cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A role for inherited metabolic deficits in persistent developmental stuttering

Stuttering is a common but poorly understood speech disorder. Consistent evidence for the involvement of genetic factors in stuttering has motivated studies aimed at identifying causative genetic variants that could shed light on the underlying molecular and cellular deficits in this disorder. Such studies have begun to identify causative genes. The purpose of this review is to summarize the gene discoveries to date, and to cover the subsequent functional studies that are beginning to provide insights into how these gene mutations might cause stuttering. Surprisingly, the first variant genes to be associated with stuttering are those encoding the lysosomal targeting system, GNPTAB, GNPTG, and NAGPA. Although mutations in NAGPA have not been associated with a disorder in humans, mutations in GNPTAB and GNPTG cause mucolipidosis types II and III, which are rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders, associated with pathology of bone, connective tissue, liver, spleen, and brain. Analysis of mutations in these genes has so far identified predominantly missense mutations in stuttering, in contrast to the truncating and other mutations that result in very low GNPTAB/G enzyme activity and are historically associated with mucolipidosis. Genetic evidence for the role of lysosomal targeting mutations in stuttering has now been buttressed by biochemical studies of the mutant enzymes found in this disorder. While data on the GlcNAc-phosphotransferase encoded by GNPTAB/G remains limited and only suggestive, a study of the enzyme encoded by NAGPA has shown that the mutations found in stuttering reduce the overall cellular activity of this enzyme by about half, and that they result in deficits in intracellular processing and trafficking that lead to a reduced cellular half life. How these deficits result in the presumed speech-specific neuropathology associated with stuttering is not yet known. However these findings have opened several new lines of inquiry, including studies in mice carrying human stuttering mutations, that represent promising approaches to this disorder.
Assembling Evidence to Justify Prevention of Atherosclerosis Beginning in Youth

Atherosclerosis begins in youth when the earliest lesions, fatty streaks, can be identified in the arterial beds of most adolescents. Rapid progression of these early lesions to fibrous plaques occurs in the third and fourth decades of life, with the rate of progression directly associated with the number of cardiovascular risk factors.1,2 The presence of atherosclerosis early in life, its relationship at a young age to the major cardiovascular risk factors, and its steady progression toward cardiovascular events later in life have suggested to many that the optimal age to begin atherosclerosis prevention is as young as possible. Article see p 2514 However, the various strategies proposed to achieve early prevention remain highly controversial. What is the best age to begin (the range considered in the literature is from conception to young adulthood)? Should efforts be limited to those at the highest risk (eg, patients with familial hypercholesterolemia or youth onset diabetes) or directed toward the entire population? Is there evidence that any such strategies are effective, and, most importantly, what are the legitimate study designs and end points to establish that evidence? Are randomized trials the only strategy to establish that evidence base, and are the only appropriate endpoints prevention of cardiovascular events, or is the demonstration of the prevention of atherosclerosis sufficient? Certain to be cited as support for every possible stance in the youth prevention debate is the paper by Juonala et al3 in this issue of Circulation , in which results from 4 different longitudinal studies from the United States, Finland, and Australia are pooled to demonstrate the relationship among risk factors measured in youth and carotid intima-media …
Self-Confidence: A Concept Analysis

Self-confidence is important for both students and professional nurses to possess. Because nursing practitioners must exude confidence, clarification of its meaning is necessary. Walker and Avant's (2005) eight-step method of concept analysis was used as the framework for this examination. As a result of the analysis, three defining attributes of self-confidence were realized: belief in positive achievements, persistence, and self-awareness. Nursing faculty must be cognizant of the phenomena that are prerequisite to self-confidence and promote them in nursing students. Achieving self-confidence will allow more autonomous practice to be built, ultimately benefiting those recipients of nursing care.
Idiopathic neonatal necrotising fasciitis caused by community-acquired MSSA encoding Panton Valentine Leukocidin genes

Neonatal necrotising fasciitis is very rare in comparison to the adult presentation of the disease and a Plastic Surgeon may only encounter one such case during his or her career. Often this is initially misdiagnosed and managed as simple cellulitis. It generally affects previously healthy babies, the site is often the lower back area and a history of minor skin trauma may be elicited. The causative organism is usually Streptococcus or polymicrobial, as is the case in the adult population. We present the case of a previously healthy 11-day-old infant with idiopathic, rapidly progressive necrotising fasciitis of the back, cause by Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infection. The strain was isolated and found to encode the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin genes, which have been associated with particularly severe necrotising infections in other sites, with high mortality. These strains are the subject of specific treatment and eradication guidance in the UK but awareness of this and the importance of obtaining detailed culture typing is likely to be low amongst Plastic Surgeons.
Liquid-film assisted formation of alumina/niobium interfaces

