cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proteomics of yeast telomerase identified Cdc48-Npl4-Ufd1 and Ufd4 as regulators of Est1 and telomere length

Almost 400 genes affect yeast telomere length, including Est1, which is critical for recruitment and activation of telomerase. Here we use mass spectrometry to identify novel telomerase regulators by their co-purification with the telomerase holoenzyme. In addition to all known subunits, over 100 proteins are telomerase associated, including all three subunits of the essential Cdc48-Npl4-Ufd1 complex as well as three E3 ubiquitin ligases. The Cdc48 complex is evolutionarily conserved and targets ubiquitinated proteins for degradation. Est1 levels are ∼40-fold higher in cells with reduced Cdc48, yet, paradoxically, telomeres are shorter. Furthermore, Est1 is ubiquitinated and its cell cycle-regulated abundance is lost in Cdc48-deficient cells. Deletion of the telomerase-associated E3 ligase, Ufd4, in cdc48-3 cells further increases Est1 abundance but suppresses the telomere length phenotype of the single mutant. These data argue that, in concert with Ufd4, the Cdc48 complex regulates telomerase by controlling the level and activity of Est1.
System specification for a DC community microgrid and living laboratory embedded in an urban environment

A community DC microgrid is proposed that is embedded within an urban neighborhood in an underserved community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This community microgrid will be a proving ground for residential DC power distribution and sharing of renewable energy resources between homes. The system will be built into existing homes that have been vacated as a result of a long period of economic recession in the area in such a way that homes can be occupied while their energy usage is being monitored and managed with in a non-invasive way. Renovated homes will either operate off of the 380Vdc or from the utility. The detached home garage for each home will be equipped with solar PV and battery energy storage with a lead home acting as substation that connects the microgrid into the larger utility through a 240Vac gateway connection. The homes will also be outfitted with readily available DC appliances so that a large portion of the home load can be directly fed from DC. In this environment living laboratories will be created that will enable participation of community members and students from a local STEM high school to become stakeholders in the operation of the community microgrid. The community microgrid will also demonstrate safe power distribution between homes using both wide band gap solid state circuit breakers. This aspect of the community microgrid will be a developmental environment for a protective system design that undergirds the entire system.
Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery (FIENS) Global Health and Neurosurgical Volunteerism

This is a short prospectus about the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery (FIENS). We would like to give general neurosurgery an idea about FIENS and the spirit of neurosurgical involvement in global health.
Absorption of Insecticides in Resistant and Susceptible House Flies

Absorption of DDT, dieldrin, diazinon, parathion, and carbaryl in resistant (Rutgers and Fc) and susceptible (CSMA) strains of Musca domestica L. was studied in adult females, larvae, and puparia. Absorption of all insecticides (except DDT in the Fc strain) in adult flies of the resistant strains was slower than the susceptible strain. In larval and puparial stages no consistent trend of absorption related to resistance was found. Absorption in the CSMA strain was found to be highest in the adult and lowest in the puparial stages.
How coronary patients respond to last rites.

The psychologic response to last rites was investigated in a study of 30 patients hospitalized with a tentative diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Only four responded negatively. How the sacrament is administered seems to be the most important accessible variable affecting anxiety. It was most helpful when it was personal and specifically reassuring, stressed the routine nature of the procedure, and made reference to healing and recovery.
Fostering College-Going Expectations of Immigrant Students Through the Sympathetic Touch of School Leadership

This article intends to support the efforts of administrators, teachers, and community activists to center race, equity, and anti-deficit perspectives within the practice of school leadership. By drawing upon methods of critical race studies, and Du Bois's 1935 concept of the sympathetic touch, the author provides examples of anti-deficit approaches to sympathetic leadership in a large, diverse high school in California. Through reflections and recollections upon this case study, the author underscores ways for school leaders to formulate the conditions for college-going expectations for low-income immigrant students. This retrospective account includes concrete leadership examples, political strategies, and scenarios to illuminate the relevance and utilities of the sympathetic touch in educational leadership. In effect, the article calls for school leaders to harness anti-deficit and anti-oppressive mindsets in the work of inclusion, equity, and social justice.
Inhibition of the growth of some hormone dependent tumors by D-Trp6-LH-RH.

