cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Asymptomatic aortic regurgitation: indications for operation.

Left ventricular(LV) systolic function is an important determinant of long-term prognosis in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation. In patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR), those with preoperative LV dysfunction have a greater risk of postoperative congestive heart failure and death than do those in whom preoperative LV systolic function Is normal. Patients with preoperative LV dysfunction are not a homogeneous group, however, but may be further stratified according to risk on the basis of the severity of symptoms, exercise intolerance, and temporal duration of LV dysfunction. Hence, asymptomatic patients with reproducible and definite evidence of impaired LV function should undergo operation without waiting for the development of symptoms or more severe LV dysfunction. Among asymptomatic patients with normal LV systolic function (normal ejection fraction and fractional shortening), the prognosis is excellent with only a gradual rate of deterioration during conservative, nonoperative management. The long-term follow-up experience of such patients indicates that the annual mortality rate is less than 0.5% and that less than 4% per year require AVR because symptoms or LV dysfunction at rest develop. Patients likely to require operation over a 10-year period because symptoms or LV dysfunction develop can be identified on the basis of age, severity of LV dilatation by echocardiography, and progressive change in LV dimensions or resting ejection fraction during the course of serial follow-up studies. Patients at risk of sudden death before surgery Is performed may be Identified by extreme LV dilatation (diastolic dimension > 80 mm, systolic dimension > 55 mm). If asymptomatic patients are followed carefully and undergo operation only after the onset of symptoms, depressed ejection fraction at rest, or extreme LV dilatation, the operative mortality is low, long-term postoperative survival is excellent, and LV function after operation improves in virtually every patient. Hence, although asymptomatic patients with depressed LV contractile function at rest or extreme LV dilatation should undergo AVR before the onset of symptoms, the great majority of asymptomatic patients with normal LV contractile function at rest do not require “prophylactic” valve replacement to preserve LV function. AVR is justifiable in asymptomatic patients who manifest consistent and reproducible evidence of either LV contractile dysfunction at rest or extreme LV dilatation on noninvasive studies. (J Card Surg 1994;9[Suppl]:170–173)
NITRATE REDUCTION BY MARINE BACTERIA AT INCREASED HYDROSTATIC PRESSURES1

Thirty species of marine bacteria were examined for their ability to grow and reduce nitrate at increased hydrostatic pressures. All grew and reduced nitrate at pressures up to 300 atm, but not as rapidly as at lower pressures. Only 21 species grew in nutrient medium compressed to 400 atm, 11 grew at 600 atm, and 8 grew and reduced nitrate at 1,000 atm. Washed cells, grown at 1 atm, of all species reduced nitrate at deep-sea pressures, the average rate being only about one-fifth as fast at 1,000 atm as at 1 atm. The nitrate-reducing ability of washed cell suspensions of Pseudomonas perfectomarinus slowly diminished during storage, more slowly at 2C than at 30C. At 2C, such diminution was more rapid at 1,000 atm than at 1 atm, thereby indicating that high pressure inactivates the nitrate-reducing enzyme system of Ps. perfectomarinus. Subjecting washed cells of this organism suspended in oxygen-free seawater to pressures of 1,000 to 1,800 atm for a few minutes had no measurable effect on their ability to reduce nitrate after decompressing them to 1 atm, but holding such cells for several hours at high pressures inactivated their nitrate-reducing enzyme system. Such inactivation was complete and irreversible after holding the cells for 24 hr at 10C at 1,800 atm. Enzyme inactivation by increased pressures was more rapid at low temperatures, 2C, than at higher temperatures (tests made at 10, 21, and 3OC).
The analysis of discrete transient events in Markov games

The evolution of a system from the transient phase into a steady-state or asymptotic phase is an important area of study in engineering and the mathematical sciences. While analytic methods exist for determining the steady-state behavior of a system, the transient analysis is typically more difficult. Transient analysis is often approached in either an ad hoc, case-by-case manner or is performed by simulation. In this paper we explore the transient analysis of absorbing Markov chains by counting discrete-time events. We derive a closed-form expression for the expectation of these events and give some examples. We then show how several singleagent systems may be combined into a multi-agent system where the interactions between agents can be analyzed. This affords a model for analyzing competition. For example, we can determine advantages to specific players and determine the expected number of lead changes. After developing these ideas we present simulation results to verify our methods.
Clinical commentary on "One Mother's Heart Story"

Courtney Alexander is just a few years younger than my wife. Her 3 kids are just a few years younger than my 3 kids. And her husband, Nick, is just a few years younger than I am. I mention these facts because they were at the forefront of my mind the day I first met Courtney and Nick in our cardiac care unit 2 years ago. These facts were as critical to me as all of the details the house officers had just shared about the circumstances of her cardiac arrest, vital signs, ECGs, and laboratory tests. I can still remember seeing Courtney for the first time with her family and friends all surrounding her, deeply afraid. She was intubated and on the ventilator, actively being cooled through an intravenous catheter …
The Birth of the Organized Crime? The American Temperance Movement and Market-Based Violence

