cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Common Metaphors in Nursing Ethics

Metaphors are literary comparisons that are used to create new meaning and insight for concepts, ideas, and situations found in a discipline. This author describes some common moral metaphors used in the discipline of nursing and specifically in situations of nursing ethics. New insights and questions for common usage are offered for the metaphors from a nursing theoretical perspective. Implications for nursing as a discipline are incorporated and discussion points for the future practice of nursing are illuminated.
The Map in Our Head Is Not Oriented North: Evidence from a Real-World Environment

Like most physical maps, recent research has suggested that cognitive maps of familiar environments may have a north-up orientation. We demonstrate that north orientation is not a necessary feature of cognitive maps and instead may arise due to coincidental alignment between cardinal directions and the built and natural environment. Experiment 1 demonstrated that pedestrians have difficulty pointing north while navigating a familiar real-world environment with roads, buildings, and green spaces oriented oblique to cardinal axes. Instead, north estimates tended to be parallel or perpendicular to roads. In Experiment 2, participants did not demonstrate privileged memory access when oriented toward north while making relative direction judgments. Instead, retrieval was fastest and most accurate when orientations were aligned with roads. In sum, cognitive maps are not always oriented north. Rather, in some real-world environments they can be oriented with respect to environment-specific features, serving as convenient reference systems for organizing and using spatial memory.
Novel Pseudomonas fluorescens septic sacroiliitis in a healthy soldier.

ABSTRACTSeptic sacroiliitis is an uncommon infection of immunocompetent patients, typically caused by gram-positive bacteria, with fewer gram-negative cases, and only 5% attributed to Pseudomonas species. We present a healthy soldier with the first reported case of Pseudomonas fluorescens septic sacroiliitis and discuss unique diagnostic and management issues. Because of its rare incidence and nonspecific presentation, septic sacroiliitis is often unrecognized, and its diagnosis is often delayed. Increased awareness of septic sacroiliitis as a potential disease process in the differential diagnosis of troops presenting with a combination of fever, low-back pain, and weight-bearing difficulty is important. As the young age and trauma exposure of the military population represent a prime demographic for this often unrecognized infection, delayed diagnosis can negatively impact a soldier's military readiness. P. fluorescens is itself a rare pathogen and often misidentified in the laboratory. Enhanced microbi...
Chapter 4. Peptides in the Central Nervous System: Focus on Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone and Neurotensin

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the extensive data generated by study on the various peptides discovered. It discusses the findings in animals and on pharmaco-behavioral effects at the expense of peripheral and endocrine effects. A consideration of the actions and interactions of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and neurotensin (NT) is done to provide with a beginning sense of an aspect of current central nervous sytem (CNS) peptide research. In peptides, various hypothalamic hypophysiotropic hormones, anterior pituitary peptides, posterior pituitary peptides, and other neuropeptides, their origin, composition, and actions have been discussed in the chapter. On TRH, their isolation, localization, synthesis, receptor binding, and central nervous system effects are mentioned in the chapter. Similarly the NT isolation, localization, interactions with barbiturates and ethanol, effects on thermoregulation, interactions with dopaminergic drugs, and antinociceptive effects are delved upon. The chapter describes that after they had demonstrated the analeptic properties of TRH, they examined a series of substances for activity in the pentobarbital-sedated mouse. Several substances, like TRH, shortened barbiturate-induced sleep but only one reliably extended it-NT. Dualism of central action between TRH and NT has been extended to a variety of parameters and this dualism, along with the quality of effects exerted by the two peptides, allows the broad hypothesis that TRH subserves the ergotropic functions of the organism, NT its trophotropic functions. The view is that dualism between the central effects of TRH and NT, whatever its best interpretation is, appears unusual among peptides. At present, NT must be regarded as unique among peptides in its ability to both stimulate and inhibit the activity of a neurochemical pathway, the mesolimbic dopamine system.
Steven Klepper and business history

The impressive body of research published by the late Steven Klepper spanned a diverse array of topics, but among the most important were issues related to the evolution of industry structure. This survey of Steve Klepper’s work on these issues compares his scholarly legacy with that of Alfred D. Chandler, Jr. Both scholars addressed similar topics, and a comparison of Klepper’s work on firm and industry evolution with that of Chandler highlights enduring research challenges in economics, strategy, and business history
The Incidence of Pneumococcus Types in Pneumonias of Children

The bacteriology of pneumonias in children has not been studied as extensively as that of the pneumonias in adults, in which the types of pneumococci and their incidence have been well established by the work of Dochez and Gillespie,1 Cole,2 Avery, Chickering, Cole and Dochez,3 Avery,4 Cecil and Larsen,5 and others. The literature relating to the pneumonias of children has dealt with the clinical findings and treatment rather than with the etiologic agent.
Quantum Nonlinear Plasmonics in the Strong Coupling Regime

The experimental development of a plasmonic analogue to cavity-quantum-electrodynamics is guided by a full quantum model for a plasmonic resonator coupled to a two-level emitter incorporating realizable plasmonic dispersion and field confinement.
Expression of plasma iron turnover in aplastic anemia.

