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The lex Scantinia was one of the earliest (and arguably one of the most infamous) laws criminalizing sexual misconduct in Roman society. Modern scholars know little about the specifics of the law itself, largely because all evidence for the law, the behaviors it prohibited, and any mechanisms for enforcement/punishment must be gleaned from a few scattered references appearing in a variety of literary sources. This paper examines the literary legacy of the lex Scantinia against the legislative context in which the law may have been created. It suggests that the consensus about what constituted sexual morality and the drive to assert state authority were not necessarily synonymous with a deep commitment to and prioritization of this standard in everyday life.

Purpose: The Australian Genomics Cardiovascular Disorders Flagship was a national multidisciplinary collaboration. It aimed to investigate the feasibility of genome sequencing (GS) and functional genomics to resolve variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in the clinical management of patients and families with cardiomyopathies, primary arrhythmias, and congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: Between April 2019 and December 2021, 600 probands meeting cardiovascular disorder criteria from 17 cardiology and genetics clinics across Australia were enrolled in the Flagship and underwent GS. The Flagship adopted a tiered approach to GS analysis. Tier 1 analysis assessed genes with established clinical validity for each cardiovascular condition. Tier 2 analysis assessed lesser-evidenced research-based genes. Tier 3 analysis assessed the functional impact of VUS that remained after tier 1 and tier 2 analysis. Results: Overall, a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant was identified in 41% of participants with a cardiomyopathy, 40% with an arrhythmia syndrome, and 15% with a familial CHD/CHD+Extra Cardiac Anomalies. A VUS outcome ranged from 13% for arrhythmias to 34% for CHD/CHD+Extra Cardiac Anomalies participants. Tier 2 research analysis identified a likely pathogenic/pathogenic variant for a further 15 participants and a VUS for an additional 15 participants. Conclusion: The Flagship successfully facilitated a model of care that harnesses clinical GS and functional genomics for the resolution of VUS in the clinical setting. This valuable data set can be used to inform clinical practice and facilitate research into the future.

A tool has been developed to statistically increase the temporal resolution of solar irradiance time series. Fine temporal resolution time series are an important input into the planning process for solar power plants, and lead to increased understanding of the likely short-term variability of solar energy. The approach makes use of the spatial variability of hourly gridded datasets around a location of interest to make inferences about the temporal variability within the hour. The unique characteristics of solar irradiance data are modelled by classifying each hour into a typical weather situation. Low variability situations are modelled using an autoregressive process which is applied to ramps of clear-sky index. High variability situations are modelled as a transition between states of clear sky conditions and different levels of cloud opacity. The methods have been calibrated to Australian conditions using 1 min data from four ground stations for a 10 year period. These stations, together with an independent dataset, have also been used to verify the quality of the results using a number of relevant metrics. The results show that the method generates realistic fine resolution synthetic time series. The synthetic time series correlate well with observed data on monthly and annual timescales as they are constrained to the nearest grid-point value on each hour. The probability distributions of the synthetic and observed global irradiance data are similar, with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test statistic less than 0.04 at each station. The tool could be useful for the estimation of solar power output for integration studies.

Case reports of Zika virus (ZIKV) sexual transmission and genital persistence are mounting. Venereal transmission and genital persistence threaten public health within and beyond the range of ZIKV’s mosquito vectors. In this study, we administered ZIKV into the vaginas of AG129 mice and LysMCre+IFNARfl/fl C57BL/6 mice after hormonal treatments. Mice infected during estrus-like phase were resistant to vaginal infection. In contrast, when infected during diestrus-like phase, AG129 mice succumbed to infection, whereas LysMCre+IFNARfl/fl mice experienced transient illness. Patency of transgenital transmission (TGT) in diestrus-like mice was demonstrated by detection of viremia and ZIKV replication in spleen and brain, and viral RNA persisted in vaginal washes as late as 10 days post-infection. In these lethal and sublethal mouse models, this study indicates that intravaginal deposition of ZIKV can cause TGT, hormonal changes in the female reproductive tract (FRT) influence transmission, and ZIKV replication persists in the FRT for several days.

