cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parental Influence on Adolescent Sexual Behavior in High-Poverty Settings

Background: African American adolescents living in high-poverty urban settings are at increased risk for early sexual initiation and sexually transmitted diseases. Objective: To determine whether parental stategies to monitor their children’s social behavior and to communicate with them about sexual risks help to reduce the initiation of risky sexual behavior and prevent the resulting adverse health outcomes. Methods: To assess the viability of these strategies, we surveyed a stratified cross-section of African American children aged 9 to 17 years (N = 355) living in urban public housing. Talking computers were used to increase the confidentiality and comparability of the interviews across the wide age range. Results: Children who reported high levels of parental monitoring were less likely to report initiating sex in preadolescence (aged #10 years) and reported lower rates of sexual initiation as they aged. Children who reported receiving both greater monitoring and communication concerning sexual risks were also less likely to have engaged in anal sex. Communication was also positively related to the initiation of condom use and consistent condom use. The protective correlates of these parenting strategies were independent of the type of guardian (mother vs other family member). Conclusion: Interventions with parents and other guardians to increase monitoring and communication about sexual risks seem to be promising healthpromotion strategies for adolescents in high-risk settings.
US emergency department visits for fireworks injuries, 2006–2010

Abstract Background Most literature regarding fireworks injuries are from outside the United States, whereas US-based reports focus primarily on children and are based on datasets which cannot provide accurate estimates for subgroups of the US population. Methods The 2006–2010 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample was used to identify patients with fireworks injury using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification external cause of injury code E923.0. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes were examined to determine the mechanism, type, and location of injury. Sampling weights were applied during analysis to obtain US population estimates. Results There were 25,691 emergency department visits for fireworks-related injuries between 2006 and 2010. There was no consistent trend in annual injury rates during the 5-y period. The majority of visits (50.1%) were in patients aged Conclusions Emergency department visits for fireworks injuries are concentrated around major national holidays and are more prevalent in certain parts of the country and among young males. This suggests that targeted interventions may be effective in combating this public health problem.
Recent advances in insertion devices

The demand for more and better insertion devices (IDs) at new third-generation synchrotron radiation facilities has prompted significant advances in ID technology. Since the advances are being made at different laboratories around the world, an overview is given here of this progress. The focus is on those results that apply to IDs in general rather than to those from one specific ID or laboratory. The advances fall into two general categories: those that reduce the net effect that the ID has on the particle beam, and those that enhance the quality of the emitted light spectrum. The need for these advances, the factors that are most important in achieving them, and the current state of the art are discussed.
A General Overview of Mantel-Haenszel Methods: Applications and Recent Developments

Many health research investigations are concerned with the relationship be­ tween a primary factor, such as a potentially harmful exposure, a new therapy, or an intervention, and a response variable such as disease status, level of functioning, or extent of improvement. Quite frequently, both of these variables are reported on categorical measurement scales, either nomi­ nal or ordinal , so that the reSUlting data can be displayed as observed frequencies in a two-way contingency table. However, this factor-response relationship also may be influenced by additional variables, typically referred to as intervening variables, confounding variables, effect modifiers, or covariables, because of their effects on the response variable and its relation­ ship with the primary factor. For example, the study may be conducted at several institutions involving different investigators and patient popUlations;
Alanine Aminotransferase Homologs Catalyze the Glutamate:Glyoxylate Aminotransferase Reaction in Peroxisomes of Arabidopsis

Plant peroxisomal glyoxylate aminotransferases play central roles within the photorespiratory pathway. Genes encoding glyoxylate aminotransferases have been isolated from several animals and microbes, but only recently have plant homologs been identified. Three Arabidopsis homologs of alanine (Ala):glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 (AGT2) contain a putative type 1 peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS1), but the metabolic significance of these AGT2 homologs is unknown. GGT1 and GGT2 are Ala aminotransferase (AlaAT) homologs from Arabidopsis that represent another type of glyoxylate aminotransferase. These proteins are class I aminotransferases, each containing a putative PTS1. GGT1 and GGT2 are members of a small family of AlaATs in Arabidopsis. When expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli, GGT1 and GGT2 displayed biochemical characteristics very similar to one another, and to the Arabidopsis protein purified from leaves. Four aminotransferase activities were specifically associated with GGT1 and GGT2, using the substrate pairs glutamate (Glu):glyoxylate, Ala:glyoxylate, Glu:pyruvate, and Ala:2-oxoglutarate. GGT1 and GGT2 may have partially redundant functions; transcripts of both genes were detected in many of the same tissues. Although Glu:glyoxylate aminotransferase (GGT) activity has been observed in several locations in different plants and algae, including the cytoplasm and mitochondria, our subcellular fractionation data indicate that GGT activity was exclusively peroxisomal in Arabidopsis. Thus, glyoxylate aminotransferase reactions in plant peroxisomes appear to be catalyzed by at least two distinct types of aminotransferases: an AGT1 homolog with serine:glyoxylate aminotransferase activity (A.H. Liepman, L.J. Olsen [2001] Plant J 25: 487-498), and a pair of closely related, potentially redundant AlaAT homologs with GGT activity.
Understanding drug ototoxicity: molecular insights for prevention and clinical management