Data are presented to show that in aplasia of the bone marrow, plasma iron turnover should be expressed per total expected hemoglobin mass, rather than per blood volume. Poor correlation between plasma iron turnover and erythrocytic iron utilization occurs in conditions in which the total bone marrow activity is less than normal. Under these conditions it seems that erythrocytic iron utilization is a better index of total erythrocyte production than plasma iron turnover, or the 59Fe T, clearance can be used as a guide.
Renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure and pressure natriuresis in pregnant rats

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that a decrease in renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) accounts for the blunted pressure natriuresis during pregnancy. RIHP was mea...
Diagnostic Value of the Ultrasound-guided Puncture Biopsy for Solid Tumor in Children

Objective To discuss the feasibility and reliability of ultrasound-guided puncture biopsy for solid tumor in children. Methods Puncture biopsies were performed by using automatic biopsy device with negative pressure under the guidance of B-ultrasound. Results The total of 15 cases were all successful. The success rate were 100%. 14 biopsy samples reached the pathological requirement. The positive rate was 93.3%. No patient had bleeding, infection and tumor breaking. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided puncture biopsy is a safe, accurate, fast and reliable method in pathological diagnosis.
Role of C/EBP proteins in hepatic and vascular smooth muscle transcription of human NHE1 gene

We have recently shown that regulatory element D (nucleotides -239 to -215) of the 0.25-kb promoter of the human growth factor-activatable Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE1) is important for gene transcriptio...
Extracting Accurate and Precise Topography from Lroc Narrow Angle Camera Stereo Observations

Abstract. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) includes two identical Narrow Angle Cameras (NAC) that acquire meter scale imaging. Stereo observations are acquired by imaging from two or more orbits, including at least one off-nadir slew. Digital terrain models (DTMs) generated from the stereo observations are controlled to Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) elevation profiles. With current processing methods, digital terrain models (DTM) have absolute accuracies commensurate than the uncertainties of the LOLA profiles (~10 m horizontally and ~1 m vertically) and relative horizontal and vertical precisions better than the pixel scale of the DTMs (2 to 5 m). The NAC stereo pairs and derived DTMs represent an invaluable tool for science and exploration purposes. We computed slope statistics from 81 highland and 31 mare DTMs across a range of baselines. Overlapping DTMs of single stereo sets were also combined to form larger area DTM mosaics, enabling detailed characterization of large geomorphic features and providing a key resource for future exploration planning. Currently, two percent of the lunar surface is imaged in NAC stereo and continued acquisition of stereo observations will serve to strengthen our knowledge of the Moon and geologic processes that occur on all the terrestrial planets.
Surgeon volume impact on outcomes and cost of adrenal surgeries

Abstract Introduction The number of adrenal surgeries performed in the United Stated is continuing to increase. Identifying factors associated with favorable outcomes can have a major impact on cost-differences. We aim to assess the impact of surgeon volume on both clinical outcomes and cost following adrenal surgery. Materials and methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed utilizing data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2003–2009. Surgeon volumes included (adrenalectomies/year): low-volume (1), intermediate-volume (2–6), and high-volume (≥7). Results A total of 7045 patients were included. Surgeries performed by low-volume surgeons were associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications [OR: 1.66, 95% CI: (1.23, 2.24)]. During the study period, if all operations performed by low-volume surgeons were selectively referred to intermediate-volume surgeons, a 7.7% cost savings would have been incurred. Potential savings were even higher (8.1%) if the operations had been performed by the high-volume surgeons. With the conservative assumption that there are 5000 adrenalectomies per year in the United States, the high-volume surgeons would produce savings of $8.8 million over a span of 14 years. Conclusion A surgeon's expertise is associated with favorable outcomes. Our model estimates that considerable cost savings are attainable with appropriate referrals to high volume endocrine surgeons.
Arterial Progression Optimization Using OD-BAND

OD-BAND is a progression optimization model that can provide dedicated progression bands for major origin–destination (O-D) flows in an arterial network. The model is an extension of the well-known MAXBAND model and is solved by advanced mathematical programming optimization software. In this paper, the original OD-BAND model is extended in a number of important ways: (a) the mathematical formulation is generalized to model all possible O-D flows in an arterial; (b) phase sequence optimization is included for all intersections along the arterial; and (c) the bandwidths are weighted by the number of street segments that they traverse and their traffic volumes. It is shown that this formulation can provide suitable progression bands for all major O-D flows, including both through bands and cross bands. Simulation results demonstrated that OD-BAND compared favorably with existing arterial traffic signal coordination models MAXBAND and MULTIBAND and could be used as a valuable tool in signal control software....
Remarkable effect of moisture on the CO2 adsorption of nano-silica supported linear and branched polyethylenimine

