cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Politics of Knowledge: What an Examination of the Margins Can Offer

I remember my first high school biology class. My story will sound familiar to almost anyone who attended a U.S. public high school in the sixties or seventies. As a part of learning the scientific method, it was impressed upon us that we must make observations, identify hypotheses, organize methods that objectively test those hypotheses, and then accept the findings. It was difficult for me to challenge the expectations of this science in any formal way, but I experienced the preformation of challenges in an existential way. Biology lab was my induction into what I was led to believe was the real work of science. That real work of science required us to experiment on THINGS in a sterile, controlled, laboratory setting. From examining our own blood to watching the movement of one-celled organisms to exploring the complex systems of worms, fruit flies, frogs, and mud puppies. In each case, I was taught to examine the object of study from an aloof perspective, as if I was analyzing the elements of a map. To do this, I had to deny something. I had to deny feelings associated with separating myself from the life under the microscope. I had to deny that there was any subjectivity at all to the objects of study merely because humans COULD put them under a microscope and because science’s answers held a promise expected to exceed any loss of life or substance. I had to deny that I knew things unscientifically that I was actually quite certain were not opinion. I had to deny the aporia of a method that claimed it was the ONLY route to legitimate knowledge and was yet unable to explain itself through its own means. I had to accept that my own identity as a student of science required these and other denials.
Three new species of Plagioporus Stafford, 1904 from darters (Perciformes: Percidae), with a redescription of Plagioporus boleosomi (Pearse, 1924) Peters, 1957

A form of Plagioporus Stafford, 1904 is described from the intestine of three North American species of darters (Perciformes: Percidae) from River West Twin, Wisconsin, USA, that we consider to be conspecific with Plagioporus boleosomi (Pearse, 1924) Peters, 1957 based on similarities in the sucker ratio, extent of the forebody, shape and position of the testes, vitellarium distribution and terminal genitalia. Three new species of Plagioporus are described from the intestine of darters as follows: Plagioporus fonti n. sp. from Percina nigrofasciata Agassiz in Florida, USA, Plagioporus limus n. sp. from Etheostoma squamosum Distler in Arkansas, USA and Plagioporus aliffi n. sp. from Etheostoma blennioides newmanni Miller in Arkansas, USA. Morphologically Plagioporus fonti n. sp., Plagioporus limus n. sp. and Plagioporus aliffi n. sp. are most similar to one another and to P. boleosomi, Plagioporus lepomis Dobrovolny, 1939 and 'P. etheostomae', a nomen nudum for a species described from Etheostoma blennioides Rafinesque in Kentucky, USA, all of which are collectively distinguished from congeners in having a combination of confluent vitellarium in the post-testicular space and absence of vitelline follicles with their entire length distributed in the forebody. Plagioporus fonti n. sp., P. limus n. sp. and P. aliffi n. sp. are respectively distinguished from one another and their closest congeners in having the anterior extent of the vitellarium in the anterior half of forebody to slightly anterior to the ventral sucker as opposed to one approximately at the level of the posterior margin of the ventral sucker, possession of an excretory vesicle reaching the anterior testis as opposed to one only reaching the posterior testis and having a longer than wide oral sucker and a wider than long ventral sucker. A Bayesian inference (BI) analysis of partial 28S rDNA sequences was conducted using the three new species and 24 sequences of opecoelids retrieved from GenBank, including ten species of Plagioporus. Plagioporus aliffi n. sp., Plagioporus fonti n. sp. and P. boleosomi comprised a moderately supported sister group to a clade containing all species of Plagioporus except Plagioporus limus n. sp. and Plagioporus shawi (Mcintosh, 1939) Margolis, 1970. Plagioporus limus and in turn P. shawi were resolved as sister to all other congeners with high and moderate support, respectively.
The Imaginary Worlds of ISPOR: Modeled Cost-Effectiveness Claims Published in Value in Health from January 2016 to December 2016

In 2016, a review of modeled cost-effectiveness studies published in Value in Health between January 2015 and December 2015 was presented. The purpose of the review was to consider whether these modeled claims for cost-effectiveness met the standards of normal science: were the claims made credible, evaluable and replicable? The review concluded that none of the 16 studies assessed met this standard. They should be seen as thought experiments; the construction of imaginary worlds which should be categorized as pseudoscience. The reader, or health care decision maker, would have had no idea, and would never know, whether the claims were right, wrong or misleading. Similar reviews were undertaken in Pharmacoeconomics and the Journal of Medical Economics and came to the same conclusion. The purpose of this second review is to consider the modeled claims published in Value in Health between January 2016 and December 2016, applying the same criteria. Unfortunately, for those who subscribe to the standards of normal science, we must come to the same conclusion. Of the 13 economic evaluations reviewed, 12 simulated claims that were immune to failure. The model structures ensured that the claims were neither evaluable nor replicable. They were categorized as pseudoscience; they failed to meet the standards of normal science. Five of these studies were supported by manufacturers and all supported the manufacturer’s product. Three systematic reviews were also evaluated. Once again, there was a failure to consider meeting the standards of normal science in presenting modeled claims for cost-effectiveness. Type: Commentary
In hand and in mind: Effects of gesture production and viewing on second language word learning

