cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Craniofacial and anthropometric phenotype in ankyloblepharon–ectodermal defects–cleft lip/palate syndrome (Hay–Wells syndrome) in a cohort of 17 patients†

Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome and Rapp-Hodgkin syndrome are well-characterized clinical entities caused by mutations in the TP63 gene. While AEC and Rapp-Hodgkin had been thought to be clinically distinct entities, the elucidation of their molecular etiology confirmed that they are a clinical continuum as opposed to distinct disorders. We have evaluated 17 patients with AEC syndrome using a systematic clinical approach. In our study, we have identified new features and others that were thought to occur only rarely. These include short stature and poor weight gain with preservation of head circumference in nearly all subjects, trismus in 35% and hypospadias in 78% of males. In addition, we describe the frequency of phenotypic features and demonstrate the extreme clinical variability in the largest cohort of AEC individuals reported in the literature thus far.
Identifying and treating cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder

Objectives: The presence of cognitive deficits has become increasingly appreciated across all phases of bipolar disorder. The present review sought to identify domains of cognitive dysfunction, methods of assessment, discrimination of iatrogenic from illness-specific etiologies, and pharmacologic strategies to manage cognitive problems in patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: A selective literature review was performed focusing on studies of descriptive phenomenology and pharmacologic intervention (favoring randomized comparisons when existent but open trials or case reports when not) involving cognition in bipolar disorder populations, healthy volunteers, or other clinical populations. Identification was made of (i) practical strategies for clinical assessment and management of cognitive complaints, (ii) limitations of existing intervention studies, and (iii) recommendations for the design and direction of future research. Results: Cognitive deficits involving attention, executive function, and verbal memory are evident across all phases of bipolar disorder. Most existing treatment studies involve nonbipolar populations, prompting caution when extrapolating outcomes to individuals with bipolar disorder. Differentiating medication- from illness-induced cognitive dysfunction requires comprehensive assessment with an appreciation for the cognitive domains most affected by specific medications. No current pharmacotherapies substantially improve cognition in bipolar disorder, although preliminary findings suggest some potential value for adjunctive stimulants such as modafinil and novel experimental agents. Conclusions: Circumscribed cognitive deficits may be both iatrogenic and intrinsic to bipolar disorder. Optimal management hinges on a knowledge of illness-specific cognitive domains as well as of the beneficial or adverse cognitive profiles of common psychotropic medications.
How Many Mutual Funds Constitute a Diversified Mutual Fund Portfolio

Can investors receive diversification benefits from holding more than a single mutual fund in their portfolios? Simulation analysis shows that the time-series diversification benefits are minimal but that the expected dispersion in terminal-period wealth can be substantially reduced by holding multiple funds. Portfolios with as few as four growth funds halve the dispersion in terminal-period wealth for 5- to 19-year holding periods. In addition, downside risk measures decline as funds are added to portfolios. These advantages to multiple-fund portfolios are especially meaningful for investors funding fixed-horizon investment goals such as retirement or college savings.
Effect of Eprosartan and Enalapril in the Treatment of Black Hypertensive Patients: Subgroup Analysis of a 26-week, Double-blind, Multicentre Study

A double-blind comparator study was performed in 528 hypertensive patients [baseline sitting diastolic blood pressure (SitDBP) 95-114 mmHg]. The primary objective was to compare the incidence of drug-related cough in patients treated with enalapril and eprosartan. The secondary objective was to compare antihypertensive efficacy between treatments. This paper reports the results of a prespecified subgroup analysis performed in the 40 black patients recruited into the study. Eprosartan was titrated from 200 mg b.i.d. to 300 mg b.i.d. and enalapril from 5 mg o.d. to 20 mg o.d. over 12 weeks. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5-25 mg o.d. could be added where required to the treatment for the final six weeks of the titration phase if SitDBP > or = 90 mmHg. Patients received the maximum titrated dosage during the maintenance phase. In the study overall, the incidence of cough at monotherapy endpoint was significantly higher in the enalapril-treated group than in the eprosartan-treated group (p = 0.018). This trend was reflected in the black subgroup but the numbers were too small to confirm significance. At study endpoint the mean change in SitDBP was -10.5 +/- 1.9 mmHg and -9.6 +/- 2.4 mmHg for eprosartan-treated and enalapril-treated patients, respectively. The mean change in SitSBP for eprosartan-treated black patients was -18.8 +/- 3.5 mmHg and for enalapril-treated patients was -10.5 +/- 3.7 mmHg. The black subpopulation mirrored the response of the study as a whole. Both treatments lowered BP with a further reduction evident following the addition of HCTZ at week 18. In conclusion, eprosartan is effective and appears to be safe in black hypertensive patients. The combination of eprosartan and HCTZ was also well tolerated and provided additional efficacy in those patients not responding to eprosartan alone. The incidence of treatment-associated cough in the black subgroup was low, but there were no apparent differences between treatment groups.
Lipid storage compounds in raw activated sludge microorganisms for biofuels and oleochemicals production

