cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell–cell signaling drives the evolution of complex traits: introduction—lung evo-devo

Physiology integrates biology with the environment through cell-cell interactions at multiple levels. The evolution of the respiratory system has been "deconvoluted" (Torday and Rehan in Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 31:8-12, 2004) through Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) applied to cell-cell communication for all aspects of lung biology development, homeostasis, regeneration, and aging. Using this approach, we have predicted the phenotypic consequences of failed signaling for lung development, homeostasis, and regeneration based on evolutionary principles. This cell-cell communication model predicts other aspects of vertebrate physiology as adaptational responses. For example, the oxygen-induced differentiation of alveolar myocytes into alveolar adipocytes was critical for the evolution of the lung in land dwelling animals adapting to fluctuating Phanarezoic oxygen levels over the past 500 million years. Adipocytes prevent lung injury due to oxygen radicals and facilitate the rise of endothermy. In addition, they produce the class I cytokine leptin, which augments pulmonary surfactant activity and alveolar surface area, increasing selection pressure for both respiratory oxygenation and metabolic demand initially constrained by high-systemic vascular pressure, but subsequently compensated by the evolution of the adrenomedullary beta-adrenergic receptor mechanism. Conserted positive selection for the lung and adrenals created further selection pressure for the heart, which becomes progressively more complex phylogenetically in tandem with the lung. Developmentally, increasing heart complexity and size impinges precociously on the gut mesoderm to induce the liver. That evolutionary-developmental interaction is significant because the liver provides regulated sources of glucose and glycogen to the evolving physiologic system, which is necessary for the evolution of the neocortex. Evolution of neocortical control furthers integration of physiologic systems. Such an evolutionary vertical integration of cell-to-tissue-to-organ-to-physiology of intrinsic cell-cell signaling and extrinsic factors is the reverse of the "top-down" conventional way in which physiologic systems are usually regarded. This novel mechanistic approach, incorporating a "middle-out" cell-cell signaling component, will lead to a readily available algorithm for integrating genes and phenotypes. This symposium surveyed the phylogenetic origins of such vertically integrated mechanisms for the evolution of cell-cell communication as the basis for complex physiologic traits, from sponges to man.
Common Law and Liberal Theory: Coke, Hobbes, and the Origins of American Constitutionalism

This work suggests that American constitutionalism is the product of a combination of two opposing schools of thought: the English common-law tradition as exemplified by the work of Edward Coke and early liberal political philosophy as seen in the work of Thomas Hobbes. Stoner addresses the question of what we expect of judges in a political system that rests on popular sovereignty and a legal order committed to the idea of fundamental law.
APPLICATION OF GROUND PENETRATING RADAR TO AID RESTORATION PLANNING FOR A DRAINED CAROLINA BAY

Clayey subsurface strata in precipitation-driven wetlands act as aquitards that retain water and can affect wetland hydrology. If the aquitard layers have been cut through by drainage ditches, then restoring wetland hydrology to such sites may be more difficult because of the need to fill ditches completely with low hydraulic conductivity material. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys were conducted to determine the depth and continuity of shallow clay layers and identify those that have been pierced by drainage ditches at Juniper Bay, a 300-ha drained Carolina bay in North Carolina, USA that will be restored. Carolina bays are a wetland type that occur as numerous, shallow, oval-shaped depressions along the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The GPR interpretations found that moderately fine-textured (clay loam, sandy clay loam, silty clay loam) and fine-textured (sandy clay, silty clay, clay) aquitards underlay coarser-textured horizons in most of the bay at an average depth of 1.6 m. Extensive ground truthing showed that, on average, GPR predicted the depth to these aquitards to within 16% of their actual depth. An atypical GPR reflection in the southeast sector of the bay was interpreted as a fluvial deposit without aquitards until a depth of 3 to 5 m. This area may require different restoration strategies than the rest of the bay. By comparing the depths of aquitards and drainage ditches, several areas were identified as likely locations of ditch-induced aquitard discontinuity that may require filling or lining of suspect ditches to prevent potential water losses if there are downward hydraulic gradients. Cost estimates by two professional firms indicated that GPR could provide large volumes of data with cost and time efficiency. GPR surveys are proposed as a useful tool for characterizing potential wetland restoration sites on the Atlantic Coastal Plain and other regions with similar soils.
microRNAs Distinctively Regulate Vascular Smooth Muscle and Endothelial Cells: Functional Implications in Angiogenesis, Atherosclerosis, and In-Stent Restenosis

Endothelial cells (EC) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are the main cell types within the vasculature. We describe here how microRNAs (miRs)—noncoding RNAs that can regulate gene expression via translational repression and/or post-transcriptional degradation—distinctively modulate EC and VSMC function in physiology and disease. In particular, the specific roles of miR-126 and miR-143/145, master regulators of EC and VSMC function, respectively, are deeply explored. We also describe the mechanistic role of miRs in the regulation of the pathophysiology of key cardiovascular processes including angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, and in-stent restenosis post-angioplasty. Drawbacks of currently available therapeutic options are discussed, pointing at the challenges and potential clinical opportunities provided by miR-based treatments.
School Performance, Student Ethnic Composition, and Socioeconomic Factors: A Comparison of Four Ethnic Groups

