cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathologic features and treatment trends of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: analysis of 9,821 patients.

The natural history of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) remains poorly defined. Our objectives were to examine the clinicopathologic features of PNETs, to assess treatment trends over time, and to identify factors associated with undergoing resection. From the National Cancer Data Base (1985-2004), 9,821 patients were identified with PNETs. Clinicopathologic features and treatment trends were examined. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with undergoing resection. Of 9,821 patients with PNETs, 85% were nonfunctional, 7.1% were functional, and 7.9% were carcinoid tumors. Of the 3,851 (39.0%) patients who underwent pancreatectomy, 449 (11.7%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, and 254 (6.6%) received adjuvant radiation. From 1985 to 2004, utilization of pancreatectomy increased from 39.4 to 44.3% (P 55 years old, had tumors in the head of the pancreas, tumors > or = 4 cm, or had distant metastases (P < 0.0001). Patients treated at NCCN/NCI, academic, or high-volume hospitals were more likely to undergo resection. There are disparities in the utilization of pancreatectomy for PNETs. As PNETs have a better prognosis than adenocarcinoma, concerns regarding the morbidity and mortality of pancreatic surgery and neoplasms should not preclude resection.
Photoassisted Corona Poled YLD-124/DR1-co-PMMA Electrooptic Device Using Photoisomerization

A photoassisted corona poling technique (PACP) was applied to a binary chromophore system that was composed of YLD-124 and DR1-co-PMMA to enhance the poling efficiency of an electrooptic (EO) polymer device. The DR1 chromophores as a photoaddressable host material were resonantly irradiated by a polarized pumping green laser beam at a wavelength of 532 nm which is within its molecular absorption band. This process caused the DR1 chromophore's reorientation via a cis-trans photoisomerization process. The coupled YLD-124 system's dipoles were then poled with the assistance of a static electrical field applied to the EO core layer. In this letter, we report the experimental demonstration of the photoassisted corona poling scheme in a binary chromophore system that improved Mach-Zehnder optical modulator performance by lowering its Vπ. It was shown that the device's Vπ was reduced by 21%-23% compared to a regular device that was only corona poled without the green light assistance.
Kepler’s Early Astrological Calendars: Matter, Methodology and Multidisciplinarity

From the beginning of his career, Kepler saw astrology as part of a larger intellectual enterprise that we might today consider interdisciplinary. In his quest to recover Adam’s prelapsarian knowledge, Kepler pursued archetypal principles that underlay observable phenomena. Kepler associated the apprehension of such principles with the physician’s arrival at ‘the inward causes’ of illnesses from their outward symptoms. In his early astrological calendars, Kepler interpreted his task of weather forecaster as that of diagnosing the earth’s meteorological responses to the realisation of archetypal principles in the configurations of the heavens. I argue that Kepler’s novel integration of medicine and astrometeorology indicated his intention from early on to restore astrology, along with all other areas of knowledge, to a superior philosophical standing.astrology, Johannes Kepler, medicine
Exposure to a stressor produces a long lasting enhancement of fear learning in rats

In contextual fear conditioning, footshock is given in a context, and re-exposure to this context elicits the conditional defensive response of freezing, a reliable behavioral index of conditional fear. Normally, the amount of contextual freezing is directly proportional to the number of shocks an animal receives in the context. However, pre-exposure to a stressor can produce an enhancement in conditional freezing. Pre-exposure to repeated footshock in one context produces an enhancement of conditional freezing to cues associated with a single shock in a second distinct context. This model of stress-enhanced fear learning (SEFL) can be utilized to study how stress affects learning of future aversive events. The experiments in this paper characterize the magnitude and longevity of SEFL. In the first experiment, the number of footshocks given during the pre-exposure session was varied and conditional fear to the single shock was assessed. Pre-exposure to 1 shock did not produce an enhancement in fear learning in the second context, but pre-exposure to 4 or 15 shocks did. The time-course of the enhancement was examined in the next two experiments. These experiments show that SEFL persists for at least 3 months.
An efficient dehyrohalogenation method for the synthesis of α,β,β-trifluorostyrenes, α-chloro-β,β-difluorostyrenes and E-1-arylperfluoroalkenes

Abstract Dehydrofluorination of 1-aryl-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethanes (ArCHFCF 3 ) and 1-aryl-1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (ArCHClCF 3 ) using lithiumhexamethyldisilazide (LHMDS) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at room temperature produced 1,2,2-trifluorostyrene and 1-chloro-2,2-difluorostyrene, respectively, in very good isolated yields. Dehydrofluorination of 1,2,2,3,3,3-hexafluoro-1-phenyl-propane (PhCHFCF 2 CF 3 ) and 1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-octafluoro-1-phenyl-butane (PhCHFCF 2 CF 2 CF 3 ) using LHMDS produced the corresponding substituted olefins (1-phenyl-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoroprop-1-ene and 1-phenyl-1,2,3,3,4,4,4-pentafluorobut-1-ene) in good yield and high E -selectivity. Dehydrofluorination of 1-chloro-1-phenyl-2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane (PhCHClCF 2 CF 3 ) and 1-chloro-1-phenyl-2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutane (PhCHClCF 2 CF 2 CF 3 ) produced a mixture of the corresponding E and Z olefins (PhCCl CFCF 3 and PhCCl CFCF 2 CF 3 ) in good yield.
Maternal weight-loss patterns during prolonged lactation

