cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circulatory and respiratory responses of spontaneously breathing, laterally recumbent horses to 12 hours of halothane anesthesia

Cardiovascular and respiratory changes that accompany markedly long periods (12 hours) of halothane anesthesia were characterized. Eight spontaneously breathing horses were studied while they were positioned in left lateral recumbency and anesthetized only with halothane in oxygen maintained at a constant end-tidal concentration of 1.06% (equivalent to 1.2 times the minimal alveolar concentration for horses). Results of circulatory and respiratory measurements during the first 5 hours of constant conditions were similar to those previously reported from this laboratory (ie, a time-related significant increase in systemic arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, left ventricular work, PCV, plasma total solids concentration, and little change in respiratory system function). Beyond 5 hours of anesthesia, arterial blood pressure did not further increase, but remained above baseline. Cardiac output continued to increase, because heart rate significantly (P < 0.05) increased. Peak inspiratory gas flow increased significantly (P < 0.05) in later stages of anesthesia. There was a significant decrease in inspiratory time beginning at 4 hours. Although PaO2 and PaCO2 did not significantly change during the 12 hours of study, PVO2 increased significantly (P < 0.05) and progressively with time, beginning 6 hours after the beginning of constant conditions. Metabolic acidosis increased with time (significantly [P < 0.05] starting at 9 hours), despite supplemental IV administered NaHCO3. Plasma concentrations of eicosanoids: 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGF1 alpha, a stable metabolite of PGI2), PGF2 alpha, PGE, and thromboxane (TxB2, a stable metabolite of TxA2) were measured in 5 of the 8 horses before and during anesthesia. Significant changes from preanesthetic values were not detected. Dynamic thoracic wall and lung compliances decreased with time.
Left Ventricular Assist Device Deactivation via Percutaneous Closure of the Outflow Graft.

• After LVAD pump stoppage, the outflow graft acts as a conduit for continuous regurgitation of blood
Epiphany in the Wilderness: Hunting, Nature, and Performance in the Nineteenth-Century American West. By Karen R. Jones.

Epiphany in the Wilderness: Hunting, Nature, and Performance in the Nineteenth-Century American West . By Karen R. Jones. (Boulder. University Press of Colorado, 2015. xiii + 363 pp. Illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. $55.00, £39.00, cloth.) The merciless slaughter of wildlife across the American West was so pervasive that most historians have just heard it as background noise, tuning their ears instead to more exceptional melodies. But by carefully listening to hunting as a performance that communicated—and sometimes subverted—a heroic code of manly power in the nineteenth-century American West, Epiphany in the Wilderness offers a rich account of the complex ways that hunting constituted a theater where women and men could craft for themselves diverse social identities. A number of familiar voices populate its pages: Jim Bridger, William … Michael.Wise{at}unt.edu
Independent life history evolution between generations of bivoltine species: a case study of cyclical parthenogenesis

Successive generations of bi- and multivoltine species encounter differing biotic and abiotic environments intra-annually. The question of whether selection can independently adjust the relationship between body size and components of reproductive effort within successive generations in response to generation-specific environmental variation is applicable to a diversity of taxa. Herein, we develop a conceptual framework that illustrates increasingly independent life history adjustments between successive generations of taxa exhibiting complex life cycles. We apply this framework to the reproductive biology of the gall-forming insect, Belonocnema treatae (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae). This bivoltine species expresses cyclical parthenogenesis in which alternating sexual and asexual generations develop in different seasons and different environments. We tested the hypotheses that ecological divergence between the alternate generations is accompanied by generational differences in body size, egg size, and egg number and by changes in the relationships between body size and these components of reproductive effort. Increased potential reproductive effort of sexual generation B. treatae is attained by increased body size and egg number (with no trade-off between egg number and egg size) and by a significant increase in the slope of the relationship between body size and potential fecundity. These generation-specific relationships, interpreted in the context of the model framework, suggest that within each generation selection has independently molded the relationships relating body size to potential fecundity and potential reproductive effort in B. treatae. The conceptual framework is broadly applicable to comparisons involving the alternating generations of bi- and multivoltine species.
Aldosterone does not alter endothelin B receptor signaling in the inner medullary collecting duct.