Economic theory and anecdotal evidence suggest that the absence of formal contract enforcement increases systemic, or market-based, violence in illegal markets. Lack of substantial variation in market legality has prevented empirical evaluation of the strength of this association. Using a state-level panel of age-specific homicide rates between 1900 and 1940, I demonstrate that criminalization of alcohol markets led to a compression of the age distribution of homicide victims. Specifically, homicide rates for individuals between the ages of 20 and 30 increased relative to homicide rates for individuals under 20 and over 30. The compression of the age distribution of homicide victims was most evident in northern states and in states with large immigrant and urban populations. Using modern homicide data, I show that this age specific change in homicide rates is consistent with an increase in systemic violence, supporting the argument that the temperance movement contributed to the rise of organized crime in the United States. Banning the commercial sale of alcohol appears to have had a protective effect for children and mature adults, but this came at the expense of increasing the rate of violence among young adults.
Testing for Causal Effects in a Generalized Regression Model With Endogenous Regressors

A unifying framework to test for causal effects in nonlinear models is proposed. We consider a generalized linear-index regression model with endogenous regressors and no parametric assumptions on the error disturbances. To test the significance of the effect of an endogenous regressor, we propose a statistic that is a kernel-weighted version of the rank correlation statistic (tau) of Kendall (1938). The semiparametric model encompasses previous cases considered in the literature (continuous endogenous regressors (Blundell and Powell (2003)) and a single binary endogenous regressor (Vytlacil and Yildiz (2007))), but the testing approach is the first to allow for (i) multiple discrete endogenous regressors, (ii) endogenous regressors that are neither discrete nor continuous (e.g., a censored variable), and (iii) an arbitrary “mix” of endogenous regressors (e.g., one binary regressor and one continuous regressor).
Single top-quark production cross-section and properties using the ATLAS detector at the LHC

ATLAS measurements of single top-quark processes are summarised. Measurements using data recorded at the LHC proton-proton collider at centre-of-mass energies of √ s =7 TeV and 8 TeV are presented. The measurements are performed using the semi-leptonic decay mode of the top quark. Production cross-sections for the t -channel and W t modes of single top-quark production and the extraction of the CKM matrix element | V tb | are shown. All measurements are compared to theoretical calculations. In addition, the s -channel production mode is explored along with limits on exotic production modes.
Genetics of House Flies: Tests for Dominant Heat-Sensitive Lethal Mutations

Genetic tests were conducted to recover dominant heat-sensitive lethal mutations ( Hs factors) on autosomes of the house fly, Musca domestica L., following treatment of house fly sperm with ethyl methanesulfonate. Two potential Hs factors were detected on chromosome 1, and 5 possible Hs factors were detected on each of chromosomes 2 and 4 from among 6,000 test cultures. Unfortunately, only 2 chromosome 4 Hs factors ( Hs-41 and −42 ) were stable with regard to continued stock maintenance and even these 2 mutations exhibited incomplete penetrance with regard to producing lethality at a restrictive temperature of 33±2°C; all other purported Hs mutations became nonheat-sensitive within 3–5 generations after their isolation. Temperature-sensitive patterns established for Hs−41 and Hs−42 indicated that the 2 lethal factors are at different loci. It is suggested that induced Hs mutations will not be the temperature-dependent lethal factors chosen for control testing against this species.
Theoretical analysis of the coherence-brightened laser in air

We present a detailed theoretical study of a recent experiment [A. J. Traverso et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 109, 15185 (2012)] in which a laserlike source is created in air by pumping with a nanosecond pulse. The source generates radiation in the forward and backward directions. The temporal behavior of the emitted pulses is investigated for different pump shapes and durations. Our analysis indicates that the spiky emission is due to quantum coherence via cooperation between atoms of an ensemble, which leads to strong-oscillatory superfluorescence. We show that these cooperative nonadiabatic coherence effects cannot be described by rate equations and instead a full set of the Maxwell-Bloch equations must be used. We consider a range of parameters and study transitions between various regimes. Understanding these coherence-brightened processes in air should lead to improvements in environmental, atmospheric remote sensing and other applications.
Brain Death and Human Organismal Integration: A Symposium on the Definition of Death

