cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous determination of the contents of four constituents in Xiaoshuantongluo tablets by RP-HPLC wavelength switching method

Objective To develop an RP-HPLC wavelength switching method for the determination of rutin,salvianolic acid B,cinnamic acid and formononetin in Xiaoshuantongluo tablets(traditional Chinese medicines).Methods A Diamonsil C18 column(200 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)was used at 30 ℃.Aacetonitrile-0.1%(φ)phosphoric acid aqueous was used as the mobile phase with gradient elution.The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL · min-1.Rutin was determined at 360 nm,alvianolic acid B and cinnamic acid were determined at 288 nm,formononetin was determined at 248 nm.Results The linear response ranged from 14.30-85.80 mg · L-1 for rutin(r=0.999 4,n=6),10.56-63.36 mg · L-1 for salvianolic acid B(r=0.999 3,n=6),1.80-10.80 mg · L-1 for cinnamic acid(r=0.999 8,n=6),0.58-3.48 mg · L-1 for formononetin(r=0.999 6,n=6),respectively.Recoveries were 98.4% with RSD 1.4% for rutin,99.3% with RSD 0.9% for salvianolic acid B,99.2% with RSD 1.3% for cinnamic acid,98.4% with RSD 1.5% for formononetin.Conclusions The method is quick,simple and repeatable for simultaneous determination of rutin,salvianolic acid B,cinnamic acid and formononetin in Xiaoshuantongluo tablets.
Metabolic and immunologic sequelae of pancreas transplantation in the pig

After induction of a Streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus solitary pancreas transplants were performed in 31 Yorkshire-Landrace pigs. Exocrine pancreatic secretions were bladder drained (duodenocystostomy). Postoperatively all animals were subject to a standardized immunosuppression. The purpose of the study was both to examine the intensity of rejection episodes within a certain time period and to correlate laboratory with histology data. Cystoscopic transduodenal pancreas biopsies in defined intervals were obtained by intraoperative ultrasound control; this technique reduces the complication rate and should be used clinically. The biopsy results showed that severe rejection episodes despite high dose triple-immunosuppression for induction therapy were noted histologically and immunohistochemically as early as postoperative day 6. Morphological changes significantly preceded functional changes. Due to the distinct immunogenicity of pancreas transplants and in order to decrease incidence and severity of rejection episodes, quadruple-immunosuppression (including T-cell-antibodies) is imperative for induction therapy and anti-rejection treatment. Our results demonstrate that solitary pancreas transplantation is clinically indicated only in patients with extremely labile diabetes mellitus due to the high immunosuppression required. This animal model should be utilized for further studies to improve the result of solitary pancreas transplantation.
Automatically proving the termination of functional programs

Establishing the termination of programs is a fundamental problem in the field of software verification. For transformational programs, termination is used to extend partial correctness to total correctness. For reactive systems, termination reasoning is used to establish liveness properties. In the context of theorem proving, termination is used to establish the consistency of definitional axioms and to automate proofs by induction. Of course, termination is an undecidable problem, as Turing himself proved. However, the question remains: how automatic can a general termination analysis be in practice? In this dissertation, we develop two new general frameworks for reasoning about termination and demonstrate their effectiveness in automating the task of proving termination in the domain of applicative first-order functional languages. The foundation of the first framework is the development of the first known complete set of algorithms for ordinal arithmetic over an ordinal notation. We provide algorithms for ordinal ordering (<), addition, subtraction, multiplication, and exponentiation on the ordinals up to e0. We prove correctness and complexity results for each algorithm. We also create a library for automating arithmetic reasoning over e0 in the ACL2 theorem proving system. This ordinal library enables new termination proofs that were previously not possible in previous versions of ACL2. The foundation of the second framework is an algorithm for fully automating termination reasoning with no user assistance. This algorithm uses a combination of theorem proving and static analysis to create a Calling Context Graph (CCG), a novel abstraction that captures the looping behavior of the program. Calling Context Measures (CCMs) are then used to prove that no infinite path through the CCG can be an actual computation of the program. We implement this algorithm in the ACL2, and empirically evaluate its effectiveness on the regression suite, a collection of over 11,000 user-defined functions from a wide variety of applications.
MyD88 Shapes Vaccine Immunity by Extrinsically Regulating Survival of CD4 + T Cells during the Contraction Phase