To date, within the context of second language (L2) word learning, nonspontaneous representational gesture viewing's impact on memory and spontaneous gesture production's impact on communication have been examined separately. Thus, it is unclear whether and how these effects interact, particularly in the same individuals. The present study addresses this question by comparing these effects and by examining their influence on one another. To do so, a dialogic task was employed in which participants learned words from a novel L2 and taught them to other similar participants. The results show that viewing nonspontaneous representational gesture did not affect L2 word recall whereas spontaneous production of different gesture types affected communication and memory of L2 word meanings in varying ways. Furthermore, the results provide evidence that gesture viewing primes production of similar types of gestures, and that the quantity and types of gestures produced differ based on the context of communication. These results indicate that the effects of spontaneous gesture production on communication are stronger than the effects of nonspontaneous gesture viewing on memory, and that these effects influence one another. Together, these results demonstrate that spontaneous gesture production and nonspontaneous gesture viewing play distinct but interrelated roles in L2 acquisition.
Causes of Protein-Energy Wasting in Chronic Kidney Disease

Protein-energy wasting (PEW), defined as “loss of body protein mass and fuel reserves” is one of the most serious complications of chronic kidney failure (CKF) and is frequently encountered not only in non-dialyzed patients with advanced CKF but also in those individuals with endstage renal disease (ESRD) who are receiving maintenance hemodialysis (HD) or chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy. There are many causes of PEW in CKF and these include a wide array of disorders or factors that may or may not be related directly to the underlying renal failure: anorexia, decreased nutrient intake, endocrine disorders, inflammatory cytokines, metabolic acidosis, oxidative and carbonyl stress, volume overload, co-morbid conditions, nutrient loss during the dialysis procedure, and other dialysis treatment-related factors. A number of interrelated mechanisms and mediators involved in the pathophysiology of PEW in CKF are discussed. Understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the development of PEW in CKF is key to formulating strategies for the prevention and treatment of this common and debilitating disorder.
"Who Has Plots?": Contextualizing Scientific Software, Practice, and Visualizations

Software is an integral element of the work of science yet it is not commonly an object of inquiry in studies of scientific infrastructures. This paper presents findings from an ethnographic study of a cosmology group's collaborative scientific software production. We demonstrate how these cosmologists use plots to simultaneously test their software and analyze data while interrogating multiple layers of infrastructural components. We broaden perspectives on scientific software development using a sociotechnical, software studies lens to examine this work of scientific discovery as a creative and embodied, yet exacting and methodical, activity that requires a 'human in the loop'. We offer a new reading of scientific software practices to convey how creating scientific software is often really the act of doing science itself--an intervention we believe is necessary to more successfully support scientific software sharing and infrastructure production.
Alterations in myocardial contractility in conscious dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy

We investigated the changes in left ventricular (LV) geometry and myocardial contractility in eight conscious chronically instrumented dogs studied before and after the development of dilated cardiomyopathy induced by rapid ventricular pacing. Significant increases (P less than 0.01) were observed in cardiac dimensions in both the LV long and short axes and in end-diastolic volume (control: 53 +/- 1 ml; cardiomyopathy: 76 +/- 2 ml) and end-systolic volume (control: 27 +/- 2 ml; cardiomyopathy: 56 +/- 7 ml). This was associated with the left ventricle assuming a more spherical shape with LV long-to-short axis ratio falling from 1.59 +/- 0.05 to 1.47 +/- 0.04 (P less than 0.05). Both isovolumic (LV dP/dt) and ejection phase indexes (LV mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening, corrected LV short-axis diameter at point of maximum shortening, and LV ejection fraction) were depressed by 50%. The end-systolic elastance was also depressed significantly (control: 16.6 +/- 0.7 g.cm-2.ml-1; cardiomyopathy: 10.1 +/- 1.7 g.cm-2.ml-1, P less than 0.02). However, cardiac output was maintained at 3 wk due to a compensatory tachycardia (+31 +/- 3 beats/min), plasma volume expansion (+295 +/- 68 ml, P less than 0.05), and greater reliance on the Frank-Starling mechanism. However, in an additional four dogs studied at 4-5 wk, cardiac output fell significantly (P less than 0.05). Thus rapid ventricular pacing results in dilated congestive cardiomyopathy in conscious dogs characterized by globally depressed myocardial systolic function and changes in LV shape.
The Biological Function of β3 Integrins and Other Vitronectin Receptors