Activated sludge contains a microbial population responsible for the biological treatment of wastewater. This microbial population mostly consists of heterothrophic bacteria which utilize the organic content of the wastewater for growth, either as part of their cellular structures or as energy and carbon storage compounds. These compounds are mostly lipidic in nature and are or could be important raw materials for a multitude of applications in biofuel and oleochemical industries. In this study, a municipal activated sludge was analyzed for lipid storage compounds and other compound classes present in significant concentrations. Three extraction techniques, namely; Bligh & Dyer (applied on dried and partially dewatered samples) and accelerated solvent extractions, were initially investigated to identify the one resulting in the highest gravimetric and biodiesel yields. The highest yields were obtained using the Bligh & Dyer of partially dewatered sludge samples and thus, the extracts from this extraction technique were subjected to a series of analytical procedures such as precipitation, solid phase extraction, thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to characterize the major compound classes present. Results indicated that the major compounds in the samples were polyhydroxyalkanoates, wax esters, steryl esters, triacylglycerides, free fatty acids, free sterols and phospholipids. Hydrocarbons, diacylglycerides and monoacylglycerides were also detected. These compounds are either synthesized by microorganisms or from exogenous contributions. Regardless of the source of these compounds, their persistent presence in activated sludge offers another feedstock for a wide range of applications.
Yalcin on ‘Might’

On one view about the word ‘might’, to say, sincerely and literally, that it might be that S is to say something about one’s epistemic state (and perhaps also about the epistemic states of those around one). For convenience, I will call this the natural view about ‘might’. On one version of the natural view, to say that it might be that S is to say that what one is certain of is consistent with the proposition that S. Seth Yalcin (2007) has argued that all versions of the natural view are wrong. My aim in this article is to show how at least one version of the natural view escapes Yalcin’s argument.
Modeling Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences: An Agenda for Future Research and Evaluation

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) are being championed as scalable ways of involving undergraduates in science research. Studies of CUREs have shown that participating students achieve many of the same outcomes as students who complete research internships. However, CUREs vary widely in their design and implementation, and aspects of CUREs that are necessary and sufficient to achieve desired student outcomes have not been elucidated. To guide future research aimed at understanding the causal mechanisms underlying CURE efficacy, we used a systems approach to generate pathway models representing hypotheses of how CURE outcomes are achieved. We started by reviewing studies of CUREs and research internships to generate a comprehensive set of outcomes of research experiences, determining the level of evidence supporting each outcome. We then used this body of research and drew from learning theory to hypothesize connections between what students do during CUREs and the outcomes that have the best empirical support. We offer these models as hypotheses for the CURE community to test, revise, elaborate, or refute. We also cite instruments that are ready to use in CURE assessment and note gaps for which instruments need to be developed.
The development of directives: how children ask and tell

The ability to differentiate the directive senses of ask and tell was investigated using a production task in an experimental setting with children between the ages of 2; 6 and 6; 6. Results showed that the children at all ages distinguished the verbs along dimensions sensitive to adult ratings of politeness. There was a trend towards increased politeness with age under ask instructions, but not with tell instructions. Analyses of structural features of the directives produced showed that the interrogative form was more likely to be used with ask instructions, as was the word please, while tell instructions elicited the imperative, with less frequent use of please. The findings suggest that children before the age of 7; 0 are able to differentiate the illocutionary forces of utterances which have the same communicative intention.
Breast cancer bone metastasis mediated by the Smad tumor suppressor pathway

TGF-β can signal by means of Smad transcription factors, which are quintessential tumor suppressors that inhibit cell proliferation, and by means of Smad-independent mechanisms, which have been implicated in tumor progression. Although Smad mutations disable this tumor-suppressive pathway in certain cancers, breast cancer cells frequently evade the cytostatic action of TGF-β while retaining Smad function. Through immunohistochemical analysis of human breast cancer bone metastases and functional imaging of the Smad pathway in a mouse xenograft model, we provide evidence for active Smad signaling in human and mouse bone-metastatic lesions. Genetic depletion experiments further demonstrate that Smad4 contributes to the formation of osteolytic bone metastases and is essential for the induction of IL-11, a gene implicated in bone metastasis in this mouse model system. Activator protein-1 is a key participant in Smad-dependent transcriptional activation of IL-11 and its overexpression in bone-metastatic cells. Our findings provide functional evidence for a switch of the Smad pathway, from tumor-suppressor to prometastatic, in the development of breast cancer bone metastasis.
Disruption of Fusion Results in Mitochondrial Heterogeneity and Dysfunction

