cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Notes Towards a Critique of Buddhist Karmic Theory

Western Buddhology, the responsible scholarly study of Buddhist languages, history and ideas, is now more than a century and a half old. For most of that time scholars working in this field have been primarily concerned to understand and expound their sources, not to criticize or assess the views found therein, much less to make any attempt at deciding whether the central views of Buddhist philosophers are likely to be true statements of the way things are. There are good reasons for this restriction; before a given set of philosophical views can be assessed it must be understood, and in the case of Buddhism the gaining of such understanding has involved the collective philological labours of several generations of scholars and is still in many respects in its infancy. What is the case for the scholarly community as a whole is magnified for the individual working in this field; the effort involved in becoming competent in several Buddhist canonical languages and in becoming familiar with a range of philosophical ideas and preconceptions which are in many respects alien to one's own culture tends to mean that the Buddhologist's apprenticeship is long, his publications so clogged with jargon as to be inaccessible to any non-specialist, and his appetite for truth stifled by Sanskrit syntax and Tibetan declensions. There is the added problem that the Western intellectual who makes the study of Buddhism his avocation is likely to be, in some more or less well defined sense, a Buddhist; and the dangers of making religious commitment the major motivation for scholarly study have been so amply illustrated by Christian history that they scarcely need rehearsing here.
Opportunistic Spectrum Access in Cognitive Radio Networks

Driven by regulatory initiatives and radio technology advances, opportunistic spectrum access has the potential to mitigate spectrum scarcity and meet the increasing demand for spectrum. In this paper, we consider a scenario where secondary users can opportunistically access unused spectrum vacated by idle primaries. We introduce two metrics to protect primary performance, namely collision probability and overlapping time. We present three spectrum access schemes using different sensing, back-off, and transmission mechanisms. We show that they achieve indistinguishable secondary performance under given primary constraints. We provide closed form analysis on secondary user performance, present a tight capacity upper bound, and reveal the impact of various design options, such as sensing, packet length distribution, back-off time, packet overhead, and grouping. Our work sheds light on the fundamental properties and design criteria on opportunistic spectrum access.
A comparison of software defects in database management systems and operating systems

An analysis of software defects reported at customer sites in two large IBM database management products, DB2 and IMS, is presented. The analysis considers several different error classification systems and compares the results to those of an earlier study of field defects in IBM's MVS operating system. The authors compare the error type, defect type, and error trigger distributions of the DB2, IMS, and MVS products; show that there may exist an asymptotic behavior in the error type distribution as a function of a defect type; and discuss the undefined state errors that dominate the error type distribution. >
Using hybrid automata to model four stroke engines with variable valve timing in Simulink/Stateflow

In this paper, I describe a Hybrid Systems Model implementation in Matlab, using Simulink and Stateflow, modeling a four stroke internal combustion engine, adding variable valve timing to increase power output, keeping other factors constant.
Invented Spelling: An Assessment and Intervention Protocol for Kindergarten Children

The literature on the acquisition of early literacy skills stresses the importance of invented spelling as a valid measure of phonological awareness in children and a good predictor of future readi...
Pyruvate-fortified cardioplegia suppresses oxidative stress and enhances phosphorylation potential of arrested myocardium

Cardioplegic arrest for bypass surgery imposes global ischemia on the myocardium, which generates oxyradicals and depletes myocardial high-energy phosphates. The glycolytic metabolite pyruvate, but...
A high-fat diet regulates gastrin and acid secretion through primary cilia

The role of primary cilia in the gastrointestinal tract has not been examined. Here we report the presence of primary cilia on gastric endocrine cells producing gastrin, ghrelin, and somatostatin (Sst), hormones regulated by food intake. During eating, cilia in the gastric antrum decreased, whereas gastric acid and circulating gastrin increased. Mice fed high-fat chow showed a delayed decrease in antral cilia, increased plasma gastrin, and gastric acidity. Mice fed high-fat chow for 3 wk showed lower cilia numbers and acid but higher gastrin levels than mice fed a standard diet, suggesting that fat affects gastric physiology. Ex vivo experiments showed that cilia in the corpus responded to acid and distension, whereas cilia in the antrum responded to food. To analyze the role of gastric cilia, we conditionally deleted the intraflagellar transport protein Ift88 (Ift88−/fl). In fed Ift88−/fl mice, gastrin levels were higher, and gastric acidity was lower. Moreover, gastrin and Sst gene expression did not change in response to food as in controls. At 8 mo, Ift88−/fl mice developed foveolar hyperplasia, hypergastrinemia, and hypochlorhydria associated with endocrine dysfunction. Our results show that components of food (fat) are sensed by antral cilia on endocrine cells, which modulates gastrin secretion and gastric acidity.—Saqui-Salces, M., Dowdle, W. E., Reiter, J. F., Merchant, J. L. A high-fat diet regulates gastrin and acid secretion through primary cilia.
Rapid selection of mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells in primary prostate stromal cultures

BACKGROUND Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a dominant component of the tumor microenvironment with pro-tumorigenic properties. Despite this knowledge, their physiologic origins remain poorly understood. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be recruited from the bone marrow to areas of tissue damage and inflammation, including prostate cancer. MSCs can generate and have many overlapping properties with CAFs in preclinical models.
Forensic Psychology: Are Two Doctorates Better Than One?

