cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Burden of Medical Debt Faced by Households with Dependent Children in the United States: Implications for the Affordable Care Act of 2010

This paper examines the relationship between the number of dependent children and medical debt outcomes. Results show that the presence of dependent children in the household increased the probability of having any medical debt by 8 % for “high” financial burden households, 4 % for households at the 50th percentile of the income distribution and 3 % for privately insured households. The amount of medical debt by households at the 75th percentile of the income distribution was also increased. These findings show that the number of dependent children in the household was associated with medical debt for households in the middle of the income distribution. These results may be explained by the fact that those households at the lower tail of the income distribution are more likely to have public coverage, which tends to have lower cost sharing compared to those with private insurance.
Chemical Protein Ubiquitylation with Preservation of the Native Cysteine Residues

We report a cysteine-based ligation strategy for generating a monoubiquitylated protein while preserving the native cysteine residues on the acceptor protein. In monoubiquitylation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) this method circumvents the need to mutate the native cysteine residues on PCNA. The chemically ubiquitylated PCNA contains a noncleavable linkage of the same length as the native isopeptide linkage. It also retains the normal function of the native Ub-PCNA in stimulating the ATPase activity of replication factor C (RFC) and lesion bypass synthesis by Polη. This method may be adapted for chemical ubiquitylation of other proteins and for site-specific modification of a target protein at a specific site through sulfhydryl chemistry.
Analysis of the Causes and Significance of the theological aesthetics thoughts in the 20th Century

The paper starts from the historical and theoretical angles to analyze the causes and significance of the appearance of theological aesthetics in the 20th century.
Clinical impact of appropriate use of antibiotic in hospital according to CARAT criteria

In response to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, leading to increasing bacterial resistance and the decreasing development of new antibiotics, the Council for Appropriate and Rational Antibiotic Therapy (an independent, interdisciplinary panel of healthcare professionals established to advocate the appropriate use of antibiotics) has developed criteria to guide proper antibiotic selection. These criteria include: establishment of a need to justify use of antibiotics (e.g., colonization versus disease); evidence-based results; therapeutic benefits; safety; use of pharmacodynamic indices for optimal drug and optimal duration; cost-effectiveness. Promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics should provide for optimal outcomes for our patients.
Nanometer-Thick Gold on Silicon as a Proxy for Single-Crystal Gold for the Electrodeposition of Epitaxial Cuprous Oxide Thin Films

Single-crystal Au is an excellent substrate for electrochemical epitaxial growth due to its chemical inertness, but the high cost of bulk Au single crystals prohibits their use in practical applications. Here, we show that ultrathin epitaxial films of Au electrodeposited onto Si(111), Si(100), and Si(110) wafers can serve as an inexpensive proxy for bulk single-crystal Au for the deposition of epitaxial films of cuprous oxide (Cu2O). The Au films range in thickness from 7.7 nm for a film deposited for 5 min to 28.3 nm for a film deposited for 30 min. The film thicknesses are measured by low-angle X-ray reflectivity and X-ray Laue oscillations. High-resolution TEM shows that there is not an interfacial SiOx layer between the Si and Au. The Au films deposited on the Si(111) substrates are smoother and have lower mosaic spread than those deposited onto Si(100) and Si(110). The mosaic spread of the Au(111) layer on Si(111) is only 0.15° for a 28.3 nm thick film. Au films deposited onto degenerate Si(111) exhi...
Sprouty2 Protein Regulates Hypoxia-inducible Factor-α (HIFα) Protein Levels and Transcription of HIFα-responsive Genes

The α-subunits of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF1α and HIF2α) promote transcription of genes that regulate glycolysis and cell survival and growth. Sprouty2 (Spry2) is a modulator of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and inhibits cell proliferation by a number of different mechanisms. Because of the seemingly opposite actions of HIFα subunits and Spry2 on cellular processes, we investigated whether Spry2 regulates the levels of HIF1α and HIF2α proteins. In cell lines from different types of tumors in which the decreased protein levels of Spry2 have been associated with poor prognosis, silencing of Spry2 elevated HIF1α protein levels. Increases in HIF1α and HIF2α protein levels due to silencing of Spry2 also up-regulated HIFα target genes. Using HIF1α as a prototype, we show that Spry2 decreases HIF1α stability and enhances the ubiquitylation of HIF1α by a von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL)-dependent mechanism. Spry2 also exists in a complex with HIF1α. Because Spry2 can also associate with pVHL, using a mutant form of Spry2 (3P/3A-Spry2) that binds HIF1α, but not pVHL, we show that WT-Spry2, but not the 3P/3A-Spry2 decreases HIF1α protein levels. In accordance, expression of WT-Spry2, but not 3P/3A-Spry2 results in a decrease in HIF1α-sensitive glucose uptake. Together our data suggest that Spry2 acts as a scaffold to bring more pVHL/associated E3 ligase in proximity of HIF1α and increase its ubiquitylation and degradation. This represents a novel action for Spry2 in modulating biological processes regulated by HIFα subunits.
Integrability of Multivariable Functions

