cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Possible largest-scale trends in organismal evolution : Eight live hypotheses

Historically, a great many features of organisms have been said to show a trend over the history of life, and many rationales for such trends have been proposed. Here I review eight candidates, eight “live hypotheses” that are inspiring research on largest-scale trends today: entropy, energy intensiveness, evolutionary versatility, developmental depth, structural depth, adaptedness, size, and complexity. For each, the review covers the principal arguments that have been advanced for why a trend is expected, as well as some of the empirical approaches that have been adopted. Also discussed are three conceptual matters arising in connection with trend studies: 1. Alternative bases for classifying trends: pattern versus dynamics; 2. alternative modes in which largest-scale trends have been studied: “exploratory” versus “skeptical”; and 3. evolutionary progress.
Factors affecting the fate of faecal diversion in patients with perianal Crohn's disease

Aim A study was carried out with the aim of identifying potential factors which might influence the fate of patients undergoing faecal diversion by stoma in perianal Crohn's disease. Method Patients with severe perianal Crohn's disease undergoing faecal diversion between 1994 and 2012 were identified and the factors associated with stoma closure were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Of 138 diverted patients, 30 (22%) achieved stoma closure, 45 (33%) had a stoma with the rectum left in situ and 63 (45%) underwent proctectomy with permanent stoma formation after a mean follow-up of 5.7 years. Univariate analysis demonstrated that synchronous colonic (P = 0.004) or rectal (P = 0.021) disease involvement and an increased frequency of loose seton placement (P = 0.001) adversely affected successful stoma closure rates. Multivariate analysis indicated a significant association between the inability to achieve stoma closure and persisting rectal involvement (OR 7.5, 95% CI 2.4–33.4), one or two placements of a loose seton (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4–8.8) and more than two placements (OR 6.9, 95% CI 1.2–132.5). No specific medical management was associated with an improved stoma closure rate, including biological agents when these were available (P = 0.25). Conclusion The fate of temporary faecal diversion in patients with perianal Crohn's disease is adversely affected by aggressive disease characteristics. No particular treatment, including biological therapy, was associated with an improved outcome.
Solvation structure and energetics of electrolytes for multivalent energy storage

By analysing X-ray pair distribution function data using a multivariate statistical approach, we isolate the cation solvation structure for monovalent (Li+/Na+/K+) and multivalent (Mg2+/Ca2+/Zn2+) electrolytes based on TFSI salts in diglyme. Parallel molecular dynamics simulations provide enhanced structural details. The data suggest that contact ion-pairs are a common feature in multivalent electrolytes.
Block size distributions on silicic lava flow surfaces: Implications for emplacement conditions

We determined block size distributions on the surfaces of Holocene silicic lava flows at the Inyo domes and the Medicine Lake volcano, and studied the development of blocks on the active Mount St. Helens and Mount Unzen lava domes to better understand the emplacement history of young viscous flows. We measured block chord lengths along perpendicular 25 m long transects within vent, jumbled, and ridged morphologic units. Vent regions generally contain the largest average block sizes and largest range of average blocks, whereas ridged areas tend to have the smallest average blocks. Observations at the active Mount St. Helens and Mount Unzen lava domes show that block size distributions reflect stress conditions during flow. High extrusion rates produce small primary blocks and lead to rapid fracturing of the flow surface, whereas low extrusion rates allow large slabs to form in the vent area and lead to less severe fragmentation. A dramatic increase in the size of blocks evident in active vent regions may indicate a significant decrease in eruption rate, and thus could signal the cessation of extrusion. However, if the extrusion rate is too high or the cooling rate too low, a rigid crust and accompanying blocks will not form on an eruptive time scale. Blocks may fracture through mechanical and thermal processes as they move downslope. Most silicic lava flows reach a steady state downslope, where the average block size at the surface remains in the 20–30 cm size range with increasing distance from the vent. Fines (blocks <12 cm) do not accumulate on the flow surface because they slip toward the flow interior through void spaces between surface blocks. We therefore expect long silicic lava flows to have blocky surfaces throughout their lengths, an important consideration for evaluation of planetary lava-flow emplacement.
Esophageal involvement in pemphigoid: Clinical and roentgen manifestations

Esophageal involvement in pemphigoid is rare. Review of 32 cases of pemphigoid seen at West Virginia University Hospital between January 1970 and December 1980 revealed 3 patients with esophageal involvement. These cases and review of reported cases of bullous and mucous membrane pemphigoid showed distinct radiographic features of esophageal involvement. These were diffuse inflammatory changes, adhesions, transverse and circumferential webs, and various sizes of strictures. Symptoms of dysphagia may precede radiographic findings by several months or years.
Knowledge Transformation by Cross-Domain Belief Propagation

Belief propagation is an iterative algorithm for computing marginals of functions on a graphical model most commonly used in information retrieval. In this paper, we consider the problem of performing cross-domain belief propagation on multi-relational data for semi-supervised learning. We demonstrate that partial knowledge on one type of variables can help knowledge discovery on the other type of variables with cross-domain belief propagation by utilizing the existing relationships in multi-relation data. For example, in a word-document data set, information on the word domain can effectively enhance the labeling of document domain. In this paper, we explore this new area, knowledge transformation of multi-relation data for semi-supervised learning tasks. We show that partial knowledge on one data variable domain can help knowledge discovery on the other variable domain with crossdomain belief propagation by utilizing the existing relationships in multi-relation data. The experimental results on several real world data sets are presented to show the effectiveness of our method.
H-2 antigens of the thymus determine lymphocyte specificity.

