cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneity of Childhood Asthma Among Hispanic Children: Puerto Rican Children Bear a Disproportionate Burden

OBJECTIVES. To estimate differences in asthma prevalence among Hispanic subgroups and non-Hispanic children living in the United States and to explore the association between these differences and risk factors. METHODS. Weighted logistic regression analyses of merged 1997 to 2001 National Health Interview Survey data were used to estimate the prevalence of asthma diagnosis and asthma attacks in a sample of 46511 children (age: 2–17 years) living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. RESULTS. Puerto Rican children had the highest prevalence of lifetime asthma (26%) and recent asthma attacks (12%), compared with non-Hispanic black children (16% and 7%, respectively), non-Hispanic white children (13% and 6%, respectively), and Mexican children (10% and 4%, respectively). Adjustment for asthma risk factors did not change these comparisons appreciably. Compared with non-Hispanic white children, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for a lifetime asthma diagnosis were 2.33 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.90–2.84) for Puerto Rican children, 1.16 (95% CI: 1.04–1.29) for non-Hispanic black children, and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.79–1.03) for Mexican children. Birthplace influenced the association between ethnicity and lifetime asthma diagnosis differently for Puerto Rican and Mexican children. Compared with United States-born non-Hispanic white children with United States-born parents, the adjusted ORs were 1.95 (95% CI: 1.48–2.57) for Puerto Rican children in families with the child and parent(s) born in the 50 states/District of Columbia and 2.50 (95% CI: 1.51–4.13) for island-born Puerto Rican children with island-born parents. The corresponding adjusted ORs for Mexican children were 1.05 (95% CI: 0.90–1.22) for families born in the 50 states/District of Columbia and 0.43 (95% CI: 0.29–0.64) for those born in Mexico. The results were similar for recent asthma attacks. CONCLUSIONS. The appreciably higher asthma morbidity rates experienced by Puerto Rican children cannot be explained by sociodemographic and other risk factors measured in the National Health Interview Survey. The heterogeneity of asthma among Hispanic subgroups should be considered in developing effective public health prevention and intervention strategies.
Situational and relational factors associated with coitus during vaginal bleeding among adolescent women.

Menstruation is a normal, developmental event anchored in contradictory value systems. Although it demarcates a transition to womanhood, it is often associated with negative sentiments such as shame, camouflage, and discomfort. Certain behavioral expectations, including avoiding sexual intercourse, also accompany menstruation. Research generally has suggested that sex does decrease during menstruation. However, not all sexual activity is suppressed during menses; both individual and relationship factors provide influence. Accordingly, this study investigated situational and relational factors associated with the day-to-day likelihood of sex and vaginal bleeding among 387 (aged 14–17 at enrollment) adolescent women. Generalized estimating equation logistic regression, in SUDAAN 9.0, was used. Predictors of coitus and bleeding included recent sexual activity; past coitus/bleeding; marijuana use before intercourse; and higher partner support, higher sexual interest, and lower feelings of being in love. The f...
Frontiers in diabetic nephropathy: can we predict who will get sick?

Over my practice lifetime, a subtle but persistent change has occurred in the profile of diseases that afflict patients. We no longer are faced with saving patients from acute, catastrophic illness but rather must palliate chronic disease. While the change in life expectancy for patients with AIDS
Ocular neuromyotonia : Clinical features, physiological mechanisms, and response to therapy

Ocular neuromyotonia (ONM) is a rare disorder characterized by episodic diplopia, occurring either spontaneously or following sustained eccentric gaze. Most patients have had prior radiation therapy to the sellar and parasellar region. ONM is thought to reflect impaired muscle relaxation due to inappropriate discharges from oculomotor, trochlear, or abducens neurons or axons with unstable cell membranes. Patients with ONM often benefit from membrane stabilizing agents such as carbamazepine. Here we describe a 71-year-old man, with no history of radiation therapy, who for 18 months had had transient episodic diplopia that occurred after down gaze. Clinical examination indicated ONM in muscles supplied by the right oculomotor nerve. Binocular scleral search coil eye movement recordings revealed a defect not only of muscle relaxation but also of maximal muscle contraction. The patient was treated with carbamazepine 200 mg per day with complete resolution of his symptoms. ONM may be more common than previously recognized, and patients with unexplained transient episodic diplopia should be specifically tested for diplopia and ocular misalignment following sustained eccentric gaze.
PKC activation rescues LTP from NMDA receptor blockade.