This study identified differences among professionals working in the combined field of psychology and law who hold dual doctorates (DDs) such as J.D./Ph.D. or single doctorates (SDs) consisting of a doctorate in psychology with a master's in law or a doctorate in psychology with forensic specialties. The authors surveyed 52 professionals with the above degree combinations in the United States. The study examined firstly the concern that holders of DDs may lack a professional identity and secondly the belief that they do not contribute scholastically in a unique way. The results showed that holders of DDs reported identifying as both psychologists and lawyers but experienced difficulty marrying the two into a single recognizable professional identity. The participants also reported participating in considerably more varied roles that merged the two fields. These results contrast with the view that holders of DDs polarize or eventually pick one field over time. Possible applications of these findings for pr...
Nurses as Instruments of Healing Self-Care Practices of Nurses in a Rural Hospital Setting

Objective: To better understand current self-care practices and health-promoting behaviors of nursing staff in a rural hospital and determine if there is a need for further development of a holistic self-care program for nursing staff in the hospital. Method: In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on current self-care practices and health needs and interests of hospital registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants from inpatient, outpatient, and emergency departments. A convenience sample of 45 was employed. Results: Most prevalent self-care practices included humor/laughter/play, music, spirituality/prayer, healthy sleep habits, reading, healthy nutrition, and walking. At least 75.6% answered to be extremely or likely to use three of five fitness programs (95% confidence interval [CI: 63.05%, 88.15%]). All four nutrition education programs were rated extremely likely or likely by at least two thirds of respondents ...
The Fate of Broiler Necks and Giblets

Abstract A consumer survey was conducted at the New York State Fair to determine broiler buying practices and to find out what use was made of broiler necks and giblets. About one-half of the consumers purchasing entire broiler carcasses during the previous month bought them in cut-up form while the other half bought the whole uncut carcass. Over half bought parts; more than one-third of these consumers said they bought parts only. About one-half of the consumers who purchased cut-up or uncut carcasses stated that they either used necks and giblets as pet food or discarded them. One-half of these consumers said they were interested in purchasing broilers without necks and giblets. Of this group, more than one-third said they were willing to pay a premium. The average premium specified was 6¢/lb.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Healthy Aged Persons: Two- and Three-Year Follow-Up

We report the results of a study of the effects of sleep-disordered breathing in a cohort of healthy elderly subjects followed longitudinally for 3 years. In a comprehensive evaluation of daytime functioning, including medical history and physical examination, pulmonary function testing and neuropsychiatric testing, we found very little difference in the neuropsychiatric or medical sequelae between those subjects with moderate [apnea+hypopnea index (AHI) > or = 5] and low (AHI < 5) levels of sleep-disordered breathing at baseline. Although there were no differences in the electrocardiogram, pulse rate or cardiac history data, a mild association was found between indices of sleep-disordered breathing and pulmonary function. We conclude that moderate levels of sleep-disordered breathing in an otherwise asymptomatic healthy geriatric patient should probably not be considered pathologic in the short term.
Curriculum evaluation: A crucial component of dietetic programs

The Nominal Group Technique was used to evaluate the existing CUP curriculum at Louisiana Tech University. Forty-five persons involved in the program participated in one of three workshops. The nominal group process successfully generated ranked and weighed "problem" statements to be addressed in program revision. The NGT allowed input from all individuals, leading to the clinical practitioners "owning" the crucial clinical experience component of the coordinated undergraduate program.
Chlamydia trachomatis IgG3 seropositivity is associated with gastroschisis.

Objective To investigate the association between Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection seropositivity and gastroschisis. Study design In this case-control study we enrolled pregnant women either prenatally diagnosed with gastroschisis (cases, n=33) or with a normal ultrasound (controls, n=66). Both groups attended the University of Utah's Maternal Fetal Medicine Diagnostic Center for their diagnostic ultrasound or because of a community obstetrician referral. Participants completed a structured interview on potential risk factors. Anti-CT immunoglobulin (IgG)1 and IgG3 were measured by a CT elementary body enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Result Median age at sexual debut was lower and reported sexual partner number higher in cases compared with controls. Risk factors for gastroschisis included having ⩾ 3 sexual partners (odds ratio (OR)=3.3, 95% CI 1.2, 9.4), change in partner from the previous pregnancy (OR=3.6, 95% CI 0.9, 13.9) and anti-CT IgG3 seropositivity (age-adjusted OR=3.9, 95% CI: 1.1, 13.2). Conclusion Anti-CT IgG3 seropositivity was associated with greater than a threefold risk for gastroschisis.
Control of the size of the coherence area in entangled twin beams