After immunization, normal H-2 heterozygous mice (for example H-2(b) × H-2(d)) generate two populations of cytotoxic effector T cells, one specific for target cells expressing H-2(b)-plus-antigen and the other specific for H- 2(d)-plus-antigen. With a multideterminant antigen, these two populations have about the same activity. We show here that the H-2 type of resident cells in the thymus determines the H-2 preference of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. F(1)(B 10 × B 10.D2) (H-2(b) × H-2 (d)) mice were thymectomized, lethally irradiated, and reconstituted with T-cell-depleted syngeneic hematopoietic cells. Groups of such ATXBM mice were grafted subcutaneously with neonatal thymus lobes from parental mice, either B10 (H-2 (b)) or B10.D2 (H-2(d)). 2-3 mo later, the mice were immunized against the minor histocompatibility antigens on F(1)(BALB/c × BALB.B) cells and assayed for cytotoxic T-cell activity. H-2(b) × H-2(d) ATXBM mice with H-2(b) thymus grafts responded to antigen-plus-H-2(b) much better than to antigen-plus-H-2(d), and vice versa for the mice with H-2(d) thymus grafts. As judged by antiserum treatment, the effector cells were of F(1) origin. To explore the possibility that the “thymus preference” may have been due to suppression of T-cell activity, nonimmune spleen and lymph node cells from normal H-2(b) × H-2(d) mice and cells from H-2(b) × H-2(d) mice bearing a homozygous thymus were mixed 1:1 and immunized in adoptive transfer. The mixture responded to antigen-plus-H-2(b) and antigen-plus-H-2(d) equally well, demonstrating that the cells that showed a “thymus preference” could not suppress a response to antigen in association with the nonthymic H-2 type. We conclude from these and other experiments that H-2 antigens present on resident cells of the thymus determine the spectrum of specificity of T cells which mature in that thymus and eventually make up the peripheral T- cell pool.
Corporate Form and Social Entrepreneurship: A Status Report from California (and Beyond)

In January 2012, amendments to California’s corporate code permitted a new type of corporate form designed around for-profit entities also wishing to commit to serving a broader “social purpose” (or purposes). Although not the first state to embrace such reforms, California’s experiment is unique, in that it allowed companies to opt for one of two different social benefit entity forms: the “Benefit Corporation” (BC) and the “Flexible Purpose Corporation” (FPC). This essay summarizes the reforms and presents basic descriptive data about the rate at which business organizations have embraced them. Thus far, both forms have had relatively modest take-up rates; those social enterprises that have opted for one of the two forms have generally favored the BC over the FPC, though its market share narrowed consistently during 2012. Although it is premature to conclude whether social enterprise statutes will prove successful, I argue that now is an ideal time to put the infrastructure into place for collecting, organizing and analyzing data in this arena as it becomes available.
Passive Crowd Sourcing for Technology Prediction

Technology prediction methods use various types of information to make systematic forecasts about technological innovations. Forecasting approaches vary, including quantitative (such as patent analysis) and qualitative methods (such as expert elicitation using the Delphi method). We discuss a new method and system for predicting technology futures by harnessing the predictive information made available by society in open sources. Our approach automatically discovers future-looking temporal phrases associated with technology topics and presents predictions deemed significant using the \(G^2\) statistic. Here, we evaluate the phrase discovery component using a dataset of 782 technology forecast statements. We hope to demonstrate that ’passive crowd-sourcing’ may be a meaningful source of technology-related predictive intelligence.
Government Purchase of Crop Limiting Easements as a Means of Reducing Production

This paper presents findings of an inquiry concerning the feasibility of using crop limiting easements as a control of crop production. In the hypothetical program, the federal government would purchase perpetual authority to restrict the use of specific agricultural lands from the production of tilled crops. The participants would enter voluntarily and would retain the right to produce and harvest permanent vegetation or convert the tract to nonagricultural use. The easement approach was compared with hypothetical programs similar to the conservation reserve. The results indicate that production control could be achieved at lower cost with the easement alternative. Another apparent advantage of the easement approach would be economy and ease of administration. Also, the easement rights, because of their permanence, give flexibility by avoiding fixed termination dates.
Towards an integrative learning approach in cybersecurity education

