cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4404: Post-transcriptional regulation of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) by the microRNAs mir27a and mir27b

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The pyrimidine analog 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and its prodrug capecitabine are prescribed widely for the management of several common cancers, including colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancers. 5-FU is activated by conversion to cytotoxic metabolites via the pyrimidine anabolic pathway. In the opposing catabolic pathway, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD, encoded by the DPYD gene) initiates rapid and irreversible conversion of greater than 80% of administered 5-FU to inactive metabolites and limits the pool of 5-FU available for anabolism. Deficiency of DPD has been associated with adverse effects to 5-FU treatment, including mucositis, severe diarrhea, neurotoxicity, and life-threatening hematological toxicity, making DPD activity a potentially important predictor of 5-FU toxicity. Despite considerable study of the DPYD gene and its promoter, little is known about the post-transcriptional regulation of DPD expression at the molecular level. The objective of this study was to determine if DPD expression undergoes microRNA-mediated regulation. Computational analysis of the DPYD 3’ untranslated region (UTR) revealed an evolutionarily conserved seed-binding region for the microRNAs mir27a and mir27b. This finding prompted the hypothesis that both mir27a and mir27b are capable of modulating DPD expression. To determine if mir27a and/or mir27b bind to the DPYD 3’ UTR, HCT116 cells lines were engineered to stably express luciferase reporter constructs wherein the luciferase gene was modified to contain the 3’ UTR sequence from DPYD. As controls, stable cells lines containing mutations in the putative microRNA-binding region were generated concurrently. Two colon cancer cell lines (HT29 and HCT15) were also utilized to determine if mir27a and/or mir27b could modulate endogenous DPD expression. In cell lines expressing the luciferase gene juxtaposed to the DPYD 3’UTR, mimics of mir27a or mir27b resulted in significantly reduced luciferase activity relative to scramble control microRNA. Luciferase levels in mir27a or mir27b transfected lines were also significantly reduced compared to stable luciferase-expressing cells harboring the mutant UTR construct. Over-expression of small RNA inhibitors directed toward mir27a or mir27b led to increased luciferase activity in cells containing the wildtype UTR construct. Finally, over-expression of mir27a or mir27b significantly reduced endogenous DPD expression in both HT29 and HCT15 cells. Based on these findings, we conclude that mir27a and mir27b are capable of post-transcriptional regulation of DPD. To our knowledge this is the first report to show microRNA-mediated modulation of DPD expression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4404. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4404
Prostatic Artery Embolization After Failed Urological Interventions for Benign Prostatic Obstruction: A Case Series of Three Patients

Benign prostate obstruction with associated lower urinary tract symptoms is a common diagnosis with multiple minimally invasive treatment options available. Herein, the authors describe three patients who failed prior different urological interventions who underwent prostate artery embolization with a subsequent improvement in symptoms. The positive response suggests that embolization may be an effective treatment alternative in this subset of patients.
Early change in lactate dehydrogenase is marker of response to PD-1/PDL1 inhibitors.

e20045 Background: Elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a known negative prognostic marker in patients (pts) with metastatic melanoma (MM) and may predict lack of response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 age...
Radiolysis driven changes to oxide stability during irradiation-corrosion of 316L stainless steel in high temperature water

Abstract 316L stainless steel samples were irradiated with a proton beam while simultaneously exposed to high temperature water with hydrogen (320 °C, 3 wppm H 2 , neutral pH) to study the effect of radiation on corrosion. The inner oxides on irradiated samples were found to be depleted in chromium when compared to the inner oxides on unirradiated samples exposed to the same conditions. Additionally, hematite was found on the oxide surfaces of irradiated samples, but not on unirradiated samples. Sample areas which were not directly irradiated but were exposed to the flow of irradiated water also exhibited chromium-deficient inner oxides and had hematite on their surfaces, so it is concluded that water radiolysis is the primary driver of both effects. Thermodynamic calculations and radiolysis modeling were used to show that radiolytic production of hydrogen peroxide was sufficient to raise corrosion potential high enough to cause the dissolution of chromium-rich spinel oxides which make up the inner oxide layer on stainless steel in high temperature water.
The Experience of Essential Tremor Caregivers: Burden and Its Correlates.