It is time to turn our attention to integrals. As is our habit, we will define them by analogy to the single-variable case. Also, we will organize the material as we did with derivatives. In the earlier chapters, we separated the definitions of differentiability and derivatives from discussion of their properties. We will do similarly with integrals, covering integrability in this chapter and properties of integrals in the next.
The i486 microprocessor integrated cache and bus interface

The Intel i486 microprocessor includes an integrated 8-kB combined instruction and data cache. The cache, how its parameters were determined, how it fits into the i486 microprocessor pipeline, and the implications of the integrated cache on the i486 microprocessor bus interface are described. The cache must provide software-transparent memory consistency, in addition to supporting self-modifying code. The first cache parameter that needs to be determined is the cache size. The larger the cache in the system, the higher the hit ratio, and therefore the greater the performance improvement in the system. With the cache size set, the next parameter to set is the line size. The line size is the amount of information placed into the cache whenever a cache miss occurs. Previous cache studies show that longer cache lines produce greater hit ratios at the expense of larger miss penalties. The tradeoff between these two figures for optimal performance is heavily dependent on the nature of the memory-to-cache interface. The next cache parameter to be set is the associativity of the cache. The associativity determines the number of places a particular memory location can be placed in the cache. With the nature of the bus defined, the parameters chosen for the cache organization were evaluated. >
Conversation and Understanding

Walhof argues that the possibility of understanding in dialogue reorients our views of democratic discourse and reveals the potential for forging common ground even in divisive political contexts. He uses Gadamer’s analysis of conversation to show that theorists of deliberative democracy are simultaneously too optimistic and too pessimistic: they are too optimistic about the epistemic capacities of democratic citizens, and they are too pessimistic about the potential of dialogue for forging common ground. A Gadamerian approach instead highlights the vital necessity of a political culture of face-to-face dialogue, in which citizens and especially political leaders engage with each other about public problems in ways attuned to the possibility of free responses from others.
Using Solution-Focused Dramatic Empathy Training to Eliminate Cyber-Bullying

Cyber-bullying has become an unfortunate reality suffered by thousands of students and appears to have become part of the landscape of adolescent communication patterns. This article describes the ...
Consultative Medicine and Co-management

The culture of medical consultation has evolved over the years to keep pace with the changing health care climate. As the hospital medicine movement has grown, hospitalists are poised to be the primary providers of inpatient general medical consultation. Hospitalists may be called upon to provide traditional consultative care to admitted patients on surgical and other services. More and more commonly, hospitalists participate in co-management relationships, wherein they share the primary care of a patient with a surgeon. Certain practices, including clear and professional verbal and written communication, are likely to make medical consultations and co-management more successful and are discussed here.
RBC Histogram Predictive of HE.

Hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) encompasses a family of inherited erythrocyte disorders characterized by red blood cells with an oval, elongated shape. Diagnosis is most commonly made upon peripheral smear examination. Although the disorder is usually clinically silent, these patients may have some degree of chronic hemolysis that may necessitate splenectomy on occasion. We report a consistent finding in HE common to most electronic cell counters. The red blood cell histogram reliably has a two to three millimeter elevation above baseline at the extreme left of the graph. This “foot” on the histogram is predictive of possible red blood cell elliptocytes. Please see example.
Measurement of the neutron-induced fission cross section of /sup 232/Th relative to /sup 235/U from 0. 7 to 30 MeV

We have measured the fission cross-section ratio 232Th:235U as a function of neutron energy from 0.7 to 30 MeV using ionization fission chambers, the threshold cross-section method, and the time-of...
How to Image the Dilated Right Ventricle

A 32-year-old man presented to his local emergency department with a sudden onset of palpitations and was found to be in atrial flutter at a ventricular rate of 145 bpm. He spontaneously converted to sinus rhythm in the emergency department. In sinus rhythm, he was asymptomatic, and his physical examination demonstrated no jugular venous distention, a fixed split second heart sound, and a I/VI early peaking systolic ejection murmur loudest over the left upper sternal border. His ECG demonstrated sinus rhythm with an incomplete right bundle branch block. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) was performed to assess for structural heart disease given his episode of atrial flutter, physical examination, and ECG findings. His TTE demonstrated a moderately dilated right ventricle (RV) based on qualitative assessment (Figure 1). Once a dilated RV was identified, the rest of the echocardiographic examination paid particular attention to identifying causes for his RV dilation (Table 1). There was evidence of RV volume overload with no evidence of RV pressure overload (Figure 2). No obvious cause for RV volume loading was identified with structurally normal right-sided valves, only mild tricuspid regurgitation and trace pulmonary regurgitation. The intra-atrial septum was not well seen, but there was no obvious atrial-level shunt. The tricuspid regurgitant jet was consistent with a right ventricular systolic pressure within normal limits ruling out RV pressure overload. There were no regions of focal RV akinesis or dyskinesis to suggest arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy. View this table: Table 1. Causes of RV Dilation Figure 1. Transthoracic 2-dimensional echocardiogram in the 4-chamber right-ventricle focused view demonstrating right ventricular dilation by quantitative measurements. Basal diameter (4.9 cm). Mid cavity diameter (4.0 cm). Longitudinal dimension (7.6 cm). LV indicates left ventricle; RA, right atrium; and RV, right ventricle. Figure 2. Transthoracic 2-demensional echocardiographic parasternal short-axis view in diastole ( A ) and systole ( B ) demonstrating septal flattening in diastole but not …
Cytomegalovirus UL128 homolog mutants that form a pentameric complex produce virus with impaired epithelial and trophoblast cell tropism and altered pathogenicity in the guinea pig.

