cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inefficient Tailoring: The Private Ordering Paradox in Corporate Law

The conventional wisdom in corporate law posits that private ordering has an important virtue: it allows firms to efficiently tailor governance terms to their particular needs. This virtue is routinely advanced to justify the largely “enabling” structure of U.S. corporate law, and to oppose “one-size-fits-all” mandatory regulation. This Article argues that private ordering frequently produces inefficient tailoring of corporate governance terms—firms that need governance constraints are precisely the ones that do not volunteer to implement them. In theory, the conventional approach assumes that these firms will implement constraints voluntarily because otherwise they would be disciplined by market forces and IPO pricing. Yet such reliance on market discipline has an inherent paradox: the firms that would benefit most from governance constraints are precisely the ones that are subject to weak market discipline, and this Article argues, to inadequate penalties in IPO pricing. Evidence from myriad studies and contexts suggests that firms’ needs for constraints are often not, or negatively, correlated with having them. For exam- ple, the inclination to cross-list on US exchanges is negatively correlated with controlling shareholders’ private benefits, and with the cross-listing premium; firms that benefitted from independent directors were precisely the ones that did not have them prior to SOX; managers of firms that investors believed would benefit most from proxy access were precisely those who were most likely to contest them; Nevada’s lax fiduciary duties attract firms that are prone to finan- cial reporting failures. The Article concludes with implications for data interpre- tation and corporate law policy.
Evidence for Universality in Transients

Throughout the extensive work of recent years on pattern formation and evolution in viscous fingering[1], most theoretical attention has been given to steady states and asymptotic behavior, with the little attention given to transient stages of evolution centering on the linear regime at the onset of pattern evolution. This neglect of nontrivial, nonlinear stages of pattern dynamics arises partly because the mathematics is so much more difficult than that for onset and asymptotic regimes and partly because of a prejudice that the transient is less important (i.e., less universal) than the asymptotic behavior.
A resident boot camp for reducing door-to-needle times at academic medical centers

Abstract Background: We sought to determine if a structured educational program for neurology residents can lower door-to-needle (DTN) times at an academic institution. Methods: A neurology resident educational stroke boot camp was developed and implemented in April 2013. Using a prospective database of 170 consecutive acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in our emergency department (ED), we evaluated the effect of the intervention on DTN times. We compared DTN times and other process measures preintervention and postintervention. p Values Results: The proportion of AIS patients treated with tPA within 60 minutes of arrival to our ED tripled from 18.1% preintervention to 61.2% postintervention ( p p p p = 0.631], door to CT [18 minutes in both groups, p = 0.547]). There was an increase in stroke mimics treated (6.9% vs 18.4%, p = 0.031), which did not lead to an increase in adverse outcomes. Conclusions: DTN times were reduced after the implementation of a stroke boot camp and were driven primarily by efficient resident stroke code management. Educational programs should be developed for health care providers involved in acute stroke patient care to improve rapid access to IV tPA at academic institutions.
A Learning Scheme for Microgrid Reconnection

This paper introduces a potential learning scheme that can dynamically predict the stability of the reconnection of subnetworks to a main grid. As the future electrical power systems tend toward smarter and greener technology, the deployment of self sufficient networks, or microgrids, becomes more likely. Microgrids may operate on their own or synchronized with the main grid, thus control methods need to take into account islanding and reconnecting of said networks. The ability to optimally and safely reconnect a portion of the grid is not well understood and, as of now, limited to raw synchronization between interconnection points. A support vector machine (SVM) leveraging real-time data from phasor measurement units is proposed to predict in real time whether the reconnection of a subnetwork to the main grid would lead to stability or instability. A dynamics simulator fed with preacquired system parameters is used to create training data for the SVM in various operating states. The classifier was tested on a variety of cases and operating points to ensure diversity. Accuracies of approximately 85% were observed throughout most conditions when making dynamic predictions of a given network.
FcRγ- and IL-33-dependent house dust mite extract antigen-uptake in lung antigen presenting cells (HYP4P.311)

Allergic sensitization can be generated against various allergens, leading to Th2-mediated inflammation and subsequent asthmatic symptoms. However, the exact mechanisms behind allergic sensitization are not precisely understood. Our previous work demonstrated that house dust mite (HDM) signals through the FcRγ-associated receptor Dectin-2 and induces expression of IL-33 by DCs, leading to the differentiation of Th2 cells and asthma pathogenesis. Here, we sought to determine whether changes in antigen uptake by immune cells in the lung interstitium may be responsible for the diminished inflammation in response to HDM previously demonstrated in FcRγ- and IL-33-knockout mice. To this end, we evaluated antigen uptake in lung APC subsets 18 hours after intratracheal instillation of fluorescently labeled HDM in FcRγ- and IL-33-knockout mice. Our findings demonstrate the uptake of HDM by fewer lung-interstitial Ly6C+ monocytes in FcRγ-deficient mice, but equal uptake by DC subsets. Surprisingly, a defect in IL-33 alone resulted in reduced numbers of Ly6C+ monocytes, moDCs, and CD11b+ cDCs containing HDM in the lung interstitium. These data suggest a mechanism by which an FcRγ-dependent receptor is required for uptake of HDM by lung-interstitial Ly6C+ monocytes in order to upregulate IL-33 production in the lung, which may promote uptake by other APC subsets and induce Th2-mediated allergic airway inflammation.
Role of Reactive Carbonyl Species in non-enzymatic browning of apple juice during storage.