Alumina has been joined at 1400 degrees C using niobium-based interlayers. Two different joining approaches were compared: solid-state diffusion bonding using a niobium foil as an interlayer, and liquid-film assisted bonding using a multilayer copper/niobium/copper interlayer. In both cases, a 127-(mu)m thick niobium foil was used; =1.4-(mu)m or =3-(mu)m thick copper films flanked the niobium. Room-temperature four-point bend tests showed that the introduction of a copper film had a significant beneficial effect on the average strength and the strength distribution. Experiments using sapphire substrates indicated that during bonding the initially continuous copper film evolved into isolated copper-rich droplets/particles at the sapphire/interlayer interface, and extensive regions of direct bonding between sapphire and niobium. Film breakup appeared to initiate at either niobium grain boundary ridges, or at asperities or irregularities on the niobium surface that caused localized contact with the sapphire.
A Subtype of Speech Delay Associated With Developmental Psychosocial Involvement

This report presents findings supporting the hypothesis of a clinically relevant subtype of childhood speech sound disorder, provisionally titled speech delay—developmental psychosocial involvement...
Time-series Analysis of Clusters in City Size Distributions:

Complex systems, such as urban systems, emerge unpredictably without the influence of central control as a result of adaptive behaviour by their component, interacting agents. This paper analyses c...
How do Neutrophils sense and move

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell in the body's immune system. Neutrophils move via actin polymerization and actin myosin contraction. A suitable substrate must be determined for neutrophils to be placed upon during motility and chemotaxis experiments. Differentiated HL-60 or neutrophil-like cells were used to determine the appropriate substrate. Substrates such as fibronectin, vitronectin and poly-lysine were tested and it was concluded that the substrate on which HL-60 cells moved best was PDMS coated with 1/1 OX Fibronectin with an average speed of 1.810 micrometers/min. Also the adhesion of the HL-60 cells differentiated with retinoic acid over a period of 72 hours was studied. It had previously been determined that the HL-60 cells displayed the surface marker CD-38 fully after a period of 72 hours and the experiment performed was to determine how the expression of this marker affected cell adhesion properties, which was found to be a linear relationship. This research project has since become a larger study for a graduate student at Cornell University.
Characterization of Activated Carbon Fiber Filters for Pressure Drop, Submicrometer Particulate Collection, and Mercury Capture

The use of activated carbon fiber (ACF) filters for the capture of particulate matter and elemental Hg is demonstrated. The pressure drop and particle collection efficiency characteristics of the ACF filters were established at two different face velocities and for two different aerosols: spherical NaCl and combustion-generated silica particles. The clean ACF filter specific resistance was 153 kg m-2 sec-1. The experimental specific resistance for cake filtration was 1.6 x 10(6) sec-1 and 2.4 x 10(5) sec-1 for 0.5- and 1.5-micron mass median diameter particles, respectively. The resistance factor R was approximately 2, similar to that for the high-efficiency particulate air filters. There was a discrepancy in the measured particle collection efficiencies and those predicted by theory. The use of the ACF filter for elemental Hg capture was illustrated, and the breakthrough characteristic was established. The capacity of the ACF filter for Hg capture was similar to other powdered activated carbons.
The MSc project in orthodontics – an evidence-based opportunity?

In the UK, all students undergoing postgraduate training in orthodontics carry out an MSc project. Individual prospective clinical studies involving active therapy can rarely be completed in the short time available. The time allowed for an MSc project would, however, be ample to carry out a systematic review. This kind of project would also fulfil university regulations, which require the production of a piece of original research.
Stocking Retail Assortments Under Dynamic Consumer Substitution

We analyze a single-period, stochastic inventory model (newsboy-like model) in which a sequence of heterogeneous customers dynamically substitute among product variants within a retail assortment when inventory is depleted. The customer choice decisions are based on a natural and classical utility maximization criterion. Faced with such substitution behavior, the retailer must choose initial inventory levels for the assortment to maximize expected profits.Using a sample path analysis, we analyze structural properties of the expected profit function. We show that, under very general assumptions on the demand process, total sales of each product are concave in their own inventory levels and possess the so-calleddecreasing differences property, meaning that the marginal value of an additional unit of the given product is decreasing in the inventory levels of all other products. For a continuous relaxation of the problem, we then show, via counterexamples, that the expected profit function is in general not even quasiconcave. Thus, global optimization may be difficult. However, we propose and analyze a stochastic gradient algorithm for the problem, and prove that it converges to a stationary point of the expected profit function under mild conditions. Finally, we apply the algorithm to a set of numerical examples and compare the resulting inventory decisions to those of some simpler, naive heuristics. The examples show that substitution effects can have a significant impact on an assortment's gross profits. The examples also illustrate some systematic distortions in inventory decisions if substitution effects are ignored. In particular, under substitution one should stock relatively more of popular variants and relatively less of unpopular variants than a traditional newsboy analysis indicates.
Blunt and Penetrating Trauma to the Penis

