cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Do We Really Need All That Equipment?“: Factors Influencing Colorectal Cancer Screening Decisions

The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is 2.5 to 5% in the general population. Colorectal screening can prevent mortality, and there are a number of screening methods, ranging from noninvasive to highly invasive. Although recommendations have been widely disseminated in the media and scientific journals, screening usage is low. In this project, the authors examine the factors that influence individuals’ decisions regarding colorectal screening. They conducted semistructured interviews with 30 people (13 men and 17 women) selected to provide a maximum variation sample. They categorized factors into the following themes: concern for one’s personal well-being, competing demands, preparing for the procedure, the screening process, gender concerns, fear of having cancer, feeling healthy, cost, the experiences of others, and turning 50 years old.
The effect of temperature and humidity on the long‐term performance of poly(butylene terephthalate) compounds

A model was developed that closely fits new and previously published test data for the aging of poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (PBT) compounds under conditions of elevated temperature and high relative humidity. The model equation, stated in terms of absolute temperature and water vapor partial pressure, allows extrapolation of accelerated aging data to ambient conditions that prevail in realistic applications of the materials. For practical reasons, the water vapor partial pressure is preferred as a model variable over relative humidity, although it is shown that both variables are equivalent in a formal sense.
Infective endocarditis in heroin addicts: Epidemiological observations and some unusual cases

The total number of cases of heroin-induced endocarditis occurring over a four-year period were reviewed in order to explain an increase in the number of cases in the last year studied (1975). Brown heroin was noted to be used more frequently by addicts during the period of increased incidence. Cultures of "street samples" of brown and white heroin as well as cocaine were obtained in order to elucidate a possible relationship between the increased use of brown heroin and the increased number of endocarditis cases. Despite frequent contamination of both white and brown heroin, none of the common endocarditis-causing pathogens were isolated from the samples. Staphylococcus aureus, the most common etiological agent, frequently resulted in tricuspid endocarditis. That the accepted criteria for tricuspid endocarditis may be present without actual cardiac valve involvement is demonstrated by a most unusual case of hepatic vasculature infection.
Rebelles with a Cause: Women in the Haitian War of Independence, 1802–04

This article studies the role of white, black and mulatto women during the last two years of the Haitian War of Independence, also known as the Haitian Revolution (1802-04). It might be expected that women's contribution was limited in wartime, but this article concludes otherwise. Desirable women were sought as prizes symbolic of a man's status in colonial society, or actively used their appeal to obtain political favours. Women of colour contributed to the rebellion in the fields of logistics, espionage and even combat. They also experienced martyrdom when convicted of aiding the rebel army. White women, in turn, were considered such an integral part of the colonial order that the rebels, led by Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, targeted them, as well as other civilians, during the fighting, then proceeded to exterminate all surviving whites after the rebel victory.
COMPARISON OF THE EFFICIENCY OF SINGLE APPLICATIONS WITH REPEATED TOP DRESSINGS OF NITROGENOUS FERTILIZERS IN INCREASING THE YIELD OF DRY MATTER, NITROGEN, AND VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID) OF SUDAN GRASS.

The rapid response of grasses to top dressings of nitrogenous fertilizers is well known. Many types of grass crops such as permanent pastures, golf courses, and lawns obviously may not be fertilized once they have become established except by surface applications. This practice is also frequently followed in the culture of other crops. The general belief is that a light top ressing with nitrogenous fertilizer shortly before harvest induces a rapid increase in the protein content of the crop...
Adenocarcinoma of the anterior tongue: A case report

Adenocarcinoma of the minor salivary gland more commonly involves the palate and base of tongue but rarely presents in the anterior tongue. We report a rare case of adenocarcinoma of the minor salivary gland located in the anterior togue of a 74-year-old man. Furthermore, we discuss the histopathological features of this neoplasm, the treatment plan, and a literature review of the current standard of care.
Influence of Gonadotropic Releasing Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone and Pineal Extracts on Testes of Immature Cockerels

