cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Market Cycles as an Informational Cascade - The Arrogance of Rationality

Most literature that labels certain behavior as “irrational” ignores the etymology of the word “rational.” To be “rational” is to be proportionate (i.e., in a ratio). The question is, “proportionate to what?” To label behavior as irrational is to assert that the behavior is not proportionate to what the one doing the labeling considers appropriate. Perhaps the one being labeled as irrational has a different perspective or world-view than the one doing the labeling. Who is to say the one doing the labeling is the arbitrator of what is or is not proportionate? This is especially evident in claims that investor behavior is “irrational.” Perhaps it is “irrational” relative to the valuation model of the researcher, but it is clearly consistent - or rational - relative to the beliefs and preferences of the one engaged in the putatively irrational behavior. A classic illustration is in “momentum investing strategies” where an investor extrapolates from the recent price movements future price movements. This could be an entirely efficient use of information and is consistent with a belief that what happened in the near past will continue into the near future. To label this as “irrational” is nothing but arrogance.
In Situ Characterization of Metallorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition

In situ measurement of resistance has been used for the realtime monitoring of metallorganic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth characteristics. In particular, a novel technique for measuring metallorganic CVD activation energies is presented. The micron scale geometry of the experiment makes it relevant to work in localized laser CVD. The technique has been used to measure the CVD activation energy of dimethylaluminum hydride (DMAlH). In addition, a variant of the technique has been used to study the growth stage of a resistless two-step metallization process (nucleation / selective CVD) employing DMAIH as the source gas in both steps.
Stromatolite lamination frequency, Walker Lake, Nevada: Implications for stromatolites as biosignatures

Lamination in stromatolites (considered some of the oldest fossils on Earth) is commonly interpreted to record the periodic response of a microbial community to daily, seasonal, or perhaps yearly environmental forcing, but the inability to date ancient stromatolites precludes an understanding of the lamination formation processes. We use high-resolution 14C dating of Holocene stromatolites from Walker Lake, Nevada (United States), to construct a record of lamination rate over the course of accretion. Laminae formed with a period of 5.6 ± 1.6 yr/lamination at the base of the structure, 1.6–2.8 ± 1.9 yr/lamination in the middle, and 4.5 ± 0.8 yr/lamination at the top of the laminated portion. The predominant 4−6 yr periodicity indicates that lamination formation is likely more closely related to regional climate forcing (e.g., El Nino–Southern Oscillation) versus the typical diurnal or seasonal changes in microbial mats traditionally assumed for most ancient stromatolites. Thus, generalizations regarding the influence of microbial mats on stromatolite lamination and the use of stromatolites as biosignatures need careful consideration.
Reduced transmitter release conferred by mutations in the slowpoke-encoded Ca2(+)-activated K+ channel gene of Drosophila.

Potassium channels control the repolarization of nerve terminals and thus play important roles in the control of synaptic transmission. Here we describe the effects of mutations in theslowpoke gene, which is the structural gene for a calcium activated potassium channel, on transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction inDrosophila melanogaster. Surprisingly, we find that theslowpoke mutant exhibits reduced transmitter release compared to normal. Similarly, theslowpoke mutation significantly suppresses the increased transmitter release conferred either by a mutation inShaker or by application of 4-aminopyridine, which blocks theShaker-encoded potassium channel at theDrosophila nerve terminal. Furthermore, theslowpoke mutation suppresses the striking increase in transmitter release that occurs following application of 4-aminopyridine to theether a go-go mutant. This suppression is most likely the result of a reduction of Ca2+ influx into the nerve terminal in theslowpoke mutant. We hypothesize that the effects of theslowpoke mutation are indirect, perhaps resulting from increased Ca2+ channel inactivation, decreased Na+ or Ca2+ channel localization or gene expression, or by increases in the expression or activity of potassium channels distinct fromslowpoke.
Hybrid Rocket Design/Build/Test Course at Purdue University

. The rocket design built upon a student led design project started in 2004. In the course, the group of 27 students were divided into five groups: aerodynamics and recovery (AR dynamics, controls, and electromechanics (DCE); ground support and testing (GST); material and structures (MS and propulsion (PROP). The A&R team was responsible for ensuring a stable flight of the hybrid rocket to a projected altitude with successful recovery of the
MICROSTRUCTURES AND AGING CHARACTERISTICS OF 7050 ALUMINUM ALLOY EXTRUDED PLATE FROM LOW FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC CASTING INGOT

The microstructures and aging characteristics of 7050 aluminum alloy extruded plates from low frequency electromagnetic casting(LFEC)and DC casting ingots have been studied.The results show that the former has a fine microstructure,and the average diameter of grains is about 10μm,but the latter is about 20μm after the same extrusion process.Comparing with plate extruded from DC ingot,the plate extruded from LFEC ingot has a fast aging rate and much stronger ability of aging strengthening.Aging at 120℃,the plate extruded from LFEC ingot reaches its peak strength in 8 h,and its longitudinal and the transverse strengths are 656 and 596 MPa,respectively.However, the plate extruded from DC casting ingot reaches the maximum value in 12 h and its longitudinal and the transverse strengths are 647 and 590 MPa,respectively.
Clinical research and analysis of detection method for Hepatitis C

