cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oncogenes, growth factors, and autoimmune diseases (review).

Autoimmune diseases are benign proliferative diseases characterized by the expansion and activation of the autoreactive immune cells and the proliferation of connective tissue elements. Because both cytokines and oncogenes products are necessary for expansion of immune cells, it is possible that inappropriate activation of oncogenes might influence cytokine and lymphokine secretion as well as the expression of immune response genes necessary for the development of autoimmunity in a susceptible individual. At least four gene families of the immune system are involved in the induction and perpetuation of autoimmunity: 1) genes associated with the major histocompatibility complex, 2) germline immunoglobulin genes, 3) T cell receptor genes, and 4) complement genes. The hypothetical genetic locus responsible for the induction of autoimmunity is the "rheumogene". Oncogenes are obvious candidates for rheumogenes and activation of such genes may be necessary for the development of autoimmunity. Certain protooncogenes are activated in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, progressive systemic sclerosis, and dermatomyositis, supporting this hypothesis. However, the activation of oncogenes in autoimmunity is not associated with gene translocation, deletions, point mutations, loss of regulatory sequences, or amplification, indicating that autoimmunity involves different mechanisms of oncogene activation than do many malignancies. Oncogene expression in autoimmune diseases tends to mimic the expression of oncogenes in normal activated lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts. Rheumogenes, if they exist, may be disordered regulatory genes which suppress or enhance the expression of cellular oncogenes in a non-malignant fashion. The existence of regulator gene demethylation and the presence of DNA-binding proteins specific for oncogene regulator sequences provide support for the concept of that regulator gene dysfunction, rather than oncogene activation per se is the more primary event in autoimmune diseases.
Automatic Classification of Question & Answer Discourse Segments from Teacher's Speech in Classrooms.

Question-answer (Q&A) is fundamental for dialogic instruction, an important pedagogical technique based on the free exchange of ideas and open-ended discussion. Automatically detecting Q&A is key to providing teachers with feedback on appropriate use of dialogic instructional strategies. In line with this, this paper studies the possibility of automatically detecting segments of Q&A in live classrooms based solely on audio recordings of teacher speech. The proposed approach has two steps. First, teacher utterances were automatically detected from the audio stream via an amplitude envelope thresholding-based approach. Second, supervised classifiers were trained on speech-silence patterns derived from the teacher utterances. The best models were able to detect Q&A segments in windows of 90 seconds with an AUC (Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve) of 0.78 in a manner that generalizes to new classes. Implications of the findings for automatic coding of classroom discourse are discussed.
An Overview of the Highway Capacity Manual and Its History

In the earliest days of our nation, waterways were the primary means of transportation between various communities. There was little in the way of roads beyond rugged trails literally hacked out of the wilderness for horse-travel and the occasional wagon.
Adaptive fragments-based tracking of non-rigid objects using level sets

We present an approach to visual tracking based on dividing a target into multiple regions, or fragments. The target is represented by a Gaussian mixture model in a joint feature-spatial space, with each ellipsoid corresponding to a different fragment. The fragments are automatically adapted to the image data, being selected by an efficient region-growing procedure and updated according to a weighted average of the past and present image statistics. Modeling of target and background are performed in a Chan-Vese manner, using the framework of level sets to preserve accurate boundaries of the target. The extracted target boundaries are used to learn the dynamic shape of the target over time, enabling tracking to continue under total occlusion. Experimental results on a number of challenging sequences demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique.
Isolated idiopathic aortitis with an unusually thickened aortic wall: case report

Aortitis includes a broad range of disorders involving inflammation of the aorta. While most forms of aortitis can be linked to a specific cause, patients with idiopathic aortitis (IDA), are asymptomatic and usually diagnosed after surgical removal. The specific pathophysiology is not well understood, but can be strongly associated with tobacco smoking, young age at presentation, and family history of aortic aneurysm. Wall thickening is the most common physical characteristic of aortitis, and the inflammation can affect any layer of the aorta. The normal wall thickness of the aorta is less than 4 mm and can be as thick as 9 mm. Few studies document a correlation between wall thickness and the severity of aortitis. This paper presents a unique case of severe aortic aneurysm associated with an abnormal thickening of the ascending aorta.
Teaching NeuroImages: Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis.

