cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polyhedral finite elements for nonlinear solid mechanics using tetrahedral subdivisions and dual-cell aggregation

Abstract General polyhedral discretizations offer several advantages over classical approaches consisting of standard tetrahedra and hexahedra. These include increased flexibility and robustness in the meshing of geometrically complex domains and higher-quality solutions for both finite element and finite volume schemes. Currently, the use of general polyhedra is hampered by the lack of general-purpose polyhedral meshing algorithms and software. One approach for generating polyhedral meshes is the use of tetrahedral subdivisions and dual-cell aggregation. In this approach, each tetrahedron of an existing tetrahedral mesh is subdivided using one of several subdivision schemes. Polyhedral-dual cells may then be formed and formulated as finite elements with shape functions obtained through the use of generalized barycentric coordinates. We explore the use of dual-cell discretizations for applications in nonlinear solid mechanics using a displacement-based finite element formulation. Verification examples are presented that yield optimal rates of convergence. Accuracy of the methodology is demonstrated via several nonlinear examples that include large deformation and plasticity.
SUCCESSFUL TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT AFTER IATROGENIC AORTIC CUSP DISSECTION POST TREATMENT OF COMPLEX, UNPROTECTED LEFT MAIN BIFURCATION CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Iatrogenic aortic dissection during PCI is a rare complication that may be fatal. Without prompt recognition and treatment, mortality remains high. 84 year old female presented for elective cardiac cath after positive stress test. Echo revealed severe aortic stenosis with an area of 0.84cm2.
Surgical Outcomes in Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction.

Background Prepectoral breast reconstruction has reemerged as a popular option for prosthetic-based breast reconstruction. Recent published literature highlights good outcomes; however, techniques are evolving and options exist for different technologies. The aim of this study is to evaluate short-term complication rates of prepectoral reconstructions using Cortiva acellular dermal matrix. Methods A multicenter retrospective study was conducted of all patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate direct-to-implant or 2-stage prepectoral breast reconstruction with Cortiva (RTI Surgical, Alachua, Fla.) between January 2016 and September 2018. The incidence of surgical complications was determined and studied against patient demographics and procedural details. Results One-hundred eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria for a total of 183 individual breasts reconstructed with prepectoral implant. Average length of follow-up was 9.26 months (range, 1.0 month to 2.5 years). Thirty-two breasts (17.49%) experienced 1 or more complications. Prepectoral reconstruction was successful 89.07% of the time. Infection was the most common cause of both reoperation and implant failure, with 7.65% of all breasts requiring washout and 5.46% failing prosthetic reconstruction secondary to infection. Conclusions Surgical outcomes for prepectoral breast reconstruction using 2-stage and direct-to-implant are similar and comparable to the literature for dual-plane reconstruction, with infection being the main cause of failure.
Load Balancing of Financial Data Using Machine Learning and Cloud Analytics

With the rising use of technology, e-application systems for financial investments are highly used and are of major concern with the growing demand. As a result, a large number of users access web applications very often to analyze the trends in the market. This needs a proper managing system for balancing user requests. The process of balancing simultaneous requests is highly complicated, non-trivial and critical at times, which forces to add an external service—to handle requests and maximize the resource utilization.
The EUV Spectrum of the Quasi-Coherent Oscillations of the Dwarf Nova SS Cygni

Data obtained by the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer satellite are used to determine the EUV spectrum of the quasi-coherent oscillations of the dwarf nova SS Cygni. It is found that the spectrum of the oscillations is neither blue nor red nor grey relative to the net (oscillation-phase integrated) spectrum, and hence that the oscillations cannot be explained by variations in the effective temperature, absorbing column density, or effective area, respectively. Instead, it is found that the amplitude of the oscillations is high at the relative maxima of the net spectrum, and low to zero at the relative minima of the net spectrum. This behavior can be explained by either variations in the emission line flux atop a constant underlying continuum, or variations in the optical depth of a haze of overlapping absorption lines, in which case the optical depths must be $\tau<1$ at the relative maxima of the net spectrum, and $\tau\gg 1$ at the relative minima.
On the Relation between High-Redshift Starburst Galaxies and Damped Lyα Systems