Mitochondria undergo continual cycles of fusion and fission, and the balance of these opposing processes regulates mitochondrial morphology. Paradoxically, cells invest many resources to maintain tubular mitochondrial morphology, when reducing both fusion and fission simultaneously achieves the same end. This observation suggests a requirement for mitochondrial fusion, beyond maintenance of organelle morphology. Here, we show that cells with targeted null mutations in Mfn1 or Mfn2 retained low levels of mitochondrial fusion and escaped major cellular dysfunction. Analysis of these mutant cells showed that both homotypic and heterotypic interactions of Mfns are capable of fusion. In contrast, cells lacking both Mfn1 and Mfn2 completely lacked mitochondrial fusion and showed severe cellular defects, including poor cell growth, widespread heterogeneity of mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased cellular respiration. Disruption of OPA1 by RNAi also blocked all mitochondrial fusion and resulted in similar cellular defects. These defects in Mfn-null or OPA1-RNAi mammalian cells were corrected upon restoration of mitochondrial fusion, unlike the irreversible defects found in fzo yeast. In contrast, fragmentation of mitochondria, without severe loss of fusion, did not result in such cellular defects. Our results showed that key cellular functions decline as mitochondrial fusion is progressively abrogated.
Estimation of somatic cells in milk by filter-deoxyribonucleic acid method with indole.

Abstract The filter-deoxyribonucleic acid method of estimating somatic cells in milk was modified by indole instead of diphenylamine for development of color. This reduced the time required for development of color from 16 h to 10 min. The correlation coefficient with direct microscopic somatic cell count was .99 with fresh milk. Two-deoxy-D-ribose yielded a linear relationship between concentration and optical density and was useful as a standard. Effectiveness of preservation of milk for the filter-deoxyribonucleic acid method by sodium dichromate and freezing was established.
Advanced atherosclerotic foam cell formation has features of an acquired lysosomal storage disorder.

Atherosclerosis is a disease of large- and medium-sized arteries. Complications from atherosclerosis remain a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. The disease begin...
Calculation of the Material Interface in a Pressure-Wave Supercharger:

The material interface inside a pressure-wave supercharger is determined by solving both the Euler and the Navier-Stokes governing equations, so that the effect of viscosity on the smearing of the interface can be evaluated. Two different numerical techniques are used to resolve the interface. One technique is a straightforward application of finite difference methods to solve the governing equations. Another is a combination of finite difference and coordinate splitting methods. The first technique leads to a material interface that is smeared over many grid celts. This is essentially a consequence of numerical diffusion and/or dispersion that results from truncation error. On the other hand, the combined finite difference and coordinate splitting technique uses a finite difference scheme to solve the governing equations everywhere, except in small regions surrounding the interfaces. In these regions, the governing equations are first transformed into two sets of one-dimensional Lagrangian equations wher...
Persistence and Biodegradation of Spilled Residual Fuel on an Estuarine Beach

The enrichment of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and the persistence of petroleum hydrocarbons on an estuarine beach after a spill of residual fuel oil on 11 April 1973 in Upper Narragansett Bay, R. I. was investigated. A rapid enrichment occurred during days 4 to 16 after the oil spill and a significant population of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria was maintained in the beach sand for at least a year. The concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in the mid tide area declined rapidly during the bacterial enrichment period, remained fairly constant throughout the summer, and then declined to a low concentration after 1 year. An increased concentration of branched and cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons in the low-tide sediment 128 days after the spill suggested a migration of hydrocarbons during the summer. Hydrocarbon biodegradation was apparent during the winter months at a rate of less than 1 μg of hydrocarbon per g of dry sediment per day.
A new era of human population genetics

The 1000 Genomes Project Consortium has recently published an important early contribution to a new generation of systematic surveys of rare human genetic variation.
Host- Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis interactome reveals a novel iron assimilation mechanism linked to nitric oxide stress during early infection

The initial interaction between host cell and pathogen sets the stage for the ensuing infection and ultimately determine the course of disease. However, there is limited knowledge of the transcripts utilized by host and pathogen and how they may impact one another during this critical step. The purpose of this study was to create a host-Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) interactome for early infection in an epithelium-macrophage co-culture system using RNA-seq. Establishment of the host-MAP interactome revealed a novel iron assimilation system for carboxymycobactin. Iron assimilation is linked to nitric oxide synthase-2 production by the host and subsequent nitric oxide buildup. Iron limitation as well as nitric oxide is a prompt for MAP to enter into an iron sequestration program. This new iron sequestration program provides an explanation for mycobactin independence in some MAP strains grown in vitro as well as during infection within the host cell. Utilization of such a pathway is likely to aid MAP establishment and long-term survival within the host. The host-MAP interactome identified a number of metabolic, DNA repair and virulence genes worthy for consideration as novel drug targets as well as future pathogenesis studies. Reported interactome data may also be utilized to conduct focused, hypothesis-driven research. Co-culture of uninfected bovine epithelial cells (MAC-T) and primary bovine macrophages creates a tolerant genotype as demonstrated by downregulation of inflammatory pathways. This co-culture system may serve as a model to investigate other bovine enteric pathogens.
Emotional modulation of spinal nociception and pain: the impact of predictable noxious stimulation.