A 39-year-old woman presented with acute, painless left monocular vision loss in the context of 6 months of right peripheral facial weakness and prior right optic neuropathy. MRI showed asymmetric, bilateral smooth pachymeningeal enhancement with involvement of the optic canals (figure 1). Autoimmune, inflammatory, and neoplastic testing including CSF and serum immunoglobulin G4 levels were unremarkable. Dural biopsy revealed chronic lymphohistiocytic pachymeningitis without granulomatous inflammation (figure 2), consistent with idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (IHP). Clinical and radiographic responses were achieved with steroids and methotrexate. IHP is a diagnosis of exclusion characterized by headache and cranial neuropathies.1 MRI T1-contrasted images show smooth, thickened, enhancing pachymeninges.2
Neurological Complications of Rheumatic Disease

Rheumatic disease represents a broad spectrum of systemic conditions manifested by multisystem involvement and mediated by autoimmunity and inflammation. Their neurological complications may occur at any point in the disease process and are diagnostically challenging. For years central nervous system (CNS) was considered as a system uniquely protected from effects of the immune system because of the blood-brain barrier. Indeed, under physiological conditions immune access to CNS is tightly regulated. Over the past decade, new scientific discoveries highlighted pathways by which immune and neurological systems interact, including a variety of mechanisms controlling permeability of blood-brain barrier, and specific roles that CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes play in initiation of specific adaptive immune response to neural specific antigens. This leads to release of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha). In addition, B-cells involved in CNS inflammation produce antibodies against membrane bound and soluble antigens. This article describes specific neurological manifestations of the most common autoimmune rheumatic disorders.
A Non-Liberal Account of Development

For much the 20 th century, development aid to the deeply impoverished nations of the Global South has taken the form of humanitarian assistance. Development projects have been motivated, first, by a humanist principle that all people everywhere deserve basic human rights and freedom from want; and, second, by the widely accepted belief that the Global South is entitled to receive extensive reparations for centuries of colonial exploitation. Together, these two views have made development work the near-exclusive province of liberal humanists, and thus most development projects are designed to advance ideological positions that are popular in Western democracies: individual liberty, equal social standing, fair opportunity, and fair political representation. But while the liberal-humanist ideology is valid on its own merits, it is neither the only nor the best available normative framework to underwrite development efforts. This paper argues that development workers—especially international NGOs and transnational activists—should design projects that incorporate a communitarian, morally particularistic, and non-liberal (but not illiberal ) ethic that respects the collective determination of groups without requiring the affirmation of individual free agency. This proposal follows some recent collectivist shifts in the literature on Amartya Sen’s capability approach to justice, which is explicitly or implicitly adopted by many development projects based in the Global South. An increasing number of critics in the last decade have argued that the approach’s liberal-humanist foundations hinder rather than promote its usefulness in eradicating systemic poverty while respecting local communal values. This paper sides with these critiques and takes them a step further, suggesting that development workers who subscribe to the capability approach should commit more fully to a communitarian ethic founded on moral particularism.
SVBRDF-Invariant Shape and Reflectance Estimation from a Light-Field Camera

Light-field cameras have recently emerged as a powerful tool for one-shot passive 3D shape capture. However, obtaining the shape of glossy objects like metals or plastics remains challenging, since standard Lambertian cues like photo-consistency cannot be easily applied. In this paper, we derive a spatially-varying (SV)BRDF-invariant theory for recovering 3D shape and reflectance from light-field cameras. Our key theoretical insight is a novel analysis of diffuse plus single-lobe SVBRDFs under a light-field setup. We show that, although direct shape recovery is not possible, an equation relating depths and normals can still be derived. Using this equation, we then propose using a polynomial (quadratic) shape prior to resolve the shape ambiguity. Once shape is estimated, we also recover the reflectance. We present extensive synthetic data on the entire MERL BRDF dataset, as well as a number of real examples to validate the theory, where we simultaneously recover shape and BRDFs from a single image taken with a Lytro Illum camera.
Relationships between Sexual Orientation, Weight, and Health in a Population-Based Sample of California Women

Abstract Background Most biomedical research has reported associations between weight and physical health problems; little is known about whether those associations vary by sexual identity. Methods Pooled data from the 2003 through 2013 waves of the California Health Interview Survey was used to construct logistic regression models to examine whether the associations between weight and four chronic conditions (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and asthma) varied by sexual identity. Results A total of 97,720 heterosexual and 2,822 lesbian/bisexual women comprised the analytic sample. There was a significant interaction between weight status and sexual identity (p Conclusion This study underscores the importance of disaggregating analyses by sexual identity in studies that examine weight–chronic disease associations.
The SCEC Unified Community Velocity Model Software Framework

