cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Child Health Care in Changing Times

Unprecedented transformations in the financing and organization of child health care are driving change in the practice of pediatrics at a remarkably fast pace. The health care needs of children also are evolving, reflecting changing disease patterns, new technologies, and shifting socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of children and families. Changes in the financing and organization of child health services catalyzed by managed care and legislative initiatives need to be responded to proactively by the pediatric community. Yet, the anticipated health care needs of children also must be addressed as models for both pediatric training and practice in the future are developed. This article summarizes briefly these changes in health care services and in child health needs, addresses training implications, and discusses several initiatives the pediatric community is undertaking to develop guidelines for training pediatricians for the 21st century.
The Role of Light in the Initiation of Circadian Activity Rhythms of Adult Drosophila Melanogaster

Rearing Drosophila melanogaster in constant darkness (DD) for multiple generations disrupts the circadian activity rhythm of adults. In order to determine under what conditions normal rhythms can be initiated, DD-reared Drosophila (either the wild type or the periodshort [perS] mutant) were exposed to light either as embryos, thirdinstar larvae, or adults. Exposing DD-reared flies to light as embryos or larvae had no effect, while exposing them as adults fully restored normal rhythms in perS and partially restored normal rhythms in the wild type. The percentage of adults with normal rhythms was not significantly different between animals given a 1-h pulse of light as adults and animals given two LD cycles as adults. LD-reared and DD-reared animals given 2 LD cycles were synchronous. In the latter, offset of activity followed the LD transition (CT 12) by 2–6 subjective hours in perS and 2–3 subjective hours in per+. Circadian rhythms did not exhibit phase coherence in the other treatments.
Starch: Sources and Processing

Depending on the botanical source, carbohydrate is stored as starch granules in seeds, fruits, roots, tubers, and stems. Starch granules vary in size, shape, crystallinity, and amylose content, all of which can affect its functional properties. Starch extraction can involve dry milling or wet milling or their combination. Most often, starch is separated from protein, fiber, lipid, and water extractables by making a slurry of the ground storage organ or tissue. Separation is based on solubility and on differential weight. Starch quality is dependent on extraction method and conditions.
Nonlinear Plates and Waves

This chapter will present a nonlinear plate theory from three-dimensional elastic theory, and the approximate theories of thin plates will be discussed. From such a theory, approximate solutions for nonlinear waves in traveling plates and rotating disks will be presented. In addition, stationary and resonant waves in the traveling plates and rotating disks will be discussed. Finally, chaotic waves in traveling plates under periodic excitation will be presented.
Photoconductivity Dependence on the Background Oxygen Pressure in Nanostructured ZnO UV Sensor

The present work describes the photoconductivity dependence on ZnO nanostructure UV sensor. ZnO nanostructures were synthesized by direct vapor phase (DVP) technique. ZnO nanowires are of dimensions 30-65 nm in diameter and 5 μm in length. The role of oxygen in deciding the opto-electronic properties of nanostructured ZnO UV sensors was studied.
Growth, structure, and thermal conductivity of yttria-stabilized hafnia thin films.

Yttria-stabilized hafnia (YSH) films of 90 nm thickness have been produced using sputter-deposition by varying the growth temperature (T(s)) from room-temperature (RT) to 400 °C. The effect of T(s) on the structure, morphology, and thermal conductivity of YSH films has been investigated. Structural studies indicate that YSH films crystallize in the cubic phase. The lattice constant decreases from 5.15 to 5.10 A with increasing T(s). The average grain size (L) increases with increasing T(s); L-T(s) relationship indicates the thermally activated process of the crystallization of YSH films. The analyses indicate a critical temperature to promote nanocrystalline, cubic YSH films is 300 °C, which is higher compare to that of pure monoclinic HfO(2) films. Compared to pure nanocrystalline hafnia, the addition of yttria lowers the effective thermal conductivity. The effect of grain size on thermal conductivity is also explored.
Clinical and biochemical phenotypes of adults with monoallelic and biallelic CYP24A1 mutations: evidence of gene dose effect

Summary Mutations of the CYP24A1 gene can result in hypercalcemia, hyerpercalciuria, and nephrolithiasis, but disease severity is variable. Clinical and biochemical phenotypes were correlated with gene sequence information in a family with two CYP24A1 mutations. A gene dose effect was apparent with monoallelic mutations demonstrating milder disease manifestations than biallelic mutations.
Crystal Structural Analysis of the Important Role of Ser203 of Rat Brain Kinesin in Hydrolysis of ATP

Rat brain kinesin is a conventional kinesin that uses the chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis to walk along the microtubule filaments with high speed and process. Studies on how the chemical energy in ATP is transformed to mechanical movement are vital to understand its moving function. Analysis of the crystal structure of monomeric rat brain kinesin complexed with an ATP analog,AMPPCP,and its comparison with the complex structures with another ATP analog,AMPPNP,and its ATP hydrolyzed product,ADP,reveal the important role of Ser203 in the Switch I region. This key residue may act as a proton donor to promote the linkage break between γ-phoshate and β-phosphate in the initial step of ATP hydrolysis.
ON the Narrational Style of Pan Jun's Fictions