Recent studies suggest that aldosterone‐mediated sulfenic acid modification of the endothelin B receptor (ETB) promotes renal injury in an ischemia/reperfusion model through reduced ETB‐stimulated nitric oxide production. Similarly, aldosterone inactivation of ETB signaling promotes pulmonary artery hypertension. Consequently, we asked whether aldosterone inhibits collecting duct ETB signaling; this could promote fluid retention since CD ETB exerts natriuretic and diuretic effects. A mouse inner medullary collecting duct cell line (IMCD3) was treated with aldosterone for 48 h followed by sarafotoxin‐6c, an ETB‐selective agonist, and extracellular signal‐related kinase 1/2 (ERK) phosphorylation assessed. S6c increased the phospho/total‐ERK ratio similarly in control and aldosterone‐treated cells (aldosterone alone increased phospho/total‐ERK). Since cultured IMCD cell lines lack ETB inhibited AVP signaling, the effect of S6c on AVP‐stimulated cAMP in acutely isolated IMCD was assessed. Rats (have much higher CD ETB expression than mice) were exposed to 3 days of a normal or low Na+ diet, or low Na+ diet + desoxycorticosterone acetate. S6c inhibited AVP‐stimulated cAMP in rat IMCD by the same degree in the high mineralocorticoid groups compared to controls. Finally, S6c‐stimulated cGMP accumulation in cultured IMCD, or S6c‐stimulated nitric oxide or cGMP in acutely isolated IMCD, was not affected by prior aldosterone exposure. These findings provide evidence that aldosterone does not modify ETB effects on ERK phosphorylation, AVP‐dependent cAMP inhibition, or NO/cGMP accumulation in the IMCD. Thus, while aldosterone can inhibit endothelial cell ETB activity to promote hypertension and injury, this response does not appear to occur in the IMCD.
American Pipe Tolling, Statutes of Repose, and Protective Filings: An Empirical Study

This paper offers a conceptual and empirical analysis of a key issue that overhangs CalPERS v. ANZ Securities, soon to be decided by the Supreme Court. In particular, the paper offers an empirical estimate of the plausible quantity of wasteful protective filings that putative class members might make if the Court were to hold that American Pipe tolling does not apply to statutes of repose in the federal securities laws.
Nocturnal seizures are associated with more severe hypoxemia and increased risk of postictal generalized EEG suppression.

Summary Patients with epilepsy have 20-fold risk of sudden death when compared to the general population. Uncontrolled seizures is the most consistent risk factor, and death often occurs at night or in relation to sleep. We examined seizure-related respiratory disturbances in sleep versus wakefulness, focusing on periictal oxygen saturation. Respiratory measures were examined in 48 recorded seizures (sleep, n = 23, wake, n = 25) from 20 adult patients with epilepsy. Seizures from sleep were associated with lower saturation, as compared to seizures from wakefulness, both during ictal (sleep median = 90.8, wake median = 95.5; p < 0.01) and postictal periods (sleep median = 94.3, wake median = 96.9; p = 0.05). Compared to wake-related seizures, seizures from sleep were also associated with a larger desaturation drop (sleep median = −4.2, wake median = −1.2; p = 0.01). Postictal generalized electroencephalography (EEG) suppression (PGES) occurred more frequently after seizures from sleep (39%), as compared to wake-related seizures (8%, p = 0.01). Our findings suggest that nocturnal seizures may entail a higher sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) severity burden, as they are associated with more severe and longer hypoxemia events, and more frequently followed by PGES, both factors implicated in sudden death.
Effects of pharmacological manipulation of the kappa opioid receptors on the aversive effects of nicotine.

Abstract Nicotine, an addictive component of tobacco smoke, produces both rewarding and aversive effects. Increasing the aversive effects of nicotine may help in promoting smoking cessation. However, neural targets mediating the aversive effects of nicotine have not been fully identified. In this study, we evaluated the role of kappa opioid receptors (KORs) in the aversive effects of nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, base; s.c.) using the nicotine-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) model in Wistar rats. The KORs were activated using the selective KOR agonist (±)U-50,488H (0, 0.03, 0.15 & 0.3 mg/kg; s.c.) and inhibited using the KOR antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI; 0, 15 & 30 mg/kg; s.c.) in separate groups of rats using a between-subjects design. Pretreatment with the KOR agonist (±)U-50,488H (0.3 mg/kg) significantly increased aversion for the nicotine-associated solution. Additionally, (±)U-50,488H (0.3 mg/kg) on its own induced aversion to the flavored solution associated with it even in the absence of nicotine, suggesting that the KOR agonist induced increase in nicotine-induced aversion was an additive effect. Interestingly, administration of the KOR antagonist nor-BNI (30 mg/kg) prior to conditioning with nicotine/saline, but not after conditioning with nicotine/saline, attenuated nicotine-induced aversive effects compared to saline controls. Taken together, these data suggest a role for KORs in the aversive effects of nicotine.
Ultrafast dynamic response of single-crystal β-HMX (octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine)

We report experimental and computational studies of shock wave dynamics in single-crystal β-HMX on an ultrafast time scale. Here, a laser-based compression drive (∼1 ns in duration; stresses of up to ∼40 GPa) is used to propagate shock waves normal to the (110) and (010) lattice planes. Ultrafast time-domain interferometry measurements reveal distinct, time-dependent relationships between the shock wave velocity and particle velocity for each crystal orientation, which suggest evolving physical processes on a sub-nanosecond time scale. To help interpret the experimental data, elastic shock wave response was simulated using a finite-strain model of crystal thermoelasticity. At early propagation times ( 500 ps), the crystal samples exhibit signatures of inelastic deformation, structural phase transformation, or chemical reaction, depending on the direction of wave propagation.
Fos-Expressing Neuronal Ensembles in Addiction Research