It has been proposed that a critical step in long-term potentiation (LTP) expression is the activation of presynaptic protein kinase C (PKC) after activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors. A prediction from this “synaptic dialogue” hypothesis (Routtenberg, Trends Neurosci 1999;22:255–256) is that the well-known blockade of LTP by NMDA receptor antagonists would be rescued by direct activation of PKC. To test this prediction we recorded extracellular EPSPs in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus (DG) in the intact, anesthetized mouse after stimulation of the perforant path. Three experimental series were performed in which tetanization was applied after continuous infusion of 1) vehicle, 2) NMDA receptor antagonist dl-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) (2.5 ± 1.0 nmol), or 3) both APV and then PKC activator 4-beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu, 9.0 ± 1.0 pmol). LTP was reliably induced in the first series (124 ± 5%, N = 6; 2.5 h after the tetanus), suppressed by APV in the second series (95 ± 18%, N = 4), and restored in the third series (121 ± 13%, N = 5). Decreased paired-pulse facilitation, an index of presynaptic involvement in LTP expression, was observed after tetanization in the first and third series, but not in the second series. Blockade of LTP by NMDA receptor antagonists that can be overridden by presynaptic activation of PKC is thus consistent with the proposed hypothesis. As LTP is rescued after NMDA receptor blockade in transgenic mice overexpressing growth-associated presynaptic protein GAP-43, we suppose that this protein is one of the presynaptic targets of PKC activation. Hippocampus 2001;11:168–175. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of software development tools for high assurance safety critical systems

This interim report describes investigation of leading software development tools used in development of aviation systems. It is a part of three-year effort with the ultimate objective to provide guidelines for a potential tool qualification. The hypothesis is that the tool qualification allows the developing organizations reduce the effort required to verify the artifacts produced by the tool. The saving on costly verification process is an incentive for pursuing tool qualification.
Taiwan in 2004: Electoral Contests and Political Stasis

The outcomes of Taiwan9s presidential election in March and its legislative election in December indicate political stasis rather than change. The reelection of George W. Bush points further to political continuity in Taiwan9s relation with the United States.
Detecting anomalous human interactions using laser range-finders

We present a laser range-finder-based system for tracking people in an outdoor environment and detecting interactions between them. The system does not use identities of people for tracking. Observed tracks are automatically segmented into individual activities using an entropy-based measure (Jensen-Shannon divergence (Lin, J, 1991)). Two people situated close to each other throughout the duration of an activity represents an interaction. The observed activities are combined using a hierarchical clustering algorithm to generate a representative set. The frequency of occurrence of these activities is modeled by a Poisson distribution. During the monitoring phase, this model is used to compute the probability of observing the detected activities and interactions; an anomaly is flagged if this probability falls below a threshold. Experimental results from an outdoor courtyard environment are described where the system indicates anomalies when there is a sudden increase in the number of people in the environment or in the number of interactions. This detection occurs without giving the system any a priori concepts of space occupancy.
Missense Variant in MAPK Inactivator PTPN5 Is Associated with Decreased Severity of Post-Burn Hypertrophic Scarring.

Background Hypertrophic scarring (HTS) is hypothesized to have a genetic mechanism, yet its genetic determinants are largely unknown. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are important mediators of inflammatory signaling, and experimental evidence implicates MAPKs in HTS formation. We hypothesized that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MAPK-pathway genes would be associated with severity of post-burn HTS. Methods We analyzed data from a prospective-cohort genome-wide association study of post-burn HTS. We included subjects with deep-partial-thickness burns admitted to our center who provided blood for genotyping and had at least one Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) assessment. After adjusting for HTS risk factors and population stratification, we tested MAPK-pathway gene SNPs for association with the four VSS variables in a joint regression model. In addition to individual-SNP analysis, we performed gene-based association testing. Results Our study population consisted of 538 adults (median age 40 years) who were predominantly White (76%) males (71%) admitted to our center from 2007–2014 with small-to-moderate-sized burns (median burn size 6% total body surface area). Of 2,146 SNPs tested, a rare missense variant in the PTPN5 gene (rs56234898; minor allele frequency 1.5%) was significantly associated with decreased severity of post-burn HTS (P = 1.3×10−6). In gene-based analysis, PTPN5 (P = 1.2×10−5) showed a significant association and BDNF (P = 9.5×10−4) a borderline-significant association with HTS severity. Conclusions We report PTPN5 as a novel genetic locus associated with HTS severity. PTPN5 is a MAPK inhibitor expressed in neurons, suggesting a potential role for neurotrophic factors and neuroinflammatory signaling in HTS pathophysiology.
The relationship between human sperm fertilizing capacity and histocompatibility linked antigen (HLA) alleles gene sequences

Heterodimer membrane glycoproteins expressed from hypervariable genes located in the histocompatibility linked antigen (HLA) class II genes on chromosome 6 have been shown to induce activation of lymphocytes and are involved in human sperm binding processes. The objective was to identify an association between HLA-DQA1, -DRB1 or -DPB1 genes and sperm kinematic parameters and sperm penetration of oocytes. The results showed reduced sperm hyperactivation and decreased sperm penetration of zona-free oocytes when the HLA-DRB1 allele was present. The reduced hyperactive motility was not attributed to alterations in sperm kinematic parameters. In contrast, the HLA-DPB1 gene only affected sperm count, linearity of movement and sperm head dimensions. HLA-DQA1 had no effect on the sperm parameters. The data suggest a link between HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DPB1 genes and sperm concentration, sperm movement characteristics and fertilizing capacity.
Preliminary report on the developmental aspects of the P-R interval in the electrocardiograms of healthy children.

