cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reasoned Judgment and Physician-Assisted Suicide

Reasoned Judgment and Physician-Assisted SuicideIn Washington v. Glucksberg, the Supreme Court held that, even as applied to persons who are terminally ill and mentally competent, substantive due process liberty does not include a right to commit suicide with a physician’s assistance. The majority opinion in Glucksberg reached that result by applying what it claimed was the Court’s “established method,” under which an unenumerated fundamental right will be recognized only if, when carefully described, it can be said to be “deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition.” The Court’s same-sex marriage decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, however, pointedly refused to use the tradition-centric Glucksberg method. Instead, the Obergefell standard “requires courts to exercise reasoned judgment in identifying interests of the person so fundamental that the State must accord them its respect.” Contra Glucksberg, “[h]istory and tradition guide and discipline this inquiry but do not set its outer boundaries.” Although Obergefell unquestionably limits Glucksberg’s applicability in future cases, it remains to be seen whether it “effectively overrule[s] Glucksberg,” as Chief Justice Roberts suggested in dissent. The Obergefell majority declared that Glucksberg’s approach “is inconsistent with the approach this Court has used in discussing other fundamental rights, including marriage and intimacy,” but it also said that the Glucksberg approach “may have been appropriate for the asserted right there involved (physician-assisted suicide).” If – for reasons of stare decisis or otherwise -- the Court adheres to the Glucksberg approach in the context of physician-assisted suicide, we can be confident it will not recognize that right as fundamental.But what if the Court were to re-examine physician assisted-suicide using Obergefell’s “reasoned judgment” approach? Would that make it likely, as some have suggested, that the Court will constitutionalize physician-assisted suicide under at least some circumstances? This essay argues that the reasoned-judgment approach lends little support to a fundamental right to physician-assisted suicide. Obviously, the reasoned-judgment standard does not rule out a fundamental right to physician-assisted suicide in the straightforward way the Glucksberg test does. Nevertheless, there are powerful arguments that should impel the Court to a “reasoned judgment” against establishing a fundamental right to physician-assisted suicide. Given the legality and availability of aggressive palliative care, the individual interests of terminally ill, competent patients are not weighty enough to warrant prima facie recognition of such a right. Even more clearly, countervailing state interests such as protecting vulnerable patients from “abuse, neglect, and mistakes” would in any event justify the states in overriding it.
Practice- vs Physician-Level Variation in Use of Active Surveillance for Men With Low-Risk Prostate Cancer: Implications for Collaborative Quality Improvement

This study examines the proportion of men treated primarily with active surveillance across practices and among urologists in the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative.
Earnings management of Chinese central state-owned enterprises – the effects of state level incentives*

This study builds upon the argument of alignment effect and posits that the close alignment of the interests between Chinese central state-owned enterprises (CSOEs) and those of the Chinese central...
Cardiovascular Involvement in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

From the very beginning of the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which surfaced in the late 1970s, involvement of the heart was described in autopsies of patients who had died of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The early reports described Kaposi’s sarcoma involving the myocardium and pericardium,1,2 often as incidental findings at autopsy. Large series of patients with AIDS described nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, a possibly nonspecific finding resulting from the severe cachexia and wasting frequently seen with this disease.3,4 Later, larger autopsy series showed frequent evidence of focal pockets of inflammatory cells in the myocardium, at times with incidental findings of fungal or parasitic involvement of the myocardium, but clinical manifestations of this myocardial involvement were unusual. Rarely, severe myocarditis due to toxoplasmosis was seen as a cause of death.
Human aortic aneurysm genomic dictionary: is it possible?

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), a typically silent but frequently lethal disease, is strongly influenced by underlying genetics. Approximately 30 genes have been associated with syndromic and non-syndromic familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) to date. An estimated 30% of patients with non-syndromic familial TAAD, which is typically inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, have a mutation in one of these genes. The underlying genetic mutation helps predict patients’ clinical presentation, risk of aortic dissection at small aortic sizes (< 5.0 cm), and risk of other cardiovascular disease. As a result, a TAAD genomic dictionary based on these genes is necessary to provide optimal patient care, but is not on its own sufficient as this disease is typically inherited with reduced penetrance and has widely variable expressivity. Next-generation sequencing has been and will continue to be critical for identifying novel genes and variants associated with TAAD as well as genotype-phenotype correlations that will allow for management to be targeted to not only the underlying gene harboring the pathogenic variant but also the specific mutation identified. The aortic dictionary, to which a clinician can turn to obtain information on clinical consequences of a specific genetic variants, is not only possible, but has been substantially written already. As additional entries to the dictionary are made, truly personalized, genetically based, aneurysm care can be delivered.
Fault-tolerant performance comparisons between external and internal rotor PMa-SynRMs