Abstract Linear and branched polyethylenimines (PEIs) impregnated on hydrophilic and hydrophobic silica were prepared and evaluated for the effect of moisture on CO 2 adsorption. The adsorbents were exposed to exhaustive conditions such as varying temperature, CO 2 concentration, and specific humidity (SH) levels. Remarkable adsorption enhancements were observed when the adsorbents were exposed to a SH of 3.8–11.5 mg H 2 O/g at 25 °C. Further increase of the SH above 11.5 mg H 2 O/g either decreased the CO 2 uptake for branched PEI or had no additional benefit for linear PEI. Increasing the loading of PEI in the adsorbent resulted in an increase in water adsorption. However, branched PEI was more hydrophilic than its linear counterpart. Replacing the hydrophilic fumed silica support with a hydrophobic silica support decreased the overall water uptake while maintaining similar CO 2 capture capacity. Considering that these types of adsorbents are designed to be recycled preferably for thousands of adsorption/desorption cycles, this could translate into significant energy savings in the regeneration step where any water present on the adsorbent would also have to be heated and desorbed.
El duelo y el tiempo mítico en Rosa Cuchillo y La hora azul

espanolEn este articulo, sostenemos que las novelas Rosa Cuchillo y La hora azul proyectan procesos individuales de duelo en un orden social mitico que se limita a reproducir el fantasma de la nacion cercada (Ubilluz) como (seudo) propuesta de solucion al conflicto armado acontecido en el Peru entre 1980-2000. En Rosa Cuchillo, la protagonista Rosa Cuchillo atraviesa un proceso de duelo por haber perdido a su hijo subversivo, Liborio, mientras que, en La hora azul, el protagonista Adrian Ormache sufre un proceso de duelo a causa de una crisis de la figura paterna idealizada que tenia de su fallecido padre militar. Estas experiencias individuales de duelo tienen como desenlace la apertura al orden social a traves del mito del eterno retorno (Debord), en Rosa Cuchillo, y del mito del progreso (Benjamin) en La hora azul. Situados en el tiempo mitico, se hacen tangibles los alcances sociales de las novelas entendidos como una reproduccion de propuestas que no cuestionan el fantasma de la nacion cercada: Rosa Cuchillo propone un pachacuti de runas, mientras que La hora azul propone una etica tutelar que mantiene el status quo. EnglishIn this paper, I propose that the novels Rosa Cuchillo and La hora azul project individual processes of mourning in a mythical social order that limits itself to reproduce the phantom of the enclosed nation (Ubilluz) as a (seudo) proposal to solve the internal conflict that took place in Peru between 1980-2000. In Rosa Cuchillo the main character, Rosa Cuchillo, goes through a process of mourning due to the loss of his terrorist son, Liborio, whereas in La hora azul the main character, Adrian Ormache, undergoes a process of mourning due to the crisis of the idealized paternal figure he had of his dead military father. These individual experiences of mourning result in an opening to the social order by means of the myth of the eternal return (Debord) in Rosa Cuchillo and the myth of progress (Benjamin) in La hora azul. Located in a mythical time, the social consequences of the novels become apparent: they reproduce proposals that do not question the phantom of the enclosed nation, since Rosa Cuchillo proposes a pachacuti of runas, whereas La hora azul suggests a form of tutelary ethics that maintains the status quo.
Fetishism and Financialization

The capitalist system is based on property rules, which are the same for all forms of property. Yet these rules operate differently for capital and labor as distinct forms of property. This paradox obscures the role of living labor as the source of surplus value, and hence mystifies money as self-expanding value. This “fetishism of money” facilitates “financialization,” prevents accurate analysis of the capitalist system, and the formulation of alternatives.
“So, Are You a Feminist Epistemologist?” Holistic Pedagogy for Conversations on Indigeneity, Love, and Crossing Borders

This piece grapples with entanglements of education and identity. Colonial ideas about “full blood” Nativeness have haunted the author’s half-blood identity. In this chapter, she shares a moment that represents how wrestling with her embodied contradictory state leads her to understand holistic education that integrates body, soul, and spirit. This narrative snapshot captures the relationship between the author’s full-blood Navajo father and herself in a moment when we discuss issues of indigeneity, spirituality, and epistemology. In his one question, she experiences his fatherly love that breaks down boundaries made by colonialism, gender, race, and discipline.
073_16938-C4 Contiguous Low Impedance Areas are Associated with Outflow Tract and Non-Outflow Tract PVCs

Contact tissue impedance mapping (CTIM) can differentiate focal atrial tachycardia (AT) from macro-reentry e.g. atrial flutter, and localized reentry e.g. AVNRT, by identifying a contiguous low impedance area (CLIA) only in AT. We suspect that the CLIA is related to triggered activity as suggested
Psychology of Objectification

In psychology, research derived from objectification theory provides evidence that the focus on women's appearance leads them to adopt a third-person perspective, persistently monitoring their own appearance – that is, they self-objectify – and as a result suffer emotional consequences (e.g., shame) and behavioral inhibition (e.g., restrained eating, inhibited movement). In addition to this body of research, more recently researchers have begun to examine objectification of women from the perspective of others. This research demonstrates that when others focus on a woman's appearance, she is denied a basic sense of humanness; objectified women are denied cognitive and emotional experiences and perceived as similar to actual objects. Together this work provides empirical backing for the ideas espoused by feminist scholars and philosophical discourse on objectification. Keywords: Objectification; Gender Socialization; Psychology
Outcomes after rib fractures in geriatric blunt trauma patients.

