cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage rates among HIV-infected adults following widespread pediatric use of conjugate pneumococcal vaccine-13

ABSTRACTBackground: Nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage rates among HIV-infected adults has not been described since conjugate pneumococcal vaccine-13 (PCV13) was added to the universal infant and childhood vaccination schedule in 2010. Methods: HIV-infected adults presenting for routine health care visits to the Designated AIDS Center in Syracuse, NY between December 2013 and June 2015 were eligible for enrollment. Demographic, medical, and social history were recorded after obtaining informed consent. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected and cultured for the presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae using standard microbiologic techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using E-test→. Results: 707 nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 414 HIV-infected adults. 18 samples were culture positive for S. pneumoniae; 1 (6%) isolate was of vaccine-type, 9 (50%) were non-vaccine types, and 8 (44%) were non-typeable. The 18 isolates were recovered from 15 different patients (4% of those enrolle...
Simultaneous Idiopathic Adrenal Hemorrhage and Renal Vein Thrombosis in the Newborn

We report the simultaneous occurrence of renal venous thrombosis and idiopathic adrenal hemorrhage in 2 newborns. Definitive diagnosis can be determined with various laboratory and radiographic diagnostic studies, particularly radioisotope renal scanning and ultrasonography. Familiarity with the appropriate studies for evaluation of the newborn with an abdominal mass may avoid unnecessary surgical exploration.
From attitude to action: What shapes attitude toward walking to/from school and how does it influence actual behaviors?

Walking to/from school could promote children's physical activity and help combat childhood obesity. Parental attitudes have been identified as one of the important predictors. But it is unclear what factors shape parental attitudes, and how those in turn influence children's school travel. This study addresses this gap of knowledge by examining the mediating effect of parental attitudes for the relationships between personal, social, and built environmental factors and children's walking-to/from-school behaviors. Survey data (N=2597) were collected from 20 public elementary schools in Austin, Texas, measuring students' typical school travel mode; personal, social, and built environmental factors related to walking-to/from-school; and relevant parental attitudes. The analysis was conducted in M-plus 6.11 to test the proposed conceptual framework using a structural equation model (SEM). Parental attitudes showed significant mediating effects on walking-to/from-school behaviors. Older child, positive peer influence, walkable home-to-school distance, and favorable walking environments were associated with more enjoyment and lower attitudinal barriers, and in turn increased likelihood of walking to/from school. Being Hispanic, increased car ownership, and stronger traffic safety concerns reduced enjoyment and increased attitudinal barriers, and thus decreased likelihood of walking to/from school. This study highlighted the importance of using multilevel interventions to reduce attitudinal barriers and increase enjoyment of walking to/from school. Collaborations among different stakeholders are needed to address environmental issues (e.g., safety concerns) and social factors (e.g., peer influence), while being sensitive to personal factors (e.g., age, ethnicity, and car ownership). Keywords SR2S.Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc. Language: en
Consultants and Field Locations

There are two important guidelines for choosing a field site. First, go somewhere you want to be (since it’s you who’s going to go there, you should have some reason for going, even if it’s a fairly vague reason). Secondly, go somewhere where people would like to work with you (or at least wouldn’t mind).1
Radiation Therapy and Cardiac Death in Long-Term Survivors of Esophageal Cancer: An Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result Database.

Objective Radiation therapy (RT) for esophageal cancer often results in unintended radiation doses delivered to the heart owing to anatomic proximity. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we examined late cardiac death in survivors of esophageal cancer that had or had not received RT. Methods 5,630 patients were identified that were diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or adenocarcinoma (AC) from 1973–2012, who were followed for at least 5 years after therapy. Examined risk factors for cardiac death included age (≤55/56-65/66-75/>75), gender, race (white/non-white), stage (local/regional/distant), histology (SCC/AC), esophageal location (<18cm/18-24cm/25-32cm/33-40cm from incisors), diagnosis year (1973-1992/1993-2002/2003-2012), and receipt of surgery and/or RT. Time to cardiac death was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox model was used to evaluate risk factors for cardiac death in propensity score matched data. Results Patients who received RT were younger, diagnosed more recently, had more advanced disease, SCC histology, and no surgery. The RT group had higher risk of cardiac death than the no-RT group (log-rank p<0.0001). The median time to cardiac death in the RT group was 289 months (95% CI, 255–367) and was not reached in the no-RT group. The probability of cardiac death increased with age and decreased with diagnosis year, and this trend was more pronounced in the RT group. Multivariate analysis found RT to be associated with higher probability of cardiac death (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03–1.47, HR 1.961, 95% CI 1.466–2.624). Lower esophageal subsite (33–40 cm) was also associated with a higher risk of cardiac death. Other variables were not associated with cardiac death. Conclusions Recognizing the limitations of a SEER analysis including lack of comorbidity accountability, these data should prompt more definitive study as to whether a possible associative effect of RT on cardiac death could potentially be a causative effect.
Do patients care about the age of their general practitioner? A questionnaire survey in five practices.