Abstract Non-enzymatic browning during storage of fruit juice causes the development of brown color and off-flavors that ultimately lead to a decrease in consumer acceptability. This study investigates the role of Reactive Carbonyl Species (RCS) from the Maillard reaction on browning formation in apple juice during storage. Over a 10-week period under accelerated conditions (35 °C), a significant increase in brown color development was observed and positively correlated to the RCS concentrations. Supplementation experiments established causality between specific RCS and browning and allowed for the identification of glyoxal and methylglyoxal as key browning intermediates in apple juice. Finally, phloretin, a ubiquitous apple dihydrochalcone, was reported as an efficient browning suppressor by significantly reducing the RCS levels and inhibiting the color formation during storage.
Ultra-low Power Wavelength Conversion in a Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Microring Resonator

We demonstrate ultra-low power wavelength conversion via four-wave mixing in a hydrogenated amorphous silicon microring resonator with 10μm radius. The results show 22.8-dB conversion efficiency enhancement in the ring compared to a 3.8-mm long waveguide.
Influences of Athletic Footwear on Ground Reaction Forces During A Sidestep Cutting Maneuver on Artificial Turf

Background: Recreational athletes can select their desired footwear based on personal preferences of shoe properties such as comfort and weight. Commonly worn running shoes and cleated footwear with similar stud geometry and distribution are worn when performing sport-specific tasks such as a side-step cutting maneuver (SCM) in soccer and American football (hereafter, referred to as football). The effects of such footwear on injury mechanics have been documented with less being known regarding their effect on performance. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine performance differences including peak ground reaction forces (pGRF), time-to-peak ground reaction forces (tpGRF) and the rate of force development (RFD) between football cleats (FB), soccer cleats (SOC), and traditional running sneakers (RUN) during the braking and propulsive phases of a SCM. Methodology: Eleven recreationally active males who participated in football and/or soccer-related activities at the time of testing completed the study. A 1 x 3 [1 Condition (SCM) x 3 Footwear (RUN, FB, SOC)] repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to analyze the aforementioned variables. Results: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between footwear conditions when comparing pGRF, tpGRF, or RFD in either the braking or propulsive phases. Conclusion: The results suggest that the studded and non-studded footwear allowed athletes to generate similar forces over a given time frame when performing a SCM.
Normal Tissue TNM Toxicity Taxonomy

Philosophically, the TNM Cancer Classification is based on the premise that all malignant tumors have a similar life cycle. Cancers originate in a normal tissue, then spread regionally into lymph nodes and then to systematic distant sites hematogenously. In a parallel fashion, the conceptual design of a normal tissue TNM classification is based on a similarity of normal tissue injury following multimodal cancer treatment which is often greatest in the structure/organ of cancer origin and decreases in neighboring normal tissues. There may be a generalized or systemic toxicity. NT = The normal Tissue, anatomic structure, organ in which the cancer arose and spreads initially. NN = Neighboring or surrounding normal tissues or organs, viscera that are not involved by the tumor but in the regional nodal drainage zone. NM = SysteMic effects that are generalized and include hematologic, hepatic toxicity, weight loss.
Thermally Stable Operation of Engineering Test Reactor Tokamaks

It is desirable for the plasma operating points of future Engineering Test Reactor (ETR) tokamaks to be in parameter regimes that are inherently stable to thermal fluctuations; in other words, thermal equilibrium is maintained by properties of the power balance terms themselves without an active burn control system. Methodologies are presented for calculating thermally stable operating points and scenarios to achieve these conditions. Results are given for an ETR tokamak with major radius R/sub 0/ = 5.8 m in both the ignition and current-drive modes. Burn dynamics simulations and discussion of critical issues are also presented. The analyses are general and should be applicable to a wide variety of deuterium-tritium burning tokamaks.
A Perfect Ground: Preparatory Layers for Oil Paintings 1550–1900

Researchers in the discipline of technical art history investigate the techniques, materials, and tools used by an artist or artists. They call upon a combination of published or manuscript instruc...
Adsorption and oxidation of propane and cyclopropane on IrO2(110).

