cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The association of physical activity and cholesterol concentrations across different combinations of central adiposity and body mass index

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate if those who are physically active,compared to physically inactive, have better cholesterol profiles across different combinations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Methods: Data from the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used (N = 16 095). Cholesterol parameters included total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), TC/HDL-C ratio, triglycerides and at herogenic index(Log10 [triglycerides/HDL-C]). Physical activity (PA) was assessed via self-report, with BMI and WC objectively measured. Cholesterol concentrations of 6 combinations of BMI and WC were evaluated among active and inactive participants. Multivariable linear regression analysis was utilized. Results: Findings were not consistent across sex. There was little evidence to suggest an association of PA on TC across varying BMI and WC combinations. For example, among those who had an obese BMI and high WC, inactive participants did not have different TC level when compared to active participants (β = -1.2; 95% CI: -3.9-1.5, P = 0.38). There was evidence to suggest a favorable association of PA on HDL-C, triglycerides and at herogenic index across varying BMI and WC combinations. For example, among those who had an obese BMI and high WC, inactive (vs. active) participants had a lower HDL-C (βadjusted = -1.6, P < 0.01). When considering either gender, there was sufficient evidence to suggest a favorable association of PA on at least one of the evaluated cholesterol parameters for each of the BMI/WC combinations with the exception of normal BMI and high WC. Conclusion: Except for those having normal weight central obesity, PA is favorably associated with cholesterol parameters across various combinations of BMI and WC.
Volume determination of irregularly-shaped quasi-spherical nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in diverse application areas, such as medicine, engineering, and cosmetics. The size (or volume) of NPs is one of the most important parameters for their successful application. It is relatively straightforward to determine the volume of regular NPs such as spheres and cubes from a one-dimensional or two-dimensional measurement. However, due to the three-dimensional nature of NPs, it is challenging to determine the proper physical size of many types of regularly and irregularly-shaped quasi-spherical NPs at high-throughput using a single tool. Here, we present a relatively simple method that determines a better volume estimate of NPs by combining measurements from their top-down projection areas and peak heights using two tools. The proposed method is significantly faster and more economical than the electron tomography method. We demonstrate the improved accuracy of the combined method over scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or atomic force microscopy (AFM) alone by using modeling, simulations, and measurements. This study also exposes the existence of inherent measurement biases for both SEM and AFM, which usually produce larger measured diameters with SEM than with AFM. However, in some cases SEM measured diameters appear to have less error compared to AFM measured diameters, especially for widely used IS-NPs such as of gold, and silver. The method provides a much needed, proper high-throughput volumetric measurement method useful for many applications.
Approaches to Municipal Takeover Home Rule Erosion and State Intervention in Michigan and New Jersey

Municipal takeovers proceed by a state declaring that a municipality is in fiscal crisis and placing it in receivership, handing over most local processes to a state-appointed manager. This policy of aggressive state intervention calls into question two principles of local autonomy enshrined in home rule: that allowing local matters to be handled by local authority removes the need for state special legislation and that giving local governments functional autonomy allows them to solve problems without state intervention. This article presents case studies of New Jersey and Michigan to examine differences in home rule protection as well as approaches to municipal takeover.
Effects of Watermelon and L-Arginine Consumption on Serum Lipid Profile, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Both watermelon and L-arginine consumption may reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by promoting endothelial nitric oxide production; however, few studies have directly compared the effects of these agents on blood lipids, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of watermelon extract (powder) or L-arginine supplementation on CVD risk factors in rats fed an atherogenic high-fat diet. After 9 weeks of feeding, rat (Sprague-Dawley, male, 21 days old) serum samples were collected from animals fed diets containing 0.5% watermelon powder (n = 11), 0.36% L-arginine (n = 11) or a control diet (n = 10) to evaluate a variety of biomarkers that are associated with lipid profile, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Both L-arginine and watermelon groups exhibited improved lipid profile as indicated by significantly lower (P<0.05) serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. In contrast, serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol i...
Identifying cryptic diversity with predictive phylogeography

Identifying units of biological diversity is a major goal of organismal biology. An increasing literature has focused on the importance of cryptic diversity, defined as the presence of deeply diverged lineages within a single species. While most discoveries of cryptic lineages proceed on a taxon-by-taxon basis, rapid assessments of biodiversity are needed to inform conservation policy and decision-making. Here, we introduce a predictive framework for phylogeography that allows rapidly identifying cryptic diversity. Our approach proceeds by collecting environmental, taxonomic and genetic data from codistributed taxa with known phylogeographic histories. We define these taxa as a reference set, and categorize them as either harbouring or lacking cryptic diversity. We then build a random forest classifier that allows us to predict which other taxa endemic to the same biome are likely to contain cryptic diversity. We apply this framework to data from two sets of disjunct ecosystems known to harbour taxa with cryptic diversity: the mesic temperate forests of the Pacific Northwest of North America and the arid lands of Southwestern North America. The predictive approach presented here is accurate, with prediction accuracies placed between 65% and 98.79% depending of the ecosystem. This seems to indicate that our method can be successfully used to address ecosystem-level questions about cryptic diversity. Further, our application for the prediction of the cryptic/non-cryptic nature of unknown species is easily applicable and provides results that agree with recent discoveries from those systems. Our results demonstrate that the transition of phylogeography from a descriptive to a predictive discipline is possible and effective.
Hyperglycemic Transient Ischemia Induces Massive Neutrophil Deposition in Brain.

