cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A systematic screen of β2-microglobulin and insulin for amyloid-like segments

Identifying sequence determinants of fibril-forming proteins is crucial for understanding the processes causing >20 proteins to form pathological amyloid depositions. Our approach to identifying which sequences form amyloid-like fibrils is to screen the amyloid-forming proteins human insulin and β2-microglobulin for segments that form fibrils. Our screen is of 60 sequentially overlapping peptides, 59 being six residues in length and 1 being five residues, covering every noncysteine-containing segment in these two proteins. Each peptide was characterized as amyloid-like or nonfibril-forming. Amyloid-like peptides formed fibrils visible in electron micrographs or needle-like microcrystals showing a cross-β diffraction pattern. Eight of the 60 peptides (three from insulin and five from β2-microglobulin) were identified as amyloid-like. The results of the screen were used to assess the computational method, and good agreement between prediction and experiments was found. This agreement suggests that the pair-of-sheets, zipper spine model on which the computational method is based is at least approximately correct for the structure of the fibrils and suggests the nature of the sequence signal for formation of amyloid-like fibrils.
Passaging effects on mineralization and mRNA expression of rat calvarial cells seeded in monolayer and on 3D polymer constructs in vitro

In this study, primary rat calvarial cells were expanded and then seeded in monolayer and on porous 3D scaffolds to determine the effect of passaging on matrix mineralization and osteogenic gene mRNA production. Passage 1, 2 and 3 cells were seeded in collagen coated 6 well plates and on 5 mm /spl times/ 3 mm poly(L-lactide-co-D, L-lactide 70:30) (PLDL) discs (n=6 for each group). Monolayer culture was carried out to 3 weeks and plates were stained by Von Kossa to measure mineralization area. Constructs were cultured for 8 weeks and scanned by micro-computed tomography (/spl mu/CT) at 24 and 57 days to quantify mineralization. Both culture groups were analyzed with real-time quantitative RT-PCR to determine the amount of osteogenic gene mRNA produced. Von Kossa staining showed a statistically significant decrease in the amount of mineralized nodule formation as passage number increased. There was no significant difference in the amount of mineralization produced by each passage group in 3D culture as shown by /spl mu/CT analysis. There was no reduction in osteogenic mRNA detected by realtime quantitative RT-PCR for osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), osteonectin (ONN) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) from passage 1 to 3 in 3D culture while 2D culture did show reductions in OCN and OPN with passaging.
Relation of Unstable Angina and Myocardial Infarction to Progression of Coronary Narrowing in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (Utilizing an Internal Mammary Artery)

We examined the relation of an ischemic syndrome with the progression of coronary disease early (<3 years) after multiple bypass grafting utilizing an internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts. Data indicate that an ischemic syndrome is associated with progression of native coronary disease distal to the graft or total occlusion of the saphenous vein graft in most cases.
Persuasion Through Organizations Another in a Series - Thesis Sentences

The article examines the thesis sentence in legal writing, a particularly important tool in helping legal readers quickly understand the critical content of paragraphs.
Fair Use of Copyrighted Software

This article discusses how the functional aspects of software should be accounted for in applying copyright's fair use doctrine. Copyright provides an incentive for authors to produce creative works, by giving them an exclusive right to make and distribute copies of their work. The fair use doctrine permits others to make copies where strict enforcement of the exclusive right would be counter-productive. Fair use often permits use of copyrighted material where the author suffers no loss, or where the author might deny permission for reasons counter to copyright's goals of fostering creativity and innovation. Parts II and III apply this analysis to the fair use of copyrighted software. Software differs from other copyrighted works because it is generally copied during use. To use a computer program, it often must be copied from the secondary storage of the computer to RAM. Because courts have deemed this to constitute making a copy for the purposes of the copyright statute, a software copyright holder potentially has more differentiated control over her work than an author that produces a book or a song. The fair use balance may be adjusted to ensure that the copyright holder's rights over the expressive aspects of her work do not unduly extend to the noncopyrightable functional aspects. The fair use doctrine has played a key role in recent Supreme Court copyright decisions and is likely to be central in adapting copyright law to new technologies and modes of authorship. The growing popularity of the Internet, essentially a huge device to transmit copies, is raising many new questions of fair use. This article seeks to develop a less mechanical approach, in order to ensure that rigid extension of copyright does not distort the incentives for innovation.
Sub-K iTransactions

In 2010, Sub-K iTransactions, a business correspondent start-up, implemented a pilot project on dairy payments with village cooperatives of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation. The company sought to migrate cooperatives' payments to farmers, such as revenues from milk or net services provided -- like agricultural inputs and veterinary care -- from cash to an electronic payment platform, with a view to providing cash access points at convenient locations, promoting financial inclusion among farmers, and reducing the costs associated with cooperatives' cash payments. Sub-K's business correspondent network promised cooperatives enhanced value by lowering the risks and costs of cash: agent fees, transit and fraud risks, audit costs, and the cost of financing cash balances. Dairy farmers, on the other hand, would receive savings accounts with all the attendant benefits: indefinite retention of balances, savings, and the opportunity to build a credit history. In addition, they would have exact payments credited directly into their accounts without rounding-offs.
Influence of two conservative treatment methods on foot health status in men with chronic calcaneal spur: A randomized controlled study