Objective To retrospectively analyze the test results of patients with hepatitis℃and explore the effective inspection method for hepatitis C. Methods Anti-HCV was detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA) and HCV-RNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(FQ-PCR) in 209 specimens to analyze the effectivenesses and differences of the two methods. Results 138(66.03%) cases were detected positive for anti- HCV,while 128(61.24%) cases were detected positive for HCV-RNA(P 0.05). 112 cases (53.59%) were positive for both Anti-HCV and HCV-RNA,while 55 cases (26.32%) were negative for both Anti-HCV and HCV-RNA.The total coincidence rate of the two methods was 79.90%(paired x 2 =2.3810,P 0.05). Conclusion There is no significant difference of detecting HCV between ELISA and FQ-PCR,however,the detection rate of HCV can be improved by combination of the two methods.
The Incidence of Intersexuality in Patients with Hypospadias and Cryptorchidism

The incidence of intersexuality was determined in 45 patients with cryptorchidism and hypospadias seen between 1952 and 1975. Including patients with ambiguous genitalia the incidence was 53 per cent. When patients with ambiguous genitalia were excluded, providing a group more representative of the patient population usually seen by the urologist, a diagnosis of intersexuality was made in 27 per cent. The concomitant occurrence of hypospadias and cryptorchidism should alert the urologist to evaluate the patient for the presence of intersexuality.
Experimental Models for the Study of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma

AbstractThe Dunning R3327H transplantable rat tumor is a well differentiated prostatic adenocarcinoma. The biological properties of this tumor have been characterized, and it appears that this animal model is well suited for studying the nature of prostatic cancer. The established tumor responds to castration therapy and this is subsequently followed by relapse to a predominant state of hormone insensitivity. Cell kinetic studies indicate that 70 to 90 per cent of the total tumor cells are hormonally sensitive, and a subpopulation of 8 to 30 per cent are hormone insensitive. The therapeutic relapse to androgen deprivation represents the continued growth of the clone of cells, which were hormone insensitive. It appears that this animal tumor mimics the relapse phenomenon observed in the hormone control of human prostatic cancer.
Disaster in the Skies

Commercial aviation, vital to global transportation and communication, must function reliably and efficiently to facilitate the ‘freer trade’ regime upon which the world is increasingly dependent. Chapter 2 disclosed how the fledgling industry was unable to regulate itself. Too many pressures and incentives to perform beyond safe parameters existed even though safety was considered a significant selling point to encourage a timid public to fly. State regulation was required to achieve acceptable levels of safety domestically. Internationally, civil aviation regimes — transport, trade, safety -were created to facilitate aviation operations. These endured forty years, as long as they were perceived to be effectively and fairly managed. Perceptions of fairness vary. What may be considered fair in one era, based on power asymmetry in the international system, may be considered inequitable in an era characterised by more equal power resource distribution.
Relationships between Choline Acetyltransferase and Muscarinic Binding in Aging Rodent Brain and in Alzheimer’s Disease

The literature concerning age effects on cholinergic neurochemical parameters, in the brain presents a heterogeneous picture, both within and among species. Whereas some studies of human postmortem material have demonstrated age-dependent declines in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in various brain regions (5, 12, 19), others have revealed no ChAT losses in some of the same regions (5, 10, 12, 19, 28). In brain regions from C57BL/6J and A/J mice, we have observed age-dependent increases in ChAT (26); whereas, other studies have revealed no changes or decreases in the brains of C57BL/6J mice (23, 25), other mouse strains (24), and rats (2, 23, 25).
The effects of cybersickness on persons with multiple sclerosis

Cybersickness is commonly experienced by the users in immersive Virtual Environments (VE). It has symptoms similar to Motion Sickness, such as dizziness, nausea etc. Although there have been many cybersickness experiments conducted with persons without disabilities, persons with disabilities, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), have been minimally studied. This is an important area of research because cybersickness could have negative effects on virtual rehabilitation effectiveness and the accessibility of VEs. For this experiment, we recruited 16 participants - 8 persons with MS and 8 persons without MS from similar demographics (e.g. age, race). Two participants from population without MS could not complete the experiment due to severe cybersickness. We asked each participant to experience a VE. We collected Galvanic Skin response (GSR) data before and during VR exposure; GSR is commonly used as an objective measure of cybersickness. Also, Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) feedback was recorded before and after the experiment. SSQ results show that the VE induced cybersickness in the participants. The GSR data suggests that the cybersickness may have induced similar physiological changes in participants with MS as participants without MS, albeit with greater variability in participants without MS. However, participants with MS had significantly lower GSR during VR exposure. In this paper, we compare the effects of cybersickness between the people with MS and the people without MS with respect to SSQ score and GSR data.
Pediatric Ovarian Torsion

Adnexal torsion is the fifth most common gynecologic emergency. The vague clinical presentation and variable imaging findings make the diagnosis difficult. If suspicion for adnexal torsion is high enough based on clinical symptoms and imaging findings, prompt intervention should include conservative management with laparoscopic adnexal detorsion and ovarian preservation even in the event of a necrotic-appearing ovary because studies persistently show follicular development and ovarian function after a short time period and no increased patient morbidity.
Molecular Modeling of Clays and Mineral Surfaces, edited by J.D. Kubicki and W.F. Bleam. CMS Workshop Lectures, 12, 2003, 229 pp. [ISBN 1-881208-11-7]. Price $21.