Background Essential tremor (ET) is associated with physical and cognitive impairments, as well as embarrassment, avoidance of social settings, and related difficulties that negatively impact the lives of patients. In similar disease contexts, burden on friends and relatives acting as caregivers has been noted and has well-documented implications. There has been no study examining caregiver burden related to ET. Methods Data were gathered from 55 ET participants enrolled in a clinical study and their caregivers. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-12) was used to assess caregiver burden. To assess clinical features that may be associated with burden, we collected several variables including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), self-reported tremor disability, a videotaped neurological examination, questionnaires assessing ET participants’ suffering, caregivers’ perceptions of that suffering, and both caregiver and ET participant depressive symptoms. Spearman’s correlations were performed between caregiver burden and clinical features, and we created a multivariate linear regression model predicting caregiver burden. Results Many ET caregivers provide little to no care and experience little to no burden. However, some caregivers (11%) provide over 25 hours of care/week, and 13% experience high levels of burden. Caregivers most commonly provided assistance with writing and cooking. Increased burden was associated with the ET participants’ decreased cognition, more caregiving tasks, more hours/week of caregiving activities, a longer duration of care, more ET participant falls/year, more medications taken by the ET participant, and more depressive symptoms in both the ET participant and the caregiver (all p <0.05). ET participants’ suffering and their caregivers’ perceptions of suffering were both associated with increased burden. Neither tremor severity score nor self-reported tremor disability score was associated with increased caregiver burden. Using a multivariate linear regression model, we found that caregivers’ increased perception of their partners’ suffering was the best predictor of caregiver burden. Conclusions While not all relatives and friends of ET patients provide extensive care or experience high burden, there is a group reporting high levels of caregiver burden that requires the attention and counseling of clinicians. This burden is associated with primarily non-tremor symptoms of ET and with caregivers’ perception that their partners are suffering.
Romanian Hydrography – Over 100 Years of History

The evolution of the Romanian hydrography, with an over 100 years of history, closely followed the Romanian Navy history. Since the Union of the Romanian Principalities until now, Romanian Navy has developed from a small river flotilla to the today Romanian Naval Forces, which includes the Romanian Maritime Hydrographic Directorate (M.H.D.). Today M.H.D. is the Romanian national authority in the field of maritime hydrography, with its operating own national law. This paper presents the centenary history of Romanian hydrography in parallel with the Romanian national history, as well as the Romanian Navy history.
Visualizing functional motions of membrane transporters with molecular dynamics simulations.

Computational modeling and molecular simulation techniques have become an integral part of modern molecular research. Various areas of molecular sciences continue to benefit from, indeed rely on, the unparalleled spatial and temporal resolutions offered by these technologies, to provide a more complete picture of the molecular problems at hand. Because of the continuous development of more efficient algorithms harvesting ever-expanding computational resources, and the emergence of more advanced and novel theories and methodologies, the scope of computational studies has expanded significantly over the past decade, now including much larger molecular systems and far more complex molecular phenomena. Among the various computer modeling techniques, the application of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and related techniques has particularly drawn attention in biomolecular research, because of the ability of the method to describe the dynamical nature of the molecular systems and thereby to provide a more rea...
Welfare and Worker Representation

In an earlier chapter in this book — devoted to the international competitiveness of Western Europe, the author did raise the question of the relatively high social security costs for European enterprises (with the exception of Britain) when compared with those borne by their American and Japanese competitors. Linked with this question is that of the relative inflexibility of many of the labour laws in Western Europe.
Review: Newer second-line drugs for diabetes are not more cost-effective than sulfonylureas.

Source Citation CADTH Therapeutic Reviews. New drugs for type 2 diabetes: second-line therapy–science report. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; Sep 2017.
Types of LGBT Microaggressions in Counselor Education Programs

Although previous research has identified common types of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) microaggressions, there is a lack of research that describes the specific experiences of LGBT st...
Lipid management in ACS: Should we go lower faster?

Abstract Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-accepted causal risk factor for athero-thrombotic cardiovascular disease, as demonstrated in large epidemiological studies, including Mendelian randomization data. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyzes have shown that lipid lowering therapies, such as statins and more recently the non-statin agents ezetimibe and Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibodies (mAb), reduce cardiovascular events across a broad range of baseline LDL-C levels. Over time, the recommended target for LDL-C has become more stringent, moving from 2.6 mmol/l to 1.8 mmol/l in very high-risk patients. It is currently recommended to start high intensity statin treatment immediately after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) to maximally and rapidly reduce LDL-C. The novel treatment options enable the achievement of very low LDL-C levels below 1 mmol/l, with no reported safety issues, in particular with regard to neurocognitive events. However, current evidence supports the use of PCSK9 mAb treatment in ACS patients only after an initial 2–3 month run-up treatment adaptation period with maximally tolerated statin. The use of PCSK9 mAb immediately in the acute phase of ACS (
School Leadership Reforms: Filtering Social Justice through Dominant Discourses.

Do administrative licensure policy reforms address social justice concerns? By analyzing the policy discourse (in interviews and documents) in Indiana and North Carolina, this article shows that po...
Life in the Extreme: New Prokaryotes Living in High Temperature Low pH Environments

There are a number of new organisms that live in acid hot springs that we now know about. These organisms live at about the temperature optimum of Sulfolobus (~70°C) and significantly above that optimum. These organisms grow well below the 105°C temperature optimum of Pyrolobus fumarii, the most extreme thermophile known (Stetter, 1982). The new prokaryotes may belong both to Archaea, like Sulfolobus and to the Bacteria. They were discovered in the acid hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, WY, U.S.A. In hot spring outflow channels with sulfur crystals the presence of Sulfolobus was rapidly confirmed in most samples, and at temperatures below 80°C rod shaped organisms were also present. In mixing pools rods were present at temperatures up to about 89°C. My analysis of these new organisms appears in the sections below.
Impaired Cytoplasmic Ionized Calcium Mobilization in Inherited Platelet Secretion Defects