The article examines whether or not and how student ethnic composition relates to the learning achievement in public schools in the state of California, giving special attention to parental education and socioeconomic factors. To this end, school-level data were taken from over 1,200 public schools in California, and student ethnic composition was calculated for each sample school. The analysis shows that white student academic achievement originates in their economic wealth as well as high levels of parental education, yet Asian academic success primarily derives from parental achievement in education while having little to do with socioeconomic wealth. Equally significant are the findings showing that economic poverty is most prominently associated with the low academic performance of African-American student, while Hispanic low test scores are evenly organized around the low levels of parental education and English proficiency apart from economic poverty. This finding suggests that student ethnic composition influences the overall academic performance of public schools, but the socio-economic mechanism by which student ethnic composition affects school test scores may distinctively vary across four ethnic groups.
Use of probabilistic weights to enhance linear regression myoelectric control

Objective. Clinically available prostheses for transradial amputees do not allow simultaneous myoelectric control of degrees of freedom (DOFs). Linear regression methods can provide simultaneous myoelectric control, but frequently also result in difficulty with isolating individual DOFs when desired. This study evaluated the potential of using probabilistic estimates of categories of gross prosthesis movement, which are commonly used in classification-based myoelectric control, to enhance linear regression myoelectric control. Approach. Gaussian models were fit to electromyogram (EMG) feature distributions for three movement classes at each DOF (no movement, or movement in either direction) and used to weight the output of linear regression models by the probability that the user intended the movement. Eight able-bodied and two transradial amputee subjects worked in a virtual Fitts' law task to evaluate differences in controllability between linear regression and probability-weighted regression for an intramuscular EMG-based three-DOF wrist and hand system. Main results. Real-time and offline analyses in able-bodied subjects demonstrated that probability weighting improved performance during single-DOF tasks (p < 0.05) by preventing extraneous movement at additional DOFs. Similar results were seen in experiments with two transradial amputees. Though goodness-of-fit evaluations suggested that the EMG feature distributions showed some deviations from the Gaussian, equal-covariance assumptions used in this experiment, the assumptions were sufficiently met to provide improved performance compared to linear regression control. Significance. Use of probability weights can improve the ability to isolate individual during linear regression myoelectric control, while maintaining the ability to simultaneously control multiple DOFs.
Critical Phenomena from Wilson’s Exact Renormalization-Group Equation

A new method is reviewed for the numerical calculation to high precision of critical phenomena in three-dimensional spin systems. The approach is based on Wilson’s exact functional renormalization-group equation. Results are presented for the critical exponents of the isotropic N-vector model.
Understanding Our Students in General Chemistry

Experiences with active learning strategies and student engagement in these activities are presented and discussed.
The Political Economy of Charles E. Lindblom

The consistent theme in Charles E. Lindblom's work is a vision of political economy as constitutional engineering. Lindblom sees the question of institutional design in terms of a mechanical metaphor in which political economic systems are contrived out of relatively simple components. Politics and Markets compares a broad range of capitalist and socialist systems as a means of evaluating market mechanisms and authority structures as instruments of social coordination and control. Lindblom's argument that the privileged power of the corporation poses a problem for liberal market-oriented societies is logically distinct from his case that the corporation fits “oddly” with democratic theory, and the latter may be the more significant theme for further inquiry in political economic theory.
Impact of Class Relations and Warfare in the American Revolution: The New York Experience

Class conflict between landlords and tenants on the great Hudson River estates has been the central theme in the historiography of the American Revolution in New York since the publication in 1909 of Carl Becker's classic study of the province. It has been argued that the lease system as practiced by landlords like the Livingstons, Beekmans, Van Rensselaers, Philipses, and Van Cortlandts in the mid-eighteenth century was onerous, oppressive, and exploitative, with the result that the tenants became impoverished, resentful, and radicalized socially and economically, and that their radicalism, first manifested in the widespread antirent agitation in the 1750s and 1766, was carried on into the revolutionary period, affecting both the course and outcome of the Revolution. The stubborn pursuit of socioeconomic justice by the tenants not only made their Whig landlords reluctant revolutionaries but also accounted for several democratic achievements, such as the confiscation and distribution of the huge Loyalist estates and the establishment of the secret ballot as a mode of voting in elections. In the evolution of the historical drama, the tenants were never passive agents. Although they were not the precipitants of the Revolution at its beginning as the urban radicals in New York City were-so the argument goes-they nevertheless consciously used the Revolution as a vehicle for obtaining socioeconomic justice, a freehold estate, at the expense of their landlord's land title. In sum, because of the radical behavior of the tenant class, historians have maintained that the Revolution in New York was a struggle for 'who should rule at home" as well as for home rule. '
Current thinking in transplantation in infants and children

