cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of New Imaging Procedures for Breast Cancer

Since breast cancer will affect one of 11 American women during their lifetime, it is a major target of medical research. Mammography has been in the forefront of this effort because of accumulating evidence that early detection improves prognosis and because of the demonstrated ability of mammography to detect cancer at nonpalpable stage (Baker et al. 1982). Its widespread use has been tempered by the issue of possible risk from low doses of ionizing radiation as well as by the fact that although more accurate than any other detection method, including physical examination, it may still find only 80%–90% of breast cancers (Baker et al. 1982).
Alphavirus Transducing Systems

Alphavirus transducing systems (ATSs) are important tools for expressing genes of interest (GOI) in mosquitoes and nonvector insects. ATSs are derived from infectious cDNA clones of mosquito-borne RNA viruses (family Togaviridae). The most common ATSs in use are derived from Sindbis viruses; however, ATSs have been derived from other alphaviruses as well. ATSs generate viruses with genomes that contain GOI's that can be expressed from additional viral subgenomic promoters. ATSs in which an exogenous gene sequence is positioned 5' to the viral structural genes is used for stable protein expression in insects. ATSs in which a gene sequence is positioned 3' to the structural genes is used to trigger RNAi and silence expression of that gene in the insect. ATSs are proving to be invaluable tools for understanding vector-pathogen interactions, vector competence, and other components of vector-pathogen amplification and maintenance cycles in nature. These virus-based expression systems also facilitate the researcher's ability to decide which gene-based disease control strategies merit a further investment in time and resources in transgenic mosquitoes.
Ramanujan’s Theory of Divergent Series

In a letter written to A. Holmboe on January 16, 1826, Abel [3] declared that “Divergent series are in general deadly, and it is shameful that anyone dare to base any proof on them.” This admonition would have been vehemently debated by Ramanujan. Much like Euler, Ramanujan employed divergent series in a variety of ways to establish a diversity of results, most of them valid but a few not so. Divergent series are copious throughout Ramanujan’s notebooks, but especially in Chapter 6 of the second notebook, or in Chapter 8 of the first notebook. Since Ramanujan always uses equality signs in stating identities that involve one or more divergent series, one might be led to believe that Ramanujan probably made no distinction between convergent and divergent series. However, the occasional discourse in Chapter 6 is firm evidence that Ramanujan made such a distinction.
Virus Can Alter Cell Function Without Causing Cell Pathology: Disordered Function Leads to Imbalance of Homeostasis and Disease

The ability of a virus to alter the “luxury” or differentiated function of a cell, without disturbance of its vital function, i.e., ability to survive, was first noted in murine neuroblastoma cells persistly infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) [1]. The term “luxury function” was initially coined to describe the impediment of synthesis or degradation of acetylcholine, a major neurotransmitter, while the cell continued to survive, grow, and synthesize protein, RNA, DNA, and respiratory enzymes, etc. during infection. Later it was found that viruses also perturbed the secretion of specific lymphocyte products like immunoglobulins [2,3] and hampered such functions of lymphocytes as killing of virus-infected or transformed cells [3,4]. Most recently it was noted that hormone-producing cells like somatotrophic cells, which make growth hormone (GH) [5,6], or beta cells of the islets of Langerhans, which make insulin, can falter in these activities when so infected. The evidence for this newly found mechanism whereby viruses alter the products of differentiated cells and cause disease without structurally altering or killing the infected cell is the subject of this chapter. Although the term “luxury function” was appropriate for analysis of cultured cells first described in this context, it is inappropriate when applied to the whole organism. Such “luxury” or differentiated products play an essential role in the balance of normal host physiology and thus the avoidance of disease.
Candida parapsilosis Infection of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in Adult: Case Report and Literature Review.

Background Candida parapsilosis is an incredibly rare cause of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections, with only 1 adult case reported in the literature to date. Case Description We describe the case of a 45-year-old man admitted for a traumatic fall and subsequently treated with VP shunt placement for obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to a cerebellar contusion and intraventricular hemorrhage. Eight months following VP shunt placement, the patient presented with a 2-month history of clear fluid leakage through a dehiscent surgical abdominal wound overlying the distal VP shunt. Cerebrospinal fluid cultures were obtained and grew C. parapsilosis. The patient subsequently underwent VP shunt externalization and began antifungal treatment with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B. Cerebrospinal fluid studies continued to redemonstrate C. parapsilosis infection, for which VP shunt removal and external ventricular drain placement was performed. Three days into treatment with amphotericin B, he endured significant nephrotoxicity necessitating a switch to oral fluconazole. Following 3 weeks of oral fluconazole treatment with negative serial cerebrospinal fluid cultures, the patient underwent external ventricular drain removal and VP shunt insertion. Following the procedure and 22 total days of oral fluconazole treatment, our patient recovered well and was discharged to a rehabilitation facility in stable condition. Conclusions In our report, we describe the clinical course of our patient and offer a review and analysis of the most up-to-date literature concerning C. parapsilosis shunt infections, as well as treatment guidelines for central nervous system candidiasis.
A Simple Dual-Beam Time-Multiplexed Photon Doppler Velocimeter for Pressure-Shear Plate Impact Experiments