Integrins are a family of cell surface molecules mediating diverse biological events involving cell-matrix as well as cell-cell interactions. The term integrin denotes a functional linkage between the extracellular matrix and the cells’ interior, thus providing cellular responsiveness to the extracellular environment (Tamkun et al., 1986; Buck and Horowitz, 1987). Integrin-ligand specificity is conferred by the subunit composition of the integrin heterodimer (a) complex (Hynes, 1987; Ruoslahti and Pierschbacher, 1987). In some cases, a given integrin heterodimer may recognize multiple ligands, or multiple integrins may recognize common ligands. The biological function underlying this intrinsic multiplicity and redundancy in ligand-integrin interaction is not well understood.
Current Depression, Lifetime History of Depression, and Visual Acuity in Hispanic Adults:

This study used data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine associations between bilateral visual acuity and depression among Cuban American, Mexican American, and Pue...
Special Facilities — Size and Scheduling

Problems concerning, the optimal number and scheduling of beds deal with only one of the many identifiable resources of a hospital or other health facility. Similar problems can also be addressed in considering operating and recovery rooms, maternity suites, laboratories, radiology units, etc. in the hospital, and dental operatories, examining rooms, etc. in free standing clinics or private medical practices. There is the difficulty of predicting demand, as considered in an earlier section (e.g., ABRANOVIC AND WALLACE (1971), DAVIES ET AL. (1975)). Nevertheless, given such prediction, the proper size and management of the subfacility still need to be determined. It should be noted that the two sections following this one are concerned with staffing, including that of these “special facilities.”
Exploring Judicial Discretion and Correctional Policy in the Practice of Violation of probation Holds in One Unique County Facility in Northwest Florida

A unique position of one county correctional facility in northwest Florida raises questions about jail crowding, costs, due process, and judicial discretion. Probationers arrested and held for firs...
Evaluation of a Geo-region Based Architecture for Information Centric Disruption Tolerant Networks

Information Centric Disruption Tolerant Networks (ICDTNs) have recently been proposed as a powerful approach to provide effective data and information sharing when existing communication infrastructures are degraded or destroyed. This paper explores using a hybrid approach for ICDTN construction using Named Data Networking (NDN) and DTN architectures that avoids the need to heavily modify existing implementations. We analyze different design choices and argue that a geographically aware architecture is particularly effective for many ICDTN applications. To support this claim we evaluate “geo” versus “node” aware NDN implementations using a number of mobility models, network sizes, DTN forwarding methods, and caching in disaster scenarios. Our results demonstrate the scalability and effectiveness of our approach with the appropriate selection of geo information, name advertisement and caching.
Selective Sexual Dimorphisms in Musculoskeletal and Cardiopulmonary Pathologic Manifestations and Mortality Incidence in the Tumor Necrosis Factor-Transgenic Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To examine and quantify the sexual dimorphism in pathologic features manifested in the musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems and incidence of mortality in the tumor necrosis factor-transgenic (TNF-Tg; Tg3647 strain) mouse model of inflammatory erosive arthritis. METHODS Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were determined in male and female Tg3647 mice and sex-matched wild-type (WT) littermate mice. Longitudinal and cross-sectional pathologic outcomes in the musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems were assessed via ultrasound, micro-computed tomography, grip strength measurements, histologic and serologic analyses, flow cytometry, and skeletal muscle physiologic measures. RESULTS Compared to male Tg3647 mice (n = 30), female Tg3647 mice (n = 34) had significantly shorter lifespans (P < 0.001) and exhibited the following pathologic features (n = 4-6 per group; P < 0.05 versus male Tg3647 littermates): gross deficits in body mass and muscle weight, early-onset inflammatory arthritis with severity of end-stage arthritis that was as severe as that seen in male transgenic mice, and early onset and increased severity of inflammatory interstitial lung disease (ILD). Histologically, the ILD observed in Tg3647 mice was characterized by inflammatory cell accumulation and pulmonary arteriole thickening, which was concomitant with the presence of right ventricular hypertrophy, a feature that was also more severe in the female compared to male Tg3647 mice (P < 0.05). No sexual dimorphisms in TNF-induced deficient grip strength, axial skeletal growth, or bone loss were found. Globally, the extent of the pathologic changes observed in female Tg3647 mice was greater than that observed in male Tg3647 mice when each group was compared to their sex-matched WT littermates. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that TNF selectively drives the early onset of arthritis and progression of pathologic changes in the cardiopulmonary system in female Tg3647 mice. These results in the Tg3647 mouse identify it as a suitable model to better understand the mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism and cardiopulmonary disease in the setting of inflammatory arthritis and other connective tissue diseases.
Stable Li Metal Anode by a Hybrid Lithium Polysulfidophosphate/Polymer Cross-Linking Film

The practical application of rechargeable lithium (Li) metal batteries has long been hindered by the unstable Li metal anode with problems like Li dendrite growth, low Coulombic efficiency (CE), an...
Urine is superior to oral fluid for detecting buprenorphine compliance in patients undergoing treatment for opioid addiction.