Abstract Objective This study compared the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) with ultrasound therapy (US-control group) in preventing social limitations and the improvement of foot health status (FHS) in men with a chronic calcaneal spur (CS). Material and methods Forty men were randomly allocated and then received ESWT or US therapy. Two people from the US group ignored the call for study 3 months later, so they were excluded. Therefore, 38 men were analyzed. The ESWT group received 5 treatments once a week, and sessions took place at weekly intervals. Meanwhile, the US group received 10 treatments, 3 times per week. The FHS was assessed using a foot health status questionnaire (FHSQ). The scores were recorded and compared within the groups and between the groups pre treatment, immediately post treatment, and 3 months post treatment. Results We found a significant improvement of FHS and reduction of social limitations immediately post treatment (up to 3 months post treatment in patients with chronic CS). Conclusion The results of this study provide evidence that patients with CS can obtain greater significant health benefits of the foot care when treated by ESWT, rather than by US.
Mathematical Model of Thermal Spikes in Microwave Heating of Oxide Ceramic Fibers

Experiments on microwave sintering of ceramic fibers in a single-mode cavity have revealed the presence of thermal spikes and “hot spots” which sometimes travel along the fiber and eventually disappear. They are triggered by relatively small increases in microwave power, and thus have obvious implications for the development of practical microwave-based fiber processing systems. These hot spots are conjectured to originate at slight irregularities in the tow morphology, and propagate as the result of solid phase transitions which take place at elevated temperatures and reduce the dielectric loss coefficient e”. An elementary mathematical model of the heat transfer process was developed which reproduces the essential features of the observed phenomena, thus lending support to our conjecture. This model is based on the assumption of one-dimensional heat conduction along the axis of the fiber tow, and radiation losses at the surface.
Influence of The Dielectric on The Growth and Performance of Pentacene Thin Film Transistors

The electronics transport and the device properties of pentacene thin film transistors are reported, showing the influence of the dielectric on the structural and transport properties. The structure and morphology of pentacene films on organic and inorganic dielectrics were compared by x-ray diffraction measurements and atomic force microscopy. For the investigated dielectrics we observed a clear correlation between the morphology and the structural properties of the highly polycrystalline films. In the case of inorganic dielectrics the roughness of the dielectric has a distinct influence on the morphology and the structural properties, whereas the films on organic dielectrics bonding between pentacene and the dielectric may have an influence on the growth mechanism. We find that careful control of the deposition conditions give films with similar transport properties on organic and inorganic dielectrics. To study the electronics properties we have realized inverted staggered transistors. The TFTs exhibit mobilities of ∼0.4 cm2/Vs and on/off ratios of 108 on organic and inorganic dielectrics. The influence of the dielectric on the device mobility, threshold voltage and sub-threshold voltage slope are discussed.
Elevated Body Position Early after Delivery Increased Airway Size during Wakefulness, and Decreased Apnea Hypopnea Index in a Woman with Pregnancy Related Sleep Apnea

We report a patient with pregnancy related obstructive sleep apnea ([OSA]; apnea hypopnea index [AHI] 18/h) early after delivery, with improvement of AHI by 87% following 45-degree elevation in bod...
Multimodality therapy for high-risk endometrial cancer: balancing the courses while keeping all options on the table.

As advances in treatment strategies continue to focus on individualization of therapy, the identification of disease subsets is crucial to strategizing optimal therapeutic approaches.
Some links between classical and modern test theory via the two-level hierarchical generalized linear model.

This article considers some links between classical test theory (CTT) and modern test theory (MTT) such as item response theory (IRT) and the Rasch model in the context of the two-level hierarchical generalized linear model (HGLM). Conceptualizing items as nested within subjects, both the CTT model and the MTT model can be reformulated as an HGLM where item difficulty parameters are represented by fixed effects and subjects' abilities are represented by random effects. In this HGLM framework, the CTT and MTT models differ only in the level 1 sampling model and the associated link function. This article also contrasts the Rasch and two-parameter IRT models by considering the property of specific objectivity in the context of CTT. It is found that the essentially tau-equivalent model exhibits specific objectivity if the data fit the model, but the congeneric measures model does not. Data from English composition scores on essay writing used by Joreskog (1971) are reanalyzed for illustration.
Field of View Calibration