Abstract Introduction Rib fractures after blunt trauma contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Methods Retrospective review of 255 patients ≥65 years old at a level 2 trauma center over 6 years, who sustained blunt trauma resulting in rib fractures. Outcomes measured include mortality, hospital length of stay(LOS), intensive care unit(ICU) admission, ICU LOS, need for MV, and MV days. Results There were 24 deaths (9.4%), of which 7 were early ( 15, bilateral rib fractures, pneumothorax or hemothorax on chest x-ray (All p 5 rib fractures (All p Conclusion Rib fractures in elderly blunt trauma patients are associated with significant mortality and morbidity, but outcomes can be predicted to improve care.
Gastric adenocarcinoma in young adult patients: patterns of care and survival in the United States

Evidence regarding gastric cancer patients < 40 years old is limited. This study examines young adults with gastric adenocarcinoma in the National Cancer Database to describe demographics and treatment practices, and to develop a nomogram to predict survival. The database was queried for adult patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma from 2004 to 2013. Patients were stratified into two age groups: <40 and ≥ 40 years. The database was analyzed to compare demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatments used for each group. Differences in survival were assessed using Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank test. For adults < 40 years old, an accelerated failure time survival model was fitted for overall survival and a descriptive nomogram was constructed. Of 70,084 patients included, 2615 (4%) were < 40 years old and 67,469 (96%) were ≥ 40 years. Compared to older patients, adults < 40 years old were more likely to be female (46 vs. 35%), non-white (31 vs. 23%), Hispanic (32 vs. 11%), from the northeast (36 vs. 23%), and to present with stage IV disease (59 vs. 42%) and bone metastases (36 vs. 21%; p < 0.001 for all). The nomogram showed clinical stage as the strongest predictor of overall survival, followed by treatment, grade, race, Charlson–Deyo comorbidity score, and sex. Young adults with gastric adenocarcinoma are more likely to be Hispanic, female, from the northeast, and to present with metastases. Despite these differences, clinical stage, treatment, and tumor grade are most predictive of overall survival for young adult patients.
Preventing sexual harassment: The effect of multiple training methods.

Subjects were presented with multiple training methods to determine their effect on sensitivity to possible sexual harassment situations. The training methods used were case analyses, commercially produced videotape episodes, and an open-ended questionnaire. Subjects were found to be more sensitive to incidents of possible sexual harassment when videotape episodes were combined with case analysis. The pattern of gender differences supported previous research showing perceptual differences in ambiguous cases. Research-based suggestions for sexual harassment training programs are offered.
The Global Need for Indigenous Psychology

Our global village is fast changing with astronomical growth in virtual communication and physical movement of millions of people for leisure as well as work. The shrinking of the globe calls for a better understanding of each other, and we can do this by learning how each of us operates in our unique cultural space. In this chapter, I present three reasons for, or imperatives of, doing indigenous research. I posit that there are two ways of doing meaningful cultural research in large populous countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico, and so forth. First, we can start with the cross-cultural theories and test them in the context of these countries. This approach is better than the pseudoetic approach in which people invariably start with Western models developed in USA, Canada, and other European countries. Second, we can start with indigenous ideas to develop models and then examine the cross-cultural theories and Western ideas in light of these indigenous models (Bhawuk, 2008a, b). I present examples of both these approaches. It is hoped that researchers will pause to reflect on the mindless copying of Western ideas and start paying attention to indigenous ideas in psychology, for at best, the borrowed Western models of psychology can confuse rather than help in understanding social and organizational behavior in these populous countries. I propose that researchers put a moratorium on pseudoetic research that leads to the mindless copying of Western ideas and start paying attention to indigenous ideas in psychology that can be found in many of these non-Western countries. Psychological research in India is used to exemplify the general ideas presented in the chapter.
Heme-Protein Fluorescence

