cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene Overexpression: Uses, Mechanisms, and Interpretation

The classical genetic approach for exploring biological pathways typically begins by identifying mutations that cause a phenotype of interest. Overexpression or misexpression of a wild-type gene product, however, can also cause mutant phenotypes, providing geneticists with an alternative yet powerful tool to identify pathway components that might remain undetected using traditional loss-of-function analysis. This review describes the history of overexpression, the mechanisms that are responsible for overexpression phenotypes, tests that begin to distinguish between those mechanisms, the varied ways in which overexpression is used, the methods and reagents available in several organisms, and the relevance of overexpression to human disease.
Familial and Social Dimensions of Welfare Receipt: Lessons from AFDC

Abstract In this study we categorize welfare duration determinants into those associated with family traits and the social macro environment outside the family. Monthly AFDC-Basic data for Texas from mid-1989 through April 1993 are analyzed using an event history analysis to examine the length of time families receive AFDC benefits and to estimate the effects of the two latent traits that influence the pace of quitting welfare. Results suggest a need for reformulating welfare policies to address the disadvantages stemming from the social structural context of poverty such as urban residence and race membership.
Array processing using robust partition statistics

In this paper, the theory of m-interval polynomial approximation (MIPA) is modified and extended to include sequential operation for detecting stochastic weak signals by an array of sensors. The main concern is to formulate the descriptive structure of a class of robust array processing detectors when the functional form of the underlying noise distribution is poorly specified. In particular, we partition the observation space of each sensor into a finite number of regions called intervals based on knowledge of only the quantiles of the noise distribution. The general structure of the robust array consists of two modes of operation, parametric and distribution free, which are switched over depending on the amplitude of the data at each sensor. Next, some truncated and curved boundary decision rules for sequential operation of the detector are introduced. This leads naturally to an efficient operation of the detector even in extremely low signal-to-noise (SNR) environments by eliminating the influence of occasionally unbounded sample sequence that are an integral part of sequential detectors operating in severe noise. The new detectors perform very well when compared with robust array detectors proposed by others. >
The genetic basis for individual differences in mRNA splicing and APOBEC1 editing activity in murine macrophages

.Alternative splicing and mRNA editing are known to contribute to transcriptome diversity. Although alternative splicing is pervasive and contributes to a variety of pathologies, including cancer, the genetic context for individual differences in isoform usage is still evolving. Similarly, although mRNA editing is ubiquitous and associated with important biological processes such as intracellular viral replication and cancer development, individual variations in mRNA editing and the genetic transmissibility of mRNA editing are equivocal. Here, we have used linkage analysis to show that both mRNA editing and alternative splicing are regulated by the macrophage genetic background and environmental cues. We show that distinct loci, potentially harboring variable splice factors, regulate the splicing of multiple transcripts. Additionally, we show that individual genetic variability at the Apobec1 locus results in differential rates of C-to-U(T) editing in murine macrophages; with mouse strains expressing mostly a truncated alternative transcript isoform of Apobec1 exhibiting lower rates of editing. As a proof of concept, we have used linkage analysis to identify 36 high-confidence novel edited sites. These results provide a novel and complementary method that can be used to identify C-to-U editing sites in individuals segregating at specific loci and show that, beyond DNA sequence and structural changes, differential isoform usage and mRNA editing can contribute to intra-species genomic and phenotypic diversity. [Supplemental material is available for this article.]
On the response of beams to an arbitrary number of concentrated moving masses

Abstract A theory describing the response of a beam under an arbitrary number of moving masses is developed. The theory is based on the Fourier technique and shows that, for a simply supported beam, the resonance frequency is lower with no corresponding decrease in maximum amplitude when the inertia is considered.
Lévi-Strauss, Braudel and Brazil: A Case of Mutual Influence

In 1934-1936, French and Brazilian history intersected in a manner that had a memorable effect on both countries.1 More than twenty young French scholars, many later to become world famous, were invited to help launch the newly founded University of S?o Paulo. The two most notable invitees were Claude L?vi-Strauss and Fernand Braudel. Their experiences in Brazil are the central focus of this article.
Graft Versus Host Disease in Intestinal Transplantation