ADVANCES in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disorders in children have focused the attention of many investigators on the electrocardiographic findings in childhood as a possible diagnostic aid. Standards in healthy children published from several centers are not in accord with each other, and dissatisfaction with the present standards has become quite widespread. The Child Research Council study of healthy children has included periodic electrocardiograms taken serially on the same children from the age of 1 month. This material is being analyzed but it will be some time before any inclusive results are available. It has been suggested that a preliminary report on the P-R interval might be valuable by giving a developmental picture of this electrocardiographic interval.
Fibrosarcoma-like Lipomatous Neoplasm

In 2013, a subset of rare low-grade spindle cell lipomatous tumors of distinctive histology, absence of genetic alterations of other lipomatous tumors and an apparent good prognosis, were designated as “fibrosarcoma-like lipomatous neoplasms.” We herein present a case of this entity. The patient was a 24-year-old man who complained of enlarging bulge in the right groin extending …
A role for retinoids in human oocyte fertilization: regulation of connexin 43 by retinoic acid in cumulus granulosa cells

Retinoids are essential for ovarian steroid production and oocyte maturation in mammals. Oocyte competency is known to positively correlate with efficient gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) among granulosa cells in the cumulus-oocyte complex. Connexin 43 (C x 43) is the main subunit of gap junction channels in human cumulus granulosa cells (CGC) and is regulated by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in other hormone responsive cell types. The objectives of this study were to quantify retinoid levels in human CGC obtained during IVF oocyte retrievals, to investigate the potential relationship between CGC ATRA levels and successful oocyte fertilization, and to determine the effects of ATRA on C x 43 protein expression in CGC. Results showed that CGC cultures actively metabolize retinol to produce ATRA. Grouped according to fertilization rate tertiles, mean ATRA levels were 2-fold higher in pooled CGC from women in the highest versus the lowest tertile (P 2-fold increase in the expression of the functional non-phosphorylated (P0) species (P < 0.02). Similar enhancement of P0 by ATRA was shown in CGC and KGN cultures co-treated with LH or hCG which, by themselves, enhanced the protein levels of C x 43 without altering its phosphorylation profile. Correspondingly, the combination of ATRA+hCG treatment of KGN caused a significant increase in GJIC compared with single agent treatments (P < 0.025) and a doubling of GJIC from that seen in untreated cells (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that CGC are a primary site of retinoid uptake and ATRA biosynthesis. Regulation of C x 43 by ATRA may serve an important role in folliculogenesis, development of oocyte competency, and successful fertilization by increasing GJIC in CGC.
Increasing farm income and local food access: A case study of a collaborative aggregation, marketing, and distribution strategy that links farmers to markets

As consumer interest in locally grown food increases, farmers and organizations are working on inventive ways to supply fresh and affordable local food to residents. The Intervale Center, a nonprofit in Burlington, Vermont, partnered with small and midscale farmers to create the Intervale Food Hub, a collaborative of staff and farmers that aggregates, markets, and distributes local products through both a multifarm community supported agriculture (CSA) program and wholesale. Informed by surveys conducted to assess supply and demand in the region, the Food Hub provides businesses, restaurants, retailers, institutions, and individuals with year-round access to a diverse mix of fresh and value-added local food. The Intervale Center serves as a local distributor, purchasing products from up to 30 farmers and coordinating packaging, marketing, distribution, and business operations. Year-round, shared space is available to conduct business operations, including packaging and short-term storage. After three years of operation, the Food Hub has begun exploring ownership structures and geographic expansion. Using a participatory action research approach, this case study reviews the enterprise's development and outcomes. We provide a qualitative assessment of farmer and staff perceptions of successful practices and limitations, and conclude with recommendations for future research.
Ischemia- and reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias in dogs: effects of estrogen.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if exogenous estrogen could attenuate the ventricular arrhythmias caused by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Conjugated equine estrogen, admin...
Effects of Long-term Use of Diltiazem on the Dosage of Ciclosporin A and Renal Function of Patients after Renal Transplantation

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of long-term use of calcium channel blocker-Diltiazem(Dil)on the dosage of ciclosporin A and renal function of renal graft recipients.METHODS:Dil was administed in67renal graft recipiˉents,meanwhile who were orally taking CsA with another59renal graft recipients served as controls.The dosages of ciˉclosporin A of2group were adjusted to the level within therapeutic window,then the dosage of CsA and serum creatinine change of the2groups36mo after drug administration were observed.RESULTS:12mo,24mo and36mo after operation,the synchronized cyclosporin A dosages in Dil group were lower than the control group respectively by14353mg,9656mg and7817mg.No significant differences were found in serum creatinine levels between the2groups within the first12mo after operation.Thereafter,the creatinine levels in the control group has a faster increase and the creatinine level in Dil group was significantly lower than that of the control group18mo～36mo after operation(P0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Long-term use of Dil in renal graft recipients can not only reduce their dosage of CsA but also improve the renal function of their transplanted kidneys.
Improvement and experience of pytophosphate quality method for determination of free silica content in dust

