cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE POLITICAL EMBEDDEDNESS OF PRIVATE ECONOMIC TRANSACTIONS

Governments are able to manipulate economic transactions in order to achieve foreign policy goals. This article addresses the question: can managers of multinational enterprises (MNEs) structure economic transactions in ways that will limit the costs resulting from government intervention? Using a transaction cost framework, the efficiency of alternative structures (exporting, joint ventures, licensing, or wholly owned subsidiaries) for protecting a firm's interests are assessed. We argue that the traditional focus on the dyadic relationship between supplier and buyer misses sources of transaction costs; by conceptualizing economic transactions as embedded in a political context, additional sources of transaction costs are revealed. We examine three cases of home government intervention in US MNE transactions with the Soviet Union. We find that the full range of structural alternatives is affected by government sanctions, although sanctions are imposed on exporting relationships first and removed last. We find that MNEs are, therefore, beginning to insulate international transactions by making their overseas subsidiaries more independent of US technology and supplies with the hope that the US government will be less likely to impose its will extraterritorially by intervening in foreign subsidiaries’private economic transactions.
Impoverishing the Trier of Fact: Excluding the Proponent's Expert Testimony Due to the Opponent's Inability to Afford Rebuttal Evidence

There is a marked tendency toward the expanded use of expert testimony at trial. However, such testimony can be expensive. A 15 second computer generated animation (CGA) can cost $20,000, and likewise DNA testimony can be quite costly. Thus, the increased use of expert evidence places poorer litigants at a distinct disadvantage. One way to level the evidentiary playing field is to provide the poor litigant with expert services. Under Ake v. Oklahoma, 470 U.S. 68 (1985), the Constitution sometimes compels the appointment of an expert for an indigent accused. An appointment for an indigent accused is also possible under the Criminal Justice Act. However, in practice, such appointments are few and far between. Another way to level the playing field is to exclude the wealthier proponent's expert testimony. In a 2006 decision, Commonwealth v. Serge, 586 Pa. 671, 896 A.2d 2006 (2006), in dictum several members of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court expressed the view that when the opponent cannot afford rebuttal testimony, that state's Rule 403 sometimes authorizes the trial judge to bar the proponent's testimony. Pennsylvania's Rule 403 is identical to Federal Rule of Evidence 403; and in a survey mentioned in the article, a number of federal District Court judges expressed the same view. The purpose of this article is to analyze the propriety of using Rule 403 in that fashion. On the one hand, the article concludes that Rule 403 does not embody any egalitarian objective. Rule 403 does not authorize the judge to exclude the proponent's testimony simply because the jury is likely to find the testimony impressive and the opponent cannot afford to hire a rebuttal witness. On the other hand, the article argues that on occasion, there is a justification for barring the proponent's testimony under Rule 403. Rule 403 tasks the trial judge to balance the probative value of the evidence against its incidental probative dangers. One of those dangers is the risk that the jury will attach excessive weight to the testimony. The article contends that that risk is acute when three factors concur: The proponent's expert has impressive credentials, the expert's analytic technique does not include an objective decisional rule, and there are no data as to the error rate for the technique. To be sure, in many cases, the trial judge has other tools - the invocation of the learned treatise hearsay exception, judicial notice, and cautionary instructions - to minimize the risk. However, in an extreme case when the three factors concur and these tools are unavailable to the judge, the drastic step of exclusion under Rule 403 is warranted.
NMR experiments on pure 3 He and 3 He- 4 He mixtures in silica aerogel

We have carried out a series of NMR experiments on3He systems filling the pores of silica aerogel with 95% porosity. The systems studied included3He-4He mixtures with a wide range of3He concentrations x3 as well as pure3He. All experiments were conducted in an 8 T field and for temperatures T ≥ 6 mK. This resulted in strong spin polarization at the lowest temperatures (up to approximately 80%) for the localized layer observed for a pure3He sample. For pure3He, the magnetic behavior is dominated by the localized spins, which are found to constitute 6% of the sample. The coupled system of localized plus liquid spins displays rapid transverse magnetization relaxation with an anomalous temperature dependence. For intermediate x3 magnetization measurements provide a preliminary indication of the phase diagram of mixtures filling this porous material. The magnetization is hysteretic over some ranges of x3.
The Penetration of Ultra Violet Light Into the Human Skin.

