cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Concentric and Eccentric Muscle Actions on Serum Myostatin and Follistatin-Like Related Gene Levels

The present study determined the effects of concentric and eccentric muscle actions on the contents of serum myostatin and follistatin-like related gene (FLRG). Eight untrained males performed one exercise bout with each leg, separated by three weeks. One bout consisted of 7 sets of 10 repetitions of eccentric muscle actions of the knee extensors at 150% of the concentric 1-RM while the other bout consisted of 7 sets of 10 repetitions of concentric muscle actions at 75% 1-RM. The legs used and the bouts performed were randomized. Five days prior to each exercise bout, baseline measurements were taken for muscle strength. For both bouts, a venous blood sample was obtained immediately prior to exercise and again at 6, 24, and 48 hr post-exercise. Data were analyzed with 2 X 4 (bout x test) ANOVA (p < 0.05). Increases in serum myostatin and FLRG occurred with each exercise bout and, excluding 48 hr postexercise, were significantly correlated to one another (p < 0.05). After eccentric exercise, peak increases of 68% and 50% (p < 0.05) were observed for myostatin and FLRG, respectively. Similar increases of 54% and 44% (p < 0.05) were observed after concentric muscle actions. There was no significant difference in expression of myostatin or FLRG as a function of muscle action type. Our results suggest that a single bout of exercise with either eccentric or concentric muscle actions appear to elicit a similar increase in serum myostatin and FLRG. Therefore, the type of muscle action may not be as much a mitigating factor for increasing serum myostatin and FLRG rather than the muscle action per se.
Wilson Electronics (A) and (B): An ABC Capstone Experience

This case is designed to provide students with an activity‐based costing (ABC) capstone experience that addresses the following topics: (1) applying resource usage and resource spending concepts to support “what‐if” decision making; (2) using ABC product cost information to support strategic product mix decision making; (3) using ABC process cost information to support process improvement decision making; and (4) using ABC information in conjunction with the theory of constraints (TOC) to support revenue growth‐oriented modes of analysis when making decisions. The case is partitioned into (A) and (B) versions to enable greater flexibility from a teaching perspective. More specifically, the (A) case focuses on the resource usage vs. resource spending portion of the analysis. The (B) case expands the analysis to address the full range of topics mentioned above.
Subversion of Host Recognition and Defense Systems by Francisella spp.

Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of the disease tularemia. Inhalation of as few as 10 bacteria is sufficient to cause severe disease, making F. tularensis one of the most highly virulent bacterial pathogens. The initial stage of infection is characterized by the "silent" replication of bacteria in the absence of a significant inflammatory response. Francisella achieves this difficult task using several strategies: (i) strong integrity of the bacterial surface to resist host killing mechanisms and the release of inflammatory bacterial components (pathogen-associated molecular patterns [PAMPs]), (ii) modification of PAMPs to prevent activation of inflammatory pathways, and (iii) active modulation of the host response by escaping the phagosome and directly suppressing inflammatory pathways. We review the specific mechanisms by which Francisella achieves these goals to subvert host defenses and promote pathogenesis, highlighting as-yet-unanswered questions and important areas for future study.
Yeast and Human RNA polymerase II elongation complexes: evidence for functional differences and postinitiation recruitment of factors.

Immobilized DNA templates, glycerol gradient centrifugation, and native gel analysis were utilized to isolate and compare functional RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) elongation complexes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human cell nuclear extracts. Yeast elongation complexes blocked by incorporation of 3′-O-methyl-GTP into the nascent transcript exhibited a sedimentation coefficient of 35S, were less tightly associated to the template than their human counterparts, and displayed no detectable 3′-5′ exonuclease activity on the associated transcript. In contrast, blocked human elongation complexes were more tightly bound to the template, and multiple forms were identified, with the largest exhibiting a sedimentation coefficient of 60S. Analysis of the associated transcripts revealed that a subset of the human elongation complexes exhibited strong 3′-5′ exonuclease activity. Although isolated human preinitiation complexes were competent for efficient transcription, their ability to generate 60S elongation complexes was strikingly impaired. These findings demonstrate functional and size differences between S. cerevisiae and human RNAPII elongation complexes and support the view that the formation of mature elongation complexes involves recruitment of nuclear factors after the initiation of transcription.
Aeolian transport with collisional suspension

This paper considers the aeolian transport of sand by a wind so strong that the concentration of sand near the bed makes collisions between grains inevitable. It employs an improved model of such a collisional flow which includes turbulent suspension, viscous dissipation and new top boundary conditions that are validated by numerical calculations of collisionless trajectories.
Myxococcus CsgA, Drosophila Sniffer, and human HSD10 are cardiolipin phospholipases

