cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Links between signal transduction, transcription and adhesion in epithelial bud development

The morphogenesis of organs as diverse as lungs, teeth and hair follicles is initiated by a downgrowth from a layer of epithelial stem cells1,2. During follicular morphogenesis, stem cells form this bud structure by changing their polarity and cell–cell contacts. Here we show that this process is achieved through simultaneous receipt of two external signals: a Wnt protein to stabilize β-catenin, and a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) inhibitor to produce Lef1. β-Catenin then binds to, and activates, Lef1 transcription complexes that appear to act uncharacteristically by downregulating the gene encoding E-cadherin, an important component of polarity and intercellular adhesion. When either signal is missing, functional Lef1 complexes are not made, and E-cadherin downregulation and follicle morphogenesis are impaired. In Drosophila, E-cadherin can influence the plane of cell division and cytoskeletal dynamics3. Consistent with this notion, we show that forced elevation of E-cadherin levels block invagination and follicle production. Our findings reveal an intricate molecular programme that links two extracellular signalling pathways to the formation of a nuclear transcription factor that acts on target genes to remodel cellular junctions and permit follicle formation.
Direct evidence for the adaptive role of copy number variation on antifolate susceptibility in Plasmodium falciparum.

Summary Resistance to antimalarials targeting the folate pathway is widespread. GTP-cyclohydrolase (gch1), the first enzyme in this pathway, exhibits extensive copy number variation (CN) in parasite isolates from areas with a history of longstanding antifolate use. Increased CN of gch1 is associated with a greater number of point mutations in enzymes targeted by the antifolates, pyrimethamine and sulphadoxine. While these observations suggest that increases in gch1 CN are an adaptation to drug pressure, changes in CN have not been experimentally demonstrated to directly alter drug susceptibility. To determine if changes in gch1 expression alone modify pyrimethamine sensitivity, we manipulated gch1 CN in several parasite lines to test the effect on drug sensitivity. We report that increases in gch1 CN alter pyrimethamine resistance in most parasites lines. However we find evidence of a detrimental effect of very high levels of gch1 overexpression in parasite lines with high endogenous levels of gch1 expression, revealing the importance of maintaining balance in the folate pathway and implicating changes in gch1 expression in preserving proper metabolic flux. This work expands our understanding of parasite adaptation to drug pressure and provides a possible mechanism for how specific mutations become fixed within parasite populations.
How to feed small for gestational age newborns

Feeding small for gestational age (SGA) newborns is extremely challenging and the neonatologist should be brave and cautious at the same time. Although these babies have a high risk of milk intolerance and necrotising enterocolitis, enteral feeding guidelines are not well established and practice varies widely among different neonatal units. Currently available studies on this topic include extremely and very low birth weight neonates, but are not focused specifically on small for gestational age infants. This review analyzes papers focused on feeding interventions in order to provide the best available evidences about the optimum timing for introduction of enteral feeding, how fast feed volume can be advanced, which milk and which feeding method is more appropriate in SGA infants.
Older adults newly diagnosed with symptomatic myeloma and treatment decision making.

In the past three decades, treatment decision making (TDM) studies have focused on decisional control preferences, with most studies conducted in breast and prostate cancer samples. A systematic review of decisional role preferences among cancer patients has shown an increasing trend of patients being interested in more participation during TDM (Tariman, Berry, Cochrane, Doorenbos, & Schepp, 2010). In order to meet and facilitate the patient’s preferred level of participation during TDM, interventional studies geared toward increasing a patient’s decisional satisfaction, reducing decisional conflict, and preventing anxiety and depression related to TDM have been steadily increasing in numbers (Allen et al., 2010; Caldon et al., 2010; Evans et al., 2010) with some studies targeting the elderly cancer patient population (Lewis et al., 2010; van Tol-Geerdink et al., 2008). The growing interest in direct assessment of patient preferences in terms of control of decision making and changing landscape of information needs priorities (Beaver & Booth, 2007; Denberg, Melhado, & Steiner, 2006; Flynn, Smith, & Vanness, 2006; Mancini et al., 2007; Sabo, St-Jacques, & Rayson, 2007) coupled with a predicted shift away from paternalistic decision as baby boomers age (Pipe et al., 2005), present substantial opportunities for improving patient care and clinical outcomes in the area of treatment decision making. This is particularly true in the older adult cancer patient population, that is often understudied or underrepresented in clinical trials. Increased patient participation in TDM has been associated with positive clinical outcomes such as a greater level of patient satisfaction with decisions and better psychological adjustment (i.e., less post-decision anxiety and depression) in patients (Gaston & Mitchell, 2005; Gattellari, Butow, & Tattersall, 2001). However, the preferred level of participation in TDM for older patients newly diagnosed with symptomatic myeloma (myeloma that requires immediate therapy) has not been previously studied. Moreover, the influence of sociodemographic factors in older myeloma patients’ level of participation during TDM is also unknown. There are very few nursing research studies involving the MM patient population. With the rapidly growing number of treatment options for MM patients, this treatment decision making study is well suited for this patient population. Research findings from this study will help nurses in guiding their myeloma care practice.
A comparison of frequency offset tracking algorithms for OFDM