ABSTRACT Crustal seismic‐velocity models and datasets play a key role in regional 3D numerical earthquake ground‐motion simulation, full waveform tomography, and modern physics‐based probabilistic earthquake‐hazard analysis, as well as in other related fields, including geophysics and earthquake engineering. Most of these models and datasets, often collectively identified as Community Velocity Models (CVMs), synthesize information from multiple sources and are delivered to users in variable formats, including computer applications that allow for interactive querying of material properties, namely P ‐ and S ‐wave velocities and density ρ . Computational users often require massive and repetitive access to velocity models and datasets, and such access is often unpractical and difficult due to a lack of standardized methods and procedures. To overcome these issues and to facilitate access by the community to these models, the Southern California Earthquake Center developed the Unified CVM (UCVM) software framework, an open‐source collection of tools that enables users to access one or more seismic‐velocity models, while providing a standard query interface. Here, we describe the research challenges that motivated the development of UCVM, its software design, development approach, and basic capabilities, as well as a few examples of seismic‐modeling applications that use UCVM.
Voltage Dependence of Molecule–Electrode Coupling in Biased Molecular Junctions

Biased interfaces between individual molecules and metallic electrodes are central in many nanoscale devices. A key quantity that governs the nature of the metal–molecule interface is the degree of hybridization between frontier orbitals of the molecule and electrode continuum states. This hybridization leads to the broadening of molecular resonances, a measure of the electronic coupling to the surface. In this work, we present detailed ab initio calculations of the evolution of this electronic coupling for selected frontier orbitals with bias voltage in molecular junctions, nanoscale devices where metal–molecule interface effects are dominant. We focus on symmetric and asymmetric junctions based on an experimentally well-studied system, Au–bipyridine–Au, as examples of our method. The nature of the bias-dependent coupling that emerges from our ab initio calculations provides new physical insight into experimentally achievable systems and is a marked quantitative improvement over simple Lorentzian models ...
Race, Gender and Class on the Campaign Trail and Afterwards

This talk will analyze how race, gender and class, performed by Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin and Michele Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign and afterwards inform our understanding of race, class and gender. Barack Obama performed his identity as a black man in a slightly more feminine way during the 2008 presidential campaign in order not to appear as a violent and threatening Black man. This identity performance contrasted with those of three strong, interesting, and very different women – Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin and Michelle Obama – who negotiated identity performances in the political limelight. Because of their diverse backgrounds, experience, and ages, an examination of how these three women performed their identities and the public response to them offers a rich understanding of the changing nature of gender, gender roles, age, sexuality, class and race in our culture. This talk will also consider how Obama performed his racial and gender identity during his first eighteen months as President. It will analyze whether Obama’s less masculine style has harmed or helped him in the public eye and the connection between the public’s reaction to race and gender performances after the election.
ON NONLINEAR WATER WAVES

Abstract Evolution equations for the amplitudes and phases of a dominant mode of the water wave are derived by using the variational method. A fully nonlinear dispersion relation, which is valid for finite amplitudes, is obtained when the wave is representable by a dominant sinusoidal mode. The stability criterion of the sinusoidal wave state is established and it is shown that for small amplitudes the sinusoidal wave state is stable.
Scanning along a compressed timeline of the future

Several authors have suggested a deep symmetry between the psychological processes that underlie our ability to remember the past and make predictions about the future. The judgment of recency (JOR) task measures temporal order judgments for the past by presenting pairs of probe stimuli; participants choose the probe that was presented more recently. We performed a short-term relative JOR task and introduced a novel judgment of imminence (JOI) task to study temporal order judgments for the future. In the JOI task, participants were trained on a probabilistic sequence. During a test phase, the sequence was occasionally interrupted with pairs of probes. Participants chose the probe that they expected would be presented sooner. Replicating prior work, we found that in JOR the correct RT depended only on the recency of the more recent probe. This suggests that memory for the past was supported by a backward self-terminating search model operating on a temporally-organized representation of the past. Analogously, in the JOI task we find that correct RT depended only on the imminence of the more imminent probe. By analogy to the JOR results, this suggests a forward self-terminating search model operating on a temporally-organized representation of the future. Critically, in both JOR and JOI the increase in RT with recency/imminence was sublinear, suggesting that both the timeline for the future and the timeline of the past are compressed. These results place strong constraints on computational models for constructing the predicted future.
Hilbert’s Grundlagen

Hilbert’s goal in studying The Elements was to sort out the objects Euclid considered, the assumptions about them, and the relationships among them, all while respecting standards of rigor as recognized by the mathematics community of the late nineteenth century. Hilbert sought a description of the foundations of Euclidean geometry that would yield all the familiar theorems: The system had to be complete. The axioms could not contradict one another: The system had to be consistent. No axiom could follow from any combination of the others: The axioms had to be independent.
Nonlinear data assimilation for clouds and precipitation using a gamma inverse-gamma ensemble filter