Abstract Maladaptive learned behaviors are at the core of addiction. During drug use, addicts learn to associate their drug-taking activities with drug reward and environmental stimuli that eventually become cues that contribute to drug relapse. One important characteristic is that these drug-related cues and behaviors are nearly always complex and highly specific, such as recognizing specific drug-associated friends or environments. The second characteristic is that addicts still perform many other nondrug-related learned behaviors in their daily life. Animal models have been good at modeling these characteristics. As with addicts, drug-related cues and behaviors in these animal models can be complex and highly specific, and the animals can still perform many other nondrug-related learned behaviors. To date, the neuronal ensemble hypothesis is the only proposed neural mechanism with enough mechanistic resolution to encode complex highly specific learned behaviors and associations in human addiction and related animal models. This chapter covers what we currently know about neuronal ensembles in drug addiction research. We begin with a brief background about relevant animal models and techniques used to study them. We then describe the evidence supporting a causal role for neuronal ensembles encoding drug-related memories and behaviors in rat and mouse models; we sometimes supplement these studies with similar findings from food reward studies. We then describe unique molecular and cellular alterations found within neuronal ensembles that were activated during recall of drug-related memories. The long-term goal is to one day selectively target and manipulate molecular and cellular alterations induced within neuronal ensembles encoding addiction-related memories in human addicts.
Synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of new zampanolide mimics

(-)-Zampanolide is a marine microtubule-stabilizing macrolide that has been shown by in vitro experiments to be a promising anticancer lead compound. Through its unique covalent-binding with β-tubulin, zampanolide exhibits cytotoxic potency towards multi-drug resistant cancer cells that is superior to paclitaxel. However, the limited availability of zampanolide impedes its further in vivo evaluation as a viable drug candidate. Zampanolide is envisioned to become more drug-like if its chemically fragile side chain can be stabilized; hence, this project aims to develop mimics of zampanolide with a stable side chain using straightforward synthetic methods. To this end, twelve novel zampanolide mimics (51-62) with conjugated and planar side chains have been synthesized via a 24-step sequence for each mimic from commercially available 2-butyn-1-ol as starting material. A Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction incorporates the α,β-unsaturated ketone side chain and also closes the core macrocycle. WST-1 cell proliferation assays in three docetaxel-sensitive and two docetaxel-resistant human prostate cancer cell models confirm that a suitably designed side chain can serve as a bioisostere for the N-acyl hemiaminal side chain in zampanolide. Mimic 52 with a 17R chiral center was identified as the optimal candidate with IC50 values of 0.29-0.46 μM against both docetaxel-sensitive (PC-3 and DU145) and docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3/DTX and DU145/DTX). Zampanolide mimic 52 exhibited equivalent antiproliferative potency towards both docetaxel-sensitive and docetaxel-resistant cell lines, with relative resistance in the range of 0.9-1.6.
Observable mathematical teaching expertise among upper elementary teachers: connections to student experiences and professional learning

Researchers examining elementary teachers’ mathematical teaching expertise—that is, teachers’ knowledge both of mathematics and of how to effectively teach mathematics—have linked such expertise to student outcomes. But, given the increasing use of classroom observations for teacher evaluation in the USA, this study considers whether and how upper elementary teachers’ mathematical teaching expertise is observable in everyday classroom observations. Using classroom observation data collected with the widely used CLASS observation instrument, this study examines relationships among observation data, student outcome data, and data on opportunities for professional learning from 298 upper elementary teachers in four urban school districts in the USA. Using principal components analysis, this study isolates an observable dimension of mathematical teaching expertise. Regression analyses then identify statistically significant relationships among observed mathematical teaching expertise and multiple student outcomes, including mathematics learning and self-efficacy, as well as teacher professional learning through collaboration with mathematics coaches. Our findings inform strategies for observing mathematical teaching expertise, strengthening the practices of upper elementary teachers, and improving student experiences in the upper elementary grades.
Translating a Worldview in the longue durée: The Tale of “The Bear’s Son”

Translation is usually understood as the practice of rendering a text written in one language into another, a process that also requires taking into consideration the cultural similarities and differences entrenched in each language. In this chapter a set of European folktales, referred to collectively as the tale of “The Bear’s Son,” are analysed, focusing on the way that the interpretative framework utilised by storytellers and their audiences has changed over time. The chapter enters a terrain that has been little explored, engaging with and addressing not only the question of the role played by folktales in projecting cultural mindsets, but also their role in constructing, maintaining, and ultimately deconstructing a worldview that appears to have been grounded initially in the belief that humans descended from bears.
Dysregulation of behavioral and autonomic responses to emotional and social stimuli following bidirectional pharmacological manipulation of the basolateral amygdala in macaques