Soaring rates of systemic fungal infections worldwide underscore the need for vaccine prevention. An understanding of the elements that promote vaccine immunity is essential. We previously reported that Th17 cells are required for vaccine immunity to the systemic dimorphic fungi of North America, and that Card9 and MyD88 signaling are required for the development of protective Th17 cells. Herein, we investigated where, when and how MyD88 regulates T cell development. We uncovered a novel mechanism in which MyD88 extrinsically regulates the survival of activated T cells during the contraction phase and in the absence of inflammation, but is dispensable for the expansion and differentiation of the cells. The poor survival of activated T cells in Myd88-/- mice is linked to increased caspase3-mediated apoptosis, but not to Fas- or Bim-dependent apoptotic pathways, nor to reduced expression of the anti-apoptotic molecules Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL. Moreover, TLR3, 7, and/or 9, but not TLR2 or 4, also were required extrinsically for MyD88-dependent Th17 cell responses and vaccine immunity. Similar MyD88 requirements governed the survival of virus primed T cells. Our data identify unappreciated new requirements for eliciting adaptive immunity and have implications for designing vaccines.
Incidence of Clostridium botulinum in Vegetables Packaged under Vacuum or Modified Atmosphere

Because modified atmosphere-packaged (MAP) vegetables may provide an anaerobic environment conducive to Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin production, the incidence of C. botulinum spores in commercially available, precut MAP vegetables was determined. One-pound (454-g) packages of MAP vegetables were aseptically opened, added to freshly steamed and cooled sterile trypticase-peptone-glucose-yeast extract broth and incubated at 35°C for 7 days. Positive and negative controls were included with each sampling. After incubation the broth cultures were tested for toxicity by the standard mouse bioassay. Of the 1,118 MAP vegetable packages examined, one package each of shredded cabbage, chopped green pepper, and Italian salad mix contained C. botulinum type A spores. One additional salad mix (main ingredient, escarole) contained both C. botulinum type A and type B spores. Results indicated a low overall incidence rate (0.36%) of C. botulinum spores in commercially available precut MAP vegetables.
Hybrid Speech Acts: A Theory of Normative Thought and Language That ‘Has It Both Ways’

In this essay, I propose a novel hybrid metanormative theory. According to this theory, speakers making normative claims express both cognitive and motivational attitudes in virtue of the constitutive norms of the particular speech acts they perform. This view has four principal virtues: (1) it is consistent with traditional semantic theories, (2) it supports a form of motivational judgment internalism that does justice to externalist intuitions, (3) it illuminates the connection between normative language and normative thought, and (4) it explains how speakers can express different conative states when speaking in different normative domains. In the first section, I discuss the theories of Stephen Finlay and David Copp. I show that they each come very close to having it both ways but ultimately fail. Understanding the shortcomings of these views is instrumental to a clear presentation of my own Hybrid Speech Act theory in section two. In the final section, I demonstrate how my view achieves its four advantages.
Abstract 152: The long non-coding RNA HOTAIR affects exosome-mediated bladder cancer progression

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Exosomes are 30-100nM membrane-bound vesicles that participate in intercellular communication and facilitate tumor microenvironments. The mechanisms by which exosomes modify tumor niches are not fully understood. One possibility is that exosomes deliver biologically active molecules like mRNA, protein, miRNA and long non coding RNA (lncRNA) that alter the metabolism of recipient cells to produce pathological phenotypes. Exosomes may also activate the expression of genes involved in tumor progression in recipient cells. Overexpression of the lncRNA HOTAIR is associated with poor prognosis and affects tumor progression, in part, by recruiting PRC2 and LSD1 chromatin modifying complexes to thousands of target genes involved in tumor progression processes such as epithelial-to-mesenchyme transition (EMT). We show that HOTAIR is enriched in bladder cancer (BC) patient tumors and urinary exosomes. BC cell lines also express elevated levels of HOTAIR. Knockdown of HOTAIR in BC cell lines significantly reduces migration and invasion in trans-well and 3D culture, which correlates with EMT gene expression changes in these cells. Exosomes isolated from shHOTAIR vs shScramble cells fail to facilitate migration and invasion in 3D culture of a recipient BC cell line. Selected bands were isolated from a coomassie gel of shHOTAIR and shScramble exosomes and sent for mass spectrometry. Hundreds of putative proteins were identified including proteins involved in RNA binding, apoptosis, vesicle trafficking and integrins. These data support HOTAIR as an important player in exosome-mediated BC tumor progression possibly through affects on gene expression in exosome producer cells. For example, in shHOTAIR cells the loss of PRC2 and/or LSD1 complexes from key genes may ultimately affect the proteins available for packaging into exosomes. Exosomes have important roles in the tumor microenvironment and these data support a role for HOTAIR in the modulation of exosome-mediated tumor progression. Citation Format: Claudia Berrondo, Jonathan Flax, Edward M. Messing, Carla Beckham. The long non-coding RNA HOTAIR affects exosome-mediated bladder cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 152. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-152
Effect of plant regulators on set and berry development in certain seedless and seeded varieties of Vitis vinifera L.

