cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BCR/ABL Regulates the Expression and Interacts with Werner Syndrome Helicase/Exonuclease To Modulate Its Biochemical Properties.

A genome-wide screen suggested that BCR/ABL kinase might stimulate WRN, a member of the RecQ-like DNA helicases family. The Werner syndrome protein (WRN) exerts DNA helicase and 3′-5′ exonuclease activities. Inactivating mutations in the WRN gene causes Werner syndrome, characterized by premature aging, genomic instability and cancer predisposition. The WRN helicase unwinds unusual DNA structures, which can occur physiologically, or can be accidentally generated during DNA repair (double-stranded DNA with mismatched tails, bimolecular G4 quartets and Holliday junctions). In addition, WRN physically interacts with components of two major systems for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair: non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). Here we demonstrated that BCR/ABL regulates the expression of WRN mRNA and protein in CML primary cells and BCR/ABL-transformed cell lines. BCR/ABL kinase-induced WRN expression is mediated by c-MYC, but not STAT5 - dependent transcription as well as by inhibition of caspases-dependent cleavage. In addition, immunoprecipitation and pull-down studies indicated that BCR/ABL interacts directly with WRN resulting in its tyrosine phosphorylation. Mutation analysis revealed that multiple domains/amino acid residues of BCR/ABL and WRN are involved in the interaction. BCR/ABL-positive leukemia cells exerted an enhanced WRN-dependent helicase activity. In addition, immunoprecipitation and double-immunofluorescence co-localization studies demonstrated an elevated interaction between WRN and RAD51 in BCR/ABL cells undergoing genotoxic stress in comparison to parental counterparts. Altogether, it is likely that WRN is involved in DSBs repair by HR in leukemia cells. More detailed studies are underway to pinpoint the role of WRN in DNA damage response in BCR/ABL-transformed cells.
Wycherley and the Carolean Theatre

William Wycherley (1641–1715), the eldest of six children of Daniel and Bethia (nee Shrimpton) Wycherley, was born in the town of Clive, north of Shrewsbury, just one year prior to the English Civil War.1 Daniel Wycherley, a gentleman by birth with a genealogy reaching back to the reign of Henry IV and a landowner of considerable property, had served as High Steward (land steward) to the Marquis of Winchester, and when the latter was imprisoned by the Puritans during the war, Daniel continued to manage his estates, acquiring property for the marquis as well as himself and in turn building a considerable sum of money for his family. With his father’s means and wealth, young William received an excellent education, beginning with a classical curriculum that included Greek and Latin. At age 15, William completed his pre-university education, as was the custom among young gentlemen, by sojourning at his father’s expense in France where he spent four years in Angouleme — a southwest, provincial town, home to the school of preciosite — studying culture, manners, and language with Jesuit tutors and members of an elite circle of nobility and ultimately converting to Roman Catholicism.
Covert Channel over Network Time Protocol

In this paper, we scrutinize a way through which covert messages are sent and received using the Network Time Protocol (NTP), which is not easily detected since NTP should be present in most environment to synchronize the clock between clients and servers using at least one time server. We also present a proof of concept and investigate the throughput and robustness of this covert channel. This channel will use the 32 bits of fraction of seconds in timestamp to send the covert message. It also uses "Peer Clock Precision" field to track the messages between sender and receiver.
Postmodern Border Insecurity: Rationality, Discourse, and Antiessentialism

Immigration and border security policies provide vivid illustrations of antiessentialism in the administration of public policy. For generations the U.S.-Mexican border has largely been open to transnational labor and capital. Though anti-immigration groups have at times attempted to stop undocumented workers from emigrating to and from the United States, typically proimmigration forces on behalf of big business win out. Since 9/11 there has been a predictable reaction from government to impose bureaucratic "rationality" on border policy in the name of "homeland security." These efforts to revert to administrative orthodoxy have failed to enhance security, and by some reports have likely increased the number of undocumented migrants in the United States. Instead, I argue that a third, more constructivist point of view can show us the way toward a viable policy solution. The nodes of policy discourse facilitated by the Humane Borders—Fronteras Compasivas organization provide a useful illustration of constr...
"Rounding" the Size of Pulmonary Nodules: Impact of Rounding Methods on Nodule Management, as Defined by the 2017 Fleischner Society Guidelines.