Abstract Background Buprenorphine (BUP) is commonly used in opioid agonist medication-assisted treatment (OA-MAT). Oral fluid (OF) is an attractive option for compliance monitoring during OA-MAT as collections are observed and evidence suggests that OF is less likely to be adulterated than urine (UR). However, the clinical and analytical performance of each matrix for monitoring BUP compliance has not been well studied. Methods We collected 260 paired OF and UR specimens. Concentrations of buprenorphine (BUP) and norbuprenorphine (NBUP) were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) in each matrix. The glucuronide metabolites and naloxone concentrations were also measured in UR by LC–MS/MS. Medications were reviewed and UR creatinine concentrations were determined. Results 147/260 specimens (57%) were positive for BUP and/or metabolites in one or both matrices. BUP and/or metabolites were more likely to be detected in UR (p Conclusions UR is the preferred matrix for detecting both buprenorphine compliance and undisclosed use. Clinicians should consider the ease of collection, risk of adulteration and detection of illicit drug use when deciding on an appropriate matrix. If OF testing is clinically necessary, UR should be measured in conjunction with OF at least periodically to avoid false negative BUP results.
Trim the fat: the role of omega-3 fatty acids in psychopharmacology

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) currently recommends the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for depressive disorders, impulse-control disorders, and psychotic disorders in treatment guidelines. This review examines the evidence for efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychosis. Meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials of omega-3 fatty acids for depression are inconclusive, with strong evidence of publication bias, sizable heterogeneity between included studies, and substantial methodological shortcomings in included trials. The large amount of heterogeneity in findings of RCTs of omega-3 fatty acids for unipolar depression is likely attributable to highly heterogeneous sample populations that are given different omega-3 supplements [which differ widely in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content, ratio, and dosage] as either adjunctive or monotherapy of other existing treatments, and then measure several different outcomes of depression symptomatology with likely incomplete blinding. Evidence of efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in treating psychosis, PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar mania is minimal. The current guidelines recommending the use of omega-3 fatty acids in adulthood psychiatric conditions should be revisited, especially given several recent negative studies examining the effects of omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular disease. Recommending likely ineffective treatment to patients, no matter how benign the side-effect profile, has opportunity cost (e.g. other more effective medications or therapies not being utilized) and likely affects patient compliance with other evidence-based treatments.
Acute Cerebral Venous Stroke

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare and likely underdiagnosed vascular cause of acute neurological deterioration that requires a high index of suspicion, accurate history, and proper imaging interpretation for prompt diagnosis. Clinical signs and symptoms are often nonspecific and are secondary to increased intracranial pressure and/or focal injury from venous stasis or occlusion. Numerous risk factors have been associated with the development of cerebral venous thrombosis and infarction, with the most common being puerperium, certain medications, and thrombophilia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a venogram (MRV) is currently the diagnostic imaging modality of choice given its higher sensitivity in CVT detection. Acute therapy includes anticoagulation with IV heparin or subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin, which is later transitioned to oral anticoagulation therapy of variable duration. Refractory cases may require catheter-directed thrombolysis or thrombectomy. Multiple complications are possible, especially during the early stages of the disease, including seizures, increased intracranial pressure, and hydrocephalus. This chapter reviews the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of this relatively uncommon, but potentially disabling and life-threatening condition.
Silver Nanofilament Formation Dynamics in a Polymer‐Ionic Liquid Thin Film by Direct Write

Silver nanofilament formation dynamics are reported for an ionic liquid (IL)-filled solid polymer electrolyte prepared by a direct-write process using a conductive atomic force microscope (C-AFM). Filaments are electrochemically formed at hundreds of xy locations on a ~40 nm thick polymer electrolyte, polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA)/[BMIM]PF6. Although the formation time generally decreases with increasing bias from 0.7 to 3.0 V, an unexpected non-monotonic maximum is observed ~ 2.0 V. At voltages approaching this region of inverted kinetics, IL electric double layers (EDLs) becomes detectable; thus, the increased nanofilament formation time can be attributed to electric field screening which hinders silver electro-migration and deposition. Scanning electron microscopy confirms that nanofilaments formed in this inverted region have significantly more lateral and diffuse features. Time-dependent formation currents reveal two types of nanofilament growth dynamics: abrupt, where the resistance decreases sharply over as little as a few ms, and gradual where it decreases more slowly over hundreds of ms. Whether the resistance change is abrupt or gradual depends on the extent to which the EDL screens the electric field. Tuning the formation time and growth dynamics using an IL opens the range of accessible resistance states, which is useful for neuromorphic applications.
Short-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy: "a construction zone".

Therapists will discover gaps in the personal narratives of their patients. The first five years of life are generally lost to the veil of infantile amnesia, and utterly unlikely to be recovered ev...
Compact structure with high TX-RX isolation for frequency domain duplexing on printed circuit boards

When developing compact and lightweight antenna systems for unmanned aerial systems, achieving high isolation between transmit and receive signal paths is challenging. To address this issue, we dem...
Central AT1 receptor signaling by circulating angiotensin II is permissive to acute intermittent hypoxia-induced sympathetic neuroplasticity.

Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) triggers sympathetic long-term facilitation (sLTF) that relies on peripheral renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation. Here, increasing AIH cycles from 5 to 10 pro...
Expression of TaTAR2.3-1B, TaYUC9-1 and TaYUC10 correlates with auxin and starch content of developing wheat grains

Abstract The role of auxin in developing grains of wheat (Triticum aestivum) is contentious with contradictory reports indicating either positive or negative effects of IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) on grain size. In addition, the contributions to the IAA pool from de novo synthesis via tryptophan, and from hydrolysis of IAA-glucose are unclear. Here we describe the first comprehensive study of tryptophan aminotransferase and indole-3-pyruvate mono-oxygenase expression during wheat grain development from 5 to 20 days after anthesis. A comparison of expression data with measurements of endogenous IAA via combined liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with heavy isotope labelled internal standards indicates that TaTAR2.3-1B, TaYUC9-A1, TaYUC9-B, TaYUC9-D1, TaYUC10-A and TaYUC10-D are primarily responsible for IAA production in developing grains. Furthermore, we show that IAA synthesis is controlled by genes expressed specifically in developing wheat grains as has already been reported in rice (Oryza sativa) and maize (Zea mays). Our results cast doubt on the proposed role of THOUSAND-GRAIN WEIGHT gene, TaTGW6, in promoting larger grain size via negative effects on grain IAA content. The work on TaTGW6 has overlooked the contribution of the dominant IAA biosynthesis pathway. Although IAA synthesis occurs primarily in the endosperm of wheat grains, we show that the TaYUC9-1 group is also strongly expressed in the embryo. Within the endosperm, TaYUC9-1 expression is highest in aleurone and transfer cells, supporting data from other cereals suggesting that IAA has a key role in differentiation of these tissues.
Information on COVID-19 Can Have a Variety of Confusing Consequences and Distort Responses and Containment

Nations across the globe face problems in compliance with measures to stop the transmission of COVID-19. They also are feeling the burden of economic disruption due to the virus and at the same time resistance from parents on school openings. Information on the danger of COVID-19 and risk of continued and even endemic transformation of the virus, especially if mutations make it more virulent, does not seem to be effective. These pressures and the failure to produce clear governmental responses are undermining quarantine and making it ineffective. More information on viral variants and on the need for more testing is necessary.
Shoulder position and handedness differentially affect excitability and intracortical inhibition of hand muscles

Individuals with stroke show distinct differences in hand function impairment when the shoulder is in adduction, within the workspace compared to when the shoulder is abducted, away from the body. To better understand how shoulder position affects hand control, we tested the corticomotor excitability and intracortical control of intrinsic and extrinsic hand muscles important for grasp in twelve healthy individuals. Motor evoked potentials (MEP) using single and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation were elicited in extensor digitorum communis (EDC), flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), first dorsal interosseous (FDI), and abductor pollicis brevis (APB). The shoulder was fully supported in horizontal adduction (ADD) or abduction (ABD). Separate mixed-effect models were fit to the MEP parameters using shoulder position (or upper-extremity [UE] side) as fixed and participants as random effects. In the non-dominant UE, EDC showed significantly greater MEPs in shoulder ABD than ADD. In contrast, the dominant side EDC showed significantly greater MEPs in ADD compared to ABD; %facilitation of EDC on dominant side showed significant stimulus intensity x position interaction, EDC excitability was significantly greater in ADD at 150% of the resting threshold. Intrinsic hand muscles of the dominant UE received significantly more intracortical inhibition (SICI) when the shoulder was in ADD compared to ABD; there was no position-dependent modulation of SICI on the non-dominant side. Our findings suggest that these resting-state changes in hand muscle excitabilities reflect the natural statistics of UE movements, which in turn may arise from as well as shape the nature of shoulder-hand coupling underlying UE behaviors.
Defining the Concept of Entanglement and Transcultural Entanglement: Global Relations and Sustainable Development (Presentation Slides)

As well as considering the perspectives from which Entanglement is viewed and defined, namely the following four components: - forms of dependence and dependency between humans and things (HT), - things and humans (TH), - things and things (TT), - humans and humans (HH), HT, TH, TT, and HH (see Hodder, I. (2016:10) Studies in Human Thing Entanglement, this study will also aim to justify and address the issue of the difficulty of attributing causality – owing to other external factors – as well as multiple contributory factors. As highlighted by Hodder (2016:11) “If everything depends on everything else in the heterogeneous mix of humans and things, how can one define causality?” The role of the environment, climate change and globalization over the years, has immensely defined and shaped the manner in which various actors (humans, institutions and organizations) relate with each other. The need to engage Non Governmental Organizations and actors in Sustainable Development, highlights “the role of NGOs as pillars for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the understanding that the State and its institutions cannot achieve the objectives of the 2030 Agenda by themselves.” From a working approach based on human rights, NGOs are a necessary bridge between citizens and public authorities, in the search for balance between social demands and the response capacity of public authorities. Hence, from the context of topical issues and matters such as climate change and sustainable development, relationships are not really as direct as they might appear from the above mentioned components. As highlighted above, “NGOs are a necessary bridge between citizens and public authorities” hence such effective functioning of relations would need to incorporate the following relations:  Citizens  Non Governmental Organisations  Public authorities This paper aims to investigate other possible forms and combination of forms/ hybrid forms of relations which might considerable impact and influence the definition attributed to the concept of “ Entanglement”.
Making a Name for Themselves