Defects in platelet cytoplasmic Ca++ mobilization have been postulated but not well demonstrated in patients with inherited platelet secretion defects. We describe studies in a 42-year-old white woman, referred for evaluation of easy bruising, and her 23-year-old son. In both subjects, aggregation and 14C-serotonin secretion responses in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), epinephrine, platelet activating factor (PAF), arachidonic acid (AA), U46619, and ionophore A23187 were markedly impaired. Platelet ADP and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), contents and thromboxane synthesis induced by thrombin and AA were normal. In quin2-loaded platelets, the basal intracellular Ca++ concentration, [Ca++]i, was normal; however, peak [Ca++]i measured in the presence of 1 mmol/L external Ca++ was consistently diminished following activation with ADP (25 mumol/L), PAF (20 mumol/L), collagen (5 micrograms/mL), U46619 (1 mumol/L), and thrombin (0.05 to 0.5 U/mL). In aequorin-loaded platelets, the peak [Ca++]i studied following thrombin (0.05 and 0.5 U/mL) stimulation was diminished. Myosin light chain phosphorylation following thrombin (0.05 to 0.5 U/mL) stimulation was comparable with that in the normal controls, while with ADP (25 mumol/L) it was more strikingly impaired in the propositus. We provide direct evidence that at least in some patients with inherited platelet secretion defects, agonist-induced Ca++ mobilization is impaired. This may be related to defects in phospholipase C activation. These patients provide a unique opportunity to obtain new insights into Ca++ mobilization in platelets.
Antenna Placement Optimization for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications

Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology has the potential to significantly enhance driver safety. The type, placement, and orientation of V2V antennas all affect the performance of the communication system. Simulation software for high frequency electro magnetics can be used to analyze the far-field effects of various vehicle antenna configurations without the need to perform physical testing. We present a simulation-based method for optimizing the placement and orientation of a monopole antenna on a vehicle using a Global Response Surface Method (GRSM). The resulting antenna configuration emits a stronger and more uniform far-field pattern while insuring a minimal reflection coefficient. A full-wave method; namely, the Multi-Level Fast Multipole Method (MLFMM), is used to perform the analysis of the antenna mounted atop a vehicle. This process has the potential to improve the performance and reduce the cost and design time of V2V antenna systems.
Gender-switching strategies in the activity of tsinampantsi ‘joking’ among Northern Kampa Arawaks of Peru

Abstract Among Northern Kampas, the linguistically creative production of tsinampantsi by non-kin and affines intends – apart from having fun – to initiate an intimate relationship or affirm the intimacy of the existing interpersonal relationship. Northern Kampa participants of tsinampantsi ‘joking’ often resort to gender-switching strategies for jocular effects. Creatively playing with linguistic gender marking is characteristic of tsinampantsi-joking conduct. The study’s findings revealed that there are variable lexicogrammatical means for accomplishing the man > woman gender switch. Two basic gender-switching strategies are deployed: manipulation of person marking indexes and deployment of derivational morphology. The verbal person marking strategy is the most basic and most common means of indicating gender switches, whereas derivational morphology functions as a supplementary technique. In gender reversals, participation structure (production and reception roles) is predominantly coded by third person (other-role) markers on the verb. The woman > man direction of gender reversals is uncommon in joking sequences.
Prior Heart Failure Hospitalization and Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction

Abstract Background A prior hospitalization resulting from heart failure is associated with poor outcomes in ambulatory patients with heart failure. Less is known about this association in hospitalized patients with heart failure and whether it varies by ejection fraction. Methods Of the 25,345 hospitalized patients in the Medicare-linked OPTIMIZE-HF registry, 22,491 had known heart failure, of whom 7648 and 9558 had heart failure with preserved (≥ 50%) and reduced (≤ 40%) ejection fraction (HFpEF and HFrEF), respectively. Overall, 927 and 1862 patients with HFpEF and HFrEF had hospitalizations for heart failure during the 6 months before the index hospitalization, respectively. Using propensity scores for prior heart failure hospitalization, we assembled two matched cohorts of 924 pairs and 1844 pairs of patients with HFpEF and HFrEF, respectively, each balanced for 58 baseline characteristics. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for outcomes during 6 years of follow-up. Results Among 1848 matched patients with HFpEF, HRs (95% CIs) for all-cause mortality, all-cause readmission, and heart failure readmission were 1.35 (1.21-1.50; P Conclusions Among hospitalized patients with heart failure, a previous hospitalization for heart failure is associated with higher risks of mortality and readmission in both HFpEF and HFrEF. The relative risks of death and heart failure readmission appear to be higher in HFpEF than in HFrEF.
Neutron diagnostics for the physics of a high-field, compact, Q ≥ 1 tokamak

