25 A and 1.37 A resolution, respectively, show that Arg229 forms an additional salt bridge with Glu171. Differential scanning fluorimetry of purified proteins and immunoblots of periplasmic extracts revealed that this difference increases thermostability and resistance to proteolytic degradation when zinc availability is low. Therefore, zinc scarcity appears to be a selective pressure driving the evolution of multiple metallo-β-lactamase families, although compensating mutations use different mechanisms to enhance resistance. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance is a growing clinical threat. One of the most serious areas of concern is the ability of some bacteria to degrade carbapenems, drugs that are often reserved as last-resort antibiotics. Resistance to carbapenems can be conferred by a large group of related enzymes called metallo-β-lactamases that rely on zinc ions for function and for overall stability. Here, we studied an extensive panel of 45 different metallo-β-lactamases from a subfamily called VIM to discover what changes are emerging as resistance evolves in clinical settings. Enhanced resistance to some antibiotics was observed. We also found that at least one VIM variant developed a new ability to remain more stable under conditions where zinc availability is limited, and we determined the origin of this stability in atomic detail. These results suggest that zinc scarcity helps drive the evolution of this resistance determinant.
Comparison of two equivalency factor approaches with simplified risk assessment for lcia of toxicity impact potential

Three approaches recommended for characterization of toxicity impact potential in a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) are tested on a case study and compared. The two equivalency factor methods are the Persistence, Bioaccumulation, and Toxicity (PBT) method and the Multimedia Fate Modeling (MFM) method using a Mackay Level III model with state-specific environmental data. The simplified risk assessment (SRA) method involved dispersion modeling using site-specific environmental data. The life cycle inventory information evaluated by all three methods was limited to manufacturing of the RDX-based explosive in Kingsport, Tennessee. The effort to collect site-specific environmental data and conduct air dispersion modeling for the SRA method required about 24 times more effort than the PBT method and about 4 times more effort than the MFM method. Direct comparison of impact potential scores for the three approaches were limited to inhalation toxicity scores for nine air pollutants modeled by SRA. Correlations were made on the rank order of the impact potential scores for the nine air emissions evaluated for all three LCIA methods. Although the number of chemicals compared is very limited, the best correlation coefficient (0.96) was between the rank orders for the MFM and the SRA methods. The minimal effort and reduced accuracy of the PBT approach make it best suited for screening large numbers of chemicals for further evaluation of the highest ranked chemicals. The intermediate effort and reasonable accuracy (includes transfers to other media) of the MFM approach make it well suited for LCIAs involving comparative assertions or governmental policy decisions. The maximum effort and assumption of highest accuracy make the SRA approach suitable only after limiting the locations of interest to a few sites by screening with the other two approaches.
Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Yields Permanent Deficits in Learning Acquisition: A Preclinical Touchscreen Assessment

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains a common problem world-wide for infants born at term. The impact of HIE on long-term outcomes, especially into adulthood, is not well-described. To facilitate identification of biobehavioral biomarkers utilizing a translational platform, we sought to investigate the impact of HIE on executive function and cognitive outcomes into adulthood utilizing a murine model of HIE. HIE mice (unilateral common carotid artery occlusion to induce ischemia, followed by hypoxia with a FiO2 of 0.08 for 45 min) and control mice were tested on discrimination and reversal touchscreen tasks (using their noses) shown to be sensitive to loss of basal ganglia or cortical function, respectively. We hypothesized that the HIE injury would result in deficits in reversal learning, revealing complex cognitive and executive functioning impairments. Following HIE, mice had a mild discrimination impairment as measured by incorrect responses but were able to learn the paradigm to similar levels as controls. During reversal, HIE mice required significantly more total trials, errors and correction trials across the paradigm. Analysis of specific stages showed that reversal impairments in HIE were driven by significant increases in all measured parameters during the late learning, striatal-mediated portion of the task. Together, these results support the concept that HIE occurring during the neonatal period results in abnormal neurodevelopment that persists into adulthood, which can impact efficient associated learning. Further, these data show that utilization of an established model of HIE coupled with touchscreen learning provides valuable information for screening therapeutic interventions that could mitigate these deficits to improve the long-term outcomes of this vulnerable population.
Accounting history publications 2019

Listed below are 2019 publications, in English, within the general area of accounting history. The definition of what constitutes an accounting history article is not always a straightforward matte...
Enhancing student communication competencies in STEM using virtual global collaboration project based learning

To prepare K-12 students for the globalizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workplace, teachers must utilize pedagogies to improve students’ 21st century skills, specifica...
Sidebands in free electron lasers

The problem of sideband growth in a free electron laser (FEL) is studied using canonical formalism. The exact unperturbed orbits, without sidebands, are obtained in action-angle variables for all particles. Integration of the linearized Vlasov equation with sidebands over the unperturbed orbits yields the sideband growth that includes both trapped and untrapped particles. It is found that the upper and lower sidebands that are symmetric about the FEL frequency have opposite growth rates, with equal magnitude. The stability of the upper or lower sidebands is determined by the sign of df o /dΩ b , i.e., the relative population of oscillation quanta hΩ b , Ω b = bounce frequency around resonance.
High Alcohol-Preferring Mice Show Reaction to Loss of Ethanol Reward Following Repeated Binge Drinking.