The problem of the penetration of ultra violet light into the human skin is not yet solved. This problem is of great interest, however, particularly from the point of view that certain limited parts of the ultra violet spectrum produce certain characteristic biological effects, such as erythema, pigmentation, bactericidy, antirachitic action, and others. For the scientific explanation of this reaction it is of interest to know to what depth of the skin these biologically active rays penetrate and by what substances they are selectively absorbed. In order to contribute to the solution of this problem absorption measurements were made for the various parts and biological constituents of the human skin.Two methods have been used, the photographic and the photoelectric, both in connection with a mercury quartz arc and a Hilger spectrograph. The photoelectric method has the advantage that the whole spectrum can be obtained within a few minutes, and that it gives a crucial test about the end absorption in the f...
Integrated cerebral protection: combined antegrade and retrograde cerebral perfusion during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

OBJECTIVE Aortic arch surgery requires temporary interruption of cerebral perfusion. Hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) is an established method of central nervous system protection for limited periods of absent cerebral blood flow. Adjuncts to increase the safe duration of circulatory arrest include either retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) or antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP), with most complex aortic operations now performed using HCA with ACP. We reasoned that optimal cerebral protection might be achieved with a combination of ACP and RCP (integrated brain protection) and present an early clinical experience that supports this approach. METHODS The integrated brain protection strategy included sequential overlapping periods of RCP, ACP, and RCP during HCA. Moderate systemic hypothermia (25°C) was used. Patient data were gathered through retrospective chart review. RESULTS Between 2008 and 2009, six consecutive patients underwent ascending aortic graft replacement for acute type A dissection using HCA and integrated brain protection. The mean minimum systemic temperature was 22.9 ± 1.8°C, the mean total HCA time was 34 ± 5 minutes, and the mean duration of ACP and RCP was 22 ± 6 and 7 ± 5 minutes, respectively. Patients were awake and followed commands 10.1 ± 3.4 (range, 5-13) hours after operation, and there was no evidence of temporary neurologic dysfunction. There was no operative mortality. CONCLUSIONS Integrated brain protection using both RCP and ACP during HCA is a promising approach for the safe performance of complex aortic surgery and is worthy of evaluation in larger clinical series.
Electron Microscopic and Autoradiographic Studies on Distribution of Dieldrin in the Intact Nerve Tissues of German Cockroaches

Efforts were made to study the ultrastructure of the nervous systems of dieldrin-resistant and dieldrin-susceptible Blattella germanica (L.). Autoradiographic studies at the electron microscopic level were used to study the movement of the labeled insecticide in the neural matter. It was concluded that the interstrain difference in susceptibilities toward dieldrin is likely caused by the ability of the nervous system of the resistant strain to accumulate Jess amounts of dieldrin. The resistant nervous systems, otherwise, did not show any visually recognizable differences in their gross morphological characteristics from the susceptible systems.
Global Account Management as an Interorganizational Network: Theory and Propositions

Perhaps the greatest challenge of global account management is the organization and control of the multitude of relationships surrounding the service of each global customer. Requirements for uniform products, consistent worldwide service and support, standardized terms of sale and terms of payment, and global pricing structures present a constant challenge for supplier firms. Global account management entails multilayered relationships among the organizational actors that must be coordinated for the collective accomplishment of performance objectives (Harvey et al. 2003; Shi et al. 2005). This leads us to consider the features of the working relationships among the global account management team and local organizational actors, asking the following research questions: a) Which relationship characteristics drive performance in global account management? b) How do differences in relationship characteristics across organizational levels influence performance?
Neuroimaging of Concussion

In this review, we discuss the literature regarding both concussion and mild traumatic brain injury. We focus on the role for neuroimaging in the concussed patient and describe the recommended practices related to imaging in concussion. This discussion first focuses on the exclusion of severe injuries and is followed by a discussion of the potential utility of various advanced imaging techniques in research and clinical practice.
PCHD Based Robust Control of VSC-HVDC Transmission Based on Port-controlled Hamiltonian with Dissipation

According to the mathematical model of voltage source converter based high voltage direct current(VSC-HVDC) and port-controlled Hamiltonian with dissipation(PCHD) equation,the PCHD model for VSC in three-phase frame is developed,and the PCHD model of VSC in dq rotating frame is derived with its rigorous passivity proved.A desired energy function is built and used as Lyapunov function by assigning the link matrix and damping matrix.The influence of the equivalent resistance of the VSC dc side on the system is eliminated by assigning the injecting damping matrix.The interconnection and damping assignment passivity-based(IDA-PB) controller is designed according to the expected equilibrium point,the state variable and the IDA-PB control principle.VSC-HVDC and its control system are simulated under different operating conditions using software PSCAD/EMTDC,the results showing that the control strategy proposed has good performance and strong dynamic-or static-state robustness.
Study on the urinary thiocyanate reference value of health crowd in ZhenJiang

Objective:The urinary thiocyanate(USCN) value in the general health population in Zhenjiang was detected in order to find the normal value of health population in Zhenjiang,so as to provide the scientific evidence for occupational contact poison workers health supervision.Methods:The morning urine samples were collected from 77 male and 79 female students in university,USCN and creatinine(Cr) were detected respectively. Results:The value range of USCN without regulated with creatinine were 5.18～62.62 mg/L,Gm=19.62 mg/L,SG=1.67 mg/L,The value range of USCN regulated with creatinine were 1.18～82.74 mg/gCr,Gm=11.03 mg/gCr,SG=2.58 mg/L.The distribution of USCN value was positive skewedly,and the level of USCN in male was significantly lower than in female. Conclusion:Based on the significant difference between male and female,the gender specific reference value of USCN should be developed,that is,27.96 mg/L for female and 16.66 mg/L for male,and when urine Cr were used.The reference value of USCN were 21.24 mg/gCr for female and 8.16 mg/gCr for male.
Ammonium and potassium cation exchange resin in treatment of congestive heart failure.