This volume arose from the June 1998 short course before the 35th annual meeting of the Clay Minerals Society. The volume appeared in 2003, when it was already five years out of date in a 15-year-old field. Now it is another year out of date, so must be read as a historical snapshot of computational chemistry as applied to clay minerals, not as a state-of-the-art review. The volume is replete with small substantive, grammatical and typographical errors, but is nonetheless useful as an introduction to many concepts of molecular simulations along with several results pertinent to clays. Chapter 1 (Kubicki and Bleam) comments on the rationale for various simulations, along with a brief review of the possibilities. The authors hazard two pages on ‘hardware considerations’ which have changed drastically in six years since Linux became popular and the advice to obtain time at supercomputing centers became obsolete. Again, the book is a snapshot, and I can sympathize with the challenges involved in writing such chapters. Another indication of the passage of time is that chapter 1 encourages future simulation of pKa values for individual …
Pre-Columbian Freshwater Mussel Assemblages from the Tallahatchie River in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Basin, U.S.A.

Abstract: The Tallahatchie River, Mississippi, southeastern U.S.A., is a medium-sized waterway originating in the North Central Hills and flowing into the Mississippi Alluvial Plain physiographic province. Although the river's molluscan fauna remains relatively poorly studied, a survey by Haag and Warren (2007) of Lower Lake, an impounded, regulated segment of the Little Tallahatchie River high in the drainage, revealed a freshwater mussel assemblage that was surprisingly diverse and healthy given current stream management practices. Mussel assemblages from three prehistoric sites in Leflore County, Mississippi, further downstream on the main Tallahatchie River, yielded 32,303 valves representing 41 taxa, including 24 new river records, one of which, Quadrula fragosa (Conrad, 1835), represents a new state record and a notable range extension for this species. Comparison with modern data shows that about twice as many species existed in the waterway prior to Historic-era impacts, including five currently l...
Medicaid waivers and negotiated federalism in the US: is there relevance to other federal systems?

Medicaid waivers have been a principal tool of innovation in health policy in the US since at least the mid 1970s. As Republicans seek to give the states more flexibility in their implementation and management of both Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act or its replacement, waiver authority is likely to be one of the key work arounds for avoiding political barriers in the US Senate. While block-granting Medicaid may require 60 senate votes, waiver authority already exists in both Medicaid law and the Affordable Care Act. Waivers also have great potential for application in other federal nations. Yet there is no theory to explain the way the application and review process evolves or the factors likely to shape the outcome. After a discussion of the theoretical underpinnings of what we call ‘negotiated federalism’, we apply it to examples of Medicaid waivers to see if the theory’s key elements – politics, party congruence, leverage, credit taking and experience – offer a useful perspective on this federal–s...
Association Between CD4 +, Viral Load, and Pulmonary Function in HIV

The antiretroviral therapy era has shifted the epidemiology of HIV-associated diseases, increasing the recognition of non-infectious pulmonary complications secondary to HIV. We aimed to determine the association between CD4+, viral load, and pulmonary function in individuals with uncontrolled HIV, and determine how changes in these parameters are associated with pulmonary function longitudinally. This is a retrospective observational study of individuals with HIV who underwent pulmonary function testing in an urban medical center between August 1997 and November 2015. Of the 146 participants (mean age 52 ± 10 years), 49% were Hispanic, 56% were men, and 44% were current smokers. CD4+ <200 cells/μl was associated with significant diffusion impairment compared to CD4+ ≥200 cells/μl (DLCO 56 vs. 70%, p = <0.01). VL (viral load) ≥75 copies/ml was associated with significant diffusion impairment compared to VL <75 copies/ml (DLCO 60 vs. 71%, p = <0.01). No difference in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, or TLC was noted between groups. In univariate analysis, CD4+ and VL correlated with DLCO (r = +0.33; p = <0.01; r = −0.26; p = <0.01) and no correlation was noted with FEV1, FEV1/FVC, or TLC. Current smoking and history of AIDS correlated with DLCO (r = −0.20; p = 0.03; r = −0.20; p = 0.04). After adjusting for smoking and other confounders, VL ≥75 copies/ml correlated with a 11.2 (CI 95% [3.03–19.4], p = <0.01) decrease in DLCO. In Spearman’s Rank correlation, there was a negative correlation between change in VL and change in DLCO over time (ρ = −0.47; p = <0.01). The presence of viremia in individuals with HIV is independently associated with impaired DLCO. Suppression of VL may allow for recovery in diffusing capacity over time, though the degree to which this occurs requires further investigation.
Brown algae polyphenols prevent UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice

4798 Chronic exposure of skin to solar UVB radiation induces oxidative stress, which plays a crucial role in the induction of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Our recent studies showed that polyphenols extracted from brown algae have potent antioxidant activities. In this study we investigated the effect of dietary feeding and topical application of brown algae polyphenols on UVB radiation-induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice. SKH-1 hairless mice were randomly divided into 9 groups including control, UVB control, and treatment groups. They were treated orally (0.1% and 0.5% with AIN-76 diet, w/w) and topically (3 and 6 mg/0.2 mL vehicle) with brown algae polyphenols and irradiated with UVB for 26 wk. Dietary feeding and topical administration of brown algae polyphenols inhibited tumor incidence by 6% and 21%, respectively, but the results were not significant. Dietary feeding (0.1% and 0.5%, respectively) significantly reduced tumor multiplicity (45% and 56% inhibition, P P P P
Preoperative pain in patient with an inguinal hernia predicts long-term quality of life.

Abstract Background Patients presenting for inguinal hernia repair report a wide range of pain. We hypothesized that patients presenting with less preoperative pain would experience a greater improvement in long-term quality of life after an inguinal hernia repair. Methods A total of 54 patients underwent either laparoscopic or open inguinal hernia repair and completed the Short Form 12 (SF-12) survey both preoperatively and 6 to 12 months after their repair. The physical and mental component scores (PCS and MCS) were calculated from the SF-12. Patients also completed an analog surgical pain scale. t Tests and analyses of covariance were used. A preoperative surgical pain scale score of >12 was representative of moderate to severe pain. Results Regardless of preoperative pain, there was improvement in long-term PCS quality of life (45.4 ± 11.3 vs 50.1 ± 9.1; P Conclusion This study suggests that patients presenting for inguinal hernia repair with no or low pain are more likely to experience improved physical function quality of life as a result of the herniorrhaphy.
The N Terminus of the OB Domain of Telomere Protein TPP1 Is Critical for Telomerase Action.

Summary Telomerase recruitment to telomeres and enzymatic processivity are mediated by TPP1, an essential component of telomere integrity and telomerase function. A surface on the OB domain of TPP1 called the TEL patch is critical for TPP1's telomerase-associated functions. Here, we identify a separate region in the N terminus of the OB domain (termed NOB) of TPP1 that, like the TEL patch, is essential for telomerase repeat addition processivity in vitro as well as telomerase recruitment to telomeres and telomere lengthening in cells. Although well-conserved among most mammalian TPP1 homologs, the NOB region in mice is distinct. Swapping the sequence of human NOB into mouse TPP1 allows it to stimulate human telomerase, qualifying NOB as an important determinant of species specificity for TPP1-telomerase interaction. Our studies show that TPP1 NOB is critical for telomerase function and demonstrate that the telomerase interaction surface on TPP1 is more elaborate than previously appreciated.
The DNA of Constitutional Justice in Latin America: Politics, Governance, and Judicial Design

In recent times there has been a dramatic change in the nature and scope of constitutional justice systems in the global south. New or reformed constitutions have proliferated, protecting social, economic, and political rights. While constitutional courts in Latin America have traditionally been used as ways to limit power and preserve the status quo, the evidence shows that they are evolving into a functioning part of contemporary politics and a central component of a system of constitutional justice. This book lays bare the political roots of this transformation, outlining a new way to understand judicial design and the very purpose of constitutional justice. Authors Daniel M. Brinks and Abby Blass use case studies drawn from nineteen Latin American countries over forty years to reveal the ideas behind the new systems of constitutional justice. They show how constitutional designers entrust their hopes and fears to dynamic governance systems, in hopes of directing the development of constitutional meaning over time.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Spectroscopic Imaging of the Prostate, Breast, and Liver

Metabolite Abbreviations: Ala, Alanine; ATP, Adenosine triphosphate; Cho, Choline; Cr, Creatine; Eth, Ethanolamine; Glx, Glutamine/Glutamate; GPC, Glycerophosphocholine; GPE, Glycerophosphoethanolamine; Lac, Lactate; MI, myo-Inositol; NAA, N-acetyl aspartate; NTP, Nucleotide triphosphate (e.g. ATP); PC, Phosphocholine; PCr, Phosphocreatine; PE, Phosphoethanolamine; Pi, Inorganic phosphate; SI, scylloInositol; Tau, Taurine; UDP, Uridine diphosphate.
Modeling of microscopic mechanisms in granular material

Absract The computer program BALL has been used for the past several years to model and study the behavior of two – dimensional assemblies of discs. The main result of the study thus far, a qualitative description of the material behavior, is discussed. An attempt has been made to introduce measures that may be used in a future constitutive model. The main measures, a partitioned stress tensor, and a constraint ratio, which is related to the stability of the assembly, are introduced and illustrated for some numerical experiments with BALL.
Sleep duration and biomarkers of inflammation.