The amygdala is a key component of the neural circuits mediating the processing and response to emotionally salient stimuli. Amygdala lesions dysregulate social interactions, responses to fearful stimuli, and autonomic functions. In rodents, the basolateral and central nuclei of the amygdala have divergent roles in behavioral control. However, few studies have selectively examined these nuclei in the primate brain. Moreover, the majority of non-human primate studies have employed lesions, which only allow for unidirectional manipulation of amygdala activity. Thus, the effects of amygdala disinhibition on behavior in the primate are unknown. To address this gap, we pharmacologically inhibited by muscimol or disinhibited by bicuculline methiodide the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA; lateral, basal, and accessory basal) in nine awake, behaving male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). We examined the effects of amygdala manipulation on: (1) behavioral responses to taxidermy snakes and social stimuli, (2) food competition and social interaction in dyads, (3) autonomic arousal as measured by cardiovascular response, and (4) prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (PPI) response. All modalities were impacted by pharmacological inhibition and/or disinhibition. Amygdala inhibition decreased fear responses to snake stimuli, increased examination of social stimuli, reduced competitive reward-seeking in dominant animals, decreased heart rate, and increased PPI response. Amygdala disinhibition restored fearful response after habituation to snakes, reduced competitive reward-seeking behavior in dominant animals, and lowered heart rate. Thus, both hypoactivity and hyperactivity of the basolateral amygdala can lead to dysregulated behavior, suggesting that a narrow range of activity is necessary for normal functions.
China-Russia-US Relations and Strategic Triangles

На геополитической сцене современности наиболее активную роль играют Китай, Россия и США. Один из ключевых вопросов заключается в том, способны ли эти державы воспроизвести американо-китайско-советский стратегический треугольник 1970-х годов, действия которого кардинально изменили мировой геополитический ландшафт. Тот треугольник возник в результате политического решения США восстановить отношения с Китаем в рамках стратегии по выходу США из войны во Вьетнаме “с честью”, ограничить растущую мощь Советского Союза и стабилизировать Восточную Азию. Искусная дипломатия Вашингтона позволила ему добиться своих целей, но треугольник сохранялся большую часть 1970-х годов, поскольку служил в том числе продвижению интересов Советского Союза и Китая. Сегодня возвращение соперничества великих держав дало почву для дискуссий о появлении нового стратегического треугольника. Однако на данный момент такого треугольника не существует, и в первую очередь потому, что США не заинтересованы в установлении рабочих отношений с Россией. Поскольку Вашингтон не рассматривает действия России как вносящие значимый вклад в угрозу, которую для США представляет Китай, он мало что предпринимает для сдерживания растущего сближения России и Китая. Именно от России будет в основном зависеть, образуется ли такой стратегический треугольник. Россия должна убедить и Вашингтон, и Пекин в том, что своими политическими решениями она способна существенно менять баланс сил между ними – как сейчас, так и в будущем. На данный момент ни в Вашингтоне, ни в Пекине не верят в то, что Россия способна на это. Прежде всего – поскольку сомневаются в способности Москвы оживить свою экономику и наработать ресурсы, необходимые для подкрепления ее великодержавных амбиций в долгосрочной перспективе.
Cancer interception by interceptor molecules: mechanistic, preclinical and human translational studies with chlorophylls.

Before ‘cancer interception’ was first advocated, ‘interceptor molecules’ had been conceived as a sub-category of preventive agents that interfered with the earliest initiation steps in carcinogenesis. Three decades ago, a seminal review cataloged over fifty synthetic agents and natural products that were known or putative interceptor molecules. Chlorophylls and their derivatives garnered much interest based on the potent antimutagenic activity in the Salmonella assay, and the subsequent mechanistic work that provided proof-of-concept for direct molecular complexes with planar aromatic carcinogens. As the ‘interceptor molecule’ hypothesis evolved, mechanistic experiments and preclinical studies supported the view that chlorophylls can interact with environmental heterocyclic amines, aflatoxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to limit their uptake and bioavailability in vivo. Support also came from human translational studies involving ultralow dose detection in healthy volunteers, as well as intervention in at-risk subjects. Antimutagenic and antigenotoxic effects of natural and synthetic chlorophylls against small alkylating agents also highlighted the fact that non-interceptor mechanisms existed. This gave impetus to investigations broadly related to free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory effects, immune modulation and photodynamic therapy. Therapeutic aspects of chlorophylls also were investigated, with evidence for cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cancer cells. As the science has evolved, new mechanistic leads continue to support the use and development of chlorophylls and their porphyrin derivatives for cancer interception, beyond the initial interest as interceptor molecules.
Cytostatic hypothermia and its impact on glioblastoma and survival