Flowering clusters on ungirdled, nondefoliated shoots of 'Black Corinth', and girdled shoots defoliated to 1 /ia leaf, were dipped in 4-CPA at 15 ppm, or GA3 at 5 or 15 ppm. In nondefoliated shoots the set was decreased about 13 °/o at 15 ppm, but there were no significant differences among the other treatments. All treatments produced heavier rachises, berries, and clusters than the ungirdled, untreated controls. In defoliated shoots the set was decreased approximately 85 °/o by GA3 at 15 ppm. 4-CPA significantly increased set, but a mixture of GA3 and 4-CPA did not alter set. Similar experiments were carried on with the seeded varieties 'Pinot Chardonnay', 'Muscat of Alexandria', and 'Grenache'. Clusters on ungirdled nondefoliated shoots were dipped in GA3, 4-CPA, or a mixture of the two compounds. Like treatments were made on other clusters on shoots defoliated to 1/4 leaf. There was a varietal difference in response among the seeded varieties. The compounds injured the Muscat and reduced the set and berry size. All treatments increased the set of seedless berries on nondefoliated shoots of 'Pinot'. In both 'Chardonnay' and 'Grenache' there was a shift from seeded to seedless berries. Application of 4-CPA resulted in a significantly greater set in total number of berries on defoliated shoots of 'Chardonnay' and 'Muscat'. All solutions containing GA3 increased siz'e of seedless berries on nondefoliated shoots of 'Pinot'. GA3 applied at shatter stage increased size of seedless 'Muscat' berries. With one exception, there was no increase in size of one-, two-, or three-seeded berries. Percentage set was significantly increased in defoliated shoots of 'Muscat' by 4-CPA, and in 'Pinot' by 4-CPA or a mixture of 4-CPA and GA3. A kinin, benzyladenine, failed to increase set or berry size, but intensified the development of a purple anthocyanin pigment in 'Muscat'. The possible importance of the ratio of a leaf-produced set factor to gibberellin in berry set in 'Black Corinth' is discussed.
Childhood Obesity, Atherogenesis, and Adult Cardiovascular Disease

Pediatric obesity predisposes to hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes and is a major risk factor for adult cardiovascular disease. In this chapter, we present evidence that atherosclerosis begins in childhood, increases with age, and is accelerated by multiple risk factors. Additionally, we discuss the application of noninvasive imaging modalities to assess early atherosclerosis and summarize the studies demonstrating the utility of these methods in pediatric obesity. We conclude with strategies for prevention, which is essential to limiting adult cardiovascular disease.
In the shadow of production: Coal waste accumulation and environmental inequality formation in Eastern Kentucky.

Abstract This article advances an environmental-sociological and quantitative spatial-analytic approach to the study of environmental inequality formation in coal country. We use spatial error regression models in a case study of 2000 census block group proximity to hazardous coal waste impoundments amidst shifting coal production trajectories and impoundment disaster contexts in the declining Eastern Kentucky coalfields. Proximity to abandoned and sealed mines, coal production density, and the “buffering effect” of rural-agricultural context are the most powerful predictors of impoundment proximity in the period encapsulating the boom years of coal production and culminating in 2000. Amidst continued coal industry decline and the post-2000 Martin County impoundment disaster context, proximity to older impoundments, including the failed Martin County impoundment, proximity to abandoned and sealed mines, and poverty levels by 2000 are the most powerful predictors of proximity to impoundments sited from 2001 to 2006. Findings have important environmental justice research and policy implications.
Intelligence Agencies and Issues

Intelligence agencies have historically played a pivotal role in balancing the protection of civil liberties with national security. This brief survey explores the evolution of intelligence warfare and how it has affected interpretations of due process protections. The 1996 Antiterrorism Act, The USA PATRIOT Act, the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 and the Military Commissions Act of 2006, and The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Act of 2004 are offered as case studies to illustrate how intelligence-based legislation shapes executive authority. A brief examination of intelligence issues concerning non-democratic regimes is offered to illustrate the complex issues facing modern intelligence warfare.
High-performance nanomaterials formed by rigid yet extensible cyclic β-peptide polymers

Organisms have evolved biomaterials with an extraordinary convergence of high mechanical strength, toughness, and elasticity. In contrast, synthetic materials excel in stiffness or extensibility, and a combination of the two is necessary to exceed the performance of natural biomaterials. We bridge this materials property gap through the side-chain-to-side-chain polymerization of cyclic β-peptide rings. Due to their strong dipole moments, the rings self-assemble into rigid nanorods, stabilized by hydrogen bonds. Displayed amines serve as functionalization sites, or, if protonated, force the polymer to adopt an unfolded conformation. This molecular design enhances the processability and extensibility of the biopolymer. Molecular dynamics simulations predict stick-slip deformations dissipate energy at large strains, thereby, yielding toughness values greater than natural silks. Moreover, the synthesis route can be adapted to alter the dimensions and displayed chemistries of nanomaterials with mechanical properties that rival nature.
Does an Implant Usage Report Card Impact Orthopaedic Trauma Implant Stewardship

