cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Genetic Diversity between Sympatric Populations of the Endangered Winged-Mapleleaf (Quadrula fragosa) and the Pimpleback (Amphinaias pustulosa) in the St. Croix River, U.S.A.

Abstract Assessing genetic variation in species of conservation concern is critical for developing sound recovery strategies. In this study, we compared sympatric populations of two related species, the endangered Quadrula fragosa (Conrad, 1836) and its common relative Amphinaias pustulosa (Lea, 1831), using standard genetic parameters such as allelic richness, heterozygosity, and effective population size. Our primary aim was to determine if a small population size and isolation from conspecifics had negatively affected the genetic diversity of this population of Q. fragosa. By comparing the endangered species to a related and sympatric, common species we can assess the rare species for genetic effects associated with reduced population size, and in addition, develop management targets for what a recovered Q. fragosa population looks like genetically. Examination of eight microsatellite loci indicated that Quadrula fragosa exhibited reduced genetic variation when compared to A. pustulosa at all measures,...
Progesterone regulation of catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells.

Abstract Stress stimulates the adrenal medulla to rapidly secrete catecholamines (CAs), and the adrenal cortex to release progesterone (PROG), which may locally regulate stress-induced CA release. We used bovine chromaffin cells to investigate the effects of PROG on CA secretion. PROG dose-dependently inhibited CA secretion induced by nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenlypiperazinium iodide (DMPP) up to 77%. Pre-incubation with PROG up to 1 h increased this inhibition. 3α,5α-Tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP) and dexamethasone were less potent inhibitors. Patch-clamp techniques revealed that PROG co-applied with DMPP inhibited peak DMPP-induced current up to 68% and with 3 min pre-incubation inhibited both peak and integrated current up to ∼95%. Monitoring of FURA-2 showed that PROG similarly inhibited parallel changes in intracellular-free Ca++ concentration. PROG also inhibited CA secretion elicited by elevated K+ (38%), and, in single cells, suppressed Ca++ current evoked by step depolarization, inhibiting amplitude by 15%, and reducing the time constant of current decay during depolarization by 57%. In contrast to the immediate inhibition of nicotinic current, inhibition of Ca++ current became statistically significant only after 1 min exposure to PROG. PROG did not inhibit secretion stimulated by high Ca++ perfusion of permeabilized cells. These data suggest that PROG inhibits CA secretion from chromaffin cells predominantly by rapidly inhibiting nAChRs, and by gradually enhancing the inactivation of voltage-dependent Ca++ channels (VDCCs), but not by affecting secretory processes downstream of Ca++ influx. This study supports a role for adrenocortical PROG in the regulation of CA secretion during stress.
Identification, evaluation, and management of obesity in an academic primary care center.

Timely identification of obesity by pediatric health care providers remains the crucial initial step in the management of obesity. Direct assessment of pediatric cliniciansﾒ performance in identifying and managing obesity in clinical practice has not been conducted to date. The objective of this study was to determine rates of identification of obesity by pediatric residents, nurse practitioners, and faculty members in an academic primary care setting and to describe the actions taken by these providers in their evaluation and management of obesity. A retrospective medical record review of all health supervision visits for children 3 months to 16 years of age, examined between December 1, 2001, and February 28, 2002, was performed. The study was set in a large, primary care practice located in a tertiary-care, academic, pediatric hospital, which serves a predominantly urban, minority (70% African American), Medical Assistance-insured (90%) population. Participants were primary care providers, including pediatric residents, nurse practitioners, and faculty physicians. Of the 2515 visits reviewed, a total of 244 patients met the study definition of obesity, yielding an estimated prevalence of obesity visits of 9.7% among health supervision visits for children 3 months to 16 years of age. This prevalence of obesity visits cannot be used to estimate the population prevalence of obesity, given the skewed distribution of visits toward very young children. For all children who met the study definition of obesity, providers documented obesity in their assessments in only 53% of the reviewed visits. Although the majority of charts (69%) contained an adequate dietary history, only 15% included a description of the childﾒs activity level or television viewing.
Polyisobutylene-based Thermoplastic Biorubbers

Abstract Linear triblock poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS), the first representative of polyisobutylene (PIB)-based biomaterials, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the Taxus® Drug Eluting stent. SIBS and the new generation of dendritic or arborescent D_SIBS are self-assembling thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), or “biorubbers.” D_SIBS has lower creep and improved fatigue life. We recently produced composites of novel D_PIB-based TPEs with carbon and silica. These composites had 2–10 times higher tensile strength than that of the neat polymer. The composite with 37.5 wt. % carbon black was nonconductive, demonstrating excellent filler dispersion. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analysis supported the formation of a nanocomposite with nanosized surface topology. The water contact angle of the biorubbers was significantly lower than that of silicone rubber. The carbon nanocomposite showed excellent biocompatibility in vivo, having thinner capsule...
Mood Disorders and Patterns of Creativity in British Writers and Artists