Novel therapeutic approaches are needed for patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) who otherwise have limited options. Hypothermia has been used to cryo-ablate tumor locally, but this is ineffective against infiltrative cells as it damages healthy tissue too. Alternatively, here we developed and deployed local ′cytostatic′ hypothermia to stunt GBM growth. We first investigated three grades of hypothermia in vitro and identified a cytostatic window of 20-25°C. We also determined that 18 h/d of cytostatic hypothermia can be sufficient to prevent growth. Cytostatic hypothermia resulted in cell cycle arrest, reduced metabolite production and consumption, and reduced inflammatory cytokine synthesis. We designed a device to deliver local cytostatic hypothermia in vivo in two rodent models of GBM: utilizing the rat F98 and the human U-87 MG lines. Local hypothermia more than doubled the median survival of F98 bearing rats from 3.9 weeks to 9.7 weeks. Two rats survived through 12 weeks. No loss of U-87 MG bearing rats was observed during their study period of 9 weeks. Additionally, we demonstrated that cytostatic hypothermia is synergistic with chemotherapy in vitro. Interestingly, we also demonstrate that CAR T immunotherapy can function with cytostatic hypothermia. Unlike modern targeted therapeutics, cytostatic hypothermia affects multiple cellular processes simultaneously. Thus, irrespective of the host species (e.g., rodent vs. human), it could slow tumor progression and the evolution of resistance. Our studies show that this approach enhances progression-free survival without chemical interventions. However, it may also provide time and opportunities to use standard concomitant, adjuvant, and novel cytotoxic treatments. For these reasons, local cytostatic hypothermia could be a critical addition to the limited options patients with GBM have.
Pancreas cancer: Therapeutic trials in metastatic disease

Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality in 2021. Cytotoxic therapies are the therapeutic mainstay for PDAC. The recent approval of olaparib as maintenance therapy for germline BRCA1/2-mutated PDAC and pembrolizumab for mismatch repair deficient PDAC represent molecularly targeted approaches for this disease. Investigational therapeutic strategies include targeting the stroma, metabolism, tumor microenvironment, and the immune system, and selected approaches are reviewed herein.
Mechanical metrics may show improved ability to predict osteoarthritis compared to T1rho mapping

Abstract Changes in cartilage structure and composition are commonly observed during the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Importantly, quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods, such as T1rho relaxation imaging, can noninvasively provide in vivo metrics that reflect changes in cartilage composition and therefore have the potential for use in early OA detection. Changes in cartilage mechanical properties are also hallmarks of OA cartilage; thus, measurement of cartilage mechanical properties may also be beneficial for earlier OA detection. However, the relative predictive ability of compositional versus mechanical properties in detecting OA has yet to be determined. Therefore, we developed logistic regression models predicting OA status in an ex vivo environment using several mechanical and compositional metrics to assess which metrics most effectively predict OA status. Specifically, in this study the compositional metric analyzed was the T1rho relaxation time, while the mechanical metrics analyzed were the stiffness and recovery (defined as a measure of how quickly cartilage returns to its original shape after loading) of the cartilage. Cartilage recovery had the best predictive ability of OA status both alone and in a multivariate model including the T1rho relaxation time. These findings highlight the potential of cartilage recovery as a non-invasive marker of in vivo cartilage health and motivate future investigation of this metric clinically.
Infinite Soluble Groups

The theory of infinite soluble groups has developed in directions quite different from the older theory of finite soluble groups. A noticeable feature of the infinite theory is the strong interaction with commutative algebra, which is due to the role played by the group ring. Despite this fact the exposition that follows is largely self-contained.
THE WAR AGAINST POVERTY: Out of the Loop - Causes of Africa's Poverty and Isolation

Why has development in sub-Saharan Africa remained so far behind that of the rest of the world? According to the author, geographic access to trade and good climate are critical to the development of society. Sub-Saharan Africa has had significant disadvantages in both areas.
Sheets and Filaments as the Origin of the High-Velocity Tail of the Lyα Forest

Simulations of large-scale structure formation predict the formation of sheet and filamentary structures, which are often invoked as the origin of the Lyα forest. In their simplest description, these sheets and filaments require a differential distribution of observed line-of-sight velocity widths (b), which will decrease as power laws at velocities well above the observed peak in this distribution; for filaments, the differential distribution is dN/db ∝ b-3, while for sheets it is dN/db ∝ b-2. These functional dependences on b arise a priori because of the geometry of these absorbing structures—assuming random orientations relative to the line of sight—and are otherwise unrelated to the physical state in the absorbing structure. We find the distribution at b > 35 km s-1 in three previously published data sets to be steeper than dN/dB ∝ b-3 (99.99% confidence). This implies that evidence of the finite length of these kinds of absorbing structures is present in the b-distribution data.
The Politics of Judicial Supremacy: Congress, the Supreme Court, and Standing to Sue