We have investigated the effects of chronic administration of D-Trp6-LH-RH on the growth of various hormone dependent tumors in rats and mice. Treatment of male Copenhagen F-1 rats bearing the Dunning R-3327 H prostate adenocarcinoma with 25 μg of D-Trp6-LH-RH bid for 21 days significantly reduced tumor weight and volume as compared to controls. Serum LH, prolactin and testosterone levels in Copenhangen F-1 rats bearing Dunning tumors were significantly decreased after treatment with D-Trp6-LH-RH. Administration of D-Trp6-LH-RH in does of 25 μg/day for 21 days to mice bearing the MXT mammary carcinoma significantly decreased tumor weight and volume. In rats bearing the MT/W9A mammary adenocarcinoma, D-Trp6-LH-RH, at a dose of 25 μg bid for 28 days significantly decreased tumor weight and volume. Administration of D-Trp6-LH-RH in a dose of 25 μg/day, 3–18 days after inoculation with the tumor, inhibited the growth of the prolactin (PRL) and ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor 7315a in female Buffalo rats. In three experiments D-Trp6-LH-RH (30–60 μg/day) decreased tumor weight and/or volume of the Swarm chondrosarcoma. Regression of these hormone-dependent tumors in rats and mice in response to chronic administration of D-Trp6-LH-RH suggests that this compound can be used for treatment of prostate cancer and breast cancer, and also considered for the development of a new endocrine therapy for chondrosarcomas, osteosarcomas, pituitary tumors and other hormone-dependent neoplasias. The demonstration of the successful use of LH-RH agonsits for the palliative management of stage C and D prostate cancer has already shown that this treatment could be employed instead of surgical orchiectomy or estrogen therapy. Preliminary clinical trials suggest that agonists of LH-RH might also be of help in the treatment of breast cancer in premenopausal women.
Don’t Blink or You’ll Miss It: Issues in Electronic Mail Research

(1995). Don’t Blink or You’ll Miss It: Issues in Electronic Mail Research. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 18, Communication Yearbook 18, pp. 454-463.
Treatment Using Septic Tanks

Septic tanks and similar treatment units have a long history of development and use in the United States and worldwide. They are simple, robust, and reliable unit operations that can achieve advanced primary treatment. One or more septic tanks are commonly included as a first unit operation in decentralized systems. This chapter describes the principles and processes and considerations important during design and implementation of septic tanks used for advanced primary treatment within a decentralized system.
E-103 A Grading System for Assessing the Outcome of Treatment in Lymphatic Malformations

Purpose To develop a simple and reproducible grading system to assess the outcome of treatment for LM. Methods and technique The availability of noninvasive MRI imaging lends itself to a reliable and reproducible ability to compare pretreatment, during treatment and after treatment imaging, and the burden of disease that remains after treatment Materials 20 consecutive cases of H&N LM before and after treatment, was reviewed by 2 independent diagnostic neuroradiologists using our 7 points grading system 1: Complete disappearance 2: Significant near-complete disappearance. 3: Significant decrease in the residual malformation. 4: Decrease of the malformation at one region but increase in another area. 5: Decrease of the malformation but presence of a new area of noncystic changes 6: No change or minimal change. 7: Worsening of pretreatment imaging. Results Both scored the same on all 20 exams. Conclusion Our grading system is simple, and reproducible in LM throughout the body, permitting objective comparison between different treatments. Disclosures A. Berenstein: None.
In-Hospital Mortality in Cirrhotic Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Treated with Hemodialysis versus Peritoneal Dialysis: A Nationwide Study:

BackgroundCirrhotic patients often develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring renal replacement therapy in the form of hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Studies comparing the out...
Prevalence and significance of HMGA2 expression in oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Aims Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) tumorigenesis has been primarily linked to loss-of-function mutations in tumor suppressor genes. Knowledge of specific oncogenes that drive tumor progression, and their relationship to outcomes, is limited. High Mobility Group AT-Hook 2 (HMGA2) has been reported to be amplified in a subset of EACs, but the clinicopathologic and prognostic implications of HMGA2 expression in EAC is unknown. Methods and Results We performed HMGA2 immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) in EAC to determine its clinicopathologic and prognostic significance. Ninety-one primary EAC resections without neoadjuvant treatment were identified and immunohistochemistry for HMGA2 was performed. The presence or absence of nuclear staining was evaluated and correlated with predetermined clinicopathologic parameters and patient outcomes. A selected subset of tumors was subjected to FISH to identify alterations at the HMGA2 locus. HMGA2 expression was present in 25/91 (27.4%) tumors. HMGA2 expressing cells were present in solid, poorly differentiated areas of the tumors at the invasive front, or as single infiltrating cells. FISH showed that 3-4 copies of HMGA2 are frequently present in EAC irrespective of HMGA2 protein expression and that high level HMGA2 amplification is a rare event. HMGA2 expression was associated with numerous adverse clinicopathologic parameters including higher T- and N-stage, the presence of lymphovascular invasion, and with a worse recurrence free and overall survival. Conclusion Our data suggests that HMGA2 is primarily regulated in EAC through non-chromosomal level alterations that lead to increased HMGA2 expression. HMGA2 positive EAC correlates with adverse pathologic features and worse patient outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Strategic Innovation Through Business Intelligence

We show how Porter’s five forces that shape competitive strategies can be linked directly to long term profitability of industries, as measured by the return on invested capital. As the five forces framework has become a staple approach to strategic analysis, playing a key role in both business practices and academic studies, this quantitative linkage to profitability provides analysts a powerful tool to evaluate their business propositions based on their subjective rating of the competitive forces involved. Of even greater potential is the prospect of a systematic exercise to train managers in innovative strategies through business intelligence, by benchmarking businesses facing like forces outside of one’s industry, rather than conventional practices within one’s own.
Conflict Resolution in Africa