The United States finds itself at a moment of reckoning with the past. Despite historical progress, Black Americans, women, immigrants, and LGBTQ communities continue to face pervasive societal injustices. Social media and popular calls for reform have only amplified these voices. From #TimesUp to #SayTheirNames, communities are joining together to demand legal reforms for generations of systemic abuse. Through new technologies today’s movements for change are able to organize for reforms in a way never before seen. Though the platforms are new, the problems are not. Racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, and xenophobia all continue to pervade U.S. society. An area of law that touches on each of these struggles for social change has received little scholarly attention. It is the law of name change. This article tracks how name change law has served as a vehicle for liberation by oppressed peoples. Women, African Americans, immigrants, and LGBTQ individuals have all turned to the law of name change to assert their individual rights. Yet, as the legal name change process moved away from informal practice and toward judicial regulation, the opportunity for governmental intervention has often served to neutralize the emancipatory effect of the common law of name changes. Today, the common law of name change is still good law but is undermined by a judicial process that reflects systemic biases against oppressed groups. By exploring the law and its history, the article argues for a name change system that promotes a more robust application of common law while deemphasizing the gatekeeping role played by judges. In so doing, it also illustrates the case for understanding the American law of name change as a uniquely progressive legal doctrine in the movement for civil rights and liberation. “My name was Isabella; but when I left the house of bondage, I left everything behind. I wa'n't goin' to keep nothin' of Egypt on me, an' so I went to the Lord an' asked him to give me a new name.” - Sojourner Truth
Geometrical Music Theory

Musical operations, such as transpositions, can be expressed as symmetries of n -dimensional space.
Comparative Electron Microscopic Features of Normal, Hyperplastic, and Adenomatous Human Colonic Epithelium: Variations in cellular structure relative to the process of epithelial differentiation

Abstract Electron microscopic studies of the epithelium of normal human colonic mucosa, hyperplastic polyps, and adenomatous lesions confirm and extend our previous studies of these tissues. In this study the cytology of well defined examples of the three types of epithelium is compared at several crypt levels. The normal epithelium exhibits a regular pattern of differentiation as cells migrate from the base of the crypt to the free surface. Progressive maturation is seen from undifferentiated cells in the base of the crypt to intermediate and immature goblet and absorptive cells in the midcrypt and, finally, to fully mature and even senescent goblet and absorptive cells in the upper one-third of the crypt and at the free surface. The hyperplastic epithelium exhibits a similar progression, the primary difference being that most of the morphological features of maturing and mature cells are found either lower in the crypt or in exaggerated form at the same level of the crypt when compared with normal mucosa of the same colon. The adenomatous epithelium, however, rarely differentiates past the intermediate, partially differentiated cell stage, retaining both the morphological and replicative characteristics of this immature cell type.
Características dos portais brasileiros de notícias

Uma analise de conteudo de quatro portais brasileiros de noticias revelou o predominio de temas economicos nas principais manchetes do dia localizadas no topo das paginas e a ausencia de temas relacionados a educacao, meio ambiente e bem-estar social. Durante o periodo analisado, os quatro portais concentraram-se em noticias locais que, em sua maioria, nao refletiam o conceito de noticiabilidade (uma combinacao dos conceitos de significância social e desvio). As noticias basearam-se em poucas fontes, a maioria oficial. A analise de 432 materias de topo de pagina publicadas pelo UOL, Estadao, iG e Terra durante 15 dias entre fevereiro e marco de 2008 indica que naquele periodo os portais ofereceram relatos superficiais, sem linha editorial clara e ilustrados por poucos recursos de multimidia. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que o noticiario dos portais ainda esta na sua infância embora o Brasil concentre a maior populacao online da America Latina. O noticiario online dos portais analisados ainda nao possui o peso editorial necessario para cobrir grandes temas sociais e politicos norteados pela teoria da responsabilidade social.
Rate and timing of nitrogen fertilizer application on potato ‘FL1867’. Part I: Plant nitrogen uptake and soil nitrogen availability