Ototoxicity is a trait shared by aminoglycoside and macrolide antibiotics, loop diuretics, platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents, some NSAIDs and antimalarial medications. Because their benefits in combating certain life-threatening diseases often outweigh the risks, the use of these ototoxic drugs cannot simply be avoided. In this review, the authors discuss some of the most frequently used ototoxic drugs and what is currently known about the cell and molecular mechanisms underlying their noxious effects. The authors also provide suggestions for the clinical management of ototoxic medications, including ototoxic detection and drug monitoring. Understanding the mechanisms of drug ototoxicity may lead to new strategies for preventing and curing drug-induced hearing loss, as well as developing new pharmacological drugs with less toxic side effects.
SSC1, an essential member of the yeast HSP70 multigene family, encodes a mitochondrial protein.

Abstract SSC1 is an essential member of the yeast HSP70 multigene family (E. Craig, J. Kramer, and J. Kosic-Smithers, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:4156-4160, 1987). Analysis of the SSC1 DNA sequence revealed that it could encode a 70,627-dalton protein that is more similar to DnaK, an Escherichia coli hsp70 protein, than other yeast hsp70s whose sequences have been determined. Ssc1p was found to have an amino-terminal extension of 28 amino acids, in comparison with either Ssa1p, another hsp70 yeast protein, or Dnak. This putative leader is rich in basic and hydroxyl amino acids, characteristic of many mitochondrial leader sequences. Ssc1p that was synthesized in vitro could be imported into mitochondria and was cleaved in the process. The imported protein comigrated with an abundant mitochondrial protein that reacted with hsp70-specific antibodies. We conclude that Ssc1p is a mitochondrial protein and that hsp70 proteins perform functions in many compartments of the cell.
One-carbon metabolism factors and leukocyte telomere length

Background: Dietary and genetic factors involved in the one-carbon metabolism pathway may affect telomere length through DNA methylation and synthesis, but this has not been comprehensively investigated in epidemiologic studies. Objective: We cross-sectionally examined associations between dietary and genetic factors in the one-carbon metabolism pathway and relative peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length. Design: A total of 1715 participants from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) had measurements of relative telomere length and plasma concentrations of folate, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, cysteine, and homocysteine. Food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) measurements were also used for the assessment of folate, choline, methionine, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and alcohol intakes. Genotyping was performed on 475 participants with telomere measurements on 29 mostly nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involved in one-carbon metabolism. Unconditional logistic and linear regression models were used. Results: There were no significant dose-response relations between any plasma- or FFQ-measured dietary factors and relative telomere length in multivariate analyses. For folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12, results from the use of FFQ data were consistent with plasma-biomarker findings. We showed no significant associations that involved SNPs and relative telomere length after we accounted for the false discovery rate. Conclusion: Our analyses involving plasma and questionnaire measurements of one-carbon metabolism factors show that some key dietary and genetic factors in this metabolic network are not associated with relative peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length.
Computer simulation of plasma exchange therapy in autoimmune disease.

Abstract Computer simulation of plasma exchange in autoimmune disease shows that a single treatment may reduce the amount of antibody bound to antigen by as much as 60–80%. The reduction is greatest when autoantibody is of low affinity and there is an excess of antibody compared to antigen.
Comments on a paper by Kay, `The identification of emission lines from a Van de Graaff beam'

Kay's method of deducing the stage of ionization from which atomic spectral lines are emitted is found to be unsatisfactory on several grounds.
Dietary Effects on Selenite Toxicity in the Chick

The toxicity of Na2SeO3 in diets containing torula (TY) or brewers' yeast (BY) compared to a corn-soy (CS) diet was investigated. Chick mortality caused by feeding 50 or 75 ppm Se as Na2SeO3 was significantly less with TY diets than with either BY or CS diets. The TY diet was also effective in reducing the depressing effect of Se on feed consumption and weight gain. Chicks fed 50 ppm Se in the TY diet accumulated the least amounts of Se in their livers and had only moderate hepatocellular fatty metamorphosis, whereas, those fed the same level of Se in BY diet accumulated the greater levels of Se and showed severe fatty metamorphosis. Partial or total replacement of TY (11%) with BY in the diet significantly increased mortality due to Se toxicity. Some protection against Se toxicity was associated with the ash fraction of TY. This may indicate that the protective effect of TY against Na2SeO3 toxicity is due at least in part to its mineral content.
Human-liver cytochromes P-450 involved in polymorphisms of drug oxidation