Extremes in mood, thought and behavior--including psychosis--have been linked with artistic creativity for as long as man has observed and written about those who write, paint, sculpt or compose. The history of this long and fascinating association, as well as speculations about its reasons for being, have been discussed by several modern authors and investigators, including Koestler (1975), Storr (1976), Andreasen (1978), Becker (1978), Rothenberg (1979), Richards (1981), Jamison (in press) and Prentky (in press). The association between extreme states of emotion and mind and creativity not only is fascinating but also has significant theoretical, clinical, literary and societal-ethical implications. These issues, more thoroughly reviewed elsewhere (Jamison et al. 1980; Richards 1981; Jamison, in press), include the understanding of cognitive, perceptual, mood and behavioral changes common to manic, depressive and creative states; the potential ability to lessen the stigma of mental illness; effects of psychiatric treatment (for example, lithium) on creativity; and concerns raised about genetic research on mood disorders. The current study was designed to ascertain rates of treatment for affective illness in a sample of eminent British writers and artists; to study differences in subgroups (poets, novelists, playwrights, biographers, artists); to examine seasonal patterns of moods and productivity; and to inquire into the perceived role of very intense moods in the writers' and artists' work. One of the major purposes of this investigation was to look at possible similarities and dissimilarities between periods of intense creative activity and hypomania. Hypothesized similarities were based on the overlapping nature of mood, cognitive and behavioral changes associated with both; the episodic nature of both; and possible links between the durational, frequency and seasonal patterns of both experiences.
Early-Modern Irreligion and Theological Analogy: A Response to Gavin Hyman’s A Short History of Atheism

Historically, many Christians have understood God’s transcendence to imply God’s properties categorically differ from any created properties. For multiple historical figures, a problem arose for religious language: how can one talk of God at all if none of our predicates apply to God? What are we to make of creeds and Biblical passages that seem to predicate creaturely properties, such as goodness and wisdom, of God? Thomas Aquinas offered a solution: God is to be spoken of only through analogy (the doctrine of analogy). Gavin Hyman argues Aquinas’s doctrine of analogy was neglected prior to the early-modern period and the neglect of analogy produced the conception of a god vulnerable to atheistic arguments. Contra Hyman, in this paper, I show early-modern atheism arose in a theological context in which there was an active debate concerning analogy. Peter Browne (1665–1735) and William King (1650–1729) offered two competing conceptions of analogical predication that were debated through the 19th century, with interlocutors such as the freethinker Anthony Collins (1676–1729), theologian/philosopher George Berkeley (1685–1753), and skeptic David Hume (1711–1776). Lastly, I discuss the 18th century debate over theological analogy as part of the background relevant to understanding Hume’s Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion .
0.8 GeV p + Pb 208 elastic scattering and the quantity Δ r np

Analyses of 0.8 and 1 GeV $p$+$^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ elastic angular distribution data have obtained neutron-proton root-mean-square radius differences ($\ensuremath{\Delta}{r}_{\mathrm{np}}$) which are not consistent. Therefore, the 0.8 GeV experiment was repeated using a high resolution spectrometer. The new higher precision data are consistent with the older data, apart from a 15% overall normalization difference. A second order Kerman-McManus-Thaler optical model analysis of the new data, using a model-independent neutron density, yields $\ensuremath{\Delta}{r}_{\mathrm{np}}=0.14\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04$ fm, in good agreement with the most recent result obtained (0.16\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 fm) from a similar analysis of the older 0.8 GeV data. In addition, the elastic angular distribution was extended to 42.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} center of mass in order to explore the momentum transfer region from 3.5 to 5.3 ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Although the familiar diffraction pattern persists to 42.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, it was not possible within the framework of our application of the Kerman-McManus-Thaler optical model to fit the data even qualitatively at the larger momentum transfers.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$($p$,$p$), $E=0.8$ GeV, measured $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\theta})$; enriched target; resolution \ensuremath{\simeq} 100 keV, ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}=2.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} \mathrm{to} 42.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$. Microscopic optical model analysis using KMT potential; deduced $\ensuremath{\Delta}{\mathcal{r}}_{\mathrm{np}}$; error analysis and comparison with other results.
Determining air-water exchange, spatial and temporal trends of freely dissolved PAHs in an urban estuary using passive polyethylene samplers.