Objective To improe the method for determination of free silica content determination of dust in the workplace. Methode The pyrophosphate quality method. Results It can effectively improve the accuracy of the results,shorten the testing time,reduce the accidental error and system error,avoid the dust properties affect the outcome of the possibility of mistakes. Conclusion on the basis of keeping the accuracy to improve the detection efficiency.
Shotgun Proteomics: A Qualitative Approach Applying Isoelectric Focusing on Immobilized pH Gradient and LC-MS/MS

Shotgun proteomics is a rapid and near universal strategy to identify proteins in complex protein mixtures. After protein digestion, the resulting peptide mixture is submitted to two orthogonal techniques: peptides are first separated according to their isoelectric point (pI) by isoelectric focusing (IEF) on immobilized pH gradient (IPG); after peptide extraction, they are then separated in the second dimension according to their hydrophobic properties by reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC). Finally, they are detected by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and proteins are matched by means of bioinformatics software.
Cardiovascular Events in a Physical Activity Intervention Compared With a Successful Aging Intervention: The LIFE Study Randomized Trial.

Importance Whether sustained physical activity prevents cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in older adults is uncertain. Objective To test the hypothesis that cardiovascular morbidity and mortality would be reduced in participants in a long-term physical activity program. Design, Setting, and Participants The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) study was a multicenter, randomized trial. Participants were recruited at 8 centers in the United States. We randomized 1635 sedentary men and women aged 70 to 89 years with a Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score of 9 or less but able to walk 400 m. Interventions The physcial activity (PA) intervention was a structured moderate-intensity program, predominantly walking 2 times per week on site for 2.6 years on average. The successful aging intervention consisted of weekly health education sessions for 6 months, then monthly. Main Outcomes and Measures Total CVD events, including fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack, and peripheral artery disease, were adjudicated by committee, and silent myocardial infarction was assessed by serial electrocardiograms. A limited outcome of myocardial infarction, stroke, and CVD death was also studied. Outcome assessors and adjudicators were blinded to intervention assignment. Results The 1635 LIFE study participants were predominantly women (67%), with a mean (SD) age of 78.7 (5.2) years; 20% were African-American, 6% were Hispanic or other race or ethnic group, and 74% were non-Latino white. New CVD events occurred in 121 of 818 PA participants (14.8%) and 113 of 817 successful aging participants (13.8%) (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.85-1.42). For the more focused combined outcome of myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death, rates were 4.6% in PA and 4.5% in the successful aging group (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.67-1.66). Among frailer participants with an SPPB score less than 8, total CVD rates were 14.2% in PA vs 17.7% in successful aging (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.52-1.10), compared with 15.3% vs 10.5% among those with an SPPB score of 8 or 9 (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.09-2.30) ( P for interaction = .006). With the limited end point, the interaction was not significant ( P = .59), with an HR of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.50-1.75) for an SPPB score less than 8 and an HR of 1.20 (95% CI, 0.62-2.34) for an SBBP score of 8 or 9. Conclusions and Relevance Among participants in the LIFE Study, an aerobically based, moderately intensive PA program was not associated with reduced cardiovascular events in spite of the intervention’s previously documented ability to prevent mobility disability. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00116194.
Learning from Outdoor Webcams: Surveillance of Physical Activity Across Environments

Publicly available, outdoor webcams continuously view the world and share images. These cameras include traffic cams, campus cams, ski-resort cams, etc. The Archive of Many Outdoor Scenes (AMOS) is a project aiming to geolocate, annotate, archive, and visualize these cameras and images to serve as a resource for a wide variety of scientific applications. The AMOS dataset has archived over 750 million images of outdoor environments from 27,000 webcams since 2006. Our goal is to utilize the AMOS image dataset and crowdsourcing to develop reliable and valid tools to improve physical activity assessment via online, outdoor webcam capture of global physical activity patterns and urban built environment characteristics.
Linguosemiotical approach to the study of professional metaphor (based on the material of medical discourse)

В статье обосновывается новый теоретический подход к изучению профессиональной метафоры, в рамках которого она рассматривается как лингвосемиотический феномен и часть семиотического континуума. Профессиональные метафоры, функционирующие в конкретном профессиональном континууме, рассматриваются автором как единицы живого знания, включающие в себя профессиональные и культурологические знания, коррелирующие с наивными в рамках индивидуального лексикона носителя языка. Особое внимание уделяется эмпирическому подтверждению теоретических постулатов.
An Overview of Several Formulations for Multibody Dynamics