The estimation and tracking of the carrier frequency offset is a crucial issue in the implementation of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. This paper compares two popular frequency offset tracking schemes. The first is the pilot tone-based method where the frequency offset is derived by correlating received symbols with known symbols, and the second is the cyclic prefix-based scheme which utilizes the periodicity created by the insertion of the cyclic prefix (CP). These two approaches are compared in simulation to characterize their sensitivities to frequency offset, constellation size, and timing error. Our study shows that the pilot tone-based algorithm is sensitive to frequency offset and modulation scheme, while the cyclic prefix-based method is sensitive to timing error.
Historical account: Cardiovascular interventional radiology

The authors review the birth of interventional radiology (IR) and the origins of IR’s major interventional vascular procedures based on personal memories refreshed by review of early IR literature. These procedures include percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with coaxial catheters and balloon catheters, vascular stenting, endovascular stent-grafting, selective thrombolysis, therapeutic vascular occlusion, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Illustrations include some early cases of interventional vascular procedures and pictures of some interventional pioneers.
Combinatorial effects on clumped isotopes and their significance in biogeochemistry

Abstract The arrangement of isotopes within a collection of molecules records their physical and chemical histories. Clumped-isotope analysis interrogates these arrangements, i.e., how often rare isotopes are bound together, which in many cases can be explained by equilibrium and/or kinetic isotope fractionation. However, purely combinatorial effects, rooted in the statistics of pairing atoms in a closed system, are also relevant, and not well understood. Here, I show that combinatorial isotope effects are most important when two identical atoms are neighbors on the same molecule (e.g., O 2 , N 2 , and D–D clumping in CH 4 ). When the two halves of an atom pair are either assembled with different isotopic preferences or drawn from different reservoirs, combinatorial effects cause depletions in clumped-isotope abundance that are most likely between zero and −1‰, although they could potentially be −10‰ or larger for D–D pairs. These depletions are of similar magnitude, but of opposite sign, to low-temperature equilibrium clumped-isotope effects for many small molecules. Enzymatic isotope-pairing reactions, which can have site-specific isotopic fractionation factors and atom reservoirs, should express this class of combinatorial isotope effect, although it is not limited to biological reactions. Chemical-kinetic isotope effects, which are related to a bond-forming transition state, arise independently and express second-order combinatorial effects related to the abundance of the rare isotope. Heteronuclear moeties (e.g., C O and C H), are insensitive to direct combinatorial influences, but secondary combinatorial influences are evident. In general, both combinatorial and chemical-kinetic factors are important for calculating and interpreting clumped-isotope signatures of kinetically controlled reactions. I apply this analytical framework to isotope-pairing reactions relevant to geochemical oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen cycling that may be influenced by combinatorial clumped-isotope effects. These isotopic signatures, manifest as either directly bound isotope “clumps” or as features of a molecule’s isotopic anatomy, are linked to molecular mechanisms and may eventually provide additional information about biogeochemical cycling on environmentally relevant spatial scales.
Chlorplast fluorescence of C4 plants : III. Fluorescence spectra and relative fluorescence yields of bundle-sheath and mesophyll chloroplasts.

In situ fluorescence emission spectra of mesophyll and bundle-sheath chloroplasts of Dichanthium annulatum (Forsk.) Stapf are measured by a microscopic technique using black and white infrared film as a detector. These spectra confirm the higher ratio of infrared to far-red fluorescence in bundle-sheath relative to mesophyll chloroplasts as predicted by infrared color film observations. The total relative fluorescence yield of bundle-sheath chloroplasts is ca. half that of mesophyll chloroplasts. The fluorescence emission spectra and yields of both mesophyll and bundle-sheath chloroplasts of Dichanthium annulatum are equally affected by Tris washing. Therefore, we conclude that both chloroplast types have approximately equivalent variable components of fluorescence. This variable fluorescence component has a strong infrared component, in addition to the expected far-red component. Similarly, the relative mesophyll to bundle-sheath fluorescence yeilds of these chloroplasts remains almost constant after DCMU, and after Tris followed by hydroxylamine treatments. The similar effects of the above chemical treatments on the fluorescence yields and spectra of the two chloroplast types is interpreted as evidence for the same relative proportion of photosystem I to photosystem II in bundle-sheath and mesophyll chloroplasts.
Au–Cu2O Core–Shell Nanoparticles: A Hybrid Metal-Semiconductor Heteronanostructure with Geometrically Tunable Optical Properties

