cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study on quality of life in population of the endemic area of sudden death with uncertain causes in Yunnan

Objective To understand the quality of life in the endemic area of Uncertain Sudden Death in Yunnan and its influencing factors. Methods Subjects were selected by cluster sampling. The questionnaires such as "World Health Organization Quality-of-Life-100 Scale"( WHOQOL-100 scale),"Individual and household information questionnaires"were used to measure quality of life and its influencing factors. Results Physiological,psychological,environmental and social dimensions of quality of life in the endemic areas were significantly lower than those in the control areas,the regression coefficients were- 0. 233,- 0. 672,- 0. 334,- 2. 192,all P 0. 05. Residents with lower education level,chronic diseases,and those hospitalized in the past year and and with lower per capita income had lower scores of quality of life in four dimensions. Conclusions Lower quality of life in the endemic areas of Uncertain Sudden Death in Yunnan is independently correlated with the disease,besides other factors such as lower education level,chronic diseases,hospitalization and lower income influence theirs' lives of quality in the endemic areas.
Myosin heavy chain gene expression in neonatal rat heart cells: Effects of [Ca2+](i) and contractile activity

To determine if mechanical signals or alterations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) affect myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene expression in spontaneously beating, neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, contractile activity was inhibited with verapamil, KCl, or 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM), and their acute and chronic effects on myocyte shortening, [Ca2+]i, and MHC gene expression were examined. Despite their differing effects on [Ca2+]i, verapamil, KCl, and BDM all inhibited contractile activity and markedly downregulated beta-MHC mRNA levels to 24 +/- 5, 21 +/- 7, and 6 +/- 2% of contracting cells, respectively. In contrast, these inhibitors of contraction upregulated alpha-MHC mRNA levels to 163 +/- 19, 156 +/- 7, and 198 +/- 20% of contracting cells, respectively. Transient transfection with a rat beta-MHC promoter-luciferase expression plasmid demonstrated that all inhibitors of contraction significantly decreased beta-MHC promoter activity. Paradoxically, contractile arrest also inhibited alpha-MHC promoter activity, suggesting that increased alpha-MHC mRNA levels resulted from posttranscriptional mechanisms. Actinomycin D mRNA stability assays indicated that alpha-MHC mRNA half-life was prolonged in noncontracting cells (33 h) compared with contracting myocytes (14 h). Contraction-dependent alterations in MHC gene expression were not dependent on release of angiotensin II or other growth factors into the culture medium. Thus intrinsic mechanical signals rather than alterations in [Ca2+]i regulate alpha-MHC and beta-MHC gene expression by both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.
Dynamic Modeling of a Multiclass Flexible Manufacturing System

Two main approaches for analytical models have emerged since the introduction of CAN-Q by Solberg. 1) Stochastic and 2) dynamic or operational. The stochastic approach has been applied with relative success but with the inherently statistical steady state assumption. The real-time behavior of a FMS is however dynamic and as such, a system theory based model would appear more appropriate.
Biomechanics of the Human Hand: From Stone Tools to Computer Keyboards

Evolution is a contextually driven process, meaning that the form of a feature in its present state is the synthesis of the ancestral form and function, the present function and biological role, and the ecology of the organism (Bock and von Wahlert 1965). Free of this context, features cease to convey their significance to the life of an organism, and their meaning is lost to those of us studying them. With this in mind, this chapter reviews the information we have gleaned from experimental biomechanics with respect to the evolutionary history of the modern human hand and how our relationship with technology may have impacted the form of the human hand and wrist.
Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor signaling facilitates liver repair from acute ethanol-induced injury in zebrafish.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) results from alcohol overconsumption and is among the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Elevated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors has been observed in ALD, but how it contributes to ALD pathophysiology is unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of VEGF signaling inhibition on an established zebrafish model of acute alcoholic liver injury. Kdrl activity was blocked by chemical inhibitor treatment or by genetic mutation. Exposing 4-day-old zebrafish larvae to 2% ethanol for 24 h induced hepatic steatosis, angiogenesis and fibrogenesis. The liver started self-repair once ethanol was removed. Although inhibiting Kdrl did not block the initial activation of hepatic stellate cells during ethanol treatment, it suppressed their proliferation, extracellular matrix protein deposition and fibrogenic gene expression after ethanol exposure, thus enhancing the liver repair. It also ameliorated hepatic steatosis and attenuated hepatic angiogenesis that accelerated after the ethanol treatment. qPCR showed that hepatic stellate cells are the first liver cell type to increase the expression of VEGF ligand and receptor genes in response to ethanol exposure. Both hepatic stellate cells and endothelial cells, but not hepatic parenchymal cells, expressed kdrl upon ethanol exposure and were likely the direct targets of Kdrl inhibition. Ethanol-induced steatosis and fibrogenesis still occurred in cloche mutants that have hepatic stellate cells but lack hepatic endothelial cells, and Kdrl inhibition suppressed both phenotypes in the mutants. These results suggest that VEGF signaling mediates interactions between activated hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes that lead to steatosis. Our study demonstrates the involvement of VEGF signaling in regulating sustained liver injuries after acute alcohol exposure. It also provides a proof of principle of using the zebrafish model to identify molecular targets for developing ALD therapies.
Maize Transposon Storm Kicks up a White Cap