We investigated the adsorption and oxidation of n-propane and cyclopropane (C3H8 and c-C3H6) on the IrO2(110) surface using temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We find that the activation of both C3H8 and c-C3H6 is facile on IrO2(110) at low temperature, and that the dissociated alkanes oxidize during TPRS to produce CO, CO2 and H2O above ∼400 K. Propane conversion to propylene is negligible during TPRS for the conditions studied. Our results show that the maximum yield of alkane that oxidizes during TPRS is higher for c-C3H6 compared with C3H8 (∼0.30 vs. 0.18 monolayer) and that pre-hydrogenation of the surface suppresses c-C3H6 oxidation to a lesser extent than C3H8. Consistent with the experimental results, DFT predicts that C3H8 and c-C3H6 form σ-complexes on IrO2(110) and that C–H bond activation of the complexes as well as subsequent dehydrogenation are highly facile via H-transfer to Obr atoms (bridging O-atoms). Our calculations predict that propane conversion to gaseous propylene is kinetically disfavored on IrO2(110) because HObr recombination makes Obr atoms available to promote further dehydrogenation at lower temperatures than those needed for the adsorbed C3H6 intermediate to desorb as propylene. We also present evidence that that the ability for c-C3H6 to activate via ring-opening is responsible for cyclopropane attaining higher reaction yields during TPRS and exhibiting a weaker sensitivity to surface pre-hydrogenation compared with n-propane.
Mean Offshore Refractive Conditions during the CASPER East Field Campaign

AbstractIn this study, we use observational and numerical model data from the Coupled Air Sea Processes and Electromagnetic Ducting Research (CASPER) field campaign to describe the mean refractive ...
Uranium storage mechanisms in wet-dry redox cycled sediments

Biogeochemical redox processes that govern radionuclide mobility in sediments are highly sensitive to forcing by the water cycle. For example, episodic draining and intrusion of oxidants into reduced zones during dry seasons can create biogeochemical seasonal hotspots of enhanced and changed microbial activity, affect the redox status of minerals, initiate changes in sediment gas and water transport, and stimulate the release of organic carbon, iron, and sulfur by oxidation of solid reduced species to aqueous oxic species. In the Upper Colorado River Basin, water-saturation of organic-enriched sediments locally promotes reducing conditions, denoted 'Naturally Reduced Zones' (NRZs), that accumulate strongly U(IV)sol. Subsequently, fluctuating hydrological conditions introduce oxidants, which may reach internal portions of these sediments and reverse their role to become secondary sources of Uaq. Knowledge of the impact of hydrological variability on the alternating import and export of contaminants, including U, is required to predict contaminant mobility and short- and long-term impacts on water quality. In this study, we tracked U, Fe, and S oxidation states and speciation to characterize the variability in redox processes and related Usol solubility within shallow fine-grained NRZs at the legacy U ore processing site at Shiprock, NM. Previous studies have reported U speciation and behavior in permanently saturated fine-grained NRZ sediments. This is the first report of U behavior in fine-grained NRZ-like sediments that experience repeated redox cycling due to seasonal fluctuations in moisture content. Our results support previous observations that reducing conditions are needed to accumulate Usol in sediments, but they counter the expectation that Usol predominantly accumulates as U(IV)sol; our data reveal that Usol may accumulate as U(VI)sol in roughly equal proportion to U(IV)sol. Surprisingly high abundances of U(VI)sol confined in transiently saturated fine-grained NRZ-like sediments suggest that redox cycling is needed to promote its accumulation. We propose a new process model, where redox oscillations driven by annual water table fluctuations, accompanied by strong evapotranspiration in low-permeability sediments, promote conversion of U(IV)sol to relatively immobile U(VI)sol, which suggests that Usol is accumulating in a form that is resistant to redox perturbations. This observation contradicts the common idea that U(IV)sol accumulated in reducing conditions is systematically re-oxidized, solubilized and transported away in groundwater.
Neutrino-driven Explosions in Gamma-Ray Bursts and Hypernovae

We study the physics behind the neutrino-driven mechanism for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and hypernovae, deriving the critical density at which these outbursts occur in the collapsar model. The agreement between this derivation and results from past collapsar simulations (MacFadyen & Woosley) is excellent, implying that we have captured the essential physics. We then use this derivation to study a range of progenitors for collapsar GRBs. We derive how much of the star will accrete onto the black hole core before the infall density drops below this critical density, leading to an estimate of the remnant black hole mass for GRBs and hypernovae. We also estimate the time delays between gravity-wave or neutrino signals and the onset of the explosion or burst event. This derivation, combined with future observational constraints, provides a physical insight into the structure of the GRB progenitor.
Robust odor coding across states in piriform cortex requires recurrent circuitry: evidence for pattern completion in an associative network

