cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Affinity of Antibody: Range, Variability, and the Role of Multivalence

During the past decade, the concept of antibody affinity has been increasingly employed in the analysis of immunological phenomena, and it is now generally understood to be an essential element in developing molecular interpretations of immunological processes. Consequently, there has been increased attention to a number of distinctive features of antibody affinity, particularly its variability and regulation, the role of antibody multivalence, and the biological concomitants of these properties. In an earlier discussion of the affinity of antibody (Karush, 1962), the main emphasis was placed on the nature and quantitative significance of the intermolecular forces involved and on some thermodynamic aspects of the reversible reaction of antibody and ligand. This analysis differs in its focus because it is based on experimental studies concerned with the variability of affinity (“the maturation process”) as well as the range of affinity, the kinetic features of the rapid antibody-ligand interaction, and the contribution of multivalence to the effective affinity of the antibody molecule. The information now available in these areas stems from the introduction of new experimental methods into immunological research. These methods include (1) the techniques of stop-flow and temperature jump for evaluating the kinetic parameters of the formation of antibody-ligand complexes; (2) the inhibition of hemolytic plaques, formed by suspensions of antibody-secreting cells, by soluble ligands to estimate relative affinities; and (3) the neutralization of hapten-conjugated bacteriophage with antihapten antibody to measure rates of binding of antibody to large ligands and to evaluate the quantitative effects of multivalent interaction.
Abstract WMP76: Post-Ischemic Accumulation of Ubiquitinated Proteins Induced by Free Radicals and Proteasomal Inhibition Promotes Cell Survival

Background: Ubiquitination supports cell homeostasis and cell survival particularly under stress conditions, e.g. in the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We previously found that focal ce...
Finite element modeling of near-wall mass transport in cardiovascular flows.

Many cardiovascular processes involve mass transport between blood and the vessel wall. Finite element methods are commonly used to numerically simulate these processes. Cardiovascular mass transport problems are typically characterized by high Peclet numbers, requiring fine near-wall mesh resolution as well as the use of stabilization techniques to avoid numerical instabilities. In this work, we develop a set of guidelines for solving high-Peclet-number near-wall mass transport problems using the finite element method. We use a steady, idealized test case to investigate the required mesh resolution and finite element basis order to accurately capture near-wall concentration boundary layers, as well as the performance of several commonly used stabilization techniques. Linear tetrahedral meshes were found to outperform quadratic tetrahedral meshes of equivalent degrees of freedom, and the commonly used discontinuity-capturing stabilization technique was found to be overly diffusive for these types of problems. Best practices derived from the idealized test case were then applied to a typical patient-specific vascular blood flow modeling application, where it was found that the commonly applied technique of avoiding numerical difficulties by artificially increasing mass diffusivity provides qualitatively similar but quantitatively erroneous results.
Using Machine Learning to Predict Path-Based Slack from Graph-Based Timing Analysis

With diminishing margins in advanced technology nodes, accuracy of timing analysis is a serious concern. Improved accuracy helps to reduce overdesign, particularly in P&R-based optimization and timing closure steps, but comes at the cost of runtime. A major factor in accurate estimation of timing slack, especially for low-voltage corners, is the propagation of transition time. In graph-based analysis (GBA), worst-case transition time is propagated through a given gate, independent of the path under analysis, and is hence pessimistic. The timing pessimism results in overdesign and/or inability to fully recover power and area during optimization. In path-based analysis (PBA), pathspeci?c transition times are propagated, reducing pessimism. However, PBA incurs severe (4X or more) runtime overheads relative to GBA, and is often avoided in the early stages of physical implementation. With numerous operating corners, use of PBA is even more burdensome. In this paper, we propose a machine learning model, based on bigrams of path stages, to predict expensive PBA results from relatively inexpensive GBA results. We identify electrical and structural features of the circuit that affect PBA-GBA divergence with respect to endpoint arrival times. We use GBA and PBA analysis of a given testcase design along with arti?cially generated timing paths, in combination with a classi?cation and regression tree (CART) approach, to develop a predictive model for PBA-GBA divergence. Empirical studies demonstrate that our model has the potential to substantially reduce pessimism while retaining the lower turnaround time of GBA analysis. For example, a model trained on a post-CTS and tested on a post-route database for the leon3mp design in 28nm FDSOI foundry enablement reduces divergence from true PBA slack (i.e., model prediction divergence, versus GBA divergence) from 9.43ps to 6.06ps (mean absolute error), 26.79ps to 19.72ps (99th percentile error), and 50.78ps to 39.46ps (maximum error).
#BlackLivesMatter: An Analysis of the Movement as Social Drama:

Scholars agree that the United States is experiencing a new black civil and human rights movement called #BlackLivesMatter and that the Internet is pivotal to that movement. Protests in Ferguson, M...
Improvements in small-scale standardized testing of geotextiles used in silt fence applications