Pan Jun emphasizes highly on keeping a narrational distance from his reader and society in his fictions.This kind of style comes out gradually in his pure technological chasing to this distance. Pan Jun has showed his narrational intelligence during the process of his chase.His mian narrational style is composed of distance and intelligence.
Detection of immunoglobulin G antibody of hemorrhagic fever patients by an ELISA based on recombinant nucleocapsid protein of puumala virus

Objective:To detect immunoglobulin G antibody of hemorrhagic fever patients and to discover possible puumala virus-infected individuals in China.Methods:An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) test,using the recombinant nucleocapsid protein of puumala virus as antigens,was constructed to detect puumala virus-specific IgG antibody of serum specimens from hemorrhagic fever patients.Results:A total of 37 serum samples,which were collected from hemorrhagic fever patients of Fusong district,Jilin province,were detected,4 serum samples showed positive IgG responses to recombinant nucleocapsid proteins of puumala virus.Conclsion:The existence of puumala virus-infected individuals in China is possible.
Prophylactic antibiotics during cesarean section: an overview of prior clinical investigations.

In this article, the data and observations from the 38 reports in the literature on the use of prophylactic antibiotics are reviewed in order to answer some commonly asked clinical questions and to reach general conclusions as guidelines for patient care.
Pulmonary tuberculosis in the urban Bantu: a pilot study of 115 cases.

115 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis affecting non-Europeans in Johannesburg were studied from the time of their admission to hospital until their return to out-patient clinics. Their progress at the clinic was assessed.
Behavioral Treatment of Children's Fears and Phobias: A Review

This article presents an overview of the current behaviorally-oriented fear reduction methods that are frequently used with children. After reviewing normative and prevalence data regarding childre...
Diabetes in women older than 40 years of age. Social and medical aspects.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Prevention of Congenital Anomalies. Because the first few weeks after conception are a critical time in terms of embryopathy, good glycemic control should be established before conception in the pregestational diabetic and stringently maintained throughout the first trimester. Encouraging the diabetic woman to achieve stringent glycemic control before conception would virtually eliminate the excess risk of spontaneous abortion and anomalies. Prenatal Diagnosis. For all mature gravidas with diabetes, early prenatal diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities (mainly trisomies) and congenital anomalies should be determined through detailed ultrasound examination, fetal echocardiography, and alpha-fetoprotein determinations. Glycemic Control. Stringent metabolic control is mandatory throughout pregnancy to prevent the risk for macrosomia and maternal-accompanied medical complications, such as preeclampsia. Fetal Surveillance. Structured fetal surveillance evaluating fetal growth and well-being must be pursued throughout pregnancy.
Laparoscopic Total Extra-Peritoneal (TEP) Inguinal Hernia Repair

Laparoscopic total extra-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair (TEP-IHR) results in similar recurrence rates to an open, tension-free repair with improved post-operative pain. However, there is a steep learning curve with TEP-IHR which requires a robust knowledge of pre-peritoneal inguinal anatomy. TEP-IHR may be used for primary inguinal hernias but also is an excellent option for a recurrent inguinal hernia following an open repair or for bilateral inguinal hernias. An open approach may be technically easier for chronically incarcerated and scrotal hernias compared to TEP-IHR. The technical pearls of the operation include creation of the pre-peritoneal space with a dissecting balloon which maximizes exposure and minimizes bleeding and peritoneal penetration. Further, the affected side should be assessed in a systematic way to fully appreciate for a direct, femoral, and indirect hernia with placement of a prosthetic, lightweight mesh that covers all of these potential spaces. Finally, the contralateral side can be inspected with modest dissection to determine if an occult hernia is present and repaired at the same time.
Maternal Obesity and Implications for the Long-Term Health of the Offspring

The current epidemic of obesity among women of childbearing age has serious implications for both the woman and her potential offspring. The adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with maternal obesity, as well as the long-term implications for the mothers’ health, are well established. However, there is increasing evidence indicating that offspring of obese mothers have an increased risk of obesity, cardiometabolic risk, adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, and respiratory challenges, which follow them all the way to adulthood. This chapter provides clinicians and researchers with an overview of the long-term health implications for offspring exposed to maternal obesity.
A Life On Hold: Living With Schizophrenia by J. Mendez-Negrete

As of 2014, an estimated one in five adults (43.6 million) in the United States suffers from mental illness. Approximately 9.8 million adults in the United States, however, suffer from serious and ...
Evaluation of Physiologic and Pathologic Alterations of Coagulation and Fibrinolysis Using a New Global Assay.

