cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is the mantle chemically stratified? Insights from sound velocity modeling and isotope evolution of an early magma ocean

Abstract The upper mantle is widely accepted to be pyrolitic, but the bulk composition of the lower mantle remains highly disputed. Recent modeling of the lower mantle shear wave velocity profile has suggested that the lower mantle is enriched in bridgmanite, therefore implying a higher Si/Mg than that of the upper mantle. We improve upon such modeling by taking into account Ca-perovskite and considering the distribution of Fe between bridgmanite and ferropericlase, more appropriate for Al-bearing systems. Using available experimental data, we derive a means to constrain Fe–Mg partitioning for bridgmanite and ferropericlase, constrain suitable values for the lower mantle, and apply these to lower mantle shear wave velocity calculations. Calculations that consider the effects of minor chemical components such as Ca and Al suggest that the lower mantle shear wave velocities can resolve PREM for a pyrolitic composition to within 1%. We also model chemical fractionations of the 147 Sm– 143 Nd and 176 Lu– 176 Hf systems induced by a crystallizing magma ocean that would produce a putative Si-enriched lower mantle. The comparison of the calculated 143 Nd/ 144 Nd and 176 Hf/ 177 Hf signatures with those of the terrestrial array shows that a Si-enriched lower mantle, if ever formed, no longer exists. Both mineralogical calculations and geochemical magma ocean modeling support the idea that the Earth's lower mantle is likely pyrolitic and that the mantle as a whole need not be chemically stratified.
15q13.3 duplication in two patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia

We report two cases of paternally inherited 15q13.3 duplications in carriers diagnosed with childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder of proposed polygenic origin with onset in children before age 13. This study documents that the 15q13.3 deletion and duplication exhibit pathogenicity for COS, with both copy number variants (CNVs) sharing a disrupted CHRNA7 gene. CHRNA7 encodes the neuronal alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) and is a candidate gene that has been suggested as a pathophysiological process mediating adult-onset schizophrenia (AOS) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. These results support the incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity of this CNV and represent the first report of 15q13.3 duplication carriers exhibiting COS. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predation on and Discrimination Between Con- and Heterospecific Eggs Among Specialist and Generalist Phytoseiid Mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

We studied predation on and discrimination between con- and heterospecific eggs among adult females and immatures of 13 phytoseiid mite species of different feeding types. Species ranged from specialized predators that feed on densely webbing spider mites (specialists) to polyphagous predators that feed on various kinds of animal and nonanimal food (generalists). Four of 9 generalists, including Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), Amblyseius andersoni Chant, Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman), and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans), fed on phytoseiid eggs and preferred heterospecifics versus conspecifics. Their immatures completed development and adult females sustained oviposition by feeding exclusively on phytoseiid eggs, mainly heterospecifics. Also, 2 of 4 specialists, including Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, accepted phytoseiid eggs as prey but did not discriminate eggs of their own from those of other species. P. persimilis and G. occidentalis suffered high juvenile mortality, and oviposition was negligible when they fed on phytoseiid eggs. Among species that fed on greater than or equal to 1 egg per female per day, generalists showed higher predation rates on heterospecific eggs than did specialists; on conspecific eggs, the results were reversed. Euseius finlandicus (Oudemans), Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans), Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks), Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes), Euseius hibisci (Chant), Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten, and Kampimodromus aberrans (Oudemans) were less attracted to phytoseiid eggs as food.
A redox-reconfigurable, ambidextrous asymmetric catalyst.

A redox-reconfigurable catalyst derived from l-methionine and incorporating catalytic urea groups has been synthesized. This copper complex catalyzes the enantioselective addition of diethyl malonate to trans-β-nitrostyrene. Either enantiomer of the product can be predetermined by selection of the oxidation state of the copper ion. Enantiomeric excesses of up to 72% (S) and 70% (R) were obtained in acetonitrile. The ability of the catalyst to invert enantiomeric preference was reproduced with several different solvents and bases. Facile interconversion between the Cu2+ and Cu+ redox states allowed easy access to both active helical forms of the complex and, therefore, dial-in enantioselectivity.
FY:15 Transport Properties of Run-of-Mine Salt Backfill ? Unconsolidated to Consolidated.