BACKGROUND. Previous work has suggested that some patients like their doctors to adopt a paternal or maternal role. AIM. This study set out to establish whether or not patients had preferences with regard to the age of their general practitioner and also to see whether they attributed various characteristics to younger or older doctors. METHOD. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 500 patients attending five general practices in Lothian, Scotland. RESULTS. Significant numbers of patients attributed different characteristics to older or younger doctors. Older doctors were more likely to be attributed positive attributes such as being thorough, kind, and willing to listen. The mean preferred age was 42 years. This varied slightly with the age of patients, from 40 years for patients under the age of 25 years to 45 years for those over 60 years. Of patients, 58% thought the age of their doctor was unimportant, but many were unhappy about seeing very young doctors (20-25 years, n = 195) or old doctors (66-75 years, n = 193). CONCLUSION. Patients did not seem concerned about the age of their doctor as long as he or she was of an age normally practising in the United Kingdom (27-65 years). They had some stereotyped views on the characteristics of older and younger doctors, but these were not held particularly strongly. Patients appeared to want a balance with the doctor being experienced and being up to date.
Use of proximal operator graph solver for radiation therapy inverse treatment planning

PURPOSE Most radiation therapy optimization problems can be formulated as an unconstrained problem and solved efficiently by quasi-Newton methods such as the Limited-memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (L-BFGS) algorithm. However, several next generation planning techniques such as total variation regularization- based optimization and MV+kV optimization, involve constrained or mixed-norm optimization, and cannot be solved by quasi-Newton methods. Using standard optimization algorithms on such problems often leads to prohibitively long optimization times and large memory requirements. This work investigates the use of a recently developed proximal operator graph solver (POGS) in solving such radiation therapy optimization problems. METHODS Radiation therapy inverse treatment planning was formulated as a graph form problem, and the proximal operators of POGS for quadratic optimization were derived. POGS was exploited for the first time to impose hard dose constraints along with soft constraints in the objective function. The solver was applied to several clinical treatment sites (TG119, liver, prostate, and head&neck), and the results were compared to the solutions obtained by other commercial and non-commercial optimizers. RESULTS For inverse planning optimization with nonnegativity box constraints on beamlet intensity, the speed of POGS can compete with that of LBFGSB in some situations. For constrained and mixed-norm optimization, POGS is about one or two orders of magnitude faster than the other solvers while requiring less computer memory. CONCLUSIONS POGS was used for solving inverse treatment planning problems involving constrained or mixed-norm formulation on several example sites. This approach was found to improve upon standard solvers in terms of computation speed and memory usage, and is capable of solving traditionally difficult problems, such as total variation regularization-based optimization and combined MV+kV optimization.
Comparative effectiveness assessment of a lung cancer multidisciplinary practice to improve patient care.

e16523 Background: Multidisciplinary focused-care teams have shown beneficial outcomes in diagnosis and treatment in cancer patients as well as assist in providing accessible, cohesive and continuo...
Merits of Invasive Strategy in Diabetic Patients With Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

An invasive strategy (coronary angiography with intent to perform revascularization) and an ischemia‐guided strategy are 2 commonly used approaches to treat patients with non‐ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE‐ACSs). These strategies are not mutually exclusive. Patients treated
Predictors of change in cognitive processing therapy for veterans in a residential PTSD treatment program

Objective Cognitive processing therapy is an evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, questions remain regarding variability in treatment response. Method A total of 123 veterans participated in group-based cognitive processing therapy (CPT) in residential PTSD treatment. Change over time in PTSD symptoms was modeled as a function of selected demographic and clinical variables. Results PTSD checklist (PCL) scores decreased by an average of 1 point per session (standard deviation [SD] = 0.1). Initial PCL scores were predicted by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (γ01 = 0.25; standard error [SE] = 0.08), Insomnia Severity Index (γ02 = 0.53; SE = 0.15), and Infrequency (F) scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (γ03 = 0.09; SE = 0.04). Rate of change was predicted by the Somatic Complaints (RC1) scale (γ11 = -0.03; SE = 0.01) and the Antisocial Behavior (RC4) scale (γ12 = 0.02; SE = 0.01). Conclusions These results provide insight into characteristics that may influence degree of benefit received from group-based CPT.
Connectivity of inhomogeneous random key graphs intersecting inhomogeneous Erdős-Rényi graphs

We study the connectivity of a random graph formed by the intersection of an inhomogeneous random key graph with an inhomogeneous Erdős-Renyi graph. The former graph is naturally induced by a heterogeneous random key predistribution scheme introduced for securing wireless sensor network communications. In this scheme, nodes are divided into r classes according to a probability distribution μ = {μ 1 ,…, μ r }, and a class-i sensor is assigned Ki cryptographic keys that are selected uniformly at random from a common pool of P keys. The latter graph represents a heterogeneous on/off channel model, where the wireless channel between a class-j node and a class-j node is on (resp. off) with probability α ij (resp. 1 − α ij ) independently from others. We present conditions on how to scale the parameters of the intersection model so that it is connected with high probability as the number of nodes gets large. The result is given in the form of a zero-one law and is supported by a numerical study in the finite-node regime.
Towards low-profile transmitarrays: Multi-objective tradeoffs of inhomogeneous and anisotropic near-field transforming lenses