Chapter 7 examines the state of conflict resolution on the African Continent. It begins by summarizing the major models of conflict resolution that have been used to help terminate civil wars and undertake post-conflict peacebuilding on the continent. The chapter argues that while there has been some successes in the termination of civil wars, the post-conflict peacebuilding projects in the continent’s war-affected states has not addressed the underlying causes of the civil conflict and set these societies on the pathway to durable peace‚ and human centered democracy and development. The chapter places the blame for this shortcoming at the doorstep of the hegemonic liberal peacebuilding model that has been imposed by the suzerains of the global system led by the United States on post-conflict African states. Alternatively‚ the chapter suggests that the precondition for addressing the conflict that underpins the continent’s various civil wars is the democratic reconstitution of the state.
Modification of clinically short Locator abutments using laser welding.

Abstract As dental implants continue to survive longer, managing and maintaining implant prostheses can be complicated by the lack of compatible parts or the discontinuation of implant systems. This report describes a laser welding procedure for the management of clinically short Locator abutments (Zest Anchors Inc) that lacked a commercially available, compatible alternative.
Progesterone improves perinatal neuromotor outcomes in a mouse model of intrauterine inflammation via immunomodulation of the placenta.

To assess the fetal neuroprotective potential of progesterone using a well-validated mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intrauterine inflammation (IUI). Embryonic day 17 pregnant mouse dams (n = 69) were randomly allocated to receive 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC), micronized progesterone (MP), or vehicle 1 hour prior to intrauterine injection of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or LPS. After 6 hours, mice were killed for the collection of placentas and fetal brains, or pregnancy continued for the evaluation of preterm birth (PTB) and offspring neuromotor function. Placentas and fetal brains were analyzed by mini-mRNA array for 96 immune markers with individual confirmatory qPCR. Progesterone pre-treatment before LPS-induced IUI improved neuromotor tests in offspring at PND5 compared to no pre-treatment (P < .05). In placentas, 17-OHPC, but not MP, significantly reduced CXCL9 (P < .05) with a trend toward a lower level of CXCL10. In fetal brains, 17-OHPC significantly reduced CXCL9 compared to no pre-treatment (P < .05) and IL-1β compared to pre-treatment with MP (P < .01). Progesterone pre-treatment prior to LPS-induced IUI improved offspring neuromotor outcomes. 17-OHPC, but not MP, resulted in greater immunomodulation of T cell-mediated immunity in placenta and fetal brain, suggesting a possible mechanism for the observed neuroprotective effects.
Molecular Dynamics Investigation of the Role of Residues D137 and S315 to INH Binding in KatG

Isoniazid (INH) is a front-line anti tuberculosis drug that is activated in vivo by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) heme containing catalase-peroxidase (KatG) protein. A single mutation in this protein, S315T, is believed to be associated with up to 50% of drug- resistant cases of Mtb and another mutation D137S has recently been shown to exhibit increased INH activation. The present work uses molecular dynamics simulations and molecular modeling approaches to examine INH binding in the wild-type protein as well as the S315T and D137S mutants. The results suggest that INH binding to the heme site in the S315T mutant is restricted due to reduced access to the binding pocket. Conversely in the D137S mutant INH access to the binding pocket is enhanced especially with-regards- to the heme propionate groups. It is proposed that the increased activation of INH in the D137S mutant may be due to the involvement of an electron transfer pathway facilitated by the heme propionate groups.
Monitoring for change: the role of family and friends in helping older adults manage personal health information.

Objective Although family and friends (FF) often play a significant support role in the health of older adults (OA), we know little about their role in personal health information management (PHIM). To address this gap and inform the design of PHIM tools, we describe the work, needs, and barriers of FF in the context of PHIM for OAs. Methods We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 52 FF identified by OA as being important in their health and PHIM. We analyzed interview transcripts for themes about FF information work, barriers, and support needs. Results FF play a supportive role in OA health maintenance, medical encounters, decision making, and daily activities. Monitoring, the ongoing process of seeking information related to the OA status, emerged as a key activity comprised of 3 phases: detection, interpretation, and action. Barriers to monitoring included OA choices and constraints, FF constraints, and difficulty with technological tools, resources, health information exchange between providers, social network dynamics, and physical distance. Conclusions FF frequently monitor for change in OA well-being, seeking up-to-date information to facilitate support of OA PHIM. Health information technology tools designed for FF can support all phases of monitoring by providing: (1) timely and granular levels of access to OA health information as the OA ages; (2) tailored health education for FF that is based on OA clinical data; and (3) networking platforms that integrate delegation, volunteering, and relevant resources, along with tools to facilitate support of OA appointment calendars and medication management. Such tools could reduce the burden of PHIM for OA and their loved ones.
Editorial: ITET: A Venue for Mentoring and Sponsoring Graduate Students in the Digital Age