Our aim was to analyze the clinical course and outcome of patients with graft vs. host disease (GVHD) after intestinal transplantation (ITx). All patients receiving ITx between May, 1990 and December, 2003 were retrospectively reviewed for evidence of GVHD. Two hundred and fifty patients underwent ITx during the study period. Graft vs. host disease was suspected clinically in 23 patients on the clinical basis of presentation such as skin rash, ulceration of oral mucosa, diarrhea, lymphadenopathy, or native liver dysfunction. Fourteen (eight children and six adults) patients (5.6% of total patient population) had GVHD confirmed by histopathological criteria including keratinocyte necrosis (n = 9), epithelial apoptosis of the native gastrointestinal tract (n = 4), and epithelial cell necrosis of oral mucosa (n = 1). Donor-cell tissue infiltration or extensive peripheral blood donor-cell chimerism was documented on seven occasions. The majority of cases of GVHD resolved with steroid administration and optimization of tacrolimus immunosuppression. The incidence of histologically proven GVHD after clinical intestinal transplantation is 6.5% (8/122) in children and 4.7% (6/128) in adults. Successful clinical management requires a high index of suspicion to minimize morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic and treatment strategies based on this experience are proposed.
Radiative Corrections and Quantum Chaos.

This Letter discusses the question of how the white noise of radiative corrections affects the chaotic properties of an original quantum system. It is shown, by an explicit mathematical analysis, that the radiative corrections, in effect, remove the original chaos in the system.
Barrier methods of contraception and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

This North Carolina-based case-control study examined risk factors for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Cases were 103 women with biopsy-confirmed CIN II or III who were recruited from a referral dysplasia clinic. Controls were 258 family practice patients with normal cervical cytology. All subjects were interviewed regarding their sexual and reproductive history, Pap smear screening, active and passive cigarette exposures, and contraceptive use patterns. When compared with controls, cases were half as likely to have ever used barrier methods of contraception; the adjusted odds ratio was 0.5 (95% CI 0.2-0.9). The risk of CIN II/III decreased further with increasing years of barrier method use. Recency, latency, and age at first barrier method use were all associated with a reduced risk of CIN. Men and women should carefully consider the range of benefits of barrier method use as a means to reduce their risk of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and cervical neoplasia.
Local field effects in multicomponent media.

We investigate local-field effects in nonlinear optical materials composed of two species of atoms. One species of atom is assumed to be near resonance with an applied field and is modeled as a two-level system while the other species of atom is assumed to be in the linear regime. If the near dipole-dipole interaction between two-level atoms is negligible, the usual local- field enhancement of the field is obtained. For the case in which near-dipole-dipole interactions are significant due to a high density of two-level atoms, local-field effects associated with the presence of a optically linear material component lead to local-field enhancement of the near dipole-dipole interaction, intrinsic cooperative decays, and coherence exchange processes.
An Examination of Electronic Cigarette Content on Social Media: Analysis of E-Cigarette Flavor Content on Reddit

In recent years, the emerging electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) marketplace has shown great development prospects all over the world. Reddit, one of the most popular forums in the world, has a very large user group and thus great influence. This study aims to gain a systematic understanding of e-cigarette flavors based on data collected from Reddit. Flavor popularity, mixing, characteristics, trends, and brands are analyzed. Fruit flavors were mentioned the most (n = 15,720) among all the posts and were among the most popular flavors (n = 2902) used in mixed blends. Strawberry and vanilla flavors were the most popular for e-juice mixing. The number of posts discussing e-cigarette flavors has increased sharply since 2014. Mt. Baker Vapor and Hangen were the most popular brands discussed among users. Information posted on Reddit about e-cigarette flavors reflected consumers' interest in a variety of flavors. Our findings suggest that Reddit could be used for data mining and analysis of e-cigarette-related content. Understanding how e-cigarette consumers' view and utilize flavors within their vaping experience and how producers and marketers use social media to promote flavors and sell products could provide valuable information for regulatory decision-makers.
Mystus impluviatus: A New Species of Bagrid Catfish (Teleostei: Bagridae) from Eastern Borneo

Abstract A new species of bagrid catfish in the genus Mystus is described from the Mahakam River drainage in eastern Borneo. Mystus impluviatus closely resembles Mystus nigriceps and Mystus castaneus but differs in having a second posterior fontanel on the supraoccipital. It can be further distinguished from M. nigriceps and M. castaneus a combination of the following characters: maximum height of adipose fin 4.7–6.0% SL, length of adipose fin base 31.6–36.1% SL, long second and third dorsal fin rays, causing the dorsal fin to appear less rounded, maximum height of pectoral spine serrations 3.6–4.8% of spine length, a deeply forked caudal fin with a slender upper lobe, and a brown body with a distinct dark triangular patch on the base of the caudal peduncle.
Relating Patient Satisfaction to Insurance Coverage: A Comparison of Market Based and Government Sponsored Health Care

It is generally accepted that satisfaction with health care is multidimensional and includes many factors removed from the direct delivery of medical services. The analysis seeks to determine if patient satisfaction with health care varies by type of insurance coverage held and whether overall satisfaction is higher within market based health care systems as found in the United States. Using the National Center for Health Statistic’s Joint Canadian United States Survey of Health, 8700 participants (61% American 39% Canadian) made available self-reported information on their health care utilization and health status. Comparison are made between MEDICARE, MEDICAID, employer based insurance, and the National Health Insurance of Canada. The results indicate that there is significant variation with satisfaction depending on type of insurance. When compared to the national Canadian system, American patients with employer based insurance report higher levels of satisfaction.
Assessment Cycle or Circular File: Do Academic Librarians Use Information Literacy Assessment Data?