P80 Acute hyperglycemia worsens neurological signs and accentuates neuropathology after ischemia, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we tested whether polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils) might be contributory. Anesthetized, physiologically monitored Wistar rats underwent global forebrain ischemia for 12.5 min by bilateral carotid artery occlusions plus hypotension (45 mm Hg). To induce hyperglycemia, rats received 2.5 ml of 25% dextrose i.p. 30 min prior to ischemia. Normoglycemic rats received saline. Plasma glucose levels were 340±66 and 133 ±21 mg/dl, respectively (mean±SD). Animals were sacrificed at either 24 h or 3 days by perfusion-fixation with FAM. Brain sections were reacted for the immunohistochemical visualization of myeloperoxidase (MPO), a specific and quantitative marker of neutrophil activity in the brain. In sham rats and in normoglycemic-ischemic animals, almost no MPO-positive cells were identified. In marked contrast, brains of hyperglycemic-ischemic rats studied at 24 h contained dramatic accumulations of MPO-positive cells within pial and parenchymal blood vessels as well as within cortical and subcortical parenchyma. MPO-positivity was most robust in areas of severe injury (on H&E sections), but MPO cells were also observed in areas without overt injury. Intravascular MPO-positive cells commonly obstructed the vascular lumen. Following 3-d survival, MPO-positivity of hyperglycemic-ischemic brains had significantly decreased. In hyperglycemic brains studied at 24 h, median numbers of MPO-positive cells were increased by 130-fold in cortex and 110-fold in striatum above values in normoglycemic-ischemic rats. In summary, this study shows that preischemic hyperglycemia triggers the early and dramatic deposition of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the postischemic brain, with neutrophil adherence to cerebral blood vessels and their migration into brain parenchyma following brief forebrain ischemia. These events may contribute to the enhanced tissue destruction, extension of infarction, and BBB disruption observed in hyperglycemic ischemia. Supported by NIH Grant NS05820.
LIPID–PROTEIN INTERACTIONS IN INSECTS

Publisher Summary It has been recognized that the interaction of lipids and proteins is a phenomenon of fundamental importance, not only in the action of the amphiphilic hormones but also in all aspects of insect biochemistry. This chapter highlights the understanding of these phenomena, which is a major area of future insect biochemistry. Lipid–protein interactions constitute only a small part of the functions of proteins and peptides. In the insect biology of the future, these molecules will play important roles, and extensive investigations into structure and function will need to be undertaken. New rapid technology for the separation and structure determination of proteins are needed for future investigations. High-performance liquid chromatography methods are being developed in laboratory for rapid separation of proteins from the hemolymph of the tobacco hornworm—Manduca sexta—using a gel permeation HPLC column.
Evolutionary origin of disease and complexity: A nonequilibrium thermodynamic solution

Our long-term goal was to develop realistic animal models of complex disease that are underwritten by fundamental principles. Along this path we noted a literature demonstrating that low exercise capacity is a stronger predictor of death relative to all other clinical conditions including diabetes and smoking. From this linkage we formulated the Energy Transfer Hypothesis (ETH): Variation in capacity for energy transfer is the central mechanistic determinant of the divide between disease and health. As an unbiased test of the ETH we reasoned that: divergent artificial selection of rats based on low and high intrinsic treadmill running capacity would yield contrasting models of capacity for energy transfer that also divide for disease risks. Thirty-five generations of selection produced Low Capacity Runners (LCR) and High Capacity Runners (HCR) that differ in running capacity by over 8-fold. Selection failed to disprove the ETH: disease risks segregate in the LCR, and the HCR demonstrate resistance to disease. For mechanistic explanation of the ETH we postulate that evolution, life, and thus disease follow the same entropic path of the other atoms and molecules of the universe. That is, 1) all systems tend towards Maximal Entropy Production, 2) entropy can temporarily decrease locally and form order such as life, 3) life developed with a genome as a path for coding for replication of energy metabolism units, and 4) evolution selects, in a constantly changing environment, for features that enhance life9s capacity for energy transfer. That is, Maximal Entropy Production is the driving force mediating evolution. Thus, for each species, consider that there is phenotypic variation for this capacity that underlies the divide between health and disease. One goal of this paper is to stimulate new cross-disciplinary tests of the ETH of disease.
Fundamental Limits of Networked Sensing