The nature of geologic disposal of nuclear waste in salt formations requires validated and verified two-phase flow models of transport of brine and gas through intact, damaged, and consolidating crushed salt. Such models exist in other realms of subsurface engineering for other lithologic classes (oil and gas, carbon sequestration etc. for clastics and carbonates) but have never been experimentally validated and parameterized for salt repository scenarios or performance assessment. Models for waste release scenarios in salt back-fill require phenomenological expressions for capillary pressure and relative permeability that are expected to change with degree of consolidation, and require experimental measurement to parameterize and validate. This report describes a preliminary assessment of the influence of consolidation (i.e. volume strain or porosity) on capillary entry pressure in two phase systems using mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP). This is to both determine the potential usefulness of the mercury intrusion porosimetry method, but also to enable a better experimental design for these tests. Salt consolidation experiments are performed using novel titanium oedometers, or uniaxial compression cells often used in soil mechanics, using sieved run-of-mine salt from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) as starting material. Twelve tests are performed with various starting amounts of brine more » pore saturation, with axial stresses up to 6.2 MPa (~900 psi) and temperatures to 90°C. This corresponds to UFD Work Package 15SN08180211 milestone “FY:15 Transport Properties of Run-of-Mine Salt Backfill – Unconsolidated to Consolidated”. Samples exposed to uniaxial compression undergo time-dependent consolidation, or creep, to various degrees. Creep volume strain-time relations obey simple log-time behavior through the range of porosities (~50 to 2% as measured); creep strain rate increases with temperature and applied stress as expected. Mercury porosimetry is used to determine characteristic capillary pressure curves from a series of consolidation tests and show characteristic saturation-capillary pressure curves that follow the common van Genuchten (1978, 1980) formulation at low stresses. Higher capillary pressure data are suspect due to the large potential for sample damage, including fluid inclusion decrepitation and pore collapse. Data are supportive of use of the Leverett “J” function (Leverett, 1941) to use for scaling characteristic curves at different degrees of consolidation, but better permeability determinations are needed to support this hypothesis. Recommendations for further and refined testing are made with the goal of developing a self- consistent set of constitutive laws for granular salt consolidation and multiphase (brine-air) flow. « less
Control strategy for grid-connected inverter to suppress harmonics based on PR regulator

The active damping based on capacitor current feedback was an effective way to restrain the resonant peak caused by the LCL filter in the grid-connected inverters. Comparing with PI regulator, PR regulator had a better accuracy and robustness, it was more suitable for grid-current control, while the high frequency background harmonic of power grid could affect the stability of the grid-connected power quality. Therefore, the strategy of the grid-connected current dual-loop control was proposed based on grid voltage differential feedforward and PR regulator. After simplifying the block diagram, the capacitor current loop was equivalent to the inductor voltage differential feedback at the grid-side. The feed-forward of grid voltage was equivalent to the proportion feedforward.The simulation results show that the strategy of the grid-connected current dual-loop control based on grid voltage differential feedforward and PR regulator can basically restrain the influence of harmonics in grid voltage to grid power quality. What's more, the detection of the capacitor current could not be eliminated through using this strategy, and a large cost was saved.
Subthalamic Nucleus Targeting Using Interpeduncular Cistern as an Internal Landmark

BACKGROUND: Internal landmarks for the subthalamic nucleus (STN) have been used in past. This study uses a yet-unused internal landmark to refine STN targeting. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the width of the interpeduncular cistern (IPC) on STN targeting during placement of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson disease. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with Parkinson disease underwent 90 STN DBS implantations. X, Y, and Z coordinates for the tip of the DBS electrodes and the active contact were recorded. Internal landmarks such as width of the third ventricle, width of IPC at a predefined point, and anterior commissure-posterior commissure length were measured. Statistical analysis was done using linear regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The average IPC diameter at the predefined point was 7.59 mm (range, 5- to 14 mm). Average X, Y, and Z coordinates for the location of the tip of lead were 11.5, -3.5, ―5.4, and those of the location of active contact were 12.5, ―1.9, ―1.4 from the midcommissural point. The mediolateral location of the tip of the DBS as well as the location of the active contact for long-term stimulation were greatly dependent on IPC width (r = 0.83) (P = .0022). CONCLUSION: The width of the IPC is a strong predictor of laterality of STN DBS electrode placement in patients with Parkinson disease. It can be used as an additional internal landmark for refining STN targeting using the simple formula X coordinate for STN target = 0.6 X IPC width + 7 mm.
Regulation of Adenylyl Cyclase Type V/VI in Smooth Muscle: Interplay of Inhibitory G Protein and Ca2+ Influx

The characteristics of inhibitory regulation of adenylyl cyclase V/VI by Ca2+ and G proteins were examined in dispersed gastric smooth muscle cells. The mechanisms were evoked separately, sequentially, or concurrently using ligand-gated and G protein-coupled receptor agonists and receptor-independent probes (e. g, thapsigargin). During the initial phase of agonist stimulation, alpha,beta-methylene-ATP, UTP, and ATP inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation in a concentration-dependent fashion. Inhibition by alpha,beta-methylene-ATP, which activates ligand-gated P2X receptors, was abolished by zero Ca2+, whereas inhibition by UTP, which activates P2Y2 receptors coupled to Gq/11 and Gi3, was not affected by zero Ca2+ but was abolished by pertussis toxin (PTX). Inhibition by ATP, which activates both P2X and P2Y2 receptors, was not affected by zero Ca2+ alone; but after inhibition mediated by Galphai3 was blocked with PTX, inhibition by Ca2+ influx was unmasked and was abolished by zero Ca2+. Inhibition by cholecystokinin-8 was observed only during the phase of capacitative Ca2+ influx and was blocked by zero Ca2+. Inhibition by UTP during this phase was not affected by zero Ca2+ alone; but after inhibition mediated by Galphai3 was blocked with PTX, inhibition by Ca2+ influx was unmasked and was abolished by zero Ca2+. Inhibition of adenylyl cyclase V/VI activity in smooth muscle can be mediated independently by inhibitory G proteins and Ca2+ influx but is exclusively mediated by inhibitory G proteins when both mechanisms are triggered.
Comparing the Different RKHSs \mathcal{H}_{F} and \mathcal{H}_{K}