Pressure-shear plate impact experiments generate normal and transverse particle velocities during high strain rate deformations. Traditionally, freespace lenscoupled tabletop laser interferometry techniques are used together with diffraction gratings to interrogate the evolving velocity vector at the back face of the target plate. Recently, fiberoptic velocimetry (photon Doppler velocimetry or PDV) has become commonplace for measuring normal particle velocities above 200m/sec. In this work, we demonstrate transverse velocity detection using a modified PDV system where we subtract the measured normal velocity history from a concurrent velocity history measured at a canted angle to the target surface to obtain the transverse velocity component. This modified system is time-multiplexed to reduce the number of components, and uses an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) to boost the angled signal intensity while maintaining low noise. The system operates as a heterodyne interferometer, but features a frequency upshifted reference leg to improve data analysis at the particle velocities expected in the experiment. We demonstrate by direct comparison that this inexpensive and simple approach is as effective as traditional grating methods.
In vitro evaluation of nano zinc oxide (nZnO) on mitigation of gaseous emissions

Enteric methane (CH4) accounts for about 70% of total CH4 emissions from the ruminant animals. Researchers are exploring ways to mitigate enteric CH4 emissions from ruminants. Recently, nano zinc oxide (nZnO) has shown potential in reducing CH4 and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production from the liquid manure under anaerobic storage conditions. Four different levels of nZnO and two types of feed were mixed with rumen fluid to investigate the efficacy of nZnO in mitigating gaseous production. All experiments with four replicates were conducted in batches in 250 mL glass bottles paired with the ANKOMRF wireless gas production monitoring system. Gas production was monitored continuously for 72 h at a constant temperature of 39 ± 1 °C in a water bath. Headspace gas samples were collected using gas-tight syringes from the Tedlar bags connected to the glass bottles and analyzed for greenhouse gases (CH4 and carbon dioxide-CO2) and H2S concentrations. CH4 and CO2 gas concentrations were analyzed using an SRI-8610 Gas Chromatograph and H2S concentrations were measured using a Jerome 631X meter. At the same time, substrate (i.e. mixed rumen fluid+ NP treatment+ feed composite) samples were collected from the glass bottles at the beginning and at the end of an experiment for bacterial counts, and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) analysis. Compared to the control treatment the H2S and GHGs concentration reduction after 72 h of the tested nZnO levels varied between 4.89 to 53.65%. Additionally, 0.47 to 22.21% microbial population reduction was observed from the applied nZnO treatments. Application of nZnO at a rate of 1000 μg g− 1 have exhibited the highest amount of concentration reductions for all three gases and microbial population. Results suggest that both 500 and 1000 μg g− 1 nZnO application levels have the potential to reduce GHG and H2S concentrations.
Chondroepitrochlearis and a supernumerary head of the biceps brachii.

Unique variants of the pectoralis major and biceps brachii were found during a routine student dissection of a 96-year-old Caucasian female’s axilla and brachium. The donor cadaver had bilateral presentation of a muscle originating from the pectoralis major, near the lateral lip of the intertubercular groove, extending obliquely to insert on the medial intermuscular septum and medial epicondyle of the humerus. This muscle variant is currently described as a rare presentation of the chondroepitrochlearis, potentially a remnant of the panniculus carnosus in man. Often considered to be a thin, slender muscle taking origin from the true ribs, the right-side chondroepitrochlearis described in this report was notably larger—to the authors’ knowledge—than all other published cases, measuring 38.1 mm at the widest point. Meanwhile, another small muscle originating on the posterior surface of the pectoralis major tendon was present. Due to its insertion, the muscle was identified as a supernumerary portion, or a third head, of the biceps brachii. The proximal attachment of both the chondroepitrochlearis and the third head of the biceps brachii could impose functional limitations on the pectoralis major.
Exploring New Metal Electrodes for Ferroelectric Aluminum-Doped Hafnium Oxide