This paper describes a multifaceted approach to cybersecurity education based on integrative learning theory. We emphasize the need to focus on curriculum, experiential learning techniques, assessment and fostering a community of practice. The need to build conceptual, tactical and practical skills among cybersecurity professionals is highlighted. The paper will include examples of how integrative learning methods can be implemented in cybersecurity education through a number of methods such as curriculum, virtual labs, simulations, cyber student clubs and participation in cyber security competitions.
In Situ Analysis of magnetic and Structural Properties of Epitaxial and Polycrystalline Ni80Fe20 Thin Films

We have investigated structural and magnetic properties of epitaxial Ni80Fe20 films grown on relaxed epitaxial Cu/Si(001) films. The crystallographic texture of these films was analyzed in situ by reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED), and ex situ by x-ray diffraction and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM). In particu¬lar, RHEED intensities were recorded during epitaxial growth, and intensity profiles across Bragg rods were used to calculate the surface lattice constant, and hence, find the crit¬ical epitaxial thickness for which Ni80Fe20 grows pseudomorphically on Cu(100). XTEM analysis indicated that the epitaxial films had atomically-abrupt interfaces which was not the case for polycrystalline Cu and Ni80Fe20 film interfaces. The magnetic properties of these epitaxial films were measured in situ using magneto-optic Kerr effect magnetometry and were compared with those of polycrystalline films grown on SiO2/Si. Large Hc (~ 35 Oe) was observed for epitaxial Ni80Fe20 films less than 3.0 nm thick whereas for increasing thickness, Hc decreased approximately monotonically to a few Oersteds. Correlations were made between magnetic properties of these epitaxial films, the strain in the film and the interface roughness obtained from XTEM analysis.
Chronic Pelvic and Abdominal Pain

Patients suffering from chronic abdominal and pelvic pain syndromes can be very complicated and difficult to diagnose and treat. These patients often end up visiting numerous physicians and undergo an abundance of tests and imaging prior to their physician establishing an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, some of the patients undergo unnecessary surgical interventions and continue to have their pain syndrome afterwards. It is important to listen to these patients, establish a proper and detailed history, physical examination, and assure they have had all acute and surgical pathologies ruled out prior to proceeding. Chronic abdominal and pelvic pain can be disabling and drastically effect a patient’s quality of life.
First Principles Study of Hydrogen Adsorption and Diffusion on Transition Metal Surfaces: Application to the Ru (0001) Surface

Hydrogen adsorption and diffusion on the (0001) surface of ruthenium is investigated using ab initio pseudopotentials within the local density approximation. The adsorption energies at a number of different sites and bond lengths were investigated via total energy calculations. Using these calculated values a potential surface was constructed and an estimate for the activation barrier for hydrogen diffusion was obtained. The calculated value of 4.0 kcal is in good accord with the value of ≈ 4 kcal as determined from laser-induced thermal desorption experiments.
Data Gathering Protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks

Sensor network applications are often data centric and involve collecting data from a set of sensor nodes to be delivered to various consumers. Typically, nodes in a sensor network are resource-constrained, and hence the algorithms operating in these networks must be efficient. There may be several algorithms available implementing the same service, and efficient considerations may require a sensor application to choose the best suited algorithm. In this paper, we present a systematic evaluation of a set of algorithms implementing the data gathering service. We propose a modular infrastructure for implementing such algorithms in TOSSIM with separate configurable modules for various tasks such as interest propagation, data propagation, aggregation, and path maintenance. By appropriately configuring these modules, we propose a number of data gathering algorithms, each of which incorporates a different set of heuristics for optimizing performance. We have performed comprehensive experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of these heuristics, and we present results from our experimentation efforts. Keywords—Data Centric Protocols, Shortest Paths, Sensor networks, Message passing systems.
New Intravenous Anesthetics

The author describes the more common circulatory, respiratory, and neuromuscular actions of the newer intravenous anesthetic agents. The drugs under discussion include ketamine, newer uses of narcotics, both alone and in neurolept combinations, steroid anesthetics, and other nonbarbiturate anesthetic drugs.
Anions that potentiate excitation-contraction coupling may mimic effect of phosphate on Ca2+ release channel

Perchlorate is one of a group of inorganic anions that potentiate excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle. We have compared the effect of perchlorate on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) C...
Innovative Transnational Remedies for the Women of Ciudad Juárez

Introduction Congratulations on being hired by Simmons, Sandoval and Navarette, one of the top international human rights law firms in Glendale, AZ! Your research team has been selected to work on our first major case The Women of Ciudad Juarez v. Mexico, et al. Your assignment is to prepare a 3-4 page memorandum on some aspect of international human rights law related to this case. These memoranda will be used to compile the briefs that we will file with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and/or other institutions. Since this case is breaking new ground in many ways, we expect your briefs to be creative. We are looking for new ideas. That is why we hired you!
Genetic diversity of seagrass seeds influences seedling morphology and biomass