Transmitarray antenna performance is limited by the amplitude and phase uniformity of the illumination source. Horns are a common feed-source for transmitarrays, but require large separation distances in order to provide uniform illumination, thus, limiting the ability to realize low-profile horn-fed transmitarray systems. In order to overcome this challenge, transformation optics inspired lenses can be introduced to redistribute the horn's near field and provide uniform phase and magnitude illumination on the transmitarray within a compact space.
How often is sinus surgery performed for chronic rhinosinusitis with versus without nasal polyps

BackgroundThere currently are no data on the relative frequency of endoscopic sinus surgeries (ESS) performed for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) versus chronic rhinosinusitis ...
Real-space pseudopotential calculations for simulating noncontact atomic force microscopy images

Noncontact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) with a CO-functionalized tip yields high resolution images under many situations. However, nc-AFM images are sometimes difficult to interpret when visualizing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The authors employ real-space pseudopotentials constructed using density functional theory to simulate nc-AFM images of benzene and dibenzo(cd,n)naphtho(3,2,1,8-pqra)perylene molecules with selected probe tips (such as CO, H2, N2, Br, and CH2O). The selected tips provide accurate simulations, save for the tip functionalized with a Br atom. The authors find contrast inversion with CO and N2 tips at small tip heights and image distortion with the CH2O tip.Noncontact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) with a CO-functionalized tip yields high resolution images under many situations. However, nc-AFM images are sometimes difficult to interpret when visualizing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The authors employ real-space pseudopotentials constructed using density functional theory to simulate nc-AFM images of benzene and dibenzo(cd,n)naphtho(3,2,1,8-pqra)perylene molecules with selected probe tips (such as CO, H2, N2, Br, and CH2O). The selected tips provide accurate simulations, save for the tip functionalized with a Br atom. The authors find contrast inversion with CO and N2 tips at small tip heights and image distortion with the CH2O tip.
Creative Casanovas: Mating Strategy Predicts Using—but Not Preferring—Atypical Flirting Tactics

Although flirting behaviors tend to be covert, subtle signals of sexual interest, people are routinely able to employ and decipher such signals successfully to attract mates. Flirting research often focuses on the accuracy of interpreting flirting signals, but the creation and employment of flirting signals has been understudied. The present set of studies examined whether mating strategy would impact preferences for typical or atypical flirting behaviors. In study 1, we conducted an act nomination followed by two rounds of pilot testing to generate a set of flirting behaviors rated on typicality and effectiveness (total N = 416). For study 2, participants (N = 396) read scenarios in which an opposite sex individual showed sexual interest in them, and then chose a response from a set of flirting behaviors that varied in typicality. Consistent with our hypothesis, pursuing a short-term mating strategy was associated with selecting more atypical behaviors. Finally, study 3 explored whether short-term mating would also be associated with preferring atypical flirting behaviors when one is the target rather than the initiator. Participants (N = 486) responded to the same scenarios and flirting behavior options as in study 2 but this time selected which flirting behavior would be most attractive to them as the target. Interestingly, the relationship between mating strategy and typicality of flirting behaviors disappeared; almost all participants preferred the initiator to use the most typical flirting behavior. The apparent mismatch for short-term maters between flirting strategies employed and preferred is discussed.
Is the water–gas shift reaction on Pt simple?: Computer-aided microkinetic model reduction, lumped rate expression, and rate-determining step

Abstract The water–gas shift (WGS) is an essential process in hydrogen production from hydrocarbon and biomass fuel processing. Recently, it was shown that the chemistry of the WGS reaction on Pt is complex and depends critically on the oxidation of CO by adsorbed OH and H2O, mainly via the carboxyl intermediate [A.B. Mhadeshwar, D.G. Vlachos, J. Phys. Chem. B 108 (2004) 15246]. On the other hand, previous one-step rate expressions in the literature have described experimental data reasonably well. Here, starting from a comprehensive microkinetic model, we derive a reduced microkinetic model consisting of elementary reaction steps using principal component analysis and then develop a one-step rate expression for WGS on Pt using a posteriori analysis. It is shown that the rate-determining step of WGS on Pt is the oxidation of CO by H2O, but the effective reaction rate constant and reaction orders are concentration dependent. Finally, the effect of uncertainty in reaction rate constants on the rate-determining step is discussed.
Poincare Connections in Flat Spacetime