We study the effect of a change in size and spatial profile of the pump beam in an atomic-based four-wave mixing process on the size of the coherence area of the generated entangled twin beams. We perform experiments and develop a theoretical model to obtain a measure of the linear extent or ``radius'' of the coherence area from noise measurements of the twin beams as a function of transmission through a variable size slit. Our results show that an increase in the size of the pump reduces the size of the coherence area. More interestingly, we find that the use of a flat-top pump beam of the same size as a Gaussian pump beam leads to a reduction by a factor of more than 2 in the linear extent of the coherence area. This in turn leads to an increase by a factor of more than 4 in the number of spatial modes that make up the twin beams and a resolution enhancement of the entangled images that can be generated with the four-wave mixing process.
Mechanisms for negative water balance during weightlessness: immersion or bed rest?

Results of bedrest and water immersion studies are of interest when formulating an hypothesis to explain inflight changes in water and electrolyte metabolism. A comparison of the two techniques is made, and it is found that the time course of fluid-electrolyte responses with bedrest occur more slowly than during weightlessness and faster with immersion. Hence, the head-down bedrest is the more appropriate model for simulation studies. The facts lead to the following hypothesis: Because of the head-ward shift of fluid , there is a transient elevation of central venous pressure upon reaching weightlessness that is not sufficiently intense to significantly activate the vasopressin-diuresis mechanism. But the increased pressure is of significant intensity to release atrial natriuretic peptides. A hypotonic fluid moving into the cells contributes to edema and inhibits thirst. In this manner, astronauts gradually lose body water as a result of slightly increased urinary sodium coupled with decreased fluid intake. These responses continue until a new fluid-electrolyte steady state is attained at a reduced level of total body water.
TWO NEW SPECIES OF THE CAMBRIAN GENUS MICKWITZIA

Mickwitziids are a unique group of brachiopods, known exclusively from the Lower Cambrian. Herein are described the new species Mickwitzia lochmana and M. multipunctata; both species are from southwestern North America. Mickwitzia muralensis Walcott, 1913, the largest mickwitziid, is reported here for the first time from the United States. This paper also discusses the distribution of mickwitziids, their shell structure, and the possible functions of mickwitziid punctae.
Isotopic Composition of Deccan and Ocean Ridge Basalts: Implications for their Mantle Sources

Isotopic data suggest that the mantle sources for ocean ridge basalts and some continental flood basalts, particularly the Deccan, may be in the same global depleted convecting mantle. If this is the case, the upwelling Deccan mantle source must have mixed with small amounts of an ancient enriched mantle component, similar to that detected in some kimberlites, prior to interaction with the crust. Such a scenario appears to be required by the facts that the isotopic composition of the depleted end members is approximately constant throughout the Deccan but different from ocean ridge basalts, and the oxygen isotopic composition of the most depleted Deccan sample is characteristic of mantle values. The wide variability in isotopic composition of Deccan and some other continental flood basalts is then the result of crustal processes, as has been suggested by many authors.
Air traffic flow management under uncertainty using chance-constrained optimization

Abstract In order to efficiently balance traffic demand and capacity, optimization of Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) relies on accurate predictions of future capacity states. However, these predictions are inherently uncertain due to factors, such as weather. This paper presents a novel computationally efficient algorithm to address uncertainty in ATFM by using a chance-constrained optimization method. First, a chance-constrained model is developed based on a previous deterministic Integer Programming optimization model of ATFM to include probabilistic sector capacity constraints. Then, to efficiently solve such a large-scale chance-constrained optimization problem, a polynomial approximation-based approach is applied. The approximation is based on the numerical properties of the Bernstein polynomial, which is capable of effectively controlling the approximation error for both the function value and gradient. Thus, a first-order algorithm is adopted to obtain a satisfactory solution, which is expected to be optimal. Numerical results are reported in order to evaluate the polynomial approximation-based approach by comparing it with the brute-force method. Moreover, since there are massive independent approximation processes in the polynomial approximation-based approach, a distributed computing framework is designed to carry out the computation for this method. This chance-constrained optimization method and its computation platform are potentially helpful in their application to several other domains in air transportation, such as airport surface operations and airline management under uncertainties.
Secret Negotiations for Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty

Chapter 7 analyzes the impediments to the conclusion of the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty and how Zhou tried to resolve these obstacles until his death in January 1976, while coping with his terminal illness. Newly released diplomatic archival documents and memoirs of Chinese and Japanese officials disclose the truth behind the secret negotiations.
Cross-linking of dicyclotyrosine by the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP121 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis proceeds through a catalytic shunt pathway