This paper presents a detailed comparison between fault-tolerant five-phase external and internal rotor permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance motors (PMa-SynRMs). Critical applications such as electric vehicles and more electric aircraft demand high power density and fault-tolerant capability in their traction motor designs. Five-phase external rotor motors are proposed to generate higher torque density compared to conventional internal rotor motors of same size. However, under fault conditions such as single-phase, two-phase adjacent, and two-phase non-adjacent faults, the fault-tolerant capability of such high torque density motors needs to be investigated. Furthermore, severe torque pulsations under such faults have to be restrained in traction motors. In this study, five-phase external rotor PMa-SynRMs are optimally designed to generate higher torque density with lower torque ripple and better fault tolerant capability when compared to a same size five-phase internal rotor PMa-SynRM. Finite element simulations are carried out to compare the performance of external rotor PMa-SynRMs under single-phase, two-phase adjacent and two-phase non-adjacent faults. Experiments under no-load conditions and load are carried out to validate the simulations.
The Parcellation Theory and Alterations in Brain Circuitry after Injury

The last 20 years have opened the eyes of all neurobiologists to the wonderful news that neural connections in the mammalian nervous system change throughout the life span of the organism and that structural reorganization within the CNS is possible, although limited, after injury.
Corn and Sorghum Rusts

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of corn and sorghum rusts. Corn and sorghum, along with most grasses, are hosts to rust fungi. Puccinia sorghi Schw., P. polysora Underw., and Physopella zeae Cumm. and Ramochar occur on corn; Puccinia purpurea Cke. occurs on the sorghums. The infection and spread of P. sorghi are influenced by the environment. Mature teliospores have a dormancy that must be broken by low temperatures and weathering before germination occurs. Dry urediospores remain viable for several days at moderate temperatures and store for long periods at 10–26°C. Urediospores have a self inhibitor and spore dispersal is required for germination. The optimum temperature for urediospore germination and germ tube growth is in the range of 15°–25°C. The minimum is near 4°C and the maximum is under 31°C. Germination is maximum at 100% relative humidity, and most spores do not germinate at 98% or lower. Light favors urediospore germination. Seasonal disease development depends on the area of the world. The primary factors that affect the development of disease are the presence of the pathogen, humidity, and temperature. The main effect of common rust is a reduction of grain yield. While only small losses are generally experienced in the major corn-growing areas of the world, the disease has the potential to damage susceptible corn. Like most cereal rusts, P. sorghi isolates differ in virulence to plants having major alleles for resistance.
The Influence Matrix

“And so I became an emotional stone,” said Eduardo1 to me stoically after he relayed some powerful stories from his childhood. He and his ex-wife Maria had come to therapy because their 7-year-old son, Juan, was having difficulty during weekend transition periods. Juan was emotionally reactive toward Eduardo, becoming angry or fearful in ways that seemed unpredictable, and he would often cling to his mother prior to being dropped off with his father.
Heart Rate Variability Moderates Challenge and Threat Reactivity to Sexism Among Women in STEM

Abstract. Using a biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat, we tested resting heart rate variability (HRV) as a moderator of physiological reactivity after experiencing sexism. Women science, ...
Nanoporous Gold Formation by Free Corrosion Dealloying of Gold-Silver Alloys in Nonoxidizing Acids Driven by Catalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Highly concentrated nitric acid (molarity ~ 15 M), a strong oxidizing agent, has been extensively used to produce nanoporous gold by free corrosion dealloying of gold-silver alloys. This is because, kinetically, silver dissolution in dilute nitric acid with molarity 5 M (or lower) is not favorable at ambient temperature and pressure. We recently reported (Deng and Detsi in Nanoscale 9:11858, 2017; Fu et al. in ACS Appl Nano Mater 1(8):4164, 2018) on the use of catalytically driven reduction reactions to enhance the rate of nanoporous silver and nanoporous gold formation at ambient temperature and pressure by free corrosion dealloying in hydrochloric acid, a nonoxidizing acid. Here, we further elucidate these findings by combining our experimental studies with the mixed potential theory of corrosion to shed more light on the reaction mechanisms associated with free corrosion dealloying of silver-aluminum alloys, and gold-silver alloys in various corroding media and in the presence of a catalyst used to enhance the dealloying rate.
Abstract P1-21-03: Unique estrogen receptor alpha turnover, regulation and targeting in invasive lobular breast carcinoma