Does the ability of some brain dead bodies to maintain homeostasis with the help of artificial life support actually imply that those bodies are living human organisms? Or might it be possible that a brain dead body on life support is a mere collection of still-living cells, organs and tissues which can coordinate with one another, but which lack the genuine integration that is the hallmark of a unified human organism as a whole? To foster further study of these difficult and timely questions, a Symposium on the Definition of Death was held at The Catholic University of America in June 2014. The Symposium brought together scholars from a variety of disciplines-law, medicine, biology, philosophy and theology-who all share a commitment to the dead donor rule and to a biological definition of death, but who have differing opinions regarding the validity of neurological criteria for human death. The papers found in this special issue are among the fruits of this Symposium.
Developmental Toxicity of Triclosan in the Presence of Dissolved Organic Carbon: Moving Beyond Standard Acute Toxicity Assays to Understand Ecotoxicological Risk

Abstract Triclosan (TCS) is an ionizable synthetic antimicrobial that has been found to be a persistent environmental contaminant with potential for bioaccumulation. Standard laboratory assays have shown that TCS is toxic to aquatic organisms; however, varied environmental conditions could impact this risk. For example, we would predict that sorption to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in natural surface waters would reduce the bioavailability and, therefore, toxicity of TCS. To better understand the potential risk that TCS poses to wild fish, we evaluated the toxicity of TCS to zebrafish in the presence of DOC. Zebrafish were exposed to TCS (0–900 μg TCS/L), DOC (0–25 mg/L), or TCS (0–900 μg TCS/L) together with either 10 or 25 mg DOC/L from 8 to 120 h postfertilization through static waterborne exposure. We compared impacts of TCS alone or in conjunction with DOC on mortality, development, and hatching success. Exposure to TCS in the presence of DOC improves survival and hatching success, and reduces the ...
Hamstring injuries: review of current literature and return to play considerations

Hamstring injuries are a common source of frustration for athletes. The most commonly involved muscle is the biceps femoris, which is typically injured during forceful sprinting. Injury rates vary according to several variables including sex, level of play, and sport. There are many classification schemes used for hamstring injuries, including the more recent Munich muscle injury classification. History and physical exam remain the cornerstones of diagnosis, while the utility of magnetic resonance imaging is still debated. Most hamstring injuries are managed non-operatively, although variations in the rehabilitation protocols are seen in the literature. Severe and refractory injuries can be managed operatively with good success. The return to play decision is complex, requiring coordination of care between the athlete, coaches, trainers, physicians, and involved family members. Future research investigating new treatments and rehabilitation protocols is important and necessary to keep our athletes performing at the top of their abilities.
Metabolic and Endocrine Oncologic Emergencies

Homeostatic regulation of key metabolites in cancer patients is often dysfunctional or perturbed by the malignancy or its treatment. Cancer and its treatment can also perturb the endocrine systems that regulate organ functions and metabolism. Deficiencies and excesses in electrolytes, metabolites, and hormones are discussed from the practical standpoint of acute clinical management in this chapter. Common etiologies and treatment approaches are also presented.
Precision medicine to improve survival without increasing costs in advanced cancer patients.

e17641 Background: The advent of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and other diagnostic technologies, has enabled the use of genomic information to guide targeted treatment in cancer patients. The ...
Abstract IA20: Moving CAR T cell therapy forward: CARs and armored CARs

T cells may be genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) targeted to antigens expressed by tumor cells. We have developed this technology in the laboratory and translated this adoptive T cell approach in the clinic. Treatment of patients with CD19 targeted CAR T cells has resulted remarkable remission rates in relapsed B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Specifically, based on currently updated clinical outcomes, we have achieved >85% CR rates in adult patients with relapsed B-ALL treated with CD19 targeted CAR T cells which far exceed historical expectations. Further, by deep sequencing analysis, most treated patients were MRD- after CAR T cell therapy. Significantly, remissions were observed in both patients with overt morphological residual disease at the time of therapy as well as in patients with only residual MRD+ disease. Clinical trials form other centers which confirm the presented clinical trial outcomes from our center will be reviewed. While overall generally well tolerated, we found that patients treated with CAR T cells in the setting of overt disease experienced a cytokine release syndrome (CRS) with associated fevers, hypotension, and mental status changes including overt seizures. In contrast, far more modest responses were seen in patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The discordant clinical outcomes between B-ALL and CLL patients treated with CD19 targeted CAR T cells remains a subject of conjecture although the tumor microenvironment is a strong focus of further investigation. To this end, we will present novel data on a next generation of CAR T cells, termed “armored CARs” further genetically designed to overcome an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment through further genetic modification of CAR T cells. Promising preclinical studies utilizing these “armored CAR” T cell approaches and their role in future clinical trials will be discussed. Citation Format: Renier J. Brentjens. Moving CAR T cell therapy forward: CARs and armored CARs. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Integrating Clinical Genomics and Cancer Therapy; Jun 13-16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(1_Suppl):Abstract nr IA20.
Kinetics of induction of rat liver enzymes by glucocorticoids.