This chapter defines the field-of-view response function as the normalized response to a point source. A distant small-area source can be used to simulate a point source; however, a small-area source used in conjunction with a collimator is more convenient. The chapter also illustrates a typical facility for calibrating an optical field of view. It is necessary to step the instrument through the field because the instrument responds only once for each spectral scan. This aspect of the calibration of the field of view is inconvenient and complicates the data reduction. The chapter highlights certain practical aspects of the field-of-view calibration, including considerations of resolution, optical alignment, and the evaluation of the near-field and far-field spatial responses. The chapter also presents detailed examples of the calibration of a sensor field of view and illustrates an optical alignment technique. There exists a dynamic range limit to this folded method of evaluating the off-axis response that depends on the dynamic range of both the source and the sensor. The near-field analysis provides a qualitative evaluation of symmetry, smoothness, and idealness of the system response. The far field is defined as the linearized and normalized sensor response to a point source at angles far from the optical axis as evaluated to many orders below the on-axis response.
Female patient and physician communication and discussion of gynecological health care issues

This investigation found that trust and receptivity in a physician and the female patient's communication apprehension were significant predictors of the patient's: (1) likelihood of discussing health care with gynecologists, (2) knowledge of gynecological health needs, and (3) feelings toward the gynecologist at the time of examination. Patient's communication apprehension contributed the most to likelihood to discuss, while feelings toward the physician at the time of examination and trust in physician contributed the most to knowledge about health needs. Receptivity of physician was not a significant contributor for any of the variables. The physician's gender did not produce significant differences, but the more often one sees the gynecologist, the greater one's knowledge and the more positive one's feeling toward the physician at the time of examination are.
Examining the influence of country-level and health system factors on nursing and physician personnel production.

A key component to achieving good patient outcomes is having the right type and number of healthcare professionals with the right resources. Lack of investment in infrastructure required for producing and retaining adequate numbers of health professionals is one reason, and contextual factors related to socioeconomic development may further explain the trend. Therefore, this study sought to explore the relationships between country-level contextual factors and healthcare human resource production (defined as worker-to-population ratio) across 184 countries. This exploratory observational study is grounded in complexity theory as a guiding framework. Variables were selected through a process that attempted to choose macro-level indicators identified by the interdisciplinary literature as known or likely to affect the number of healthcare workers in a country. The combination of these variables attempts to account for the gender- and class-sensitive identities of physicians and nurses. The analysis consisted of 1 year of publicly available data, using the most recently available year for each country where multiple regressions assessed how context may influence health worker production. Missing data were imputed using the ICE technique in STATA and the analyses rerun in R as an additional validity and rigor check. The models explained 63 % of the nurse/midwife-to-population ratio (pseudo R2 = 0.627, p = 0.0000) and 73 % of the physician-to-population ratio (pseudo R2 = 0.729, p = 0.0000). Average years of school in a country’s population, emigration rates, beds-per-1000 population, and low-income country statuses were consistently statistically significant predictors of production, with percentage of public and private sector financing of healthcare showing mixed effects. Our study demonstrates that the strength of political, social, and economic institutions does impact human resources for health production and lays a foundation for studying how macro-level contextual factors influence physician and nurse workforce supply. In particular, the results suggest that public and private investments in the education sector would provide the greatest rate of return to countries. The study offers a foundation from which longitudinal analyses can be conducted and identifies additional data that may help enhance the robustness of the models.
Talking About Abortion

This essay examines the complex and contradictory nature of how the issue of abortion is discussed in the U.S. today. In political debate, on conservative news stations, and outside abortion clinics, abortion is regularly shouted about loudly and with great conviction by those who want to see the procedure recriminalized. Yet at the level of individual experience, abortion is rarely discussed, even among close friends and relatives. How is it that a medical procedure, legal since 1973, remains a source of shame and secrecy? To answer that question, this essay identifies the categories into which the subject of abortion commonly falls and argues that so many things in the U.S. are about abortion because abortion itself is about so many things: medicine, religion, rights, regulation, morality, sex, gender, families, and politics. There are complicated views toward abortion within each area, and they complications increase when one area intersects with another -- religion and law, politics and reproduction, ...
From markers to interventions: The case of just-in-time stress intervention

The use of sensor-based assessment of stress to trigger the delivery of just-in-time intervention has the potential to help people manage daily stress as it occurs in the person’s natural environment. The challenge is to mine the continuous stream of sensor data and identify those few opportune moments for triggering an intervention—when there is sufficient confidence in the accuracy of the sensor-based stress markers, in order to limit interruptions to the daily lives. In this chapter, we describe the process of developing a real-time method to identify stress episodes, from a time series of stress markers, to inform the triggering of just-in-time stress-management interventions.
Structure of the Bacillus anthracis dTDP-L-rhamnose-biosynthetic enzyme dTDP-4-dehydrorhamnose 3,5-epimerase (RfbC).