Metal-semiconductor hybrid heteronanostructures may exhibit not only a combination of properties from the disparate components but also further enhanced property tunability and new synergistic properties that arise from the interactions between the metal and semiconductor components. Here we demonstrate that the Au–Cu2O hybrid core–shell nanoparticles not only combine the optical signatures of Cu2O nanoshells and the plasmonic properties of Au nanoparticles but exhibit further enhanced and expanded plasmonic tunability as well due to the dielectric properties of the Cu2O shells surrounding the Au cores. We have developed a robust wet chemistry approach through which we can fine-control several important geometrical parameters of the Au–Cu2O core–shell nanoparticles, such as Cu2O shell thickness, size of the Au core, and the spacing between the core and shell, to systematically and selectively fine-tune the synergistic light absorption and scattering properties of the particles over a broad spectral range ...
Effect of VP1-unique Region Protein of Parvovirus B19-XA on the Apoptosis in Hela Cells

Objective: To clone VP1-unique region of parvovirus B19-XA and construct eukaryotic expression plasmid and stable transfection cell line, and explore the effect of VP1-unique region of parvovirus B19-XA on the apoptosis in Hela cells. Methods:plRES2-EGFP-VPlu constructed previously was used and transfected to Hela to construct a stable transfection cell line. Flow cytometry was used to detect the transfection rate, and western blot was used to detect the expression of caspase3. Hela cells transfected with plRES2-EGFP-Vplu and plRES2-EGFP were stained with Annexin V and PI and flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rate.Results: A cell line stably expressed VP1-unique region of parvovirus B19-XA was successfully constructed. The expression of Caspase3 and apoptotic rate significantly incireased in the cell line stably expressed VP1-unique region of parvovirus B19-XA(P 0.05).Conclusion: VP1-unique region of parvovirus B19-XA could obviously promote the apoptosis of Hela cells.
Influencing Factors Evaluation of the Real Estate Prices Based on the Factor Analysis

The paper selected 21 indicators GDP,CPI,land transaction price,the urban population,the urban units employed persons average wages,etc.in the period 2004-2011 using factor analysis,evaluated the factors that affect the real estate prices,and given control of real estate the price of the relevant recommendations.
Construction of Health Service System for the University Students of Disadvantaged Groups

It has generally aroused the university student works attention that social,psychological and physiological problems of the students caused by various trends of student source after expansion of the number of university students.Therefore,this paper puts forward the assumption of construction of health service system for the university students of disadvantaged groups.It suggests that actively bringing P.E.into full play on the aspects of psychology,physiology and society of the students and discovers the effective approaches and solutions of problems existing in university students of disadvantaged groups,in order to help them out of difficulties and develop their mental and physical health.
Fetal acquisition and neonatal elimination of a large amount of salicylate

The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of salicylate acquired by a newborn infant from a mother who took 6.5 gm of aspirin a day during her entire pregnancy, and to characterize the kinetics of salicylate elimination by the infant. This healthy female infant was born with a salicylic acid concentration of 25 mg/100 ml plasma and 75 mg/kg body weight. The drug was eliminated during the first 5 days of life, primarily in the form of salicyluric acid. Salicylate elimination was relatively slower than in normal adults, but more rapid than in newborn infants of mothers who had taken only one small dose of aspirin shortly before delivery. The apparent in vivo KM and Vmax for salicylurate formation, on a body weight basis, were at the adult level. The slower elimination of salicylate (relative to adults) by the infant was due to immaturity of the glucuronidation and renal excretory pathways.
Spaziergang in den Wald

Hans: Haben wir nun Alles? Botanisirtrommel — Taschenmesser — Stock und Mutze! Ja, mir fehlt nichts
Self-Calibrating Micromachined Microphones with Integrated Optical Displacement Detection

An optical displacement detection method for micromachined microphones is described and experimental results are presented. The microphone membrane is fabricated on a transparent substrate and the back electrode is patterned in the form of diffraction fingers. This structure forms a phase sensitive diffraction grating, providing the displacement sensitivity of an optical interferometer. The diffraction fingers are also used for electrostatic actuation, providing sensitivity adjustment and self calibration capabilities. The optical detection and electrostatic actuation capabilities are demonstrated on aluminum microphone membranes microfabricated on quartz substrates.
Vaccine Development for Zika Virus—Timelines and Strategies

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne Flavivirus that spread rapidly through South and Central America in 2015 to 2016. Microcephaly has been causally associated with Zika virus infection during pregnancy and the World Health Organization declared Zika virus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. To address this crisis, many groups have expressed their commitment to developing a Zika virus vaccine. Different strategies for Zika virus vaccine development are being considered including recombinant live attenuated vaccines, purified inactivated vaccines (PIVs), DNA vaccines, and viral vectored vaccines. Important to Zika virus vaccine development will be the target group chosen for vaccination and which end point(s) is chosen for efficacy determination. The first clinical trials of Zika virus vaccine candidates will begin in Q3/4 2016 but the pathway to licensure for a Zika virus vaccine is expected to take several years. Efforts are ongoing to accelerate Zika virus vaccine development and evaluation with the ultimate goal of reducing time to licensure.
Specific GI Microbial Infections