Genetic diversity can influence ecological processes throughout ontogeny, yet whether diversity at early life history stages is important in long-lived taxa with overlapping generations is unclear. Seagrass systems provide some of the best evidence for the ecological effects of genetic diversity among adult shoots, but we do not know if the genetic diversity of seeds and seedlings also influences seagrass ecology. We tested the effects of seagrass (Zostera marina) seed diversity and relatedness on germination success, seedling morphology, and seedling production by comparing experimental assemblages of seeds collected from single reproductive shoots (“monocultures”) to assemblages of seeds collected from multiple reproductive shoots (“polycultures”). There was no difference in seedling emergence, yet seedlings from polycultures had larger shoots above and below ground than seedlings from monocultures at the end of the one-year experiment. Genetic relatedness of the seedlings predicted some aspects of shoot morphology, with more leaves and longer roots and shoots at intermediate levels of relatedness, regardless of seed diversity. Our results suggest that studies of only adult stages may underestimate the importance of genetic diversity if the benefits at early life history stages continue to accrue throughout the life cycle. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Regulation of Chemokine Signal Integration by Activator of G-Protein Signaling 4 (AGS4).

Activator of G-protein signaling 4 (AGS4)/G-protein signaling modulator 3 (Gpsm3) contains three G-protein regulatory (GPR) motifs, each of which can bind Gαi-GDP free of Gβγ. We previously demonstrated that the AGS4-Gαi interaction is regulated by seven transmembrane-spanning receptors (7-TMR), which may reflect direct coupling of the GPR-Gαi module to the receptor analogous to canonical Gαβγ heterotrimer. We have demonstrated that the AGS4-Gαi complex is regulated by chemokine receptors in an agonist-dependent manner that is receptor-proximal. As an initial approach to investigate the functional role(s) of this regulated interaction in vivo, we analyzed leukocytes, in which AGS4/Gpsm3 is predominantly expressed, from AGS4/Gpsm3-null mice. Loss of AGS4/Gpsm3 resulted in mild but significant neutropenia and leukocytosis. Dendritic cells, T lymphocytes, and neutrophils from AGS4/Gpsm3-null mice also exhibited significant defects in chemoattractant-directed chemotaxis and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation. An in vivo peritonitis model revealed a dramatic reduction in the ability of AGS4/Gpsm3-null neutrophils to migrate to primary sites of inflammation. Taken together, these data suggest that AGS4/Gpsm3 is required for proper chemokine signal processing in leukocytes and provide further evidence for the importance of the GPR-Gαi module in the regulation of leukocyte function.
Factores tributarios que influyen en la formalidad de restaurantes en los distritos de Santa Anita - Miraflores y San Isidro de Lima-Perú

Establishes tax factors influencing directly on the formality of the service companies of restaurants in the districts of Santa Anita, Miraflores and San Isidro. The study was conducted during 2014, with a sample of 270 restaurants, 114 corresponding to Santa Anita, 72 to 84 to Miraflores and San Isidro. A survey validated using Cronbach's alpha was developed, frequencies were calculated and the influence was determined; among some of the factors studied on tax compliance it was determined by Xi2. Santa Anita showed a sample with highest values of central tendency and dispersion Miraflores and San Isidro; Miraflores showed the highest number ofcomponents of the company and Santa Anita showed a wider range of educational attainment. In the three districts there was agreement that influenced profitability taxation. In Miraflores and San Isidro there was agreement on the role that the SUNAT met, as well as working conditions and training of personnel. Finally all the factors analyzed statistically significantly influenced the fulfillment of tax obligations.
1202 A LOWER PHARYNGEAL “SPHINCTER” PRODUCING SLEEP APNEA IN CHILDREN: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Knowledge of the clinical significance, diagnosis and therapy of sleep apnea in children is still incomplete. We have seen three children, 2, 5 and 6 years of age, with obstructive sleep apnea documented by polygraphic recording who required tracheostomy for relief of incapacitating and life threatening obstructive sleep apnea. These children did not improve on passage of a nasopharyngeal tube as do those with nasopharyngeal airway obstruction associated with enlarged tonsils and adenoids. On fiberoptic endoscopy under light anestheisa the site of obstruction was noted not to be in the nasopharynx, but in the oro and hypopharynx. In one patient airway obstruction was related to glossoptosis. In two patients a sphincter like closing of the lower pharyngeal walls was observed that was synchronous with inspiration. We will show a motion picture that demonstrates this phenomenon both aurally and visually. These patients represent 10% of all children referred for sleep apnea during the past 1½ years. This lower pharyngeal site of airway obstruction has also been noted in adults with obstructive sleep apnea who also respond well to tracheostomy. Although tracheostomy may seem an extreme measure for this still obscure and poorly understood entity we think it is indicated for selected patients at this time.
Valued situation information in IBSM