In this paper, we explore new metal electrodes for ferroelectric capacitors based on Al-doped HfO2. We find that Ti/Pd, Ti/Au, and W top electrodes can induce much higher remanent polarization as compared to the traditional TiN top electrode. The endurance of the capacitors with Ti/Pd electrodes is also much better than that with TiN and W electrodes. These results indicate that Ti/Pd is a very promising candidate for ferroelectric Al-doped HfO2. In addition, we find that the remanent polarization reaches maximum when the annealing temperature is around 900 °C–950 °C. At a given annealing temperature, the optimal Hf-to-Al cycle ratio corresponding to the highest remanent polarization is around 23:1. With optimized process conditions, we demonstrate high-performance Ti/Pd gated ferroelectric Al-doped HfO2 capacitors with remanent polarization up to $20~\mu \text{C}$ /cm2, endurance higher than 108 cycles, and retention over ten years at room temperature. Another interesting feature of the ferroelectric capacitors with Ti/Pd electrodes is high tunability of polarization by external pulses, which will be important for neurosynaptic computing applications.
Altered Photosynthetic Pigment Complements in Mutants of the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus Sp. Spp 7002

The photosynthetic membranes of cyanobacteria respond readily to external stresses and stimuli. These responses have provided clues to the functional organization of their membranes. The amounts and ratios of the pigments phycocyanin, chlorophyll and carotenoids were shown to vary with the light quality or intensity during growth (1). These same properties were also influenced by the availability of nitrogen (2) and iron (3). Iron limitation has also been shown to influence the protein composition of cyanothylakoids (4).
Abstract 4483: Novel small-molecule antagonists of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis that mediate cell surface PD-L1 dimerization and internalization

Blocking the PD-(L)1 immune checkpoint axis with therapeutic antibodies against either the receptor or the ligand has proven to be an effective treatment modality for multiple cancer histologies. We describe the identification and characterization of novel small molecule antagonists of the PD-(L)1 axis that function by inducing dimerization and subsequent internalization of the PD-L1 protein, effectively depleting the ligand from the cell membrane and preventing PD-1 activation on T cells. Compound-dependent PD-L1 dimerization was characterized using several biophysical techniques including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements, size exclusion chromatography and thermal shift analysis. Experimental evidence demonstrates compound-dependent dimer conformation with slow dissociation kinetics and significantly enhanced thermal stability. Many of the PD-L1-directed small molecules blocked binding of soluble PD-1 to either native PD-L1 expressed on cancer cell lines or PD-L1 expressed in CHO cells with low nanomolar potency. However, only a subset of the small molecules caused loss of cell surface PD-L1 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Importantly, there was a strict correlation between the promotion of PD-L1 internalization secondary to dimerization and the induction of an NFAT response element-luciferase reporter gene. Strikingly, only those small molecules that could produce a specific dimeric PD-L1 conformation as measured using FRET were associated with functional activity in cells, suggesting that PD-L1 dimerization was necessary but not sufficient for internalization and cellular activity. A cell-active tool compound (cell binding IC50 Citation Format: Phillip C.C. Liu, Richard Wynn, Liangxing Wu, Alla Volgina, Nina Zolotarjova, Luping Lin, Pramod Thekkat, Alex Margulis, Ronald Klabe, Wenqing Yao, Kaijiong Xiao, Jingwei Li, Xin He, Mark Rupar, Hong Chang, Paul Waeltz, Yanlong Li, Peggy Scherle, Reid Huber, Gregory Hollis. Novel small-molecule antagonists of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis that mediate cell surface PD-L1 dimerization and internalization [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4483.
The Perfect Practice Exam: The Skill of Legal Analysis

The Perfect Practice Exam: The Skill of Legal Analysis is the ideal study tool because it provides maximum utility to the user. The PPE includes 6 different subjects in one book and provides 8 questions for each subject. This is total of 48 practice exams. Law students nationwide are usually required to take Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Real Property, and Torts. This book covers it all and eliminates the need for multiple practice-exam books. Students can also comfortably use The PPE throughout the semester because the book strategically pairs commonly-tested topics and presents the topics in the order they often appear on the syllabus. For example, the book tries to avoid combining topics taught in Week #1 with topics taught in Week #14. When students purchase single-subject supplements, they rarely complete all the questions because there are too many or the students did not learn enough content to answer the prompt. With The PPE, students do not need to wait until reading week to practice their exam-taking skills and can gradually improve their legal analysis. But more importantly, The PPE provides concrete steps on how to improve legal analysis rather than briefly discussing an array of skills. The book does not simply tell students “analysis is important – you must improve it,” but teaches students how to execute the skill. The book includes legal-analysis templates that incorporate the three-step method of analysis and active-learning worksheets. Finally, the sample answers in The PPE encourage students to write in a format that will help them pass the bar exam. The answers are not a mind drop, but use IRAC, headers, and paragraphs to mirror what students should strive to achieve on their exams. The questions also include suggested time limits to encourage students to simulate exam conditions. Legal analysis is one of the most important skills in the legal profession and only improves through ample practice. The PPE teaches students the skill, models the skill, and provides several essay questions for students to practice the skill. The PPE is a great resource because its focused learning objectives can help students reach mastery of legal analysis at a faster rate.
Tissue Engineered Vascularized Patient-Specific Temporomandibular Joint Reconstruction in a Yucatan Pig Model