Abstract Pattern completion, or the ability to retrieve stable neural activity patterns from noisy or partial cues, is a fundamental feature of memory. Theoretical studies indicate that recurrently connected auto-associative or discrete attractor network models can perform this process. Although phenomenological evidence for pattern completion and attractor dynamics have been described in various recurrent neural circuits, the crucial role that recurrent circuitry plays in implementing these processes has not been shown. Here we show that although odor representations in mouse olfactory bulb degrade under anesthesia, responses in downstream piriform cortex remain robust. Recurrent connections are required to stabilize cortical odor representations across states. Moreover, piriform odor representations exhibit attractor dynamics, both within and across trials, and these are also abolished when recurrent circuitry is eliminated. Thus, an auto-associative cortical circuit stabilizes output in response to degraded input, and the recurrent circuitry that defines these networks is required for this stabilization.
Lattice Anharmonicity: A Double-Edged Sword for 3D Perovskite-Based Optoelectronics

Halide perovskites have attracted much attention due to their remarkable optoelectronic properties, such as long carrier lifetimes and diffusion lengths. However, current state-of-the-art perovskit...
External validation of current prediction systems of improvement after decompression surgery in Chiari malformation type I patients: can we do better?

Objective The Chiari Severity Index (CSI) and points-based algorithm of Thakar et al. are two prognostic tools that have been developed to predict the likelihood of improvement after suboccipital decompression in adult patients with Chiari malformation type I (CM-I). This study aimed to externally validate and critically evaluate these algorithms in the interest of guiding the development of improved prediction systems. Methods A consecutive cohort of CM-I patients undergoing suboccipital decompression between September 2006 and September 2018 were included. The CSI and Thakar point score were computed for all patients, and associations with improvement were analyzed. The ability of both prediction systems to predict improvement as measured by different Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS) cutoffs was assessed using receiver operating curve analysis. Post hoc correlations between the algorithms and different CCOS subcomponents were also assessed. Results The surgical cohort was composed of 149 adult CM-I patients, of whom 39 (26%) had a syrinx. Most patients experienced improvement after surgery (80% CCOS ≥ 13; 96% CCOS ≥ 11). The proportion of patients improving decreased with increasing CSI, but the results were not statistically significant (p = 0.246). No statistically significant difference in the mean Thakar point score was identified between improved and nonimproved patients using both CCOS cutoffs (p = 0.246 for a cutoff of 13 and p = 0.480 for a cutoff of 11). The CSI had a poor ability in identifying improved patients at a CCOS cutoff of 13 (area under the curve [AUC] 0.582) and 11 (AUC 0.646). The Thakar point score similarly had poor discrimination at a cutoff of 13 (AUC 0.467) and 11 (AUC 0.646). Neither algorithm had significant correlation with any of the CCOS subcomponents except for CSI and nonpain symptom improvement (coefficient = -0.273, p = 0.001). Conclusions Previously published algorithms failed to provide prediction value with regard to clinically meaningful improvement following suboccipital decompression in adult CM-I patients. Future models and practical scoring systems are still required to improve the decision-making process.
A Modified Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm for Large-Scale Inverse Problems

Distributed parameter estimation problems typically involve attempts to invert infinite dimensional nonlinear compact operators. In this case the derivative, or Jacobian, is a compact linear operator. Via the Hilbert-Schmidt Theorem one can construct, from a truncated spectral decomposition consisting of the largest eigenvalues and corresponding eigenfunctions, a uniformly convergent sequence of finite rank operator approximations to the Jacobian. This truncated spectral decomposition can be computed using a variety of iterative methods, including Subspace Iteration and the Lanczos method [5]. The approximate Jacobians can then be incorporated into a quasi-Newton scheme for solving the nonlinear problem. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that by combining Subspace Iteration with costate, or adjoint, ideas similar to those in [7], one can efficiently solve large-scale distributed parameter estimation problems.
Large for gestational age after frozen embryo transfer: an evaluation of the possible causes for this relationship

Frozen embryo transfer is associated with increased fetal weight, increased rates of large for gestational age (LGA) infants, and increased macrosomia, when compared with fresh embryo transfer or natural conception. Although the incidence of LGA births after frozen embryo transfer has been stable for several years, the pathological causes for these findings are not understood. The purpose of this review is to understand the state of current literature suggesting causes for this relationship, and to highlight areas in need of future research to potentially address and correct this finding. Our review addresses finding in the area with respect to alterations in epigenetics, differing types of embryo culture media, differing days of cryopreservation, supraphysiologic estradiol levels, and with programmed versus natural cycle endometrial preparation.
Review of MRI imaging for placenta accreta spectrum: Pathophysiologic insights, imaging signs, and recent developments.