Nine forms of cytochrome P-450 have been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from human-liver microsomes. These include the enzymes involved in debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation, phenacetin O-deethylation and mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation, three reactions which are characterized by genetic polymorphism in humans. Evidence for the involvement of the above enzymes comes from reconstituted immunochemical inhibition studies with human-liver microsomes. These and other lines of evidence are consonant with the view that different forms of cytochrome P-450 are involved in the three reactions. The debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase has been studied most extensively in terms of its substrate specificity. In addition, an analogous rat enzyme shows some homology and serves as a useful model. The use of antibodies raised to the rat-liver enzyme in immuno-inhibition studies with human-liver microsomes provides a means of determining the extent to which this enzyme participates in other reactions. Translation of rat-liver mRNA in vitro yields the intact debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase; studies with human mRNA suggest a lower frequency than in rats. The basis for impaired catalytic activity in phenotypically poor human metabolizers appears to be an altered enzyme in all three cases, as opposed to a decreased level of a single enzyme. Using antibody screening of fusion proteins expressed in a cDNA library, it has been possible to isolate cDNA probes for all three of these cytochromes P-450 for use in screening individuals and ultimately determining the basis of these polymorphisms.
Tyrosine phosphorylation of HuR by JAK3 triggers dissociation and degradation of HuR target mRNAs

In response to stress conditions, many mammalian mRNAs accumulate in stress granules (SGs) together with numerous RNA-binding proteins that control mRNA turnover and translation. However, the signaling cascades that modulate the presence of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes in SGs are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the localization of human antigen R (HuR), an mRNA-stabilizing RNA-binding protein, in SGs following exposure to the stress agent arsenite. Unexpectedly, the mobilization of HuR to SGs was prevented through the activation of Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) by the vitamin K3 analog menadione. JAK3 phosphorylated HuR at tyrosine 200, in turn inhibiting HuR localization in SGs, reducing HuR interaction with targets SIRT1 and VHL mRNAs, and accelerating target mRNA decay. Our findings indicate that HuR is tyrosine-phosphorylated by JAK3, and link this modification to HuR subcytoplasmic localization and to the fate of HuR target mRNAs.
Choosing life when facing death: understanding fertility preservation decision-making for cancer patients.

On a fundamental biological level, humans are programmed to reproduce; hormonal and physiological influences are reinforced by social pressures and structures that urge parenthood in most cultures. The inability to reproduce usually causes distress and suffering among men and women alike. The advent of assisted reproductive technologies such as embryo/egg banking and in vitro fertilization has changed the face of reproduction, offering the possibility of parenting to a wider range of individuals who formerly were unable to reproduce. Although these controversial technologies have arguably blurred the boundaries of what it means to be a family or to parent a child, their wide use reveals that reproduction, particularly biological reproduction, holds great value.
Overview of trends in modern psychopharmacology.

Beginning this month, CNS Spectrums will publish this column, “Trends in Psychopharmacology,” on a bi-monthly basis. Developments in psychopharmacology are proceeding at a fast pace, and this column will cover important and emerging areas from the field in a format that will be brief, and hopefully understandable. Topics will include what is new, “hot,” controversial, or informative in the field, and, of course, suggestions for future columns are always welcome.
Rigid Frame Analysis with the Aid of Digital Computers

How complicated statically indeterminate structures may be analyzed through existing mathematical routines and basic engineering functional relationships; examples given include multibay gabled bent and lean-to frames with tapered girders; results are obtained simultaneously for loading conditions, including effects of foundation settlement, shrinkage, temperature changes and special features of framing.
AN EARLY PALEOCENE PALAEANODONT (MAMMALIA, ?PHOLIDOTA) FROM NEW MEXICO, AND THE ORIGIN OF PALAEANODONTA

ABSTRACT We describe a skeleton from the late early Paleocene (Torrejonian) of the San Juan Basin, New Mexico, which represents the oldest and most primitive known member of the Palaeanodonta. It is here named Escavadodon zygus, gen. et sp. nov., and is assigned to the new family Escavadodontidae. The specimen is one of the most complete skeletons of a small mammal known from the San Juan Basin Paleocene. The skeleton combines fossorial postcranial adaptations closely similar to, but somewhat less specialized than, those of early Eocene palaeanodonts, with teeth reminiscent of those of Leptictidae and to a lesser extent Pantolestidae. It thus appears to be morphologically intermediate between Leptictidae and Palaeanodonta, suggesting that Palaeanodonta evolved from Leptictidae or a leptictid-like mammal, and pushing back the origin of Palaeanodonta to at least early Paleocene time.
Nanostructured and/or Nanoscale Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks

The research on metal-organic framework (MOF) compounds has developed rapidly, stimulated by not only their aesthetically pleasing structures but also diverse chemical and materials applications. The use of lanthanide-containing building blocks adds several features that are unique, fundamentally interesting, and practically significant to the construction of MOFs, due largely to the traits originated from the unique f-electronic configuration of these elements; these include primarily ionic metal-ligand interactions and flexible coordination geometry, line-like luminescence, and interesting magnetic properties associated with the exclusively high-spin configuration. Nanostructured Ln-MOFs featuring nanosized pores and channels offer even more attractive applications since when compared with their sub-nanosized analogs, a greater variety of guest species may be accommodated, either for storage or separation of guests of energy and environmental significance, sensing, or catalysis. On the other hand, reducing the physical size of MOFs to nanoscale imparts properties distinctly different from those of their bulk counterparts. Nanoparticles of Ln-MOFs have been shown to possess unique luminescence and magnetic properties for applications in optical and magnetic imaging as well as for drug delivery. This chapter provides an up-to-date review of the work on both nanostructured and nanoscale Ln-MOFs and ends with some personal perspectives regarding what future directions the research is heading toward.
Robust positioning patterns

In this paper, we construct large sequences and matrices with the property that the contents of any small window determine the location of the window, robustly. Such objects have found many applications in practical settings, from positioning of wireless devices to smart pens, and have recently gained some theoretical interest.In this context, we give the first explicit constructions of sequences and matrices with high rate and constant relative distance. Accompanying these efficient constructions, we also give efficient decoding algorithms, which can determine the position of the window given its contents, even if a constant fraction of the contents have been corrupted.
Migration and Identity: International Yearbook of Oral History and Life Stories, Volume III. Edited by Rina Benmayor and Andor Skotnes. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. 223 pp. Hardbound, $57.00.

(1997). Migration and Identity: International Yearbook of Oral History and Life Stories, Volume III. Edited by Rina Benmayor and Andor Skotnes. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. 223 pp. Hardbound, $57.00. The Oral History Review: Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 137-139.
Elaborating a Dichotomous Measure of Enrollment Choice

Abstract The objective of this study is to make health insurance plans more responsive to the needs of people by identifying plan characteristics that are important to consumers during their enrollment decisions. Employees from three companies were surveyed. Factor analysis indicated four dimensions of plans that are important to consumers: cost, freedom, quality, and psychosocial access. Among characteristics that described the “cost dimension” of plans, unpredictable out-of-pocket costs was the most important. Among characteristics that described the “freedom” dimension of plans, freedom to go to any doctor without authorization from the primary care physician was most important.
Myeloblast phenotypic changes in myelodysplasia: CD34 and CD117 expression abnormalities are common

We used a new method of data presentation and analysis, termed antigen mapping, to characterize recurring myeloblast phenotypic abnormalities in a series of 28 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), including refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), refractory anemia with multilineage dysplasia (RCMLD), and refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB). Abnormal patterns of CD34 and CD117 expression were present in 50% of RARS, 68% of RCMLD, and 100% of RAEB cases. The presence of decreased myeloblast CD45 density, increased CD13 and CD34 density, and increased expression of CD11c and CD4dim were MDS grade-related. There was a direct relationship between the number of myeloblast phenotypic abnormalities (phenotypic score) and MDS grade. The myeloblast phenotypic scores also were correlated highly with International Prognostic Scoring System scores and risk categories. We found the antigen mapping technique to be an efficient data presentation and analysis method for the detection of MDS-associated abnormalities of antigen distribution and density.
Oxygen vacancy and the E 1 ’ center in crystalline SiO 2

The oxygen vacancy in \ensuremath{\alpha}-quartz has been studied in various charge states using the molecular-orbital techniques modified intermediate neglect of differential overlap (MINDO/3) and its open-shell version (MOPN). The solid containing the defect is simulated by a cluster of 30 to 40 atoms, including hydrogen terminators. In the case of the neutral O vacancy the neighboring silicon atoms are predicted to relax significantly, forming a strong Si---Si bond which is comparable to that in bulk Si. We find that the positively charged (+1) oxygen vacancy relaxes asymmetrically, consistent with most aspects of published electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy data on the ${E}_{1}^{\mathcal{'}}$ center. Our calculations support the model of Feigl et al., as opposed to the divacancy model of Jani et al. which had been proposed in response to controversies over the two weak hyperfine interactions of the ${E}_{1}^{\mathcal{'}}$ center. Our calculations, furthermore, reveal that the long-bond-side silicon which, in the model of Feigl et al., relaxes into the plane of its three backbonded oxygens (we call this configuration the planar ${E}_{1}^{\mathcal{'}}$ configuration), in fact relaxes through the plane of the oxygens, emerging on the other side of the vacancy in a puckered configuration. The latter is calculated to be more stable by about 0.3 eV than the planar configuration, and it agrees even better with EPR data. Our study also shows that the O vacancy introduces two levels (0/+ and +/2+), and possibly a third (-/0) into the band gap of silicon dioxide.
Static and dynamic responses of spinothalamic tract neurons to mechanical stimuli