Weight and triceps-skinfold thickness were measured until 24 mo postpartum in matched cohorts of women who breast-fed for > or = 12 mo (BF; n = 46) or < or = 3 mo (FF; n = 39). In the BF group, breast-feeding frequency and breast-milk energy output were determined every 3 mo until 18 mo. Weight loss from 1 to 12 mo postpartum was significantly greater in BF than in FF women (4.4 vs 2.4 kg, P < 0.05), due primarily to differences in weight loss from 3 to 6 mo. BF mothers had a net loss in triceps-skinfold thickness whereas FF mothers gained fat at this site (-0.4 vs 2.4 mm, P < 0.05). Breast-feeding frequency and total time breast-feeding were related to weight loss in the BF group from 6 to 12 mo. Maternal weight did not differ significantly between 12 and 24 mo in either group. We conclude that lactation enhances weight loss postpartum if breast-feeding continues for at least 6 mo.
Temperature effects in Lamb-wave structural health monitoring systems

There is a need to better understand the effect of temperature changes on the response of ultrasonic guided-wave pitchcatch systems used for Structural Health Monitoring. A model is proposed to account for all relevant temperaturedependent parameters of a pitch-catch system on an isotropic plate and a fiber-reinforced composite laminate, including the actuator-plate and plate-sensor interactions through shear-lag behavior, the piezoelectric and dielectric permittivity properties of the transducers, and the Lamb wave dispersion properties of the substrate plate. The model is used to predict the S 0 response spectra in for the temperature range of -40°C to +60°C which accounts for normal aircraft operations. The transducers examined are flexible Macro-Fiber Composite type P1 patches. The study shows substantial changes in Lamb wave amplitude response caused solely by temperature excursions. It is also shown that, for the transducers considered, the response amplitude changes follow two opposite trends below and above ambient temperature (20°C), respectively. These results can provide a basis for the compensation of temperature effects in guided-wave damage detection systems.
Functional Abdominal Pain

Functional abdominal pain (FAP) is a frequent complaint seen in the pediatric primary care setting. Current diagnostic criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are defi ned in the Rome III criteria, which outline a positive symptom profi le for diagnosis. In addition, clinicians should be aware of specifi c “red fl ag ” rule-out symptoms that may suggest organic disease rather than FAP. Although an organic etiology for functional abdominal pain is unclear, substantive research supports the role of “visceral hyperalgesia ” and biopsychosocial determinants in the maintenance of FAP. Prognostic factors for this condition suggest that individuals reluctant to adopt a biopsychosocial model of pain are more likely to experience continued symptoms and impairment into adulthood. Assessment of FAP generally involves a thorough history and minimal laboratory tests. For treatment, several promising biobehavioral strategies have received empirical support for successfully addressing FAP symptoms. This chapter will review our current understanding of FAP, how to adequately assess for this condition, and promising treatment strategies for children with living with painful FGIDs.
Breastfeeding and Childhood IQ: The Mediating Role of Gray Matter Volume

Objective A substantial body of literature has established the positive effect of breastfeeding on child developmental outcomes. There is increasing consensus that breastfed children have higher IQs after accounting for key variables, including maternal education, IQ, and socioeconomic status. Cross-sectional investigations of the effects of breastfeeding on structural brain development suggest that breastfed infants have larger whole brain, cortical, and white matter volumes. To date, few studies have related these measures of brain structure to IQ in breastfed versus nonbreastfed children in a longitudinal sample. Method Data were derived from the Preschool Depression Study (PDS), a prospective longitudinal study in which children and caregivers were assessed annually for 8 waves over 11 years. A subset completed neuroimaging between the ages of 9.5 and 14.11 years. A total of 148 individuals had breastfeeding data at baseline and complete data on all variables of interest, including IQ and structural neuroimaging. General linear models and process mediation models were used. Results Breastfed children had significantly higher IQ scores and larger whole brain, total gray matter, total cortical gray matter, and subcortical gray matter volumes compared with the nonbreastfed group in models that covaried for key variables. Subcortical gray matter volume significantly mediated the association between breastfeeding and children's IQ scores. Conclusion The study findings suggest that the effects of breastfeeding on child IQ are mediated through subcortical gray volume. This effect and putative mechanism is of public health significance and further supports the importance of breastfeeding in mental health promotion.
OXIDATIVE INTERACTIONS OF SYNTHETIC LUNG EPITHELIAL LINING FLUID WITH METAL-CONTAINING PARTICULATE MATTER

Epidemiology studies show association of morbidity and mortality with exposure to ambient air particulate matter (PM). Metals present in PM may catalyze oxidation of important lipids and proteins p...
Optical investigation of large-scale boundary-layer structures

