cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Children’s evaluations of rule violators

Abstract Children show remarkable sensitivity to others’ conformity to conventional norms. The present research examined how this sensitivity is reflected in preschool-aged (4- and 5- year-old; N = 45) and young school-aged (7- and 8-year-old; N = 45) children’s evaluations of people who violate rules. In two studies, children were made to believe they were playing a game against real, online opponents. Opponents either conformed to or violated the rules of the game, and their actions produced either positive or negative outcomes for the child. Children evaluated each opponent on a set of interaction, affiliation, and learning questions. Preschool-aged children’s evaluations primarily depended on whether or not people violated the rules, regardless of the circumstances of their violations. Young school-aged children’s social evaluations, however, were also influenced by the helpfulness or harmfulness of the violators’ actions.
Defining System Boundaries of an Institution Nitrogen Footprint

A nitrogen (N) footprint quantifies the amount of reactive nitrogen released to the environment and can be measured at different scales. The N footprint of a university includes activities and consumption within its geographic boundaries as well as activities that support the institution. Determining system bounds of an N footprint depends on the institution's mission and provides a common baseline for comparison. A comparison of three scopes of the N footprint, which describe how emissions are directly related to an institution's activities, was conducted for seven institutions. Scopes follow the established definition for the carbon footprint. In this article, the authors propose a new system bounds definition (core campus versus adjunct). Two case studies were explored: how the N footprint of Dickinson College changed with air travel, and how the N footprint of the Marine Biological Laboratory changed with scientific research. Of the three scopes, scope 3 was consistently the largest proportion of the N footprint for all seven institutions. The core campus activities of Dickinson College made up 99 percent of its N footprint, with air travel making up the remaining 1 percent. The Marine Biological Laboratory's core campus activities made up 51 percent of its N footprint and the scientific research made up the remaining 49 percent. Institutions should define system bounds based on their mission and stay consistent with their boundaries following the baseline year. The core campus footprint could be used to compare institution footprints using consistent system bounds. How institutions define their boundaries will impact the recorded amount of nitrogen as well as how the institution will set reduction strategies.
Substance Use and Addictive Behaviors Among Physicians

Health care personnel experience rates of substance-use disorders (abuse and dependence) that are comparable to the general public. Unlike the general population, however, physicians are more likely than nonphysicians to misuse prescription drugs and to do so for reasons of self-treatment. There are a number of nonspecific signs and symptoms that might suggest a problem, and being familiar with these is important for all physicians. If there is a problem, intervening as early as possible is important, both for the health of the physician and for his or her patients. The best approach for intervening with physicians is one that is highly structured. Residential programs of 2–3 months in duration are often recommended, but there is scant evidence that these extended stays produce better outcomes than shorter stays. If a physician has undergone extended inpatient treatment, aftercare plans generally include monitoring by a state physician health program. These programs can provide advocacy for physicians who have maintained abstinence and complied with all aspects of their monitoring agreements. Success rates for physicians who undergo substance-use disorders treatment and/or monitoring are generally very high, probably because the costs of failure and the rewards of success are both very high for doctors. Many physicians who have been caught in the grips of a substance-use disorder recover fully and return to the successful practice of medicine, and might even be better physicians given their newfound focus on their own health and well-being.
Unique relations between post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and patient functioning in type 2 diabetes.

This study examined reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes who had no history of psychiatric diagnosis or treatment (n = 184, MHbA1c = 9.1...
The involvement of an E. coli multiprotein complex in the complete repair of UV-damaged DNA.

With the plethora of new chemicals and agents being introduced into our environment, it is unlikely that most organisms will have had sufficient time to evolve new enzyme systems to accomodate to such rapid evolutionary pressures. It can be anticipated, therefore, that the most accomodating of repair systems would be those with broad specificity such that a wide variety of DNA adducts with differing primary chemical structures can be recognized to initiate repair processes. Such an enzyme system has been identified in the relatively simple model system from Escherichia coli referred to as the uvr repair system which is responsible for the repair of DNA containing ultraviolet light induced pyrimidine dimers, cross-linked pyrimidines or purines, alkylated purines in which the alkyl groups are ethyl or larger, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon adducts such as benzo[α]pyrene-guanine adducts and acetylaminofluorene-guanine adducts. In all likelihood what is recognized by the uvr system are the distortions arising as a consequence of this disparate chemistry. Because certain DNA repair deficient human cell lines show a similar spectrum of sensitivity as E. coli uvr s lines it is likely that there are many similarities between the bacterial and mammalian repair systems. Because the patients with such diseases are predisposed towards skin cancer it is imperative that we characterize this mechanism in a genetically and technically managable bacterial model system.
A closer look at confounding.

