cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adoption of a Tai Chi Intervention, Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, for Fall Prevention by Rural Faith-Based Organizations, 2013–2014

BACKGROUND: Translating evidence-based, community-delivered, fall-prevention exercise programs into new settings is a public health priority. COMMUNITY CONTEXT: Older adults (aged ≥65 y) are at high risk for falls. We conducted a community engagement project in West Virginia to evaluate the adoption of a tai chi exercise program, Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, by rural faith-based organizations (FBOs) and exercise instructors by recruiting 20 FBOs and 20 or more exercise instructors and by obtaining input from key stakeholders (representatives of FBOs, community representatives, exercise instructors) regarding potential barriers and facilitators to program adoption. METHODS: We used both multistage, purposeful random sampling and snowball sampling to recruit FBOs and exercise instructors in 7 West Virginia counties. Two forums were held with stakeholders to identify barriers and facilitators to program adoption. We calculated separate adoption rates for organizations and exercise instructors. OUTCOME: It took up to 3 months to recruit each FBO with an adoption rate of 94%. We made 289 telephone calls, sent 193 emails and 215 letters, distributed brochures and flyers to 69 FBOs, held 118 meetings, and made 20 trips over a period of 31 days (8,933 miles traveled). Nineteen of 22 trained exercise instructors started classes, an instructor adoption rate of 86%. Key issues regarding adoption were the age requirement for participants, trust, education, and competing priorities. INTERPRETATION: Although we had recruitment challenges, our adoption rates were similar to or higher than those reported in other studies, and the objectives of the community engagement project were met. Clustering the FBOs and having them located closer geographically to our location may have reduced our resource use, and using a recruitment coordinator from the local community may have enabled us to gain the trust of congregants and clergy support. Language: en
Tweeted, deleted: theoretical, methodological, and ethical considerations for examining politicians’ deleted tweets

ABSTRACTIn an election, political candidates often slip up and want a do-over. On Twitter, they get this chance. Candidates can delete tweets and hope no one notices. But organizations such as Politwoops notice. Politwoops archives politicians’ deletions in the hopes of bringing more transparency and accountability to political discourse. This article discusses the theoretical value, methodological challenges, and ethical considerations of examining deleted tweets and using the Politwoops archive. Specifically, this article (a) discusses how analysis of deleted tweets can expand and deepen research on impression management and online self-presentations in elections, (b) proposes the use of an intertextual content analysis ‒ a hybrid approach that incorporates elements of a qualitative content analysis and an intertextual interpretative analysis ‒ when analyzing deletions, (c) investigates and exposes some of the limitations of the Politwoops archive, and (d) given the limitations of the Politwoops archive...
The Cameron–Martin–Girsanov Theorem

This chapter focuses on the Cameron–Martin–Girsanov theorem. It discusses the transformation of Brownian motion. A process that satisfies all the conditions imposed on an n-dimensional Brownian motion (including continuity) in the interval 0 ≤ t ≤ T is called an n-dimensional Brownian motion in the interval [0, T]. The chapter derives Girsanov's formula.
Memory circuits using NanoFerroic devices

A variety of magneto-electric and ferroelectric (Nanoferroic) logic devices are being investigated as possible technologies options for the beyond CMOS era. The technologies being developed have been studied previously for their logic capabilities. One benefit of most NanoFerroic devices is that they have an intrinsic non-volatile memory capability, making them especially interesting for standalone memory applications.
Conversation Deficits and Caregiver Burden in Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD) and Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) (P03.091)

OBJECTIVE: Explore conversation deficits and caregiver burden in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA). BACKGROUND: Despite our advancing knowledge of language deficits in bvFTD and PPA, few studies have explored day-to-day communication failure. We administered the Perception of Conversation Index (PCI-DAT) to evaluate the conversation deficits of bvFTD and PPA patients as perceived by their caregivers. DESIGN/METHODS: The PCI-DAT was administered to caregivers of 13 bvFTD and 24 PPA patients (7 semantic, 10 non-fluent/agrammatic, 7 logopenic). The survey includes 74 items in five subscales: 1) communication deficits (e.g., difficulty finding words, understanding questions, completing sentences), 2) caregiver repair strategies 3) patient repair strategies 4) caregiver feelings and 5) disruption of social activities resulting from conversation difficulties. Items were rated using a 7-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Patient groups had comparable age (bvFTD=62yrs, PPA=65yrs) and MMSE scores (bvFTD=25, PPA=24), but differed in naming difficulty (Boston Naming Test-30: bvFTD=25, PPA=17, p CONCLUSIONS: Compared to PPA, caregivers of bvFTD patients reported more severe disruptions in social activities resulting from conversation difficulties. While simple communication deficits significantly predicted disruption of social activities in PPA, this relationship was not present in bvFTD. Conversational problems may be related in part to bvFTD patients9 reported disorders of conversational discourse. Our findings underscore the high level of burden experienced by bvFTD caregivers and may help guide future caregiver interventions. Supported by: NIH grants AG17586, AG15116, AG32953, NS44266, NS53488, HD060406, and the Wyncote Foundation. Disclosure: Dr. Rascovsky has nothing to disclose. Dr. Glasenberg has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boller has nothing to disclose. Dr. Grossman has nothing to disclose.
Magnetic Microlassos for Reversible Cargo Capture, Transport, and Release.