CYP121, the cytochrome P450 enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that catalyzes a single intramolecular C–C cross-linking reaction in the biosynthesis of mycocyclosin, is crucial for the viability of this pathogen. This C–C coupling reaction represents an expansion of the activities carried out by P450 enzymes distinct from oxygen insertion. Although the traditional mechanism for P450 enzymes has been well studied, it is unclear whether CYP121 follows the general P450 mechanism or uses a different catalytic strategy for generating an iron-bound oxidant. To gain mechanistic insight into the CYP121-catalyzed reaction, we tested the peroxide shunt pathway by using rapid kinetic techniques to monitor the enzyme activity with its substrate dicyclotyrosine (cYY) and observed the formation of the cross-linked product mycocyclosin by LC-MS. In stopped-flow experiments, we observed that cYY binding to CYP121 proceeds in a two-step process, and EPR spectroscopy indicates that the binding induces active site reorganization and uniformity. Using rapid freeze-quenching EPR, we observed the formation of a high-spin intermediate upon the addition of peracetic acid to the enzyme–substrate complex. This intermediate exhibits a high-spin (S = 5/2) signal with g values of 2.00, 5.77, and 6.87. Likewise, iodosylbenzene could also produce mycocyclosin, implicating compound I as the initial oxidizing species. Moreover, we also demonstrated that CYP121 performs a standard peroxidase type of reaction by observing substrate-based radicals. On the basis of these results, we propose plausible free radical–based mechanisms for the C–C bond coupling reaction.
Transcriptional Profiling of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Identifies Distinct Neuroimmune Pathways Altered by CNS Disease.

Background and objectives Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are an attractive cell based therapy in the treatment of CNS demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Preclinical studies demonstrate that BM-MSCs can effectively reduce clinical burden and enhance recovery in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a commonly used animal model of MS. However, a number of recent clinical trials have not shown significant functional benefit following BM-MSC infusion into MS patients. One possibility for the discrepancy between animal and human studies is the source of the cells, as recent studies suggest BM-MSCs from MS patients or animals with EAE lack reparative efficacy compared to naive cells. We sought to define important transcriptional and functional differences between diseased and naive MSCs. Methods and results We utilized RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq) to assess changes in gene expression between BM-MSCs derived from EAE animals and those derived from healthy controls. We show that EAE alters the expression of a large number of genes in BM-MSCs and changes in gene expression are more pronounced in chronic versus acute disease. Bioinformatic analysis revealed extensive perturbations in BM-MSCs in pathways related to inflammation and the regulation of neural cell development. These changes suggest that signals from EAE derived BM-MSCs inhibit rather than enhance remyelination, and in-vitro studies showed that conditioned medium from EAE MSCs fails to support the development of mature oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the CNS. Conclusions These data provide insight into the failure of autologous BM-MSCs to promote recovery in MS and support the concept of utilizing non-autologous MSCs in future clinical trials.
Cavity Phase Measurement via Modulated Impulse Response for Coherent Temporal Pulse Stacking

We have temporally combined 25 equal-amplitude pulses using four cavities, stabilizing cavity round-trip phase by measuring the response to a probe pulse train. Energy enhancement of 18.4 is maintained within 1% RMS.
How Context and User Behavior Affect Indoor Navigation Assistance for Blind People

Recent techniques for indoor localization are now able to support practical, accurate turn-by-turn navigation for people with visual impairments (PVI). Understanding user behavior as it relates to situational contexts can be used to improve the ability of the interface to adapt to problematic scenarios, and consequently reduce navigation errors. This work performs a fine-grained analysis of user behavior during indoor assisted navigation, outlining different scenarios where user behavior (either with a white-cane or a guide-dog) is likely to cause navigation errors. The scenarios include certain instructions (e.g., slight turns, approaching turns), cases of error recovery, and the surrounding environment (e.g., open spaces and landmarks). We discuss the findings and lessons learned from a real-world user study to guide future directions for the development of assistive navigation interfaces that consider the users' behavior and coping mechanisms.
Communicating Through Aisthesis

Aesthetics has never really served as First Philosophy (Prote Philosophia) as have metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Nevertheless, since Baumgarten founded aesthetics in 1750 as a philosophical discipline having its own, delimitable object, and especially since Kant, who in 1790 put forward (in a brilliantly critical way) a conception of aesthetic judgment, one can observe certain attempts being made towards aestheticize of the philosophical problematic. Schiller, moved by the enthusiasm of Romantic speculation, certainly wished to aestheticize the Kantian monument as a whole. This aestheticization has lead in certain case to a quasi-nihilistic aestheticism. One sees today in postmodernism a new wave of aestheticization. It is, naturally, ethics in the first place that becomes the “daughter of aesthetics”1. Taste is thus transformed into an aesthetico-ethcial category, rapidly filling the void left behind by naturalism, historicism, and positivism in ethical matters.
Crystal Clear? Microspectroscopic Imaging and Physicochemical Characterization of Indoor Depositions on Window Glass