Academic librarians design and implement information literacy assessments, but do they use their assessment results? This survey-based study explores the degree to which academic librarians assess information literacy, produce assessment data, and use results to achieve the purposes of information literacy assessment. It identifies numerous barriers that impede librarians progress throughout the assessment process including too little time and too few resources, difficulties understanding of assessment and how to produce and use results, a need for centralized support of assessment activities and increased campus collaboration, and a lack of assessment tools that adequately measure information literacy and proved detail descriptions of student skills. finally areas for supporting librarians who seek to overcome these assessment barriers are suggested.
Lenalidomide treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus: the Mayo Clinic experience.

Background Published case series describe lenalidomide as an effective treatment of refractory cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Objectives The present study aimed to further characterize lenalidomide use in the treatment of CLE. Methods A retrospective review of patients treated with lenalidomide for CLE from January 1, 2000, to December 17, 2014, was conducted. Results Eight of the nine patients (89%) were women. Their median age at initiation of lenalidomide was 62 years (range: 41–86 years). Subtypes of CLE included discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) (n = 6), lupus panniculitis (n = 2), and subacute CLE (n = 1). Before the initiation of lenalidomide, all patients had been previously treated unsuccessfully or were intolerant to at least one antimalarial and one immunosuppressive agent. With lenalidomide, five patients achieved a complete response (CR), two a partial response, and two had no response (lupus panniculitis). Time to initial response (dose range: 2.5–10.0 mg/d) varied from 2 weeks to 3 months; the median time to CR in five patients was 3 months (range: 3–6 months). The median duration of lenalidomide therapy was 12 months (range: 2–67 months). The median duration of follow-up was 48 months (range: 20–103 months). Adverse effects included mild leukopenia; one patient had deep vein thrombosis of unclear etiology during a hospitalization. No patients developed or showed progression of systemic LE while receiving lenalidomide. Conclusions Lenalidomide was effective for the treatment of CLE (particularly DLE) but not for the treatment of lupus panniculitis in this series.
Band structure and superconductivity of Pd D x and Pd H x

A study of the electronic band structure of the pailadium-hydrogen system was made using the augmented-plane-wave method. The calculations were performed self-consistently for two choices of the exchange parameters within the $X\ensuremath{\alpha}$ scheme. Spin-independent relativistic corrections were included explicitly. The results for the energy bands are compared with previous calculations. Our results are found to be in good agreement with photoemission measurements. The calculations of the superconducting properties of this system are studied as a function of hydrogen content, utilizing the theory of Gaspari and Gyorffy and neutron-scattering data. The results for the superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ are in very good agreement with the measured values. An analysis of these results attributes the observed inverse isotope effect to the effective increase of the Pd-H force constant over the Pd-D force constant, due to enhanced anharmonicity of the H motion, as originally proposed by Ganguly.
Social Demographic Characteristics of Learning Happiness and Influence Factors among Middle School Students in Henan

Objective To understand the status and influence factors of subjective happiness of family life among middle school students. Methods 21870 middle school students were selected from 70 schools in 7 provincial cities by stratified cluster sampling, and then they were investigated with questionnaire class by class. Results Students who felt happy family life accounted for 75.32% among all the respondents. The detection rates of subjective happiness of family life were higher in key middle school students than ordinary middle school students; while the rates in ordinary senior middle school students were higher than those in vocational high school; Students who had good self-assessment in their academic had higher detection rates of subjective happiness of family life. Students growing in family with three generations had highest detection rates of subjective happiness of family life, the rates in reconstituted family were lowest. Students who had unhappy family life had higher detection rates of psychological problems. Multiple stepwise regressive analysi showed that learning pressure, academic performance, family living environment, forced symptoms,maladjustment and depression are the main influence factors of learning happiness among middle school students.Conclusion The subjective happiness of family life had significant differences between genders and among age groups,and student in urban and rural also had different subjective happiness of family life. Subjective happiness of family life have great impact on middle school students' mental health.
The Programs on the CD-ROM

This chapter describes how to use the programs that are on the CD-ROM that is to accompany this book. These programs were also used to calculate many of the figures shown in the text. This group of programs will be referred to as the TEMSIM package (for conventional and scanning Transmission Electron Microscope image SIMulation). The general organization of the programs and some specific examples of the running the programs is given. In some ways this chapter is the users manual for the programs. It gives the information required to prepare the input data files with the specimen description and how to actually run the programs.
Intestinal antisepsis. Stability of fecal flora during mechanical cleansing.