Where clouds occur, their water content is always positive definite, and may be near zero. In addition, it is common for errors in remote-sensing observations of clouds and rainfall to be represented as a fraction of the measurement. Furthermore, there is nonlinearity in the relationships among cloud environment, cloud microphysical processes, and the amount and distribution of cloud and precipitation. For these reasons, data assimilation algorithms that rely on linearity and assumptions of Gaussian probability distributions may have difficulty in assimilating observations in cloudy regions, as well as producing an analysis that realistically represents the actual distribution of clouds and precipitation. A recently developed ensemble filter algorithm, the Gamma, Inverse-Gamma, and Gaussian Ensemble Kalman Filter (GIGG-EnKF), allows for fractional observation errors and positive-definite quantities. As such, it has promise for producing more effective and accurate data assimilation and retrievals of clouds and precipitation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the GIGG-EnKF by using it to estimate the values of warm rain cloud microphysical parameters in a cloud model using observations of precipitation. GIGG-EnKF estimates of cloud parameters and rainfall are compared with a Bayesian reference solution returned by a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, and with a perturbed-observations Ensemble transform Kalman filter (ETKF). The ETKF produces an ensemble with a substantial number of negative (non-physical) precipitation rates and parameter values. In contrast, the GIGG-EnKF precipitation analysis is positive definite, and is able to adapt to changes in the observation value (and observation uncertainty). Nonlinearity in the parameter–precipitation relationship is handled by implementing an iterative outer loop regression from the observation space to state space. The positive-definite constraint and natural accommodation of fractional error, along with the iterative outer loop, produces an accurate reproduction of the Bayesian analysis of the precipitation rate and cloud microphysical parameter values.
Endothelium-Dependent Relaxations to Serotonin: Signal Transduction and Effects of Diets

The signal transuction mechanism involved in, and the effect of chronic intake of fats on the endothelium-dependent relaxations to serotonin were examined in porcine coronary arteries. Male Yorkshire pigs were maintained under the following conditions; (a) regular diet, (b) high-cholesterol diet for 10 weeks with (atherosclerosis) and without (hypercholesterolemia) balloon removal of the endothelium, (c) dietary supplementation with cod-liver oil, for 4 weeks, and (d) high-cholesterol diet (10 weeks) plus endothelium-removal (atherosclerosis) with and without dietary cod-liver oil. Endothelium-dependent responses were examined in vitro. Results: (a) In normal pigs, serotonin caused endothelium-dependent relaxations in the presence of ketanserin (a 5HT2-serotonergic blocker); these relaxations were abolished by methiothepin (a combined 5HT1 and 5HT2-serotonergic blocker) and markedly inhibited by pertussis toxin (an inhibitor of certain G-proteins); (b) The relaxations to serotonin were impaired in hypercholesterolemia and further deteriorated in atherosclerosis; these impairments were due mainly to a reduced production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s); (c) Dietary cod-liver oil markedly augmented the relaxations to serotonin, mainly because of an increased production of endothelial factor(s); and (d) Dietary cod-liver oil significantly improved the relaxations to serotonin in atherosclerosis. Conclusions: (a) In porcine coronary arteries endothelium-dependent relaxations to serotonin are mediated by endothelial 5HT1-serotonergic receptors, which may be coupled closely to a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein; and (b) The relaxations to the monoamine are impaired markedly by atherosclerosis and augmented by dietary fish oil.
Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Hepatitis Viruses

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), diagnosed with increased frequency, contributes to 4.1% of all known human carcinomas, and accounts for 350,000 new cases per year worldwide (1, 2, 3, 4). The incidence of histology-proven HCC rose from 1.4 per 100,000 population (1976–1980) to 2.4 per 100,000 (1991–1995) associated with higher mortality (41%), increased hospitalization (46%), and rise in hepatitis viral infection (5). Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C viral (HCV) infections account for 75–85% of HCC, with the remainder related to ethanol, oral contraceptives, and aflatoxin B1 exposure (2). Approximately 500–600 million people worldwide are HBV- or HCV-positive (6), with the United States accounting for 3.9 million (HCV), and 1.25 million (HBV) (4). Severe forms of HBV/HCV infection, encompassing hepatocyte inflammation, and increased cell turnover, place individuals at higher risk for HCC. Chronic hepatitis leads to liver necrosis/fibrosis, inflammation, and increased cytokine synthesis, resulting in enhanced cell proliferation followed by DNA mutation(s), cellular transformation, and the development of HCC (7). HBV- and HCV-coinfection progresses to liver cirrhosis at a higher rate (33%) than in HCV infection alone (19%), and both are important in the pathogenesis of HCC (8, 9, 10, 11).
Medical school research ranking is associated with gender inequality in MSTP application rates.