Rationale and Objectives The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of different rounding methods on size measurements of pulmonary nodules and to determine the number of nodules that change management categories as a result of rounding. Materials and Methods For this retrospective institutional review board-approved study, we included 503 incidental pulmonary nodules (308 solid and 195 subsolid) from a data repository. Long and short axes were measured. Average diameters were calculated using four different rounding methods (method 1: no rounding; method 2: rounding only the average diameter to the closest millimeter; method 3: rounding only short and long axes; and method 4: rounding short and long axes and the average diameter to the closest millimeter). Nodules were classified for each rounding method according to the 2017 Fleischner Society guideline management categories. Measurements were compared among the four rounding methods using analysis of variance. Results Without rounding, the average nodule diameter was 15.67 ± 5.97 mm. This increased between 0.03 and 0.29 mm using rounding methods 2–4 (range: P Conclusions Rounding methods have a small absolute but statically significant effect on nodule size, impacting management category in less than 3% of the nodules. This suggests that, in clinical practice, any rounding method can be used for determining nodule size without substantially biasing individual nodules toward given management categories.
Impact of Overweight Trucks on the Service Life of Bridge Girders

State agencies are responsible for making major decisions on allocating the available but limited funds for the maintenance and rehabilitation of bridges. Over the past two decades, the frequency of overweight trucks has kept increasing. Although the AASHTO load and resistance factor design specifications mandate a design life of 75 years, the actual service life will be affected by site-specific loading; local environmental attack, including the application of deicing salts; each agency’s bridge preservation strategy; the funding situation; and routine maintenance. Nowadays, agencies issue more permits for trucks with gross vehicle weights that exceed legal load limits. There is a need, therefore, to quantify the impact of overweight trucks on the service life of bridge girders. This study presents a procedure for investigating the impact of truck loads on bridges in New Jersey through the utilization of bridge inspection reports, truck weigh-in-motion data, and the National Bridge Inventory database. Ac...
Mass Spectrometry: Structure Determination of Proteins and Peptides

Proteins are essential biomolecules that participate in virtually all cellular processes. The complexity of a given biological specimen in terms of diversity of proteins present and their enormously large number poses a challenge in system-wide analysis of proteins. Proteomics, a new paradigm of the study of entire protein complement expressed by the genome of a species, has made large-scale characterization of proteins somewhat routine. This impressive technology can be used for profiling the proteins, determining their expression level, and identifying protein interaction networks in a biological specimen. This task has been possible because of integration of mass spectrometry and high-resolution separation devices into the analysis scheme and development of bioinformatics and protein and nucleotide databases. This chapter discusses in detail various strategies involved in large-scale profiling of proteins, including peptide fingerprinting, peptide sequence tag, multidimensional protein identification technology, accurate mass tag, and top-down proteomics. Techniques used in quantification of differentially expressed proteins, analysis of phosphoproteins and glycoproteins, determination of higher-order structures, and the study of noncovalent complexes of proteins are also described. A detailed outline of the de novo sequencing strategy for peptides is also provided.
Development of a Species Status Assessment Process for Decisions under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

Abstract Decisions under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) require scientific input on the risk that the species will become extinct. A series of critiques on the role of science in ESA decisio...
Pharmacokinetics and safety of oral glyburide in dogs with acute spinal cord injury.

Background Glyburide (also known as glibenclamide) is effective in reducing the severity of tissue destruction and improving functional outcome after experimental spinal cord injury in rodents and so has promise as a therapy in humans. There are many important differences between spinal cord injury in experimental animals and in human clinical cases, making it difficult to introduce new therapies into clinical practice. Spinal cord injury is also common in pet dogs and requires new effective therapies, meaning that they can act as a translational model for the human condition while also deriving direct benefits from such research. In this study we investigated the pharmacokinetics and safety of glyburide in dogs with clinical spinal cord injury. Methods We recruited dogs that had incurred an acute thoracolumbar spinal cord injury within the previous 72 h. These had become acutely non-ambulatory on the pelvic limbs and were admitted to our veterinary hospitals to undergo anesthesia, cross sectional diagnostic imaging, and surgical decompression. Oral glyburide was given to each dog at a dose of 75 mcg/kg. In five dogs, we measured blood glucose concentrations for 10 h after a single oral dose. In six dogs, we measured serum glyburide and glucose concentrations for 24 h and estimated pharmacokinetic parameters to estimate a suitable dose for use in a subsequent clinical trial in similarly affected dogs. Results No detrimental effects of glyburide administration were detected in any participating dog. Peak serum concentrations of glyburide were attained at a mean of 13 h after dosing, and mean apparent elimination half-life was approximately 7 h. Observed mean maximum plasma concentration was 31 ng/mL. At the glyburide dose administered there was no observable association between glyburide and glucose concentrations in blood. Discussion Our data suggest that glyburide can be safely administered to dogs that are undergoing anesthesia, imaging and surgery for treatment of their acute spinal cord injury and can attain clinically-relevant serum concentrations without developing hazardous hypoglycemia. Serum glyburide concentrations achieved in this study suggest that a loading dose of 150 mcg/kg followed by repeat doses of 75 mcg/kg at 8-hourly intervals would lead to serum glyburide concentrations of 25-50 ng/mL within an acceptably short enough period after oral administration to be appropriate for a clinical trial in canine spinal cord injury.
Arthroscopic Treatment of Hip Chondral Defect With Microfracture and Platelet-Rich Plasma-Infused Micronized Cartilage Allograft Augmentation.