Passive polyethylene (PE) samplers were deployedat six locations within Narragansett Bay (RI, USA) to determine sources and trends of freely dissolved and gas-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from May to November 2006. Freely dissolved aqueous concentrations of PAHs were dominated by fluoranthene, pyrene, and phenanthrene, at concentrations ranging from tens to thousands of pg/L. These were also the dominant PAHs in the gas phase, at hundreds to thousands of pg/m3. All stations mostly followed the same temporal trends, with highest concentrations (up to 7300 pg/L for sum PAHs) during the second of 11 deployments, coinciding with a major rainstorm. Strong correlations of sum PAHs with river flows and wastewater treatment plant discharges highlighted the importance of rainfall in mobilizing PAHs from a combination of runoff and atmospheric washout. PAH concentrations declined through consecutive deployments III to V, which could be explained by an exponential decay due to flushing with cleaner ...
The Tuberculin Reaction. I. Passive Transfer of Tuberculin Sensitivity with Cells of Tuberculous Guinea Pigs.

SummaryHomologous passive transfer of tuberculin sensitivity was accomplished with the peritoneal and splenic cells of guinea pigs infected with the B.C.G. strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.The possible mechanism and factors involved in passive transfer of tuberculin sensitivity are discussed.
Dual-Comb Spectrometer for Direct Phase Spectroscopy of Greenhouse Gases across an Open Air Path

Direct phase spectroscopy of green-house gases over a turbulent open air path is reported. The intrinsic fast up-date rate of a dual-comb spectrometer makes it possible to obtain molecular phase spectra at 0.6 mrad level.
Estimation and Testing of a Dynamic Sales Response Model with Data Aggregated over Time: Some Results for the Autoregressive Current Effects Model:

Using data aggregated over time, the author investigates the issues surrounding the estimation and testing of a sales response function where the dynamic response elements are confined to the rando...
Influences on plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 polymorphism-associated recurrent cardiovascular disease risk in patients with high HDL cholesterol and inflammation

Abstract Background and aims Evidence continues to accumulate that athero-protective effects of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) depend to some degree on effective HDL functionality and that such functionality can become degraded in the setting of chronic inflammation. To investigate this issue, we have studied a group of post-myocardial infarction patients with high levels of C-reactive protein as an indicator of chronic inflammation and with concurrently high levels of HDL cholesterol. For these patients we have demonstrated high-risk for recurrent cardiac events as well as a strong association of risk with a polymorphism of the gene ( SERPINB2 ) for plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) presumptively reflective of an important role for fibrinolysis in risk. However, additional processes might be involved. The current work sought to characterize processes underlying how PAI-2 might be involved in the generation of risk. Methods Multivariate population data were leveraged using Bayesian network modeling, a graphical probabilistic approach for knowledge discovery, to generate networks reflective of influences on PAI-2 polymorphism-associated risk. Results Modeling results revealed three individual networks centering on the PAI-2 polymorphism with specific features providing information relating to how the polymorphism might associate with risk. These included racial dependency, platelet clot initiation and propagation, oxidative stress, inflammation effects on HDL metabolism and coagulation, and induction and termination of fibrinolysis. Conclusions Beyond direct association of a PAI-2 polymorphism with recurrent risk in post-myocardial infarction patients, results suggest that PAI-2 likely plays a key role leading to risk through multiple pathophysiologic processes. Such knowledge could potentially be valuable with individualization of patient care.
Particle Path Through a Nested Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

Possible paths of a photon passing through a nested Mach-Zehnder interferometer on its way to a detector are analyzed using the consistent histories formulation of quantum mechanics, and confirmed using a set of weak measurements (but not weak values). The results disagree with an analysis by Vaidman [Phys. Rev. A 87, 052104 (2013)], and agree with a conclusion reached by Li et al. [Phys. Rev. A 88, 046102 (2013)]. However, the analysis casts serious doubt on the claim of Salih et al. (whose authorship includes Li et al.) [Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 170502 (2013)] to have constructed a protocol for counterfactual communication: a channel which can transmit information even though it contains a negligible number of photons.
Relation between Microstructure and Room Temperature Mechanical Properties of 102 Steel

The relation between microstructure and mechanical properties of 102 steel was studied by room temperature tensile strength and hardness test of some 102 steel samples with normal or aging microstructure.The results showed that room temperature tensile strength and hardness of the samples with normal microstructure could reach the standard maximum.Mechanical properties would become lower with the aging of microstructure.When aging achieved the four level,mechanical properties had closed to the standard minimum.
Precursors of Malignant Melanoma: Problems in Computing the Risk of Malignant Melanoma Arising in Dysplastic and Congenital Nevocytic Nevi

It has recently been shown that both dysplastic and congenital nevi are precursors to malignant melanoma. These findings are based upon mathematical models that show an increased risk of the nevi evolving into melanoma over random choice. However, problems exist with these models that may invalidate their results. The recommendation to remove dysplastic and congenital nevi prophylactically based upon models such as these is premature.
Data-oriented abstraction of virtual sensors for embedded software systems