Abstract Knowledge of seasonal nutrient demand is necessary to maximize potato (Solanum tuberosum) yield and profitability while also minimizing the risk of excess fertilizer leaching into waterways. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the N fertilizer rate and timing of application on the N use efficiency (NUE) and yield of chipping potato ‘FL1867’. This study was conducted with grower collaboration on three commercial farms for two years (2011 and 2012) using subirrigation on course textured soils in Florida. All treatments received 56 kg ha−1 of N as ammonium nitrate applied as a band approximately 40 days before planting (Npre-pl). Liquid urea ammonium nitrate was then band applied at 0, 56, 112, or 168 kg ha−1 at plant emergence (Nemerg) followed by 56 or 112 kg ha−1 applied as a side-dress at tuber initiation stage (Ntuber init). The treatments were arranged in a factorial design with four replicates. The total amount of N fertilizer applied ranged from 112 to 336 kg ha−1. Maximum daily N uptake by the potato crop occurred between 55 and 65 days after planting, coinciding with the onset of the tuber bulking stage. Heavy rainfall prior to planting the 2011 crop reduced soil N availability from pre-plant applied N fertilizer indicating the high susceptibility of that application timing to leaching. Average tuber yield ranged from 25.6 to 47.2 Mg ha −1, with the lowest yields occurring when heavy rainfall close to harvest increased yield loss to decay. While higher Nemerg rates increased soil inorganic N, tuber yield was either not affected by N application or responded quadratically peaking at Nemerg levels between 95 and 125 kg ha−1. N application rates above this range decreased yield and NUE while increasing soil residual N at the end of the season. Plant N uptake and tuber yield did not increase with Ntuber init rate above 56 kg ha−1 and it was associated with lower NUE and also higher residual soil N.
On-line calibration of high-response pressure transducers during jet-engine testing

Jet engine testing is reported concerned with the effect of inlet pressure and temperature distortions on engine performance and involves the use of numerous miniature pressure transducers. Despite recent improvements in the manufacture of miniature pressure transducers, they still exhibit sensitivity change and zero-shift with temperature and time. To obtain meaningful data, a calibration system is needed to determine these changes. A system has been developed which provides for computer selection of appropriate reference pressures selected from nine different sources to provide a two- or three-point calibration. Calibrations are made on command, before and sometimes after each data point. A unique no leak matrix valve design is used in the reference pressure system. Zero-shift corrections are measured and the values are automatically inserted into the data reduction program.
A Neural Circuit That Controls Cortical State, Plasticity, and the Gain of Sensory Responses in Mouse

Neurons in the visual cortex were first found to be exquisitely selective for particular properties of visual stimuli in anesthetized animals, including mice. Studies of alert mice in an apparatus that allowed them to stand or run revealed that locomotion causes a change in cortical state that dramatically increases the magnitude of responses in neurons of the visual cortex without altering selectivity, effectively changing the gain of sensory responses. Locomotion also dramatically enhances adult plasticity in the recovery from long-term visual deprivation. We have studied the elements and operation of the neural circuit responsible for the enhancement of activity and shown that it enhances plasticity even in mice not free to run. The circuit consists of projections ascending from the midbrain locomotor region (MLR) to the basal forebrain, activating cholinergic and perhaps other projections to excite inhibitory interneurons expressing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the visual cortex. VIP cells activated by locomotion inhibit interneurons that express somatostatin (SST), thereby disinhibiting the excitatory principal neurons and allowing them to respond more strongly to effective visual stimuli. These findings reveal in alert animals how the ascending reticular activating system described in anesthetized animals 50 years ago operates to control cortical state.
Characterization of anti-HLA class II monoclonal antibody LGII-612.14 reacting with formalin fixed tissues

mAb LGII-612.14 derived from a BALB/c mouse immunized with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) treated cultured human B lymphoid cells LG-2 has been shown with serological and immunochemical assays to recognize a monomorphic determinant expressed on the beta chain of HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP antigens. The linear nature of the determinant, which is likely to be formed by residues 19-25, is indicated by the reactivity of mAb LGII-612.14 with HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP beta chains purified by electrophoresis in presence of SDS. An unusual characteristic of mAb LGII-612.14 is its reactivity with fixed tissue sections. The intensity of staining is affected by the incubation temperature, the incubation time and the fixative used. Maximal intensity of staining of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections required an incubation time of 16 h. The intensity of staining of paraffin embedded tissues initially fixed with Bouin's solution, formalin or ethanol was similar to that of frozen tissue sections and stronger than that of tissues fixed with B5 solution. No staining was detected of paraffin embedded tissues fixed with glutaraldehyde or Zenker's solution. Comparison of the staining patterns with mAb LGII-612.14 of frozen and fixed tissue sections showed that the latter substrates provide a superior detail of tissue architecture and cellular morphology without significant loss of sensitivity. Furthermore, comparison of the characteristics of mAb LGII-612.14 with the few previously published anti-HLA class II mAb reacting with fixed tissues indicates that mAb LGII-612.14 stains formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues, while mAb 910D7 and TAL-1B5 stain tissues fixed with less commonly used fixatives. Furthermore, mAb LGII-612.14 is likely to yield more sensitive staining results than anti-HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP mAb KUL/05. The present results indicate that mAb LGII-612.14 represents a useful probe to apply immunohistochemical techniques to the analysis of the distribution of HLA class II antigens in fixed tissues. This will greatly facilitate the use of readily available collections of fixed tissue specimens in retrospective studies to assess the clinical significance of changes in HLA class II antigen expression which occur in various disease states.
Gastrointestinal Complications of Cystic Fibrosis