Specific GI infections encompass a broad range of bacteria, viruses, and other organisms which are often not considered normal flora. Many of these infections are seen in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals within the USA and abroad. This chapter will focus on specific pharmacotherapies, indication of treatment, and alternative drug regimens in resistant or recurrent infection.
INHIBITION OF PSEUDOMONAS SPECIES BY HYDROGEN PEROXIDE PRODUCING LACTOBACILLI1

Eighty-one microbial species isolated from seafoods and other marine sources were examined to determine the extent of interactions among these species. Spot-plates, cross-plates, and concurrent growth experiments at 7, 15, 20, and 30 C indicated that Lactobacillus species were capable of inhibiting other microorganisms. Lactobacillus species isolated from oysters and identified as Lactobacillus plantarum produced a substance inhibitory to Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Proteus species, the most sensitive being Pseudomonas. The inhibitory substance accumulated in Lactobacillus culture media, reaching maximum concentrations in 4 to 5 days at 30 C. The active substance was dialyzable, heat labile, and inactivated by catalase. Inhibitor production paralleled H2O2 formation in Lactobacillus cultures, further indicating that the observed inhibition resulted from H2O2 produced by lactobacilli. These findings may explain the abnormal shifts in microbial flora observed in foods where Lactobacillus species have overgro...
Abstract 3029: Role of eIF3a expression in cellular sensitivity to radiation treatment

Translation initiation involving eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs) is a crucial mechanism in controlling gene expression. eIF3a has been shown previously to regulate protein synthesis and cellular response to cisplatin treatment. Its expression has also been shown to negatively associate with prognosis. In this study, we tested a hypothesis that eIF3a regulates synthesis of DNA repair proteins, which in turn regulates cellular response to ionizing radiation (IR) treatments. We found that eIF3a overexpression sensitizes cellular response to IR while its knockdown causes resistance to IR. We also found that eIF3a over-expression increases IR-induced DNA damage and decreases Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) repair activity by suppressing expression level of NHEJ repair proteins such as DNAPKcs. Consistently, eIF3a knockdown decreases IR-induced DNA damage and increases Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) repair activity by enhancing expression level of NHEJ repair proteins. Together, we conclude that eIF3a plays an important role in cellular response to DNA-damaging treatments by regulating synthesis of DNA repair proteins and, thus, eIIF3a likely plays an important role in the outcome of cancer patients treated with DNA-damaging strategies. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Rima A. Tumia. Role of eIF3a expression in cellular sensitivity to radiation treatment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3029. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3029
Putting the “Control” in Metabolic Control Analysis

Abstract Metabolic control analysis is a framework for characterizing the parametric sensitivity of metabolic pathways and genetic networks. We establish a connection between metabolic control analysis and control theory. The main result is that we can use classical control theory and the associated signal-flow (block) diagrams to analyze biochemical reaction networks and that many results in metabolic control analysis have direct counterparts in control In the process, we illustrate how some problems in biochemical network analysis can be reformulated in a control-theoretic framework.
DTMi – A New Interface for Informed Navigation

We introduce an interactive, dynamic visualization aimed at improving navigation in complex systems, including but not limited to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Users of these types of industrial behemoths are typically presented with a multilayered menu structure for navigating the various task interfaces. The vast number of options and paths tends to overwhelm users rather than encourage system exploration. Experienced users prefer memorizing transaction codes that take them directly to the page for that task, leaving them with a fragmented understanding of how tasks fit together. The Dynamic Task Map with information (DTMi) addresses these issues by providing an interactive, dynamic mapping of the tasks supported by the system and the connections between them. A laboratory evaluation involving an earlier version of this interface, referred to as DTM, revealed that users were at least twice as fast at finding transactions with DTM than with a standard SAP interface and were correct nearly twice as often in their answers to questions concerning those transactions. Outcomes from that study, including feedback from participants, led to improvements that were incorporated into DTMi. In this paper, we present this new interface, describe how it extends the earlier version, compare it to alternative approaches, and discuss our plans for user evaluations and future research in this area.
Mechanisms of Plant Selenium Hyperaccumulation