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that emotional picture-viewing is a reliable method of engaging descending modulation of spinal nociception. The present study attempted to replicate these findings and determine the effect of noxious stimulus predictability. Participants viewed pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), during which pain and nociceptive flexion reflexes (NFR) were elicited by electric shocks delivered to the sural nerve. For half of the participants ( n = 25) shocks were preceded by a cue (predictable), whereas the other half received no cue (unpredictable). Results suggested emotion was successfully induced by pictures, but the effect of picture-viewing on the NFR was moderated by the predictability of the shocks. When shock was unpredictable, spinal nociception (NFR) and pain ratings were modulated in parallel. Specifically, pain and NFR magnitudes were lower during pleasant emotions and higher during unpleasant emotions. However, when shocks were predictable, only pain was modulated in this way. NFRs from predictable shocks were not altered by pictures. Further, exploratory analyses found that pain ratings, but not NFRs, were lower during predictable shocks. These data suggest emotional picture-viewing is a reliable method of engaging descending modulation of spinal nociception. However, descending modulation could not be detected in NFRs resulting from predictable noxious stimuli. Although preliminary, this study implies that separate mechanisms are responsible for emotional modulation of nociception at spinal vs. supraspinal levels, and that predictable noxious events may disengage modulation at the spinal level. The current paradigm could serve as a useful tool for studying descending modulation.
Systemic Effects of Epinephrine-Impregnated Retraction Cord in Fixed Partial Denture Prosthodontics

There still is conflict among practitioners and researchers concerning the systemic effects of epinephrine retraction systems. However, the concentration of epinephrine in our commercially available retraction systems, as reported by Shaw, is cause for concern. Therefore, before using these systems, the dentist must consider the following variables: medical history of the patient, health of the oral cavity (especially the dentogingival unit), type of procedure to be done, amount and length of retraction, and exposure of the vascular bed. After careful attention to the foregoing variables, the retraction system of choice is the 8% racemic epinephrine-impregnated retraction cord. In addition to these variables, a calm and organized manner in the dental operatory can and will reassure the patient of the best of care with the least side effects.
Optimization of AASHTO DNPS86 Pavement Design Program

A nonlinear optimization program is developed to accept the AASHTO DNPS86 pavement design computer program as a subroutine. This enables the obtaining of the least cost design for flexible and rigid pavements without manual interation. Examples illustrate using the 3 design variables for rigid pavements (reliability, subbase thickness, and performance period of intital pavement), and 4 variables for flexible pavements (the preceding 3 plus an additional layer thickness). Minor program changes permit the star-search routine to include additional design variables, at the cost of added computation time. Parametric curves for minimum-cost designs of rigid and flexible pavements are provided that allow identifying the least cost pavement type before the using the program to obtain final layer thicknesses.
Probabilities are useful to quantify expert judgments

Abstract The role of explicitly quantifying expert judgment for use in examining complex technical and engineering problems is placed in perspective. We discuss how expert judgments are usually used in analyzing technical problems, how the use of expert judgement should be improved, and how to interpret expert opinion in analysis. The advantages of quantifying expert judgments and of using probabilities for this quantification are stressed.
An equilibrium study of the chloride and nitrate systems of praseodymium and neodymium with tributyl phosphate and acid

Abstract An equilibrium study has been made of the solvent extraction systems, Nd(NO3)3Pr(NO3)3HNO3H2OTBP and NdCl3PrCl3HClH2O TBP. Comparison of a rigorous expression for the separation factor with available data, indicates that for the nitrate system the increase in the separation factor with increasing concentration is caused by variation of the activity coefficient term. It is shown that a good correlation is obtained when the separation factor, β Nd Pr , is expressed as a function of the in the organic phase. The separation factor for the nitrate system was found to be a function of the ratio of the two rare earths only at very high acid concentrations and at very high mole ratios of neodymium to praseodymium. The separation factors, β Nd Pr , for the chloride system were less than unity, and not ratio dependent, for all concentrations and acidities used. The fact that for the system SmCl3NdCl3HClH2OTBP, the separation factor, β Sm Nd , was greater than unity was postulated to be the result of samarium having a lower hydration number than neodymium and praseodymium.
At the Edge of a Species Boundary: A New and Relatively Young Species of Leptopelis (Anura: Arthroleptidae) from the Itombwe Plateau, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract: The genus Leptopelis is composed of 51 morphologically conserved anurans which are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. We describe a new species of Leptopelis from the Itombwe Plateau, a renowned center of endemism in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The new species is included in a well-supported polytomy with populations of the widespread Albertine Rift-endemic Leptopelis karissimbensis. We recognize the new species based on DNA sequence divergence and distinctive components of morphological, ecological, and advertisement call data. The distinct calls between the recently diverged new species and the partially sympatric taxon L. karissimbensis are a likely consequence of reinforcement of species boundaries. Our recognition of the new species emphasizes the endemism and biodiversity of the Itombwe Plateau, a portion of which recently became protected as a natural reserve, but multiple anthropogenic threats are a continued cause for concern.
Seepage meters and Bernoulli’s revenge