The exosporium layer of Bacillus anthracis spores is rich in l-rhamnose, a common bacterial cell-wall component, which often contributes to the virulence of pathogens by increasing their adherence and immune evasion. The biosynthetic pathway used to form the activated l-rhamnose donor dTDP-l-rhamnose consists of four enzymes (RfbA, RfbB, RfbC and RfbD) and is an attractive drug target because there are no homologs in mammals. It was found that co-purifying and screening RfbC (dTDP-6-deoxy-d-xylo-4-hexulose 3,5-epimerase) from B. anthracis in the presence of the other three B. anthracis enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway yielded crystals that were suitable for data collection. RfbC crystallized as a dimer and its structure was determined at 1.63 A resolution. Two different ligands were bound in the protein structure: pyrophosphate in the active site of one monomer and dTDP in the other monomer. A structural comparison with RfbC homologs showed that the key active-site residues are conserved across kingdoms.
Comorbidity Status and Annual Total Medical Expenditures in U.S. Hypertensive Adults

Introduction The purpose of this study is to investigate comorbidity status and its impact on total medical expenditures in non-institutionalized hypertensive adults in the U.S. Methods Data from the 2011–2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were used. Patients were included if they had a diagnosis code for hypertension, were aged ≥18 years, and were not pregnant during the study period (N=26,049). The Elixhauser Comorbidity Index was modified to add hypertension-related comorbidities. The outcome variable was annual total medical expenditures, and a generalized linear model regression (gamma distribution with a log link function) was used. All costs were adjusted to 2014 U.S. dollars. Results Based on the modified Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, 14.0% of patients did not have any comorbidities, 23.0% had one, 24.4% had two, and 38.7% had three or more. The five most frequent comorbidities were hyperlipidemia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, and chronic pulmonary disease. Estimated mean annual total medical expenditures were $3,914 (95% CI=$3,456, $4,372) for those without any comorbidity; $5,798 (95% CI=$5,384, $6,213) for those with one comorbidity; $8,333 (95% CI=$7,821, $8,844) for those with two comorbidities; and $13,920 (95% CI=$13,166, $14,674) for those with three or more comorbidities. Of the 15 most frequent comorbidities, the condition with the largest impact on expenditures for an individual person was congestive heart failure ($7,380). Hypertensive adults with stroke, coronary heart disease, diabetes, renal diseases, and hyperlipidemia had expenditures that were $6,069, $6,046, $5,039, $4,974, and $4,851 higher, respectively, than those without these conditions. Conclusions Comorbidities are highly prevalent among hypertensive adults, and this study shows that each comorbidity significantly increases annual total medical expenditures.
Neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage is not associated with wound healing in diabetic foot ulcer patients treated in a multidisciplinary setting.

Abstract Background Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with poor glycemic control and higher hospital admission rates in patients with diabetes. We sought to quantify the effects of neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation on wound healing among a cohort of patients with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) treated in a multidisciplinary setting. Methods Socioeconomic disadvantage was calculated for all patients using the area deprivation index (ADI) stratified by quartile (from ADI-0: least through ADI-3: most). Predictors of wound healing were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models accounting for patient demographics, wound characteristics, and ADI category. Results Six hundred twenty-one wounds were evaluated, including 59% ADI-0, 7% ADI-1, 12% ADI-2, and 22% ADI-3. After accounting for patient demographics and wound characteristics, the likelihood of wound healing was similar between groups (ADI-3 versus ADI-0: hazards ratio [HR] 1.03 [95% confidence interval 0.76-1.41]). Independent predictors of poor wound healing included peripheral arterial disease (HR 0.75), worse wound stage (stage 4: HR 0.48), larger wound area (HR 0.99), and partially dependent functional status (HR 0.45) (all, P Conclusions In a multidisciplinary setting, wound healing was largely dependent on wound characteristics and vascular status rather than patient demographics or neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage. Use of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of DFU may overcome the negative effects of socioeconomic disadvantage frequently described in the diabetic population.
Generating Functions for the Pell Family

In this chapter we will develop generating functions for Pell and Pell–Lucas numbers; their squares; and odd- and even-numbered Pell and Pell–Lucas numbers. Along the way, we will study some interesting applications. We begin with the generating functions for Pell and Pell–Lucas numbers.
Ruminal Microbial and Fermentative Changes Associated with Experimentally Induced Subacute Acidosis in Steers

We used six ruminally cannulated steers in a two-period crossover design to study ruminal fermentative and microbial changes as- sociated with induced subacute acidosis. Steers were adapted to either an 80% alfalfa hay (hay-adapted)- or corn grain (grain-adapted)-based concentrate diet. After feed was withheld for 24 h, steers were overfed with an all-grain diet at 3.5 × NEm daily for 3 d. Ruminal contents and jugular blood samples were collected before withholding feed and at 0 and 12 h daily for 3 d during the overfeeding period. Ruminal samples were analyzed for pH, lactate, VFA concen- trations, and counts of total anaerobic, amylolytic, lactic acid-producing and -fermenting bacteria, and ciliated protozoa. Blood samples were analyzed to assess acid-base status. Ruminal pH declined to a range of 5.5 to 5.0 with increased VFA concentrations, but normal lactate concentrations (<5 mM) were indicative of subacute acidosis. Total viable and amylolytic bacterial counts were higher ( P < .05) in grain-adapted than hay-adapted steers. Anaerobic lactobacilli counts increased over time ( P < .01) in both groups and were generally higher in grain- adapted than hay-adapted steers. Lactate-utilizing bacteria were initially greater in grain-adapted than hay-adapted steers and increased over time in both groups following grain challenge. Total ciliates were initially higher ( P < .05) in grain-adapted than hay- adapted steers and decreased after 48 h in both groups. Blood acid-base changes were minimal. Bac- terial changes associated with subacute acidosis resemble those reported during adaptation to grain feeding, and the decline in ciliated protozoa may be the only microbial indicator of a potentially acidotic condition in the rumen.
Phenotypic stability of chick cardiomyocytes in serum-free media. Preservation of muscarinic receptor expression.