Abstract Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) refers to the range of abnormally adhesive and penetrative placental tissue at a uterine scar. PAS is divided into accreta, increta, and percreta based on degree of myometrial invasion. Its incidence has increased, and PAS is now the leading indication for emergency peripartum hysterectomy in the setting of catastrophic hemorrhage from a non-separating placenta. The recent release of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) guidelines in 2018 coupled with the joint consensus statement from the Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) and European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) in 2020 reflect decades worth of diagnostic and therapeutic advances in this field. Although the increasing role of MRI in PAS diagnosis is evident, the literature on PAS reveals several disparate but conceptually overlapping MRI signs. Identifying and differentiating between placenta increta and percreta on imaging may be quite challenging even with MRI and sometimes even on final pathology. In this review, we aim to (i) provide a clarified understanding of PAS pathophysiology, (ii) comprehensively review and classify MRI signs based on pathophysiologic underpinnings, (iii) highlight shortcomings in the current PAS literature; and (iv) highlight best practice guidelines for imaging diagnosis of PAS.
Phosphorylation-dependent regulation of SPOP by LIMK2 promotes castration-resistant prostate cancer.

SPOP, an E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor, can act either as a tumour suppressor or a tumour promoter. In prostate cancer (PCa), it inhibits tumorigenesis by degrading several oncogenic substrates. SPOP is the most altered gene in PCa (~15%), which renders it ineffective, promoting cancer. The remaining PCa tumours, which retain WT-SPOP, still progress to castration-resistant (CRPC) stage, indicating that other critical mechanisms exist for downregulating SPOP. SPOP is reduced in ~94% of WT-SPOP-bearing prostate tumours; however, no molecular mechanism is known for its downregulation. SPOP was identified as a direct target of LIMK2 using an innovative technique. The reciprocal relationship between SPOP and LIMK2 and its consequences on oncogenicity were analysed using a variety of biochemical assays. To probe this relationship in vivo, xenograft studies were conducted. LIMK2 degrades SPOP by direct phosphorylation at three sites. SPOP promotes LIMK2’s ubiquitylation, creating a feedback loop. SPOP’s degradation stabilises AR, ARv7 and c-Myc promoting oncogenicity. Phospho-resistant SPOP completely suppresses tumorigenesis in vivo, indicating that LIMK2-mediated SPOP degradation is a key event in PCa progression. While genomically altered SPOP-bearing tumours require gene therapy, uncovering LIMK2-SPOP relationship provides a powerful opportunity to retain WT-SPOP by inhibiting LIMK2, thereby halting disease progression.
Potential Link Between 2020 Mentone, West Texas M5 Earthquake and Nearby Wastewater Injection: Implications for Aquifer Mechanical Properties

U.S. Department of EnergyUnited States Department of Energy (DOE) [DE-SC0019307]; WHOLESCALE project [DE-EE0009032]
Athletic Injuries of the Thoracic Cage

A variety of sports require exposure to high-impact trauma or characteristic repetitive movements that predispose to injuries around the thorax. Appropriate prognostication and timely management are vital, as untreated or undertreated injuries can lead to pain, disability, loss of playing time, or early termination of sports participation. The authors review common athletic injuries of the thoracic cage, encompassing muscular, osseous, and vascular conditions, with an emphasis on mechanism, imaging features, and management. The authors also review pertinent soft-tissue and bony anatomy, along with relevant sports biomechanics. Generalized muscle trauma and more specific injuries involving the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, teres major, pectoralis minor, lateral abdominal wall and intercostals, serratus anterior, and rectus abdominis muscles are discussed. Osseous injuries such as stress fractures, sternoclavicular dislocation, costochondral fractures, and scapular fractures are included. Finally, thoracic conditions such as snapping scapula, thoracic outlet syndrome, and Paget-Schroetter syndrome are also described. Specific MRI protocols are highlighted to address imaging challenges such as the variable anatomic orientation of thoracic structures and artifact from breathing motion. Athletes are susceptible to a wide range of musculoskeletal thoracic trauma. An accurate imaging diagnosis of thoracic cage injury and assessment of injury severity allow development of an adequate treatment plan. This can be facilitated by an understanding of functional anatomy, sports biomechanics, and the unique injuries for which athletes are at risk. ©RSNA, 2021.
Discovery and mapping of two new rust resistance genes, R17 and R18, in sunflower using genotyping by sequencing

Discovery of two rust resistance genes, R17 and R18, from the sunflower lines introduced from South Africa and genetic mapping of them to sunflower chromosome 13. Rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia helianthi Schw., is one of the most serious diseases of sunflower in the world. The rapid changes that occur in the virulence characteristics of pathogen populations present a continuous threat to the effectiveness of existing rust-resistant hybrids. Thus, there is a continued need for the characterization of genetically diverse sources of rust resistance. In this study, we report to identify two new rust resistance genes, R17 and R18, from the sunflower lines, KP193 and KP199, introduced from South Africa. The inheritance of rust resistance was investigated in both lines using two mapping populations developed by crossing the resistant plants selected from KP193 and KP199 with a common susceptible parent HA 89. The F2 populations were first genotyped using genotyping by sequencing for mapping of the rust genes and further saturated with markers in the target region. Molecular mapping positioned the two genes at the lower end of sunflower chromosome 13 within a large gene cluster. Two co-segregating SNP markers, SFW01497 and SFW08875, were distal to R17 at a 1.9 cM genetic distance, and a cluster of five co-segregating SNPs was proximal to R17 at 0.7 cM. R18 co-segregated with the SNP marker SFW04317 and was proximal to two cosegregating SNPs, SFW01497 and SFW05453, at 1.9 cM. These maps provide markers for stacking R17 or R18 with other broadly effective rust resistance genes to extend the durability of rust resistance. The relationship of the six rust resistance genes in the cluster was discussed.
Fabricating the People: Politics and Administration in the Biopolitical State