Microbot propulsion has seen increasing interest in recent years as artificial methods that overcome the well-established reversible and challenging nature of microscale fluid mechanics. While controlled movement is an important feature of microbot action, many envisioned applications also involve cargo transport where microbots must be able to load and unload contents on command while tolerating complex solution chemistry. Here we introduce a physical method that uses flexible and linked superparamagnetic colloidal chains, which can form closed rings or “lassos” in the presence of a planar rotating magnetic field. By adding an additional AC magnetic field along the direction perpendicular to the substrate, we can orient the lasso at a tilted camber angle. We show that these magnetic lassos can roll at substantial velocities, with precise spatial control by manipulating both field strength and phase lag. Moreover, the lasso can curl around and capture cargo tightly and transport it based on a wheel-type m...
A comparative analysis of renewable energy simulation tools: Performance simulation model vs. system optimization

Abstract Whether you are beginning to learn about renewable energy or are an expert, there are a number of software-tools that can be used to help simulate and optimize your system. Performance models simulate energy outputs with system configurations specified by the user, while optimization models can help plan appropriate system sizes to meet energy goals such as minimizing life-cycle system costs or maximizing carbon reduction. The models reviewed in this paper have been categorized into different project level subgroups: ‘Multi-scale Renewable Energy (RE) Tools’, ‘District Level Tools’, and ‘Regional Level Tools’. The tools in each category will be compared to one another to show similarities and differences. Concluding this research, a summary of which tools are more suitable for each scale will be suggested.
The role of tumor microenvironment in cancer immunotherapy

The field of tumor immunology and immunotherapy has undergone a renaissance in the past decade do in large part to a better understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment. After suffering countless successes and setbacks in the twentieth century, immunotherapy has now come to the forefront of cancer research and is recognized as an important tool in the anti-tumor armamentarium. The goal of therapy is to aid the immune system in recognition and destruction of tumor cells by enhancing its ability to react to tumor antigens. This traditionally has been accomplished by induction of adaptive immunity through vaccination or through passive delivery of immunologic effectors as in the case of adoptive cell transfer. The recent discovery of immune “checkpoints” whose purpose is to suppress immune activity and prevent auto-immunity has created a new angle by which reactivity to tumors can be enhanced. Blockers of these checkpoints have yielded impressive clinical results and have recently been approved for use in a wide variety of malignancies. With data showing increasing rates of not only treatment response, but complete remissions, immunotherapy is poised to become an increasingly utilized therapy in the treatment of cancer.
Challenges and Opportunities Facing Successful Women in Mocrocco

Over a decade since the passage of a revised family status code (mudawana) in Morocco, the literature varies in its assessment of the code's impact on women's rights and opportunities. While some s...
Protective and Harmful Effects of Religious Practice on Depression Among Jewish Individuals With Mood Disorders

Research suggests that religious practice has a small but consistent inverse relationship with depression, but recent work within the Jewish population has been equivocal. Following the behavioral ...
Perceptions of overdetection of breast cancer among women 70 years of age and older in the USA: a mixed-methods analysis.

Objectives Current research on the perceptions of overdiagnosis or overdetection of breast cancer has largely been conducted outside of the USA and with women younger than 70 years. Therefore, we explored older women’s perceptions about the concept of overdetection of breast cancer and its influence on future screening intentions. Design Mixed-methods analysis using purposive sampling based on race/ethnicity, age and educational level. Semistructured interviews, including two hypothetical scenarios illustrating benefits and harms of screening and overdetection, were analysed using inductive and deductive thematic approaches. An inferential clustering technique was used to assess overall patterns in narrative content by sociodemographic characteristics, personal screening preferences or understanding of overdetection. Setting Houston/Galveston, Texas, USA. Participants 59 English-speaking women aged 70 years and older with no prior history of breast cancer. Results Very few women were familiar with the concept of overdetection and overtreatment. After the scenarios were presented, half of the women still demonstrated a lack of understanding of the concept of overdetection. Many women expressed suspicion of the concept, equating it to rationing. Women who showed understanding of overdetection were more likely to express an intent to discontinue screening, although 86% of the women stated that hearing about overdetection did not influence their screening decision. Themes identified did not differ by race/ethnicity, education, age or screening preferences. Differences were identified between women who understood overdetection and women who did not (r=0.23, p Conclusions Many older women did not understand the concept of overdetection, in addition to being suspicious of or resistant to the concept. Providing older women with descriptions of overdetection may not be sufficient to influence screening intentions.
Food for Thought: How Food and Economics Intersect in Rural Ecuador