Abstract Chick cardiomyocytes cultured in fetal bovine serum (FBS)-supplemented media are phenotypically unstable, becoming noncontractile and unresponsive to stimuli after several days. We report a culturing protocol that preserves the differentiated cardiomyocyte phenotype for at least 9 days in culture. Cardiomyocytes isolated from 11-day chicken embryos, and cultured in either Dulbecco's Modified Earle's Medium (DMEM)/Ham's F12 medium with N-2 supplement or Medium 199 (M199) with 10% FBS continued to beat spontaneously for 4–5 days; only cells cultured in N-2-supplemented medium exhibited spontaneous beating beyond 5 days. Immunostaining for α-actinin after 9 days in culture revealed that myofibrils persisted in N-2-supplemented cells, while no myofibrils were observed in the FBS-supplemented cells. For cells in FBS-supplemented media, [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation rates were 7.5 and 3 times greater than that of cells in N-2-supplemented media at Days 4 and 9 in culture, respectively. The effect of growth media on the binding parameters of the muscarinic antagonist, [ 3 H] N -methyl-scopolamine (NMS), was also compared. While B max decreased 34% between Days 4 and 9 for cells maintained in N-2-supplemented media, a 77% decrease was observed for cells cultured in FBS-supplemented media. The phenotypic stability of this preparation makes it feasible for the first time to use these cells in experiments that require more than 4 days to complete.
Regulation of Structural Protein Interactions as Revealed in Phage Morphogenesis

Advances in cellular and molecular biology continue to reveal new aspects of the structural organization within cells. A multiplicity of protein-protein interactions must be involved in the control of the assembly and function of the microtubules, microfilaments, nuclear pores, centrioles, and other components of cytoskeletal networks. These structures must assemble in precise locations, correctly linked to the overall cellular structure, and generally at a particular stage of the cell cycle. The characteristics of such structure-forming processes differ in many ways from the classical models for the control of intermediary metabolism, such as the induction and repression of enzyme synthesis.
Regulation of B cell apoptosis.

Only 1% of thymocytes have hypodiploid nuclei, an index of apoptosis. Yet there is evidence that 99% of thymocytes die by apoptosis, and are destroyed so quickly by phagocytes they are hardly apparent histologically. So when we see 1% of spleen B (or T) cells have hypodiploid nuclei, it tells us little about the apoptotic turnover of these cells. Despite evidence that germinal center B cells enter apoptosis when activated through their antigen receptor in the absence of costimulation1, and that terminal differentiation also leads to apoptosis, life span estimates for the majority of mature B cells run to several months2,3. So we were surprised to find that small dense B cells from the spleens of specific pathogen-free mice spontaneously undergo apoptosis in vitro 4 so fast that about 75% of small dense B cells have hypodiploid nuclei by 64h. The rate is linear with no lag period to indicate an induction process. Varying fetal calf serum concentration from 1 to 10%, varying the B cell (or T cell) concentration from 0.1 to 10 × 106/ml (to rule out autocrine mechanisms), and purifying the cells (adherence to BSA-coated plastic, exposure to anti-thy 1.2 plus complement, centrifugation through Percoll) had no major effect on the spontaneous apoptosis rate5(and our unpublished data). Neither did inclusion of 10% normal mouse serum, or coculture with other spleen cell types5. Cycloheximide (CHX) and other protein synthesis inhibitors accelerated apoptosis in B and T cells4,5 while blocking apoptosis in thymocytes5,6. We appeared to be observing an apoptosis program “hard-wired” into the B cell, very different from that of the thymocyte, requiring no stimulation and no “death protein” synthesis.
Transgender Identity and Acceptance in a Global Era: The Muxes of Juchitán