MOUNTING EVIDENCE FROM BOTH OBSERVATIONAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH SUGGESTS SLEEP DURATION PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HEALTH. Studies suggest both short and extended durations of sleep are associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.1–5 The mechanisms by which altered sleep duration affects health are unclear, but experimental studies suggest altered sleep may impact levels of cytokines known to be important in regulating inflammation. Experimental sleep deprivation has been shown to acutely elevate pro-inflammatory cytokine levels including C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).6–8 However, it is not clear whether this pro-inflammatory effect observed with short-term sleep deprivation experiments persists chronically. While one week of modest sleep restriction has been associated with elevations in IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα),9 a large population based study found no relationship between habitual sleep duration in the long term and CRP levels.10 Because chronic elevations in cytokines such as CRP and IL-6 are associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes such as diabetes and heart disease,11–13 any effect of sleep duration on regulation of these cytokines could have important long-term health effects. In this study, we sought to use a well-characterized cohort with standardized polysomnography (PSG) that allowed careful adjustment for sleep apnea severity, to examine whether an association exists between sleep duration and inflammatory mediators that might explain the associations between sleep duration and disease.
Fotografie und Deutschunterricht

Als visuelles Medium steht die Fotografie einem Fach naturgemas fern, dessen Gegenstande Sprache und Literatur sind. Nach landlaufigen Vorurteilen sind Bilder vergrobernd und verkurzend, anstrengungs- oder gar gedankenlos aufnehmbar, oberflachlich, emotionalisierend und manipulierend. So gesehen steht Bildrezeption dem philologischen Anliegen der Durchdringung diskursiv verfasster symbolischer Ordnungen, wie sie Schrifttexte darstellen, diametral entgegen — und damit zumindest latent unter Verdacht.
Separation of asymmetrically capped double-decker silsesquioxanes mixtures

Abstract A synthetic path to asymmetric side-capped double-decker shaped silsesquioxanes (DDSQ) and subsequent isolation is described. By strategically using a combination of dichloro and trichlorosilane capping agents, a resultant product with mixed silanol functionalities was obtained. The use of preparatory liquid chromatography (LC) cleanly separated DDSQ compound with asymmetric functionality, and HPLC provided a quantitative technique to analyze mixture ratios. These mixture ratios did not follow the expected statistical trend due to the steric effects on the rate of capping. As a consequence, a decreased amount of the desired asymmetric DDSQ was observed in some cases. This was overcome by varying the ratio of capping agents. Overall, this work demonstrates access to asymmetric DDSQ cages is feasible, and LC is an effective separation technique.
Examining the Role of Pre-Instruction Academic Performance Within A Text-based Approach to Improving Student Content Knowledge and Understanding:

Students with disabilities are often included in general education social studies classes, but these classes can differ in the achievement level of the overall class, including wide variation in co...
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of the Third Generation 17-Cyclopropylmethyl-3,14β-dihydroxy-4,5α-epoxy-6β-[(4′-pyridyl)carboxamido]morphinan (NAP) Derivatives as μ/κ Opioid Receptor Dual Selective Ligands

μ opioid receptor (MOR) agonists have been widely applied for treating moderate to severe pain. However, numerous adverse effects have been associated with their application, including opioid-induced constipation (OIC), respiratory depression, and addiction. On the basis of previous work in our laboratory, NAP, a 6β-N-4′-pyridyl substituted naltrexamine derivative, was identified as a peripheral MOR antagonist that may be used to treat OIC. To further explore its structure–activity relationship, a new series of NAP derivatives were designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated. Among these derivatives, NFP and NYP significantly antagonized the antinociception effect of morphine. Whereas NAP acted mainly peripherally, its derivatives NFP and NYP actually can act centrally. Furthermore, NFP produced significantly lesser withdrawal symptoms than naloxone at similar doses. These results suggest that NFP has the potential to be a lead compound to treat opioid abuse and addiction.
Nicotiana tabacum pollen–pistil interactions show unexpected spatial and temporal differences in pollen tube growth among genotypes

This research revealed diverse PTG rates among intraspecific pollen–pistil interactions that showed variable dependency on the stigma and mature TT. Pollen–pistil interactions regulate pollen tube growth (PTG) rates and are determinants of fertilization and seed set. This research focuses on the diversity of intraspecific PTG rates and the spatial and temporal regulation of PTG among Nicotiana tabacum genotypes. Nonrandom mating within self-compatible species has been noted, but little is known on the mechanisms involved. To begin research on nonrandom mating, we took advantage of the model reproductive system of N. tabacum and used seventeen diverse N. tabacum genotypes in a complete pollination diallel to measure the diversity of intraspecific pollen–pistil interactions. The 289 intraspecific interactions showed surprisingly large differences in PTG rates. The interaction between specific males and females resulted in 18 specific combining abilities that were significantly different, indicating the importance of the specific genotype interaction in regulating intraspecific PTG. No single female or male genotype exerted overall control of PTG rates, as determined by a general combining ability analysis. Slow and fast pollen–pistil interactions showed spatial differences in growth rates along the style. Slower interactions had a slower initial PTG rate while fast interactions had faster consistent rates of growth indicating spatial regulation of PTG in the pistil. Removal of the stigma or the mature transmitting tissue (TT) showed the tissue-specific component of PTG regulation. Stigma removal resulted in slower or no change in PTG rate depending on the pollen and pistil genotypes. Removal of the TT, which necessitated removal of the stigma, showed no change, slower or unexpectedly, increased growth rates relative to growth rates without a stigma. These data show the diverse nature of pollen–pistil interactions in N. tabacum genotypes providing a system to further investigate the regulation of PTG.
A Conformal Three-Field Formulation for Nonlinear Elasticity: From Differential Complexes to Mixed Finite Element Methods.

