cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Competing Perspectives on Legal Decision Making in Early Modern Ashkenaz

The respective roles of jurists and judges in the decision-making process offers a valuable perspective on judicial practice and the delivery of justice in early modern Ashkenazic communities. This essay is concerned with differences in the approaches of poseqim (jurists) and dayanim (judges); it suggests that these distinctions were reflections of the institutional settings in which they worked, the size of their communities, and regional factors. Data unearthed from communal records and rabbinic responsa offer important evidence of disparities between the offices of early modern dayanim and poseqim, their distinct personae, and their respective views of how judicial rulings are decided. Moreover, these differences were related to the slow transition to fixed rabbinic-communal courts in western and central Europe that was a product of forces peculiar to the resettlement of Jews in the west, the deliberate development of communal traditions, and the role of the enlightened absolutist state. The impact of the growing recourse to non-Jewish courts, especially as it evinced differences between eastern and western/central European history and culture, was also a factor. Clearly, regional forces influenced the distinct legal efforts and perspectives of judges and jurists, as did the discrete functions they were assigned, their particular training, and the institutional standing of rabbinic courts. These differences became more glaring in the two centuries prior to the collapse of the ancien regime, as structural changes in western Ashkenazic communities contributed to a new Jewish legal culture.
THE ROLE OF STRATOSPHERIC INTRUSIONS IN COLORADO CYCLOGENESIS

Isentropic composites and correlation analyses are employed to investigate the impact of stratospheric air intrusions during Colorado cyclogenesis. A sample of cold-season Colorado cyclones is partitioned into evolution categories (early, late, and non-developing systems) and examined for relationships between surface intensity measures and depression of the tropopause. Maps of isentropic potential vorticity for time periods prior to and up to 48 hours following cyclogenesis are utilized to determine the mean evolution of the stratospheric intrusion for each development type. Correlations are calculated to elucidate further the tropopause and surface variable associations suggested by the composites. Composite patterns and correlation results provide strong climatological evidence of a substantial contribution from stratospheric intrusion to surface development. Developing cyclones are characterized by progressive, intensifying depressions of the tropopause, while nondeveloping systems exhibit retreating ...
Therapeutic Approaches to Activating Programmed Cell Death of Androgen-Independent Prostatic Cancer Cells

During this year there will be approximately 30 thousand deaths due to prostatic cancer in the United States (1). This mortality rate makes prostatic cancer the second commonest fatal tumor in males of all ages in America, and the leading cause of cancer death in men over the age of 55 (1). Besides a high annual mortality rate, prostatic cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in males of all ages in the United States (1). These high annual incidence rates translate into the human reality that one of every 12 American white males will eventually develop clinical prostatic cancer during their lifetimes (2). Rates for American black males are even higher such that the lifetime risk for cancer is one out of every 10 (3). In addition, the annual incidence rate of clinical prostatic cancer has increased steadily since 1930 to the present time (4).
The Ecological Genetics of Abnormal Abdomen in Drosophila mercatorum

Natural selection and adaptation are central to theories of organismal evolution. In order to study natural selection in the field, four basic problem areas must be investigated as part of an ecological genetics research program. The first problem is to document the genetic basis of the phenotypic variation observed in nature. Without genetic variation underlying the phenotypic variation, it is impossible to have an evolutionary response to selective forces. The second problem is to determine the phenotypic expression of this genetic variation under field conditions. Phenotypes are the result of genotype-by-environment interactions, and there is no guarantee that phenotypic expression in the laboratory corresponds to that found in nature. The third problem is to relate the phenotypic variation to variation in life history. Natural selection requires fitness differences, and the potential for selection cannot be evaluated in a predictive fashion unless differences in life history attributes can be inferred. The fourth problem is to estimate the structure of the natural population.
Diagnosis of modular discrete event systems 1

Abstract The diagnosis of unobservable fault events in discrete event systems modeled in a modular manner by means of parallel composition is considered. The notion of modular diagnosability is introduced for these systems. Necessary and sufficient conditions for this new notion of diagnosability are given. A new algorithm for verifying modular diagnosability is presented. The main feature of this algorithm is the exploitation of the modular structure of the system in order to save on computational efforts.
Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

To assess current management strategies for advanced heart failure in adults with congenital heart disease, including heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. Current data demonstrate that adults with CHD generally experience higher short-term mortality after heart transplantation and MCS implantation, but enjoy superior long-term survival. Such patients are nonetheless less likely to receive a transplant than non-ACHD peers due to a variety of factors, including lack of applicability of current listing criteria to HF in ACHD. MCS is underutilized in ACHD, but provides similar quality of life benefits for ACHD and non-ACHD patients alike. Heart failure in ACHD is complex and difficult to treat, and both heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support are often challenging to implement in this patient population. However, long-term results are encouraging, and existing data supports increasing use of MCS and transplant earlier in their disease course. Multidisciplinary care is critical to success in these complex patients.
Acute Flaccid Myelitis

