cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Folic Acid Supplementation and Prevention of Birth Defects

Based on animal studies, epidemiologic studies and intervention trials, maternal folic acid is known to be protective for neural tube defects (NTD), primarily spina bifida and anencephalus. To reduce the risk of NTD, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated that all enriched cereal grain products be fortified with folic acid as of January 1998. Recent data demonstrate that this public health action is associated with increased folate blood levels among U.S. women of childbearing age and that the national rate of spina bifida has decreased by 20%. Rates of anencephaly appear not to have declined. Epidemiologic data on use of folate and folate antagonists have also implicated folic acid in prevention of other birth defects such as facial clefts and cardiac and limb defects. Dietary folic acid is likely to be inadequate for maximal protection against NTD. Because about half of pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned, according to the March of Dimes, birth defect prevention includes a recommended daily dose of 400 μg synthetic folic acid for women of childbearing age. Uniform compliance is estimated to decrease the incidence of NTD by up to 70%. This could reduce the overall incidence from 2 to 0.6 per 1000 pregnancies and prevent disease in ∼2000 babies per year in the U.S. Four thousand micrograms of folic acid per day is recommended for women with previous pregnancies affected by NTD.
Flexible Election Timing and International Conflict

While there are a large number of studies examining the differences in conflict behavior due to varying institutional arrangements, scholars have not effectively addressed the differences in electoral cycles between systems with fixed versus flexible election timing. At the same time that parliamentary regimes give the Prime Minister the power to dissolve parliament, they give the parliament the power to remove the government with a vote of no-confidence. Together, these institutional attributes make the precise timing of the elections—and thus the public's opportunity to hold the government accountable—largely uncertain. I develop a theory that expectations of an upcoming election constrain the foreign policy decision making of executives, and induce pacific behavior. I estimate the probability of an election in a sample of 17 advanced parliamentary democracies from the 1950s to 2001. I find convincing support for my theory, as the probability of hostile dispute initiation is a function of those characteristics that influence the timing of elections, including majority support and the electoral cycle. More specifically, majority and minority governments face varying incentives to initiate disputes because of the different risks of an immediate election.
Clinical pharmacology and antiarrhythmic efficacy of N-acetylprocainamide.

Abstract Eleven patients with chronic ventricular arrhythmias took part in a study of N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA), the major metabolite of procainamide, in order to characterize further NAPA's clinical pharmacology and antiarrhythmic action. The frequency of ventricular arrhythmia on 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings was comparable on recordings obtained in a prestudy screening, during treatment with placebo before administration of NAPA and after treatment with NAPA. The initial dosage of NAPA was 500 mg every 8 hours, which was increased by 500 mg increments every few days until 90 percent suppression of arrhythmia or intolerable adverse effects occurred. Only two patients achieved 90 percent suppression of ventricular ectopic complexes. The mean plasma concentration associated with 90 percent suppression of arrhythmia in these two patients was 12.6 and 32.3 mg/ml, respectively. One of these two patients was unable to continue long-term therapy with NAPA because of a rash. Other adverse effects included gastrointestinal symptoms in seven patients with visual symptoms in four patients at plasma concentrations as low as 6.9 mg/ml. NAPA obeyed linear pharmacokinetics over the range of dosages studied (500 to 2,500 mg every 8 hours) and had a half-life of 10.7 ± 1.98 hours (mean ± standard deviation). There was no change in the P-R or QRS intervals and there was a dose-dependent prolongation of the Q-Tc interval. It is concluded that in this patient group, NAPA suppressed chronic ventricular ectopic complexes without adverse effects in only a minority of patients.
Restoring Yellowstone’s aspen with wolves

Abstract Wolves (Canis lupus) were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995–1996. We present data on a recent trophic cascade involving wolves, elk (Cervus elaphus), and aspen (Populus tremuloides) in Yellowstone’s northern winter range that documents the first significant growth of aspen in over half a century. Results indicate reduced browsing and increased heights of young aspen during the last 4–5 years, particularly at high predation risk sites (riparian areas with downed logs). In contrast, young aspen in upland settings generally showed continued suppression with only a slight decrease in browsing levels and only a slight increase in height. Our findings are consistent with the combined effects of a behaviorally-mediated and density-mediated trophic cascade. Results provide an improved perspective for understanding trophic dynamics and spatially variable plant community growth patterns in this recovering ecosystem.
Simultaneous Hunting and Herding at Ciris 297–300

Poetic incompetence is often blamed for infelicities or incongruities which appear in the poems collected in the Appendix Vergiliana, and in many cases such censure is justified. However, in the passage which is the subject of this note, Ciris 297–300, it is possible to reinterpret the incongruity which critics have remarked: when the pertinent evidence from antiquity is adduced, the lines are revealed as a display of scientific and etymological doctrina.
Hybrid Poisson/polynomial objective functions for tomographic image reconstruction from transmission scans