We analyze the computing and communications as incorporated in networked objects (IoT): such as sensors, with focus on the performance and QoS aspects (e.g., latency of sensor data delivery to end-user). We advocate the offloading of complex computational tasks from the field-deployed low-capability sensor devices to cloud-based remote machines when feasible. In addition to the improved latency performance, the offloading of complex sensor tasks lowers the energy consumption of sensor devices. A key element of our IoT system architecture is the use of layered sensing techniques to determine the offloading of sensor tasks and the network transfer of sensor data. The computational cycles expended and network data transfer overhead vis-a-vis the energy consumption incurred therein, are factored in the partitioning of sensor tasks. Given the large-dimensionality of sensor input data, our architecture incorporates the accuracy and timeliness of sensor outputs as the controllable application-level quality parameters. The paper describes a case study of air-borne video surveillance to corroborate our approach.
10 key considerations on your path to enterprise mobility

However, despite this extreme volatility in the technology domain, the battle to connect the unconnected in Africa and other developing countries continues. There is no doubt that the mobile revolution is upon us and that we as leaders will need to respond or at least plan a response in the immediate term. Mobile technologies and the maturing device market present real opportunities to improve business processes, innovate on new products or just simply improve our businesses efficiencies.
Multi-robot Mapping of Lava Tubes

Terrestrial planetary bodies such as Mars and the Moon are known to harbor volcanic terrain with enclosed lava tube conduits and caves. The shielding from cosmic radiation that they provide makes them a potentially hospitable habitat for life. This motivates the need to explore such lava tubes and assess their potential as locations for future human outposts. Such exploration will likely be conducted by autonomous mobile robots before humans, and this paper proposes a novel mechanism for constructing maps of lava tubes using a multi-robot platform. A key issue in mapping lava tubes is the presence of fine sand that can be found at the bottom of most tubes, as observed on earth. This fine sand makes robot odometry measurements highly prone to errors. To address this issue, this work leverages the ability of a multi-robot system to measure the relative motion of robots using laser range finders. Mounted on each robot is a 2D laser range finder attached to a servo to enable 3D scanning. The lead robot has an easily recognized target panel that allows the follower robot to measure both the relative distance and orientation between robots. First, these measurements are used to enable 2D (SLAM) of a lava tube. Second, the 3D range measurements are fused with the 2D maps via ICP algorithms to construct full 3D representations. This method of 3D mapping does not require odometry measurements or fine-scale environment features. It was validated in a building hallway system, demonstrating successful loop closure and mapping errors on the order of 0.63 m over a 79.64 m long loop. Error growth models were determined experimentally that indicate the robot localization errors grow at a rate of 20 mm per meter travelled, although this is also dependent on the relative orientation of robots localizing each other. Finally, the system was deployed in a lava tube located at Pisgah Crater in the Mojave Desert, CA. Data was collected to generate a full 3D map of the lava tube. Comparison with known measurements taken between two ends of the lava tube indicates the mapping errors were on the order of 1.03 m after the robot travelled 32 m.
Stimulacrum: virtual perception and real desires

From metaphor to changes of scale, from anamorphosis to assemblage, the ‘stimulacrum’ – that space that stimulates through simulation – expands human perception. We explore three entities: the Staffordshire Hoard, which lay hidden for hundreds of years to be reconstituted as a collection; Holbein’s Ambassadors, filled with objects that project human perception into the stars and across the ocean to the so-called New World; and proteins, whose folding occurs faster and in greater multiplicity than any recording device of human manufacture could capture. All three twist and fold and writhe in the stimulacrum.
The Transseptal Arthroscopic Knee Portal Is in Close Proximity to the Popliteal Artery: A Cadaveric Study.

The purpose of this study was to use fluoroscopy to measure the distance between the transseptal portal and the popliteal artery under arthroscopic conditions with an intact posterior knee capsule, and to determine the difference between 90 degrees of knee flexion and full extension. The popliteal artery of eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees was dissected and cannulated proximal to the knee joint. The posterolateral, posteromedial, and transseptal portals were then established at 90 degrees of flexion. A 4-mm switching stick was placed through the transseptal portal, and barium contrast was injected into the popliteal artery. A lateral fluoroscopic image was taken with the knee in 90 degrees of flexion and full extension, and the distance between the popliteal artery and the switching stick was measured and compared using a paired t-test. In knee flexion, the average distance between the transseptal portal and the anterior aspect of the popliteal artery for the eight cadaveric specimens was 12.0 mm ± 3.3 mm; in extension, this decreased to 9.0 mm ± 2.7 mm. The distance between the transseptal portal and popliteal artery was significantly higher at 90 degrees of knee flexion as compared with extension (p = 0.0005). The transseptal posterior knee arthroscopic portal must be carefully created due to the close proximity to the popliteal artery, and may be closer to the artery than previously reported in specimens with an intact posterior knee capsule. Creating the portal with the knee in flexion significantly displaces the popliteal artery away from the portal reducing the risk of arterial injury.
An Adaptive Model of Ventricular Function Applied to the Study of Assist Device Pumping