A clinical evaluation of a potassium and ammonium resin was made on 8 patients with cardiac decompensation and edema. Six of the patients were able to tolerate higher sodium diets while taking resin than during their control period. MERCUHYDRIN® effect was increased in most of the patients while they took resin.
Study on the effect mechanisms of pre-stress on residual stress and surface roughness in PSHG

Pre-stressed hardening grinding (PSHG) which blends the principle of pre-stressed machining and grinding hardening technology is a complicated thermal-mechanical coupling process. As the main indexes of surface integrity, residual stress and surface roughness have an important effect on the functional performance of workpiece. In order to reveal the effect mechanisms of pre-stress on residual stress and surface roughness, simulations and experiments are carried out for 45 steel. The simulations of PSHG process are carried out in DEFORM-3D with a single grain. The effects of pre-stress on grinding force, pile-up deformation, and plastic deformation of the machined surface layer are discussed. PSHG experiments are conducted under different pre-stresses. Then, metallographic structure and surface micro-topography are observed and discussed. Combining results of the simulations and the experiments, the effect mechanisms of pre-stress on residual stress and surface roughness are analyzed. Main results of this study are as follows: the pre-stress cannot change the average of grinding force directly, but has effect on the plastic deformation and phase transformation by affecting stress-strain and temperature in PSHG, and consequently has effect on residual stress. Besides, when releasing pre-stress, core materials have elastic recovery which results in additional compressive residual stress on surface. The pre-stress affects surface roughness by affecting pile-up deformation, dislocation density and grain volume, and surface damages.
TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATION IS SAFE IN PATIENTS WITH LEFT ATRIAL THROMBUS OR SPONTANEOUS ECHO CONTRAST

Background: Left atrial thrombus (LAT) and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) are risk markers for cardioembolization. LAT was an exclusion criterion in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) trials although such patients undergo TAVR in the “real-world” setting. In this study we analyze
EnlistTM Weed Control Systems for Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Management in Texas High Plains Cotton

Weed management systems were established near Lubbock, TX in 2013, 2014, and 2015 to assess the effectiveness of premixed 2,4-D choline + glyphosate alone and in combination with glufosinate and soil-residual herbicides for Palmer amaranth control. Systems consisted of trifluralin applied preplant incorporated followed by an early POST application followed by a mid-POST application. Palmer amaranth control 21 days after the early POST application ranged from 75 to 90% for all treatments that included 2,4-D choline + glyphosate alone or in a tank-mixture in 2013. Twentyeight days after the mid-POST application, Palmer amaranth was controlled 86 to 99% for all herbicide systems with the exception of systems that included a mid-POST application of glufosinate alone. Combined across 2014 and 2015, Palmer amaranth control 21 days after the early POST application ranged from 96 to 98% for all systems that included 2,4-D choline + glyphosate, 2,4-D choline alone, or 2,4-D choline in a tank-mixture. Combined acro...
ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK AND STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION GAPS

Purpose: The journal aims at assessing how organizational policy framework leads to strategy implementation gaps. The study population was made up of management and support staff of Kenyan commercial banks. Methodology: It employed the use of questionnaires to obtain relevant data from respondents. The study focused on 250 top, middle and lower level employees from Kenyan commercial banks. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics methods used include mean and standard deviation. The inferential statistics used in the study include Pearson correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and coefficients. The research data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and Microsoft Excel programs. Organizational policy framework was divided into ten parameters; standard operating procedures, operations manuals, loan processing policies, human resource policies, company circulars, departmental communication, memos, instructional letters, email instructions and information technology policies. Of all the ten factors of organizational policy framework, the highly statistical significant ones were standard operational procedures and loan processing policies. Results: A correlation analysis to determine the relationship between standard operating procedures and loan processing policies established that standard operating procedures influenced loan processing policies. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study assessed how policy framework leads to strategy implementation gaps in Kenyan Commercial Banks. Further studies about factors leading to strategy implementation gaps should be conducted on other financial institutions like insurance and, indeed, other industries.
Remote estimation of maize carbon sequestration capacity based on eddy covariance flux measurements

