cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pruning as a Silvicultural Tool in the Management of Pinus resinosa Infected with Gremmeniella Abietina

Pruning all branches from the lower one-third of red pine (Pinus resinosa) crowns infected with Gremmeniella abietina (Lagerb.) Morelet resulted in reduced infection, loweT inoculum densities and shorter periods of inoculum production as compared to unpruned controls. Red pine seedlings (3-years-old) planted in the understory had fewer infections than those in unpruned areas. Pruned branches did not have to be removed from the plantation and pruning wounds did not serve as infection courts.
The association between insulin resistance, metabolic variables, and depressive symptoms in Mexican-American elderly: A population-based study.

Objective Depressive symptoms are common among older adults with obesity and diabetes. Nonetheless, the mechanisms for this association are not clear but may involve changes in the insulin cascade signaling. We aimed to investigate the association, and potential mediators, between obesity, insulin resistance, and depressive symptoms among older adults from a homogenous cohort of Mexican-Americans. Methods We included a total of 500 Mexican-American older adults assessed in the Cameron County Health Study. We evaluated depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Survey Depression Scale (CES-D). Central obesity was defined by waist circumference. Insulin resistance was evaluated by the HOMA-IR index. We estimated the association between obesity, insulin resistance, and depressive symptoms by carrying out univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results In unadjusted regression analysis, HOMA-IR (unstandardized β = 0.31 ± 0.12, P = 0.007), waist circumference (unstandardized β = 0.066 ± 0.0.028, P = 0.017), and Hb1Ac levels (unstandardized β = 0.52 ± 0.24, P = 0.03) were significantly associated with CES-D scores. The association of HOMA-IR and CES-D remained statistically significant after controlling for socio-demographic and clinical variables in multivariate analysis (unstandardized β = 0.28 ± 0.11, P = 0.01). Conclusion Our results suggest that depressive symptoms are associated with insulin resistance in older Mexican-American adults. In addition, poorer glucose control and obesity are important mediators of this relationship. Additional studies are needed to evaluate whether interventions that increase insulin sensitivity can also reduce depressive symptoms in this population. Key points Depression is very common among older Mexican-American population. Cardiometabolic disorders are common comorbidities in depression, and these conditions may share common pathophysiological mechanisms. Our findings provide further support to the role of insulin resistance as a mechanism linking depression and cardiometabolic disorders in the elderly.
Soviet Studies: Society

Soviet society refers to the society of the Soviet Union. It has been studied primarily either to reveal insights into the communist system or to identify societal features that distinguish a Soviet type of society from a market-based, democratic society. In addition to outlining major approaches, the article summarizes key features of Soviet society, considers whether it was a single society or a multiplicity of societies, highlights major issues in the study of post-Soviet societies, and points to major empirical social scientific studies from the post-Soviet period.
High-dose methotrexate for metastatic breast cancer to the central nervous system: A single-institution review of 46 patients.

1079 Background: The prognosis for patients with metastatic breast cancer to the central nervous system (CNS) is poor. Methotrexate (MTX) is an active agent in the treatment of breast cancer and pe...
Toward a statistical model of electron emission from tungsten cathode surfaces

In this work, we have begun to construct a statistical model of electron emission for polycrystalline W cathode surfaces. Construction of such a model requires knowledge of which surfaces are present, the area fractions of each surface, and the work function values of each surface. We have used Density Functional Theory to explore the effect of O, Ba and Ba-O adsorbates on W surfaces to assess the impact of these adsorbates on the work function and surface stability for several different W surface orientations. A discussion of the impact of different surface adsorbates on the surface stability and work function is presented, together with newly discovered stable Ba-O arrangements on W(011) and W(111) surfaces. Finally, a plan is presented to further develop our statistical model of electron emission and the potential impact of the model for the improved design of high power microwave electronics.
Automated discovery in a chemistry laboratory

We describe an application of the discovery system FAHRENHEIT in a chemistry laboratory. Our emphasis is on automation of the discovery process as oposed to human intervention and on computer control over real experiments and data collection as opposed to the use of simulation. FAHRENHEIT performs automatically many cycles of experimentation, data collection and theory formation. We report on electrochemistry experiments of several hour duration, in which FAHRENHEIT has developed empirical equations (quantitative regularities) equivalent to those developed by an analytical chemist working on the same problem. The theoretical capabilities of FAHRENHEIT have been expanded, allowing the system to find maxima in a dataset, evaluate error for all concepts, and determine reproducibility of results. After minor adjustments FAHRENHEIT has been able to discover regularities in maxima locations and heights, and to analyse repeatability of measurements by the same mechanism, adapted from BACON, by which all numerical regularities are detected.
Using the Urban Advantage to Achieve the Greatest Good