Background and Objectives: Confounding is one of the most common and important biases in primary care research. This article explains the genesis and effects of two common misconceptions of confounding: 1) Confounding can be assessed with a statistical test. 2) All covariates should be included in a multivariate model to control confounding. Assessment of confounding by testing the statistical significance of baseline differences or the significance of a potential confounding factor in a multivariate model can produce underestimates or overestimates of the true association between an exposure and an outcome. Inclusion of all covariates in a multivariate model may lead to controlling for variables that are not, in fact, confounders. This may produce underestimates or overestimates of the effect in question, as well as artificially widened confidence intervals. Both of these misconceptions can lead to profound misinterpretation of research results. To prevent problems resulting from these misunderstandings, researchers should consider drawing causal models prior to conducting the research and use the change-in-estimate criterion, rather than a statistical test, to detect confounding.
Regulation of renal microvascular 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) levels.

The kidney possesses a large capacity to generate cytochrome P450 (CYP) dependent arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites, chiefly the ω and ω -1 hydroxylase-derived metabolites, 19- and 20- hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), and lesser amounts of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), primarily 11,12 EETs [1]. Angiotensin II (AII) increases renal synthesis of HETEs and EETs, which modulate and mediate the actions of the peptide in the renal vasculature and the nephron [[2]]. Our studies have identified preglomerular microvessels (PMGV) as a potentially important site of interactions involving AII and CYP-AA products [[3],[4]]. The “complex control mechanisms” governing the renal circulation, are funneled into the PMGV. PGMV are the effector component of key renal regulatory mechanisms, autoregulation of renal blood flow and tubuloglomerular feedback [[5]]. Renal autoregulation and tubular glomerular feedback are mediated by 20-HETE through constriction of PGMV, particularly afferent arterioles [6].
Five Lectures on Differential Variational Inequalities

Complex engineering and economic systems are often dynamic in nature and its time-varying variables are subject to algebraic restrictions that are cast in the form of equalities and inequalities; furthermore, these variables may be related to each other via some logical conditions. For such constrained dynamical systems, the classical approach based on ordinary differential equations (ODEs) alone is inadequate to fully capture the intricate details of the system evolution. Combining an ODE with a variational condition on an auxiliary algebraic variable that represents either a constrained optimization problem in finite dimensions or its generalization of a variational inequality, the mathematical paradigm of differential variational inequalities (DVIs) was born. On one hand, a DVI addresses the need to extend the century-old ODE paradigm to incorporate such elements as algebraic inequalities, mode changes, and logical relations, and on the other hand, introduces a temporal element into a static optimization or equilibrium problems. The resulting DVI paradigm transforms the basic science of dynamical systems by leveraging the modeling power and computational advances of constrained optimization and its extension of a variational inequality, bringing the former (dynamical systems) to new heights that necessitate renewed analysis and novel solution methods and endowing the latter (optimization) with a novel perspective that is much needed for its sustained development. Introducing the subject of the DVI and giving a survey of its recent developments, this report is an expanded version of five lectures that the author gave at the CIME Summer School on Centralized and Distributed Multi-agent Optimization Models and Algorithms held in Cetraro, Italy, June 23–27, 2014.
Acute Rejection, Kidney Allograft Function, and Graft Survival in Patients with Circulating Pre-Transplant IgG Antibodies Directed Against Donor HLA-A, -B, or -C Locus Determined Antigens

The relationship between circulating pre-transplant immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to donor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) -C locus determined antigens alone and acute rejection, kidney allograft function, and graft survival is not fully defined. Also, the impact of circulating pre-transplant IgG antibodies to donor HLA-C locus antigens alone on these outcomes has not been compared with the impact of circulating pre-transplant IgG antibodies to donor HLA-A or -B locus antigens. We conducted a retrospective review of records of 1252 kidney allograft recipients transplanted at our center between January 2010 and January 2016 to identify patients with circulating pre-transplant IgG antibodies directed at kidney donor HLA-A, -B, or -C locus determined antigens. Antibodies were detected and reported using the LABScreen Single Antigen Bead assay with microbeads coated with single HLA class I antigens. Pre-transplant and post-transplant data were collected and the graft outcomes of 16 kidney graft recipients with antibodies to HLA-C locus antigens were compared to the outcomes in 56 recipients with antibodies to HLA-A or -B locus determined antigens. The one-year acute rejection rate was 6% in those with donor-specific antibodies (DSA) to HLA-C locus antigens and 20% in those with DSA to HLA-A or -B locus antigens. The graft survival rate was 100% in those with DSA to HLA-C locus antigens and 95% in those with DSA to HLA-A or -B locus antigens. None of the numerical differences were statistically significant (p>0.05). The presence of circulating pre-transplant IgG antibodies directed at kidney donor HLA-C locus antigens alone may not be associated with an increased risk of acute rejection or a decreased graft survival rate. Our observations support the concept that circulating pre-transplant IgG antibodies directed at kidney donor HLA-C locus antigens alone do not negatively impact kidney allograft outcomes and that the mean fluorescence intensities of the antibodies directed at HLA-C locus alone should not be used to list unacceptable HLA-C locus antigens for kidney allocation. A study with a larger cohort is needed to investigate our hypothesis.
Improving the robustness of descent-based methods for semismooth equations using proximal perturbations