> In this commentary, Thomas Peterson discusses [Tan et al. (2017)][1], “Structure and origin of the White Cap Locus and its role in evolution of grain color in maize,” published in this issue of GENETICS. THE dominant maize White Cap ( Wc ) factor acts like a genetic toothbrush for corn: it
Chaperone-client interactions: Non-specificity engenders multifunctionality

Here, we provide an overview of the different mechanisms whereby three different chaperones, Spy, Hsp70, and Hsp60, interact with folding proteins, and we discuss how these chaperones may guide the folding process. Available evidence suggests that even a single chaperone can use many mechanisms to aid in protein folding, most likely due to the need for most chaperones to bind clients promiscuously. Chaperone mechanism may be better understood by always considering it in the context of the client's folding pathway and biological function.
Use of the Aplysia feeding network to study repetition priming of an episodic behavior.

Many central pattern generator (CPG)-mediated behaviors are episodic, meaning that they are not continuously ongoing; instead, there are pauses between bouts of activity. This raises an interesting...
Prediction of Asphaltene Precipitation in Organic Solvents via COSMO-SAC

Asphaltene precipitation is driven by self-association of asphaltene molecules to form nanoaggregates and subsequent formation of clusters from nanoaggregates (Mullins, O. C. Energy Fuels 2010, 24 (4), 2179–2207). Recently, a novel thermodynamic framework was proposed for the onset of asphaltene nanoaggregation in binary solvents with a functional group-based UNIFAC model (Wang, M., et al. AIChE J. 2016, 62 (4), 1254–1264). In this work, a computational chemistry-based COSMO-SAC model is applied with the aggregation thermodynamics to predict asphaltene precipitation. The predictions are further improved with the use of apparent sigma profiles based on the conceptual segment approach (Islam, M. R., Chen, C.-C. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2015, 54 (16), 4441–4454).
Long-term pine regeneration, shrub layer dynamics, and understory community composition responses to repeated prescribed fire in Pinus resinosa forests

Prescribed fire is increasingly viewed as a valuable tool for reversing ecological consequences of fire suppression within fire-adapted forests. While the use of burning treatments in northern temperate conifer forests has received considerable attention, the long-term (>10 year) effects on understory composition and dynamics have not been quantified. We describe the persistence of prescribed fire effects on the woody and herbaceous understory in a mature red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) forest in northern Minnesota, USA, over a ∼50-year period, as well as the relative roles of fire season and frequency in affecting vegetation responses. Burning treatments were applied from 1960 to 1970 on 0.4 ha experimental units and crossed fire season and frequency in a randomized block design. Burning altered shrub layer dynamics and composition in both the short and long terms and was influenced by both fire season and frequency, with frequent summer season burns having the largest impact, including greatest control o...
Mechanisms of negative inotropy of halothane, enflurane and isoflurane in isolated mammalian ventricular muscle.

The volatile anesthetics halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane are potent myocardial depressants. They cause a concentration-dependent negative inotropic effect in humans, experimental animals, and in cardiac tissues isolated from a variety of mammalian species.1 Their negative inotropic effect has been attributed to interference with 1) transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx; 2) Ca2+ uptake and release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum; and 3) Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile proteins. The purpose of this communication is to review the relative importance of the decrease in intracellular Ca2+ availability and of the decrease in myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity brought about by these anesthetics. Our conclusions will be illustrated by recent studies in intact ventricular muscle, i.e., the right ventricular papillary muscle of the ferret.
Automatic Quantification of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Levels in a Microvessel with and without Tumor Cell Adhesion

Elevated nitric oxide (NO) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) have been observed in cancer patients in malignancy state. We hypothesize that the higher NO production in the microvessels of these patients attracts more tumor cells (TCs) to adhere and accomplish their metastases. Since there are tens to hundreds of endothelial cells (ECs) forming on the microvessel walls, it is unsustainable to let human operators measure NO intensity levels by correlating TC maps with a multitude of microphotographs via manual labor and eyeballing. To achieve effective and scalable quantifications, we developed an automatic algorithm to quantify NO intensity for microphotographs taken from the experiments. Taking account of the special visual and geometric properties of microvessels in the study, the first step performs a novel Markov integrated dynamic programming procedure to single out the microvessel from the microphotograph. The next step applies image processing and morphological operations to identify ECs ...
A Look At The Merchant Marine Act Of 1920: Is It Time For The U.S. To Change Course?