Abstract Silt fence have been used as a means for intercepting and treating construction site stormwater runoff prior to offsite discharge for well over 30 years. Standard small-scale testing methodologies for evaluating the filtering component of silt fence installations have failed to mimic realistic flows and sediment loadings commonly seen in field applications. To address these issues, this study evaluated the performance capabilities of two nonwoven and three woven silt fence geotextiles using an innovative testing methodology and a newly developed small-scale testing apparatus. The overall intent for conducting the evaluations was to develop a deeper understanding of effluent flow rates, sediment retention capabilities, and water quality impacts associated with geotextile fabrics. Results suggest that effluent flow rates of nonwoven geotextiles are on average 43% lower than woven materials, which results in extensive upstream retention times of impounded stormwater for nonwoven materials. Sediment retention results indicate that nonwoven geotextiles have an average sediment retention rate of 97% while woven geotextiles average 91%. Finally, water quality analyses suggest that the primary means for turbidity reductions rely on the process of sedimentation during the 30-min test period (i.e., 46% reduction) and filtration during the 90-min dewatering period (i.e., 19% reduction).
The Impact of Transitional Justice on Colombia’s Rule of Law

Little is known about the effects of transitional justice on the development of the rule of law. In Colombia, this Andean nation has used transitional mechanisms for more than a decade, and as part of the 2016 peace accord it is launching a second wave of transitional trials, a truth commission, amnesties, and reparations. Utilizing a case-study design, this article measures the impact of Colombia’s first wave, i.e., the Justice and Peace process, across five key rule of law indicators. Despite expectations in the literature that domestic trials are the primary casual mechanisms in enhancing the rule of law, this analysis finds that in the case of Colombia restorative elements, namely amnesties and reparations, were the drivers of limited change. More comprehensive reform was blocked by structural flaws within Law 975, the government’s ever-changing transitional framework, and the absence of the state in former conflict zones.
“What Do You Need a Course Like That for?” Conceptualizing Diverse Ruralities in Rural Teacher Education:

This article examined preservice teachers discourse models of diversity in a rural context. We explored the perceptions of diversity among preservice teachers at a rural university as they were ask...
Management of low-risk prostate cancer in patients with enlarged glands and lower urinary tract symptoms: robotic total prostatectomy, a novel technique

Low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) is primarily managed with Active Surveillance (AS). A subset of these patients have significantly enlarged glands and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) recalcitrant to medical therapy. Radical treatment in this patient population risks compromise to both erectile function and continence. Therefore, our primary aim is to introduce a novel surgical technique, robotic total prostatectomy (RTP), for the management of severely enlarged prostate hyperplasia with concomitant suspicion of low-risk prostate cancer. After IRB approval and patient consultation/education, we performed RTP on 12 consecutive patients who presented with low-risk PCa and significantly enlarged prostate glands with LUTS. Inclusion criteria included patients with suspicion of low-risk malignancy, subjective/objective complaint of LUTS, and pre-operative prostate size > 60 g. Preoperative, perioperative and postoperative variables were studied in the following domains: surgical, oncologic, continence and erectile function. A total of 12 patients underwent RTP. Mean preoperative prostate volume and PSA was estimated at 96.96 g and 8.79, respectively. Surgical time, EBL and LOS was estimated at 180.8 min, 189.6 ml, and 2 days, respectively. Post-operative variables confirmed resolution of LUTS (mean PVR 41.78/IPSS 8.3) and efficient oncologic control (mean PSA 0.04), with minimal compromise of sexual function. 100% continence was achieved at 3 months. RTP is a novel, efficient surgical procedure for the treatment of patients with at-risk for low-grade malignancy and symptomatic LUTS in an enlarged gland. Expanding the indication to patients with low-risk malignancy, irrespective of prostate size may alleviate the adverse effects of radical treatment in this select subset of patients.
Refractory Pediatric Autoimmune Enteropathy Successfully Treated with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Rationale Both allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) have utility in refractory autoimmune diseases. We report a pediatric case of autoimmune enteropathy (AIE) that was successfully treated with haploidentical SCT and post-transplant cyclophosphamide. Methods A 4 year old male with chronic diarrhea, multiple food allergies, eczema, recurrent infections, failure to thrive and TPN dependence was diagnosed as AIE with biopsy proven anti-enterocyte antibodies. Immune evaluation revealed no mutation for immunodysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy X-linked and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 sequencing. T cell function and primary immunodeficiency panel were normal. He failed conventional treatments with TNF blockade, calcineurin inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, and costimulatory blockade (abatacept). A haplo-HSCT was performed with rituximab 375 mg/m2 day (D) -14, fludarabine 150 mg/m2 D -11 to D -7, thiotepa 10 mg/kg D -7, melphalan 140 mg/m2 D -6, Thymoglobulin 10 mg/kg D -5 to D -2, along with post-transplant cyclophosphamide 100 mg/kg D +3 to D +4. Results The patient engrafted on D +16 with neutrophils above 500 mcL on three consecutive CBCs, and he was platelet transfusion independent after D+19 to maintain platelets above 50,000 mcL. He resumed regular diet on day + 46 post haplo-HSCT without any gastrointestinal symptoms and is gaining weight at the time of this report. Post-transplant course was complicated by grade II acute skin graft versus host disease that responded to prednisolone and tacrolimus, and HHV6 reactivation which resolved after starting ganciclovir. Conclusion This is a case of a pediatric patient with refractory AIE who is now asymptomatic post haplo-HSCT after failing treatment with extensive immune modulators. This treatment may prove to be helpful for similar challenging patients with AIE.
Micro-Scale Thermal Sensitivity Mappings of Human Body