The number of female trainees in MD and biomedical PhD programs has reached near parity with their male counterparts for several years. However, a gender disparity persists for enrollment in Medical Scientist Research Programs (MSTPs). Several studies suggest women underestimate their abilities compared with male colleagues. If this phenomenon applies, we might expect there to be a gender disparity in applicants to MSTPs, which are typically considered more competitive compared to MD or PhD programs. In this report, we explored this hypothesis by evaluating whether female applicants who do apply to MSTP programs disproportionately apply to lower ranking programs when compared to male applicants. For each institution, we identified their 2016 U.S. News and World Report “Best Medical Schools: Research” ranking and examined trends across rankings using linear regression models, such as relationships between the percentage of female applicants and other factors that may influence where applicants apply. The female applicants who do apply to MSTP programs apply disproportionately to lower ranking programs. Despite this, women seem to have the same success rate for gaining admission to MSTPs, as indicated by matriculation rates across programs, regardless of program rank. Our findings of gender disparity in applications to high-ranking but not low-ranking programs support prior hypotheses that under-confidence or lack of encouragement may drive this inequality. This analysis highlights the need for further systematic studies of gender differences in MSTP applicants and the relationship to career trajectories in order to improve the gender disparity that exists in academic medicine.
Lipid nanoparticles silence tumor necrosis factor α to improve wound healing in diabetic mice

Diabetes mellitus is a mounting concern in the United States, as are the mortality and morbidity that result from its complications. Of particular concern, diabetes patients frequently suffer from impaired wound healing and resultant nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers. These ulcers overproduce tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), which reduces wound bed cell migration and proliferation while encouraging apoptosis. Herein, we describe the use of siRNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as a potential wound treatment to combat an overzealous immune response and facilitate wound closure. LNPs were formulated with an ionizable, degradable lipidoid and siRNA specific for TNFα. Topical application of nanoparticles reduced TNFα mRNA expression in the wound by 40-55% in diabetic and nondiabetic mice. In diabetic mice, this TNFα knockdown accelerated wound healing compared to untreated controls. Together, these results serve as proof-of-concept that RNA interference therapy using LNPs can reduce the severity and duration of chronic diabetic wounds.
Predictors of concurrent depressive symptoms in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Abstract Many patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) exhibit concurrent depressive symptoms, which are associated with negative psychological outcomes. Yet little research has focused on identifying factors that predict depressive symptoms in OCD. The current study examined three transdiagnostic constructs—anxiety sensitivity (AS), intolerance of uncertainty (IU), and worry—as predictors of depressive symptom severity in a sample of treatment-seeking adults with a primary diagnosis of OCD (N = 93). Strong, positive associations between depressive symptoms and measures of AS, IU, and worry were detected, and AS and worry (but not IU) remained significant unique predictors of depression after controlling for the severity of OCD symptoms. The conceptual and clinical implications of these findings, as well as study limitations and future directions, are discussed.
Motor vehicle-associated traumatic ocular injuries secondary to external rear-facing sideview mirrors: a report of 3 patients

Importance Rear-facing sideview mirrors are a potentially reducible source of ocular morbidity following motor vehicle crashes. Objective To report cases highlighting shattered glass from sideview mirrors as a potential cause of ocular trauma in motor vehicle crashes. Design, Setting, and Participants Case series of 3 patients who presented to Grady Memorial Hospital, a level 1 trauma center and tertiary hospital, between May 5, 2017, and July 10, 2017, with ocular trauma as a result of shattered glass from sideview mirrors during motor vehicle crashes. A review of the literature was also conducted. Data were analyzed between July 2017 and August 2017. Interventions or Exposures Operation for exploration and repair of open globe in all 3 cases. Main Outcomes and Measures Visual prognosis and ocular morbidity postoperatively. Results All patients were white men in the age range of 26 to 43 years. This was a retrospective review of 3 of 208 patients who presented to Grady Memorial Hospital after motor vehicle crashes from May 5, 2017, to July 10, 2017. From the time of presentation of the 3 reported patients from Grady Memorial Hospital, all 3 had 2 surgeries inclusive of the initial open globe repair. Patients with this mechanism of injury experienced ocular morbidity, with all 3 cases resulting in uveal prolapse and 2 of 3 resulting in retinal detachments. Among the 3 patients, visual acuities after the second surgery within the first year were hand motion, 20/100, and 20/150. Conclusions and Relevance Sideview mirrors can be a cause of serious ocular injuries in motor vehicle crashes. These 3 reported cases, combined with cases previously reported, suggest that this mechanism of ocular injury does occur. Further studies seem warranted to investigate the frequency of these findings and whether any design modifications may help reduce the frequency.
Anne Baker, Beppie van den Bogaerde, Roland Pfau & Trude Schermer (eds.), The linguistics of sign languages: an introduction

This article reviews The linguistics of sign languages: An introduction € 99.009789027212306€ 36.0097890272123139789027267344
United Technologies Corp.: Are the Parts Worth More Than the Whole?