Abstract Guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) encodes a homolog pentameric complex (PC) for specific cell tropism and congenital infection. In human cytomegalovirus, the PC is an important antibody neutralizing target and GPCMV studies will aid in the development of intervention strategies. Deletion mutants of the C-terminal domains of unique PC proteins (UL128, UL130 and UL131 homologs) were unable to form a PC in separate transient expression assays. Minor modifications to the UL128 homolog (GP129) C-terminal domain enabled PC formation but viruses encoding these mutants had altered tropism to renal and placental trophoblast cells. Mutation of the presumptive CC chemokine motif encoded by GP129 was investigated by alanine substitution of the CC motif (codons 26–27) and cysteines (codons 47 and 62). GP129 chemokine mutants formed PC but GP129 chemokine mutant viruses had reduced epitropism. A GP129 chemokine mutant virus pathogenicity study demonstrated reduced viral load to target organs but highly extended viremia.
Capillary Condensation of Phase Separated Liquid 3He-4He Mixtures in Aerogel

We have studied details of the phase separation of3He-4He mixtures in aerogel for4He concentrations between 13 - 36% and at pressures of 0 and 22 bar. Simultaneous measurements of the4He concentration (measured with a parallel-plate capacitor) and of the tortuosity of the4He-rich phase (using the period of the torsional oscillator) provide evidence for the diversity of configurations of the3He-4He interface as a consequence of capillary condensation. Thus, for the same4He content within the aerogel, the4He-rich phase can have different interconnectivities determined by preparation history.
3 Defining Bisexuality: Challenges and Importance of and Toward a Unifying Definition

This chapter seeks to demonstrate the extreme complexity of trying to define sexual orientation, in general, and bisexuality, in particular. The key issues presented in the chapter include, (1) why a standard definition of bisexuality is necessary; (2) a discussion of who should define bisexuality; (3) the factors to consider when deciding what variables are to be included in a definition of bisexuality; and (4) a proposed new definition of bisexuality built on a synthesis of the chapter materials. First the chapter discusses the pitfalls of a lack of a standard definition of bisexuality and the growing consensus that research must attempt to find a common definition of bisexuality. Second, the reader is presented with three constituencies that may all vie for the “right” to define bisexuality: society, the self, and science. Third, the pros and cons of at least seven variables which have each been considered in varying definitions of bisexuality are weighed. Finally, the chapter concludes by providing a new definition of bisexuality with a few, final caveats and thoughts.
Considerations for temperature sensor placement on rotary-wing unmanned aircraft systems

Abstract. Integrating sensors with a rotary-wing unmanned aircraft system (rwUAS) can introduce several sources of biases and uncertainties if not properly accounted for. To maximize the potential for rwUAS to provide reliable observations, it is imperative to have an understanding of their strengths and limitations under varying environmental conditions. This study focuses on the quality of measurements relative to sensor locations on board rwUAS. Typically, thermistors require aspiration and proper siting free of heat sources to make representative measurements of the atmosphere. In an effort to characterize ideal locations for sensor placement, a series of experiments were conducted in the homogeneous environment of an indoor chamber with a pedestal-mounted rwUAS. A suite of thermistors along with a wind probe were mounted inside of a solar shield, which was affixed to a linear actuator arm. The actuator arm was configured such that the sensors within the solar shield would travel underneath the platform into and out of the propeller wash. The actuator arm was displaced horizontally underneath the platform while the motors were throttled to 50 %, yielding a time series of temperature and wind speed that could be compared to temperatures being collected in the ambient environment. Results indicate that temperatures may be biased in the order of 0.5–1.0 ∘ C and vary appreciably without aspiration, sensors placed close to the tips of the rotors may experience biases due to frictional and compressional heating as a result of turbulent fluctuations, and sensors in proximity to motors may experience biases approaching 1 ∘ C. From these trials, it has been determined that sensor placement underneath a propeller on an rwUAS a distance of one quarter the length of the propeller from the tip is most likely to be minimally impacted from influences of turbulence and motor, compressional, and frictional heating while still maintaining adequate airflow. When opting to use rotor wash as a means for sensor aspiration, the user must be cognizant of these potential sources of platform-induced heating when determining sensor location.
"Who Is Going to Pay for the Wi-Fi?" Exploring Adulthood from the Perspectives of Autistic Youth.