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator protein (CFTR) is an ion channel in the apical surface of epithelial membranes that regulates other ion channels. Dysfunction of CFTR leads to the clinical entity of CF when mutations in CFTR are inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. Although airway obstruction, inflammation, and infection are usually the most serious consequences of CFTR dysfunction because they lead to respiratory failure, CFTR dysfunction affects the intestinal tract and the pancreatic and hepatobiliary ducts in a similar fashion, leading to significant morbidity. This review outlines pathophysiology and common gastrointestinal ailments in the CF population along with current medical and surgical management.
Modulation of Functionally Active Endothelin-Converting Enzyme by Chronic Neutral Endopeptidase Inhibition in Experimental Atherosclerosis

Background —Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) processes big endothelin-1 (ET-1) to ET-1, a peptide implicated in atheroma formation. ECE-1 exists in 2 isoforms (ECE-1α and ECE-1β), the result of alternative splicing of a common gene. Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) is a genetically distinct metallopeptidase that degrades the natriuretic peptides. These peptides mediate antiproliferative and vasodilating actions. We sought to demonstrate the distribution of the 2 ECE-1 isoforms in experimental atherosclerosis, to determine the effects of chronic NEP-I on plasma cGMP concentrations, vascular wall ECE-1 activity, and ET-1 concentration, and to correlate these actions with atheroma formation. Our hypothesis was that chronic NEP-I, in association with augmented cGMP, would inhibit ECE-1 conversion of big ET-1 to active ET-1, thus reducing tissue ET-1 concentrations and associated atheroma formation. Methods and Results —Cholesterol-fed New Zealand White rabbits (n=8, 1% cholesterol diet) and NEP-I–treated cholesterol-fed New Zealand White rabbits (n=8; candoxatril, 30 mg/kg per day, Pfizer) were euthanized after 8 weeks of feeding. ECE-1α and ECE-1β immunoreactivity was present in the aortas of both groups. Compared with control values, plasma cGMP concentrations were increased (2.8±0.6 versus 8.4±1.2 pmol/mL, P <0.05), ECE-1 activity was attenuated (68±3% versus 32±8%, P <0.05), aortic tissue ET-1 concentrations were reduced (4.6±0.5 versus 3.2±0.3 pg/mg protein, P <0.05), and atheroma formation was attenuated (62±6% versus 34±5%, P <0.01) by NEP-I. Conclusions —These studies suggest that ECE-1 is present and functionally active in the vascular wall in atherosclerosis. Inhibition of ECE-1 by NEP-I represents a novel approach to interruption of the endothelin system in this cardiovascular disease state.
Higher order discretization methods for y″ = f(x, y, y′)

Abstract The main purpose of this paper is to present high order discretization methods for a two point boundary problem, y″ = f(x, y, y′); y(a) = ya, y(b) = yb where fy > 0. Two methods are given. The former is a four step method with error ∥e∥∝ = Ch4, the latter is a six step method with error ∥e∥∝ = Ch6. We show that the error estimates are sharp and are less accurate by a factor of O(h2) than the corresponding methods constructed for the problem y″ = f(x, y); y(a) = ya, y(b) = yb. As a by-product we show that these results can be applied to find the necessary conditions to determine the extremal value of ∝ab g(x, y, y′) dx. Computer results are given to illustrate our results. We also give “start up” methods which are required for these algorithms and show they satisfy the errors described above.
On tree-based techniques for query evaluation

We discuss a technique for query evaluation based on storing intermediary results as trees and study two applications. We first consider the problem of computing the transitive closure of a graph for a specific set of source nodes. Algorithms for this problem can be directly applied to many nonrecursive queries as well. We give a new algorithm and show that it is superior to several previous algorithms. We then consider Warshall's transitive closure algorithm. This algorithm is not O(n e), but we show that by using trees instead flat representations of intermediary results, we can derive a new version of the algorithm with an O(n e> upper bound.
Comments on the holomorphic anomaly in open topological string theory

Abstract We show that a general solution to the extended holomorphic anomaly equations for the open topological string on D-branes in a Calabi–Yau manifold, recently written down by Walcher in arXiv: 0705.4098 , is obtained from the general solution to the holomorphic anomaly equations for the closed topological string on the same manifold, by shifting the closed string moduli by amounts proportional to the 't Hooft coupling.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Clinical and Research Update

Spinal muscular atrophy, a hereditary degenerative disorder of lower motor neurons associated with progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality. It is caused by decreased levels of the “survival of motor neuron” (SMN) protein. Its inheritance pattern is autosomal recessive, resulting from mutations involving the SMN1 gene on chromosome 5q13. However, unlike many other autosomal recessive diseases, the SMN gene involves a unique structure (an inverted duplication) that presents potential therapeutic targets. Although no effective treatment for spinal muscular atrophy exists, the field of translational research in spinal muscular atrophy is active, and clinical trials are ongoing. Advances in the multidisciplinary supportive care of children with spinal muscular atrophy also offer hope for improved life expectancy and quality of life.