Penile fracture, or penile rupture, is the most common blunt injury to the erect penis and is caused by tearing or cracking of the corporal cavernosal bodies. The first documented report of this injury was more than 1000 yr ago. Although the most common etiology is vaginal intercourse, sometimes from hitting the perineum during thrusting, it can happen from any type of blunt trauma affecting the tumescent shaft. This includes masturbation, with or without devices; falling out of bed with an erection; extreme sexual activity, especially during coitus in which the female is on top; forceful correction of a congenital chordee; and even tucking an erect penis into underwear (1). Although injury to the flaccid penis that leads to corporal rupture has been reported from sports accidents and animal and human bites, this is not regarded as penile fracture (2).
BENCHMARKING X-RAY PHASE CONTRAST IMAGING FOR ICF D-T ICE CHARACTERIZATION USING ROUGHENED SURROGATES

We use X-ray phase contrast imaging to characterize the inner surface roughness of deuterium-tritium (D-T) ice layers in capsules for future ignition experiments. It is therefore important to quantify how well the X-ray data correlate with the actual ice roughness. We benchmarked the accuracy of our system using surrogates with fabricated roughness characterized with high precision standard techniques. Cylindrical surrogates with azimuthally uniform sinusoidal perturbations with 100-μm period and 1-μm amplitude demonstrated 0.02-μm accuracy limited by the resolution of the imager and the source size ofour phase contrast system. Spherical surrogates with random roughness close to that required for the D-T ice for a successful ignition experiment were used to correlate the actual surface roughness to that obtained from the X-ray measurements. We compare first the average power spectra of individual measurements. The accuracy mode number limits of the X-ray phase contrast system benchmarked against surface characterization performed by atomic force microscopy are 60 and 90 for surrogates smoother and rougher than the required roughness for the ice. These agreement mode number limits are about 100 when comparing matching individual measurements. We will discuss the implications for interpreting D-T ice roughness data derived from phase contrast X-ray imaging.
Lack of interference of chloramphenicol with penicillin in a hemolytic streptococcal infection in mice.

Summary1. Mice were infected with group A streptococci and treated with chloramphenicol and penicillin, separately and in combination. Jawetz's observation that chloramphenicol interfered with penicillin when animals were given a single aqueous injection of both antibiotics was confirmed. 2. The interference was not demonstrable, however, when antibiotic blood levels were maintained for 2 or 3 days. Thus, despite early interference, the combination caused a progressive bactericidal action which, in conjunction with phagocytosis, protected the mice as well as penicillin alone. 3. These experiments imply that the phenomenon of antibiotic interference is seldom of clinical significance.
Comments on “a Replication is a Replication is not a Replication”:

( 1 ) Agreed with Franks (1964) that a replication should indeed replicate (as nearly as possible). ( 2 ) Agreed that the Ludvigson (1964) srudy was not a "precise replication" of earlier studies on drugs and eyelid conditioning (e.g., Franks & Trouton, 1958) though it was similar. ( 3 ) The Ludvigson study was not intended to replicate the conditions of the earlier work. If there was any implication that it was so designed it was an unfortunate consequence of the limitations of brief reporting. The author's intention was to point out that his results did not agree with those of the earlier studies in spite of the fact that the several studies used procedures which, albeit different in certain respects, had all been considered operational definitions of "conditioning." The empirical import of the srudy was evidence bearing not upon the reliability of drug effects under a given set of conditions (which a replication would provide), but rather upon the generality of drug effects across experimental conditions. Thus the study actually provides Franks with empirical support for his apparent concern wirh the narrowness of such generality. ( 4 ) The rationale, in brief, for the Ludvigson procedures follows: According to drive ( D ) , theory (e.g., Spence, 1958) D is assumed to be an increasing function of the strength of an emotional response ( r . ) that is aroused by aversive stimulation, such as that employed in eyelid conditioning. Any drugs which alter r, should affect conditioning performance, and in the same manner (e.g., divergent acquisition functions) as other drive variables. Work on the conditioned avoidance and emotional responses suggests that at leasr some of the tranquilizers lower emotional responsiveness while central stimulants, which tend to have behavioral effects opposite to those of the tranquilizers, enhance such responsiveness. The Ludvigson study employed procedures comparable to those of many studies from the same laboratory which have provided much of the empirical base of drive theory. The fact that in the Ludvigson study the drugs did not significantly influence conditioning, can only be taken as a failure to confirm the predictions from Spence's emotionally-based drive theory, assuming the dosages employed were sufficient to alter emotionality. Incidentally, this is a good example of an Iowa study which does not support Iowan theory (Franks, 1964) . ( 5 ) Although the author is in sympathy wirh the suggestion of a trip to England, he feels confident that he can fail to replicate his own findings in this country.
Test results of occupational hazards in enterprises with varying harm degrees in Dalian Area from 2011-2012