A common difficulty encountered by descent-based equation solvers is convergence to a local (but not global) minimum of an underlying merit function. Such difficulties can be avoided by using a proximal perturbation strategy, which allows the iterates to escape the local minimum in a controlled fashion. This paper presents the proximal perturbation strategy for a general class of methods for solving semismooth equations and proves subsequential convergence to a solution based upon a pseudomonotonicity assumption. Based on this approach, two sample algorithms for solving mixed complementarity problems are presented. The first uses an extremely simple (but not very robust) basic algorithm enhanced by the proximal perturbation strategy. The second uses a more sophisticated basic algorithm based on the Fischer-Burmeister function. Test results on the MCPLIB and GAMSLIB complementarity problem libraries demonstrate the improvement in robustness realized by employing the proximal perturbation strategy.
The Relationship Between Anticholinergic Exposure and Falls, Fractures, and Mortality in Patients with Overactive Bladder.

Understanding risk factors associated with falls is important for optimizing care and quality of life for older patients. Our objective was to determine the relationship between anticholinergic exposure and falls, fractures, and all-cause mortality. An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted using administrative claims data from 1 January 2007 to 30 September 2015. Individuals aged 65–89 years newly diagnosed or treated for overactive bladder (OAB) were identified. Index date was the first OAB diagnosis or OAB medication prescription claim. Follow-up began on the index date and continued until death, disenrollment, or end of study period. The Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) scale was used to define and quantify daily anticholinergic exposure and intensity. The primary study outcome was a combined endpoint of falls or fractures. All-cause mortality was a secondary endpoint. There were 113,311 patients with mean age of 74.8 ± standard deviation (SD) 6.2 years included. Current anticholinergic exposure was associated with a 1.28-fold increased hazard of a fall/fracture (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–1.32) compared with unexposed person-time, and past exposure was associated with a 1.14-fold increased hazard of a fall/fracture (95% CI 1.12–1.17). Compared with unexposed person-time, low-, moderate-, and high-intensity anticholinergic exposure was associated with a 1.04-fold (95% CI 1.00–1.07), 1.13-fold (95% CI 1.09–1.17), and 1.31-fold (95% CI 1.26–1.36) increased hazard of falls/fractures, respectively. A similar pattern was observed for all-cause mortality. Anticholinergic exposure is associated with an increased risk of falls or fractures in older patients and is an important consideration when evaluating treatment options for such patients with OAB.
Technical efficiency estimation of dairy farming in Kosovo

The aim of this research paper is to assess the technical efficiency (TE) of milk production in Kosovo using the stochastic frontier analysis. Research data are collected through surveys from 100 commercially oriented dairy farmers. The study finds that TE of milk production by most of these farms is high. Using the Cobb-Douglas production function, individual measures of TE range from 0.87 to 0.98 (on a scale of 0 to 1.00) with the average being 0.95. There were 57 farms with TE greater than 0.95 and 35 farms with TE less than 0.95. In the study’s sample, female dairy farmers have roughly the same mean TE of 0.95 as male dairy farmers. The variation in milk production among the sampled farms was modeled in terms of concentrate and forage feed costs and pre-production costs. The study suggests that concentrate feed and pre-production costs can significantly influence TE of milk production among Kosovar dairy farms.
Evaluating open-path FTIR spectrometer data using different quantification methods, libraries, and background spectra obtained under varying environmental conditions

This paper discussed studies performed in a 35 foot outdoor Teflon exposure chamber in Pittsboro, North Carolina. The purpose of this research was to evaluate open-path FTIR data and compare it to a reference method varying several parameters: the method used for quantification, the library used for quantification, and backgrounds representing varying environmental conditions. The reference method used was GC- FID. The chemical evaluated was toluene over the concentration range of 5-30 ppm. Two different quantification methods were used in this analysis: traditional peak area method and interactive subtraction. All quantification was done manually. Two different libraries were used for quantification: the Hanst library (137 ppm-m toluene) and the EPA library (249 ppm-m) toluene. Several concentration data files were analyzed with the original background and then with subsequent backgrounds obtained from that same day. The subsequent backgrounds contained varying amounts of water vapor. The effect on quantification was evaluated. For concentrations of 20 ppm and below there was no significant difference between the peak area and subtraction method. However, for concentrations greater than 20 ppm, the difference between the two methods increased up to 20%. The difference between the EPA and Hanst libraries was statistically insignificant below 25 ppm. At concentrations greater than 15 ppm, the two libraries deviated and the difference ranged from 5% to 10% with the EPA results being higher. Water vapor was found to drastically impact the quantification. The magnitude of the effect varied between quantification methods and libraries.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Work and Heat