Members of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) recognized nearly thirty years ago that institutions of higher education (IHEs) located in urban and metropolitan cities faced a unique set of challenges – but also shared exceptional opportunities – for developing and deploying the vast intellectual capital residing within their halls. They joined forces to share ideas and practices that would, among other things, integrate their colleges and universities more seamlessly and usefully with their surrounding communities. Over time, CUMU members realized they should play an important role as anchor institutions in their communities: “local economic engines and mission-driven organizations inextricably linked to the long-term well-being of their local communities…” (Democracy Collaborative, 2018). CUMU’s 23rd Annual Conference was held in Denver, Colorado in October 2017 with a focus on “The Urban Advantage” (CUMU, 2017). Presentations and conversations explored 21st century challenges created by states decreasing their funding to public higher education and by gentrification of the neighborhoods surrounding CUMU IHEs. They stressed unique learning opportunities for students and faculty studying and working at urban colleges and universities: clearly, an urban setting provides more occasions for students to engage in internships, service learning, volunteering, community-based research, and other pedagogies now known to improve student persistence through to graduation and alumni chances to pursue the careers or post-baccalaureate programs of their choice (AAC&U, n.d.). Scholars and activists called for urban IHEs to consider how they might engage with their surrounding communities more effectively to solve problems, improve the local economy, and educate a professional 21st century-relevant workforce. Finally, they underscored the imperative that metropolitan colleges and universities stay true to their mission of providing the public good of education to achieve social justice, graduate civically engaged alumni, and to be both in and of the community.
General Systems Theory Underlies Postformal Thought

The second newer model or set of theories that underlies my Theory of Postformal Thought is general systems theory—or, as we can affectionately call it, GST. Developed hand in hand with the new physics and biology, GST is useful for students of adult development and especially adult cognitive development. It offers ways to think about complex system interactions—interactions not only among supposedly inert physical systems (the focus of physics) but also among living systems. Thus, we are about to journey a step further in complexity than we did in the previous chapter. One additional step further in complexity will be made in Chapter 7, when we explore chaos and self-organizing systems.
Time and dose-dependent profile of omental angiogenic lipid factor on bone repair

Angiogenesis is best described as the directed ingrowth of new capillaries toward a specific stimulus: a process which involves chemotaxis and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells (1). This development of new blood vessels plays a crucial role in a number of biological processes both normal and pathologic.
Recovery of severely ischemic myocardium — a challenge for the clinical cardiologist

The presence of atheroma in the coronary arteries of humans can lead to many clinical syndromes including angina, sudden death and myocardial infarction. These entities, collectively referred to as coronary or ischemic heart disease, cause substantial morbidity and mortality in many countries and particularly in men in the age range 45–65 years. Expenditure on the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease is massive. The consequences of coronary artery disease for health care in the community represent a major challenge to doctors, scientists, epidemiologists and public health workers.
Busulfan/etoposide--initial experience with a new preparatory regimen for autologous bone marrow transplantation in patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia.

Current intensive chemotherapy for acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) results in a complete remission in the majority of patients. Unfortunately, the duration of remission is short and most of the patients will experience a relapse of their underlying disease. Autologous bone marrow (BM) transplantation is being explored as a treatment modality designed to improve relapse-free survival. We have conducted a phase II trial exploring the combination of busulfan (16 mg/kg) and etoposide (60 mg/kg) in an attempt to improve antitumor efficacy using this novel preparative regimen. To date, 50 patients (48 with ANLL and 2 patients with biphenotypic acute leukemia) have been treated. The first 20 patients received unmanipulated BM; 28 patients subsequently received 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) (60 micrograms/mL)-purged bone marrow, and 2 patients with biphenotypic acute leukemia received both 4-HC (60 micrograms/mL) and etoposide (5 micrograms/mL)-purged BM. Thirty-four patients were in first complete remission (CR1), 12 patients in second complete remission (CR2), and 4 patients in relapse. The median time from first complete remission to BM harvest was 3 months (range, 0.8 to 4) compared with median time of 2 months (range, 1.5 to 5.0) for patients in second complete remission. The median time from harvest to transplant was 1 month for both groups (range, 0.4 to 36). A median of 0.7 x 10(8) (range, 0.2 to 1.4) mononuclear cells were infused. Patients achieved an absolute neutrophil count of > or = 500/microL at a median of 26 days (range, 13 to 96), an untransfused platelet count > or = 20,000/microL at a median of 56 days (range, 15 to 278) and a sustained hematocrit > or = 30% at a median of 50 days (range, 19 to 116). Twenty-six patients are alive and in continued CR. Follow-up of the surviving patients ranged from 6 months to 66 months with a median follow-up of 31 months. Patients receiving purged BM have an actuarial disease-free survival of 57% with a relapse rate of 28% compared with patients receiving unpurged BM whose actuarial disease-free survival is 32% with a relapse rate of 62% (P = .06 for relapse rate). The most significant extramedullary toxicities for this regimen are hepatic and cutaneous (including mucositis). The BU/VP-16 regimen is associated with a significant proportion of patients surviving disease free, especially in the group receiving purged BM. Whether this regimen offers a substantial improvement in disease-free survival over currently used regimens will require a prospective randomized study.
Adaptive sparse signal processing for discrimination of satellite-based radiofrequency (RF) recordings of lightning events