The hypothesis that cortisone increases the synthesis of a group of rat liver enzymes to the same extent, and that their relative rates of accumulation are consequently determined by their respective degradative rate constants, is re-evaluated in terms of the original data and assumptions. The data do not for the most part conform to the changes in enzyme levels predicted by the kinetic model. A fundamental assumption upon which the original conclusions were based is shown to be erroneous; i.e., the initial rate of enzyme accumulation is not a valid estimate of the induced rate of enzyme synthesis. A rearrangement of the equation for enzyme accumulation permits calculation of the induced synthetic rate for any segment of the accumulation curve. Solutions of the equation are consistent with the concept of a lag period in the induction of tryptophan oxygenase (L-tryptophan:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.13.1.12), tyrosine aminotransferase (L-tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.5), and alanine aminotransferase (L-alanine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.2) in adrenalectomized rats. Arginase (L-arginine amidinohydrolase, EC 3.5.3.1) was synthesized at a fairly constant induced rate from the earliest measured point in time, while the synthesis of alanine aminotransferase appeared to rise to a maximum at 1-2 days and then to decline to about half this value at the induced steady-state level. These kinetic analyses provide no support for the original hypothesis, or for the generalization that differences in accumulation rates of cortisone-induced enzymes are simply a function of their normal degradative rate constants.
Improved hexagram inverter for medium-voltage variable speed drive

The hexagram inverter is composed of six voltage source inverter (VSI) modules interconnected through the inductors, which are required to suppress the circulating current that resulted from the modular interconnection. Design of the inductor is a challenge, where the inductance should be large enough to suppress the circulating current but small enough to minimize additional voltage drop that affects the output voltage. This paper proposed using coupled inductors in between the connected VSI modules instead of individual ones. With the proposed structure, the circulating current can be maximally suppressed and the voltage drop introduced by the inductor can be minimized. In addition, by sharing the magnetic core, the cost and size of the inductors are reduced. Both simulation and experiments have been conducted to verify the proposed hexagram inverter structure.
Molar Absorptivity Measurements in Absorbing Solvents: Impact on Solvent Absorptivity Values

Molar absorptivity is a fundamental molecular property that quantifies absorption strength as a function of wavelength. Absolute measurements of molar absorptivity demand accounting for all mechani...
A Fully Functional Drug-Eluting Joint Implant

Despite advances in orthopedic materials, the development of drug-eluting bone and joint implants that can sustain the delivery of the drug and maintain the necessary mechanical strength in order to withstand loading has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that modifying the eccentricity of drug clusters and the percolation threshold in ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) results in maximized drug elution and in the retention of mechanical strength. The optimized UHMWPE eluted antibiotic at a higher concentration for longer than the clinical gold standard antibiotic-eluting bone cement while retaining the mechanical and wear properties of clinically used UHMWPE joint prostheses. Treatment of lapine knees infected with Staphylococcus aureus with the antibiotic-eluting UHMWPE led to complete bacterial eradication and to the absence of detectable systemic effects. We argue that the antibiotic-eluting UHMWPE joint implant is a promising candidate for clinical trials.
Critique [of The Use of the Terms “Negro” and “Black” to Include Persons of Native American Ancestry in “Anglo” North America by Jack D. Forbes]

In investigating the use of “Negro” and “black” to include persons of Native American ancestry, Jack D. Forbes brings together a large number of wide-ranging references on an elusive topic. The preliminary nature of Forbes9s study and the inevitably problematic status of the data make his work thus far more valuable in suggestive than definitive terms. For example, while the conclusions regarding practices in King Williams Parish, Virginia, in the early 18th century seem generally acceptable, a heavy dependence on given names such as Robin as clues to classification should probably be avoided ( Robin is the diminutive of the common name Robert , and can be either masculine or feminine), but there is little question about the rather cavalier and arbitrary willingness of the power elite to impose names on their “inferiors,” names that reflect a complex mixture of assumptions, prejudices, and needs. This is simply to say that the critical reevaluation that Forbes calls for in closing is less difficult to engage in than the equally valuable empirical reevaluation.
Predicting the Breakthrough Performance of “Gating” Adsorbents Using Osmotic Framework-Adsorbed Solution Theory

We present an experimental and theoretical study of the breakthrough performance of the flexible metal–organic framework Cu(bpy)2(BF4)2 (bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine), termed ELM-11. Pure CO2, He, CH4, and N2 gases, as well as binary gas mixtures of those species, were used to perform breakthrough experiments on ELM-11. ELM-11 exhibits a stepped breakthrough curve for CO2 not seen in rigid adsorbents. By comparing the step heights observed in the experimental breakthrough curves with predictions of the gate pressure obtained from the osmotic framework adsorbed solution theory (OFAST) method, we show that the OFAST method can be used to predict the occurrence and height of the steps observed in the breakthrough curves of flexible metal–organic frameworks. For specific gas mixtures, breakthrough curves on ELM-11 show a “doorstop”-type effect, wherein the observed step heights for CO2 breakthrough curves are reduced when the gas mixture contains small kinetic diameter gas species such as helium.
Redox-Active Hydrogel Polymer Electrolytes with Different pH Values for Enhancing the Energy Density of the Hybrid Solid-State Supercapacitor