Due to recent changes in global shipping, we investigate the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 – also known as the Jones Act. When constructed, our governing body decided that the Act was necessary for the country’s naval defenses and for proper growth of foreign and domestic commerce. The plan was for the fleet to be owned and operated privately by citizens of the United States. However, in today’s economic conditions some are wondering if the Jones Act is a liability to foreign commerce. In our work, we explore the advantages of naval defense and shipbuilding as well as the disadvantages on commerce and U.S. transportation infrastructure. To conclude, we offer opinions for policy changes to create a more level playing field for the U.S. to compete in global logistics.
Flexoelectricity in ATiO3 (A = Sr, Ba, Pb) perovskite oxide superlattices from density functional theory

Flexoelectric coefficients for several bulk and superlattice perovskite systems are determined using a direct approach from first principles density functional theory calculations. A strong enhancement in the longitudinal flexoelectric coefficient has been observed in the 1SrTiO3/1PbTiO3 superlattice with alternating single atomic layers of SrTiO3 and PbTiO3. It was found that atomistic displacement, charge response under strain, and interfaces affect the flexoelectric properties of perovskite superlattice systems. These factors can be used to tune this effect in dielectrics. It was further found that the calculated Born effective charge for an ion under the influence of strain can differ significantly from the bulk value. These insights can be used to help search for more effective flexoelectric materials to be implemented in electromechanical devices.
Acute cardiac tamponade secondary to ruptured pericardial cyst: Case report and literature review.

Abstract Pericardial cysts are a rare disorder with an incidence of about 1 in 100,000, the majority of which are benign and incidentally identified. Pericardial cyst causing cardiac tamponade is an extremely rare phenomenon. The exact incidence of cardiac tamponade secondary to pericardial cyst is unknown. To the best of our knowledge limited case reports showing this association have been published. We have summarized cases showing this association in a tabular fashion. We present a case of a 36-year-old male who presented with symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, and fevers found to have ruptured pericardial cyst causing cardiac tamponade.
Keeping Score, Digitally

In recent years, a large amount of printed music has been digitized, and it has become more common for new scores to be created, engraved, and published digitally. Musicians are increasingly favori...
Low Cost BPSK 2.4 GHz Radio For Wireless LAN

We describe a radio architecture for the IBM Wireless LAN Entry commercial product that achieves low cost and small size by using direct modulation of the master oscillator signal by a vector modulator at the transmitted frequency, and by using a single downconversion to a relatively low IF frequency in the receiver. The transmitter requires only filtering at its output to control harmonic radiation. Spectral control is accomplished by filtering the baseband data signal to the vector modulator ports. The amplified and limited IF signal from the single downconversion is processed digitally for carrier sense, frequency compensation and demodulation. We will describe how this is done with, predominantly, high resolution counting techniques. The receiver passband is determined with an IF filter consisting of lumped L and C elements. The modulation is a form of BPSK with unusual modifications to meet the FCC requirements for the ISM band and still meet the requirements of the simple digital demodulator. We will describe the limits on input signal to noise ratio of these techniques. The data rate is 0.5 Mb/sec. This simple architecture along with only one bandpass filter in the radio, makes for the simplest possible half duplex transceiver, and readily fits into a Type II PCMCIA package with extension for integral antenna, using only off-the-shelf standard (and relatively large) components.
Evidence that abrasion can govern snow kinetic friction

The long-accepted theory to explain why snow is slippery postulates self-lubrication: frictional heat from sliding melts and thereby lubricates the contacting snow grains. We recently published micro-scale interface observations that contradicted this explanation: contacting snow grains abraded and did not melt under a polyethylene slider, despite low friction values. Here we provide additional observational and theoretical evidence that abrasion can govern snow kinetic friction. We obtained coordinated infrared, visible-light and scanning-electron micrographs that confirm that the evolving shapes observed during our tribometer tests are contacting snow grains polished by abrasion, and that the wear particles can sinter together and fill the adjacent pore spaces. Furthermore, dry-contact abrasive wear reasonably predicts the evolution of snow-slider contact area, and sliding-heat-source theory confirms that contact temperatures would not reach 0°C during our tribometer tests. Importantly, published measurements of interface temperatures also indicate that melting did not occur during field tests on sleds and skis. Although prevailing theory anticipates a transition from dry to lubricated contact along a slider, we suggest that dry-contact abrasion and heat flow can prevent this transition from occurring for snow-friction scenarios of practical interest.
Provocative maneuvers to improve patent foramen ovale detection: A brief review of the literature.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the most common type of inter-atrial shunt, with prevalence as high as 30%. Detection of PFO has implications in patients with stroke, peripheral embolism, decompression illness, and other conditions. Transesophageal echo (TEE) with saline contrast injection is the current standard for PFO detection, but even with TEE, PFOs are sometimes missed. With advances in percutaneous PFO closure therapies and proven long-term benefit of closure, accurate PFO detection takes on cardinal importance. Various provocative maneuvers to enhance PFO detection are in clinical use and have been studied. The Valsalva maneuver has long-held position as the ideal provocation to unmask PFO, but other maneuvers such as cough, sniff, Muller's, and more have gained relevance. In this article, we will examine various maneuvers and discuss their utility in PFO detection.
Factors Influencing Asymmetry and Self Advection in Ocean Eddies