Invasive lobular breast carcinoma (ILC) accounts for 10-15% of breast cancers diagnosed annually. Evidence suggests that endocrine treatment response might differ between invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and ILC, and that patients with ILC have worse long-term survival. ILCs are more likely to be estrogen receptor alpha (ER/ERα) positive (90-95%) compared to IDCs (60-70%). We investigated whether there are differences in ER protein steady state levels and/or turn-over rates in ILC that might explain differences in response to endocrine therapy. Analysis of the TCGA dataset revealed lower levels of ESR1 mRNA (P = 0.002) and ERα protein (P = 0.038) in ER+ ILC (n = 137) compared to ER+ IDC (n = 554). Supporting this observation, analysis of tumors from patients treated at UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital (ILC, n = 143; IDC, n = 877), showed lower ESR1 mRNA (P Citation Format: Jennifer M Atkinson, Sreeja Sreekumar, Kevin M Levine, Matthew J Sikora, Jian Chen, David J Dabbs, Carolin Meier, Ahmed Basudan, Nilgun Tasdemir, David Boone, Priscilla F McAuliffe, Rachel C Jankowitz, Adrian V Lee, Steffi Oesterreich. Unique estrogen receptor alpha turnover, regulation and targeting in invasive lobular breast carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-21-03.
Optical Characterization of ZnO Nanoforest for Hardware Security Applications

Disordered systems or materials with intrinsic variability in some measurable quantity are recently being considered for hardware security applications like physical unclonable functions or PUFs. An inexpensive optical PUF system based on a dense nanoforest of ZnO nanorods is presented here. A relatively concentrated seed solution used in the synthesis process results in these high density nanorods grown mostly in the upright direction with some vertical hollow spots in between neighboring nanorods. This nanorod arrangement grown on optically reflective substrates works as a nano-porous thin film and produces Fabry-Perot fringes under perpendicularly incident focused white light. The local variations in density, height, diameter, orientation angle, and hexagonal perfection of the ZnO nanorods give rise to unique and reproducible scattering light spectra that vary significantly from one spot on the sample to another. Over 1500 optical measurements are performed to show the strongly variable optical characteristics. These distinct spectra show promise as the raw responses for ZnO-based optical PUFs.
Chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP): a controlled tribocorrosion process

Abstract: Chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) is often associated with chemical-mechanical planarization which is a polishing process assisted by chemical reactions to remove surface materials. CMP is a standard manufacturing process practiced at the semiconductor industry to fabricate integrated circuits and memory disks. When the purpose is to remove surface materials, it is referred to as chemical-mechanical polishing. However, when the purpose is to flatten a surface, it is referred to as chemical-mechanical planarization. CMP is considered to be a tribochemical process because of the synergy between friction and corrosion.
Procedural Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for De Novo Lesions in the Ostial and Proximal Left Circumflex Coronary Artery.

Ostial coronary artery lesions can be challenging during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) because of elastic fiber content, calcium burden, and angulation. We assessed procedural and clinical major adverse cardiac events (MACE) associated with PCI for ostial lesions, focusing on ostial left circumflex (LC) lesions compared with ostial left anterior descending artery (LAD) and right coronary artery lesions. All patients with ostial or very proximal coronary artery lesions treated with PCI at MedStar Washington Hospital Center (Washington, DC) from 2003 to 2018 were included. The primary end point was target lesion revascularization (TLR)-MACE, defined as the composite of all-cause mortality, Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI), and TLR at 1 year. A total of 4,759 patients with available 1-year follow-up were included: 2,236 ostial/very proximal LAD, 980 ostial/very proximal LC, and 1,543 ostial/very proximal right. The presenting clinical syndrome for the LC group was mainly stable or unstable angina, whereas MI was more common in the LAD. At 1 year, the TLR-MACE rate was 16.7% in the LC group versus 12.5% in the LAD and 11.8% in the right group (p = 0.001). Mortality rates were 11.2% in the LC group versus 8.4% in the LAD and 6% in the right group (p
A letter to the editor regarding the article, “the impact of state legalization on rates of marijuana use in pregnancy in a universal drug screening population”: clarification on the timing and content of the control, regulate, and tax adult use of marijuana act (AUMA)

Sir, We read, with great interest, the article by Lee et al., titled “The impact of state legalization on rates of marijuana use in pregnancy in a universal drug screening population,” which was re...
Preparation of clean MgO surface by oxygen plasma: Comparison with standard substrate cleaning procedures

Different surface preparation methods for cleaning MgO, a widely used substrate in oxide epitaxy, are summarized and compared. We find that in situ surface preparation methods are preferable to ex situ preparation methods. We show that the complete removal of hydroxide, carbonate, and adventitious carbon from the MgO surface can be achieved via oxygen plasma exposure at 200 °C without high temperature annealing. Using this process, an atomically flat surface with root mean square roughness values of ∼0.1 nm is demonstrated. Surfaces treated thus also exhibit sharp RHEED streaks indicating good crystalline order of the surface. We also show that high temperature annealing of MgO, either by itself or following other ex situ cleaning methods, such as solvent cleaning, is a reasonably effective method for the removal of surface contaminants, enabling one to achieve a surface roughness of ∼0.2 nm. We show that wet etching or other ex situ cleaning methods alone without annealing cannot eliminate all surface contaminants and may even worsen the surface roughness significantly.
Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions for SARS-CoV-2 on norovirus outbreaks: an analysis of outbreaks reported by 9 US States