To enhance the energy density of solid-state supercapacitors, a novel solid-state cell, made of redox-active poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel electrolytes and functionalized carbon nanotube-coated cellulose paper electrodes, was investigated in this work. Briefly, acidic PVA–[BMIM]Cl–lactic acid–LiBr and neutral PVA–[BMIM]Cl–sodium acetate–LiBr hydrogel polymer electrolytes are used as catholyte and anolyte, respectively. The acidic condition of the catholyte contributes to suppression of the undesired irreversible reaction of Br– and extension of the oxygen evolution reaction potential to a higher value than that of the redox potential of Br–/Br3– reaction. The observed Br–/Br3– redox activity at the cathode contributes to enhance the cathode capacitance. The neutral condition of the anolyte helps extend the operating voltage window of the supercapacitor by introducing hydrogen evolution reaction overpotential to the anode. The electrosorption of nascent H on the negative electrode also increases the a...
Lanthanides as Catalysts: Guided Ion Beam and Theoretical Studies of Sm+ + COS

Reactions of samarium cations with carbonyl sulfide are examined using a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer and a variable temperature selected ion flow tube apparatus. Formation of SmS+ + CO is observed in both instruments with a kinetic energy and temperature dependence demonstrating a barrierless reaction occurring with an efficiency of 26 ± 9%. Formation of SmO+ + CS is also observed at high kinetic energies and exhibits a threshold determined as 2.81 ± 0.32 eV, substantially higher than expected from known thermochemistry. The potential energy surfaces for these reactions along sextet and octet spin surfaces are also examined theoretically at the MP2 and CCSD(T) levels. The observed barrier for oxidation is shown to likely correspond to the energy of the crossing between surfaces corresponding to the ground state electronic configuration of Sm+ (8F,4f66s1) and an excited surface having two electrons in the valence space (excluding 4f), which are needed to form the strong SmO+ bond. In contrast,...
Predicting Survival and Response to Treatment in Gastroesophageal Neuroendocrine Tumors: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the esophagus and stomach are rare neoplasms with variable behavior. We aim to describe their epidemiology and response to treatment. NETs of the stomach and the esophagus were selected from the National Cancer Database (2004–2013) and classified by location. Survival analyses were performed with respect to tumor characteristics and treatment variables. NETs of the stomach (n = 2700; 92.8%) and esophagus (n = 210, 7.2%) were identified. Gastric cardia NETs had demographics and behavior similar to esophageal tumors and were associated with worse overall survival than NETs of the noncardia stomach independent of grade (p < 0.001). Poorly differentiated histology [hazard ratio (HR) 4.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.26–7.57; p < 0.001] and distant metastases (HR 3.28, 95% CI 1.94–5.56; p < 0.001) were the greatest independent predictors of survival. For patients with poorly differentiated NETs, surgery was the only treatment to have benefit on overall survival (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.27–0.54; p < 0.001) regardless of extent of disease. There was no additional benefit to adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation in patients undergoing resection (p = 0.39), even for patients with lymph node metastases (surgery alone versus surgery plus adjuvant therapy, p = 0.46), distant metastases (p = 0.19), or positive margins (p = 0.33). Esophageal and gastric cardia NETs have worse survival than those of the noncardia stomach. Surgery offers the only survival benefit for poorly differentiated tumors, with no additional survival advantage to adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation.
Establishment of Alluaud's Little Yellow Ant, Plagiolepis alluaudi Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae): First Continental New World Record

Summary Plagiolepis alluaudi, of Madagascar origin, is an invasive ant species in many tropical localities around the world. Here we report the first record of an established population of P. alluaudi in the continental Americas. This established population is thriving in a neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, and it raises concerns that this new invader may become another pest in the crowded landscape of Florida's invasive ant fauna. Taking into account the local densities of this ant in the area, it is possible that it was established for several years before being detected. It has the potential to be a household nuisance, and may also have an impact on urban ecosystems of southeastern Florida. It is expected that its own movement and human activity will further spread P. alluaudi beyond its current range.
Global Climate Justice Activism: “The New Protagonists” and Their Projects for a Just Transition