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a newly defined, rare, but clinically distinct syndrome of acute flaccid paralysis with spinal motor neuron involvement of unknown etiology. Clusters of AFM coincided with a nationwide outbreak of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in the United States during autumn to winter of 2014 and in Japan during the autumn of 2015. Although EV-D68 was detected in only 20% of the AFM patients, mainly from respiratory specimens without apparent viral detection from blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, strong temporal associations were noted. Core symptoms of AFM are focal limb weakness and cranial nerve dysfunction with acute onset, although limb paralysis varied in type and severity. Most patients showed extensive longitudinal spinal involvement on magnetic resonance imaging, pleocytosis in CSF, and abnormal motor conduction and/or F-waves in neurophysiological investigations in the acute phase which was within two weeks after onset. Immunomodulation therapy consisting of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin or pulse methylprednisolone did not improve prognosis. Only about 10% of the patients showed complete recovery of limb weakness, but others had variable residual weakness at follow-up. With no effective treatment identified in the acute stage, studies are required to elucidate the pathophysiology and pathomechanisms of AFM and to develop both preventive measures and novel therapeutic interventions.
Electrically assisted 3D printing of nacre-inspired structures with self-sensing capability

Lightweight and strong structural materials attract much attention due to their strategic applications in sports, transportation, aerospace, and biomedical industries. Nacre exhibits high strength and toughness from the brick-and-mortar-like structure. Here, we present a route to build nacre-inspired hierarchical structures with complex three-dimensional (3D) shapes by electrically assisted 3D printing. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNs) are aligned by the electric field (433 V/cm) during 3D printing and act as bricks with the polymer matrix in between as mortar. The 3D-printed nacre with aligned GNs (2 weight %) shows lightweight property (1.06 g/cm3) while exhibiting comparable specific toughness and strength to the natural nacre. In addition, the 3D-printed lightweight smart armor with aligned GNs can sense its damage with a hesitated resistance change. This study highlights interesting possibilities for bioinspired structures, with integrated mechanical reinforcement and electrical self-sensing capabilities for biomedical applications, aerospace engineering, as well as military and sports armors.
Using the Avocado to Test the Satiety Effects of a Fat-Fiber Combination in Place of Carbohydrate Energy in a Breakfast Meal in Overweight and Obese Men and Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This study aimed to investigate the satiety effects of isocalorically replacing carbohydrate energy in a meal with avocado-derived fats and fibers. In a randomized 3-arm, 6-h, crossover clinical trial, thirty-one overweight/obese adults consumed a low-fat control meal (CON, 76% carbohydrate, 14% fat as energy, 5 g fiber, ~640 kcal) or high-fat meals similar in total fat and energy, but increasing avocado-derived fat and fiber content from half (HA, 68 g; 51% carbohydrate, 40% fat as energy, 8.6 g fiber) or whole avocado (WA, 136 g; 50% carbohydrate, 43% fat as energy, 13.1 g fiber) on three separate occasions. Visual analog scales (VAS) assessed subjective satiety over 6 h. Hormones associated with satiety/appetite were measured in blood collected immediately after VAS. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to assess the relationship of VAS with hormones in WA and CON. Hunger suppression was enhanced after the WA compared to CON meal (p < 0.01). Subjects indicated feeling more satisfied after both HA and WA than CON (p < 0.05). Fullness was greater after CON and WA vs. HA (p < 0.005). PYY and GLP-1 were significantly elevated after WA vs. CON (p < 0.05), while insulin was significantly higher after CON vs. WA (p < 0.0001). Ghrelin was suppressed more by CON than WA (p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated PYY was associated with subjective satiety after WA, whereas increased insulin predicted changes in subjective satiety after CON. Replacing carbohydrates in a high-carbohydrate meal with avocado-derived fat-fiber combination increased feelings of satiety mediated primarily by PYY vs. insulin. These findings may have important implications for addressing appetite management and metabolic concerns.
The Difference between Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurements of Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove Distance for Patients with or without Patellofemoral Instability: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT–TG) distance was originally described for computed tomography (CT) but has recently been used on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without sufficient evidence demonstrating its validity on MRI. The current review aims to evaluate (1) whether there is a difference in the TT–TG distances measured using CT and MRI, (2) whether both the TT–TG distances measured using CT and MRI could be used to differentiate between patients with or without patellofemoral instability, and (3) whether the same threshold of 15 to 20 mm can be applied for both TT–TG distances measured using CT and MRI. The review was conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRSIMA) guidelines. All studies that compared TT–TG distances either (1) between CT and MRI or (2) between patients with and without patellofemoral instability were included. A total of 23 publications were included in the review. These included a total of 3,040 patients. All publications reported the TT–TG distance to be greater in patients with patellofemoral instability as compared to those without patellofemoral instability. This difference was noted for both TT–TG distances measured on CT and on MRI. All publications also reported the TT–TG distance measured on CT to be greater than that measured on MRI (mean difference [MD] = 1.79 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91–2.68). Pooling of the studies revealed that the mean TT–TG distance for the control group was 12.85 mm (95% CI: 11.71–14.01) while the mean TT–TG distance for patients with patellofemoral instability was 18.33 mm (95% CI: 17.04–19.62) when measured on CT. When measured on MRI, the mean TT–TG distance for the control group was 9.83 mm (95% CI: 9.11–10.54), while the mean TT–TG distance for patients with patellofemoral instability was 15.33 mm (95% CI: 14.24–16.42). Both the TTTG distances measured on CT and MRI could be used to differentiate between patients with and without patellofemoral instability. Patients with patellofemoral instability had significantly greater TT–TG distances than those without. However, the TT–TG distances measured on CT were significantly greater than that measured on MRI. Different cut-off values should, therefore, be used for TT–TG distances measured on CT and on MRI in the determination of normal versus abnormal values. Pooling of all the patients included in the review then suggest for 15.5 ± 1.5 mm to be used as the cut off for TT–TG distance measured on CT, and for 12.5 ± 2 mm to be used as the cut-off for TT–TG distance measured on MRI. The Level of evidence for this study is IV.
Post-Traumatic Stress and Attributions among Incest Family Members