We mapped thermal sensitivities of 318 skin spots over 15 body parts, in 48 college students. The results show that body parts had wide variance in thermal sensitivity. The foot, lower leg and upper chest are much less sensitive than average, while the cheek, neck back, and seat area are very sensitive to both cooling and warming stimuli. To examine any sex differences in thermal sensitivity, body-surface-area-matched males and females were selected. Given comparable body size, no significant thermal sensitivity differences were observed between male and female, except for warming of the forearm and chest. These high-density thermal sensitivity data provide the most comprehensive account of the distribution of cold and warm sensitivity across the human body. They can help to guide future developments in energy-efficient personal comfort systems and wearables.
Effects of commercially available palmitic and stearic acid supplements on nutrient digestibility and production responses of lactating dairy cows

We evaluated the effects of commercially available fatty acid (FA) supplements containing palmitic (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) on nutrient digestibility and production responses of dairy cows. Thirty-six mid-lactation (146 ± 55 d in milk) multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to twelve 3 × 3 balanced truncated Latin squares, with 3 treatments and 2 consecutive 35-d periods, with the final 5 d used for sample and data collection. Treatments were (1) a control diet containing no supplemental FA (CON), (2) a control diet supplemented with a commercially available C16:0 supplement (PA), and (3) a control diet supplemented with a commercially available C16:0 and C18:0 supplement (MIX). Supplements were fed at 1.5% dry matter and replaced soyhulls in CON. The statistical model included the random effect of cow nested within square and the fixed effects of treatment, period, square, and their interactions. Preplanned contrasts were (1) overall effect of FA treatments [CON vs. the average of the FA treatments (FAT); 1/2 (PA + MIX)], and (2) effect of FA supplement (PA vs. MIX). Treatment had no effects on dry matter intake, body weight, or body weight change. Compared with CON, FAT decreased digestibilities of total FA and 18-carbon FA but did not affect dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Compared with MIX, PA increased dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities by 3.6 and 4.8 percentage units, respectively. The PA also increased total FA and 18-carbon FA digestibilities but did not alter 16-carbon FA digestibility compared with MIX. Using a Lucas test, we estimated apparent digestibility coefficients of 0.768 and 0.553 for the PA and MIX supplements, respectively. Compared with CON, FAT increased milk yield and tended to increase energy-corrected milk, but did not affect yield of milk fat or milk protein. The PA increased energy-corrected milk and milk fat yield but had no effect on milk protein yield compared with MIX. Our results indicate that dairy cows producing around 45 kg of milk respond better to a FA supplement enriched in C16:0 compared with a supplement containing both C16:0 and C18:0, which is likely due in part to PA increasing FA and neutral detergent fiber digestibility compared with MIX.
Identification and characterization of yeast mutants and the gene for a cruciform cutting endonuclease.

Abstract An assay was developed that detected DNA cruciform cutting endonuclease activity in crude extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A collection of temperature-sensitive strains was screened using this assay, and a mutant lacking the activity was found. The mutation leading to the enzymatic defect was mapped to the left arm of chromosome XI within 3 cM of the centromere. Cloning of the gene for this endonuclease was achieved by chromosome walking from the nearby PUT3 locus. The gene, called CCE1 (cruciform cutting endonuclease), was sequenced and found to have an open reading frame encoding a 41 kDa protein. The amino acid sequence of this eukaryotic endonuclease shows homology neither to its prokaryotic counterparts nor to other proteins in available databases. A cce1 null mutant has no obvious growth defect, and despite the ability of the CCE1 enzyme to cleave Holliday junction analogs, the mutant shows no defect in meiotic or mitotic recombination. A second cruciform cutting activity was detected in extracts from a cce1 null mutant, indicating that yeast has at least two such enzymes. The only phenotype observed for cce1 mutants is a higher than normal frequency of appearance of petite cells, suggesting that the CCE1 protein is important for the maintenance of mitochondrial DNA.
Targeted housestaff intervention reduces opioid use without worsening patient-reported pain scores and improves outcomes among patients with IBD: the "IBD pain ladder".