Renal and liver transplantation are now recognized as therapeutic modalities for children with kidney and liver failure. This article reviews the general indications for transplantation, recipient selection, descriptions of the procedures, and the expected outcome of these two procedures in the pediatric setting.
Vascular capacitance following preoptic recess lesions

Vascular capacitance was studied in anesthetized control (CONT) animals and in rats after electrolytic ablation of the periventricular tissue surrounding the anteroventral third cerebral ventricle (AV3V-X). Blood volume (BV) was determined by use of radiolabeled serum albumin, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and central venous pressure (CVP) were continuously measured. Mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP) was calculated by use of MAP and CVP obtained during circulatory arrest induced by inflation of a right atrial balloon during BV expansion and contraction. MCFP-BV relationships were calculated to estimate vascular compliance. CONT and AV3V-X animals were tested after treatment with both vehicle and hexamethonium, a ganglionic blocking agent. BV, MAP, and CVP were similar between CONT and AV3V-X animals. However, MCFP was significantly lower in AV3V-X animals (4.6 +/- 0.3 mmHg) than in CONT rats (6.6 +/- 0.5 mmHg). Furthermore, AV3V ablation caused a significant shift of the MCFP-BV relationship toward the volume axis with no change in compliance, indicating decreased venous tone. Finally, hexamethonium treatment significantly reduced MCFP in CONT animals (3.8 +/- 0.7 mmHg) and shifted the MCFP-BV line toward the BV axis but had no effect on these measures in AV3V-X animals. These data indicate that electrolytic ablation of AV3V periventricular tissue significantly reduces venous tone by decreasing neurally mediated venoconstriction.
Particle Size Reduction in Granular Materials During Rapid Penetration

Rapid penetration experiments using spherical projectiles at speeds up to 100 m/s were conducted in natural silica sand and in artificial sand comprised of crushed fused quartz. Material was recovered from the impact zone and subjected to size analysis and microscopic inspection. The fused quartz was much more susceptible to particle size reduction, particularly at lower velocities than natural sand. However, when the sand fractured, the particles were considerably smaller than those observed in fused quartz.
Will to Power and Materialism

1. In the literature, Nietzsche’ final stance on metaphysics and its relationship to will to power is a matter of debate and controversy. For many, indeed most, commentators, Nietzsche was the antimetaphysi-cian philosopher par exe eile nee, the one who could not contemplate pursuing a metaphysical line of thought without jeopardising his whole life’ work. To support this judgement, such authors point to the vast number of aphorisms and notebook entries in which the middle and late Nietzsche lashed out at Plato, Christianity Kant and Schopenhauer. They highlight Nietzsche’ pervasive contempt for ontological, ethical or epistemological foundational coneepts that could be in any way related to a ‘ue’ld beyond that of everyday experience.
Criminology’s new frontier in China: opportunities, possibilities and challenges

Criminological study on China and in China is not new. The development of Chinese criminology since the beginning of the 20th century has been well noted in the scholarly literature (e.g., [4, 11, 29]). This special issue is an attempt to showcase scholarships that explore the new frontier in criminological research in China. The contributors of this special issue are mostly Chinese diaspora a group of U.S. trained criminologists, who took their training to practice by collecting first-hand data on the ground in China or analyzing existing data with a fresh eye for comparative insights.
Cubital Tunnel Release by In Situ Decompression

This chapter details the steps in performing an open approach to cubital tunnel in situ decompression. Decompression is achieved by ulnar nerve dissection and fascia release for minimal compression and traction of the ulnar nerve. Indications, essential steps, postoperative care, and sample operative dictation are included.
Two-axis water-immersible microscanning mirror for scanning optics and acoustic microscopy

Fast multiaxis scanning is useful for not only optical but also acoustic microscopic imaging. Although they have been used for optical scanning, the application of (MEMS) scanning mirrors in acoustic microscopy is still very limited due to their small mirror plate size, and more importantly, inability to operate in liquids (as ultrasound coupling media). A microfabricated two-axis water-immersible scanning mirror for optical and acoustic microscopy is reported. It has an optical and acoustically reflective mirror plate (6 mm×4 mm) to provide numerical aperture for ultrasound beam steering. Electromagnetic and mechanical analysis and simulation were conducted to estimate the mechanical tilting angle and resonance frequency of both fast and slow axes, which matches well with the measurement results. The fast axis has a resonant frequency of 320 Hz in air and 220 Hz in water, which is more than 10 times higher than that of the slow axis (24 Hz in air and 14 Hz in water). Under a 100-mA driving current, the scanning angles of the fast axis reached ±9.5 deg in both air and water at the resonance frequency, respectively. The scanning angles of the slow axis reached ±15 deg in air and ±12.5 deg in water at resonant frequencies, respectively. Raster scanning of a collimated laser beam was achieved by driving both axes simultaneously close to their own resonance frequencies. The feasibility of using the two-axis water-immersible scanning mirror in scanning acoustic microscopy was also demonstrated.
Nobody to Run to Anymore