Abstract Over the past decade, arthroscopic microfracture has become increasingly popular to treat full-thickness (Outerbridge grade IV) chondral defects of the hip. This procedure borrows marrow stimulation treatment principles and techniques from knee arthroscopy, with similar mixed clinical outcomes that may be more favorable in the short term (
Brain donation at autopsy: clinical characterization and toxicologic analyses.

Abstract The study of postmortem human brain tissue is central to the advancement of neurobiologic studies of psychiatric and neurologic illnesses, particularly the study of brain-specific isoforms and molecules. Due to tissue demands, especially pertaining to brain regions strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders, the success and future of this research depend on the availability of high-quality brain specimens from large numbers of subjects, including nonpsychiatric controls, both of which may be obtained from brain banks. In this chapter, we elaborate on the need for and acquisition of well-curated and properly diagnosed postmortem human brains, relying upon our experience with the Human Brain and Tissue Repository located at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development in Baltimore, MD. We explain the advantages of sourcing postmortem human tissue from medical examiner offices, which provide access to cases of all ages, both with and without central nervous system disorders. Neuropathology analyses and toxicologic screenings, along with autopsy reports and extensive interviews with family members and treating physicians, are invaluable to the diagnoses of postmortem cases. Ultimately, the study of psychiatric and neurologic disorders is the study of brain disease, and accordingly, there is no substitution for human brain tissue.
Distal Esophageal Spasm: A Review.

Abstract Distal esophageal spasm is a rare motility disorder presenting principally with nonobstructive dysphagia and noncardiac chest pain. In symptomatic patients, the manometric diagnosis is made when >10% of the wet swallows have simultaneous and/or premature contractions intermixed with normal peristalsis. We characterize manometry and barium as complementary diagnostic approaches, and given the intermittent nature of the disorder, one should be always aware that it is almost impossible to rule out spasm. Treatment is difficult; we propose an approach beginning with the least invasive intervention.
The Mediating Effects of Derived Relational Responding on the Relationship Between Verbal Operant Development and IQ.

Dixon, Belisle, and Stanley, (2018) demonstrated a strong, significant relationship between derived relational responding and intelligence in individuals with autism. We extended these results by evaluating the degree to which participant results on the PEAK Equivalence Pre-assessment (PEAK-E-PA, a direct assessment of derived relational responding) mediated the relationship between the PEAK Direct Training Assessment (PEAK-DT-A, a Skinnerian-based assessment of verbal development) and intelligence. Results support strong, positive correlations between both assessments (PEAK-DT-A and PEAK-E-PA) and IQ; however, the relationship between PEAK-DT-A and IQ could be explained in terms of participant results on the PEAK-E-PA alone. This finding corresponds with Relational Frame Theory, suggesting that derived responding can provide a behavioral interpretation of intelligent behavior, as well as Skinner’s elementary operants.
Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts.

Background: The role of glucan in stimulation of immune reactions has been studied for several decades. In this report, we focused on the effects of orally administered glucan Maitake and Shiitake on immune reactions. Materials and methods: We measured phagocytosis, NK cell activity, and secretion of IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) after 14 days of oral application of tested glucans. For comparison, AHCC was used in all reactions. Results: We found significant stimulation of defense reaction. In all cases, the most active was the Maitake- Shiitake combination, with Maitake alone being the second strongest, followed by Shiitake on its own and active hexose correlated compound (AHCC). Conclusions: Short-term oral application of natural immunomodulating glucans from Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms strongly stimulated both the cellular and humoral branch of immune reactions. These activities were significantly higher than those of AHCC.
Pointing at Structure and Meaning

If writing has been neglected in psycholinguistic research, what is one to say about punctuation? What a silly thing to be concerned about! Who cares how people use punctuation anyway! Such expostulations may indeed sound anti-intellectual and uncalled for, but they are the literal reaction of an anonymous reviewer of one of my recent manuscripts. As always, there were quite sufficient grounds for more reasonable objections he or she might have raised; but she or he chose the irrational one.
Evaluating the Representative Volume Element of Asphalt Concrete Mixture Beams for Testing in the Bending Beam Rheometer