We introduce a new class of mixed finite element methods for 2D and 3D compressible nonlinear elasticity. The independent unknowns of these conformal methods are displacement, displacement gradient, and the first Piola-Kirchhoff stress tensor. The so-called edge finite elements of the curl operator is employed to discretize the trial space of displacement gradients. Motivated by the differential complex of nonlinear elasticity, this choice guarantees that discrete displacement gradients satisfy the Hadamard jump condition for the strain compatibility. We study the stability of the proposed mixed finite element methods by deriving some inf-sup conditions. By considering 32 choices of simplicial conformal finite elements of degrees 1 and 2, we show that 10 choices are not stable as they do not satisfy the inf-sup conditions. We numerically study the stable choices and conclude that they can achieve optimal convergence rates. By solving several 2D and 3D numerical examples, we show that the proposed methods are capable of providing accurate approximations of strain and stress.
Average Worst-Case Secrecy Rate Maximization via UAV and Base Station Resource Allocation

In this paper, we consider a wireless network setting where a base station (BS) employs a single unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mobile relay to disseminate information to multiple users in the presence of multiple adversaries. The BS, which is on the ground, has no direct link to the users or the adversaries, who are also on the ground. We optimize the joint transmit power of the BS and the UAV, and the UAV trajectory. We introduce the information causality constraint and maximize the average worst-case secrecy rate in the presence of the adversaries. The formulated average worst-case secrecy rate optimization problem is not convex and is solved sub-optimally. First, we optimize the transmit power of the BS and the UAV under a given UAV trajectory. Then, we optimize the UAV trajectory under the sub-optimal UAV and BS transmit power. An efficient algorithm solves the average worst-case secrecy rate maximization problem iteratively until it converges. Finally, simulation results are provided, which demonstrate the correspondence of the UAV optimal track and transmit power allocation to what is suggested by the previous theoretic results.
“Dual Layer” Self-Sorting with Cucurbiturils

Platinum(II) complexes bearing terpyridyl (tpy) and thiolate ligands were used to test the design of a "dual layer" self-sorting system in the presence of Cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]). Pt(II) thiolates and CB[8] form 2:1 assemblies, with both metallic centers sitting on top of one another at one of the macrocycle portals. We showed that any pair of these CB[8]-secured Pt(II) complex dimers bearing different tpy "heads" and thiolate "tails" scrambles to afford up to 10 ternary assemblies via two processes: (1) supramolecular exchanges (i.e., the egression and ingression of Pt complexes from and into CB[8]) and (2) ligand exchanges between the Pt thiolates. The mixtures of 10 assemblies were fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. While the thiolate tails do not significantly affect the rate of the supramolecular exchanges, they were found to control (1) the kinetics of ligand exchange, with bulkier thiolates causing dramatic rate retardations, as well as (2) the thermodynamics of the self-sorting process, i.e., the distribution of assemblies at equilibrium, via intra-CB[8] assembly interactions between pairs of thiolates. Ligand exchanges are consistently slower than supramolecular exchanges. An associative pathway that involves the formation of dimers of CB[8]-secured Pt dimers (a total of 4 Pt complexes) during the ligand exchange process was invoked to rationalize the observed kinetics.
Anti-Natalism from an Evolutionary Psychological Perspective

Although research has investigated both moral psychology and evolutionary motivations behind reproduction, psychological issues at the intersection of these two domains remain relatively unexplored. In this paper, we describe anti-natalism, the ethical position that it is immoral to reproduce (e.g., Benatar 2006), and make a first outline of its potential as an area of psychological research. We note three critical gaps in knowledge: (1) extent of endorsement, (2) predictors or causes of this view, and (3) behavioral consequences of its endorsement. Although this position may seem obscure, we point to its practical relevance in understanding decisions to remain childless and its potential to contribute to a theoretical understanding of the moral processes that shape these decisions.
Abstract 291: Changes In Prescribing Patterns Before And After Price Reduction In Pcsk9 Inhibitors

Introduction: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. There have been many advances in the lipid management of these patien...
A methodology for fragility analysis of buried water pipes considering coupled horizontal and vertical ground motions