Abstract Importance The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on incidence of other infectious diseases is still being assessed. Objective To determine if the observed change in reported norovirus outbreaks in the United States was best explained by underreporting, seasonal trends, or reduced exposure due to NPIs. We also aimed to assess if the change in reported norovirus outbreaks varied by setting. Design An ecologic, interrupted time series analysis of norovirus outbreaks from nine states reported to the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) from July 2012–July 2020. Setting Surveillance data from Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin were included in the analysis. Participants 9,226 reports of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks with norovirus as an epidemiologically suspected or laboratory-confirmed etiology were included in the analysis, resulting in more than 8 years of follow up. Outbreak reports from states that participated in NoroSTAT for at least 4 years were included in the analysis (range: 4–8 years). Exposure The main exposure of interest was time period: before (July 2012–February 2020) or after (April 2020–July 2020) the start of NPIs in the United States Main outcome The main outcome of interest was monthly rate of reported norovirus outbreaks. As a secondary outcome, we also examined the average outbreak size. Results We found that the decline in norovirus outbreak reports was significant for all 9 states considered (pooled incidence rate ratio (IRR) comparing April 2020-July 2020 vs. all pre-COVID months for each state= 0.14, 95% CI: 0.098, 0.21; P= Conclusions and relevance While NPIs implemented during the spring and summer of 2020 were intended to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2, these changes also appear to have impacted the incidence of norovirus, a non-respiratory pathogen. These results suggest that NPIs may provide benefit for preventing transmission of other human pathogens, reducing strain to health systems during the continued SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Disclaimer The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Treating Restless Legs Syndrome Was Associated With Low Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Cohort Study With 3.4 Years of Follow‐Up

Background Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is associated with higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, it remains unknown whether treatment of RLS lowers the cardiovascular risk associated w...
Stopping Levothyroxine Therapy in Subclinical Hypothyroidism, Perhaps We Could Start a Trend

Introduction: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is diagnosed based on elevated thyrotropin (TSH) and normal thyroxine (FT4) levels. Previous guidelines recommended treatment of SCH with levothyroxine (LT4) when TSH is > 10 uIU/mL or if TSH <10 uIU/mL with symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism, positive thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPO Ab) or evidence/risk factors of cardiovascular disease. There has been an increasing practice of LT4 prescription for SCH, which contributes to making LT4 the second most prescribed drug in the US. Case: This case reviews the course of a patient with SCH treated with LT4. A 68 year old woman with medical history of hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, and non-toxic multinodular goiter was diagnosed with SCH due to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis based on TSH 9.59 uIU/mL (0.34 - 5.60), FT4 0.66 ng/dL (0.58 - 1.64), and +TPO Ab. The patient had similar thyroid function tests (TFT) 1 year ago. She reported symptoms of hair loss, dry skin, and fatigue. She decided to undergo a trial of LT4 50 mcg daily. Two months later, her TSH had normalized and she reported slight improvement of fatigue. After one year on LT4, the patient reported symptoms of anxiety and heat intolerance and decided to stop LT4. Laboratory work up revealed TSH 0.22 uIU/mL and FT4 1.03 ng/dL consistent with exogenous hyperthyroidism. At the time of her follow up, the patient had been off LT4 for about 3 weeks. She continued to have ongoing fatigue, but reported resolution of the hyperthyroid symptoms. She was advised to stay off LT4 and to have yearly TFT. Discussion This case illustrates that not only LT4 treatment for SCH did not result in apparent improvement of hypothyroid-related symptoms, but also caused iatrogenic hyperthyroidism. A recent meta-analysis of 21 randomized clinical trials including 2192 patients with SCH found that LT4 therapy is not significantly associated with improvement in general quality of life or thyroid-related symptoms. Additionally, there is evidence of potential harm associated with LT4 and added burden of lifelong management. In 2019, a new guideline panel issued a strong recommendation against thyroid hormones in adults with SCH. Patients who are already on LT4 therapy for SCH may benefit from LT4 deprescribing. Clinicians need to discuss with their patients if LT4 discontinuation is a reasonable consideration. Studies at low risk of bias assessing patient important outcomes after LT4 discontinuation are required imminently.
Comparative communication studies within and beyond Great China

The scholarship on media and communication studies focusing on Greater China has burgeoned in recent years. Yet, little is known about how such scholarship would tackle other sub-fields and the cor...
Towards An Indoor Navigation System Using Monocular Visual SLAM

This paper presents a novel implementation of an augmented reality-aided indoor navigation system for mobile devices. The proposed system uses the device's camera to scan the environment, generate an abstracted 3D map of the indoor environment, and transfer it to a remote server. The 3D map of the indoor environment is achieved through a tracking and mapping ARKit module. Once the indoor map is stored in the server, it can be accessed simultaneously by multiple devices for localization and navigation. Leveraging Unity assets and the directions retrieved from the server, the application computes the shortest distance between the source and destination, and displays AR-based direction markers for navigation assistance.
Estimating the filtration efficacy of cloth masks