The discovery of amino acid and protein fluorescence revolutionized protein structural analysis (Weber, 1953; Teale and Weber, 1957). Intact hemeproteins* had been excluded for more than 20 years from this sensitive and highly informative direct spectroscopic structural probing, because it was generally assumed that the fluorescence emission from the Tyr and Trp residues was effectively quenched by nearby heme moieties (Weber and Teale, 1959; Teale and Weber, 1959). Despite the quenching effects, cleve utilization of the phenomena of fluorescence quenching by the hemes is seen in a broad range of early informative ligand binding studies to intact hemeproteins and apoproteins (heme-proteins without the heme) (e.g., Nagel and Gibson, 1967, 1971; Benesch et al., 1976). This is expanded below. The choice of optics in fluorescence detection also played a significant role in perpetuating the dogma, to the exclusion of fluorescence applications to these complex and vital proteins, some of which include hemoglobins, myoglobins, cytochromes, nitric oxide synthases, peroxidases, catalases, heme binding proteins of the Z-class, hemopexin, and heme oxygenase. Standard fluorescence measurements are typically made using right-angle optics, wherein inner-filter effects become significant with a highly absorbant sample such as a heme-protein. It has been estimated that the hemes give rise to ~99% non-radiative quenching of the aromatic intrinsic fluorophores (Weber and
Chemical Weathering and Solution Chemistry in Acid Forest Soils: Differential Influence of Soil Type, Biotic Processes, and H + Deposition

In this investigation, weathering rates were calculated for three eastern North American forest soils using five separate estimation techniques. In addition, leaching experiments were performed to examine the influence of selected environmental variables on the weathering process. Weathering rates varied five-fold between soils, ranging from approximately 0.5 Keq ha–1 yr–1 in a sandy Adams Spodosol, to 1.2 Keq ha yr–1 in a sandy loam Becket Spodosol, to 2.7 Keq ha–1 yr–1 in a silty Unadilla Inceptisol. Inter-soil differences in weathering rate were inversely correlated with mean soil particle size and positively correlated with total exchangeable bases in the soil profile. Study results also demonstrated major differences in weathering rates between soil horizons.
Matter Without Form: The Ontological Status of Christ's Dead Body

In this paper, we provide an account of the ontological status of Christ’s dead body, which remained in the tomb during the three days after his crucifixion. Our account holds that Christ’s dead body – during the time between his death and resurrection – was prime matter without a substantial form. We defend this account by showing how it is metaphysically possible for prime matter to exist in actuality without substantial forms. Our argument turns on the truth of two theses: (i) God is able to produce all acts of secondary causes without those secondary causes, and (ii) Substantial forms are secondary causes of the actuality of prime matter. We argue that the metaphysical possibility of matter without form is perfectly consistent with holding both there is only one substantial form in a material substance and that prime matter is pure potentiality. Moreover, we argue that the metaphysical possibility of matter without form does little-to-no damage to our natural understanding of material substances.
Multimodal therapy for the treatment of sleep disturbance in patients with advanced cancer.

185Background: Poor sleep quality is frequent in patients with advanced cancer (62%), and is associated with a severe symptom distress and mortality. There are limited evidence based treatment opti...
The Triumph of the Security Syntheses: Toward a Newborn, Yet Stillborn, National State

In this chapter I examine how the independence of Kosova became unavoidable. After the elections of 2001, the UNMIK found itself on the defensive. The elections showed clearly that the international administration was defeated and its project of a multiethnic democracy had irremediably failed. The independence of Kosova was unavoidable. However, the future independent Kosova was going to be exactly what the international administrators and the great powers had refused to accept in the first place. This was going to be an Albanian-dominated state in which the Serbs would be an insignificant minority and, because of the demographics, almost irrelevant.
The FOUR score as predictor of outcome in adults with bacterial meningitis.

Objectives To evaluate the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) score as a predictor of outcome in adult patients with bacterial meningitis. Methods We selected 427 patients from a nationwide, prospective cohort on community-acquired bacterial meningitis included from August 2011 to November 2016. Data on patient history, symptoms and signs on admission, treatment, and outcome were collected. We compare the FOUR score with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, performed a receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, and calculated the area under the curve (AUC) of the FOUR and GCS scores for the prediction of unfavorable outcome and mortality. Results The median FOUR score on admission was 14 (interquartile range [IQR] 12–16), and the median GCS score was 12 (IQR 9–14). The outcome was unfavorable in 135 of 427 (32%) patients, of whom 55 (13%) died. There was a strong correlation between the FOUR score and the GCS score (r = 0.85, p Conclusions The FOUR score adds considerably to the prediction of outcome in patients with severe meningitis by means of better testing of the brainstem reflexes and respiration status. Future studies should consider incorporating the FOUR score into clinical assessment.
Glycated hemoglobin, admission blood glucose delta, and associated mortality in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

The importance of glucose metabolism in patients with acute coronary syndrome has been increasingly recognized. We conducted a retrospective study of the associations between prior glycated hemoglo...
RNA-induced initiation of transcriptional silencing (RITS) complex structure and function