Abstract Background: The transition to adulthood involves achievement of objective milestones, yet becoming an adult is also widely considered a subjective experience. Much of the extant research about autistic adulthood focuses on the objective aspects of adulthood, with little emphasis on the subjective experience of adulthood. There is lack of research incorporating the perspectives of autistic youth about preparation for becoming an adult. Methods: Using semistructured interviews with 27 autistic adolescents (12–17 years old), we examined youth considerations for adulthood. In a subset of the sample (n = 8), we also examined youth perspectives on adulthood in general. The research team conducted qualitative thematic analysis with an inductive, iterative approach. Results: Adolescents considered a variety of factors when considering their plans and desires for adulthood, including their family connections, their own interests and abilities, characteristics of their future situations, and chronological ...
Line-Broadening Influences and Line-Narrowing Techniques in Solid State NMR

The main spin interactions in NMR—chemical shift, magnetic dipole-dipole, nuclear electric quadrupole and indirect nuclear spin-spin (J) coupling—are introduced in terms of their effects on line widths in NMR. The relationships between NMR in liquids and solids are discussed. The techniques of decoupling and magic-angle spinning for line-narrowing in solids are described, with major emphasis of the latter. The use of line-narrowing techniques in solid-state NMR is examined.
The hard case of palliative sedation

An examination of terminal sedation as a palliative care tool and the Catholic Church's position on when it should and should not be used. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Isolation of the Tobacco Mosaic Virus Resistance Gene N

Plants resist microbial diseases by elaborating local resistance responses that halt pathogen growth and spread. The hypersensitive response (HR) is the most commonly activated resistance response and is characterized by the formation of necrotic lesions at the site of pathogen ingress. Activation of HR is specific and induced upon interaction of plants and pathogens genetically endowed with the capacity for mutual recognition [1]. Recognition is postulated to result from the interaction of the product of a plant resistance gene with a corresponding pathogen avirulence gene product [1]. Flor first proposed this “gene-for-gene” model of plant and pathogen interaction based on his studies of the fungal rust pathogen of flax, Melampsora lini [2]. The model accurately accounts for the outcome of numerous plant-pathogen interactions. Resistance genes, which are often dominant traits, have been hypothesized to encode products that function as receptors for recognition of specific pathogen avirulence gene products and initiation signal transduction pathways leading to expression of the resistance responses [3]. If either the plant or pathogen partner lacks a functional allele of the corresponding gene pair then resistance is not triggered and the plant becomes diseased.
MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Implications for Social Work Practice and Research

The pervasive impact of trauma across populations and stages of life has made it imperative that the field of social work remain at the forefront of trauma-informed theory, research, and practice. The limited, adjunctive use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the psychotherapeutic treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a promising new treatment model that has shown impressive efficacy in phase I and II clinical trials. Preliminary meta-analysis suggests that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-PT) may be superior to prolonged exposure, a first-line treatment for PTSD, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the treatment “breakthrough therapy” designation, a process of expedited review which signals that a treatment may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies. Though these results are encouraging, much remains unknown and it is essential that the field of social work become informed and engaged in this new body of research. This paper will review the existing literature on MDMA-PT for PTSD, examine ethical and safety concerns, present a preliminary conceptualization of MDMA-PT’s impact on the therapeutic process, and discuss implications for future social work research and practice. This paper finds that the current literature suggests that MDMA-PT is a safe and efficacious treatment that has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of trauma. At the same time, issues of safety, cost, and accessibility should be examined in depth to ensure that this treatment—if approved by the FDA—is accessible to racially and economically marginalized clients.
Comparison of annotation services for the VA Precision Oncology Program.

12109Background: Multigene NGS testing has become widespread, including through the VA healthcare system through the VA Precision Oncology Program (POP). Algorithms to interpret the pathogenicity o...
Species generalization and differences in Hedgehog pathway regulation of fungiform and circumvallate papilla taste function and somatosensation demonstrated with sonidegib

Species generalization in the profound, modality-specific effects of Hedgehog pathway inhibition (HPI) in taste organ homeostasis and sensation is shown. With the HPI, cancer drug sonidegib, we demonstrate that the rat taste system, in addition to mouse, is regulated by Hedgehog signaling. After sonidegib treatment for 16–36 days in rat, there is loss of taste buds (TB) in soft palate, in fungiform (FP) and circumvallate papillae (CV), and elimination of taste responses from chorda tympani and glossopharyngeal nerves. The retained innervation in FP and CV during HPI cannot sustain TB. Responses to tactile stimuli are not altered, and temperature responses are reduced only after 28 days treatment, demonstrating modality-specific effects. Rat FP and neural effects are similar to those in mouse whereas TB and neural response effects from the rat CV are much more severe. When recovery is introduced in mouse after prolonged, 48 days HPI, the TB in CV are restored whereas those in FP are not. Overall, Hedgehog signaling regulation is shown to generalize to the rat taste system, and the modality-specific controls in taste organ sensation are affirmed. The reported, debilitating taste disturbances in patients who use HPI drugs can be better understood based on these data.
Effect of helical micro-fins on two-phase flow behavior of R410A evaporating in horizontal round tubes obtained through visualization