For over two decades, Los Alamos National Laboratory programs have included an active research effort utilizing satellite observations of terrestrial lightning to learn more about the Earth’s RF background. The FORTE satellite provided a rich satellite lightning database, which has been previously used for some event classification, and remains relevant for advancing lightning research. Lightning impulses are dispersed as they travel through the ionosphere, appearing as nonlinear chirps at the receiver on orbit. The data processing challenge arises from the combined complexity of the lightning source model, the propagation medium nonlinearities, and the sensor artifacts. We continue to develop modern event classification capability on the FORTE database using adaptive signal processing combined with compressive sensing techniques. The focus of our work is improved feature extraction using sparse representations in overcomplete analytical dictionaries. We explore two possible techniques for detecting lightning events, and showcase the algorithms on few representative data examples. We present preliminary results of our work and discuss future development.
Awaiting the King: Reforming Public Theology

As a Southern Baptist Baby-Boomer, who discovered the church calendar, lectionary, and other liturgical practices of the Church along the way, the imaginative work of James Smith has confirmed and ...
The Self-Biased Circulator: Ferrite Materials Design and Process Considerations

A strategic goal of next-generation transmit and receive modules used in radar and communication platforms is the continued miniaturization of semiconductor based electronics in conjunction with their integration with ferrite control elements, chief among them, the circulator. Here, we address the singular goal of efforts to transform the circulator, in its present form a three dimensional construct, to a two-dimensional device. Key to this transformation is the development of self-biased ferrite materials that are necessary for the breaking of time reversal symmetry and nonreciprocal performance of circulators and isolators. A discussion of efforts to integrate this new two-dimensional device with semiconductor-based active components will be addressed.
Cardiac Effects of a Single Dose of Pimobendan in Cats With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy; A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study

Background: Pimobendan has been shown to impart a significant survival benefit in cardiomyopathic cats who receive it as part of heart failure therapy. However, use of pimobendan remains controversial in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) due to lack of pharmacodynamic data for pimobendan in cats with HCM and due to theoretical concerns for exacerbating left ventricular outflow tract obstructions. Hypothesis/Objectives: Our objective was to investigate the cardiac effects of pimobendan in cats with HCM. We hypothesized that pimobendan would not exacerbate left ventricular outflow tract obstructions and that it would improve echocardiographic measures of diastolic function. Animals: Thirteen purpose-bred cats were studied from a research colony with naturally-occurring HCM due to a variant in myosin binding protein C. Methods: Cats underwent two examinations 24 h apart with complete standard echocardiography. On their first day of evaluation, they were randomized to receive oral placebo or 1.25 mg pimobendan 1 h prior to exam. On their second examination, they were crossed over and received the remaining treatment. Investigators were blinded to all treatments. Results: The pimobendan group had a significant increase in left atrial fractional shortening (pimobendan group 41.7% ± 5.9; placebo group 36.1% ± 6.0; p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) velocities between the groups (pimobendan group 2.8 m/s ± 0.8; placebo group 2.6 m/s ± 1.0). There were no significant differences between the number of cats with LVOT obstructions between groups (12 in pimobendan group; 11 in placebo group; p = 1.00). There were no detectable differences in any systolic measures, including left ventricular fractional shortening, mitral annular plane systolic excursion, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. Doppler-based diastolic function assessment was precluded by persistent tachycardia. Conclusions: Improved left atrial function in the pimobendan group could explain some of the reported survival benefit for HCM cats in CHF. Pimobendan did not exacerbate LVOT obstructions and thus may not be contraindicated in HCM cats with LVOT obstructions. Future studies are needed to better characterize other physiologic effects, particularly regarding diastolic function assessment, and to better assess safety of pimobendan over a longer time-course.
When is difficult asthma severe