Heterochromatic regions of the genome are epigenetically regulated to maintain a heritable '"silent state"'. In fission yeast and other organisms, epigenetic silencing is guided by nascent transcripts, which are targeted by the RNA interference pathway. The key effector complex of the RNA interference pathway consists of small interfering RNA molecules (siRNAs) associated with Argonaute, assembled into the RNA-induced transcriptional silencing (RITS) complex. This review focuses on our current understanding of how RITS promotes heterochromatin formation, and in particular on the role of Argonaute-containing complexes in many other functions such as quelling, release of RNA polymerases, cellular quiescence and genome defense.
Before the Fall: The Soviet System

By describing key features of the Soviet economic and political system, with special attention to the standard of living and the situation of women, this chapter offers a sense of what the country was like before the early 1990s and makes clear both the magnitude of the task of the intended transition and the fundamental changes in the relationship between state and population that were necessary if the transition were to succeed. Since most of the women I interviewed grew up during the years of Khrushchev and Brezhnev this description of the Soviet system offers insight into what they would have expected their lives to be like. The world today is a fundamentally different place from that which existed at the end of World War II. Empires have disbanded, alliances have shifted, truths assumed to be eternal have proved ephemeral. In this book I examine how a number of women have adapted to a particular combination of these changes, brought about by the transfer of power in the Soviet Union to a new generation of leaders in the mid-1980s.
Closed fumarase C active-site structures reveal SS Loop residue contribution in catalysis.

Fumarase C (FumC) catalyzes the reversible conversion of fumarate to S-malate. Previous structural investigations within the superfamily have reported a dynamic structural segment, termed the SS Loop. To date, active-site asymmetry has raised the question of how SS Loop placement affects participation of key residues during the reaction. Herein, we report structural and kinetic analyses from Escherichia coli FumC variants to understand the contribution of SS Loop residues S318, K324, and N326. High-resolution X-ray crystallographic results reveal three distinct FumC active-site conformations; disordered-open, ordered-open, and the newly discovered ordered-closed. Surprisingly, each SS Loop variant has unaffected Michaelis constants coupled to reductions in turnover number. Based upon our structural and functional analyses, we propose structural and catalytic roles for each of the aforementioned residues.
Financing Privately Developed Transportation Schemes: Precedents from the First Transcontinental Railroad

McCurdy steps back one hundred years to examine the transcontinental railroad and the precedents it established for American transportation initiatives. Public officials decided to “do enough and just enough” to encourage private entrepreneurs to complete the railway line. Following the main chapter, McCurdy presents a short section that inspects the evidence supporting the claim that railroad entrepreneurs needed government help (in the form of land grants) to expedite the raising of private capital.
The Nature of Energy Received from the Sun: Figuring out What Light Really is

Light has many peculiar properties, some with analogs in water waves, some with analogs in sound waves, and some that are unique. It was discovered that ‘white’ light passing though a glass prism is split into a spectrum showing all of the colors of the rainbow. These can be recombined to make white light. Some thought that light traveled instantaneously through space, but measurement of its speed, already close to the modern value, was made in the Seventeenth Century. It was discovered that there was invisible radiation coming from the Sun, beyond the red (infrared) and violet (ultraviolet) ends of the spectrum. Light had many strange properties: reflection, refraction, dispersion, diffraction, and polarization. It was discovered that the colors travel at different speeds through media like minerals or glass. While investigating the relation between electricity and magnetism, James Clark Maxwell realized that light was an electromagnetic wave. It was thought to be moving through the ‘luminiferous aether’ that filled all of space. But attempts to detect the ‘aether’ failed. Empty space was truly empty!
Creating and Using Secure Software

In this paper, we outline the Software Development LifeCycle (SDLC: requirements elicitation & definition, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance) and seek to find and convey the best practices for security throughout the it. Security should be made a priority when defining system requirements; system design and architecture should embody those requirements through secure models (supporting integrity, confidentiality, authorization); developers should translate those specifications to the code; proper test cases should be devised in order to assess possible vulnerabilities of completed systems; maintenance and evolution teams should be cognizant of previous security measures to avoid compromising them with functional improvements. Further, there are measures that should be taken outside of and after the completion of this cycle to reduce the risk of successful attacks both in terms of securing data and in terms of compounding the difficulty of reverse engineering. Methods include new approaches to authentication, the old standby of cryptography, and obfuscating source code so that exploiting it will be difficult. Employing all of these strategies in tandem should produce secure yet functional systems with security present in all layers; the more barriers that stand in an attacker’s way, the less often an attack will be attempted and those increases the reactionary time that system administrators have to respond to attacks in progress.
Using a next-generation sequencing approach to DNA metabarcoding for identification of adulteration and potential sources of mercury in commercial cat and dog foods.