Abstract Two, seven, and ten-day-old S.C.W.L. cockerels were injected with pineal extract (PE), gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), alone or in combination, to determine the effect of PE on the action of exogenous GnRH and LH on the testis in immature cockerels. Radioactive phosphorus (P-32) uptake by the testis was used as an assay for gonadotropic activity. GnRH had no effects on cockerels aged two days. However, LH caused increased P-32 uptake compared to the saline control at this age. In seven- and ten-day-old cockerels, PE in combination with GnRH resulted in lower P-32 c.p.m./g. of testis compared to the non-PE treated birds at the same doses of GnRH. On the other hand, PE did not cause any decrease in testis response to LH. These results indicate that PE is acting to inhibit release of gonadotropins by GnRH.
Parent/Adolescent Weight Status Concordance and Parent Feeding Practices.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have examined the independent influence of mother’s weight status or child’s weight status on parents’ use of specific feeding practices (ie, food restriction, pressure-to-eat). However, studies have not examined the mutual influence of parents’ and adolescents’ weight status on parents’ feeding practices. This study examines the relationship between parent and adolescent weight status concordance and discordance and parent feeding practices. METHODS: Data from 2 linked population-based studies, Eating and Activity in Teens (EAT) 2010 and Families and Eating and Activity in Teens (F-EAT), were used for cross-sectional analysis. Parents ( n = 3252; 63% female; mean age 42.6 years) and adolescents ( n = 2153; 54% female; mean age 14.4 years) were socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse. Anthropometric assessments and surveys were completed at school by adolescents, and surveys were completed at home by parents. RESULTS: Parents used the highest levels of pressure-to-eat feeding practices when parents and adolescents were both nonoverweight compared with all other combinations of concordant and discordant parent/adolescent weight status categories. Additionally, parents used the highest levels of food restriction when parents and adolescents were both overweight/obese compared with all other combinations of concordant and discordant parent/adolescent weight status categories. Sensitivity analyses with 2-parent households revealed similar patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that parents use feeding practices in response to both their adolescents’ and their own weight status. Results may inform health care providers and public health interventionists about which parent/adolescent dyads are at highest risk for experiencing food restriction or pressure-to-eat parent feeding practices in the home environment and whom to target in interventions.
Role of γ melanocyte-stimulating hormone―renal melanocortin 3 receptor system in blood pressure regulation in salt-resistant and salt-sensitive rats

Abstract Melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3-R) has high affinity and specificity to γ melanocyte-stimulating hormone ( γ MSH), a natriuretic peptide involved in regulation of blood pressure (BP) and sodium excretion. Recent studies showing increased MC3-R expression and elevated plasma γ MSH in normal rats fed a high-salt diet support the role of this system in sodium homeostasis. We hypothesized that dysregulation of MC3-R response to dietary salt may contribute to salt retention and BP elevation in salt-sensitive hypertension. We examined renal MC3-R expression, plasma γ MSH concentration, and response to MC3-R agonist and antagonist in Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) and Dahl salt-resistant (DSR) rats fed high-salt (8%) or low-salt (0.07%) diets for 3 weeks. Consumption of high-salt diet significantly increased BP in the DSS but not the DSR group. High-salt diet led to a 5-fold increase in plasma γ MSH and a 2-fold increase in renal MC3-R in DSR rats. Plasma γ MSH and renal MC3-R abundance in DSS rats were maximally elevated on low-salt diet and remained unchanged on high-salt diet. Administration of MC3-R agonist melanotan II significantly lowered BP and raised fractional Na excretion in the DSR but not the DSS rats consuming high-salt diet. In contrast, MC3-R antagonist SHU9119 significantly raised BP and lowered fractional Na excretion in both groups. Thus, the data suggest that γ MSH–renal MC3-R pathway is activated and appears to be biologically functional in the DSS rats.
Diffusing through Disciplines: Insiders, Outsiders, and Socially Influenced Citation Behavior

A basic premise of diffusion theories is that actors vary in their susceptibility to social influence and yet little is known about the nature and consequences of such heterogeneity in specific market domains. The present study examines variation in social influence with respect to academic research and citation accumulation. Based on theories of uncertainty, signaling, and legitimacy, the main hypothesis is that disciplinary outsiders are more likely than insiders to cite papers that are already highly cited. The empirical analysis, which spans six disciplines and 13 flagship journals, is based on over 800 articles and the 55,000+ citations they accumulate over a 20-year period. Each citation received is classified with respect to both its timing and the discipline from which it was sent. The results show that the effect of prior citation attention is greater for external citation accumulation even after controlling for the fact that externals adopt later on average than internals. Contrary to intuition, however, outsiders do not appear to uniformly exacerbate citation inequality. The broader implications of this study for diffusion and the sociology of science are discussed in the conclusion.
Stereoselectivity of the cyclooctene ring‐opening polymerization

The stereoselectivity of the cyclooctene ring-opening polymerization in the presence of the tungsten hexachloride–tetraisobutylalumoxane (TBAO) catalyst system has been studied. The reaction conditions have been established in which the polymer chain isomerization is reduced to a minimum. Under these conditions the stereoselectivity is determined by an individual act of the monomer molecule insertion. The dependence of stereoselectivity on monomer concentration, number of active sites, and temperature has been investigated. The results obtained suggest that the cyclooctene polymerization is selective in favor of the geometrical configuration of the starting cycloolefin (the “retention” effect) by analogy with the previously reported metathesis of acyclic olefins. Considerations which support the idea that cis and trans units are reproduced by the same type of active sites are discussed. The experimental evidence indicates that in this case the stereoselectivity is determined by the difference in kinetics of two reaction paths of the monomer molecule insertion that lead to the formation of cis and trans units.
The action spectra for photoreactivation and photorepair in ICR 2A frog cells.