Abstract Advancements in high temperature superconducting technology have opened a path toward high-field, compact fusion devices. This new parameter space introduces both opportunities and challenges for diagnosis of the plasma. This paper presents a physics review of a neutron diagnostic suite for a SPARC-like tokamak [Greenwald et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/OYYBNU ]. A notional neutronics model was constructed using plasma parameters from a conceptual device, called the MQ1 (Mission Q ≥ 1) tokamak. The suite includes time-resolved micro-fission chamber (MFC) neutron flux monitors, energy-resolved radial and tangential magnetic proton recoil (MPR) neutron spectrometers, and a neutron camera system (radial and off-vertical) for spatially-resolved measurements of neutron emissivity. Geometries of the tokamak, neutron source, and diagnostics were modeled in the Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code MCNP6 to simulate expected signal and background levels of particle fluxes and energy spectra. From these, measurements of fusion power, neutron flux and fluence are feasible by the MFCs, and the number of independent measurements required for 95% confidence of a fusion gain Q ≥ 1 is assessed. The MPR spectrometer is found to consistently overpredict the ion temperature and also have a 1000× improved detection of alpha knock-on neutrons compared to previous experiments. The deuterium-tritium fuel density ratio, however, is measurable in this setup only for trace levels of tritium, with an upper limit of nT/nD ≈ 6%, motivating further diagnostic exploration. Finally, modeling suggests that in order to adequately measure the self-heating profile, the neutron camera system will require energy and pulse-shape discrimination to suppress otherwise overwhelming fluxes of low energy neutrons and gamma radiation.
Timberland investments in the United States: A review and prospects

Abstract In this study, 68 peer-reviewed journal articles in timberland investments in the United States published after 1980 are reviewed. Prior to the synthesis, the history of modern timberland investments, investment vehicles and return indices are summarized. Then, the literature is categorized into four groups, i.e., role of timberland in a portfolio, pricing of timberland assets, public timber real estate investment trusts and other relevant topics, and discussed respectively. The analysis suggests that timberland is a risk diversifier in a portfolio whether standard deviation or value-at-risk is used as the risk metric, that classic asset pricing models have difficulty in pricing private-equity timberland assets resulting in significant alpha, that timber REITs have some risk-reduction ability but no excess returns, and that bioenergy market and contractual rights and obligations on the properties may affect cash rewards from timberland investments. At the end, some concluding remarks and potential future research issues are presented.
Redesigning audiences in technical communication

This paper examines changing approaches for understanding audience in Technical Communication. By analyzing shifts in audience theory, it defines a distributed network audience (DNA) theory reconfiguring the boundaries of what an audience is for digital composition. It draws upon distributed usability of user network influences for redefining audience and how that audience affects local and hypermediated networks of both human and nonhuman actors. Further, this paper offers insights for teaching this audience concept to maximize the impact of digital communication designs. It posits that we may appeal to conventional, positive multimedia experiences, design responsively to accommodate user participation, provide clear, learnable, memorable, and usable communications, curate connections between distributed resources, and shape nonhuman references to support and constrain communication. Therefore, this paper formulates a framework for a distributed network audience theory that reassembles many of the sociocultural and technological boundaries of technical audiences and offers new teachable directions.
Historical Aspects of Equine Embryo Transfer.

Abstract Early embryo transfer in equids was undertaken simultaneously in the early 1970s in Cambridge, England, and Kyoto, Japan. Both groups achieved limited success when flushing the uterine horn ipsilateral to the side of ovulation but the rates improved markedly when the whole uterus was flushed on realization of the continued movement of the embryo throughout the uterine lumen after day 6. Initial transfers of embryos to recipient mares were carried out surgically, but nonsurgical transfer via the cervix has been used subsequently with increasing success, culminating in pregnancy rates of 75%–90% today. Experimental use of embryo transfer in horses and donkeys demonstrated the unique ability of equids to carry to term a full range of interspecies hybrid conceptuses and extraspecies pregnancies created by embryo transfer. Furthermore, splitting of day 4–8 cell embryos and day 6 compact morulae allowed the creation of genetically identical twin foals. But despite these and other significant advances over the past 45 years, a persisting limitation is the relatively low embryo recovery rates from donor mares treated with exogenous gonadotropins in attempts to induce them to superovulate. This is due to the toughness of the ovarian tunica albuginea which forces ovulation through the ventrally situated ovulation fossa where multiple follicles compete with each other and luteinize before they can ovulate properly.
Changes in Ecosystem Nitrogen and Carbon Allocation with Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans) Encroachment into Spartina alterniflora Salt Marsh