[Objective]To understand occupational hazards in enterprises with heavier and serious hazards in Dalian Area,and provide scientific basis for relevant departments to implement occupational health supervision.[Methods]The routine test data from the enterprises with heavier and serious hazards in Dalian area between 2011-2012 were collected.The qualified rates of occupational hazards were compared between the 2 years.[Results]The qualified rates of physical factors of enterprises with heavier and serious hazards in 2012 were lower than those in 2011.The qualified rates of chemical factors of heavier hazards enterprises in 2012 were higher than those in 2011.The qualified rate of dust was not significantly different between years.In heavier hazards enterprises,the physical factors' qualified rates of large enterprises in 2012 were significantly lower than those in 2011;the rates of chemical factors were increased in 2012.And among serious enterprises,the qualified rates of physical factors in 2012 were significantly lower than those in 2011.[Conclusion]The qualified rates of physical factors of heavier and serious hazards enterprises in 2012 are lower than those in 2011.The qualified rates of chemical factors of heavier enterprises are increased in 2012.The qualified rate of dust is not significantly different between 2 years.It suggests the relevant department should focus on the control of physical factors.
Steroid Hormone Receptors in the Prostate

AbstractSpecific receptors for dihydrotestosterone and estradiol-17-beta have been identified in cytosols of the human and baboon prostate. Binding of radioactive estradiol-17-beta to the 0.4M potassium chloride extractable component of human prostate nuclei also was demonstrated. Cyproterone acetate and diethylstilbestrol, agents of known high affinity for dihydrotestosterone and estradiol-17-beta receptors, respectively, did not bind significantly to sex hormone binding globulin and, therefore, were useful as competitors in distinguishing binding of dihydrotestosterone and estradiol-17-beta to sex hormone binding globulin and to their specific receptors. Displacement of [3H]-estradiol-17-beta binding by diethylstilbestrol in cytosols of 11 needle biopsy specimens (mean equals 16.8mg.) from prostatic cancer patients was analyzed. These preliminary data indicated a trend towards greater competition by diethylstilbestrol for high affinity binding sites in differentiated tumor specimens from men who were no...
The Quest for Fairness in Compensating Victims of September 11

Aside from natural disasters, when tragedy strikes - taking its toll in fatalities and serious injuries - we ordinarily look to the tort system for redress. Tort is not the exclusive form of redress, of course, in this era of private insurance and government disability programs. But still, it remains our most highly visible mechanism for assigning responsibility and providing compensation. So, we ordinarily look to tort. But there was nothing "ordinary" about September 11, 2001. And that includes how our legal system responded to the plight of injury victims of that horrific day. Within less than two weeks of September 11, Congress took action, funding a special compensation scheme for the victims and survivors of the terrorist acts, entitled the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001, which provides "no-fault" benefits; that is, compensation for physical harm without the necessity of establishing wrongful conduct as a basis for recovery. In this paper, I begin by describing the approach to compensation taken in the Victim Compensation Fund. I then discuss the implementing regulations promulgated by the Special Master appointed under the Fund. Next, I offer a preliminary assessment of the significance of the Fund for the survivors of those who perished, as well as the seriously injured. And finally, I speculate more broadly about the significance of the Fund for how we address the continuing problem of compensating victims of unexpected harm.
Beyond Methods and Messenger to the Message

Randomized controlled trials, the gold standard, have been the backbone for 50 years of advancing medical knowledge to benefit patients.1 More recently, it has become the gold standard to test selected health policy, health systems, and even economic ideas. The article by Goff et al in this month’s Pediatrics is an example of an elegantly developed and implemented randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of patient navigators providing low-income prenatal patients with traditional quality measures of pediatric practices to see if it would inform their choice of pediatric care.2 The authors found that women in the intervention group were more likely to use this information presented by the navigator compared with a control group to make their decision to select a practice with higher clinical quality and patient experience scores. However, few women (5%) rated quality measures as among the most important factors in their selection. The authors conducted multiple additional analyses, including assessing potential effect modifiers with no important changes in findings. Given the labor-intensive approach of using patient navigators to get this marginal effect, it is unlikely to be implemented … Address correspondence to Barry Zuckerman, MD, East Concord St, Vose Building, Room 324L, Boston, MA 02118. E-mail: barry.zuckerman{at}bmc.org.
Implementation of SlowDroid: Slow DoS Attack Performed by a Smartphone

In terms of capabilities, today's smartphones are comparable to desktop computers. Last generation cellphones are indeed able to execute almost all the operation a common computer is able to accomplish. In this paper we focus on the use of mobile devices for perpetrating cyber attacks. With the purpose of proving the ability of executing attacks from a mobile environment, we introduce a mobile threat, SlowDroid, running on Android devices. SlowDroid implements a Denial of Service attack. Since it makes use of tiny amounts of resources, it is particularly accustomed to a mobile environment. We exhaustively present SlowDroid implementation and choices in terms of design, user interface and system architecture.
Statistical tests of simple earthquake cycle models