Abstract The interaction of an ocean eddy with bottom topography, a western boundary and a mid-ocean jet is considered. Common in all of these eddy-interaction studies is the evolution of strong azimuthal mode distortions to the eddy lateral structure. Associated with these asymmetries in the eddy are propagation tendencies in directions other than those suggested by planetary or topographic beta considerations. Eddy propagation tendencies associated with azimuthal mode one distortions and self advection in each of these eddy interactions are examined. A quantification of eddy propagation speed induced by various amounts of mode one amplitude is given.
Brønsted acid and Pd-PHOX dual-catalysed enantioselective addition of activated C-pronucleophiles to internal dienes.

We describe the development of Pd–PHOX-catalysed enantioselective couplings of internal dienes with malononitrile and other activated C-pronucleophiles. Reactions are dramatically accelerated by the addition of Et3N·HBArF4 as a Bronsted acid co-catalyst, enabling a suite of products bearing a variety of alkyl substituents at the stereogenic carbon to be prepared. A series of mechanism-oriented experiments reveal key aspects of the catalytic cycle and the importance of the non-coordinating BArF4 counterion in not only promoting reactions of internal dienes but also additions of previously unreactive nucleophiles towards terminal dienes.
Preschoolers initiate more conversations than their parents

Children develop, learn, and refine the complex rules of how to have a conversation beginning in their preschool years. Recent work on conversational exchanges and language usage within families has shown differences (and in some cases, similarities) in how mothers, fathers, girls, and boys interact and converse with each other. It has been suggested that mothers contribute more child-oriented and child-driven exchanges, fathers contribute more formal language that includes problem-solving and linguistic manipulation, girls seek to maintain relationships, and boys seek to establish dominance and attract or maintain and audience. These factors may influence the roles each interlocutor plays in a communicative exchange. One aspect of verbal interaction is who initiates a conversational exchange. This study examined 134 daylong audio recordings using automated speech processing techniques to estimate the frequency of conversation initiation for mothers, fathers, girls, and boys. We found that children initiate conversations most frequently, followed by mothers, followed by fathers. We found no rate difference between girls and boys. Results are consistent with the Bridge Hypothesis or Apprenticeship Model in which interlocutors are motivated in part by their social role, in this case by the social modeling parents demonstrate for their children.
Ultrahigh-Areal-Capacitance Flexible Supercapacitor Electrodes Enabled by Conformal P3MT on Horizontally Aligned Carbon-Nanotube Arrays

Nanocarbon electronic conductors combined with pseudocapacitive materials, such as conducting polymers, display outstanding electrochemical properties and mechanical flexibility. These characteristics enable the fabrication of flexible electrodes for energy-storage devices; that is, supercapacitors that are wearable or can be formed into shapes that are easily integrated into vehicle parts. To date, most nanocarbon materials such as nanofibers are randomly dispersed as a network in a flexible matrix. This morphology inhibits ion transport, particularly under the high current density necessary for devices requiring high power density. Novel flexible densified horizontally aligned carbon nanotube arrays (HACNTs) with controlled nanomorphology for improved ion transport are introduced and combined with conformally coated poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MT) conducting polymer to impart pseudocapacitance. The resulting P3MT/HACNT nanocomposite electrodes exhibit high areal capacitance of 3.1 F cm-2 at 5 mA cm-2 , with areal capacitance remaining at 1.8 F cm-2 even at a current density of 200 mA cm-2 . The asymmetric supercapacitor cell also delivers more than 1-2 orders of magnitude improvement in both areal energy and power density over state-of-the-art cells. Furthermore, little change in cell performance is observed under high strain, demonstrating the mechanical and electrochemical stability of the electrodes.
Determination some Immunological Aspects in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Qadisiyah Province

This study was carried out to study of some immunological aspects among the pulmonary Tuberculosis patients infected with causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A Total of 200 sputum samples were collected from patients attending the consultant Clinic for Chest and Respiratory disease center, Diwaniya. Control group (No=15) also included. According to acid fast stain of sputum, the patients were classified as positive (No=91,45.5%) and negative (No=109,54.5, Lowenstein Jensen medium used for the cultivation of samples, on which 70% of sputum samples where positive culture for this microorganism. The grown microorganism were identified as M. tuberculosis, based on positive A.F.B, Niacin producers ,negative for catlase at 68c. The mean IgG level was l184.053±76.684 mg/100 ml in tuberculosis group compared with 1016.533 ± 44.882 mg/100ml in control group, rendering the statistical difference significant. For IgA and IgM levels, they were at mean of 315.880±38.552 mg/100 ml and 119.527±8.464 mg/100 ml in control group compared with 396.358±38.776 mg/100 ml and 134.207±11.696 mg/100 ml in patients group respectively with significant difference
Understanding and Confronting Racial Microaggression: An Imperative for Social Work