BACKGROUND: The Clot Formation and Lysis (CloFAL) assay, modified from prior global assay methods by He et al., 1999, and Smith et al., 2003, involves activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis in platelet-poor plasma via addition of a physiologic reactant solution in a multi-well microassay plate. Continuous spectropohotometric data analysis allows measurement of kinetic absorbance changes of the plasma sample over three hours, which yields a unique clot formation and lysis curve. Using parameters of the curve, coagulation and fibrinolytic indices (CI and FI) are calculated relative to a simultaneously run pooled normal plasma standard. METHODS: Platelet-poor plasma obtained from pregnant women at term (n=24), neonatal cord blood (n=29), and healthy children (n=22) were analyzed using the CloFAL assay. Healthy adult (n=22) plasma samples, as well as those of individuals with factor deficiencies, were obtained commercially. Fibrinolytic alterations in vitro were also investigated. Intra-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) for normal controls ranged from 3–12% for all assay parameters, with inter-assay CVs of 5–15%. RESULTS: Representative CloFAL curves for healthy adults and children, pregnant women, and newborn infants are shown in Figure 1. Coagulation potential (measured by median CI) was significantly increased, while fibrinolytic capacity (measured by median FI) was markedly decreased, in pregnant women as compared to healthy adults (CI: 239% vs. 115%, FI: 59% vs. 95%; P CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the CLoFAL assay is reproducible and analytically sensitive to known physiologic and pathologic alterations in coagulation and fibrinolysis. The application of this global assay to patients with a variety of disorders of thrombosis and hemostasis is currently ongoing.
Message from the conference general chairs

For almost 30 years, the IEEE International System-on-Chip Conference (SOCC) has been the premier forum for sharing advances in system-on-chip (SoC) technologies, designs, tools, test and verification. The SOC conference rotates amongst international locations, and attracts researchers and engineers from all over the world to exchange knowledge, share experiences and establish collaborations with colleagues.
Intermolecular forces between molecules of different species

The assumption that the intermolecular attractive potentials between molecules of different species are adequately represented by a geometric mean of those between like species serves well to account for solubility relations for mixtures of molecules of similar electronic types but not for others. It agrees well for solubilities of iodine in 15 solvents covering a 300-fold range, but fails badly for solubilities newly determined of CF 4 and SF 6 . It seems desirable to recognize differences in the nature of molecular force fields between molecules of different types: hydrogen and paraffins, with bonding electrons only; aromatics and olefins with pi-electrons; halogens and halides with non-bonding outer electrons, fluorocarbons, and species capable of electron donor-acceptor interaction. There is need for a theory of intermolecular potentials far more sophisticated than the primitive London theory and 6-12 central, radial potentials.
Lumbosacral stenosis in Labrador retriever military working dogs – an exomic exploratory study

Canine lumbosacral stenosis is defined as narrowing of the caudal lumbar and/or sacral vertebral canal. A risk factor for neurologic problems in many large sized breeds, lumbosacral stenosis can also cause early retirement in Labrador retriever military working dogs. Though vital for conservative management of the condition, early detection is complicated by the ambiguous nature of clinical signs of lumbosacral stenosis in stoic and high-drive Labrador retriever military working dogs. Though clinical diagnoses of lumbosacral stenosis using CT imaging are standard, they are usually not performed unless dogs present with clinical symptoms. Understanding the underlying genomic mechanisms would be beneficial in developing early detection methods for lumbosacral stenosis, which could prevent premature retirement in working dogs. The exomes of 8 young Labrador retriever military working dogs (4 affected and 4 unaffected by lumbosacral stenosis, phenotypically selected by CT image analyses from 40 dogs with no reported clinical signs of the condition) were sequenced to identify and annotate exonic variants between dogs negative and positive for lumbosacral stenosis. Two-hundred and fifty-two variants were detected to be homozygous for the wild allele and either homozygous or heterozygous for the variant allele. Seventeen non-disruptive variants were detected that could affect protein effectiveness in 7 annotated (SCN1B, RGS9BP, ASXL3, TTR, LRRC16B, PTPRO, ZBBX) and 3 predicted genes (EEF1A1, DNAJA1, ZFX). No exonic variants were detected in any of the canine orthologues for human lumbar spinal stenosis candidate genes. TTR (transthyretin) gene could be a possible candidate for lumbosacral stenosis in Labrador retrievers based on previous human studies that have reported an association between human lumbar spinal stenosis and transthyretin protein amyloidosis. Other genes identified with exonic variants in this study but with no known published association with lumbosacral stenosis and/or lumbar spinal stenosis could also be candidate genes for future canine lumbosacral stenosis studies but their roles remain currently unknown. Human lumbar spinal stenosis candidate genes also cannot be ruled out as lumbosacral stenosis candidate genes. More definitive genetic investigations of this condition are needed before any genetic test for lumbosacral stenosis in Labrador retriever can be developed.
Heterogeneous modulation of acute-phase-reactant mRNA levels by interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 in the human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5.