In flat spacetime, as a simple 4-vector, a particle's 4-velocity cannot be changed by translation. Parallel translation then produces constant velocity, motion without force. Here we consider a richer, but less well-known, representation of the Poincare group of symmetries of flat spacetime in which translation adds a non-linear connection term to the 4-vector. Then 4-vectors can be meaningfully parallel translated, curved geodesics can be developed, and the curvature for the connection can be found. By adding an assumption, that the arc length is calculated with a position dependent metric, it is shown that a geodesic has a 4-acceleration which is the sum of a Christoffel connection term and a term that is the scalar product of 4-velocity and an antisymmetric tensor. This is just like the force law obeyed by a charged, massive particle in general relativity. Thus the dynamical laws of electrodynamics and general relativity can be deduced as geodesic equations from the way particle proper time depends on position and the way 4-vectors can change upon translation in flat spacetime.
Mathematical Modeling in Cancer

Cancer is a complex, dynamical system that includes continuous interactions between evolving cancer cells and their spatially and temporally heterogeneous microenvironment. Despite intense research for decades, a comprehensive model of the cancer system remains elusive. Furthermore, failure to organize the vast extant data on cancer into a comprehensive theoretical framework has undoub­tedly contributed to the steady mortality for cancer in the past 50 years compared to the marked decline observed in, for example, cardiovascular disease.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anger and Aggression in a Child With Tourette’s Syndrome:

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by vocal and motor tics. Children with TS often also exhibit disruptive behaviors including sudden anger outbursts acco...
The Reverberations of the Abolitionist Debate in the Italian States

The chapter is concerned with the international treaties and agreements related to the abolition of the slave trade and of slavery and with the juridical abolitions of internal slavery in the pre-unitarian Italian states. Both types of abolitions were often imposed by two main external powers, France and Great Britain. Different geographical areas were subjected to difference diplomatic influences. I highlight the contradiction between a campaign against the Atlantic slave trade and, tangentially, Mediterranean slavery, and the persistence of slavery in most of the Italian states, in particular in the Papal States. Pope Gregory XVI promulgated the apostolic letter In supremo apostolatus (1839), and the Holy See was also involved in this “Italian campaign” against the slave trade. I also analyse the abolitionist debate in the wider Italian context, discussing the abolitionist argument against the Atlantic slave trade and slavery as it was presented in Italian newspapers, annals and books; particular attention is dedicated to an analysis of articles from the Florentine newspaper Antologia, which was edited by Vieusseux. These analyses provide concrete evidence of the participation of Italian abolitionists in European intellectual networks.
Wilms and Other Pediatric Renal Tumors

Wilms tumor or nephroblastoma is the most common pediatric abdominal, malignant tumor, representing about 5–6% of all childhood cancer. The North American approach to these tumors involves initial nephrectomy followed by chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy (RT). In Europe, preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery and postoperative chemotherapy with or without RT is the usual sequence of treatment. Despite the difference between the two approaches, survival for Wilms tumor is excellent for children in North America and Europe with more than 90% alive at 5 years [1]. Most of these patients will have favorable histology subtype with only 10% having anaplastic Wilms tumor. In addition to histology, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in 1p and 16q has been associated with worse outcome [2]. Other renal tumors such as clear cell sarcoma and rhabdoid tumor have been included in studies from the National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS) and Children’s Oncology Group (COG), but they are not subtypes of Wilms tumor.
ROMOP: a light-weight R package for interfacing with OMOP-formatted electronic health record data.

Author(s): Glicksberg, Benjamin S; Oskotsky, Boris; Giangreco, Nicholas; Thangaraj, Phyllis M; Rudrapatna, Vivek; Datta, Debajyoti; Frazier, Remi; Lee, Nelson; Larsen, Rick; Tatonetti, Nicholas P; Butte, Atul J | Abstract: Objectives:Electronic health record (EHR) data are increasingly used for biomedical discoveries. The nature of the data, however, requires expertise in both data science and EHR structure. The Observational Medical Out-comes Partnership (OMOP) common data model (CDM) standardizes the language and structure of EHR data to promote interoperability of EHR data for research. While the OMOP CDM is valuable and more attuned to research purposes, it still requires extensive domain knowledge to utilize effectively, potentially limiting more widespread adoption of EHR data for research and quality improvement. Materials and methods:We have created ROMOP: an R package for direct interfacing with EHR data in the OMOP CDM format. Results:ROMOP streamlines typical EHR-related data processes. Its functions include exploration of data types, extraction and summarization of patient clinical and demographic data, and patient searches using any CDM vocabulary concept. Conclusion:ROMOP is freely available under the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) license and can be obtained from GitHub (http://github.com/BenGlicksberg/ROMOP). We detail instructions for setup and use in the Supplementary Materials. Additionally, we provide a public sandbox server containing synthesized clinical data for users to explore OMOP data and ROMOP (http://romop.ucsf.edu).
Survey of Mast Cell Mediator Levels from Patients Presenting with Symptoms of Mast Cell Activation