This paper presents a discussion of the relationship between attribution models of self-blame and coping strategies among members of incest families. The findings suggest that incest victims are more likely to experience prolonged post-traumatic stress than are offenders and their spouses. The argument is made that by focusing on individual adjustment, therapy programs may be neglecting the interactive effect of attributions made by other family members, the legal system and outside observers. The author concludes by suggesting that a sociological model in which the relationship between social reactions to incest and attributions is addressed would enhance the effectiveness of self-help treatment programs intended to reduce victim stress.
The role of social and/or ecological contexts influences assessment strategy use in Tilapia

Animals engage in costly agonistic contests during which winners procure resources. During these interactions, the combatants obtain and use information to make decisions on whether to persist or to withdraw from the fight, which is termed assessment. Recent theory and work have suggested that the types of assessment employed may be more variable than previously thought, with the use of different strategies possibly being influenced by social and ecological conditions during priming. This study addresses the contextual components (social and ecological) that affect the utilization of one assessment strategy over another. Male tilapia were primed with different combinations of social (large and small animals) and ecological (resource rich or poor) contexts 24 hr prior to fighting in staged, dyadic contests. When opponents were primed with the same context, a clear assessment strategy emerged and differed as a function of priming treatment. Conversely, when fish were primed with different treatment contexts, there was no discernible assessment. In addition, priming conditions had differing effects for large and small fish. Thus, assessment strategies in cichlids are dependent upon a combination of social, ecological contexts and size of the animal. Since assessment strategies change as a function of both of these contexts, as well as others, future framework investigating assessment strategies should include both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that may shape fighting dynamics.
Characterization of the normal equine conjunctival bacterial community using culture-independent methods.

Background The equine conjunctival microbiota has often been reported to be dominated by Gram-positive species such as Staphylococcus sp., Bacillus sp., and Corynebacterium sp. However, traditional culture-based methods can only recover a fraction of the bacterial species present in the sample. Objectives This pilot study aimed at exploring the diversity of the equine conjunctival microbiota using culture-independent methods. Study design Eight horses were included in this study, and only eyes with normal ophthalmic examination (n = 15 eyes) were sampled. Methods Conjunctival biopsies (culture-independent) were collected, and DNA was extracted from the tissues. Bacterial communities in conjunctival biopsies were characterized by next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes. Individual reads were ascribed to operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using BLASTn and Greengenes databases. Species richness, evenness, and Good's coverage were determined for each conjunctiva-associated microbial community. Results Culture-independent samples produced a total of 329 bacterial OTUs. The main OTUs identified in the study belonged to the Gram-negative species Ralstonia mannitolilytica (88.0%), Nicoletella semolina (3.3%), and Pseudomonas tolaasii (1.5%). Conclusions Contrary to previously published data based on culture-dependent methods, the horse eye microbial community was dominated by Gram-negative bacteria of the phylum Proteobacteria.
Impact of integrating psychiatric assessment officers via telepsychiatry on rural hospitals' emergency revisit rates

Abstract Objective To assess the impact of integrating Psychiatric Assessment Officers (PAO) and telepsychiatry in rural hospitals on their all-cause emergency department (ED) revisit rates. As a pilot project, a full-time PAO was embedded in each of three rural hospitals in New York State and was augmented by telepsychiatry. Method A retrospective data analysis using ED census data obtained from the hospitals. The intervention group, defined as those patients treated by PAOs, was compared via a difference-in-difference method against a contemporaneous comparison group defined as those who visited the same EDs and had PAO-qualifying behavioral health diagnoses but were not seen by PAOs. Results The intervention group was associated with an approximately 36% lower all-cause ED revisit rate during the first 90-day period (i.e. 1–90 days) following the initial PAO treatment (p = .003). A reduction of the similar magnitude (44%) persisted into the subsequent 90-day period (i.e., 91–180 days since the initial PAO treatment; p Conclusion The PAO telepsychiatry pilot program suggests a potential way to provide relief for overburdened EDs in rural communities that lack resources to treat patients with severe behavioral health symptoms.
Femtosecond Luminescence Imaging for Single Nanoparticle Characterization.