Deposition and surface-mediated reactions of adsorbed species can play a role in the level of exposure of occupants to indoor pollutants, which include gases and particles. Detailed molecular-level descriptions of these processes occurring on indoor surfaces are difficult to obtain because of the ever-increasing types of surfaces and their proximity to a variety of different indoor emission sources. The results of an investigation of interactions of glass surfaces in unique indoor environments are described here. Window glass, a ubiquitous indoor surface, was placed vertically in six different locations to assess differences in particle and coating depositions. Atomic force microscopy–photothermal infrared (AFM–PTIR) spectroscopic analysis of these glass surfaces reveals differences in morphology and chemical composition, which reflects the diversity of surface processes found in local environments indoors. Overall, this detailed microspectroscopic imaging method shows deposition of particles and the form...
A Pathways Approach to Mood Disorders

Mood disorders, particularly major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, causing distress and impairing function. Genetic studies have confirmed an increased risk for depression in those with a positive family history, but environment, particularly chronic exposure to stressful events is a major contributor to etiology. Bipolar disorder has a lower prevalence in adults but a higher concordance. Difficulties in normal functioning in those with severe mood swings are striking in their intensity and effects on many areas of life. This chapter describes two cases of mood disorder, one of a patient with bipolar disorder and one with major depressive disorder. In both examples, the pathways model is applied to both symptom management and to elucidation of root psychological issues. The interventions were not curative but provided significant benefit to the individuals in the short term and assisted them in maintaining mood stability in the long term.
Prospective Teachers’ Attention to Children’s Thinking About Integers, Temperature, and Distance

The study reported on in this chapter describes the justifications that elementary and middle school prospective teachers (PTs) made as they examined the temperature story that a Grade 5 student posed for an integer subtraction number sentence. The ways that the PTs made sense of the student’s story that used integer subtraction as distance are described, providing further insight into the ways that PTs may reason about temperature stories in relation to an integer subtraction number sentence. PTs’ justifications focused on attributes like order, rather than a magnitude discrepancy in the story. PTs need more experience examining stories for integer addition and subtraction in order to promote discussion and reflection on the various complexities of posing stories for integer addition and subtraction number sentences: consistency, realism, and subtraction as distance.
Modern developments in wind engineering: part 4

This is the fourth in a series of review papers devoted to the state-of-the-art in wind engineering. The first three parts of the series were published in the October 1981 (pp. 233–241 and 242–248) and March 1982 (pp. 66–74) issues of Engineering Structures.
White matter loss and oligodendrocyte dysfunction in HIV: A consequence of the infection, the antiretroviral therapy or both?

Abstract While the severe cognitive effects of HIV-associated dementia have been reduced by combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), nearly half of HIV-positive (HIV+) patients still suffer from some form of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND). While frank neuronal loss has been dramatically reduced in HAND patients, white matter loss, including dramatic thinning of the corpus callosum, and loss of volume and structural integrity of myelin persists despite viral control by cART. It remains unclear whether changes in white matter underlie the clinical manifestation seen in patients or whether they are the result of persistent viral reservoirs, remnant damage from the acute infection, the antiretroviral compounds used to treat HIV, secondary effects due to peripheral toxicities or other associated comorbid conditions. Both HIV infection itself and its treatment with antiretroviral drugs can induce metabolic syndrome, lipodystrophy, atherosclerosis and peripheral neuropathies by increased oxidative stress, induction of the unfolded protein response and dysregulation of lipid metabolism. These virally and/or cART-induced processes can also cause myelin loss in the CNS. This review aims to highlight existing data on the contribution of white matter damage to HAND and explore the mechanisms by which HIV infection and its treatment contribute to persistence of white matter changes in people living with HIV currently on cART.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHEF IN EVERYDAY LIFE: SOCIALIZING CHEFS IN LIMA, PERU

ABSTRACT Over the past two decades, Peru has seen a dramatic expansion of restaurants and attention to Peruvian cuisine, a phenomenon known as the "gastronomy boom." Peruvian chefs have become national celebrities, their entrepreneurial and culinary efforts portrayed as a means of transforming Peru into a more prosperous nation. In this paper, based on sixteen months of ethnographic research in Lima, I examine socialization practices in two culinary schools to elucidate how culinary work is linked to person formation in Peru. I show that instructors encourage students to eschew business practices locally classified as vivo (dishonest and crafty) in order to become more orderly. They also instill in students the importance of having the ambition necessary to achieve international prominence. Together, these lessons promote a template for a new, ideal Peruvian citizen whose combination of extroversion and restraint exemplifies Peru’s potential in the global economy.
Social work thinking for UX and AI design

Interactions' new UX Meets AI forum provides a space to engage with the challenges of designing for intelligent algorithmic experiences. We invite articles that tackle the tensions between research and practice when integrating AI and UX design. We welcome interdisciplinary debate, artful critique, forward-looking research, case studies of AI in practice, and speculative design explorations. --- Juho Kim and Henriette Cramer, Editors
Cooking with quantum gas