Introduction Although 4 mast cell mediators can be routinely measured, the results of initial testing to evaluate symptoms of mast cell activation have not been widely reported. Objective We examined the results of mast cell mediator tests used to assess patients with mast cell activation symptoms during a 5-year time span. Methods After excluding patients with alternative diagnoses, records of 108 patients were reviewed for initial mediator test results. Mediators included serum tryptase plus urinary N-methyl histamine (N-MH), leukotriene (LT)E4, and 11β-prostaglandin (PG) F2α or 2,3-dinor-11β-PGF2α (BPG). Results Most commonly, either a single measured elevation of 1 mediator (48.1%) or elevations of 2 (33.3%) mediators was found at baseline, during symptoms or at both time points. Elevated levels of a single mediator in order of frequency were: BPG > tryptase > LTE4 > N-MH, and for two mediators: BPG + tryptase (n = 16 cases) > BPG + LTE4 (n = 9) > BPG + N-MH (n = 6). Elevations in 3 mediators (n = 8) or 4 mediators (n = 2) were much less frequent. Monoclonal mast cell activation syndrome (n = 6), and systemic and cutaneous mastocytosis (n = 4) were also infrequent. Baseline plus symptom-associated tryptase values were obtained in only 7 patients. Conclusions This survey suggests that elevations of 1 or 2 mediators are the most common (total 81.4% of cases) findings from initial tests for mast cell activation. Elevated levels of BPG were most commonly found both singly and in combination with other mediators, followed by the finding of elevated levels of tryptase. Baseline plus symptom-associated tryptase levels were measured in only a minority of patients.
Host “cleansing zone” at secondary contact: a new pattern in host-parasite population genetics

Abstract We introduce a new pattern of population genetic structure in a host-parasite system that can arise after secondary contact (SC) of previously isolated populations. Due to different generation time and therefore different tempo of molecular evolution the host and parasite populations reach different degrees of genetic differentiation during their separation (e.g. in refugia). Consequently, during the SC the host populations are able to re-establish a single panmictic population across the whole recolonized area, while the parasite populations stop their dispersal at the SC zone and create a narrow hybrid zone (HZ). From the host’s perspective, the parasite’s HZ functions on a microevolutionary scale as a “host-cleansing filter”: while passing from area A to area B, the hosts are rid of the area A parasites and acquire the area B parasites. We demonstrate this novel pattern on a model composed of Apodemus mice and Polyplax lice by comparing maternally inherited markers (complete mitochondrial genomes, and complete genomes of vertically transmitted symbiont Legionella polyplacis) with SNPs derived from the louse genomic data. We discuss circumstances which may lead to this pattern and possible reasons why it has been overlooked in the studies on host-parasite population genetics.
Physical Examination Is Predictive of Cauda Equina Syndrome: MRI to Rule Out Diagnosis Is Unnecessary.

Study Design:Cross-sectional cohort study.Objectives:Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a neurologic emergency, and delay in diagnosis can result in irreversible impairment. Our purpose was to determin...
Disparities in outpatient visits for mental health and/or substance use disorders during the COVID surge and partial reopening in Massachusetts.

Abstract Objective To examine changes in outpatient visits for mental health and/or substance use disorders (MH/SUD) in an integrated healthcare organization during the initial Massachusetts COVID-19 surge and partial state reopening. Methods Observational study of outpatient MH/SUD visits January 1st-June 30th, 2018–2020 by: 1) visit diagnosis group, 2) provider type, 3) patient race/ethnicity, 4) insurance, and 5) visit method (telemedicine vs. in-person). Results Each year, January–June 52,907–73,184 patients were seen for a MH/SUD visit. While non-MH/SUD visits declined during the surge relative to 2020 pre-pandemic (−38.2%), MH/SUD visits increased (9.1%)—concentrated in primary care (35.3%) and non-Hispanic Whites (10.5%). During the surge, MH visit volume increased 11.7% while SUD decreased 12.7%. During partial reopening, while MH visits returned to 2020 pre-pandemic levels, SUD visits declined 31.1%; MH/SUD visits decreased by Hispanics (−33.0%) and non-Hispanic Blacks (−24.6%), and among Medicaid (−19.4%) and Medicare enrollees (−20.9%). Telemedicine accounted for ~5% of MH/SUD visits pre-pandemic and 83.3%–83.5% since the surge. Conclusions MH/SUD visit volume increased during the COVID surge and was supported by rapidly-scaled telemedicine. Despite this, widening diagnostic and racial/ethnic disparities in MH/SUD visit volume during the surge and reopening suggest additional barriers for these vulnerable populations, and warrant continued monitoring and research.
Invisible villain: high perceived stress, its associated factors and possible consequences in a population-based survey in southern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION Much of the evidence on the relationship between stress, lifestyle and other physical and mental health outcomes comes from studies conducted in high-income countries. Thus, there is a need for research among populations of low- and middle-income settings. OBJECTIVE The aim of this manuscript was to measure levels of stress, as well as to identify associated factors and health consequences of high stress level. METHODS This was a population-based cross-sectional study, carried out in 2016, with adults aged 18 years or older in a municipality in southern Brazil. Sampling strategy was conducted in two stages based on census tracts. Stress level was measured through Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). The impact of high stress level on each outcome was assessed by etiologic fraction (EF). RESULTS Groups most stressed were: females (PR=1.51, 95%CI 1.25-1.81), younger (PR=1.76, 95%CI 1.26-2.46) and middle-aged individuals (PR=1.60, 95%CI 1.17-2.19), with lower schooling (PR=1.56, 95%CI 1.20-2.02), physically inactive (PR=1.51, 95%CI 1.20-1.91), with three or more hours of television time per day (PR=1.29, 95%CI 1.12-1.50), and with food insecurity (PR=1.44, 95%CI 1.19-175). Possible consequences of high stress level were regular or poor self-perception of health (EF=29.6%), poor or very poor sleep quality (EF=17.3%), lower quality of life (EF=45.6%), sadness (EF=24.2%), and depressive symptoms (EF=35.8%). CONCLUSIONS Stress plays an important role in several domains of health. Both public policies that target reduction of inequalities and specific stress-management interventions can reduce stress levels of population, therefore decreasing the burden of other negative physical and mental health outcomes related to stress.
Negotiating doctoral STEM studies: An In-depth look at the Black woman impostor

