Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Housing Assistance and Housing Insecurity: A Study of Renters in Southeastern Michigan in the Wake of the Great Recession

This article examines the factors shaping longitudinal patterns of housing insecurity in the wake of the Great Recession, with a focus on whether housing assistance helped renters who received it. We use data from the first two waves (2009–10 and 2011) of the Michigan Recession and Recovery Study, a population-representative sample of working-age adults from Southeast Michigan. We use detailed reports from renters and other nonhomeowners to construct measures of instability and cost-related housing problems at both waves, and we compare the changes in these over follow up between housing assistance recipients and their income-eligible but nonrecipient counterparts. Our findings suggest that receiving housing assistance reduced the chance of experiencing housing insecurity problems over follow up regardless of baseline housing insecurity.
Muon-spin-rotation studies of the temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth in the YBa2Cu3Ox family and related compounds.

A systematic muon-spin-rotation ({mu}{sup +}SR) study is presented of the temperature dependence of the London penetration depth in sintered powder samples of the YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub {ital x}} system and related compounds. The in-plane penetration depth {lambda}{sub {ital a}{ital b}} is estimated from the {mu}{sup +}SR depolarization rate of Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8+{delta}}, YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 4}O{sub 8}, and a series of samples of the YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub {ital x}} family, respectively. It is found that not only the low-temperature value {lambda}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}(0), but also the temperature behavior {lambda}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}({ital T}) is specific to each compound. The form of {lambda}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}({ital T}) can be well characterized by a simple power law. In particular, the YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub {ital x}} family shows a systematic variation of the form of {lambda}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}({ital T}) with the oxygen content {ital x} which points to a varying coupling strength, whereas {lambda}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}(0) as a function of {ital x} suggests a positive charge transfer into the CuO{sub 2} planes with increasing oxygen doping. Furthermore, our data is consistent with an empirical ansatz which has been proposed in the framework of a Bose-gas picture of high-temperature superconductivity.more » As a consequence, the pressure and the isotope coefficients can be extracted from the {mu}{sup +}SR depolarization rate and compared to direct measurements of these quantities, showing good agreement. Moreover, in the Bose-gas picture the variation of {lambda}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}({ital T}) in the YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub {ital x}} family may be interpreted as a crossover from a dense (high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}}) to a dilute (low-{ital T}{sub {ital c}}) system of weakly interacting local pairs. « less
Relations between autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein, inflammation, subclinical atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an unexplained increased cardiovascular risk. Autoantibodies recognizing oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL-ab) are associated with atherosclerosis in the general population and have been reported in several autoimmune diseases. We investigated relations between oxLDL-ab, inflammation, subclinical atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with RA. METHODS In a nested case-control study, serum concentrations of oxLDL-ab were measured in 140 RA patients. Ultrasound examination of the carotid artery [i.e., carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT)] was performed in a third of these patients. Correlations were calculated for oxLDL-ab, C-reactive protein (CRP), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Regression analyses were used to examine associations between oxLDL-ab and prevalent CVD, and oxLDL-ab and CIMT. RESULTS OxLDL-ab were positively correlated with CRP (r = 0.33, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol (r = -0.28, p = 0.001). An indication for interaction was found (p = 0.09), suggesting that inflammation modifies the relation between HDL cholesterol and oxLDL-ab. OxLDL-ab were independently associated with intimal thickening, but not associated with prevalent CVD. CONCLUSION OxLDL-ab were strongly related with the degree of inflammation and may predispose to a higher risk for CVD, as they were independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with RA.
t Differential Effects of Acetylcholine and Glutamate Blockade on the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Retinal Waves