Abstract This paper presents a new approach in visualization of the evaporation mechanism and the two phase flow. The visualization test section is a transparent micro-fin tube made by 3D printing. The 3D printing technology helps reproduce the real geometry in commercial metal micro-fin tubes. Even though the wall material is different from the real metal, this new method provides a more complete understanding of the mechanisms of flow boiling and the heat transfer enhancement due to micro-fin geometry. To investigate the effect of micro-fin geometries on two-phase flow behavior, R410A flow boiling experiments are conducted at 10 °C saturation temperature and visualized through a clear smooth tube and micro-fin tubes of 0°, 10° and 18° helix angles. The results showed that the annular flow pattern in the helical micro-fin tube occurred at a lower vapor quality than the smooth and axial micro-fin tubes. Helix angle affects the transition boundary of stratified wavy flow to wavy annular flow, which shifts downward (to lower mass flux and vapor quality conditions) as the helix angle increases. Other transitions are not significantly affected by the helix angle. Helical micro-fin tubes with different groove directions were made to understand the flow behavior on the upward side and downward side of the tube.
Pilot Study of Subject Education and Oximetry as They Affect Comfort During Slow-Paced Breathing

This study examined the effects of subject education and oximetry on discomfort sometimes associated with slow-paced breathing (dyspnea). This study was performed because some people report anxiety about getting sufficient oxygen while breathing slowly. Clinical experience suggested that reassuring subjects unaccustomed to slow-paced breathing that they are receiving enough oxygen may lead to greater comfort. The study had a sample size of 20 sequentially randomized healthy adults constituting two groups of 10 subjects. Both groups underwent 5 min of video-guided paced breathing at a rate of six breaths per minute. One group was able to view oximetry and hear an educational script, and the other received neither the educational script nor the viewable oximetry. Subjects answered a questionnaire about ease and adequacy of respiration as well as comfort. Analysis of the questionnaire showed that the group who received education about oximetry and viewed an oximeter during training felt significantly greater comfort during slow breathing than the conventional paced breathing group (p < 0.01). While further study is warranted, these preliminary findings suggest the potential need for this dyspneic effect to be taken into account in clinical practice as well as in research.
Mobilization of Environmental Toxicants Following Bariatric Surgery

Objective Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are lipophilic environmental toxicants that accumulate in adipose tissue. Weight loss leads to mobilization and increased redistribution of these toxicants. Many are obesogens and endocrine disruptors. Increased exposure could pose long-term health risks. The study objective was to measure the changes in serum concentrations of lipophilic POPs during significant weight loss. Methods This study enrolled 27 patients at a university hospital in a longitudinal, 6-month, observational study examining changes in POP blood levels after bariatric surgery. The primary outcome was the changes in the concentrations of 24 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 9 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 11 polybrominated diphenyl ethers, 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl, and 4 perfluorochemicals (PFCs). Results Older adults (those born before 1976) had baseline levels of PCBs, OCPs, and PFCs that were two- to fivefold higher than younger adults (those born after 1976). Older adults had greater increases in PCBs, OCPs, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers associated with weight loss. Conversely, younger adults had greater increases in PFCs associated with weight loss. On average, blood POP levels increased as weight loss occurred. Conclusions Although weight loss is considered beneficial, the release and redistribution of POPs to other lipid-rich organs such as the brain, kidneys, and liver warrant further investigation. Interventions should be considered to limit organ exposure to POPs when weight loss interventions are planned.
Exploring MDSplus data-acquisition software and custom devices

Abstract MDSplus is a software tool designed for data acquisition, storage, and analysis of complex scientific experiments. Over the years, MDSplus has primarily been used for data management for fusion experiments. This paper demonstrates that MDSplus can be used for a much wider variety of systems and experiments. We present a step-by-step tutorial describing how to create a simple experiment, manage the data, and analyze it using MDSplus and Python. To this end, a custom example device was developed to be used as the data source. This device was built on an open-source electronic hardware platform, and it consists of a microcontroller and two sensors. We read data from these sensors, store it in MDSplus, and use JupyterLab to visualize and process it. This project and code demo are available on the GitHub site at this URL: https://github.com/santorofer/MDSplusAndCustomeDevices
Infection with novel Bacteroides phage BV01 alters host transcriptome and bile acid metabolism in a common human gut microbe