The Supreme Court of the United States frequently makes claims of judicial supremacy, moments in which it claims that its interpretation of the Constitution is the final word. One area of law in which claims of judicial supremacy have become more frequent is standing, or questions of whether potential litigants are proper parties to bring a case. Over time, the Court has explicitly used Article III of the Constitution and broader separation-of-powers concerns as rationales for (not) granting standing. In this process, the Court insulates judicial doctrines from legislative input, making it more difficult (but not impossible) for legislators to put forth their own visions of what the Constitution allows. Judicial claims of supremacy may be taken at face value -- we can accept these claims, that is, without really questioning what makes such claims possible or successful. In contrast, this paper explores the politics of judicial supremacy, using data on Supreme Court standing decisions as well as an original dataset of Public Laws that confer standing (from 1921 - 2012). This paper reveals the give and take surrounding judicial claims of supremacy and demonstrates that the success of such claims depends in part on how other political actors respond.
A Hill-Climbing Approach to Machine Discovery

To account for new observations, scientists must often change an initial theory (set of beliefs) that has become inconsistent due to this data. Automated discovery systems should also be able to revise their beliefs in such scenarios, in order to regain a consistent database. To this end we have constructed REVOLVER, a program that performs both discovery and belief revision. When the system makes erroneous inferences, it employs hill climbing to search for a new consistent set of beliefs. In this paper, we first discuss the goals and tasks addressed by REVOLVER. Next we describe the program's operation, using an example from chemistry to illustrate the system's representation, its basic rules and inference process, and its method for belief revision. We then evaluate the system, showing its generality (through its replication of discoveries in natural domains) and its robustness (through its ability to run efficiently in artificial domains). Finally, we discuss related work on belief revision and ideas for future work.
Pretrial Signaling with Negative Expected Value Suits

We extend the signaling model of Reinganum and Wilde (1986) by allowing for the possibility of negative expected value (NEV) suits. If filing costs are positive, then there exists a separating equilibrium such that plaintiffs with NEV suits choose not to file. By making the filing decision endogenous, we are able to derive new insights on the effects of fee shifting and contingency fees in the signaling model.
The Rise and Fall of the First Solar Cycle Model

L'article retrace l'apparition du premier modele de cycle solaire undecennal, d'apres le travail de l'astronome suisse Rudolf Wolf, qui s'attacha a repertorier les tâches solaires et a dresser des statistiques sur la base des theories d'un astronome amateur allemand, Samuel Schwabe et des observations faites depuis le XVIIe siecle.
The impact of the automotive environment on power semiconductors

The authors discuss: (1) the increased use of power semiconductors (specifically power MOSFETs) in automotive applications; (2) environmental factors that have an impact on device cost; (3) changes that should be made to vehicles to reduce component and system cost; and (4) recent power semiconductor developments that increase the chances of survival in the harsh automotive environment. Basic power FET design, and system voltage variations and their impact on power FETs are also discussed. >
Proteolipid Promoter Activity Distinguishes Two Populations of NG2-Positive Cells throughout Neonatal Cortical Development

Transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) driven by the mouse myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) gene promoter have been developed to investigate cells in the oligodendrocyte lineage. Transgene expression is consistent with the developmental expression of PLP, with cells at all stages of oligodendrocyte differentiation clearly visualized. These animals were analyzed to establish the time course of oligodendrocyte progenitor migration, proliferation, and differentiation in neonatal cortex. In these animals, two populations of NG2 proteoglycan-positive oligodendrocyte progenitor cells were identified that exist in postnatal subventricular zone and cortex. These two populations are distinguished by the presence or absence of PLP gene expression. Thus, PLP gene expression defines a subpopulation of NG2-positive cells from very early postnatal ages, which migrates toward the pial surface and proliferates in situ . EGFP + /NG2 + cells are present in the cortex from postnatal day 1, and they remain in the cortex as undifferentiated oligodendrocyte progenitors for up to 3 weeks before myelination begins. These data could be explained by the presence of an important inhibitor of oligodendrocyte differentiation in the cortex during this period, which is downregulated in a region-specific manner to allow myelination. On the other hand, it is possible that oligodendrocyte progenitor cells remain undifferentiated in cortex until an essential signal is produced in situ to induce differentiation.
Exact bias correction and covariance estimation for stereo vision

We present an approach for correcting the bias in 3D reconstruction of points imaged by a calibrated stereo rig. Our analysis is based on the observation that, due to quantization error, a 3D point reconstructed by triangulation essentially represents an entire region in space. The true location of the world point that generated the triangulated point could be anywhere in this region. We argue that the reconstructed point, if it is to represent this region in space without bias, should be located at the centroid of this region, which is not what has been done in the literature. We derive the exact geometry of these regions in space, which we call 3D cells, and we show how they can be viewed as uniform distributions of possible pre-images of the pair of corresponding pixels. By assuming a uniform distribution of points in 3D, as opposed to a uniform distribution of the projections of these 3D points on the images, we arrive at a fast and exact computation of the triangulation bias in each cell. In addition, we derive the exact covariance matrices of the 3D cells. We validate our approach in a variety of simulations ranging from 3D reconstruction to camera localization and relative motion estimation. In all cases, we are able to demonstrate a marked improvement compared to conventional techniques for small disparity values, for which bias is significant and the required corrections are large.
Late parathyroid function following successful parathyroidectomy guided by intraoperative hormone assay compared with standard bilateral neck exploration