Opioid analgesic use is associated with increased mortality, higher readmission rates, and reduced quality of life among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). With the goal of reducing inpatient opioid use among patients with IBD admitted to our inpatient gastroenterology (GI) service, we designed and implemented a standardized, educational intervention providing analgesic decision support to internal medicine and emergency medicine housestaff at our institution. Pre-intervention data was collected from patients admitted during a 9-month period prior to intervention. Post-intervention patients were identified prospectively. The primary outcome was reduction in aggregate inpatient opioid use in oral morphine equivalents per patient. A total of 68 patients with 81 hospitalizations were analyzed. There was no statistically significant difference in baseline admission characteristics between the two groups. Our primary outcome was achieved with a statistically significant reduction in opioid use during hospitalization (43.4 mg vs 7.7 mg; p < 0.01). Secondary outcomes achieved included reduction in new opioid prescriptions upon discharge, reduced hospital length of stay, and reduced 90-day readmission rates. There was no significant difference between patients’ pain scores between the two groups. We believe this intervention, aimed at housestaff education, provides a roadmap for pain management decision-making in this patient population. It is a readily reproducible strategy that can be widely applied to improve inpatient IBD patient care. Importantly, patient experience and pain scores were unchanged despite lower use of inpatient opioid analgesia, highlighting successful opioid-sparing analgesics in most inpatients with IBD.
Short interpregnancy intervals and risks for birth defects: support for the nutritional depletion hypothesis.

BACKGROUND Research suggests short interpregnancy intervals increase risks for adverse perinatal outcomes, including some birth defects. A hypothesized cause is nutritional depletion, including folic acid (FA). OBJECTIVES We evaluated associations between short interpregnancy intervals, alone and in combination with FA intake, and the occurrence of select malformations. METHODS Data were from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (US case-control, 1997-2011). Participants included multiparous women whose prior pregnancy resulted in live birth. Cases included 8 noncardiac and 6 cardiac defect groups (n = 3219); controls were nonmalformed live-borns (n = 2508). We categorized interpregnancy interval ( 1.2 were considered to represent potentially meaningful associations. RESULTS ORs for 1.2 for 4/8 noncardiac and 3/6 cardiac malformations. Among participants with any FA supplement use, ORs comparing 1.2 for <6 mo + no FA supplement use and DFE <400 µg/d compared with 6-23 mo + any FA supplement use. Magnitude and precision varied by defect. CONCLUSIONS Short interpregnancy intervals were associated with a trend of higher risks for several defects, notably in the absence of FA supplement use. To our knowledge, our study is the first to provide preliminary empirical support that these etiologies may be related to shorter interpregnancy intervals and possible nutritional deficiencies. Because FA intake is highly correlated with other nutrients, and because our estimates were generally imprecise, more research with larger sample sizes is needed to better understand the role of FA compared with other nutrients in each defect-specific etiology.
"Double-Down" Adrenal Vein Sampling Results in Patients with Apparent Bilateral Aldosterone Suppression: Utility of Repeat Sampling including Super-Selective Sampling.

Abstract Purpose To report outcomes of patients undergoing adrenal vein sampling (AVS) for primary aldosteronism with results indicating apparent bilateral adrenal suppression (ABAS), in which the adrenal aldosterone-to-cortisol ratios are decreased bilaterally (“double-down”) compared to the non-adrenal sample, and evaluate repeat AVS results. Materials and Methods Between 2003 and 2020, 762 patients underwent AVS. Twenty patients (2.6%; male, 12; female, 8; age 50.3 ± 9.7 years) with ABAS on initial AVS were identified. Ten underwent repeat AVS. Super-selective AVS (SS-AVS) was employed in 6 of 10 repeat AVS (60%). Outcomes after AVS were analyzed. A lateralization index (LI) >4 was considered an indication for adrenalectomy. Results Repeat AVS was diagnostic in 70% of patients (n = 7), with 6 of 7 lateralizing with LI >4 (median LI = 32.3; range 4.6–54.8) and 1 of 7 nearly lateralizing (LI = 3.5). All 7 patients underwent adrenalectomy. ABAS was redemonstrated in 3 patients (30%): 2 with unilateral adenomas on cross-sectional imaging underwent adrenalectomy despite ABAS results and 1 was lost to follow-up. Four of 6 patients (66%) who underwent SS-AVS were diagnosed with unilateral disease (median LI = 43.3; range 23.9–54.8), with one patient’s diagnosis reliant upon a single super-selective sample. In total, 9 patients underwent adrenalectomy after repeat AVS, all of whom had improved blood pressure control postoperatively. Ten patients did not undergo repeat AVS: 6 were lost to follow-up, 3 underwent medical management, and 1 underwent adrenalectomy. Conclusions AVS should be repeated when “double-down” ABAS results are encountered. Super-selective sampling may provide worthwhile diagnostic data when employed during repeat AVS.
Organophosphorus decorated lithium borate and phosphate salts with extended π-conjugated backbone.