Increases in temperature are expected to facilitate encroachment of tropical mangrove forests into temperate salt marshes, yet the effects on ecosystem services are understudied. Our work was conducted along a mangrove expansion front in Louisiana (USA), an area where coastal wetlands are in rapid decline due to compounding factors, including reduced sediment supply, rising sea level, and subsidence. Marsh and mangrove ecosystems are each known for their ability to adjust to sea-level rise and support numerous ecosystem services, but there are some differences in the societal benefits they provide. Here, we compare carbon and nitrogen stocks and relate these findings to the expected effects of mangrove encroachment on nitrogen filtration and carbon sequestration in coastal wetlands. We specifically evaluate the implications of black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) encroachment into Spartina alterniflora-dominated salt marsh. Our results indicate that black mangrove encroachment will lead to increased aboveground carbon and nitrogen stocks. However, we found no differences in belowground (that is, root and sediment) nitrogen or carbon stocks between marshes and mangroves. Thus, the shift from marsh to mangrove may provide decadal-scale increases in aboveground nitrogen and carbon sequestration, but belowground nitrogen and carbon sequestration (that is, carbon burial) may not be affected. We measured lower pore water nitrogen content beneath growing mangroves, which we postulate may be due to greater nitrogen uptake and storage in mangrove aboveground compartments compared to marshes. However, further studies are needed to better characterize the implications of mangrove encroachment on nitrogen cycling, storage, and export to the coastal ocean.
Environmental conditions influence eDNA particle size distribution in aquatic systems

© 2020 The Authors. Environmental DNA published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Hermeneutics and Orientation: Retracing the ‘Sciences of the Spirit’ (Geisteswissenschaften) in the Education-Related Writings of Fichte, Schleiermacher and Novalis

In this chapter, Fichte and Schleiermacher’s rival submissions for the founding of the University of Berlin are made the subject of a brief comparative analysis. The article begins by tracing out the effective history of both founders’ respective views on optimal program design, the nature of academic disciplines and such hallmarks of Berlin’s educational philosophy as academic freedom and the autonomy of research. The question is then raised, whether later readings, from the hermeneutical traditions of the early twentieth century, indicating the human sciences were first mobilized as a distinctive part of the University of Berlin’s break with older traditions, and that this occurred roughly at the same time that hermeneutics was being expanded into the Berlin-theology curriculum during Schleiermacher’s tenure there, are accurate. This commonplace interpretation, like the ‘myth of Humboldt’ itself, is shown to poorly fit the facts. By contrast, the article provides strong reasons for rethinking the importance of Schleiermacher’s close confidant Novalis’ contributions to the cultural debate about romanticist education—contributions which live up to the literal meaning contained in the phrase, ‘sciences of the spirit’— and demonstrates that Novalis’ influence helps Schleiermacher extend Fichte’s ‘artistic’ approach to self-knowledge and buttresses Schleiermacher’s trans-critical approach to teaching and learning. In closing, the chapter suggests that Schleiermacher’s turn toward hermeneutics, in his own symposia-like seminars, acknowledges the unique problems faced by grounding the university in a time of cultural recession and foreign occupation, and that academic philosophy at the University of Berlin in its first turbulent decade had more to do with the socio-political problems of cultural orientation in occupied Prussia, than with refining pedagogical ways for parsing textual meaning in the classroom. Finally, the lasting contribution of the Berlin model remains its unique synthesis of forensic and collaborative forums for teaching and learning (Konversatorien; Seminaria), which fused the opposing viewpoints of Fichte and Schleiermacher into an institutionally effective design innovation, and breathed new, educational, life into the Socratic method.
Correlation between SF 6 Decomposed Products and Defect Type and Partial Discharge State in DC GIS

In order to study the relationship between SF 6 decomposed products and the type and severity of the insulation defect in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), two defect models of metal tip and free metal particle were developed, and the pulse signal characteristics during the partial discharge (PD) development process were studied. It is proposed to use $q_{v}$ and $n_{v}$ as the characteristic parameters to divide the PD development process into three stages. Then, the SF 6 decomposition experiment was carried out in each PD stage. The results showed that SF 6 was decomposed and produced stable products such as CF 4 , SO 2 , CO 2 , SO 2 F 2 and SOF 2 . Under the tip defect, CO 2 , SO 2 F 2 and SOF2 were the main decomposed products; under the particle defect, SOF 2 was the main product. Finally, the correlations between the concentration and defect type, as well as the concentration ratio and PD state were studied separately. It is proposed to use $C(\text{CO}_{2}),\ C(\text{SO}_{2}\mathrm{F}_{2})$ and $C(\text{SOF}_{2})$ to identify the two defects, and use $R(\text{CF}_{4}/\text{CO}_{2})$ and $R[\text{SO}_{2}\mathrm{F}_{2}/(\text{SOF}_{2}+\text{SO}_{2})]$ to assess the PD state of two defects.
“Unarmed Prophets Have Always Been Destroyed, Whereas Armed Prophets Have Succeeded:” Machiavelli’s Portrayal in the Assassin’s Creed Series