The contributors to this volume have provided ample evidence to support calls for fundamental, transformative change in the world-system. If there remained any doubts, their analyses show that the capitalist world-system threatens not only the well-being of a majority of the world’s people but also the very survival of our planet. Indeed, the urgency of the ecological and economic conditions that many people now face and the immense inequalities that have become more entrenched require that scholars become more consciously engaged in the work of advancing social transformation. Revolutionary change is emergent in movement spaces where people have long been working to develop shared analyses and cultivate collective power and agency by building unity among a diverse array of activists, organizations, and movements. We discuss three examples of transformative projects that are gaining increased visibility and attention: food sovereignty, solidarity economies, and Human Rights Communities. If widely adopted, these projects would undermine the basic processes necessary for the capitalist world-system to function. With these projects, defenders of environmental and social justice not only work to prevent their own (further) dispossession by denying capital its ability to continue appropriating labor and resources from working people and communities, but they also help deepen the existing systemic crisis while sowing the seeds of a new social order.
Saddle-Node on a Limit Cycle

In this chapter we study a weakly connected network $$ \dot X_i = F_i \left( {X_i ,\lambda } \right) + \varepsilon G_i \left( {X,\lambda ,\rho ,\varepsilon } \right),{\text{ X}}_i \in \mathbb{R}^m {\text{,i = 1,}} \ldots {\text{,n,}} $$ of neurons each having a saddle-node bifurcation on a limit cycle. Such neurons are said to have Class 1 neural excitability. This bifurcation provides an important example of when local analysis at an equilibrium renders global information about the system behavior.
How to Work With Refinements

Having presented the fundamental concepts and some elementary algorithms for identification using refinements, we now need to know how to use refinements in more sophisticated ways. The paradigmatic situation is that we are faced with constructing an identification program on an unfamiliar domain. Armed with the ideas of the previous chapter, we should 1. select a representation e for the class of target objects D, and the mapping h that relates them. 2. prepare an ordering ≽ on e that relates to the ordering ≥ D on as closely as possible and which is preserved by h. 3. construct a refinement ρ and/or γ for the ordering. 4. plug these into a nifty, all-purpose algorithm for indentification.
Mastery Motivational Climates in Early Childhood Physical Education: What Have We Learned over the Years?

For decades there has been considerable research investigating educational climates in physical education. From those investigations, it is accurate to conclude that mastery motivational climates a...
Hybrid Robot-Assisted Surgery

Hybrid robot-assisted surgery is a planned operative approach that integrates multiple access methods for various specific portions of a procedure. Initially used as a bridge for the transition from other approaches (open or laparoscopic) to a totally robotic procedure, hybrid approaches still retain patient benefits of minimally invasive surgery. While surgeons have reported diverse operative procedures using only the robotic surgical instruments, many of the more complex procedures are taking advantage of hybrid methods, conceived to address the two main concerns associated with robotic operations in certain circumstances: safety and speed. In this chapter we will discuss factors that play a role in the selection of a hybrid robot-assisted approach, and the many ways in which hybrid surgery has allowed minimally invasive, complex surgery not otherwise considered feasible. Both the novice and the expert robotic surgeon can benefit from concepts and operations developed in hybrid surgery. Hybrid approaches capitalize on the philosophy that the robot is just another surgical instrument, to be integrated with open and laparoscopic instruments, for the optimal care of patients.
Doing Court Ethnography: How I Learned to Study the Law in Action

In this chapter, Carla Barrett chronicles how she came to do court ethnography, sharing insights on its many rewards and challenges. She argues how court ethnography can play an important role in our understandings of criminal justice systems and policies. The study of the day-to-day enactment of laws—of the “law in action”—is useful and necessary research because it helps reveal how the law actually functions regardless of its intent.
Black Theology and Reconciliation

So far, we have examined the origins of race-based medicine, the harm race-based medicine inflicts on minority bodies through race-based experimentation, and the false solutions a race-based drug ensues within minority communities. Such topics analyze the minority patient in a physical proxy. However, the mind and body are important entities, we cannot forget about the spirit.
Markov–Airy description of optical scattering, waveguides, and resonators

Representing the reflection and transmission of light by multilayer dielectric structures in terms of Markov chains provides an intuitive, precise, and computationally efficient framework for calculating the dispersive properties (group delay, group delay dispersion, and higher order phase derivatives) of ultrafast laser mirrors and other broadband optical components. The theoretical basis for the Markov–Airy formalism is described, and its ability to precisely determine the dispersive characteristics of multilayer dielectric structures is demonstrated here. Exact expressions for the three lowest order phase derivatives for a dielectric mirror and waveguide are derived, and Markov–Airy-based numerical simulations of specific mirror designs are compared with results obtained with the conventional transition matrix formalism.
Divergence between genes but limited allelic polymorphism in two MHC class II A genes in Leach’s storm-petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is critical to host-pathogen interactions. Class II MHC is a heterodimer, with α and β subunits encoded by different genes. The peptide-binding groove is formed by the first domain of both subunits (α1 and β1), but studies of class II variation or natural selection focus primarily on the β subunit and II B genes. We explored MHC II A in Leach’s storm-petrel, a seabird with two expressed, polymorphic II B genes. We found two II A genes, Ocle-DAA and Ocle-DBA, in contrast to the single II A gene in chicken and duck. In exon 2 which encodes the α1 domain, the storm-petrel II A genes differed strongly from each other but showed little within-gene polymorphism in 30 individuals: just one Ocle-DAA allele, and three Ocle-DBA alleles differing from each other by single non-synonymous substitutions. In a comparable sample, the two II B genes had nine markedly diverged alleles each. Differences between the α1 domains of Ocle-DAA and Ocle-DBA showed signatures of positive selection, but mainly at non-peptide-binding site (PBS) positions. In contrast, positive selection within and between the II B genes corresponded to putative PBS codons. Phylogenetic analysis of the conserved α2 domain did not reveal deep or well-supported lineages of II A genes in birds, in contrast to the pronounced differentiation of DQA, DPA, and DRA isotypes in mammals. This uncertain homology complicates efforts to compare levels of functional variation and modes of evolution of II A genes across taxa.
Review: Katherine Steele Brokaw, Staging Harmony: Music and Religious Change in Late Medieval and Early Modern English Drama .