Situation information and sensor information are differentiated and a method for computing the situation information expected value (SIEV) is presented for use in Information Based Sensor Management (IBSM). Nine case pairs are evaluated in which the sensor capabilities vary among poor, average, and good sensors, and the goal lattice values vary among attack, defend, and stealth modes showing that the choice of the situation information request which maximizes the SIEV depends not only on the Bayes net representation of the situation, but also the context in which the sensing platform finds itself. Furthermore, the maximum SIEV for these 9 case pairs is shown to exceed the mean value of all the managed nodes by an average of 3.4. This feature makes it a useful statistic for determining the managed evidence node to select which produces the desired best next information collection opportunity. This paper is a further definition and refinement of the SIEV-net concept introduced in earlier papers including a method for explicitly computing the Situation Information Value.
Pleuritic Chest Pain: Sorting Through the Differential Diagnosis

Pleuritic chest pain is characterized by sudden and intense sharp, stabbing, or burning pain in the chest when inhaling and exhaling. Pulmonary embolism is the most common serious cause, found in 5% to 21% of patients who present to an emergency department with pleuritic chest pain. A validated clinical decision rule for pulmonary embolism should be employed to guide the use of additional tests such as d-dimer assays, ventilation-perfusion scans, or computed tomography angiography. Myocardial infarction, pericarditis, aortic dissection, pneumonia, and pneumothorax are other serious causes that should be ruled out using history and physical examination, electrocardiography, troponin assays, and chest radiography before another diagnosis is made. Validated clinical decision rules are available to help exclude coronary artery disease. Viruses are common causative agents of pleuritic chest pain. Coxsackieviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, parainfluenza, mumps, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus are likely pathogens. Treatment is guided by the underlying diagnosis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are appropriate for pain management in those with virally triggered or nonspecific pleuritic chest pain. In patients with persistent symptoms, persons who smoke, and those older than 50 years with pneumonia, it is important to document radiographic resolution with repeat chest radiography six weeks after initial treatment.
Estimating Age at a Specified Length from the von Bertalanffy Growth Function

AbstractEstimating the time required (i.e., age) for fish in a population to reach a specific length (e.g., legal harvest length) is useful for understanding population dynamics and simulating the potential effects of length-based harvest regulations. The age at which a population reaches a specific mean length is typically estimated by fitting a von Bertalanffy growth function to length-at-age data and then rearranging the best-fit equation to solve for age at the specified length. This process precludes the use of standard frequentist methods to compute confidence intervals and compare estimates of age at the specified length among populations. We provide a parameterization of the von Bertalanffy growth function that has age at a specified length as a parameter. With this parameterization, age at a specified length is directly estimated, and standard methods can be used to construct confidence intervals and make among-group comparisons for this parameter. We demonstrate use of the new parameterization w...
Strengthening Informal Supports to Promote Behavioral Health of Youth With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities in Rural Communities

Abstract There is a growing body of research focused on the experiences of families of persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and/or special health care needs who live in rural communities. Availability of formal supports and services is strongly constrained, particularly in the area of behavioral health (i.e., services targeting promotion of mental health and wellness, in addition to identifying and treating mental health disorders, such as depression). Fortunately, many rural communities have a long-established history of providing community-based informal supports (i.e., voluntary, nonprofessional support) to promote behavioral health in at-risk youth with programs such as 4-H clubs, scouting, and leisure/recreational activities. These programs are grounded in a resilience-building model of community psychology called “Positive Youth Development” and often are supported and disseminated by statewide Cooperative Extension Systems or within local Parks and Recreation departments. Values and goals of these community-based programs are consistent with those of developmental disability services; however, integration of these services is rarely realized. Furthermore, evidence for positive outcomes associated with these approaches in youth without known disabilities is strong, although these community-based enrichment opportunities are rarely studied systematically in youth with I/DD. Promoting inclusion of youth with I/DD into existing Positive Youth Development programs in rural communities provides a feasible, cost-effective, ecologically valid opportunity to improve the behavioral health of youth with complex learning needs.
Modelling dust polarization observations of molecular clouds through MHD simulations

The BLASTPol observations of Vela C have provided the most detailed characterization of the polarization fraction $p$ and dispersion in polarization angles $S$ for a molecular cloud. We compare the observed distributions of $p$ and $S$ with those obtained in synthetic observations of simulations of molecular clouds, assuming homogeneous grain alignment. We find that the orientation of the mean magnetic field relative to the observer has a significant effect on the $p$ and $S$ distributions. These distributions for Vela C are most consistent with synthetic observations where the mean magnetic field is close to the line-of-sight. Our results point to apparent magnetic disorder in the Vela C molecular cloud, although it can be due to either an inclination effect (i.e., observing close to the mean field direction) or significant field tangling from strong turbulence/low magnetization. The joint correlations of $p$ with column density and of $S$ with column density for the synthetic observations generally agree poorly with the Vela C joint correlations, suggesting that understanding these correlations require a more sophisticated treatment of grain alignment physics.
Memory Laws, Memory Wars: The Politics of the Past in Europe and Russia