Essentially all high-redshift galaxies show evidence for strong large-scale outflows that should have a profound effect on the structure and kinematics of both the galaxies themselves and their environment. The interstellar absorption spectra of both Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) and local starburst galaxies are remarkably similar to those of damped Lyα (DLA) systems in QSO spectra. Their rest-frame UV spectra typically show broad, blueshifted Lyα absorption accompanied by low-ionization metallic absorption lines with complex profiles. Hydrodynamical simulations of galactic winds suggest that the absorption arises in a collection of dense clouds entrained in the hot wind and/or in shells swept up by the outflow. It seems likely that outflows would also give rise to DLA absorption when seen in absorption against a background QSO. It is emphasized that some differences are expected between the properties of DLA systems in the emission-weighted galaxy spectra, which always probe the centers of star formation, and those in random sight lines through the outflow. The observed LBGs alone can account for all DLA absorption at z ~ 3 if the cross section for DLA absorption is πr2 with r = 19 h-1 kpc. If the cross section is smaller than this, then the fraction of DLA systems arising in outflows could still be significant if there are many wind-driving galaxies below the current detection limits. This is certainly possible since the z = 3 luminosity function is still rising down to the detection limit of 0.1L* and observations and simulations of local dwarf galaxies indicate that many of these fainter galaxies drive winds as well.
Colonial Administration in Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas of Undivided Assam with Special Reference to Lushai Hills

The annexation of North-east India by the British Empire started with the signing of the Treaty of Yandabo of 1826. The British authority governed tribal people in hill areas of undivided Assam with peculiar administrative system and different regulations and acts of the British Parliament. The Government of India Act of 1935 declared all the hill districts of undivided Assam as Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas. Excluded Areas were most backward tribal areas which were totally excluded from reform and normal administration, whereas Partially Excluded Areas were a bit developed tribal areas where partial reform and some form of normal administration were introduced. Lushai Hills was declared as Excluded Area, and it was under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Assam through the Superintendent from 1891 to 1947. The present paper examines colonial administration in Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas with Mizoram as case study.
Geographical distribution and social determinants of Tobacco 21 policy adoption and retail inspections in the United States, 2015-2019.

INTRODUCTION Tobacco control laws that raise the minimum age of tobacco sales to 21 years (T21) play a pivotal role in youth tobacco prevention, yet empirical data are sorely needed to inform enforcement, compliance efforts, and future legislation. METHODS Spatial analysis was conducted at the zip code level by geocoding the states and localities that adopted T21 ordinances from 2015 to 2019. A multi-level logistic regression model was conducted to examine disparities in neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), FDA retail inspection, and state-level tobacco control policies associated with T21 adoption. RESULTS T21 adoption at the state and local level increased considerably from 1.4% of zip codes in 2015 to 40.2% in 2019. However, the T21 ordinances were disproportionally adopted in New England (82.6%) and Pacific (73.6%) regions with scarce coverage in East South Central (<0.1%), Mountain (1.6%), and West North Central regions (6.1%). The T21 policies were more likely to be adopted in areas with stronger tobacco control policies, urban areas (vs rural, adjusted odds ratio, AOR=1.25, p=0.005), areas with a larger Hispanic (AOR=1.19, p<0.0001) or Asian population (AOR=1.12, p<0.0001), and in areas where the population had higher levels of education (AOR=1.05, p<0.0001). It was less likely to be adopted in areas with larger proportions of American Indians, youths, and young adults. Nearly 40% of zip codes with tobacco retailers did not receive annual FDA tobacco retail inspections for underage sales in 2019. The average retail violation rate of underage sales of tobacco products in T21 regions was lower than in non-T21 regions. CONCLUSIONS Disparities in T21 adoption, retail inspections, and retail compliance may limit the policy impact. Unified enforcement of youth tobacco access restrictions with resources and interventions in vulnerable communities is needed to reduce tobacco-related health disparities.
Optical Biopsy Using a Neural Network to Predict Gene Expression From Photos of Wounds.

ABSTRACT Background The clinical characterization of the biological status of complex wounds remains a considerable challenge. Digital photography provides a non–invasive means of obtaining wound information and is currently employed to assess wounds qualitatively. Advances in machine learning (ML) image processing provide a means of identifying “hidden” features in pictures. This pilot study trains a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict gene expression based on digital photographs of wounds in a canine model of volumetric muscle loss (VML). Materials and Methods Images of volumetric muscle loss injuries and tissue biopsies were obtained in a canine model of VML. A CNN was trained to regress gene expression values as a function of the extracted image segment (color and spatial distribution). Performance of the CNN was assessed in a held-back test set of images using Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). Results The CNN was able to predict the gene expression of certain genes based on digital images, with a MAPE ranging from ∼10% to ∼30%, indicating the presence and identification of distinct, and identifiable patterns in gene expression throughout the wound. Conclusions These initial results suggest promise for further research regarding this novel use of ML regression on medical images. Specifically, the use of CNNs to determine the mechanistic biological state of a VML wound could aid both the design of future mechanistic interventions and the design of trials to test those therapies. Future work will expand the CNN training and/or test set, with potential expansion to predicting functional gene modules.
Overview of the Structure and Function of the Blood-Brain Barrier in vivo