Defects naturally abound in semiconductor crystal structures and their presence either debilitates or improves device functionality. The increasing trend to strategically implant or remove specific...
Perfluoroalkyl acids, hyperuricemia and gout in adults: Analyses of NHANES 2009-2014.

Abstract Background Previous studies have reported a positive association of perfluoralkyl acids (PFAAs), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), with hyperuricemia. The objective of the study is to investigate whether there is an association between concurrent serum levels of several PFAAs and gout, serum uric acid (SUA) or hyperuricemia in the U.S. adult population as represented by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2014 sample (n = 4917). The PFAAs investigated include PFOA, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and PFOS. Methods This cross-sectional study used multivariate logistic regressions to analyze the association of single PFAAs with hyperuricemia and self-reported gout; the association with SUA was analyzed by multivariate linear regression. Analyses were adjusted for race/ethnicity, age, sex, education, alcohol consumption, smoking, serum cotinine, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and SUA (for gout only). Results Higher quartile values of serum PFOA and PFHxS were associated with increased odds of self-reported gout. There was a positive association of SUA with increased levels of PFOA, PFNA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFDA. Higher quartile values of PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS were associated with higher odds of hyperuricemia. Conclusions In this population-based cross-sectional analysis, we found an association between selected PFAAs and self-reported gout. We also confirmed previous reports of an association between several PFAAs and hyperuricemia. Our study suggests that exposure to PFAAs may be a risk factor for hyperuricemia and gout.
The GET Pathway Safeguards Against Non-Imported Mitochondrial Protein Stress

Deficiencies in mitochondrial import cause the toxic accumulation of non-imported mitochondrial precursor proteins. Numerous fates for non-imported mitochondrial precursors have been identified, including proteasomal destruction, deposition into protein aggregates, and mis-targeting to other organelles. Amongst organelles, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has emerged as a key destination for non-imported mitochondrial proteins, but how ER-targeting of these proteins is achieved remains unclear. Here, we show that the guided entry of tail-anchored proteins (GET) complex is required for ER-targeting of endogenous mitochondrial multi-transmembrane proteins. Without a functional GET pathway, non-imported mitochondrial proteins destined for the ER are alternatively sequestered into Hsp42-dependent protein foci. The ER targeting of non-imported mitochondrial proteins by the GET complex prevents cellular toxicity and facilitates re-import of mitochondrial proteins from the ER via the recently identified ER-SURF pathway. Overall, this study outlines an important and unconventional role for the GET complex in mitigating stress associated with non-imported mitochondrial proteins.
A Gain-of-Function Mutation in KCNMA1 Causes Dystonia Spells Controlled With Stimulant Therapy.

Background The mutations of KCNMA1 BK-type K+ channel have been identified in patients with various movement disorders. The underlying pathophysiology and corresponding therapeutics are lacking. Objectives To report our clinical and biophysical characterizations of a novel de novo KCNMA1 variant, as well as an effective therapy for the patient's dystonia-atonia spells. Methods Combination of phenotypic characterization, therapy, and biophysical characterization of the patient and her mutation. Results The patient had >100 dystonia-atonia spells per day with mild cerebellar atrophy. She also had autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Whole-exome sequencing identified a heterozygous de novo BK N536H mutation. Our biophysical characterization demonstrates that N536H is a gain-of-function mutation with markedly enhanced voltage-dependent activation. Remarkably, administration of dextroamphetamine completely suppressed the dystonia-atonia spells. Conclusions BK N536H is a gain-of-function that causes dystonia and other neurological symptoms. Our stimulant therapy opens a new avenue to mitigate KCNMA1-linked movement disorders. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
A Case Study of Consolidating Two Database A–Z Lists for Better Staff and User Experiences

This case study describes the consolidation and migration of the University of New Mexico’s University Libraries’ database A-Z lists. A subject librarian lead the nine-month project that included most subject librarians, the electronic resources team, the Director of Collections, and the web & discovery librarian. The project also provided the UL the opportunity to review all the resources in the lists, and update all descriptions, and create new workflows for adding and managing a single list.
Novel and Experimental Strategies in the Treatment of Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths according to the estimate of the American Cancer Society in 2019. While platinum based chemotherapy is the first-line therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients who are platinum ineligible or who have progressed following platinum therapy, urothelial carcinoma continues to be an aggressive disease with relatively poor outcomes.
A Potential Energy Shaping Controller with Ground Reaction Force Feedback for a Multi-Activity Knee-Ankle Exoskeleton