In the last chapter, we saw that changes of a macroscopic equilibrium state can be accompanied by, or even result from, doing work on or heating a thermodynamic system. Indeed, the ability to calculate these quantities is of the utmost importance to engineers who need to know, for example, how much work must be provided in order to supply compressed air at some required design pressure. Therefore, this chapter is devoted to an extended discussion of each of them.
Leveraging electronic health record data to improve sepsis surveillance.

Sepsis, the syndrome of life-threatening organ dysfunction that complicates severe infection, is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide.1 A growing recognition of the enormous burden of sepsis has spurred numerous awareness campaigns, quality improvement initiatives and regulatory measures in recent years. Reliably tracking the burden of sepsis is challenging, however, because sepsis is a clinical syndrome based on a constellation of non-specific signs and symptoms and lacks a gold standard for diagnosis.2 Given the substantial resources being dedicated to improving sepsis care and outcomes, a parallel investment in developing robust, high-quality surveillance tools is necessary to understand which initiatives are effective and where best to allocate future resources. Until recently, sepsis surveillance has primarily been conducted using hospital discharge diagnosis codes. Epidemiological studies using these data have consistently shown dramatic increases in sepsis incidence and declines in case fatality rates over the past several decades.3–5 However, this method is seriously flawed since it requires (1) clinicians to recognise sepsis by identifying that infection is present and responsible for organ dysfunction; (2) clinicians to document sepsis in the medical record and (3) hospital coders to appropriately identify this documentation and assign sepsis as a primary or secondary diagnosis. These steps are subjective and easily biassed by changing diagnosis and coding practices over time. Specifically, education and awareness campaigns, new screening protocols and international guidelines are all constantly encouraging early detection of sepsis and organ dysfunction. This, by design, leads to the diagnosis of ‘sepsis’ in more mildly ill patients that previously might only have been labelled by their specific infection (eg, pneumonia) or non-specific illnesses.6–9 In the USA, where sepsis diagnoses are tied to the highest level of patient complexity and reimbursement, hospitals also have a clear financial incentive to code for sepsis.10 Diagnosing …
Computational methods and tools for sustainable and green approaches in drug discovery

Abstract With the increasing price tag for bringing a drug molecule to the market, There is an increased desire for pharmaceutical companies to incorporate sustainable and environmentally benign approaches. Traditionally, medicinal chemists have tried to utilize several green techniques to improve the process of drug discovery. Sometimes, it requires the modification of the existing processes or substituting them with new synthetic routes to become more environmentally benign. Methods included the selection of solvents and/or catalysts or to replace reaction steps with sustainable reaction conditions. The advent of the powerful computer technologies, offers opportunities to develop more sustainable ways to do medicinal chemistry with predictive algorithms. Algorithms used to calculate the process mass intensity (PMI) in any pharmaceutical process chemistry helps attenuate product sustainability. Cheminformatics tools like quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) or computational tools like structure- and ligand-based drug design and virtual screening help design more active molecules in a greener way. Predictive tools for molecular properties like absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), solubility, and lipophilicity are essential in modern drug discovery processes to create more drug-like molecules. These green and sustainable tools made modern medicinal chemistry more robust and efficient.
Highly Sensitive Cardiac Troponins: The Evidence Behind Sex‐Specific Cutoffs

Emergence of various highly sensitive cardiac troponin assays into clinical practice provides a new tool for clinicians diagnosing acute coronary syndrome. These assays also create a challenge for laboratories and clinicians who have yet to familiarize themselves with sex-specific cutoffs. Healthy men and women, studied across various age groups and geographic locations, have notable differences in baseline values of highly sensitive cardiac troponin I and T, leading to establishment of sex-specific upper reference limits and cutoffs. Several differences in cardiac physiology, size, and structure may account for baseline differences in highly sensitive cardiac troponins and outcomes between the sexes. The clinical utility of implementing sex-specific cutoffs for diagnosis and management of acute coronary syndrome remains unclear. Presently, the only prospective study failed to show improved outcomes for men or women with use of sex-specific cutoffs; however, a major limitation is the frequent lack of diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive interventions prescribed to women with low-level troponin elevations. Based on the current literature, we posit that there may nonetheless be clinical value in the use of sex-specific cutoffs for evaluating suspected acute coronary syndrome, especially in select patient populations such as younger women who tend to have lower baseline values of highly sensitive cardiac troponins. Future studies should prospectively evaluate differences in diagnostic, pharmacologic, and interventional management in men and women using myocardial infarctions classified with sex-specific cutoffs of the highly sensitive cardiac troponin assays.
The effect of premature maternal separation on distress vocalizations and activity in kittens (Felis catus) during a brief nest separation