This book challenges commonplace notions of popular sovereignty and the idea of "the People". Since the 1960s, hostility and mistrust towards the U.S. government has risen precipitously. At the same time, the field of public administration has wrestled with its own crisis of legitimacy. What is at the root of current antigovernment sentiment? Conventionally, two explanations for this problem persist. Some see it primarily in moral terms, a deficit of Constitutional or democratic values in government. Others emphasize government's performance failures and managerial inefficiency. Thomas J. Catlaw departs from both explanations in this groundbreaking study and demonstrates that the current crisis of government originates in the uncritical manner in which we have accepted the idea of "the People." He contends that this unifying, foundational concept - and the notion of political representation it entails - has failed. While illuminating some of our most pressing social and political problems, Catlaw shows how the idea of The People, far from serving to unify, relies in fact on a distinctive logic of exclusion. True political power is the power to determine what constitutes the normal, natural life of the electorate. Today, the exclusionary practices that once made up or fabricated the People are increasingly contested. In turn, government and political power now appear more invasive, less legitimate, and our shared reality appears more fragmented and disconnected. In order to address this crisis and reinvigorate democracy, Catlaw argues, we must accept as bankrupt the premise of the People and the idea of representation itself. "Fabricating the People" boldly proposes a post-representational governance that reframes the practice of modern democracy and reinvents the role of public administration.
Prescription pain reliever misuse prevalence, correlates, and origin of possession throughout the life course

Abstract Introduction While a considerable amount of information is available concerning who is most likely to engage in prescription pain reliever misuse, few studies have examined whether the correlates of pain reliever misuse and sources of pain reliever possession are consistent across the life span. Methods Data from the 2011–2012 National Survey in Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Multivariate logistic regression examined clinical and social correlates of past-year pain reliever misuse, stratified by age. Additionally, bivariate analyses examined sources of pain reliever possession, and whether these origins differ by age. Results Among respondents, 4.7% reported past-year prescription pain reliever misuse. Prevalence for individuals aged 12 to 17 was 5.9%, 18 to 25 was 10.2%, 26–34 was 7.7%, 35 to 49 was 4.3%, and individuals aged 50 or older was 1.7%. While many social and clinical correlates of pain reliever misuse emerged among younger respondents, these correlates diminished in significance among older adults. Only past-year illicit drug use disorders (marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogen use) was a significant predictor of pain reliever misuse among all age groups. Also, older adults were more likely to report pain reliever possession from multiple medical doctors, whereas younger individuals were more likely to possess pain reliever from friends/relatives or through purchase from a drug dealer/stranger. Conclusions Increased efforts to better screen for illicit drug use and greater efforts to coordinate patient prescription records among medical care providers may be high priorities in developing interventions to reduce rates of misuse of prescription pain relievers, especially among older adults.
Quantitative in vivo imaging of slowly diffusing radiotracers

48 Objectives Previous studies have shown disagreement between in vivo and in vitro measurements of kinetic parameters in large molecule tracers. For such tracers (like labeled antibodies), standard kinetic models fail sometimes to accurately measure tracer kinetics, necessitating models incorporating the diffusion rate of tracer in tissue. The reaction-diffusion equations central to these improved models are highly non-linear, leading to problems of parameter identifiability. Here we propose and implement a method to overcome these problems for in vivo imaging using Bayesian priors based on in vitro measurements. Methods Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) experiments were performed on PSCA antigen to measure kon and koff of the of 124I-PSCA minibody (A11) in vitro. Mice implanted with PSCA over-expressing tumors were then injected with ~100 µCi A11 and scanned intermittently over 44 hours. ROIs were drawn on the left ventricle and the implanted tumor to measure plasma and tumor activity in each mouse. The tumor time activity curves (TAC) were then fit with both standard kinetic models and the diffusion-kinetic model with Bayesian priors. Results QCM experiments estimated Kd of A11 as ~4nM. With diffusion-kinetic models, TACs were fit with high accuracy and fitted parameters agreed closely with a priori estimates of binding affinities (estimated Kd ~ 2nM). TACs were also fit well using standard kinetic models, but showed large divergence from in vitro estimates of kon and koff , with a fitted Kd of ~10μM. There were also large differences in fitted parameters of receptor density, with estimated receptor density 300% larger when diffusion is not taken into account. Conclusions Using standard kinetic models for quantification of in vivo imaging with large molecule tracers leads to large errors in estimates of important biological parameters. These problems can be overcome by accounting for diffusion rate of tracer and incorporating some Bayesian priors. This method can be used to accurately measure changes in receptor density as a function of treatment response.
The natural history of breast carcinoma in the elderly: implications for screening and treatment