This paper presents the design and implementation of a novel multi-activity control strategy for a backdrivable knee-ankle exoskeleton. Traditionally, exoskeletons have used trajectory-based control of highly geared actuators for complete motion assistance. In contrast, we develop a potential energy shaping controller with ground reaction force (GRF) feedback that facilitates multi-activity assistance from a backdrivable exoskeleton without prescribing pre-defined kinematics. Although potential energy shaping was previously implemented in an exoskeleton to reduce the user’s perceived gravity, this model-based approach assumes the stance leg is fully loaded with the weight of the user, resulting in excessive control torques as weight transfers to the contralateral leg during double support. The presented approach uses GRF feedback to taper the torque control output for any activity involving multiple supports, leading to a closer match with normative joint moments in simulations based on pre-recorded human data during level walking. To implement this strategy, we present a custom foot force sensor that provides GRF feedback to the previously designed exoskeleton. Finally, results from an able-bodied human subject experiment demonstrate that the exoskeleton is able to reduce muscular activation of the primary muscles related to the knee and ankle joints during sit-to-stand, stand-to-sit, level walking, and stair climbing.
Are Universities Fair? Risking the Endowment for Future Generations

University endowments invest more than 70% of their assets in risky securities. This large allocation to risky assets matches the investment advice provided by standard consumption and portfolio choice models with long-horizon individual investors. But universities are not individuals. In this paper, we analyze the universities' infinite-horizon portfolio choice problem under the paradigm of maintaining intergenerational fairness with a zero rate of time preference. First, we quantify the oft-cited mandate of university trustees to maintain a policy of fairness across generations without any favoritism for the present over the future. Second, we show that the fairer the universities, the less they invest in the risky asset. In the limit, they forego the risky asset completely to provide constant consumption. Third, we explore how if generations are allowed to have differing risk aversions or if universities neglect extreme left-tail return events, then the contradiction between intergenerational fairness and risky asset allocation can be lessened.
Ethics at the Frontier

Today's society is characterized by a rapid state of change, and technological innovation plays a significant part in that. So how should one approach ethics at the technological frontier? This technical note discusses the challenges of our modern, highly innovative world; the muddled ethical lines this advancement can produce; and considerations to make and conversations to have around these new norms. Excerpt UVA-E-0392 Rev. Mar. 11, 2014 ETHICS AT THE FRONTIER Today's society is characterized by a rapid state of change. Technological innovation plays a significant part in our rapidly changing world; as of November 2013, the online social network Facebook reported 1.19 billion monthly active users, providing unprecedented visibility into the daily lives of everyday people. The ubiquity of cell phone cameras has made it dramatically easier for those everyday people to capture images of their surroundings, and Google plans to start selling its wearable camera interface, Google Glass, to the masses in 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2013, Apple Inc. sold 14.1 million iPads, which (when equipped with wireless access) allow portable and almost constant connectivity with the Internet yet resembles the imagined devices of science fiction movies and novels from less than a generation ago. In 2003, a decade-long project to map the human genome was completed, paving the way for advances in medical diagnosis and preventive care. Recent years have seen the increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or drones) in scientific research, agriculture, law enforcement, journalism, espionage, and warfare—and likewise dramatically evolving standard practices in each of these arenas. Countless other examples of rapid technological change abound, and the high-velocity environment created by such advancement has a profound effect on business organizations, which are typically the drivers of such innovation. Rapid technological change introduces ambiguity about industry forces, competitive dynamics, and institutionalized patterns of strategic actions, and firms confronted with such conditions must find innovative ways to handle the strategic uncertainties in order to thrive. . . .
Absorptive Capacity as a Means of Understanding and Addressing the Disconnects Between Research and Practice