In the immature vertebrate retina, neighboring ganglion cells express spontaneous bursting activity (SBA), resulting in propagating waves. Previous studies suggest that the spontaneous bursting activity, asynchronous between the two eyes, controls the refinement of retinal ganglion cell projections to central visual targets. To understand how the patterns encoded within the waves contribute to the refinement of connections in the visual system, it is necessary to understand how wave propagation is regulated. We have used video-rate calcium imaging of spontaneous bursting activity in chick embryonic retinal ganglion cells to show how glutamatergic and cholinergic connections, two major excitatory synaptic drives involved in spontaneous bursting activity, contribute differentially to the spatiotemporal patterning of the waves. During partial blockade of cholinergic connections, cellular recruitment declines, leading to spatially more restricted waves. The velocity of wave propagation decreases during partial blockade of glutamatergic connections, but cellular recruitment remains substantially higher than during cholinergic blockade, thereby altering correlations in the activity of neighboring and distant ganglion cells. These findings show that cholinergic and glutamatergic connections exert different influences on the spatial and temporal properties of the waves, raising the possibility that they may play distinct roles during visual development.
Longitudinal effects of mild traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder comorbidity on postdeployment outcomes in national guard soldiers deployed to Iraq.

CONTEXT Troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan are at high risk for exposure to combat events resulting in mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) or concussion and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The longer-term impact of combat-related concussion/MTBI and comorbid PTSD on troops' health and well-being is unknown. OBJECTIVE To assess longitudinal associations between concussion/MTBI and PTSD symptoms reported in theater and longer-term psychosocial outcomes in combat-deployed National Guard soldiers. DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study. Participants were surveyed in Iraq 1 month before returning home (time 1) and 1 year later (time 2). Self-reports of concussion/MTBI and PTSD were assessed at times 1 and 2. Based on time 1 concussion/MTBI status (defined as an injury during deployment with loss of consciousness or altered mental status) and time 2 postdeployment probable PTSD status, soldiers were compared on a range of time 2 psychosocial outcomes. PARTICIPANTS Nine hundred fifty-three US National Guard soldiers. SETTING The time 1 sample was assessed during redeployment transition briefings held at military installations in the Iraq combat theater. The time 2 sample was assessed using mailed surveys sent to the homes of US National Guard service members. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Postconcussive, depression, and physical symptoms; alcohol use; social functioning; and quality of life assessed at time 2 using valid clinical instruments. RESULTS The rate of self-reported concussion/MTBI during deployment was 9.2% at time 1 and 22.0% at time 2. Soldiers with a history of concussion/MTBI were more likely than those without to report postdeployment postconcussive symptoms and poorer psychosocial outcomes. However, after adjusting for PTSD symptoms, concussion/MTBI was not associated with postdeployment symptoms or outcomes. Time 1 PTSD symptoms more strongly predicted postdeployment symptoms and outcomes than did concussion/MTBI history. CONCLUSIONS Although combat-related PTSD was strongly associated with postconcussive symptoms and psychosocial outcomes 1 year after soldiers returned from Iraq, there was little evidence of a long-term negative impact of concussion/MTBI history on these outcomes after accounting for PTSD. These findings and the 2-fold increase in reports of deployment-related concussion/MTBI history have important implications for screening and treatment.
Clinical effects and pharmacokinetics of medetomidine and its enantiomers in dogs.