In this paper several formulations for automatic generation of the equations of motion for rigid and rigid-deformable multibody systems are reviewed. The rigid-body formulations are the body-coordinate formulation based on Newton-Euler equations, a non-conventional point-coordinate formulation where rigid bodies are represented as a collection of particles, and the joint coordinate formulation that employs relative coordinates between bodies. A transformation process based on velocity relations is described for easy transformation of one formulation into another. Finally, a brief overview of the equations of motion for deformable bodies in a multibody environment is presented.
Nondegenerate, Transient Nonlinear Refraction of Indium Tin Oxide Excited at Epsilon-Near-Zero

We measure nondegenerate nonlinear refraction of ITO as we tune the excitation wavelength through Epsilon-Near-Zero (ENZ) for a fixed probing wavelength. Unlike the degenerate case, there is no observed peak in the nonlinearity at ENZ.
Getting phished on social media

The study experimentally simulated a level-1 social networking-based phishing (SNP) attack, where a phisher using a phony profile attempts to friend an individual on Facebook, and a level-2 SNP attack, where a phisher attempts to extract information directly. The results implicate the use of cognitive shortcuts triggered by the cues afforded in Facebook's interface. Individuals appeared to be using the phisher's friend count as a heuristic for judging the authenticity of a level-1 request. They, thus, responded to a phisher displaying a large friend count even in the absence of a profile picture. Interestingly, the affordance of smartphones used to access social mediaan issue that has received little academic attentionincreased the odds of considering such requests sevenfold. Research examines how people get phished on social media.Results point to heuristic use potentiating victimization.Device use increases likelihood of social media phishing victimization.
Abstract 13533: Delta-like 4/Notch Signaling Promotes Fatty Liver Disease in Mice

Background: Fatty liver disease is associated with inflammation and cardiometabolic syndrome. We previously demonstrated that the administration of a neutralizing antibody for Delta-like 4 (Dll4), the ligand of Notch signaling, improves key features of cardiometabolic disorders including macrophage activation, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and hepatic lipid accumulation in mice. The present study has explored the mechanisms through which Dll4/Notch signaling promotes fatty liver. Methods and Results: We administered Dll4 antibody or control IgG (250 μg, i.p.,twice per week) in high-fat/high-cholesterol fed LDL receptor-deficient mice. Dll4 antibody suppressed prototypical Notch target genes (e.g., Hey1). While body weight and plasma lipid profile did not differ between groups, the livers of mice treated with Dll4 antibody for 4 weeks contained fewer lipids than those of control mice. Dll4 blockade reduced macrophage accumulation in the liver. Dll4 blockade tended to decrease hepatic expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), markers of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages. Dll4 antibody inhibited expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, a gene involved in triglyceride synthesis. To further address the role of Dll4 in hepatic inflammation, we performed co-culture experiments of macrophages and hepatocytes. When we exposed the mouse hepatocyte cell line AML12 to conditioned media from Dll4-overexpressing RAW264.7 macrophage cells, mRNA levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 increased. Conclusion: Dll4/Notch signaling induces hepatocyte inflammation, offering a new therapeutic target for fatty liver.
Sensitizing Black Adult and Youth Consumers to Targeted Food Marketing Tactics in Their Environments.

Food marketing environments of Black American consumers are heavily affected by ethnically-targeted marketing of sugar sweetened beverages, fast foods, and other products that may contribute to caloric overconsumption. This qualitative study assessed Black consumers’ responses to targeted marketing. Black adults (2 mixed gender groups; total n = 30) and youth (2 gender specific groups; total n = 35) from two U.S. communities participated before and after a sensitization procedure—a critical practice used to understand social justice concerns. Pre-sensitization focus groups elicited responses to scenarios about various targeted marketing tactics. Participants were then given an informational booklet about targeted marketing to Black Americans, and all returned for the second (post-sensitization) focus group one week later. Conventional qualitative content analysis of transcripts identified several salient themes: seeing the marketer’s perspective (“it’s about demand”; “consumers choose”), respect for community (“marketers are setting us up for failure”; “making wrong assumptions”), and food environments as a social justice issue (“no one is watching the door”; “I didn’t realize”). Effects of sensitization were reflected in participants’ stated reactions to the information in the booklet, and also in the relative occurrence of marketer-oriented themes and social justice-oriented themes, respectively, less and more after sensitization.
Post-Translational Modifications Promote Formation of SOD1 Oligomers with Potential Toxicity in ALS