Evaluation of seepage data from a network of 50 permanently deployed submarine seepage meters, specially construc ted from fiberglass, indicates that the devices artificially advect (Bernoulli effect) shallow ground water. Reverse flow into the rock was not observed even when adjacent piezometers installed 2-m to 20-m below the rock-water interface in dicated negative groundwater heads. Quantitative testing of five different designs, including conventional end-of-oildrum designs, indicates that meters presenting positive relief on the sea floor are subject to the Bernoulli effect when placed in areas where there are waves and/or currents. Advection does not appear to be caused by flexing of the collection bags.
Direct Structural Determination of Conformations of Photoswitchable Molecules by Laser Desorption–Electron Diffraction

Anfractuous paths: Electron diffraction reveals the involvement of multiple structures in the complex photochemistry of photoswitchable nitro-substituted 1,3,3-trimethylindolinobenzospiropyran. The spiropyran-to-merocyanine isomerization due to ring opening produces primarily the cis–trans–cis structure (see picture; red O, blue N, yellow C), while competing nonradiative pathways lead to other structures, namely the closed forms in their triplet and singlet ground states.
Collaboration: Aligning resources to create and sustain partnerships

Academic-service partnerships are the future. These partnerships require a new paradigm and new practice models that necessitate change in how and where decisions are made as well as who is accountable for both the decisions and the outcomes of those decisions. The role of organizational leaders in this new paradigm becomes aligning resources to create and sustain partnerships. Partnerships are relationships and are only as effective as the communication between all entities. Decision-making is an important outcome of partnerships, yet there is little research regarding specific behavioral strategies that promote quality problem solving and decision-making. This paper extends the work of organizational theorist Ralph Stacey by proposing an event-driven typology of behavioral strategies for problem solving. The typology can assist organizational leaders to align resources for best practices in academic-service partnerships and be used as a framework for future research.
Loss of pulp vitality after maxillary sinus augmentation: a surgical and endodontic approach.

Background: Maxillary sinus augmentation is a routine procedure performed in implant dentistry in cases with sinus pneumatization. This study presents a series of clinical cases in which tooth devitalization occurred in conjunction with sinus augmentation.Methods: In the three cases presented, a sinus-lift procedure was performed that resulted in devitalization of the adjacent teeth. Patients were referred to an endodontist for evaluation and treatment. Vitality of the teeth was determined by the use of a cold test, electric pulp test, and cavity test. The pulp was considered to be necrotic if the tests were negative.Results: In this case series, loss of pulp vitality of two maxillary left second premolars and one maxillary left first molar occurs after sinus-augmentation procedures. The devitalized teeth were free of caries. In one case, two amalgam restorations were present.Conclusion: Pulp necrosis may occur in conjunction with a sinus-lift procedure in cases when an adjacent root is in close proximity...
Semi-automated Modular Program Constructor for physiological modeling: Building cell and organ models

The Modular Program Constructor (MPC) is an open-source Java based modeling utility, built upon JSim's Mathematical Modeling Language (MML) ( http://www.physiome.org/jsim/ ) that uses directives embedded in model code to construct larger, more complicated models quickly and with less error than manually combining models. A major obstacle in writing complex models for physiological processes is the large amount of time it takes to model the myriad processes taking place simultaneously in cells, tissues, and organs. MPC replaces this task with code-generating algorithms that take model code from several different existing models and produce model code for a new JSim model. This is particularly useful during multi-scale model development where many variants are to be configured and tested against data. MPC encodes and preserves information about how a model is built from its simpler model modules, allowing the researcher to quickly substitute or update modules for hypothesis testing. MPC is implemented in Java and requires JSim to use its output. MPC source code and documentation are available at http://www.physiome.org/software/MPC/ .
Functional Exercise Position for Treating Persons with Quadriplegia