Dietary trends can have large implications on public health. there is a strong physiological connection between food consumption and one’s well-being. Thus nutrition is an important factor in a nation’s overall health. many factors contribute to how and why an individual eats certain foods. In ecuador, historical, socioeconomic, cultural, behavioral, and environmental factors influence the different diets, and thereby, the nutritional conditions, of different ethnic, and regional geographic populations. discrepancies among these groups are particularly noticeable in sierra, Ecuador’s the highland region. This paper examines the prevalence of malnutrition across Ecuador. Specifically, it considers how the Ecuadorian diet took shape, and how different sub-cuisines contribute to malnutrition. While all regions are considered, a focus is placed primarily on the Sierra, given that levels of malnutrition are noticeably higher in this region, and that this highland area is home to large rural and indigenous communities who are most significantly impacted by the area’s nutritional conditions.
An H−1-Galerkin Procedure for the Two-Point Boundary Value Problem

Publisher Summary This chapter defines Galerkin procedure for the two-point boundary value problem which admits the use of nonconforming, that is, discontinuous, subspaces for the approximate solution. The use of such subspaces reduces the coupling between elements and leads to error estimates that are local in the sense that they are of optimum order with respect to local smoothness of the solution plus a perturbation term of higher order depending on the global smoothness. The chapter presents computed results using nonconforming subspaces for a problem whose solution has derivatives that are large only in a small interval.
A model for combined environment accelerated aging applied to a neoprene cable jacketing material

The present paper describes some results of a continuing program at Sandia Laboratories whose main goal is to develop more reliable accelerated aging techniques. An interesting situation in accelerated aging occurs when two or more environmental stresses lead to the deterioration of a component. Synergism is sometimes important in such cases so that the deteriorating effects of the various environments are not additive. We have proposed a model1 potentially applicable to combined environment aging. This paper will outline the model and indicate how it can be used to carry out accelerated aging in combined environment situations. Some preliminary data on a neoprene cable jacketing material aged in single and combined thermal and radiation environments will be described and analyzed according to the formalism of the model.
Considerations for the Mitigation of Earthquake-Induced Soil Liquefaction in Urban Environments

AbstractIn cities, seismic coupling between structures is known to influence ground motions, settlement patterns, and demand on superstructures. Yet the effects of interactions between soil and bui...
Engaging Child Welfare–Involved Families in Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Child Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Evidence-based behavioral parent training (BPT) programs are the most effective way to address children’s behavior disorders and participant engagement is essential to achieving positive treatment ...
Broadband and Sensitive Lateral Optical Phase Modulators using 1D-PhC for Integrated Si-Photonics

Design of broadband optical phase modulators (PM) with improved sensitivity is presented in this paper using lateral coupled micro-strip (CMS) driving electrodes and a photonic crystal (PhC). The 1D PhC structure consists of alternating sub-micometer layers of PMMI and Air materials. This 1D PhC is placed as a superstrate to the optical core and contributes to a slowlightwave structure for a 200fs optical pulse at the center wavelength of 1550 nm. Both optical BPM and FTDT along with HFSS simulation results demonstrate a 3dB bandwidth of 54GHz and about 100% improvement of the figure of merit of $V_{\mathbf{\pi \, }} \times L$ of the PM over optical bandwidth 1530 to 1570 nm wavelength.
Injury patterns and incidence of intra-abdominal injuries in elderly ground level fall patients: Is the PAN-SCAN warranted?

Abstract Background This study aimed to determine the incidence of intra-abdominal injuries in elderly patients after a ground-level fall. Methods A 6-year retrospective review was conducted on patients 65 years of age or older involved in a fall from standing and evaluated at a level 1 trauma center. Each patient presented with a pelvic, thoracolumbar, and/or lower rib fracture. Data collection included demographics, injury characteristics, FAST exam results, CT imaging results, and hospitalization outcomes. Results A total of 324 patients met study inclusion criteria. The majority of patients were white (95.1%) females (65.4%) with an average age of 82.0 ± 7.3 years. Only 22 patients (6.8%) reported abdominal pain, although an abdominal CT was performed in 91 patients (28.1%). Only 1 patient (0.3%) was found to have an intra-abdominal injury when no abdominal pain was reported and the FAST exam was negative. This injury was not clinically significant enough to warrant surgical intervention. Conclusion Elderly patients who suffer a ground-level fall do not benefit from PAN-SCAN, even when presenting with rib, thoracolumbar, and/or pelvic fractures.
Accuracy, reproducibility, and dimensional stability of additively manufactured surgical templates