Gross primary production (GPP), defined as the overall amount of carbon fixed through the process of vegetation photosynthesis, is an important characteristic for climate change and carbon cycle research to reveal the carbon sequestration capacity of a certain ecosystem. The aim of the research is to test a simplified way to remote estimation of gross primary production in maize with remote sensing and carbon flux measurements, through discarding nearly all kinds of complex concepts and focusing on the operation convenience, according to the main principle is based on the concept of LUE-based (light use efficiency) GPP estimation models. And validate whether it is right that “the more complex the method is, the more accurate it will achieve”. Results shows that for single and multi-sites estimations, the two forms of estimation concepts of GPP ∝VI∗SOL and GPP ∝LAI∗VI∗SOL performs different. And the former one seems to be better than the other. This also reveals that to establish the remotely-sensed models, the numbers of input parameters is not the key influence factors. The accuracy of single site estimation is higher than that of multi-sites because of the heterogeneity in different sites.
The Caenorhabditis elegans Ortholog of TDP-43 Regulates the Chromatin Localization of the Heterochromatin Protein 1 Homolog HPL-2.

ABSTRACT TDP-1 is the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of mammalian TDP-43, which is strongly implicated in the etiology of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We discovered that deletion of the tdp-1 gene results in enhanced nuclear RNA interference (RNAi). As nuclear RNAi in C. elegans involves chromatin changes moderated by HPL-2, a homolog of heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1), we investigated the interaction of TDP-1 and HPL-2. We found that TDP-1 and HPL-2 interact directly and that loss of TDP-1 dramatically alters the chromatin association of HPL-2. We showed previously that deletion of the tdp-1 gene results in transcriptional alterations and the accumulation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). These molecular changes are replicated in an hpl-2 deletion strain, consistent with HPL-2 acting in consort with TDP-1 to modulate these aspects of RNA metabolism. Our observations identify novel mechanisms by which HP1 homologs can be recruited to chromatin and by which nuclear depletion of human TDP-43 may lead to changes in RNA metabolism that are relevant to disease.
Electrical Spin Injection and Detection in Silicon Nanowires with Axial Doping Gradient

The interest in spin transport in nanoscopic semiconductor channels is driven by both the inevitable miniaturization of spintronics devices toward nanoscale and the rich spin-dependent physics the quantum confinement engenders. For such studies, the all-important issue of the ferromagnet/semiconductor (FM/SC) interface becomes even more critical at nanoscale. Here we elucidate the effects of the FM/SC interface on electrical spin injection and detection at nanoscale dimensions, utilizing a unique type of Si nanowires (NWs) with an inherent axial doping gradient. Two-terminal and nonlocal four-terminal lateral spin-valve measurements were performed using different combinations from a series of FM contacts positioned along the same NW. The data are analyzed with a general model of spin accumulation in a normal channel under electrical spin injection from a FM, which reveals a distinct correlation of decreasing spin-valve signal with increasing injector junction resistance. The observation is attributed to t...
Disease Incidence and Epidemiology — The Situation in the USA

Respiratory infections are most prevalent and severe in feeder cattle enterprises because of stress arising from climatic factors, distant hauling, overcrowding, and rigorous handling, all of which predispose to infection and promote its spread. Shipping fever, in which bacteria such as Pasteurella, Corynebacteria, Mycoplasma, and miscellaneous bacterial species are usually associated with Parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) virus, is the most common and costly infection. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a less frequent problem, although it is sometimes complicated by secondary bacterial invasion, with ensuing mortality. Also, because of the latent nature of IBR, problems associated with vaccination against it occasionally occur. Adenoviral infection has not been encountered in feeder cattle, but it appears that these viruses play a role in respiratory-enteric infection in calves. Sporadic outbreaks of respiratory disease attributed to rhinoviruses and bovine respiratory syncytial (BRS) viruses are occasionally reported; but the etiologic significance of these agents, per se, in such infections is unclear. Surprisingly, despite the ubiquity of Chlamydia, the relative scarcity of reports indicates that these agents are rarely involved in respiratory diseases of cattle in the USA. The epidemiology of shipping fever and, to some extent, of IBR, is essentially unresolved.
Resilience Quantification and Assessment

Risk quantification is an essential element of any risk or resilience management tool. Traditionally, chemical risk quantification is undertaken with the assistance of extensive data in an exposure-driven approach, where both human and environmental health risk is evaluated in repeated trials. In infrastructure risk quantification, less common events, such as natural disasters, may be quantified through probabilities reliant on extensive historical data. However, in the absence of rigorous quantitative data, exposure-driven risk assessment may be replaced (however temporarily) by qualitative assessment. Regardless of method chosen, however, the ultimate goal of risk quantification is to classify a material or project as containing no risk, prohibitive risk, or some gradient in between.
Preliminary evaluation of pharmacy resident integration within an academic interprofessional patient aligned care team at a Veterans Affairs Academic Medical Center