ABSTRACT The bacterial genus Bacteroides is among the most abundant and common taxa in the human gut, yet little is known about the phages infecting the group. Bacteroides phage BV01 (BV01) was identified as a prophage integrated on the chromosome of its host, Bacteroides vulgatus ATCC 8482. Phage BV01 is actively produced, and infects susceptible B. vulgatus hosts in the mouse gut. Infection with BV01 causes a generalized repression of the B. vulgatus transcriptome, downregulating 103 transcripts and upregulating only 12. Integration of BV01 disrupts the promoter sequence of a downstream gene encoding a putative tryptophan-rich sensory protein (tspO). Deletion of tspO and subsequent RNAseq analysis revealed that more than half of the differentially-regulated transcripts are shared with the BV01 lysogen, suggesting the transcriptomic response to BV01 is linked to tspO. Among these differentially-regulated transcripts are two encoding bile salt hydrolases. Bile acid deconjugation assays show that BV01 represses its host’s ability to hydrolyze bile acids in a tspO-dependent manner. Analysis of 256 published healthy human gut metagenomes suggests that phage integration adjacent to B. vulgatus-like tspO genes is rare within an individual, but common among humans. Finally, this work proposes a novel phage family that includes BV01, the Salyersviridae, whose host range spans the Bacteroides and is detectable in human-associated samples. Together, these findings highlight the importance of phage-host interactions to our understanding of how gut microbes sense and interact with their environment. IMPORTANCE The links between human disease and the gut microbiome are numerous. Most mechanisms by which most gut microbes and their activities change and impact human health remain elusive. Phages, viruses that infect bacteria, are hypothesized to play a central role in modulating both community dynamics and functional activities. Here we have characterized an active prophage, BV01, which infects a pervasive and abundant human gut-associated species. BV01 infection alters its host’s transcriptional profile including its metabolism of bile acids, molecules implicated in mediating health and disease states in the gut. This highlights that prophages and other components of the variable genome should not be overlooked in bacterial genomes because they may dramatically alter host phenotypes. Furthermore, BV01 represents a new family of phages infecting human gut symbionts, providing a foundation for future investigations of phage-host interactions in these clinically-relevant but underexplored hosts.
Chapter 16 – Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Over two decades of research in mice has established that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can give rise to all differentiated cell types in the adult organism, and that ESCs are thus pluripotent. In vitro, ESCs undergo spontaneous aggregation and differentiate to form cysticembryoid bodies (EBs). These teratoma-like structures consist of semi-organized tissues, including contractile cardiac myocytes, striated skeletal muscle, neuronal rosettes, and hemoglobin-containing blood islands. In the last decade and a half, this in vitro system has been exploited to study differentiation events in a number of tissues, and has begun to be used for discovery and characterization of small-molecule pharmaceuticals. The availability of embryonic stem (ES) cells from the human might make it possible to produce specific differentiated cell types for replacement cell therapies to treat a host of degenerative diseases.
From Chaos to Permanence Using Control Theory (Research)

Work by Costantino et al. (Am Assoc Adv Sci 275(5298):389–391, 1997) and Kot et al. (Bull Math Biol 54(4):619–648, 1992) demonstrate that chaotic behavior does occur in biological systems. We show that chaotic behavior can also be used to ensure the survival of the species involved in a system. We adopt the concept of permanence as a measure of survival and take advantage of present chaotic behavior to push a non-permanent system into permanence through a control algorithm. We apply the algorithm to a Lotka-Volterra type two-prey, one-predator model and a food chain model and demonstrate its effectiveness in taking advantage of chaotic behavior to achieve a desirable state for all species involved. In particular, we show that harvesting of the predator is a practical and effective control for insuring the thriving of all species in the system.
Lower extremity coordination during walking in persons who are blind and sighted controls: A preliminary report:

Walking is the most common mode of physical activity for individuals who are blind. However, this population tends to be physically inactive, possibly due to alterations in coordination patterns du...
Building trauma-informed research competencies in social work education

Trauma exposure is highly prevalent in vulnerable groups served by social workers, as well as in populations that are the focus of social work research. Because of this, the field of social work no...
54-Year-Old Man With Cough, Chest Pain, and Dyspnea on Exertion.

Case Presentation A 54-year-old man presented with 6 months’ history of dry cough and dyspnea on exertion. He also reported intermittent joint pain and orthopnea. He denied fevers, chills, and rashes. His medical history was significant for rheumatoid arthritis, for which he was taking 20 mg of prednisone daily. He had not been receiving adalimumab or methotrexate for several months. He never smoked and drank alcohol occasionally. Family history was significant for rheumatoid arthritis.
The Decline in Performance of Institutional Investors: Insights from Their Trade Counterparties

Academics and practitioners have long anticipated a decline in the performance of institutional investors as their holdings reach the point where they are largely trading amongst themselves. We confirm that institutional investor performance has declined over time -- but it appears unrelated to the growth in institutional ownership. Institutional growth has been gradual, whereas the only discernible feature in the time-series of institutional performance is a structural shift (drop) in 2000. Reg FD appears to be a key factor. Specifically, there was an abrupt drop in institutions’ performance trading with both individuals and firms (issuance/repurchases) following Reg FD.
Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Systems: Gas Turbine Control Considerations for the Mitigation of Potential Failure Modes and Hazards

This presentation provides a high-level review of the potential failure modes and hazards to which electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) systems are susceptible, along with potential gas turbine control-based strategies to assist in the mitigation of those failures. To further illustrate the role of gas turbine controls in mitigating EAP failure modes, an example based on a simulated EAP concept aircraft proposed by NASA is given. The effects of failures are discussed, along with turbomachinery control strategies, including reversionary control modes, and control limit logic.
Impact of preweaning stress on long-term neurobehavioral outcomes in Sprague-Dawley rats: Differential effects of barren cage rearing, pup isolation, and the combination.