Myxococcus xanthus development requires CsgA, a member of the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase (SCAD) family of proteins. We show that CsgA and SocA, a protein that can replace CsgA function in vivo, oxidize the 2'-OH glycerol moiety on cardiolipin and phosphatidylglycerol to produce diacylglycerol (DAG), dihydroxyacetone, and orthophosphate. A lipid extract enriched in DAGs from wild-type cells initiates development and lipid body production in a csgA mutant to bypass the mutational block. This novel phospholipase C-like reaction is widespread. SCADs that prevent neurodegenerative disorders, such as Drosophila Sniffer and human HSD10, oxidize cardiolipin with similar kinetic parameters. HSD10 exhibits a strong preference for cardiolipin with oxidized fatty acids. This activity is inhibited in the presence of the amyloid β peptide. Three HSD10 variants associated with neurodegenerative disorders are inactive with cardiolipin. We suggest that HSD10 protects humans from reactive oxygen species by removing damaged cardiolipin before it induces apoptosis.
Contributions by the Society for Life History Research on Psychopathology.

FAMILY research in mental health has until recently been largely confined within specific disciplines or fairly narrow perspectives, with little interdisciplinary integration. While sociologists, geneticists, psychologists, psychiatrists and scholars in related disciplines all have developed explanations regarding the familial origins or transmission of psychopathology and mental disorders, their work has largely remained isolated in the separate fields and is usually published in separate journals. We believe that the importance of Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes lies in its mission to promote the integration of such work, not only in regard to family research but in the broad arena of research in mental health and illness. The Society for Life History Research on Psychopathology has always been concerned with interdisciplinary longitudinal investigation. Its 1984 meeting focused upon new opportunities in methods and in theory building in family research. This set of five papers and the papers to be published in the next issue were first presented at that meeting, hosted in Baltimore by the Department of Mental Hygiene, The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. They reflect continuing evolution toward a multidisciplinary family research perspective.
Triterpenoids, Vitamin D, and TGF-β/Smad Signaling in Inflammation and Cancer

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily interacts with the nuclear receptor superfamily in a variety of cell types. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) are among the members of the nuclear receptor superfamily that after activation by their ligands interact with the TGF-β/Smad system to modulate cellular responses. This chapter discusses the importance of interactions between nuclear receptors and the TGF-β/Smad system in inflammation as well as in cancer. Crosstalk between the TGF-β/Smad system and nuclear receptors occurs at multiple levels and will be discussed later in this chapter when describing the role of nuclear receptors and their ligands such as vitamin D derivatives and triterpenoids on (a) modulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling, (b) interactions of nuclear receptors with Smads, and (c) the consequences of their interactions in diseases such as inflammation and cancer. Understanding crosstalk between the TGF-β/Smad system and the nuclear receptor superfamily may give new insights for the possible use of nuclear receptor ligands for the treatment and prevention of these and other diseases.
Simplified Interpretation of the Erectile Function Domain of the International Index of Erectile Function

Abstract Introduction This report describes a post hoc analysis of data from a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose, sildenafil trial in men with erectile dysfunction. Aims To simplify interpretation of erectile function (EF) domain scores of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Methods Men at least 18 years old with erectile dysfunction were randomized to receive sildenafil or placebo for 12 weeks. Men taking nitrates or nitric oxide donors were excluded. Responses for each IIEF EF domain question (questions 1–5 and 15) were combined into two broad categories (“success” for responses of the two most favorable categories of a question and “no success” for other responses). Each question was expressed in a logistic regression model (sildenafil and placebo groups combined) as a function of overall EF domain score. Main Outcome Measures IIEF EF domain score and items. Results A four-point increase in the IIEF EF domain score was associated with an odds ratio of success of 6.1 for getting an erection, 29.2 for having a firm erection, 10.0 for able to penetrate,12.8 for maintaining erection, 4.0 for maintaining erection to completion, and 3.7 for erection confidence. An EF domain score of 22 was associated with a probability of success of 81% for getting an erection, 86% for having a firm erection, 89% for able to penetrate, 67% for maintaining an erection, 70% for maintaining an erection to completion, and 32% for erection confidence. For an EF domain score of 16, the corresponding probabilities of success were 22%, 4%, 20%, 4%, 22%, and 6%, respectively. Conclusion These results provide stakeholders with a simplified and meaningful interpretation of IIEF EF domain scores based on six key aspects of EF.
Solid State Reactions in Mechanically Deformed Composites in the Ni-Zr and the Ni-Ti Systems

Differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction analysis were utilized to monitor solid state reactions in mechanically deformed Ni/Ti multilayered composites. Solid state reactions at temperatures less than = 650 K result in the formation of a highly disordered phase which is apparently amorphous.The subsequent nucleation and growth at higher temperatures of intermetallic compounds from the amorphous phase is examined. The relatively small thickness of amorphous material (less than 100 A) which can be grown by solid state reaction in our Ni/Ti samples, combined with the indication that a disordered interface such as that produced by mechanical deformation facilitates these reactions in the Ni-Ti system, may provide some explanation for the relatively high degree of success experienced in the production of amorphous Ni- Ti by means of ball milling. Comparisons are made to results obtained in the Ni-Zr system.
Cumulative Socioeconomic Adversity, Developmental Pathways, and Mental Health Risks During the Early Life Course

The current study examines two developmental risk pathways (an academic/economic pathway and a delinquency/interpersonal pathway) linking cumulative socioeconomic adversity to subsequent depressive...
ADAPTIVE VARIATION IN BODY SIZE AND SKELETAL PROPORTIONS OF HORNED LARKS OF THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES.