We describe a useful theoretical approach — the flow optimization framework — that can be used to identify the fundamental performance limits on information routing in energy-limited wireless sensor networks. We discuss the relevant recent literature, and present both linear constant-rate and non-linear adaptive rate models that optimize the tradeoff between the total information extracted (Bits) and the total energy used (Joules) for a given sensor network scenario. We also illustrate the utility of this approach through examples, and indicate possible extensions.
Writing a Great Consent

A consent is not a contract but an in-depth educational tool to begin the conversation with the subject. Consent is an ongoing process, and subjects should ask questions at any time. Research participants should be referred to as “subjects” to emphasize that they may not receive direct benefit from participating in the trial. More time should be spent on the consent process that on almost any other procedure in the trial. “If you take a medicine, thank a research subject.” A great consent most successfully makes the subject into a research partner.
Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli in Mastitis: An International Perspective

The pathogen profile of Escherichia coli mastitis reveals a complex etiology involving commensal, environmental, and other distinct E. coli pathotypes such as enteropathogenic E. coli and of recent, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) have been associated with bovine intramammary infections (IMI). Many researchers have not been testing for STEC and focused on E. coli detection without further subtyping, and as such, the prevalence of STEC in mastitis remains underdiagnosed and underreported. Owing to the dearth of information on STEC involvement in IMI, this review provides an international perspective on the prevalence of STEC in mastitis. In addition, predominant serotypes, ancillary virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of STEC isolated from mastitis cases were summarized. This information is important for public health policy since STEC impact both animal health and human welfare. Importantly, the low infectious doses of STEC are a major concern to public health. The review highlights the need for further surveillance to ascertain the potential for environmental contamination and food chain security by STEC from bovine mastitis, and emphasizes appropriate, science-based mitigation approaches for prevention or control.
Emergency physician care of family members, friends, colleagues and self

Abstract Emergency Physicians are frequently called upon to treat family members, friends, colleagues, subordinates or others with whom they have a personal relationship; or they may elect to treat themselves. This may occur in the Emergency Department (ED), outside of the ED, as an informal, or “curbside” consultation, long distance by telecommunication or even at home at any hour. In surveys, the vast majority of physicians report that they have provided some level of care to family members, friends, colleagues or themselves, sometime during their professional career. Despite being common, this practice raises ethical concerns and concern for the welfare of both the patient and the physician. This article suggests ethical and practical guidance for the emergency physician as to how to approach these situations.
Anonymizing tables

We consider the problem of releasing tables from a relational database containing personal records, while ensuring individual privacy and maintaining data integrity to the extent possible. One of the techniques proposed in the literature is k-anonymization. A release is considered k-anonymous if the information for each person contained in the release cannot be distinguished from at least k–1 other persons whose information also appears in the release. In the k-Anonymityproblem the objective is to minimally suppress cells in the table so as to ensure that the released version is k-anonymous. We show that the k-Anonymity problem is NP-hard even when the attribute values are ternary. On the positive side, we provide an O(k)-approximation algorithm for the problem. This improves upon the previous best-known O(klog k)-approximation. We also give improved positive results for the interesting cases with specific values of k — in particular, we give a 1.5-approximation algorithm for the special case of 2-Anonymity, and a 2-approximation algorithm for 3-Anonymity.
The leaky pipeline and sacrificial lambs: Gender, candidate nomination, and district assignment in South Korea's national legislative elections

Abstract If gender quotas are applied to only one tier in a mixed-member majoritarian system, do we see a spillover effect of an increased proportion of women in the other tier? Based on statistical analysis of national legislative elections in South Korea from 1988 to 2016, this study casts doubt on the validity of the pipeline theory. The analysis shows that South Korea's gender quota has been achieving its primary goal of the political empowerment of women since its adoption in 2004, but with weak inter-tier contagion effect. In-depth interviews reveal the unique culture of the National Assembly and political parties which deem district-tier seats more prestigious than PR seats, and the informal practice of disadvantageous candidate district assignments lead to PR members having a hard time continuing their political careers once their terms as PR members are over.
Breast cancer statistics, 2011†