Abstract Asthma is the commonest childhood chronic disease in the UK. Most children with asthma are classed as having mild to moderate disease. Regular treatment with inhaled steroids and bronchodilators are enough to successfully control the symptoms. A small proportion of asthmatic children continue to have sub-optimal control despite apparent appropriate therapy (problematic asthma). Most of these children have modifiable factors resulting in poor asthma control (difficult asthma). True therapy-resistant asthma is rare in children and the paediatric community should focus on ensuring the correct diagnosis, identifying and managing modifiable risk factors before using the label severe asthma. Often it is arduous to identify who the asthma is ‘difficult for’ – is it for the child or health professional or parents. Management of problematic asthma requires a multidisciplinary approach. In the UK, children with symptomatic asthma on high dose therapy or in who diagnostic uncertainty persists should be referred to multidisciplinary severe asthma services which have a range of enhanced diagnostic tools and can access newer biologic therapies. This review outlines the management of difficult and severe asthma emphasising the importance of getting the basics right and referral to specialist centre before escalating therapies.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GUIDELINE-DIRECTED MEDICAL THERAPIES FOR COMORBID CONDITIONS AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Comorbidities are common in AF and are often under-treated. We evaluated the association of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for comorbidities and outcomes in AF patients. Patients from the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of AF (ORBIT-AF) with any GDMT eligible condition
Acquaintance Type 4: Traders

Traders are people who seek to trade favors with others, to improve aspects of life that are important to them and maximize their overall utility. Traders seek mutual exchange, unlike connectors, who do not seek anything in return for favors. This type has two subtypes: Pareto optimizers, who seek to engage in trading activities that benefit both parties (or at least not make one party worse off); and scorekeepers, who operate on a debit-credit criterion. They seek favors, but keep track of what they owe and always look for opportunities to repay their debts in the future. Similarly, those offering favors track them as credits and seek payment in the future.
A peek into Epac physiology in the kidney.

cAMP is a critical second messenger of numerous endocrine signals affecting water-electrolyte transport in the renal tubule. Exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) is a relatively recen...
Focus of attention effects on lower extremity biomechanics during vertical jump landings.

Abstract This study examined biomechanical differences between external and internal foci of attention during vertical jump landings in males and females. Twenty-four healthy adults performed eight vertical jump landings using both internal and external foci while three-dimensional kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) data were obtained. Two (focus) by two (sex) analyses of variance (α = 0.05) and Cohen's d effect sizes (ES) were used to compare differences in vertical GRF, joint angular positions and displacements, and lower limb joint angular work between foci and between sexes. Significantly greater knee contributions to total angular work occurred during external versus internal focus landings regardless of sex (p = .013; ES = 0.30). Significantly smaller plantarflexion angles (p = .019; ES = 0.53) and significantly greater knee flexion angles were observed at ground contact (p
Comparing carboplatin dose administered to the calculated dose using the Modification of Diet and Renal Disease (MDRD) equation

13003 Background: Renal function assessment is vital for dosing of chemotherapy drugs. GFR is usually estimated by creatinine clearance (CrCl). The MDRD equation is thought to provide a more accura...
Modeling and Design of a Linear Electric-Hydraulic Conversion Machine for Electrification of Off-Highway Vehicles

Electrification and hybridization of off-highway vehicles has the potential to yield significant fuel savings and air emissions improvements. However, developing the required components to electrify these systems is an extremely challenging task due to high force and power density requirements and highly variable drive cycles. This paper investigates a new approach to off-highway vehicle electrification based around a linear piston pump integrated into a linear actuator. The paper first reviews linear actuator machine topologies within the context of the charge pump application requirements. A tubular machine topology is optimized for integration with a hydraulic pump and a multi-physics simulation framework is developed to simulate the entire charge pump design with a position regulator. An optimized design is proposed with an oscillation frequency of 132 Hz and a total system efficiency (pump and motor) calculated to be 81.3% at full load.
Multiscale Imaging Reveals Aberrant Functional Connectome Organization and Elevated Dorsal Striatal Arc Expression in Advanced Age

The functional connectome reflects a network architecture enabling adaptive behavior that becomes vulnerable in advanced age. The cellular mechanisms that contribute to altered functional connectivity in old age, however, are not known. Here we used a multiscale imaging approach to link age-related changes in the functional connectome to altered expression of the activity-dependent immediate-early gene Arc as a function of training to multitask on a working memory (WM)/biconditional association task (BAT). Resting-state fMRI data were collected from young and aged rats longitudinally at three different timepoints during cognitive training. After imaging, rats performed the WM/BAT and were immediately sacrificed to examine expression levels of Arc during task performance. Aged behaviorally impaired, but not young, rats had a subnetwork of increased connectivity between the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsal striatum (DS) that was correlated with the use of a suboptimal response-based strategy during cognitive testing. Moreover, while young rats had stable rich-club organization across three scanning sessions, the rich-club organization of old rats increased with cognitive training. In a control group of young and aged rats that were longitudinally scanned at similar time intervals, but without cognitive training, ACC-DS connectivity and rich-club organization did not change between scans in either age group. These findings suggest that aberrant large-scale functional connectivity in aged animals is associated with altered cellular activity patterns within individual brain regions.
Trump’s trade wars: America, China, Europe, and global disorder