Mutation of the ubiquitous cytosolic enzyme Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) causes a subset of cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) through structural destabilization of SOD1, which leads to misfolding and aggregation. The non-heritable (sporadic) nature of most cases of ALS and the late onset of symptoms, even for patients expressing disease-linked mutant proteins throughout life, suggest a significant role of environmental factor(s) in ALS etiology. We have previously found that SOD1 from human tissue is extensively post-translationally modified, with the most prevalent modifications being glutathionylation at Cys-111 and phosphorylation at Thr-2. We further found that glutathionylation significantly destabilizes SOD1WT dimers, increasing the equilibrium dissociation constant approximately 1,000-fold, such that its stability is comparable to the A4V FALS-causative mutation. SOD1A4V is further destabilized by glutathionylation. Using computational structural modeling, we show that glutathionylation has distinct effects on different ALS-linked SOD1 mutants, which correspond to changes in composition of the dimer interface. Glutathionylation also stabilizes an intermediate misfolded species in which the β-barrel core of each monomer is “loosened”. These findings suggest a mode by which the cellular environment impacts the propensity of SOD1 to adopt toxic misfolded conformations in ALS.
Acute Exertional Compartment Syndrome with Rhabdomyolysis: Case Report and Review of Literature

BACKGROUND Acute exertional compartment syndrome (AECS) is a rare cause of leg pain often associated with a delay in diagnosis and potentially leading to irreversible muscle and nerve damage. CASE REPORT We present the case of a previously healthy, high-level athlete who presented with the acute onset of unilateral anterior leg pain and foot drop the day after a strenuous workout. He was diagnosed with compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. His management included emergent fluid resuscitation, fasciotomies, debridement of necrotic muscle from his anterior compartment, and delayed primary closure. After six months of intensive outpatient physical therapy, including the use of blood flow restriction treatments, the patient returned to sports and received a NCAA Division I Football scholarship. CONCLUSIONS We describe the details of this patient's case and review the literature related to acute exertional compartment syndrome. The occurrence of acute compartment syndrome in the absence of trauma or fracture, though rare, can have devastating consequences following delays in treatment. AECS requires prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention to prevent these consequences. Diagnosis of atraumatic cases can be difficult, which is why awareness is equally as important as history and physical examination. While diagnosis is primarily clinical, it can be supported with direct intra-compartmental pressure measurements and maintaining a high index of suspicion in acute presentations of exertional limb pain.
Explorations Between the Barents Sea and the Bering Strait: Reporting on the Pursuit of the Northeast Passage

The cartographic unveiling of the Northeast Passage was a continuous and cosmopolitan process from the 1820s (Novaya Zemlya) to the 1910s (Severnaya Zemlya). Milestones including the ship expeditio...
The role of family and community bicultural socialization in the bilingual proficiency of immigrant young adults

Abstract Previous research on acculturation has emphasized the cognitive and emotional benefits of biculturalism and bilingualism for immigrants. Parents, schools, and peers each play an essential role in the development of bilingual proficiency; however, most research has focused on family socialization for heritage language (HL) acquisition and schools’ role in English acquisition. This study adopted a bidimensional approach to examine the impact of socialization by both family and community on bilingual proficiency among young adults. We hypothesized that families and community members not only socialize ethnic practices and influence young adults’ HL proficiency, but also promote English proficiency simultaneously. Participants included 302 Latino and Asian American young adults from immigrant families ranging in age from 18 to 25 who completed an online survey. Hierarchical regression analyses found that both family and community were significant predictors of heritage language proficiency, however, family, but not community, was a significant predictor of English proficiency. In addition, moderation analyses suggested that these relationships were stronger among Asian Americans than Latinos. These results support the dual role of family cultural socialization for both heritage language and English proficiency and also demonstrate that the community context should not be overlooked by researchers. The present study represents an important step toward understanding the social factors that support bilingualism.
1 – Financial Development and Economic Growth in Underdeveloped Countries*+

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the financial development and economic growth in underdeveloped countries. An observed characteristic of the process of economic development over time, in a market-oriented economy using the price mechanism to allocate resources, is an increase in the number and variety of financial institutions and a substantial rise in the proportion not only of money but also of the total of all financial assets relative to GNP and to tangible wealth. Typical statements indicate that the financial system somehow accommodates—or, to the extent that it malfunctions, it restricts—growth of real per capita output. Such an approach places emphasis on the demand side for financial services; as the economy grows it generates additional and new demands for these services, which bring about a supply response in the growth of the financial system. In this view, the lack of financial institutions in underdeveloped countries is simply an indication of the lack of demand for their services.
Relevance insensitivity: A new look at some old biases

Abstract People show systematic biases in judgment and decision making. We propose that many seemingly disparate biases reflect a common underlying mechanism—insensitivity to the relevance of some given information—and that manipulating the relevance of the information can eliminate or even reverse the original bias. We test our theory in four experiments, each focusing on a classic bias—the sunk cost fallacy, non-regressive prediction, anchoring bias, and base rate neglect, and show that people over-rely on a given piece of information when it is irrelevant, thus exhibiting one bias, and under-rely on the same piece of information when it is highly relevant, thus showing a reverse bias. For example, when a past cost is irrecoverable and hence irrelevant to future cost, people over-rely on it when making a decision for the future, thus exhibiting the classic sunk cost fallacy, but when the past cost is fully recoverable and hence highly relevant to future cost, people under-rely on it, thus showing the reverse of the sunk cost fallacy. We also find that when people are made sensitive to the relevance of the information, both the original biases and their reverse biases are attenuated. This research offers a new look at these “old” biases, suggesting that each individual bias is not general because it can be reversed, but collectively, these biases are general because they all reflect relevance insensitivity.
Modest Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability of the Cyclodextrin Kleptose: Modification by Efflux and Luminal Surface Binding