Background Controversy continues between bilateral neck exploration and limited parathyroidectomy guided by gland hyperfunction. While one approach depends on gland size and histopathology, the other limits excision to hypersecreting glands only. Although both methods claim early operative success, the late recurrence rate with limited exploration is unknown. Late biochemical outcomes from these two operative approaches are reported. Methods Some 301 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were followed 6–495 months after successful parathyroidectomy; 164 patients had bilateral neck exploration with excision of enlarged glands (group 1) and 137 patients had glands excised based on hypersecretion (group 2). Calcium and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were measured yearly. Recurrent parathyroid gland hypersecretion was determined by iPTH levels above the normal range. Results In group 1, a single gland was excised in 150 patients (91 per cent); 15 (9 per cent) of 164 had late raised iPTH levels (12 normocalcaemic). In group 2, 133 patients (97 per cent) had a single gland excised and 21 (15 per cent) of 137 had high iPTH levels (19 normocalcaemic). The number of patients with more than one gland excised in group 1 (9 per cent) was three times higher than that in group 2 (3 per cent) (P < 0·04). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of recurrent hyperfunctioning glands between the two operative approaches (χ2 test). Conclusion Based on late parathyroid gland function, parathyroidectomy guided by gland hyperfunction yielded comparable results to bilateral neck exploration. Multiple gland excision based on gross appearance alone may result in unnecessary excision of normal glands and possible hypoparathyroidism. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd
Physician ability to assess rheumatoid arthritis disease activity using an electronic medical record–based disease activity calculator

Objective To assess physicians' concordance with Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) categories calculated by an electronic medical record (EMR)–embedded disease activity calculator, as well as attitudes toward this application. Methods Fifteen rheumatologists used the EMR-embedded disease activity calculator to predict a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) DAS28 disease activity category at the time of each clinical encounter. Results Physician-predicted DAS28 disease activity categories ranged from high (>5.1, 15% of cohort, 66 of 429 patient visits) to moderate (>3.2–5.1, 21% of cohort, 90 of 429 patient visits) to low (2.6–3.2, 29% of cohort, 123 of 429 patient visits) to remission (<2.6, 35% of cohort, 150 of 429 patient visits). Overall concordance between calculated DAS28 results and physician-predicted RA disease activity was 64%. Using either the physician-predicted or the calculated DAS28 category as the gold standard, accuracy was greatest for patients in remission (75% and 88% accuracy, respectively) and those with high disease activity (68% and 79% accuracy, respectively), and less for patients with moderate (48% and 62% accuracy, respectively) or low disease activity (62% and 31% accuracy, respectively). Conclusion Accurate physician prediction of DAS28 remission and high disease activity categories, even without immediate availability of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or the C-reactive protein level at the time of the visit, may be used to guide quantitatively driven outpatient RA management. This article was published online on March 30, 2009. An error was subsequently identified in Figure 4. This notice is included in the online and print versions to indicate that both have been corrected.
Evaluation of local porosity changes in limestone samples under triaxial stress field by using X-ray computed tomography

Abstract The character of reservoir rocks is uncertain and variable at the depths where they are subjected to different tectonic forces and pressure changes due to drilling, well stimulation and production operations. The stress- and time-dependent deformation of the porous structure is expected to change the behaviour of the most important properties of the rock, such as porosity and permeability, which in turn changes the reservoir production predictions. In this study, we demonstrate the use of X-ray computed tomography (CT) to investigate the porosity and permeability changes of Cordova Limestone samples during deformation in a triaxial cell. The experiments were performed in a specially designed X-ray transparent triaxial test cell, which enables applying stress as well as making flow measurements. Because the presence and value of confining pressure changes the deformation behaviour of the rock, different constant confining stresses were applied to the samples to change the deformation regime. As the axial load was increased, samples were scanned at different locations to determine the stress-dependent local changes in porosity. Absolute permeability during the deformation was also measured. Results show that the stress condition applied to the porous medium changes the rock and fluid transport properties, compared to measurements taken without stressing the sample. X-ray CT enabled the local porosity changes to be quantified, to locate compaction bands and places where shear location occurs, and to evaluate how the inner structure of the rock changes during different modes of deformation.
Multidimensional Targeting: Identifying Beneficiaries of Conditional Cash Transfer Programs.