Motivated by the current pandemic we analyze the use of cloth masks as effective alternatives to medical masks for the general public. In this paper, we establish a quantitative framework for estimating the filtration efficacy of cloth masks by deriving analytical estimates for the pressure drop across woven heterogeneous fabrics. We then introduce a filtration quality factor to compare the intrinsic filtration capabilities of diverse materials for submicron aerosols. Finally, we present a decision map to illustrate the trade-offs between filtration efficiency and breathability and to provide practical guidance on the selection of cloth masks.
Strategies in the theory of computation

The theory of computation, encompassing formal languages, automata theory and computability, lies at the very core of a Computer Science education: it sets out the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of the discipline and thereby defines our very notion of computation. Unfortunately, many but the most mathematically-inclined students struggle with this subject, finding it difficult and dry. In this paper, I will discuss a number of strategies I have found useful in bringing this course alive for these students, while still attending to the needs of the students who find the subject intrinsically enjoyable and interesting.Some of the strategies I discuss are simply good pedagogy in the context of complex subject matter, e.g., providing a broad road-map of the material and highlighting recurrent themes. But I also draw on concepts from research in programming languages and the philosophy of language to inform my presentation, e.g., constructive interpretations of logic, game-theoretic accounts of quantifier alternation and fundamental distinctions such as syntax versus semantics and metalanguage versus object language. While these ideas are unfamiliar to most students, the opportunity to lay a foundation for later study makes them especially compelling for those who will continue on to advanced courses or graduate work. And by relating these ideas to a programmer's intuitions, I can provide important insights for all students, whatever their background or academic goals. As an example, the use of laboratory assignments to complement paper-based problem-solving is a well-known techniques, but it can also be related directly to the constructive interpretation of logic mentioned above.In addition to the discussion of strategies, the paper provides an overview of the content of the course and some background information on the context in which it is taught.
Catheter-tip mass mimicking a spinal epidural hematoma: Case report

As > 95,000 spinal drug-delivery devices have been implanted since their inception in the 1980s, the recognition of associated adverse effects is essential. Since 1985, numerous reports have described the presence of catheter-tip granulomas. In the current case, the authors describe a less frequent complication of epidural bupivacaine precipitation. Regardless of origin, these unusual lesions have been increasingly recognized as a rare but potentially devastating complication of intrathecal infusions. A 34-year-old woman with an intrathecal pain-pump delivering fentanyl, bupivacaine, and clonidine for thoracic outlet syndrome presented with rapidly progressive neurological deficits and increasing neck and upper-extremity pain. Neuroimaging disclosed a C7–T1 mass that was thought to be a hematoma that occurred after a recent epidural steroid injection. On emergency surgical decompression by laminectomy, a chalky mass containing viscous fluid was identified surrounding an epidurally located catheter. Histop...
Overcoming antigen masking of anti-amyloidbeta antibodies reveals breaking of B cell tolerance by virus-like particles in amyloidbeta immunized amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice.

Background In prior work we detected reduced anti-Aβ antibody titers in Aβ-vaccinated transgenic mice expressing the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) compared to nontransgenic littermates. We investigated this observation further by vaccinating APP and nontransgenic mice with either the wild-type human Aβ peptide, an Aβ peptide containing the "Dutch Mutation", E22Q, or a wild-type Aβ peptide conjugated to papillomavirus virus-like particles (VLPs).
Radio-frequency losses of yba2cu3o7-δcomposite superconductors

YBa2Cu3O7- delta multi-crystalline ceramics were shaped into one-turn coils. The RF performance of the coils was evaluated by measuring the Q-value at 77 K from 1.3 to 270 MHz and comparing it with that of a Cu coil of the same geometry. The coils were also tested as NMR detection coils. In a poorly magnetically shielded environment the multicrystalline YBa2Cu3O7- delta performed less well than Cu in the frequency range studied. Q was significantly lowered by applying a magnetic field. The temperature dependence of the Q-value also was measured at 100 MHz, from 77 K to well above the superconducting phase transition temperature.
Missing Links in Genes to Traits: Toward Teaching for an Integrated Framework of Genetics

Genetics, one of the most influential fields, underlies all of biology and produces discoveries that are in the news daily. However, many students leave introductory biology and genetics courses lacking a coherent framework of knowledge to use in their daily lives. We identify substantial “missing links” in the teaching of foundational concepts in genetics that should be addressed, as well as provide examples and suggest activities toward integration. Teaching in this manner can help students build on their knowledge in more advanced courses and allow them to use this knowledge throughout their lives.
Aerodynamic and acoustic characteristics of a speaker with turbulent nasal emission: a case report.