Twelve adult volunteers were placed on a preoperative bowel preparatory procedure involving a purge and 3 days of treatment consisting of daily enemas, a low residue diet, and antibiotics. A double blind procedure was employed with 6 volunteers receiving clindamycin (7-chloro-7-deoxylincomycin) and 6 receiving a placebo. Quantitative bacteriological studies were conducted on daily stools from each volunteer collected before and during the 3 days of treatment, and for 2 days afterward. Clindamycin was unsuitable as a chemotherapeutic agent for bowel antisepsis because it was not effective against coliforms and enterococci; it was, however, active against anaerobic bacteria in feces. The fecal flora of individuals taking the placebo was remarkably constant throughout the period of study. Therefore, the dietary and cleansing procedures per se were without effect on quantitative bacterial flora of individuals undergoing mechanical cleansing such as a patient might pursue at home prior to elective colonic surgery. This suggests that changes in flora per gram of feces occurring during intestinal antisepsis are due solely to the antibiotic employed. Whereas mechanical cleansing diminishes the mass of feces and consequently the total number of fecal bacteria, the remaining feces contain such large numbers of bacteria that their potential for infection remains a major hazard. Both mechanical cleansing and antibiotic are essential for an effective 3-day bowel preparatory procedure.
Multi-sensor noise suppression and bandwidth extension for enhancement of speech

Speech enhancement has been an active research problem for decades and continues to be an important problem. This is made even true by the proliferation of portable devices having audio input capabilities. In the presence of noise, both the quality and intelligibility of speech signals have been significantly deteriorated. The proposed research is the framework for improving the quality/intelligibility of the degraded speech: (1) A single-channel noise suppression system based on perceptual detection; (2) A multi-sensor noise suppression system for acoustic harsh environments based on non-air conductive sensors; (3) A speech bandwidth extension system for telephone speech. Significant improvement in both speech intelligibility and quality from the proposed frameworks are indicated from extensive experiments, including MOS, DRT, speech recognition task, and log spectral distortion.
Leadership in scientific organizations

Few studies have examined the role of leadership in the scientific enterprise. In the present effort, we attempt to apply a functional model of leadership to identify the key requirements for effective leadership of scientists. In keeping with the functional approach, we begin by examining the nature of scientific work with respect to people, processes, and context. Subsequently, the implications of these observations about people, processes, and context are used to formulate a set of propositions about the actions that should be taken in leading scientists. These propositions examine requisite actions at the individual, group, organizational, and field levels. The implications of these observations for the effective leadership of scientists are discussed.
Comparing the Efficacy of Flipped vs. Alternative Active Learning in a College Genetics Course

Active learning is known to be a key component of student engagement and content mastery. Flipped learning is a pedagogical approach that moves passive, initial instruction out of the classroom (usually as recorded videos) and reserves class time for active-learning exercises that fortify learning. Reports have demonstrated the success of flipped learning, but it is unclear whether that success is due to students watching videos at home (i.e., the “flipped” structure of the flipped classroom) or to the active learning that takes place in class. I sought to answer that question by comparing two sections of sophomore-level college genetics. One section was flipped and the other taught traditionally, but with extensive active learning included as homework. Student satisfaction, performance on quizzes and exams, and overall achievement of course learning goals were compared. Interestingly, after taking into account the diversity of academic strength in both sections, there was no difference between the sections for any of the measured parameters. Although flipped learning may offer no additional benefit over other forms of active learning, it is far easier and more efficient to embed and integrate active learning into a flipped classroom.
The Right to Dignity

What is “the right to dignity”? Even though the role of human dignity within the framework of legal rules has attracted scholarly attention for some time, it is only relatively recently that courts in the U.S. have shown a similar interest in exploring the existence and extent of dignity rights. Unfortunately, these judicial legal pronouncements that have explicitly or implicitly evoked the idea of a right to dignity have done so in an ad hoc manner and have not explained what the contours of such dignity rights should be. This Article presents four possibilities of what U.S. courts should be intending when they invoke references to the dignity of the person. It notes that each of these possibilities is founded in a very different theoretical understanding of dignity rights. The Article then concludes by exhorting that courts coalesce around one of these possibilities (and offers a suggestion as to which of these it should be) so that a more secure legal foundation can be built for the development of dignity rights in the U.S.
Lipid specific molecular ion emission as a function of the primary ion characteristics in TOF-SIMS