Abstract With recent advances in computational capabilities as well as broad improvements in ground motion characterization and inelastic modeling of structural and geotechnical systems, large-scale direct models for underground structures—e.g., tunnels, water reservoirs, etc.—can now be devised with relative ease and deployed in engineering practice. In this study, a fragility-based seismic performance characterization for pipes is presented and demonstrated on two steel water pipes. Existing guideline documents and design codes are used for defining the performance criteria; and the fragility functions are developed through a Probabilistic Seismic Demand Analysis procedure for a variety of ground motion intensity measures. 800 nonlinear time-history analyses are carried out for computing the fragility functions. The analyses featured advanced numerical modeling techniques developed for soil-structure interaction problems, which included the Domain Reduction Method for injecting free-field motions into a truncated simulation domain, and the Perfectly Matched Layers for absorbing the scattered waves. The analyses are carried out using nonlinear models for both soil layers and the pipe, and coupled horizontal and vertical input ground motions. Finally, fragility surfaces of two steel water pipes, which consider the intensity measures in both horizontal and vertical directions, are devised for various soil layer profiles and engineering demand parameters.
Utility of Liver Transplantation Within the Bounds of Non-futility

To evaluate the measures of utility of liver transplant within the bounds of non-futility for controversial and high-risk scenarios associated with greatest transplant benefit and also possibilities of high futility. Liver organ allocation policies are routinely adjusted to be in line with the Final Rule, maximizing transplant opportunities and minimizing futile transplants. Transplanting patients with high survival benefit is the construct of the liver allocation models with “sickest first” approach, but such policies have unintended consequences of futile transplants which raise ethical controversies and moral burdens on transplant physicians. Various adjustments are proposed to make the liver organ allocation models effective in high-risk scenarios which yield greatest transplant benefit for patients and satisfaction for the transplant physicians while minimizing disappointment among them from reduced futile efforts. They also offer ethical and effective allocation strategies of scare medical resource, i.e., liver.
Analysis of acoustic cue production for atypical speech diagnosis

Acoustic cues to lexical distinctive features can be found by examining speech waveform and spectrogram measurements, and can provide a more detailed analysis of speech than is currently provided by methods for identifying atypical speech production. Applying this individual-feature-cue framework to the clinical diagnosis domain, this project analyzes the acoustic cue patterns of young patients with various diagnoses, such as autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and Specific Language Impairment. It is hypothesized that each group will produce distinctive acoustic cue patterns for a widely used non-word repetition task, C-TOPP. The speech recordings of 37 subjects were labeled with their acoustic cues; these were then aligned with the cues expected in a canonical production, and acoustic cue level discrepancies were identified. With mispronunciation patterns of each atypical group identified, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) model was developed that can computationally help with diagnosing a patient, given his/her speech recording for this task. Although there are limitations to the study's diagnosis model due to the small data set, the preliminary results show promising insights, yielding 75.7% prediction accuracy for the diagnostic group.
Differences in effectiveness and use of laparoscopic surgery in locally advanced colon cancer patients

Patients with locally advanced colon cancer have worse outcomes. Guidelines of various organizations are conflicting about the use of laparoscopic colectomy (LC) in locally advanced colon cancer. We determined whether patient outcomes of LC and open colectomy (OC) for locally advanced (T4) colon cancer are comparable in all colon cancer patients, T4a versus T4b patients, obese versus non-obese patients, and tumors located in the ascending, descending, and transverse colon. We used data from the 2013–2015 American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Patients were diagnosed with nonmetastatic pT4 colon cancer, with or without obstruction, and underwent LC (n = 563) or OC (n = 807). We used a composite outcome score (mortality, readmission, re-operation, wound infection, bleeding transfusion, and prolonged postoperative ileus); length of stay; and length of operation. Patients undergoing LC exhibited a composite outcome score that was 9.5% lower (95% CI − 15.4; − 3.5) versus those undergoing OC. LC patients experienced a 11.3% reduction in postoperative ileus (95% CI − 16.0; − 6.5) and an average of 2 days shorter length of stay (95% CI − 2.9; − 1.0). Patients undergoing LC were in the operating room an average of 13.5 min longer (95% CI 1.5; 25.6). We found no evidence for treatment heterogeneity across subgroups (p > 0.05). Patients with locally advanced colon cancer who receive LC had better overall outcomes and shorter lengths of stay compared with OC patients. LC was equally effective in obese/nonobese patients, in T4a/T4b patients, and regardless of the location of the tumor.
Repurposing Drugs to Treat Heart and Brain Illness

Drug development is a complicated, slow and expensive process with high failure rates. One strategy to mitigate these factors is to recycle existing drugs with viable safety profiles and have gained Food and Drug Administration approval following extensive clinical trials. Cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases are difficult to treat, and there exist few effective therapeutics, necessitating the development of new, more efficacious drugs. Recent scientific studies have led to a mechanistic understanding of heart and brain disease progression, which has led researchers to assess myriad drugs for their potential as pharmacological treatments for these ailments. The focus of this review is to survey strategies for the selection of drug repurposing candidates and provide representative case studies where drug repurposing strategies were used to discover therapeutics for cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on anti-inflammatory processes where new drug alternatives are needed.
Mechanism of induced epidermization in the mouse uterine cervix