This work uses three asphalt concrete mixtures with decreasing nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) to evaluate the validity of using the bending beam rheometer (BBR) to obtain flexural creep modulus of asphalt concrete mixture beams. Flexural creep modulus of asphalt pavement is an important property used to give insight into the cold property behaviors of the pavement. Previous research has indicated that asphalt mixtures can be tested using small beam samples (12.7-mm x 6.35-mm x 127-mm) in the BBR. Given that some of the dimensions are smaller than the aggregate used in the mixture there is a concern that significant errors would be introduced due to the influence of these larger aggregate, thus the test is not being conducted on the representative volume element (RVE). This paper evaluates this concern. To accomplish this, three mix designs with NMAS, 12.5-mm, 9.5-mm, and 4.75-mm were developed and tested in the BBR. The two smaller mixtures were developed to be scaled equivalents of the 12.5-mm NMAS with similar volumetric parameters and gradation shapes but with decreased ratio of NMAS to beam width and NMAS to beam thickness. This approach is meant to imitate the development of an RVE while maintaining the beam size of 12.7-mm width x 6.35-mm thickness x 127-mm length. A series of experiments using the BBR were performed to calculate the creep modulus of the asphalt mixture beams. Through statistical analysis it was found that creep modulus data obtained from the BBR testing come from a normal distribution with statistically equal variances across different sample groups. This means that the large aggregate mixtures resulted in no more variability than the smaller aggregate mixtures. Consequently, creep modulus data from asphalt mixture beams collected using the BBR could be used to predict the thermal properties of asphalt mixtures. Thus, based on these results, it is concluded that the small beam samples can be tested in the BBR as they meet the minimum RVE requirements.
The Peculiar Evolutionary Strategy of Man

I shall be presenting some very simple ideas about the evolutionary process from which I shall infer that there is a general restriction on the form of adaptation of organisms relating to the timing and magnitude of environmental stresses and the pattern with which organisms minimize their impact. Humans, owing to their extensive reconstruction of sensory data, have the potentiality, sometimes realized in fact, to depart radically from the functional restrictions found in most animals.
Miller Fisher syndrome: Axonal, demyelinating or both?

Controversy exists concerning whether Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is the result of a predominantly axonal or demyelinating polyneuropathy and whether the Guillain-Barre syndrome variant of acute ataxia and areflexia without ophthalmoplegia, ataxic Guillain-Barre syndrome (atxGBS), has a distinct pathophysiology. We explored these issues by reviewing the electrophysiologic features of 6 patients with MFS and 2 patients with atxGBS. EMG laboratory records were reviewed and electrophysiologic findings were categorized as axonal or demyelinating neuropathy using previously defined criteria. Of the 6 patients with MFS, 5 had electrophysiologic evidence suggestive of an axonal, predominantly sensory polyneuropathy; only 1 patient met criteria for demyelinating polyneuropathy. Both patients with atxGBS had demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Electrophysiologic abnormalities in MFS typically suggest a predominantly axonal, sensory polyneuropathy, though demyelinating forms occur and may be under-diagnosed using current criteria. AtxGBS, in our experience, is a predominantly demyelinating polyneuropathy.
Low Clamping Voltage Protection for Improvements of Powered ESD Robustness

An on-chip protection for improvements of powered ESD robustness is presented. The proposed power clamp achieved to reduce the clamping voltage against powered ESD events compared to a conventional RC-riggered clamp by extending of the big-MOS active time with also consideration to false activation.
Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Conjunctive Cross-Coupling Enabled by Boron Ligand Design.

Enantio- and diastereoselective conjunctive cross-coupling of β-substituted alkenylboron “ate” complexes is studied. Whereas β-substitution shifts the chemoselectivity of the catalytic reaction in favor of the Suzuki–Miyaura product, use of a boronic ester ligand derived from acenaphthoquinone allows the process to favor the conjunctive product, even with substituted substrates.
Blind Spot Bias

Robin was a 41-year-old woman who presented with low-back pain for 3 days. The pain started after she spent the day bike riding. She was evaluated by the neurology resident in the ER and sent home with muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory drugs. She returned the next day with a low-grade fever and weakness in her legs. An MRI was done at that time, and Robin was diagnosed with a spinal epidural abscess, a neurosurgical emergency. Further history revealed that she abused IV heroin. A morbidity and mortality conference was held where the attending doctor discussed several of the cognitive biases that led to the missed diagnosis.
Outpatient grip strength measurement predicts survival, perioperative adverse events, and nonhome discharge among patients with vascular disease.