Several new bifunctional salts, Li[B(DPN)2], Li[B(DPN)(ox)] and Li[P(DPN)3], have been prepared from the phosphorus(V)-containing chelating ligand 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene-1,4-(tetraethyl)bis(phosphonate) (H2-DPN). The new lithium salts were characterized by a variety of spectroscopic techniques. Both H2-DPN and Li[B(DPN)2] have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallographic methods. These salts are related to materials being examined for use in electrolyte solutions for lithium-ion battery (LIB) applications.
ST-segment elevation due to myocardial invasion of lung cancer mimicking ST elevation myocardial infarction: A case report.

Introduction When a cancer patient presents with ST-segment elevation on an electrocardiogram (ECG), several causes including acute myocardial infarction (MI) should be considered. Myocardial metastasis is one of the rare causes of ST-segment elevation in cancer patients and its clinical silence makes it difficult to diagnose. Patient concerns A 78-year-old man with lung cancer presented to the emergency room for chest pain. ECG revealed ST-segment elevation in inferior and lateral leads. Interventions After emergent coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on proximal right coronary artery was performed. Outcomes Even 7 days after PCI, ST-segment elevation in inferior and lateral leads still existed. Cardiac markers continued to be within the normal range. Diagnosis We found evidence of metastasis of lung cancer on the inferolateral wall of the myocardium by trans thoracic echocardiogram and positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). We diagnosed myocardial metastasis as the cause of ST-segment elevation in the patient. Conclusion Myocardial metastasis is one of the differential diagnosis of ST-segment elevation in cancer patients. Periodic ECG is necessary for lung cancer patients and rapid cardiac work-up is recommended when ST-segment elevation is newly discovered.
Laser-induced atmospheric CuxO formation on copper surface with enhanced electrochemical performance for non-enzymatic glucose sensing

Copper oxide nanostructures are widely used for various applications due to their unique optical and electrical properties. In this work, we demonstrate an atmospheric laser-induced oxidation technique for the fabrication of highly electrochemically active copper oxide hierarchical micro/nano structures on copper surfaces to achieve highly sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensing performance. The effect of laser processing power on the composition, crystallinity, microstructure, wettability, and color of the laser-induced oxide on copper (LIO-Cu) surface was systematically studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GI-XRD), Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), EDX-mapping, water contact angle measurements, and optical microscopy. Results of these investigations showed a remarkable increase in copper oxide composition by increasing the laser processing power. The pore size distribution and surface area of the pristine and LIO-Cu sample estimated by N2 adsorption–desorption data showed a developed mesoporous LIO-Cu structure. The size of the generated nano-oxides, crystallinity, and electroactivity of the LIO-Cu were observed to be adjustable by the laser processing power. The electrocatalytic activity of LIO-Cu surfaces was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) within a potential window of −0.8 to +0.8 V and chronoamperometry in an applied optimized potential of +0.6 V, in 0.1 M NaOH solution and phosphate buffer solution (PBS), respectively. LIO-Cu surfaces with optimized laser processing powers exhibited a sensitivity of 6950 μA mM−1 cm−2 within a wide linear range from 0.01 to 5 mM, with exceptional specificity and response time (<3 seconds). The sensors also showed excellent response stability over a course of 50 days that was originated from the binder-free robust electroactive film fabricated directly onto the copper surface. The demonstrated one-step LIO processing onto commercial metal films, can potentially be applied for tuneable and scalable roll-to-roll fabrication of a wide range of high surface area metal oxide micro/nano structures for non-enzymatic biosensing and electrochemical applications.
Epigenetic and non-coding regulation of alcohol abuse and addiction.

Abstract Alcohol use disorder is a chronic debilitated condition adversely affecting the lives of millions of individuals throughout the modern world. Individuals suffering from an alcohol use disorder diagnosis frequently have serious cooccurring conditions, which often further exacerbates problematic drinking behavior. Comprehending the biochemical processes underlying the progression and perpetuation of disease is essential for mitigating maladaptive behavior in order to restore both physiological and psychological health. The range of cellular and biological systems contributing to, and affected by, alcohol use disorder and other comorbid disorders necessitates a fundamental grasp of intricate functional relationships that govern molecular biology. Epigenetic factors are recognized as essential mediators of cellular behavior, orchestrating a symphony of gene expression changes within multicellular environments that are ultimately responsible for directing human behavior. Understanding the epigenetic and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of disease is important for improving available pharmacotherapies and reducing the incidence of alcohol abuse and cooccurring conditions.
Low-rank tensors applications for dimensionality reduction of complex hydrocarbon reservoirs