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe pharmacy residents' experience and other post-graduate trainees' perspectives of pharmacy involvement in the initial stages of an interprofessional ambulatory care training program. Pharmacy residents collaborated with medical residents, nurse practitioner residents, and a clinical psychology fellow during their one-month rotation in interprofessional activities such as a CarePlus clinic, ambulatory care clinic, and weekly didactic training. Outcomes were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively to obtain other professional trainees' view on pharmacy involvement in clinic as well as pharmacy residents’ perspective regarding their rotational experience. The development of this structured rotation contributed to increased knowledge sharing, communication, interpersonal skills, and collaboration amongst post-graduate trainees and identified areas for quality improvement that could be implemented in the future. Evaluations and assessments are ongoing.
Sexual Stereotyping in Mathematics: Beyond Textbooks.

IllUiii < Jjjs -AJl Л L, u**The May 1977 issue of ibt Arithmetic Teacher included three articles that discussed some of the issues involved in the problem of sex-role stereotyping and mathematics learning. Fennema and Sherman reviewed and analyzed the sex-related differences in mathematics learning and studying that have been found in research. They hypothesized that many females elect not to take mathematics in high school and college because mathematics is perceived as a male area of study and therefore inappropriate for females. The other two articles one by Kepner and Koehn, the other by Kuhnkeexamined the extent of sex-role stereotyping in elementary mathematics textbooks. In the latter two articles there was a sense that (a) things are changing on their own so we have nothing more to do and (b) once sex-role stereotyping is removed from elementary mathematics texts we will have provided equity for females in the study of mathematics.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of Standard Renal Function Equations in Critically Ill Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Obtaining an accurate estimation of renal function is germane to optimizing care in critically ill patients. However, there is no consensus on the most accurate renal function assessment to utilize in this patient population, particularly in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients. Thus, the objective of this observational study was to determine the comparability of renal function equations to body surface area (BSA)-adjusted 8-h creatinine clearance (CrCl) in aSAH patients. A PubMed search investigated the applicability of various renal function equations in critically ill patient populations. A subset of these equations was compared to BSA-adjusted 8-h CrCl from a previous study with aSAH patients with no evidence of renal dysfunction (admission serum creatinine < 1.5 mg/dL) and no history of chronic kidney disease. Area-under-the-curve (AUC) calculations were completed using serial laboratory measurements to validate preliminary findings. A total of 14 renal function equations were identified with seven carried forward for further analysis based upon a priori criteria. Seven equations were excluded for various reasons, including lack of available clinical data, redundancy with other equations, and dissimilar patient populations to this study. When directly compared to the BSA-adjusted 8-h CrCl, only the Cockcroft–Gault and BSA-adjusted Cockcroft–Gault equations were not statistically significantly different (P = 0.0886 and P = 0.4805, respectively); all other equations were statistically significantly different (P < 0.0001). Additionally, only 52% and 44% of patients had average values within 20% of the BSA-adjusted 8-h CrCl using the Cockcroft–Gault and BSA-adjusted Cockcroft–Gault equations, respectively. Finally, the AUC calculations corroborated the preliminary findings with similar results in statistical testing for the Cockcroft–Gault and BSA-adjusted Cockcroft–Gault (P = 0.6300 and P = 0.1513, respectively). The Cockcroft–Gault equation may be the best renal function equation to assess in critically ill patients diagnosed with aSAH. However, accuracy and consistency in assessing renal function when compared to the BSA-adjusted 8-h CrCl were lacking. Thus, this study suggests the BSA-adjusted 8-h CrCl may be the most appropriate assessment of renal function in patients with aSAH.
Trauma and Violence as Predictors of Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms of Youth in Residential Child Welfare Placements

Youth in residential treatment centers have high rates of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and most youth in residential placements do not demonstrate long-term positive improvements in mental health. These youth also often experience high levels of exposure to violence and trauma, yet little is known about the interrelationships between exposure to violence, trauma, and mental health outcomes including internalizing and externalizing symptoms. As such, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the linkages between youth exposure to violence, trauma, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. The current study examined these interrelationships and tested gender and race as moderators. The sample included youth in residential treatment with a mean age of 13.75 years, a diverse racial makeup, and almost an equal percentage of males and females. Trauma and exposure to violence were associated with internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and gender significantly moderated the relationship between trauma and externalizing symptoms, demonstrating a strong positive relationship for males in particular. Results highlight key associations between trauma and exposure to violence and youths’ internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Findings also revealed that gender moderated the link between trauma and externalizing symptoms with a positive association for males and a negligible association for females.
Impaired Vision?: Constructing Global Protections against Bodily Harm