Purpose: Pediatric temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction occurs as a result of acquired, developmental, and/or congenital conditions. Current pediatric reconstruction options are limited. The aim of this project was to develop a proof of principle porcine model for a load bearing, customized 3-dimensional (3D) printed and BMP2-coated scaffold implanted in a pedicled (temporal) flap as a regenerative approach to pediatric TMJ mandibular condyle reconstruction. Materials and Methods: Scaffolds were custom designed and 3D printed based on porcine computed tomography and absorbed with BMP2. Two operations occured: (1) implantation of scaffold in temporalis muscle to establish vascularity, and six weeks later, (2) unilateral condylectomy and rotation of the vascularized scaffold (with preservation of superficial temporal artery) onto mandibular ramus defect and secured with titanium screws. At 6 months post-implantation, the pigs were sacrified. The experimental side (muscle-scaffold) and the control side (unoperated condyle) were individually harvested at 6 months and evaluated by clinical, mechanical, radiographic, and qualitative/histologic methods. Results: Scaffolds maintained physical properties similar in appearance to unoperated condyles. The vascularized scaffolds had bone formation at edges and adjacent to scaffold-bone interface. New bone was visible in scaffold. Condyle height on the reconstructed side was 68% and 78% of the control side. Reconstructed condyle stiffness was between 20% and 45% of the control side. Conclusion: In our porcine model, customized 3D printed TMJ scaffolds impregnanted with BMP2 and implanted in and pedicled on temporalis muscle has the ability to (1) reconstruct a TMJ defect model, (2) maintain appropriate condylar height and upper airway diameter, and (3) generate new bone, without impacting functional outcomes.
On the Behavior of Okun's Law across Business Cycles

Using threshold regression analysis, this paper estimates a three-regime Okun's relationship (between U.S. output and unemployment) and shows that two-regime models are insufficient to account for all of its variation during 1949-2020. The sensitivity of unemployment to output is found to increase as the unemployment rate rises across endogenously estimated thresholds (5.11 and 7.41 percent), defining periods that align closely with expansions, mild recessions and deep recessions. The results are remarkably robust to a battery of different considerations. Meanwhile, the variation in Okun's coefficient is found to closely correlate with changes in the average deviation of nominal wages from the median, suggesting nominal wage rigidity as a possible economic explanation to the nonlinearity. These findings uncover the need for more vigorous policy actions during periods of low unemployment, targeted policies that address the underlying reasons behind nominal wage rigidities and differentiated responses across recessionary periods.
SEDUCTIONS OF THE BOUZOUKI AND THE BRASS BAND: TRANSGRESSIVE REFLECTIONS ON MIKIS THEODORAKIS AND GIUSEPPE VERDI

It may transgress convention to compare Mikis Theodorakis, better known for his songs than for his operatic work, with the Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi. Both, however, in very different national contexts, were engaged in political activity through their music – which often faced severe censorship – and their parliamentary activity. Both drew on popular traditions and utilised strong rhythms in their earlier works, experimenting later with freer forms. The differences between them meanwhile serve to highlight important differences between two countries often viewed within the shared frame of assumed Mediterranean commonalities and of ancient cultural origins, and help us to understand the role music plays in linking lived time to recorded history.
Testing the Efficacy of a Multicomponent, Self-Guided, Smartphone-Based Meditation App: Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: A growing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest psychological benefits associated with meditation training delivered via mobile health. However, research in this area has primarily focused on mindfulness, only one of many meditative techniques. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of 2 versions of a self-guided, smartphone-based meditation app—the Healthy Minds Program (HMP)—which includes training in mindfulness (Awareness), along with practices designed to cultivate positive relationships (Connection) or insight into the nature of the self (Insight). Methods: A three-arm, fully remote RCT compared 8 weeks of one of 2 HMP conditions (Awareness+Connection and Awareness+Insight) with a waitlist control. Adults (≥18 years) without extensive previous meditation experience were eligible. The primary outcome was psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress). Secondary outcomes were social connection, empathy, compassion, self-reflection, insight, rumination, defusion, and mindfulness. Measures were completed at pretest, midtreatment, and posttest between October 2019 and April 2020. Longitudinal data were analyzed using intention-to-treat principles with maximum likelihood. Results: A total of 343 participants were randomized and 186 (54.2%) completed at least one posttest assessment. The majority (166/228, 72.8%) of those assigned to HMP conditions downloaded the app. The 2 HMP conditions did not differ from one another in terms of changes in any outcome. Relative to the waitlist control, the HMP conditions showed larger improvements in distress, social connectedness, mindfulness, and measures theoretically linked to insight training (d=–0.28 to 0.41; Ps≤.02), despite modest exposure to connection- and insight-related practice. The results were robust to some assumptions about nonrandom patterns of missing data. Improvements in distress were associated with days of use. Candidate mediators (social connection, insight, rumination, defusion, and mindfulness) and moderators (baseline rumination, defusion, and empathy) of changes in distress were identified. Conclusions: This study provides initial evidence of efficacy for the HMP app in reducing distress and improving outcomes related to well-being, including social connectedness. Future studies should attempt to increase study retention and user engagement. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04139005; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04139005
Diagnosis and Management of Monoclonal Gammopathy and Smoldering Multiple Myeloma.