Objective: This is a prospective trial comparing the impact of intraoperative flexible, rigid, and no cystoscopy on dysuria immediately after permanent seed prostate brachytherapy (PB). It prospectively documents the time course and characteristics of dysuria, as well as the rates of urinary retention post-PB. Furthermore, this study attempts to establish the utility of routine, post-PB cystoscopy, by documenting the incidence of finding significant pathology on cystoscopy. Materials and methods: Between January 2003 and January 2007, 225 patients deemed by their physician to be candidates for PB alone were recruited to the study. Patients who had external beam radiation therapy and/or androgen deprivation therapy were excluded. Preimplant International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), urinary quality of life score, urine leakage score, Sexual Health Inventory for Men score, and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Bowel Health Inventory Scores were obtained. Patients were assigned to one of the following three groups: intraoperative rigid cystoscopy, flexible cystoscopy, or no cystoscopy following PB. Patient self-administered questionnaires were given to the patient in the recovery room after PB. These questionnaires evaluated the intensity, type, and duration of urinary symptoms associated with the first four urinations post-PB. All patients were seen on postoperative Day 1 when the surveys were retrieved. Patients were then followed up every 3 months. Acute urinary retention (AUR) was documented in the follow ups. Frequencies of significant pathology (defined as bladder tumor, urethral stricture, or large blood clots) were documented at the time of cystoscopy. AUR rates were also evaluated by the isotope used (I125, Pd103, or Cs131). Results: A total of 225 patients were enrolled into this study, but only 194 patients could be analyzed for dysuria. Thirty-one patients were excluded from analysis (6, 13, and 12 patients from the rigid, flexible, and no cystoscopy groups, respectively). These patients did not return the questionnaire, or were in retention, and thus did not have dysuria scores to report. Baseline characteristics for the 194 patients in terms of preimplant IPSS, quality of life, prostate volume, and isotope used were well balanced between all three groups. There were no significant differences in dysuria between the three cystoscopy groups at any time point following PB. The mean dysuria score across all time points was 5.5 of 10, with 0 representing “no pain” and 10 representing “the worst possible pain.” Pain was most often characterized as “burning” (78%), whereas dysuria most commonly was “only during urination” (56%). AUR rates (6.8–9.5%) and duration of catheter dependence (10.5–19 days) were not found to be significantly different between the assigned groups. When results were stratified by isotope, patients treated with I125, Pd103, and Cs131 seeds experienced a 6%, 14%, and 0% retention rate, respectively. The I125 and Pd103 patients had similar pretreatment IPSS and prostate volumes. Seven percent of patients undergoing cystoscopy had significant findings. The most common finding was “clots thought too large to void” (3%). Seeds in the bladder/urethra occurred in 1% of cases. Only 0.7% of patients were found to harbor unsuspected bladder tumors. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in dysuria in the first four urinations post-PB between patients in the rigid, flexible, and no cystoscopy groups. Larger blood clots that may have been difficult to void, seeds in the bladder and/or urethra, and other abnormalities were found in 7% of patients who had cystoscopy. This may suggest that cystoscopy may be worthwhile post-PB. The incidence of AUR was not significantly different between the three cohorts.

c-Abl is a tyrosine kinase implicated in the regulation of proliferation, adhesion, motility, andcell survival [...]

Lyme disease is a common disease that is faced by the physician but also acts a mimicker of many other disease processes. Facial palsies, especially bilateral, are a relatively rare presenting symptom of Lyme disease and may warrant further investigation. A thorough history and physical examination coupled with precision testing may aid the physician when faced with a patient with the diagnostic dilemma of facial diplegia.