When I started ITET, one of the major goals I had in mind was to create a graduate student friendly journal. 'Friendly,' in this sense, meant an editorial staff working closely with students to turn their distinguished term papers into publishable, quality manuscripts. Why is this a 'friendly' approach for graduate students? More than ever, today's graduate students need quality mentorship in writing, in scholarship, and in publishing. Our intention at ITET is obviously not to fill a void in all aspects of mentorship and sponsorship but to help students gain some exposure to academic publishing and amass more experience in writing research papers while they grow as scholars. DOI:10.2458/azu_itet_v6i1_czerkawski
Experimental Studies of Multiphonon IR Absorption

The temperature dependence of multiphonon absorption in NaF was measured and analyzed in terms of phonon occupation numbers. This procedure allows to decompose the exponential reststrahl absorption wing into N-phonon spectra (N = 2 ... 5) with considerable structure. The latter coincides with phonon combinations with particularly large densities of states. Comparison with data on KBr, NaCl, and LiF demonstrates the influence of zero point motion on the magnitude of multiphonon absorption.
Distribution and potential impact of boat noise on fish sound production from an autonomous acoustic array in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Numerous species of soniferous fish, such as Epinephelus morio (red grouper) and Opsanus beta (gulf toadfish), have been recorded in the Gulf of Mexico off west-central Florida. These waters are also used by vessels ranging from small recreational craft to large commercial ships. The low-frequency (50- to 6,000-Hz) sounds produced by vessels can mask the low-frequency (50- to 500-Hz) sounds produced by fishes (Bradbury and Vehrencamp 1998; Webb et al. 2007). Communication ranges for fish may thus be impacted. Therefore, the spatial and temporal patterns of both boat noise and fish sounds are an important consideration to understand the potential impact of boat noise on fish communication.
Tissue Ingrowth: The Mesh–Tissue Interface: What Do We Know So Far?

This chapter will focus in the interactions of prosthetic mesh material with the host tissues in the dynamics of hernia surgery. The prosthetic materials we implant in patients during a hernia repair are not inert to the body’s immune response. The base material composition and three-dimensional macrostructure of the mesh impacts the body’s response. Inadequate mesh fixation can result from inadequate technique or inadequate adherence of the mesh to the abdominal wall. Therefore, mesh used for hernia repairs requires the ability to incite great and durable tissue ingrowth. The focus of this chapter is to provide an updated literature review on the concept of fibrous ingrowth, also known as tissue ingrowth, as it relates to the human body’s ability to incorporate an implanted mesh. Future improvement in hernia outcomes will depend on a better understanding of how the patient, the surgical technique, and the mesh materials each impact each other in collaboration.
AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SOLAR ENERGY ALTERNATIVES

ABSTRACT The economic feasibility of utilizing solar, wind and geothermal energy for electric power at a site in Hobbs, New Mexico is assessed for various construction dates (through 1995), discount rates, and scenarios. Wind and geothermal energy were rapidly eliminated for economic and geologic reasons and are not discussed in this paper. Seven central station solar electric options remained for more detailed analysis. Four traditional electrical generating options (nuclear, oil, gas and coal) were introduced into the analysis to provide an economic standard against which the costs of the seven central station solar options could be compared. Mass production, optimal scale of production and compliance with environmental laws were used for costing each of the solar and non-solar electrical options. Annualized, discounted, busbar costs in mills/KWH were computed for each option. Costs of energy storage and electrical distribution were not considered. Both the methodology used and the results obtained are discussed. This research was funded by a grant from the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration [1].
Potassium Superoxide: A Unique Alternative for Metal–Air Batteries

ConspectusLithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries have been envisaged and pursued as the long-term successor to Li-ion batteries, due to the highest theoretical energy density among all known battery chemistries. However, their practical application is hindered by low energy efficiency, sluggish kinetics, and a reliance on catalysts for the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER). In a superoxide battery, oxygen is also used as the cathodic active medium but is reduced only to superoxide (O2•–), the anion formed by adding an electron to a diatomic oxygen molecule. Therefore, O2/O2•– is a unique single-electron ORR/OER process. Since the introduction of K–O2 batteries by our group in 2013, superoxide batteries based on potassium superoxide (KO2) have attracted increasing interest as promising energy storage devices due to their significantly lower overpotentials and costs.We have selected potassium for building the superoxide battery because it is the lightest alkali metal cation to form the thermodyna...
Dietary Early Glycation Products Promote the Growth of Prostate Tumors More than Advanced Glycation End-Products through Modulation of Macrophage Polarization.