Abstract Objectives Frailty is associated with adverse outcomes among patients with vascular disease. Grip strength measurement is a comparatively simple, quick, and inexpensive screening test for weakness (a component of frailty) that is potentially applicable to clinical practice. We hypothesized that grip strength and categorical weakness are associated with clinical outcomes among patients with vascular disease. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a longitudinal cohort study evaluating associations between grip strength measured during outpatient clinic visits for vascular disease and clinical outcomes, including survival and perioperative outcomes. Methods Adult patients recruited from outpatient vascular surgery and/or vascular medicine clinics underwent dominant hand grip strength measurement using a hand dynamometer. Participants were categorized as weak based on grip strength, sex, and body mass index. Multivariable logistic models were used to evaluate perioperative outcomes. Mortality was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for sex, age, and operative intervention during follow-up. Results We enrolled 321 participants. The mean patients age was 69.0 ± 9.4 years, and 33% were women. Mean grip strength was 32.0 ± 12.1 kg, and 92 participants (29%) were categorized as weak. The median follow-up was 24.0 months. Adverse perioperative events occurred in 32 of 84 patients undergoing procedures. Grip strength was associated with decreased risk of perioperative adverse events (hazard ratio [HR], 0.41 per 12.7 kg increase; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-0.85; P = .0171) in a model adjusted for open versus endovascular procedure (HR, 12.75 for open; 95% CI, 2.54-63.90; P = .0020) and sex (HR, 3.05 for male; 95% CI, 0.75-12.4; P = .120). Grip strength was also associated with a lower risk of nonhome discharge (HR, 0.34 per 12.7 kg increase; 95% CI, 0.14-0.82; P = .016) adjusted for sex (HR, 2.14 for male; 95% CI, 0.48-9.50; P = .31) and open versus endovascular procedure (HR, 10.36 for open; 95% CI, 1.20-89.47; P = .034). No associations between grip strength and length of stay were observed. Mortality occurred in 48 participants (14.9%) during follow-up. Grip strength was inversely associated with mortality (HR, 0.46 per 12.5 kg increase; 95% CI, 0.29-0.73; P = .0009) in a model adjusted for sex (HR, 5.08 for male; 95% CI, 2.1-12.3; P = .0003), age (HR, 1.04 per year; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08), and operative intervention during follow-up (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.71-2.52). Categorical weakness was also associated with mortality (HR, 1.81 vs nonfrail; P = .048) in a model adjusted for age (HR, 1.06 per year; P = .002) and surgical intervention (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.02-0.09; P = .331). Conclusions Grip strength is associated with all-cause mortality, perioperative adverse events, and nonhome discharge among patients with vascular disease. These observations support the usefulness of grip strength as a simple and inexpensive risk screening tool for patients with vascular disease.
MANEJO SEMIPERENE DE MAMONA EM DUAS DENSIDADES DE PLANTIO NA SAFRINHA

O objetivo do experimento foi avaliar o desempenho de tres cultivares de mamona com manejo semiperene em duas densidades de plantio na safrinha, conduzidas para producao de duas safras consecutivas, sem a realizacao de poda. Foram observados os aspectos agronomicos relacionados ao desenvolvimento vegetativo e reprodutivo. A primeira colheita (182 DAP) revelou producoes na media nacional, tendo a cv. IAC 2028 apresentado reduzida producao, possivelmente, devido a um prolongamento de seu ciclo. Porem, na segunda colheita (287 DAP) e no total de graos colhidos o desempenho de todas cultivares foi semelhante (media de 2.400 kg ha - ¹). O adensamento nao refletiu em ganho de producao apesar da cv. IAC 2028 ter revelado porte mais baixo aos 287 DAP, adaptando-se ao adensamento na safrinha. Ja a cv. AL Guarany 2002 demanda espacamentos maiores, tendo sofrido o alongamento. Ha viabilidade tecnica do plantio dos tres genotipos no Vale do Paraiba paulista na safrinha, para duas colheitas consecutivas.
BASC-ing in the glow: bronchioalveolar stem cells get their place in the lung.

Lung epithelial progenitor cell populations fulfill the needs of this complex facultative regenerative organ when exposed to insult and contribute to repair in either the airway or alveolar compartments. The presence of a cell that can populate both epithelia had been proposed previously but has remained elusive. In this issue, Salwig et al (2019) provide compelling, genetic evidence that supports a growing narrative—a rare population of bronchioalveolar stem cells (BASCs) that can contribute to both airway and alveolar epithelium in the distal murine lung.
‘Black crisis’ and the ‘likely’ privatization of public education in New Orleans and Liberia

Neoliberal education reforms in schools serving sizeable Black populations throughout the United States have proliferated and are being transported to Black educational contexts abroad. Building on...
Creating a Comprehensive Approach to Exposing Underrepresented Pre-health Professions Students to Clinical Medicine and Health Research.