— Action spectra for photoreactivation (enhancement of colony forming ability) and photorepair (monomerization of pyrimidine dimers in DNA) were obtained for ICR 2A frog cells over the334–577 lira range. These spectra were very similar with peaks at 435 nm and little effectiveness at wavele.
Effect of Increasing Pole Number on the Harmonic Content of Air-gap Flux Density Waveforms in Electric Machines

This paper studies the effects of increasing the number of rotor poles on air gap flux density waveforms. The aim is to reveal the harmonic behavior of the working flux in the air gap, which controls the performance, and the operational behavior of the whole machine. A permanent magnet motor is used to perform the analysis and study the effects. Its original design contains 6 rotor poles and 36 stator slots with three phase currents embedded. For the comparison purpose, the rotor is redesigned to have 4, 8, and 12 poles mounted on the same rotor iron surface and the excitation currents were rearranged so as to produce 4, 8, and 12 poles respectively without changing the stator structure. FEM analysis is adopted to obtain the working flux waveform, and the Fourier filter is used to extract its harmonic components. The result demonstrates that there are more harmonic components contained in the working flux as the number of slots per pole per phase decreases.
ENDOR of Triplet State Systems in Solids

Physical systems possessing one unit of effective electron spin angular momentum have been the subject of extensive study. Such triplet state systems may be excited- and ground-state molecules, pairs of free radical molecules, transition element ions, pairs of ions, and defects in solids. The molecules may range from relatively simple diatomic species to multiatom biological complexes. Detailed magnetic resonance measurements can yield information concerning wave functions, geometry and structure, lifetime of excited states, interactions with the environment, and other properties of these triplet state entities. We will discuss here the particular usefulness of electron nuclear double resonance(1) (endor)—nuclear magnetic resonance transitions detected by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (epr). Emphasis will be placed on triplet species in solids.
P450BM-3 and other Inducible Bacterial P450 Cytochromes: Biochemistry and Regulation

When I began this review my goal was to present a coherent overview of the biochemistry and regulation of the inducible P450 cytochromes of bacteria. Now, at the end, I wonder if a unified perspective is possible at this time. On the basis of admittedly limited data, bacterial P450 systems seem as different from each other as they are, as a group, from the mammalian P450 cytochromes. The most obvious physical difference between the bacterial monooxygenases and their mammalian counterparts is solubility; with several possible exceptions (69, 70, 76), bacterial P450s are soluble whereas the microsomal and mitochondrial P450s are membrane-associated proteins. In structure and organization, however, the few well-characterized prokaryotic P450-dependent systems vary widely. The three-component arrangement is probably most common but even here variation is apparent. The P450cam putidaredoxin reductase contains only FAD and is quite specific for NADH (35, 39); the P450meg megaredoxin reductase contains only FMN and is specific for NADPH (59, 60). Putitive two-component P450 systems in bacteria have not yet been adequately characterized but the P450oct and P450npd monooxygenases (69, 70, 93) could well be organized in this way. The catalytically self-sufficient P450BM-3 is currently the only single-component P450-dependent monooxygenase known but additional examples of this arrangement may well be found in other bacteria. Paradoxically, P450BM-3 is structurally much more analogous to liver microsomal P450 systems than to any other bacterial P450 monooxygenase characterized to date. Another generally recognized difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic P450s pertains to function; most known bacterial P450-dependent systems initiate the oxidation of recalcitrant carbon compounds so that the hosts can utilize them as sole carbon sources for growth. Some lower eukaryotes [certain yeasts, for example (134)] also employ P450-dependent systems in this way but, among most fungi as well as in higher eukaryotes, P450 cytochromes are involved in specific pathways of sterol or other lipid syntheses or, as in the mammalian liver microsomal systems, in detoxification reactions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Possible measures of asymmetry and redundancy in collocations

It has long been recognized that developing measures of the internal structure of collocations is an important goal (Sinclair, 1991). Recently, Gries’ (2013) presented a measure that captures the asymmetric nature of conditional probabilities in collocations. This paper intends to contribute to the discussion by introducing measures of asymmetry and redundancy that may meet the needs of some researchers. Two asymmetry measures are described. The first captures only frequency asymmetry while the second is an asymmetric version of the mutual information measure. A measure of semantic redundancy is also described here. This measure takes a higher value when the fact that two words co occur contains more information than the uncertainty introduced by the occurrence of the individual words.
Brazilian Beer Merger Negotiations: Companhia Cervejaria Brahma, S.A.