Scope Glycation products are ubiquitous in food at high concentrations in the Western diet. The well-controlled glycation resulting in the production of early glycation products (EGPs) has been proposed as a strategy to improve the physicochemical properties of food proteins. However, the health effects of EGPs are unknown. It has been shown that the Western diet (glycation prone) is associated with a higher mortality in prostate cancer (PCa) patients than the prudent diet; therefore, the role of EGPs in prostate tumorigenesis is investigated. Methods and results C57BL/6 male mice are treated with the vehicle (water), non-reacted samples, EGPs, and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) by gavage. EGPs (600 mg kg-1 body weight per day) promoted the growth of subcutaneously transplanted TRAMP-C2 PCa cells the most among these groups. Significantly, increases in the circulation monocytes and tumor-associated M2 macrophages are observed in EGP-treated mice, and the M2/M1 ratio is also increased in the EGP group when compared to that of water and AGEs. In the human PCa cell and macrophage co-cultures, EGPs increase the spheroid size, and importantly, macrophages are also polarized toward M2. Conclusions EGPs induce the proliferation of PCa cells either directly or by assisting PCa cells to polarize macrophages toward M2.
Primary Exchange of Heart Mate II Comes with Less Mortality/Treatment Failure within Six Months Than Eptifibatide Treatment

Purpose We compared those who got a VAD exchange primarily vs those who got eptifibatide treatment to establish which strategy was most beneficial in avoiding the primary endpoint of death or re-thrombosis Methods In a retrospective cohort study of patients with primary pump thrombosis (n=52), split into those that received an initial pump exchange (n=16) vs those who were treated with eptafibatide (n=36) a survival analysis was performed with the primary combined endpoint of death or new pump thrombosis at six months. The Kaplan-Meier curves created were tested for significant differences with a log-rank test. Univariate analysis of background parameters was performed between cohorts and relevant factors were built in a multiple logistic regression analysis to identify important predictors of the primary endpoint Results Although the Eptafibatide treatment was successful in 40% of the cases in avoiding death or the need for re-addressing pump-thrombosis a primary change of the pump was successful in about 80 % (p= 0.021) of the cases at six months. The frequency of major bleeds was also higher in the eptifibatide group (37.5% vs 52.8%; p=0.009) Conclusion Patients with a significant VAD thrombosis are better served with a primary pump exchange than eptifibatide treatment.
Cultural Humility with Religious and Spiritually Diverse Women of Color Clients: A Psychometric Analysis:

Cultural humility, as part of a therapist’s multicultural orientation, can help facilitate a strong working alliance with clients across diverse cultural backgrounds. Given that little research has...
Manual stabilization reveals a transient role for balance control during locomotor adaptation

Abstract A fundamental feature of human locomotor control is the need to adapt our walking pattern in response to changes in the environment. For example, when people walk on a split-belt treadmill which has belts that move at different speeds, they adapt to the asymmetric speed constraints by reducing their spatiotemporal asymmetry. Here, we aim to understand the role of stability as a potential factor driving this adaptation process. We recruited 24 healthy, young adults to adapt to walking on a split-belt treadmill while either holding on to a handrail or walking with free arm swing. We measured whole-body angular momentum and step length asymmetry as measures of dynamic balance and spatiotemporal asymmetry, respectively. To understand how changes in intersegmental coordination influenced measures of dynamic balance, we also measured segmental angular momenta and the coefficient of limb cancellation. When participants were initially exposed to the asymmetry in belt speeds, we observed an increase in whole-body angular momentum that was due to both an increase in the momentum of individual limb segments and a reduction in limb cancellation. Holding on to a handrail reduced the perturbation to asymmetry during the early phase of adaptation and resulted in a smaller after-effect during post-adaptation. In addition, the stabilization provided by holding on to a handrail led to reductions in the coupling between angular momentum and asymmetry. These results suggest that regulation of dynamic balance is most important during the initial, transient phase of adaptation to walking on a split-belt treadmill. Summary Statement Regulation of balance exhibits a transient effect on adaptation to imposed asymmetries during bipedal walking. External stabilization attenuates initial deviations in spatiotemporal asymmetry but has no effect on subsequent adaptation.
Eportfolios on the Job: The Use of Assessment Eportfolios in the Business and Technical Communication Job Market.

Instructors and administrators in business and technical communication (BTC) programs argue that assessment eportfolios can play a vital role in the success of BTC graduates on the job market. This...
Fabricating Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate Thin Films with Sub-Micrometer Fundamental Period

We present sub-micrometer periodic poling of ion-sliced x-cut magnesium oxide doped lithium niobate thin films. The poled domains are characterized by piezoresponse force microscopy. A fundamental period of 776 nm is achieved.
Learning of skilled movements via imitation in ASD