Selenium hyperaccumulator plants can accumulate Se to at least 0.1% of dry weight while growing on naturally seleniferous soil. Selenium hyperaccumulation has been reported for 45 taxa from six dicot families; they are perennials native to seleniferous areas, predominantly in western North America. Compared to other plants, hyperaccumulators are characterized by 10–100× higher Se levels and higher Se to sulfur (S) ratios, suggestive of a transporter with a preference for Se over S. Furthermore, hyperaccumulators have higher organic/inorganic Se ratios (i.e. enhanced selenate assimilation). Hyperaccumulators also have higher shoot/root Se ratios (i.e. higher xylem translocation), higher source/sink Se ratios (i.e. higher phloem translocation), and their patterns of spatial and temporal Se sequestration are different from non-accumulators, and different from S patterns. Transcriptomic and biochemical investigations into the mechanisms of Se hyperaccumulation indicate that hyperaccumulators have constitutive high expression of several sulfate/selenate transporters that likely mediate Se uptake and translocation. They also have enhanced transcript levels of several enzymes in the sulfate/selenate assimilation pathway. Hyperaccumulators also have elevated selenocysteine methyltransferase (SMT) levels, whose product is the main form accumulated, methyl-selenocysteine. This form is sequestered in hyperaccumulators mainly in epidermis and reproductive tissues. Transcriptomic and biochemical analyses indicate constitutively elevated levels of the hormones jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and ethylene, which may explain the constitutive upregulation of sulfate uptake and assimilation. Hyperaccumulators also have higher transcript levels of genes involved in oxidative stress resistance and defense against biotic stress, which may contribute to Se tolerance and are upregulated by the same stress/defense hormones.
Age-Dependent Association Between Pre-transplant Blood Transfusion and Outcomes of Pediatric Heart Transplantation

Avoidance of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in patients awaiting heart transplantation (HTx) has been suggested to minimize the risk of allosensitization. Although recent studies have suggested that an immature immune system in younger HTx recipients may reduce risks associated with RBC transfusion, the role of age in moderating the influence of transfusion on HTx outcomes remains unclear. We used available data from a national transplant registry to explore whether the association between pre-transplant transfusions and outcomes of pediatric HTx varies by patient age. De-identified data were obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing registry, including first-time recipients of isolated HTx performed at age 0-17 years in 1995-2015. The primary exposure was receiving blood transfusions within 2 weeks prior to HTx. Patient survival after HTx was evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards, where age at transplant was interacted with exposure to pre-transplant transfusion. Age-specific hazard ratios (HRs) of pre-transplant transfusion were plotted across ages at transplant. There were 4883 patients meeting inclusion criteria, of whom 1258 died during follow-up (mean follow-up duration 6 ± 5 years). Patients receiving pre-transplant transfusions were distinguished by younger age, higher prevalence of prior cardiac surgery, greater likelihood of being in the intensive care unit, and greater use of left ventricular assist device bridge to transplant. In multivariable analysis, pre-transplant transfusions were associated with increased mortality hazard among infants < 1 year of age (HR = 1.46; 95% CI 1.23, 1.74; p < 0.001). For each additional year of age, the excess hazard associated with pre-transplant transfusions decreased by 3% (interaction HR = 0.97; 95% CI 0.98, 0.99; p = 0.003). By age 8, the association between pre-transplant transfusions and post-transplant mortality was no longer statistically significant (HR = 1.15; 95% CI 0.99, 1.32; p = 0.060). Pre-transplant transfusions were associated with increased mortality hazard only among younger children (age < 8 years) undergoing HTx. These data support the current practices of transfusion avoidance prior to HTx, particularly in younger patients.
A Framework of Integrated Flow–Geomechanics–Geophysics Simulation for Planar Hydraulic Fracture Propagation

Abstract We investigate the integrated forward numerical simulation of flow, geomechanics, and geophysics for monitoring propagation of the hydraulic fractures. We numerically model microearthquakes (MEQs) and electrical/electromagnetic (EM) signals from solutions of coupled flow–geomechanics simulation. Specifically, the MEQs are calculated by geomechanics solutions such as the area, displacement, and direction of the newly created hydraulic fractures, while the EM signals can be generated by flow solutions such as pore space occupied by the injected fluid. The framework of this integrated forward simulation can be useful for joint analysis and inversion for characterizing the hydraulically fractured reservoirs and for detecting the propagation of hydraulic fractures, integrating the in situ data such as production/injection data, induced seismicity, and the EM data.
A cost analysis for using recycled irrigation runoff water in container nursery production: a Southern California nursery case study

In the U.S., container plant growers use high-quality water sources which can be expensive. The use of recycled irrigation runoff water could save growers money. The objective of this study was to compare the cost of recycled irrigation water with the cost of untreated municipal water at a nursery in Southern California over multiple years. Water cost for municipal (Western) supplied water ranged from $2.26 to $2.91 per 1000 gallons (3785 L). Water capturing and recycling system construction and infrastructure costs accounted for a large portion of recycled water cost. However, water provider rebates and a Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) grant reduced total and per volume recycled water costs. Without considering rebates from water providers and a NRCS grant, the cost of recycled water was between $0.92 and $1.21 per 1000 gallons (3785 L). With consideration of rebates and the grant, the cost of recycled water ranged between $0.43 and $0.53 per 1000 gallons (3785 L). Thus, recycled water is a viable alternative to many high cost water sources and public funds facilitate adoption of recycled water for irrigation by containerized plant growers.
Genetic and Biologic Studies of Affective Illness