The research community focuses on conducting research with the purported goal of improving educational practice, yet the two communities largely remain disjointed. This chapter explores the major d...
Treatment effect, adherence, and safety of high fluid intake for the prevention of incident and recurrent kidney stones: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to evaluate the effectiveness of high fluid intake for the prevention of incident and recurrent kidney stones, as well as its adherence and safety. A literature search was performed encompassing 1980 through July 2014. Studies that reported relative risks, odds ratios, or hazard ratios comparing the risk of kidney stone events in patients with high vs inadequate fluid intake were included. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. Nine studies [2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 269 patients; 7 observational studies with 273,685 individuals] were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled RRs of kidney stones in individuals with high-fluid intake were 0.40 (95 % CI 0.20–0.79) and 0.49 (0.34–0.71) in RCTs and observational studies, respectively. High fluid intake was significantly associated with reduced risk of recurrent kidney stones: RRs 0.40 (95 % CI 0.20–0.79) and 0.20 (0.09–0.44) in RCTs and observational studies, respectively. Adherence and safety data on high fluid intake treatment were limited; 1 RCT reported no withdrawals due to adverse events. This analysis demonstrated a significantly reduced risk of incident kidney stones among individuals with high fluid consumption. High fluid consumption also reduced the risk of recurrent kidney stones. Furthermore, the magnitude of risk reduction was high. Although increased water intake appears to be safe, future studies on its safety in patients with high risk of volume overload or hyponatremia may be indicated.
Some Notes on the Representation of Non-Muslim Officials in al-Ǧahšiyārī’s (d. 331/942) Kitāb al-Wuzarāʾ wa-l-kuttāb

Rather than a handbook or chronological history of secretaries and viziers, or a straightforward guide to administrative terminology, the Kitāb al-Wuzarā⁠ʾ wa-l-kuttāb by Muḥammad b. al-ʿAbdūs al-Ǧahsiyārī (d. 331/942) is a collection of ʿAbbāsid-era narratives on the history of early Islamic administration. Related to other works in the genre adab al-kātib, the Kitāb al-Wuzarā⁠ʾ wa-l-kuttāb provides insight into one compiler’s literary techniques as well as his social/cultural agenda. The portion of al-Ǧahsiyārī’s work analyzed here focuses on key events in the Umayyad period and illustrates his apologetic stance on the non-Muslim foundations of ʿAbbāsid administrative structures especially well. Using short anecdotes that contain pithy, repetitive tropes of non-Muslim administrative officials’ arrogance or incompetence, al-Ǧahsiyārī polemically mythologized a foundations narrative for early Islamic administrative history. Several studies of another portion of this text, on the ʿAbbāsid caliphs and the Barmakids, have determined the literary/historical value of al-Ǧahsiyārī’s work. In these brief comments, four short anecdotes from a relatively understudied portion of the Kitāb al-Wuzarā⁠ʾ wa-l-kuttāb are assessed in order to demonstrate al-Ǧahsiyārī’s mode of representation for the earliest stages of Islamic administration.
Secure Service Provision in Ad Hoc Networks

Ad hoc networks are formed opportunistically as mobile devices come within wireless communication range of each other. Since individual devices are typically subject to severe resource limitations, it is both possible and desirable for a device to enhance its functionality by taking advantage (in a cooperative manner) of capabilities available on other devices. Service provision refers to the process by which devices advertise their willingness to offer specific services and discover other services. This paper describes a service provision model designed specifically for use in ad hoc settings. Security policies governing service accessibility can be specified at the application level while secure communication among devices is ensured by the implementation.
Predicate transformer semantics

1. Finite coproducts 2. Structure of a Boolean category 3. Metatheory 4. Distributive categories Bibliography Index.
Schur-convex functions and isoperimetric inequalities

In this paper, we establish some analytic inequalities for Schurconvex functions that are made of solutions of a second order nonlinear differential equation. We apply these analytic inequalities to obtain some geometric inequalities.
Bottom-Up Association Rule Mining in Relational Databases

Although knowledge discovery from large relational databases has gained popularity and its significance is well recognized, the prohibitive nature of the cost associated with extracting such knowledge, as well as the lack of suitable declarative query language support act as limiting factors. Surprisingly, little or no relational technology has yet been significantly exploited in data mining even though data often reside in relational tables. Consequently, no relational optimization has yet been possible for data mining. We exploit the transitive nature of large item sets and the so called anti-monotonicity property of support thresholds of large item sets to develop a natural least fixpoint operator for set oriented data mining from relational databases. The operator proposed has several advantages including optimization opportunities, and traditional candidate set free large item set generation. We present an SQL3 expression for association rule mining and discuss its mapping to the least fixpoint operator developed in this paper.
Elderly cancer patients : Correlates of depressive symptomatology

Abstract As more elderly people experience a cancer diagnosis and live longer, the psychological sequelae of the disease and its treatment increasingly becomes a central concern. Cancer and its treatment are likely to present significant adaptive challenges to the elderly. Knowledge of the correlates of depressive symptoms in older patients may help to identify patients who are at increased risk for co-morbid depression and to inform the development of programs and services that can help reduce depressive symptoms. Data from 169 outpatients with cancer (aged 60 to 86 years) were included in an analysis to estimate a model of patients' depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The results of regression analyses indicated that a college degree and a lesser impact of the disease on patients' social functioning correlated with lower depression and that feeling separated or set apart from others and a wider range of negative interactions with one's support network correla...
Interaction of mammalian O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferases with O6-benzylguanine