Abstract This paper is concerned with a digital computer simulation of the effects of series ventricular assist pumping (intra-aortic balloon pumping) on left ventricular mechanics and arterial hemodynamics. The human ventricle is, in general, characterized by a ventricular elastance function (E) that is a function of end-diastolic volume (V) and time, and the arterial load presented the ventricle is represented by a modified Windkessel model. A model for the intra-aortic balloon pump is also incorporated in arterial load model. The paper demonstrates (1) the characterization of the ventricular mechanics of the normal and failing (coronary artery disease, hypertrophied) heart in terms of elastance functions and (2) the utility of such an overall model in assessing the effects of ventricular assist device pumping on ventricular mechanics and arterial hemodynamics
Shifting the Culture Around Public Health Advocacy: Training Future Public Health Professionals to Be Effective Agents of Change

There is a critical need to build the capacity of our current and future public health workforce and the communities we serve to engage in public health advocacy. Advocacy should be an integral piece of our intervention strategies and public health discourse. Incorporating public health advocacy into public health training, practice, and research serves as a long-term investment for the public's health. Advocacy can achieve systemic change by addressing the social determinants of health. We developed an advocacy training program that embeds students in community-based organizations (CBOs) for 9 months, providing students with experiential education through the application of advocacy skills and CBOs with opportunities to expand and broaden their advocacy efforts. We have three priority populations: graduate students, CBOs serving Los Angeles County, and the broader Los Angeles County community, focusing on vulnerable populations. Our multifaceted approach addresses the necessity of public health advocacy among the health professions. Through changing how we train students and how communities and universities collaborate, we can strengthen the public health workforce and build healthier communities.
Comparative estrogenicity of endogenous, environmental and dietary estrogens in pregnant women I: Serum levels, variability and the basis for urinary biomonitoring of serum estrogenicity

Abstract Biomonitoring of human exposure to estrogens most frequently focuses on environmental and dietary estrogens, and infrequently includes measures of exposure to potent endogenous estrogens present in serum. Pregnancy is a developmentally sensitive period during which “added” serum estrogenicity exceeding normal intra-individual daily variability may be of particular relevance. We made repeated measurements of serum concentrations of estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), estetrol (E4), daidzein (DDZ), genistein (GEN) and bisphenol A (BPA) in thirty pregnant women using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection (UPLC-MS/MS) and electrospray ionization (ESI). Serum E1, E2, and E3 concentrations varied significantly (coefficients of variation 9–10%) with broad ranges across the cohort: 1.61–85.1 nM, 9.09–69.7 nM, and 1.5–36.3 nM respectively. BPA (undetected, estimated from total exposure), DDZ and GEN concentrations were 1-5 orders of magnitude lower. The 24-h urinary elimination profiles of endogenous estrogens were each strongly correlated with their corresponding serum concentrations (Pearson's Correlation Coefficients of 0.83 (E1), 0.84 (E2) and 0.94 (E3)). A multivariate regression analysis produced equations for estimating serum concentrations of E1, E2, E3, E4, GEN and DDZ from urinary elimination rates and gestation period, an important step towards non-invasive biomonitoring for assessment of “added” estrogenicity during pregnancy.
Cityresolver: a decision support system for conflict resolution in smart cities

Resolution of conflicts across services in smart cities is an important yet challenging problem. We present CityResolver - a decision support system for conflict resolution in smart cities. CityResolver uses an Integer Linear Programming based method to generate a small set of resolution options, and a Signal Temporal Logic based verification approach to compute these resolution options' impact on city performance. The trade-offs between resolution options are shown in a dashboard to support decision makers in selecting the best resolution. We demonstrate the effectiveness of CityResolver by comparing the performance with two baselines: a smart city without conflict resolution, and CityGuard which uses a priority rule-based conflict resolution. Experimental results show that CityResolver can reduce the number of requirement violations and improve the city performance significantly.
Trauma Facts and Formulas

Trauma results in a number of emergency department presentations and intensive care unit admissions around the world and a number of formulas, scores, and indices are available for the assessment and management of these patients.
Fundamental Apparatus and Operations

As pointed out previously, final identification of a substance is achieved by measurement of the physical constants either of the original material or of a derivative or degradation product. It is obvious that the certainty of the identification depends upon the reliability of the value of this constant. This in turn depends upon purity of the test substance. Aside from the application of analytical reasoning to the selection and interpretation of the reactions performed, the skill and care applied to the experimental work are the most important factors in obtaining the correct end product with satisfactory purity and thus successful analysis.
Complete Genome Sequences of Monongahela Hantavirus from Pennsylvania, USA