This paper describes rapidly converging algorithms for computing attenuation maps from Poisson transmission measurements using penalized-likelihood objective functions. We demonstrate that an under-relaxed cyclic coordinate-ascent algorithm converges faster than the convex algorithm of Lange (see ibid., vol.4, no.10, p.1430-1438, 1995), which in turn converges faster than the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for transmission tomography. To further reduce computation, one could replace the log-likelihood objective with a quadratic approximation. However, we show with simulations and analysis that the quadratic objective function leads to biased estimates for low-count measurements. Therefore we introduce hybrid Poisson/polynomial objective functions that use the exact Poisson log-likelihood for detector measurements with low counts, but use computationally efficient quadratic or cubic approximations for the high-count detector measurements. We demonstrate that the hybrid objective functions reduce computation time without increasing estimation bias. >
Where in the world is internet jurisdiction: a US perspective

Jurisdiction is the authority of a court to resolve a specific legal action. In resolving legal actions related to electronic commerce (e-commerce) which crosses borders, there currently is no statutory solution to determine jurisdiction. The answer to the question, where in the world is internet jurisdiction, is currently determined case by case through court action. This paper addresses the concerns about internet jurisdiction risk from a US perspective. The questions of legal internet jurisdiction are then discussed by examining the legal theories for jurisdiction. The standards within the USA, as well as those applied in international disputes, are discussed and exemplified with legal cases. Based upon our analysis of the applicable legal theories and cases, we recommend approaches for electronic business (e-businesses) to address internet jurisdiction risk. We conclude that there is a need to develop a globally agreed upon standard.
A new solution approach to polynomial LPV system analysis and synthesis

Based on sum-of-squares (SOS) decomposition, we propose a new solution approach for polynomial LPV system analysis and control synthesis problems. Instead of solving matrix variables over a positive definite cone, the SOS approach tries to find a suitable decomposition to verify the positiveness of given polynomials. The complexity of the SOS-based numerical method is polynomial of the problem size. This approach also leads to more accurate solutions to LPV systems than most existing relaxation methods. Several examples have been used to demonstrate benefits of the SOS-based solution approach.
Impact of Upper Ocean–Topographical Coupling and Isopycnal Outcropping in Japan/East Sea Models with 1/8° to 1/64° Resolution

A regional primitive equation ocean model is used to investigate the impact of grid resolution, baroclinic instability, bottom topography, and isopycnal outcropping on the dynamics of the wind and throughflow-forced surface circulation in the Japan/East Sea. The results demonstrate that at least 1 /328 (3.5 km) horizontal grid resolution is necessary to generate sufficient baroclinic instability to produce eddy-driven cyclonic deep mean flows. These abyssal currents follow the f/h contours of the bottom topography and allow the bottom topography to strongly influence mean pathways of the upper-ocean currents in the Japan/East Sea. This upper ocean‐ topographical coupling via baroclinic instability (actually a mixed baroclinic‐barotropic instability) requires that mesoscale variability be very well resolved to obtain sufficient coupling. For example, 1 /328 resolution is required to obtain a realistic separation latitude of the East Korean Warm Current (EKWC) from the Korean coast when Hellerman‐Rosenstein monthly climatological wind stress forcing is used. Separation of the EKWC is more realistic at 1 /88 resolution when the model is forced with climatological winds formed from the ECMWF 10-m reanalysis due to strong positive wind stress curl north of the separation latitude, but at 1 /88 the level of baroclinic instability is insufficient to initiate upper ocean‐topographical coupling. Hence, this major topographical effect is largely missed at coarser resolution and leads to erroneous conclusions about the role of bottom topography and unexplained errors in the pathways of current systems. Results from a 1 /648 simulation are similar to those at 1 /328, particularly where the EKWC separates from the Korean coast, suggesting statistical simulation convergence for mesoscale variability has been nearly achieved at 1 /328 resolution. Isopycnal outcropping and associated vertical mixing provide an alternate mechanism to topographical control in developing and maintaining a boundary current along the west coast of Japan, but are less important than baroclinic instability in driving deep mean flows.
A Discussion of Oliver O'Donovan's The Desire of the Nations

Cet article offre un long commentaire de l'ouvrage d'Oliver O'Donovan, Le desir des nations (1996), qui affirme que l'acte politique est un acte autorise divinement. Le but est de comprendre la nature de l'autorite politique et comment l'exercice de cette autorite par certains etres humains sur d'autres est autorisee. L'A. etudie ensuite le texte, en trois parties : Israel avant Jesus, Jesus et l'Eglise. Puis il recherche les implications de cette interpretation de l'autorite dans notre monde contemporain des etats, et termine par l'expose du recit de O'Donavan sur la relation de l'Eglise et de l'Etat.
Nitric oxide generation by isolated descending vasa recta

Nitric oxide (NO) generation by the outer medullary descending vasa recta (OMDVR) was measured with the fluorescent dye 4,5-diaminofluoroscein (DAF-2) during 30-min incubations. Addition of 0.1 or ...
Predicted RNA Folding Suggests PRRSV Major and Heteroclite Subgenomic Transcripts Result from Polymerase Switching at Unpaired Nucleotides