Abstract The significant non-uniformity of petrophysical properties and ultra-tight permeability distribution in unconventional reservoirs make them critically complex to investigate. Unconventional reservoirs are usually found in thin layers that expand over hundreds to thousands of miles spatially resulting in huge multidimensional data collection at well locations, which make them numerically challenging for the field development studies and operational analysis. To address such problems, the concept of low-rank tensor decomposition is introduced in this study, to be applied for unconventional reservoir modeling to target issues such as huge dataset management and missing data generation. Low-rank tensor decomposition is a powerful tool that can model a wide range of heterogeneous and multidimensional data. It works by extracting the most useful latent information out of several multidimensional data tensors and reconstruct the entire dataset in a compressed format using low-rank tensors. It is a novel idea to be applied in petroleum reservoir engineering to optimize reservoir models as well as field development strategies to significantly improve recovery efficiency and minimize uncertainties.
The Origins of Law and Its Essential Strucures

We have now traversed, across the Introduction and the first four chapters of this work, the main features of Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology of the social world as they are expressed in the cultural mediation of nature, intersubjectivity, history and the origin of meaning, ethics, and politics. Running through all these themes and connecting them at various junctures is the notion of language analysed according to de Saussure’s distinctions of la langue and la parole, on the one hand, and the synchronic and the diachronic, on the other. Following the interplay of these perspectives on language, we have seen how Merleau-Ponty finds them illuminative of the bonds of intersubjective communication, creative expression in the origin and change of meaning, the nature of history (at least up to a point), and politics.
Component Specifications for Robotics Integration

Robotics researchers have been unable to capitalize easily on existing software components to speed up their development efforts and maximize their system‘s capabilities. A component-based approach for building the software for robotics systems can provide reuse and sharing abilities to the research community. The software engineering community has been studying reuse techniques for three decades. We present several results from those efforts that are applicable to the robotics software integration problem. We describe how to specify a software component so that a potential user may understand its capabilities and facilitate its application to his or her system. At the National Institute of Standards and Technology, we have developed a three-stage, component-specification approach. We illustrate this approach for a component that is relevant to robotics.
Selection of optimal conditions in preparative liquid chromatography

Abstract The amount of substance that can be separated per unit time (the production rate) and the purity of the isolated compounds are the determining quantities in preparative chromatography. Basing the design and operation of a preparative system on the optimal production rate means optimizing the latter with respect to time, solvent consumption and the smallest possible dilution of the sample in the effluent. Equations describing the influence of the process variables are derived showing as the most important and striking result that the production rate is not a linear function of the column length. They predict that working under conditions where the contribution to mass dispersion of the injected volume and the column itself are about equal is to be preferred. The influence of the pressure limitation and pumping capacity of a chromatographic system on the production rate is discussed.
MYSTICISM AS MORALITY The Case of Sufism

Sufism - spiritual practice, intellectual discipline, literary tradition, and social institution - has played an integral role in the moral formation of Muslim society. Its aspiration toward a universal kindness to all creatures beyond the requirements of Islamic law has added a distinctly hypernomian dimension to the moral vision of Islam, as evidenced in a wide range of Sufi literature. The universal perspective of Sufism, fully rooted in Islamic revelation, yields a lived (and not just studied) ethics with the potential to view and embrace all creatures through a single ethical vision, regardless of religious or other affiliation. This side of Islam, both acknowledging and surpassing the outlook of the legal heritage, offers important insight into understanding the nature of Muslim society as both Islamic and metaIslamic in religious orientation. Sufism, still significant in today's Islamic world, thus offers important material for locating Islam as part of an international order with principles and standards that resonate deeply with the moral vision of Islam itself.
Development of integrated pest management programs in urban forests: the elm beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola (Müller)) in California, USA

Abstract The elm leaf beetle (ELB) causes severe damage to California's elms. The goal was to develop a management system based on long-term population monitoring for decision making, and environmentally sound control methods. English and Siberian elms with ELB populations in 25 locations from the northeast to the central coast of California were sampled from 1985 to 1990. Population monitoring has indicated that each ELB generation (two to three per season) varies unpredictably in its potential for causing foliage damage. Each generation needs to be sampled and decisions made for control measures most suitable for that generation. From the data base, we have developed a sampling system in which heat accumulation above 11 °C at ELB sites, measured in degree-days, indicates when to sample and, if necessary, when to treat. Sampling elm branch terminals for the presence of ELB eggs during the limited time when egg laying is near its peak provides a cost-effective means of predicting foliage damage, and thus of deciding whether control actions are necessary. Two control options compatible with ELB natural enemies have been tested: trunk banding with Carbaryl and Bacillus thuringiensis foliar sprays. A number of strains of the egg parasitoid Tetrastichus gallerucae have been released and at least one strain has survived over winter. When the number of these parasitoids has increased sufficiently, either through same season releases or from overwintering survival, they have exerted substantial control.
Interictal personality and behavioral traits in temporal lobe and generalized epilepsy.