Transnational advocacy networks (TANs) have promoted norms of universal human rights as well as individual criminal accountability as answers to atrocities. This paper explores in what ways principles of individualization and universalism have shaped global systems of human rights protection. The study contrasts the institutional evolution of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the legally-binding Genocide Convention (GC), and investigates how the transnational human rights movement and its principles have shaped international responses to genocides in Cambodia and Rwanda. The paper argues that individualism and universalism have pushed the UDHR into the center of framing human rights issues (including TAN missions), while limiting the role of the group-focused GC in shaping responses to atrocities. This explanation complements existing studies explaining variation in treaty commitments focusing primarily on domestic-level attributes or the substance of treaty obligations. Rather than regime type or costs of compliance, this paper highlights how the international community has come to understand bodily harm primarily within an individualistic and universal frame. While the language of individual rights generates powerful normative mobilization, it generates a particular lens of understanding bodily harm.
Totally confusing, but in a good way

Playing a version of chess in which pieces can travel back in time isn't for the faint-hearted – try keeping track of all the possible threats facing every king that ever existed, says Jacob Aron
Wireless Grids. Distributed Resource Sharing by Mobile, Nomadic, and Fixed Devices

Wireless grids, a new type of resource-sharing network, connect sensors, mobile phones, and other edge devices with each other and with wired grids. Ad hoc distributed resource sharing allows these devices to offer new resources and locations of use for grid computing. This article places wireless grids in context, explains their basic requirements, and provides an example implementation that uses a wireless grid for distributed audio recording. Finally, it introduces articles in this special issue on wireless grid architectures and applications.
Performance comparison of a dedicated total breast PET system with a clinical whole-body PET system: a simulation study.

This paper presents a novel PET geometry for breast cancer imaging. The scanner consists of a 'stadium' (a rectangle with two semi-circles on opposite sides) shaped ring, along with anterior and posterior panels to provide high sensitivity and high spatial resolution for an imaging field-of-view (FOV) that include both breasts, mediastinum and axilla. We simulated this total-breast PET system using GATE and reconstructed the coincidence events using a GPU-based list-mode image reconstruction implementing maximum likelihood expectation-maximization (ML-EM) algorithm. The rear-panel is made up of a single layer of LSO crystals (3.2 × 3.2 × 20 mm3each), while the 'stadium'-shaped elongated ring and the anterior panel are made with dual-layered LSO crystals (1.6 × 1.6 × 6 mm3each). The energy resolution and coincidence resolving time of all detectors are assumed to be 12% and 250 ps full-width-at-half-maximum, respectively. Various sized simulated lesions (4, 5, 6 mm) having 4:1, 5:1, and 6:1 lesion-to-background radioactivity concentration ratios, mimicking different biological uptakes, were strategically located throughout a volumetric torso phantom. We compared system sensitivity and lesion detectability of the dedicated total-breast PET system to a state-of-the-art clinical whole-body PET scanner. The mean sensitivity of the total-breast PET system is 3.21 times greater than that of a whole-body PET scanner in the breast regions. The total-breast PET system also provides better contrast-recovery coefficients for lesions of all sizes and lesion-to-background ratios in the breast when compared to a reference clinical whole-body PET scanner. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) study shows the area under the ROC curve is 0.948 and 0.924 for the total-breast system and the whole-body PET scanner, respectively, in the detection of 4 mm diameter lesions with 4:1 lesion-to-background ratio. This study demonstrates our novel geometry can provide an imaging FOV larger than conventional PEM systems to simultaneously image both breasts, chest wall and axillae with significantly improved lesion detectability in the breasts when compared to a whole-body PET scanner.
Self-Supervised Metric Learning in Multi-View Data: A Downstream Task Perspective.

Self-supervised metric learning has been a successful approach for learning a distance from an unlabeled dataset. The resulting distance is broadly useful for improving various distance-based downstream tasks, even when no information from downstream tasks is utilized in the metric learning stage. To gain insights into this approach, we develop a statistical framework to theoretically study how self-supervised metric learning can benefit downstream tasks in the context of multi-view data. Under this framework, we show that the target distance of metric learning satisfies several desired properties for the downstream tasks. On the other hand, our investigation suggests the target distance can be further improved by moderating each direction's weights. In addition, our analysis precisely characterizes the improvement by self-supervised metric learning on four commonly used downstream tasks: sample identification, two-sample testing, $k$-means clustering, and $k$-nearest neighbor classification. As a by-product, we propose a simple spectral method for self-supervised metric learning, which is computationally efficient and minimax optimal for estimating target distance. Finally, numerical experiments are presented to support the theoretical results in the paper.
Keeping immune checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis in check: advanced circulatory mechanical support as a bridge to recovery