The overall goal of our studies for some years has been to identify biological characteristics that are genetically transmitted factors in the affective disorders, mania and depression. Formidable obstacles to this goal are presented on the one hand by the unresolved issues in the genetics of these disorders, and on the other hand by the quantitative (as opposed to qualitative) biologic findings that have been found to distinguish persons with these disorders from normal controls. For a given patient or relative, there is always a degree of uncertainty both about the genotype underlying his psychiatric state and the genotype indicated by an enzyme activity or other quantitative variable. The question of whether the same genetic factor is producing both the biologic and the psychiatric findings in a given person becomes a complicated one, although still one that is subject to investigation. In this paper I shall discuss these issues, and review some of the strategies we have used in studying them in the Jewish population of Jerusalem, Israel.
WHAT RARE EARTHS TEACH ABOUT THIN FILM MAGNETISM

Rare earth metals exhibit rich and widely investigated magnetic behavior in the bulk. Comprehensive reviews are offered by Elliott (1972), Coqblin (1977) and Jenson and Mackintosh (1991). The 4f core electrons remain distinct from the conduction states and couple according to Hund’s rules to form model magnetic materials, at least in simple compounds. The metallic state entails certain interesting complications. In particular, a portion of the conduction band usually has d symmetry and the ionic moment is somewhat modified. Second, the moments disturb the conduction electrons and this results in the famous ‘RKKY’ exchange coupling among the moments. There is, in addition, a coupling of the ionic charge distribution to the crystal field, which in the materials of interest here is associated with a hexagonal close packed crystal structure.
Materials and Techniques

In this chapter, the materials relevant to this thesis are introduced. Furthermore, sample preparation and characterisation techniques that found application in the context of the thesis are briefly discussed.
Neuropsychological Assessment of Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is a developmental brain disorder that is marked by persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning. The diagnosis of AD/HD in adulthood is challenging due to the high rate of comorbidity with other psychiatric, developmental, and medical disorders. In this chapter, we outline a case presented in a primary care clinic in which a neuropsychological evaluation was requested to assist with diagnostic clarification and assist with treatment recommendations. We explain how the clinical diagnoses were rendered from the patient history, symptoms, and neuropsychological test findings. We also explore complicating case factors of bilingualism, sleep and psychiatric disturbance, learning disorder, and past marijuana use. Comprehensive treatment recommendations based on the patient’s history, psychosocial challenges, and cognitive profile were described.
Predicting the Kentucky Derby Winner! Sort of.

Through a series of explorations, this article will demonstrate how the Kentucky Derby winning times dataset provides various opportunities for introductory and advanced topics, from data processin...
A Comparison of Two Methods Using Thorpe Sorting to Estimate Mixing

AbstractSome high-resolution CTD data collected in the spring of 2017 are analyzed using Thorpe sorting and scale analyses, including both the commonly used “Thorpe scale” method and a lesser-used ...
Developing a Suite of Online Learning Modules on the Components of Next-Generation Sequencing Projects.

This column describes a project funded by the Big Data to Knowledge initiative to develop online learning modules for researchers, clinicians, and informationists/librarians on aspects of next-gene...
Association between low back pain and body mass index in adult twins: an analysis of monozygotic and dizygotic twins of the Washington State Twin Registry.

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT Low back pain (LBP) is a common and significant cause of disability worldwide, however; questions about cause still remain. PURPOSE To investigate the association between LBP, body mass index (BMI), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a twin sample. STUDY DESIGN Cross sectional study of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins from the Washington State Twin Registry. PATIENT SAMPLE Monozygotic and dizygotic twins from the Washington State Twin Registry. OUTCOME MEASURES Self-report measures: Low back pain, body mass index, duration and intensity of exercise. METHODS The sample included 5,183 same-sex pairs (69% MZ). The outcome was self-reported diagnosis of LBP from a health care provider. A phenotypic model tested the association between BMI and LBP without including genetic or shared environmental confounds. We then re-estimated the association using a quasi-causal model which controls for those confounds. Finally, we used a mediation model to investigate if the association between LBP and MVPA was mediated by BMI. RESULTS In the phenotypic regression of LBP on BMI, there was a ~4-fold increase in the odds of having LBP with every one-unit increase in BMI (odds ratio [OR] =3.83; 95% confidence interval =3.28, 4.46). However, quasi-causal regression of LBP on BMI was reduced to zero (OR =0.95; 95% confidence interval =0.60, 1.49). A significant genetic background to BMI and LBP was present (bA =1.66; p b P M V P A =−0.043, SE=0.003, p b P B M I =1.281, SE=0.079, OR=3.6, p CONCLUSIONS BMI was not associated with LBP, despite sharing a phenotypic association, but they may share a genetic influence. The effect of MVPA on LBP is, in part, mediated by BMI but shared environment confounds this relationship. Level of Evidence Level 3.
Ca2+-dependent release of synaptotagmin-1 from the SNARE complex on phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-containing membranes.