It is unknown how premature maternal separation affects the responses of kittens to potentially stressful events. In the United States, thousands of kittens are orphaned each year due to death of the queen, neglect, or accidental separation by humans. Neonatal mammals emit distress calls and increase locomotion when socially isolated, suggesting that being separated from the nest is a stressful event. Increased vocalization and activity of isolated neonates may aid maternal retrieval or relocation of the nest. In the current study, we assessed the effects of early maternal separation on later vocalizations and activity of 49 kittens (28 orphaned, 21 mother-reared; 23 female, 26 male) from 11 litters (5 mothered, 6 orphaned) during an open field test when the kittens were one and three weeks of age. We conducted a total of 79 trials. Each kitten was placed individually in a 1-meter diameter pen away from the rest of the litter and/or mother for two minutes. The number of calls emitted and total activity (in seconds) were recorded for each kitten on every trial. We assessed the effects of age, sex, orphan status, and interactions between orphan status with sex and age on activity and vocalizations. Orphaned kittens were more active than mother-reared kittens at both times (t(46) = 4.62, p < 0.001), with an interaction between age and orphan status (t(28) = -2.84, p = 0.008). Orphaned kittens emitted more vocalizations at both times (Z = 2.38, p = 0.018), with an interaction between age and orphan status (Z = -3.18, p = 0.001). Orphaned kittens showed increased activity and vocalizations in response to a brief nest separation compared to mother-reared kittens. This effect was still present after over two weeks of maternal separation, suggesting that maternal separation may lead to long-term changes in stress responses. Future research should explore if such effects of maternal separation are present in older kittens or adult cats.
Variables associated with stability after Le Fort I osteotomy for skeletal class III malocclusion.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess skeletal stability and predictors of relapse in patients undergoing an isolated Le Fort I osteotomy. A retrospective cohort study of 92 subjects undergoing Le Fort I osteotomy for Class III malocclusion was implemented. Predictor variables were demographic and perioperative factors. The primary outcome variable was postoperative skeletal position with relapse defined as >2 mm sagittal and/or vertical change at A-point on serial lateral cephalograms at immediate postoperative, 1 year, and latest follow-up time points. Mean advancement at A-point was 6.28 ± 2.63 mm and mean lengthening was 0.92 ± 1.76 mm. Eight subjects (8.70%) had relapse (>2 mm) in the sagittal plane, and two subjects (2.17%) in the vertical plane. No subjects required reoperation for relapse as overbite and overjet remained in an acceptable range due to dental compensation. In regression analysis, magnitude of maxillary advancement was an independent predictor of relapse in the sagittal plane (P = 0.008). There were no significant predictors of relapse in the vertical plane. This study suggests that isolated Le Fort I osteotomy for correction of skeletal Class III malocclusion is a stable procedure and that greater advancement is an independent risk factor for sagittal relapse.
Cometh the Revolution: The Case for Overruling Mccollum V. Board of Education

In Illinois ex rel. McCollum v. Board of Education', a 1948 Supreme Court case, Justice Frankfurter stated that public education was "the symbol of our democracy and the most pervasive means for promoting our common destiny." This is an alarming statement. It suggests that our common destiny is in the hands of the government, not the people. Additionally, by using the word "destiny," Justice Frankfurter raised a religious concept of a determined future, held in the hands of the public school. Since religion has been expelled from the school house, the statement suggests that a destiny and a culture can be achieved without religion. Most alarming, this concept of a destiny and a culture apart from religion is wrong; yet, it has become the cornerstone of the Supreme Court's Establishment Clause jurisprudence as applied to elementary and secondary public schools. This Article will address two ways in which the isolation of religion from destiny and culture is fundamentally wrong. Part A will show that culture, particularly American culture, and law, including the religion clauses of the First Amendment, are dependent upon and actually stem from religion. While the analysis in Part A is not presented as the only possible understanding of the origins of culture and law in America, it is a sufficient analysis to justify a place for religion in' the nurturing of future generations. It suggests that religion is a crucial and perhaps determining thread in the fabric of America, a thread. which, to use one of Justice Frankfurter's metaphors, cannot be removed from the educational process without unraveling the entire fabric.' Many will deem this portion irrelevant, primarily because historical development and the field of historical jurisprudence are presently considered of little import. However, a religious analysis is essential to understanding the development of American society, the American legal system, and the very doctrine of religious liberty. Part B will examine the basic premises underlying the Supreme Court decisions affecting religion in public elementary and secondary schools; it will suggest that developments since the first Establishment Clause cases have invalidated the educational premises upon which those decisions rely. These changes include the now well known breakdown of the family, a spiraling illegitimacy rate, and the pressures of a drug culture. All of these combine to destroy the lives of millions of youths in America, particularly those who are poor and most dependent on the free public school system.
EXPRESS: The Governance of Learning: Carrots, Sticks, and Stones in Acquisition Capability Development:

A growing literature shows that deliberate, cognitive effort is necessary for learning to occur in the context of complex strategic activities. However, given increasing pressure for short-term res...
The Past, Present and Future of the CISG (and Other Uniform Commercial Code Law Initiatives)

As the keynote speaker of the Spring 2019 CISG Conference, Harry M. Flechtner, Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, candidly shares his perspectives on the development and progress of the Convention on the International Sale of Goods (CISG) through the years. He begins with his initial introduction to the convention and then reflects upon several important issues and challenges facing the CISG, particularly involving uniform international law initiatives. Professor Flecther looks hard at what's working and what's not and with a critical eye he draws attention to crucial matters yet to be resolved. While his perspective is light on optimism, he holds strong to hope. Professor Flechtner concludes that uniform international law initiatives may possibly be doomed, but “we absolutely do not know that for a certainty. And in the face of that uncertainty, the only rational thing to do is to bet on and work toward the hopeful possibility. If that turns out to be futile, well we haven’t made it any worse, and we apparently could not avoid it. But wouldn’t we all feel a little stupid if it turned out we could have made a difference, but we didn’t bother trying because we were depressed by the current situation. So, let us all join hands and march bravely and energetically forward. It may be our march is doomed to be futile—but at least the company will be good. And who knows, perhaps our efforts will produce a glorious new paradise of international cooperation and incredible international prosperity—or at least a somewhat better world—than if we don’t bother. It just makes sense to bother. Let’s do it."
On the Possibility of Using ULF/ELF Electromagnetic Waves from Undersea Cables to Detect Airplanes Submerged in the Ocean

The loss of Malaysian Flight on March 8, 2014, and the subsequent lengthy search for the aircraft highlights the need for an effective detection system for locating airplanes that have crashed into the ocean. The goal of this paper is to test the feasibility of detecting submerged airplanes using ultra-low frequency and/ or extremely-low frequency electromagnetic signals generated by undersea cables located along the bottom of the ocean. The proposed detection system is tested using three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) modeling of the cable source, ocean water, ground, and submerged object (aircraft). The perturbation caused by the object is obtained for different positions of the object relative to the cable source. The magnitude of the perturbation is compared to the expected background level for a depth of 3 km into the ocean. A sensor array is proposed for detecting objects within several km of the cable.
“Please Bear with me a Moment as I Write About Sports”: Addressing the Dearth of Sport Scholarship in General, High-Impact Higher Education Journals

The presence of research regarding specific student populations demonstrates their importance to the field given the importance of research and knowledge creation in shaping higher education. A growing number of higher education scholar-practitioners have engaged in work addressing college sport but an overwhelming dearth of college sport and athlete-focused higher education research in higher education journals is cause for concern. The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of college sport research within high impact, general higher education journals between 2010–2019. Using content analysis, the authors examined seven highly regarded higher education journals. Findings support the hypothesis that an absence of sport-related research exists in such journals. Suggestions to address this gap are provided.
Troponin Variants in Congenital Myopathies: How They Affect Skeletal Muscle Mechanics

The troponin complex is a key regulator of muscle contraction. Multiple variants in skeletal troponin encoding genes result in congenital myopathies. TNNC2 has been implicated in a novel congenital myopathy, TNNI2 and TNNT3 in distal arthrogryposis (DA), and TNNT1 and TNNT3 in nemaline myopathy (NEM). Variants in skeletal troponin encoding genes compromise sarcomere function, e.g., by altering the Ca2+ sensitivity of force or by inducing atrophy. Several potential therapeutic strategies are available to counter the effects of variants, such as troponin activators, introduction of wild-type protein through AAV gene therapy, and myosin modulation to improve muscle contraction. The mechanisms underlying the pathophysiological effects of the variants in skeletal troponin encoding genes are incompletely understood. Furthermore, limited knowledge is available on the structure of skeletal troponin. This review focusses on the physiology of slow and fast skeletal troponin and the pathophysiology of reported variants in skeletal troponin encoding genes. A better understanding of the pathophysiological effects of these variants, together with enhanced knowledge regarding the structure of slow and fast skeletal troponin, will direct the development of treatment strategies.
Gas-phase molecular formation in multi-component laser-produced plasmas

Chemistry evolution in transient plasma or fireball systems in air comprised of multiple elements is extremely complex, owing to numerous ionic, atomic, and molecular species present, overlapping spectral lines, and the gas-phase oxidation. Although plasma chemistry is widely studied for analytical and material detection applications, tracking the chemical evolution from atoms and ions to diatoms, polyatoms, and larger molecules, nanoparticles, and agglomerates in a multi-component system remains largely unexplored.
Controversies in NTOS: Transaxillary or Supraclavicular First Rib Resection in NTOS?