The movement of any material from blood to brain involves not only its passage across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) but also its delivery to the capillary beds by blood. Within the blood flowing into the capillaries, the material can be carried by plasma water, plasma proteins, and blood cells. The partitioning of the material among these intravascular compartments, the dynamics of exchange among them, and the relative flows of each within the capillary system affects uptake. Influx across the BBB is a function of the capillary surface area (S) and permeability coefficient (P), both of which vary among brain areas. This joint dependency is clearly shown by the physiological expression of “capillary permeability,” the permeability-surface area (PS) product. The P of the PS product differs among materials and depends on variables such as the substance’s lipid solubility, molecular size, diffusion coefficient, extent of metabolism within the endothelial cell, and interaction with transporters that facilitate flux in one or the other or both directions across the BBB.
Nonparametric Latent Tree Graphical Models: Inference, Estimation, and Structure Learning

Tree structured graphical models are powerful at expressing long range or hierarchical dependency among many variables, and have been widely applied in different areas of computer science and statistics. However, existing methods for parameter estimation, inference, and structure learning mainly rely on the Gaussian or discrete assumptions, which are restrictive under many applications. In this paper, we propose new nonparametric methods based on reproducing kernel Hilbert space embeddings of distributions that can recover the latent tree structures, estimate the parameters, and perform inference for high dimensional continuous and non-Gaussian variables. The usefulness of the proposed methods are illustrated by thorough numerical results.
Pruebas de una modulación deficiente de la respuesta de la amígdala a la corteza prefrontal en la manía bipolar

En la fisiopatologia del trastorno bipolar, en diversos estudios se ha implicado la participacion de dos componentes principales de las redes reguladoras de las emociones, la corteza prefrontal ventrolateral (CPFVL) y la amigdala. En individuos sanos, se ha demostrado que la CPFVL modula a la baja la respuesta de la amigdala cuando los individuos evaluan cognitivamente una cara que expresa una emocion e identifican y clasifican la expresada. En el presente estudio se utilizo este paradigma para evaluar si, en pacientes bipolares en fase maniaca, la potencia de esta modulacion estaba alterada. Durante una evaluacion mediante resonancia magnetica funcional (RMf), 9 pacientes maniacos con trastorno bipolar I y 9 sujetos sanos nombraron la emocion mostrada en una cara identificando uno de los dos terminos que la expresaba correctamente (tarea de clasificacion de la emocion) o emparejaron la emocion mostrada en la cara con una de las otras dos caras (tarea de percepcion de la emocion). Mediante un analisis de interaccion psicofisiologica (IPP), se evaluo hasta que punto la CPFVL regulo la respuesta de la amigdala durante estas tareas. Respecto a los sujetos sanos, en pacientes maniacos se identifico una disminucion significativa de la regulacion CPFVL de la respuesta de la amigdala durante la tarea de clasificacion de la emocion. Considerados en contexto con los estudios previos sobre mania bipolar que han usado RMf, los hallazgos del presente estudio indican que en estos pacientes las reducciones de la actividad frontal inhibidora podrian dar lugar a una mayor reactividad de la amigdala.
E2F4 Program Is Predictive of Progression and Intravesical Immunotherapy Efficacy in Bladder Cancer.

Bladder cancer is a common malignant disease, with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) representing the majority of tumors. This cancer subtype is typically treated by transurethral resection. In spite of treatment, up to 70% of patients show local recurrences. Intravesical BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) immunotherapy has been widely used to treat NMIBC, but it fails to suppress recurrence of bladder tumors in up to 40% of patients. Therefore, the development of prognostic markers is needed to predict the progression of bladder cancer and the efficacy of intravesical BCG treatment. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of an E2F4 signature for prognostic prediction of bladder cancer. E2F4 scores for each sample in a bladder cancer expression dataset were calculated by summarizing the relative expression levels of E2F4 target genes identified by ChIP-seq, and then the scores were used to stratify patients into good- and poor-outcome groups. The molecular signature was investigated in a single bladder cancer dataset and then its effectiveness was confirmed in two meta-bladder datasets consisting of specimens from multiple independent studies. These results were consistent in different datasets and demonstrate that the E2F4 score is predictive of clinical outcomes in bladder cancer, with patients whose tumors exhibit an E2F4 score >0 having significantly shorter survival times than those with an E2F4 score 0 group), it does not show significant treatment effect for those with negative scores (E2F4 Implications: The E2F4 signature can be applied to predict the progression/recurrence and the responsiveness of patients to intravesical BCG immunotherapy in bladder cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 13(9); 1316–24. ©2015 AACR.
Market Definition, Concentration, and Bank Performance