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has emerged as a major disease of swine worldwide, causing stillbirths and abortions in pregnant sows and reproductive failure in young swine. Even though modified-live vaccines have been used for many years, PRRSV continues to thrive and spread. Previous work has shown that one of the mechanisms which PRRSV uses to evade host defenses is to undergo viral recombination at a high frequency (Yuan et al 1999). The high frequency nidovirus recombination mechanism occurs by discontinuous transcription (Baric et al 1987) that appears to be guided by basepairing between sense and antisense strands at sites of secondary structure. Support for this model has been recently been obtained for equine arteritis virus subgenomic (sg) mRNAs, which utilize a common leader body junction site sequence which undergoes sequential basepairing at two distinct sites on the genome of the opposite strand (Marle et al 1999). In this report, we document that besides standard PRRSV sg mRNAs, other subgenomic RNAs, which utilize alternative junction sites, are transcribed during PRRSV infection. We also provide evidence that these novel subgenomic RNAs are produced by a similar basepairing mechanism, yet the newly identified RNAs appear to be generated in a less-stringent manner. Thus, the PRRSV polymerase complex appears to be more promiscuous than other nidoviruses complexes in deciding where and when to switch templates during transcription. The identification of these novel subgenomic RNAs during normal PRRSV infection will allow further characterization of the specific mechanism for nidovirus discontinuous transcription.
Prosodic Effects on Spoken Word Recognition in Second Language: Processing of Lexical Stress by Korean-Speaking Learners of English

The present study explores how language-specific variation in prosodic structure affects L2 learners’ processing of prosodic categories during L2 spoken word recognition. Specifically, the study ex...
Compounding Variables Influencing the Reversion Process in Accelerated Curing of Natural Rubber

Abstract Reversion of natural rubber is dependent on the nature of the curing system, choice of accelerator, and the temperature and time of cure. Conventional cure systems which contain a high ratio of sulfur to accelerator have higher moduli at optimum cure, faster rates of cure, but are more vulnerable to reversion. The EV systems, which contain a low ratio of sulfur to accelerator, demonstrate good resistance to reversion but lower moduli at optimum cure and slower rates of cure. The sulfurless cure systems, which represent an extreme case, show greater reversion resistance than EV systems. Of the three accelerators tetramethyl thiuramdisulfide (TMTD), diphenylguanidine (DPG), and N-oxydiethylene benzothiazole-2-sulfenamide (MOR) studied, MOR gives the best performance, followed by DPG, then TMTD in terms of reversion resistance for the cure times studied. In the injection molding of rubber, MOR offers better performance with respect to the requirements of safe scorch times, fast rates of cure, and go...
Marked reduction of spectrinin hereditary spherocytosis in the common house mouse

In contrast to the disease in humans, hereditary spherocytosis in the common house mouse produces an extreme spherocytosis. The cells show a broad distribution in size ranging from microcytic to macrocytic. Of particular interest is the finding of a substantial reduction in the major membrane polypeptide called spectrin, supporting a critical role for this protein in the control of erythrocyte shape and membrane stability.
Finding Correlations in Subquadratic Time, with Applications to Learning Parities and the Closest Pair Problem

Given a set of n d-dimensional Boolean vectors with the promise that the vectors are chosen uniformly at random with the exception of two vectors that have Pearson correlation coefficient ρ (Hamming distance d· 1-ρ/ 2), how quickly can one find the two correlated vectors? We present an algorithm which, for any constant ϵ>0, and constant ρ>0, runs in expected time O(n5-ω / 4-ω+ϵ +nd) O(n1.62 +nd), where ω n, and improves upon O(n2-O(ρ)), given by Paturi et al. [1989], the Locality Sensitive Hashing approach of Motwani [1998] and the Bucketing Codes approach of Dubiner [2008]. Applications and extensions of this basic algorithm yield significantly improved algorithms for several other problems. Approximate Closest Pair. For any sufficiently small constant ϵ>0, given n d-dimensional vectors, there exists an algorithm that returns a pair of vectors whose Euclidean (or Hamming) distance differs from that of the closest pair by a factor of at most 1+ϵ, and runs in time O(n2-Θ(√ϵ)). The best previous algorithms (including Locality Sensitive Hashing) have runtime O(n2-O(ϵ)). Learning Sparse Parities with Noise. Given samples from an instance of the learning parities with noise problem where each example has length n, the true parity set has size at most k « n, and the noise rate is η, there exists an algorithm that identifies the set of k indices in time nω+ϵ/3 k poly(1/1-2η) n0.8k poly(1/1-2 η). This is the first algorithm with no dependence on η in the exponent of n, aside from the trivial O((nk)) ≈ O(nk) brute-force algorithm, and for large noise rates (η > 0.4), improves upon the results of Grigorescu et al. [2011] that give a runtime of n(1+(2 η)2 + o(1))k/2 poly(1/1-2η). Learning k-Juntas with Noise. Given uniformly random length n Boolean vectors, together with a label, which is some function of just k « n of the bits, perturbed by noise rate η, return the set of relevant indices. Leveraging the reduction of Feldman et al. [2009], our result for learning k-parities implies an algorithm for this problem with runtime nω+ϵ/3 k poly(1/1-2η) n0.8k poly(1/1-2 η), which is the first runtime for this problem of the form nck with an absolute constant c Learning k-Juntas without Noise. Given uniformly random length n Boolean vectors, together with a label, which is some function of k « n of the bits, return the set of relevant indices. Using a modification of the algorithm of Mossel et al. [2004], and employing our algorithm for learning sparse parities with noise via the reduction of Feldman et al. [2009], we obtain an algorithm for this problem with runtime nω+ ϵ/4 k poly(n) n0.6k poly(n), which improves on the previous best of nω+1/ωk ≈ n0.7k poly(n) of Mossel et al. [2004].
Copyright of architectural records: a legal perspective