This chapter reports on a preliminary study of los muxes or mushes (pronounced “Moo-shey”) of Juchitan, a city in El Istmo de Tehuantepec in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, which has been described as “the most purely indigenous community in Mexico” (Keller, J. (2007). Graciela Iturbide, Juchitan. Los Angeles: Getty, p. 2). The muxes are a unique group of indigenous men who openly dress in female Zapotec attire, assume traditional female roles and are widely accepted by the community. They have been described as a third sex (Bennholdt-Thomsen, V. (1997). Las Taberneras. In V. Bennholdt-Thomsen (Ed.), Juchitan, la ciudad de las mujeres (pp. 181–197). Oaxaca: Instituto Oaxaqueno de Las Culturas, p. 283), analogous to the institutionalized homosexuality found among some Native American groups (Whitehead, H. (1981). The bow and the burden strap: A new look at institutionalized homosexuality in native North America. In S. B. Ortner & H. Whitehead (Eds.), Sexual meaning: The cultural construction of gender and sexuality (pp. 80–115). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; Williams, W. L. (1986). The spirit and the flesh: Sexual diversity in American Indian culture. Boston: Beacon). While the muxes appear to lack the religious significance associated with the berdaches among Indian tribes, they may have had such significance in former times (Chinas, B. N. (2002). The Isthmus Zapotecs: A matrifocal culture of Mexico. Mason: Cengage Learning, p. 109; Lacey, M. (2008, December 6). A lifestyle distinct: The Muxe of Mexico. The New York Times; Williams, W. L. (1986). The spirit and the flesh: Sexual diversity in American Indian culture. Boston: Beacon, p. 135). Mexican society has often been depicted as male dominated and driven by the cult of machismo, patriarchy, and excessive masculinity and as intolerant of homosexuality (Mirande, A. (1997). Hombres y machos: Masculinity and Latino culture. Boulder: Westview Press; Gutmann, M. (1996). The meanings of macho: Being a man in Mexico city. Berkeley: University of California Press) but in Juchitan the muxes appear to be not only tolerated but also accepted and in some instances admired.
O 2 solubility in Martian near-surface environments and implications for aerobic life

Due to the scarcity of O_2 in the modern Martian atmosphere, Mars has been assumed to be incapable of producing environments with sufficiently large concentrations of O_2 to support aerobic respiration. Here, we present a thermodynamic framework for the solubility of O2 in brines under Martian near-surface conditions. We find that modern Mars can support liquid environments with dissolved O_2 values ranging from ~2.5 × 10^(−6) mol m^(−3) to 2 mol m^(−3) across the planet, with particularly high concentrations in polar regions because of lower temperatures at higher latitudes promoting O_2 entry into brines. General circulation model simulations show that O_2 concentrations in near-surface environments vary both spatially and with time—the latter associated with secular changes in obliquity, or axial tilt. Even at the limits of the uncertainties, our findings suggest that there can be near-surface environments on Mars with sufficient O_2 available for aerobic microbes to breathe. Our findings may help to explain the formation of highly oxidized phases in Martian rocks observed with Mars rovers, and imply that opportunities for aerobic life may exist on modern Mars and on other planetary bodies with sources of O_2 independent of photosynthesis.
Choroid plexus genes for CSF production and brain homeostasis are altered in Alzheimer's disease.

The roles of the choroid plexus (CP) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production have drawn increasing attention in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. Specifically, studies document markedly decreased CSF production and turnover in moderate-to-severe AD. Moreover, reduced CP function and CSF turnover lead to impaired clearance of toxic metabolites, likely promote neuroinflammation, and may facilitate neuronal death during AD progression. We analyzed CP gene expression in AD compared with control subjects, specifically considering those genes involved with CSF production and CP structural integrity. The Brown-Merck Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (CP transcripts) was mined to examine changes in gene expression in AD compared to controls with a focus on assorted genes thought to play a role in CSF production. Specifically, genes coding for ion transporters in CP epithelium (CPE) and associated enzymes like Na–K-ATPase and carbonic anhydrase, aquaporins, mitochondrial transporters/enzymes, blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) stability proteins, and pro-inflammatory mediators were selected for investigation. Data were analyzed using t test p-value and fold-change analysis conducted by the GEO2R feature of the GEO database. Significant expression changes for several genes were observed in AD CP. These included disruptions to ion transporters (e.g., the solute carrier gene SLC4A5, p = 0.004) and associated enzyme expressions (e.g., carbonic anhydrase CA4, p = 0.0001), along with decreased expression of genes involved in BCSFB integrity (e.g., claudin CLDN5, p = 0.039) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis (e.g., adenosine triphosphate ATP5L, p = 0.0004). Together all changes point to disrupted solute transport at the blood–CSF interface in AD. Increased expression of pro-inflammatory (e.g., interleukin IL1RL1, p = 0.00001) and potential neurodegenerative genes (e.g., amyloid precursor APBA3, p = 0.002) also implicate disturbed CP function. Because the altered expression of numerous transcripts in AD-CP help explain decreased CSF production in AD, these findings represent a first step towards identifying novel therapeutic targets in AD.
An integrated platform for mucin-type O-glycosylation network generation and visualization