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated myocarditis is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication of immunotherapy. We report a case of a 60-year-old female with a history of colorectal cancer treated with nivolumab immunotherapy who presented with new cardiomyopathy complicated by cardiogenic shock and ventricular arrhythmias. Treatment of ICI-associated myocarditis requires aggressive immunosuppression and supportive therapy. In this case, the patient required advanced mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to recovery. This case highlights the complexity of diagnosis, haemodynamic management, and treatment of fulminant ICI myocarditis.
The Cutaneous Innervation of the Palm and Its Implications During Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

The evolution of the technique of carpal tunnel release reflects growing awareness of the cutaneous innervation of the palm and its implication on postoperative scar tenderness.The palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCBMN)has received the most attention in past reports addressing local complications during carpal tunnel release [1, 2, 3].Several anatomical dissections have demonstrated the course of this nerve and underscored its vulnerability during surgical approaches to the carpal tunnel near the thenar crease [4, 5, 6].
Studies on fraction I protein. II. Comparison of physical, chemical, immunological and enzymatic properties between spinach and tobacco fraction I proteins.

Abstract Fraction I proteins from tobacco and spinach were homogeneous and displayed Svedberg constants (s20,w) of 18.1 ± 0.1 and 18.2 ± 0.1, respectively. Mixing the two proteins produced neither separation nor skewness in the velocity sedimentation schlieren patterns. Both sodium dodecyl sulfate and alkali caused dissociation of the two proteins into two subunits which were readily separated from each other by Sephadex column chromatography. The ratio in amount of large to small subunits was the same for both tobacco and spinach Fraction I proteins. Disruption of SS bonds was not a requirement for dissociation and separation of subunits. Immunological analyses using antibodies against Fraction I protein from tobacco or spinach showed both proteins to be entirely homogeneous antigens, although the two proteins shared cross-reactive sites. Tryptic peptide analysis showed that 17 out of 22 (spinach) or 24 (tobacco) peptides of the large subunit were alike. In marked contrast, 9 out of 15 (spinach) or 10 out of 16 (tobacco) tryptic peptides of the small subunit were distinctly different. As for ribulose diphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) activity, the Km for CO2 was the same for both tobacco and spinach Fraction I protein (1.7 · 10−2 M) whereas a small difference in Km for ribulose diphosphate was found (1.6 · 10−4 M for tobacco; 3.0 · 10−4 M for spinach).
Primary structures of the proinsulin connecting peptides of the rat and the horse.

Abstract Proinsulin connecting peptides (C-peptides) were isolated from the pancreas of the rat and the horse. The primary structures of the two rat peptides and the single horse peptide were determined by sequential Edman degradation. The amino acid compositions of the rat C-peptides agree with those recently reported by Sundby and Markussen ((1972) Eur. J. Biochem. 25, 147–152, 153–162), although an error was identified in the published sequences. The order of amino acid residues 19 and 20 was found to be Gly-Asp in both peptides. We have confirmed, however, the differences between the two peptides at position 8 (proline or alanine) and at position 17 (glutamic acid or glycine). The horse C-peptide differs from other C-peptides sequenced so far in lacking an acidic residue at the fifth position from the COOH-terminal end of the molecule. Although the proinsulin connecting peptides show considerable interspecies variability, several features of their primary structures appear to have been conserved.
Competing technologies for ultrahigh-speed SRAMs and their applications

Advanced MOS and bipolar technologies, using 1-2μ m lithography, have increased dramatically the complexity of 16K to 256K SRAMs and reduced access time to 3 to 30ns, respectively. Meanwhile, GaAs technology has produced 1 to 3ns, and 1K to 4K SRAMs. The present status and the future projections of these competing technologies will be discussed. The user's point-of-view assessing implementation of high speed SRAMS in a system environment will be offered.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Birth Outcomes: A Life-Course Perspective

Background: In the United States, Black infants have significantly worse birth outcomes than do White infants. The cause of these persisting racial disparities remains unexplained. Most extant studies focus on differential exposures to protective and risk factors during pregnancy, such as current socioeconomic status, maternal risky behaviors, prenatal care, psychosocial stress, or perinatal infections. These risk factors during pregnancy, however, do not adequately account for the disparities. Methods: We conducted a literature review for longitudinal models of health disparities, and presented a synthesis of two leading models, using a life-course perspective. Traditional risk factors during pregnancy are then reexamined within their life-course context. We conclude with a discussion of the limitations and implications of the life-course perspective for future research, practice, and policy development. Results: Two leading longitudinal models of health disparities were identified and discussed. The early programming model posits that exposures in early life could influence future reproductive potential. The cumulative pathways model conceptualizes decline in reproductive health resulting from cumulative wear and tear to the body's allostatic systems. We propose a synthesis of these two models, using the life-course perspective. Disparities in birth outcomes are the consequences of differential developmental trajectories set forth by early life experiences and cumulative allostatic load over the life course. Conclusions: Future research on racial disparities in birth outcomes needs to examine differential exposures to risk and protective factors not only during pregnancy, but over the life course of women. Eliminating disparities requires interventions and policy development that are more longitudinally and contextually integrated than currently prevail.
Real‐time Transient Classification Pipeline