This fictionalized account serves as a vignette describing changes that are occurring in western PA government. This still heavily unionized part of the country has been slower to develop changes seen elsewhere in the country, in business environments, and now in government structures. This paper depicts patronage, nepotism, and advancement based more on entitlement than merit as being replaced by a performance-based process that is still experiencing some hiccups.
Sensual Perception in Architecture

From the five senses (according to Aristotle), the sense that first comes to mind when thinking about space is the visual sense. Indeed, much of spatial experience is derived from vision. In this article, it is postulated that an equal consideration of all senses however can lead to a refined architectural design method and designed space.
The effects of a broad based energy tax on the United States economy

This paper investigates the effects of a broad based energy tax on the United States economy in general and the agricultural sectors in particular. The analytical approach used in the analysis consists of a general equilibrium model composed of fourteen producing sectors, fourteen consuming sectors, six household categories classified by income and a government. The effects of imposing a tax on natural gas, coal, and nuclear power of 25.7 cents per million Btu's and a tax on refined petroleum products of 59.9 cents per million Btu's on prices and quantities are examined. The results are revealing. For example, a Btu tax on energy imposed at the point of production will result in lower output by the producing sectors (by about $122.4 billion US), a decrease in the consumption of goods and services (by about $64.6 billion), and a reduction in welfare (by about $66.6 billion). The government would realize an increase in revenue of about $50.5 billion. In the case of the Btu tax being imposed at the point of consumption, there will be lower output by the producing sectors (by about $83.7 billion), a reduction in the consumption of goods and services (by about $48.3 billion), and a reduction in welfare (by about $49.5 billion). The government would realize an increase in revenue of $41.5 billion. The agricultural sectors would be measurably impacted. For example, if the Btu tax is imposed at the point of production, output in the program crops sector will fall (by $637 million), output in the livestock sector will decline (by $257 million), output in the all other agriculture commodities sector will be reduced (by $54 million), and output in the forestry sector will rise (by $144 million). If the Btu tax is imposed at the point of consumption, output in the program crops sector will fall (by $720 million), output in the livestock sector will decline (by $453 million), output in the all other agriculture commodities sector will be reduced (by $371 million), and output in the forestry sector will rise (by $25 million). Finally, when subjected to a sensitivity analysis, the results are reasonably robust with regard to the assumption of the values of the substitution elasticities.
Histopathologic changes in the epidural space of the guinea pig during long-term morphine infusion

A model for long-term epidural cannulation and toxicology testing for drugs applied in the epidural space of the Hartley guinea pig has been developed. The technique for cannulation is described. During long-term cannulation with a nylon catheter, extensive fibrous tissue reaction develops, which ultimately leads to some compression of the spinal cord. The inflammatory response is detectable at 2 days and is well organized by 14 days. One group of animals was injected daily with morphine sulfate. There were no histopathologic changes in the spinal cord and roots that could be attributed to the injection of morphine.
Disparities in the Clinical Evolution of Anal Neoplasia in an HIV-Infected Cohort.

A recent meta-analysis suggested that anal intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive anal cancer are more prevalent among black men having sex with men (MSM). We conducted a retrospective cohort of HIV-infected adult patients under care between 2001 and 2012. Disparities in clinical evolution of anal intraepithelial neoplasia to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and invasive anal cancer were evaluated in a three-state Markov model adjusted for cytology misclassification. We studied sociodemographic covariate effects for each state transition using multivariable models controlling for antiretroviral therapy and infrared coagulation treatment of HSIL. Among 2804 patients with a median age of 40 years, 78% were MSM and 38% non-white. There were no disparities in HSIL prevalence (14%) by age, sex, race, or risk group. After 4.0 years of follow-up, 23 patients developed invasive anal cancer. Females and black patients had lower transition rates from 40 had lower rates of both <HSIL→HSIL progression (HR = 0.64) and HSIL→<HSIL regression (HR = 0.56); and MSM had higher rates of progression from <HSIL→HSIL (HR = 3.30). Controlling for antiretroviral therapy and infrared coagulation (IRC) treatment as time-updated covariates, the univariable effects of sex, black race, and HIV risk factor remained significant. Black race was not associated with prevalent anal intraepithelial neoplasia nor with post-baseline progression of anal intraepithelial neoplasia.
Presentation of the Dana Medal of the Mineralogical Society of America for 2016 to Sumit Chakraborty