As more archivists become concerned with the acquisition and preservation of architect's drawings, they need to be aware of the issues surrounding the copyright of these materials. Because of their unique nature, these records inherently possess special problems under copyright law, which have been defined and litigated in statute and in the courts of the United States for more than a century. A summary of relevant cases and copyright laws reveals the issues and special problems that architects' records have presented to those concerned with deciding their ownership, and the potential impact of these for archivists.
Comparison of Ab Initio Laser Theory With Exact Simulation

A recent ab initio laser theory is compared to exact numerical simulation of the Maxwell-Bloch equations. Results are in excellent agreement for the 1D slab geometry of an edge-emitting laser.
Lifting surface theory for the rest of us

A rational approach to lifting theory is presented. It is shown that a special numerical integration rule can be found to directly compute the finite part of the characteristic double pole singular integrals found in subsonic lifting surface theories. This is coupled with an optimum weighted residual method which ensures rapid convergence of the aerodynamic generalized forces. The versatility of these techniques is demonstrated by computing the time accurate unsteady airloads on three-dimensional wings.
Abstract 3326: BEZ235 enhances radiosensitization via blockade of PI3-kinase/mTOR pathway in cisplatin-selected non-small cell lung cancer stem cells

Purpose: Most drug resistance cancer cells have resisted to radiation therapy. In this study, we hypothesized that a dual inhibitor of PI3-kinase/ the downstream mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), BEZ235, could potentially enhance radiosensitization in cisplatin-selected non- small cell lung cancer stem cells. Methods: Clonogenic assay was used to determine radiosensitivity. Stem cell marker was detected with CD133 antibody. P-AKT, P-mTOR and P-S6R were detected by Western Blotting. Cell cycle was performed using flow cytometry. Autophagy was determined by punctuate localization of GFP-LC3 fusion protein, which observed under a confocal fluorescence microscope in vitro. Results: Basal CD133 which is a marker of stem cell, P-Akt, p-mTOR and P-S6R proteins were enhanced in cisplatin-selected non- small cell lung cancer stem cells (CSNSCLCSTC) when compared to parental non-small cell lung cancer (H460) cells. Cisplatin-selected non- small cell lung cancer stem cells mediate less radiation sensitivity when compared with parental cells in clonogenic assay(DER=0.82, p=0.02). However BEZ235 obviously enhanced sensitivity of cisplatin-selected non- small cell lung cancer stem cells to radiation (DER=1.2, p=0.01). Therefore, this enhanced radiosensitization was associated with a downregulation of PI3-kinase/mTOR signaling pathway and an increase in characteristic punctuate localization of GFP-LC3 as a marker for autophagy, suggesting that G2/M inhibition and autophagy were induced simultaneously. Conclusions: These findings may be utilized as a novel strategy to enhance radiation therapy in drug-selected non-small cell lung cancer stem cells showing radioresistance. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3326.
IMPS-37PRECISION IMMUNOPHENOTYPING OF TCR REPERTOIRES IN IMMUNOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF GLIOMA

Immunotherapy for glioblastoma (GBM) is the subject of numerous clinical trials due to the potential ability of the adaptive immune response to combat this diffusely infiltrating tumor. However, rational application of immunotherapy to these tumors is challenging because of the peculiar immune privilege of the brain and the molecular heterogeneity of glioma antigens. Little is known about patient-to-patient variability in the potential to generate anti-glioma immune responses of their systemic and local T cell populations. We conducted a foundational study of the population-wide characteristics of both the peripheral blood and local, tissue-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) of glioma patients using TCRseq. Through reverse transcription and pan-repertoire amplification of the TCR-alpha and -beta chains we generated TCRseq libraries from matched surgical tissue and peripheral blood cells. Using peripheral blood samples from primary GBM, low-grade glioma, and non-tumor patients (N = 14), we define new immunophenotypes using statistical metrics based on information theory - specifically, the clonality associated with antigen-binding function in the TCRs of TIL, and the antigen-binding associated divergence of the TIL population from the blood. We found that diversification of this repertoire was characteristic of high-grade tumors, and correlated strongly with the activation of specific immune and inflammatory pathways. Furthermore, we found strong correlation between usage of a subset of TCR sequences in patients' peripheral blood and the divergence of their TIL population from the peripheral repertoire. We anticipate that these immunophenotypes will be key to monitoring and predicting response to anti-glioma vaccines and immunotherapy, and understanding the immunological mechanisms determining their efficacy.
The analysis of cases of oral medical disease