Abstract Statement of problem Additively manufactured surgical templates are commonly used for computer-guided implant placement. However, their accuracy, reproducibility, and dimensional stability have not been thoroughly investigated with the different 3D printers and materials used for their fabrication. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy, reproducibility, and dimensional stability of additively manufactured surgical templates fabricated by using different 3D printers. Material and methods Thirty surgical templates were designed and additively manufactured from 3 different 3D printers as follows: group SLA (n=10) was fabricated by using a desktop stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer and photopolymerizing resin; group PolyJet (n=10) was fabricated by using a PolyJet 3D printer and photopolymerizing resins; and group DMP (n=10) was fabricated by using a direct metal printing (DMP) system and Co-Cr metal alloy. All surgical templates were scanned by using a laser scanner within 36 hours of production and digitalized again 1 month later. All scanned files were compared with the corresponding designed files in a surface matching software program. The mean deviation root mean square (RMS, measured in mm, representing accuracy), percentage of measurement data points within 1 standard deviation of mean RMS (in %, representing reproducibility), and dimensional changes were determined and compared. Results At the postproduction stage, group PolyJet was most accurate with the lowest RMS value of 0.10 ±0.02 mm and highest reproducibility with 93.07 ±1.54% of measurement data points within 1 standard deviation of mean RMS. After 1-month storage, group PolyJet(1month) remained the most accurate with the lowest RMS value of 0.14 ±0.03 mm and the highest reproducibility value of 92.46 ±1.50%. For dimensional stability, group SLA versus group SLA(1month) comparison showed a significant decrease in accuracy (RMS values of 0.20 ±0.08 mm versus 0.25 ±0.08 mm, P Conclusions Printed resin surgical templates produced by using the PolyJet 3D printer showed higher accuracy and reproducibility than those produced by using the desktop SLA 3D printer and printed Co-Cr surgical templates at both the postproduction stage and after 1-month storage. The level of accuracy and reproducibility in printed Co-Cr surgical templates was not affected by 1-month storage.
Abstract 3458: Investigation of oxidative stress-related gene signature in cancer-associated cachexia

About eighty percent of pancreatic cancer patients demonstrate excessive loss of skeletal muscles with or without loss of adipose deposits, a condition known as cancer-associated cachexia. Severe complexities related to cancer-associated cachexia contribute to mortality in one-third of pancreatic cancer patients. Multiple factors, including loss of appetite, systemic inflammation, digestive enzymes, and hormonal imbalance may contribute to the development of cancer-associated cachexia. Poor understanding of the molecular mechanism is the key challenge for targeting cancer-associated cachexia. Hence, to facilitate the identification of new targets for ameliorating cancer-induced muscle loss, we undertook genomic studies. We evaluated differentially expressed gene signatures in muscle tissues of cachectic and non-cachectic human pancreatic cancer patients. To better model the mechanisms of cancer cachexia, we also compared the identified gene signatures to that of orthotopic and spontaneous mice models of pancreatic cancer cachexia. We observed significant alterations in multiple genes related to oxidative stress in muscle tissues from human patients with cachexia and mice cachexia models. We targeted oxidative stress regulatory genes by genetic manipulations or targeted oxidative stress with pharmacological approaches to evaluate the impact of oxidative stress in skeletal muscles on cancer-associated cachexia. Our results suggest that targeting the oxidative stress pathway prevents/reverts cancer-associated cachexia. Moreover, inhibition of oxidative stress also abolished cancer cell-conditioned medium-induced atrophy in C2C12-derived myotubes and diminished the expression of atrophy markers. Overall, our studies revealed the potential role of oxidative stress induced by cancer cells in muscle wasting. Future studies to target tumor-induced oxidative stress in muscle fibers may provide new therapeutic approaches to prevent cancer-associated cachexia. Citation Format: Sumeet Jain, Surendra K. Shukla, Aneesha Dasgupta, Pankaj K. Singh. Investigation of oxidative stress-related gene signature in cancer-associated cachexia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3458.
Exploring Soft Donor Character of the N-2-Pyrazinylmethyl Group by Coordinating Trivalent Actinides and Lanthanides Using Aminopolycarboxylates

The trivalent f-element coordination chemistry of a novel aminopolycarboxylate complexant was investigated. The novel reagent is an octadentate complexant that resembles diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N″,N″-pentaacetic acid (DTPA), but a single N-acetate pendant arm was substituted with a N-2-pyrazinylmethyl functional group. Thermodynamic studies of ligand protonation and trivalent lanthanide, americium and curium, complexation by N-2-pyrazinylmethyldiethylenetriamine-N,N',N″,N″-tetraacetic acid (DTTA-PzM) emphasize the strong electron withdrawing influence of the N-2-pyrazinylmethyl group. Specifically, DTTA-PzM is more acidic compared to a N-2-pyridinylmethyl-substituted structural equivalent, DTTA-PyM, with a substantial lowering of pK7, corresponding to the protonation of a second aliphatic amine site. The participation of the pyrizyl nitrogen in the metal ion coordination sphere is evident from the fluorescence lifetime decay measurements of metal hydration and the interpretation of the stability constants for ML- and MHL(aq) complexes. The overall conditional stability constants for the trivalent f-element complexation by DTTA-PzM complexes decrease, relative to DTTA-PyM, as expected based on the lower basicity of pyrazine in water relative to pyridine. Replacement of the N-2-pyridinylmethyl group with N-2-pyrazinylmethyl, while enhancing the total acidity of DTTA-PzM, also reduces its softness, as manifested by a small lowering of β101Am/Nd and liquid-liquid separation of trivalent lanthanides from trivalent americium. Despite this, the 4f/5f separation is doubled when DTTA-PzM replaces DTPA as an aqueous complexant in solvent extraction.
Self-declared Throwaway Accounts on Reddit: How Platform Affordances and Shared Norms enable Parenting Disclosure and Support