Beginning with the classical ideas of Bergmann and Allen (summarized by Mayr, 1963: 318-325) students of ecogeographic adaptation in the size and proportions of homeotherm vertebrates have been able to relate observed patterns of variation to one or more synthetic models. The utility of the models to understanding the adaptive importance of geographic variation within bird and mammal species has benefited from recent advancement in two areas. First, several workers, notably Hamilton (1961), Grant (1965), Rosenzweig (1968a), Fretwell (1969), James (1970), and McNab (1971), have expanded the scope of predictive hypotheses relating to ecogeographic variation. Second, by combining univariate and multivariate statistics of association with multivariate phenetic analysis (e.g., Johnston, 1969; Power, 1969a, 1970; Findley and Traut, 1970; Johnston and Selander, 1971) it has become possible to describe relatively complex ecogeographic variation in terms of objective, testable probability. This study identifies some major patterns of geographic variation in size and proportions of horned larks (Eremophila alpestris) and, by examining the relationship of climatic variation to these patterns, tries to assess their adaptive value. Horned larks are a generally common and ubiquitous summer inhabitant of open, sparsely vegetated areas of the southwestern United States (the area of this study; the species is broadly Holarctic in distribution). Breeding habitats of horned larks in this region include such diverse
ACTH and cortisone aggravation or suppression of the febrile response of rabbits to bacterial endotoxin.

Summary(1) ACTH in divided doses of 15 mg per day and cortisone (5 mg per day) for 48 hours prior to the intravenous injection of a bacterial endotoxin (Shiga dysenteriae) and injection of 10 mg of either compound during the 2-day test period resulted in a significant lessening of the febrile response in the treated as compared to the control animals. (2) Rabbits given smaller doses of ACTH (5 mg per day) or cortisone (5 mg per day) for 24 hours prior to the injection of antigen, and continued through the test period, demonstrated an aggravated febrile and systemic response to the injected endotoxin as compared to the controls. (3) The significance of this time-dose relationship in the interpretation of experiments involving the use of ACTH and cortisone and bacterial endotoxins is discussed.
Direct Depolarization and Antidromic Action Potentials Transiently Suppress Dendritic IPSPs in Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Cells

Whole-cell current-clamp recordings were made from distal dendrites of rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. Following depolarization of the dendritic membrane by direct injection of current pulses ...
Literature Review and Meta-Analysis on Micronutrient Fortified Condiments and Noodles: Reduction of Anemia in Children and Adults.

The importance of micronutrient fortification in countries with limited resources and prevalence of malnutrition cannot be overemphasized.[...]
The Circulation of Ionized Gas in the Milky Way Galaxy

We use the Wisconsin H-alpha Mapper (WHAM) all sky survey to observe kinematic properties of ionized interstellar gas in the Galaxy. WHAM’s survey is a velocity resolved map of the H-alpha emission from the Milky Way with a one-degree spatial resolution and 12.8 km s-1 velocity resolution. Using this data the first and second moments are calculated and mapped to provide insight on the kinematic properties of the Galaxy. This research was funded by the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium and supported by the NSF REU site grant to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Comparing the demands of destination entry using Google Glass and the Samsung Galaxy S4 during simulated driving

The relative impact of using a Google Glass based voice interface to enter a destination address compared to voice and touch-entry methods using a handheld Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone was assessed in a driving simulator. Voice entry (Google Glass and Samsung) had lower subjective workload ratings, lower standard deviation of lateral lane position, shorter task durations, faster remote Detection Response Task (DRT) reaction times, lower DRT miss rates, and resulted in less time glancing off-road than the primary visual-manual interaction with the Samsung Touch interface. Comparing voice entry methods, using Google Glass took less time, while glance metrics and reaction time to DRT events responded to were similar. In contrast, DRT miss rate was higher for Google Glass, suggesting that drivers may be under increased distraction levels but for a shorter period of time; whether one or the other equates to an overall safer driving experience is an open question.
Perceived need for and use of mental health services by women living with or at risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