The activity of primate spinothalamic tract neurons was investigated. Units were identified by antidromic activation from the diencephalon. Most had a spontaneous discharge. The fastest spontaneous discharge rates were from neurons activated by receptors in muscles or joints. However, such activity could be decreased by repositioning the hindlimb. Spontaneous activity was also altered by changes in anesthetic level. Time-interval histograms demonstrated the patterns of spontaneous discharge. Many units could be excited by noxious stimulation. Graded step displacements of the skin often evoked a slowly adapting discharge which was a function of pressure (or displacements above a threshold of some hundreds of microns). Responses continued to increase as pressures became noxious. Rapidly adapting responses of hair-activated and low-threshold spinothalamic tract neurons were tested with ramp stimuli and found to signal acceleration (or a higher derivative of position), velocity, or a combination of these. Responses to stimulus acceleration were prominent when hairs were displaced, while responses to stimulus velocity were seen with displacement of the skin. Possible receptor types which might account for the observations are discussed.
Maximizing function in Alzheimer's disease: what role for tacrine?

As the number of elderly persons continues to increase, family physicians will be caring for more patients with Alzheimer's disease. The treatment plan for patients with this incurable illness should be directed at optimizing their physical and psychosocial functioning and supporting their caregivers. Tacrine is the first medication proven to ameliorate the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. This drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease as evidenced by a score between 10 and 26 on the Mini-Mental State Examination. Tacrine can produce modest dose-related improvements in cognitive function and global measures of patient function. Such improvements only occur in 25 percent of patients treated with tacrine. On discontinuation of the drug, the patient's cognitive function returns to the level that would be expected if no treatment had been given. Both the degree of cognitive improvement and the severity of cholinergic symptoms increase with higher doses of tacrine. Thus, patients receiving tacrine therapy must be monitored for both clinical efficacy and adverse effects of the medication.
The Role of Observation in Plato’s Conception of Astronomy

There is a famous passage in the Republic which has been read in drastically different ways. Some have gone so far as to see in it Plato “banning sense-perception from the science of astronomy” (Heath),2 advising astronomers “to replace observation by speculation” (Neuge-bauer).3 Others have found in it nothing worse than a critique of sterile methodological empiricism and a plea for the mathematization of astronomical theory: “Plato is not objecting here to observation as a suggestion for mathematical studies but to its substitution for them” (Shorey).4 I shall defend a via media, I hope to show that this passage, properly understood, permits us to recognize the positive impetus Plato gave to mathematical astronomy without requiring us to whitewash the anti-empirical strain in his whole philosophy which shows up as strongly in this passage as anywhere in his work.
Schizophrenia interactome: fully-labeled interactome network

We recently published the schizophrenia interactome1 that showed hundreds of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of schizophrenia-associated genes, including 504 novel PPIs. Figure 2 in that article gave an overview of how many known or novel PPIs each of the schizophrenia genes had, while the specific interactions were made available through a searchable web-application called Schizo-Pi (http://severus.dbmi.pitt.edu/schizo-pi). Here, we are releasing the interactome figure in which all the nodes (schizophrenia-associated genes and their interactors) and edges (PPIs) are all labeled by their gene symbols, and are color coded by whether they are known or novel PPIs/interactors (Figure 1). An electronically searchable figure is available online as Supplementary File 1 and a list of genes and PPIs in the interactome as Supplementary File 2.
Refractive Errors and Amblyopia in the UCLA Preschool Vision Program; First Year Results.

Purpose To report the outcomes of full ophthalmic examination for preschool children in LA County who failed screening with the Retinomax Autorefractor. Design Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Methods Between August 2012 and May 2013, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) preschool vision program screened 11 260 preschool children aged 3–5 years in Los Angeles County using the Retinomax Autorefractor only. Of those, 1007 children who failed the screening were examined by an ophthalmologist on the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic. Data from the eye examination were recorded for all children. Amblyopia was defined as unilateral if there was ≥2 line interocular difference in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and as bilateral if BCVA was Results Glasses were prescribed for 740 (74%) of those examined. Uncorrected visual acuity for all examined children was 0.4 ± 0.2 (logMAR mean ± SD), and BCVA was 0.2 ± 0.1. Of the 88% who underwent cycloplegia, 58% had hyperopia (spherical equivalent [SE] ≥+0.50 diopter [D]), mean of +2.50 D, and 21% had myopia (SE ≤−0.50 D), mean of −1.40 D. A total of 69% had astigmatism ≥1.50 D, mean of 1.97 D (range 0–5.75). Spherical and cylindrical anisometropia ≥1.00 D were each found in 26% of those examined. Refractive amblyopia was found in 9% of those examined, or 0.8% of the original population. Of the amblyopic subjects, 77% were unilateral. Conclusions Screening of preschoolers with the Retinomax led to diagnosis and early treatment of uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia. By treating children early, amblyopia may be prevented, quality of life improved, and academic achievements enhanced.
Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculopathy

A clinical and electrodiagnostic, retrospective study of 43 children with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy (AIDP) is reported from the Service de Neuropediatrie, Hopital de Bicetre, France.
Coupled, Simultaneous Displacement and Dealloying Reactions into Fe-Ni-Co Nanowires for Thinning Nanowire Segments.