Objective To study the occurrence and spread of children's oral medical dieases and provide the reference for protection and treatment. Methods Of 2278 sick children at out-patient department, to analysetheir sex,age,sites of the teeth and the number of primary teeth and permanent teeth. Results ①The cases of periapical diseases are the most followed by dental caries and pulp diseases,and the cases of periodontal diseases are the least.②The lesion of primary teeth account for 90 percent of total oral medical dieases for children.③The peak of seeking medical advice, which for diseases of primary teeth, is between 4 to 7 years old. ④The sequency of the popular occurrence sites of the teeth of periapical diseases, dental caries and pulp diseases which are oral medical dieases of primary teeth ,from the most to the least,is mandibular molar, maxillary molar and maxillary bicuspid. Conclusion In order to improve the bad oral hygiene for children, we should emphasize the advocation and education of oral hygiene, and improve the way of prevention and treatment.
Reduced cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism in extremely preterm neonates with low-grade germinal matrix- intraventricular hemorrhage.

Low-grade germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (GM-IVH) is the most common complication in extremely premature neonates. The occurrence of GM-IVH is highly associated with hemodynamic instability in the premature brain, yet the long-term impact of low-grade GM-IVH on cerebral blood flow and neuronal health have not been fully investigated. We used an innovative combination of frequency-domain near infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (FDNIRS-DCS) to measure cerebral oxygen saturation (SO2) and an index of cerebral blood flow (CBFi) at the infant’s bedside and compute an index of cerebral oxygen metabolism (CMRO2i). We enrolled twenty extremely low gestational age (ELGA) neonates (seven with low-grade GM-IVH) and monitored them weekly until they reached full-term equivalent age. During their hospital stay, we observed consistently lower CBFi and CMRO2i in ELGA neonates with low-grade GM-IVH compared to neonates without hemorrhages. Furthermore, lower CBFi and CMRO2i in the former group persists even after the resolution of the hemorrhage. In contrast, SO2 does not differ between groups. Thus, CBFi and CMRO2i may have better sensitivity than SO2 in detecting GM-IVH-related effects on infant brain development. FDNIRS-DCS methods may have clinical benefit for monitoring the evolution of GM-IVH, evaluating treatment response and potentially predicting neurodevelopmental outcome.
E-130 pre-treatment prediction of aneurysm recanalization following endovascular coiling: a single-center modification of a validated prediction score

Introduction Endovascular coiling has proven to be a safe and effective method of aneurysm treatment. However, its long-term durability remains unknown and difficult to predict. A previously published prediction score of various factors has been shown to reliably predict rates of recanalization across institutions. However, this prediction is dependent on treatment related outcomes. The present study attempts to predict the recanalization rate based on a modification of this scale using only aneurysm and patient factors rather than treatment related outcomes as well. Methods A retrospective single center analysis of of all endovascularly coiled aneurysms from 2009 to 2013 was undertaken using the previously published predication score criteria (size, presence of thrombus, rupture status) as well as smoking history. The primary outcome was evidence of increased Raymond Roy outcome, indicating recanalization. Results The outcomes will be analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression analysis and weighted similar to previously published recanalization prediction scores. Conclusions The ability to accurately predict which aneurysms will recanalize prior to treatment can greatly affect treatment decisions as well as follow up patterns. We aim to further clarify these relationships with a modification of a previously published prediction score. Disclosures M. Fusco: None. M. Chua: None. M. Froehler: None. A. Thomas: None. C. Ogilvy: None.
Deep habits: Workshop as critique in creative writing:

The creative writing workshop, involving peer critique of manuscripts in progress, is deeply connected to many writerly habits of mind. As such, this article examines workshop as a signature pedagogy in creative writing. Through workshop, students develop awareness of their readers, understanding of how texts are created by readers and through process, and abilities to problem-solve in drafts and hone their personal tastes while encountering contemporary aesthetic values. At the same time, examination of the writerly habits of mind transmitted through workshop also reveals other key skills and ways of thinking that can be shortchanged when workshop is too much the sole methodology; one deleterious habit of mind, that of being overly self-critical, may even result.
Single Neuron Studies of the Human Brain: Probing Cognition

Single Neuron Studies of the Human Brain: Probing Cognition. Itzhak Fried, Ueli Rutishauser, Moran Cerf, Gabriel Krieman, editors The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 2014, 365 pages. US$60.00 Researchers are increasingly examining the relationship between neuronal activity and cognition with the use of microelectrode recordings. These studies capitalize on opportunities provided by modern surgical procedures and the altruism of perioperative patients. The editors of Single Neuron Studies of the Human Brain: Probing Cognition gathered leaders in this field to present both a “how-to” …
Rectal Cancer: Neoadjuvant Therapy