Regulatory change not seen since the Great Depression swept the U.S. banking industry beginning in the early 1980s, culminating with the Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994. As a result, significant consolidations occurred in the banking industry. This paper reviews the recent and growing literature on the appropriate definition of the market for banking, adopting the state as the relevant geographic scope of the market, and explores the market-power versus the efficient-structure theories of the positive correlation between banking concentration and performance. We provide two different tests of the market-power and efficient-structure theories of this positive correlation. Together, out empirical tests more strongly support the market-power hypothesis. Our findings also suggest that bank regulators, by focusing on local banking markets, missed the initial stages of an important structural change at the state level.
Diagnosis of Fanconi anemia by diepoxybutane analysis.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by progressive pancytopenia and a high risk of malignancies, particularly acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Diepoxybutane (DEB) analysis is the preferred test for FA because other agents have higher rates of false-positive and false-negative results. Basic Protocol in this unit applies the DEB test to rule out a diagnosis of FA using a peripheral blood sample from the patient. Support Protocol 1 provides instructions for working with DEB. Support Protocol 2 describes staining slides for chromosome-breakage analysis that is performed on unbanded metaphase preparations. Alternate Protocol 2 provides a detailed method for applying the DEB test to cultured fibroblasts that grow as a monolayer attached to the bottom of the flask. outlines methods for using the DEB test for prenatal diagnosis of FA, utilizing fetal cells obtained by chorionic villus sampling (CVS), amniocentesis, or fetal blood sampling. Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by progressive pancytopenia and a high risk of malignanci.
Caste allometries in the soldier-producing aphidPseudoregma alexanderi (Hormaphididae: Aphidoidea)

Colonies of the aphidPseudoregma alexanderi produce morphologically-specialized first-instar larvae, termed soldiers, that defend the colony from predators. The environmental cues and physiological mechanisms governing soldier production are currently unknown. Here we present a morphometric study of soldiers and normal first-instar larvae ofP. alexanderi. Several morphological features (fore-leg length and width, hind-leg length, and horn length) plotted against body length display relationship that are similar to a sigmoidal curve. We found further support for an earlier finding that soldiers fall into two size categories, majors and minors, although both types of soldiers appear to follow the same allometry. The patterns of allometry in the soldier-producing aphids are very different from those found in other social insects and do not easily fit into the traditional categorization of allometries. We present two simple alternative models of soldier development as a framework for guiding future studies of the mechanisms of soldier production.
Somatic embryogenesis in suspension cultures of Gossypium klotzschianum anderss

Somatic embryoids differentiated in suspension cultures of G. klotzschianum after 3-4 weeks of culture in a liquid medium containing glutamine (optimally, 10-15 mM). Embryogenesis occurred after a preculture of callus on a medium containing 10 mg/l of the cytokinin, 2iP. The embryoids had meristematic regions, a well formed epidermis, and formed roots and vestigial leaves. Asparagine was much less effective than glutamine in promoting embryoid differentiation. The presence of 2,4-D in the medium resulted in increased vigor of the suspension cultures and subsequently in the formation of many embryoids, but does not seem to be necessary for somatic embryogenesis in cotton.
Calcaneal fractures in diabetic patients

We would like to present 23 calcaneal fractures in 22 patients of whom 21 had type I diabetes mellitus. There appear to be three basic fracture types: (1) a superiorly displaced extra-articular avulsion fracture of the posterior calcaneus (or Iowa fracture), which occurred in 12 patients (five men, seven women); (2) a mid-calcaneal compression fracture in six patients (four men, two women), and (3) a cleavage or "wedge" type fracture in four patients extending from the calcaneal tubercle (one man, 3 women). All four of this last group of patients had a history of a chronic penetrating ulcer, and this is noteworthy since only one other patient out of the remaining 18 in groups 1 and 2 had a similar history. Most patients had decreased bone mineralization: 15 patients were on long-term, high-dose steroids, and 18 patients had either poor renal function or complete renal failure (11 of 12). Fourteen patients had received either renal or pancreas transplants. Eight patients were on restricted weight bearing prior to their fractures. We believe that diabetic patients are more prone to calcaneal fractures than the general population, and early diagnosis is imperative, followed by early treatment to prevent significant bony deformity.
Application of a photographic method for determining mass transfer to flow around a submerged parallelepiped

Abstract A previously described method for quantifying uptake of dilute photographic developer solutions (Dasgupta et al., Int J Heat Mass Transfer 1995;38:2029-37) [1] was applied to the floor of a recirculating flow tank near a submerged parallelepiped. The method was calibrated for a new combination of film and developer. Unlike [1], we found it preferable to include an autocatalytic term in the rate equation for silver development to adequately describe the kinetics of development. A map of mass transfer resistance between the bulk fluid and the flow tank floor was generated for future comparison to CFD predictions.
The Paradox of Terrorism in Civil War