OBJECTIVES To determine prevalence of and factors associated with perceived need for and use of mental health services and use of psychotherapeutic medications among women in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemiology Research Study (HERS). METHODS We interviewed 871 HIV-seropositive and 439 demographically and behaviorally similar seronegative women at baseline regarding demographics, psychosocial measures, substance use, medical history, and use of health care services and medications. RESULTS Thirty-eight percent of HIV-seropositive women and 35% of seronegative women (p = 0.33) reported needing mental health services in the prior six months. Women who were older, were white or Latina (compared with African American), had some college education, had less social support, and reported recent negative life events or had CES-D scores higher than 15 (suggesting depression) were more likely to report needing mental health services. Sixty-seven percent of seropositive and 65% of seronegative women who reported needing services (p = 0.69) reported obtaining services. Women who were white (compared with Latina or African American) and had more education, more social support, and health insurance were more likely to obtain services. Eighteen percent of seropositive and 13% of seronegative women (p = 0.006) reported current use of psychotherapeutic medications, especially antidepressants and antianxiety medications. Women who reported use of medications were more likely to report recent negative life events; were older, white, or Latina; had more education, less social support, CES-D scores higher than 15, and health insurance. CONCLUSION Women both living with or at risk of HIV perceived a need for and used mental health services in association with negative life events, social isolation, and depressive symptoms. Need for and use of services differed by race/ethnicity, education, and availability of social support.
Numerical Harmonic Analysis and Diffusions on the 3D-Motion Group

Representation theory and harmonic analysis on the group of proper motions in three-dimensional Euclidean space has been applied in a variety of areas ranging from robotics to DNA statistical mechanics. This theory can be used to implement noncommutative convolutions analytically and numerically, as well as to solve diffusion equations over this group. This chapter presents a brief review of this theory together with an emphasis on DNA applications involving diffusions and convolutions. Since representations of this noncompact group are infinite dimensional, quantification of numerical truncation errors is also addressed.
Insights From Genomics Into Spatial and Temporal Variation in Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Advances in genetics and genomics have provided new tools for the study of emerging infectious diseases. Researchers can now move quickly from simple hypotheses to complex explanations for pathogen origin, spread, and mechanisms of virulence. Here we focus on the application of genomics to understanding the biology of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a novel and deadly pathogen of amphibians. We provide a brief history of the system, then focus on key insights into Bd variation garnered from genomics approaches, and finally, highlight new frontiers for future discoveries. Genomic tools have revealed unexpected complexity and variation in the Bd system suggesting that the history and biology of emerging pathogens may not be as simple as they initially seem.
Advances in Radiologic Imaging of Neonatal Airway Disorders

Radiology of the airways in newborns and infants is challenging due the small size of their anatomy, their inability to follow breathing instructions, and the concern for long-term effects of radiation exposure. While some patients can be managed with observation or empiric therapy, for other patients the diagnosis may remain uncertain, and imaging is an essential part of management. Radiology serves to detect airway abnormalities, guide therapy, assist with preoperative planning, and help avoid invasive testing.
Cognitive Computing: Concepts, Architectures, Systems, and Applications

Abstract Cognitive computing is an emerging field ushered in by the synergistic confluence of cognitive science, data science, and an array of computing technologies. Cognitive science theories provide frameworks to describe various models of human cognition including how information is represented and processed by the brain. Data science provides processes and systems to extract knowledge from both structured and unstructured data. Cognitive computing employs the computing discipline's theories, methods, and tools to model human cognition. The recent advances in data science and computing disciplines—neuromorphic processors, big data, predictive modeling, machine learning, natural language understanding, and cloud computing—are accelerating advances in cognitive science and cognitive computing. The overarching goal of this chapter is to provide an interdisciplinary introduction to cognitive computing. The focus is on breadth to provide a unified view of the discipline. The chapter begins with an overview of cognitive science, data science, and cognitive computing. The principal technology enablers of cognitive computing are presented next. An overview of three major categories of cognitive architectures is presented, which is followed by a description of cognitive computing systems and their applications. Trends and future research directions in cognitive computing are discussed. The chapter concludes by listing various cognitive computing resources.
Capturing the biology of disease severity in a PSC-based model of familial dysautonomia

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a debilitating disorder that affects derivatives of the neural crest (NC). For unknown reasons, people with FD show marked differences in disease severity despite carrying an identical, homozygous point mutation in IKBKAP, encoding IκB kinase complex-associated protein. Here we present disease-related phenotypes in human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) that capture FD severity. Cells from individuals with severe but not mild disease show impaired specification of NC derivatives, including autonomic and sensory neurons. In contrast, cells from individuals with severe and mild FD show defects in peripheral neuron survival, indicating that neurodegeneration is the main culprit for cases of mild FD. Although genetic repair of the FD-associated mutation reversed early developmental NC defects, sensory neuron specification was not restored, indicating that other factors may contribute to disease severity. Whole-exome sequencing identified candidate modifier genes for individuals with severe FD. Our study demonstrates that PSC-based modeling is sensitive in recapitulating disease severity, which presents an important step toward personalized medicine.
Functional properties of tropical banded cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) protein hydrolysates.