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have a variety of uses from acting as excipients to aiding the ability of lipid soluble drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). They are being investigated as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, most recently for the treatment of Niemann-Pick disease, a lysosomal storage disease. Cyclodextrins are helpful in animal models and human subjects/patients afflicted with Neimann-Pick disease, including improving the neurologic component of the disease. The improvement in brain disease by intravenous administration implies that CDs can cross the BBB; however, there are only a few studies that have directly addressed this. In the current studies, multiple-time regression analysis indicated that 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin [Kleptose (Klep)] radioactively labeled with 14C (C-Klep) crossed the BBB at a slow rate by a nonsaturable mechanism consistent with transcellular diffusion. However, the rate of transport varied greatly by the brain region with no detectable uptake by the spinal cord; additionally, many regions rapidly reached equilibrium between the brain and blood. The presence of a brain-to-blood efflux system was also detected and much of the C-Klep did not completely cross the BBB, but loosely adhered to the luminal surface of brain endothelial cells. Peripheral tissues also took up C-Klep, with the kidney taking up the most, which is consistent with renal clearance. In conclusion, we demonstrated minimal uptake of the β-cyclodextrin Kleptose by the brain with accumulation being affected by efflux and reversible luminal binding. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This cyclodextrin, which produces therapeutic effects on the central nervous system after peripheral administration, penetrates the BBB poorly. Uptake by the brain to a therapeutic level will likely be difficult to achieve without giving high peripheral doses, bypassing the BBB, or otherwise altering penetration into the brain.
Optimizing multiple process parameters in fused deposition modeling with particle swarm optimization

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one of the most widely used additive manufacturing processes to produce prototypes as well as functional parts from thermoplastics. However, the applications of the FDM process are still limited due to several drawbacks, such as poor surface quality, poor mechanical properties, or high built time. It has been deemed that the part characteristics and build time can be improved by determining an optimum combination of process parameters. To optimize multiple process parameters in FDM, this paper employs a multi-objective particle swarm optimization based on the data collected from the experimental study. Four (04) process parameters, namely layer thickness, build orientation, infill density, and extrusion temperature are optimized to achieve higher compressive strength and lower build time. The optimization results provide information on the combined impacts of the four process parameters on compressive strength and build time. This information can aid decision makers with better judgment when dealing with multiple conflicting objectives.
Reinforcement of the larynx and trachea in echolocating and non‐echolocating bats

The synchronization of flight mechanics with respiration and echolocation call emission by bats, while economizing these behaviors, presumably puts compressive loads on the cartilaginous rings that hold open the respiratory tract. Previous work has shown that during postnatal development of Artibeus jamaicensis (Phyllostomidae), the onset of adult echolocation call emission rate coincides with calcification of the larynx, and the development of flight coincides with tracheal ring calcification. In the present study, I assessed the level of reinforcement of the respiratory system in 13 bat species representing six families that use stereotypical modes of echolocation (i.e. duty cycle % and intensity). Using computed tomography, the degree of mineralization or ossification of the tracheal rings, cricoid, thyroid and arytenoid cartilages were determined for non-echolocators, tongue clicking, low-duty cycle low-intensity, low-duty cycle high-intensity, and high-duty cycle high-intensity echolocating bats. While all bats had evidence of cervical tracheal ring mineralization, about half the species had evidence of thoracic tracheal ring calcification. Larger bats (Phyllostomus hastatus and Pterpodidae sp.) exhibited more extensive tracheal ring mineralization, suggesting an underlying cause independent of laryngeal echolocation. Within most of the laryngeally echolocating species, the degree of mineralization or ossification of the larynx was dependent on the mode of echolocation system used. Low-duty cycle low-intensity bats had extensively mineralized cricoids, and zero to very minor mineralization of the thyroids and arytenoids. Low-duty cycle high-intensity bats had extensively mineralized cricoids, and patches of thyroid and arytenoid mineralization. The high-duty cycle high-intensity rhinolophids and hipposiderid had extensively ossified cricoids, large patches of ossification on the thyroids, and heavily ossified arytenoids. The high-duty cycle high-intensity echolocator, Pteronotus parnellii, had mineralization patterns and laryngeal morphology very similar to the other low-duty cycle high-intensity mormoopid species, perhaps suggesting relatively recent evolution of high-duty cycle echolocation in P. parnellii compared with the Old World high-duty cycle echolocators (Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae). All laryngeal echolocators exhibited mineralized or ossified lateral expansions of the cricoid for articulation with the inferior horn of the thyroid, these were most prominent in the high-duty cycle high-intensity rhinolophids and hipposiderid, and least prominent in the low-duty cycle low-intensity echolocators. The non-laryngeal echolocators had extensively ossified cricoid and thyroid cartilages, and no evidence of mineralization/ossification of the arytenoids or lateral expansions of the cricoid. While the non-echolocators had extensive ossification of the larynx, it was inconsistent with that seen in the laryngeal echolocators.
Original contributionProspective evaluation of a 3.1-mm battery-powered esophagoscope in screening for esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients

Objective Standard esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is costly and uses conscious sedation that cirrhotic patients may tolerate poorly. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptance of unsedated esophagoscopy with an ultrathin battery-powered endoscope (BPE) in cirrhotic patients for diagnosing esophageal varices (EV).
Savings in per-passenger CO2 emissions using rail rather than air travel in the northeastern U.S.

Individuals and institutions seeking to reduce travel-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by changing travel modes need information on the amount of CO2 that can be saved by rail travel rather t...
Impact of iodine loading and substitution position on intersystem crossing efficiency in a series of ten methylated-meso-phenyl-BODIPY dyes.

Four core and six distyryl-extended methylated-meso-phenyl-BODIPY dyes with varying iodine content were synthesized. The influence of iodine loading and substitution position on the photophysical properties of these chromophores was evaluated. Selective iodine insertion at the 2- and 6-positions of the methylated-meso-phenyl-BODIPY core, rather than maximum iodine content, resulted in the highest intersystem crossing efficiency. Iodination of the distyryl-extended BODIPY core afforded intersystem crossing quantum yields comparable to 2,6-diiodo-BODIPY. Inclusion of an iodine at the para–meso-phenyl position generally enhanced non-radiative decay in the BODIPY excited-state, leading to lower fluorescence and intersystem crossing quantum yield values. Iodine substitution at the styryl-positions resulted in negligible changes to the excited-state dynamics. This study highlights: (1) the rate of radiative decay is similar in all ten derivatives (on the order of 1 × 108 s−1), (2) iodination of the 2,6-positions results in the greatest enhancement of intersystem crossing efficiency, (3) care must be taken when modifying the para–meso-phenyl position as it could have detrimental effects on the excited-state dynamics, (4) the excited-state is negligibly affected by iodination of the styryl groups, potentially enabling orthogonal functionalization without modifying the molecular photophysics, (5) distyryl extension of the chromophore core diminishes rates of non-radiative decay and intersystem crossing, resulting in higher fluorescence quantum yields and lower intersystem crossing yields in the π-extended derivatives compared to the core BDP derivatives, and (6) DFT calculations provide insight into the electronic and structural factors regulating intersystem crossing and vibrational relaxation in these molecules.
Female Sex and Obesity Are Risk Factors for Inadequate Calcium Intake in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at increased risk of developing low bone mineral density and fractures. Optimization of calcium intake is a key component of pediatric bone health care. Despite the known risk factors for impaired bone health in T1D and the known benefits of calcium on bone accrual, there are limited data describing calcium intake in youth with T1D. In this cross-sectional study, calcium intake was assessed in 238 youth with T1D. One third of study participants were found to have inadequate calcium intake. Female sex, especially during adolescence, and obesity were identified as specific risk factors for inadequate calcium intake. Given the known adverse effects of T1D on bone health, efforts to promote calcium intake in youth with T1D should be considered.
Electric polarizability of metallodielectric Janus particles in electrolyte solutions.

Metallodielectric Janus particles (JPs) and electric fields have been a useful combination for the development of innovative concepts on AC electrokinetics, directed transport and collective dynamics. The polarizability, and its frequency dependence, underlie the rich behavior exhibited by JPs. Nonetheless, direct measurements of polarizability are few and the interplay of different mechanisms remains unclear. This paper discusses measurements and strategies to tailor the magnitude of the polarizability of JPs. Our approach uses electrorotation to measure the polarizability of particles with different thicknesses of metal in electrolyte solutions. On the other hand, we gain further insight into the basic polarization mechanisms through modeling based on the fundamental transport equations. JPs exhibit rich polarization spectra that depend strongly on the thickness of the metal layer, the conductivity of the medium and the surface charge. At low frequencies—around 10 kHz—the results indicate that counter-field rotation stems from the charging of the double layer at the particle–electrolyte interface, while the transition to co-field rotation at high frequencies (above 100 kHz) stems from the Maxwell–Wagner relaxation. The latter polarization mechanism is significantly affected by the conductivity within the electrical double layer. The insights from this study provide helpful quantitative information for the design of colloidal machines with desirable features such as targeted propulsion, and tunable collective dynamics.