BACKGROUND The authors evaluated the two indicators of metastatic proclivity (namely, virulence [V; the rate of appearance of distant metastases] and metastagenicity [M; the ultimate likelihood of developing distant metastases]) of breast carcinoma in elderly women. The authors then compared these characteristics with the corresponding characteristics in a cohort of younger women to determine whether breast carcinoma was more indolent in women age > 70 years, as is commonly believed in the medical community. METHODS The authors examined 2136 women who underwent mastectomy without adjuvant systemic therapy at The University of Chicago Hospitals (Chicago, IL) between 1927 and 1987. The median follow-up period was 12.3 years. Distant disease–free survival (DDFS) was determined for women who did not receive systemic therapy. V and M were obtained from log-linear plots of DDFS. RESULTS No significant difference in tumor size at presentation was observed among women age 70 years (P = 0.86), whereas significantly fewer women age > 70 years presented with positive lymph nodes compared with younger women (P = 0.05). In women with negative lymph node status, there was a higher DDFS rate among patients ages 40–70 years (81% at 10 years) compared with patients age > 70 years (65% at 10 years; P = 0.018). There was no significant age-related difference among women with lymph node–positive disease (P = 0.2). For example, the 10-year DDFS rate for women ages 40–70 years was 33%, compared with 38% for women age > 70 years. Among those with lymph node–negative disease, V was 3% per year for women ages 40–70 years as well as women age > 70 years. Among women with lymph node–negative disease, M was 0.20 for patients ages 40–70 years and 0.35 for patients age > 70 years. In women with positive lymph node status, both V (11% per year vs. 10% per year) and M (0.70 vs. 0.65) were similar in both age groups. CONCLUSIONS Fewer women age > 70 years had lymph node involvement at presentation. However, when this finding was taken into account, the authors found no evidence that breast carcinoma was more indolent in women age > 70 years. These results support the use of similar diagnostic and therapeutic efforts for elderly women and younger women, with modification for elderly women based only on comorbidity. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Five Easy Pieces

Lambert has shown in a number of occasions how to make significant philosophical points while using space very economically. The following pieces are conceived as homage to his example in this regard.
Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood: A review of the literature.

Childrens’ complaints of headache and dizziness merit careful evaluation to differentially diagnose a vestibular disorder. Children can manifest with a syndrome mimicking certain classic signs and symptoms of adult vestibular disorders, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, usually associated with aging. Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood in which migraine is a key manifestation along with sudden onset of dizziness, is a rare peripheral vestibular disorder in children that is commonly overlooked or misdiagnosed. This review covers the historical development of the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment approaches of benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood.
Creative thinking - reflection as a catalyst in triggering creativity in engineering education

This article constitutes an effort to gain insights into the nature of creativity and its mechanisms leading to creative solutions to problems. This article claims that reflection constitutes the underlying mechanism, serving as a catalyst for creativity. A total of five experiments is presented, incurred in industrial and academic research environments and pedagogical settings, that demonstrate the occurrence of creativity, deliberately triggered by reflection. The key contribution of this article is that, although the exact definition of creativity continues to elude us, two mechanisms have been uncovered that are potentially useful in triggering creativity, at will, in ordinary scientific and engineering personnel to achieve quantum leaps in our knowledge and achievement. Reflection plays a key, catalytic role in both of these mechanisms and also appears to underlie the inner workings of Nature.
Nonperturbative part of the plaquette in pure gauge theory

We define the non-perturbative part of a quantity as the difference between its numerical value and the perturbative series truncated by dropping the order of minimal contribution and the higher orders. For the anharmonic oscillator, the double-well potential and the single plaquette gauge theory, the non-perturbative part can be parametrized as A (lambda)^B exp{-C/lambda} and the coefficients can be calculated analytically. For lattice QCD in the quenched approximation, the perturbative series for the average plaquette is dominated at low order by a singularity in the complex coupling plane and the asymptotic behavior can only be reached by using extrapolations of the existing series. We discuss two extrapolations that provide a consistent description of the series up to order 20-25. These extrapolations favor the idea that the non-perturbative part scales like (a/r_0)^4 with a/r_0 defined with the force method. We discuss the large uncertainties associated with this statement. We propose a parametrization of ln((a/r_0)) as the two-loop universal terms plus a constant and exponential corrections. These corrections are consistent with a_{1-loop}^2 and play an important role when beta<6. We briefly discuss the possibility of calculating them semi-classically at large beta.
The Influence of Sexual Orientation and Sexual Role on Male Grooming‐Related Injuries and Infections