A central goal of observing and modeling the earthquake cycle is to forecast when a particular fault may generate an earthquake: a fault late in its earthquake cycle may be more likely to generate an earthquake than a fault early in its earthquake cycle. Models that can explain geodetic observations throughout the entire earthquake cycle may be required to gain a more complete understanding of relevant physics and phenomenology. Previous efforts to develop unified earthquake models for strike-slip faults have largely focused on explaining both preseismic and postseismic geodetic observations available across a few faults in California, Turkey, and Tibet. An alternative approach leverages the global distribution of geodetic and geologic slip rate estimates on strike-slip faults worldwide. Here we use the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for similarity of distributions to infer, in a statistically rigorous manner, viscoelastic earthquake cycle models that are inconsistent with 15 sets of observations across major strike-slip faults. We reject a large subset of two-layer models incorporating Burgers rheologies at a significance level of α = 0.05 (those with long-term Maxwell viscosities ηM ~ 4.6 × 1020 Pa s) but cannot reject models on the basis of transient Kelvin viscosity ηK. Finally, we examine the implications of these results for the predicted earthquake cycle timing of the 15 faults considered and compare these predictions to the geologic and historical record.
Ensemble Monte Carlo study of a novel heterojunction real-space transfer logic transistor (RSTLT)

A novel real-space transfer logic transistor (RSTLT) is proposed based on the real-space transfer of hot electrons in a four-terminal heterojunction microstructure. Self-consistent steady-state and transient Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the RSTLT features both logic flexibility and ultra-fast switching speed. Calculated results show that the proposed RSTLT realizes NOT and EQUIVALENT logic functions in a single heterojunction device, and a conservative estimate of the characteristic switching time is approximately 3 psec. >
A comparison of 7-day versus 10-day course of low-dose dexamethasone for chronically ventilated preterm infants

The objective of the study was to compare the effect of two different dexamethasone regimens on respiratory outcomes of ventilator-dependent preterm infants. Retrospective study of ventilated preterm infants <29 weeks gestational age treated with either 7-day or 10-day dexamethasone course. Primary outcome was days to successful extubation. Other outcomes included rate of successful extubation and need for repeat steroid therapy. Fifty-nine infants were identified; 32 (54%) received 7 days of dexamethasone and 27 (46%) received 10 days of dexamethasone. Both groups had comparable baseline demographics and clinical characteristics. Mean time to successful extubation was similar between the two groups (5.1±2.7 days in 7-day group and 6.0±3.7 days in 10-day group, P=0.42). Successful extubation by end of treatment (56% versus 67%, P=0.44) and need for repeat steroid therapy (47% versus 33%, P=0.43) were also similar. 7-day and 10-day course of dexamethasone have comparable efficacy in facilitating extubation of ventilator-dependent preterm infants.
Examining the association between perceived discrimination and heart rate variability in African Americans.

Objective Previous research attempting to delineate the role of discrimination in racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension has focused largely on blood pressure, which is chiefly governed by the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. Consequently, few studies have considered the role of the parasympathetic branch and particularly its regulation of the heart via the vagus nerve. Method In the present cross-sectional study, we employed hierarchical linear regressions to examine associations between perceived ethnic discrimination and resting heart rate variability (HRV), an important biomarker of parasympathetic cardiac modulation and overall health, in a sample (N = 103) of young, healthy African American participants (58% female, Mage = 19.94 years, SD = 2.84). Results After accounting for demographic factors and health status characteristics, lifetime discrimination emerged as an inverse predictor of HRV. When subdomains of discrimination were considered, discrimination attributable to threats or actual acts of aggression was also predictive of lower HRV. Conclusions Our findings suggest that a greater lifetime burden of discrimination and discriminatory harassment and/or assault is associated with lower resting HRV in African Americans. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of past, present and emerging research emphasizing biological linkages between discrimination and health. (PsycINFO Database Record
Comparison of allograft and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage subsidence rates in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)

Structural allografts and PEEK cages are commonly used interbody fusion devices in ACDF. The subsidence rates of these two spacers have not yet been directly compared. The primary aim of this study was to compare the subsidence rate of allograft and PEEK cage in ACDF. The secondary aim was to determine if the presence of subsidence affects the clinical outcome. We reviewed 67 cases (117 levels) of ACDF with either structural allograft or PEEK cages. There were 85 levels (48 cases) with PEEK and 32 levels (19 cases) with allograft spacers. Anterior and posterior disc heights at each operative level were measured at immediate and 6months post-op. Subsidence was defined as a decrease in anterior or posterior disc heights >2mm. NDI of the subsidence (SG) and non-subsidence group (NSG) were recorded. Chi-square test was used to analyze subsidence rates. T-test was used to analyze clinical outcomes (α=0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between subsidence rates of the PEEK (29%; 25/85) and allograft group (28%; 9/32) (p=0.69). Overall mean subsidence was 2.3±1.7mm anteriorly and 2.6±1.2mm posteriorly. Mean NDI improvement was 11.7 (from 47.1 to 35.4; average follow-up: 12mos) for the SG and 14.0 (from 45.8 to 31.8; average follow-up: 13mos) for the NSG (p=0.74). Subsidence rate does not seem to be affected by the use of either PEEK or allograft as spacers in ACDF. Furthermore, subsidence alone does not seem to be predictive of clinical outcomes of ACDF.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome in Premenopausal Women