Recently, the benefits of entomophagy have been widely discussed. Due to western cultures' reluctance, entomophagy practices are leaning more towards incorporating insects into food products. In this study, whole crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus) were hydrolyzed with alcalase at 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0% (w/w) for 30, 60, and 90min. Degree of hydrolysis (DH), amino acid composition, solubility, emulsion and foaming properties were evaluated. Hydrolysis produced peptides with 26-52% DH compared to the control containing no enzyme (5% DH). Protein solubility of hydrolysates improved (p 30% soluble protein at pH 3 and 7 and 50-90% at alkaline pH, compared with the control. Emulsion activity index ranged from 7 to 32m2/g, while foamability ranged from 100 to 155% for all hydrolysates. These improved functional properties demonstrate the potential to develop cricket protein hydrolysates as a source of functional alternative protein in food ingredient formulations.
Classification of human ovarian tissue using full field optical coherence tomography

The feasibility of a full-field optical coherence tomography (FFOCT) system for rapid wide field optical analysis of normal and malignant human ovarian tissue pathologies was demonstrated. Five features were extracted from the normalized image histogram from 56 FFOCT images, based on the differences in the morphology of the normal and malignant tissue samples.
Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation Causing Systemic Hypoxemia in Early Infancy

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is not routinely appreciated during the standard echocardiogram to assess for structural abnormalities or pulmonary hypertension. The distal pulmonary AVM is suspected only if an injection of agitated saline is performed and late entry of particles is appreciated in the left heart structures. A large or complex pulmonary AVM can result in significant right-to-left shunting and consequential systemic hypoxemia in the presence or absence of pulmonary hypertension. For direct visualization of the pulmonary AVM, computerized tomography (CT) scan is the procedure of choice. Here, we present two young infants with systemic hypoxemia who underwent standard medical management including mechanical ventilation and one patient was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) before the diagnosis of pulmonary AVM was established. Subsequently, both patients have done well into mid-term follow-up after being treated successfully using transcatheter occlusion techniques in the cardiac catheterization laboratory during early infancy. We aim to emphasize the importance of a high index of suspicion for pulmonary AVM in infants with refractory systemic hypoxemia of unclear etiology.
Comment on the Physical Interpretation of the Flux

(1991). Comment on the Physical Interpretation of the Flux. Nuclear Science and Engineering: Vol. 109, No. 1, pp. 111-111.
CONSTRUCTING THE REFUGEE AS VILLAIN: An Analysis of Syrian Refugee Policy Narratives Used to Justify a State of Exception:

Drawing on the conceptual lens of othering, this article links public policy narratives regarding the relocation of Syrian refugees inside the United States to the establishment of a “state of exce...
Delicious molecules: big food science, the chemosenses, and umami

Since the closing decades of the twentieth century, molecular techniques of mapping chemosensation (the chemical senses of taste and smell) have been woven into a universalizing, evolutionary expla...
Following the arc of learning: Using syllabi to target instruction in a professional graduate program

Abstract This study examines a corpus of syllabi to target program-specific information literacy needs. Examining a graduate program in Urban Planning, the study first identifies specific information literacy needs for the program, focusing on student data use, student tasks including locating, identifying and analyzing existing data sets. Based on these needs, the study then analyzes all courses in the curriculum, identifying places in the curriculum that strongly feature student data use and identifying patterns among those courses. What emerges is the ‘Arc of Learning’, a sloped trajectory that takes students from dependent beginners to independent pre-professionals. By following this arc, librarians can better make the case for library instruction in the curriculum. This study additionally provides a framework for such a study.
The syndrome of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia.

AbstractThe syndrome of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia is described in a series of patients with a variety of neurological diseases. Bladder function studies using cystometry, sphincter electromyography and electromyelography revealed that sphincter dyssynergia may be associated with detrusor hyper-reflexia as well as detrusor areflexia. Impaired function of the pyramidal tracts was documented in all patients and the majority showed impaired segmental innervation of the bladder and urethra.
Genome-scale Capture C promoter interaction analysis implicates novel effector genes at GWAS loci for bone mineral density