In May 1999, the CEO of this company (the largest brewer in Brazil) is contemplating a bid for Antarctica, the second-largest brewer in Brazil. The primary motives are to exploit economies of scale and other synergies and to prevent other competitors (mainly foreign multinationals) from acquiring the firm. The tasks for the student are to value the target and buyer, propose an exchange ratio of shares, and generally design the terms of the transaction.
Remarking the Silence: Prayer after the Death of God

The critique of ontotheology undertaken by Heidegger and expended by Derrida calls into question not only the meaning but the possibility of God-language. In response, thinkers such as Kevin Hart have attempted to map out an area of non-metaphysical theology that draws on the resources of negative theology. Hart's work, The Trepass of the Sign, however, contains three significant ambiguities. First, he defines negative theology as a denial that God can be described using predicates, but in his text negative theology has a quasi-positive (rather than merely negative) role. Second, Hart contends that negative theology precedes positive theology, but in fact it seems to depend upon a prior affirmation of God. Third, Hart offers no rationale for negative theologians' use of the word “God.” Derrida writes that the only way out of negative theology's referential vacuity is prayer: which, he continues, mires that theology in metaphysics. However, if prayer is understood as agape rather than knowledge or supplication, a way through Hart's ambiguities might be found.
Language and thinking: The interaction of naming with relevance and concreteness

Ss solved a “mental jigsaw puzzle” following training either with names that were relevant to the problem, with irrelevant names, or without names. The jigsaw problem was presented either concretely or symbolically. At the symbolic level, relevant names facilitated and irrelevant names hindered problem solution, relative to the unnamed condition. Naming had no reliable effects at the concrete level.
Identifying transverse myelitis in the emergency care arena.

Transverse myelitis (TM) is a neurological syndrome involving destruction of the anterior and posterior (transverse) segments of the spinal cord. The objective of this article is to educate emergency nurses and nurse practitioners about how to recognize, diagnose, and treat TM. A comparison of the neurological findings of TM and Guillain-Barre syndrome is presented. In addition, this article will include an algorithm and specific diagnostic criteria to assist in the diagnosis of acute idiopathic TM.
Effect Observation of Glycerine Enema in Application of Enema Sedation by Chloral Hydrate

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of glycerine enema in application of enema sedation by chloral hydrate.Methods 100 cases of children who needed enema sedation by chloral hydrate and admitted to our hospital from March 2012 to February 2014 were selected as research objects.All patients were divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table,with 50 cases in each group.The control group was directly given chloral hydrate to achieve enema sedation,while the observation group was given glycerine enema to plug anus and defecate before treatment.The effect of enema sedation between two groups was compared.Results The total effective rate of observation group was 98.0%,with conspicuous effect in 34 cases,effectivity in 15 cases and nullity in one case; the total effective rate of control group was 84.0%,with conspicuous effect in 19 cases,effectivity in 23 cases and nullity in 8 cases; the difference was statistical(P 0.05).Conclusions The clinical effect of glycerine enema in application of enema sedation by chloral hydrate is significant,with good tolerance in children,which deserves promotion in clinic.
Core body temperature does not cool down with skin surface temperature during recovery at room temperature after acute heat stress exposure

Abstract Identifying new methods of assessing livestock welfare is a growing area of research. Non-invasive methods such as infrared thermography are valuable for quick and accurate observations and could be utilized to monitor the thermal status of swine without direct contact. The study objective was to determine if infrared thermography could be used as a non-invasive, hands-off approach to accurately monitor the welfare of swine by comparing changes in skin surface temperature (SST), core body temperature (CBT), behavior, and heart rate during acute heat stress (AHS) and subsequent recovery in thermoneutral (TN) conditions. In eight replications, 16 pigs (n=8 barrows and 8 gilts) were subjected to AHS (39.3±0.1 °C) for 30 min followed by TN (20.6±0.1 °C) for 30 min. The SST, CBT, heart rate, and behavioral data were recorded throughout the entire experiment. During pre-treatment, ear base SST was greater (P
CRISPR/Cas9 Targeted Gene Editing and Cellular Engineering in Fanconi Anemia