Parents can be subjected to scrutiny and judgment for their parenting choices. Much of this scrutiny is experienced online, especially around stigmatized topics such as divorce, custody, postpartum depression, and miscarriage. Prior theory suggests that parents might be able to access greater support online when anonymous, but other evidence suggests that anonymity may increase bad behavior. Drawing from ten years of Reddit parenting boards, we show that parents are more likely to discuss potentially stigmatizing topics using anonymous ("throwaway") accounts. We find that, on average, throwaway comments are more likely to receive a response, receive more responses that are longer, and receive responses that have higher karma scores than topically similar comments posted by non-throwaway accounts. We argue that self-identified throwaway accounts provide a crucial environment for supporting parents with stigmatizing experiences. They also provide a shared platform signal (the throwaway account) which enables other Reddit users to access shared experiences and support. We propose that a hybrid combination of identified and anonymous platforms could provide more supportive online experiences for parents and other users.
On Valuing Employee Stock Option Plans with the Requisite Service Period Requirement

This paper examines issues involving employee stock option plans as a part of employee compensation. In particular, employee stock options requiring a requisite service period are viewed as an option on options and hence, a compound option, as the employee’s future market wage rate is unknown. Non-transferability of employee stock options is overcome by the well-known put-call parity theorem. Difficulties arise, however, if a firm is privately held. The paper derives a simple formula to value equities for privately held firms.
FOAM ROLLING AND INDICES OF AUTONOMIC RECOVERY FOLLOWING EXERCISE-INDUCED MUSCLE DAMAGE.

Background With the increased popularity of foam rolling as a recovery tool, it is important to explore possible mechanisms of action toward mitigating soreness and restoring athletic performance. Purpose The purpose of the present experiment was to assess the influence of foam rolling on gross measures of physical performance and indices of autonomic function following exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Method In a between-group design, 40 participants performed a session of 40x15 meter sprints, inducing muscle damage. Immediately following sprinting and in the four days following, heart rate variability and pulse wave velocity were recorded, in addition to perceived muscle soreness, vertical jump, and agility. Nineteen subjects (mean±sd; age 23.1±5.0 yrs; BMI 25.6±3.3 kg.m-2) foam rolled their quadricep, gluteal, and gastrocnemius areas prior to testing each day, while 21 (mean±sd; age 24.2±3.4 yrs; BMI 26.3±4.0 kg.m-2) served as a control. Mean values from three days of baseline testing were compared to the area under the curve during five days of recovery after the performance of the repeated sprint protocol. The area under the curve was calculated by summing all five values recorded the recovery days, then these data were compared by condition using a two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test (alpha level = 0.05). Results Following EIMD, neither heart rate variability, pulse wave velocity, agility, nor vertical jumping performance versus previously measured baseline differed significantly between groups (p>0.05). Perceived muscle soreness was significantly diminished in the foam rolling condition (p<0.05). Mean Day 1 to Day 5 values for perceived muscle soreness in controls were 16.52, 30.24, 24.48, 17.19, and 11.10. Mean Day 1 to Day 5 values in foam rolling subjects were 12.63, 24.63, 21.79, 15.05, and 10.16. Conclusion Foam rolling may be useful for reducing soreness following damaging exercise, but according to the outcomes measured in the present experiment, the effect does not appear to be mediated by the autonomic nervous system. Level of evidence 2c.
Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy associated mutations uncover important kinetic roles of α4β2- nicotinic acetylcholine receptor intracellular structures

Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE) is a group of seizure disorders prominently associated with mutations in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). The most prevalent central nervous system nAChR subtype contains α4 and β2 subunits, in two ratios. (α4β2)2β2-nAChR have high agonist sensitivity (HS-isoform), whereas (α4β2)2α4-nAChR agonist responses exhibit a small high-sensitivity, and a predominant low-sensitivity, phase of function (LS-isoform). Multiple non-synonymous mutations in the second and third transmembrane domains of α4 and β2 subunits are associated with SHE. We recently demonstrated that two additional, SHE-associated, missense mutations in the major cytoplasmic loops of these subunits [α4(R336H) and β2(V337G)] cause increased macroscopic function-per receptor. Here, we use single-channel patch-clamp electrophysiology to show that these mutations influence single-channel amplitudes and open- and closed-state kinetics. Pure populations of HS- or LS-isoform α4β2-nAChR were expressed by injecting either 1:10 or 30:1 α4:β2 cRNA ratios, respectively, into Xenopus laevis oocytes. Functional properties of the resulting mutant α4β2-nAChR isoforms were compared to their wildtype counterparts. α4(R336H) subunit incorporation minimally affected single-channel amplitudes, whereas β2(V337G) subunit incorporation reduced them significantly in both isoforms. However, for both mutant subunits, increased function-per-receptor was predominantly caused by altered single channel kinetics. The α4(R336H) mutation primarily destabilizes desensitized states between openings. By contrast, the β2(V337G) mutation principally stabilizes receptor open states. The use of naturally-occurring and physiologically-impactful mutations has allowed us to define valuable new insights regarding the functional roles of nAChR intracellular domains. Further mechanistic context is provided by intracellular-domain structures recently published for other members of the Cys-loop receptor superfamily (α3β4-nAChR and 5-HT3AR).
The Blackburne–Peel Index for Determining Patellar Height Is Affected by Tibial Slope