Abstract Human O 6 -alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (hAGT) activity is a major factor in providing resistance to cancer chemotherapeutic alkylating agents. Inactivation of hAGT by O 6 -benzylguanine (BG) is a promising strategy for overcoming this resistance. Previous studies, which have focused on the region encompassed by residues Pro138 to Gly173, have identified more than 100 individual mutations located at 23 discrete sites at which alterations can render AGT less sensitive to BG. We have now extended the examination of possible sites in hAGT at which alterations might lead to BG resistance to include the residues from Val130 to Asn137, which also make up part of the binding pocket into which BG is postulated to fit. A further 21 mutations located at positions Gly132, Met134, Arg135, and Gly136 were found to lower sensitivity to BG. Mutants R135L, R135Y, and G136P were the most strikingly resistant, with a 50-fold increase in the amount of BG needed to obtain 50% inactivation. These results therefore increase the number of sites at which BG resistance can occur in response to a single amino acid change to 27. Although mammalian AGTs are very similar in amino acid sequence, mouse AGT (mAGT) is significantly less sensitive to BG than rat AGT (rAGT) or hAGT. Construction of chimeric proteins in which portions came from the rAGT and the mAGT indicated that the difference in inactivation resided solely in the amino acids located in the sequence from residues 150 to 188. Individual mutations of the three residues where rAGT and mAGT differ in this region showed that the principal reason for the reduced ability of the mAGT to react with BG was the presence of a histidine residue at position 161, which is occupied by asparagine in rAGT and hAGT. These experiments indicate that many minor changes in amino acids forming all parts of the nucleoside binding pocket of AGT can alter its ability to react with BG and that the possibility that polymorphisms or variants may occur reducing the effectiveness of combination therapy with BG and alkylating agents must be considered.
Chronic Prenatal Exposure to Cocaine Alters Cerebrovascular Responses in Newborn Pigs

Maternal cocaine abuse may increase the incidence of perinatal asphyxia. In nonexposed asphyxiated neonates, decreased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cAMP concentrations are associated with poor neurological outcome. On the other hand, cocaine increases central nervous system (CNS) cAMP. Therefore, we hypothesized that in utero cocaine exposure may increase brain cAMP and thereby preserve cerebrovascular responses to cAMP-dependent stimuli following asphyxia. Pregnant pigs received either cocaine (1 mg/kg, i.v.) twice weekly during the last trimester or normal saline vehicle (sham-control) and were allowed to deliver vaginally at term. Cranial windows were implanted in the newborn pigs within the first week of life and used to collect CSF for cAMP determinations and to assess changes in pial arteriolar diameters (PAD). In the first part of the study, pial arteriolar responses to different vasodilator and vasoconstrictor stimuli were evaluated in piglets prior to asphyxia (n = 20). In newborn pigs exposed to cocaine, cerebrovascular responses to hypercapnia and norepinephrine were significantly exaggerated compared to controls. Then, piglets were randomly selected for the second part of the study that involved prolonged asphyxia (n = 12). In cocaine-exposed but not sham-control piglets, CSF cAMP increased markedly during asphyxia. In the sham piglets, but not the cocaine-exposed piglets, CSF cAMP fell progressively below the baseline during recovery. Cerebrovascular reactivity to cAMP-dependent stimuli (hypercapnia and isoproterenol) was preserved during recovery from asphyxia in the cocaine-exposed piglets but significantly attenuated in the sham controls. We conclude that piglets with chronic prenatal exposure to cocaine show exaggerated cerebrovascular responses to vasogenic stimuli and preserved cAMP-dependent cerebral vasoreactivity following asphyxia.
Review paper: Instrumentation for marine magnetotelluric and controlled source electromagnetic sounding

We review and describe the electromagnetic transmitters and receivers used to carry out magnetotelluric and controlled source soundings in the marine environment. Academic studies using marine electromagnetic methods started in the 1970s but during the last decade these methods have been used extensively by the offshore hydrocarbon exploration industry. The principal sensors (magnetometers and nonpolarizing electrodes) are similar to those used on land but magnetotelluric field strengths are not only much smaller on the deep sea-floor but also fall off more rapidly with increasing frequency. As a result, magnetotelluric signals approach the noise floor of electric field and induction coil sensors (0.1 nV/m and 0.1 pT) at around 1 Hz in typical continental shelf environments. Fluxgate magnetometers have higher noise than induction coils at periods shorter than 500 s but can still be used to collect seafloor magnetotelluric data down to 40‐100 s. Controlled source transmitters using electric dipoles can be towed continuously through the seawater or on the sea-bed, achieving output currents of 1000 A or more, limited by the conductivity of seawater and the power that can be transmitted down the cables used to tow the devices behind a ship. The maximum source-receiver separation achieved in controlled source soundings depends on both the transmitter dipole moment and on the receiver noise floor and is typically around 10 km in continental shelf exploration environments. The position of both receivers and transmitters needs to be navigated using either long baseline or short baseline acoustic ranging, while sea-floor receivers need additional measurements of orientations from compasses and tiltmeters. All equipment has to be packaged to accommodate the high pressure (up to 40 MPa) and corrosive properties of seawater. Usually receiver instruments are self-contained, battery powered and have highly accurate clocks for timekeeping, even when towed on the sea-floor or in the water column behind a transmitter.
Chemistry of the collagen cross-links. Isolation and characterization of two intermediate intermolecular cross-links in collagen