Premenopausal women have a lower prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) as compared with postmenopausal women. The differences in hormonal status potentially change the likelihood for the development of OSAHS in premenopausal women. OSAHS in premenopausal women may be poorly recognized in women due to nonspecific complaints of insomnia, headaches, or fatigue. Premenopausal women with OSAHS are more likely to be obese or have structural abnormalities of the upper airway than men, or postmenopausal women. Methods used to treat include behavioral measures, including weight loss; treatment of nasal symptoms; continuous positive airway pressure; oral appliances; and surgery.
Interferon-Lambda: A Potent Regulator of Intestinal Viral Infections

Interferon-lambda (IFN-λ) is a recently described cytokine found to be of critical importance in innate immune regulation of intestinal viruses. Endogenous IFN-λ has potent antiviral effects and has been shown to control multiple intestinal viruses, and may represent a factor that contributes to human variability in response to infection. Importantly, recombinant IFN-λ has therapeutic potential against enteric viral infections, many of which lack other effective treatments. In this mini-review, we describe recent advances regarding IFN-λ-mediated regulation of enteric viruses with important clinical relevance including rotavirus, reovirus, and norovirus. We also briefly discuss IFN-λ interactions with other cytokines important in the intestine, and how IFN-λ may play a role in regulation of intestinal viruses by the commensal microbiome. Finally, we indicate currently outstanding questions regarding IFN-λ control of enteric infections that remain to be explored to enhance our understanding of this important immune molecule.
Data Security and Privacy in 2025

Security research aims at reducing the risk and consequences of attacks on information technology. Based on the projection of current trends, this vision paper makes an attempt at identifying potential security research challenges for the next 10 years. Examples of identified challenges are the trend to have pervasive computing in tiny devices, to collect and analyze data from these devices and other sources, and to increase the connection between IT and physical systems.
When Algorithmic Predictions Use Human-Generated Data: A Bias-Aware Classification Algorithm for Breast Cancer Diagnosis

When algorithms use data generated by human beings, they inherit the errors stemming from human biases, which likely diminishes their performance. We examine the design and value of a bias-aware li...
The HaramBuntu-Government-Diaspora Relationship Management Theory

The brain circulation phenomenon addresses the two-way dynamic migration patterns of Africa’s Diaspora publics, particularly from and to their host and home countries. In exchange for the various capital that the Diaspora bring to their African home countries, many of these Diaspora members seek to integrate within the socio-economic and political tapestries of their home countries. However, the relationship between some African governments and their Diaspora publics is challenged, as a result of perceived distrust from both parties and infrastructural limitations that results in missed opportunities for a nation’s development. This chapter introduces the HaramBuntu-Government-Diaspora Communications Theory (HGDCT) to support African governments’ communicative efforts in managing relationships with their Diaspora publics to motivate them to invest in their home countries. Guided by a modification of the original three-stage relationship management framework, the HGDCT is grounded in African collectivistic values, coined in an original term, HaramBuntu, which stems from Kenya’s “Harambee” and South Africa’s “Ubuntu.” The theory departs from a prescriptive, two-way dialogic, symmetrical “best” practice Western, Excellent model of public relations. Instead, it prioritizes African cultural values as the bedrock of relationship-building and incorporates insight from each party to provide data-driven, meaningful solutions in nation-building.
Rod ERG diurnal rhythm in some patients with dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

Five patients with dominant retinitis pigmentosa who were monocularly entrained to a 14 hr light: 10 hr dark cycle showed an abnormal diurnal rhythm in the rod electroretinogram of the entrained eye. These patients as a group showed larger-than-normal reductions in b-wave sensitivity 1.5 hr and 8 hr after light onset relative to other times of day. The findings raise the possibility that these patients have an abnormality in rod photoreceptor function associated with the process of outer segment renewal. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 29:494-498,1988 Previous studies of normal human subjects who were monocularly entrained to a 14 hr light: 10 hr dark cycle showed that a diurnal rhythm existed in the rod electroretinogram (ERG) of the entrained eye. 12 B-wave sensitivity was significantly lower 1.5 hr after light onset compared to other times of day. A diurnal variation in the rod ERG of normal, light entrained pigmented rats has been observed, with awave and b-wave sensitivities lowest at the time of day when phagosomes in the pigment epithelium were most numerous and rod outer segments were shortest. 3 A normal rod ERG diurnal rhythm was recently reported in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) pigmented rats with a defect in the capacity of the pigment epithelium to phagocytize outer segment discs; this finding suggested that the reduction in ERG sensitivity following light onset in humans was not directly due to a diurnal rhythm in phagosome frequency, but, instead, might occur as a consequence of an alteration in rod photoreceptor function. 4 The presence of a diurnal rhythm in the rod ERG of normal humans, together with the findings in rats, raised the possibility of monitoring functional changes associated with rod outer segment renewal in patients with retinal diseases involving the rod photoreceptor. Initial studies were conducted on patients
Testing Statistical Hypotheses: Simple Hypothesis vs. Simple Alternative