Neoadjuvant therapy is a critical component of the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with rectal cancer. The objective of neoadjuvant therapy, either radiotherapy, combined chemoradiotherapy, or chemotherapy alone, is to reduce the risk of local recurrence in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing surgical resection. But neoadjuvant therapy provides other potential advantages to rectal cancer patients. It allows early assessment of tumor responsiveness to therapy, which is closely correlated with long-term oncologic outcomes. In addition, neoadjuvant therapy could potentially enable the consideration of organ preservation by allowing for more effective local excision and nonoperative management strategies. Finally, delivering systemic chemotherapy before surgery in patients at risk for distant metastasis has the potential to improve survival by addressing micrometastatic disease earlier and improving treatment compliance. Maximizing neoadjuvant treatment response can therefore have a profound effect on both oncologic and quality-of-life outcomes. In this chapter, we will focus primarily on neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), widely accepted to be clinical stage II (cT3–T4, cN0) or stage III (any cT, cN1–N2) invasive adenocarcinomas of the rectum. We will review various treatment paradigms and the data supporting each.
Changing Role of Heart Transplantation

Heart transplantation has become standard of care for end-stage heart failure. Challenges include the limited supply of donor organs and the increased complexity of heart transplant candidates who are at higher risk for poor outcomes. Recent advances may address these challenges, including proposed changes in heart transplant allocation policy, a better understanding of the definition and management of primary graft dysfunction, and advances in the management of sensitized heart transplant candidates. Developments in these areas may result in more equitable distribution and expansion of the donor pool and improved quality of life and survival for heart transplant recipients.
Stem Cell Injury and Premature Senescence

Publisher Summary Most adult stem and progenitor cells show superior resistance to acute challenge with oxidants owing to their higher levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutases compared with their mature progeny. Chronic challenge with oxidants, however, dissipates this advantage. Fanconi anemia is an example of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced impairment of hematopoiesis. Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased generation of ROS may be involved in the developing stem cell incompetence. Another example of ROS-induced stem cell incompetence is represented by Adriamycin (doxorubicin) toxicity. The idea that stem cells may become dysfunctional in the course of a disease derives from the demonstration of their defective regenerative capacity, compromised clonogenicity, migration, and capillary formation. Similar to all somatic cells, stem cells are subjected to various exogenous and endogenous stressors that could impair their competence; however, such impairment of stem cells has much more ominous consequences owing to their extended lifespan. There are plenty of examples of stem cell incompetence developing in the course of a disease. The precise definition of stem cell incompetence is lacking. On the basis of accepted functions of stem cells, i.e. self-renewal and asymmetric proliferative capacity, mobilization, recruitment and engraftment, cell-dependent or paracrine signaling, viability, and resistance to the existing stressors, it can be extrapolated that stem cell incompetence is characterized by the dysfunction of at least one of these properties which illustrates the cycle of injury to regeneration involving all the functions of stem cells and sites where these functions can be perturbed.
Characterization of the critical cycle length of a left atrial driver which causes right atrial fibrillatory conduction

A stable rhythm of very short cycle length (CL) in the left atrium (LA) can cause fibrillatory conduction, particularly in the right atrium (RA). Fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis reliably identifies LA to RA conduction path(s) during atrial fibrillation (AF). We tested the hypotheses that FFT analysis of atrial electrograms (AEGs) during AF simulation will reliably identify the critical LA driver CL that causes RA fibrillatory conduction (i.e., the critical conduction breakdown CL) and that a longer critical conduction breakdown CL is found in atria of abnormal (sterile pericarditis) compared to normal dogs. We paced from Bachmann's bundle and the posterior-inferior LA at rapid rates to mimic an LA driver. During pacing, 4 sec of FFT analysis of 203 bipolar AEGs was performed and showed: 1) a single dominant frequency peak at the pacing CL in both atria when the atria followed the pacing in a 1:1 manner; 2) multiple and broad frequency peaks on the RA and parts of the LA at the conduction breakdown CL; and 3) the conduction breakdown CL is longer in pericarditis than normal dogs. FFT analysis allowed reliable detection of the critical CL of an LA driver that induces RA fibrillatory conduction.
Processing and Characterization Techniques for a Mica Filled Polymer Composite

Mica particulates ( ller) were combined with polymethyl methacrylate (matrix) to form a polymer matrix ceramic composite (PMCC). Mica concentrations in the range of 10-80 wt% mica with particulate sizes in the range of 53-212 μm were used. Dynamic mechanical analysis was used to conduct stress/strain tests on these composites in order to observe the resulting elastic moduli with varying mica particulate size and concentration. The elastic moduli showed an overall increase with increasing mica concentration in all but one tested particulate size, which exhibited a peak modulus at 60 wt% mica ller. Statistical analysis showed that both the mica concentration and mica particulate sizes were signi cant to the resulting elastic moduli, as well as the interaction between these two factors. Optical microscopy was used to observe the interface between the polymer matrix and mica particulates in order to determine the degree to which the two materials bonded to each other. It was observed that the PMMA and mica showed good bonding, meaning the formed materials were successfully combined into a cohesive composite.
Primary augmentation pharyngoplasty with calcium hydroxylapatite for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency: Surgical and speech outcomes.