A great deal of violence in civil wars is informed by the logic of terrorism: violence tends to be used by political actors against civilians in order to shape their political behavior. I focus on indiscriminate violence in the context of civil war: this is a type of violence that selects its victims on the basis of their membership in some group and irrespective of their individual actions. Extensive empirical evidence suggests that indiscriminate violence in civil war is informed by the logic of terrorism. I argue that under certain conditions, that tend to be quite common, such violence is counter productive. I specify these conditions and address the following paradox: why do we sometimes observe instances of indiscriminate violence evenunder conditions that make this strategy counterproductive? I review four possible reasons: truncated data, ignorance, cost, and institutional constraints. I argue that indiscriminate violence emerges because it is much cheaper than its main alternative – selective violence. It is more likely under a steep imbalance of power between the competing actors, and where and when resources and information are low; however, most political actors eventually switch to selective violence. Thus, given a balance of power between competing actors, indiscriminate violence is more likely at early rather than late stages of the conflict. Overall, the paper suggests that even extreme forms of violence are used strategically.
Pro-environmental Behavior in Egypt: Is there a Role for Islamic Environmental Ethics?

Egypt, a less affluent, predominantly Muslim country, suffers from numerous forms of environmental pollution, some severe. This study investigates pro-environmental behaviors of citizens in Cairo, Egypt’s largest metropolis, and studies the relationship between pro-environmental behavior and demographic variables, beliefs, values, and religiosity. Analysis shows that three types of pro-environmental behavior are present: Public Sphere, Private Sphere, and Activist Behavior, with the latter occurring less frequently. Importantly, the study identifies an ecocentric value among respondents which is correlated with Public Sphere Behavior. It also confirms earlier research that characterized Egyptians’ perceptions of the environment as being set in the context of health and cleanliness. Religious teachings and religiosity are shown to be associated with pro-environmental behavior, thus lending support to the presence of an Islamic environmental ethic.
Internal friction in solid solutions of oxygen-tantalum

Abstract The breadth of the internal friction peak (Q − vs 1 T ) arising from the diffusion of oxygen in tantalum has been found to increase monotonically with the oxygen concentration. Broadening was found to occur asymmetrically by displacement of the high-temperature branch of the damping curve. The data can be described by assuming that the experimental internal friction peak is a composite of the dilute oxygen peak found at 137°C (for v = 0.6 cps), with an activation energy of 25,000 cal/mole, and a second peak located near 162°C. Evidence is presented which indicates that the peak previously attributed to carbon in tantalum actually is caused by oxygen at low concentrations. In an attempt to determine the nature of the interaction giving rise to the broadening of the oxygen peak, it was observed that atoms of another element, nitrogen, can also broaden it considerably. Plastic deformation apparently did not affect the peak breadth.
Scalable parallel coset enumeration using bulk definition

Several researchers have worked on parallel coset enumeration strategies using shared memory. This is important not only for speed, but also because the large memory requirements of coset enumeration often make memory the dominant cost, and this cost can be reduced by using many CPU's to reduce the time during which this memory must be “rented”. We take as our testbed an enumeration of Lyons's group (approximately 8.87 million cosets). Lyons's group is one of the largest enumerations carried out in the literature. Previous enumerations of this group in the literature do not appear to scale well as the number of processors increase, with speedups such as a factor of 2 using 4 processors and a speedup of 4 using 16 processors. By using what we call bulk definition of cosets, we achieve nearly linear speedup of the parallel portion of our program. This result depends on two new heuristics for bulk coset definition, clouds and prescan, and a theorem showing that when using parallelized bulk coset definition, the enumeration, including the order in which cosets are defined, is independent of the number of processors used for parallelization. A total computation of 9.4 hours = 473 min. (clouds phase) + 41 min. (prescan phase) is reduced using 32 processors to 23 min. (clouds, par.) + 50 min. (clouds, seq.) + 41 min. (prescan). Parallel timings are presented for the clouds phase, while the prescan phase will be parallelized at a later date. The parallelization of our coset enumeration software was achieved using TOP-C. Some of these ideas may also be useful in parallelizations of related algorithms, such as Grobner bases and Knuth-Bendix.
A study of the lifetime of aerosol particles

Abstract In the transition and free molecule regions of Knudsen number, the lifetime of aerosol particles for three cases of practical importance are investigated. These cases are: (i) The evaporation and condensation of pure droplets. (ii) The evaporation and condensation of droplets composed of at least one involatile and one volatile component. (iii) The evaporation of collections of drops. An approximate solution is obtained of the nonlinear system of equations describing the evaporation of pure droplets in the transition and free molecule regions. This solution is compared with the numerical solution of the exact equations and is found to be satisfactory for droplets which are not too volatile. For droplets composed of at least one involatile component and one volatile component, the equations in the free molecule and transition regions describing the evaporation of sulfuric acid droplets have been studied numerically. Finally, equations have been developed for a model which permit consideration of the stability of collections of approximately monodisperse droplets in the transition and free molecule regions. Some numerical results obtained from the model are presented.
Amputation-induced activity of progenitor cells leads to rapid regeneration of olfactory tissue in lobsters.