In the present work, the emission characteristics of lipids as a function of the primary ion cluster size and energy were studied using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Characteristic fragmentation patterns for common lipids are described, and changes in secondary ion (SI) yields using various primary ion beams are reported. In particular, emission characteristics were studied for pairs of small polyatomic and nanoparticle primary ion beams (e.g., Bi3+ versus Ar1000+ and Au3+ versus Au400+4) based on the secondary ion yield of characteristic fragment and intact molecular ions as a function of the lipid class. Detailed descriptions of the fragmentation patterns are shown for positive and negative mode TOF-SIMS. Results demonstrate that the lipid structure largely dictates the spectral presence of molecular and/or fragment ions in each ionization mode due to the localization of the charge carrier (head group or fatty acid chain). Our results suggest that the larger the energy per a...
Observed Hearing Loss and Incident Dementia in a Multiethnic Cohort.

Objectives To determine whether observed hearing loss (OHL) is associated with incident dementia in a multiethnic population. Design Prospective epidemiological cohort study. Setting Community in northern Manhattan. Participants Participants in the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project, a longitudinal study on aging and dementia in an ethnically diverse community (n = 1,881). Measurements OHL was defined when the examiner observed it or according to self-reported hearing aid use. A consensus panel diagnosed dementia using standard research criteria. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to examine the relationship between OHL at baseline and risk of incident dementia (mean 7.3 ± 4.4 years of longitudinal followup, range 0.9–20 years). Results OHL was associated with 1.69 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3–2.3, P < .010) times the risk of incident dementia, adjusting for demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, apolipoprotein E4 genotype, and stroke. When stratified according to race, the association between OHL and incident dementia was high in all groups but was statistically significant only in blacks (hazard ratio = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.5–4.5, P < .010). Conclusion OHL was associated with greater risk of incident dementia in a multiethnic cohort. More study is needed to determine whether HL contributes to dementia and whether treating HL can reduce the risk of dementia.
Plasma Leptin and Reduced FEV1 and FVC in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract Background Adipose tissue produces leptin, which is pro-inflammatory, and adiponectin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Participants with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) have increased body fat and are at increased risk for respiratory illness. Objective To assess the associations between leptin and adiponectin with pulmonary function in a chronic SCI cohort. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Participants A total of 285 participants (237 men and 48 women) with chronic SCI with mean (standard deviation) injury duration 17.8 (13.2) years from the VA Boston and the community participating in an epidemiologic study assessing factors associated with respiratory health. Methods Participants (24.6% cervical American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) level A, B, and C; 33.6% other AIS A, B, and C; 41.8% AIS D) provided a blood sample, completed a respiratory health questionnaire, and underwent spirometry. Linear regression methods were used to assess cross-sectional associations between plasma leptin and adiponectin with spirometric measures of pulmonary function adjusted for age, race, gender, and height. Level and severity of SCI, mobility mode, body mass index, smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chest injury history, laboratory batch, and other potential confounders were also considered. Main Outcome Measurements forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV 1 /FVC. Results There was a statistically significant inverse relationship between plasma leptin assessed in quartiles or as a continuous covariate with FEV 1 and FVC. In fully adjusted models, each interquartile range (16,214 pg/mL) increase in leptin was associated with a significant decrease in FEV 1 (−93.1 mL; 95% confidence interval=−166.2, −20.0) and decrease in FVC (−130.7 mL; 95% confidence interval=−219.4, −42.0). There were no significant associations between leptin and FEV 1 /FVC or between plasma adiponectin with FEV 1 , FVC, or FEV 1 /FVC. Conclusion Plasma leptin in individuals with chronic SCI is inversely associated with FEV 1 and FVC, independently of SCI level and severity and other covariates. This finding suggests that plasma leptin may contribute to reduced pulmonary function in chronic SCI. Level of Evidence II
The Tulane Geological Collections

In 1956 when Harold E. Vokes came to Tulane University to build up the Geology Department and institute a graduate program in Geology and Paleontology, the collections of fossil and recent material consisted of the remnants of what originally had been exhibited at the Louisiana Cotton Centennial Exposition. This exposition, which marked the 100-year anniversary of the shipment of the first bale of cotton from the port of New Orleans, was held in what is now Audubon Park, across St. Charles Avenue from the pre· sent Tulane campus. Like all such expositions at this time, fossils, minerals, zoological specimens, etc., were sent by countries all over the world (there was a beautiful mineral collection from Uruguay, for example). After the exposition ended the material was donated to Tulane University and for the next 70 years comprised a "natural history museum" in the attic of the main administration building, Gibson Hall. However, in 1956, coinciding with Vokes's arrival, the University disbanded the museum and distributed the specimens between the Geology and Biology departments.
Trigger loop dynamics can explain stimulation of intrinsic termination by bacterial RNA polymerase without terminator hairpin contact