Racial discrimination is a matter of public health and social justice and an issue that lies at the very heart of the social work profession. Modern forms of racial discrimination are frequently hidden, subtle, and unintended. This type of discrimination, described by the construct of racial microaggression, poses significant challenges to social work practitioners, educators, and researchers striving to promote justice and equality. The construct, however, also offers a powerful tool for understanding and intervening in discrimination. This paper defines and traces recent developments related to the concept of racial microaggression and discusses how acts of microaggression perpetuate prejudice and oppression. The tenets of Critical Race Theory, in which the construct of microaggression is grounded, is presented with a discussion for why postracial discourse may be counterproductive toward efforts aimed at deconstructing and eliminating racism. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for how the social work profession can integrate knowledge about microaggression into practice, policy, education, research, and intervention in a way that avoids potential pitfalls associated with addressing this sensitive issue.
Albumins inhibit the corrosion of absorbable Zn alloys at initial stages of degradation

Understanding the surface interactions and reactivity of zinc (Zn)-based biomaterials with constituents of physiological fluids such as proteins and ions is essential for an accurate evaluation of ...
The Unofficial Practices: What Are the Children Telling Us?

This chapter discusses children-controlled practices (i.e., the unofficial curriculum) at Nyika and Mutituni schools in Kenya. These practices include talking, reading and writing (i.e., drawing and printing). This chapter brings to the fore what children possess and can do using the available resources, for instance, multilingualism, wall charts, books (i.e., storybooks and textbooks), their experiences, their imagination and so on. Through the unofficial curriculum, children in both schools were involved in meaningful activities which gave them agency in their language and literacy development. The chapter shows how talk, drawing and reading of storybooks play a major role in the development of children’s oral and written language. The data from this chapter also show that children’s writing is not necessarily linear.
Early initiation of sodium-glucose linked transporter inhibitors (SGLT-2i) and associated metabolic and electrolyte outcomes in diabetic kidney transplant recipients

There is a paucity of data on the use of SGLT2 inhibitors on outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. There may be concern in initiating these agents, especially within the first year post-transplant when renal function is more labile and immunosuppression more intense, due to a presumed high risk of urinary infections and acute kidney injury. This is a retrospective study on 50 kidney transplant recipients, half of whom were started on therapy within the first year of transplant. Over a follow-up period of 6 months, overall patients had a statistically significant improvement in weight by -2.95 kg [SD 3.54, P = <.0001 (CI: 3.53, 1.50)] as well as hypomagnesemia 0.13 [SD 1.73, P = .0004 (CI: 0.06, 0.20)]. Overall insulin usage declined by -3.7 units [SD 22.8, P = .17]. 14% of patients had at least one urinary tract infection although this rate is not different (~20%) than that reported historically in this high-risk population.
Challenges and Opportunities for Pancreatic Cancer Immunotherapy

Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is among the most immune-resistant tumor types. Its unique genomic landscape shaped by oncogenic drivers promotes immune suppression from the earliest stages of tumor inception to subvert adaptive T cell immunity. Single-agent immune modulators have thus far proven clinically ineffective, and multi-modal therapies targeting mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance are likely needed. Here, we review novel immunotherapy strategies currently under investigation to (1) confer antigen specificity, (2) enhance T cell effector function, and (3) neutralize immunosuppressive elements within the tumor microenvironment that may be rationally combined to untangle the web of immune resistance in PDA and other tumors.
Event-by-event net charge fluctuations

We present analyses of event-by-event dynamical net charge fluctuations measured in 130 and 200 GeV Au+Au collisions with the STAR detector. The dynamical net charge fluctuations are evaluated using the ν +-,dyn observable. Dynamical fluctuations measured in Au+Au collisions at 130 and 200 GeV are finite, and exceed charge conservation limits. They deviate from a perfect 1/N scaling and provide an indication that the collision dynamics varies with collision centrality.
Sjogren’s syndrome related sensory motor neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy: A Case report

Neurologic involvement has been reported in primary Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) in approximately 10–25% of cases 1, 2, 3. Peripheral neuropathy is a major neurological manifestation of Sjogren's syndrome 4 and its etiology has been considered to be vasculitis in the peripheral nerves 2. While neuropathic symptoms of SS can be varied, it is unusual to have two different types of neuropathic presentations simultaneously in a patient. We describe a case of Sjogren’s syndrome presenting with autonomic symptoms who was noted to have large fiber neuropathy on EMG and inflammatory changes on nerve biopsy.
Separation and determination of ultratrace rhenium quantities in molybdenum matrix

The production of very pure molybdenum, free of Re even at ultratrace levels, is extremely important in meeting target purity specifications during the production of 99Mo for medical applications. ...
Parental buffering in the context of poverty: positive parenting behaviors differentiate young children's stress reactivity profiles