Both before and during his presidency Donald Trump held fiercely negative views of America’s global rivals and economic competitors. Trump became ever more critical of China and the European Union (EU), including not least Germany, Europe’s leading economy. While at times Trump was willing to cooperate with China to contain North Korea, since late 2017/early 2018 he did not hesitate to impose increasingly larger tariffs and unleash a trade war with Beijing while also moving into the same direction toward Europe. This essay examines Trump’s motives and procedures, considers the internal discussions within his administration and analyzes the reaction of both China and the EU Commission. Trump brought transatlantic relations to near breaking point. He incentivized China to embark on a “charm offensive” toward the EU and caused a reluctant EU to move closer to China. At present, however, the EU countries still believe that it is in their interests to uphold the transatlantic relationship and their position as America’s most reliable allies. Due to Trump’s lack of interest in Europe, this stance, however, threatens to become the view of a minority among the EU countries.
A Region-Based Deep Learning Algorithm for Detecting and Tracking Objects in Manufacturing Plants

Abstract In today’s competitive production era, the ability to identify and track important objects in a near real-time manner is greatly desired among manufacturers who are moving towards the streamline production. Manually keeping track of every object in a complex manufacturing plant is infeasible; therefore, an automatic system of that functionality is greatly in need. This study was motivated to develop a Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (Mask RCNN) model to semantically segment objects and important zones in manufacturing plants. The Mask RCNN was trained through transfer learning that used a neural network (NN) pre-trained with the MS-COCO dataset as the starting point and further fine-tuned that NN using a limited number of annotated images. Then the Mask RCNN model was modified to have consistent detection results from videos, which was realized through the use of a two-staged detection threshold and the analysis of the temporal coherence information of detected objects. The function of object tracking was added to the system for identifying the misplacement of objects. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed system were demonstrated by analyzing a sample of video footages.
Ovarian torsion in utero diagnosed at 37 weeks of pregnancy: A case report.

Abstract Background Fetal ovarian masses are common abdominal anomalies in female fetuses, often diagnosed in the third trimester. Most masses are benign and tend to resolve spontaneously within a few months after birth, but larger masses may present complications such as torsion. Case A 21-year-old primagravid woman was noted to have a complex avascular solid mass in the fetal left pelvis, which was consistent with complex fetal left ovarian torsion. The patient underwent induction of labor at 39 weeks for possible intervention. The infant underwent surgery at 5 weeks of age and a torsed, necrotic ovary was discovered. Conclusion The diagnosis of ovarian torsion in utero is rare, and prenatal and postnatal guidelines are needed on frequency of monitoring, timing of delivery, and postnatal follow-up.
Citizens Committees and Civic Participatory Tools in Urban Governance in Rome: Before and After the New Urban Agenda

The theme of urban governance has been affirmed both in sociopolitical studies and in local political practices more and more over the last few years. Beyond its relevance in urban studies, the very concept of urban governance has performed as a fundamental tool for innovating many city areas: the planning of management of urban spaces, the democratization of local policies and the establishment of a new relationship between local political elites and the other city stakeholders. In 2016, the UN New Urban Agenda (NUA) codified urban governance principles, models, formats and practices, emerging in the scientific literature and in the local political management experiences of the world cities. This chapter aims to highlight the impact of urban governance in the context of the city of Rome. With reference to the real and virtual instruments for citizen participation in the collective choices of the city, the text highlights how, before the NUA codification of 2016, civic committees and the few and seldom-used tools for direct democracy constituted the exclusive resources available to citizens for providing their opinion on the collective choices of the city. Implementing the opportunities provided by digital revolution and following recent political choices, just after the release of NUA, new models and tools of digital civic participation affirmed in the Roman context. By an analysis on the action of civic committees on Roman territory and through a repertoire of new digital and real participation tools developed by the Roman administration, the chapter aims to reconstruct the phases and steps of the complex – and still partial – application in Rome of the civic participatory models of urban governance proposed by the NUA.
Contagio criminal. Cómo las detenciones de gobernadores debilitaron al PRI