The purpose of this article is to describe a practical and effective exercise position for the patient with quadriplegia. The examples given are exercises that serve as building blocks for more advanced and functional mobility. The patient sits on the edge of a low mat table with knees flexed and feet resting securely on the floor (the short-sitting position). Another, similar mat table is placed directly in front of the patient, about 5 cm (2 in) from his shins, so that he is “sandwiched” safely between. This setup allows the patient to work by himself, with a therapist, or in group classes. Short-sitting balance can be challenged by the patient's swinging his arms to the front or out to the side (Fig. 1). As balance improves, shoulder-girdle-depression sitting push-ups, which serve as functional prerequisites to wheelchair, commode, and other level surface transfers, can be practiced.
Genealogical narrative and self-knowledge in Rousseau's Discourse on the Origin and the Foundations of Inequality among Men

SUMMARYWhy did Rousseau cast the substance of the Second Discourse in the form of a genealogy? In this essay the author attempts to work out the relation between the literary form (genealogical narrative, as the author calls it) of the Discourse's two main parts and the content. A key thesis of Rousseau's text concerns our lack of self-knowledge, indeed, our ignorance of our ignorance. The author argues that in a number of ways genealogical narrative is meant to respond to that lack. In the course of his discussion he comments on Rousseau's puzzling remarks in the Second Discourse about his expository method. Further, given the thesis that we lack self-knowledge, Rousseau owes us an account of his genesis as self-knowing genealogist. He attempts to do so in part through his narrative of the ‘illumination of Vincennes’. The author examines that narrative as well, reading it and the Discourse in light of each other. Can Rousseau resolve the problems of self-reference that the philosophical use of genealogy ...
Improved bounds for orthogonal point enclosure query and point location in orthogonal subdivisions in R3

In this paper, new results for two fundamental problems in the field of computational geometry are presented: orthogonal point enclosure query (OPEQ) in R3 and point location in orthogonal subdivisions in R3. All the results are in the pointer machine model of computation.(1) In an orthogonal point enclosure query a set S of n axes-parallel rectangles in R3 is to be preprocessed, so that given a query point q ∈ R3, one can efficiently report all the rectangles in S containing (or stabbed by) q. When rectangles are 3-sided (of the form (−∞, x] × (−∞, y] × (−∞, z]), there exists an optimal solution of Afshani (ESA'08) which uses O(n) space and answers the query in O(log n + k) time, where k is the number of rectangles reported. Unfortunately, when the rectangles are 4-sided (of the form [x1, x2] × (−∞, y] × (−∞, z]), the best result one can achieve using existing techniques is O(n) space and O(log2n + k) query time.The key result of this work is an almost optimal solution for 4-sided rectangles. The first data structure uses O(n log* n) space and answers the query in O(log n + k) time. Here log* n is the iterated logarithm of n. The second data structure uses O(n) space and answers the query in O(log n · log(i)n + k) time, for any constant integer i ≥ 1. Here log(1)n = log n and log(i)n = log(log(i-1)n) when i > 1.To handle OPEQ for general 6-sided rectangles (of the form [x1, x2] × [y1, y2] × [z1, z2]), existing structures in the literature occupy Ω(n log n) space. This work presents the first known near-linear space data structure. It occupies O(n log* n) space and answer the query in O(log2n · log log n + k) time. This is almost optimal, since Afshani, Arge and Larsen (SoCG'10 and SoCG'12) proved that with O(n) space, OPEQ on 6-sided rectangles takes Ω(log2n + k) time.(2) In point location in orthogonal subdivisions, a set S of n non-overlapping axes-parallel rectangles in Rd(d ≥ 3) is to be preprocessed, so that given a query point q ∈ Rd, one can efficiently report the rectangle in S containing q. In a pointer machine model, the first known solution by Edelsbrunner, Haring and Hilbert in 1986 uses O(n) space and answers the query in O(logd−1n) query time. After a long gap, Afshani, Arge and Larsen (SoCG'10) improved the query time to O(log n(log n/log log n)d−2). This work presents a data structure which occupies O(n) space and answers the query in O(logd-3/2n) time, improving the previously best known query time by roughly a [EQUATION]log n factor.
Joint Modeling of Climate Niches for Adult and Juvenile Trees