In this article, the American Cancer Society provides an overview of female breast cancer statistics in the United States, including trends in incidence, mortality, survival, and screening. Approximately 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 39,520 breast cancer deaths are expected to occur among US women in 2011. Breast cancer incidence rates were stable among all racial/ethnic groups from 2004 to 2008. Breast cancer death rates have been declining since the early 1990s for all women except American Indians/Alaska Natives, among whom rates have remained stable. Disparities in breast cancer death rates are evident by state, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. While significant declines in mortality rates were observed for 36 states and the District of Columbia over the past 10 years, rates for 14 states remained level. Analyses by county-level poverty rates showed that the decrease in mortality rates began later and was slower among women residing in poor areas. As a result, the highest breast cancer death rates shifted from the affluent areas to the poor areas in the early 1990s. Screening rates continue to be lower in poor women compared with non-poor women, despite much progress in increasing mammography utilization. In 2008, 51.4% of poor women had undergone a screening mammogram in the past 2 years compared with 72.8% of non-poor women. Encouraging patients aged 40 years and older to have annual mammography and a clinical breast examination is the single most important step that clinicians can take to reduce suffering and death from breast cancer. Clinicians should also ensure that patients at high risk of breast cancer are identified and offered appropriate screening and follow-up. Continued progress in the control of breast cancer will require sustained and increased efforts to provide high-quality screening, diagnosis, and treatment to all segments of the population.
Evaluation of Security Measures to Mitigate the Effects of Bioterror Attacks on Buildings Using a System Dynamics Method

AbstractThis paper describes the use of a system dynamics (SD) computational method to evaluate initial designs or upgrades of security measures to protect a building and its occupants from bioterr...
Quantifying the face inversion effect in nonhuman primates: a phylogenetic meta-analysis

Face recognition is important for primate social cognition, enabling rapid discrimination between faces and objects. In humans, face recognition is characterized by certain cognitive specializations such as face-specific sensitivity to upright faces. The face inversion effect reflects the disproportionate inversion cost (i.e., poorer recognition of inverted compared to upright stimuli) for faces compared to non-face objects. Numerous studies have evaluated the face inversion effect in various nonhuman primates, but the findings are highly variable and mixed, especially in monkeys. To address this inconsistency, the current study employed a multilevel, phylogenetic meta-analysis on 52 effect sizes across 16 studies to quantify the magnitude of the face inversion effect in nonhuman primates. Overall, the difference in inversion costs for faces compared to nonface stimuli was small but not statistically significant (b = 0.31, se = 0.16, 95% CI [− 0.01, 0.62], p = 0.06). Additionally, this did not systematically vary between the family of species (chimpanzee or monkey) or type of face stimuli (conspecific or heterospecific). Ultimately, it cannot be concluded that the face inversion effect is a reliable phenomenon in either chimpanzees or monkeys, suggesting that nonhuman primates may not use similar face-specific processing strategies as humans.
COVID-19 and social isolation endangering psychological health of older adults: Implications for telepsychiatry

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has created a public health emergency and had claimed 911,877 lives at the time of writing this manuscript (September 12, 2020). While everybody is at the risk of acquiring infection following the exposure to SARS-CoV-2, older adults are significantly more likely to experience severe illness, life-threatening complications, hospitalizations, and deaths. As the pandemic evolved, social distancing or shielding efforts as primary prevention were instituted to protect the physical health status of the vulnerable population, with no or limited consideration to the psychological health of the older population. Social isolation and loneliness are the long-standing public health concerns among older adults, which appear to be exacerbating amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the pre-existing risk of late-life psychiatric disorders among older individuals, it is critical to determine challenges posed by COVID-19 and associated social distancing protocols as it relates to the psychosocial well-being of the aging population. Such information is imperative to design targeted interventions to fulfill the unmet needs of the older population. Therefore, this review endeavors to identify the healthcare and emotional needs of the aging population during the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of psychological health and social capital. Additionally, this review also identifies the barriers in the uptake of telepsychiatry and highlights the need for promoting remote counseling services among older people to promote their psychosocial well-being.
Astrocytes deliver CK1 to neurons via extracellular vesicles in response to inflammation promoting the translation and amyloidogenic processing of APP

Chronic inflammation is thought to contribute to the early pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the precise mechanism by which inflammatory cytokines promote the formation and deposition of Aβ remains unclear. Available data suggest that applications of inflammatory cytokines onto isolated neurons do not promote the formation of Aβ, suggesting an indirect mechanism of action. Based on evidence astrocyte derived extracellular vesicles (astrocyte derived EVs) regulate neuronal functions, and data that inflammatory cytokines can modify the molecular cargo of astrocyte derived EVs, we sought to determine if IL-1β promotes the formation of Aβ indirectly through actions of astrocyte derived EVs on neurons. The production of Aβ was increased when neurons were exposed to astrocyte derived EVs shed in response to IL-1β (astrocyte derived EV-IL-1β). The mechanism for this effect involved an enrichment of Casein kinase 1 (CK1) in astrocyte derived EV-IL-1β. This astrocyte derived CK1 was delivered to neurons where it formed a complex with neuronal APC and GSK3 to inhibit the β-catenin degradation. Stabilized β-catenin translocated to the nucleus and bound to Hnrnpc gene at promoter regions. An increased cellular concentration of hnRNP C promoted the translation of APP by outcompeting the translational repressor fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) bound to APP mRNA. An increased amount of APP protein became co-localized with BACE1 in enlarged membrane microdomains concurrent with increased production of Aβ. These findings identify a mechanism whereby inflammation promotes the formation of Aβ through the actions of astrocyte derived EV-IL-1β on neurons.
Manure and inorganic fertilization impacts on soil nutrients, aggregate stability, and organic carbon and nitrogen in different aggregate fractions