Abstract Studies have demonstrated that some commercial pet (i.e., cat and dog) food products contain high concentrations of mercury (Hg), and some products have Hg concentrations that are higher than expected based on the ingredients included in the package ingredient list. Additionally, concentrations of methylmercury, a particularly toxic form of Hg commonly associated with fish-based ingredients, are largely unstudied despite the widespread use of such ingredients in pet food products. This study aimed to quantify total Hg and methylmercury in a variety of commercial pet food products (n = 127), and use genetic tools to determine if specific ingredients contributed to high Hg concentrations in the final product. Results indicate that total Hg concentrations were above suggested maximum tolerable limits in three of the tested pet food products, and that methylmercury concentrations were at safe levels in all tested products. Next-generation amplicon sequencing using ten barcode primers was conducted to target distinct taxa and to determine if one primer set outperformed the others in amplifying the often heavily degraded DNA found in pet food products. The 16sUniF_16sUniR primer set generated a relatively higher number of reads across the broadest set of taxa, although several of the primer sets were useful in identifying common animal- and plant-based ingredients in commercial pet food products. Combined with the Hg results, it was demonstrated that pet food product ingredients are consistent among and between product lots. However, these results also revealed that adulteration is prevalent in pet food products.
On the Geometry of Consensus Algorithms with Application to Distributed Termination in Higher Dimension

Abstract We present insights into the geometry of the ratio consensus algorithm that lead to finite time distributed stopping criteria for the algorithm in higher dimension. In particular we show that the polytopes of network states indexed by time form a nested sequence. This monotonicity allows the construction of a distributed algorithm that terminates in finite time when applied to consensus problems in any dimension and guarantees the convergence of the consensus algorithm in norm, within any given tolerance. The practical utility of the algorithm is illustrated through MATLAB simulations.
New findings bearing on the prevention, detection and management of high blood pressure.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Hypertension is the foremost risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death. This review highlights recent findings that apply to the prevention, detection, and management of high blood pressure (BP), in the context of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association BP guideline. RECENT FINDINGS Several new findings on the association of BP measurement with CVD outcomes are now available. (1) Beginning with a systolic BP (SBP) as low as 90 mm Hg, coronary artery calcium deposition and the risk of incident atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) increased in stepwise fashion with increasing SBP levels within the normal range in adults at low risk for ASCVD. (2) Isolated diastolic hypertension was not associated with ASCVD, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. (3) Nocturnal BP appeared to be better associated with CVD outcomes than office or daytime BP. (4) In a head-to-head comparison, home BP monitoring had higher reliability and predictive value than office or ambulatory BP to detect left ventricular hypertrophy, an intermediate form of hypertension-related target organ damage. In addition, new information indicates that autonomous aldosterone production is present in a substantially larger percentage of adults with hypertension than previously recognized. Finally, intensive BP lowering is associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of mild cognitive impairment, a precursor of dementia. SUMMARY Ongoing research has made significant progress in the prevention, detection, and management of high BP, clarifying, amplifying, and/or supporting the 2017 ACC/AHA BP guideline recommendations.
Population Models, Not Analyses, of Human Neuroscience Measurements

Selectivity for many basic properties of visual stimuli, such as orientation, is thought to be organized at the scale of cortical columns, making it difficult or impossible to measure directly with...
Distributed Intrinsic Fabry-Pérot Fiber Interferometers for ultrasonic vibration measurement

This paper demonstrates a robust and low-cost interrogation method for distributed ultrasonic vibration measurements using multiplexable intrinsic Fabry-Pe rotfiber interferometers for high frequency measurements up to 20 kHz.
The importance of grid integration for achievable greenhouse gas emissions reductions from alternative vehicle technologies

Abstract Alternative vehicles must appropriately interface with the electric grid and renewable generation to contribute to decarbonization. This study investigates the impact of infrastructure configurations and management strategies on the vehicle–grid interface and vehicle greenhouse gas reduction potential with regard to California's Executive Order S-21-09 goal. Considered are battery electric vehicles, gasoline-fueled plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-fueled fuel cell vehicles, and plug-in hybrid fuel cell vehicles. Temporally resolved models of the electric grid, electric vehicle charging, hydrogen infrastructure, and vehicle powertrain simulations are integrated. For plug-in vehicles, consumer travel patterns can limit the greenhouse gas reductions without smart charging or energy storage. For fuel cell vehicles, the fuel production mix must be optimized for minimal greenhouse gas emissions. The plug-in hybrid fuel cell vehicle has the largest potential for emissions reduction due to smaller battery and fuel cells keeping efficiencies higher and meeting 86% of miles on electric travel keeping the hydrogen demand low. Energy storage is required to meet Executive Order S-21-09 goals in all cases. Meeting the goal requires renewable capacities of 205 GW for plug-in hybrid fuel cell vehicles and battery electric vehicle 100s, 255 GW for battery electric vehicle 200s, and 325 GW for fuel cell vehicles.
A location-based management system for enterprise wireless LANs