An investigation of large-scale boundary-layer structures using optical wavefront sensing techniques is described. Measurements were conducted in Notre Dame’s Tri-Sonic facility at M = 0.4 and 0.5 with a range of sampling frequencies and spatial resolutions as well as the Merill Wind Tunnel facility at Caltech at M = 0.03. In this paper we present several techniques for determining optical wavefront energy spectra and the implications of those techniques to large-scale structures. Finally we investigate the effect of Reynolds number on the wavefront spectra in a turbulent boundary-layer. The data has shown an increase in Reynolds number causes a significant energy shift toward lower Stδ, indicating that optically active large scale structures grow larger with increase in Reynolds number.
Polyetherimide: High temperature, melt processable insulation

Polyetherimide (PEI) is a new thermoplastic resin with potential uses in a broad range of electrical applications including magnet wire Insulation, connectors, slot liners, and pressure sensitive tape. The material exhibits high temperature stability, excellent electrical properties, extremely good flame resistance, and durability under a variety of aggressive environmental conditions. As a fully melt processible resin, polyetherimide offers high manufacturing productivity plus the capability of reusing scrap material.
Principles of Radiation Therapy

The treatment design and delivery of radiation for esophageal cancer require a comprehensive understanding of the natural history of disease, patterns of failure, anatomy, and principles of radiobiology. The use of pretreatment imaging, such as computerized axial tomography (CT) scans, endoscopic ultrasonography, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, has improved target delineation. State-of-the-art equipment and advances in radiation planning software may improve treatment-related toxicities by allowing increasing dose to tumor while minimizing dose to surrounding normal structures.
Abstract 654: Endothelial Ephrin-B2 Essential for Arterial Vasodilation is also Required for Acute Ischemic Recovery

Rationale: The cell surface protein ephrin-B2 is expressed in arterial and not venous endothelial cells throughout development and adulthood. We have recently reported that endothelial ephrin-B2 is essential in acute arterial vasodilation. Here we proposed that endothelial ephrin-B2 plays important protective roles against acute ischemia. Objective: We investigated the role of endothelial ephrin-B2 following experimental hindlimb ischemia in mice lacking ephrin-B2 specifically in the endothelium. Methods and Results: We performed femoral artery occlusion in mice lacking the ephrin-B2 gene specifically in endothelial cells. We found that the mutant mice exhibited lower residual blood flow than controls immediately following the surgical occlusion by laser doppler perfusion imaging. The mutant mice also developed gangrene not seen in controls soon after the occlusion. Histologically the tissue regeneration and recovery were impaired in the hindlimb of the mutant mice. S-nitrosoglutathione, a donor for nitric oxide, alleviated the perfusion impairment immediately after the occlusion and improved the tissue survival and recovery in the mutants to levels comparable to those in controls. We further demonstrated that acetylcholine-stimulated nitric oxide production was impaired in ephrin-B2 mutant aortae, detected by both chemiluminescence that measures NOx and electron spin resonance that measures bioavailable NO. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that mice lacking ephrin-B2 in endothelial cells are defective in acute ischemic recovery after femoral artery occlusion. Our data also suggest that endothelial ephrin-B2 could potentially interact with the nitric oxide pathway that is critical in its function in arterial dilation and protection against ischemia.
Right ventricle to pulmonary artery connection: Evolution and current alternatives

Abstract Despite the introduction of different right ventricle to pulmonary artery reconstructive techniques and conduits, the ideal option is yet to be developed. Valved conduits mimicking the natural right ventricular outflow, however, they do not grow and re-operation for conduit replacement is inevitable. So, surgeons have constantly tried to evolve surgical techniques that would obviate their use and allow age-related growth. We tried to review the evolution of these techniques and the current status of these alternatives focusing on their suitability for variable age groups and different pathological entities.
The Digital Evolution in Postmodernity

Instead of the binary division between capitalism and socialism or between modernism and postmodernism, there is a way to distill the best (most efficient and socially beneficial) that these binaries can offer so as to find a pragmatic middle-ground. Digital technologies don’t align more strongly with one side of the binaries, but offer a way to realize and test some elements of both of them. In doing so, an evolutionary trajectory is outlined so as to acknowledge the continuity rather than revolutionary nature of the Digital Age.
STM probes beneath the surface

In less than ten years, scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) has developed into a technique of unsurpassed surface sensitivity allowing vacuum–solid, gas–solid and liquid–solid interfaces to be probed on an atom-by-atom basis. On the other hand, solid–solid interfaces buried in the bulk cannot be directly studied with the STM since the tunnel current that flows between tip and sample – the basis of the technique – is governed by the vacuum gap conductivity of the tunnel barrier. This conductivity is determined by the overlap of the wave-functions between the tip and sample which is a surface effect.
The Use of Recombinant FVIIa in a Structured Massive Transfusion Protocol: A Novel Approach.