Aim. Pubic hair grooming is a common practice in the United States and coincides with prevalence of grooming- related injuries. Men who have sex with men (MSM) groom more frequently than men who have sex with women (MSW). We aim to characterize the influence of sexual orientation and sexual role on grooming behavior, injuries, and infections in men in the United States. Methods. We conducted a nationally representative survey of noninstitutionalized adults aged 18-65 residing in the United States. We examined the prevalence and risk factors of injuries and infections that occur as a result of personal grooming. Results. Of the 4,062 men who completed the survey, 3,176 (78.2%) report having sex with only women (MSW), 198 (4.9%) report sex with men (MSM), and 688 (16.9%) report not being sexually active. MSM are more likely to groom (42.5% vs. 29.0%, P < 0.001) and groom more around the anus, scrotum, and penile shaft compared with MSW. MSM receptive partners groom more often (50.9% vs. 26.9%, P = 0.005) and groom more for sex (85.3% vs. 51.9%, P < 0.001) compared with MSM insertive partners. MSM report more injuries to the anus (7.0% vs. 1.0%, P < 0.001), more grooming-related infections (7.0% vs. 1.0%, P < 0.001) and abscesses (8.8% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.010), as well as lifetime sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (1.65 vs. 1.45, P = 0.038) compared with MSW. More receptive partners report grooming at the time of their STI infection (52.2% vs. 14.3%, P < 0.001) compared with insertive partners. Conclusions. Sexual orientation, and in particular sexual role, may influence male grooming behavior and impact grooming-related injuries and infections. Anogenital grooming may put one at risk for an STI. Healthcare providers should be aware of different grooming practices in order to better educate safe depilatory practices (i.e., the use of electric razors for anogenital grooming) in patients of all sexual orientations. Gaither TW, Truesdale M, Harris CR, Alwaal A, Shindel AW, Allen IE, and Breyer BN. The influence of sexual orientation and sexual role on male grooming-related injuries and infections. J Sex Med 2015;12:631-640.
Interpretations of IHL in Tribunals of the United States

Tribunals of the United States have been interpreting IHL ever since the nation was founded. Even before the enactment of the US Constitution, several Founding Fathers believed that membership in the community of nations should be a fundamental aim of the new republic. In the more than two centuries since the Constitution’s enactment, US policy and practice have typically remained within the membership conception. This chapter has described both how the membership conception has influenced US judicial interpretations of IHL and how these interpretations have in turn influenced the international conception of that body of law. US departures from the membership conception of IHL have usually involved measures taken by the executive branch. US tribunals have responded to these departures in a variety of ways. Sometimes they have accepted these initiatives, but often they have rejected them or tailored the measures to IHL principles. This pattern emerged after the Civil War, when the US Supreme Court held in Ex parte Milligan that a military commission could not try a non-belligerent for acts committed outside the theater of war. In In re Yamashita, the Supreme Court upheld a military commission conviction based on a then-novel theory of command responsibility. That doctrine went on to become a key building block for international tribunals. The September 11 attacks provide the latest illustration of the membership argument. After the executive branch responded to the attacks with efforts to change IHL rules on interrogation, detention, and the jurisdiction of military commissions courts pushed back. These responses were often effective, although the Supreme Court’s decision in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld classifying the struggle with al Qaeda as a NIAC may have raised more questions than it answered. With regard to detention courts have applied IHL principles to determine membership in armed groups and the US has begun to implement administrative reviews based on the Fourth Geneva Convention. As of the writing of this chapter, issues regarding military commission jurisdiction are still working their way through US courts. However, the D.C. Circuit’s decision in Hamdan v. United States vacating a conviction for material support of terrorism in the absence of evidence that the defendant had committed an established war crime reaffirmed the US Constitution’s commitment to international law.
Nodular-cystic fat necrosis: A reevaluation of the so-called mobile encapsulated lipoma

We describe five patients with distinct posttraumatic subcutaneous nodules that usually evolved for several months before diagnosis. The nodules occurred in the subcutis of the elbow or hip of women, 33 to 74 years old, and in the hip of a 16-year-old boy. Histologically the fully developed lesions were totally or nearly totally encapsulated by thin, fibrous tissue. All contained well-preserved outlines of nonnucleated adipocytes; there was no inflammation or saponification. In one patient's lestion the viable subcutaneous tissue merged into several partially encapsulated necrotic nodules. In another case a smaller nodule was found within a larger, mostly calcified nodule. Names such as nodular-cystic fat necrosis, mobile encapsulated lipoma , and encapsulated necrosis have been offered to designate the lesion. Its pathogenesis seems to be related to trauma, rapid vascular insufficiency, and subsequent fibrous capsule formation. Many previously reported patients, however, bad no history of trauma. The lesion must be distinguished histologically from lipoma, angiolipoma, a,-antitrypsin deficiency-associated panniculitis, membranous fat necrosis, and pancreatic fat necrosis. Simple excision is the treatment of choice.