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) consists of altered performance of a range of skills, including social/communicative and motor skills. It is unclear whether this altered performance results from atypical acquisition or learning of the skills or from atypical "online" performance of the skills. Atypicalities of skilled actions that require both motor and cognitive resources, such as abnormal gesturing, are highly prevalent in ASD and are easier to study in a laboratory context than are social/communicative skills. Imitation has long been known to be impaired in ASD; because learning via imitation is a prime method by which humans acquire skills, we tested the hypothesis that children with ASD show alterations in learning novel gestures via imitation. Eighteen participants with ASD and IQ > 80, ages 8-12.9 years, and 19 typically developing peers performed a task in which they watched a video of a model performing a novel, meaningless arm/hand gesture and copied the gesture. Each gesture video/copy sequence was repeated 4-6 times. Eight gestures were analyzed. Examination of learning trajectories revealed that while children with ASD made nearly as much progress in learning from repetition 1 to repetition 4, the shape of the learning curves differed. Causal modeling demonstrated the shape of the learning curve influenced both the performance of overlearned gestures and autism severity, suggesting that it is in the index of learning mechanisms relevant both to motor skills and to autism core features. Autism Res 2020, 13: 777-784.. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Imitation is a route by which humans learn a wide range of skills, naturally and in therapies. Imitation is known to be altered in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but learning via imitation has not been rigorously examined. We found that the shape of the learning curve is altered in ASD, in a way that has a significant impact both on measures of autism severity and of other motor skills.
Molecular mechanisms of actions of interleukin-6 on the brain, with special reference to serotonin and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis

Biological activities of the multifunctional cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6) include stimulation of B cell proliferation, immunoglobulin production, and initiation of the acute-phase response. IL-6 affects the CNS in that it activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and increases brain tryptophan and serotonin metabolism. IL-6 has been proposed as an important mediator of interaction between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. The peripheral and central effects of IL-6 are presumably mediated through its membrane receptor (IL-6R). IL-6, IL-6R and their respective mRNAs have been detected in several brain regions. Although the functions of cytokines overlap considerably, each displays its own characteristic properties. Expression of IL-6 in the brain has been observed in several CNS disorders, some of which have been associated with disorders of serotonin metabolism. It is proposed that interactions between IL-6 and brain serotonin is a complex process which involves corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and opioid peptides. It is likely that the molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of IL-6 on the HPA axis and its other brain functions involve the integrated effects of glutamate, Ca2+, 3′,5′-cyclic AMP, protein kinase C, and other metabolic pathways.
An analysis of the characteristics of imported malaria in Shidian, Yunnan from 1996 to 2005.

From 1996 to 2005,1 736 cases of malaria have been reported in Shidian,Yunnan Province;of these,1 685 cases,or 97.06%,were of an imported illness.These cases were located in 15 towns or townships and 126 villages.According to the survey,1 628 patients were from 8 to 50 years of age,accounting for 96.62% of cases.Of the patients,1 548 were male,accounting for 91.87%,1 568 were individuals returning from Myanmar,accounting for 93.06%.Of the cases,1 388 were vivax malaria,accounting for 82.37%,247 were falciparum malaria,accounting for 14.58%,and 50 were of an unknown sub-type,accounting for 2.97%.Therefore,dissemination of information on malaria prevention to migrant workers should be enhanced and doctors should receive enhanced training in malaria examinations and diagnostic techniques.Enhanced control and surveillance of imported malaria should be emphasized in future preventive efforts by Shidian.
Discrimination Is Associated with Elevated Cardiovascular Disease Risk among African Immigrants in the African Immigrant Health Study.

Background: African Americans and other persons of African descent in the United States are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Discrimi­nation is associated with higher CVD risk among US adults; however, this relationship is unknown among African immigrants. Objective: To examine the associations among discrimination, resilience, and CVD risk in African immigrants. Methods: The African Immigrant Health Study was a cross-sectional study of African immigrants in Baltimore-Washington, DC, with recruitment and data collection taking place between June 2017 and April 2019. The main outcome was elevated CVD risk, the presence of ≥3 CVD risk factors includ­ing hypertension, diabetes, high choles­terol, overweight/obesity, tobacco use, and poor diet. The secondary outcomes were these six individual CVD risk factors. The exposure was discrimination measured with the Everyday Discrimination Scale; summed scores ≥2 on each item indicated frequent experiences of discrimination. Resilience was assessed with the 10-item Connor- Davidson resilience scale. Logistic regression was used to examine the odds of elevated CVD risk, adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: We included 342 participants; 61% were females. The mean (±SD) age was 47(±11) years, 61% had at least a bachelor’s degree, 18% had an income <$40,000, and 49% had lived in the US ≥15 years. Persons with frequent experi­ences of discrimination were 1.82 times (95%CI: 1.04–3.21) more likely to have elevated CVD risk than those with fewer experiences. Resilience did not moderate the relationship between CVD risk and discrimination. Conclusion: African immigrants with frequent experiences of discrimination were more likely to have elevated CVD risk. Tar­geted and culturally appropriate interven­tions are needed to reduce the high burden of CVD risk in this population. Health care providers should be aware of discrimina­tion as a meaningful social determinant of CVD risk. At the societal level, policies and laws are needed to reduce the occurrence of discrimination among African immi­grants and racial/ethnic minorities. Ethn Dis. 2020;30(4):651-660;doi:10.18865/ed.30.4.651
Outcomes of Sleeve Gastrectomy at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Introduction: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity while improving comorbid conditions and decreasing mortality rates. The purpose of this analysis was to identify the pred...
Saccade vigor partly reflects the subjective economic value of the visual stimulus