espanolEn los ultimos anos se ha producido un aumento sin precedentes de gobernadores mexicanos procesados y encarcelados por corrupcion, la mayoria de los cuales pertenecian al partido gobernante, el Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI). ?Podrian estos casos judiciales explicaren parte la estrepitosa perdida electoral sufrida por el PRI en 2018? En este articulo, sostengo que el comportamiento criminal de los gobernadores priistas que fueron procesados afecto el mas reciente resultado electoral presidencial del PRI. Primero, argumento que este comportamiento criminalafecto la reputacion partidaria del PRI. Ilustro esta afrmacion mostrando que estas acciones criminales fueron a menudo referidas por los medios de comunicacion como evidencia no solo de malversacion individual, sino de redes —encarnadas en el PRI— que habian permitido el comportamiento criminal. En segundo lugar, sostengo que estos discursos afectaron el voto. Propongo que, si estos discursos estaban efectivamente afectando el voto del PRI, deberiamos observar menor apoyo al PRI entre los votantes que estan mas expuestos a estos discursos, como los votantes de lugares con gobernadores corruptos y los votantes de distritos con mayor acceso a internet. Utilizando una estrategia de diferencias en diferencias y un analisis transversal, muestro que ambos grupos en efecto votaron con menos frecuencia por el PRI. Concluyo el articulo discutiendo las consecuencias de la eleccion y lo que signifca la existencia de este contagio para la rendicion de cuentas partidista. EnglishRecent years have witnessed an unprecedented rise of Mexican governors prosecuted and incarcerated for corruption, most of which were from the ruling party PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional). Could these judicial cases partly explain the resounding electoral loss suffered by the pri party in 2018? In this paper, I argue that the criminal behavior of PRI governors who were prosecuted affected the PRI’s most recent presidential electoral outcome. First, I argue that this criminal behavior affected the partisan reputation of the pri. I illustrate this claim by showing that these criminal actions were often referenced by the media as evidence not only of individual malfeasance but of networks —embodied in the PRI party— that had enabled the criminal behavior. Second, I argue that these discourses affected electoral choice. I propose that if these discourses were indeed affecting the PRI vote, we should observe lower support for PRI among voters that are most exposed to these discourses such as voters of places with criminal governors and voters in districts with higher access to internet. Using a difference-in-differences setup and a cross-sectional analysis, I show that both of these groups indeed voted less frequently for the PRI. I conclude the paper by discussing the aftermath of the election and what the existence of this contagion means for partisan accountability.
The Spatial Structure and Local Experience of Residential Segregation

This study examines the extent to which road connectivity and physical barriers—such as highways, railroad tracks, and waterways—structure spatial patterns of racial and ethnic residential segregation and shape how segregation is locally experienced by residents. Our focus is on physical barriers that are also social boundaries—features of the built environment that reduce physical connectivity and mark a social boundary between geographic areas. We measure residential segregation with attention to the proximity and road connectivity between locations, which allows us to identify areas where physical barriers mark a social boundary between geographic areas with different racial and ethnic compositions. Our approach integrates ethnographic observation of three such areas in Houston, Texas, to investigate residents' perceptions and local experience of social and spatial division. The results reveal that physical barriers are associated with heightened levels of ethnoracial segregation, and residents experience the barriers as symbolic markers of perceived distinctions between groups and physical impediments to social connection. Although barriers like highways, railroad tracks, and bayous are not inherently harbingers of ethnoracial segregation, our study demonstrates that physical barriers can provide the infrastructure for social boundaries and facilitate durable neighborhood racial divisions.
The Computing Architectures Donnybrook

The concept of computer architecture has expanded well beyond its historical boundaries. This article sets forth a more comprehensive framework for the direction of the “Computing Architectures” column.
The making of global finance 1880-1913

This book traces the roots of global financial integration in the first "modern" era of globalization, from 1880 to 1913. It analyzes the direction, destinations, and origins of international financial flows in order to determine the domestic policy choices that either attracted or deterred such flows to developing countries. The authors dispel the idea that the gold standard and other institutional arrangements were the key to attracting foreign investment, pointing to the stability and probity of political systems as much more important. One of their major conclusions is that the successful management of international financial integration depends primarily on broad institutional and political factors, as well as on financial policies, rather than simply opening or closing individual economies to the international winds. The Making of Global Finance 1880-1913 can serve as a valuable tool for current policy dilemmas, providing historical data to show which policies led to enhanced international financing for development in the past. It also includes historical data that will interest all scholars of economics and economic history, as well as the casual reader.
Increase in Platelet Factor 4-Like Activity in the Initial Stages of Atherosclerosis in Pigeons

The concept that platelets, by adhering to a damaged endothelial surface and releasing platelet factors, may play a role in the initiation of atherosclerosis has recently received further support by the group of Russell Ross and L.A. Harker (1). They have demonstrated that a heat stable, non-dializable low molecular weight protein released from platelets and detectable in serum may be implicated in the stimulation of the intimal cell proliferation at the initial stages of atherosclerosis. Because the known properties of this protein may be consistent with platelet factor 4, we decided to study the relationship between changes in platelet factor 4-like activity in serum and the development of atherosclerosis in two interesting species of pigeons: the white Carneau species that we call atherosclerosis-susceptible because they develop spontaneous atherosclerosis, first grossly apparent at 9 months of age and the show Racer species that we call atherosclerosis-resistant because they do not develop atherosclerosis.
Parents, task values, and Real-Life achievement-related choices