Abstract Two developmental stressors were compared in preweaning rats exposed to either one stressor or both. Stressors were barren cage rearing or maternal separation (pup isolation). 40 gravid Sprague-Dawley CD/IGS rats were randomly assigned to two cage conditions: standard (Std) cage or barren cage (Bar), 20 litters/condition throughout gestation and lactation. After delivery, litters were randomly culled to 4 males and 4 females. The second stressor was maternal separation: Two male/female pairs per litter were isolated from their dam 4 h/day (Iso) and two pairs were not (Norm). Hence, there were 4 conditions: Std-Norm, Std-Iso, Bar-Norm, and Bar-Iso. One pair/litter/stress condition received the following: elevated zero-maze (EZM), open-field, swim channel, Cincinnati water maze, conditioned fear, and open-field with methamphetamine challenge. The second pair/litter/condition received the light-dark test, swim channel, Morris water maze, forced swim, and EZM with diazepam challenge. Barren rearing reduced EZM time-in-open, whereas isolation rearing reduced open-field activity in males and increased it in females. Effects on straight channel swimming were minor. In the Cincinnati water maze test of egocentric learning, isolation rearing increased errors whereas barren cage housing reduced errors in combination with normal rearing. Barren cage with maternal separation (pup isolation) increased Cincinnati water maze escape latency but not errors. Barren cage housing reduced hyperactivity in response to methamphetamine. Isolation rearing increased time in open in the EZM after diazepam challenge. Trends were seen in the Morris water maze. These suggested that barren cage and isolation rearing in combination reduced latency on acquisition on days 1 and 2 in males, whereas females had increased latency on days 2 and 3. Combined exposure to two developmental stressors did not induce additive or synergistic effects, however the data show that these stressors had long-term effects with some evidence that the combination of both caused effects when either stressor alone did not, but synergism was not observed.
Molecules from the Microbiome

The human microbiome encodes a second genome that dwarfs the genetic capacity of the host. Microbiota-derived small molecules can directly target human cells and their receptors or indirectly modul...
The Fight of the Century: On the Exploitation of Social Divides

Pursuits of political and financial gains take many forms and sometimes include exploitations of social divides. Such exploitations harness and intensify animosity between groups to advance political and financial interests. The prevalent use of this technique in the 21st century has heightened concerns about its corrosive effects on democratic institutions. This Essay offers a case study of the phenomenon: the exploitations of racial divides surrounding the rise of Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight boxing champion. At the height of the Jim Crow era, Johnson was the most hated, most feared, and most admired black man in America. He refused to accept the place given to blacks and displayed utter disregard of confrontation risks. His boxing bouts and fight films were promoted by conscious exploitation of racism, and their successful commercialization was exploited to advance censorship. In his most iconic fight, Johnson defeated the “white man’s hope,” a retired champion who was pressured to fight Johnson to reassert the title for the white race. Johnson’s victory sparked violent race riots and a crusade to bar the exhibition of fight films, arguably to restore law and order in America.
Corruption and the Effects of Influence Within Social Networks: An Agent-Based Model of the “Lava Jato” Scandal

Corruption, and more specifically corruption in Latin America, is a complex phenomenon that is affected by politics, social structures, and institutions, as well as individual behaviors. The Lava Jato scandal was a large-scale example of corruption in Brazil. Advances in data analysis, computation, and social networks have allowed progress to be made with these types of investigations. The Lava Jato case has been a clear example of how breaking up social networks and understanding the extent of crime and individual corruption have revealed webs of corruption that have influenced politics, as well as hindered economic development in Brazil. The several layers of interactions between individuals and institutions can be difficult to grasp and understanding the patterns and relationships within complex large-scale phenomena such as corruption can seem impossible. Agent-based models can help with understanding these complex behaviors and systems. By capturing the patterns and gaining a better understanding of how corruption emerges and is manifested, we can help inform policy, as well as create better tools and methods for crime prevention and detection.
Effect of Relative Density on the Liquefaction Susceptibility of a Fine Sand under Controlled-Stress Loading