Abstract Aerodynamic and acoustic characteristics were determined from the speech of an adult female with mild mental retardation and severe velopharyngeal inadequacy. The speaker's productions of /s/ were characterized by consistent nasal grimacing and turbulent air emission. Aerodynamic assessment estimated the size of the velopharyngeal orifice to exceed 200 mm2 during plosive production. Nasal cross-sectional area was estimated to be 35 mm2 during quiet breathing. Nasometric evaluation indicated nasalance of 63% associated with the “Zoo” passage. Acoustic analysis of the separately recorded oral and nasal speech signals indicated spectral energies in the region of approximately 2.5 to 7.0 kHz associated with nasal emission during /s/ production. The occurrence of these frequencies suggested an acoustic/perceptual function of the nasal grimace. Pressure-flow evidence also suggested that the nasal grimace, perhaps with lingual assistance, functioned to enhance speech aerodynamics.
Multiple crenulation cleavages as kinematic and incremental strain indicators

Abstract Well-foliated metasedimentary rocks within strike-slip shear zones from the Narragansett Basin of Rhode Island are deformed by superposed crenulation cleavages. Overprinting relationships between cleavage generations is consistently clockwise or anti-clockwise in sinistral and dextral shear zones, respectively, indicating that the cleavages formed during progressive non-coaxial deformation. These shear zones have a nearly ideal geometry relative to the pre-existing foliation that allowed sequential formation and rotation of each crenulation generation. In this paper, we explore the formation of these superposed crenulation cleavages and propose a method for measuring the incremental strains recorded by the cleavages. The effects of a variably oriented pre-existing foliation are considered and incorporated into the model. The superposed crenulation cleavages provide a new kinematic indicator for well-foliated rocks that records the deformation path and the associated incremental strains.
Classification of diet-modulated gene signatures at the colon cancer initiation and progression stages.

Background The effects of dietary polyunsaturated (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) on intestinal cytokinetics within the context of colon cancer initiation and progression have been extensively studied. n-3 PUFAs have received the most attention due to their potential protective role. However, further investigation of the epigenetic perturbations caused by fatty acids in the context of colon cancer development is needed.
Mechanistic Insight into the Symmetric Fission of [4Fe−4S] Analogue Complexes and Implications for Cluster Conversions in Iron−Sulfur Proteins

Assembly and disassembly of protein-bound iron-sulfur clusters are involved in a wide variety of vital biological processes, ranging from biosynthesis to regulation of biological function. The study of the fission of analogue clusters can provide valuable insight into the various reaction mechanisms that can occur in proteins as well as tests of the ability of theoretical studies to interpret experiment. Previously, we observed symmetric fission of doubly charged Fe-S cluster anions, [Fe4S4X4] 2- f 2[Fe2S2X2] - (X ) SC2H5, Cl, Br) in the gas phase, which is surprising because four strong Fe-S bonds are being broken. Here, we report a study of the detailed fission mechanism using density functional theory in conjunction with photoelectron spectroscopic results for X ) Cl. Both the experimental and theoretical results suggest that the fission daughter products are low-spin [Fe2S2Cl2] - (S ) 1 /2) species. However, the layered structure of the cubane would seem to indicate a mechanism that would give high-spin daughter products. Thus, we investigate the symmetric fission of [Fe4S4Cl4] 2- along two possible reaction pathways, involving high-spin and low-spin [Fe2S2Cl2] fragments, respectively. Though the high-spin channel is endothermic by 1.34 eV with a high barrier of 2.65 eV, the reaction along the low-spin fission channel is more favorable with an exothermicity of 0.53 eV and a lower barrier of 1.51 eV. Two intermediates are observed along the low-spin fission channel, a spin-localized cubane [Fe4S4Cl4] 2- cluster, which contains two valence-localized Fe 3+ centers and two valence-localized Fe 2+ centers, and a half-opened [Fe4S4Cl4] 2- cluster. The spin-localized cluster is crucial to breaking the four strong Fe-S bonds in the symmetric fission.
Observation of Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic Signals in the Ocean

Since magnetic signals recordable on the deep sea floor are very small and since records of long duration must be obtained to extend the frequency range abruptly limited on the high end by ocean shielding, sea floor magnetic variographs depend critically on long term stability. Temperature effects are not limiting since temperature variations at great oceanic depth are minimal, but stability of position in situ at landing depends on little known as well as little controllable conditions.Magnetic variations on the sea floor are presently carried out almost exclusively by means of self contained magnetic variographs (often simply called magnetometers) freely traveling between ocean surface and bottom. The sensors are flux gates, thinfilm single domain transducers and suspended magnets with optical readout. In the first two cases, the achieved stability is dependent upon the stability of the cancelling field and associated electronic circuitry. In suspended magnet types, initial torsion of the suspension fibers can relax the requirements upon electronics considerably.Electric field recording on the sea floor by means of long lines requires a sufficiently large separation to minimize effectively electrode drift. Azimuth and electrode separation must be established with adequate accuracy, a non-trivial requirement. Electrode drift can be eliminated within the frequency range of interest —below a few cycles per minute— by electrode switching. This technique leads to more compact instruments. Its implementation is illustrated in detail.Meaningful electromagnetic observations related to oceanic signals are also made at the periphery of continents or on islands by means of wires specially laid locally or by means of abandoned transoceanic cables.
Juries, Judges, and Democracy