The presence of monoclonal proteins is common, with a prevalence in the United States around 5% that increases with age. Although most patients are asymptomatic, most cases are caused by a clonal plasma cell disorder. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) are asymptomatic precursor conditions with variable risk of progression to multiple myeloma. In recent years, significant progress has been made to better understand the factors that lead to the development of symptoms and progression to myeloma. This review summarizes the current diagnosis treatment guidelines for MGUS and SMM and highlights recent advances that underscore a shifting paradigm in the evaluation and management of plasma cell precursor conditions.
Alaska's Plea Bargaining Ban

Plea bargaining dominates the U.S. criminal justice system and has garnered calls to reduce its prevalence. In 2013 Alaska's Attorney General acted banning a practice known as sentencing bargaining where the prosecutor negotiates with the defense over the length of the incarceration. I provide the first causal identification of this policy's impact on the plea bargaining rate. I show that the policy, by leaving open the charging discretion (in effect allowing charge bargaining), was ineffective at changing plea bargaining's prevalence across the state. Policymakers should look elsewhere for tools if they want to mitigate its rate.
The Right to Remain: Common Law Protections for Security of Tenure

Security of tenure is a critically important human need. While involuntary displacement can affect even conventional homeowners, it most often is imposed upon renters and those who own manufactured homes but lease the underlying land. Most such renters are not wealthy enough to obtain security of tenure by agreement with the landowner, and therefore rely upon the government to assure them some protection against arbitrary terminations of occupancy by the landowner. Some jurisdictions in the United States have acted legislatively to require good cause for eviction, but in most states tenants and owners of manufactured homes on rented sites must rely on the common law for any such protection. The mid-century "revolution" in tenants' rights stopped for short of protecting continued tenancy. This Article argues for a renewed litigation effort to realize security of tenure for such renters, by using either the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing that is commonly applied to contracts and commercial leases or an implied covenant of security of tenure (or good cause for termination).
Stabilizing Interference-Free Slot Assignment for Wireless Mesh Networks

In this chapter, we focus on stabilizing interference-free slot assignment to WMN nodes. These slot assignments allow each node to transmit its data while ensuring that it does not interfere with other nodes. We proceed as follows: First, we focus on infrastructure-only part where we only consider static infrastructure nodes. We present three algorithms in this category. The first two are based on communication topology and address centralized or distributed slot assignment. The third focuses on slot assignment where infrastructure nodes are deployed with some geometric distribution to cover the desired area. Subsequently, we extend this protocol for the case where there are mobile client nodes that are in the vicinity of the infrastructure nodes. And, finally, we present an algorithm for the case where a client node is only in the vicinity of other client nodes.
Seasonal Variation in the Onset of Diabetes in Children

A distinct seasonal incidence pattern in the onset of detection of diabetes mellitus among school-age children is apparent. However, the true picture of seasonal variation in the onset of symptoms and detection of juvenile diabetes mellitus in this country may have to await the establishment of regional or national diabetes registries similar to those in Great Britain and Eire. Such data when available must be interpreted with caution so that aggravating, precipitating, and true etiological factors underlying seasonal variation in the onset of juvenile diabetes mellitus are distinguished.
Critical Thinking and Small Group Activities

I mention the benefits, challenges, and costs of using small group activities to enhance our students’ learning of critical thinking skills in our courses, and then describe ten examples of these groups. Two of these examples are not commonly reported in the literature on small groups, so I describe them in greater detail to facilitate their use in our courses.
From the nature of persons to the structure of morality

Intuitionism—in some form or another—is the most widely recognized and thoroughly discussed method of justification for moral theories. It rests on the claim that a moral theory must not deviate too much from our pre-theoretical moral convictions (or at least those that we are prepared to hold on reflection). In some form or another, this methodology goes back at least as far as Aristotle, and has been discussed, refined, and defended by such contemporary philosophers as John Rawls and Norman Daniels. There is, however, another methodology for constructing and defending moral theories. It draws on premises about human nature or the nature of persons to support conclusions about the nature and structure of morality. This method—which I will call the nature to morality methodology—evaluates a moral claim or moral theory on the basis of its relation to some (alleged) facts about the kind of beings we are. For brevity, I will use the term ‘nature-claims’ to refer to claims about human nature or the nature of persons, and the term ‘nature-facts’ to refer to true nature-claims. The nature-claims that have been used to support or criticize various moral theories include claims about human motivation, personal identity, the human soul, and the conceptual features of personhood or rational agency.
Autonomic nervous system evaluation: diagnosis of rectal and lower gut dysfunction.