Laws against Holocaust denial are perhaps the best-known manifestation of the present-day politics of historical memory. In Memory Laws, Memory Wars, Nikolay Koposov examines the phenomenon of memory laws in Western and Eastern Europe, Ukraine, and Russia and exposes their very different purposes in the East and West. In Western Europe, he shows how memory laws were designed to create a common European memory centred on the memory of the Holocaust as a means of integrating Europe, combating racism, and averting national and ethnic conflicts. In Russia and Eastern Europe, by contrast, legislation on the issues of the past is often used to give the force of law to narratives which serve the narrower interests of nation states and protect the memory of perpetrators rather than victims. This will be essential reading for all those interested in ongoing conflicts over the legacy of the Second World War, Nazism, and communism.
Complex-based OCT angiography algorithm recovers microvascular information better than amplitude- or phase-based algorithms in phase-stable systems.

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is increasingly becoming a popular inspection tool for biomedical imaging applications. By exploring the amplitude, phase and complex information available in OCT signals, numerous algorithms have been proposed that contrast functional vessel networks within microcirculatory tissue beds. However, it is not clear which algorithm delivers optimal imaging performance. Here, we investigate systematically how amplitude and phase information have an impact on the OCTA imaging performance, to establish the relationship of amplitude and phase stability with OCT signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), time interval and particle dynamics. With either repeated A-scan or repeated B-scan imaging protocols, the amplitude noise increases with the increase of OCT SNR; however, the phase noise does the opposite, i.e. it increases with the decrease of OCT SNR. Coupled with experimental measurements, we utilize a simple Monte Carlo (MC) model to simulate the performance of amplitude-, phase- and complex-based algorithms for OCTA imaging, the results of which suggest that complex-based algorithms deliver the best performance when the phase noise is < ~40 mrad. We also conduct a series of in vivo vascular imaging in animal models and human retina to verify the findings from the MC model through assessing the OCTA performance metrics of vessel connectivity, image SNR and contrast-to-noise ratio. We show that for all the metrics assessed, the complex-based algorithm delivers better performance than either the amplitude- or phase-based algorithms for both the repeated A-scan and the B-scan imaging protocols, which agrees well with the conclusion drawn from the MC simulations.
Book Review of James M. Dorsey, the Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer (Hurst 2016)

Positioned at the intersection of sport and politics, The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer delivers critical insight into understanding that heart of our world today. From Hurst in the UK and its partner Oxford University Press in North America, Turbulent World takes its title from the blog of the same name. Both are creations of James Dorsey, who has accumulated a wealth of both scholarly research and personal experience on the subject. No interest in soccer (‘football’ in most of the world) is prerequisite to the read. Dorsey himself acknowledges in the book’s introduction that soccer was ‘a journey into the unknown’ for him, and – though he is co-director of the Institute of Fan Culture at the University of Wurzburg – he disavows personal fandom. Rather, Dorsey analogizes soccer, ‘the world’s most global cultural practice’, to a ‘prism’. Just as a prism separates white light into its constituent colours, Dorsey’s study of soccer disentwines the modern Middle East into ‘sport, society, culture, politics and development’. Dorsey’s fundamental thesis in Turbulent World is that political conflict in the Middle East, North Africa included, is an impediment to social and economic development, and soccer exemplifies that dynamic. From the Western Sahara to Iran, Middle Eastern powers have sought to build clout and garner legitimacy among nations by developing a soft-power portfolio in sport.
Selenium supplementation prevents metabolic and transcriptomic responses to cadmium in mouse lung.

Abstract Background The protective effect of selenium (Se) on cadmium (Cd) toxicity is well documented, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. Methods Male mice fed standard diet were given Cd (CdCl 2 , 18 μmol/L) in drinking water with or without Se (Na 2 SeO 4, 20 μmol/L) for 16 weeks. Lungs were analyzed for Cd concentration, transcriptomics and metabolomics. Data were analyzed with biostatistics, bioinformatics, pathway enrichment analysis, and combined transcriptome-metabolome-wide association study. Results Mice treated with Cd had higher lung Cd content (1.7 ± 0.4 pmol/mg protein) than control mice (0.8 ± 0.3 pmol/mg protein) or mice treated with Cd and Se (0.4 ± 0.1 pmol/mg protein). Gene set enrichment analysis of transcriptomics data showed that Se prevented Cd effects on inflammatory and myogenesis genes and diminished Cd effects on several other pathways. Similarly, Se prevented Cd-disrupted metabolic pathways in amino acid metabolism and urea cycle. Integrated transcriptome and metabolome network analysis showed that Cd treatment had a network structure with fewer gene-metabolite clusters compared to control. Centrality measurements showed that Se counteracted changes in a group of Cd-responsive genes including Zdhhc11 , (protein-cysteine S-palmitoyltransferase), Ighg1 (immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma-1) and associated changes in metabolite concentrations. Conclusion Co-administration of Se with Cd prevented Cd increase in lung and prevented Cd-associated pathway and network responses of the transcriptome and metabolome. Se protection against Cd toxicity in lung involves complex systems responses. General significance Environmental Cd stimulates proinflammatory and profibrotic signaling. The present results indicate that dietary or supplemental Se could be useful to mitigate Cd toxicity.
Impulse Buying: Interventions to Support Self-control with E-commerce