Conditional cash transfer programs (CCTs) have two main objectives: reducing poverty and increasing the human capital of children. To reach these objectives, transfers are given to poor households conditioned on investments in their children’s education, health, and nutrition. Targeting mechanisms used by CCTs have been generally successful in identifying the income poor but have not fared as well in identifying households that under-invest in human capital. These mechanisms do not consider the multidimensional aspect of poverty, even when composite measures are used, as they do not capture each dimension-specific deprivation. This paper proposes a multidimensional targeting approach to identifying beneficiaries that explicitly takes into consideration the multiple objectives of CCTs and the multiple deprivations of the poor household. Results indicate that the proposed multidimensional targeting methodology significantly improves the selection of households with children who are most deprived in the dimensions often relevant to CCTs. In the case of Mexico’s Oportunidades, ex-ante evaluation results indicate that the multidimensional identification of beneficiaries increases the impact of transfers on school attendance compared to alternative targeting models.
Clinical outcomes of revision biceps tenodesis.

Purpose: Biceps tenotomy and tenodesis are effective treatment options for biceps pathology, but outcomes of revision surgery are not known. This study examines the clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone a revision biceps tenodesis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all patients since 2004 ( N = 21) who had undergone a revision biceps tenodesis with greater than 6-month follow-up was completed. A follow-up survey was carried out, and the visual analog scale (VAS), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) scores were obtained, along with SF-12 Mental (MCS-12) and Physical Component Summaries (PCS-12). Results: Indications for revision surgery were continued pain (14) and ruptured biceps (7). Complete follow-up examinations were performed in 15 of 21 patients (71.4%). Average follow-up was 33.4 ± 23.5 months. The mean postoperative scores were 1.9 out of 10, VAS; 79 out of 100, SANE; 10.2 out of 12, SST; 83 out of 100, ASES; 29 out of 35, UCLA; 44, PCS- 12; and 47.1, MCS- 12. Five patients were considered failures with a UCLA score below 27. Seventeen of twenty-one patient underwent concomitant procedures. Complete preoperative and postoperative data were collected for 14 patients. All scores demonstrated highly significant improvement from preoperative levels ( P Conclusions: The results suggest that revision subpectoral biceps tenodesis provides significant pain relief and improvement in functional outcomes at a mean follow-up of 33.4 months. Level of Evidence: Case Series, Level 4.
Estimation of non-equilibrium surface tension

Abstract A mathematical description of surface tension-temperature behavior of liquid metals under non-equilibrium conditions has been developed based upon enthropy production caused by evaporation of liquid. Model parameters were obtained from experimental data using least squares. Surface tension-temperature data for lead (99.999%) and bismuth (99.9999%) were obtained from sessile drop tests conducted at pressures in the low 10−9 torr range. Data from White5), for zinc, were used to determine variation of the non-equilibrium parameters of the model as a function of degree of departure from equilibrium. Estimates of equilibrium surface entropy and surface tension at the melting point were also obtained.
Impact of Current Management Practices on Early and Late Death in More Than 500 Consecutive Cardiac Transplant Recipients

Heart transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage heart disease. 1 However, the patient population now undergoing cardiac transplantation is significantly different from that a decade earlier: an increased proportion of patients have mechanical circulatory support devices, have received previous cardiac allografts, or have pulmonary hypertension. Cardiac reoperations and device and retransplant candidates have resulted in a larger number of sensitized patients—that is, patients who are at a higher risk for the development of various adverse immunologic effects both in the pretransplant and the posttransplant period. 2 Increasing experience with cardiac transplantation has allowed an expansion in eligibility and a gradual relaxation in conventional exclusion criteria because excellent outcomes have been demonstrated for more medically complex recipients. 3 Improved medical management of patients with end-stage heart disease has also decreased waiting list deaths. In addition, high-risk coronary revascularization and transmyocardial laser revascularization have increased survival and improved quality of life as an alternative to transplantation. Many risk factors affecting survival after cardiac transplantation have been identified. Although several multicenter, multivariable studies have proposed that specific donor and recipient variables are associated with posttransplant death, interpretation of the data is limited by differing donor and recipient selection criteria and varying pretransplant and posttransplant management strategies at the participating institutions. 4,5 In view of the considerably different profile of the current cardiac transplant candidate, and given several advances in the perioperative care of transplant recipients, we undertook this current single-center study to examine the impact of demographic, immunologic, and physiologic donor and recipient variables on early and late death (Table 1). Our hypothesis was that the impact of the previously identified risk factors on death may be diminished as a result of recent advances in transplantation that offset the increasing acuity of transplant recipients. Table 1. VARIABLES STUDIED
Structure, stability and bonding of (BC2N)n, n=2,3: an ab initio study

Abstract The dimer and trimer of BC2N are studied at the HF and MPn levels using 3-21G, 6-31G∗ and 6-31+G∗ basis sets. It is found that stability is enhanced by maintaining –BN– units together in the cyclic form. Both molecules have cyclic ground state structures with cumulenic-type equal bond lengths in the –BNBN– and polyacetylenic –CCCC– fragments. The linear–cyclic energy difference increases with the size of the cluster. Electron correlation substantially favors the cyclic structures over the linear forms. No general trend of atomic combination has been found in the linear isomers. Diffuse functions have negligible effects on the relative energies and geometries of the dimers.