The acute-phase response to tissue injury and inflammation is accompanied by a dramatic increase in the hepatic synthesis of plasma proteins known as acute-phase reactants (APRs). This response is mediated by cytokines produced in part by activated macrophages at the site of inflammation; glucocorticoids have also been implicated as playing a regulatory role. The effects of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 beta and -6, alone or in combination, and in the absence or presence of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone, on the levels of APR mRNAs in the human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5 were analysed. The accumulation of APR mRNAs [the complement components C3, factor B and Cl inhibitor; the major APRs C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A protein and the CRP analogue serum amyloid P protein] was determined in dose-response and time-course studies. The APRs differed from each other in their responses to IL-1 beta alone, IL-6 alone, and IL-1 beta plus IL-6. Dexamethasone enhanced the cytokine-driven induction of a subset of APR mRNAs. These studies detail the heterogeneity of the ‘in vitro’ acute-phase response to defined mediators.
Measures of Lexical Variety

In this chapter we’ll begin to transition from microanalysis to macroanalysis. We’ll leave behind the study of single terms and begin to explore two global measures of lexical variety: mean word frequency and type-token ratios.
Programmed Necrosis/Necroptosis: An Inflammatory Form of Cell Death

It was not long ago when necrosis was thought to be cell injury caused by nonspecific physical trauma. In recent years, a dedicated pathway that triggers necrosis in response to TNF-like death cytokines, certain toll-like receptors, and in response to viral pathogens was described. Signaling adaptors that contain the RIP homotypic interaction motif (RHIM), such as receptor interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1 and RIPK3, are key inducers for this form of “regulated” necrosis, often referred to as “programmed necrosis” or “necroptosis.” Genetic and biochemical experiments show that RIP kinase-dependent necrosis and caspase-dependent apoptosis are intimately linked. Unlike apoptosis, necrosis tends to promote inflammation. Emerging evidence indicates that the pro-inflammatory nature of necrosis is a critical driver in a wide range of disease pathologies. In this chapter, I discuss the molecular pathway that controls necrosis and how it contributes to different inflammatory diseases.
Initial evaluation of a 290-μm diameter subcutaneous glucose sensor: Glucose monitoring with a biocompatible, flexible-wire, enzyme-based amperometric microsensor in diabetic and nondiabetic humans

Abstract Results of the initial clinical evaluation in 20 human subjects of a subcutaneously implanted microsensor-based amperometrically glycemia-monitoring system, carried out between April 1994 and June 1995, are reported. The system was based on the electrical connection ("wiring") of the reaction centers of glucose oxidase to a gold electrode and on elimination of the chemicals that interfere with glucose monitoring through their horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation by internally generated hydrogen peroxide. The sensor was finer than a 29-gauge needle and had no leachable components. Because of its high selectivity for glucose, the sensor output was virtually nil at zero glucose level. This enables prompt "one-point" in vivo calibration of the sensor with a single blood glucose sample. Microsensors were subcutaneously implanted in ten nondiabetic and ten insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) volunteers. All subjects underwent standard meal tests and intravenous glucose-tolerance tests (IVGTT) in addition to hourly plasma glucose measurements. The sensor signals were continuously recorded, and the glucose concentration estimates were derived by calibrating the sensor using a single blood sample (one-point calibration). Regression analysis revealed that the sensor-estimated glucose concentrations were linearly related to the plasma glucose concentrations ( r 2 = 0.75) over a wide glucose concentration range (2–28 mmol/L) (sensor estimate=plasma * 0.96 + 0.26 mmol/L). The difference between the estimated and actual glucose concentration was −0.13 ± 0.23 mmol/L [mean ± 95% confidence interval (CI), n = 546], and 95% of the estimates fell in clinically acceptable zones of the Clarke error grid. The sensing delay time was 10.4 ± 2.3 min as measured by the IVGTT. The subjects reported no discomfort associated with wearing the sensors.
Sperm Chromatin: An Overview

The changes in chromatin organization that occur as mammalian spermatocytes differentiate into mature sperm are among the most extreme that have been observed in biology. The DNA in each spermatocyte chromosome is packaged by histones into a continuous string of nucleosomal subunits that coil into higher-ordered 30 nm fibers. These fibers interact with each other, many other proteins, and the nuclear matrix to provide a predominantly soluble, loosely packed genome similar to that found in all other somatic cells. Genes required for spermatocyte function are actively transcribed and translated up until the cell commits to undergo two meiotic divisions that lead to the production of four spermatids, each containing a single copy of the paternal genome. The physical and functional state of the chromatin in each spermatid is then progressively transformed via a series of DNA-binding protein transitions that shut down the genetic programming required for spermatid function, reprogram (imprint) subsets of genes that will need to be activated at different stages of embryogenesis, and finally condense the entire genome into a genetically inactive, densely packed macrostructure that is not only protected from the majority of environmental influences but is also hydrodynamically optimized for transport into an oocyte (Braun, Nat Genet 28(1):10–12, 2001). The changes in chromatin organization that occur as mammalian spermatocytes differentiate into mature sperm are among the most extreme that have been observed in biology.
Hospice Use Among Patients with Myeloma