The physical locations of clients and access points in a wireless LAN may have a large impact on network performance. However, today's WLAN management tools do not provide information about the location of clients apart from which access point they associate with. In this paper, we describe a scalable and easy-to-deploy WLAN management system that includes a self-configuring location estimation engine. Our system has been in operation on one floor of our building for several months. Using our system to observe WLAN usage in our building, we show that information about client locations is crucial for understanding WLAN performance. Although WLAN location systems are a widely studied topic, the novel aspects of our location system primarily relate to ease of deployment. The main contribution of this paper is to show the utility of officegranularity location in performing wireless management tasks.
The rule of law in the Arab world: Arab courts in comparative perspective

Modern Egyptian courts would seem to be unattractive both to ruler and ruled. Yet since their establishment over a century ago, they have not only become important parts of the social and political landscape but have been imitated throughout the Arab world. Why did Egypt's political leaders construct and maintain a system that seems – at least at first glance – to restrict their own authority? Egypt may be the Arab country that has come closest to establishing the strong and autonomous legal institutions necessary for the rule of law. With courts that have freed political extremists and twice brought down the country's parliament, Egypt's judicial system is regarded as possessing remarkable independence and integrity (even while it is often perceived as a European imposition). Why does an autonomous and dilatory system recommend itself to Arab rulers outside Egypt? Far from filling Arab observers with dismay, Egyptian courts are a model throughout the region, emulated in varying degrees in political systems as diverse as those of Libya, Kuwait, Iraq, and Yemen. Egyptian legal models – along with many Egyptian judicial personnel – have been employed in much of the Arab world. Why do so many Egyptians choose to bring their disputes to court? The Egyptian legal system is widely held to be confusing, overburdened, and forbidding. Criticized as culturally inappropriate when founded a century ago, lampooned by Tawfiq al-Hakim as overworked and incomprehensible to Egyptians a half-century ago, and constantly described today as slow and strained to the breaking point, Egyptian courts not only survive but are increasingly sought out by Egyptians from all walks of life.
A closure test for time-specific capture-recapture data

The assumption of demographic closure in the analysis of capture-recapture data under closed-population models is of fundamental importance. Yet, little progress has been made in the development of omnibus tests of the closure assumption. We present a closure test for time-specific data that, in principle, tests the null hypothesis of closed-population model Mt against the open-population Jolly-Seber model as a specific alternative. This test is chi-square, and can be decomposed into informative components that can be interpreted to determine the nature of closure violations. The test is most sensitive to permanent emigration and least sensitive to temporary emigration, and is of intermediate sensitivity to permanent or temporary immigration. This test is a versatile tool for testing the assumption of demographic closure in the analysis of capture-recapture data.
Soil microbial population dynamics following bioaugmentation with a 3-chlorobenzoate-degrading bacterial culture. Bioaugmentation effects on soil microorganisms.

Changes in microbial populations were evaluated following inoculation of contaminated soil with a 3-chlorobenzoate degrader. Madera sandy loam was amended with 0, 500, or 1000 μg 3-chlorobenzoate g-1 dry soil. Selected microcosms were inoculated with the degrader Comamonas testosteroni BR60. Culturable bacterial degraderswere enumerated on minimal salts media containing 3-chlorobenzoate. Culturableheterotrophic bacteria were enumerated on R2A. Isolated degraders were grouped by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence-polymerase chain reaction fingerprints and identified based on 16S ribosomal-DNA sequences. Bioaugmentation increased the rate of degradation at both levels of 3-chlorobenzoate. In both the 500 and 1000 μg 3-chlorobenzoate g-1 dry soil inoculated microcosms, degradersincreased from the initial inoculum and decreased following degradation of 3-CB.Inoculation delayed the development of indigenous 3-chlorobenzoate degrading populations. It is unclear if inoculation altered the composition of indigenous degrader populations. In the uninoculated soil, degraders increased from undetectable levels to 6.6 × 107 colony-forming-units g-1 dry soil in the 500 μg 3-chlorobenzoate g-1 dry soil microcosms, but none were detected in the 1000 μg 3-chlorobenzoate g-1 dry soil microcosms. Degraders isolated from uninoculated soil were identified as one of two distinct Burkholderia species.In the uninoculated soil, numbers of culturable heterotrophic bacteria initially decreased following addition of 1000 μg 3-chlorobenzoate g-1 dry soil. Inoculation with C. testosteroni reduced this negative impact on culturable bacterial numbers. The results indicate that bioaugmentation may not only increase the rate of 3-chlorobenzoate degradation but also reduce the deleterious effects of 3-chlorbenzoate on indigenous soil microbial populations.
Causal market share models in marketing: Neither forecasting nor understanding?

Abstract The results obtained by Brodie and de Kluyver are likely to be specific to aggregate bimonthly data. Aggregation eliminates useful sources of variation, and causes researchers to specify models with unrealistic constraints. Brand management needs to know the effects of marketing programs, which are obtainable from an analysis of store-level weekly data. Flexible models need to be specified and tested for this purpose.
Multiple electron capture in fast ion-atom collisions

Many electrons can be captured by an energetic, highly charged ion in collision with a target atom, demonstrated for 47-MeV Ca17+ ions in Ar.