Abstract Fourteen patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 14 patients with primary generalized epilepsy (GE) were compared on a self-report questionnaire (Personal Inventory) which assesses 18 personality and behavioral traits hypothesized to characterize persons with TLE. Four traits (sense of personal destiny, dependence, paranoia, philosophical interest) were signicantily elevated in the TLE group, thus lending some support to the notion of changes in behavior and thought which occur in TLE but not necessarily in other forms of epilepsy.
Patterns of spontaneous recovery in aphasic groups: A study of adult stroke patients

Abstract The recovery of 31 aphasic stroke patients in the first three months postonset was investigated. Improvements on eight comprehension, repetition, and expression tasks were documented for four groups. These groups, retrospectively defined on the basis of initial scores on a fluency and a comprehension task, were: Low Fluency/Low Comprehension (LFLC), Low Fluency/High Comprehension (LFHC), High Fluency/Low Comprehension (HFLC), and High Fluency/High Comprehension (HFHC). Examination of each group's recovery revealed (1) equal improvement on nearly all language tasks for the two High Comprehension groups and (2) a more selective improvement largely in comprehension and imitation tasks for the two Low Comprehension groups. Implications of this selective improvement in initially low comprehending aphasics are discussed.
Disruption of ejaculates by male copulation in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)

Six experiments were conducted to analyze possible disruption of sperm transport occurring when one male deer mouse copulates soon after another male ejaculates. When a second male mated soon after the first, females had significantly fewer uterine sperm 1 hr later than when a delay of 7 or 15 min was imposed between males. However, it was impossible to detect any effect of such disruption on pregnancy initiation. Similarly, artificial stimulation soon after an ejaculation was ineffective in disrupting pregnancy initiation. No effect of a rapid resumption of copulation could be detected on litter composition in a sperm competition situation. Although it is clear, from these and other data, that the phenomenon of ejaculate disruption occurs in deer mice, technical difficulties may interfere with experimental analysis.
Comparative swimming abilities of fed and starved larval largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Sustained swimming abilities of fed and starved larval largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides L.) were compared in the first week after swimming initiation. Fed larvae improved to a sustained velocity of 4·0 cm/sec while starved larvae attained a velocity of only 1·5 cm/sec. Swimming behaviour for fed and starved larvae was quantified for number of moves, average distance/move, and total distance for all moves in 1 min intervals. Fed larvae were always more active than starved larvae, although real differences did not appear until the 4th day after swimming initiation.
Low-Frequency Atmospheric Oscillations over the Southeastern Pacific.

A 40-50 day atmospheric oscillation has recently been reported in the southeastern Pacific based on analyses of satellite-derived microwave brightness temperature data. Prior to this, such oscillations have not been generally recognized in this region. The purpose of this note is to provide corroboration of the microwave analyses from an independent data set, four years of rawinsonde data from Easter Island. Significant spectral peaks with period 45-53 days were found in the zonal wind near the jet core (300-200 mb) and in the temperature on the underside of the jet. The signal is also present in the 100 mb temperature as shown by strong coherence between 100 and 400 mb temperature perturbations. Direct comparison of the 100 mb temperature perturbations and the microwave data shows good agreement. There is also an indication of a lower frequency signal, about 65-84 day period, in the meridional wind at 1000 mb. This signal appears to be vertically evanescent with maximum amplitude at the surface.
An algorithm for the analysis of problems with combined material and geometric nonlinearities

Abstract A solution procedure which combines the first-order self-correcting technique with linear iterations and equilibrium corrections is presented. Both geometric and material nonlinearities are considered. However, in order to describe geometric nonlinearities, large displacements but small strains are considered. The procedure presented requires only a single inversion of the linear elastic stiffness matrix and the iterations are required to be performed on the equilibrium equations without altering the nonlinear matrices. First the analytical formulation for the incremental plasticity equations theory used is presented. Then, a description of the solution algorithm is presented. Finally, the solution algorithm is demonstrated for a simply supported circular plate problem subjected separately to monotonic loading and cyclic loading, and the numerical results obtained are compared with those reported in the literature for similar problems. For problems with combined nonlinearities, the procedure has been found to be numerically stable, accurate and efficient for relatively large load increments.
Observations of short period oscillations in two dimensions

Observations of the photospheric velocity field at the disk center with a cadence of five frames per second strongly support the idea that short period oscillations arise from a combination of image motion and horizontal gradients of the line of sight velocity field. Any genuine solar short period oscillations are effectively masked by these false short period oscillations.
Concepts and implications of altruism bias and pathological altruism