Abstract Introduction: Timely hospice enrollment is widely endorsed as an indicator of quality end-of-life (EOL) care. Although there have been significant increases in overall rates of hospice for patients with blood cancers, there have also been concomitant increases in “late” enrollment (generally defined as stays of ≤ 3 days before death). Such late enrollment may be less meaningful, as patients are being admitted to hospice primarily to manage their death, rather than to obtain additional palliative benefits. We aimed to characterize hospice use among patients with myeloma, focusing on prevalence and predictors of late enrollment. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. Patients ≥ 65 years of age who had a primary diagnosis of myeloma between 2000 and 2013, lived for at least 30 days after their diagnosis, and died prior to December 31, 2013 were eligible for inclusion. We examined time trends in overall hospice use and late enrollment (defined as ≤ 3 days before death). Next, limiting our analysis to those who enrolled, we fit a multivariable logistic regression model to characterize factors independently associated with late enrollment, including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (for those with p Results: A total of 12,803 patients with myeloma were eligible. Overall, 47.9% enrolled in hospice, of which the majority used outpatient/home hospice services (80.5%). The median length of stay in hospice was 12 days. Among those who enrolled, 17.8% spent ≤ 3 days in hospice before death. There was a significant trend in increasing hospice use from 28.6% in 2000 to 56.4% by 2013, p Conclusions: In this large cohort of myeloma decedents, there was a significant increase in hospice use over time, reaching a clear majority enrolling by 2013. Unlike many other hematologic cancers, gains in hospice use were not accompanied by increases in late enrollment. Distinct features of myeloma as compared to other blood cancers-such as incurability and high prevalence of pain at the EOL-may make the need for hospice services at the EOL more clear and encourage more timely enrollment. Download : Download high-res image (142KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure . Disclosures Richardson: Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Oncopeptides AB: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Anderson: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; C4 Therapeutics: Other: scientific founder; Millenium Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopep: Other: scientific founder; Gilead Sciences: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MedImmune: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Serum Levels of Hepatocyte Growth Factor and CD40 Ligand Predict Radiation-Induced Liver Injury.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Declining liver function is a concerning side effect associated with radiation therapy. Biomarkers of liver toxicity would be useful in personalizing therapy. METHODS: As part of two prospective clinical trials examining adaptive radiation therapy, we collected serum samples from patients receiving liver radiation. We performed a screen of 22 cytokines using a multiplex assay then used ELISA to quantify the cytokines of greatest interest. Subjects were split into screening and validation cohorts. Toxicity was defined as an increase in Child-Pugh score of 2 points or greater within 6 months. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between our toxicity endpoint and serum cytokine concentrations. RESULTS: Our initial screen (46 subjects, 11 events) identified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), CD40L (CD154), and eotaxin (CCL11) as potentially predictive of toxicity. We then tested these markers in an expanded patient cohort (104 subjects, 18 events) with a batch correction due to varying age of the samples which confirmed that high HGF and low CD40L were associated with a subsequent decline in liver function following radiation therapy. Multivariate analysis factoring in baseline Child-Pugh score and mean liver radiation dose demonstrated that HGF and CD40L were potentially predictive of toxicity (HGF OR 4.3, P = .009; CD40L OR 0.5 P = .06). Additionally, higher than median baseline HGF levels (1.4 ng/ml) were significantly associated with decreased survival following liver radiation (27.1 vs 14.5 months, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies high HGF and low CD40L as potential markers of liver toxicity following radiation therapy.
A logistic two-sex model with mate-finding Allee effect

We analyze a logistic two-sex model with mate-finding Allee effects assuming distinct sex-related parameters. We compute the threshold of the Allee-effect strength that separates population extinction from persistence and prove that a bistability regimen appears whereby the total population either goes extinct or stabilizes at a positive level depending on the initial demographic conditions. We show that this effect is the only possible outcome as far as the population limiting behavior is concerned. In addition, we compute the optimal female-sex probability at birth that maximizes this threshold.
Cosmopolitan Dreams: The Making of Modern Urdu Literary Culture in Colonial South Asia

Urdu occupies a particularly intriguing and somewhat fraught location within multilingual South Asia. In the nineteenth century, Hindi-Hindvi was splintered into modern Hindi with the Devnagari scr...
Neurotrophins BDNF and NT4/5 accelerate dental pulp stem cell migration.