Mucin-type O-glycans have profound effects on the structure and stability of glycoproteins. O-Glycans on the cell surface proteins also modulate the cell's interactions with the surrounding environments and other cells. The synthetic pathway of O-glycans involves a large number of enzymes with diverse substrate specificity. The expression pattern of these enzymes is cell and tissue-specific, thus making the pathway highly diverse. To facilitate pathway analysis in a cell and tissue-specific fashion, we developed an integrated platform of RING (Rule Input Network Generator) and O-GlycoVis. RING uses an English-like reaction language to describe the substrate specificity of enzymes and additional constraints on the formation of the glycan products. Using this information, the RING generates a list of possible glycans, which is used as input into O-Glycovis. O-GlycoVis displays the glycan distribution in the pathway and potential reaction paths leading to each glycan. With the input glycan data, O-GlycoVis also traces all possible reaction paths leading to each glycan and outputs pathway maps with the relative abundance levels of glycans overlaid. O-Glycan profiles from two breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 and T47d, human umbilical vascular endothelium cells, Chinese Hamster Ovary cells were generated based on transcriptional data and compared with experimentally observed O-glycans. This RING-based program allows rules to be added or subtracted for network generation and visualization of networks of O-glycosylation network of different tissues and species.
Radiology Report Template Optimization at an Academic Medical Center

OBJECTIVE. Variability in reports of the same imaging study performed at the same institution may be confusing to referrers and patients, hindering results communication. The purpose of this study was to introduce a quality improvement initiative aimed at reducing variation in radiology report templates at a large academic center. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The quality improvement initiative was undertaken at a large multisite, multidivision academic radiology practice performing more than 820,000 radiologic examinations annually. A project charter defined the goals, scope, and personnel of the initiative and an escalation pathway for conflict resolution. Standard requirements for templates were initially developed. From September 2017 to May 2018, an oversight committee (24 organ system and modality-based work groups with representatives from nine subspecialty divisions) reviewed and harmonized all institutional radiology report templates across the enterprise irrespective of the imaging site or division that interpreted the study. The primary outcome measure was percentage reduction in report templates after harmonization. The secondary outcome measure was monthly adherence to harmonized templates for 9 months after implementation assessed by manual review of 40 randomly selected reports per month. The paired t test was used to assess template reduction, and the chi-square trend test was used to study trend in adherence to harmonized templates. RESULTS. Among 19,687 total templates at baseline, 597 harmonized templates remained after harmonization (p < 0.001). There was variation in template reduction by work group (multiple p < 0.05; reduction range, 79.2-99.3%). Radiologist adherence to harmonized templates ranged from 88.0% to 100%, unchanged in the 9 months after implementation (p = 0.23, chi-square trend). CONCLUSION. A radiology report harmonization initiative reduced 97.0% of report templates with a sustained high degree of adherence to harmonized templates after implementation at a large multisite multidivision academic radiology practice.
Photonics of Sub-Wavelength Nanowire Superlattices

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) have widely been studied as an ideal platform for developing electronic, photovoltaic, photonic devices and biological probes in the nanoscale. The ability to synthesize high-quality NWs of various materials with a precise control in shape, doping and crystal structure is the key to the growth of NW-based technologies. In the past decade, there has been growing interest in controllably creating NW heterojunctions and periodically-modulated superlattices (SLs) because it is expected to bring new functionalities that are not present in uniform NWs. In particular, the interaction of NW SLs with light has been one of the central interests because the diameter and modulation length scale are on the same order as the wavelength of light in the optical regime. Also, degenerately-doped semiconductor NWs exhibit localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs), which comprises unexpected long-range interactions when the plasmon resonators are regularly placed in NW SLs. In this review, I will summarize the recent progress in photonics research of NW SLs. The topics discussed include preparation and types of NW SLs, light-trapping and light-emission properties, and plasmonic optical- and thermal-transport properties.
Laparoscopic-Assisted Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement and Reduction in Operative Time and Total Hospital Charges.

Objective In ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement, distal placement of the peritoneal catheter will typically be performed by a neurosurgeon. More recently, laparoscopic-assisted (LA) placement of the distal peritoneal catheter by general surgeons has become common. The present study examined whether LA placement of a VPS (LAVPS) is associated with a reduced operative time, lower hospital costs, and fewer distal revisions. Methods A retrospective review was performed of the data from all patients who had received a new VPS at our institution from 2013 to 2016. Age, sex, diagnosis, previous abdominal surgery, operative time, anesthesia grade, incidence of 30-day shunt failure, and total hospital charges were analyzed. Results A total of 680 patients had undergone first-time VPS placement, including 199 with LAVPS and 481 with non–LAVPS placement (non-LAVPS). The mean age of the LAVPS patients was significantly older than that of the non-LAVPS patients (64.1 vs. 59.3 years; P = 0.002). The mean operative time was shorter in the LAVPS group than in the non-LAVPS group (55 vs. 75 minutes; P Conclusions Compared with non-LAVPS, LAVPS was associated with significantly shorter operative times and fewer distal shunt revisions within 30 days. The findings from a subset analysis supported a decrease in total hospital charges. Additional studies are needed; however, these data suggest that LAVPS is a safer, less-expensive alternative to non-LAVPS.
Learning Styles of Internal Medicine Residents and Association With the In-Training Examination Performance