This contribution analyzes the character of Machiavelli in the popular video game series Assassin’s Creed. According to the author, Niccolo’s representation in the AC series as a digital, interactive narrative medium and related gamers’ reception shows that it generated interest in Machiavelli the historical character, his real life, times and works, even pushing users to fact-check events and Niccolo’s words and compare them with the actual text of The Prince. Moreover, the interactive nature of the medium responds well to contemporary modes of, and needs for, media consumption in contemporary society. For these reasons, the author also shows how video games such as Assassin’s Creed can effectively deliver cultural content and can be used as a learning device in class.
Cannabis Use in Patients Seen in an Academic Radiation Oncology Department.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Cannabis use rates are increasing throughout the United States along with shifts in state-level policy. Patients with cancer use cannabis for a broad range of indications, but there is limited quality data to support many of these uses. To date, few studies have sought to understand cannabis use in populations of patients served by radiation oncology departments. MATERIALS/METHODS Standardized electronic medical record prompts were used by clinicians for cannabis history documentation for 1050 adult patients seen for initial consultation or follow-up between 10/2020 and 2/2021 at an academic radiation oncology department. Cannabis use data, including recency/frequency of use, indication, and mode of administration, were later gathered using the Michigan Radiation Oncology Analytics Resource (M-ROAR) under an IRB-approved protocol. Cannabis use characteristics were summarized, and logistic regression was used to explore associations between age and gender and recent cannabis use. RESULTS In total, 54 (5.1%) of 1050 unique patients declined to answer questions about cannabis use. Of the remaining 996 patients, 106 (10.6%) endorsed recent cannabis use (≤1 month ago), 71 (7.1%) noted remote use (> 1 month ago), and 819 (82.2%) denied history of cannabis use. The median age of those with recent cannabis use was 59.5 (IQR: 49.7-66.4) vs. 65.4 (IQR: 57.1-73.5) in all others. A multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an association between age (OR 0.96; 95% CI: 0.95-0.97; P < 0.001) but not gender (male OR 1.24; 95% CI: 0.82-1.88; P = 0.310) and recent cannabis use. Patients noted pain (46.2%), anxiety (23.6%), insomnia (17.9%), "for the high" (17.0%), nausea (15.1%), poor appetite (14.2%), "to fight cancer" (4.7%), and depression (1.9%) as indications for use. The most common mode of administration was inhalation via smoking (47.2%), followed by oral (edibles, 36.8%), topical (15.1%), oral (drinks, 4.7%), vaping (3.8%), sublingual (1.0%), and rectal (1.0%). Most patients used cannabis daily (58.5%). Only 4 individuals (3.8%) noted use multiple times daily, while the remainder endorsed weekly (20.8%) or less than weekly (17.0%) use. CONCLUSION Approximately 10% of patients seen in a radiation oncology department reported recent cannabis use for a variety of reasons. These findings suggest a need for: 1) collection of cannabis use history in radiation oncology departments, 2) efforts to destigmatize cannabis use to facilitate frank discussions between patients and providers, 3) patient education about the fact that cannabis is not an evidence-based cancer treatment, 4) recommendation against inhaled forms of cannabis, which may carry risk of pulmonary toxicity, and 5) careful application of proven therapies to address symptoms when appropriate to provide alternatives to cannabis. Further research is needed to assess changes in cannabis use patterns over the course of cancer treatment and to evaluate risks and benefits of cannabis use in patients with cancer.
Organization and plasticity of GABA neurons and receptors in monkey visual cortex.

Publisher Summary Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons, the principal mediators of intracortical inhibition, are a heterogeneous group that displays marked diversity in morphological and chemical characteristics. The GABA neurons of monkey area 17 are a morphologically and chemically heterogeneous population of interneurons that are normally distributed most densely within the geniculocortical recipient zones of the visual cortex. In adult monkeys, which are deprived of visual input from one eye, the levels of immunoreactivity for GABA and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) within neurons of these geniculocortical zones are reduced. Similar changes are seen in the levels of proteins that make up the GABAA receptor subtype. The effects of monocular deprivation on other substances suggest that specific types of GABA neurons, such as those in which the tachykinin neuropeptide family and parvalbumin coexist with GABA, are greatly influenced by changes in visual input. The fact that some proteins remain normal within deprived-eye neurons and other proteins are increased indicates that the changes in the GABA cells of the cortex are not the result of a general reduction in protein synthesis.
Role of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling on exchange-bias propagation

Interactions at the atomic scale induce magnetism such as ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism, or antiferromagnetism in solids. Heterogeneous multilayer structure stacked by them is extremely versatile from the technological and scientific points of view. In the technological front, it has already come into the market as a product, i.e., spin valve, in giant magnetoresistive elements and magnetic tunneling devices with applications in areas such as nonvolatile storages and sensors. And in the scientific front, it initiated unprecedented amount of research activities for the understanding of exchange bias (EB), which was first discovered by Meiklejohn and Bean in 1956 and originally considered to arise from the intimate contact between different magnets. EB effect is basically characterized by an exchange field (h E ), which shifts the magnetic hysteresis (m-h) loop along the magnetic field axis. However, many recent studies proposed that the EB effect was a bulk effect rather than an interfacial effect [1]. For instance, in magnetic trilayers where two ferromagnets (FM) separated by a thin antiferromagnetic (AFM) spacer, the evidence was provided. Significantly, EB propagation and interplay between EB interfaces may exist in trilayers to improve the EB properties. In this paper we performed modelling and calculation works and focused on the dependence of EB propagation in FM/AFM/FM trilayers on the AFM exchange coupling in the AFM spacer. Finally, the EB results at the identical interface are compared in trilayers and bilayers and unambiguously interpreted microscopically. In the simulation, a modified Monte Carlo method where all the spin energies are calculated exactly is performed on an atomic-scale layered model. And the simulation protocol starts at a field-cooling stage succeeded by a stage of m-h measurement. The lateral size of model is 100 nm × 100 nm, and the thickness is FM (5 nm)/AFM (5 nm)/ FM (5 nm) for trilayers and FM (5 nm)/AFM (5 nm) for bilayers.
Supernovae for Pedestrians