The ability to rationally target disease-causing mutations has been made possible with programmable nucleases with the CRISPR/Cas9 system representing a facile platform for individualized gene-based medicine. In this study we employed footprint free reprogramming of fibroblasts from a patient with mutations to the Fanconi anemia I (FANCI) gene to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). This process was accomplished without gene complementation and the resultant iPSC were able to be gene corrected in a robust manner using the Cas9 nickase. The self-renewing iPSC that were maintained under feeder free conditions were differentiated into cells with characteristics of definitive hematopoiesis. This defined and highly efficient procedure employed small molecule modulation of the hematopoietic differentiation pathway and a vascular induction technique to generate hematopoietic progenitors. In sum, our results demonstrate the ability to induce patient derived FA cells to pluripotency for patient specific therapeutic cell derivation.
Elastic-plastic Fracture Mechanics Assessment of nozzle corners submitted to thermal shock loading

Abstract This paper focuses on the development of a simplified analytical scheme for the elastic-plastic Fracture Mechanics Assessment of large nozzle corners. Within that frame, following the specific numerical effort performed for the definition of a Stress Intensity Factor compendium, complementary elastic-plastic developments are proposed here for the consideration of the thermal shock loading in the elastic-plastic domain: this type of loading is a major loading for massive structures such as nozzle corners of large components. Thus, an important numerical was performed in order to extend the applicability domain of existing analytical schemes to those complex geometries. The final formulation is a simple one, applicable to a large variety of materials and geometrical configurations as long as the structure is large and the defect remains small in comparison to the internal radius of the nozzle.
The Jaw-Hearing Dolphin: Preliminary Behavioral and Acoustical Evidence

Two decades ago, Norris (1964, 1968) proposed that the lower jaw of the dolphin was the primary pathway to the tympanoperiotic bone for returning acoustic signals during echolocation. Unlike that of terrestrial mammals, the lower jaw in odontocetes is hollow and filled with a fatty material that extends beyond the pan bones to attach to the tympanic bulla. This material has been found to contain lipids which contribute to its ability to transmit sound (Varanasi and Malins, 1971; 1972). Electrophysiological studies have indicated that acoustical stimuli presented to the lower jaw evoke significant responses in the auditory system of the dolphin (Bullock et al., 1968; McCormick et al., 1970; 1980). Bullock et al. (1968) further reported that foam rubber or paper placed over the lower jaw to block acoustical stimuli significantly attenuated responses. Several investigators have considered the jaw-hearing hypothesis and its possible role, at least in part, in the findings of their acoustical experiments with dolphins as well (Renaud and Popper, 1975; Au, Floyd, and Haun, 1978; Au and Moore, 1984). Other than a limited attempt to hinder a dolphin’s use of its lower jaw which remained inconclusive (Norris, 1974), what has lacked in the evaluation of this theory is behavioral and acoustical evidence gained from a living animal actively echolocating under controlled conditions.
Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography to evaluate a Gerbode defect

Abstract The Gerbode Defect is a rare form of intracardiac shunt from the left ventricle to the right atrium resulting from a defect in the membranous portion of the inter-ventricular septum. This defect can be congenital or acquired, with acquired causes including complications of aortic valve replacements and endocarditis. Intraoperative real time transesophageal echocardiography and 3D echocardiography are vital for diagnosis and anatomic characterization of the shunt. A thorough understanding of echocardiography is necessary to visualize the shunt across various anatomic planes which aids in surgical correction.
Using African American Perspectives to Promote a More Inclusive Understanding of Human Communication Theory

This article addresses the use of African American Perspectives as a means of promoting a more inclusive understanding of human communication theory. It describes contributions by African American scholars as they relate to providing a framework for inclusion of other under-represented cultures in U.S. society (i.e. Asian American, Latin American, etc.). This objective is becoming more and more relevant because of the increased percentage of U.S. citizens who are of non-European origin. Common sense supports the position that an inclusive curriculum, representative of the many cultural groups that compose the U.S., will appeal to the diverse audience educated in the U.S. today and tomorrow.
Immune-related adverse events (irAE) in GU cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

422Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), particularly PD-1 and PD-L1 antibodies, prolong survival in advanced renal cell (RCC) and urothelial cancer (UC) patients. However, they can cause a variety of serious irAE. We assessed frequency and onset of irAE at experienced centers, and evaluated whether baseline characteristics were associated with irAE. Methods: Pharmacy and clinic schedules identified RCC and UC patients treated with ICI at USC Norris (n = 51) and UCLA (n = 26) from 2014-2016. Prior radiation was defined as completion within 3 months before ICI. Fisher’s exact 2-tailed test was used to evaluate for associations of variables with irAE. Results: 77 patients median age 69 years (49-93) received ICI, 31 with RCC and 46 with UC; 36 received atezolizumab, 29 nivolumab, 9 pembrolizumab, 2 durvalumab, and 1 avelumab. 25 (32.5%) had irAE including pneumonitis (4%), myositis (3%), neurologic event (1%), hepatitis (8%), colitis (1%), rash (8%), endocrinopathy (6%), or hematologic event (1%)....
Experimental subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in the hamster.