This review considers Katherine Steele Brokaw's Staging Harmony: Music and Religious Change in Late Medieval and Early Modern English Drama (2017).
Long QT Syndrome

A young woman with a history of seizure disorder and depression suffered a syncopal event. Her ECG revealed QTc prolongation, which resolved with discontinuation of QTc prolonging medications. After experiencing a recurrent syncopal episode, an implantable loop recorder revealed Torsade de pointe. Subsequent genetic testing was positive for congenital long QT syndrome and she was initiated on beta-blocker therapy. In the appropriate context, genetic screening can help distinguish acquired from congenital long QT syndrome and ensure patients receive appropriate treatment to prevent ventricular arrhythmias.
Electron density measurement using a partially covered hairpin resonator in an inductively coupled plasma.

Hairpin probes are used to determine electron densities via measuring the shift of the resonant frequency of the probe structure when immersed in a plasma. This manuscript presents new developments in hairpin probe hardware and theory that have enabled measurements in a high electron density plasma, up to approximately 1012 cm−3, corresponding to a plasma frequency of about 9 GHz. Hardware developments include the use of both quarter-wavelength and three-quarter-wavelength partially covered hairpin probes in a transmission mode together with an easily reproducible implementation of the associated microwave electronics using commercial off-the-shelf components. The three-quarter-wavelength structure is operated at its second harmonic with the purpose of measuring higher electron densities. New theory developments for interpreting the probe measurements include the use of a transmission line model to find an accurate relationship between the resonant frequency of the probe and the electron density, including effects of partially covering the probes with epoxy. Measurements are taken in an inductively coupled plasma sustained in argon at pressures below 50 mTorr. Results are compared with Langmuir probe and interferometry measurements.
Tunable plasmon-enhanced second-order optical nonlinearity in transition metal dichalcogenide nanotriangles

The development of nanomaterials with a large nonlinear susceptibility is essential for nonlinear nanophotonics. We show that transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanotriangles have a large effective second-order susceptibility $[{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(2)}]$ at midinfrared to near-infrared frequencies owing to their broken centrosymmetry. ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(2)}$ is calculated within the density-matrix formalism that accounts for dissipation and screening. ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(2)}$ peaks in the vicinity of both two-photon resonances (specified by the geometry) and plasmon resonances (tunable via the carrier density). Aligning the resonances yields the values of ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(2)}$ as high as ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{V}$. These findings underscore the potential of TMD nanotriangles for nonlinear nanophotonics, particularly second-harmonic generation.
Deception Detection in Politics: Can Voters Tell When Politicians are Lying?

In this study, we investigate voters’ unaided perceptions of whether politicians are lying. We conduct an experiment in which participants attempt to uncover politicians’ dishonesty by watching videos of their speeches. We find that verbal cues (specifically, the amount of detail in the speech) and general demeanor cues explain the success (failure) of veracity judgments far better than paraverbal and nonverbal cues. We also find evidence of a truth bias—people are more likely to judge statements to be true than false—despite the political setting, where voters might have been more skeptical. However, gender plays a deterministic role for veracity judgments in political context; female politicians are more likely to be judged as honest.
Expansion of telehealth curriculum: National survey of clinical education leaders.