Abstract Neurotrophic factors play important roles in neuron survival, growth and differentiation. In the present research, the expression of multiple neurotrophins and their effects on cell migration were studied in the dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Human DPSCs from five patients were cultured. Expression of neurotrophins and their receptors were evaluated by PCR, immunofluorescent staining and ELISA. Scratch assay was performed in the presence or absence of neurotrophic factors. Level of phosphorylated-ERK was evaluated with Western blotting. Neurotrophins were expressed at various levels in the DPSCs. Treatment of 100 ng/ml BDNF or NT4/5 accelerated wound healing in scratch assay and elevated the expression of phosphorylated–ERK. The work indicated that neurotrophins promoted human DPSCs migration in vitro.
Announcement Information Provided by United States’ Public Libraries during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic

This study synthesizes timely information about the COVID-19 virus and examines how public libraries have responded to the pandemic in real-time through their online announcements to the public. A content analysis of library announcements relating to the COVID-19 pandemic posted during the period of March 14﻿–April 12, 2020, was performed. Over 90 percent of libraries announced a closure due to the pandemic and 98 percent libraries indicated programs were suspended. Over half of libraries posted about COVID-19 and general hygiene practices. Many announcements changed in terms of content from March 14 to April 12, demonstrating the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic. This study suggests that libraries can and do play an important role in providing reliable information about pandemics like COVID-19 for patrons.
Social Work Instructors’ Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices about Teaching Suicide Content

In 2012, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention recommended more education in suicide prevention for mental health professionals. This study of social work instructors (N = 225) explored atti...
Interactions between strains govern the eco-evolutionary dynamics of microbial communities

Abstract Genomic data has revealed that genotypic variants of the same species, i.e., strains, coexist and are abundant in natural microbial communities. However, it is not clear if strains are ecologically equivalent, or if they exhibit distinct interactions and dynamics. Here, we address this problem by tracking 10 microbial communities from the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea in the laboratory for more than 300 generations. Using metagenomic sequencing, we reconstruct their dynamics over time and across scales, from distant phyla to closely related genotypes. We find that interactions between naturally occurring strains govern eco-evolutionary dynamics. Surprisingly, even fine-scale variants differing only by 100 base pairs can exhibit vastly different dynamics. We show that these differences may stem from ecological interactions in the communities, which are specific to strains, not species. Finally, by analyzing genomic differences between strains, we identify major functional hubs such as transporters, regulators, and carbohydrate-catabolizing enzymes, which might be the basis for strain-specific interactions. Our work shows that strains are the relevant level of diversity at which to study the long-term dynamics of microbiomes.
Program diagramming and fundamental programming patterns for a polymorphic computing dataflow processor

Abstract In this era where the growth of computer performance is significantly flattening, new parallel computer architectures are needed to continue to fuel that growth. One candidate architecture to fuel this growth is a recently proposed dataflow processor that is meant to be tiled together into a fabric to create a polymorphic computer (i.e. a reconfigurable computer whose architecture can be changed to match the software) where program instructions can be independently migrated in a fine-grained manner around the fabric to logically change the computer architecture. This work provides a summary of the dataflow processor’s instruction set and details how to write programs for this processor. The techniques that are presented to write programs for this processor are diagramming and 12 building block programming patterns. The 12 patterns are: Operations with a Constant, Simple Copy, Pitch (Discard), Counters, Critical Sections, Funnels (Gathers), Distribution Tree (Scatters), Lookup Tables, Single Value Selection, Single Value Steering, Switch (Multi-Value Steering), and Loops. These patterns are expected to benefit future compilers. In addition, the ideal timing results of several test algorithms that are implemented in this processor and that utilize the above patterns are presented.
Updates on the understanding and management of thyroid eye disease

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a complex disease associated with myriad clinical presentations, including facial disfigurement, vision loss, and decreased quality of life. Traditionally, steroid therapy and/or radiation therapy were commonly used in the treatment of active TED. While these therapies can help reduce inflammation, they often do not have a sustainable, significant long-term effect on disease outcomes, including proptosis and diplopia. Recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of TED have shifted the focus of treatment toward targeted biologic therapies. Biologics have the advantage of precise immune modulation, which can have better safety profiles and greater efficacy compared to traditional approaches. For instance, the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) has been found to be upregulated in TED patients and to colocalize with the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), forming a signaling complex. Teprotumumab is an antibody targeted against IGF-1R. By inhibiting the IGF-1R/TSHR signaling pathway, teprotumumab may reduce the production of proinflammatory cytokines, hyaluronan secretion, and orbital fibroblast activation in patients with TED. Due to promising phase II and III clinical trial results, teprotumumab has become the first biologic US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the treatment of TED. In addition, there are currently ongoing studies looking at the use of antibodies targeting the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in various autoimmune diseases, including TED. FcRn functions to transport immunoglobulin G (IgG) and prevent their lysosomal degradation. By blocking the recycling of IgG, this approach may dampen the body's immune response, in particular the pathogenic IgG implicated in some autoimmune diseases. Advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of TED, therefore, are leading to more targeted therapeutic options, and we are entering an exciting new phase in the management of TED. This review will cover recent insights into the understanding of TED pathophysiology and novel treatment options as well as ongoing studies of new potential treatment options for TED.
The Association of Antihistamine Administration and Delayed Presentation for Care in Pediatric Patients Admitted with Anaphylaxis