Publisher Summary Expectancies for success are defined as children's beliefs about how well they will do on upcoming tasks, either in the immediate or longer-term future. This chapter emphasizes the distinctive contributions made by competence beliefs, expectations for success, and task values to achievement and choice in different domains. The chapter then focuses on the importance of subjective task values and the role parents play in shaping them. Task values can develop only within the contexts of children's lives; thus, as developmentalists, it is believed that it is important to consider the conditions under which children begin to value one set of activities that do not match either their social identities to their personal identities. The chapter also sheds light on a child's access to positive relationships with others. It focuses on the nature of children's emotional relationships with their parents and how these connections may be related to developing values and activity choices. Perceptions of high levels of connectedness and emotional support from parents are related positively to both psychological and behavioral indicators of successful development. This relationship holds in adolescence even when children begin to establish other strong relationships with peers and to gain some independence from parents.
Soluble γ-Aminobutyric-Glutamic Transaminase from Pseudomonas fluorescens

The presence of relatively high concentrations of y-aminobutyric acid in mammalian brain (1, 2) led to the discovery of a reaction utilizing this amino acid by what appeared to be transamination with a-ketoglutaric acid (3, 4). Studies with brain preparations (3, 4) were, however, handicapped by the particulate nature of the system catalyzing the reaction. Although active, soluble extracts were obtained from microorganisms (5-7), these were not further purified. Recent studies have implicated y-aminobutyric-glutamic transaminase (8) and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (8, 9) as the successive, terminal steps in the conversion of pyrrolidine to succinic acid by a strain of Pseudomonas JIuorescens. Preliminary evidence suggested (8) that pyrrolidine was metabolized by way of the following successive intermediates: Al-pyrroline,l y-aminobutyric acid, succinic semialdehyde, and succinic acid. The present report summarizes the data on the purification and properties of y-aminobutyric-glutamic transaminase (Reaction 1) and presents a kinetic analysis of the reaction which it catalyzes. dehydrogenase described by Black (10) .2 Alternatively, the substrate specific, succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase from P. Jluorescens (9), utilizing either TPN or DPN, was employed. Although the pH of the standard incubation system was not optimal, considerable endogenous activity, i.e. reduction of pyridine nucleotide, found with the cruder fractions at higher pH values was minimized. Activity was followed at l-minute intervals for 5 minutes. Transaminase activity was a linear function of both time and protein concentration at rates of less than 0.05 pmole of DPNH (or TPNH) formed per minute. A unit of activity was defined as that amount of transaminase allowing the formation of 1 pmole of reduced pyridine nucleotide per minute in the standard assay system. Specific activity was expressed in terms of units ner mg. of protein.
Improvements in microwave power measurements through the use of feedback

The measurement of microwave power by calorimetric and bolometric methods, together with problems inherent in these types of measurements, are discussed. The methods have high inherent accuracies but in their simplest form suffer from abnormally long time-constants and the effect of ambient-temperature changes. Methods are discussed for lessening the effect of these problems. The long time-constants associated with measurements of this type can be greatly decreased by the proper use of feedback. The effect of ambient-temperature changes can be minimized by the use of a balanced structure in which two identical power-sensing elements are exposed to the same environmental conditions.
Expression and function of erythropoietin receptors in tumors: implications for the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in cancer patients.

Department of Radiation Oncology, StanfordUniversity, Stanford, California.Safety concerns surrounding the use of recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo)to treat anemia in cancer patients were raised after 2 recent clinical studiesreported a worse survival outcome in patients who received epoetin a or epoetinb compared with patients who received placebo. Although those findings con-trasted with previous clinical studies, which demonstrated no difference in sur-vival for cancer patients who received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs),some investigators have suggested a potential role for ESAs in promoting tumorgrowth through 1) stimulation of Epo receptors (EpoR) expressed in tumors, 2)stimulation and formation of tumor vessels, and/or 3) enhanced tumor oxygen-ation. The first and second hypotheses appeared to be supported by some EpoRexpression and ESA in vitro studies. However, these conclusions have been chal-lenged because of poor specificity of EpoR-detection methodologies, conflictingdata from different groups, and the lack of correlation between in vitro data andin vivo findings in animal tumor models. For this report, the authors reviewedthe biology of EpoR in erythropoiesis and compared and contrasted the reportedfindings on the role of ESAs and EpoR in tumors. Cancer 2007;110:477–88. 2007 American Cancer Society.
Education in a Robust Political Economy