Osteoporosis is a devastating disease with an essential genetic component. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have discovered genetic variants robustly associated with bone mineral density (BMD), however they only report genomic signals and not necessarily the precise localization of culprit effector genes. Therefore, we sought to carry out physical and direct 9variant to gene mapping9 in a relevant primary human cell type. We developed 9SPATIaL-seq9 (genome-Scale, Promoter-focused Analysis of chromaTIn Looping), a massively parallel, high resolution Capture-C based method to simultaneously characterize the genome-wide interactions of all human promoters. By intersecting our SPATIaL-seq and ATAC-seq data from human mesenchymal progenitor cell-derived osteoblasts, we observed consistent contacts between candidate causal variants and putative target gene promoters in open chromatin for ~30% of the 110 BMD loci investigated. Knockdown of two novel implicated genes, ING3 at 9CPED1-WNT169 and EPDR1 at 9STARD3NL9, had pronounced inhibitory effects on osteoblastogenesis. Our approach therefore aids target discovery in osteoporosis and can be applied to other common genetic diseases.
Increasing the Upper Mass/Charge Limit of a Quadrupole Ion Trap for Ion/Ion Reaction Product Analysis via Waveform Switching

Quadrupole ion traps (QITs) are versatile platforms for performing experiments with gas-phase ions due to their abilities to store ions of both polarities and to conduct MSn experiments. The QIT is particularly useful as a reaction cell for ion/ion reactions. In the case of an ion/ion reaction experiment in a QIT, multiply charged reactant ions may initially be of relatively low m/z (e.g., m/z 100,000). Several factors can limit the m/z range over which an ion/ion reaction experiment can be conducted. These include (1) the efficiency of the detector, (2) the m/z range over which oppositely charged ions can be mutually stored, and (3) the m/z range over which ions can be mass selectively ejected into an external detector. High-frequency waveforms provide larger m/z trapping ranges for mutual storage of oppositely charged ions whereas low-frequency waveforms provide better trapping for very high m/z product ions. Presented here is a method that switches from a high-frequency sine wave prior to and during an ion/ion reaction to a low-frequency square wave to eject low m/z reagent ions and improves confinement of the product ions before mass-selective ejection by scanning the frequency of the square wave. This approach addresses the third issue, which is the primary limiting factor with QITs operated at high RF (e.g., > 900 MHz).
The system of sets of lengths and the elasticity of submonoids of a finite-rank free commutative monoid

Let H be an atomic monoid. For x ∈ H, let L(x) denote the set of all possible lengths of factorizations of x into irreducibles. The system of sets of lengths of H is the set ℒ(H) = {L(x)|x ∈ H}. On...
Atf6α impacts cell number by influencing survival, death and proliferation

Abstract Background A growing body of literature suggests the cell–intrinsic activity of Atf6α during ER stress responses has implications for tissue cell number during growth and development, as well as in adult biology and tumorigenesis [1]. This concept is important, linking the cellular processes of secretory protein synthesis and endoplasmic reticulum stress response with functional tissue capacity and organ size. However, the field contains conflicting observations, especially notable in secretory cell types like the pancreatic beta cell. Scope of review Here we summarize current knowledge of the basic biology of Atf6α, along with the pleiotropic roles Atf6α plays in cell life and death decisions and possible explanations for conflicting observations. We include studies investigating the roles of Atf6α in cell survival, death and proliferation using well-controlled methodology and specific validated outcome measures, with a focus on endocrine and metabolic tissues when information was available. Major conclusions The net outcome of Atf6α on cell survival and cell death depends on cell type and growth conditions, the presence and degree of ER stress, and the duration and intensity of Atf6α activation. It is unquestioned that Atf6α activity influences the cell fate decision between survival and death, although opposite directions of this outcome are reported in different contexts. Atf6α can also trigger cell cycle activity to expand tissue cell number through proliferation. Much work remains to be done to clarify the many gaps in understanding in this important emerging field.
Utilization of genetic testing in breast cancer treatment after implementation of comprehensive multi-disciplinary care.

To evaluate the utilization of genetic testing after implementing a comprehensive multi-disciplinary care (cMDC) program for breast cancer and to assess for racial disparities. This retrospective study included patients newly diagnosed with invasive breast cancer 1 year before and 1 year after implementing a cMDC program to assess the rate of genetic referrals. Appropriate genetic referrals were defined by age, family history, triple-negative status, and personal history based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Secondary outcomes included rates of recommended testing, actual testing, compliance, and equity in genetic referrals across demographics (race, insurance type, and hospital site). Statistical analyses used the Fisher exact test or chi-square test. The 431 patients identified included 116 non-cMDC and 315 cMDC patients. Following implementation of cMDC, a significant increase occurred not only in appropriate genetic referrals (35.3%-55.5%) but also in inappropriate referrals (1.7%-15.5%) (P = .001). Overall attendance increased among both cohorts, Caucasians were more compliant with attending their genetic appointment compared to their African American counterparts (non-cMDC P = .025, cMDC P = .004). In the cMDC group, African Americans demonstrated a 6% increase in attendance compared to a 2% decrease among Caucasians. More appropriate genetic referrals were made to those with private insurance following implementation of cMDC. Utilizing a cMDC approach to breast cancer care may help increase appropriate utilization of genetics.
Society, Religion, and Bioethics