Publisher Summary Gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which is generally secondary to other systemic diseases. Autonomic gastrointestinal dysfunction is suspected if symptoms of gastrointestinal dysmotility occur in combination with extraintestinal symptoms of autonomic neuropathy or if there is a systemic disorder that predisposes to secondary autonomic neuropathy. The typical symptoms of lower gut involvement in autonomic neuropathy are diarrhea and constipation. Diarrhoea may be the result of disturbed motility in the gut and the result of disturbed secretion within the bowel leading to secretory diarrhea. Disturbances in the motility of the small bowel may entrain bacterial overgrowth within the small bowel, leading to diarrhoea. Diagnostic work-up includes hydrogen breath tests, a test of prolonged fasting, and a stool analysis of electrolytes and osmolality, and tests to exclude other causes of diarrhea. Fasting tests and stool analysis for electrolytes and osmolality are useful in the differentiation between osmotic and secretory diarrhoea. Diagnostic work-up in constipation includes colonic transit studies with radiopaque markers, anorectal manometry, and tests to exclude other causes of constipation. Symptoms of an involvement of the anorectum are constipation and fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence is not rare in diabetics. The function of the anal sphincters is impaired and the sensory threshold for rectal distension is increased. Diagnostic work-up of fecal incontinence includes anorectal manometry, electromyography of the anal sphincters, endoscopy, and anal endosonography. Anorectal manometry evaluates the function of both anal sphincters and determines the rectal sensory thresholds. Electromyography of the anal sphincters provides additional information.
A Framework for Exploiting Data Availability to Opimize Communication

This paper presents a global analysis framework for determining the availability of data on a virtual processor grid. The data availability information obtained is useful for optimizing communication when generating SPMD programs for distributed address-space multiprocessors. We introduce a new kind of array section descriptor, called an Available Section Descriptor, which represents the mapping of an array section onto the processor grid. We present an array data-flow analysis procedure, based on interval analysis, for determining data availability at each statement. Several communication optimizations, including redundant communication elimination, are also described. An advantage of our approach is that it is independent of actual data partitioning and representation of explicit communication.
Why I Do Law Reform

This article, Why I Do Law Reform, is the lead article in a symposium issue on the Uniform Probate Code: Remaking American Succession Law, 45 U. Mich. J. L. Reform 727 (2012). The symposium, held at the University of Michigan Law School on October 21, 2011, was held in honor of the author’s “more than 30 years of work to advance the cause of American probate law reform.”The author was inspired to write the article by a number of articles by other law professors explaining why they write. The article contrasts law-reform work with law-review writing, pointing out that the work product of a law-reform reporter is directed to duly constituted law-making authorities. Before getting into the law-reform business, the author notes that he had written or co-written law review articles that advocated reform, but those articles moved the law not a whit. The articles did, however, lead to the author’s selection as reporter, first for the Uniform Law Commission and then for the American Law Institute. Only by becoming a reporter was the author able to influence the law. The article lists a number of reforms in which the author played a part, in a career in law reform that spanned nearly three decades.
Biological Properties of Streptococcal Cell-Wall Particles III. Dermonecrotic Reaction to Cell-Wall Mucopeptides

Abstract Abdulla, Essa M. (University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill), and John H. Schwab. Biological properties of streptococcal cell-wall particles. III. Dermonecrotic reaction to cell-wall mucopeptides. J. Bacteriol. 91:374–383. 1966.—Intradermal injection of rabbits and guinea pigs with mucopeptide suspensions produced an acute necrotic lesion which reached maximal severity within 24 hr and gradually subsided with scar formation. Necrosis was evident within 4 hr after injection of 100 μg, and an indurated area (10 × 10 mm) was produced with as little as 5.0 μg. Mucopeptides from six bacterial strains were studied. Comparison of cell walls and derived mucopeptides showed that the acute necrotic lesion tended to be more severe as the residual polysaccharide was decreased. Hyperimmunization with mucopeptide reduced the acute reaction, with evidence of immunological specificity. Incubation with lysozyme also modified the reaction in relation to extent of digestion. Toxicity was related to particle size, since extended sonic vibration decreased activity. Histological sections showed intense accumulations of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, along with altered collagen. A chronic nodular lesion appeared about 7 days after injection of the intact cell-wall fragments. In contrast to the acute necrotic reaction, this lesion was rarely produced by the mucopeptide separated from polysaccharide.
New Wine, new Vintages, and Limoncello: Conference Summary