Objectives:As hospitals seek to control variable expenses, orthopaedic surgeons have come under scrutiny because of relatively high implant costs. We aimed to determine whether feedback to surgeons regarding implant costs results in changes in implant selection.Methods:This study was undertaken at a
Does Depicting Gay Couples in Ads Influence Behavioral Intentions?: How Appeal for Ads with Gay Models Can Drive Intentions to Purchase and Recommend

ABSTRACT This study examines the behavioral intentions of heterosexual and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) consumers following exposure to advertising featuring heterosexual or LGB imagery. Results indicated that viewing advertisements congruent with participants9 sexuality increased the advertisements9 appeal, particularly for LGB consumers. Advertising appeal significantly predicted purchase intentions and likelihood of recommending the advertised brands. Incongruent advertisements generally still were appealing for all participants. The indirect effect of advertising imagery on behavioral intentions through advertising appeal was stronger for LGB participants than heterosexual participants. Advertising appeal was related to behavioral intentions three weeks postexposure, suggesting potential lasting effects of advertisement exposure.
A tone tutor for training student musicians

We present a real time tool for guitar students to practice the production of good tone. Empirically, according to an informal survey of guitar teachers, warm tones are generally preferable to bright tones. Our tool quantifies the tone by determining the fundamental frequency of the note and examining the harmonics. A note with many strong harmonics well above the fundamental sounds bright while a note with only harmonics near the fundamental sounds warm. We have built a smartphone app that calculates the harmonic average of an incoming signal and presents the resulting measurement in real time. This app can be used by a music student during solo practice sessions between lessons to develop good tone on their instrument.We present a real time tool for guitar students to practice the production of good tone. Empirically, according to an informal survey of guitar teachers, warm tones are generally preferable to bright tones. Our tool quantifies the tone by determining the fundamental frequency of the note and examining the harmonics. A note with many strong harmonics well above the fundamental sounds bright while a note with only harmonics near the fundamental sounds warm. We have built a smartphone app that calculates the harmonic average of an incoming signal and presents the resulting measurement in real time. This app can be used by a music student during solo practice sessions between lessons to develop good tone on their instrument.
Scoliosis Correction with One Ventricle: A Multispecialty Approach.

Background Patients with single-ventricle congenital heart disease may present for scoliosis correction. These patients undergo a series of cardiac operations that create a novel circulation that has a significant impact on the management of their spinal surgery. Case Description A 21-year-old man with severe scoliosis presented for posterior T4-L3 spinal fusion. He was born with complex congenital heart disease that resulted in his having a single functioning ventricle. He underwent a series of operations culminating in a Fontan procedure to palliate his heart disease. Both the surgical procedure and the anesthetic plan were modified based on his abnormal physiology, which led to a successful correction with no complications. Conclusions Patients who have undergone a Fontan procedure can successfully undergo a lengthy scoliosis correction, but it requires multidisciplinary planning.
Evaluating the Relation Between CHC Cognitive Factors and Selected Components of Executive Functioning

Executive functioning remains an elusive paradigm in regard to their underlying constructs. The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive functions is the predominant theory of the measurement of human intelligence in psychology in regard to test construction and interpretation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relations between components of the Tower Test and Color-Word Interference Test from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) and CHC theory, as measured by the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ-III-COG). Participants were 64 undergraduate students (women, n = 38; men, n = 26), with a mean age of 19.88 years. Results of a Structured Equation Model indicated a correlation between the two factors modeled for Intelligence and Executive functioning was estimated to be 0.575 (0.331), and was statistically significant (p < .001), with a 95% credible interval of (0.551, 0.599). Thus, approximately 33% of the variance for measures of Intelligence was accounted for by measures of Executive Functioning; the biggest CHC contributor was Numbers Reversed which argues for the importance of attention and working memory being an important component of executive functioning. The results suggest that despite a relation between some components of executive function and cognitive ability, much variance between the D-KEFS and WJ-III-COG remains unaccounted for. These findings have implications for evaluation and intervention planning within vocational and educational settings.
Applying the Narrative Coherence Standard in Non-Medical Capacity Assessments.

We honor and protect a person’s autonomy and the exercise of their legal rights by allowing them to direct their affairs, but, also, to bear the consequence of their capable choices. Similarly, pro...
Promoting Quality Face-to-Face Communication during Ophthalmology Encounters in the Electronic Health Record Era