Abstract Various mechanisms have been proposed to account for the origin of new stratified squamous epithelium in the uterine cervix during intense estrogenic stimulation. In order to investigate this problem, pellets of diethylstilbestrol or estradiol benzoate were implanted subcutaneously into 1-month-old animals. Two weeks to 4 months following implantation, the animals were killed, serial sections of the cervices were prepared, and the distribution of stratified epithelium was assessed, in some cases by means of an accurate mapping technique. The appearance of a small number of isolated nodules after the shorter periods of treatment indicated that a small amount of metaplasia was taking place, but it was concluded from the absence of nodules and other evidence of metaplasia in animals treated for 4 months, that at this stage of treatment the appearance of new stratified epithelium must be due to proliferation and upgrowth of pre-existing epithelium.
"Mundos y conocimientos de otro modo". El programa de investigación de modernidad/colonialidad latinoamericano

Resumen es: Este articulo presenta y examina criticamente el trabajo de un grupo de investigadores en Latinoamerica y en los Estados Unidos que estan elaborando una...
Does developmental content influence the effectiveness of anticipatory guidance

We conducted a prospective, controlled study to evaluate the value of discussing developmental stages with mothers while providing anticipatory guidance during health maintenance visits. Eighty-three inner city mothers and their healthy, first-born infants were recruited within three days of birth and randomly assigned to either a control or intervention group. All mother-infant pairs were seen by the same pediatric provider for health maintenance visits when the infants were 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age. At each visit, anticipatory guidance for all mothers included discussions of such age-appropriate issues as nitrition, safety, sleep, and common problematic behaviors. For the 39 intervention group mothers, the basis for such information was explained through age-specific discussions of affective, cognitive, and physical development. Dependent variables measured after the 6-month visit included maternal-infant interaction; maternal perceptions of infant temperament, family adaptation and adjustment, and satisfaction with the infant9s behavior and development; and maternal satisfaction with pediatric services. Analyses of variance demonstrated no significant effect of treatment group on any of the outcome measures. These results do not support the importance of routinely discussing developmental stages during anticipatory guidance and suggest that specific, age-appropriate issues may be discussed without emphasizing the developmental basis for such information.
Progressive Community Organizing: A Critical Approach for a Globalizing World by Loretta Pyles

Progressive Community Organizing is that most unusual and welcome of contributions to the world of social work scholarship. It is a volume about community organizing and public policy framed by the...
Early indicators of self-destruction in childhood and adolescence: a survey of pediatricians and psychiatrists.

This paper reports a comparison of pediatricians' and psychiatrists' opinions about screening for children and adolescents at risk for self-destruction. Fifty-nine percent of the members of the Nebraska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and 69% of the members of the Nebraska District Branch of the American Psychiatric Association completed questionnaires containing selected early indicators for self-destruction and programs for suicide prevention. Principal findings were that pediatricians placed less emphasis than child psychiatrists on major depressive disorder, younger pediatricians placed more emphasis than psychiatrists on psychosocial indicators, physicians from both groups said they usually hospitalize attention-seeking self-destructive children, and pediatricians from smaller communities expressed less confidence in referral to psychiatrists but more confidence in community-based programs. Findings suggest that a small group of children and adolescents at risk for eventual suicide may not be identified as early as the more obvious larger groups of individuals who are accident prone, who ingest toxic substances, and who come from violent families. General indicators of risk for self-destruction include substance abuse, psychosocial problems, and minor depression. Factors indicating more specific risk for suicide include escalating stress, family enmeshment, and major mental illness, particularly major depressive disorder. Postgraduate education, instruments for discriminate screening, and balanced programs for suicide prevention are suggested to improve care. Language: en
Amide Hydrolysis Effected by a Hydroxo-Bridged Dinickel(II) Complex: Insights into the Mechanism of Urease

A series of dinuclear nickel complexes, [Ni2(H2O)4(bdptz)](OTs)4, [Ni2(OH)(H2O)3(bdptz)](OTs)3, and [Ni2(H2O)(OH)2(bdptz)]2(OTs)4, where bdptz is the dinucleating ligand 1,4-bis(2,2‘-dipyridylmethyl)phthalazine and OTs is p-toluenesulfonate, were prepared as models for urease. Potentiometric titration of [Ni2(H2O)4(bdptz)](OTs)4 revealed two deprotonation constants with pKa values of 4.38 ± 0.02 and 8.51 ± 0.02. The product of the first deprotonation, [Ni2(OH)(H2O)3(bdptz)](OTs)3, effected the stoichiometric hydrolysis of picolinamide in ethanol, a heretofore unprecedented transformation in a dinuclear metallohydrolase model complex. Picolinamide hydrolysis by [Ni2(H2O)4(bdptz)](OTs)4 or [Ni(terpy)(H2O)3](OTs)2 (terpy = 2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-terpyridine) under the same conditions was not observed. This amide hydrolysis mimics the hydrolysis of urea by the metalloenzyme urease in that a hydroxide nucleophile is produced by the dinuclear metal center and the amide is activated for nucleophilic attack by coordination...