This chapter focuses on testing statistical hypotheses—simple hypothesis and simple alternative. Hypothesis testing is one of the principal branches of mathematical statistics. The chapter presents an introduction to a few of the basic principles of testing statistical hypotheses. A distinguishing feature of hypothesis testing in the field of mathematical statistics is that there is always one particular state of nature that one does not wish to eliminate unless there is overwhelming evidence or reason for doing so. The two states of nature imply that there are two distinct probability distributions of the random variables. When distinguishing between two states of nature, the statistician identifies with each state of nature a probability distribution function of some random variables. The chapter explains how a best critical region can be obtained by the means of a very important theorem of J. Neyman and E. S. Pearson, a theorem which is basic to the problems of statistical inference. Neyman–Pearson fundamental lemma is fundamental to a great deal of statistical inference.
Role of the Extracellular Matrix in Addiction

Abstract Evidence has recently emerged that neuroplasticity induced by addictive drugs in corticostriatal glutamatergic synapses is best understood by considering the entire “tetrapartite synapse,” which includes not only the canonical presynapse and postsynapse, but also perisynaptic astroglia and signaling in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is a network of proteins that includes membrane receptors, cell adhesion molecules, and proteases, which surround and interact with proximal neurons and glia to influence synaptic signaling and plasticity. In this chapter, we review the role of various elements of the ECM, such as matrix metalloproteinases, perineuronal nets, and cell-adhesion molecules in the drug experience, drug withdrawal, and drug relapse. Through this review, we highlight mechanisms of drug seeking that are future experimental directions and possible pharmacotherapeutic targets.
Quasisimilarity of Rational Toeplitz Operators

A recent series of papers, [1]–[3], has dealt with the structure, up to similarity, of rational Toeplitz operators TF, with spectrum consisting of the union of loops, intersecting at only a finite number of points. This paper deals with quasisimilarity.
What Does Heart Failure Mean to You

Introduction Knowing how patients understand the meaning of heart failure (HF) is important for effective communication between health care providers and patients. This could help patients to engage in self-care based on a clear understanding of their conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the patients’ meaning of HF by asking patients, “What does heart failure mean to you?” Methods We conducted a qualitative descriptive study. Adult patients with any type of HF were enrolled during hospitalization in the US. Participants were purposively selected using maximum variation sampling to ensure inclusion of patients from various age groups, gender, and different durations of HF. Patients with cognitive impairment (a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score below 22) or severe untreated mental illness were excluded. Open-ended 1:1 interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using qualitative inductive content analysis. Results Twenty patients with HF (aged 36-84 years, 65% male, 65% White, 60% with some college education, 60% unemployed, 45% married) were enrolled. The duration of HF ranged from 4 months to 41 years (median 6 years). Most were NYHA class III (67%), and the median left ventricular ejection fraction was 30%. Four themes of what HF meant to patients emerged: (a) fearful label, (b) pathophysiological understanding, (c) limitations, and (d) adjustment. Under the theme ‘fearful label,’ two subthemes were identified: death sentence and scary label. The meaning of “failure” elicited fear and was associated with the belief, “I am going to die.” However, many patients defined HF based on its pathophysiology with two subthemes, insufficient pumping and its consequences into the theme “pathophysiological understanding.” In addition, many patients defined HF based on the limitations the diagnosis incurred in their lives. The subthemes limited life engagement, limited physical state, and emotional distress were identified. One of the main challenges was no longer being able to do what they want to do or used to be able to do. Finally, “adjustment” emerged with three subthemes: acceptance, adaptation, and life status change. For these patients, living with HF meant trying to accept it, learning how to deal with it, and making changes in their daily lives. Conclusions The HF label itself might influence patients’ perception of their conditions or self-care behaviors. Discrepancies in understanding or an inability to accept the label of HF can make it difficult for patients to engage in self-care. Health care providers need to understand what HF means to patients before providing detailed information about the condition to make sure that patients can hear and accept information about HF.
Interactions among glomerulus infiltrating macrophages and intrinsic cells via cytokines in chronic lupus glomerulonephritis.