Abstract Introduction Augmentation pharyngoplasty (AP) is a technique that may effectively treat velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), while avoiding typical short and long term surgical risks. This study seeks to determine if children with VPI treated by AP with calcium hydoxylapatite (CaHa) demonstrate clinically significant improvement in speech outcomes. Methods Retrospective review (2012–2016) of prospectively collected database of children with VPI, cared for at a single tertiary children's hospital. Preoperative speech assessment, nasometry, and video nasendoscopy were used to identify patients with VPI treated by AP with CaHa. Demographics, surgical/speech outcomes, complications, novel surgical technique and follow-up were recorded. Main outcome measures included pre and postoperative nasality and perceptual speech assessments, based on the Pittsburgh Weighted Values for Speech (PWS). Results 17 patients treated with AP with CaHa, as initial primary treatment for VPI, were identified. 8 patients had cleft palate, 9 patients had isolated VPI. Mean age at treatment was 6.6 years, with no operative complications. Mean nasality scores before and after surgery were 3.2 vs. 0.5 (p Conclusion In this largest series of patients to date, AP with CaHa is a safe, minimally invasive, enduring treatment for VPI in properly selected patients. Nasality and speech scores significantly improved, especially in patients with isolated VPI.
Current strategies for the treatment of inborn errors of metabolism

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are a large group of inherited disorders characterized by disruption of metabolic pathways due to deficient enzymes, cofactors, or transporters. The rapid advances in the understanding of the molecular pathophysiology of many IEMs, have led to significant progress in the development of many new treatments. The institution and continued expansion of newborn screening provide the opportunity for early treatment, leading to reduced morbidity and mortality. This review provides an overview of the diverse therapeutic approaches and recent advances in the treatment of IEMs that focus on the basic principles of reducing substrate accumulation, replacing or enhancing absent or reduced enzyme or cofactor, and supplementing product deficiency. In addition, the challenges and obstacles of current treatment modalities and future treatment perspectives are reviewed and discussed.
Novel Magnetic Burn-In for Retention and Magnetic Tolerance Testing of STTRAM

Spin-transfer torque RAM (STTRAM) is considered as one of the most promising candidates among the emerging memory technologies. However, it brings new test challenges such as characterizing retention time and magnetic tolerance. STTRAM retention time needs to range from few seconds to years depending on its application. This is further aggravated by a significant shift in retention time under static (process variation) and dynamic (voltage, temperature fluctuation) variations. Conventional test-flows lack the capability to characterize STTRAM retention time while maintaining a reasonable test time. We propose the magnetic burn-in (MBI) test, which can be incorporated in the existing test flow with minimal changes to enable STTRAM retention testing with shorter test times ( $3.71\times 10^{{^{13}}}\text{X}$ reduction with 220 Oe at 25 °C). MBI is also combined with standard thermal burn-in (MBI+BI) for further compression of retention time and test time ( $1.97\times 10^{^{14}}\text{X}$ reduction with 220 Oe at 125 °C). We also propose MBI to certify the magnetic tolerance of STTRAM bits during write/read/retention modes with minimal changes in the existing test flow. For the STTRAM employed in this paper, we have found 86, 370, and 319 Oe to be the write, the read, and the retention tolerance, respectively.
How Interest Shapes Word-of-Mouth Over Different Channels

Consumers share word-of-mouth face-to-face, online, and through various other channels. But do these channels affect what people talk about, and if so, how? Analysis of over 21,000 conversations, as well as a laboratory experiment, demonstrate that conversation channel continuity norms shape what gets discussed. In discontinuous conversation channels (e.g., online posts or text), pauses between conversational turns are expected, so people have time to select and craft what they say. Consequently, more interesting products should be talked about more than boring ones. In channels where conversations are expected to occur more continuously (e.g.,face-to-face or on the phone), however, there is less time to selectively pick what one talks about. Consequently, how interesting products are to talk about should have less of an impact on whether they get discussed. These findings shed light on what drives word-of-mouth and how companies can design effective word-of-mouth campaigns.
On Lyapounov Stability Theorems for Stochastic (Deterministic) Evolution Equations1

The purpose of this work is to present a review of the results related to some extensions of Lyapounov methods in the stability theory for the solutions of infinite-dimensional (stochastic and deterministic) evolution equations. As a consequence, one can derive results on the stability of solutions of stochastic partial and delay differential equations.
Incidence of precocious puberty in developing beef heifers.

The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of precocious puberty and effect of exposure to a bull on the incidence of precocious puberty in beef heifers. The experiment was conducted using 120 heifers during 1990 and 1991. Heifer calves were randomly assigned to be pastured in the presence (n = 30 heifers/yr) or absence (n = 30 heifers/yr) of a bull starting at 140 +/- 14 d of age for the duration of the study. Heifers were 402 +/- 14 d of age at the time the study was completed. Blood samples were collected weekly to determine the age of onset, duration and cessation of luteal function. Heifers were considered to have exhibited a precocious puberty when the onset of luteal function was before 300 d of age. There was no effect of exposure to a bull on the incidence of precocious puberty, and therefore the data were pooled. The incidence of precocious puberty was greater (P < .02; X2 = 5.5) in 1990 (25.0%; 15 of 60) compared with 1991 (8.3%; 5 of 60). There was no effect of year on age of precocious puberty (194 +/- 12.4 d of age), duration of cyclic luteal function (65 +/- 10.5 d), or the age at resumption of anestrus (260 +/- 15.3 d of age). Precocious puberty does occur in developing beef heifers; as many as 25% of heifers have transient luteal function before 300 d of age. However, exposure to a bull has no effect on the incidence of precocious puberty.
An ecological analysis of gender inequality and intimate partner violence in the United States