ABSTRACT Monongahela hantavirus was first identified in deer mice and was later found responsible for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases in Pennsylvania and West Virginia in the United States. Here, we report the complete sequences of Monongahela virus S, M, and L genomic segments obtained from a fatal clinical case reported in 1997.
Perspectives in Primary Care: Disseminating Scientific Findings in an Era of Fake News and Science Denial

Science and research findings have become a battleground on which to influence the opinions and beliefs of the general public. We are in an era where authority figures will manipulate and discount information being released to the public that doesn’t fit their worldview or support their plan of
Rejecting Semantic Truth: On the Significance of Neurath’s Syntacticism

This chapter argues for the centrality of Neurath’s syntacticism to his physicalism, encyclopedism, and the unity of science program. I defend the intelligibility of Neurath’s opposition to semantics and underline the role syntacticism plays in his anti-metaphysical empiricism. I argue that Neurath was correct to fear that the semantic turn would spell the end of logical empiricism. Many of the most influential metaphysical arguments of the twentieth century turn on premises that would be undermined by a Neurathian rejection of semantics.
Graded Al x Ga 1-x As photoconductive devices for high-efficiency picosecond optoelectronic switching

Picoseccond photoconductivity has been achieved for a variety of semiconductor materials by techniques which have now become almost standard1. Enhanced scattering by the excessive amount of deep level defects which provide for picosecond recombination lifetimes significantly reduces the mobility, degrading the responsivity of the photoconductor. This paper will present a concept where improved responsivity is achievable by utilizing a graded bandgap AlxGaixAs active detecting layer grown on a high defect density GaAs layer by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).
White oak (Quercus alba) response to thinning and prescribed fire in northcentral Alabama mixed pine hardwood forests

Strong white oak sawtimber markets, partially attributed to the stave and cooperage industries, are encouraging forest managers to re-examine silvicultural practices for white oak (Quercus alba). We examined recruitment and retention of white oak in mixed oak–pine stands on the William B. Bankhead National Forest in northcentral Alabama. Stands were subjected to three thinning levels (residual basal areas of 75 ft2 /ac, 50 ft2 /ac, and no thinning) and three fire frequencies (dormant season burns of none, one, three fires) in a factorial design. Both thinning treatments reduced overstory white oak tree densities, and fire had no effect on densities. For all reproduction height classes, regardless of thinning treatment, three prescribed burns increased white oak densities; thinned and burned stands had larger white oak seedling sprouts than those thinned with no burn. However, white oak reproduction height was primarily less than 2 ft tall, and seedlings larger than 4 ft tall were reduced. Thinning with one fire resulted in the highest densities of large white oak reproduction (4 ft tall up to 1.5 in. dbh). Red maple reproduction was the dominant competitor in all treatments and is positioned to dominate the reproduction cohort without additional tending treatments. Sound Research audio clip of this publication is available.
De-Intensification of Diabetes Treatment in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACT Objective: De-intensification of diabetes treatment is recommended in elderly patients with tight glycemic control at high risk of hypoglycemia. However, rates of de-intensification in endocrine practice are unknown. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the rate of de-intensification of antidiabetic treatment in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and tight glycemic control. Methods: All patients with ≥2 clinic visits over a 1-year period at a major academic diabetes center were included. De-intensification of diabetes treatment was defined as a decrease or discontinuation of any antidiabetic drug without adding another drug, or a reduction in the total daily dose of insulin or a sulfonylurea drug with or without adding a drug without risk of hypoglycemia. Results: Out of 3,186 unique patients, 492 were ≥65 years old with T2DM and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Conclusion: Our study suggests that de-intensification of antidiabetic medications is uncommon in elderly patients with T2DM. Strategies may need to be developed to prevent the potential harm of overtreatment in this population. Abbreviations: ADA = American Diabetes Association; CGM = continuous glucose monitoring; HbA1c = hemoglobin A1c; T2DM = type 2 diabetes mellitus; UKPDS = United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study
Children’s Transitions and Relational Turbulence in Marriage: Can Transition Processing Communication Help?

ABSTRACTThis study engages the frameworks of relational turbulence theory and the experiencing life transitions model to shed light on the associations between parents’ relationship-focused communi...
Legal Aspects of Compartment Syndrome

This chapter explores the medical legal aspects of compartment syndrome. As one of the major orthopedic emergencies, acute compartment syndrome carries significant risks when the diagnosis is delayed or missed. The consequences for both the patient and the treating orthopedic team are severe and should be examined closely. Orthopedic surgery is one of the most commonly sued medical specialties, and the indemnity payments in acute compartment syndrome cases are some of the highest medical malpractice claims. We will discuss the relationship between orthopedic surgery and malpractice, acute compartment syndrome, and litigation, factors that contribute to indemnity payments, as well as the way to avoid missing compartment syndrome and malpractice claims.
Precise regulation of the relative rates of surface area and volume synthesis in dynamic environments