Sumit Chakraborty has been chosen to receive the 2016 Dana Medal of the MSA primarily for his outstanding contributions in two frontier areas of petrology, namely the Diffusion Kinetics in natural systems and the Petrological Geodynamics of the Himalayas. Sumit’s contributions in the field of diffusion kinetics of minerals, which has now emerged as a major research area in Earth and planetary sciences, spans a wide range of technical developments in theory and experiments, coupled with first-hand field studies, and innovative applications to retrieve timescales of metamorphic, magmatic, and planetary processes. In this area, Sumit’s main focus has been garnet and olivine (and its high-pressure polymorphs), but the domain has now expanded to include spinel, plagioclase, pyroxene, etc. Sumit’s papers on the complex problem of multicomponent diffusion in metapelitic garnet have greatly influenced petrologists to measure and model compositional zoning in garnet to retrieve timescales of metamorphic processes. Because of its importance in the understanding of mantle and planetary processes, diffusion properties of olivine, especially those for Fe and Mg, have been studied extensively over the past 40 years or so, but with conflicting results. However, Sumit and his group have provided us with the most complete and definitive set of diffusion data of different species in olivine (Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Ca, Li), and theoretical formulations and algorithms that now permit, along with his works on diffusion kinetics of pyroxene, plagioclase, and spinel, retrieval of tightly constrained timescales of various petrological processes. Sumit …
Liver Transplantation for Hereditary Tyrosinaemia Type 1 in the United Kingdom

Fourteen children have undergone liver transplantation for hereditary tyrosinaemia type 1 (HT1) at Birmingham Children’s hospital (BCH) since 1989; six were treated prior to the availability of Nitisinone in 1993 and eight in the post Nitisinone era. Prior to 1993 essentially all children with HT1 were referred for transplantation. In the Nitisinone era only those with unresponsive liver failure or suspected malignancy were considered for transplantation. Those who were treated pre-emptively following newborn screening have no evidence of liver disease and none have required transplantation.
Working memory mediates increased negative affect and suicidal ideation in childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at greater risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts compared to those without ADHD. Increased risk is at least partially attributable to a subset of children with ADHD and comorbid depression or disruptive behavior disorders; however, the early predictors and mechanisms driving increased risk are not well understood. Here, we investigate the contributions of two candidate mechanisms for increased suicidal ideation in children with ADHD: executive function and negative affect. 623 clinically well-characterized, community-recruited children classified by research criteria as ADHD (n = 388) or typically-developing controls (n = 253) participated. Parent-report on the Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire provided a measure of negative affectivity. Children completed laboratory tasks to measure response inhibition and working memory. Suicidal ideation was evaluated by parent report during a semi-structured interview and child responses on the Children’s Depression Inventory. Compared to typically developing controls, children with ADHD had higher rates of suicidal ideation, more negative affect, slower stop signal reaction times, and weaker working memory. Statistical path-model analyses confirmed the hypothesis that weaker working memory in ADHD statistically mediated increased negative affect. Weaker working memory also mediated and increased suicidal ideation in these cross sectional data. Findings were not attributable to comorbid disruptive behavioral disorders. Poor response inhibition did not reliably mediate negative affect or suicidal ideation. Impairment in working memory is an important early risk factor for suicidal ideation in children with ADHD, and may help in identifying children for prevention and early intervention efforts.
A summary of research-based assessment of students' beliefs about the nature of experimental physics

Within the undergraduate physics curriculum, students' primary exposure to experimental physics comes from laboratory courses. Thus, as experimentation is a core component of physics as a discipline, lab courses can be gateways in terms of both recruiting and retaining students within the physics major. Physics lab courses have a wide variety of explicit and/or implicit goals for lab courses, including helping students to develop expert-like beliefs about the nature and importance of experimental physics. To assess students' beliefs, attitudes, and expectations about the nature of experimental physics, there is currently one research-based assessment instrument available—the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey for Experimental Physics (E-CLASS). Since its development, the E-CLASS has been the subject of multiple research studies aimed at understanding and evaluating the effectiveness of various laboratory learning environments. This paper presents a description of the E-CLASS assessment and a...
The Interface between Quality of Life and Marketing: A Theoretical Framework:

Marketing scholars are becoming more concerned with the impact of their discipline on the development of human well-being. The study of quality-of-life (QOL) is a means to that end. The marketing e...
Nonlinear Birth-Death Models

Consider now modeling the single population of sizeX(t)with population rates $$ \lambda _X = \left\{ \begin{gathered} a_1 X - b_1 X^{s + 1} for X < (a_1 /b_1 )^{1/s} \hfill \\ 0 otherwise \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \right. $$ (6.1) $$ \mu _X = a_2 X + b_2 X^{s + 1} $$ (6.2) for integers >1. These are called nonlinear rates in ecological population modeling because the per capita rates, i.e.Ax/X, are obviously functions ofX, as discussed in Section 3.7. The aiare called the intrinsic rates, and are interpreted as the per-capita birth and death rate coefficients for small initial population sizes, before population density pressures are of any practical consequence. Theb i are the crowding coefficients which add density-dependency to the model. Their inclusion may in principle yield long-term, equilibrium solutions for the model.
Sade et le vacillement des Lumières