Objective To evaluate informatics-enabled quality improvement (QI) strategies for promoting time spent on face-to-face communication between ophthalmologists and patients. Methods This prospective study involved deploying QI strategies during implementation of an enterprise-wide vendor electronic health record (EHR) in an outpatient academic ophthalmology department. Strategies included developing single sign-on capabilities, activating mobile- and tablet-based applications, EHR personalization training, creating novel workflows for team-based orders, and promoting problem-based charting to reduce documentation burden. Timing data were collected during 648 outpatient encounters. Outcomes included total time spent by the attending ophthalmologist on the patient, time spent on documentation, time spent on examination, and time spent talking with the patient. Metrics related to documentation efficiency, use of personalization features, use of team-based orders, and note length were also measured from the EHR efficiency portal and compared with averages for ophthalmologists nationwide using the same EHR. Results Time spent on exclusive face-to-face communication with patients initially decreased with EHR implementation (2.9 to 2.3 minutes, p = 0.005) but returned to the paper baseline by 6 months (2.8 minutes, p = 0.99). Observed participants outperformed national averages of ophthalmologists using the same vendor system on documentation time per appointment, number of customized note templates, number of customized order lists, utilization of team-based orders, note length, and time spent after-hours on EHR use. Conclusion Informatics-enabled QI interventions can promote patient-centeredness and face-to-face communication in high-volume outpatient ophthalmology encounters. By employing an array of interventions, time spent exclusively talking with the patient returned to levels equivalent to paper charts by 6 months after EHR implementation. This was achieved without requiring EHR redesign, use of scribes, or excessive after-hours work. Documentation efficiency can be achieved using interventions promoting personalization and team-based workflows. Given their efficacy in preserving face-to-face physician–patient interactions, these strategies may help alleviate risk of physician burnout.
How Bad Can It Be? The Relationship between GDP Growth and the Unemployment Rate

Sectors most likely to be heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic amount to 70 percent of GDP.
Cities on the World Stage: The Politics of Global Urban Climate Governance

Cities are playing an ever more important role in the mitigation and adaption to climate change. This book examines the politics shaping whether, how and to what extent cities engage in global climate governance. By studying the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and drawing on scholarship from international relations, social movements, global governance and field theory, the book introduces a theory of global urban governance fields. This theory links observed increases in city engagement and coordination to the convergence of C40 cities around particular ways of understanding and enforcing climate governance. The collective capacity of cities to produce effective and socially equitable global climate governance is also analysed. Highlighting the constraints facing city networks and the potential pitfalls associated with a city-driven global response, this assessment of the transformative potential of cities will be of great interest to researchers, graduate students and policymakers in global environmental politics and policy.
Evaluation of subchronic administration of antiseizure drugs in spontaneously seizing rats

OBJECTIVE Approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy do not experience full seizure control on their antiseizure drug (ASD) regimen. Historically, screening for novel ASDs has relied on evaluating efficacy following a single administration of a test compound in either acute electrical or chemical seizure induction. However, the use of animal models of spontaneous seizures and repeated administration of test compounds may better differentiate novel compounds. Therefore, this approach has been instituted as part of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program screening paradigm for pharmacoresistant epilepsy. METHODS Rats were treated with intraperitoneal kainic acid to induce status epilepticus and subsequent spontaneous recurrent seizures. After 12 weeks, rats were enrolled in drug screening studies. Using a 2-week crossover design, selected ASDs were evaluated for their ability to protect against spontaneous seizures, using a video-electroencephalographic monitoring system and automated seizure detection. Sixteen clinically available compounds were administered at maximally tolerated doses in this model. Dose intervals (1-3 treatments/d) were selected based on known half-lives for each compound. RESULTS Carbamazepine (90 mg/kg/d), phenobarbital (30 mg/kg/d), and ezogabine (15 mg/kg/d) significantly reduced seizure burden at the doses evaluated. In addition, a dose-response study of topiramate (20-600 mg/kg/d) demonstrated that this compound reduced seizure burden at both therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses. However, none of the 16 ASDs conferred complete seizure freedom during the testing period at the doses tested. SIGNIFICANCE Despite reductions in seizure burden, the lack of full seizure freedom for any ASD tested suggests that this screening paradigm may be useful for testing novel compounds with potential utility in pharmacoresistant epilepsy.
A thermodynamic analysis of hypervelocity impacts on metals

Abstract Hypervelocity impacts on solid surfaces generate and propagate shock waves and create extreme density, pressure, and temperature conditions. Understanding hypervelocity impacts requires a multi-physics approach at the intersection of fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, and quantum theory, which has the capability of spanning multiple different dominating physics regimes. These strong shock conditions found in hypervelocity impacts are studied in the context of high-speed collisions between spacecraft and meteoroids and debris. We study the problem of hypervelocity impacts on metals with the lens of understanding the processes that lead to the creation of an impact generated plasma. In order to characterize the impacting particle as well as its threat to spacecraft from the subsequent radiating plasma an analysis was performed that highlights how the kinetic energy of the impactor is deposited into a target, how the shock wave and shocked material in the target evolve, and how these effects can lead towards the creation of an impact plasma through heating. The analysis suggests that at low velocities the majority of the energy from a hypervelocity impact is stored in reversible elastic energy and does not contribute to strong heating. At higher impact velocities, nucleus and electron thermal components dominate, increasing the energy available for ionization. This work provides the complete set of state variable initial conditions for any study of hypervelocity impact plasma expansion and its effects.
“Not the Lover’s Choice, but the Poet’s”: Classical Receptions in Portrait of a Lady on Fire Portrait de la jeune fille en feu, dir. Céline Sciamma, 2019