Lobsters have a self-renewing olfactory system and, like many animals, continuously replace old or dying olfactory receptor neurons. In addition, lobsters are able to regenerate the peripheral olfactory system even after complete loss. The olfactory sensors in lobsters are located distally on a pair of antennules. These antennules are often damaged, but this has little impact on the lobster's sense of smell because damaged olfactory tissue is rapidly replaced. In this study, we investigated damage-induced regeneration of the olfactory system by measuring cell proliferation following controlled amputation. We show that amputation-induced regeneration occurs as a result of up-regulating the normal development of olfactory sensors. A unique feature of up-regulated development is the formation of patches of proliferating cells within the antennular epithelium. Epithelial patches were typically formed between 3 and 10 days postamputation on the amputated side. They were characterized by their: proximal position with respect to developing clusters of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs); tendency to form two discrete patches within the borders of each existing annulus; cell size, which was approximately twice that of mature ORNs; and location within the ventral epithelium. The development of epithelial patches was immediately followed by proliferation of clusters of ORNs and associated glial cells, and the level of this proliferation increased significantly during the premolt stage of the lobster's molt cycle. These epithelial patches may represent populations of precursor cells, because they develop in response to amputation and immediately precede development of cell clusters composed of ORNs and glia. Possible regulatory signals controlling epithelial patch development are discussed.
Shedding of Syndecan-1 by Stromal Fibroblasts Stimulates Human Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation via FGF2 Activation *

The cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan syndecan-1 is induced in stromal fibroblasts of breast carcinomas and participates in a reciprocal feedback loop, which stimulates carcinoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo. To define the molecular mechanism of carcinoma growth stimulation, a three-dimensional co-culture model was developed that combines T47D breast carcinoma cells with immortalized human mammary fibroblasts in collagen gels. By silencing endogenous syndecan-1 induction with short interfering RNA and expressing mutant murine syndecan-1 constructs, it was determined that carcinoma cell mitogenesis required proteolytic shedding of syndecan-1 from the fibroblast surface. The paracrine growth signal was mediated by the syndecan-1 heparan lfate chains rather than the ectodomain of the core protein and required fibroblast growth factor 2 and stroma-derived factor 1. This paracrine pathway may provide an opportunity for the therapeutic disruption of stromaepithelial signaling.
Recent trends in pregnancy discrimination law

Abstract In 1978, Congress passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) to protect the civil rights of motherhood in the workplace. Since then, the act's interpretation has been altered by various court decisions. These changes, along with more working women, make PDA compliance more complex. This challenge is reflected by a 39% increase in Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints over the past decade, and a 66% increase in plaintiff victories during the same time period. These developments are discussed in this article, which attempts to help managerial decision making by exploring legal trends and their workplace implications.
Poverty amid plenty in the new India

Poverty amid plenty in the new India, by Atul Kohli, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2012, xiii + 239 pp., ISBN 978-0-521-73517-9 In a lucid, penetrating treatment of India’s political econo...
Vibronic coupling in asymmetric bichromophores: theory and application to diphenylmethane.

A theoretical model based on Fulton and Gouterman dimer Hamiltonian [J. Chem. Phys. 35, 1059 (1961)] is used to understand the jet cooled spectra of partly deuterated diphenylmethane (DPM-d5), reported in adjoining paper by Zwier and co-workers [“Vibronic coupling in asymmetric bichromophores: Experimental investigation of diphenylmethane-d5,” J. Chem. Phys. 141, 064316 (2014)]. The model is extended to include multiple vibrational modes, vibrational asymmetries between the monomers, and inter-monomer modes. Time dependent density functional theory and equation of motion coupled cluster electronic structure calculations are used to obtain parameters for the model Hamiltonian. The monomer units for DPM-d5 are toluene and partially deuterated toluene-d5. The comparisons of modeled and experimental spectra show that the model captures the vibronic effects on a multitude of observables, including anomalously intense vibrational states, transition dipole moment directions, and localization/delocalization pheno...
“Membership in a Particular Social Group”: International Journalists and U. S. Asylum Law

At least thirty non-U.S. journalists in the last decade have argued in U.S. Courts of Appeal that U.S. immigration authorities erroneously denied their asylum applications based on persecution in their native countries. However, only about 20% of journalists were successful, mirroring the approximate national asylum success rate for all applicants. The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act does not include journalism as a basis for asylum, but some circuit court judges have stated that reporting on systemic official corruption is inherently political and, as a result could be grounds for asylum for persecuted journalists. A 2007 opinion from the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals defining “particular social group,” a key requirement for asylum, is examined for its application to journalists.
Verified spider bites in Oregon (USA) with the intent to assess hobo spider venom toxicity.