Experimental animal models that faithfully duplicate most aspects of a significant human disease have contributed greatly to the understanding of the condition in man. Experimental diseases produced in small animals also allow more comprehensive studies at less cost in that many more individuals can be investigated and significant variations in populations can be assessed. This is of major value in infectious diseases in which only a few animals may manifest significant changes. Experimental diseases, especially infectious ones, in animals are highly useful because a disease state can be studied in all its complexity only in the intact mammal. Thus, although important information can be gained from in vitro studies, ultimately the essential combination of genetic, immunological, dosage, and cell specificity factors can be assayed only in the intact animal, allowing a more complete understanding of the disease process to be unraveled.
Statistical and Collective Effects

Transverse and longitudinal beam dynamics as discussed in earlier chapters is governed by purely single-particle effects where the results do not depend on the presence of other particles or any interactive environment. Space-charge effects were specifically excluded. This restriction is sometimes too extreme and collective effects must be taken into account where significant beam intensities are desired. In most applications high beam intensities are desired and it is therefore prudent to test for the appearance of space charge and other intensity effects.
COMPARISONS BETWEEN ZONAL AND MERIDIONAL EDDY SENSIBLE HEAT TRANSPORT IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WINTER

The size and geographical distribution of the zonal eddy sensible heat flux and its divergence in the Northern Hemisphere winter are examined. Special attention is paid to the zonal eddy contributi...
White and gray matter brain development in children and young adults with phenylketonuria

Abstract Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a recessive disorder characterized by disruption in the metabolism of the amino acid phenylalanine (Phe). Prior research indicates that individuals with PKU have substantial white matter (WM) compromise. Much less is known about gray matter (GM) in PKU, but a small body of research suggests volumetric differences compared to controls. To date, developmental trajectories of GM structure in individuals with PKU have not been examined, nor have trajectories of WM and GM been examined within a single study. To address this gap in the literature, we compared longitudinal brain development over a three-year period in individuals with PKU ( n = 35; 18 male) and typically-developing controls ( n = 71; 35 male) aged 7–21 years. Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we observed whole-brain and regional WM differences between individuals with PKU and controls, which were often exacerbated with increasing age. In marked contrast with trajectories of WM development, trajectories of GM development did not differ between individuals with PKU and controls, indicating that neuropathology in PKU is more prominent in WM than GM. Within individuals with PKU, mediation analyses revealed that whole-brain mean diffusivity (MD) and regional MD in the corpus callosum and centrum semiovale mediated the relationship between dietary treatment compliance (i.e., Phe control) and executive abilities, suggesting a plausible neurobiological mechanism by which Phe control may influence cognitive outcomes. Our findings clarify the specificity, timing, and cognitive consequences of whole-brain and regional WM pathology, with implications for treatment and research in PKU.
Policing Prosecutors: What Role Can Appellate Courts Play?

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in Hofstra’s seventh legal ethics conference. I consider it a privilege to be invited. The goals of this conference are impressive and ambitious, but let me confess that mine is a frustrating topic. After some back and forth with Professor Simon, we agreed upon the topic that appears in the program: the role of appellate courts in policing prosecutorial conduct. As Professor Simon noted to me, it “probably has not gotten much attention.” He was right. Canvassing academic literature on the subject took little more than a nanosecond. And being forced, if you will, to think long and hard on this topic took me back to my days as a trial judge—and to think wistfully, even longingly, about the times when I confronted trial issues head-on. The trial court is where issues of prosecutorial misconduct really play out. As the Eleventh Circuit has so accurately put it: “On the matter of professional misconduct of prosecutors, the realities require that we defer to our colleagues on the district courts to take the lead. District courts are in a better position to ensure that a prosecutor properly fulfills the duties and obligations of his office.” My pondering in recent weeks over what it is we appellate judges do, and how we do it, has brought home to me just how limited our powers are to actively reach out and redress certain wrongs—and in a way that seems proportionate to the wrong itself. Having served eighteen years on the bench of trial courts, first as a Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas judge and then as a United States District judge, I have dealt with my share of allegations of prosecutorial misconduct. Prior to my consignment to the judicial monastery where I now serve, my role in addressing such allegations was exercised at the time, or shortly after, they arose. Those of us who have labored in the
Development of a methodology for predicting the development of rice blast in southern Russia to improve the environmental friendliness and food security of the country