Abstract Bacterial cells constantly face complex environmental changes in their natural habitats. While steady-state cell size correlates with nutrient-determined growth rate, it remains unclear how cells regulate their morphology during rapid environmental changes. Here, we systematically quantified cellular dimensions throughout passage cycles of stationary-phase cells diluted into fresh medium and grown back to saturation, and found that cells exhibit characteristic dynamics in surface area to volume ratio (SA/V). SA/V dynamics were conserved across many genetic/chemical perturbations, as well as across species and growth temperatures. We developed a model with a single fitting parameter, the time delay between surface and volume synthesis, that quantitatively explained our SA/V observations, and showed that the time delay was indeed due to differential expression of volume and surface-related genes. The first division after dilution occurred at a tightly controlled SA/V, a previously unrecognized size-control mechanism highlighting the relevance of SA/V. Finally, our time-delay model successfully predicted the quantitative changes in SA/V dynamics due to altered surface area synthesis rates or time delays from translation inhibition. Our minimal model thus provides insight into how cells regulate their morphologies through differential regulation of surface area and volume synthesis and potentiates deep understanding of the connections between growth rate and cell shape in complex environments.
May the Fourth Be with You: Charting the Future of Corporate Liability Under the Alien Tort Statute After Jesner v. Arab Bank

The Alien Tort Statute ( the “ATS”) has been the subject of much curiosity ever since it became a conduit for human rights lawsuits nearly 40 years ago. Many of these lawsuits have been directed at corporate defendants, with businesses around the world accused of conscience-shocking behavior. However, the Supreme Court has in recent years restricted the scope of corporate ATS liability. In 2013, the Court held in Kiobel that the presumption against extraterritoriality applies to the ATS, and in 2018, it held in Jesner that foreign corporations cannot be sued under the ATS. In the wake of these developments, observers have questioned whether the statute’s vitality is reaching its end. This Note charts the path forward for the ATS. After tracing the development of the statute from its murky Founding origins to its modern incarnation as a powerful litigation tool, the Note examines how several circuits have analyzed the issues of corporate liability and the presumption against extraterritoriality under the ATS. The Note ultimately argues that the Fourth Circuit’s approach provides the best regime for the ATS in light of Jesner and the other considerations that have long informed ATS cases.
COMPLEX MECHANISM OF STATE REGULATION OF DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF TERRITORIES IN UKRAINE

The article reveals aspects of the formation of a complex mechanism of state regulation of territories economic potential development in Ukraine by improving the tools of its legal, organizational, informational, social and economic components. It is emphasized that the use of a separate functional mechanism significantly narrows the planned desired future outcome of transformations. It is proved that the combination into a single complex mechanism will ensure the highest efficiency of the public administration system, capable of self-reproduction in the long run. Practical recommendations for improving functional mechanisms as built-in elements of a complex mechanism of state regulation of territories economic potential development in Ukraine are given, which will improve the quality of executive bodies and local governments, will form the basis of modern business partnerships, strengthen economic opportunities at the local level in economic, social and environmental dimensions. It should reflect the strategic orientations of state building, be preventive in relation to future changes, take into account the turbulence of the external environment and give every citizen an awareness of stability and responsibility for the future of their own community.
Root Redundancy in Meshed Tree Bridged Networks

Switched networks require loop-avoidance protocols to avoid looping of broadcast and multicast Loop-avoidance protocols use a tree algorithm to construct a logical tree from one root such as rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP). RSTP results in high convergence latency and heavily impaired network performance on root switch failures. Some protocols construct a logical tree from every switch resulting in high operational overhead. We propose the Meshed Tree Protocol (MTP) to designate the number of roots based on desired network uptime and computational overhead, where a meshed tree conceptually maintains multiple tree branches from a root. MTP based on multi meshed tree algorithm (MMTA), constructs and maintains multiple meshed trees from multiple designated roots. We compare a prototype of MTP based on MMTA against RSTP using switched networks in the Global Environment for Network Innovation (GENI) testbed. MTP's root failure recovery response is several magnitudes superior to RSTP.
Expert Testimony of Professor Lorie M. Graham Before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Caso Pueblos Indígenas Maya Kaqchikel de Sumpango y Otros Vs. Guatemala, Case No. CDH-3-2020

In accordance with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights resolution of April 28, 2021 in the Caso Pueblos Indigenas Maya Kaqchikel de Sumpango y Otros Vs. Guatemala, I hereby submit to the Court the expert testimony requested of me. Per the Court’s instructions, my testimony will focus on Indigenous Peoples’ right to media under international law, and in particular the right to media as articulated in various international agreements, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Abstract BS2-1: Collective invasion in breast cancer is led by specialized cancer cells with basal gene expression