This study compiled 33 verified spider bites from the state of Oregon (USA). The initial goal was to amass a series of bites by the hobo spider to assess whether it possesses toxic venom, a supposition which is currently in a contested state. None of the 33 bites from several spider species developed significant medical symptoms nor did dermonecrosis occur. The most common biters were the yellow sac spider, Cheiracanthium mildei (N = 10) and orb-weavers of the genus Araneus (N = 6). There were 10 bites from three genera of funnel web spiders of the family Agelenidae including one hobo spider bite and one from the congeneric giant house spider which is readily confused as a hobo spider. The hobo spider bite resulted in pain, redness, twitching in the calf muscle and resolved in 12 h. Also generated from this study were possibly the first records of bites from spiders of the genera Callobius (Amaurobiidae) and Antrodiaetus (Antrodiaetidae), both with minor manifestations.
Human Auditory Evoked Potentials: Possible Brain Stem Components Detected on the Scalp

Auditory potentials recorded from the vertex of humans by a modified averaging technique have very short latencies and are probably generated by brain stem structures located at a considerable distance from the recording point. The evoked waves, which shOW considerable detail and consistency within and across subjects, may be clinically useful in evaluating subcortical function.
Determining Changes in Airway Caliber in Asthma: The Role of Submaximal Expiratory Flow Rates

Sixteen patients with suspected reversible airway obstruction who had previously demonstrated an increase in specific airway conductance after isoproterenol, but who had not demonstrated an increase in forced expiratory flow were studied using a measurement of submaximal flow. Flow during tidal breathing ( V ˙ T V ) was measured spirometrically, and V ˙ T V increased in all 16 patients from a value of 0.61 L/sec before isoproterenol to 0.80 L/sec after isoproterenol. In addition, each of these 16 patients experienced a significant increase in vital capacity and a significant decompression of functional residual capacity after isoproterenol. If plethysmography is not available, the measurement of V ˙ T V may provide evidence of bronchodilatation. The mechanism responsible for the dichotomy between maximal and submaximal flow is the compression of airways by high positive pleural pressure which is present during maximal, but not submaximal maneuvers.
In situ straining of Fe-Al in a transmission electron microscope

Abstract In situ straining experiments have been performed in a transmission electron microscope in an attempt to understand the differences in fracture behaviour that occur as a function of composition in Fe-Al. These experiments could not find differences in the dislocation behaviour in thin foils, suggesting that bulk brittle intergranular fracture of stoichiometric FeAl does not involve dislocation motion. In all compositions, dislocation generation was profuse at the foil edges and at grain boundaries. The grain boundaries presented little barrier to slip. Slip was planar, occurring in broad bands and often on multiple systems within an individual grain. Dipoles and loops were left as debris behind gliding dislocations, even though there was no evidence of dislocation interactions, suggesting that the loops formed through a double cross-slip mechanism.
The Collection of Current From Overhead Contact Wires

Up to a few years ago, the generally accepted limitations for the amount of current which could be collected from an overhead distribution system were from 300 to 800 amperes in heavy interurban service and between 800 and 1000 amperes, with a maximum of 1500 in the case of the Chicago, Milwaukee, & St. Paul. It is not possible to determine the limits of current collection by theoretical calculations nor by the experience on any particular installation. The tests described and analyzed in this paper were demonstrated on a four-mile track using special overhead construction of the twin trolley type with observation towers at several points to enable observers to carefully inspect commutation between the collector and the trolley wire. Tests were also made to determine the temperature rise which would be obtained as a result of delivering, for a period of five minutes, a current of 5200 amperes to a standing locomotive. Further tests were made to determine what damage would result, if any, should a pantograph leave the wire while delivering currents as high as 4000 or 5000 amperes. Test data are included and description of the several types of overhead construction used.
Hyperspectral feature classification with alternate wavelet transform representations

The effectiveness of many hyperspectral feature extraction algorithms involving classification (and linear spectral unmixing) are dependent on the use of spectral signature libraries. If two or more signatures are roughly similar to each other, these methods which use algorithms such as singular value decomposition (SVD) or least squares to identify the object will not work well. This especially goes for these procedures which are combined with three-dimensional discrete wavelet transforms, which replace the signature libraries with their corresponding lowpass wavelet transform coefficients. In order to address this issue, alternate ways of transforming these signature libraries using bandpass or highpass wavelet transform coefficients from either wavelet or Walsh (Haar wavelet packet) transforms in the spectral direction will be described. These alternate representations of the data emphasize differences between the signatures which lead to improved classification performance as compared to existing procedures.
1194 METABOLISM OF SURFACTANT PHOSPHOLIPIDS IN 3 DAY OLD AND 3 DAY POSTMATURE RABBITS