In the earlier chapters we have studied extension problems for particular locally defined positive definite functions F. In each case, the p.d. function F was fixed. Many classes of p.d. functions were studied but not compared. Indeed, the cases we studied have varied between different levels of generality, and varied between cases separated by different technical assumptions. All our results, in turn, have been motivated by explicit applications.
‘The Fields His Study’: Robert Bloomfield’s Poetics of Sustainability

Robert Bloomfield is a tree-hugging poet. As he writes in an anecdote published in his Remains: The great Oak in Euston Park. — My self, my wife, and my daughter Hannah, (then nine years and a half old), embraced his rough rind at arm’s-length, touching our fingers; and could thus encompass it all but about half a yard. By observation afterwards, I found the girth of this tree to be fifteen feet, in May, 1801.3 Despite this clear demonstration of his love for nature, and despite the fact that Bloomfield is a poet who consistently writes sensitively, thoughtfully and provocatively about the natural world, his poetry remains neglected by contemporary ecocritics.4 While the popularity of ecocritical approaches has led to an increased interest in John Clare’s writing, the poet to whom Clare claimed a profound and direct debt has yet to receive adequate attention from most critics, environmental or otherwise. Bloomfield’s neglect by environmental criticism is especially puzzling, for his work meets many of the critical parameters offered by the various environmental approaches to literature. More significantly, as I will argue, his poetry enriches the scope and relevance of such approaches.
Extended asymmetric hot region formation due to shockwave interactions following void collapse in shocked high explosive

In both continuum hydrodynamics simulations and also multimillion atom reactive molecular dynamics simulations of shockwave propagation in single crystal pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) containing a cylindrical void, we observed the formation of an initial radially symmetric hot spot. By extending the simulation time to the nanosecond scale, however, we observed the transformation of the small symmetric hot spot into a longitudinally asymmetric hot region extending over a much larger volume. Performing reactive molecular dynamics shock simulations using the reactive force field (ReaxFF) as implemented in the LAMMPS molecular dynamics package, we showed that the longitudinally asymmetric hot region was formed by coalescence of the primary radially symmetric hot spot with a secondary triangular hot zone. We showed that the triangular hot zone coincided with a double-shocked region where the primary planar shockwave was overtaken by a secondary cylindrical shockwave. The secondary cylindrical shockwave originated in void collapse after the primary planar shockwave had passed over the void. A similar phenomenon was observed in continuum hydrodynamics shock simulations using the CTH hydrodynamics package. The formation and growth of extended asymmetric hot regions on nanosecond timescales has important implications for shock initiation thresholds in energetic materials.
Specific genomic cues regulate Cajal body assembly

The assembly of specialized sub-nuclear microenvironments known as nuclear bodies (NBs) is important for promoting efficient nuclear function. In particular, the Cajal body (CB), a prominent NB that facilitates spliceosomal snRNP biogenesis, assembles in response to genomic cues. Here, we detail the factors that regulate CB assembly and structural maintenance. These include the importance of transcription at nucleating gene loci, the grouping of these genes on human chromosomes 1, 6 and 17, as well as cell cycle and biochemical regulation of CB protein function. We also speculate on the correlation between CB formation and RNA splicing levels in neurons and cancer. The timing and location of these specific molecular events is critical to CB assembly and its contribution to genome function. However, further work is required to explore the emerging biophysical characteristics of CB assembly and the impact upon subsequent genome reorganization.
The University of Pennsylvania integrated circuit design environment

Over the last few years the High Energy Engineering Group at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully designed and fabricated a number of large analog and mixed analog/digital ICs. Most of these ICs have been fabricated in the 2.0 and 1.2 micron processes available through MOSIS, but some have gone directly to foundries like AT&T, UTMC, and IBM. In order to carry out this ambitious design effort a significant amount of time have been spent on developing and maintaining a full-custom and standard cell design environment at Penn. This environment currently consists of a fully characterized 50 leaf cell scalable standard cell library integrated with the Verilog simulator with back-annotation, as well as all the tools to design full custom analog and mixed signal ICs. Emphasis has been placed on full-chip post-layout simulations as well as other physical design verification techniques which yield a high first pass success rate. This payer will describe the design framework at Penn which allows a complete design process from conceptual design and high level behavioral simulation all the way through final post-layout simulations. The joint Penn/Cadence standard cell characterization effort will also be described. >
Using discipline graphics to teach writing principles