It is now generally agreed that stars which are massive enough to burn carbon nonexplosively all evolve to a similar configuration with a degenerate iron core, and an overlying “onion skin” mantle of lighter elements. A dynamical instability in the iron core, due to partial photodissociation plus electron capture, then leads to its implosion. W. Hillebrandt and G. Brown (both this volume) have summarized previous research. Most calculations of this process have employed numerical hydrodynamics. But detailed calculations of the rate of electron capture and neutrino losses, before neutrino trapping occurs at a density 1012 g/cm3, show that the collapse is nearly adiabatic, with only a small change in entropy (1). This suggests that the description of the collapse can be simplified by approximating the equation of state by a polytropic law $$ p = K\;{\rho^{\gamma }} $$ (1) Here p is the total pressure, ρ is the desity, γ is the adiabatic index, and K (whose value is a function of entropy only) is a constant, both in space and time. In §2 we provide seif- similar solutions to the collapse of a stellar core whose equation of state is given by eq. (1) .
Hypersexual Desire in Males: An Operational Definition and Clinical Implications for Males with Paraphilias and Paraphilia-Related Disorders

The longitudinal history and temporal stability of total sexual outlet (TSO) in a group of outpatient males with paraphilias (PA) and paraphilia-related disorders (PRD) was assessed. Based on extant normative data from contemporary population-based surveys of sexual behavior, it was hypothesized that a persistent TSO of 7 or more orgasms/week for a minimum duration of 6 months be considered as the lower boundary for hypersexual desire in males. In almost all statistical analyses, the PA (n = 65) and PRD (n = 35) groups were not statistically different. The mean current TSO (PA, 7.4 ± 5.7; PRD, 8.0 ± 4.2) as well as the current average time consumed in all unconventional sexual behaviors (1–2 hr/day) were not statistically different. Unconventional sexual behaviors (i.e., related to PAs or PRDs) leading to orgasm constituted 77% of current TSO. In the combined group (n = 100), 72% (n = 72) reported a hypersexual TSO of 7 or greater. Age of onset of hypersexual TSO in the PAs (19.2 ± 6.8 years; range 10–43) and the PRDs (21.0 ± 8.6; range 10–46) and the duration of hypersexual TSO (PA, 11.1 ± 11.2 years; PRD, 10.5 ± 9.1) were not significantly different. Fifty-seven males (57%) reported a TSO of 7 or more for a minimum duration of 5 years. Clinical implications of reconceptualizing PAs and PRD as sexual desire disorders are discussed.
Purification and Properties of α-Ketoglutarate Synthase from a Photosynthetic Bacterium

Abstract α-Ketoglutarate synthase from the photosynthetic bacterium Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum, an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of α-ketoglutarate by a reductive carboxylation of succinyl-CoA, was purified about 120-fold by high speed centrifugation, fractionation with protamine sulfate, column chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex, and sedimentation in a sucrose gradient. α-Ketoglutarate synthase is readily inactivated by oxygen; strictly anaerobic conditions are essential for preserving enzyme activity during purification, handling, and storage. The reductive synthesis of α-ketoglutarate from succinyl-CoA and bicarbonate requires reduced ferredoxin. Of several ferredoxins tested, only those from the photosynthetic bacteria C. thiosulfatophilum, Chromatium, and Rhodospirillum rubrum were effective. The ferredoxins of Clostridium pasteurianum and spinach were found to be poor substitutes for those of photosynthetic bacteria. The reversibility of the α-ketoglutarate synthase reaction was demonstrated by the use of α-ketoglutarate, CoA, and one of several electron acceptors in substrate amounts: FAD, FMN, triphenyltetrazolium chloride, or ferredoxin. NAD and NADP were ineffective. Purified preparations of α-ketoglutarate synthase show, in the presence of either CoA or reduced ferredoxin, an active 14C exchange between [14C]bicarbonate and α-ketoglutarate. α-Ketoglutarate synthase was found to be distinct from pyruvate synthase with respect to molecular size and chromatographic properties. The molecular weights and sedimentation coefficients of α-ketoglutarate synthase and pyruvate synthase were found to be, respectively, 220,000 and 9.0 S and 300,000 and 10.7 S.
Weibull Analysis of Reliability Data with Few or No Failures