Abstract Background: Trauma has become the second leading cause of death worldwide, despite advances in modern trauma resuscitation practices. Appropriate and timely blood component therapy in the severely injured trauma patient could prevent adverse outcome due to coagulopathy. Recombinant FVIIa has been used to achieve adequate hemostasis in trauma patients in the field. Materials and Methods: In June 2004, a massive transfusion protocol (MTP) was established in Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, TX for patients presenting with trauma. Major goals of the MTP were 1) to achieve faster turn around times for these products, 2) to provide an appropriate ratio of blood components in order to prevent coagulopathy of massive transfusion and use of rFVIIa to achieve better hemostasis, and 3) to reduce wastage of blood products. At all times, the Blood Bank keeps ready for emergency release 4 units each of type A and O thawed plasma (TP) and 2 units of AB TP (5 days expiration). The MTP consists of three shipments that may be repeated, if necessary. Each shipment consists of 5 packed red blood cells (PRBCs) and 2 TP. One dose of platelets is added to the second shipment, and one dose of cryoprecipitate (10 units) and rFVIIa (4.8 mg) is added to the third shipment. If the MTP goes to the 6th shipment, 2.4 mg rFVIIa is given. Once initiated, the first MTP shipment is ready for pick up in 15 minutes. If blood type can not be determined, type O RBCs with type AB TP are sent in the first shipment (Rh matching depends upon inventory and the patient's gender). We compared MTP blood component usage in 173 trauma patients during a 24-months period with pre-MTP historical data in 67 trauma patients from the previous 12 months. Results: The average TAT of the first shipment in MTP was 9 ± 0.4 minutes. No TAT assessments of the first shipment were possible in the pre-MTP cases because there was no initiation time available. When comparing the average TATs of second and third shipments of MTP versus pre-MTP cases, however, significant reductions were achieved (18 ± 1.8 vs. 42 ± 30 and 30 ± 2.5 vs. 44 ± 31 minutes, respectively). There was a significant reduction in blood component usage with MTP as compared to pre-MTP (Table) though the mortality had not changed. The blood component wastage (especially cryoprecipitate) had decreased significantly. Conclusions: There was a significant reduction in TAT and blood products used in following establishment of MTP; this was most likely due to prevention and/or early treatment of dilutional coagulopathy and achievement of adequate hemostasis with use of rFVIIa. Table . Group PRBCs Thawed Plasma Platelets CRYO rFVIIa TAT (2nd Shipment) TAT (3rd Shipment) Pre-MTP (n = 67) 24.2 ± 16.3 11.2 ± 8.3 3.1 ± 3.5 1.6 ± 1.7 0.2 ± 0.4 42 ± 30* 44 ± 31* MTP (n = 173) 17.5 ± 12.4 6.7 ± 5.6 1.2 ± 1.4 0.7 ± 0.8 0.4 ± 0.6 18 ± 1.8 33 ± 2.5 P value 0.0055 00.0032 N/P N/P *Pre-MTP (n = 20), CRYO = cryoprecipitate, TAT = turn-around time, N/P = not performed
Control Theory for Partial Differential Equations: Continuous and Approximation Theories

Originally published in 2000, this is the second volume of a comprehensive two-volume treatment of quadratic optimal control theory for partial differential equations over a finite or infinite time horizon, and related differential (integral) and algebraic Riccati equations. Both continuous theory and numerical approximation theory are included. The authors use an abstract space, operator theoretic approach, which is based on semigroups methods, and which unifies across a few basic classes of evolution. The various abstract frameworks are motivated by, and ultimately directed to, partial differential equations with boundary/point control. Volume 2 is focused on the optimal control problem over a finite time interval for hyperbolic dynamical systems. A few abstract models are considered, each motivated by a particular canonical hyperbolic dynamics. It presents numerous fascinating results. These volumes will appeal to graduate students and researchers in pure and applied mathematics and theoretical engineering with an interest in optimal control problems.
Guided wave excitation and propagation in damped composite plates

Guided wave attenuation in composites due to material damping is strong, anisotropic, and cannot be neglected. Material damping is a critical parameter in selection of a particular wave mode for lo...
Changes in Latitudes, Differences in Attitudes: Assessing the Distinctiveness of Southern State Legislators

A variety of studies have examined the manner in which motivation effects the decisions made, and the activities engaged in, by politicians. However, one area that seems to have been ignored has been whether there are regional differences among state legislators as it relates to ambition and what, if any, effect it has on the preferences of Southern and non-Southern legislators. Utilizing data from a survey administered to state legislators from all 50 states, we are able to demonstrate that legislators from Southern states exhibit significantly higher levels of progressive ambition than those from non-Southern states, and that this increased level of ambition exerts a significant impact on the types of activities Southern legislators would prefer to spend their time engaging in.
Direct or coincidental elimination of stable rotors or focal sources may explain successful atrial fibrillation ablation: on-treatment analysis of the CONFIRM trial (Conventional ablation for AF with or without focal impulse and rotor modulation).