Technical writing teachers can use graphics and graphical organizers from students' disciplines to teach writing principles. These tools provide a familiar visual for students and may improve their ability to understand the principles we teach. This paper reviews how some graphics have been used to teach writing and presents one application of a graphic in a writing class.
Prospective Identification of Stent Fracture by Enhanced Stent Visualization System During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND No study has evaluated the clinical consequences of stent fracture (SF) detected during the index percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Thus, we sought to investigate the relationship between SF detected during PCI and clinical outcome.Methods and Results:We consecutively enrolled 832 patients with SF-predisposing factors undergoing 2nd-generation drug-eluting stent implantation and enhanced stent visualization (ESV) system evaluation to detect SF at index PCI. The primary endpoint was a 9-month device-oriented endpoint (DOCE, including cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization). We observed 136 SF in 115 patients (14% of study population). SF I-II was present in 78 patients (68% of patients with SF), and SF III-IV occurred in 37 patients (32%). DOCE at 9 months occurred in 135 patients (16% of the overall population). There was a significant difference in DOCE occurrence between the 3 groups (P=0.006 at log-rank), driven by the SF III-IV group (P=0.001 vs. no SF group, and P=0.01 vs. SF I-II group). In 23 cases of SF III-IV (62%) a further stent was implanted. DOCE occurrence was significantly higher in patients with "untreated" type III-IV SF as compared with the "treated" ones (9% vs. 79%, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The ESV system is helpful in detecting SF during the index PCI. Type III-IV SFs are associated with a higher incidence of DOCE.
What Have We Learned from the Evolutionary Story

In this chapter we ask the questions: What have we learned from the evolutionary story? How does a reflection upon what we have learned help us to attain evolutionary consciousness? And: How may evolutionary consciousness lead us to engage in conscious evolution? To answer these questions, first, perspectives and propositions are introduced that build upon the core ideas we identified in Part I. Next, informed by these perspectives and propositions, three images are introduced that provide a summary characterization of the evolution of our species. In closing, a set of organizing principles is developed by a synthesis of the perspectives, propositions, and images. These principles, then, will be used to organize our thinking about the current state of societal evolution in Chapter 6.
Patient-Specific iPSC-Derived Endothelial Cells Uncover Pathways that Protect against Pulmonary Hypertension in BMPR2 Mutation Carriers.

Summary In familial pulmonary arterial hypertension (FPAH), the autosomal dominant disease-causing BMPR2 mutation is only 20% penetrant, suggesting that genetic variation provides modifiers that alleviate the disease. Here, we used comparison of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (iPSC-ECs) from three families with unaffected mutation carriers (UMCs), FPAH patients, and gender-matched controls to investigate this variation. Our analysis identified features of UMC iPSC-ECs related to modifiers of BMPR2 signaling or to differentially expressed genes. FPAH-iPSC-ECs showed reduced adhesion, survival, migration, and angiogenesis compared to UMC-iPSC-ECs and control cells. The "rescued" phenotype of UMC cells was related to an increase in specific BMPR2 activators and/or a reduction in inhibitors, and the improved cell adhesion could be attributed to preservation of related signaling. The improved survival was related to increased BIRC3 and was independent of BMPR2. Our findings therefore highlight protective modifiers for FPAH that could help inform development of future treatment strategies.
An Unlikely Cause of Hypokalemia.

Abstract Background Hypokalemia is a common clinical disorder caused by a variety of different mechanisms. Although the most common causes are diuretic use and gastrointestinal losses, elevated cortisol levels can also cause hypokalemia through its effects on the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. Cushing's syndrome refers to this general state of hypercortisolemia, which often manifests with symptoms of generalized weakness, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, menstrual disorders, and psychiatric changes. This syndrome is most commonly caused by exogenous steroid use, but other etiologies have also been reported in the literature. Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone production by small-cell lung cancer is one rare cause of Cushing's syndrome, and may be associated with significant hypokalemia. Case Report We describe the case of a 62-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with weakness and hypokalemia. The patient was initially misdiagnosed with furosemide toxicity. Despite having a 30-pack-year smoking history, this patient's lack of respiratory complaints allowed him to present for medical attention twice before being diagnosed with lung cancer. It was later determined that this patient's hypokalemia was due to Cushing's syndrome caused by ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone production from small-cell lung cancer. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? This case reminds emergency physicians to consider a broad differential when treating patients with hypokalemia. More importantly, it prompts emergency physicians to recognize comorbid conditions and secondary, less common etiologies in patients with repeated visits for the same complaint.
The role of biomarkers in the diagnostics of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases

Хронічні запальні захворювання кишечника, а саме неспецифічний виразковий коліт та хвороба Крона, привертають увагу як лікарів, так і науковців у всьому світі. Відзначена тенденція до зростання числа тяжких, резистентних до лікування форм захворювань, ускладнень та оперативних втручань, що призводять до інвалідизації пацієнтів молодого, працездатного віку. Проблема діагностики запальних захворювань кишечника дотепер залишається однією з найбільш тяжко вирішуваних у гастроентерологічній практиці. У статті відображені питання діагностики хронічних запальних захворювань кишечника (неспецифічний виразковий коліт, хвороба Крона). Показані можливості інструментальних та лабораторних методів досліджень. Приділено увагу неінвазивним методам діагностики — визначенню фекального кальпротектину, лактоферину, лізоциму, еластази, мієлопероксидази, α1-антитрипсину. Пошук літератури проводився із застосуванням бази даних PubMed, MedLine, EMBASE.
The Effects of Near-zero Leachate Irrigation on Growth and Water Use Efficiency and Nutrient Uptake of Container Grown Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) Plants

Abstract Fertilization and irrigation practices affect water-and nutrient use-efficiencies in container-produced nursery crops. This study was conducted to determine if gravimetric monitoring of a plant-substrate-container unit could manage real-time irrigation volume to achieve a near zero leachate fraction and to study baldcypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) growth, nutrient accumulation and water-use efficiency under a factorial combination of two irrigation leachate fractions and two controlled release fertilizer (CFR) rates. Baldcypress plants were grown at either 45 or 90 g of 15N–3.1P-12.5K (15-7-15 Multicote, six-month controlled release fertilizer top dressed on each container), and two irrigation rates, near-zero or 0.2 leachate fraction. Height growth, whole plant dry mass and shoot: root dry mass ratios, and water-use efficiency were not affected by a fertilizer and irrigation interaction. The higher fertilizer rate increased the whole plant N and K concentrations. Relative to a 20% leacha...
Polarized x-ray excitation for scatter reduction in x-ray fluorescence computed tomography.

Purpose X-ray fluorescence computer tomography (XFCT) is a new molecular imaging modality which uses x-ray excitation to stimulate the emission of fluorescent photons in high atomic number contrast agents. Scatter contamination is one of the main challenges in XFCT imaging which limits the molecular sensitivity. When polarized x rays are used, it is possible to reduce the scatter contamination significantly by placing detectors perpendicular to the polarization direction. This study quantifies scatter contamination for polarized and unpolarized x-ray excitation and determines the advantages of scatter reduction. Methods The amount of scatter in preclinical XFCT is quantified in Monte Carlo simulations. The fluorescent x rays are emitted isotropically, while scattered x rays propagate in polarization direction. The magnitude of scatter contamination is studied in XFCT simulations of a mouse phantom. In this study, the contrast agent gold is examined as an example, but a scatter reduction from polarized excitation is also expected for other elements. The scatter reduction capability is examined for different polarization intensities with a monoenergetic x-ray excitation energy of 82 keV. The study evaluates two different geometrical shapes of CZT detectors which are modeled with an energy resolution of 1 keV FWHM at an x-ray energy of 80 keV. Benefits of a detector placement perpendicular to the polarization direction are shown in iterative and analytic image reconstruction including scatter correction. The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and the normalized mean square error (NMSE) are analyzed and compared for the reconstructed images. Results A substantial scatter reduction for common detector sizes was achieved for 100% and 80% linear polarization while lower polarization intensities provide a decreased scatter reduction. By placing the detector perpendicular to the polarization direction, a scatter reduction by factor up to 5.5 can be achieved for common detector sizes. The image reconstruction showed that for a scatter magnitude decrease by a factor of 2.4, the molecular sensitivity could almost be doubled. Conclusion Scatter reduction lowers the amount of noise in the projection datasets and reconstructed images which enhance molecular sensitivity at equal dose. The results support the use of linear polarized x rays to reduce scatter in XFCT imaging.
IN SEARCH OF A NEW PROMETHEUS

Toward the end of his book, Philosophy of Technology, Frederick Ferre reminds us of that wonderful ancient myth in which Prometheus steals the secret of fire from the gods and gives it to humanity, thereby setting us on the road to civilization. For this Prometheus was punished. He was chained to a rock and tortured daily by a bird who ate his liver, which then regenerated overnight so he could be tortured again by having it re-eaten the next day by the same bird. Not that I would want to deliberately set events in motion which would lead to such a horrible fate for anyone, but I sorely feel the need for a new Prometheus who would set us free from current philosophers of technology whose major objective seems to be to keep informed philosophical discussion of technology out of reach. Such a savior would not have to give us fire; intellectual enlightenment would suffice. As the old Prometheus freed humanity from the torment of the cold and dark, the new Prometheus through his or her gift would free us from the current state of darkness which characterizes the philosophy of technology. Ferre aspires to be that Prometheus, but I find that he is not.
Development of an anti-endotoxin vaccine for sepsis.

Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) is an important initiator of sepsis, a clinical syndrome that is a leading cause of death in intensive care units. Vaccines directed against core LPS structures that are widely conserved among Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) have been developed for the treatment and/or prevention of sepsis. Killed whole bacterial vaccines (E. coli O111:B4, J5 [Rc chemotype] mutant and S. minnesota, Re chemotype) protected mice against experimental sepsis. Human J5 immune antisera reduced the mortality from GNB sepsis in a large controlled clinical trial; however, subsequent clinical studies with antiendotoxin antibodies did not demonstrate protective efficacy in sepsis. Multiple clinical studies have since demonstrated a correlation between the level of circulating antibodies to LPS core and morbidity and mortality in different clinical settings. We therefore developed a subunit vaccine by combining detoxified J5 LPS (J5 dLPS) with the outer membrane protein (OMP) from group B N. meningitidis. This vaccine was highly efficacious in experimental models of sepsis and progressed to phase 1 clinical trial. While well-tolerated, this vaccine induced only 3–4-fold increases in anti-J5 dLPS antibody. Addition of the TLR9 agonist, oligodeoxynucleotide with a CpG motif, as adjuvant to the vaccine increased antibody levels in mice and the vaccine/CpG combination will progress to phase 1 human study. Additional vaccines in which the core glycolipid was either conjugated to carrier protein or incorporated into liposomes have been developed, but have not progressed to clinical trial. Should an antiendotoxin vaccine become available, a new immunization strategy directed towards distinct populations at risk will be required.
A Monitor for the Cooling System of a Large Electrical Generator

A monitoring system has been developed for the cooling water system of a modern large power station generator.
Endorectal Advancement Flaps for Perianal Fistulae in Crohn’s Disease: Careful Patient Selection Leads to Optimal Outcomes

Anorectal fistulae resultant from Crohn’s disease (CD) is a clinical challenge. The advent of immune therapy (IT) has altered the way in which fistulae have responded to treatment. Endorectal advancement flap (ERAF) is a surgical procedure that is used to treat complex fistulae. We have employed ERAF as our second stage treatment of choice in this patient population. Our aim was to determine the success of ERAF in treating perianal fistulas in patients with CD in an era of IT. Multicenter retrospective review from 2007 to 2017 of all patients with CD and a perianal fistulae who underwent ERAF. Forty-one flaps were performed in 39 patients with perianal CD with an average follow-up of 797 days. There were no significant differences in patient demographics; however, all patients who were diverted at the time of surgery had successful healing. Of patients, 73.2% were on IT at an average of 380 days prior to surgery. The duration of single-agent therapy was associated with better healing rates (p = 0.03). The overall failure rate was 19.5% (n = 8). Six patients underwent secondary techniques for fistulae closure; five were successful. In combination with the patients who did not initially fail, the overall healing rate was 92.6%. This study demonstrates several factors that may improve fistulae closure for CD patients. Patients who were diverted prior to surgery did not have a fistulae recurrence. Patients who were on IT longer prior to ERAF were more likely to achieve successful closure.
Autism Advocacy Before and After DSM-5.

In “Ethical Advocacy Across the Autism Spectrum: Beyond Partial Representation,” McCoy et al. (2020) compellingly describe the phenomenon of partial representation in autism advocacy and outline pr...
Evaluation of Principal Value Integrals

In the chapters to come we discuss some singular integral equations that involve Cauchy principal value integrals. The solution of such an equation usually can be expressed in the form of another principal value integral, but a solution in this form is not very useful unless the integral can be evaluated.
Biosynthesis of carnitine and 4-N-trimethylaminobutyrate from lysine.

The conversion of l-[U-14C]lysine into carnitine was demonstrated in normal, choline-deficient and lysine-deficient rats. In other experiments in vivo radioactivity from l-[4,5-3H]lysine and dl-[6-14C]lysine was incorporated into carnitine; however, radioactivity from dl-[1-14C]lysine and dl-[2-14C]lysine was not incorporated. Administered l-[Me-14C]methionine labelled only the 4-N-methyl groups whereas lysine did not label these groups. Therefore lysine must be incorporated into the main carbon chain of carnitine. The methylation of lysine by a methionine source to form 6-N-trimethyl-lysine is postulated as an intermediate step in the biosynthesis of carnitine. Radioactive 4-N-trimethylaminobutyrate (butyrobetaine) was recovered from the urine of lysine-deficient rats injected with [U-14C]lysine. This lysine-derived label was incorporated only into the butyrate carbon chain. The specific radioactivity of the trimethylaminobutyrate was 12 times that of carnitine isolated from the urine or carcasses of the same animals. These data further support the idea that the last step in the formation of carnitine from lysine was the hydroxylation of trimethylaminobutyric acid, and are consistent with the following sequence: lysine+methionine → 6-N-trimethyl-lysine → → 4-N-trimethylaminobutyrate → carnitine.
Comparison of production characteristics from birth through slaughter of calves sired by Angus, Charolais or Piedmontese bulls.