Manure application can enhance soil fertility and crop yield; however, knowledge of optimum application rates of manure is needed to prevent negative impacts on soils and environment. This study wa...
Discriminatory Capacity of Prenatal Ultrasound Measures for Large-for-Gestational-Age Birth: A Bayesian Approach to ROC Analysis Using Placement Values

Predicting large fetuses at birth is of great interest to obstetricians. Using an NICHD Scandinavian Study that collected longitudinal ultrasound examination data during pregnancy, we estimate diagnostic accuracy parameters of estimated fetal weight (EFW) at various times during pregnancy in predicting large for gestational age. We adopt a placement value-based Bayesian regression model with random effects to estimate ROC curves. The use of placement value allows us to model covariate effects directly on the ROC curves, and the adoption of a Bayesian approach accommodates the a priori constraint that an ROC curve of EFW near delivery should dominate another further away. The proposed methodology is shown to perform better than some alternative approaches in simulations and its application to the Scandinavian Study data suggest that diagnostic accuracy of EFW can improve about 65% from week 17 to 37 of gestation.
Connecting Youth Receiving SSI to Transition Services: The Role and Perspective of Family Advocates

Students and youth receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) often encounter challenges during the transition process due to the added complexities of family poverty, health conditions, and systemic inequities (Hemmeter, 2014; Honeycutt & Livermore, 2018; Wittenburg & Loprest, 2007). Through the multiple phases of recruitment and enrollment in the Wisconsin Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (WI PROMISE) demonstration project, youth and families were more likely to engage with those with similar lived experiences in their home communities. As a result, integrating a new position of family advocate or navigator into the transition process for youth receiving SSI benefits may be beneficial in helping youth and their families successfully navigate the transition process and increase engagement in vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. This study investigated WI PROMISE family advocates’ views of their supportive role, families' strengths and needs, and challenges that emerged as they supported families during the transition process. Results indicated three key themes: (a) the importance of building trust and raising expectations; (b) effective partnership, accountability, and teamwork across systems; and (c) peer-based roles as coach, mentor, problem solver, and navigator.
The Line Between Medicaid and Marketplace: Coverage Effects from Wisconsin's Partial Expansion.

CONTEXT States have sought to experiment with the income eligibility threshold between Medicaid coverage and access to subsidized Marketplace plans in an effort to increase coverage for low-income adults while meeting other state priorities, particularly a balanced budget. In 2014, Wisconsin opted against adoption of an ACA Medicaid expansion, instead setting the Medicaid eligibility threshold at 100% of the poverty level-a state-funded partial expansion. Childless adults gained new eligibility, while parents and caregivers with incomes between 101-200% of poverty lost existing eligibility. METHODS We use Wisconsin's all-payer claims database to assess health insurance gains, losses, and transitions among low-income adults affected by this partial expansion. FINDINGS We find that less than one third of adults who lost Medicaid eligibility definitely took up commercial coverage, and many returned to Medicaid. Among those newly Medicaid eligible, there was little evidence of crowd-out. Both groups experienced limited continuity of coverage. Overall, new Medicaid enrollment of childless adults was offset by coverage losses among parents and caregivers, rendering Wisconsin's overall coverage gains similar to non-expansion states. CONCLUSIONS Wisconsin's experience demonstrates the difficulty in relying on the Marketplace to cover the near poor and suggests that full Medicaid expansion more effectively increases coverage.
An Integration of Stochastic Growth Theory and the Theory of Finance, Part I: The Growth Model

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the growth theoretic part of an intertemporal general equilibrium theory of capital asset pricing, which is an attempt to put together ideas from the modern finance literature and the literature on stochastic growth models. It helps obtain a theory that is capable of addressing itself to such general equilibrium questions regarding the impact of an increase in the corporate income tax on the relative prices of risky stocks and the impact of an increase in progressivity of the personal income tax on the relative price structure of risky assets. The chapter also highlights the type of growth theory that Lionel McKenzie has been a major figure in developing is a useful tool in applied areas such as finance. The finance side of the theory derives a part of its inspiration from Merton. Merton's intertemporal capital asset pricing model (ICAPM) is not a general equilibrium theory in the sense of Arrow−Debreu, that is, the technological sources of uncertainty are not related to the equilibrium prices of the risky assets in Merton. The chapter also presents a general equilibrium model.
The Rights of Children in Medieval Canon Law