The Transients Classification Pipeline (TCP) is a Berkeley‐led project which federates data streams from multiple surveys and observatories, classifies with machine learning and astronomer defined science priors, and broadcasts sources of interest to various science clients (using the VOEvent protocol). The TCP is a production‐level project, being developed to handle several upcoming data torrents (e.g. from the Palomar Transient Factory), and should be scalable to LSST volumes.
Segmentation, matching and estimation of structure and motion of textured piecewise planar surfaces

The authors present an algorithm which segments and matches the regions and then estimates non-iteratively 3D motion and structure of a moving piecewise planar textured surface from two perspective views. The algorithm has two major steps. The first step is coarse. Here, the local planar nature of the surface is used to obtain polynomial expressions for image plane displacements of features. Using regions as moving features, the image is segmented using Hough transform such that the regions in each segment have the same polynomial coefficients. The values of these coefficients and region properties (e.g., area) are then used to identify region correspondences. In the second step, for each planar surface, the region correspondences are used to compute the corresponding motion parameters and surface orientation in closed form. The second step uses a finer model of motion than the first step. Experimental results are presented for three image pairs. >
Contemporary Approaches to Statistical Mechanical Probabilities: A Critical Commentary - Part I: The Indifference Approach

This pair of articles provides a critical commentary on contemporary approaches to statistical mechanical probabilities. These articles focus on the two ways of understanding these probabilities that have received the most attention in the recent literature: the epistemic indifference approach, and the Lewis-style regularity approach. These articles describe these approaches, highlight the main points of contention, and make some attempts to advance the discussion. The first of these articles provides a brief sketch of statistical mechanics, and discusses the indifference approach to statistical mechanical probabilities.
Evaluating Geomorphic Change in Constructed Two‐Stage Ditches

Straight, trapezoidal-shaped surface drainage channels efficiently drain the soil profile, but their deviations from natural fluvial conditions drive the need for frequent maintenance. Ecological and socioeconomic impacts of drainage ditch maintenance activities can be significant, leading to harmful algal blooms and increased sedimentation. We developed a two-stage ditch design that is more consistent with fluvial form and process. The approach has potential to enhance ecological services while meeting drainage needs essential for agricultural production. We studied geomorphic change of the inset channel, benches and banks of seven two-stage ditches in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Three to 10 years after construction, inset channel changes reflected natural adjustments, but not all ditches had reached their quasi-equilibrium state. Ditches had experienced both degradation and aggradation on the benches at a rate of 0.5-13 mm/yr. Aggradation on the benches was not likely to threaten tile drain outlets. Localized scour was observed on the banks at some sites, but at all but one site changes were not statistically significant. Except for the removal of woody vegetation, none of the ditches required routine maintenance since construction. Two-stage ditches can be a stable, viable option for drainage ditch management if designed and installed properly on the landscape.
Privatization and the Poor: Exploring Patterns in Welfare Contracting

This study explores state-level administrative contracting patterns in social welfare programs that extend street-level administrative authority to private sector providers. Workfare reforms in the 1990s devolved welfare policy-making authority and encouraged administrative diversity resulting in unique implementation arrangements across the American states, yet the forces underlying privatization patterns remain understudied. Utilizing privatization data for the year 2001 from the General Accounting Office, this study finds that state urbanization and African American welfare demand are significantly associated with welfare contracting. In addition, Mississippi and Washington, DC, are found to exhibit a proclivity toward welfare privatization unmatched by other jurisdictions.
Theory of radio occultation by Saturn's rings

The radio occultation technique, as applied to Saturn's rings, is developed as a new method for the study of the physical properties of planetary ring systems. The rings are treated as a Doppler-spread radar target composed of an ensemble of discrete scatterers. The mathematical formulation of the received signal as a random-phasor-sum process is carried out following a conventional radar theory approach, providing a convenient starting point for deriving coherent signal parameters. A classical result is rederived for the equivalent refractive index of the medium. The analysis is generalized to include ringlets of arbitrary width and it is shown that when the width is such that two adjacent rays are differentially perturbed in phase, ray bending that causes focusing of the coherent signal may result. The diffuse component is also treated in detail.
Photophysical properties of poly(n-vinylcarbazole) solid films at elevated temperatures. Evidence for a third phosphorescent species

Abstract The λ max for phosphorescence emission of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVCz) shifts to lower values as the temperature is raised from 278 to 363 K. A corresponding long-lived phosphorescent emission is found to have a temperature-independent lifetime from 220 to 298 K. Neither of two identified excimer-Iike phosphorescent components of PVCz have properties consistent with this emission; its properties suggest it is excitonic in origin.