Birth, weaning, growth and carcass records for calves sired by Angus, Charolais or Piedmontese bulls were used to evaluate the potential contribution of Piedmontese to beef production in the U.S. Bulls were mated by AI to Hereford and crossbred cows and heifers. Calves were born during fall 1985 or spring 1986. Statistical models used to analyze the importance of sire breed used sire nested within sire breed as a random effect. Effects of sex, birth season, contemporary group, dam breed and parity were considered fixed and tested with the residual error. Piedmontese-sired calves had the longest gestation length, followed by Charolais and Angus-sired calves (287.5, 285.0 and 282.8 d, respectively). Breed of sire was not significant for birth weight, but Piedmontese- and Charolais-sired calves had longer cannon bones than Angus-sired calves. Differences were found for weaning hip height, but weaning weights, weaning muscle scores and ADG during the preweaning period were similar for calves by the three sire breeds. When fed to a similar fat thickness, Angus-sired calves required fewer days on feed, produced lighter carcasses and gained less per day than Charolais- or Piedmontese-sired calves. Piedmontese-sired calves required more days on feed than Charolais-sired calves when slaughtered at a similar subcutaneous fat thickness. Piedmontese-sired calves produced carcasses with a larger average rib eye area, higher dressing percentage and lower (more desirable) yield grade than Charolais- or Angus-sired calves. No significant sire breed differences were detected for tissue cholesterol content.
A Call to Action to Track Generic Drug Quality Using Real-World Data and the FDA's Sentinel Initiative.

DISCLOSURES: The author reports funding from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to study real-world data approaches to detect generic drug quality issues. There are no further conflicts or discl...
Propagation of monochromatic light in a hot and dense medium

Photons, as quanta of electromagnetic fields, determine the electromagnetic properties of an extremely hot and dense medium. Considering the properties of the photons in the interacting medium of charged particles, we explicitly calculate the electromagnetic properties such as the electric permittivity, magnetic permeability, refractive index and the propagation speed of electromagnetic signals in an extremely hot and dense background. Photons acquire a dynamically generated mass in such a medium. The screening mass of the photon, the Debye shielding length and the plasma frequency are calculated as functions of the statistical parameters of the medium. We study the properties of the propagating particles in astrophysical systems of distinct statistical conditions. The modifications in the properties of the medium lead to the equation of state of the system. We mainly calculate all these parameters for extremely high temperatures of the early universe.
A Multi-institutional Comparative Analysis of Proton and Photon Therapy-Induced Hematologic Toxicity in Patients With Medulloblastoma

Purpose This multi-institutional retrospective study sought to examine the hematologic effects of craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in pediatric patients with medulloblastoma using proton or photon therapy. Methods and Materials Clinical and treatment characteristics were recorded for 97 pediatric patients with medulloblastoma who received CSI without concurrent chemotherapy or with concurrent single-agent vincristine from 2000 to 2017. Groups of 60 and 37 patients underwent treatment with proton-based and photon-based therapy, respectively. Overall survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank test. Comparisons of blood counts at each timepoint were conducted using multiple t tests with Bonferroni corrections. Univariate and multivariate analyses of time to grade ≥3 hematologic toxicity were performed with Cox regression analyses. Results Median age of patients receiving proton and photon CSI was 7.5 years (range, 3.5-22.7 years) and 9.9 years (range, 3.6-19.5 years), respectively. Most patients had a diagnosis of standard risk medulloblastoma, with 86.7% and 89.2% for the proton and photon cohorts, respectively. Median total dose to involved field or whole posterior fossa was 54.0 Gy/Gy relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and median CSI dose was 23.4 Gy/Gy(RBE) (range, 18-36 Gy/Gy[RBE]) for both cohorts. Counts were significantly higher in the proton cohort compared with the photon cohort in weeks 3 to 6 of radiation therapy (RT). Although white blood cell counts did not differ between the 2 cohorts, patients receiving proton RT had significantly higher lymphocyte counts throughout the RT course. Similar results were observed when excluding patients who received vertebral body sparing proton RT or limiting to those receiving 23.4 Gy. Only photon therapy was associated with decreased time to grade ≥3 hematologic toxicity on univariate and multivariable analyses. No difference in overall survival was observed, and lymphopenia did not predict survival. Conclusions Patients who receive CSI using proton therapy experience significantly decreased hematologic toxicity compared with those receiving photon therapy.
Methylene blue photodynamic therapy to sterilize deep tissue abscess cavities: a phase 1 trial in progress and simulation study

Despite advances in image-guided percutaneous drainage, deep tissue abscesses remain a serious cause of morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay. We initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial exploring safety and feasibility of methylene blue (MB) photodynamic therapy during drainage. Five subjects have been treated, with no study-related adverse events and high technical success. Monte Carlo simulations were used to examine effects of optical properties on delivered light dose. We found that light dose is highly dependent upon MB uptake and Intralipid concentration. These results motivated construction of an optical spectroscopy system for determination of abscess wall optical properties in vivo.
Alcohol trajectories and subsequent risk for opioid misuse in a cohort of urban adolescents.