This qualitative study investigated how the impostor syndrome influenced Black women's experiences pursuing terminal degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at a research institution in the southwestern United States. As a Black female researcher engaging with participants through one-on-one interviews, I used Collins’s (2006) Black Feminist Thought (BFT) tenets to collect and analyze data to understand the participants' doctoral journey. Race and gender regularly intersected to shape how they experienced the impostor syndrome during their doctoral journey. Findings revealed participants with low or moderate impostor feelings tended to have positive experiences while those who had frequent or intense impostor feelings had a more tumultuous academic journey. This study does not only highlight the need for continued research on reducing the impostor syndrome's influence on doctoral women in STEM fields but challenges higher education institutions to make concerted efforts to address their needs.
Hormonal control of calcium ingestion: The effects of neonatal manipulations of the gonadal steroids both during and after critical stages in development on the calcium ingestion of male and female rats

Female rats ingest greater amounts of calcium than do their male counterparts. We inquired into the endocrine regulation of this phenomenon. We replicated our earlier findings that virgin mature females ingest more calcium than males do. We also found that neonatal gonadectomy (1 day) during critical stages in development, but not after (30 days), resulted in female rats’ decreasing their calcium ingestion when tested when mature. We found that neonatal gonadectomy in males resulted in increased calcium ingestion behavior. Taken in conjunction with our earlier results, which showed that adult gonadectomy (60 days) had no effect on calcium ingestion, these results demonstrate that neonatal circulation of gonadal steroids induce organizational changes in the brain to alter calcium ingestion.
Reframing Public Policy: Discursive Politics and Deliberative Practices

Introduction 1. Making Social Science Relevant: Policy Inquiry in Critical Perspective PUBLIC POLICY AND THE DISCURSIVE CONSTRUCTION OF REALITY 2. Constructing Policy Theory: Ideas and Discourse 3. Public Policy and Discourse Construct: Multiple Realities and Interpretative Understanding PUBLIC POLICY AND DISCURSIVE POLITICS 4. Public Policy and Discursive Analysis 5. Policy Discourse versus Advocacy Coalitions: Interpreting Policy Change and Learning DISCURSIVE POLICY INQUIRY: RESTITUTING EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS 6. Postempiricist Foundations: Social Constructionism and Practical Discourse 7. Interpreting Public Policy: Analytical and Methodological Perspectives 8. Public Policy as Narrative: Stories, Frames, and Metanarratives 9. The Argumentative Turn: Policy Analysis as Discursive Practice DELIBERATIVE GOVERNANCE 10. Citizens and Experts: Democratizing Policy Deliberations 11. The Deliberative Policy Analyst: Theoretical Issues and Practical Challenges
SVM classification to predict two stranded anti-parallel coiled coils based on protein sequence data

Coiled coils is an important 3-D protein structure with two or more stranded alpha-helical motif wounded around to form a “knobs-into-holes” structure. In this paper we propose an SVM classification approach to predict the two stranded anti-parallel coiled coils structure based on the primary amino acid sequence. The training dataset for the machine learning are collected from SOCKET database which is a SOCKET algorithm predicted coiled coils database. Total 41 sequences of at least two heptad repeats of the two stranded anti-parallel coiled coils motif are extracted from 12 proteins as the positive datasets. Total 37 of non coiled coils sequences and two stranded parallel coiled coils motif are extracted from 5 proteins as negative datasets. The normalized positional weight matrix on each heptad register a, b, c, d, e, f and g is from SOCKET database and is used to generate the positional weight on each entry. We performed SVM classification using the cross-validated datasets as training and testing groups. Our result shows 73% accuracy on the prediction of two stranded anti-parallel coiled coils based on the cross-validated data. The result suggests a useful approach of using SVM to classify the two stranded anti-parallel coiled coils based on the primary amino acid sequence.
CHANGES IN SALIVARY FLOW PRODUCED BY CHANGES IN FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.