Abstract The purpose of this research was to assess the association between Gender Inequality Index and prevalence of lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) among women and men at the state-level. Recently developed 2017 state-level prevalence estimates of IPV among a nationally-representative sample of U.S. non-institutionalized adults between 2010 and 2012 from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey was combined with calculated indexes for state-level gender inequality. Gender Inequality Index, created by the United Nations, reflects gender-based disadvantage in reproductive health, empowerment, and labor market participation. Correlations and linear regressions were used to examine associations between gender inequality and IPV. Gender Inequality Index values ranged from 0.149 to 0.381. The lifetime prevalence of IPV ranged between 27.8% and 45.3% for women and between 18.5% and 38.6% for men. Across states, the Gender Inequality Index was positively correlated with the prevalence of any form of IPV (r = 0.28, p
Nonlinear Isolators and Circulators Based on Networks of Coupled Resonators

We present our recent results in the area of nonlinear nonreciprocal devices, including isolators and circulators. We show that the nonlinear isolators based on single Fano resonators are subject to a fundamental trade-off between transmission and isolation intensity range or bandwidth, stemming from time reversal symmetry. We also show how we can overcome this limitation by using multiple nonlinear resonators. Finally, we show that networks with many nonlinear resonators can also be used to realize more advanced devices, such as circulators.
The effect of expectation on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to suppress food craving and eating in individuals with overweight and obesity.

Abstract Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulation technique with potential to treat eating disorders and obesity. As for any potential treatment, it is important to assess the degree to which expectation effects contribute to its reported efficacy. This study assessed the effect of tDCS on amount of food craving and eating while tightly controlling treatment expectation. N = 74 adults with overweight or obesity were informed of the known effects of tDCS to suppress craving and eating. Once electrodes were on the head, half of the participants were told they were receiving real, and the other half sham tDCS. Within these groups, approximately half actually received real and the other half sham tDCS. Stimulation parameters used were those previously found to reduce craving and eating, including in our lab: 2 mA, anode right/cathode left targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 20 min (real), or only for the first and last minute (sham). Analyses controlled for demographics, hunger, trait impulsiveness, eating motives, dieting, binge eating, suggestibility, and baseline craving and eating. Participants told they were receiving real tDCS craved and ate less than participants told they were receiving sham tDCS (both p
Differential Diagnosis of Eosinophil-Rich Infiltrate

Eosinophils are frequently found in reactive cutaneous inflammatory infiltrates, such as drug eruptions and arthropod bite reactions. While eosinophils are generally associated with a reactive process, they may also be present in cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders and lymphomas, particularly of T-cell origin. Systemic B-cell lymphomas may occasionally be associated with a persistent hypersensitivity-like reaction in the skin (exaggerated arthropod bite-like reaction).
Allosteric Regulation of Rod Photoreceptor Phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) Elucidated by Chemical Cross-Linking and Quantitative Mass Spectrometry

Photoreceptor phosphodiesterase (PDE6) is the central effector enzyme in the visual excitation pathway in rod and cone photoreceptors. Its tight regulation is essential for the speed, sensitivity, recovery, and adaptation of visual signaling. The rod PDE6 holoenzyme (Pαβγ2) is composed of a catalytic heterodimer (Pαβ) that binds two inhibitory γ subunits. Each of the two catalytic subunits (Pα and Pβ) contains a catalytic domain responsible for cGMP hydrolysis and two tandem GAF domains, one of which binds cGMP noncatalytically. Unlike related GAF-containing PDEs where cGMP binding allosterically activates catalysis, the physiological significance of cGMP binding to the GAF domains of PDE6 is unknown. To elucidate the structural determinants of PDE6 allosteric regulators, we biochemically characterized PDE6 complexes in various allosteric states (Pαβ, Pαβ-cGMP, Pαβγ2, and Pαβγ2-cGMP) with a quantitative cross-linking/mass spectrometry approach. We employed a normalization strategy to dissect the cross-linking reactivity of individual residues in order to assess the spatial cross-linking propensity of detected pairs. In addition to identifying cross-linked pairs that undergo conformational changes upon ligand binding, we observed an asymmetric binding of the inhibitory γ-subunit and the noncatalytic cGMP to the GAFa domains of rod PDE6, as well as a stable open conformation of Pαβ catalytic dimer in different allosteric states. These results advance our understanding of the exquisite regulatory control of the lifetime of rod PDE6 activation/deactivation during visual signaling, as well as providing a structural basis for interpreting how mutations in rod PDE6 subunits can lead to retinal diseases.