After spending more than 50 years creating a diversified industrial conglomerate that Fortune Magazine described as “arguably the most profitable conglomerate in America” in 2014, UTC’s CEO Greg Hayes was under pressure from activist investors (Dan Loeb and Bill Ackman) to break the company into three standalone businesses in the spring of 2018. The activists claimed that a breakup would create at least $20 billion of incremental value (on top of a current market value of approximately $100 billion) and possibly considerably more. Hayes must decide whether a breakup makes sense — will it create significant incremental value and, if so, how much value and why? What factors explained why UTC currently traded at a discount to comparable single segment (pure play) firms? Was it an artifact of the valuation method, a reflection of mismanagement, or something else? This case has four objectives. First, to illustrate the mechanics and underlying logic of sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) valuation analysis. Second, to practice valuing a division using multiples and wrestling with the concept of comparability. Third, to assess the strategic logic of a diversified industrial conglomerate — does the structure create or destroy value? Is a conglomerate discount (or premium) as measured relative to a set of pure play firms a valid measure of value destruction (or creation)? Illustrate the cross-sectional (across analysts) and time-series (one analyst over time) properties of diversification discounts. And finally, explore the motives, tactics, and economic impact of activist investors. Is activist pressure likely to result in sustained value creation?
Maternal stress, low cervicovaginal β-defensin, and spontaneous preterm birth.

Background Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is a major contributor to infant mortality, and its etiology remains poorly understood. Host immunity and maternal stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous preterm birth, but mechanisms are poorly delineated. Antimicrobial proteins in the cervicovaginal space, such as β-defensins, modulate immune responses to bacteria and have been shown to modulate the risk of spontaneous preterm birth from nonoptimal microbiota. Although stress is known to induce immunological changes, no study has examined the interplay between maternal stress and the immune response in association with spontaneous preterm birth. Objectives Our objectives were to determine whether psychosocial stress was associated with a mediator of the immune system in the cervicovaginal space, β-defensin–2, and to examine the combined impact of high stress and low cervicovaginal β-defensin–2 levels on the odds of sPTB. Materials and Methods From the Motherhood & Microbiome cohort study (n = 2000), we performed a secondary, nested case-control study, frequency matched by race/ethnicity, of 519 pregnant women (110 who went on to have a spontaneous preterm birth and 409 a term birth). Stress and cervicovaginal β-defensin–2 levels were measured at 16−20 weeks of gestation. Stress was dichotomized at a score of 30 on Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). We measured cervicovaginal β-defensin–2 levels with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and dichotomized at the median. We modeled associations of high stress and low cervicovaginal β-defensin–2 levels using multivariable logistic regression. We also compared the proportion of women with high stress and low cervicovaginal β-defensin–2 levels among women with spontaneous preterm and term births using χ2 tests. We modeled adjusted associations of stress and cervicovaginal β-defensin–2 levels with odds of spontaneous preterm birth using logistic regression. Results The majority of the study population was non-Hispanic black (72.8%), insured by Medicaid (51.1%), and had a Perceived Stress Scale−14 score Conclusion High perceived stress and low cervicovaginal β-defensin–2 levels are associated with higher odds of spontaneous preterm birth, and, when present concurrently, they resulted in the highest odds of spontaneous preterm birth in a largely non-Hispanic black cohort. Our findings warrant further work to examine social determinants of health and the host cervicovaginal immune responses that may modulate the pathogenesis of spontaneous preterm birth.
An Overview of Key Soil Nitrogen Cycling Transformations

Although nitrogen (N) is one of the most abundant elements in the biosphere, it is generally at levels that are limiting for optimum plant growth and crop production in Florida soils. To maintain adequate N levels in Florida soils without having detrimental environmental side effects, one must understand and manage N cycling transformations and processes. This new 5-page article, published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences, provides an overview of the N cycle by describing key N transformations that result in soils gaining or losing N. The biotic and abiotic processes that govern these transformations are described, as well as practical examples of these transformations in Florida soils. Written by Clayton J. Nevins, Sarah L. Strauss, and Patrick Inglett.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss684
Cost-Shifting and Cost-Cutting as Joint and Mutually Reinforcing Strategies in the Financial Management of Hospitals and Similar Healthcare Organizations