Abstract Background/Purpose With the urgency to create more equitable health care, increased research and early exposure to health interventions and clinical medicine are imperative. Health disparities continue to persist nationwide, particularly in underserved areas and among traditionally disadvantaged populations. In addition to the need to eliminate health disparities, increasing the diversity among health professionals to more accurately reflect the US population is essential. Methods The health professions partnership at the School of Medicine and the School of Dental Medicine is a comprehensive pipeline designed to increase the preparation of underrepresented students for health careers. Through this health professions pipeline's Health Disparities Clinical Summer Research Fellowship Program (HDCSRFP), undergraduate students are exposed to health disparities research and clinical skills over seven weeks. Over the course of the program, participants conducted a research project, gained clinical exposure by shadowing community physicians and other health professionals, and received mentoring by health professional faculty and students. At the conclusion of the program, participants presented their research projects during a poster symposium. Results A total of 121 program participants between 2008 and 2018 each conducted a research project focused on reducing health inequities within specific populations, particularly in urban settings. The health professions pipeline has been instrumental in increasing the aptitude and competitiveness of these students pursuing health careers through participation in research, clinical medicine, and enrichment activities. Specifically, 92% of the 79 program participants identified who completed undergraduate studies before the end of the 2018 fall semester pursued a career or further studies within a health profession. Forty-six percent of these college graduates were accepted or matriculated in medical school by the end of 2018. Conclusion The HDCSRFP, like the other health professions partnership pipeline programs, serves as a model for other educational programs to expose students to the field of medicine and health research, and to increase diversity within health professions.
A highly multiplexed biochemical assay for analytes in dried blood spots: application to newborn screening and diagnosis of lysosomal storage disorders and other inborn errors of metabolism.

To develop a multiplexed assay for the newborn screening of lysosomal storage disorders and additional inborn errors in a flexible, comprehensive, and affordable manner to keep up with the expansion of the newborn screening panel. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was chosen as the detection platform for its superiority compared to traditional flow-injection MS/MS. A high-throughput, 18-plex UPLC-MS/MS assay was developed for screening purposes with a sample turnaround time of 2.7 minutes. The assay was consolidated such that only four dried blood spot punches were required, and it displayed good precision and reproducibility. We report a highly multiplexed UPLC-MS/MS assay that is appropriate for the newborn screening of 15 lysosomal storage diseases and 3 additional inborn errors. It can be further expanded to include additional conditions for which presymptomatic diagnosis may facilitate optimum treatment outcome.
Multiplicador de inversión pública durante el auge y declive de precios internacionales

The purpose of this research is to measure the fiscal multiplier of public investment and its changes in times of boom and bust in external prices. The method of Local Projections with Instrumental Variables based on Ramey and Zubairy (2018) is used for the first time in the case of Bolivian economy. The results present a cumulative public investment multiplier of 0.72 up to quarter 12. Likewise, the multiplier is 0.19 at quarter 12 and 0.97 at quarter 7 for boom and bust periods, respectively. It is concluded that the multiplier is positive and less than unity, however, when the economy experiences good (bad) export prices, the multiplier effect of public investment is less (greater), which suggests a decrease (increase) in the efficiency in government capital spending.
Visioning Inclusion in an Academic Medical Center

It has been said that microaggressions such as microinsults, microinvalidations, microassaults, and environmental microaggressions are “commonplace” in medicine. Despite their ubiquity, they are preventable at an individual, group, institutional, and societal level. However, without understanding their prevalence and content they are impossible to address. Therefore, to determine the prevalence of microaggressions at an academic medical center we surveyed faculty, staff, and students. Consistent with what has been reported in the literature, the survey revealed a relatively high level of microaggressions across all levels of the academic medical center. Based on the survey findings, we developed specific, targeted actions including dissemination of a monthly calendar designed to heighten awareness and understanding of diversity, annual recognition of a faculty member and staff member for their efforts to further diversity and inclusion, revision of recruitment procedures for all senior administrative and many faculty positions, and the initiation of a diversity strategic action planning process.
Civilian Firearm-Inflicted Brain Injury: Coagulopathy, Vascular Injuries, and Triage.

Civilian firearm-inflicted penetrating brain injury (PBI) carries high morbidity and mortality. Concurrently, the evidence base guiding management decisions remains limited. Faced with large volume of PBI patients, we have made observations in relation to coagulopathy and cerebrovascular injuries. We here review this literature in addition to the question about early prognostication as it may inform neurosurgical decision-making. The triad of coagulopathy, low motor score, and radiographic compression of basal cisterns comprises a phenotype of injury with exceedingly high mortality. PBI leads to high rates of cerebral arterial and venous injuries, and projectile trajectory is emerging as an independent predictor of outcome. The combination of coagulopathy with cerebrovascular injury creates a specific endophenotype. The nature and role of coagulopathy remain to be deciphered, and consideration to the use of tranexamic acid should be given. Prospective controlled trials are needed to create clinical evidence free of patient selection bias.
Polyimide–polyester hybrid UV-curable powder coating

A new UV-curable maleimide-terminated polyimide was prepared and characterized using gel-permeation chromatography, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The polyimide was formulated with a commercially available UV-curable polyester resin via twin-screw extrusion to prepare a hybrid powder coating system. The hybrid powder coatings were cured by exposing the molten formulation to UV light. The films were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermomechanical analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. DMA highlighted the viscoelastic behavior of the films and showed that an increase in Tg was obtained with increasing polyimide content, as determined via the α-transition in the tanδ curve. Thermogravimetric analysis showed an improvement in the thermal stability of the polyester with the addition of the polyimide. Deformation resistance of the UV-cured films was investigated by SAOS and LAOS rheological methods to investigate the relative endurance of these coatings when subjected to different strains. The viscoelastic properties of the hybrid system were most improved when 16% weight percent of polyimide was added into the system.
Associations among anxiety, self-efficacy, and self-care in rural adolescents with poorly controlled asthma.