Introduction: It is estimated that 1.5 per 100,000 children are hospitalized for food associated anaphylaxis in the United States. Anaphylaxis, as defined by the World Allergy Organization (WAO) criteria (Table1), can be rapidly fatal, but the administration of epinephrine can prevent mortality. Antihistamines relieve some anaphylaxis symptoms but do not prevent mortality. Anecdotal reports suggest patients commonly delay administering epinephrine, hoping an antihistamine will resolve their symptoms, but the role of antihistamines in delayed presentation for medical care is unknown. Objective: To determine the association between home administration of antihistamines prior to …
A Phase-Disposition PWM Enabled Model Predictive Control for a Nine-Level Inner-Interleaved Hybrid Multilevel Converter

This article brings forward a phase-disposition pulse width modulation enabled model predictive control (PDPWM-MPC) for a nine-level inner-interleaved hybrid multilevel converter (9L-IHMC). Firstly, three layers of virtual space vector diagrams (VSVD) are established based on the sign patterns of the original and virtual reference vectors in the abcframe, respectively, to achieve the phase-disposition pulse width modulation (PD-PWM) in a non-independent three-phase way. Then, three adjacent virtual vectors in the third-layer VSVD, together with their optimized duty cycles, are applied to guarantee the optimal current tracking. Finally, through the use of the duty cycle alternation approach, dc-link and floating capacitors voltages are balanced and circulating currents are mitigated as well. The proposed PDPWM-MPC can not only enable the decoupling of the low-and high-frequency stages in the 9L-IHMC, but also reduce both output current ripples and computational burden. In addition, it can achieve a constant equivalent switching frequency and address the disproportion of power losses associated with the PD-PWM. Both simulations and experiments on a silicon carbide device-based prototype substantiate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Consultations in Dermatology: Studies of Orphan and Unique Patients

This is a handbook on dermatologic differential diagnosis and clinical management, focusing on sixty-two challenging and vexing clinical cases that the Shelleys have encountered in over fifty years of patient practice in dermatology. The management problems of these extremely perplexing cases go far beyond evidence-based medicine. Each case is presented as a well-written vignette, told in a case-study tone. The authors first present the background of each case in a concise, thorough, manner including all the important clinical details, including tests and results. The authors then reveal the process involved in the diagnosis and the therapy involved. Finally, they include a section called 'Questions for the Doctor', which suggests relevant questions that the doctor should be pondering in each case. This is the perfect book for residents preparing for their boards.
Water Relations of Conifer Seedlings in Disturbed Versus Understory Habitats

A research project was initiated in the summer of 1980 to study re-establishment of vegetation following prescribed burning in Glacier National Park (GNP), Montana. The problem of conifer re-establishment following disturbance such as fire has often been associated with inadequate moisture conditions (Ronco 1970). The ecophysiological characteristics of a particular species may determine its success in establishment as well as its successional role in a community. Since the goal of prescribed burning is often to "set back" succession in a particular community, knowledge of the ecophysiological characteristics of the species involved is vital to the development of sound management policy. Three conifers common to GNP and the Rocky Mountains, Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, and Pinus contorta, were monitored throughout the season to develop baseline information on their water relations at exposed sites, similar to postburn situations, compared to normal understory situations. Although, successional patterns concerning these three conifers have been well documented (Stahelin 1943, Langenheim 1962, Day 1972, Whipple and Dix 1979), their ecophysiological adaptations influencing establishment and succession following a burn or other disturbance has received little attention.
Ethylene-Mediated Growth Response in Submerged Deep-Water Rice

Floating or deep-water rice is mainly grown in the floodplains of Southeast Asia where the water can rise up to 6 m during the rainy season (1). Deep-water rice has great agronomic importance because it is a subsistence crop in many densely populated areas where no other crop can be grown. The distinguishing characteristic of this rice is its ability to elongate with rising waters after 4–6 weeks of growth. The survival of the deep-water rice plant depends on its ability to keep part of its foliage above the water surface. Completely submerged plants cease to elongate and eventually die (2). When the lower leaves of deep-water rice become submerged, their growth also stops and they eventually die so that the basal part of the partially submerged plant consists of elongated internodes only. The total height of deep-water rice plants can reach up to 7 m in areas with high flood levels (3). This remarkable elongation occurs in spite of severely restricted supply of O2 and CO2 under water.
A10 Use of Health Impact Assessment to Promote Safe Built Environments for Active Transportation