An ultra-cold atomic gas is used to image a phase transition in an iron pnictide with micrometre resolution.
Anal Conditions: Anal Margin Tumors

Anal cancer represents a small percentage (approximately 2%) of all digestive cancers diagnosed each year. Tumors of the anus are divided into two categories: anal canal tumors and anal margin or perianal tumors. The anal margin or perianal region begins at the anal verge and extends radially for a distance of 5–6 cm. Anal margin tumors include squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen’s disease (perianal high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, squamous cell carcinoma in situ), Paget’s disease (intraepithelial adenocarcinoma), basal cell carcinoma, verrucous carcinoma (giant condyloma, Buschke-Lowenstein tumor) and malignant melanoma. Effective treatment of anal margin tumors depends on recognition of atypical features on physical exam and prompt tissue diagnosis, particularly in patients with risk factors for anal cancer. In general, small superficial squamous cell tumors of the anal margin with no inguinal lymph node involvement can be treated with complete local excision. Radiotherapy can be added if excision margins are inadequate or for sphincter preservation. Combined modality of chemo-radiation is an initial treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal margin that is larger in size, invades deeper tissue or involves inguinal lymph nodes. The optimum treatment of perianal high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions/HGIN/Bowen’s disease is controversial. Options include wide local excision with or without skin flap, high resolution anoscopy (HRA), topical therapy (5-FU, Imiquimod), photodynamic therapy, radiation therapy, and laser therapy. Paget’s disease, basal cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma are preferably treated with complete surgical excision. Wide local excision in the perianal region may result in a large tissue loss requiring skin graft, skin flap, or myocutaneous flap to cover the defect. Malignant melanoma of the anal margin is extremely rare with a poor prognosis. Treatment is local excision or APR; survival rates do not improve with radical surgery.
In vitro synthesis of hydrophobic penicillinase in extracts of Bacillus licheniformis,749C

Abstract Extracts of Bacillus licheniformis 749/C in an in vitro protein synthesis system produced the hydrophobic penicillinase containing covalently-bound phospholipid. The hydrophilic penicillinase (exoenzyme) and the hydrophobic enzyme without the phospholipid were scarcely detectable.
The War of Words: by Kenneth Burke, edited by Anthony Burke, Kyle Jensen, and Jack Selzer, Oakland, University of California Press, 2018, 285 pp., $25.99 (paperback)

In the spring of 1949, Kenneth Burke sent his vanguard rhetorical treatise A Rhetoric of Motives off to the publishing house Prentice Hall for review and eventual publication. The manuscript, immea...
A Dual-band Dual-polarized 5G Antenna for Smartphones

This paper presents a dual-polarized antenna covering both 28- and 39-GHz bands for 5G mobile communications. The design consists of two discrete elements - a folded dipole and a folded monopole, which generate two orthogonal polarizations. Parasitic elements are used to realize the higher-band operation. The entire structure is designed on an ultra-thin four-layer laminate and is intended to be incorporated along the edges of smartphones to enable 5G operation. The folded dipole features 6.2 GHz (22.1 %) bandwidth in the 28-GHz band and 2.3 GHz (5.9%) in the 39-GHz band; the folded monopole has 6.8 GHz (24.3%) and 2.2 GHz (5.9%) bandwidth in the two aforementioned bands, respectively. The simulated peak gain of the folded dipole and monopole are both 5.5 dBi in the 28-GHz band, and 5.6 dBi and 3.7 dBi respectively in the 39-GHz band. The overall dimensions of the antenna are 6.75 mm × 5 mm.
The Influence of Health-Seeking Behaviors on the Health Literacy of Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease:

Background: Health literacy may influence the transition from pediatric care to adult care in adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). It is postulated that one influencing factor of health lite...
Why should we still read Ernst Troeltsch’s Soziallehren?:

This is a review of the new edition of Ernst Troeltsch’s Soziallehren in the Ernst Troeltsch Kritische Gesamtausgabe.
Measuring Liberalism, Confronting Evil: A Retrospective

Taking liberalism's measure as an indispensable yet inherently fragile design grounded in the rule of law, government by consent, individual and public rights, and political representation, my work...
Identification and Ranking of Legal Factors Impacting Information Management in the AEC Industry Using the Delphi Method

AbstractInformation management is a critical aspect of project delivery in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Previous studies have identified legal factors as an integ...
Strain differences in the extent of brain injury in mice after tetramethylenedisulfotetramine-induced status epilepticus.