L’ouvrage de Zeev Sternhell, Les anti-Lumieres, du XVIIIe siecle a la guerre froide, decrit deux courants de la modernite apparus au XVIIIe siecle, les Lumieres et les anti-Lumieres. Quelle est la place de Sade dans le debat opposant ces deux courants ? Alors que le pessimisme historique et le relativisme moral developpes dans son œuvre appartiennent aux anti-Lumieres, Sade rejoint des conclusions universalistes dignes des Lumieres. A l’inverse de Herder et de ses epigones, l’auteur de l’Histoire de Juliette demontre l’existence d’une Humanite : mais l’humanite vue par Sade est definie par le mal et la passion de la cruaute. La pensee sadienne vacille entre les Lumieres et leur double : elle renoue avec l’art du sophiste pour trouver son lieu propre dans le paradoxe.
Adrenocortical Stem and Progenitor Cells: Implications for Cancer

It is estimated that close to 1.5 million men and women will be diagnosed with cancer and over 500,000 will die of cancer in 2010 (http://seer.cancer.gov/). While scientific discovery has begun to uncover mechanisms of both tumor initiation and tumor maintenance, these discoveries have until recently been slow to be translated into effective treatments that significantly change cancer death statistics.
Cost containment for treating hypertension in African Americans: impact of a combined ACE inhibitor-calcium channel blocker.

The use of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has increased dramatically over the last 10 years and now accounts for 60% to 70% of all new antihypertensive prescriptions. Even though these two classes are efficacious, they are costly. Combined ACE inhibitor/CCB therapy (amlodipine-benazepril) was introduced in 1995. An analysis was done to assess the potential financial impact of substituting this agent for patients being treated with an ACE inhibitor/CCB combination. A pharmaceutical profile review of prescriptions during October 1995 was performed on 219 randomly selected patients enrolled in a Medicaid managed care program. Eighty-four profiles were analyzed; 24% of patients were on a combination ACE inhibitor/CCB regimen with an average monthly cost of $135. If the single agent amlodipine-benazepril with an average monthly cost of $45 (all strengths) was substituted, the savings would be considerable : $1080 per patient per year and $1,080,000 annualized for the calculated number of hypertensives on combination therapy in our network of 15,000 patients. Therapeutic substitution is one method of achieving cost containment in managed care. The cost differential between separately prescribed CCBs and ACE inhibitors and amlodipine-benazepril is significant. Compliance also should be enhanced as the patient would need to take only one pill daily. Once a patient has been maintained on a stable dose of a CCB/ACE inhibitor, substitution with amlodipine-benazepril should be considered.
Application of the Bootstrap Statistical Method in Deriving Vibroacoustic Specifications

This paper discusses the Bootstrap Method for specification of vibroacoustic test specifications. Vibroacoustic test specifications are necessary to properly accept or qualify a spacecraft and its components for the expected acoustic, random vibration and shock environments seen on an expendable launch vehicle. Traditionally, NASA and the U.S. Air Force have employed methods of Normal Tolerance Limits to derive these test levels based upon the amount of data available, and the probability and confidence levels desired. The Normal Tolerance Limit method contains inherent assumptions about the distribution of the data. The Bootstrap is a distribution-free statistical subsampling method which uses the measured data themselves to establish estimates of statistical measures of random sources. This is achieved through the computation of large numbers of Bootstrap replicates of a data measure of interest and the use of these replicates to derive test levels consistent with the probability and confidence desired. The comparison of the results of these two methods is illustrated via an example utilizing actual spacecraft vibroacoustic data.
Fish-Mouth Thoracic Fracture Fixation with Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Reduction: A Technical Note.

Background Surgical stabilization of thoracic spine fractures is recommended for unstable patterns, yet much debate exists regarding the best approach for reduction. The aim of this article was to report the outcome of a novel method for stabilization of a fish-mouth thoracic spine fracture. Methods A retrospective patient chart review was conducted. Data collected included blood loss, operative time, length of stay, perioperative complications, neurologic deficits, and secondary procedures. The patient underwent percutaneous reduction of a hyperextension injury to the thoracic spine. Sufficient reduction was achieved through a percutaneous approach, followed by sequential distraction of 1 rod with sequential locking of the contralateral rod to maintain deformity correction. Electrophysiologic monitoring was used during the procedure. Results Sufficient fracture reduction was achieved and evaluated on postoperative computed tomography. Operative time was 145 minutes, and estimated blood loss was 120 mL. There were no cerebrospinal fluid leaks, iatrogenic neurologic deficits, implant failures, other systemic events or revisions during the 8-month follow-up. Conclusions This article describes the feasibility of using a novel model for reduction and stabilization of fish-mouth thoracic spine fracture with minimal soft tissue violation.
Large Alliance Partners And Path-Dependent Capability Portfolios

Extant research generally assumes that inter-firm alliances are favorable gateways to access and acquire capabilities from partners. We revisit this notion and show that external relationships are ...
Ex Vivo Biomechanical Study of Apical Versus Papillary Neochord Anchoring for Mitral Regurgitation.