Establishing links between the conditions for the development of rice blast and the dynamics of its manifestation makes it possible to assess the behavior of the pathogen in various agroclimatic conditions. Therefore, to conduct research, we selected test sites located in one agroclimatic zone and homogeneous in variety composition. This approach allowed us to assess the degree of influence of external factors on the development of the pathogen, using different models describing this interaction. As a result of the revealed patterns, a model was determined that most accurately describes the periods of infection and the manifestation of the disease. In addition, the study set the task of the most complete coordination of the results obtained after processing the data using the model, and the data obtained as a result of observations. Thus, studies have shown that the methods used describe roughly the development processes of the Pyricularia Oryzae Cav. , pathogen. However, it is necessary to rationalize the parameters of the models and consider the possibility of implementation in the territorial agro-climatic conditions of the south of Russia.
Chapter 7 – Random Variables: Working with Uncertain Numbers

A random variable may be defined as a specification or description of a numerical result from a random experiment. The value itself is called an observation. For example, “next quarter’s sales” is a random variable because it specifies and describes the number that will be produced by the random experiment of waiting until next quarter’s numbers are in and computing the sales. The actual future value, $3,955,846, is an observation of this random variable. Note the distinction between a random variable (which refers to the random process involved) and an observation (which is a fixed number, once it has been observed). The pattern of probabilities for a random variable is called its probability distribution. Many random variables have a mean and a standard deviation. In addition, there is a probability for each event based on a random variable. We will consider two types of random variables: discrete and continuous. It is easier to work with a discrete random variable because you can make a list of all of its possible values. You will learn about two particular distributions that are especially useful: the binomial distribution (which is discrete) and the normal distribution (which is continuous). Furthermore, in many cases, you may use a (much simpler) normal probability calculation as a close approximation to a binomial probability.
Intrinsic nonreciprocal reflection and violation of Kirchhoff's law of radiation in planar type-I magnetic Weyl semimetal surfaces

This work demonstrates that Kirchhoff's law of radiation, stating that the spectral directional emissivity and absorptivity of a surface are equal at thermal equilibrium, can be violated in planar surfaces without an external magnetic field or structures such as gratings. Modeling a type-I magnetic Weyl semimetal with an antisymmetric dielectric tensor, we show an intrinsic violation of Kirchhoff's law due to nonreciprocal surface polaritons induced by the Berry curvature and anomalous Hall velocity. This work provides a simple way to physically realize the violation of Kirchhoff's law.
Minimal in-school SARS-CoV-2 transmission with strict mitigation protocols at two independent schools in Nashville, TN

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted school operations. To better understand the role of schools in COVID-19 transmission, we evaluated infections at two independent schools in Nashville, TN during the 2020-2021 school year. METHODS: The cumulative incidence of COVID-19 within each school, age group, and exposure setting were estimated and compared to local incidence. Primary attack rates were estimated among students quarantined for in-school close contact. RESULTS: Among 1401 students who attended school during the study period, 98 cases of COVID-19 were reported, corresponding to cumulative incidence of 7.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.7-8.5). Most cases were linked to household (58%) or community (31%) transmission, with few linked to in-school transmission (11%). Overall, 619 students were quarantined, corresponding to >5000 person-days of missed school, among whom only 5 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during quarantine (primary attack rate: 0.8%, 95% CI: 0.3, 1.9). Weekly case rates at school were not correlated with community transmission. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that transmission of COVID-19 in schools is minimal when strict mitigation measures are used, even during periods of extensive community transmission. Strict quarantine of contacts may lead to unnecessary missed school days with minimal benefit to in-school transmission.
Revisiting Mary Ann Glendon: Abortion, Divorce, Dependency, and Rights Talk in Western Law

This essay revisits Mary Ann Glendon’s comparative law study, Abortion and Divorce in Western Law and her subsequent book, Rights Talk: The Impoverishment of Political Discourse. Glendon’s comparative study actually included a third topic: “forms of dependency which are connected with pregnancy, marriage, and child raising.” The topic of dependency has obvious relevance to consideration of intergenerational obligations and the interplay between family responsibility and societal responsibility for addressing dependency needs. A central claim Glendon made in both books is that the U.S. legal tradition is “libertarian,” views individuals as “lone rights bearers,” and exalts the “right to be let alone,” while European conceptions of the person are “dignitarian,” envision the rights-bearer as situated in family and community relationships, and support a more communitarian and generous model of social provision and of social responsibility to address dependency. This essay argues that, to some extent, these two allegedly distinct traditions have merged in the more than twenty-five years since Glendon wrote her comparative study. Thus, certain trends in U.S. law regulating abortion and divorce (and marriage) seem at odds with the notion of a law that prizes adult liberty over responsibility and consonant with a more communitarian conception of social relationships, while certain trends in European law seem more individualistic and liberalizing and less communitarian. The dramatic changes in family law and social welfare law in the United States as well as in Europe (particularly in France, a country Glendon emphasized) make it a propitious time to look again at Glendon’s three topics -- abortion, divorce, and dependency -- and the relationships among them. Our essay illuminates how gender is a salient feature of all three topics, since women, not men, make the abortion decision, women, in the U.S. and France, initiate the majority of divorces, and women, more than men, shoulder caregiving responsibilities. The essay briefly addresses three issues that Glendon did not foresee or anticipate in her earlier work: (1) the role of financial insecurity in deterring marriage and contributing to a growing “marriage gap” between rich and poor and the separation of marriage from parenthood; (2) the opening up of civil marriage, in some European nations and in several states within the U.S. to same-sex couples and, parallel to this, the creation of new legal forms parallel to civil marriage (some also open to opposite-sex couples); and (3) elder care and prolonged parental care for young adults as increasingly visible issues of dependency and intergenerational solidarity.
Interactive Modern Physics Worksheets Methodology and Assessment by Students