Three day old rabbits and newborn rabbits delivered by cesarean section three days post-term following treatment of the doe with human chorionic gonadotropin were injected IV with the labeled phosphatidylcholine (PC) precursors 3H-choline and 14C-palmitic acid. The appearance of labeled PC in alveolar wash surfactant phospholipids (SAPL) was measured by the change in the PC specific activity (SA). PC from 3 day old and 3 day postmature rabbits labeled with either 3H-choline or 14C-palmitic acid was detected after a 3 hour delay, and maximal PC - SA was achieved by about 16 hours. These results are similar to earlier data for premature and term newborn rabbits, but differ from the SA characteristics of adult rabbit surfactant PC; in adults there is a ½ hour delay and 6-8 hour maximal SA pattern. Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) was not detected in the surfactant from newborn rabbits and represented 5% of SAPL of 3 day old and adult rabbits. PG was either absent or present in trace amounts in SAPL from postmature animals. Phosphatidylinositol (PI) content changed from the 10% measured in term newborn and postmature rabbit SAPL to 5% in 3 day old or adult rabbit SAPL. In conclusion: a) the appearance of PC and decrease in PI in SAPL of 3 day old rabbits was not associated with any change in kinetics of labeling of surfactant PC, and b) a delay in maturation of SAPL composition is evident in postmature animals.
An in vitro model of wound healing in the CNS: analysis of cell reaction and interaction at different ages

We have developed an in vitro model in which cells responding to trauma in the immature and mature CNS can be isolated, placed into serum-free culture, and characterized. By implanting nitrocellulose filters into the brains of neonatal and adult rats under different conditions, we are able to harvest populations of cells responding to trauma in the neonate (critical period implant), in the adult (scar implant), and in implants that have remained in vivo past the critical period (postcritical period implant). Upon placement in culture, we have found that astrocytes represent the majority of cells occupying both the critical period and postcritical period implants, whereas fibroblasts and macrophages represent the majority of cells in the glial-fibroblastic scar. The morphologies of the astrocytes on the surface of the different implants, after 3 days in culture, differs markedly--the critical period astrocytes exhibiting a more ordered distribution compared to the haphazard arrangement of astrocyte processes on the surface of the postcritical and scar implants. After migration from the implant, critical period astrocytes assume an epithelioid morphology and cluster together setting up definite boundaries between themselves and the endothelial cells. In contrast, postcritical period astrocytes exhibit a more elongated morphology under the same culture conditions and appear to be randomly dispersed among the endothelial cells. The scar astrocytes exhibit a wide range of morphologies and, although they tend to cluster, do not exhibit the ordered association seen with the critical period astrocytes. We propose that the plasticity of the neonatal astrocytes and the rapid and ordered cellular response seen in vitro reflect the ability of the immature CNS in vivo to respond to injury without the formation of a glial-fibroblastic scar.
Persistence of white phosphorus (P4) particles in salt marsh sediments

Remediation of sediments at Eagle River Flats, Alaska, a salt marsh contaminated with solid particles of white phosphorus (P{sub 4}), may require severe alterations of the wetland by dredging, draining, or covering. However, some sediments may undergo decontamination naturally in areas that are seasonally subaerially exposed. The persistence of millimeter-size P{sub 4} particles was studied in laboratory and field experiments. White phosphorus particles were found to be persistent in saturated sediments. In unsaturated sediments, loss was rapid (within 24 h) at 20 C, and was retarded by low temperatures.
Factors Affecting Milk Yield and Reproductive Performance

Abstract Dairy Herd Improvement testing records of 201 dairy herds of sizes from under 100 to over 1000 cows and herd average milk yields from under 5,000 to over 10,000 kg were studied. Average days to first postpartum breeding tended to be less in herds of over 500 cows. Herds of 300 to 600 cows had highest production per cow. Herds with higher average yields averaged shorter intervals to first postpartum breeding and fewer days open. Days open included farrow cows arbitrarily assigned 305 days open. Number of breedings changed little as herd yield increased, but days open for highest producing herds averaged one estrous period shorter than for low producing herds, suggesting better detection of estrus. For the individual cow, high yield or associated factors have a small but real antagonistic association with reproductive efficiency. Days to first breeding, to last breeding, and days open increased .27, .80, and .61, and number of breedings increased .014 for each 100 kg increase in 180-day yield of fat-corrected milk. The record averages of high-producing herds indicate this antagonism may be over shawdowed by good management; effective estrus detection probably is a major factor.