In bacteria, intrinsic termination signals cause disassembly of the highly stable elongating transcription complex (EC) over windows of two to three nucleotides after kilobases of RNA synthesis. Intrinsic termination is caused by the formation of a nascent RNA hairpin adjacent to a weak RNA−DNA hybrid within RNA polymerase (RNAP). Although the contributions of RNA and DNA sequences to termination are largely understood, the roles of conformational changes in RNAP are less well described. The polymorphous trigger loop (TL), which folds into the trigger helices to promote nucleotide addition, also is proposed to drive termination by folding into the trigger helices and contacting the terminator hairpin after invasion of the hairpin in the RNAP main cleft [Epshtein V, Cardinale CJ, Ruckenstein AE, Borukhov S, Nudler E (2007) Mol Cell 28:991–1001]. To investigate the contribution of the TL to intrinsic termination, we developed a kinetic assay that distinguishes effects of TL alterations on the rate at which ECs terminate from effects of the TL on the nucleotide addition rate that indirectly affect termination efficiency by altering the time window in which termination can occur. We confirmed that the TL stimulates termination rate, but found that stabilizing either the folded or unfolded TL conformation decreased termination rate. We propose that conformational fluctuations of the TL (TL dynamics), not TL-hairpin contact, aid termination by increasing EC conformational diversity and thus access to favorable termination pathways. We also report that the TL and the TL sequence insertion (SI3) increase overall termination efficiency by stimulating pausing, which increases the flux of ECs into the termination pathway.
Book Review: American Indian Business Principles & Practices

Ethnic minorities in the United States remain underrepresented in a number of occupations and higher positions (Yelamarthi & Mawasha, 2008). This even more true for American Indians, perhaps due to...
Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolus Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background:Nearly 350,000 Americans develop a deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) annually, and nearly 100,000 Americans die from these events. To date, little research has...
Disparities in Familiarity With Developmental Disabilities Among Low-Income Parents

Abstract Objective Parent knowledge about developmental disabilities (DDs) may facilitate access to DD care; however, parents may vary in their knowledge and familiarity with common DDs. This study aimed to assess racial/ethnic and language differences in low-income families’ familiarity, knowledge, and personal experience with DDs. Methods We conducted a child development survey among 539 low-income parents of young children attending visits at the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in 6 Oregon counties in 2015. Survey items assessed parent familiarity with early signs of DDs, self-reported knowledge about DDs, and personal experience with a friend or family member with a DD. Bivariable and multivariable analyses assessed differences in outcomes among non-Latino white (white), Latino English-proficient (Latino-EP), Latino limited–English-proficient (Latino-LEP), and non-Latino other race English-proficient (other race) parents. Results Overall, parent participants correctly identified 64.7% of early signs of DDs. White parents correctly identified the most early signs, even after adjustment for sociodemographic factors. Compared with white parents, Latino-LEP, Latino-EP, and other race parents were less likely to have heard of prevalent DDs, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism, and less likely to have a friend or family member with a DD. Conclusions Low-income Latino-LEP and other race parents have less familiarity or personal experience with DDs and are less aware of early signs of DDs compared to low-income white parents. Study findings suggest that interventions to reduce disparities in DD diagnosis and treatment should include increasing information transfer to parents in racial/ethnic and language minority communities.
Hypusine Biosynthesis in Protein and its Biological Consequences

In 1971, the amino acid known as hypusine was discovered in free form in bovine brain (Shiba et al., 1972). The structure of hypusine was established and confirmed as N6-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)-2, 6-diamino hexanoic acid (Shiba et al., 1982; Tice and Ganem, 1983). Since its discovery, hypusine has been found as a free amino acid (Nakajima et al., 1971) and bound to protein (Sano et al., 1984). Protein-bound hypusine primarily occurred in a protein, M ≃ 18, 000, which was originally observed in lectin-stimulated lymphocytes and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (Park et al., 1981; Cooper et al, 1982). The synthesis of protein-bound hypusine coincides with an increase in protein synthesis (Cooper et al., 1982) and this biochemical process was observed in several mammalian cell lines (Chen, 1983; Torrelio et al., 1984). Because of the ubiquity of the hypusine modification in an Mr ≃ 18, 000 protein and its conservation among eukaryotes (Paric et al., 1984a; Gordon et al., 1987), the biophysical characteristics of the protein were compared to those of known eukaryotic protein translation initiation factors. The MΓ ≃ 18, 000 protein modified by hypusine was identified as the putative eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor eIF-4D (Cooper et al., 1983).
Epibulbar Molluscum Contagiosum in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background: While molluscum contagiosum of the eyelid skin is commonly complicated by conjunctivitis, primary involvement of the conjunctiva or cornea by molluscum lesions is exceedingly rare. The authors studied a 34-year-old man with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in whom multiple molluscum lesions of the lids and a single nodule of the limbus developed. Methods: The nodular lesion was excised from the limbus and processed for histologic examination by light microscopy. Pertinent literature concerning epibulbar molluscum contagiosum was reviewed. Results: Histopathology of the excised lesion showed molluscum bodies within the acanthotic, hyperkeratotic conjunctival epithelium with surrounding chronic, nongranulomatous inflammation. Only 10 previous cases of conjunctival or corneal primary lesions have been reported, half of which showed associated cutaneous involvement. Lesions tended to be single, noninflamed, dome-shaped, and umbilicated, often with a yellowish central core. Patients were otherwise well and ranged in age from 3 to 55 years. Simple excision was effective in eradicating the lesions. Conclusion: Primary epibulbar molluscum contagiosum is rare. Although cutaneous molluscum is common in AIDS, this report is the first to document conjunctival molluscum in a patient with AIDS.
Trauma-informed care and elder abuse: a synergistic alliance