This study examines cost-shifting in private, investor-owned Pennsylvania hospitals to construct a model of joint cost-shifting and cost-cutting strategies in healthcare finance. Rather than add to the debate about the cause, magnitude, and intensity of cost-shifting, which this study reviews and for which the jury is still out, it addresses questions about why, when, and how cost-cutting might be complementary to cost-shifting. It suggests that cost-cutting may be blended with cost-shifting when overheads and transaction costs (typically for administration and regulatory compliance) are substantial and cannot be cross-subsidized. Cost-cutting might also blend well where increased charges or list prices to offset reimbursement shortfalls and uncollectible payments are capped by payers who will have to bear the additional financial burden. The net profit (income) generated from the former method — which this study refers to as indirect (or “backdoor”) cost-cutting — represents a variable fraction of the original cost of care. That percentage may be adjusted depending on the amount of operating expenses that needs to be covered and based on successful (re)negotiation with payers. The latter method — which refers to direct cost-cutting — seeks at minimum a break-even outcome. A hospital will not likely realize any net gain under the direct method, but it totally eliminates the net loss arising from price-capping. This it achieves by reducing the cost of care to patient cohorts. Joint and mutually reinforcing cost-shifting and cost-cutting strategies should nonetheless be considered along with other viable options or alternatives, and in light of the reciprocal choices and actions that payers of the new or additional charges are bound to make. Keywords: Cost of care; charges; margin; net profit (income); patient cohort; pricing; reimbursement; revenue; transaction costs JEL classifications: G3; I13; I18; I19
Cement Consolidation: Vertebral Augmentation and Cementoplasty

Structural bone instability from osteoporosis or tumor destruction can result in debilitating pain, fractures, and erosion of muscle attachments. Cementoplasty describes the percutaneous minimally invasive injection of a bone filler to consolidate the weakened bone in order to provide palliative effect and reduce the risk of an impending fracture or progression of an existing fracture. When applied to the spine, the technique is commonly known as vertebral augmentation, a term that encompasses both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Outside of the spine, the procedure is commonly referred to as cementoplasty or osteoplasty, and sometimes with specific anatomical descriptors such as sarcoplasty and acetabuloplasty. This chapter reviews the indications, general techniques, and pitfalls for percutaneous cement stabilization both within and outside of the spine.
Methacrylate-functionalized proanthocyanidins as novel polymerizable collagen cross-linkers - Part 2: Effects on polymerization, microhardness and leaching of adhesives.

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a novel polymerizable collagen cross-linker methacrylate-functionalized proanthocyanidins (MAPA) on the polymerization, microhardness and leaching of a HEMA-based experimental dental adhesive system. Methods Three MAPAs were synthesized using different methacrylate (MA) to proanthocyanidins (PA) feeding ratios of 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 to obtain MAPA-1, MAPA-2, and MAPA-3, respectively. The resulting three MAPAs and PA were added to an experimental adhesive formulated with HEMA and a tri-component photoinitiator system (0.5 wt% CQ/EDMAB/DPIHP) at 1%, 5% and 10% MAPA or PA concentrations (wt%). The adhesive polymerization kinetics was measured continuously in real-time for 10 min using a Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory. Degree of conversion (DC) and Vickers microhardness (MH) of cured adhesives were measured at 72 h post-cure. The leaching of cured adhesives in DI water was monitored using UV–vis spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way and two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s (p Results The adhesive formulations with 1%, 5% and 10% MAPAs-1, -2, -3 all generated higher rate of polymerization and 10-min DC than the formulations with PA at the same concentrations. At 72 h post-cure, the adhesive formulation with 5% MAPA-2 exhibited significantly higher DC (99.40%) and more than doubled MH (18.93) values than the formulation with 5% PA (DC = 89.47%, MH = 8.41) and the control (DC = 95.46%, MH = 9.33). Moreover, the cured adhesive with 5% MAPA-2 demonstrated significantly reduced PA leaching in comparison with cured adhesive with 5% PA. Significance Synthesized MAPA is a novel class of polymerizable collagen cross-linker that not only stabilizes dentin collagen via its PA component, but also improves polymerization, mechanical properties and stability of HEMA-based adhesives via its MA component. By inheriting the benefit while overcoming the drawback of PA, MAPA offers a revolutionary solution for improved bond-strength and longevity of dental restorations.
Sustainable Finance, Current and Future Implications for Banks and Monetary Policy: Assessing COVID Impacts