A new methodology is reported to shape template-assisted electrodeposition of Fe-rich, Fe–Ni–Co nanowires to have a thin nanowire segment using a coupled displacement reaction with a more noble elemental ion, Cu(II), and at the same time dealloying predominantly Fe from Fe–Ni–Co by the reduction of protons (H+), followed by a subsequent etching step. The displacement/dealloyed layer was sandwiched between two trilayers of Fe–Ni–Co to facilitate the characterization of the reaction front, or penetration length. The penetration length region was found to be a function of the ratio of proton and Cu(II) concentration, and a ratio of 0.5 was found to provide the largest penetration rate, and hence the larger thinned length of the nanowire. Altering the etching time affected the diameter of the thinned region. This methodology presents a new way to thin nanowire segments connected to larger nanowire sections and also introduces a way to study the propagation of a reaction front into a nanowire.
Loading of the medial meniscus in the ACL deficient knee: A multibody computational study

The menisci of the knee reduce tibiofemoral contact pressures and aid in knee lubrication and nourishment. Meniscal injury occurs in half of knees sustaining anterior cruciate ligament injury and the vast majority of tears in the medial meniscus transpire in the posterior horn region. In this study, computational multibody models of the knee were derived from medical images and passive leg motion for two female subjects. The models were validated against experimental measures available in the literature and then used to evaluate medial meniscus contact force and internal hoop tension. The models predicted that the loss of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) constraint increased contact and hoop forces in the medial menisci by a factor of 4 when a 100N anterior tibial force was applied. Contact forces were concentrated in the posterior horn and hoop forces were also greater in this region. No differences were found in contact or hoop tension between the intact and ACL deficient (ACLd) knees when only a 5Nm external tibial torque was applied about the long axis of the tibia. Combining a 100N anterior tibial force and a 5Nm external tibial torque increased posterior horn contact and hoop forces, even in the intact knee. The results of this study show that the posterior horn region of the medial meniscus experiences higher contact forces and hoop tension, making this region more susceptible to injury, especially with the loss of anterior tibia motion constraint provided by the ACL. The contribution of the dMCL in constraining posterior medial meniscus motion, at the cost of higher posterior horn hoop tension, is also demonstrated.
Tacrolimus-associated Diffuse Gastrointestinal Ulcerations and Pathergy: A Case Report

Tacrolimus is a common immunosuppressive modality with a range of therapeutic applications, including for rheumatologic disease, nephrotic syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. The medication also plays an integral role in organ transplantation. However, tacrolimus has a significant side effect profile, which commonly includes nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, infection risk, and anemia. We describe an unusual case of tacrolimus toxicity in a cardiac transplant patient, manifesting as diffuse gastrointestinal ulcerations and pathergy. Our goal was to further characterize the toxicity of tacrolimus to include this rare presentation.
Tree Species Preferences of Foraging Songbirds During Spring Migration in Floodplain Forests of the Upper Mississippi River

Floodplain forest of the Upper Mississippi River is important for songbirds during spring migration. However, the altered hydrology of this system and spread of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) threaten tree diversity and long-term sustainability of this forest. We estimated tree preferences of songbirds during spring migration 2010–2013 to help guide management decisions that promote tree diversity and forest sustainability and to evaluate yearly variation in tree selection. We used the point center-quarter method to assess relative availability of tree species and tallied bird foraging observations on tree species as well as recording the phenophase of used trees on five 40 ha plots of contiguous floodplain forest between La Crosse, Wisconsin and New Albin, Iowa, from 15 April through 1 June. We quantified bird preferences by comparing proportional use of tree species by each bird species to estimates of tree species availability for all 4 y and for each year separately. Species that breed locally preferred silver maple (Acer saccharinum), which is dominant in this forest. The common transient migrant species and the suite of 17 transient wood warbler species preferred hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) and oaks (Quercus spp.), which are limited to higher elevations on the floodplain. We observed earlier leaf development the warm springs of 2010 and 2012 and later leaf development the cold springs of 2011 and 2013. Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata), American Redstart (S. ruticilla), Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) and Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula), and the suite of transient migrant wood warblers spread their foraging efforts among tree species in colder springs and were more selective in warmer springs. All three of the important tree species are not regenerating well on the UMR and widespread die-off of silver maple is possible in 50 y without large scale management.
Suitability of Data Representation Domains in Expressing Human Motion Radar Signals