This article considers the medieval uses of the language of rights to describe the legal status of children. It begins with the late antique Christian campaign against the ubiquitous pagan population-control measure of infant exposure. Christian jurists and emperors outlawed the ancient Roman "right of life and death" that the Roman patriarchal father exercised over his offspring. The article considers measures the Church sought to put in place to see to the needs of abandoned children in the early middle ages. It also considers the development in the high middle ages of canonistic devices to enforce the right of children born out of wedlock to obtain support from their fathers. The article also considers two basic freedoms adolescent children and young adults possessed, vis a vis their parents. Children had the right to seek their own marriage partner, free from outside coercion, including especially parental coercion. They also had the right to seek a vocation within the Church (although no one has a right to ordination or to monastic profession, individuals at least have the right to be free from parents' preventing such a choice from being made). The article uses as a case study the struggle Thomas Aquinas was forced to fight with his family, who did not wish him to pursue a vocation with the Dominican Order.
Application of the sample-conditioned MSE to non-linear classification and censored sampling

Phenotype discrimination problems in biomedicine typically classify between types of pathology, stages of disease, response to treatment or survivability. In contrast to the usual heuristic classifier and error estimate computed from small sample data, recent work proposes a Bayesian modeling framework over an uncertainty class of feature-label distributions, which when combined with data facilitates optimal MMSE error estimation, optimal classifier design and a sample-conditioned MSE for error estimation analysis, all relative to uncertainty in the underlying distributions conditioned on the sample. Here we address application of the conditional MSE to non-linear classifiers and present an example with optimal Bayesian classification and censored sampling, an economical sampling procedure in which data are collected incrementally until desired criteria are met.
Kinetics of reaction of Escherichia coli ribosomal proteins toward N-ethylmaleimide.

Abstract The kinetics of reaction of the exposed ribosomal proteins from Escherichia coli toward N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) have been studied. While most of the proteins from the 30S subunit react rapidly with NEM and plateau levels can be reached, most of the proteins from the 50S subunit show biphasic uptake kinetics. Furthermore, differences have been observed in the reactivity of proteins toward NEM depending on whether the protein is in the free subunit or in the 70S ribosome.
An ascomycetous parasite ofCephaleuros

Species of Cephaleuras are well known algal parasites on the leaves and tender shoots of many economic plants. Cephalcuros mycaides Karst. commonly found distributed on various hosts is regarded as a very super¬ficial parasite. On tho other hand Cephalearas parasitic. Ka.t. according to Petch (1923) and others, is a very serious parasite on account of the fact the algal filaments penetrate the epidermis and spread within the mesophyll tissue. The red rust disease of tea is caused by this species and the damage is particularly significant when the shoot are parasitised. The heavy infestation of the parasite resuhs in the production of numerous necrotic spots causing severe defoliation of the shoots.
Traffic Morphing: An Efficient Defense Against Statistical Traffic Analysis.

Recent work has shown that properties of network traffic that remain observable after encryption, namely packet sizes and timing, can reveal surprising information about the traffic’s contents (e.g., the language of a VoIP call [29], passwords in secure shell logins [20], or even web browsing habits [21, 14]). While there are some legitimate uses for encrypted traffic analysis, these techniques also raise important questions about the privacy of encrypted communications. A common tactic for mitigating such threats is to pad packets to uniform sizes or to send packets at fixed timing intervals; however, this approach is often inefficient. In this paper, we propose a novel method for thwarting statistical traffic analysis algorithms by optimally morphing one class of traffic to look like another class. Through the use of convex optimization techniques, we show how to optimally modify packets in real-time to reduce the accuracy of a variety of traffic classifiers while incurring much less overhead than padding. Our evaluation of this technique against two published traffic classifiers for VoIP [29] and web traffic [14] shows that morphing works well on a wide range of network data—in some cases, simultaneously providing better privacy and lower overhead than naive
Quantifying the limited and gradual concept drift assumption

Nonstationary environments, where underlying distributions change over time, are becoming increasingly common in real-world applications. A specific example of such an environment is concept drift, where the joint probability distributions of observed data drift over time. Such environments call for a model that can update its parameters to adapt to the changing environment. An extreme case of this scenario, referred to as extreme verification latency, is where labeled data are only available at initialization, with unlabeled data becoming available in a streaming fashion thereafter. In such a scenario, the classifier must update its hypothesis based on only unlabeled data drawn from the drifting distributions. In our prior work, we described a framework, called COMPOSE, that works well in this type of environment, provided that the data distributions experience limited (or gradual) drift. Limited drift assumption is common in many concept drift algorithms yet — surprisingly — there is little or no formal definition of this assumption. In this contribution, we describe a mechanism to formally quantify limited drift. We define two metrics, one that represents the normalized class separation drift, and the other that uses the ratio of between-class separations and within class drift through time. We test these metrics on both synthetic and real world problems, and argue that the latter can be more suitably used.
Scale exhaustivity and the Modification Condition