The implications of COVID developments for monetary policy will certainly extend beyond the increased use of digital platforms and payments. The current environment is also focused on smart green techniques and green initiatives aimed at promoting a transition to a net zero based carbon emissions economy. During the onset of the pandemic, it was initially thought that carbon emissions would fall drastically – given the impact of the pandemic, not only on the airlines industry, but also as a result of “Stay at Home” measures imposed by jurisdictions, which even made it illegal to drive to certain places, where purposes for doing so were unjustified. However, the pandemic has also witnessed unprecedented levels in digital subscriptions, online sales and marketing – also fueled through digital payments and the use of digital platforms and distributed ledger technologies in facilitating cashless payments – cash, namely bank notes and coins, also being considered to be a medium of COVID transmission. Coupled with attributes such speed, convenience and ease, the need for financial inclusion has also become an objective in facilitating the era of innovative digital means of payments. As well as considering the current implications of measures that have been instigated to address the impacts of the pandemic, drawing from past and current lessons from selected jurisdictions, this paper also considers why the transition to a net zero carbon economy may prove more challenging than may first appear. However, jurisdictional differences and historical developments will play a part in determining how sustainable certain implemented policies and measures are – as well as in facilitating a transition to normality.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training in Pediatric Residency: A National Needs Assessment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES As point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) evolves into a standard tool for the care of children, pediatric residency programs need to develop POCUS training programs. Few POCUS training resources exist for pediatric residents, and little is known about POCUS training in pediatric residencies. We aim to describe pediatric residency leadership perspectives regarding the value of POCUS and to elucidate the current state of POCUS training in pediatric residency programs. METHODS A group of pediatric educators and POCUS experts developed a novel survey followed by cognitive interviews to establish response-process validity. The survey was administered electronically to pediatric residency associate program directors between December 2019 and April 2020. Program characteristics, including region, setting, and size, were used to perform poststratification for analyses. We performed comparative analyses using program and respondent characteristics. RESULTS We achieved a 30% (58 of 196) survey response rate. Although only a minority of respondents (26%) used POCUS in clinical practice, a majority (56%) indicated that all pediatric residents should be trained in POCUS. A majority of respondents also considered 8 of 10 POCUS applications important for pediatric residents. Only 37% of programs reported any POCUS training for residents, primarily informal bedside education. Most respondents (94%) cited a lack of qualified instructors as a barrier to POCUS training. CONCLUSIONS Most pediatric residency programs do not provide residents with POCUS training despite its perceived value and importance. Numerous POCUS applications are considered important for pediatric residents to learn. Future curricular and faculty development efforts should address the lack of qualified POCUS instructors.
An essential ER-resident N-acetyltransferase in Plasmodium falciparum

N-terminal acetylation is a common eukaryotic protein modification that involves the addition of an acetyl group to the N-terminus of a polypeptide. This modification is largely performed by cytosolic N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs). Most associate with the ribosome, acetylating nascent polypeptides co-translationally. In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, exported effectors are translated into the ER, processed by the aspartic protease plasmepsin V and then N-acetylated, despite having no clear access to cytosolic NATs. Here, we used post-transcriptional knockdown to investigate the most obvious candidate, Pf3D7_1437000. We found that it co-localizes with the ER-resident plasmepsin V and is required for parasite growth. However, depletion of Pf3D7_1437000 had no effect on protein export or acetylation of the exported proteins HRP2 and HRP3. Pf3D7_1437000-depleted parasites arrested later in their development cycle than export-blocked parasites, suggesting the protein9s essential role is distinct from protein export.
Good Posture - - - the Ounce of Prevention

(1949). Good Posture - - - the Ounce of Prevention. Journal of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation: Vol. 20, No. 8, pp. 513-554.
Evolution of Bacterial-Host Interactions: Virulence and the Immune Overresponse

This chapter focuses on aspects of the evolution of the bacterium-host interactions that cannot be readily accounted for by simple, advantage-to-the individual evolutionary scenarios. It discusses how the perversity of the immune system fits with current hypotheses for the evolution of virulence and the evolution of the so-called virulence factors, and speculates on the reasons natural selection has failed to or is unable to blunt the immune overresponse to bacterial infections. The chapter provides a brief discussion of the implications of this perspective on virulence for the treatment of bacterial infections. A section discusses how the observation that morbidity and mortality of bacterial infections can be attributed to the hosts’ immune overresponse fits each of these hypotheses for the evolution of the virulence of bacteria. The conventional wisdom is an observation rather than a mechanism, an observation that focuses on the interactions between bacteria and the individual hosts they colonize. Reasonable candidates for coincidental virulence due to an immune overresponse are diseases associated with Helicobacter pylori. As a consequence of their vastly shorter generation times, haploid genomes, and propensity to receive genes and pathogenicity islands by horizontal transfer, it seems reasonable to assume that bacteria would have an edge in an evolutionary arms race with their mammal hosts.
Computer use by middle-aged and older adults with disabilities

While technology and its potential to assist elders with disabilities advances, many elders do not use a computer, or find using a computer difficult. In the present study, we surveyed 668 middle aged and older persons with disabilities to better understand how they use their computer, or why they do not use a computer, and their thoughts on computer accessibility. Survey methodology was employed and descriptive statistics were used to report sample characteristics. Results show that a higher percentage of older adults, compared to middle age adults were Internet users. Contact with others beyond the home is important for both middle aged and other adult computer users. The need for assessment and advice on workstation and computer setup seems evident from the large number in both groups reporting discomfort and problems in using their computer. Non-computer users in both the middle age and older adult groups reported that cost, lack of knowledge of a computer and lack of perceived need were the main reasons for not using a computer.