Decisions are made based on the subjective value that the brain assigns to options. However, subjective value is a mathematical construct that cannot be measured directly, but rather inferred from choices. Recent results have demonstrated that reaction time and velocity of movements are modulated by reward, raising the possibility that there is a link between how the brain evaluates an option, and how it controls movements toward that option. Here, we asked people to choose among risky options represented by abstract stimuli, some associated with gain, others with loss. From their choices in decision trials we estimated the subjective value that they assigned to each stimulus. In probe trials, they were presented with a single stimulus at center and made a saccade to a peripheral location. We found that the reaction time and peak velocity of that saccade varied roughly linearly from loss to gain with the subjective value of the stimulus. Naturally, participants differed in how much they valued a given stimulus. Remarkably, those who valued a stimulus more, as evidenced by their choices in decision trials, tended to move with greater vigor in response to that stimulus in probe trials. Thus, saccade vigor partly reflected the subjective value that the brain assigned the stimulus. However, the influence of subjective value on vigor was only a modest predictor of preference: vigor in probe trials allowed us to predict choice in decision trials with roughly 60% accuracy.
Characterizing Pain and Generalized Sensory Sensitivity According to Trauma History Among Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background Childhood trauma and adversity have been linked to chronic pain and pain sensitivity, particularly centralized pain. Yet, there remain numerous gaps in our understanding of this link. Purpose We explored the association between nonviolent and violent childhood trauma and a component of centralized pain (i.e., generalized sensory sensitivity) and pain sensitivity using self-report measures of centralized pain and quantitative sensory testing (QST). Methods Patients scheduled for a total knee arthroplasty (n = 129) completed questionnaires and QST prior to surgery. Results We found that self-report measures of centralized pain (i.e., widespread pain, somatic awareness, and sensory sensitivity) displayed a graded relationship across trauma groups, with patients with a history of violent trauma reporting the highest scores. Univariable multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that higher sensory sensitivity was associated with increased risk of being in the nonviolent trauma group compared to the no trauma group. Furthermore, higher widespread pain, higher somatic awareness, and higher sensory sensitivity distinguished the violent trauma group from the no trauma group. In multivariable analyses, sensory sensitivity is uniquely distinguished between the violent trauma group and the no trauma group. QST did not distinguish between groups. Conclusions The findings highlight the need for future research and interventions that reduce sensory sensitivity for chronic pain patients with a history of violent childhood trauma.
Comparison of Beef Cattle Grazing Management Practices and their Effects on Runoff Water Quality in Louisiana

Management-intensive grazing (MIG) allows better use of grazed forage crops with short-duration grazing in small paddocks and with this study; the water quality was compared for two grazing management methods. Year-round grazing with MIG and continuous stocking (CS) were compared. Four 0.81-ha plots for two replications of the grazing systems were established. Twenty 0.04 ha (0.1 ac) paddocks, established with power fencing, allowed daily cattle rotation in MIG system. Continuous grazing and MIG used the same stocking rate on each experimental plot (0.81 ha). Each year, two crossbredbeef (Bos taurus) heifers (390 kg Â±12 kg; 12-14 mo at start) were maintained on each plot year-around for 3 yr, with additional yearling heifers added to maintain similarforage availability between stocking methods.Common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L] Pers.) was grazed in summer and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was over-seeded into the sod during October for winter and spring grazing. Forage mass was determined monthly and available forage dry matter (DM) was maintained at approximately 1120 kg DM ha-1 Runoff water samples were collected during 42 rainfall events from May 2001 through March 2004. No significant treatment differences (P > 0.10) were found in most of the water quality parameters. Runoff as a percentage of the 3-yr average annual rainfall of 1869 mm was 34% for MIG and 42% CS. The average flow-weightedconcentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) varied from 5.08 mg P Lâ€“1 (ppm) to 8.22 mg P Lâ€“ 1 (ppm) while the NH+4â€“N ranged from 1.07 mg N Lâ€“1 (ppm) in year one to 10.11 mg N Lâ€“1 (ppm) for the second year (P < 0.05) for year effect. Total annual average forage production was greater (P < 0.05) in the MIG compared to CS with19,796 kg ha-1 for MIG vs. 16,964 kg ha-1 for CS. Beef production also increased with the MIG system with an annual total beef gain from MIG at 422 kg ha-1 y-1 vs. CS at 330 kg ha-1 yr-1.
Multiresolution clustering analysis for efficient modeling of hierarchical material systems

Direct representation of material microstructure in a macroscale simulation is prohibitively expensive, if even possible, with current methods. However, the information contained in such a representation is highly desirable for tasks such as material/alloy design and manufacturing process control. In this paper, a mechanistic machine learning framework is developed for fast multiscale analysis of material response and structure performance. The new capabilities stem from three major factors: (1) the use of an unsupervised learning (clustering)-based discretization to achieve significant order reduction at both macroscale and microscale; (2) the generation of a database of interaction tensors among discretized material regions; (3) concurrent multiscale response prediction to solve the mechanistic equations. These factors allow for an orders-of-magnitude decrease in the computational expense compared to FEn, n $$\ge $$ 2. This method provides sufficiently high fidelity and speed to reasonably conduct inverse modeling for the challenging tasks mentioned above.
Epilepsy: A Clinical Overview.