Bioethical issues often arise in the most intimate and private moments of an individual’s life. Many patients may turn to their faiths and their religious authorities in an effort to find meaning in both the question and the answer. Healthcare providers seek guidance within their own faith traditions while recognizing that in any given situation, they must act in the patient’s best interests and consider the patient’s wishes and preferences. However, because religion is also a public matter, the interplay of religion and bioethics is often reflected in societal debates as well as personal decisionmaking. This chapter lays the foundation for an exploration of the relationship between religion, bioethics, policy, and law.
Assembly of Linked Nanocrystal Colloids by Reversible Covalent Bonds

The use of dynamically bonded molecules designed to reversibly link solvent-dispersed nanocrystals (NCs) is a promising strategy to form colloidal assemblies with controlled structures and macrosco...
The Economic Value of a Trading Floor: Evidence from the American Stock Exchange

By comparing execution costs of trades handled by Amex floor brokers with trades entered through its automated post execution reporting (PER) system, this article provides evidence that floor brokers have value. Because they can opportunistically seize liquidity, using a floor broker is equivalent to placing a “smart” limit order. Overall, floor trades have a lower realized half‐spread than PER trades (−3.06 bps vs. 4.43 bps). This finding holds for other measures of execution costs and is consistent across all order‐size categories. The analysis of the value of intermediation in a securities market has implications for automated trading systems.
Update on the status of effective programs to help dementia family caregivers in the United States: Observations from the search for programs to include in Best Practice Caregiving

Abstract Although many programs to help family caregivers of people with dementia have research-based evidence of effectiveness, they are not available in most US communities and caregivers have difficulty finding the kinds of assistance they need. One reason for this problem is that healthcare and community organizations as well as funders that might provide or pay for one or more programs are not aware of them. Until now, there was no readily accessible source of information providers or funders could use to select programs that fit their organizations’ mission and resources. Best Practice Caregiving, a free, searchable database of comprehensive information about effective and feasible programs was released in early 2020. In this chapter, we describe our search for programs to include in Best Practice Caregiving, discuss our resulting observations about the current status of such programs in the United States, and identify several difficult issues that continue to interfere with increased awareness, availability, and use of the caregiver support programs.
Syncytialization alters the extracellular matrix and barrier function of placental trophoblasts.

The human placenta is of vital importance for proper nutrient and waste exchange, immune regulation, and overall fetal health and growth. Specifically, the extracellular matrix (ECM) of placental syncytiotrophoblasts, which extends outward from the placental chorionic villi into maternal blood, acts on a molecular level to regulate and maintain this barrier. Importantly, placental barrier dysfunction has been linked to diseases of pregnancy such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. To help facilitate our understanding of the interface, and develop therapeutics to repair or prevent dysfunction of the placental barrier, in vitro models of the placental ECM would be of great value. In this study we aimed to characterize the ECM of an in vitro model of the placental barrier using syncytialized BeWo choriocarcinoma cells. Syncytialization caused a marked change in syndecans, integral proteoglycans of the ECM, which matched observations of in vivo placental ECM. Syndecan-1 expression increased greatly and predominated the other variants. Barrier function of the ECM, as measured by electrical impedance, increased significantly during and after syncytialization, while the ability of THP-1 monocytes to adhere to syncytialized BeWos was greatly reduced compared to non-syncytialized controls. Furthermore, ECIS measurements indicated that ECM degradation with MMP-9, but not heparanase, decreased barrier function. This decrease in ECIS-measured barrier function was not associated with any changes in THP-1 adherence to syncytialized BeWos treated with heparanase or MMP9. Thus, syncytialization of BeWos provides a physiologically accurate placental ECM with a barrier function matching that seen in vivo.
Colloidal aggregators in biochemical SARS-CoV-2 repurposing screens

To fight the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, much effort has been directed toward drug repurposing, testing investigational and approved drugs against several viral or human proteins in vitro. Here we investigate the impact of colloidal aggregation, a common artifact in early drug discovery, in these repurposing screens. We selected 56 drugs reported to be active in biochemical assays and tested them for aggregation by both dynamic light scattering and by enzyme counter screening with and without detergent; seventeen of these drugs formed colloids at concentrations similar to their literature reported IC50s. To investigate the occurrence of colloidal aggregators more generally in repurposing libraries, we further selected 15 drugs that had physical properties resembling known aggregators from a common repurposing library, and found that 6 of these aggregated at micromolar concentrations. An attraction of repurposing is that drugs active on one target are considered de-risked on another. This study suggests not only that many of the drugs repurposed for SARS-CoV-2 in biochemical assays are artifacts, but that, more generally, when screened at relevant concentrations, drugs can act artifactually via colloidal aggregation. Understanding the role of aggregation, and detecting its effects rapidly, will allow the community to focus on those drugs and leads that genuinely have potential for treating COVID-19. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=106 SRC="FIGDIR/small/458413v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (22K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@bfe5a2org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7d05a1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1fcc3a5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@190a153_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Table of Contents Graphic C_FIG
Social-spatial network structures and community ties of egocentric sex and confidant networks: A Chicago case study.