The clinical effects and pharmacokinetics of medetomidine (MED) and its enanti-omers, dexmedetomidine (DEX) and levomedetomidine (LEVO) were compared in a group of six beagle dogs. The dogs received intravenously (i.v.) a bolus of MED (40 microg/kg), DEX (20 and 10 microg/kg), LEVO (20 and 10 microg/kg), and saline placebo in a blinded, randomized block study in six separate sessions. Sedation and analgesia were scored subjectively, and the dogs were monitored for heart rate, ECG lead II, direct blood pressure, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases, and rectal body temperature. Blood samples for drug analysis were taken. Peak sedative and analgesic effects were observed at mean (+/- SD) plasma levels of 18.5 +/- 4.7 ng/mL for MED40, 14.0 +/- 4.5 ng/mL for DEX20, and 5.5 +/- 1.3 ng/mL for DEX10. The overall level of sedation and cardiorespiratory effects did not differ between MED40, DEX20 and DEX10 during the first hour, apparently due to a ceiling effect. However, the analgesic effect of DEX20 lasted longer than the effect of the corresponding dose of racemic medetomidine, suggesting greater potency for dexmedetomidine in dogs. Levomedetomidine had no effect on cardio-vascular parameters and caused no apparent sedation or analgesia. The pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine and racemic medetomidine were similar, but clearance of levomedetomidine was more rapid (4.07 +/- 0.69 L/h/kg for LEVO20 and 3.52 +/- 1.03 for LEVO10) than of the other drugs (1.26 +/- 0.44 L/h/kg for MED40, 1.24 +/- 0.48 for DEX20, and 0.97 +/- 0.33 for DEX10).
Natural evolution of sleep apnoea syndrome: a five year longitudinal study.

We wanted to investigate the natural evolution of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS). We therefore followed 58 patients who refused any treatment at the time of diagnosis. Of the eligible patients 32 subjects enrolled in instrumental follow-up. The effects on daytime somnolence, daytime lung function and nocturnal respiratory disturbances were retrospectively evaluated by repeating Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), spirometry and polysomnography after a follow-up period of at least 5 years (5.7 +/- 0.2 SEM yrs). In the patient group as a whole the mean Apnoea+Hypopnoea Index (AHI), the mean low arterial oxygen saturation (Sao2) and the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) did not change over time. The only significant differences were the increase in mean duration of apnoeas (21.0 vs 23.5 s) and hypopneas (13.5 vs 16.3 s) and the decrease in AHI < 80% (13.3 vs 7.9). No correlations were found between the changes in AHI or mean low Sao2 and age, BMI, AHI, mean low Sao2, pulmonary function tests or arterial blood gases at baseline. No significant changes were observed in systemic blood pressure, pulmonary function tests, blood gases analysis or MSLT. "Improved" (n = 6) and "worsened" (n = 7) groups were defined by a reduction or increase in AHI over 35% of baseline value. At baseline the "worsened" group tended to have lower AHI and higher mean low Sao2 compared with the "improved" group. In the "worsened" group the BMI rose significantly from 26.0 to 29.2, AHI rose significantly from 14.1 to 51.3 and mean low Sao2 decreased from 92 to 90 (NS). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A 0.3 V Cross-Coupled VCO Using Dynamic Threshold MOSFET

An ultra-low voltage differential voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is designed and implemented in a 0.13 ¿ m CMOS 1P8M process. The designed circuit topology is an nMOS-core cross-coupled LC-tank VCO, and a self-generated 2nd harmonic ac signal is coupled to the bodies of MOSFETs to enhance the VCO performance. At the supply voltage of 0.3 V, the output phase noise of the VCO is -116.88 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency from the carrier frequency of 3.579 GHz, and the figure of merit is -194.43 dBc/Hz. Total power consumption is 0.225 mW. Tuning range is about 240(770) MHz, from 3.39 to 3.63(4.16) GHz, while the control voltage was tuned from 0 V to 0.3(1.0) V.
Housing supply, investment demand and money creation: A comment on the drivers of London’s housing crisis

This commentary examines the current emphasis on supply-side solutions to the housing crisis in England – building more homes to increase accessibility – against a backdrop of intensifying demand-side pressures, the financialisation of housing, and the impact of credit liberalisation and money creation on housing demand and prices. It reflects on the need to balance additional housing supply, where needed, with gradual ‘demand management’ responses that at last acknowledge the centrality of spatially unbounded investment demand and the flow of money created by deregulated banks into housing as fundamental to the current crisis of housing affordability and access.
Molecular identification and functional characterization of the first Nα-acetyltransferase in plastids by global acetylome profiling