Metastasis is the major driver of mortality and morbidity from breast cancer. Unfortunately, there are very few therapies that are effective in the metastatic setting. The overall hypothesis guiding our work is that a deeper biological understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving metastatic progression would facilitate the development of novel therapeutic concepts. A major barrier to achieving this goal is that the essential cellular steps occur deep within the body over a period of months to years. To overcome this barrier, we developed a novel organoid invasion assay that enables us to prospectively identify the most invasive cells within primary breast tumors. We initially explanted organoids from advanced tumors derived from the MMTV-PyMT transgenic mouse model of luminal B breast cancer. Surprisingly, we discovered that the cells that lead invasion into the extracellular matrix express basal epithelial genes, such as keratin-14, p63, and P-cadherin, both in 3D culture and in vivo. We next demonstrated that the cells leading invasion in mouse models of Her2 overexpressing (MMTV-Neu) and basal breast cancer (C3(1)-Tag) also expressed basal epithelial markers. We then adapted our organoid invasion assay to study primary human breast tumors in real-time and found that keratin-14+ cells lead collective invasion across diverse molecular subtypes of breast cancer, both in 3D culture and in vivo. With these correlations firmly established, we returned to the MMTV-PyMT mouse model to dissect the mechanisms underlying collective invasion. Using a keratin-14 reporter line we revealed that the basal invasion program can be induced in luminal phenotype cancer cells and that these newly keratin-14+ cells can lead collective invasion. We then identified shRNA constructs to knockdown keratin-14 and demonstrated that it is required for collective invasion in 3D culture and in vivo. Our current work focuses on using next generation sequencing to identify targetable genes required for the invasive process and using in vivo lineage analysis to study the relationship between collective invasion and distant metastasis. Citation Format: Andrew J Ewald. Collective invasion in breast cancer is led by specialized cancer cells with basal gene expression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr BS2-1.
Self-Defense, Permissions, and the Means Principle: A Reply to Quong

In “Killing in Self-Defense” (119 Ethics 507 (2009)), Jonathan Quong claims that one may kill innocent aggressors and threats in self-defense, but he denies that it follows from his position that innocent bystanders may also be killed when one acts defensively. Quong argues that defenders have an agent-relative permission to favor their own lives over others’. However, there are moral constraints, including that one may not “use someone as a mere means,” and Quong claims that it is this constraint that prohibits the killing of innocent bystanders. To reach this conclusion, Quong construes the “means principle” quite broadly to include not only the using of a person but also the using of that person's space. Quong therefore maintains that it is impermissible to shove a bystander out of an alcove so that you can squeeze into it, causing a runaway trolley to hit him instead of you, because you are using the bystander as a mere means when you use his space in the alcove. This response raises a number of concerns with Quong’s argument. First, Quong overstates the relationship between an individual’s agency and the space he occupies. Second, and relatedly, Quong misconstrues the means principle – using an individual’s space is not using him. Third, there is an inherent tension between an agent-relative permission that looks to what morality can fairly ask of someone and the means principle’s constraint on behavior. That is, a person of reasonable firmness may yield to using others or their property now and then. Finally, this essay questions whether Quong’s claim can be cabined in a way that complies with our deep-seated moral commitments in other cases.
Grandparenting Responsibility Among Elderly Asian Americans

ABSTRACT This study examines whether Asian American grandparents who reside with grandchildren take on responsibility for most of the basic needs of their grandchildren. We use data from the 2000 U.S. Census, which asked about grandparent responsibility for the first time. Younger grandparents, grandparents without disabilities, and grandmothers are more likely to be responsible for their grandchildren. Those who immigrated at age 65 or older are less likely than native grandparents to be responsible for their grandchildren, and Asian Indians are less likely than Japanese grandparents to take on this responsibility. Householders are much more likely than non-householders to be responsible for their grandchildren, but there are not many distinctions to be made among householders since there is a generally high degree of involvement among these grandparents. Future studies should look more closely at grandparents who are not householders.
CELLSIM: a cellular neural network simulator for the personal computer

A cellular network simulator for a personal computer is described. The simulator takes information for a given network and gives the user an environment in which to experiment with the dynamics of the chosen network. The software was written in C for the IBM-compatible personal computer for easy accessability to users for neural network research and education. The software makes use of graphics modes to display line plots and cell output trajectories for a set of chosen cells and displays color tiles representing cell outputs for an entire network. >
Introduction to Optics and Lasers in Engineering

1. Radiometry 2. Geometrical optics 3. Maxwell's equations 4. Properties of electromagnetic waves 5. Propagation and applications of polarized light 6. Interference effects and their applications 7. Diffraction effects and their applications 8. Introduction to the principles of quantum mechanics 9. Atomic and molecular energy levels 10. Radiative transfer between quantum states 11. Spectroscopical techniques for thermodynamical measurements 12. Optical gain and lasers 13. Propagation of laser beams.