ABSTRACT Significant changes in salivary flow are shown to occur in association with disturbances of solute and fluid balance. For example, significant reductions in salivary flow were observed in dehydration and untreated diabetes insipidus. In the patients with diabetes insipidus after either pitressin or the forcing of fluids, the salivary flow returned to the normal range, which confirmed the hypothesis that water load was the primary cause for the salivary flow changes. The reductions in salivary flow observed in patients with cardiac failure, uremia and edema present a practical problem in relation to mouth care and control of fluid intake. From the data presented it is suggested that salivary flow can be altered by: (1) changes in intracellular hydration, (2) changes in salivary gland blood flow, (3) changes in metabolic composition of intra-and extra-cellular fluid, and (4) gastric and oral factors. Further study is required to clarify the physiological mechanisms causing these alterations in salivary flow and to relate them to the associated patho-physiological changes present in a particular clinical problem. In all patients complaining of thirst a reduction in salivary flow was observed.
Jews in Early Modern Europe: The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries

In recent decades, research has pointed to an early modern period, in which great transformation took place. By focusing on local studies, scholars have recognized that Jews and Christians residing in Europe interacted with one another, sharing daily experiences as well as important cultural developments. The Jews living in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries experienced many changes, first and foremost among them demographic migrations. Developments such as the Renaissance, the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, the Scientific Revolution, and the invention of moveable type altered life for Jews and Christians of Europe alike. Further research in this field should include social history, as well as the transregional connections between Jews living in different regions.
Canted spiral: An exact ground state of X X Z zigzag spin ladders

We derive the exact ground states for a one-dimensional family of $S=1/2$ $XXZ$ Hamiltonians on the zigzag ladder. These states exhibit true long-range spiral order that spontaneously breaks the $U(1)$ invariance of the Hamiltonian. Besides breaking a continuous symmetry in $d=1$, this spiral ordering has a ferromagnetic component along the symmetry axis that can take any value between zero and full saturation. In this sense, our canted spiral solutions are a generalization of the SU(2) Heisenberg ferromagnet to nonzero ordering wave vectors of the transverse spin components. We extend this result to the $d=2$ anisotropic triangular lattice.
Mirroring Modernity: on consumerism in cosmopolitan Zanzibar

This essay develops an image of nineteenth century Zanzibari consumer sensibilities by demonstrating how goods from and new engagements with distant locales affected the socio-cultural landscape of Zanzibar. The East African port’s particular cosmopolitanism represents one form of social reconstitution stimulated by global integration. It also represents a material vision of global relations that was discounted by nineteenth century theorizations of Western modernity. By focusing on the rise of a new materiality in Zanzibar, I excavate precolonial visions of global relations and cultural assimilations of global symbols. I argue that East African desires for goods produced all over the globe represented not simply a Westernization, Indicization, or Arabization of Zanzibar, but also a reconfiguration of a standardized set of global materials in an attempt to bring Zanzibari cultural forms into conversation with broader global trends.
Absorption and Fluorescent Characteristics of the Brown Tide Chrysophyte Its Role on Light Reduction in Coastal Marine Environments

Novel phytoplankton blooms, in particular those detrimental to coastal marine resources, can be conveniently placed into two broad categories. One is where toxic substances produced by the alga detrimently affect the other species growth or aspects of metabolism of other species. The other is where the sheer magnitude of the bloom changes environmental conditions which leads to the demise of other species.
Mother to Child Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission Trials

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) can occur through three major routes: through the placental barrier during gestation, via contact with maternal bodily fluids during labor and delivery, and by ingestion of breast milk after delivery; most MTCT is believed to occur close to the time of or during childbirth. Prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) is one of the most successful areas in HIV clinical research. Interventions to prevent MTCT have been developed for two different settings: the United States and other developed countries with access to medications, medical infrastructure, and safe replacement feeding so that breastfeeding can be discouraged; and resource-limited countries with limited access to medications and clean water, and where breastfeeding is critical. This article describes four important PMTCT randomized trials, including two trials of key interventions used in developed countries and two trials of interventions feasible in resource-limited settings. Keywords: HIV ; mother-to-child transmission; antiretroviral; breastfeeding; elective cesarean section
Elderly Black Farm Women: A Population at Risk

Elderly black farm women are a neglected segment of the elderly population. Their self-reliance, mutual support, and rurality have helped keep them isolated and underserved. This article describes the productive life-styles that 10 such women in southeastern North Carolina recalled in oral-history interviews and the problems these women face because of their advancing age, poor health, caregiving responsibilities, and isolation and the deterioration of traditional resources.
NMDA receptor activity regulates transcription of antioxidant pathways.

How neurons might protect themselves from free radical damage has been a mystery. A new study suggests that synaptic NMDA receptor activity affords neuroprotection by regulating oxidation-reduction (redox) pathways via transcription.
Zinc pyrithione induces apoptosis and increases expression of Bim.