This conference summary is, broadly speaking, divided into three sections, each characterized by a different way of enjoying ethanol, as human beings have done for thousands of years. I will begin with “new wine”: topics which are relatively new to this conference and which offer some exciting new opportunities for our field. I describe the second set of topics as “new vintages of old wine:” familiar topics which have produced some new results. The final, short section of this paper is named for a delightful beverage, strong stuff but very satisfying. It describes my reaction to the more intangible, but most important, aspects of this conference. Our community re-energizes itself and makes significant intellectual progress at each of these occasions.
Spin Polarization in Electron-Atom Scattering

The investigation of spin effects is an effort to probe the electron-atom collision process in greater detail than is possible through conventional cross-section measurements. This effort is part of a broad study of coherence in atomic collision physics that has been reviewed by a number of authors in a volume edited by Kleinpoppen and Williams.(1) The present chapter is part of a review of the progress made since then. Studies of coherence and polarization in electron-collision physics have been reviewed previously also by Hanne,(2) Blum and Kleinpoppen,(3) Slevin,(4) and Kessler.(5)
Individualized Risk of Surgical Complications: An Application of the Breast Reconstruction Risk Assessment Score.

Background: Risk discussion is a central tenet of the dialogue between surgeon and patient. Risk calculators have recently offered a new way to integrate evidence-based practice into the discussion of individualized patient risk and expectation management. Focusing on the comprehensive Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS) database, we endeavored to add plastic surgical outcomes to the previously developed Breast Reconstruction Risk Assessment (BRA) score.
Stimulated Brillouin scattering in Raman-amplified dispersion compensating fibers

In conclusion we performed experiments to study SBS in Raman amplified dispersion compensating fibres (DCFs) of different lengths. We developed a theory which estimates the SBS thresholds for unpumped, forward and backward Raman pumped DCFs of short length as a function of pump powers and fiber parameters. Theory and experiments both indicate significant alteration of SBS thresholds if Raman amplification is present inside a DCF depending on the power of the Raman pump. The results also imply that forward pumping of the DCF can be more detrimental to the transmission than backward pumping since it brings down the SBS threshold much faster than backward pumping does for the same length of the fiber.
Integrating Health and Wellness in Mental Health Counseling: Clinical, Educational, and Policy Implications

Few counselor training programs offer wellness courses or training on how to ethically and competently integrate physical and mental health issues when working with clients. This article highlights the interrelatedness of mental and physical health to build on the counseling profession's own tradition of wellness and to encourage mental health counselors and counselor educators to adapt to changes in integrated healthcare. We propose that the mental health profession adopt competencies for wellness as part of standard counselor preparation and continuing education.
Structure and Evolution of White Dwarfs

We have already discussed the evolutionary stages leading to the white dwarfs (§2.6) and described their internal structure as being determined by the combination of high gravities and an electron degenerate equation of state. This chapter will elaborate on their structure, evolution, and importance as the endpoint of evolution for most stars. The variable white dwarfs, discussed in the final section, will be shown to play an important role in this program. There is no one text that deals solely with these objects but, for further reading, we suggest (1980), (1983), (1984), (1990), (1990), (1990), (1991), (1992), (2001), (2002), and (2003).
A new efficient algorithm for analysis of piecewise-linear resistive circuits (driving-point and transfer characteristic plots)

An efficient algorithm is presented for finding all driving-point and transfer characteristic plots for a broad class of piecewise-linear resistive circuits, without the need for initial points for each solution branch. The circuits need not be continuous, nor need their linear regions be divided by gridlike hyperplanes. The computation of is zone by zone, instead of the conventional region by region. Since each zone includes several regions and only one matrix inversion is needed for each zone, a significant reduction of computation can be achieved. The computational complexity for finding all solution branches, i.e. finding the DC operating points over the entire range of input values, is no more than finding all DC operating points over a single input value as far as the number of matrices that need to be inverted is concerned. >
Steady‐state harmonic response of a rigid plate bearing on a liquid‐saturated poroelastic halfspace

Soil–structure interaction problems are typically modelled by assuming subgrade behaviour to be either elastic or viscoelastic. Herein, compliance functions that may be used to solve soil–structure interaction problems are evaluated by treating the subgrade as a liquid-saturated poroelastic material whose behaviour is governed by Biot's theory. The compliances are evaluated for the harmonic rocking and vertical motions of rigid permeable and impermeable plates bearing on a poroelastic halfspace. Comparisons are made with elastic solutions which assume the subgrade to be either completely drained or undrained. Also, solid and fluid contact stresses are reported for the poroelastic case and compared to the solid contact stresses for the elastic cases.
Modulation of membrane K+ conductance in T-lymphocytes by substance P via a GTP-binding protein.