Abstract The diagnosis and treatment of seizures and epilepsy is a common task of the physician. Approximately 1 in 10 people will have a seizure during their lifetime. Epilepsy is the tendency to have unprovoked seizures. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder and affects 1 in 26 people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide. Evaluation of a patient presenting with a seizure involves excluding an underlying neurologic or medical condition, classifying the seizure type and determining if the patient has epilepsy. Proper treatment requires accurate diagnosis of the epilepsy type and syndrome and use of a medication that is effective and without adverse effects. Most patients can achieve complete seizure control with medication, but if medication is unsuccessful, surgical treatment can be an option. Special situations in the care of people with epilepsy include status epilepticus, women with epilepsy, the older adult, and safety issues.
Paulo Freire y los cincuenta años de la Pedagogía del oprimido

espanolEl presente articulo trata de mostrar la faceta humana, de compromiso social y de principios de Paulo freire, uno de los mas grandes pedagogos del siglo XX. De la misma forma, se elabora una breve sintesis de su principal obra: “Pedagogia del oprimido”. Su pensamiento y obra, al igual que su metodologia continuan vigentes. Sus ideas y metodo siguen siendo estudiadas y llevadas a la practica en los cinco continentes. Es objetivo de este trabajo que se conozca mas a este gran maestro de la pedagogia estudiado por muchos educadores y los mas variados intelectuales del mundo. La mencionada obra ha sido traducida a mas de una veintena de idiomas y es, sin lugar a duda, la mas leida en el area de la educacion. Igualmente, es tambien un modesto tributo al autor por los primeros cincuenta anos de la publicacion en espanol del libro aludido. EnglishThis article aims to show the human centered, social commitment and principles of Paulo Freire, one of the greatest pedagogues of the 20th century. As also a brief synthesis of his main work: "Pedagogy of the oppressed." His work, as well as his methodology, are still valid. His ideas and method continue to be studied and put into practice on the five continents. It is the objective of this work that this great teacher of pedagogy, studied by many educators and the most varied intellectuals in the world, is better known. The aforementioned work has been translated into more than twenty languages and is, without a doubt, the most widely read in the area of education. Likewise, it is also a modest tribute to the author for fiftieth aniversary of the publication in Spanish of the previously mentioned book. portuguesO presente artigo trata de mostrar a faceta humana, de compromisso social e dos principios de Paulo Freire, um dos maiores pedagogos do seculo XX. Da mesma forma, se elabora uma breve sintese de sua principal obra: “Pedagogia do oprimido”. Seu pensamento e obra, tal como sua metodologia, continuam vigentes. Suas ideias e metodo seguem sendo estudadas e praticadas nos cinco continentes. E objetivo deste trabalho que se conheca mais este grande mestre da pedagogia estudado por muitos educadores e pelos mais variados intelectuais do mundo. A mencionada obra foi traduzida a mais de vinte idiomas e e, sem duvida, a mais lida na area da educacao. Igualmente, e tambem um modesto tributo ao autor pelos primeiros cinquenta anos da publicacao em espanhol do livro aludido.
Rethinking Rethinking the Good

This article discusses many issues raised by Munoz-Darde, Katz, Ross, and Kagan. In doing this, I accept many of their claims, but reject others. I contend that the Essentially Comparative View can make genuine comparisons, deny that a contractualist approach helps with my book’s puzzles, and grant that my book’s central results are difficult to comprehend. I note important differences between economists’s impossibility results and my own, but accept that they may illuminate each other, using Sen’s Paradox of the Paretian Liberal to illustrate this. I consider my work’s implications for the Sorites Paradox, as well as famous deontological cases. I also significantly reassess the Narrow Person-Affecting View, and some of my responses to Parfit and Broome. Finally, I stress my book’s many arguments challenging the Axioms of Transitivity, the high costs of retaining such axioms, and the importance of not prematurely choosing between highly plausible views that are inconsistent.
Interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 compromise the sinonasal epithelial barrier and perturb intercellular junction protein expression.

Introduction Altered expression of epithelial intercellular junction proteins has been observed in sinonasal biopsies from nasal polyps and epithelial layers cultured from nasal polyp patients. These alterations comprise a “leaky” epithelial barrier phenotype. We hypothesize that Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 modulate epithelial junction proteins thereby contributing to the leaky epithelial barrier.