We demonstrate herein that zinc pyrithione can induce apoptosis at nanomolar concentrations. Zinc pyrithione was a potent inducer of cell death causing greater than 40–60% apoptosis among murine thymocytes, murine splenic lymphocytes and human Ramos B and human Jurkat T cells. Conversely, the addition of a zinc chelator protected thymocytes against zinc pyrithione induced apoptosis indicating these responses were specific for zinc. Zinc-induced apoptosis was dependent on transcription and translation which suggested possible regulation by a proapoptotic protein. Indeed, zinc induced a 1.9 and 3.4 fold increase respectively in expression of the BimEL and BimL isoforms and also stimulated production of the most potent isoform, BimS. This increase in Bim isoform expression was dependent on transcription being blocked by treatment with actinomycin D. Overexpression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL provided substantial protection of Ramos B and Jurkat T cells against zinc-induced apoptosis. Zinc also activated the caspase cascade demonstrated by cleavage of caspase 9. Addition of specific inhibitors for caspase 9 and caspase 3 also blocked zinc-induced apoptosis. The data herein adds to the growing evidence that free or unbound zinc could be harmful to cells of the immune system.
Nasal manifestations of systemic dieseases.

Otolaryngol Pol 2009; 63 (3): 228-235 ©by Polskie Towarzystwo Otorynolaryngologow – Chirurgow Glowy i Szyi Otrzymano/Received: 25.03.2009 Zaakceptowano do druku/Accepted: 05.04.2009 Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery University of South Florida Tampa, Florida USA Konfl ikt interesu/Confl icts of interest: Autor pracy nie zglasza konfl iktu interesow. Adres do korespondencji/ Address for correspondence: imie i nazwisko: Thomas V. McCaffrey adres pocztowy: Departament of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery University of South Florida Tampa, Florida USA e-mail thomas.mccaffrey@moffi tt.org
Interaction of COMT val158met and externalizing behavior: Relation to prefrontal brain activity and behavioral performance

Abstract A promising approach in neuroimaging studies aimed at understanding effects of single genetic variants on behavior is the study of gene–trait interactions. Variation in the catechol-O-methyl-transferase gene (COMT) is associated with the regulation of dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex and with cognitive functioning. Given the involvement of dopaminergic neurotransmission in externalizing behavior, a trait characterized by impulsivity and aggression, especially in men, externalizing (as a trait) may index a set of genetic, environmental, and neural characteristics pertinent to understanding phenotypic effects of genetic variation in the COMT gene. In the current study, we used a gene–trait approach to investigate effects of the COMT val158met polymorphism and externalizing on brain activity during moments involving low or high demands on cognitive control. In 104 male participants, interference-related activation depended conjointly on externalizing and val158met: stronger activation in the dorsal anterior cingulate and lateral prefrontal cortex was found for val/val individuals with high trait externalizing while stronger activation in cingulate motor areas and sensorimotor precuneus was found for met/met individuals with low externalizing. Our results suggest that the val/val genotype, coupled with high levels of trait externalizing, lowers the efficiency of stimulus conflict resolution, whereas the met/met genotype, coupled with low levels of externalizing, lowers the efficiency of response selection.
A novel polymorphism in the MCP-1 gene regulatory region that influences MCP-1 expression.

Two novel polymorphisms in the distal regulatory region of the MCP-1 gene were identified by directly sequencing PCR amplified genomic DNA. These polymorphisms are located at positions -2518 (G or A) and -2076 (A or T) relative to the major transcriptional start site of the gene. To examine the effect of these polymorphisms on MCP-1 transcription, polymorphic variants of the MCP-1 distal regulatory region were placed upstream of a luciferase reporter gene and transfected into A172 cells. IL-1beta-induced luciferase activity was significantly greater from cells transfected with constructs containing G at position -2518. The polymorphism at -2076 did not affect MCP-1 transcription. IL-1beta-treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals heterozygous or homozygous for G at -2518 produced more MCP-1 than cells from individuals homozygous for A at -2518. These data identify a polymorphism in the MCP-1 distal regulatory region that affects the level of MCP-1 expression in response to an inflammatory stimulus.
Exploring General and Specific Attitudes Toward Drug Policies Among College Students

Numerous studies have focused on issues dealing with students’ attitudes toward drug use. Although these studies have examined attitudes toward drug use, there has been little research focusing on ...
Direct scavenging of free radicals by captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.

Captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, was hypothesized to be a potential scavenger of free radicals because of the presence of a thiol group. The scavenging action of captopril was examined against superoxide anion (O − 2 ), hydroxyl radical (OH . ), hypohalite radical (HOCL) either generated biochemically, or derived from activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Our results indicate that captopril is an extremely potent free radical scavenger, scavenging power being as effective as superoxide dismutase (SOD) against O − 2 , or dimethylthiourea against OH . , but better than allopurinol against OCL . plus HOCL. Free radical scavenging action of captopril against PMN-derived free radical is equivalent to the combined effects of SOD, catalase and allopurinol.