Disruption of the normal gut microbiome (dysbiosis) is implicated in the progression and severity of myriad disorders, including hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease. Probiotics attenuate and reverse gut dysbiosis to improve cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Lactobacillus reuteri is a well-studied lactic acid-producing probiotic with known cholesterollowering properties and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we hypothesized that L. reuteri delivered to hypercholesterolemic low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr KO) mice will reduce cholesterol levels and minimize cardiac injury from an ischemic insult. L. reuteri [1 × 109 or 50 × 106 colony-forming units (CFU)/day] was administered by oral gavage to wild-type mice and LDLr KO for up to 6 wk followed by an ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) protocol. After 4 wk of gavage, total serum cholesterol in wild-type mice receiving saline was 113.5 ± 5.6 mg/dL compared with 113.3 ± 6.8 and 101.9 ± 7.5 mg/dL in mice receiving 1 × 109 or 50 × 106 CFU/day, respectively. Over the same time frame, administration of L. reuteri at 1 × 109 or 50 × 106 CFU/day did not lower total serum cholesterol (283.0 ± 11.1, 263.3 ± 5.0, and 253.1 ± 7.0 mg/dL; saline, 1 × 109 or 50 × 106 CFU/day, respectively) in LDLr KO mice. Despite no impact on total serum cholesterol, L. reuteri administration significantly attenuated cardiac injury following I/R, as evidenced by smaller infarct sizes compared with controls in both wild-type and LDLr KO groups. In conclusion, daily L. reuteri significantly protected against cardiac injury without lowering cholesterol levels, suggesting anti-inflammatory properties of L. reuteri uncoupled from improvements in serum cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Case reports of Zika virus (ZIKV) sexual transmission and genital persistence are mounting. Venereal transmission and genital persistence threaten public health within and beyond the range of ZIKV’s mosquito vectors. In this study, we administered ZIKV into the vaginas of AG129 mice and LysMCre + IFNAR fl/fl C57BL/6 mice after hormonal treatments. Mice infected during estrus-like phase were resistant to vaginal infection. In contrast, when infected during diestrus-like phase, AG129 mice succumbed to infection, whereas LysMCre + IFNAR fl/fl mice experienced transient illness. Patency of transgenital transmission (TGT) in diestrus-like mice was demonstrated by detection of viremia and ZIKV replication in spleen and brain, and viral RNA persisted in vaginal washes as late as 10 days post-infection. In these lethal and sublethal mouse models, this study indicates that intravaginal deposition of ZIKV can cause TGT, hormonal changes in the female reproductive tract (FRT) influence transmission, and ZIKV replication persists in the FRT for several days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monthly or annual 5 km × 5 km gridded datasets covering the UK are generated for the 1961–2000 period, for 36 climatic parameters. As well as the usual elements of temperature, rainfall, sunshine, cloud, wind speed, and pressure, derived temperature variables (such as growing‐season length, heating degree days, and heat and cold wave durations) and further precipitation variables (such as rainfall intensity, maximum consecutive dry days, and days of snow, hail and thunder) are analysed.The analysis process uses geographical information system capabilities to combine multiple regression with inverse‐distance‐weighted interpolation. Geographic and topographic factors, such as easting and northing, terrain height and shape, and urban and coastal effects, are incorporated either through normalization with regard to the 1961–90 average climate, or as independent variables in the regression. Local variations are then incorporated through the spatial interpolation of regression residuals.For each of the climatic parameters, the choice of model is based on verification statistics produced by excluding a random set of stations from the analysis for a selection of months, and comparing the observed values with the estimated values at each point. This gives some insight into the significance, direction, and seasonality of factors affecting different climate elements. It also gives a measure of the accuracy of the method at predicting values between station locations.The datasets are being used for the verification of climate modelling scenarios and are available via the Internet. © Crown Copyright 2005. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monthly and annual long‐term average datasets of 13 climate variables are generated for the periods 1961–90 and 1971–2000 using a consistent analysis method. Values are produced for each station in the Met Office's observing network and for a rectangular grid of points covering the UK at a horizontal spacing of 1 km. The variables covered are mean, maximum, minimum, grass minimum and soil temperature, days of air and ground frost, precipitation, days with rain exceeding 0.2 and 1 mm, sunshine, and days with thunder and snow cover.Gaps in the monthly station data are filled with estimates obtained via regression relationships with a number of well‐correlated neighbours, and long‐term averages are then calculated for each site. Gridded datasets are created by inverse‐distance‐weighted interpolation of regression residuals obtained from the station averages. This method does not work well for days of frost, thunder and snow, so an alternative approach is used. This involves first producing a grid of values for each month from the available station data. The gridded long‐term average datasets are then obtained by averaging the monthly grids.The errors associated with each stage in the process are assessed, including verification of the gridding stage by leaving out a set of stations. The estimation of missing values allows a dense network of stations to be used, and this, along with the range of independent variables used in the regression, allows detailed and accurate climate datasets and maps to be produced. The datasets have a range of applications, and the maps are freely available through the Met Office Website. © Crown Copyright 2005. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous calcium waves in cardiac myocytes are caused by diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum release (SR Ca(2+) leak) through ryanodine receptors. Beta-adrenergic (β-AR) tone is known to increase this leak through the activation of Ca-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII) and the subsequent phosphorylation of the ryanodine receptor. When β-AR drive is chronic, as observed in heart failure, this CaMKII-dependent effect is exaggerated and becomes potentially arrhythmogenic. Recent evidence has indicated that CaMKII activation can be regulated by cellular oxidizing agents, such as reactive oxygen species. Here, we investigate how the cellular second messenger, nitric oxide, mediates CaMKII activity downstream of the adrenergic signaling cascade and promotes the generation of arrhythmogenic spontaneous Ca(2+) waves in intact cardiomyocytes. Both SCaWs and SR Ca(2+) leak were measured in intact rabbit and mouse ventricular myocytes loaded with the Ca-dependent fluorescent dye, fluo-4. CaMKII activity in vitro and immunoblotting for phosphorylated residues on CaMKII, nitric oxide synthase, and Akt were measured to confirm activity of these enzymes as part of the adrenergic cascade. We demonstrate that stimulation of the β-AR pathway by isoproterenol increased the CaMKII-dependent SR Ca(2+) leak. This increased leak was prevented by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase 1 but not nitric oxide synthase 3. In ventricular myocytes isolated from wild-type mice, isoproterenol stimulation also increased the CaMKII-dependent leak. Critically, in myocytes isolated from nitric oxide synthase 1 knock-out mice this effect is ablated. We show that isoproterenol stimulation leads to an increase in nitric oxide production, and nitric oxide alone is sufficient to activate CaMKII and increase SR Ca(2+) leak. Mechanistically, our data links Akt to nitric oxide synthase 1 activation downstream of β-AR stimulation. Collectively, this evidence supports the hypothesis that CaMKII is regulated by nitric oxide as part of the adrenergic cascade leading to arrhythmogenesis.

Ground-based gravitational wave interferometers such as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) are susceptible to ground shaking from high-magnitude teleseismic events, which can interrupt their operation in science mode and significantly reduce their duty cycle. It can take several hours for a detector to stabilize enough to return to its nominal state for scientific observations. The down time can be reduced if advance warning of impending shaking is received and the impact is suppressed in the isolation system with the goal of maintaining stable operation even at the expense of increased instrumental noise. Here, we describe an early warning system for modern gravitational-wave observatories. The system relies on near real-time earthquake alerts provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Preliminary low latency hypocenter and magnitude information is generally available in 5 to 20 min of a significant earthquake depending on its magnitude and location. The alerts are used to estimate arrival times and ground velocities at the gravitational-wave detectors. In general, 90% of the predictions for ground-motion amplitude are within a factor of 5 of measured values. The error in both arrival time and ground-motion prediction introduced by using preliminary, rather than final, hypocenter and magnitude information is minimal. By using a machine learning algorithm, we develop a prediction model that calculates the probability that a given earthquake will prevent a detector from taking data. Our initial results indicate that by using detector control configuration changes, we could prevent interruption of operation from 40 to 100 earthquake events in a 6-month time-period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]