Modulation of the voltage-gated K+ conductance in T-lymphocytes by substance P was examined. Whole-cell recordings from Jurkat E6-1 human T-lymphocytes revealed two components of substance P action on the outward K+ current: (i) dose- and time-dependent reduction of current peak amplitude; and (ii) acceleration of the current inactivation rate. This action was blocked by substituting Cs+ for K+ in the recording pipette and by the substance P antagonist, [d-Arg1,d-Phe5,d-Trp7.9, Leu11]-substance P. As indicated by conductance-voltage relationship, the reduction in current peak amplitude as a result of substance P application was not due to a shift of the voltage dependence of the channel. Raising intracellular free calcium concentration from 2 to 200nm reversed the reduction, induced by substance P, in current peak amplitude and disclosed an apparent desensitization towards the neuropeptide action. The treatment, however, did not reverse substance P-induced acceleration of the rate of current decay. Intracellular administration of hydrolysis-resistant guanosine triphosphate (to persistently activate GTP-binding protein) and guanosine diphosphate (to competitively inhibit GTP—binding proteins) analogues mimicked and inhibited substance P-induced reduction of K+ conductance, respectively. The data demonstrate a modulation of T-lymphocyte K+ channels by substance P and substantiate a possible role for GTP-binding proteins in this modulation.
Comparison of faunal equilibrium turnover rates on a tropical island and a temperate island.

Abstract Rates of immigration and extinction of bird species on a tropical island, Karkar in the southwest Pacific Ocean, have been estimated from surveys made in 1914 and in 1969. Compared to a temperate-zone island of similar size and isolation (Santa Cruz off southern California), Karkar has a similar extinction rate, but a lower immigration rate expressed as a fraction of the mainland species pool, due to the sedentariness of many tropical forest birds. The probability of extinction is highest for species that are rare (due to narrow habitat requirements, large territory size, competition, recency of colonization, or marginal suitability of habitat), species with “in-and-out” tactics, and populations on small islands.
Identification of lysine succinylation as a new post-translational modification

Post-translational modifications are critical to protein structure and function. Mass spectrometry, antibody pulldowns and other lines of evidence now establish the presence of lysine succinylation across numerous proteins and species. Of the 20 ribosomally coded amino acid residues, lysine is the most frequently post-translationally modified, which has important functional and regulatory consequences. Here we report the identification and verification of a previously unreported form of protein post-translational modification (PTM): lysine succinylation. The succinyllysine residue was initially identified by mass spectrometry and protein sequence alignment. The identified succinyllysine peptides derived from in vivo proteins were verified by western blot analysis, in vivo labeling with isotopic succinate, MS/MS and HPLC coelution of their synthetic counterparts. We further show that lysine succinylation is evolutionarily conserved and that this PTM responds to different physiological conditions. Our study also implies that succinyl-CoA might be a cofactor for lysine succinylation. Given the apparent high abundance of lysine succinylation and the significant structural changes induced by this PTM, it is expected that lysine succinylation has important cellular functions.
Interleukin-6 and use of social support in gynecologic cancer patients

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is related to disease progression in ovarian and cervical cancers and is associated with abnormal endometrial cell growth. IL-6 is also involved in the stress response and depression. We examined relationships among distress, use of social support, IL-6, clinical status, and disability in gynecologic cancer patients. A sample of 21 gynecologic cancer patients with early stage or regionally advanced disease who had not yet received initial treatment and 33 healthy controls completed psychosocial assessments and had early morning blood draws. This was done presurgery for patients. Clinical and functional status of patients was assessed at 1 year. IL-6 was significantly higher among patients than among controls. Among patients, seeking instrumental support at diagnosis was associated with lower concurrent IL-6, better clinical status, and less disability at 1 year. Distress was not correlated with these outcome measures, and IL-6 did not mediate the effects of social support on these outcomes. These findings suggest that the ways patients cope with stress of cancer may be associated with a cytokine that is involved in tumor progression in gynecologic cancers and with clinical variables at 1 year.
The germination process in vernal pools: sensitivity to environmental conditions and effects on community structure

Variation in timing and amount of rainfall in California has been noted to cause strong year-to-year differences in the composition of vernal pool communities. We explored the effects of possible variation of the “rainy season” in a seedbank germination study conducted with three factors: monthly timing of first soil moistening, length of moist period before inundation, and length of inundation. Monthly timing was the most important factor in determining the number of plants and number of species that germinated in the pots. Many species, mostly generalist wetland and pool-endemic species, showed sharp decreases in number in later trials. Five species did not germinate in the final trial, and two of these were abundant only in the first trial. Inundation was required for the germination of two species. Treatments with a combination of inundated and moist conditions resulted in higher numbers of species and numbers of plants compared to treatments with only moistness or only inundation. Our results indicate that vernal pool species have mechanisms that keep them from emerging under unfavorable conditions. The sensitivity of vernal pool species to out-of-season germination suggests that they could be negatively affected by climatic change, with generalist species like non-native Lythrum hyssopifolium having a potential advantage.