Experiencing poverty increases vulnerability for dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning and compromises long-term health. Positive parenting buffers children from HPA axis reactivity, yet this has primarily been documented among families not experiencing poverty. We tested the theorized power of positive parenting in 124 parent-child dyads recruited from Early Head Start (Mage = 25.21 months) by examining child cortisol trajectories using five samples collected across a standardized stress paradigm. Piecewise latent growth models revealed that positive parenting buffered children's stress responses when controlling for time of day, last stress task completed, and demographics. Positive parenting also interacted with income such that positive parenting was especially protective for cortisol reactivity in families experiencing greater poverty. Findings suggest that positive parenting behaviors are important for protecting children in families experiencing low income from heightened or prolonged physiologic stress reactivity to an acute stressor.
History of Water and Habitat Improvement in the Nueces Estuary, Texas, USA

Reservoir impoundments in the Nueces watershed (Texas, USA) have reduced Nueces River flows to the coast by more than 50% since the 1980s. Reductions in freshwater inflows prompted state and local managers, along with scientists, to embark on a 3-decade process of ecosystem-based restoration and habitat improvement in the Nueces Estuary. Current management efforts in the estuary have increased freshwater flow to the Rincon Bayou and habitat has been protected from land acquisition in the Nueces Delta. Restoring freshwater flow and acquiring land in the Nueces Delta was not easily accomplished but has been successful through the efforts of federal, state, local agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. This paper also describes mitigation activities that have taken place in the Nueces Estuary. Citation: EM Hill, BA Nicolau, PV Zimba. 2011. History of water and habitat improvement in the Nueces estuary, Texas, USA. Texas Water Journal. 2(1):97-111. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v2i1.2104.
A method to determine the optimum location for fire alarms in residential buildings

Fire alarms can save lives in a fire emergency only if people hear them. If alarm sounding devices are to be used effectively, attention must be paid to where they are located in the building. A simple expression has been developed to calculate the attenuation of the alarm signal from a smoke detector as it propagates through a residential building, with the path viewed as a series of connected rooms. Attenuation depends on floor area and type of furnishings in each room. Corrections are applied if the house does not have forced air heating or if a number of doors are closed. The expression can be used to determine the optimum location for alarms
Serologic analyses of cottontail rabbits for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed to detect antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in cottontail rabbits captured in Millbrook, N.Y., and New York, N.Y. Five antigenically variable strains of B. burgdorferi were analyzed to determine the variability of serologic test results. In analyses of 79 serum samples, seropositivity ranged from 56% for a strain cultured from kidney tissues of a cottontail rabbit to 68% for a strain isolated from a larva of Ixodes dentatus, a tick that parasitized a cottontail rabbit. There were false-positive results when reference rabbit antisera to B. hermsii and Treponema pallidum were screened against B. burgdorferi. Cross-reactivity with antisera to Leptospira interrogans serovars was less pronounced. Western blot (immunoblot) analyses revealed reactivities of test sera to two or more surface or subsurface proteins of B. burgdorferi with approximate molecular masses of 18, 25 to 27, 34, 36, 41, and 59 kilodaltons. Cottontail rabbits respond immunologically to B. burgdorferi, but the observed variations in serologic test results should not be a limitation in field and laboratory investigations of Lyme borreliosis.
Acute anterior polimyelitis complicating pregnancy

Abstract 1. 1. Eight cases of acute anterior poliomyelitis complicating pregnancy are referred to, five from the literature and three additional cases. 2. 2. Acute anterior poliomyelitis complicating pregnancy has no effect upon the pregnancy itself. 3. 3. Pregnancy may have some effect upon the rapidity of the patient's recovery from the disease. It may increase the severity of the poliomyelitis, or its complications, such as, cystitis, and diaphragmatic paralysis. 4. 4. Interruption of pregnancy should not be done except in those instances in which the uterus encroaches upon the diaphragm and there is diaphragmatic paralysis; or in the case of a severe cystitis, or other complications. 5. 5. Intrauterine poliomyelitis if it does occur must be very rare. 6. 6. Passive transmission of maternal immunity to the child does occur. 7. 7. Very little difficulty should be expected with delivery in any of its stages, unless there is malposition or disproportion present in a woman who has had poliomyelitis either preceding or during her pregnancy. 8. 8. Pregnancy following a recent poliomyelitis should be advised against. Although eight cases is a small series from which to draw conclusions, much of interest has been learned from them. As more cases are reported, and there undoubtedly will be as the disease is apparently becoming more common, a better understanding of the pathology of acute anterior poliomyelitis and pregnancy will be reached.
Portrait of an art film audience