Human motion recognition plays a key role in various fields including health monitoring. Radar is a type of sensor that has shown remarkable success in the classification of human motions. Different data representation domains have been used for the analysis of radar returns. Each domain provides one aspect of the observed motion not readily discernible in other domains. In this letter, we propose an approach to quantify the domain suitability in representing a human motion. In order to evaluate the proposed approach, we consider the time–frequency domain and the range map. Additionally, based on the demonstrated domain effectiveness, we propose a classification scheme that seeks to incorporate each domain consistent with its offerings. Experimental results show the importance of investigating domain offerings prior to the classification process.
Transportation impacts of affordable housing: Informing development review with travel behavior analysis

Planning for affordable housing is challenged by development policies that assess transportation impacts based on methodologies that often do not distinguish between the travel patterns of residents of market-rate housing and those living in affordable units. Given the public goals of providing affordable housing in areas with good accessibility and transportation options, there is a need to reduce unnecessary costs imposed by the potential overestimation of automobile travel and its associated impacts. Thus, the primary objective of this paper is to examine and quantify the influences of urban characteristics, residential housing type, and income on metrics commonly used to assess the transportation impacts of new development, namely total home-based trips and home-based vehicle trips. Using the 2010-2012 California Household Travel Survey, we regressed these metrics on urban place type, regionally adjusted income, and housing type, controlling for household size, weekday travel, and home location. The results indicate significant reductions in vehicle trip making with lower incomes and increasing urbanization. These findings support more differentiation of affordable and market-rate housing in the development review process and emphasize the need for development standards to be more sensitive to the characteristics of future residents and location.
Tongue-able interfaces: Prototyping and evaluating camera based tongue gesture input system

Abstract Tongue-computer interaction techniques create a new pathway between human mind and computer, with particular utility for people with upper limb impairment. The high dexterity and resilience of the tongue make it a good candidate for interacting with computers. This paper introduces a new interaction technique, camera-based tongue computer interface (CBTCI), which employs tongue without any direct physical contact required. Through a two-phase study, the CBTCI was evaluated and its interaction problems were identified and discussed. In the first phase, the performance of the CBTCI prototype was evaluated through two user tests. The participants’ behaviors were observed throughout the first phase and analyzed to scaffold the study of the design problems in gesture-based tongue computer interaction. The Phase 2 study investigated the usability problems of CBTCI which were reflected through the user behavior and participants’ feedback; specifically the exploration of referential techniques to make users aware of their tongue position and adjust their gesture. Pros and cons of the referential strategies are discussed to foster future assistive tongue-computer interface design.
The S-spectrum for Some Classes of Matrices

In this paper we find the S-spectrum of operators given by particular classes of matrices, following the work of Colombo, Sabadini, Struppa and others. We treat the cases of general triangular matrices, some symmetric matrices and the special cases of Jacobi and resolvent matrices acting on respective Clifford algebras.
The flow rate nomogram: I. Development.

AbstractIn normal individuals the urinary flow rate depends on the initial bladder volume in a non-linear fashion. A flow rate nomogram taking this relationship into account was developed as an aid in the interpretation of urinary flow rate data. With this approach excellent differentiation of normal from obstructed individuals was achieved. In addition, the variability in a single individual’s flow rate over time was estimated to be relatively small and, thus, uroflowmetry may be used to identify changes in outflow resistance after medical or surgical therapy.
Biochemical Coevolution between Parasitoids and their Hosts

The coevolution of a predator and its prey suggests that the prey is selected for predator avoidance and escape while the predator is selected for more efficient prey-finding and capture. The predator attacks and consumes its host and, thus being successful, would be expected to propagate. The parasite-host relationship is a similar reciprocating evolutionary relationship with one important difference—the host should not be killed. The parasite must not only locate the host but must constantly adapt to a developing and changing host, a situation resulting in a closely interwoven relationship. The continued development of a host in accord with the evolutionary development of the host species is of benefit to the parasite. It is probably advantageous for the parasite to evolve towards a condition where the parasite has a minimal affect on the host species. This would insure the continued existence of a viable host population.
Impacts of recolonizing gray wolves (Canis lupus) on survival and mortality in two sympatric ungulates

There is growing recognition that humans may mediate the strength and nature of the ecological effects of large predators. We took advantage of ongoing gray wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) recolo...
On Some Classical Methods to Improve Algebraic Curves and Surfaces

First, a modern presentation of the theory of the Halphen transform is given. This method associates to a plane projective curve C, once a general conic has been chosen, another birationally equivalent plane curve, whose singularities are simpler than those of C. Repeating, a curve is obtained whose only singularities are nodes. Next, it is studied how to apply this process to a family of plane curves. With this technique it is possible to transform a given family (with irreducible general member) into one where, generically, the curves are nodal. Finally, it is studied a similar process, called the Halphen–Picard transformation, for surfaces in three-space. By suitably reiterating this procedure, a surface can be transformed into a birationally equivalent one (in the same projective space), such that the sections with planes in a general pencil are, generically, nodal curves.
Timely Evaluation and Management of Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Patients With Kidney Stones.