Tocqueville describes the American jury as "pre-eminently a political institution."' A century and a half later, his remark presents a puzzle. In what sense is the jury "political"? The implication is of active participation in social governance, in the solution of public questions, but such a function is hard to identify. After all, we now have an elaborate procedural framework designed to limit the jury's power to the very narrow realm of fact-finding. It is supposed to tell us what happened. Having done as much, the outcome of the case should follow syllogistically, in light of the trial judge's interpretation of already determined legal doctrine. It is true that occasionally juries seem to run off the tracks, rendering verdicts that appear either to disregard judicial instruction or to be based on bizarre conclusions about the facts.2 But such events are erratic and widely perceived to be illegitimate. As such, they underscore the far more benign function the jury is supposed to serve and ordinarily does. Disregarding postmodern doubts about the possibility of objective, disinterested factfinding, how is it possible to conceive of the jury in political terms?
Fundamental Interactions of Laserswith Dental Hard Tissues

Summary In order to choose the laser conditions that will be best suited for a particular application in dentistry, knowledge of the fundamental interactions of lasers with the tissues is necessary. Lasers interactions with tissue are complicated and no single parameter alone will determine how the laser affects the tissue. Dental hard tissue applications include ablation of carious lesions, cavity preparation for restoration, caries detection, endodontic surgery, and the potential for caries preventive therapy. The parameters of prime concern in understanding desirable or undesirable tissue effects are wavelength, pulse duration, absorption properties, scattering, energy, fluence (energy/surface area), power density, repetition rate, number of pulses, pulse duration and pulse shape. A range of laser parameters has been found with which dental enamel can be treated to make it resistant to subsequent dissolution by acid during dental caries. Our studies have demonstrated that treatment of enamel by specific pulsed carbon dioxide laser irradiation can markedly inhibit subsequent caries progression. During irradiation, heat causes carbonate loss from the carbonated hydroxyapatite mineral, converting it into a low solubility hydroxyapatite-like calcium phosphate. By carefully choosing the parameters it is possible to produce a laser that can selectively remove carious tissue, leading to a conservative cavity preparation, and also providing protection against later caries challenges.
Bronchodilatory and Cardiovascular Effects of Metaproterenol

Until recently, the methods which were available for evaluating bronchodilator drugs in the intact animal did not yield quantitative data which were primarily related to the smooth muscle tone of the airways. In the present study a technique was employed which yielded direct measurements of the total lung resistance to airflow. Since pulmonary resistance values depend directly on the dimensions of the airways, their magnitude is very sensitive to changes in the smooth muscle tone of the tracheobronchial tree. Metaproterenol [1-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-isopropyl-amino-ethanol sulfate], a new beta-adrenergic stimulant, inhibited the increase in total lung resistance evoked by histamine aerosol. The drug was effective in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing dogs when administered as a 2 percent aerosolized solution. A series of experiments was designed to compare the cardiovascular effects which followed inhalation of a therapeutic dose of metaproterenol with those which occurred following a similar dose of isoproterenol in anesthetized dogs. The positive chronotropic effect and the increase in pulse pressure were more pronounced after metaproterenol inhalation than after isoproterenol inhalation. However, the hypotensive effect of isoproterenol was somewhat greater than that of metaproterenol.
Frequency modulation spectroscopy with second harmonic detection

La demodulation du second harmonique permet d'obtenir un meilleur rapport signal sur bruit avec des lasers a largeur de raie relativement large
Friends, fun, frustration and fantasy: Child motivations for video game play

Although a considerable amount of attention has examined potential positive and negative consequences of video game play in children, relatively little research has examined children’s motivations for using games. The current study hopes to address this gap in the literature by examining children’s motivations for video game play in a large sample of youth (n = 1254). Results indicated that video game use was common, and often a social activity. Social play was mainly predicted by motivations related to socialization, fun/challenge and current stress level. Preference for violent games was more common in males and predicted by fun/challenge motivations and beliefs such games could be cathartic for stress. Children with clinically elevated levels of depressive and ADHD symptoms did not play more games, or more violent games, but were more inclined to endorse catharsis motivations for video game use. Results from this study provide understanding of what motivates children to use games, and how the motivations of children with symptoms of psychosocial problems (as identified via subscales of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist) may differ from others.
Specificity and immunochemical properties of antibodies to bacterial DNA in sera of normal human subjects and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