This paper describes the isolation from reduced collagen of two new amino acids believed to be involved, in their non-reduced form, as intermolecular cross-links stabilizing the collagen fibre. The reduction of intact collagen fibrils with tritiated sodium borohydride was found to stabilize the aldehyde-mediated cross-links to acid hydrolysis and thus allowed their location and isolation from acid hydrolysates on an automatic amino acid analyser. Comparison of the radioactive elution patterns from the autoanalyser of collagen treated in various ways before reduction permitted a preliminary classification of the peaks into cross-link precursors, intramolecular and intermolecular cross-links. The techniques employed to isolate the purified components on a large scale and to identify them structurally are described in detail. Two labile intermolecular cross-links were isolated in their reduced forms, one of which was identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry as N(in)-(5-amino-5-carboxypentyl)hydroxylysine. The structure of this compound was confirmed by chemical synthesis. The cross-link precursor alpha-aminoadipic delta-semialdehyde was isolated in its reduced form, in-hydroxynorleucine, together with its acid degradation product in-chloronorleucine. A relatively stable intermolecular cross-link was isolated and partially characterized by mass spectrometry as an aldol resulting from the reaction of the delta-semialdehyde derived from lysine and hydroxylysine.
KAABA STONE: NOT A METEORITE, PROBABLY AN AGATE

The Black Stone of the Kaaba apparently is not a meteorite, although listed as a probable example in the Prior-Hey Catalogue of Meteorites. Diffusion banding and other physical attributes suggest that it is an agate.
Inhibition of DNA synthesis in synchronized Chinese hamster cells treated in G1 with cycloheximide.

Abstract The delay in the initiation of DNA synthesis after treatments during G1 with cycloheximide (CHM), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, has been studied in synchronous Chinese hamster ovary cells. Cells treated in mitosis for a duration of 1–5 h were delayed in the initiation of DNA synthesis by the length of the CHM treatment. However, cells treated after mitosis were delayed in the initiation of DNA synthesis by a length of time greater than the duration of the CHM treatment. The difference between the length of the delay and the duration of CHM treatment reached a maximum of about 4 h, and was roughly proportional to both the duration of the CHM treatment and the time in G1 when CHM was added. Treatment of cells as they entered S phase stopped DNA synthesis; however, after removal of CHM, DNA synthesis immediately resumed. These results suggest the following, G1 events requiring RNA and/or protein synthesis are involved in the initiation and continuation of DNA synthesis. Inhibition of protein synthesis during G1 results in the decay of these events (mean lifetime of 2.9 h), and the events which have decayed away must be repeated before DNA synthesis can be initiated. Events which occurred in the previous cycle, or in G1 more than 3.5 h prior to the addition of CHM, do not have to be repeated. In cells in very late G1 or early S phase, all the events leading to the initiation of DNA synthesis have been completed and do not have to be repeated following CHM treatments up to 5 h in duration.
Autophagy is required for IL-2-mediated fibroblast growth

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved pathway responsible for delivery of cytoplasmic material into the lysosomal degradation pathway to enable vesicular exocytosis. Interleukin (IL)-2 is produced by T-cells and its activity is important for immunoregulation. Fibroblasts are an immune competent cell type, playing a critical role in wound healing, chronic inflammation, and tumor development. Although autophagy plays an important role in each of these processes, whether it regulates IL-2 activity in fibroblasts is unknown. Here, we show that autophagy is required for IL-2-induced cell growth in fibroblasts. IL-2 significantly induced autophagy in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and primary lung fibroblasts. Autophagy inhibitors (e.g., 3-methylamphetamine and bafilomycin A1) or knockdown of ATG5 and beclin 1 blocked clinical grade IL-2-induced autophagy. Moreover, IL-2 induced HMGB1 cytoplasmic translocation in MEFs and promoted interaction between HMGB1 and beclin1, which is required for autophagy induction. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of autophagy inhibited IL-2-induced cell proliferation and enhanced IL-2-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that autophagy is an important pro-survival regulator for IL-2-induced cell growth in fibroblasts.
Vanillin based polymers: I. An electrochemical route to polyvanillin

Electrochemical reductive polymerization of divanillin in aqueous sodium hydroxide using a lead cathode gives polyvanillin in 91% yield. The product was characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, FT-IR, 1H, 13C NMR, TGA-DTGA, and GPC.