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS AN EXAMINATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE LIQUEFACTION SUSCEPTIBILITY OF A REPRESENTATIVE POINT BAR SAND FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.ANISOTROPICALLY CONSOLIDATED TRIAXIAL SPECIMENS WERE SHEARED UNDER UNDRAINED CONDITIONS BY CONTROLLED-STRESS LOADING UNDER EFFECTIVE CONFINING PRESSURES RANGING FROM 1.0 TO 9.0 KG/SQ CM. THREE DISTINCT STRESS-STRAIN BEHAVIOURS, DESIGNATED AS LIQUEFACTION, LIMITED LIQUEFACTION, AND DILATION WERE OBSERVED.THE TEST RESULTS DISCLOSED THAT A LIMITING RELATIVE DENSITY EXISTS AT WHICH A LIQUEFACTION OR LIMITED LIQUEFACTION WOULD OCCUR FOR A SPECIFIED EFFECTIVE CONFINING PRESSURE. AS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE EFFECTIVE CONFINING PRESSURE INCREASED, THE RELATIVE DENSITY OF SPECIMENS WHICH LIQUEFIED ALSO INCREASED. THESE FINDINGS PERMIT AN ASSESSMENT OF LIQUEFACTION SUSCEPTIBILITY OF A SAND AT A GIVEN DENSITY AND CONFINING PRESSURE. A CRITICAL VOID RATIO CURVE WAS FITTED TO THE TEST RESULTS IN WHICH LIQUEFACTION OCCURRED. A BRIEF DISCUSSION IS INCLUDED ON THE EFFECTS OF RELATIVE DENSITY DETERMINATIONS BY VARIOUS LABORATORY METHODS. /AUTHOR/
Sources of Extracolumn Band-Broadening in Microcolumn Liquid Chromatography

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the sources of extra-column band-broadening i n micro-column liquid chromatography. While extra-column contributions to peak dispersion are significant to the overall system performance in conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), they become critical when small volume; highly efficient micro-capillary columns are employed. These columns, which are rapidly gaining in popularity, are characterized by inner diameters ranging in size from 15μm-1.0 mm, column volumes as low as 2 μl, and extremely low flow-rates on the order of micro liters per minute. The critical nature of sample introduction as it relates to the over all system performance in both gas and liquid chromatography has long been recognized. A small-volume sample plug must be rapidly introduced in as near an approximation to a delta impulse function as possible in order to minimize band dispersion, while the quantity introduced remains sufficiently large to allow detection of all sample components.
Creating Consumers: Home Economists in Twentieth-Century America

Review of: "Creating Consumers: Home Economists in Twentieth-Century America," by Carolyn M. Goldstein.
Human Herpesviruses 6, 7 and 8 in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Human herpesviruses (HHV) 6 and 7 are ubiquitous infections that reactivate commonly in transplant recipients. However, clinical diseases due to these viruses are reported only in 1% of solid organ transplant recipients. Fever, rash and bone marrow suppression are the most common manifestations, but symptoms of tissue invasive disease may be observed. Treatment of HHV-6 and HHV-7 disease includes antiviral therapy and cautious reduction in immunosuppression. HHV-8 is an oncogenic gamma-herpesvirus that causes Kaposi's sarcoma, Castleman's disease and primary effusion lymphomas in transplant recipients. Nonmalignant diseases such as bone marrow suppression and multiorgan failure have also been associated with HHV-8. Reduction in immunosuppression is the first line treatment of HHV-8 infection. Other alternatives for treatment, especially for HHV-8 diseases not responsive to immuno-minimization strategies, are surgery and chemotherapy. Sirolimus has been shown to be a beneficial component for the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma and the role of antivirals for HHV-8 infection is being investigated.
Nationalism, ethnicity, and religion: a reply to Christopher Catherwood

Kendal Mobley replies to Christopher Catherwood's article ‘Nationalism, ethnicity and tolerance: some historical, political and biblical perspectives’, published in Transformation, Vol 14, no. 1, January 1997, p. 10.
Retinoic Acid Cooperates With Tumor Necrosis Factor and Immune Interferon in Inducing Differentiation and Growth Inhibition of the Human Promyelocytic Leukemic Cell Line HL-60

In this study, we analyzed the effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on retinoic acid (RA)-induced myeloid differentiation of the promyelocytic HL-60 leukemia cell line. We show that low concentrations of the two substances, almost inactive in inducing differentiation when used separately, induce differentiation when added simultaneously to the cell cultures. Cells simultaneously expressing both monocyte/macrophage phenotype (typically induced by TNF) and granulocyte characteristics (typically induced by RA) are induced by a combination of the two factors, indicating that TNF and RA potentiate each other's activity. The results obtained using immune interferon (IFN-gamma) in combination with the two inducers suggest that the mechanism of action of TNF and IFN-gamma are possibly different. The inhibitory effect of RA on the expression of HLA class I antigens and of the high-affinity Fc receptor is potentiated by TNF but completely reversed by rIFN-gamma.
The Influence of Competing Ideologies about Homosexuality on Nondiscrimination Policy: Implications for Social Work Education

Abstract As the profession most committed to serving oppressed groups in our society, social work can play a significant role in helping lesbians and gay men achieve greater social acceptance, civil rights, and effective social services. Although formal social work policies prohibit discrimination and seek to eliminate oppression based on sexual orientation, opposing ideologies about homosexuality within society and social work result in contradictory standards and inadequate results. This article analyzes the Council on Social Work Education's nondiscrimination standards and illustrates how submerged conflict between competing ideologies can result in irrational policy development and implementation. Key issues and questions are suggested for open debate and potential resolutions are presented.