To elucidate the mechanisms of anti-DNA production, we assessed the binding of sera of normal human subjects (NHS) and patients with SLE to a panel of bacterial and mammalian DNA. Using single-stranded DNA as antigens in an ELISA, NHS showed significant binding to some but not all bacterial DNA, while lacking reactivity to calf thymus DNA. Among bacterial DNA, the highest levels of binding were observed with DNA from Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Staphylococcus aureus. In contrast, SLE sera showed high levels of binding to all DNA tested. To evaluate further immunochemical properties of the anti-DNA antibodies, the subclass distribution of these responses was evaluated by subclass-specific reagents. While NHS showed a predominance of IgG2 antibodies to bacterial DNA, SLE sera had a predominance of IgG1 antibodies to these antigens. Together, these results provide further evidence for the antigenicity of bacterial DNA and suggest that NHS and SLE anti-DNA differ in the patterns of epitope recognition as well as mechanisms of induction.
Epstein-Barr virus in head and neck cancer assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction

Objectives/Hypothesis: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has classically been associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Burkitt's lymphoma. Recently, multiple studies have been published linking EBV with oral squamous cell carcinoma and, to a lesser extent, hypopharyngeal and laryngeal tumors. Using a sensitive method of detection, the authors sought to analyze the presence and quantity of EBV DNA in a large cohort of head and neck cancers. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Three hundred head and neck cancer samples exclusive of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were examined for the presence of EBV using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Eighty-four tumor samples from the larynx, 30 from the hypopharynx, 73 from the oropharynx, and 113 from the oral cavity were analyzed for EBV quantity, which was expressed as the number of viral copies per cell genome. Representative samples, which contained the highest EBV DNA levels, were examined using in situ hybridization. Results were correlated with tumor grade and site and tobacco and alcohol exposure. Results: Three of 300 (1%) tumor samples were overtly positive for EBV DNA (defined as >0.1 copies of viral DNA/cell genome). Five of 300 (2%) tumor samples showed low levels (defined as >0.01 and <0.1 copies of viral DNA/cell genome), and 68 of 300 tumor samples (23%) showed trace levels (defined as < 0.01 copies of viral DNA/cell genome) of EBV DNA. No correlation was found between EBV positivity and tobacco exposure, alcohol exposure, or tumor grade. Conclusion: In the overwhelming majority of head and neck cancers in this North American cohort, EBV did not appear to contribute to growth of a dominant clonal population with integrated EBV genome and was unlikely to be a genetic etiological agent in tumor development. The low quantities of EBV detected in a minority of head and neck cancers may be related to the presence of EBV genome in rare lymphoid or epithelial cells adjacent to the primary head and neck cancer.
Sensitivity to rewarding or aversive effects of methamphetamine determines methamphetamine intake.

Amphetamines have rewarding and aversive effects. Relative sensitivity to these effects may be a better predictor of vulnerability to addiction than sensitivity to one of these effects alone. We tested this hypothesis in a dose-response study in a second replicate set of mouse lines selectively bred for high vs low methamphetamine (MA) drinking (MADR). Replicate 2 high (MAHDR-2) and low (MALDR-2) MA drinking mice were bred based on MA consumption in a two-bottle choice procedure, and examined for novel tastant drinking. Sensitivities to the rewarding and aversive effects of several doses of MA (0.5, 2, and 4 mg/kg) were measured using a place conditioning procedure. After conditioning, mice were tested in a drug-free and then drug-present state for time spent in the saline- and MA-paired contexts. Similar to the first set of MADR lines, by the end of selection, MAHDR-2 mice consumed about 6 mg MA/kg/18 h, compared to nearly no MA in MALDR-2 mice, but had similar taste preference ratios. MAHDR-2 mice exhibited place preference in both the drug-free and drug-present tests, and no significant place aversion. In contrast, MALDR-2 mice exhibited no place preference or aversion during the drug-free test, but robust place aversion in the drug-present test. These data extend our preliminary findings from the first set of MADR lines, and support the hypothesis that the combination of greater sensitivity to the rewarding effects of MA and insensitivity to the aversive effects of MA is genetically associated with heightened risk for MA consumption.
The relationship between death anxiety and attitudes toward the elderly among nursing staff

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between death anxiety and attitudes toward the elderly among nursing staff in nursing homes. Questionnaires were distributed to all 310 full-time nursing staff members in six nursing homes; 159 usable questionnaires (51 percent) were returned. The self-administered packet consisted of Tempter's Death Anxiety Scale to determine high and low death anxiety groups, Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz to identify positive or negative attitudes toward the elderly, and a self-developed demographic data questionnaire. A t-test was used to compare the mean attiude toward the elderly scores of the high and low death anxiety groups. Nursing staff with high levels of death anxiety had significantly more negative attitudes toward the elderly than nursing staff with low levels of death anxiety (t = 2.52; p<C.01). A correlation coefficient was also used to analyze the relationship between death anxiety and attitudes toward the elderly for the entire study ...