Abstract Background Rural adolescents are vulnerable to asthma; good self-care can reduce morbidity. The subtypes of anxiety (eg, asthma-related, generalized) may have differential associations with asthma self-care. Low self-efficacy, a determinant of behavior, is associated with increased anxiety. Little is known regarding these relationships in rural adolescents. Objective To evaluate whether anxiety symptoms are associated with asthma symptom prevention and management among rural adolescents and whether self-efficacy mediates these relationships. Methods We used baseline data from 197 rural adolescents (mean age = 16 years; 69% girls; 62% Black) who were part of a trial that tested the effectiveness of a school-based asthma intervention. Adolescents completed the Youth Asthma-Related Anxiety Scale, Screen for Child Anxiety and Emotional Disorders, Asthma Management Self-efficacy Index, and Asthma Prevention and Management Indices. Linear regression was performed to test whether: (1) asthma-related and generalized anxiety had curvilinear relationships with self-care; (2) social and separation anxiety had linear relationships with self-care; and (3) self-efficacy mediated relationships. Results Asthma-related anxiety had a significant curvilinear relationship with prevention (P = 0.001) and a linear association with management (P = .01). Generalized anxiety had a significant curvilinear association with management (P = .03), whereas social anxiety had a significant linear relationship with prevention (P = .04). Self-efficacy partially or fully mediated these relationships. Conclusion Anxiety symptoms were associated with asthma self-care among this sample of rural adolescents, with differing roles for prevention and management. Self-efficacy may be a mechanism to improve asthma self-care among rural adolescents with anxiety. With a lack of self-efficacy, asthma-related, generalized, or social anxiety may motivate adolescents to take steps to care for their asthma.
Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs

Figures and Tables. Preface. The Author. 1 An Introduction to Public and Community Health Evaluation. The Links Among Community Assessment, Program Implementation, and Evaluation. Overview of Evaluation. Preassessment Evaluations. Community-Based Participatory Research. The Participatory Model for Evaluation. Cultural Considerations in Evaluation. 2 The Community Assessment: An Overview. Theoretical Considerations. The Ecological Model. Data Collection. Process. Data Sources. Reviewing the Scientific Literature. The Report. Stakeholders Participation in Community Assessments. 3 Developing Initiatives: An Overview. The Organization's Mission. Planning the Initiative. Goals and Objectives. The Initiative Activities Using Existing Evidence-Based Programs. The Program's Theory of Change. The Logic Model Depicting the Theory of Change. Criteria for Successful Initiatives. 4 Planning for Evaluation: Purpose and Processes. The Timing of the Evaluation. The Purpose of Evaluation. Establishing the Contract for Evaluation. The Evaluation Team. Creating and Maintaining Effective Partnerships. Evaluation Standards. Managing the Evaluation Process. Factors That Influence the Evaluation Process. Involving Stakeholders. 5 Designing the Evaluation: Describing the Program. The Context. Justifications for the Initiative. The Initiative's Goals, Objectives, and Activities. The Initiative's Theory of Change and Logic Model. 6 Designing the Evaluation: Determining the Evaluation Questions and the Evaluation Design. Bases for Selecting the Evaluation Questions. Approaches to Selecting the Evaluation Questions. Types of Evaluations. Process Evaluation. Outcome Evaluation. 7 Collecting the Data: Quantitative. Choosing a Data-Collection Approach. Using Surveys. Designing Survey Instruments. Pilot Testing. Triangulation. Institutional Review Boards. Stakeholder Involvement. 8 Analyzing and Interpreting the Data: Quantitative. Analyzing and Reporting Quantitative Data. Reaching Conclusions. Stakeholder Involvement. Steps in Quantitative-Data Analysis and Interpretation. 9 Collecting the Data: Qualitative. Qualitative Data. Ensuring Validity and Reliability. Interview-Format Approaches. Document and Record Review. Observational Approaches. Case Reviews. Digital Approaches. Geographic Information Systems. Training Data Collectors. Pilot Testing. Managing and Storing Qualitative Data. Stakeholder Involvement. 10 Analyzing and Interpreting the Data: Qualitative. Analyzing Qualitative Data. Interpreting the Data and Reaching Conclusions. The Role of Stakeholders 11 Reporting Evaluation Findings. The Content of the Report. The Timing of the Report. The Audience for the Report. The Format of the Report. Include the following. 12 Case Study. The Community Assessment. The Intervention. Design the Evaluation. Collect the Data. Analyze and Interpret the Data. Report the Results. Glossary. References. Index.
Vitamin K and gamma-carboxyglutamate biosynthesis.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses Vitamin K and γ-Carboxyglutamate Biosynthesis. Long periods of time may elapse between the discovery of a given vitamin deficiency disease, the isolation and structural analysis of the vitamin, and the final elucidation of its metabolic function. It is now established that vitamin K is part of a membrane bound carboxylase system and participates in the posttranslational carboxylation of selected peptide-bound glutamate residues in a number of vitamin K-dependent proteins. The requirements of this carboxylase system are reduced vitamin K, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and a suitable peptide substrate. The precise mechanism of the carboxylase reaction and the biochemical role of vitamin K are still unknown. It is now clear that vitamin K is also involved in an electron transport system in microsomes of mammalian organisms carrying out peptide-bound glutamate carboxylation. The chain involves NADH, vitamin K, and presumably oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor. The energy generated in this electron transport system is coupled in an as yet undetermined way to CO 2 fixation in glutamate. The intuitive belief that vitamin K should be involved in an electron transport system in expressing its procoagulant activity has been vindicated by recent work.
Flow Computation Using Extrapolation Procedures