Typical ecological gradient analysis for plant species considers variation in the response along a gradient of covariate values, for example, temperature or precipitation. Response is customarily modeled through the presence/absence or a suitable measure of abundance or both. Such analysis enables the creation of a climate niche or range limits for the species using this covariate. Interest often extends to two climate covariates, thus seeking a climate niche in two-dimensional space. It also seeks to learn whether the niche changes over life stages of the species. For instance, is the niche for juveniles different from that for adults? Across the climate domain, where are seedlings relatively more or less abundant than adults? Adult abundance is measured through basal area, juvenile abundance through seedling counts. Our contribution is to describe a coherent modeling approach to address the foregoing objectives. We construct a hierarchical stochastic specification that jointly models juveniles and adults with regard to their two-dimensional climate niches. Joint modeling of the abundance response surfaces is proposed because seedlings and adults are living jointly, competitively and is justified through exploratory analysis. Joint modeling can be challenging when one response is counts and the other is area. We model adult abundance and then juvenile abundance driven by adult abundance. Due to excess zeroes over our study plots, we employ zero-inflated models for both adult and seedling abundance. We demonstrate the benefits of the joint modeling through out-of-sample predictive performance. Our abundance data come from the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis dataset. Our climate data come from the 800 m resolution Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model dataset. In order to extract a response to climate, we aggregate FIA plots to ecological subsections. At plot scale, micro-scale covariates explain variation in abundance; at a larger spatial scale, climate covariates can explain variation in abundance.
Rededication Panel Discussion on Gender Equality and Intercollegiate Athletics

This article is a transcript of a panel discussion in which Professor Stephen F. Ross, Associate Athletic Director Karol Kahrs, and Fred Heinrich participated entitled "Sports and the Law," at the Rededication of the University of Illinois College of Law. The panel discussion centered on the issue of gender equity in intercollegiate athletics. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act requires institutions receiving federal funding to provide equal educational opportunity for students regardless of gender. The panel discussion focused on the impact of Title IX and the University of Illinois's efforts to comply with the requirements.
Impact of nitrogen fertilization on Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) injury and yield in bioenergy sorghum

Abstract The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a serious pest of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), corn (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and related graminaceous bioenergy crops. A two-year field study was conducted in Jefferson County, TX to examine the impact of nitrogen (N) fertilization on E. loftini infestations and subsequent yields in cultivars of high-biomass and sweet sorghum. In 2013, percentage of bored internodes and number of adult emergence holes per stalk increased with higher N rates; however, only the percentage of bored internodes was impacted by N in 2014. Yields from both years indicated that N rate was positively associated with increases in stalk weight and ethanol productivity, but not sucrose concentration. Because higher N rates were associated with increased yields despite having greater levels of E. loftini injury, our data suggest that increases in yield from additional N outweigh decreases from additional E. loftini injury. Fertilization rates maintained between the recommended 45 and 90 kg N/ha minimize risks of negative area-wide impacts from increased production of E. loftini adults, while still allowing for optimum yields.
It's Only Covered If You Keep It: The Legality of Surrogate Pregnancy Exclusions in Health Insurance Policies

In the last ten to twenty years, health insurance companies across the United States have begun to deny women maternity benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled, based on the fact that they are acting as surrogate mothers. Despite the growing prevalence of the practice of denying benefits in this manner little attention has been paid to the legality of these exclusions. The few courts that have addressed the issue have all come to contrary results, and have all based their decisions in different bodies of law. This paper chronicles the uneasy relationship between health insurance companies and surrogate mothers, discusses the arguments both for and against the appropriateness of surrogacy exclusions, and analyzes the various legal frameworks with which to determine whether surrogate exclusions are legal. Ultimately, the paper concludes that a number of state and federal statutes-including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act-may prove useful in challenging the legality of these exclusions.
Dynamic changes of the ligamentum flavum in the cervical spine assessed with kinetic magnetic resonance imaging.

The purpose of this article is to quantify changes in thickness of the ligamentum flavum (LF) associated with motion of the cervical spine and to compare the thickness of the LF at each cervical level using kinetic magnetic resonance imaging (kMRI). Two hundred fifty-seven symptomatic patients (129 men; 128 women) underwent kMRI in neutral, flexion, and extension positions. Midsagittal images were digitally marked and electronically analyzed by spine surgeons. Thickness of LF in the cervical region from C2–3 to C7–T1 was measured in all three positions. LF at C7–T1 was significantly thicker than C2–3 to C6–7 in neutral, flexion, and extension positions (p < 0.05). LF was significantly thicker in extension than in flexion at C3–4 to C6–7. LF thickness increases with extension and decreases with flexion. LF is uniquely thick at C6–7 and at C7–T1 in the extension position, which may predispose these levels to cord compression syndromes and associated neuropathies.
An alternative synthesis and x-ray crystallographic confirmation of (-)-stepholidine.