Most believe that proper treatment of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) requires excision of the first rib and adequate scalenectomy. The supraclavicular approach allows most thorough scalene muscle excision and brachial plexus neurolysis, while the transaxillary approach is most cosmetic and seems to decompress the thoracic outlet very nicely. Large series utilizing either approach show excellent and equivalent results. I believe that the patient with upper plexus symptoms, cervical tenderness, a broad bony cervical rib and/or a history of trauma is best treated by supraclavicular first rib excision. By contrast, those patients with clear-cut lower plexus (ulnar nerve) symptoms in the absence of trauma should be offered transaxillary resection.
The role of directionally selective neurons in the perception of global motion

Dynamic random dot targets consisting of many localized motion vectors have been used to study the pooling of local motion signals into a global motion percept (Williams and Sekuler, 1984). In such displays, the dots are displaced with a constant step size and the direction of motion for each dot is chosen at random from a specified distribution. When the distribution extends over 360 deg, the display consists only of local random motion of individual dots and no coherent motion is reported. However, when the distribution is less than 360 deg (biased), the stimulus appears to flow in a single direction. We examined the effects of reducing the number of directionally selective (DS) cortical neurons on this integration process. Normal cats and cats with severely reduced proportions of DS neurons were trained on 2 direction discrimination tasks. The discrimination of opposite directions was examined while varying either the range of directions of local motion, or the proportion of dots moving with biased distribution. When all dots in the display were directionally biased, cats with reduced numbers of DS neurons performed the task as well as normal cats and humans (threshold range: 280-320 deg). However, when the proportion of biased dots decreased, these animals had severe deficits. Thus, in the absence of noise, even a very small number of DS neurons can perform spatial pooling of local directional signals, and support normal discrimination of opposite directions. However, a full complement of directional detectors appears necessary when the motion signal is masked by noise. The discrimination of small differences in direction revealed far more severe deficits, even when all the dots in the display were directionally biased (no noise).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of multiphase methane supply on hydrate accumulation and fracture generation

[1] We simulate methane hydrate formation with multiphase flow and free gas within the regional hydrate stability zone (RHSZ). We find that hydrate distribution and fracture behavior are largely determined by the phase of the methane supply. We allow free gas to enter the RHSZ when porewater salinity increases to the value required for three-phase equilibrium. Fractures nucleate when the excess pore pressure exceeds the vertical hydrostatic effective stress. At Hydrate Ridge, where methane supply is dominantly free gas, hydrate saturation increases upwards and fractures nucleate high within the RHSZ, eventually allowing gas to vent to the seafloor. At Blake Ridge, where methane supply is dominantly in the dissolved phase, hydrate saturation is greatest at the base of the RHSZ; fractures nucleate here and in some cases could propagate through the RHSZ, allowing methane-charged water to vent to the seafloor.
Toward Characterizing the Performance of SOAP Toolkits

The SOAP protocol underpins Web services as the standard mechanism for exchanging information in a distributed environment. The XML-based protocol offers advantages including extensibility, interoperability, and robustness. The merger of Web services and grid computing promotes SOAP into a standard protocol for the large-scale scientific applications that computational grids promise to support, further elevating the protocol's importance and requiring high-performance implementations. Various SOAP implementations differ in their implementation language, invocation model and API, and supported performance optimizations. In this paper we compare and contrast the performance of widely used SOAP toolkits and draw conclusions about their current performance characteristics. We also provide insights into various design features that can lead to optimized SOAP implementations. The SOAP implementations included in our study are gSOAP 2.4, AxisC++ CVS May 28, AxisJava 1.2, .NET 1.1.4322 and XS0AP4/XSUL 1.1.
Encyclopedia of Urban Studies

The diversity of urban studies as an academic field is well reflected in the Encyclopedia of Urban Studies, whose editor is an urban sociologist and whose contributors vary from tenured professors ...
Rough Surface Scattering and Remote Sensing

