Marlboro College

As the third article in a four-part series on pediatric neuroimmune disorders, this study evaluates evidence-based herbal therapeutics for biomarker modulation in Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). Building on Part 1 (CIRS diagnostic framework), Part 2 (infectious drivers such as Lyme disease and co-infections), and Part 4 (Autoimmune encephalopathy), Part 3 focuses on phytochemicals that target dysregulated markers, including TGF-β1, MMP-9, C4a, VEGF, VIP, and ADH. In a cohort of 1,722 children with treatment-resistant autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)138,140, all meeting CIRS criteria via bedside diagnosis, targeted herbal interventions were introduced, with reported improvements including but not limited to cognition, language, behavior, respiratory, sleep, pain, and gastrointestinal function. Mechanistic pathways included modulation of NF-κB, SMAD2/3, and Nrf2, supporting reduction of inflammation and restoration of neurovascular integrity. Bedside diagnostic strategies, necessitated by laboratory constraints, were supported by control data (83 children 141,142). Outcomes suggest that herbal therapeutics may serve as viable and valuable adjuncts to the Shoemaker CIRS Protocol, offering improved tolerability and accessibility. This work underscores a systems biology approach to pediatric CIRS management and highlights integrative strategies that bridge conventional and botanical medicine 1, 3, 4,6, 50, 51, 139,141,142.

This article considers issues raised while working at the intersection of anthropology and visual art in Everglades National Park and during the months that followed. Based on a May 2019 residency as an AIRIE (Artist in Residence in Everglades) fellow, the material expression of my efforts consists of volumes of visual fieldnotes and what I call anthro-artists’ books. For this article I take an intimate route, one that foregrounds the experience of being in a place and attempting work at disciplinary intersections. Set against a backdrop of theoretical issues in both anthropology and art as well as overarching social, cultural, ecological, and political concerns of the region, the resulting journals and handmade books are meant to create an emotional, emplaced, and bodily experience for the people who engage with them.

This document focuses attention on the fundamental solution of an autonomous linear retarded functional differential equation (RFDE) along with its supporting cast of actors: kernel matrix, characteristic matrix, resolvent matrix; and the Laplace transform. The fundamental solution is presented in the form of the convolutional powers of the kernel matrix in the manner of a convolutional exponential matrix function. The fundamental solution combined with a solution representation gives an exact expression in explicit form for the solution of an RFDE. Algebraic graph theory is applied to the RFDE in the form of a weighted loop-digraph to illuminate the system structure and system dynamics and to identify the strong and weak components. Examples are provided in the document to elucidate the behavior of the fundamental solution. The paper introduces fundamental solutions of other functional differential equations.

We evaluate the agreement between automated snow products generated from satellite observations in the microwave bands within NESDIS Microwave Integrated Retrieval System (MIRS) and Microwave Surface and Precipitation Products System (MSPPS), on the one hand, and snow cover maps produced with manual input by the NOAA’s Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System (IMS), on the other. MIRS uses physically based retrievals of atmospheric and surface state parameters to provide daily global maps of snow cover and snow water equivalent at 50 km resolution. The older MSPPS delivers daily global maps at the spatial resolution of 45 km and utilizes mostly simple empirical algorithms to retrieve information. IMS daily maps of snow and sea ice cover for the Northern Hemisphere are produced interactively through the analysis of satellite imagery in the visible, infrared, and microwave spectral bands. We compare the performances of these products across the Northern Hemisphere for 2014–2017, using IMS as the standard. In this intercomparison, the daily overall agreement of the automated snow products with IMS ranges between 88% and 99% for MIRS and 87% and 99% for MSPPS. However, daily snow sensitivity is lower, ranging between 36% and 90% for MIRS and 26% and 91% for MSPPS. We analyze this disagreement rate as a function of terrain and land cover type, finding that, relative to IMS, MIRS shows fewer false positives but more false negatives than MSPPS over high elevation and grassland areas.

We construct sequencings for many groups that are a semi-direct product of an odd-order abelian group and a cyclic group of odd prime order. It follows from these constructions that there is a group-based complete Latin square of order $n$ if and only if $n \in \{ 1,2,4\}$ or there is a non-abelian group of order $n$.

Pope Francis has been embraced by progressives in the English-speaking world for his anti-capitalist rhetoric, even as his position on the War on Drugs is at odds with their commitments. By the same token, his support for criminalization does not completely align with conservative arguments. As such, Francis’s third way provides a useful alternative to the binary in American politics. However, the legitimacy of this third way is being challenged by strong arm rulers who use the War on Drugs to terrorize their population, such as President Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines. Natural law arguments would provide a much stronger restraint on abusive policies, but that is not Francis’ approach. Rather than condemn brutal policies, Pope Francis focuses on building a people. Will that distinction survive the pope’s association with authoritarian rulers?

Williams squares, also known as row quasi-complete Latin squares, that have circular structure are used in repeated measurements designs where error terms are correlated. They are known to exist for all orders that are not multiples of 4 and also order 8; there is no such square of order 4. We use a variation of the generating array method to construct a Williams square of order 12 with circular structure. We also give a product theorem that produces Williams squares of orders 8r and 12s, where the smallest prime divisor of r is at least 11 and the smallest prime divisor of s is at least 13, that have circular structure.

Background. There has been lack of reviews of evidence on efficacy, methodology, and/or safety of acupuncture in autism spectrum disorders. This paper examines the emerging evidence of the effects of acupuncture in the treatment of autistic children. Method. A literature review was completed via Medline and three Chinese search engines. A total of 31 studies were evaluated for acupuncture methodology, study design, treatment effects, and tolerability. Results. The acupoints used, the duration of needling, the frequency of treatment, the choice of stimulation, and the course of the treatment were highly variable amongst the studies. Behavioral and/or developmental improvements were reported in all acupuncture treatment studies. All studies reported general tolerability. Weakness of experimental designs was discussed. Conclusions. Vigorously controlled double-blinded clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in children with autism spectrum disorders.