Objectives This study sought to determine whether ablation of recently described stable atrial fibrillation (AF) sources, either directly by Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation (FIRM) or coincidentally when anatomic ablation passes through AF sources, may explain long-term freedom from AF. Background It is unclear why conventional anatomic AF ablation can be effective in some patients yet ineffective in others with similar profiles. Methods The CONFIRM (Conventional Ablation for AF With or Without Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation) trial prospectively revealed stable AF rotors or focal sources in 98 of 101 subjects with AF at 107 consecutive ablation cases. In 1:2 fashion, subjects received targeted source ablation (FIRM) followed by conventional ablation, or conventional ablation alone. We determined whether ablation lesions on electroanatomic maps passed through AF sources on FIRM maps. Results Subjects who completed follow-up (n = 94; 71.2% with persistent AF) showed 2.3 ± 1.1 concurrent AF rotors or focal sources that lay near pulmonary veins (22.8%), left atrial roof (16.0%), and elsewhere in the left (28.2%) and right (33.0%) atria. AF sources were ablated directly in 100% of FIRM cases and coincidentally (e.g., left atrial roof) in 45% of conventional cases (p Conclusions Elimination of stable AF rotors and focal sources may explain freedom from AF after diverse approaches to ablation. Patient-specific AF source distributions are consistent with the reported success of specific anatomic lesion sets and of widespread ablation. These results support targeting AF sources to reduce unnecessary ablation, and motivate studies on FIRM-only ablation. (The Dynamics of Human Atrial Fibrillation; NCT01008722 )
Sensing solutions for assessing and monitoring power systems

Abstract: The chapter describes sensing systems that underpin the safe and reliable operation of large-scale power systems. It provides an overview of power system structure and operation, identifying the important characteristics of generation, transmission, and distribution. A discussion of substations highlights their vital role in establishing network interconnections and providing measurements of network quantities. These functions are fundamental to the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems that facilitate power system monitoring and operation. A discussion of sensing equipment and systems considers current and voltage transformers, distribution network sensing, phasor measurement units, and electromechanical mode monitoring. Operational use of SCADA measurements is considered, and an overview of state estimation is provided. The chapter concludes with a discussion of techniques for assessing power system security and reliability.
Accuracy of 3-dimensional printed dental models reconstructed from digital intraoral impressions.

Introduction A rapidly advancing digital technology in orthodontics is 3-dimensional (3D) modeling and printing, prompting a transition from a more traditional clinical workflow toward an almost exclusively digital format. There is limited literature on the accuracy of the 3D printed dental models. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of 2 types of 3D printing techniques. Methods Digital and alginate impressions of the oral environment were collected from 30 patients. Subsequently, digital impressions were used to print 3D models using digital light processing (DLP) and polyjet printing techniques, and alginate impressions were poured up in stone. Measurements for the 3 model types (digital, DLP, and polyjet) were compared with the stone models. Tooth measurements (first molar to first molar) included mesiodistal (crown width) and incisal/occlusal-gingival (crown height). Arch measurements included arch depth and intercanine and intermolar widths. Intraobserver reliability of the repeated measurement error was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Results The intraclass correlation coefficients were high for all recorded measurements, indicating that all measurements on all model types were highly reproducible. There were high degrees of agreement between all sets of models and all measurements, with the exception of the crown height measurements between the stone and DLP models, where the mean difference was statistically significant. Conclusions Both the DLP and polyjet printers produced clinically acceptable models and should be considered viable options for clinical application.
Ending Innocence Denying

Prosecutors, the most powerful actors in the criminal justice system, also have the most difficult job: they must be “ministers of justice.” A prosecutor’s core mission is to vindicate the truth, rather than strive to “win” by accumulating a track record of convictions. When evidence comes to light suggesting that a wrongful conviction has occurred, a prosecutor’s ethical obligation requires admitting to a terrible mistake and working to undo it. Many conscientious prosecutors accept this responsibility and confess to their errors. But too many do not. They insist, in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, that wrongfully convicted people are in fact guilty. These prosecutors actively work to delay justice. Some are so committed to adhering to the original mistake that they fail to prosecute the actual perpetrators. Much has been written about how to change the culture that leads to prosecutors’ reflexive doubling-down on wrongful convictions: public shaming in judicial opinions, more rigorous ethical training in law school and on the job, and sharper oversight by state bars. These measures are necessary, but they are insufficient. To curtail innocence-denying, the narrative must change about what it means to be a “good prosecutor,” historically defined as a tough-on- crime fighter whose overriding goal is to obtain and preserve convictions. This mindset pits a prosecutor’s self-interest in getting and preserving guilty verdicts against his or her ethical obligations, which require confessing error and reversing course where credible evidence of innocence exists. The explosion of interest in wrongful conviction cases, narrated as true crime stories in podcasts, documentaries, and other media, has begun to erode the power of traditional narrative. The public is now better informed about the ethical obligations of prosecutors and the consequences of violating these obligations. This, in turn, has led to important, to the election of reform-minded candidates who defeated innocence-denying incumbents by running on progressive platforms, including a commitment to revisiting wrongful conviction cases. In this article, I argue that these “good prosecutor” stories can be woven into a coherent and compelling meta-narrative that can help put an end to innocence denying. When the new exoneration narrative becomes predominant, prosecutors who embrace their ethical obligations and correct miscarriages of justice will have everything to gain because the voters will see them as courageous and just. Innocence deniers by contrast, will be rendered unelectable.
Multi-scale 3D Data Acquisition of Maize