Background Neochordoplasty is an important repair technique, but optimal anchoring position is unknown. Although typically anchored at papillary muscles, new percutaneous devices anchor the neochordae at or near the ventricular apex, which may have an effect on chordal forces and the long-term durability of the repair. Methods Porcine mitral valves (n = 6) were mounted in a left heart simulator that generates physiologic pressure and flow through the valves, and chordal forces were measured with Fiber Bragg Grating strain gauge sensors. Isolated mitral regurgitation was induced by cutting P2 primary chordae, and the regurgitant valve was repaired with polytetrafluoroethylene neochord with apical anchoring, followed by papillary muscle fixation for comparison. In both situations, the neochord was anchored to a customized force-sensing post positioned to mimic the relevant in vivo placement. Results Echocardiographic and hemodynamic data confirmed that the repairs restored physiologic hemodynamics. Forces on the chordae and neochord were lower for papillary fixation than for the apical fixation (p = 0.003). In addition, the maximum rate of change of force on the chordae and neochordae was higher for apical fixation than for papillary fixation (p = 0.028). Conclusions Apical neochord anchoring results in effective repair of mitral regurgitation, albeit with somewhat higher forces on the chordae and neochord suture, as well as an increased rate of loading on the neochord compared with the papillary muscle fixation. These results may guide strategies to reduce stresses on neochordae as well as aid optimal patient selection.
Parton Distribution Functions and Lattice QCD

Recently, there have been rapid developments in lattice-QCD calculations of proton structure, especially in the parton distribution functions (PDFs). We overcame a longstanding obstacle and for the first time in lattice-QCD are able to directly calculate the Bjorken-x dependence of the quark, helicity and transversity distributions. The PDFs are obtained using the large-momentum eﬀective field theory (LaMET) framework where the full Bjorken-x dependence of finite-momentum PDFs, called “quasi-PDFs”, can be calculated on the lattice. The quasi-PDF nucleon matrix elements are renormalized non-perturbatively in RI/MOM-scheme. Following a nonperturbative renormalization of the parton quasi-distribution in a regularization-independent momentum-subtraction scheme, we establish its matching to the PDF and calculate the non-singlet matching coeﬃcient at next-to-leading order in perturbation theory. In this proceeding, I will show the progress that has been made in recent years, highlighting the latest state-of-the art PDF calculations at the physical pion mass. Future impacts on the large-x global PDF fits are also discussed.
Fusion of Mobile Device Signal Data Attributes Enables Multi-Protocol Entity Resolution and Enhanced Large-Scale Tracking

Use of persistent identifiers in wireless communication protocols is a known privacy concern as they can be used to track the location of mobile devices. Furthermore, inherent structure in the assignment of hardware identifiers as well as upper-layer network protocol data attributes can leak additional device information. We introduce SEXTANT, a computational framework that combines improvements on previously published device identification techniques with novel spatio-temporal correlation algorithms to perform multi-protocol entity resolution, enabling large-scale tracking of mobile devices across protocol domains. Experiments using simulated data representing Las Vegas residents and visitors over a 30-day period, consisting of about 300,000 multi-protocol mobile devices generating over 200 million sensor observations, demonstrate SEXTANT's ability to perform effectively at scale while being robust to data heterogeneity, sparsity, and noise, highlighting the urgent need for the adoption of new standards to protect the privacy of mobile device users.
Elastic and elastic-perfectly plastic analysis of an axisymmetric sinusoidal surface asperity contact

ABSTRACTClosed-form finite-element empirical models are available for elastic and elastic–plastic spherical and sinusoidal contact. However, some of these models do not consider the effect of inter...
The Value in Pursuing the EdD

With the pressure to continue professional development in the P-12 environment, typically via additional educational degrees, many have exhausted the masters degree-level training and are looking at the doctoral level of degrees. However, considerations of the amount of time and effort involved in pursuing doctoral-level degrees, the financial costs of the work, and confusion around which type of degree to pursue, have combined to create barriers in moving forward. This article is meant to assist in making this decision by talking about the differences between PhD and EdD programs and by advocating for a choice of the EdD. The advantages and value of EdD programs are discussed.
Simultaneous skin biome and keratinocyte genomic capture reveals microbiome differences by depth of sampling.