Background Health impact assessment (HIA) is rapidly growing approach to decision-making that identifies potential health impacts of proposed projects, policies, plans, and programs. HIAs provide valuable recommendations about how to maximize health benefits and avoid or mitigate unintended negative consequences of decisions. Proposed transportation decisions that affect walking and bicycling often do not assess the unintended injury risks. This research examines the usefulness and characteristics of HIAs that have addressed injury risk as part of proposals promoting opportunities for active transportation in U.S. communities. Methods HIAs were identified using the searchable Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, online database of self-reported HIAs. The database includes all HIAs conducted in the U.S. to date that have been reported to the Health Impact Project. A key word search identified HIAs as relevant to the "built environment" or "transportation" sectors. HIAs were excluded if active transportation was not central to the purpose of the proposal. Results Twenty-one HIAs, conducted in both urban and rural jurisdictions, were completed between 2004 and 2013. Six of these HIAs addressed projects exploring walking and biking paths, greenways, and bicycle lanes; six addressed policies exploring complete streets, safe routes to school, and walking and biking; and nine addressed pedestrian and bicycling plans. HIAs used local and state data on to illustrate the potential injury risks, and also illustrated the effects on inequities. Evidence-based recommendations to address injury risk as part of these HIAs incorporated Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles, traffic calming, and improving sidewalks near schools. Conclusions Proposed active transportation decisions are generally favorable to health in their initial design, but they do not always consider injury risk. HIAs advance the field of injury prevention and control by illuminating the unintended injury and violence risks of proposals and proposing evidence-based injury strategies. Although the HIAs that were reviewed were conducted in the U.S. the findings provide important lessons for communities around the world. Keywords: SR2S
A helicase is born.

One of three loci previously associated with autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia (adPEO) encodes ANT1, a mitochondrial nucleotide transporter. Now, mutations in two other genes are found in people with adPEO. One of these encodes a new helicase, Twinkle, which is related to the product of bacteriophage T7 gene 4, and co-localizes with mitochondrial DNA. The identification of Twinkle adds a new star to the expanding constellation of 'helicase diseases'.
Basal cell carcinoma in North American blacks: Clinical and histopathologic study of 26 patients

Basal cell carcinoma is rare in blacks. A clinical and histopathologic review of 43 basal cell carcinomas in 26 black patients is reported. Basal cell carcinoma was found to be more common in women than in men. Our data indicated a lower prevalence on the nose and trunk compared with other reports. Multiple tumors were more common in our series. Our study included the youngest black patient with a pure basal cell carcinoma, the first reported superficial basal cell carcinoma, the second reported perianal basal cell carcinoma, and one albino patient with 12 tumors. Histologically there was a positive correlation between the maximum depth of tumor invasion and the maximum diameter of the lesion. Of three basal cell carcinomas arising in scars, metastasis developed in one. Our report includes a review of basal cell carcinomas in North American blacks.
THEORIES SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS SHOULD KNOW: CULTURE AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

The achievement gap continues to be an issue of critical concern in education. Despite the ubiquity of this concern, studies of racial and ethnic minorities who are not doing well in school make up a very small percentage of the research literature in school psychology. In this paper, I discuss the discrediting of Black cultural learning styles (Frisby, 1993a, 1993b) and learning styles more generally as an explanation for the achievement gap and provide brief overviews of cultural ecological theory (Ogbu, 2008; Ogbu & Simons, 1998) and stereotype threat (Steele, 1997), two leading culturally based explanations for the achievement gap. The paper ends with six recommendations and a challenge to school psychology researchers to develop focused research agendas on cultural variables that have been implicated conceptually or empirically in the academic performance of racial and ethnic minorities.
Loss of SM-B myosin affects muscle shortening velocity and maximal force development

We used an exon-specific gene-targeting strategy to generate a mouse model deficient only in the SM-B myosin isoform. Here we show that deletion of exon-5B (specific for SM-B) in the gene for the heavy chain of smooth muscle myosin results in a complete loss of SM-B myosin and switching of splicing to the SM-A isoform, without affecting SM1 and SM2 myosin content. Loss of SM-B myosin does not affect survival or cause any overt smooth muscle pathology. Physiological analysis reveals that absence of SM-B myosin results in a significant decrease in maximal force generation and velocity of shortening in smooth muscle tissues. This is the first in vivo study to demonstrate a functional role for the SM-B myosin isoform. We conclude that the extra seven-residue insert in the surface loop 1 of SM-B myosin is a critical determinant of crossbridge cycling and velocity of shortening.
From a Robust Hierarchy to a Hierarchy of Robustness

An attempt is made to present a (somewhat personal) history of how at the Computer Vision Laboratory in the late 1980’s adopting robust techniques from statistics arose naturally from a quest for better multiresolution image analysis algorithms. While today these robust techniques are routinely used in the vision community, their rapid dissemination was in no small measure due to the unfettered research atmosphere which characterized the lab. Beside trying to record an instance of interdisciplinary research, a few technical issues (most of which were not yet understood then) are also discussed.