Acute intoxication with tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TETS) can trigger status epilepticus (SE) in humans. Survivors often exhibit long-term neurological effects, including electrographic abnormalities and cognitive deficits, but the pathogenic mechanisms linking the acute toxic effects of TETS to chronic outcomes are not known. Here, we use advanced in vivo imaging techniques to longitudinally monitor the neuropathological consequences of TETS-induced SE in two different mouse strains. Adult male NIH Swiss and C57BL/6J mice were injected with riluzole (10 mg/kg, i.p.), followed 10 min later by an acute dose of TETS (0.2 mg/kg in NIH Swiss; 0.3 mg/kg, i.p. in C57BL/6J) or an equal volume of vehicle (10% DMSO in 0.9% sterile saline). Different TETS doses were administered to trigger comparable seizure behavior between strains. Seizure behavior began within minutes of TETS exposure and rapidly progressed to SE that was terminated after 40 min by administration of midazolam (1.8 mg/kg, i.m.). The brains of vehicle and TETS-exposed mice were imaged using in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) and translocator protein (TSPO) positron emission tomography (PET) at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days post-exposure to monitor brain injury and neuroinflammation, respectively. When the brain scans of TETS mice were compared to those of vehicle controls, subtle and transient neuropathology was observed in both mouse strains, but more extensive and persistent TETS-induced neuropathology was observed in C57BL/6J mice. In addition, one NIH Swiss TETS mouse that did not respond to the midazolam therapy, but remained in SE for more than 2 h, displayed robust neuropathology as determined by in vivo imaging and confirmed by FluoroJade C staining and IBA-1 immunohistochemistry as readouts of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the extent of injury observed in the mouse brain after TETS-induced SE varied according to strain, dose of TETS and/or the duration of SE. These observations suggest that TETS-intoxicated humans who do not respond to antiseizure medication are at increased risk for brain injury.
Obesity and Gαs Variants.

Mendes de Oliveira and colleagues now report in the Journal that variants in GNAS exons that encode the stimulatory G-protein alpha subunit (Gαs) have a strong genetic association with severe obesi...
Eastern Bering Sea shelf environmental and lower trophic level responses to climate forcing: Results of dynamical downscaling from CMIP6

Abstract In this study we present projected changes in the Eastern Bering Sea shelf (EBS) biophysical processes in response to climate forcing scenarios from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Phase 6 (CMIP6). These changes are obtained by dynamical downscaling using a Bering Sea regional model. Surface atmospheric and ocean boundary forcing from three Earth System Models (ESMs) in CMIP6, and a low and a high emission scenario of Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP126 and SSP585) of each of the ESMs are considered. Ensemble mean results suggest that, contrary to an anticipated increase in ocean stratification under warming, diminishing ice cover in response to climate forcing and resultant reduced surface freshening weakens EBS stratification in the melt season. Modeled ensemble mean phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass on the EBS exhibits subsurface maxima during the growing season; the amplitude of these maxima decreases with warming, along with a reduction in primary productivity and oxygen concentration over much of the EBS water column. Phenology of both phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass on the EBS shifts earlier, leading to an increase (decrease) in biomass averaged between April–July (August–November), while annually averaged biomass decreases under warming. Projected changes of primary and secondary plankton biomass at the end of the 21st century are not well separated between the SSP126 and SSP585 scenario in light of the large across model spread under each scenario. The projected ensemble mean warming amplitude of the EBS summer bottom temperature is largely unchanged between results forced by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Phase 5 Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (CMIP5 RCP8.5) and CMIP6 SSP585 scenarios. Likewise, the reduction rate of annual mean phytoplankton and large zooplankton biomass are comparable between RCP8.5 and SSP585 projections, even though the absolute amplitudes of biomass are sensitive to modeling parameters such as the solar irradiance attenuation curve. Hence, within the Bering Sea dynamical downscaling framework, projected long-term warming trends in EBS bottom temperature and plankton biomass reduction rates are robust responses to climate forcing.
Modeling Material Symmetry

The variation of material properties with respect to direction at a fixed point in a material is called material symmetry.
An Adenosine Triphosphate-dependent Deoxyribonuclease from Hemophilus influenzae Rd III. SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITY

Abstract The ATP-dependent DNase from Hemophilus influenzae has an unusual substrate specificity. The enzyme attacks linear duplex DNA to give initial products which are several hundred base pairs in length, suggesting an endonucleolytic mechanism. However, the enzyme differs from many other endonucleases in that it will not attack either single or double strand circular DNA, or duplex circles with nicks or gaps. These findings suggest that the enzyme requires a substrate with a free end. This requirement may be topological, as various enzymatic modifications of the termini do not affect the activity of the enzyme.
Evidence for Two Genes Specifically Involved in Unsaturated Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Escherichia coli

Unsaturated fatty acid auxotrophs of Eschericha coli have been divided into two distinct cistrons by extract complementation and genetic complementation based on abortive transduction. Lesions in one cistron result in the loss of the beta-hydroxydecanoyl thioester dehydrase which produces the first biosynthetic intermediate in unsaturated fatty acid formation. Evidence is presented which indicates that lesions in the second cistron result in the lack of a second enzyme specifically involved in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids.
Control of the single channel conductance of K2P10.1 (TREK-2) by the amino-terminus: role of alternative translation initiation.