Background: The opioid epidemic is a public health emergency in the US. Alcohol is the most widely used addictive substance among all age groups; however, the contribution of different alcohol use ...
The Role of Executive Functions in Item Recognition and Temporal Order Memory Development

Item recognition and temporal order memory follow different developmental trajectories during middle childhood, with item recognition performance stabilizing and temporal order memory performance c...
Elevation of Serum Copper in the New Orleans Bariatric Clinic Population: the Norm or Geographically Localized Findings?

Circulating micronutrient levels of both serum copper and zinc have been studied to varying degrees in both the general public and patients having undergone bariatric surgery. According to the 2019 ASMBS clinical guidelines, copper supplementation is recommended for patients undergoing metabolic surgery, especially after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and duodenal switch. Copper excess has not been previously reported to any significant degree in any population. In this study, we investigate an elevated serum copper level in the pre-surgical intervention population of the Bariatric Center of the University Medical Center–New Orleans, a primary safety net hospital for the state of Louisiana. Five hundred five consecutive patients from the bariatric surgery undergoing a workup for surgical intervention were assessed. Patients were included regardless of whether they proceeded to surgery. The study was conducted as a retrospective review of deidentified data that was collected as part of our routine workup for bariatric surgery. The study population of the clinic consisted of a mean BMI of approximately 50 kg/m2, with 91% of the population reporting female and 69% recording an African American race. It was discovered in this population that 26% of the patients had an elevated copper level of > 155 mcg/dl. Additional analysis was performed attempting to elucidate an environmental role in the elevation by qualitative analysis of patient’s location of residence using reported home address. Additional variables were studied as well including serum zinc concentration, age, BMI, and race to address any correlative variables with our findings. This study identifies an elevated serum copper concentration in a pre-intervention underserved bariatric center population positively associated with BMI, female gender, and African American race. Additional studies will be necessary to see if these trends are also apparent in normal weight controls, or if weight loss influences copper levels. Pre-existing serum copper deficiencies may be more prevalent in the bariatric populations than previously believed. Increased serum copper in this population was positively associated with increased BMI, age, and female gender compared to that of the male group. Increased serum copper was also associated more closely with African American ethnicity compared to Caucasian patients.
Self-reported perceived negative consequences of marijuana use among U.S. young adult users, 2008-2019.

Abstract Purpose This study estimated self-reported perceived negative marijuana use consequences among a national sample of U.S. young adults, examining consequence prevalence differences by use frequency, college attendance, living situation, employment, sex, and race/ethnicity; and use frequency/sociodemographic characteristic interactions. Methods A subsample of 1,212 respondents from the 2004–2018 class cohorts of 12th grade students participating in the nationally-representative Monitoring the Future study was surveyed up to two times from modal ages 19 through 22 (in 2008–2019). Respondents self-reported negative consequences related to their own past 12-month marijuana use. Bivariate and multivariable models examined subgroup differences in consequence prevalence. Results Approximately 60% of those using frequently (20+ use occasions in the past 30 days) and 35% of those using non-frequently reported negative consequences. Among all young adult marijuana users, 31.1% reported emotional/physical consequences, 12.9% performance/financial consequences, and 12.3% relational consequences. Use frequency was positively associated with consequence likelihood, excluding regret and unsafe driving. Among college students, frequent use was more strongly associated with any and performance/financial consequences. Controlling for use frequency, men reported more performance/financial consequences; relational consequences were higher among Hispanic (vs. White) respondents, and those living with parents, employed full-time, and not attending 4-year colleges. Conclusion Young adults using marijuana reported a wide range of negative use consequences; likelihood of most consequences increased with higher use frequency. Perceived consequences varied by college attendance, living situation, employment, sex, and race/ethnicity. Efforts to reduce negative marijuana consequences may be strengthened by recognizing and addressing the different types of negative consequences users perceive.
Translator and Translated Twice Removed: Multilingual Selfhood in Rabih Alameddine's An Unnecessary Woman

This article analyses the novel An Unnecessary Woman (2013) by the American-Lebanese writer Rabih Alameddine from the perspective of multilingual selfhood, echoing Borges's vision of ‘writing as tr...