ABSTRACTElder abuse is a global systemic problem in which one or more traumatic or stressful life experiences directly affect older adults, their families, and communities. Despite its devastating ...
Sudden Gains: How Important Are They During Exposure and Response Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Abstract Symptom reduction over the course of cognitive-behavioral therapy is not always distributed evenly across sessions. Some individuals experience a sudden gain, defined as a large, rapid, and stable decrease in symptoms during treatment. Although research documents a link between sudden gains and treatment for depression and anxiety, findings in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) treatment are mixed. The present study investigated the relationship between sudden gains and treatment outcome in 44 adults with OCD and addressed limitations of previous studies by measuring OCD symptoms dimensionally and comparing individuals who experience sudden gains to those who experience gradual gains of similar magnitude. Sudden gains were observed among 27% of participants, with highest rates among individuals with primary contamination symptoms. Participants who experienced a sudden gain had greater OCD symptom reductions at posttreatment (but not at follow-up), and this difference did not persist after controlling for gain magnitude. Thus, the importance of sudden gains during OCD treatment may be limited. Findings are discussed in light of inhibitory learning models of cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Calculated actinide and fission product concentration ratios for gaseous effluent monitoring using monteburns 3.01

Techniques have been developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory for accurately calculating certain spent-fuel isotope concentration ratios for pressurized water reactor assemblies using a linked MCNP/ORIGEN2 code named Monteburns 3.01, without resorting to an assembly or full-core calculation. The effects of various fuel parameters such as the number of radial fuel regions per pin, burnup step size, reactor power, reactivity control mechanisms, and axial profiles have been studied. The significance of each factor was determined. A method was also proposed for calculating spent-fuel inventories as a function of burnup for a wide range of reactors and fuel types. It was determined that accurate calculations can be obtained using a three-dimensional, modified pin cell with seven radial fuel regions and two (flat-flux) axial fuel regions calculated with 2000 MWd/tonne U burnup steps for burnups ranging from 0 to 50 000 MWd/tonne U. The calculational technique was benchmarked to measured values from the Calvert Cliffs Unit 1 reactor, and good agreement from the point of view of calibrating a monitoring instrument was found for most cases.
Conducting Polymer Microtubes for Bioactuators

Conducting polymer (CP) actuators are promising devices for biomedical applications such as artificial muscles and drug delivery systems. Here, we report a tri-layer actuator based on poly(pyrrole) (PPy) microtubes (PPy MTs) doped with poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and constructed on a passive layer of gold-coated poly-propylene (PP) film. The PPy MTs were fabricated using electrochemical deposition of PPy around poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fiber templates, followed by template removal. The PPy MTs were subjected to a redox process using cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M NaPSS electrolyte solution as the potential was swept between –0.8 V and +0.4 V for 5 cycles at the scan rates of 10, 50, 100, and 200 mV/s. The bending behavior of the PPy MTs actuator was investigated by measuring the deflection of actuator tip resulting from the expansion/contraction strain of PPy MTs. The PPy MTs actuator showed a reversible bending movement during each potential cycle. The maximum deflection of actuator decreased by increasing the scan rate that was confirmed by calculating the actuation strain generated during each cycle at various scan rates.
Stimulant Use and Study Protocol Completion: Assessing the Ability of Men Who Have Sex with Men to Collect Dried Blood Spots for Laboratory Measurement of HIV Viral Load