Novel skin tape strip method allows for simultaneous collection of the skin microbiome and underlying host DNA and RNA, and reveals that microbial ecology is dependent on the depth of sampling.
RNP Granule Formation: Lessons from P-Bodies and Stress Granules

It is now clear that cells form a wide collection of large RNA-protein assemblies, referred to as RNP granules. RNP granules exist in bacterial cells and can be found in both the cytosol and nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Recent approaches have begun to define the RNA and protein composition of a number of RNP granules. Herein, we review the composition and assembly of RNP granules, as well as how RNPs are targeted to RNP granules using stress granules and P-bodies as model systems. Taken together, these reveal that RNP granules form through the summative effects of a combination of protein-protein, protein-RNA, and RNA-RNA interactions. Similarly, the partitioning of individual RNPs into stress granules is determined by the combinatorial effects of multiple elements. Thus, RNP granules are assemblies generally dominated by combinatorial effects, thereby providing rich opportunities for biological regulation.
Analysis of real-time particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) concentrations in Washington, DC, using generalized additive models (GAMs)

The objective of this paper is to report the results of a generalized additive model used to predict local particulate matter concentrations at a Washington, DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) federal regulatory monitoring station. While the DOEE uses state-of-the-art federal equivalent method (FEM) equipment to demonstrate compliance with the clean air act for regulatory purposes, these measurements reflect regional, not neighborhood air quality. A GW student-led living lab project—Fresh Air DC—has been testing uRAD INDUSTRIAL low-cost air quality sensors that can be used to collect air quality data at the neighborhood level using LoRaWAN based smart city technology. Because low-cost sensors often lack the accuracy and sensitivity of FEM equipment, research indicates that low-cost sensor (LCS) monitoring networks require post- processing and data modelling in order to apply findings to educational and policy goals. Although LCS data processing has been conducted using linear and nonlinear models, nonlinear models tend to have a greater ability to capture the nuanced relationships between air pollutants and meteorological influences. In this paper, we post-process uRAD PM 2.5 sensor data using DOEE FEM equipment as a reference instrument in the development of three models to adjust uRAD data to the DOEE FEM data—ordinary least squares linear regression, generalized linear models (GLMs), and generalized additive models (GAMs). Our model includes meteorological variables such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed. Our statistical models for post-processing are evaluated on the basis of deviance and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). We expect that the GLM and GAM will be useful for capturing nonlinear relationships between the PM 2.5 measurements and meteorological variables.
Fluctuation electron microscopy study of crystal nucleation in TiO 2 -SiO 2 glass with heat treatment

We have used fluctuation electron microscopy (FEM) to investigate the nucleation stage of TiO2 crystal formation in binary TiO2-SiO2 glasses with heat treatment. It was found that spatial fluctuations of electron scattering in the glass with 13 wt% TiO2 increases with heat treatment above 800 °C but before any crystals precipitate, i.e. before crystals are detectable by electron diffraction. We have attributed this to TiO2 clustering and increasing medium-range order due to gradual ordering of TiO2 phase. Moreover, we have found that FEM is sensitive to structural changes at temperatures as low as 400 °C but the nature of the changes yet to be determined. This demonstrates that FEM can be sensitive to structural changes in oxide glasses occurring during thermal treatment but preceding detection of the first crystals.
Spatial Distribution of Sensory Evoked Potentials in Psychiatric Disorders

The topographic dimension has received little attention in evoked potential (EP) investigations of psychiatric patients. Although EPS have been recorded most often from a single lead derivation, some studies involving recordings from more than one site have yielded findings which suggest that the spatial distribution of EPs may be of psychiatric interest. For example, Rodin et al. (1968) in a study of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) observed that assessments of psychopathology in schizophrenics were more often correlated with right than with left hemisphere VEP characteristics. Perris (1974) found that amplitudes of VEPs from the left occiput were lower than those from the right in psychotic depressives while they were ill. Buchsbaum et al. (1977) reported that, in a rapidly cycling manic-depressive patient, a VEP wave was decreased in amplitude at the vertex and increased at the occiput with mania and conversely with depression. Such observations encourage further exploration of EP topography with respect to possible psychiatric correlates.
Multi-Tone Continuous Wave Lidar in Simultaneous Ranging and Velocimetry

We demonstrate simultaneous ranging and velocimetry measurements by using multi-tone continuous wave Lidar. We show >95% agreement with conventional time-of-flight Lidar technique in ranging and ±0.8cm/s accuracy in velocity measurements.
Sensibility, Reflection, and Play: Early German Romanticism and Its Legacy in Contemporary Continental Philosophy

Miller considers early German Romanticism’s influence on contemporary continental philosophy, in particular that of Walter Benjamin and Jacques Ranciere. The chapter outlines the distinctive ways in which Schiller, Novalis, and F. Schlegel transform the Kantian concept of aesthetic reflection, which Benjamin called the foundation of early Romantic philosophy, into an ontological phenomenon. In so doing, the purely subjective reflective judgment described by Kant as the experience of the spectator becomes the objective activity of the artwork itself. For Benjamin and Ranciere, this transformation has political implications, as the emphasis of aesthetics shifts from symbolizing morality through an indirect reference to the supersensible, to the expression of the materiality of embodied existence and the often exclusionary ways in which humans perceive the world.