A study was conducted to create a portrait of a contemporary art film audience. A survey.containkng openand close ended questions was sent to 329 persons on the mailing list o the 1nternational Museum of Photography at the George Eastman House in R chester, New York, an institution that also runs an art theat e. Amo g others, analyqis of the 226 upable surveys that were returne proluced the following conclusions,about this group: (1) they are highly,educated, .enthusiastic movie-goers; (2) they are more likp y than other film audience samples to report movie-going as atere favOrite leisure activity; (3) they are frequent movie-goers; (4) thei perceive their art film theatre as offering a unique altetnative to commercial cinemas; (5) a majority planned their last attendance at the art theatre at least one,week in advance; (6) while the tOiCal attendance unit ras the couple, 30% attended alone the last time \they went; (7) they aee interested in learning about the films they see; and (8) unlike-the ma..jority of U.S. movie-goerq, they e press dnly a modest preference1QAmerican films over foreign m vies. (JL)
Ascetismo y espiritualidad en la anorexia nerviosa: Un análisis psicosocial histórico

Background Asceticism is deeply related to spirituality and fasting practices that have been observed in anorexia nervosa (AN) through the history. Objective A psychosocial analysis of spirituality and asceticism within the historical context of the AN is made, from Middle Ages to XXI century, comparing the holy anorexia and the contemporary AN. Ad hoc illustrative cases are described. Method Medline/Pubmed, data bases and specialized textbooks were used to look for evidence on asceticism and spirituality in AN and its historical development. Results From a historical point of view, asceticism of medieval saints (holy anorexia) and that of modern anorectics, display common features; nevertheless, it is oriented to different goals: spirituality versus worldly appearance, respectively. Contemporary Puritanism and AN share distinctive characteristics of protestant ethics, mainly self-discipline, self-control, self-sacrifice, rationality, efficiency and goals achievement. Asceticism is significantly related to angry feelings, inmaturity features and purging. Discussion and conclusion Many medieval mystical women showed similar characteristics with present AN, nevertheless, while asceticism in saints were oriented to achieve the divine encounter, drive for thinness in contemporary young anorectics is rather related to sociocultural aesthetic ideals. The atemporal occurrence of the pathogenic essence of the anorectic syndrome suggests that factors like age, personality and/or psychosocial environment pathoplastically model it.
Comparison of carotenoid content in fresh, frozen and canned corn

Abstract The carotenoid content of fresh, commercially canned and frozen samples of two cultivars, White Shoepeg (WS) and Golden Whole Kernel (GWK) corn ( Zea mays ), from the same production field was studied. WS and GWK corn samples were harvested daily over a five-day-period and randomly selected for analysis as fresh, frozen or canned. Major carotenoids detected were lutein and zeaxanthin, and to a lesser extent, α -, β -cryptoxanthin, α -, and β -carotene. Fresh GWK corn contained higher amounts of lutein, zeaxanthin and total carotenoids (330, 209 and 702 μg/100 g fresh weight) versus fresh WS corn (5.5, 28.5, and 35.5 μg/100 g fresh weight). In both canned WS and GWK corn, levels of lutein, zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids were similar to their respective fresh counterparts. Detectable levels of zeaxanthin in WS corn increased 67.4% ( P =0.042) and total carotenoids in both WS and GWK corn were increased after freezing by 63.3% ( P =0.002) and 5.3% ( P =0.003), respectively. This work indicates that canning does not decrease carotenoid content in corn and that freezing may increase carotenoid content in WS corn which can further influence bioavailability and health benefits.
Tools for Nanosurgery: Applying Carbon Nanopipettes to Cell Physiology

There is a need in medical and biological research to probe cells with high spatial resolution. We have developed a method for fabricating integrated carbon nanopipes with diameters ranging from 10’s to 100’s of nanometers to form carbon nanopipettes (CNPs) without the need for cumbersome assembly. CNPs are easily adapted to standard cell physiology equipment and simultaneously provide an accessible nanoscale channel for mass transport and a conductive pathway for electrical measurements. We present the fabrication method, the characterization of the device, and their ability to inject fluids into cells, specifically, calcium mobilizing second messengers.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Human Rotavirus VP6-Specific Antibodies Mediate Intracellular Neutralization by Binding to a Quaternary Structure in the Transcriptional Pore

Several live attenuated rotavirus (RV) vaccines have been licensed, but the mechanisms of protective immunity are still poorly understood. The most frequent human B cell response is directed to the internal protein VP6 on the surface of double-layered particles, which is normally exposed only in the intracellular environment. Here, we show that the canonical VP6 antibodies secreted by humans bind to such particles and inhibit viral transcription. Polymeric IgA RV antibodies mediated an inhibitory effect against virus replication inside cells during IgA transcytosis. We defined the recognition site on VP6 as a quaternary epitope containing a high density of charged residues. RV human mAbs appear to bind to a negatively-charged patch on the surface of the Type I channel in the transcriptionally active particle, and they sterically block the channel. This unique mucosal mechanism of viral neutralization, which is not apparent from conventional immunoassays, may contribute significantly to human immunity to RV.
Postural control model interpretation of stabilogram diffusion analysis.