In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) data acquisition and model reconstruction of plants have been developed as a hot topic of plant scientific researches. However, the morphological structure of plants is very complex and it is hard to describe the details. The data acquisition approaches are diverse for different parts of plants. This study introduces the data acquisition methods of different scales of maize. The grain, leaf and ear, individual plant and maize colony represents the target models for different scales. 3D data acquisition instruments are used to acquire the morphometric of each target. It is found that the organ scale is the simplest to obtain and process. The smallest grain needs high-resolution scanner to acquire the morphological details, while the plant canopy is the hardest one for point cloud process and modeling. The data and reconstructed models are oriented to digital plant, phenotyping analysis, FSPMs research, and popular science education application.
Prince of Intellectual Property: On Creatorship, Ownership, and Black Capitalism in Purple Afterworlds (Prince in/as Blackness)

AbstractThis article focuses on a relatively rarely discussed aspect of Prince’s life: his intellectual property rights politics. Despite seemingly conservative stances on infringement, Prince was ...
Engineering Nanoscale Thermal Transport: Size- and Spacing-Dependent Cooling of Nanostructures

Author(s): Frazer, TD; Knobloch, JL; Hoogeboom-Pot, KM; Nardi, D; Chao, W; Falcone, RW; Murnane, MM; Kapteyn, HC; Hernandez-Charpak, JN | Abstract: Nanoscale thermal transport is becoming ever more technologically important with the development of next-generation nanoelectronics, nanomediated thermal therapies, and high efficiency thermoelectric devices. However, direct experimental measurements of nondiffusive heat flow in nanoscale systems are challenging, and first-principle models of real geometries are not yet computationally feasible. In recent work, we used ultrafast pulses of short-wavelength light to uncover a previously-unobserved regime of nanoscale thermal transport that occurs when the width and separation of heat sources are comparable to the mean free paths of the dominant heat-carrying phonons in the substrate. We now systematically compare thermal transport from gratings of metallic nanolines with different periodicities, on both silicon and fused-silica substrates, to map the entire nanoscale thermal transport landscape - from closely spaced through increasingly isolated to fully isolated heat-transfer regimes. By monitoring the surface profile dynamics with subangstrom sensitivity, we directly measure thermal transport from the nanolines into the substrate. This allows us to quantify for the first time how the nanoline separation significantly impacts thermal transport into the substrate, making it possible to reach efficiencies that are within a factor of 2 of the diffusive (i.e., thin-film) limit. We also show that partially isolated nanolines perform significantly worse, because cooling occurs in a regime that is intermediate between close-packed and fully isolated heat sources. This work thus confirms the surprising prediction that closely spaced nanoscale heat sources can cool more quickly than when far apart. These results show that our predictive model is validated by experiment over a broad parameter space, which is important for benchmarking theories that go beyond the Fourier model of heat diffusion, and for informed design of nanoengineered systems.
Fast Feedback Inhibition of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Secretion by Endogenous Cortisol in Humans.

BACKGROUND Using high-frequency blood sampling, we demonstrate glucocorticoid fast feedback (FF) mediated by endogenous cortisol in 6 normal humans. METHODS We stimulated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion by ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH) with the experimental paradigm in which a high-frequency blood sampling was designed for plasma ACTH and cortisol determinations. RESULTS We saw previously unrecognized variability in the timing of key events such as onsets of ACTH and cortisol secretion, onset and offset of FF, and in FF duration. This variability mandated analyses referenced to case-wise event times rather than referenced simply to time since oCRH administration. The mean time of FF onset was 4.0 min (range 0-9; median 3) after cortisol secretion began, and the mean FF duration was 7.5 min (range 3-18; median 6.0). The FF effect was rate-sensitive and does not reflect level-sensitive cortisol feedback. In agreement with previous estimates using hydrocortisone infusions, the rate of rise of cortisol that triggered FF was approximately 44 nmol/L/min or 1.6 µg/dL/min. FF onset followed the trigger cortisol slope with an average lag of 1 min (range 0-3; median 0). Unexpectedly, this trigger cortisol slope quickly declined within the FF period. CONCLUSIONS This experimental design may enable new physiological studies of human FF that is mediated by endogenous cortisol, including mechanisms, reproducibility, and generalizability to other activating stimuli.
GONADAL CYCLES IN A POPULATION OF CHUKAR PARTRIDGE, ALECTORIS CHUKAR (AVES: PHASIANIDAE)