A formal enantioselective synthesis of (−)-stepholidine that provides an alternative preparation of key lactone intermediate 2 is described. The stereostructure of (−)-stepholidine prepared via this method was confirmed by X-ray diffraction.
Strategies of Social Control Actors in the Legal Environment: Selecting Polysemantic Laws

All of the institutions with which corporations interact are housed with the legal system. Due to this, it is crucial to study not only business strategy but also legal strategy. We study the setting of the U.S. legal system and focus on the prosecutor as the focal actor. The prosecutor selects the statute or statutes used in a case and possesses the ability to switch statutes between the indictment and trial stage, which is crucial to her discretionary abilities. The corporate world is rife with examples of prosecutors using polysemantic statutes, defined here legal statutes that have several potential interpretations that can be utilized to the advantage of the focal actor, to increase their performance, or conviction rate. We explore this type of behavior and attempt to disentangle the processes that it involves. To do so, we employ a dataset of nearly 73,000 criminal cases in order to explore the relationship between polysemantic laws and conviction. We confirm our hypotheses that more polysemantic la...
Proton Irradiation-induced Disordering Reactions, Ductility and Strengthening of Ni3Al

Ordered Ni 3 Al containing 24 at.% Al was irradiated by 2 MeV protons at −45 °C to a fluence of 1.34 × 10 16 H + /mm 2 . The induced microstructural changes were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron fractography and microhardness measurements. Proton irradiation produced a large volume fraction of small disordered zones residing in the ordered matrix. The morphology of the disordered zones bears some striking similarities to “tweed” microstructures. X-ray diffraction reveals distinct splitting of the higher order fundamental peaks toward low angles, and broadening of the displaced peaks, indicating that the zones observed are small clusters of tetragonally distorted disordered Ni 3 Al. The microhardness measurements suggest that the disordered zones strengthen the remaining ordered matrix considerably, most likely through a precipitation strengthening mechanism. The fractographic observations suggest that an increase in ductility accompanies disordering, as evidenced by the appearance of dimples, slip markings and river patterns on the fracture surface of the irradiated region of the sample.
Thermal aging problems in electrical insulation, past, present and future

The need to know the effects of temperature on electrical insulation was first analyzed and discussed when Steinmetz and Lamme published their paper in 1913 entitled “Temperature and Electrical Insulation”.1 This classic paper not only reflects the generally accepted concepts of their day but also introduces the theory that insulation deteriorates over a period of time at certain given temperatures.
Recurrent ulcer of the thoracic stomach penetrating the heart. Report of a case and review of the literature.

Recurrent and severe gastrointestinal bleeding caused the death of a 67-year-old man who had had resection of carcinoma of the cardiac end of the stomach. The hemorrhage was eventually found to be due to perforation of the wall of the left ventricle by a benign ulcer in the region of the esophagogastric anastomosis. At first, resection of the ulcer appeared to be successful, but recurrence of the penetrating ulcer caused fatal hemorrhage 4 1/2 months later. In our review of the literature, we found only one other instance in which an ulcer on an anastomosis perforated the heart. There were reports of 24 other cases of benign ulcers of the stomach or esophagus which penetrated the heart.
Complex venous and arterial reconstruction with deep vein after pelvic exenterative surgery : A case report

Effective local regional control for solid tumor malignancies is dependent upon prerequisite surgical excision with negative margins. Invasion of contiguous adjacent structures, particularly in anatomical spaces of limited size, may preclude the surgical goal of histologically negative margins. From a historical perspective, the invasion of vascular structures in the pelvis has proved to be a significant limitation in achieving local regional disease control with surgical resection. In recent years, advances in the field of vascular surgery have caused us to reassess the historical criteria of resectability when blood vessels are focally invaded by malignancy. En bloc resection of adjacent vessels has been reported primarily with head and neck extirpations and increasingly with hepatobiliary and pancreatic lesions. In many cases, where the local vasculature is invaded or impinged by the tumor, venous structures are often ligated while arteries are bypassed with an appropriate conduit. In pelvic exenterative surgery, significant morbidity from chronic limb edema and deep venous thrombosis may result from the ligation of larger veins. This is especially the case when multiple major venous structures such as the common and the external iliac vein, as well as the hypogastric vein, are all simultaneously interrupted. To the best of our knowledge, there is no prior report examining venous reconstruction using the femoral vein for pelvic exenterative surgery requiring major iliac artery and venous resection. Herein we describe a case of a complex vascular reconstruction after pelvic exenterative surgery in a patient with recurrent rectal cancer invading multiple adjacent contiguous structures, including the iliac vessels.
LLNL Mercury Project Trinity Open Science Final Report

The Mercury Monte Carlo particle transport code developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is used to simulate the transport of radiation through urban environments. These challenging calculations include complicated geometries and require significant computational resources to complete. As a result, a question arises as to the level of convergence of the calculations with Monte Carlo simulation particle count. In the Trinity Open Science calculations, one main focus was to investigate convergence of the relevant simulation quantities with Monte Carlo particle count to assess the current simulation methodology. Both for this application space but also of more general applicability, we also investigated the impact of code algorithms on parallel scaling on the Trinity machine as well as the utilization of the Trinity DataWarp burst buffer technology in Mercury via the LLNL Scalable Checkpoint/Restart (SCR) library.