There is a wide consensus that the U.S. K-12 public education system is in need of fundamental reform. Reformers face two primary barriers to reform; knowledge and incentive problems. Knowledge problems represent the epistemic difficulties inherent in designing a top-down educational system meant to service the educational needs of diverse youth in a rapidly changing economy. The second is the problem of creating an education system that isn’t susceptible to the influence of special interest groups in a contemporary political democracy. We argue that the current public education system is failing precisely because it does not account for these knowledge and incentive problems in its structural design, leading to an educational system that is underperforming, uniform, and susceptible to special interest group pressures. All three outcomes are detrimental to a free society. Decentralized education is necessary for a robust educational system that can deliver quality, adaptable education that isn’t susceptible to special interest group politics.
Rat Plasma Triglycerides and Hepatic Fatty Acid Synthetase mRNA, but Not Apolipoprotein B and A-IV mRNA, Respond to Dietary Fat Content

The objective was to determine whether apolipoprotein B and A-IV mRNA abundance or plasma lipid concentrations would be altered by chronic or acute consumption of diets that differed in fat content. Forty Wistar male rats were fed either a low fat (5 g/ 100 g) or high fat (20 g/100 g) diet for 4 wk. Animals were killed unfed or 3 h after consumption of a test meal of the diet to which they had been adapted (n = 8). In addition, a low fat diet-adapted group was fed a high fat test meal and killed 3 h after the meal. Adaptation to the high or low fat diets did not result in differences in triglyceride or cholesterol concentrations in the plasma of unfed rats. In fed animals, plasma, VLDL, and LDL triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in those fed the high fat test meal than in those fed the low fat test meal. Feeding did not alter plasma cholesterol concentrations; however, LDL cholesterol concentrations in the groups fed the high fat meals were significantly higher than in the group fed the low fat meal. There were no differences in plasma apolipoproteins B, A-IV, E, and A-I nor in the liver or intestinal apolipoprotein B and A-IV mRNA contents. Fatty acid synthetase (FAS) activity was significantly higher in rats adapted to the low fat diet, and no increase in activity due to feeding was observed. Hepatic FAS mRNA was higher in fed than unfed rats, and the low fat test meal resulted in a higher level than the high fat test meal. Plasma lipid concentrations were affected by the fat content of test meals rather than by the adaptation diet fat content. Apolipoprotein B and A-IV mRNA do not seem to respond to dietary fat or meal feeding.
Simulation of task graph systems in heterogeneous computing environments

This paper describes a simulation tool for the analysis of complex jobs described in the form of task graphs. The simulation procedure relies on the PN-based topological representation of the task graph that takes advantage of directly modeling precedence constraints and other characteristics inherent in generalized stochastic Petri nets (GSPN). The GSPN representation is enhanced with enabling functions that govern the sequence of firings of transitions representing execution of tasks. The regulated flow of activity is carried out observing not only precedence constraints but specific allocation heuristics and communication delays. The tool is useful in evaluating different heuristics described by the corresponding implemented algorithm, or using a deterministic time-span given by a Gantt chart.
An adaptive neuro fuzzy power system stabilizer for damping inter-area oscillations in power systems

An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) based PSS is proposed in this paper. The controller is essentially divided into two sub-systems, a recursive least square identifier for the generator and an adaptive neuro fuzzy PSS to damp the oscillations. The PSS is coupled to a single machine in every area and the parameters of this PSS are tuned online in order to minimize a cost function. The cost function consists of a summation of terms, in which each term is made up of the square of the difference in speed between the machine to which the PSS is connected and another machine in that same area (the number of terms equal the number of machines in that area excluding the machine installed with a PSS). The PSS is trained to reduce the speed difference between machines in every area while helping to reduce inter area oscillations. The proposed technique is illustrated on a 2 area 4-machine 13 bus system. This ANFIS PSS showed satisfactory performance under severe faulting conditions, where a three-phase fault applied to a line, was cleared after a extended period of time. The conventional PSS and the ANFIS using the original cost function (consisting of just the square of the speed difference of the generator installed with the PSS) failed to perform under such conditions.
Current and prospective disease-modifying therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating illness of unclear etiology affecting motor neurons. It causes unremitting muscle paralysis, atrophy and death usually within 3 – 5 years from diagnosis. The human and economic costs for those affected are sobering. To date, tremendous efforts have failed to find a cure. Areas covered: An extensive literature search was undertaken using Medline and the Cochrane Systematic Review and Clinical Trial databases. Riluzole and investigational ALS drugs are discussed. Riluzole is the only approved disease-modifying therapy despite its modest effect on survival. Recent research has produced promising agents aimed at better disease control if not a cure. This review discusses agents targeting neuronal glutamate excitotoxicity, protein misfolding and accumulation, autophagy, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, free radical oxidative injury, immunomodulation, mutant mRNA counteraction, muscle physiology, neurotrophic factors and stem cell applicati...