Inside the brain, cells called neurons relay messages from one place to another in the form of electrical signals. When an electrical signal reaches a junction between two neurons (known as a synapse) it triggers small particles called calcium ions to enter one of the cells. This influx of calcium causes vesicles to fuse with the membrane surrounding the neuron and release molecules called neurotransmitters into the small gap between the two neurons. These molecules travel across the gap to activate an electrical signal in the second neuron which then carries the message onwards. A protein known as synaptotagmin-1 senses calcium ions at synapses and works together with a group of proteins known as the SNARE complex to help vesicles fuse with the cell membrane. Previous studies have reported three different structures of synaptotagmin-1 bound to the SNARE complex in a different way. But it was unclear which of these binding states actually result in the release of neurotransmitters. To address this question, Voleti, Jaczynska and Rizo studied how and when synptotagmin-1 and the SNARE complex bind together using two approaches known as NMR spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The experiments suggest that before calcium enters the synapse, synaptotagmin-1 is already bound to a surface on the SNARE complex. This binding inhibits the release of neurotransmitters and has been reported in previous studies. Adding calcium ions causes synaptotagmin-1 to be released from the SNARE complex. This allows synaptotagmin-1 to interact with the membrane and cooperate with the SNARE complex to trigger vesicle fusion. Finding out how neurons release neurotransmitters at synapses may help us to understand how the brain works. This could provide new insights into how defects in the synapse lead to neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia, and potentially aid the development of new treatments for such conditions.
Females and hermaphrodites of the gynodioecious Geranium maculatum respond similarly to soil nutrient availability

Abstract Sexual dimorphism in plant growth and/or reproductive responses to the surrounding environment has been documented in some plant species. In gynodioecious plants, it is especially important to understand whether females and hermaphrodites differ in their response to environmental stressors, as the fitness of females relative to hermaphrodites determines the extent to which these separate sexes are maintained in natural populations. Soil nutrient availability is of particular importance given the different nutrient requirements of male and female sexual functions in plants. Here, we evaluated and compared the growth of females and hermaphrodites of Geranium maculatum in response to varying levels of nutrients. Using a greenhouse experiment, we manipulated the overall nutrient, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels in the soil and measured growth, allocation, and leaf quality responses in both females and hermaphrodites. We found that sexes responded similarly in their growth and allocation responses to nutrient availability, albeit evidence that female leaf chlorophyll content may have increased more than that of hermaphrodites across soil nitrogen levels. Our findings demonstrate that hermaphrodites differ from females in terms of their physiological response to varying nutrient levels, however these physiological differences did not translate into meaningful growth or reproduction differences.
MGDrivE 2: A simulation framework for gene drive systems incorporating seasonality and epidemiological dynamics

Abstract Interest in gene drive technology has continued to grow as promising new drive systems have been developed in the lab and discussions are moving towards implementing field trials. The prospect of field trials requires models that incorporate a significant degree of ecological detail, including parameters that change over time in response to environmental data such as temperature and rainfall, leading to seasonal patterns in mosquito population density. Epidemiological outcomes are also of growing importance, as: i) the suitability of a gene drive construct for release will depend on its expected impact on disease transmission, and ii) initial field trials are expected to have a measured entomological outcome and a modeled epidemiological outcome. We present MGDrivE 2 (Mosquito Gene Drive Explorer 2): an extension of and development from the MGDrivE 1 simulation framework that investigates the population dynamics of a variety of gene drive architectures and their spread through spatially-explicit mosquito populations. Key strengths and improvements of the MGDrivE 2 framework are: i) the ability of parameters to vary with time and induce seasonal population dynamics, ii) an epidemiological module accommodating reciprocal pathogen transmission between humans and mosquitoes, and iii) an implementation framework based on stochastic Petri nets that enables efficient model formulation and flexible implementation. Example MGDrivE 2 simulations are presented to demonstrate the application of the framework to a CRISPR-based homing gene drive system intended to drive a disease-refractory gene into a population, incorporating time-varying temperature and rainfall data, and predict impact on human disease incidence and prevalence. Further documentation and use examples are provided in vignettes at the project’s CRAN repository. MGDrivE 2 is an open-source R package freely available on CRAN. We intend the package to provide a flexible tool capable of modeling gene drive constructs as they move closer to field application and to infer their expected impact on disease transmission.
Thrombi Within the Urinary Tract May Serve as a Nidus for Rapid Stone Recurrence: A Report of Two Cases.

Background: Nephrolithiasis is increasingly becoming one of the most prevalent and costly urologic conditions in the United States. The most common type of kidney stone in humans is calcium oxalate...
Comparison of the wood bonding performance of water- and alkali-soluble cottonseed protein fractions

The interests in biobased wood adhesives have been steadily increasing in recent years. Cottonseed protein isolate has shown potential as a renewable biobased adhesives. For a better understanding ...
Are Higher-Order Factors Useful in Pricing the Cross-Section of Hedge Fund Returns?