Protein Nα‐terminal acetylation represents one of the most abundant protein modifications of higher eukaryotes. In humans, six Nα‐acetyltransferases (Nats) are responsible for the acetylation of approximately 80% of the cytosolic proteins. N‐terminal protein acetylation has not been evidenced in organelles of metazoans, but in higher plants is a widespread modification not only in the cytosol but also in the chloroplast. In this study, we identify and characterize the first organellar‐localized Nat in eukaryotes. A primary sequence‐based search in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed seven putatively plastid‐localized Nats of which AT2G39000 (AtNAA70) showed the highest conservation of the acetyl‐CoA binding pocket. The chloroplastic localization of AtNAA70 was demonstrated by transient expression of AtNAA70:YFP in Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts. Homology modeling uncovered a significant conservation of tertiary structural elements between human HsNAA50 and AtNAA70. The in vivo acetylation activity of AtNAA70 was demonstrated on a number of distinct protein Nα‐termini with a newly established global acetylome profiling test after expression of AtNAA70 in E. coli. AtNAA70 predominately acetylated proteins starting with M, A, S and T, providing an explanation for most protein N‐termini acetylation events found in chloroplasts. Like HsNAA50, AtNAA70 displays Nε‐acetyltransferase activity on three internal lysine residues. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001947 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001947).
Medical Marijuana and Pre-employment Evaluations

Fourteen states permit the use of medical marijuana yet the Federal Controlled Substance Act prohibits the possession and distribution of marijuana with no medical exclusion. At the same time, while the U.S. Attorneys Office recommends against enforcing the Controlled Substance Act with regard to medical marijuana, several state courts have ruled that medical marijuana laws do not apply to adverse employment decisions. Most employers disqualify applicants for current use of marijuana with no medical exemption. Examiners, as agents of employers, should become familiar with the growing body of law regarding medical marijuana and employment decisions.
Gentamicin-releasing urethral catheter for short-term catheterization

Urethral catheters, widely used for the drainage of the bladder, are associated with most urinary tract infections (UTIs) that account for 40% of all episodes occurring in acute-care hospitals. This study aimed to develop a gentamicin-releasing catheter that effectively prevents UTIs for short-term catheterization. For physical loading of gentamicin, the urethral catheters were coated by the simple dipping method with poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) and EVA/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blends containing gentamicin. By varying the molecular weight (MW) and contents of PEO in the blends, various catheter surfaces were produced. In vitro drug release studies demonstrated that all the coated catheters exhibited sustained release up to 7 days; however, the release pattern was significantly dependant on the coating layers. Of the coated catheters, EVA/PEO (MW = 100k)-coated catheters were utilized to evaluate the antibacterial activity using an inhibition zone test, since they showed a promising drug release behavior and had PEO-rich biocompatible surfaces. In accordance with drug release behavior, EVA/PEO-coated catheters exhibited antibacterial activities for 7 days against Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. These results imply that the catheters coated with EVA/PEO have a potential for short-term catheterization.
Evaluation of the Emergency Eepartment Chest Pain Patient

Patients presenting to the Emergency Department with chest pain are common and often present diagnostic difficulties. Because of the limitations of the initial evaluation, the majority of patients are admitted, although many are later found to have noncardiac causes for their symptoms. Recognition of these limitations has driven the investigation of newer evaluation techniques and protocols in an attempt to improve diagnostic sensitivity without increasing overall costs. These have included modifications of the standard ECG, and use of newer myocardial markers such as mass assays for CK-MB and troponin T and I. Use of acute rest myocardial perfusion imaging has also been shown to be a highly valuable technique for risk stratification of the intermediate- to low-risk chest pain patient.
Suboesophageal neurons involved in head movements and feeding in locusts