The profound benefits of altruism in modern society are self-evident. However, the potential hurtful aspects of altruism have gone largely unrecognized in scientific inquiry. This is despite the fact that virtually all forms of altruism are associated with tradeoffs—some of enormous importance and sensitivity—and notwithstanding that examples of pathologies of altruism abound. Presented here are the mechanistic bases and potential ramifications of pathological altruism, that is, altruism in which attempts to promote the welfare of others instead result in unanticipated harm. A basic conceptual approach toward the quantification of altruism bias is presented. Guardian systems and their over arching importance in the evolution of cooperation are also discussed. Concepts of pathological altruism, altruism bias, and guardian systems may help open many new, potentially useful lines of inquiry and provide a framework to begin moving toward a more mature, scientifically informed understanding of altruism and cooperative behavior.
Medical management of children after liver transplantation.

Purpose of review Successful outcomes in patient, graft survival, and quality of life depend on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of possible complications. The aim of the study was to highlight the common outcomes focusing on the unique features in children. Medical follow-up of children after liver transplantation includes monitoring of surgical complications: biliary and vascular, rejection, infections, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease, other malignancies, recurrent disease, graft function, hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, among other conditions. The goal is to maintain normal graft function on minimal immunosuppression to avoid medication-induced side-effects. Recent findings Recent findings include the importance of meticulous follow-up of Epstein-Barr virus and Cytomegalic virus viral load, leading to early diagnosis and improved prognosis, increased prevalence of renal toxicity, cognitive dysfunction, autoimmune, atopic and eosinophilic disease, oral hygiene and chronic hepatitis, and fibrosis of allografts. Summary Caring for children after liver transplantation is extremely rewarding; however, careful attention must be paid to a variety of systems with understanding of the distinctiveness of pediatrics to assure optimal outcomes.
Improving the modeling of error variance evolution in the assimilation of chemical species: Application to MOPITT data

[1] This study focuses on improvement to the modeling of the evolution of the model error variance in the problem of assimilating satellite observations of chemical species. The model error variance evolution equation for the assimilation of CO is described here with localized sources in addition to transport and error growth. The assimilation of carbon monoxide (CO) observations from MOPITT is performed using a sub-optimal Kalman filter in the MOZART-2 chemistry-transport model. It is shown that this new approach can dramatically improve the ability of the assimilation to diverge from erroneous model-generated features.
A history of the T-group and its early applications in management development.

The growth of the field of group dynamics was synonymous with the rise of the T-group in leadership education. This article documents the tumultuous history of the T-group movement in the United States, particularly as it has been applied in management development. Although the T-group is commonly dismissed as a management fad, the author suggests that it represented an important phenomenon in the history of applied behavioral science and was the first serious attempt at large-scale management and leadership development. The notion of providing managers with feedback on how their behavior impacts others is as popular today as it was 50 years ago. What has changed is the mechanisms by which such feedback is provided.
Determinants of chorus tenure in barking treefrogs ( Hyla gratiosa )

In all species of anuran amphibians studied to date, male mating success is positively correlated with male chorus tenure (the number of nights that a male is present in breeding aggregations), yet males spend only a small portion of the total breeding season in choruses. Three hypotheses might explain abbreviated chorus tenure in anuran amphibians: (1) mortality, (2) energy limitations, and (3) movement among choruses. I tested these hypotheses in a study of the barking treefrog (Hyla gratiosa), a species with very abbreviated chorus tenure. Mortality accounted for the short tenures of some males: an estimated 20% of males died while calling in the chorus. Energy limitations were an important determinant of chorus tenure. Males lost weight over successive nights in the chorus, and males with longer chorus tenures were in better condition on their first night in the chorus, lost condition more slowly, and were in poorer condition on their last night in the chorus than were males with shorter chorus tenures. Males that I fed crickets as they left the chorus returned sooner and for more nights than did control (unfed) males. Movement between ponds did not explain abbreviated chorus tenure: less than 16% of the males called at more than one pond, and these males increased their chorus tenures by a median of only 2.5 nights by calling in another chorus. Thus, abbreviated chorus tenure in H. gratiosa appears to be primarily the result of energy limitations, with mortality playing a secondary role.
Couple-stress Effects Near an Interior Hole of an Infinite Elastic Plane Subjected to a Concentrated Force

Abstract Couple-stress solutions are obtained near the hole boundary of an infinite elastic plane subjected to a radial concentrated force at x = b, y = 0 ,under the restriction of r/b 0.2 and b/l⩾;- 10 . Here r and l are the distance from the center of the hole to the point of interest and a characteristic length (couple-stress constant). At r = a, θ = ±π 2 , the stress ratio of the couple-stress solution to the classical one for the current problem is slightly lower than one of the Mindlin problem ( 1 ) for some values of v, except for v = 0.5 where they are equal. The dimensionless stress σ θθ is found along the hole boundary.