Impulse buying is a common behavior that can result in financial strain and feelings of regret and shame. Despite this and consumers' expressed desire to curb impulse buying, HCI and consumer behavior research has yet to explore technological interventions to support these consumers. This proposed dissertation draws on various theories of impulse buying to design and experimentally test interventions that either (a) postpone the purchase decision, (b) support budgeting and spending limits, or (c) prompt deeper reflection prior to purchase. Results should shed light on the efficacy of various mechanisms for exerting self-control in e-commerce environments.
Whose Ethics? The Benchmark Problem in Legal Ethics Research

How should we interpret differences between junior and senior lawyers’ perceptions of ethicality in the workplace? One theory holds that junior lawyers are more reliable informants; that their perceptions are not yet corrupted by self-interest and the demands of practice and therefore will tend to be closer to universal or ordinary morality. This is the predominant theory in the academic literature on large law firms, which tends to portray large law firms as being in perpetual moral decline. To some extent, this corruption narrative informs all critical legal ethics research. An alternative theory holds that junior lawyers are inexperienced and/or naive and therefore may be unreliable informants about professional matters. This theory views professional socialization as the process of acquiring knowledge and ethical judgment in complex situations. Junior lawyers, by definition, have not had time to acquire such knowledge and therefore are in no position to assess law firm management practices or senior lawyers’ work. Perhaps not surprisingly, this is the dominant theory among large firm partners and managers. These two theories of lawyer socialization are not necessarily incompatible. Research on lawyers provides examples of both “ethical fading,” whereby lawyers gradually lose sight of ordinary morality, and “ethical learning,” whereby lawyers gradually acquire specialized ethical expertise. Moreover, lawyers may experience both ethical fading and ethical learning at different stages of their careers, in different practice contexts, and with respect to different issues in their work. The challenge, however, is defining the benchmark for theoretical analysis. Should lawyers’ ethical standards and conduct be compared to ordinary (lay) morality? To the formal rules of legal ethics? Or to the prevailing professional norms within a specialized area of practice (which may or may not be consistent with the formal rules)? The definition of the normative benchmark itself has theoretical implications and is not always explicit in legal ethics research. This chapter examines the use of benchmarks in legal ethics research and shows how different benchmarks may produce competing — but partial — theoretical claims. It argues, specifically, that the literature is biased toward critical accounts of “ethical fading” that are based on unspecified and/or internally inconsistent benchmarks. The goal of the chapter is to promote a more consistent specification of benchmarks in order to build a more holistic theory of lawyer socialization. A clearer definition of the normative baseline for analysis would allow more focused comparisons between junior and senior lawyers, as well as between different types of lawyers, and between lawyers and the members of other occupational groups.
Beyond Preservice Special Educators: Embedding Assistive Technology Content Throughout a Teacher Education Program of Study:

Knowledge and understanding of assistive technology is important for all education majors as they prepare to serve increasingly diverse classrooms. This article provides a program description of ho...
d+11B → 3α+n four-body break-up and states in 9Be

Abstract The four-body break-up d+11B → α+n reaction has been studied by simultaneous detection of α-α and α-n coincidences at two bombarding energies, 10.425 and 12.0 MeV, in order to obtain information about the decay properties of the excited states in 9Be. Measured spectra reveal the importance of sequential decay mechanisms in the reaction. The decay structure of low-lying levels in 9Be has been discussed.
Managing Health Care Systems from an Epidemiologic Perspective

The recent submission of health care legislation by the President of the United States represents completion of a process begun in the early 1980s to solidify the purchasing power of both public and privately financed payers. The reform measures embodied in the legislation would force health care organizations to assume both fiscal and health status risk for their defined populations. Diagnosis-related group (DRG) systems would be phased out for all but Medicare beneficiaries as capitation payment is implemented for all health care product lines encompassing outpatient, psychiatric, long-term care, prevention, hospice, and rehabilitation services. Physicians would receive payment for inpatient and outpatient care based on conditions placing them at risk for both the price of the services delivered and the utilization experience of their patients. The legislation also includes provisions to encourage providers to participate in health services research designed to measure disease trends and the effects of various treatment patterns. In other words, clinical outcomes research would eventually provide payers a means of assessing if the services they purchase actually improve the health status and if they are being delivered in a cost-beneficial (value-added) manner.
Understanding Basic Techniques and Procedures in Interventional Neuroradiology