ABSTRACT Parameters of reproduction in a Lower Galilee chukar partridge population were estimated from reproductive organs of 200 males and females collected during a 25-month period. Results pertain mainly to gonadal weight and to the histological status of testes. Data on oviducal weight and the size of ovarian follicles are also given. Both sexes exhibited pronounced annual cycles. Gonadal recrudescence began in January; spermiogenesis was first observed in early February; and gonadal maturity was probably achieved in all buds by late February or early March. Reproductive development may have begun earlier in 1971 than 1970. Gonadal regression occurred by late May in females during both years and in males during 1970. However, most males still had mature testes in late May of 1971, a year of poor reproductive performance and more intense social conflict.
Using Agricultural Waste to Create More Environmentally Friendly and Affordable Products and Help Poor Coconut Farmers

Each year, 64 000 000 000 coconuts are harvested around the world. The coconut water, coconut milk and/are coconut oil are produced from the coconut, leaving behind the coconut shells and the coconut husks, which are not well utilized. Exciting new ways to utilized coconut shell powder as function filler in engineering plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene and to utilize coir fiber from the husk with polypropylene in non-woven fabric composites. These application demonstrate that the resulting environmental friendly composite materials have enhanced mechanical properties at a reduced cost.
Paradoxical effects of continuous high dose gabapentin treatment on autonomic dysreflexia after complete spinal cord injury

Abstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) can have profound effects on the autonomic and cardiovascular systems, notably with injuries above high-thoracic levels that result in the development of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) characterized by volatile hypertension in response to exaggerated sympathetic reflexes triggered by afferent stimulation below the injury level. Pathophysiological changes associated with the development of AD include sprouting of both nociceptive afferents and ascending propriospinal ‘relay’ neurons below the injury, as well as dynamic changes in synaptic inputs onto sympathetic preganglionic neurons. However, it remains uncertain whether synapse formation between sprouted c-fibers and propriospinal neurons contributes to the development of exaggerated sympathetic reflexes produced during AD. We previously reported that once daily treatment with the anti-epileptic and neuropathic pain medication, gabapentin (GBP), at low dosage (50 mg/kg) mitigates experimentally induced AD soon after injections, likely by impeding glutamatergic signaling. Since much higher doses of GBP are reported to block the formation of excitatory synapses, we hypothesized that continuous, high dosage GBP treatment after SCI might prevent the formation of aforementioned aberrant synapses and, accordingly, reduce the incidence and severity of AD. Adult female rats implanted with aortic telemetry probes for hemodynamic monitoring underwent T4-transection SCI and immediately received 100 mg/kg (i.p.) of GBP and then every six hours (400 mg/kg/day) for 4-weeks after injury. We assessed daily body weight, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, frequency of spontaneous AD, and hemodynamic changes during colorectal distension (CRD) to establish whether high dose GBP treatment prophylactically mitigates both AD and associated aberrant synaptic plasticity. This regimen significantly reduced both the absolute blood pressure reached during experimentally induced AD and the time required to return to baseline afterwards. Conversely, GBP prevented return to pre-injury body weights and paradoxically increased the frequency of spontaneously occurring AD. While there were significant decreases in the densities of excitatory and inhibitory pre-synaptic markers in the lumbosacral dorsal horn following injury alone, they were unaltered by continuous GBP treatment. This indicates distinct mechanisms of action for acute GBP to mitigate induced AD whereas chronic GBP increases non-induced AD frequencies. While high dose prophylactic GBP is not recommended to treat AD, acute low dose GBP may hold therapeutic value to mitigate evoked AD, notably during iatrogenic procedures under controlled clinical conditions.
Tocqueville’s Philosophy of History: Its Meaning and Implications for Russia and Central and Eastern Europe

For philosophers of history, historical analyses are worthwhile not solely for what they reveal about the past, but for the light they shed on the present and their implications for the future. In their attempts to discern laws that governed prior epochs, philosophers of history raise many questions. Not typically regarded as a philosopher of history, per se, Alexis de Tocqueville poses many of the same questions asked by thinkers who are; exploring and synthesizing Tocqueville’s answers is one aim of this chapter. A second goal of the chapter is to assess the meaning and relevance of Tocqueville’s philosophy of history for Russia, in particular, and post-communist Central and Eastern Europe, more generally.
Use in Arthrodesis

Arthrodesis is typically reserved as a salvage procedure, can be performed utilizing multiple fixation constructs, and leads to successful fusion when biomechanical principles are followed. General principles for bony union such as joint preparation, compression, bony apposition, mechanical alignment, stable fixation, and appropriate strain at the arthrodesis site are observed with intramedullary nailing just like any other fixation construct. However, the use of intramedullary nails for arthrodesis is unique in its ability to limit soft tissue dissection and provide support to the fusion through its load-sharing properties. It is typically limited to knee and hindfoot fusions because the regional anatomy easily accommodates medullary fixation. Obtaining primary bony fusion is the goal of any arthrodesis; however, nails are particularly well suited for fusion through both primary and secondary healing, thus expanding the indications and abilities of a surgeon to achieve fusion. Intramedullary nailing offers its own unique challenges, particularly in obtaining and maintaining joint compression, which is likely contributory to nonunions when they occur, but can be mitigated by maximizing the biomechanical principles observed.
Chapter 24 – The European Union