Collins and De Luca [Collins JJ. De Luca CJ (1993) Exp Brain Res 95: 308-318] introduced a new method known as stabilogram diffusion analysis that provides a quantitative statistical measure of the apparently random variations of center-of-pressure (COP) trajectories recorded during quiet upright stance in humans. This analysis generates a stabilogram diffusion function (SDF) that summarizes the mean square COP displacement as a function of the time interval between COP comparisons. SDFs have a characteristic two-part form that suggests the presence of two different control regimes: a short-term open-loop control behavior and a longer-term closed-loop behavior. This paper demonstrates that a very simple closed-loop control model of upright stance can generate realistic SDFs. The model consists of an inverted pendulum body with torque applied at the ankle joint. This torque includes a random disturbance torque and a control torque. The control torque is a function of the deviation (error signal) between the desired upright body position and the actual body position, and is generated in proportion to the error signal, the derivative of the error signal, and the integral of the error signal [i.e. a proportional, integral and derivative (PID) neural controller]. The control torque is applied with a time delay representing conduction, processing, and muscle activation delays. Variations in the PID parameters and the time delay generate variations in SDFs that mimic real experimental SDFs. This model analysis allows one to interpret experimentally observed changes in SDFs in terms of variations in neural controller and time delay parameters rather than in terms of open-loop versus closed-loop behavior.
Modifications in Statewide Criterion-Referenced Testing Programs to Accommodate Pupils with Disabilities

Educators are sometimes trapped in a professional dilemma arising from a conflict between the need to provide an appropriate education for every child and the need to collect accurate and valid test data. To ensure that pupils with disabilities are not eliminated from educational experiences because of a handicapping condition, accommodations are sometimes made in test administration procedures and test format. The comparability of modified and standard test forms and the validity of modified test forms have been questioned. The purpose of the present study was to determine how the 50 states balance those sometimes conflicting needs and resolve questions about comparability and validity. In this article, the modifications allowed by 30 states in their statewide criterion-referenced testing programs are reported. There is no universal agreement about all the modifications that should be allowed for students with disabilities; however, accommodations in Test Setting and Test Scheduling are more likely to be...
Extension of a Jovanovic–Freundlich isotherm model to multicomponent adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces

A recently proposed Jovanovic-Freundlich isotherm model for single component adsorption without lateral interactions on heterogeneous surfaces is extended to account for lateral interactions and for competitive adsorption. The model is tested using previously reported single component and competitive adsorption data of 2-phenylethanol and 3-phenylpropanol on ODS-silica with methanol-water as the mobile phase. A comparison is made regarding the ability of the Jovanovic-Freundlich and Langmuir-Freundlich models to predict competitive equilibria using the single component identified parameters. Fair predictions of the competitive data were obtained when using heterogeneous-surface models which do not take into account the possible interactions of phenylalcohols in the adsorbed phase via hydrogen bonding. Markedly improved predictions were obtained with models which account simultaneously for the two main sources of adsorbed phase nonideal behavior, i.e. adsorbate-adsorbate interactions and heterogeneity of the adsorbent surface.
Sturgeon Fin Ray Removal is Nondeleterious

Abstract Marginal pectoral fin rays were removed from cultured shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum and wild Atlantic sturgeon A. oxyrinchus oxyrinchus to evaluate the impact on growth and survival. Shortnose sturgeon were examined after 98 d and Atlantic sturgeon were examined after 183 d. There were no significant differences between control (no fin ray removed) and treatment fish in growth (weight or length) or survival of either species, and all wounds had healed. Removal of pectoral fin rays for age analyses had no apparent deleterious effects on these sturgeon species.
Genes and structural patterns in ciliates: Vance Tartar and the "cellular architects".

The one form of cytoplasmic inheritance that has not been assimilated into the Central Dogma is the inheritance of surface structural patterns, a phenomenon most clearly expressed in cilates. Vance Tartar, although he worked with a genetically undomesticated organism (Stentor coeruleus), provided early evidence for the crucial role of clonally propagated features of the cell cortex. He showed that the capacity for development of cortical organelle systems is associated with a particular relational feature, the “locus of stripe contrast” (LSC), and that clonally inherited cortical variants (homopolar doublets) could be created at will by microsurgical operations that duplicated the LSC. Tartar also hoped to demonstrate the existence of what David Nanney called “cellular architects” by provoking stentors to carry out entirely novel types of morphogenetic performances. He eventually acknowledged failure, although the bizarre juxtapositions by which he attempted to elicit such novel performances did bring about specific and illuminating defects in cortical development. Subsequent analyses of similar defects in other ciliates revealed not the unitary “pattern factor” postulated by Tartar, but rather a hierarchy of distinct patterning mechanisms. Nonetheless, by pursuing an embryological approach toward morphogenesis in a highly regulative ciliate, Tartar uncovered relational aspects of pattern-determination; this, in my view, delineates the major problem that we must solve to gain understanding of intracellular patterning. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.