Purpose To establish a quantitative relationship between the Blackburne–Peel index and posterior tibial slope in both skeletally mature and skeletally immature individuals and to evaluate the rate at which variation in tibial slope influences changes in patellar height categorization as normal, patella alta, and patella baja. Methods A consecutive series of lateral knee radiographs were retrospectively reviewed. Radiographs were excluded for rotation, inadequate visible proximal tibia length, and obstructive hardware/pathology. Modified tibial slopes of 0°, 5°, 10°, and 15° were projected anteriorly from the medial tibial plateau as described by Blackburne–Peel. The Blackburne–Peel index was determined at each modified tibial slope interval. Caton–Deschamps and Insall–Salvati indices also were measured for comparison. The rate of Blackburne–Peel index change with increase in posterior tibial slope was quantitatively analyzed. Results Fifty skeletally mature and 50 skeletally immature radiographs were included. In the skeletally mature, Blackburne–Peel indices decreased on average by 0.037, 0.044, and 0.049 as posterior tibial slope increased from 0-5°, 5-10°, and 10-15°, respectively. In the skeletally immature, Blackburne–Peel indices decreased on average by 0.045, 0.053, and 0.059 as posterior tibial slope increased from 0-5°, 5-10°, and 10-15°, respectively. Overall, 29 individuals with 0° of tibial slope were categorized as patella alta by the Blackburne–Peel index, and only 16 (55%) remained categorized as patella alta after increasing their posterior tibial slope to 15°. Conclusions This study quantitatively demonstrates the relationship between posterior tibial slope and the Blackburne–Peel index. As expected, as posterior tibial slope increases, the Blackburne–Peel index decreases. While the change in the Blackburne–Peel index per 5° change in tibial slope appears to be small, nearly half (45%) of individuals categorized as patella alta with 0° of tibial slope were categorized as normal when their posterior tibial slope was systematically increased from 0° to 15°. When evaluating patellar height, it is important to understand how tibial slope affects the Blackburne-Peel Index measurement. Clinical Relevance As posterior tibial slope increases, the numerator of the Blackburne-Peel ratio decreases, and vice versa. This relationship can lead to incorrect assessment of patellar height. Objectively placing individuals into patella alta and baja categories may influence patient care and decision making.
Blinde sehen – Lahme gehen – Stumme reden. Sozialethische Lehren aus der Corona-Pandemie auf dem afrikanischen Kontinent

Der Artikel geht der Frage auf den Grund, welche sozialethischen Lehren aus der Corona-Pandemie auf dem afrikanischen Kontinent zu ziehen sind. Entgegen vieler Prognosen hat sich Afrika bislang als durchaus krisenfest erwiesen. Die eigentliche Stosrichtung des Bei-trags zielt daher auf die Aufdeckung von eurozentrischen Denk- und Handlungsmustern, die in der aktuellen Krise zum Vorschein gekommen sind. Entlang der Heilsvision aus Jesaja 35,4-6 werden Vorschlage unterbreitet, wie die durch Covid-19 offenbar gewordenen Blindheiten, Lahmungen und Sprachlosigkeiten uberwunden werden konnen. This article explores the question of what social ethical lessons can be drawn from the Corona pandemic on the African continent. Contrary to many predictions, Africa has so far proven to be quite resilient to the crisis. The actual thrust of the contribution is therefore the uncovering of Eurocentric patterns of thought and action that have come to light in the current crisis. Following the vision of salvation from Isaiah 35:4-6, suggestions are made on how to overcome the blindness, paralysis and speechlessness revealed by Covid
Ipatasertib, an oral AKT inhibitor, exhibits anti-proliferative and anti-tumorigenic effects in pre-clinical studies for endometrioid endometrial cancer: Endometrial Cancer Molecularly Targeted Therapy Consortium