Stimulant use is associated with higher HIV viral load (VL) and sexual HIV transmission risk among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. There is little research on willingness of drug users living with HIV to fully participate in studies, especially those involving self-collection of biomarker data. This study presents findings from an at-home dried blood spot collection study measuring laboratory-quantified VL among U.S. HIV-positive MSM who reported high-risk sexual behavior and/or suboptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence to assess the association between drug-use behavior and (1) ability to complete a study protocol and (2) VL outcomes. Among recruited participants (n = 766), 35% reported stimulant drug use (amphetamines, cocaine, crack, crystal meth, ecstasy, or a combination of stimulant drugs), 39% reported using other drugs (heroin, marijuana, prescription opioids, and others), and 27% reported no drug use in the past 3 months. In all, 61% of enrolled participants completed the study protocol. Stimulant drug users were less likely (ARR 0.84; 95% CI 0.72–0.98) to complete the protocol than other drug users. Furthermore, other drug users were significantly less likely than non-drug users (ARR 0.52; 95% CI 0.28–0.97) to have an HIV VL result ≥ 1500 copies/mL. This study provides important estimates regarding the likelihood of participation in biomedical research activities among HIV-positive MSM with varying drug-use behaviors, showing that it is feasible to conduct such biomedical studies with drug-using MSM who report high-risk sexual behavior and struggle with their ART adherence.
Are the beneficial effects of 'antioxidant' lipoic acid mediated through metabolism of reactive sulfur species?

Abstract The health benefits of lipoic acid (LA) are generally attributed to mitigating the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are chemically similar to reactive sulfur species (RSS) and signal through identical mechanisms. Here we examined the effects of LA on RSS in HEK293 cells using H2S and polysulfide (PS) specific fluorophores, AzMC and SSP4. We show that LA concentration-dependently increased both H2S and PS. Physioxia (5% O2) augmented the effects of LA on H2S production but decreased PS production. Thiosulfate, a known substrate for reduced LA, and an intermediate in the catabolism of H2S enhanced the effects of LA on H2S and PS production. Inhibiting peroxiredoxins with conoidin A and gluraredoxins with tiopronin augmented the effects of LA on PS and H2S, respectively while decreasing glutathione with buthionine-sulfoximine (BSO) or diethyl maleate (DEM) decreased the stimulatory effect of LA on H2S production but augmented LA's effect on PS. Aminooxyacetate (AOA) and propargylglycine (PPG), inhibitors of H2S production from cysteine partially inhibited LA augmentation of H2S production and further decreased the LA effect when applied concurrently with BSO and DEM. The selective and cell-permeable H2S scavenger, SS20, inhibited the effects of LA on cellular H2S. Estimates of single-cell H2S production suggest that 0.1–0.2% of O2 consumption is used to metabolize H2S and these requirements may increase to 1–2% with 1 mM LA. Collectively, these results suggest that LA rescues H2S from irreversible oxidation and that the effects of LA on RSS directly confer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective responses. They also suggest that TS may be an effective supplement to increase the efficacy of LA in clinical settings.
Trump’s ‘Immployment’ Law Agenda: Intensifying Employment-Based Enforcement and Un-authorizing the Authorized

This article considers President Trump’s immigration efforts through an immployment law lens. Immployment is a conceptual frame that reminds us to consider (1) immigration policy’s impacts on employers and the employment-based rights of workers, and (2) employment and labor law’s impacts on immigration policy. It draws from available enforcement data to argue that Trump’s regime is intensifying the use of workplace-based immigration enforcement tools such as audits of employer records and arrests of workers at their place of work. While his predecessors used these tools too, Trump is simultaneously pursuing both high profile worker arrests and bureaucratic audits as key tools of a more aggressive immigration enforcement strategy. The Trump administration is also deviating from his predecessors by un-authorizing large groups of authorized workers. The article focuses its attention primarily on one such targeted group, workers with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who may soon lose their authorization. It also uses interviews with two dozen immigrant worker advocates in the New York City metropolitan area to convey the ways that the threat of workplace-based immigration enforcement and un-authorization efforts are consequential for workers and the government compliance and benefits regimes that rely on voluntary participation of immigrant workers.
The Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction: History, Motivations and Benefits

The Hawke’s Bay wine region, located on the East Coast of the North Island, is New Zealand’s oldest and second largest wine-producing region. In 2018, the region consisted of 72 wineries, over 145 grape growers and a vineyard area of approximately 4700 hectares (www.hawkesbaywine.co.nz). Production in the region is centred on premium red wine varietals (i.e. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah) and Chardonnay. Wineries in the region have been supporting the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction since its inception. This chapter introduces readers to the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction and examines the motivations of the wineries who donate, as well as the benefits they perceive they gain from their participation in the auction. This chapter also introduces readers to other annual charity wine auctions held around the world.