Publisher Summary The law of the European Union, commonly referred to as European Community law, is automatically part of the UK law, and consequently, it is necessary for pharmacists to have some knowledge of the European Union and the way it works. The European Court of Justice is based in Luxembourg. It is responsible for ensuring that community legislation is correctly interpreted and applied. Cases may be brought by a member state, a community institution, or an individual. The court responds to requests from national courts for an interpretation of community law. It has the power to impose fines. Member states in breach of community law are required to comply with the orders of the court. Judges are appointed from each country. A number of Directives have been issued by the European Union concerning medicines. They are based on Articles 100 and 100A of the Treaty of Rome. The majority of the medicines Directives are concerned with the licensing process, laying down the procedures to be adopted, the types of data to be required, and giving definitions. Community law overrides the national laws of the member states.
In vitro pectate lyase activity and carbon uptake assays and whole genome sequencing of Bap strains for a pectin defective pathway

The pectin lyase activity of 59 Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum (Bap) strains was tested in vitro on Pectate Agar (PA) and Tris-Spizizen Salts (TSS) medium. Bap strains were cultured on TSA medium and washed three times with sterile water before the inoculation on PA media. Higher and lower pectate lyase activity were observed in six (AP193, AP203, AP299, AP80, AP102, and AP52) and four (AP 194, AP214, AP215, and AP305) Bap strains compared to other Bap strains. A total of 12 Bap strains (AP67, AP71, AP77, AP78, AP85, AP102, AP108, AP135, AP143, AP189, AP192, and AP193) grew vigorously on TSS medium. A total of six Bap strains (AP194, AP204, AP214, AP216, AP219, and HD73) had lower growth compared to other Bap strains. Pectin (1%) were used for in vitro PA and TSS medium. Pectate lyase and utilization activity were not found in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain HD73 compared to Bap strains. A draft genome sequence for strains AP194 and AP214 that were negative for pectin utilization were generated using an Illumina MiSeq. RAST analysis revealed that the bpectin-associated gene altronate hydrolase (uxaA) absent in AP 214 strain [Is this true?]. Multiple amino acid alignments of exuT and uxuB gene sequence showed dissimilarities among AP194, AP214, and reference Bap strains.
On estimating the hydrogen solubility in solid aluminium alloys and the hydrogen solubility difference between the liquidus and solidus temperatures

The solubility of hydrogen in solid binary aluminium alloys has been investigated with data from the literature. As in liquid binary alloys, analysis has shown the effect of Cu, Mg, Si and Zn addit...
Evaluation of animal feed grade sodium bisulfate supplementation on performance, intestinal morphology and vitamin D status of broilers challenged with coccidiosis vaccine

SUMMARY This study analyzed the effect of sodium bisulfate (SBS) supplementation on performance, intestinal morphology, and vitamin D3 status of broilers subjected to a 2X dose coccidiosis vaccine. Coccidiosis causes detrimental effects to poultry health and substantial economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. At day of placement, 800 one-day-old male Cobb500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to a vaccinated or not vaccinated group for each of the 2 dietary treatments, control or SBS. Broilers were placed in floor pens for a 21-day trial period. SBS was supplemented at 0.4% at the expense of sodium chloride. Replicates were arranged in a completely randomized block design with 25 broilers per replicate and 8 replicates per treatment, a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Body weights (BW), feed consumption (FC), and mortality-corrected feed conversion (FCR) were calculated at day 7, 14, and 21. Serum concentration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3), villi and crypt measurements from small intestine, and tibia ash (TBA) were measured on day 10, and 21 along with lesion scores. Lesion scores were significantly higher (P
Social isolation and loneliness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study of US Adults over 50.

OBJECTIVES: The potential impact of social distancing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic on social isolation and loneliness is of increasing global concern. Although many studies focus primarily on loneliness, patterns of social isolation-particularly physical and digital isolation-are understudied. We examined changes in social isolation, physical isolation, digital isolation, and loneliness in US adults over 50 before and during the lockdown. METHODS: Two waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a national panel sample of US adults over 50 years old, were used. Fixed-effects regression models were fitted to identify within-person change from 2016 to 2020 to examine the impact of social distancing policies during the pandemic. RESULTS: There was an increase in physical isolation and social isolation among respondents during the COVID-19 social distancing policies. However, respondents experienced no change in digital isolation or loneliness. The increase in physical isolation was only present for people with high COVID-19 concern whereas people with low concern experienced no change in physical isolation. DISCUSSION: Despite an increase in physical isolation due to the social distancing policies, US adults aged over 50 stayed connected through digital contact and were resilient in protecting themselves from loneliness.
Synthetic preparation of N-alkyl and N-aryl arenesulfinamides using an arenesulfinic acid-CDI driven approach

A new synthetic methodology has been developed for the synthesis of N-alkyl and N-aryl arenesulfinamides. The methodology involved reacting arenesulfinic acids (R = -Me, -H, -Cl) with 1,1’-carbonyl...