Objectives: Ipatasertib (IPAT) is an orally administered selective protein kinase B (AKT) inhibitor that has demonstrated clinical activity in triple-negative breast and metastatic prostate cancer. Given that the AKT/mTOR pathway is altered in the vast majority of endometrioid endometrial cancers (ECs), it is logical that IPAT may also have efficacy in EC. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the anti-proliferative effects of IPAT in human endometrioid cell lines as well as in the LKB1fl/flp53fl/fl genetically engineered mouse model of endometrioid EC. Methods: The human endometrioid EC cell lines ECC-1 (PTEN mutant) and HEC-1A (PTEN wild type, PIK3CA mutant, KRAS mutant) were exposed to varying concentrations of IPAT (Genentech). Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT and colony assays. Cell cycle progression was measured by Cellometer. Apoptosis was assessed by cleaved caspase-3 assay. Cellular stress was assessed using tetra-methylrhodamine ester (TMRE) and DCFDA assays. Western immunoblotting determined effects of IPAT on BCL-2, MCL-1, Bip, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1, pAKT, pS6, PERK, calnexin, and PDI in both cell lines.LKB1fl/flp53fl/fl mice were used to evaluate the effect of IPAT on endometrial tumor growth. The mice were treated with placebo or IPAT (15mg/kg daily intraperitoneally for 4 weeks) starting 8 weeks after tumor induction via AdCre injection. Results: IPAT inhibited cellular proliferation in a dose dependent fashion in both cell lines after 72 hours of treatment. Median IC50 was 0.18µM in ECC-1 and 3.5µM in HEC-1A. IPAT induced the activity of cleaved caspase 3 by 15.6-fold in ECC-1 and 1.41-fold in HEC-1A (p Conclusions: IPAT significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis and cellular stress via inhibition of the AKT/mTOR pathway in human endometrioid EC cell lines. Furthermore, IPAT reduced tumor growth in a transgenic mouse model of endometrioid EC. These results suggest that IPAT is worthy of further exploration in clinical trials for EC.
Magnetic Structure in Transition-Metal Compounds

Spin-polarized first-principles total-energy calculations on the ordered transition-metal compounds FeRh and FePd are used to study the differences in their magnetic structure. In agreement with experiment, the calculations show that the ground state of FeRh is the CsCl structure with an antiferromagnetic spin arrangement, whereas the ground state of FePd is the CuAu structure with a ferromagnetic spin arrangement. In the preferred CuAu structure, FePd is expected to remain ferromagnetic up to its Curie temperature. However it is shown that if FePd could be constrained to have the CsCl structure, it would have an antiferromagnetic ground state and would be expected to undergo an antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition similar to FeRh.
The ßsubunit of tomato fruit polygalacturonase isoenzyme 1 defines a new class of plant cell proteins involved in pectin metabolism: AroGPs (Aromatic amino acid rich Glyco Proteins)

Abstract Understanding the biochemical and molecular mechanisms governing the synthesis, regulation, structure and function of plant-encoded cell wall modifying enzymes, particularly those involved in pectin metabolism, has been a long term goal of research in my laboratory. The ripening tomato fruit has proven to be a highly tractable system for this work and several laboratories have focused on studying a single, ripening-induced pectin degrading enzyme, tomato fruit polygalacturonase or PG. This chapter first reviews the field of tomato fruit PG and then focuses on our recent work with the ssubunit of tomato PG isoenzyme 1. Two PG isozymes can be isolated from ripe fruit, PG2 and PG1, the latter of which is formed by the association of a catalytic PG2 polypeptide with an ancillary glycoprotein, the ssubunit. Mutiple lines of evidence suggesting the ssubunit plays an important role in regulating polyuronide degradation have prompted us to clone the ssubunit and study its structure, expression and function. ssubunit mRNA accumulates to high levels in developing fruit and is to a large degree temporally separated from PG2 expression. The ssubunit is encoded as a large precursor protein whose mature domain is composed almost entirely of the novel repeating motif FTNYGxxGNGGxxx in which the phenylalanine residues are post-translationally modified. Results from ssubunit antisense experiments have conclusively demonstrated that the protein plays a major role in restricting PG2 catalytic activity in vivo during fruit ripening. We have isolated the complete tomato ssubunit gene family, related genes from Arabidopsis and identified homologous sequences in a number of dicots and monocots, suggesting that ssubunit structure and function may be evolutionarily conserved in plants. We propose the tomatosubunit as the archetypal member of a new class of plant cell wall proteins, AroGPs (for Aro matic Amino Acid Rich G lyco P rotein s ). AroGPs are defined by: 1) their overall protein sequence homology and common precursor structure, 2) a conserved 14 amino acid repeating motif in the mature AroGP protein and 3) a high percentage of aromatic amino acids in the mature AroGP protein. Based on the available data, AroGPs appear to be specifically expressed in PG-producing tissues, where they presumably interact with cell wall components and/or catalytic enzymes to regulate cell wall enzymatic activities in vivo.
Are Consortium “Big Deals” Cost Effective? A Comparison and Analysis of E-Journal Access Mechanisms—Workshop Report