This paper pursues a Vector Space Semantics (VSS) analysis of evaluative and extreme adjectives in absolute and comparative constructions, with a particular emphasis on the licensing of measure phrases (MPs) in these environments. I show that the Modification Condition (Winter 2005), which restricts the distribution of MPs with locative/directional PPs and dimensional adjectives, can be extended to account for MP licensing with evaluative and extreme adjectives as well. Importantly, the non-satisfaction of the Modification Condition is entailed when a set of vectors does not exhaust the range of possible values on a particular scale. This observation thus allows us to link a long-standing generalization that scale exhaustivity and MP licensing are crucially related (Bierwisch 1989) with the formal denotational properties of certain linguistic expressions.
Effect of Water Stress on the Growth and Fecundity of Common Waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis)

Abstract Common waterhemp is one of the most commonly encountered and troublesome weeds in the midwestern United States. It is well known that water stress adversely affects crop growth and yield; however, the effects of water stress on weed growth and seed production are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of degree and duration of water stress on growth, development, and fecundity of two common waterhemp biotypes in greenhouse experiments conducted at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. No difference was observed in growth, development, and seed production between two biotypes in response to degree and duration of water stress; therefore, data were combined. The degree of water stress study included five treatments, where the amount of water applied to each pot at 2-d interval was equivalent to 100, 75, 50, 25, and 12.5% of pot (soil) water content. The highest plant height (163 cm), number of leaves (231 plant−1), and growth index (4.4 × 105 cm3) were recorded at...
Carboxyl Ester Lipase from Either Mother's Milk or the Pancreas Is Required for Efficient Dietary Triglyceride Digestion in Suckling Mice

Because dietary fats provide an important source of energy in the newborn, the efficient digestion of dietary fats is critical to their well-being. Despite the importance of dietary fat digestion, newborns have a deficiency of pancreatic triglyceride lipase, the predominant digestive lipase in adults. The efficient dietary fat digestion in newborns suggests that other lipases must compensate for the lack of pancreatic triglyceride lipase. In this study, we test the hypothesis that breast milk, pancreatic carboxyl ester lipase (CEL), or both contribute to dietary fat digestion in the newborn. To test this hypothesis, we determined the amount and composition of fecal fat in wild-type and CEL-deficient newborns nursed by either wild-type or CEL-deficient dams. We tested all genetic permutations of the nursing pairs. An interaction between the genotype of the dam and of the pup determined the amount of fecal fat (P < 0.001). Fecal fat was highest in CEL-deficient pups nursed by CEL-deficient dams. Furthermore, only the feces from the CEL-deficient pups nursed by CEL-deficient dams contained undigested lipids. Even with increased fecal fats, the CEL-deficient pups had normal weight gain. Our results demonstrate that CEL contributes significantly to dietary triglyceride digestion whether it originates from mother's milk or pancreatic secretions. However, only the absence of both mother's milk and pancreatic CEL produces fat maldigestion. The absence of a single CEL source makes no difference in the efficiency of dietary fat absorption.
R47H variant of TREM2 associated with Alzheimer disease in a large late-onset family clinical, genetic, and neuropathological study

Importance The R47H variant in the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 gene ( TREM2 ), a modulator of the immune response of microglia, is a strong genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD) and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders. Objective To investigate a large family with late-onset AD (LOAD), in which R47H cosegregated with 75% of cases. Design, Setting, and Participants This study includes genetic and pathologic studies of families with LOAD from 1985 to 2014. A total of 131 families with LOAD (751 individuals) were included from the University of Washington Alzheimer Disease Research Center. To identify LOAD genes/risk factors in the LOAD123 family with 21 affected members and 12 autopsies, we sequenced 4 exomes. Candidate variants were tested for cosegregation with the disease. TREM2 R47H was genotyped in an additional 130 families with LOAD. We performed clinical and neuropathological assessments of patients with and without R47H and evaluated the variant’s effect on brain pathology, cellular morphology, and expression of microglial markers. Main Outcomes and Measures We assessed the effect of TREM2 genotype on age at onset and disease duration. We compared Braak and Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease scores, presence of α-synuclein and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 aggregates, and additional vascular or Parkinson pathology in TREM2 R47H carriers vs noncarriers. Microglial activation was assessed by quantitative immunohistochemistry and morphometry. Results Twelve of 16 patients with AD in the LOAD123 family carried R47H. Eleven patients with dementia had apolipoprotein E 4 ( ApoE4 ) and R47H genotypes. We also found a rare missense variant, D353N, in a nominated AD risk gene, unc-5 homolog C ( UNC5C ), in 5 affected individuals in the LOAD123 family. R47H carriers demonstrated a shortened disease duration (mean [SD], 6.7 [2.8] vs 11.1 [6.6] years; 2-tailed t test; P = .04) and more frequent α-synucleinopathy. The panmicroglial marker ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 was decreased in all AD cases and the decrease was most pronounced in R47H carriers (mean [SD], in the hilus: 0.114 [0.13] for R47H_AD vs 0.574 [0.26] for control individuals; 2-tailed t test; P = .005 and vs 0.465 [0.32] for AD; P = .02; in frontal cortex gray matter: 0.006 [0.004] for R47H_AD vs 0.016 [0.01] for AD; P = .04 and vs 0.033 [0.013] for control individuals; P P Conclusions and Relevance Our results demonstrate a complex genetic landscape of LOAD, even in a single pedigree with an apparent autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. ApoE4 , TREM2 R47H, and rare variants in other genes, such as UNC5C D353N, are likely responsible for the notable occurrence of AD in this family. Our findings support the role of the TREM2 receptor in microglial clearance of aggregation-prone proteins that is compromised in R47H carriers and may accelerate the course of disease.
Secondary analysis of national survey datasets.