TREK-2 expressed in mammalian cells exhibits small (∼52 pS) and large (∼220 pS) unitary conductance levels. Here we tested the role of the N-terminus (69 amino acids long) in the control of the unitary conductance, and role of the alternative translation initiation as a mechanism that produces isoforms of TREK-2 that show different conductance levels. Deletion of the first half (Δ1–36) of the N-terminus had no effect. However, deletion of most of the N-terminus (Δ1–66) resulted in the appearance of only the large-conductance channel (∼220 pS). In support of the critical function of the distal half of the N-terminus, the deletion mutants Δ1–44 and Δ1–54 produced ∼90 pS and 188 pS channels, respectively. In Western blot analysis, TREK-2 antibody detected two immunoreactive bands at ∼54 kDa and ∼60 kDa from cells expressing wild-type TREK-2 that has three potential translation initiation sites (designated M1M2M3) within the N-terminus. Mutation of the second and third initiation sites from Met to Leu (M1L2L3) produced only the ∼60 kDa isoform and the small-conductance channel (∼52 pS). Mutants designed to produce translation from the second (M2L3) or third (M3) initiation site produced the ∼54 kDa isoform, and the large conductance channel (∼185–224 pS). M1L2L3, M2L3 and M3 were relatively selectively permeable to K+, as judged by the 51–55 mV shifts in reversal potential following a 10-fold change in [K+]o. PNa/PK values were also similar for M1L2L3 (∼0.02), M2L3 (∼0.02) and M3 (∼0.03). Arachidonic acid, proton and membrane stretch activated, whereas dibutyryl-cAMP inhibited all three isoforms of TREK-2, indicating that deletion of the N-terminus does not abolish modulation. These results show that the small and large conductance TREK-2 channels are produced as a result of alternative translation initiation, producing isoforms with long and short N-termini, and that the distal half of the N-terminus controls the unitary conductance.
Agonism of Wnt–β‐catenin signalling promotes mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) expansion

Promoting mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation has numerous applications in stem cell therapies, particularly in the area of regenerative medicine. In order for cell-based regenerative approaches to be realized, MSC proliferation must be achieved in a controlled manner without compromising stem cell differentiation capacities. Here we demonstrate that 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) increases MSC β-catenin activity 106-fold and stem cell-associated gene expression ~33-fold, respectively, over untreated controls. Subsequently, BIO treatment increases MSC populations 1.8-fold in typical 2D culture conditions, as well as 1.3-fold when encapsulated within hydrogels compared to untreated cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that BIO treatment does not reduce MSC multipotency where MSCs maintain their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes using standard conditions. Taken together, our results demonstrate BIO's potential utility as a proliferative agent for cell transplantation and tissue regeneration.
Workplace Stress in the United States: Issues and Policies

Despite relative affluence, workplace stress is a prominent feature of the US labour market. To the extent that job stress causes poor health outcomes – either directly through increased blood pressure, fatigue, muscle pain, etc. or indirectly through increased rates of cigarette smoking – policy to lessen job stress may be appropriate. Focusing predominantly on the United States, this report reviews the literature on a variety of economic concerns related to job stress and health. Areas in which economists may provide valuable insights regarding job stress include empirical selection concerns in identifying the effect of stress on health; measurement error with respect to stress; the existence and magnitude of compensating differentials for stress; and the unique “job lock” effect in the United States created by a system of employer-provided health insurance. This report concludes with a brief discussion of US policies related to job stress. This Working Paper relates to the 2014 OECD Economic Survey of the United States (www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/United States ).
A Review of Sub-Scale Test Methods to Evaluate the Friction and Wear of Ring and Liner Materials for Spark- and Compression Ignition Engines

A review was conducted of past laboratory-scale test methods and to assess their validity for ranking materials and lubricants for use as piston and liner materials in compression-ignition (CI) and spark-ignition (SI) engines. Most of the previous work was aimed at simulating SI engine environments. This report begins with a discussion of the numerous factors that can affect the validity of an approach to simulating engine conditions in a laboratory. These include not only mechanical, chemical and thermal factors, but also human factors as regards how the vehicle is operated and maintained. The next section provides an annotated review of open literature publications that address the issues of laboratory simulation of engine components. A comparison of these studies indicates a lack of sufficient standardization in procedures to enable a systematic comparison of one publication to another. There were just a few studies that compared several laboratory test methods to engine test results, and these indicated that some test methods correlate, at least qualitatively, better than others. The last section provides a series of recommendations for improving the accuracy and validity of laboratory-scale simulations of engine behavior. It became clear that much of the engine wear damage occurs during start-up whenmore » the engine is cold, and this calls into the question the usefulness of test methods that attempt to simulate steady-state running conditions. It is recommended that a new standard test method, perhaps developed with the help of the ASTM wear and erosion committee, be developed. It would use cold start-up conditions in the presence of degraded oil, or simulated degraded oil.« less