IntroductionIn response to the COVID pandemic and the rapid changes in delivery of and education on telehealth services, the Research Committee of the Alliance of Clinical Education (ACE) surveyed ...
The Essential CORBA: Systems Integration Using Distributed Objects

THE PRINCIPLES OF SYSTEMS INTEGRATION Standards Strategy An Introduction to CORBA Software Architecture Design Security THE PRACTICE OF SYSTEMS INTEGRATION Framework Examples In-Depth Example: The DISCUS Framework Object Wrapper Techniques Systems Integration Guidance Acronyms Appendix Bibliography Index.
The dynamics of two‐phase hydrothermal systems at a seafloor pressure of 25 MPa

[1] We present 2-D numerical simulations of two-phase flow in seafloor hydrothermal systems using the NaCl-H2O numerical code Fully Implicit Seafloor Hydrothermal Event Simulator to better understand phase separation and the evolution of the temperature and salinity of vent fluids in seafloor hydrothermal systems. We consider a fixed seafloor pressure of 25 MPa, a range of homogeneous and isotropic permeabilities, and various constant bottom temperatures to represent a subaxial magma chamber. The goal is to investigate how permeability and maximum bottom temperature affect vent fluid temperature and salinity. The simulations show that hydrothermal heat output increases nearly linearly with permeability, or Rayleigh number, but maximum bottom temperature has a greater effect on vent fluid temperature and salinity than the permeability. Although plume structures are relatively stable, the high Rayleigh numbers considered here result in temporal and spatial variations in temperature and salinity of vent fluids. The frequency of the fluctuations in the temperature and salinity of vent fluids increases with Rayleigh number. Vapor- and brine-derived fluids can vent simultaneously in close proximity and at different times and locations throughout a simulation. The simulations also show that vent fluids are complex mixtures between phase separated fluids formed near the base of the system and seawater. Consequently, neither the spatial and temporal variability, nor the temperature and salinity of vent fluids can be used to uniquely determine P-T conditions or indicate temporal changes in such conditions at depth.
Section V. ordinary surfaces of germanium and silicon: Observations of surface transverse magneto-resistance effects on n-type germanium☆

Abstract New techniques of preparing thin semiconductor samples of uniform thickness have been developed, which allow for high sensitivity in the measurement of surface effects. Measurements of the surface transverse magnetoresistance effect first reported by Z emel and P etritz have been extended to lower resistivity n -type material of different crystallographic orientation. Data were obtained for directions of the magnetic field both in and perpendicular to the plane of the thin films. Large swings in surface potential were accomplished by employing an HF rinse prior to ambient cycling. Observations of surface transverse magnetoresistance effects as a function of surface potential at fixed magnetic field strengths, and as a function of magnetic field strength at fixed surface potentials are reported. The analysis of the data requires a general solution of Poisson's equation which does not employ the semi-infinite geometry in order to ascertain values of the electric field at the surface of a semiconductor. This general solution is presented for several special cases of sample thickness and resistivity and the deviations from the semi-infinite geometry solutions are delineated. Finally, the observations of the surface transverse magnetoresistance effect are discussed in view of the present theoretical model of the surface.
Evidence that asgB encodes a DNA-binding protein essential for growth and development of Myxococcus xanthus.

Abstract The asg mutants of Myxococcus xanthus are defective in production of extracellular A-signal, which serves as a cell density signal for fruiting-body development. The DNA sequence of asgB, one of the three asg genes, was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of AsgB contains a DNA-binding helix-turn-helix motif near the C terminus. This putative helix-turn-helix is highly similar to the helix-turn-helix in region 4.2 of major sigma factors, which is the region that recognizes and interacts with -35 sequences of promoters. We propose that AsgB is a transcription factor that binds to DNA sequences similar to the -35 hexamer, TTGACA. Analyses of asgB RNA levels and expression of an asgB-lacZ translational fusion indicate that expression of asgB remains fairly constant during the transition from growth into early development. The mutation within the asgB480 allele was identified as an A-to-G transition that results in a threonine-to-alanine substitution in the predicted protein product. Attempts to replace the wild-type copy of asgB with a null allele failed, indicating that asgB may be essential for growth.
Response to genetic counseling and testing for the APC I1307K mutation.

The APC I1307K gene mutation is associated with increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in Ashkenazi Jews. Factors predicting acceptance of this and other hereditary colon cancer mutation tests in a clinical setting are unknown. We analyzed sex, age, family history, personal history, and gene test results of patients at increased risk for cancer who sought cancer risk counseling at the Johns Hopkins (JH) CRC Risk Assessment Clinic (n = 91), and those submitting samples to the JH Pathology Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (n = 256) for APC I1307K testing. Of patients seen at the JH Clinic, 77/91 (84.6%) elected APC I1307K testing after pretest counseling (acceptors). There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics between acceptors and decliners. In comparison, only 8 of 57 (14.0%) patients offered HNPCC testing proceeded with testing (P < 0.001). Of 256 individuals tested at the JH laboratory, most were male (61.3%) and most had a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. Test positivity correlated with increasing risk of colorectal cancer. Acceptance of testing for the APC I1307K mutation is high, with more men than women pursuing counseling and testing. The reported association between the APC I1307K mutation and colon cancer risk was supported by a correlation in these data between personal or family history of CRC or polyps and a gene mutation.