Aim: This paper describes the methodological issues associated with secondary analysis of large national survey datasets. Methods: Issues about survey sampling, data collection, and non-response and missing data in terms of methodological validity and reliability are discussed. Results: Although reanalyzing large national survey datasets is an expedient and cost-efficient way of producing nursing knowledge, successful investigations require a methodological consideration of the intrinsic limitations of secondary survey analysis. Conclusions: Nursing researchers using existing national survey datasets should understand potential sources of error associated with survey sampling, data collection, and non-response and missing data. Although it is impossible to eliminate all potential errors, researchers using existing national survey datasets must be aware of the possible influence of errors on the results of the analyses.
Reactivation of the Human Cytomegalovirus Major Immediate-Early Regulatory Region and Viral Replication in Embryonal NTera2 Cells: Role of Trichostatin A, Retinoic Acid, and Deletion of the 21-Base-Pair Repeats and Modulator

Inactivity of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate-early regulatory region (MIERR), which is composed of promoter, enhancer, unique region, and modulator, is linked to lack of HCMV replication in latently infected cells and in other nonpermissive cell types, including human embryonal NTera2 carcinoma (NT2) cells. I refined the embryonal NT2 cell model to enable characterization of the unknown mechanistic basis for silencing of HCMV MIERR-dependent transcription and viral replication in nonpermissive cells. These infected NT2 cells contain nonreplicating viral genomes with electrophoretic mobility equivalent to a supercoiled, bacterial artificial chromosome of comparable molecular weight. MIERR-dependent transcription is minimal to negligible. Increasing the availability of positive-acting transcription factors by retinoic acid (RA) treatment after infection is largely insufficient in reactivating the MIERR. In contrast, trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, reactivates MIERR-dependent transcription. Contrary to prior findings produced from transfected MIERR segments, deletion of the 21-bp repeats and modulator from the MIERR in the viral genome does not relieve MIERR silencing. To demonstrate that MIERR silencing likely results from enhancer inactivity, I examined an HCMV with a heterologous MIERR promoter that is enhancer dependent but exempt from IE2 p86-mediated negative autoregulation. This heterologous promoter, like its neighboring native MIERR promoter, exhibits immediate-early transcriptional kinetics in fibroblasts. In embryonal NT2 cells, the heterologous MIERR promoter is transcriptionally inactive. This silence is relieved by TSA but not by RA. Remarkably, TSA-induced reactivation of MIERR-dependent transcription from quiescent viral genomes is followed by release of infectious virus. I conclude that a mechanism of active repression imposes a block to MIERR-dependent transcription and viral replication in embryonal NT2 cells. Because TSA overcomes the block, viral gene silencing may involve histone deacetylase-based modification of viral chromatin, which might account for the covalently closed circular conformation of quiescent HCMV genomes.
Synthetic silicate sulphate apatite: mechanical properties and biocompatibility testing

The solid solution series of Ca10(PO4)6F2−Ca10(SiO4)3(SO4)3F2 was synthesized by solidstate methods. Tensile strength testing by diametral compression indicated that the silicate sulphate apatites have strength comparable with that of phosphate apatite, with the centre member of the solid solution series [Ca10(PO4)3(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5F2] having the highest tensile strength of 20.7 MN m−2. The in vivo behaviour of three compositions was evaluated. These materials have increased resorption rate compared with phosphate apatite, and good biocompatibility. The silicatian sulphatian apatites appear to be excellent materials for lowload-bearing bone graft applications.