Abstract Introduction Assessment of how medical residents learn and the impact on standardized test performance is important for effective training. Kolb's learning study inventory categorizes learning into accommodating, assimilating, converging and diverging based on the four stages of learning: active experimentation, abstract conceptualization, concrete experience and reflective observation. The American College of Physicians (ACP) Internal Medicine In-Training Examination (IM-ITE) has been shown to positively correlate with successful performance on clinical assessments and board certification. We sought to evaluate the association between the individual learning styles of IM residents and performance on the ACP IM-ITE. Methods The Kolb LSI questionnaire was administered to IM residents during the 2016/2017 academic year. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between residents preferred learning styles and performance on the ACP IM – ITE. Results 53 residents in the IM Residency Program of Morehouse School of Medicine completed the questionnaire. The predominant learning style was assimilating (49%), followed by converging (26%). There was no significant difference between the learning styles of residents when compared across gender, age, race, and PGY levels. Residents with a diverging learning style had the highest mean IM-ITE percentage score followed by assimilating and converging respectively (P = 0.14) Conclusions The predominant learning styles among our IM residents are assimilating and converging, which is consistent with previous studies. Residents with a diverging style of learning appeared to perform better on the IM-ITE. We suggest that future studies should evaluate the feasibility of integrating brainstorming and group work sessions into the IM residency teaching curriculum and the impact on academic performance.
A crime script analysis of transnational identity fraud: migrant offenders’ use of technology in South Korea

The study aims to better understand transnational identity fraud utilizing crime script analysis. Drawing upon the author’s ethnographic data from transnational identity fraud cases, analysis reveals how voice phishing crimes are planned and executed by Chinese criminals. The details and procedures of each crime are documented in a “crime script.” Using routine activity theory, as well as a migration-crime nexus, this research frames voice phishing (“vishing”) as a form of transnational identity fraud anchored at the intersection of technology and migration. Furthermore, crime script analysis offers a look into not only the processes and details of these crimes, as well as each phase of the offenders’ actions, but also provides insight into crime prevention strategies.
Transformations of cultural intimacy: An afterword

This Afterword provides an opportunity to consider the contribution of the assembled articles to our understanding of the expansion and exposure of culturally intimate information in the age of soc...
Abstract 13202: LncRNA-MAP3K4 Regulates Vascular Inflammation Through a P38 MAPK Signaling Pathway and Cis-modulation of MAP3K4

Introduction: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging regulators of biological processes in the vessel wall; however, their role in vascular inflammation remains poorly understood. Hypothesis: ...
Inverse Design Tool for Asymmetrical Self-Rising Surfaces with Color Texture

4D printing encodes self-actuating deformation during the printing process, such that objects can be fabricated flat and then transformed into target 3D shapes. While many flattening algorithms have been introduced for 4D printing, a general method customized for FDM (Fused-Deposition Modeling) printing method is lacking. In this work, we vary both the printing direction and local layer thickness; and extend the shape space to continuous-height-field surfaces without the requirement of symmetry. We introduce an end-to-end tool that enables an initially flat sheet to self-transform into the input height field. The tool first flattens the height field into a 2D layout with stress information using a geometry-based optimization algorithm, then computes printing tool paths with a path planning algorithm. Although FDM printing is the fabrication method in this work, our approach can be applied to most extrusion-based printing methods in theory. The results exemplify how the tool broadens the capabilities of 4D printing with an expanded shape space, a low-cost but precise coloring technique, and an intuitive design process.
Machine versus Human Attention in Deep Reinforcement Learning Tasks

Deep reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms are powerful tools for solving visuomotor decision tasks. However, the trained models are often difficult to interpret, because they are represented as end-to-end deep neural networks. In this paper, we shed light on the inner workings of such trained models by analyzing the pixels that they attend to during task execution, and comparing them with the pixels attended to by humans executing the same tasks. To this end, we investigate the following two questions that, to the best of our knowledge, have not been previously studied. 1) How similar are the visual features learned by RL agents and humans when performing the same task? and, 2) How do similarities and differences in these learned features explain RL agents' performance on these tasks? Specifically, we compare the saliency maps of RL agents against visual attention models of human experts when learning to play Atari games. Further, we analyze how hyperparameters of the deep RL algorithm affect the learned features and saliency maps of the trained agents. The insights provided by our results have the potential to inform novel algorithms for the purpose of closing the performance gap between human experts and deep RL agents.
The Routledge handbook of street culture, edited by Jeffrey Ian Ross: New York, NY, Routledge, 2021

In the aftermath of the 2011 Middle East uprisings, Saskia Sassen imagined a newly birthed “global street” emerging as a home for the powerless. The street is a space where the people’s defenseless...