Abstract Exploring how sexual and confidant networks overlap spatially and socially could facilitate a better understanding of sexually transmitted infection risk, as well as help identify areas for interventions. This study aims to examine how a sexual and peer-affiliate network is impacted or shaped by interconnected social relationships and spatial patterns. We used data collected from a sample of 618 young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) and transgender women in Chicago (2013–2014) that includes partner and confidant links, geolocations, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness. We spatialize different types of social networks and examine joint social-spatial community ties to both identify and differentiate social-spatial behavioral patterns. We explore the spatial structures of the social network by comparing ego-alter network residence patterns, visualizing ego-alter community ties in aggregate, and grouping different types of dyad relationships based on their spatial structure. Findings showed overlapping social and sexual networks. Egos with partners residing in more resourced communities furthest away, with wider alter-ego power differentials, also tended to be at greatest risk. Identifying the social-spatial structures of community ties is critical to enhance our understanding of the spatial context of social relationships, and further distill risk heterogeneity in vulnerable populations within an equitable health framework.
Conquering residual light absorption in the transmissive states of organic electrochromic materials

In this short review, we provide an overview of our efforts in developing a family of anodically coloring electrochromic (EC) molecules that are fully transparent and colorless in the charge neutral state, and that can rapidly switch to a vibrantly colored state upon oxidation. We employ molecules with reduced conjugation lengths to center the neutral state absorption of the electrochrome in the ultraviolet, as desired for highly transparent and colorless materials. Oxidation creates radical cations that absorb light in the visible and near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, thus providing a host of accessible colors. Combining a density functional theory (DFT) computational approach fed back to the synthetic effort, target molecules are proposed, synthesized and studied, directing us to develop a complete color palette based on these high contrast ACE molecules. Utilizing pendant phosphonic acid binding substituents in concert with high surface area mesoporous indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes, the electrochromes can be distributed throughout the oxide film, bringing high extent of light absorption and color density.
Biosynthesis of α-Gal Epitopes (Galα1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-R) and Their Unique Potential in Future α-Gal Therapies.

The alpha-gal epitope is a carbohydrate antigen which appeared early in mammalian evolution and is synthesized in large amounts by the glycosylation enzyme alpha1,3galactosyltransferase (alpha1,3GT) in non-primate mammals, lemurs, and New-World monkeys. Ancestral Old-World monkeys and apes synthesizing alpha-gal epitope underwent complete extinction 20-30 million years and mutated progeny lacking alpha-gal epitopes, survived. Humans, apes and Old-World monkeys which evolved from the surviving progeny lack alpha-gal epitopes and produce the natural anti-Gal antibody which specifically binds alpha-gal epitopes. Because of this reciprocal distribution of the alpha-gal epitope and anti-Gal in mammals, transplantation of organs from non-primate mammals (e.g., pig xenografts) into Old-World monkeys or humans results in hyperacute-rejection following anti-Gal binding to alpha-gal epitopes on xenograft cells. The in vivo immunocomplexing between anti-Gal and alpha-gal epitopes on molecules, pathogens, cells or nanoparticles may be harnessed for development of novel immunotherapies (referred to as “alpha-gal therapies”) in various clinical settings because such immune complexes induce several beneficial immune processes. These include localized activation of the complement system which can destroy pathogens and generate chemotactic peptides that recruit antigen-presenting-cells (APC) as macrophages and dendritic cells, targeting of antigens presenting alpha-gal epitopes for extensive uptake by APC, and activation of recruited macrophages into pro-reparative macrophages. Some of the suggested alpha-gal therapies, based on these immune processes are: 1. Increasing efficacy of enveloped-virus vaccines by synthesizing alpha-gal epitopes on vaccinating inactivated viruses thereby targeting them for extensive uptake by APC. 2. Converting autologous tumors into anti-tumor vaccines by expression of alpha-gal epitopes on tumor cell membranes. 3. Accelerating healing of wounds and burns by alpha-gal nanoparticles which decrease injury healing time and diminish scar formation. 4. Increasing anti-Gal mediated protection against zoonotic viruses presenting alpha-gal epitopes and against protozoa such as Trypanosoma, Leishmania and Plasmodium, by vaccination for elevating production of the anti-Gal antibody. The efficacy and safety of these therapies was demonstrated in transgenic mice and pigs lacking alpha-gal epitopes and producing anti-Gal, raising the possibility that these alpha-gal therapies may be considered for further evaluation in clinical trials.