Modern physics students are surveyed on their preference in understanding course content at the end of each semester. In-class worksheets are favored over textbook readings and homework assignments.
Selective prodrug activation: Using the cancer cell environment to activate a protein switch.

B6 In general, current chemotherapeutic agents used for cancer treatment suffer from a lack of selectivity for cancer cells over normal cells. The need for more targeted therapies lead to the development of alternative methods, such as GDEPT. In GDEPT, a “suicide” gene that is capable of converting a prodrug into a toxin is delivered to cancer cells. This is followed by the systematic administration of that prodrug, which is converted into a toxin within the cancer cell. However, the selectivity for cancer cells over normal cells still remains an issue for GDEPT. Normal cells are often transfected with the suicide gene, making it necessary to develop vehicles for specific delivery of the suicide gene to cancer cells. We propose to circumvent the need for specific delivery vehicles by creating a “cancer-sensing” therapeutic protein whose prodrug converting activity is dependent upon the cancer cell environment. This therapeutic protein can be delivered, non-specifically, to cells within and surrounding a tumor. The cancer cells producing this therapeutic protein will convert a systematically administered prodrug into a toxin within the cancer cell, thereby killing it, while the therapeutic protein will be inactive in normal cells. Our lab has invented a novel protein engineering strategy by combining the domains of two independent proteins into a single hybrid protein. As a proof of principle, we have created maltose-activated beta-lactamases by combining maltose binding protein with TEM1 beta-lactamase. These “switch” proteins’ beta-lactamase enzyme activity is increased 500-fold in the presence of maltose, but they are inactive in the absence of maltose. We envision that a therapeutic protein switch could be created in the same fashion as the maltose-activated proteins, by combining a prodrug activating enzyme and a protein that binds a cancer-specific marker. We are focusing on hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1a) as the cancer-specific marker. HIF-1a is completely absent in normal tissue due to rapid degradation, but is overexpressed within many types of cancer. In this manner, the therapeutic protein will be inactive in normal tissue and will be activated by HIF-1a to convert the prodrug into a toxin in cancer cells. We are using the HIF-1a binding domain from the p300 protein and a cytosine deaminase to make our therapeutic switch. Cytosine deaminase (CD) is an enzyme that is able to convert the relatively harmless 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) prodrug into the toxic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Cancer cells that overexpress HIF-1a will activate the protein switch to convert 5-FC into 5-FU, thereby killing the cancer cells. This therapeutic protein could have the potential to be used in a treatment method that is analogous to GDEPT, but will have superior “killing” efficiency with reduced side-effects because the selectivity of our method arises at the molecular level.
Stochastic overland flows

A theoretical solution framework to the nonlinear stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE) of the kinematic wave and diffusion wave models of overland flows under stochastic inflows/outflows, stochastic surface roughness field and stochastic state of flows was obtained. This development was realized by means of an eigenfunction representation of the time-space overland flow depths, and by transforming the problem into the phase space. By using Van Kampen's lemma and the cumulant expansion theory of Kubo-Van Kampen-Fox, the deterministic partial differential equation (PDE) for the evolutionary probability density function (pdf) of overland flow depths was finally obtained. Once this deterministic PDE is solved for the time-varying pdf of overland flow depths, then the time-space varying pdf of overland flow depths can be obtained by a transformation given in the text. In this solution framework it is possible to incorporate the stochastic dynamic behavior of the parameters and of the forcing functions of the overland flow process. For example, not only the individual rainfall duration and fluctuating rain intensity characteristics but also the sequential behavior of rainfall patterns is incorporated into the evolutionary probability density function of overland flow depths.