Celine Sciamma’s film Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Portrait de la jeune fille en feu, 2019) tells its 18th-century story of love and loss in part by retelling an ancient story, the myth of the poet Orpheus and his beloved Eurydice, as related by the Roman poet Ovid in his epic Metamorphoses (c. 8 CE). The myth’s most iconic moment, when Orpheus turns around to look at Eurydice and therefore loses her to Hades, occupies a central position in the film’s plot and underlies its running theme of ‘looking at’ as ‘looking back.’ By changing certain aspects of the myth – replacing poetry or singing with painting, making both main characters women, and having them alternate between the two main mythic roles – Portrait does not so much update the ancient story as debate its meanings. What does it mean to lose someone beloved but gain their image? How is every loss a kind of death, and in its train, the life that remains a kind of afterlife? Most generally, what are the links among lived experience, memory, and art? By raising these questions via the ancient myth, Portrait meditates on the effect of making, as Orpheus did, “not the lover’s choice, but the poet’s.”
Evolutionary transcriptomics implicates new genes and pathways in human pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Abstract Evolutionary changes in the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system underlie the origins and diversification of pregnancy in Eutherian (“Placental”) mammals. This developmental and evolutionary history constrains normal physiological functions and biases the ways in which dysfunction contributes to reproductive trait diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Here, we show that gene expression changes in the human endometrium during pregnancy are associated with the evolution of human-specific traits and pathologies of pregnancy. We found that hundreds of genes gained or lost endometrial expression in the human lineage. Among these are genes that may contribute to human-specific maternal-fetal communication (HTR2B) and maternal-fetal immunotolerance (PDCD1LG2) systems, as well as vascular remodeling and deep placental invasion (CORIN). These data suggest that explicit evolutionary studies of anatomical systems complement traditional methods for characterizing the genetic architecture of disease. We also anticipate our results will advance the emerging synthesis of evolution and medicine (“evolutionary medicine”) and be a starting point for more sophisticated studies of the maternal-fetal interface. Furthermore, the gene expression changes we identified may contribute to the development of diagnostics and interventions for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Expansion of the Genetic Code Through the Use of Modified Bacterial Ribosomes.

Abstract Biological protein synthesis is mediated by the ribosome, and employs ~20 proteinogenic amino acids as building blocks. Through the use of misacylated tRNAs, presently accessible by any of several strategies, it is now possible to employ in vitro and in vivo protein biosynthesis to elaborate proteins containing a much larger variety of amino acid building blocks. However, the incorporation of this broader variety of amino acids is limited to those species utilized by the ribosome. As a consequence, virtually all of the substrates utilized over time have been L-α-amino acids. In recent years, a variety of structural and biochemical studies have provided important insights into those regions of the 23S ribosomal RNA that are involved in peptide bond formation. Subsequent experiments, involving the randomization of key regions of 23S rRNA required for peptide bond formation, have afforded libraries of E. coli harboring plasmids with the rrnB gene modified in the key regions. Selections based on the use of modified puromycin derivatives with altered amino acids then identified clones uniquely sensitive to individual puromycin derivatives. These clones often recognized misacylated tRNAs containing altered amino acids similar to those in the modified puromycins, and incorporated the amino acid analogues into proteins. In this fashion, it has been possible to realize the synthesis of proteins containing D-amino acids, β-amino acids, phosphorylated amino acids, as well as long chain and cyclic amino acids in which the nucleophilic amino group is not in the α-position. Of special interest have been dipeptides and dipeptidomimetics of diverse utility.
Gems: A Microcomputer-Based Expert System for Digital Image Data

Digital images recorded by satellite-based sensor systems provide an inexpensive and widely available source of data for the compilation of preliminary geologic maps. An expert system which uses reasoning techniques and incorporates comprehensive knowledge in its classification rules can extract information about rock-types from digital images. Today’s microcomputers are powerful enough to address digital image analysis problems and are inexpensive enough to be standard equipment. The Geological Exploration and Mapping System (GEMS) is a microcomputer-based expert system that analyzes multispectral digital images typically obtained from satellite sensors. The menu structure of GEMS is designed to allow fast, error-free selection of program functions. In addition to that, an on-line help capability, graphical representation of objects, instructions, and messages make the system simple to use. GEMS is divided into two major segments: the user/computer interface which handles the communications between the user and the machine, and the applications segment which includes a digital-image-analysis program. This program contains three modules: one to produce a descriptive report, another to generate a gray tone image of the data, and a third to classify rock-types and plot maps. GEMS can help geologists planning exploration, by developing a preliminary lithologic map.
Modulating mTOR in Aging and Health