Abstract Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN) and inflammatory cytokines within the glomeruli are critical in this process. However, little information is available for the identities of the cell types that are primarily responsible for the production and function of the various cytokines. We have devised a novel method to visualize cytokine signals in the kidney by confocal microscopy and found that cytokine production within the glomerulus is cell type-specific and under translational control. In the lupus-prone NZM2328 mice with chronic glomerulonephritis, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the glomerulus were produced predominantly by mesangial cells, podocytes, and glomerulus-infiltrating blood-derived macrophages, respectively. Microarray and RNASeq analyses showed that these cells expressed the receptors for these cytokines. Together the 3 cell types form a cytokine circuit in amplifying cytokine responses in LN. The intrinsic cells and infiltrating macrophages also produced other cytokines including M-CSF, SCF, and IL-34 that constituted within the enclosed glomerular space the soluble effector milieu which may mediate cellular damage and proliferation, and cytokine transcriptional and translation regulation. IL-10 and IL-1β were translationally regulated in the glomeruli in the intact kidney in a cell type-specific manner. The production of these 2 cytokines by infiltrating macrophages was undetectable in a visualization system for in situ protein accumulation despite high mRNA expression levels. However, these macrophages in isolated glomeruli which are released from Bowman's capsules produced large amounts of IL-10 and IL-1β. These data reveal the complexity of cytokine regulation, production, and function in the glomerulus and provide a model in which cytokine blocking may be beneficial in LN treatment.
25 years of yeast prions.

In the early 1990s, Reed Wickner developed a novel hypothesis. For decades it was known that two phenotypes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae followed non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance [1,2...
Fatigue Behavior of Type 316 Stainless Steel Irradiated in a Mixed Spectrum Fission Reactor Forming Helium

In a Tokamak reactor that operates in a cyclic mode, thermal stresses will result in fatigue in structural components, especially in the first wall and blanket. There has been limited work on fatigue in irradiated alloys, but none on irradiated materials containing irradiation-induced helium, which will be characteristic of fusion service. Specimens of 20% cold-worked Type 316 stainless steel were irradiated in the High Flux Isotope Reactor, which produces atomic displacement damage as well as helium through a two-step neutron absorption reaction with nickel. The specimens were irradiated at 430/sup 0/C to up to 15 dpa and 900 at. ppm helium. Following irradiation, specimens were tested in a vacuum at the irradiation temperature with total strain ranges from 0.30 to 2.0%. The irradiated specimens exhibited a reduction in fatigue life of a factor of 3 to 10 compared to unirradiated material. An endurance limit was observed at a total strain range of 0.3% for irradiated material.
ATMem: adaptive data placement in graph applications on heterogeneous memories

Active development in new memory devices, such as non-volatile memories and high-bandwidth memories, brings heterogeneous memory systems (HMS) as a promising solution for implementing large-scale memory systems with cost, area, and power limitations. Typical HMS consists of a small-capacity high-performance memory and a large-capacity low-performance memory. Data placement on such systems plays a critical role in performance optimization. Existing efforts have explored coarse-grained data placement in applications with dense data structures; however, a thorough study of applications that are based on graph data structures is still missing. This work proposes ATMem—a runtime framework for adaptive granularity data placement optimization in graph applications. ATMem consists of a lightweight profiler, an analyzer using a novel m-ary tree-based strategy to identify sampled and estimated critical data chunks, and a high-bandwidth migration mechanism using a multi-stage multi-threaded approach. ATMem is evaluated in five applications on two HMS hardware, including the Intel Optane byte-addressable NVM and MCDRAM. Experimental results show that ATMem selects 5%-18% data to be placed on high-performance memory and achieves an average of 1.7×-3.4× speedup on NVM-DRAM and 1.2×-2.0× speedup on MCDRAM-DRAM, over the baseline that places all data on the large-capacity memory. On NVM-DRAM, ATMem achieves performance comparable to a full-DRAM system with as low as 9%-54% slowdown.
Deep Learning Enabled Strain Mapping of Single-Atom Defects in Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides with Sub-Picometer Precision.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer an ideal platform to study the strain fields induced by individual atomic defects, yet challenges associated with radiation damage have so far limited electron microscopy methods to probe these atomic-scale strain fields. Here, we demonstrate an approach to probe single-atom defects with sub-picometer precision in a monolayer 2D transition metal dichalcogenide, WSe2-2xTe2x. We utilize deep learning to mine large data sets of aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy images to locate and classify point defects. By combining hundreds of images of nominally identical defects, we generate high signal-to-noise class averages which allow us to measure 2D atomic spacings with up to 0.2 pm precision. Our methods reveal that Se vacancies introduce complex, oscillating strain fields in the WSe2-2xTe2x lattice that correspond to alternating rings of lattice expansion and contraction. These results indicate the potential impact of computer vision for the development of high-precision electron microscopy methods for beam-sensitive materials.
The impact of microcredit borrowing on household consumption in Bangladesh

The rapid expansion of microcredit in recent years renders knowledge of its impact on poverty critical. Unfortunately, empirical investigations have been limited by endogeneity issues, and randomiz...