Background Beyond yielding high blood ethanol (EtOH) concentrations (BECs), binge-drinking models allow examination of drinking patterns which may be associated with EtOH's rewarding effects, including front-loading and consummatory successive negative contrast (cSNC), a decrease in intake when only water is available to subjects expecting EtOH. The goals of the current study were to broaden our understanding of these reward-related behaviors during binge EtOH access in high alcohol-preferring (HAP) replicate lines (HAP2 and HAP3) of mice selectively bred to prefer alcohol. We hypothesized that both lines would show evidence of front-loading during binge EtOH access and that we would find a cSNC effect in groups where EtOH was replaced with water, as these results have been shown previously in HAP1 mice. Methods HAP replicate 2 and replicate 3 female and male mice were given 2 hours of EtOH or water access in the home cage for 15 consecutive days using "drinking in the dark" (DID) procedures. Mice received the same fluid (either 20% unsweetened EtOH or water) for the first 14 days. However, on the 15th day, half of the mice from these 2 groups were provided with the opposite assigned fluid (EtOH groups received water and vice versa). Intake was measured in 1-minute bins using specialized sipper tubes, which allowed within-session analyses of binge-drinking patterns. Results EtOH front-loading was observed in both replicates. HAP3 mice displayed front-loading on the first day of EtOH access, whereas front-loading developed following alcohol experience in HAP2 mice, which may suggest differences in initial sensitivity to EtOH reward. Consummatory SNC, which manifests as lower water intake in mice expecting EtOH as compared to mice expecting water, was observed in both replicates. Conclusions These findings increase confidence that defined changes in home cage consummatory behavior are driven by the incentive value of EtOH. The presence of cSNC across HAP replicates indicates that this reaction to loss of reward is genetically mediated, which suggests that there is a biological mechanism that might be targeted.
Perioperative Complications of Laparoscopic versus Open Surgery for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To compare complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic vs open surgery for acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). DESIGN We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent surgery for PID, using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2010 to 2015. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline characteristics and compare complications in patients who underwent laparoscopic vs open surgery. SETTING Surgical management of acute PID. PATIENTS Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of PID were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes. We excluded patients with chronic PID, gynecologic malignancy, and those for whom the surgical route was unknown. INTERVENTIONS Surgery for acute PID. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The study included 367 patients. The mean age was 43.0 ± 11.1 years, body mass index was 30.9 ± 11.2 kg/m2, and American Society of Anesthesiology class was 2 (interquartile range 2-3). Preoperative signs of sepsis were noted in 33.8% of the patients, and septic shock was present in 1.4%. Hysterectomy was performed in 67.6%, oophorectomy in 12.0%, and salpingectomy in 4.6%. Complications were experienced by 114 patients (31.1%), 11 (3.0%) of which were potentially life-threatening. Multivariate logistic regression identified the following to be independently associated with complications: laparoscopy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-0.8; p <.01), operative time (aOR 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.01; p <.01), appendectomy (aOR 2.36; 95% CI, 1.0-5.4; p = .04), elevated international normalized ratio (aOR 2.30; 95% CI, 1.3-4.2; p <.01), and low hematocrit level (aOR 2.53; 95% CI, 1.4-4.5; p <.01). Propensity scores were calculated and used to generate a matched cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic vs open surgery; the groups were similar, with p <.05 for all covariates. After balancing confounding variables, a laparoscopic approach to surgery remained significantly associated with a lower risk of complications (coefficient -0.07; 95% CI, -0.11 to -0.02; p = .008). CONCLUSION Laparoscopy was associated with lower complication rates than open surgery in this well-matched cohort of patients who underwent surgery for acute PID.
Practical telehealth to improve control and engagement for patients with clinic-refractory diabetes mellitus (PRACTICE-DM): Protocol and baseline data for a randomized trial.

Abstract Background Persistent poorly-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (PPDM), or maintenance of a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥8.5% despite receiving clinic-based diabetes care, contributes disproportionately to the national diabetes burden. Comprehensive telehealth interventions may help ameliorate PPDM, but existing approaches have rarely been designed with clinical implementation in mind, limiting use in routine practice. We describe a study testing a novel telehealth intervention that comprehensively targets clinic-refractory PPDM, and was explicitly developed for practical delivery using existing Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinical infrastructure. Methods Practical Telehealth to Improve Control and Engagement for Patients with Clinic-Refractory Diabetes Mellitus (PRACTICE-DM) is an ongoing randomized controlled trial comparing two 12-month interventions: 1) standard VHA Home Telehealth (HT) telemonitoring/care coordination; or 2) the PRACTICE-DM intervention, a comprehensive HT-delivered intervention combining telemonitoring, self-management support, diet/activity support, medication management, and depression management. The primary outcome is HbA1c. Secondary outcomes include diabetes distress, self-care, self-efficacy, weight, depressive symptoms, implementation barriers/facilitators, and costs. We hypothesize that the PRACTICE-DM intervention will reduce HbA1c by >0.6% versus standard HT over 12 months. Results Enrollment for this ongoing trial concluded in January 2020; 200 patients were randomized (99 to standard HT and 101 to the PRACTICE-DM intervention). The cohort has a mean age of 58 and is 23% female and 72% African American. Mean baseline HbA1c and BMI were 10.2% and 34.8 kg/m2. Conclusions Because it comprehensively targets factors underlying PPDM using existing clinical infrastructure, the PRACTICE-DM intervention may be well suited to lower the complications and costs of PPDM in routine practice.