The physiological responses to nutrient availability play a central role in aging and disease. Genetic and pharmacological studies have identified highly conserved cellular signaling pathways that influence aging by regulating the interface between nutrient and hormone cues and cellular growth and maintenance. Among these pathways, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been most reproducibly shown to modulate aging in evolutionarily diverse organisms as reduction in mTOR activity extends life span from yeast to rodents. mTOR has been shown to play a role in a broad range of diseases, and is of particular interest to human health and aging due to the availability of clinically approved pharmacological agents targeting the mTOR complexes and other components of the mTOR signaling network. Characterizing the role of mTOR in aging and health promises to provide new avenues for intervention in human aging and disease through modulation of this signaling pathway.
Symposium on the Model Penal Code's Sentencing Provisions

In 1998, the American Law Institute decided to revisit the sentencing provisions in the Model Penal Code. Since that time the Model Penal Code Sentencing (MPCS) project has resulted in several approved revisions to the existing Code and several proposed changes that still must be adopted by the ALI. Among the approved provisions are a "purposes" statement that adopts "limiting retributivism" as the governing principle of sentencing, requires creation of a sentence commission, and adopts a presumptive sentencing/guidelines regime that differs in significant respects from the federal guidelines system. The proposed revisions include the abolition of parole and virtually all other back-end decision-making, recognition of a limited role for risk assessments at the front-end, and a requirement that, for each specific sentencing provision, demographic impact statements be prepared that would model the racial, ethnic, and gender composition of future sentencing populations if the proposed change took effect. This article describes these and other provisions of the MPCS project in more detail and then summarizes the papers in this symposium, authored by Kevin Reitz (the Reporter for the MPCS), Douglas Berman, Nora Demleitner, Judge Michael Marcus, Alice Ristroph, and Robert Weisberg.
Analytic criteria in the qualitative spectral analysis of the Schrödinger operator

This Festschrift had its origins in a conference called SimonFest held at Caltech, March 27-31, 2006, to honor Barry Simon's 60th birthday. It is not a proceedings volume in the usual sense since t ...
Weight Advice Associated With Male Firefighter Weight Perception and Behavior.

Introduction The high prevalence of overweight and obesity threatens the health and safety of the fire service. Healthcare professionals may play an important role in helping firefighters achieve a healthy weight by providing weight loss counseling to at-risk firefighters. This study characterizes the impact of healthcare professional weight loss advice on firefighter weight perceptions and weight loss behaviors among overweight and obese male firefighters. Methods A national sample of 763 overweight and obese male firefighters who recalled visiting a healthcare provider in the past 12 months reported information regarding healthcare visits, weight perceptions, current weight loss behaviors, and other covariates in 2011–2012. Analyzed in 2013, four unique multilevel logistic regression models estimated the association between healthcare professional weight loss advice and the outcomes of firefighter-reported weight perceptions, intentions to lose weight, reduced caloric intake, and increased physical activity. Results Healthcare professional weight loss advice was significantly associated with self-perception as overweight (OR=4.78, 95% CI=2.16, 10.57) and attempted weight loss (OR=2.06, 95% CI=1.25, 3.38), but not significantly associated with reduced caloric intake (OR=1.26, 95% CI=0.82, 1.95) and increased physical activity (OR=1.51, 95% CI=0.89, 2.61), after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions Healthcare professional weight loss advice appears to increase the accuracy of firefighter weight perceptions, promote weight loss attempts, and may encourage dieting and physical activity behaviors among overweight firefighters. Healthcare providers should acknowledge their ability to influence the health behaviors of overweight and obese patients and make efforts to increase the quality and frequency of weight loss recommendations for all firefighters.
Isolation and Enrichment of Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Separation of Single-colony Derived MSCs

MSCs are a population of adult stem cells that is a promising source for therapeutic applications. These cells can be isolated from the bone marrow and can be easily separated from the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) due to their plastic adherence. This protocol describes how to isolate MSCs from rat femurs and tibias. The isolated cells were further enriched against two MSCs surface markers CD54 and CD90 by magnetic cell sorting. Expression of surface markers CD54 and CD90 were then confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. HSC marker CD45 was also included to check if the sorted MSCs were depleted of HSCs. MSCs are naturally quite heterogeneous. There are subpopulations of cells that have different shapes, proliferation and differentiation abilities. These subpopulations all express the known MSCs markers and no unique marker has yet been identified for the different subpopulations. Therefore, an alternative approach to separate out the different subpopulations is using cloning cylinders to separate out single-colony derived cells. The cells derived from the single-colonies can then be cultured and evaluated separately.
Rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of cis‐3‐Hexen‐1‐ol, cis‐3‐Hexenylacetate, trans‐2‐Hexenal, and Linalool with OH and NO3 radicals and O3 at 296 ± 2 K, and OH radical formation yields from the O3 reactions