Electrical Engineering Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media A volume in the IEEE/OUP Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory Donald G. Dudley, Series Editor This IEEE Classic Reissue presents a unified introduction to the fundamental theories and applications of wave propagation and scattering in random media. Now for the first time, the two volumes of Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media previously published by Academic Press in 1978 are combined into one comprehensive volume. This book presents a clear picture of how waves interact with the atmosphere, terrain, ocean, turbulence, aerosols, rain, snow, biological tissues, composite material, and other media. The theories presented will enable you to solve a variety of problems relating to clutter, interference, imaging, object detection, and communication theory for various media. This book is expressly designed for engineers and scientists who have an interest in optical, microwave, or acoustic wave propagation and scattering. Topics covered include: * Wave characteristics in aerosols and hydrometeors * Optical and acoustic scattering in sea water * Scattering from biological materials * Pulse scattering and beam wave propagation in such media * Optical diffusion in tissues and blood * Transport and radiative transfer theory * Kubelka--Munk flux theory and plane-parallel problem * Multiple scattering theory * Wave fluctuations in turbulence * Strong fluctuation theory * Rough surface scattering * Remote sensing and inversion techniques * Imaging through various media About the IEEE/OUP Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory Formerly the IEEE Press Series on Electromagnetic Waves, this joint series between IEEE Press and Oxford University Press offers outstanding coverage of the field with new titles as well as reprintings and revisions of recognized classics that maintain long-term archival significance in electromagnetic waves and applications. Designed specifically for graduate students, practicing engineers, and researchers, this series provides affordable volumes that explore electromagnetic waves and applications beyond the undergraduate level. See page il of the front matter for a listing of books in this series.
Global corporate environmental management practices at Alcoa

Alcoa is applying its state-of-the-art corporate environmental management systems to its aluminum extraction and manufacturing operations, business units, and subsidiaries around the world . The suc- cess of Alcoa's global environmental management system depends on top management commitment and accountability, clear environmental policies and verifiable targets, corporate support and assistance as well as recognition and rewards for business units achieving excellence . Responding to investor demands to reduce environmental impact, Alcoa's leaders saw the opportunity in the early 1990s to take a leader- ship position on environment, health, and safety issues within the industry.
Unsaturated lipid peroxidation catalyzed by hematin compounds and its inhibition by vitamin E1

Evidence favoring hematin catalysis over autoxidation as the dominant mechanism of lipid peroxidation in animal tissues is presented. Lipid peroxidation in Erlich ascites tumor cells and isolated electron transport particles has been studied. Random destruction of the cytochromes and a loss of catalytic activity correlate with peroxidation of the electron transport particle. Mixtures of α-, β-, and γ-tocopherols show no synergistic effect. Synergism with ascorbate and citrate greatly enhance the antioxidant activity of α-tocopherol. A tocopherol-ascorbate-glutathione-triphosphopyridine nucleotide couple could act synergistically to inhibit lipid peroxidation in animal tissues.
Fundamental Performance Limitations For The Phase Retrieval Problem

Precomputable (Cramer-Rao) lower bounds for the integrated mean-square error are presented for the phase retrieval problem. The results are based upon the assumption that the phase is a sample function of a Gaussian random process and that the intensity measurements include additive white Gaussian noise. The bound, which is obtained from an information kernel which is the solution to a Fredholm integral equation, clearly demonstrates the effect of prior statistics, measurement noise and the nature of the linear transformation introduced prior to detection. Several examples are given; in particular, the role of diffraction is shown to be quite important for successful phase retrieval. Finally, the results are extended to include independent measurements of intensity in several planes.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mao in Tibetan disguise: History, ethnography, and excess

What does ethnographic theory look like in dialogue with historical anthropology? Or, what does that theory contribute to a discussion of Tibetan images of Mao Zedong? In this article, I present a renegade history told by a Tibetan in exile that disguises Mao in Tibetan dress as part of his journeys on the Long March in the 1930s. Beyond assessing its historical veracity, I consider the social truths, cultural logics, and political claims embedded in this history as examples of the productive excesses inherent in and generated by conceptual disjunctures.
World Lines: What future astronomers won't see

We live in the only time when it is possible to see both the universe's beginning and its end, says Lawrence Krauss
Mechanical complications after implantation of multiple-lead nonthoracotomy defibrillator systems : implications for management and future system design

Nonthoracotomy lead system (NTL) implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) provide excellent protection against sudden death from ventricular tachyarrhythmias. However, these devices have unique mechanical complications and management issues. We reviewed the major complications occurring in 159 patients who underwent attempted implantation of a multilead NTL system. Successful implantation was obtained in 98% of patients. Two-year, all-cause actuarial survival on an intention-to-treat basis was 94%. Major complications occurred in 28 (17.6%) patients over a follow-up period of 21 +/- 10 months. Complications included 11 (6.9%) lead dislodgements, 10 (5.7%) lead fractures in 9 patients, 2 (1.3%) pocket infections, 1 frozen shoulder, 1 right ventricular perforation, 1 pneumothorax, 1 bleed requiring transfusion, 1 thromboembolism, and 1 "twiddle"-induced torsion of leads. Most of the lead dislodgements and fractures were identified by routine x-ray surveillance. Single-lead systems may significantly reduce complication rates in the future and maintain excellent survival rates.