This expository paper presents estimates and confidence limits for Weibull percentiles and reliabilities when the Weibull shape parameter β is assumed to have a known value. The methods are particu...
Hydrophobic Ion Pairing: Altering the Solubility Properties of Biomolecules

The high aqueous solubility of ionic compounds can be attributed to the ease of solvation of the counter ions. Replacement of the counter ions with ionic detergents dramatically alters the solubility properties of the molecule. Not only does the aqueous solubility drop precipitously, but the solubility in organic phases increases as well. Consequently, the partition coefficient changes by orders of magnitude. This ion pairing phenomenon, which we term hydrophobic ion pairing (HIP), has been extended to polyelectrolytes, such as proteins and polynucleotides. These materials form HIP complexes that dissolve in a range of organic solvents, often with retention of native structure and enzymatic activity. The HIP process has been used to purify protein mixtures, conduct enzymatic reactions in nonaqueous environments, increase structural stability, enhance bioavailability, and prepare new dosage forms.
Sub-Saharan Africa: An Environmental History

A wealth of information and analysis on the environmental forces that have helped shaped the cultures of the African continent. A scholarly reference work that will also appeal to the general reader, Sub-Saharan Africa sets the story of the African environment within the context of geological time and shows how the continent's often harsh conditions prompted humans to develop unique skills in agriculture, animal husbandry, and environmental management. Part of ABC-CLIO's Nature and Human Societies series, this book enables readers to better grasp the extent of humanity's effect on our world. Of particular interest are the book's sections dealing with the impact of the Biafran famine of the 1960s, the Sahelian drought of the 1970s, population growth, and the ongoing challenges of war and HIV/AIDS. Crucially, the book also shows how, despite their relative poverty, many African states have coped admirably with rapid urbanization and have developed world-class conservation and sustainability programs in order to protect and harness some of the most endangered species in the world. Contains a handy chronological overview of chapters complete with detailed and informative reference features Detailed maps and a comprehensive bibliography accompany the book's wide-ranging analyses
Iron Dominated 2 T 50 $^{\circ}$ Superconducting Dipoles for FRIB Fragment Separator

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams under construction at Michigan State University, a new national user facility funded by the U. S. Department of Energy Office of Science will provide exotic rare isotope beams at energies of at least 200 MeV/u at a beam power of 400 kW. The proposed FRIB fragment separator has a preseparator consisting of the hot-cell and vertical section in the first stage followed by two more stages. Two large high performance dipole magnets with a 50 $^{\circ}$ bend are required in the vertical section of the preseparator. Both cost and space constraints in the vertical section along with technical scope have pushed the requirement of the superconducting dipole peak field to 2.0 T. The design of a large magnetic gap (0.2 m), superferric dipole with magnetic rigidity as high as 8 T-m and effective length of 3.49 m is presented. The current design is a “warm iron” H-shaped magnet with nominal yoke length of 3.39 m and magnetic half-gap of 0.10 m. The major challenges are tight spaces in the vertical section, the compact coil and cryostat design and the unbalanced forces. The coil design is based on wet wound epoxy impregnated Formvar insulated conductor that provides ample current and temperature margins. This paper also presents the detailed magnet design including coil forces, coil restraint system, coil properties, conductor stability, quench analysis and full mechanical details.
A New Pentacyclic Triterpene from Ecdysanthera Rosea

D-friedours-14-en-11α, 12α-epoxy-3β-yl palmitate (1), a new pentacyclic triterpene of the ursane series, was isolated from the aerial parts of Ecdysanthera rosea, and the structure was elucidated on the basis of the spectral data. The partial synthesis of this compound from α-amyrin acetate via a few steps was also achieved.
Language-activated single-photon emission tomography imaging in the evaluation of language lateralization--evidence from a case of crossed aphasia: case report.

We report a right-handed patient who developed a nonfluent aphasia after surgery for a right parietal arteriovenous malformation. Resting brain singlephoton emission tomography displayed decreased regional cerebral blood flow only in the right hemisphere, with spared regional cerebral blood flow in the left hemisphere. Single-photon emission tomography performed after a language activation task (Boston Naming Task) showed a consistent area of increased regional cerebral blood flow in the right inferior and posterior frontal lobe, supporting a right hemisphere dominance for language. These results suggest a potential role for this noninvasive study in the evaluation of language lateralization
A sparse representation-based classifier for in-set bird phrase verification and classification with limited training data

The performance of a sparse representation-based (SR) classifier for in-set bird phrase verification and classification is studied. The database contains phrases segmented from songs of the Cassin's Vireo (Vireo cassinii). Each test phrase belongs to one of 33 phrase classes - 32 in-set categories, and 1 collective out-of-set category. Only in-set phrases are used for training. From each phrase segment, spectrographic features were extracted, followed by dimension reduction using PCA. A threshold is applied on the sparsity concentration index (SCI) computed by the SR classifier, for in-set bird phrase verification using a limited number of training tokens (3 - 7) per phrase class. When evaluated against the nearest subspace (NS) and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers using the same framework, the SR classifier has the highest classification accuracy, due to its good performances in both the verification and classification tasks.