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of the four oxygenated biogenic organic compounds cis-3-hexen-1-ol, cis-3-hexenylacetate, trans-2-hexenal, and linalool with OH radicals, NO3 radicals, and O3 have been determined at 296 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air using relative rate methods. The rate constants obtained were (in cm3 molecule−1 s−1 units): cis-3-hexen-1-ol: (1.08 ± 0.22) × 10−10 for reaction with the OH radical; (2.72 ± 0.83) × 10−13 for reaction with the NO3 radical; and (6.4 ± 1.7) × 10−17 for reaction with O3; cis-3-hexenylacetate: (7.84 ± 1.64) × 10−11 for reaction with the OH radical; (2.46 ± 0.75) × 10−13 for reaction with the NO3 radical; and (5.4 ± 1.4) × 10−17 for reaction with O3; trans-2-hexenal: (4.41 ± 0.94) × 10−11 for reaction with the OH radical; (1.21 ± 0.44) × 10−14 for reaction with the NO3 radical; and (2.0 ± 1.0) × 10−18 for reaction with O3; and linalool: (1.59 ± 0.40) × 10−10 for reaction with the OH radical; (1.12 ± 0.40) × 10−11 for reaction with the NO3 radical; and (4.3 ± 1.6) × 10−16 for reaction with O3. Combining these rate constants with estimated ambient tropospheric concentrations of OH radicals, NO3 radicals, and O3 results in calculated tropospheric lifetimes of these oxygenated organic compounds of a few hours. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Persistent failure-to-thrive: A case study

The inability to successfully feed a young infant or child is as worrisome to parents as it is to the health care provider. Early growth failures are likely to reflect difficulty with infant homeostasis and often respond to medical management of the physical problem that is temporarily interfering with the infant's ability to feed by mouth. In addition to medical management, however, treatment also necessitates investigation and management of behavioral problems that so universally accompany growth failure. This article presents a case study of a child who presented with poor growth and respiratory symptoms associated with nonregurgitant gastroesophageal reflux, a clinical entity that can be difficult to recognize. Although surgical management of this condition was successful, persistent failure-to-thrive continued and was seemingly recalcitrant to treatment. The use of cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant to promote weight gain in this child is discussed with a review of the current literature regarding this pharmacologic approach to poor weight gain. A behavioral-based treatment plan is described as an alternate management method, avoiding the use of pharmacologic agents in general.
A New Species of Porcellidium (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) From a Sea Urchin in Madagascar

[Les auteurs decrivent une espece nouvelle de Porcelliclium, P. echinophilum, de la surface du corps d'un oursin, Echinometra mathaei, du nord-ouest de Madagascar. Elle semble etre l'espece la plus voisine de P. clavigerum Pesta, des Iles Hawaii., Les auteurs decrivent une espece nouvelle de Porcelliclium, P. echinophilum, de la surface du corps d'un oursin, Echinometra mathaei, du nord-ouest de Madagascar. Elle semble etre l'espece la plus voisine de P. clavigerum Pesta, des Iles Hawaii.]
Development of perception of the unity of musical events

Abstract Infants' and young children's perception of the unity of musical events was investigated in three studies. In the first two, children watched video displays of two musicians playing different musical instruments side by side in synchrony, and heard a soundtrack in synchrony with both instruments but specific to one. The children judged which instrument was producing the music they heard. Three- to 4-year-olds differentiated instruments from different families but not instruments from the same family. Five- to 7-year-olds additionally differentiated instrument pairs differing in size and pitch range (e.g., violin, cello). In the third study, infants were presented some of the same musical events in order to assess whether specific experience with the instruments is necessary for perceiving the unity of musical events. Looking times revealed that 7- to 9-month-olds detected the correspondence of the sight and sound of some musical instruments. Specific experience with a variety of instruments is evidently not necessary for detecting correspondences of audible and visible properties and for differentiating instruments from different families.
A layered composite with a broken laminate

The problem of a laminate composite in the presence of a crack located normal to the bond lines is considered. Stress analysis of the limiting case when the crack extends to the bond lines is carried out. An integral transform technique is used to formulate the problem in terms of a singular integral equation. The power of stress singularity around the crack tip terminating at the interface is obtained using the above technique. The singular integral equation is solved numerically and the effect of material properties on the stress intensity factor is calculated.
A stochastic model for the critical length of a spiral edge

Abstract We adopt a stochastic viewpoint for the critical length l c of an edge on the side of a spiral of a crystal growing from solution at low supersaturations. It is argued that the nature of the critical length arises from a transition caused by a dynamical exchange as molecules at the edge go from a “fluid-like” coordination to a crystalline coordination. The expression for the critical length derived from such a mechanism exhibits a dependence on the energy or work required to remove a molecule from a kink site to the crystal terrace and on the supersaturation. Predictions of l c by our model compare well to stochastic simulations of spirals of a Kossel crystal, and provide reasonable order-of-magnitude estimates of spiral behavior of n-methyl urea growing from methanol.