Abstract Background Nephrolithiasis is a classic, treatable manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). We examined predictors of kidney stone formation in PHPT patients and determined how efficiently the diagnosis of PHPT is made in patients whose initial presentation is with stones. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective analysis of surgically treated PHPT patients, comparing 247 patients who were kidney stone formers and 1047 patients with no kidney stones. We also analyzed 51 stone-forming patients whose stone evaluation and treatment were completed within our health system before PHPT diagnosis. Results Stone-forming patients had higher 24-h urinary calcium (342 versus 304 mg/d, P = 0.005), higher alkaline phosphatase (92 versus 85 IU/L, P = 0.012), and were more likely to be normocalcemic (26.6% versus 16.9%, P = 0.001). Surprisingly, 47.3% of stone formers had normal urinary calcium levels ( Conclusions Elevated serum and urinary calcium levels are not evaluated in the majority of PHPT patients presenting with kidney stones. In nephrolithiasis patients, provider consideration of PHPT with prompt serum calcium and parathyroid hormone evaluation significantly reduces time to treatment.
Review of Requests to Exclude Attenuated Strains of Select Agents and Modified Select Toxins, Division of Select Agents and Toxins, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003-2017.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Select Agents and Toxins (DSAT) regulates the possession, use, and transfer of select agents and toxins throughout the United States as ...
Engineered pH-dependent recycling antibodies enhance elimination of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B superantigen in mice.

ABSTRACTA new modality in antibody engineering has emerged in which the antigen affinity is designed to be pH dependent (PHD). In particular, combining high affinity binding at neutral pH with low affinity binding at acidic pH leads to a novel antibody that can more effectively neutralize the target antigen while avoiding antibody-mediated antigen accumulation. Here, we studied how the in vivo pharmacokinetics of the superantigen, Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), is affected by an engineered antibody with pH-dependent binding. PHD anti-SEB antibodies were engineered by introducing mutations into a high affinity anti-SEB antibody, 3E2, by rational design and directed evolution. Three antibody mutants engineered in the study have an affinity at pH 6.0 that is up to 68-fold weaker than the control antibody. The pH dependency of each mutant, measured as the pH-dependent affinity ratio (PAR – ratio of affinity at pH 7.4 and pH 6.0), ranged from 6.7–11.5 compared to 1.5 for the control antibody. The antibodi...
The PQ-loop protein Any1 segregates Drs2 and Neo1 functions required for viability and plasma membrane phospholipid asymmetry

Membrane asymmetry is a key organizational feature of the plasma membrane. Type IV P-type ATPases (P4-ATPases) are phospholipid flippases that establish membrane asymmetry by translocating phospholipids, such as phosphatidylserine (PS) and phospatidylethanolamine, from the exofacial leaflet to the cytosolic leaflet. Saccharomyces cerevisiae expresses five P4-ATPases: Drs2, Neo1, Dnf1, Dnf2, and Dnf3. The inactivation of Neo1 is lethal, suggesting Neo1 mediates an essential function not exerted by the other P4-ATPases. However, the disruption of ANY1, which encodes a PQ-loop membrane protein, allows the growth of neo1Δ and reveals functional redundancy between Golgi-localized Neo1 and Drs2. Here we show Drs2 PS flippase activity is required to support neo1Δ any1Δ viability. Additionally, a Dnf1 variant with enhanced PS flipping ability can replace Drs2 and Neo1 function in any1Δ cells. any1Δ also suppresses drs2Δ growth defects but not the loss of membrane asymmetry. Any1 overexpression perturbs the growth of cells but does not disrupt membrane asymmetry. Any1 coimmunoprecipitates with Neo1, an association prevented by the Any1-inactivating mutation D84G. These results indicate a critical role for PS flippase activity in Golgi membranes to sustain viability and suggests Any1 regulates Golgi membrane remodeling through protein-protein interactions rather than a previously proposed scramblase activity.
Mechanism of Acid-Triggered Cargo Release from Lipid Bilayer-Coated Mesoporous Silica Particles

Lipid bilayer-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles are unique core-shell nanomaterials currently being developed as drug delivery vehicles. To improve cargo loading and biocirculation, the pore structure and surface chemistry of the particle have been modified and well characterized. However, an understanding of cargo release mechanisms from cellular uptake pathways remains largely unexplored. Here, we present a study of the release mechanism of lipid bilayer-coated silica particles induced by endosomal-like pH change from 7.4 to 5.0. We found that this relatively small pH change produces rapid deformation of the supported lipid bilayer that ultimately results in holes in the membrane. Using a combination of dye release studies, wide-field and confocal fluorescence microscopies, and surface area modeling analysis, we determined that small blister-like structures are formed, which lead to lateral membrane displacement and hole formation. Possible mechanisms for the blister formation, which include curvature effects and interfacial interactions, are discussed.