ABSTRACT Tim Bucknall from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Libraries compared subscription, pay-per-view, and consortium models of e-journal access. When faced with a sizeable cut in their library serials budget in 2002, Bucknall and his team moved away from their e-journal subscription model and implemented a pay-per-view model. This approach proved to be more cost effective and enabled the library to expand access to e-journals. However, costs continued to rise, prompting Bucknall to establish the Carolina Consortium in 2005. Consisting of academic libraries in North and South Carolina, this consortium has been able to negotiate with a number of publishers in order to achieve lower prices and greater e-journal access. Bucknall also discussed additional cooperative efforts currently underway in North Carolina libraries that came about as a result of the consortium.
Genetic Patterns as a Tool for Monitoring and Assessment of Environmental Impacts: The Example of Genetic Ecotoxicology

Genetic techniques are widely applied to assess the effects of environmental variation or exogenous impacts on populations. Many studies fail to provide convincing evidence that genetic patterns are attributable to the factors proposed. We assert that a rigorous approach must be followed to distinguish patterns of natural genetic variation from genetic change. We review the principles of natural genetic variation and population structure and present them in the context of their interaction with biological and stochastic sources of genetic change. Key steps are articulated which are often overlooked when applying genetic techniques. These are consideration of population structure when comparing populations, developing a specific test against a model of genetic change, and testing for evidence of direct effects and mechanisms of impact. Use of these steps in genetic ecotoxicology is described in detail and includes three primary methods of linking genetic patterns to the effects of contaminants. We propose that this combined approach is critical to the use of genetic techniques to assess and predict long-term effects of environmental impacts on populations or ecosystems.
In vivo activation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat by UV type A (UV-A) light plus psoralen and UV-B light in the skin of transgenic mice.

Abstract UV irradiation has been shown to activate the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR) in cell culture; however, only limited studies have been described in vivo. UV light has been categorized as UV-A (400 to 315 nm), -B (315 to 280 nm), or -C (less than 280 nm); the longer wavelengths are less harmful but more penetrative. Highly penetrative UV-A radiation constitutes the vast majority of UV sunlight reaching the earth's surface but is normally harmless. UV-B irradiation is more harmful but less prevalent than UV-A. In this report, the HIV-1 LTR-luciferase gene in the skin of transgenic mice was markedly activated when exposed to UV-B irradiation. The LTR in the skin of transgenic mice pretreated topically with a photosensitizing agent (psoralen) was also activated to similar levels when exposed to UV-A light. A 2-h exposure to sunlight activated the LTR in skin treated with psoralen, whereas the LTR in skin not treated with psoralen was activated after 7 h of sunlight exposure. The HIV-1 LTR-beta-galactosidase reporter gene was preferentially activated by UV-B irradiation in a small population of epidermal cells. The transgenic mouse models carrying HIV-1 LTR-luciferase and LTR-beta-galactosidase reporter genes have been used to demonstrate the in vivo UV-induced activation of the LTR and might be used to evaluate other environmental factors or pharmacologic substances that might potentially activate the HIV-1 LTR in vivo.
Racial differences in maternal smoking effects on the newborn infant

Abstract A strong correlation was found between the number of cigarettes smoked and the frequencies of both low-birth-weight and clinically premature infants as well as certain neonatal and obstetric complications. This dose-response relationship was present in both races but was much stronger in Negroes; 24 per cent of Negro infants whose mothers smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day weighted ≤2,350 grams, a threefold increase over babies of this weight born to nonsmokers. Similarly, the frequency of clinically premature infants born to Negro mothers smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day was increased by a factor of 2.5 over nonsmokers, or from 7 to 17 per cent. The corresponding increases for Caucasians were a doubling in both cases—from 4.5 to 10 per cent in low-birth-weight (≤2,500 grams) and from 2 to 4.5 per cent in clinical prematurity. This dose-response relationship in both races is particularly important in regard to the infants clinically defined as premature, since they constitute a group with a poorer prognosis than the infants with either low birth weight or short gestation. Other parameters associated with smoking in both races were maternal complications of pregnancy, including bleeding and severe anemia, infants with low Apgar scores and infants needing treatment in a special care unit. Finally, neonatal death and history of stillbirths were associated with maternal smoking in Negroes but not in Caucasians. Within each racial group, none of the socioeconomic factors studied were found to influence the frequency of premature infants as much as did heavy smoking.
A monolithic time of arrival detector for acoustic signals

This paper describes the design and implementation of a time of arrival detector for long-range underwater acoustic signals. The intended application of this device is a tag for acoustically tracking aquatic animals, but it is suited for computing general low-frequency signal arrival times in an underwater environment. This device is optimized for low SNR as well as Doppler insensitivity. The two main components of the detector are an analog multi-rate filter, and a digital correlator. The analog filtering is realized by three second order switched-capacitor filter stages. The digital correlation consists of 2048 bits of static RAM (SRAM): 1024 bits to store the expected pattern and 1024 as a virtual shift register. Due to the nature of the intended application, power consumption must be kept to a minimum. Two prototype dies have been fabricated by a 0.5 /spl mu/m double-poly CMOS process. The filters were shown to operate at under 1.5 /spl mu/A per stage and the SRAM to operate correctly.