Interventional neuroradiology (or endovascular neurosurgery) is a fairly nascent and rapidly evolving field specializing in minimally invasive, image-based technologies/procedures used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the head, neck, and spine. While the majority of the procedures are endovascular and target vascular pathology, interventional neuroradiologists also specialize in the percutaneous treatment of spinal disorders that do not use the circulatory system as the conduit for therapy (e.g., vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, facet arthrodesis). Interventional neuroradiology is a unique subspecialty in that it represents a veritable melting pot of specialists, including radiologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, and cardiologists. Because the nomenclature can be confusing, the term “surgeon” is used here to refer to the physician performing the procedure. In the future, these specialists will refer to themselves as neurointerventional surgeons.
Hospital strategies to reduce heart failure readmissions: where is the evidence?

Heart failure (HF) currently affects 6.5 million adults in the United States ([1][1]), and its prevalence is projected to increase by 25% by 2030 ([2][2]). Hospitalization represents a turning point in the natural history of HF, with a combined mortality and readmission rate of 30% within 90 days
In vivo detection of drug-induced apoptosis in tumors using Raman spectroscopy

We describe a label-free approach based on Raman spectroscopy, to study drug-induced apoptosis in vivo. Spectral-shifts at wavenumbers associated with DNA, proteins, lipids, and collagen have been identified on breast and melanoma tumor tissues. These findings may enable a new analytical method for rapid readout of drug-therapy with miniaturized probes.
Surface electromyography of the forearm musculature during an overhead throwing rehabilitation progression program

Abstract Objective The flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) provide dynamic stabilization to the medial elbow. It remains unclear how these muscles function during progressive throwing exercises. Our objective was to compare FCU and FDS surface electromyography (sEMG) during a throwing progression. Design Crossover. Setting Laboratory. Participants Sixteen healthy males. Main outcome measures Participants completed a plyometric throw (PLYO), long-toss 50% (LT 50 ), long-toss 75% (LT 75 ), and pitch (PITCH). sEMG was synchronized with three-dimensional kinematics to assess the acceleration phase of each exercise. Peak sEMG amplitude (%MVIC) and percentage change between progressive exercises was measured. Continuous sEMG data were assessed to determine when peak activation occurred during acceleration. Results FCU activity was greater during PITCH than LT 50 , and during LT 75 than LT 50 . Percentage change was greater from LT 50 -to-LT 75 than PLYO-to-LT 50 for both muscles. PLYO and PITCH increased most during late acceleration, whereas LT 50 and LT 75 increased most during mid-acceleration. Conclusions FCU activity did not increase in a stepwise manner, and FDS remained unchanged. Each muscle demonstrated a disproportionate increase in activation during the second exercise progression (LT 50 -to-LT 75 ) compared to the first (PLYO-to-LT 50 ), suggesting that additional exercises may be required to achieve a stepwise progression relative to forearm muscle activation.
Preliminary results of forecasting of the loop current system in Gulf of Mexico using robust principal component analysis

Long term forecasting of the Loop Current (LC) and its eddies, also called the Loop Current System (LCS) in Gulf of Mexico (GoM) region is crucial for the GoM communities to take adequate preparations to avoid undesired outcomes of this natural phenomena. In this paper, a new approach is developed to forecast the LC and its eddies. The sea level anomaly (SLA) data of the GoM is utilized as observations. The key element of the proposed approach is based on a time series data decomposition strategy, Robust Principal Component Analysis (RPCA). The time components of SLA data obtained by RPCA are fed to a recurrent neural network, the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm, which predicts the timing of eddy separations from the extended LC, and their positions. In the experimental study, observations of sea surface height variations during a period of 23 year were used to train the LSTM network and observations from two additional two years to validate the performance of the prediction model. As shown in the paper, the proposed model can predict the movements of the LCS six weeks in advance.
Bandwidth of Principle Stopbands of Thin-Film Thickness Modulated Designs

Thickness modulated designs are investigated for bandwidth of principle stopbands (1,0) and (1,1) versus modulation frequency. The bandwidths of the (1,0) and (1,1) stopbands, and their sum are virtually constant for modulation frequencies 0.1-0.5.
The Price of Mission Complexity: A National Study of the Impact of Community College Baccalaureate Adoption on Tuition and Fees:

The traditional mission of community colleges is rooted in the provision of sub-baccalaureate education at a low price, but a total of 19 states have changed their legislative policies and currentl...
Abstract 883: Nadph Oxidase Nox1-dependent Endocytosis and Activation is Regulated by a Conserved Trafficking Motif in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

We previously reported that TNF-α-mediated Nox1-dependent redox signaling of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) requires endocytosis. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating Nox1 endocytosis a...