This paper investigates hedge funds' exposures to various risk factors across different investment strategies through models with both linear and second-order factors. We extend the analysis from an augmented linear model based on Fama and French (1993) and Fung and Hsieh (2001) to second-order models that include all quadratic and interaction terms by adopting a novel multistep strategy that combines the variable selection capabilities of the Lasso regression with the Fama-MacBeth (1973) two-step method. We find that, for some strategies, several quadratic and interaction terms are statistically significant. Nonetheless, there is no evidence that the second-order models have more overall explanatory or predictive power than the linear model. Moreover, while both linear and second-order models perform well for directional funds (like emerging markets, event driven and managed futures), missing factors may still remain for semi-directional funds, such as fund of funds, long/short equity hedge and multi-strategy.
P30 Interface of Neighborhood Residence on Obesity Prevention Behaviors and Self-Efficacy in Chinese Americans

Background The obesity epidemic is a prominent health issue affecting Chinese Americans in the United States. An individual's living environment affects dietary choices and consumption patterns, impacting weight-related outcomes. The important construct of self-efficacy provides a foundation for nutrition educators in understanding mediators of health behaviors. Objective To identify if self-reported neighborhood of residence (‘high income’ vs ‘middle-low income’) elucidate differences in obesity prevention behaviors and self-efficacy in Chinese Americans residing in Los Angeles county and the New York metropolitan area. Study Design, Settings, Participants A cross-sectional survey design was used where a convenience sample of 650 participants (18-60 years old) completed a validated, self-administered questionnaire. Participants were recruited from universities, cultural institutions, and churches, representing a wide range of backgrounds. Measurable Outcome and Analysis Nineteen behaviors related to obesity risk reduction were measured with 9 items measuring self-efficacy for these behaviors. Participants indicated adoption of behaviors over the month reflecting food practices, portion size control, and consumption of plant-based foods. Descriptive statistics were conducted for the entire sample while t tests were applied for categorized neighborhoods (‘high income’ vs ‘middle-low income’). Results The mean age of the study participants (67% female) was 36.3 (SD = 14.5) years. Higher frequency of adoption of 6 health behaviors within the ‘high income group’ as compared to counterparts was indicated by t tests. Notable mean differences in behavior included choosing steamed over fried foods (P Conclusion Nutrition professionals must assess client's living environments in the adoption of obesity prevention behaviors. In fostering behavioral confidence, investigating the impact of individuals’ neighborhood in various residential areas are warranted.
Time domains of the sympatho-respiratory response to hypoxia: plasticity in phrenic and sympathetic nerve activities

Powell et al. defined short- and long-term time domains in the respiratory response to both single and repetitive hypoxic exposures [1]. Aspects of these time domains reflect a neural 'plasticity' in the network generating the respiratory pattern and are evident in both the timing and amplitude of the cycle. Studies from our laboratory have focused on the plasticity evoked by hypoxia, in particular, the role of the lateral pons in modulating the cycle's timing [2,3]. Because of respiratory modulation of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), we hypothesized that comparable time domains are also evident in SNA's response to hypoxia and that the lateral pons also modulates plasticity in SNA. We recorded phrenic nerve activity (PNA) and splanchnic SNA in anesthetized (Equithesin), paralyzed, vagotomized, thoracotomized, adult male rats (Sprague-Dawley, Zivic Miller). We generated cycle-triggered averages of PNA and sSNA before, during and after hypoxic exposures (8% O2/92% N2, 45 s duration). In a series of experiments, we have analyzed the hypoxic-evoked plasticity before and after ventrolateral (vl) pontine interventions as well as before and after multiple exposures to hypoxia. Before hypoxic exposures, SNA was modulated weakly by respiration with a tendency for activity to increase just after the phase transition from inspiration (I) to expiration (E). During the 1st brief hypoxic exposure, SNA increased during stage-IIE. Immediately after hypoxia, sSNA became quiescent during the prolonged E associated with short-term depression of respiration. Following vl pontine interventions, baseline respiratory modulation of SNA was attenuated, the shift or increase in stage-II "expiratory" sSNA did not occur during hypoxia but the post-hypoxic decrease of sSNA remained. After the 10th hypoxic exposure, both SNA and PNA increased their activity; in particular, respiratory-modulated SNA coincident with expiration remained increased after hypoxia. This increase in activity was sustained for more than 60 min. The increase in SNA was reflected by a greater response to injected cyanide compared to the baseline response prior hypoxia. We conclude that long-term facilitation (LTF) is elicited in SNA after repetitive hypoxic exposures and, thus, the interaction between the sympatho-respiratory control systems may be a mechanism for the increased SNA associated with sleep apnea. Further, we interpret the results of these studies as supporting an 'activity-dependent' plasticity not only in respiratory but also sympathetic networks [4].