The projections of nerves 6 and 7 of the locust suboesophageal ganglion (SOG) were stained by axonal filling with cobalt chloride. Nerve 6 contains two motoneurons which innervate neck muscles 50 and 51. Sensory neurons innervating hairs on the dorso-occipital region of the head also enter the ganglion through nerve 6 and terminate in a small bilateral plexus. The projections of the head hairs in nerve 6 do not overlap the arborizations of the motoneurons or the neurons of nerve 7, but lie in the same area as descending sensory neurons from wind–sensitive hairs of the front of the head. One branch of nerve 7 (7 B) contains two fibres which innervate the salivary gland. These ‘salivary’ neurons (labelled SN1 and SN2) have their cell bodies in the ganglion. The second branch, 7A, contains sensory neurons from the submentum of the labium, which form four sensory plexuses, two dorsal and two ventral. The sensory plexuses from the submentum have specific regions of overlap with the salivary neurons and with the neck muscle motoneurons. We interpret these as indicating a flow of information from labial receptors signalling head and mouthpart movement to neurons involved in salivation and head movement. We further postulate that the anatomical separation of the various sensory plexuses is indicative of functional localization within the ganglion.
14.1 T whole body MRI for detection of mesoangioblast stem cells in a murine model of duchenne muscular dystrophy

Noninvasive imaging procedures will be important for stem cell therapy for muscular dystrophy (MD). Mesoangioblasts regenerate muscle in animal models of muscular dystrophy. In this study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were used to visualize mesoangioblasts in vivo with MRI. Mesoangioblasts incorporated superparamagnetic iron oxide without transfection reagents, and cell differentiation was not negatively impacted. A custom‐built radiofrequency coil with an adjustable field of view and 14.1 T magnet were used for whole‐body MRI of mice. High‐resolution images of mesoangioblasts in skeletal and cardiac muscle of Mdx mice were obtained following local delivery. Labeled cells were verified by Prussian blue staining and dystrophin expression, indicating that the wild‐type mesoangioblasts survived and differentiated in muscle. Iron‐labeled cells were detected with MRI in vivo 6 months following intracardiac injection but were determined to be activated macrophages. Iron‐labeled cells were not detected by MRI following systemic delivery but were present in skeletal and cardiac muscle, visualized by Prussian blue staining. Systemically delivered mesoangioblasts were detected in lungs by Prussian blue staining and DiI but not by MRI in our study. MRI may be useful for short‐term tracking of mesoangioblasts delivered locally but not for long‐term monitoring or detection after systemic delivery. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An efficient temperature estimation using optical-flow in ultrasound B-mode digital images

A two-dimensional temperature estimation method has been proposed based on the detection of shifts in speckle pattern location of ultrasound B-Mode digital images from a region of tissue undergoing thermal therapy. The speckle pattern shifts were due to the local temperature dependence of sound speed and thermal expansion in the heated region. Here in this paper we made use of optical-flow in order to achieve a better accuracy and lower computational burden. The accuracy of measurement of the temperature has been tested on simulated images and it is experimentally validated using tissue mimicking phantom. Good agreement was obtained from the simulated sequences (mean difference= 0.1 and pick error was 0.6). The proposed method was found computationally faster compared to our previous work which was based on the cross correlation algorithm.
Homelessness prevention: Reflecting on a year of pioneering Welsh legislation in practice

Homelessness prevention has become the dominant policy paradigm for homelessness services across the developed world. However, services have emerged in a piecemeal and selective manner, often restricted to particular towns and cities, with no requirement on local authorities to intervene. Wales is the first country where the government has sought to fully reorient services towards prevention and to make services universally available. At the heart of the Welsh approach is a pioneering legal duty on local authorities to help prevent and relieve homelessness. This paper draws upon administrative data and interviews with both service providers and service users to examine the first year of implementation under the new system. The paper finds services have been successfully reoriented towards prevention, creating a more supportive environment, reducing the number of people in temporary accommodation and decreasing the number who remain homeless after seeking help. However, outcomes are less favourable for single people and variations in service outcomes persist across Welsh local authorities. The paper concludes that whilst a legal right to homelessness prevention assistance is an effective driver of change, without attention to implementation and the quality of services being offered, legislation cannot realise its full potential impact.