The extrapolation procedure is a powerful numerical technique by which to raise the accuracy of computational results with little extra computational efforts. The procedure assumes the computational error as a polynomial function of grid interval, \Nt; which permits elimination of one or more terms of lower powers of \Nt through a linear combination of a set of numerical solutions using different sizes of \Nt. Because it is often difficult to express the numerical error in an analytical or explicit form of powers of \Nt, numerical experiments can be used with advantages to test the applicability and the effectiveness of the extrapolation procedure in flow computations. A series of numerical experiments conducted for a Sacramento River reach has demonstrated that the technique is a remarkably powerful and economical tool in attaining a second-order result from simple linear computations.
A Review of: “GAY AND LESBIAN AGING: RESEARCH AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS By Gilbert Herdt and Brian deVries, (Eds.)”

It is a truism of gerontology that people get more different as they get older. Their diverse life experiences and paths to old age become both more individualized and more connected to their membe...
Liquid‐crystalline polymers containing heterocycloalkanediyl groups as mesogens, 6. Liquid‐crystalline poly[trans‐11‐{4‐[5‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,3‐dioxan‐2‐yl]‐2,6‐dimethylphenoxy}undecyl methacrylate] and poly[trans‐11‐{4‐[5‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,3‐dioxan‐2‐yl]‐2,6‐dimethylphenoxy}undecyl acrylate]

The synthesis and characterization of poly[trans-11-{4-[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxan-2-yl]-2,6-dimethylphenoxy}undecyl methacrylate] and poly[trans-11-{4-[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxan-2-yl]-2,6-dimethylphenoxy}undecyl acrylate] is presented. Both polymers exhibit nematic mesophases and do not present side-chain crystallization. At temperatures higher than 160°C the 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl groups undergo a thermally induced trans-cis isomerization. A radical mechanism is proposed for this isomerization.
The Quiet Revolution: Central Banking Goes Modern

Although little noticed, the face of central banking has changed significantly over the past ten to fifteen years, says the author of this enlightening book. Alan S. Blinder, a former vice chairman of the Federal Reserve System and member of President Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers, shows that the changes, though quiet, have been sufficiently profound to constitute a revolution in central banking. Blinder considers three of the most significant aspects of the revolution. The first is the shift toward transparency: whereas central bankers once believed in secrecy and even mystery, greater openness is now considered a virtue. The second is the transition from monetary policy decisions made by single individuals to decisions made by committees. The third change is a profoundly different attitude toward the markets, from that of stern schoolmarm to one of listener. With keenness and balance, the author examines the origins of these changes and their pros and cons.
Cell-mediated cytotoxicity in chronic active liver disease: A new test system

An in vitro cytotoxicity system was developed for studying patients with chronic active liver disease using as the target cells 51Cr-labeled avian erythrocytes coated with cell membrane lipoprotein extracted from human liver and, as the aggressors, mononuclear cells from peripheral venous blood. Approximately 50% of 62 patients with chronic active liver disease showed cytotoxicity in this test system as did 5% of 100 apparently healthy controls. In addition, mild cytotoxicity was shown by 2 of 8 patients with the primary biliary cirrhotic syndrome and 2 of 17 persons with other liver diseases. No specific antibody was added to the test system and the cytotoxicity could be inhibited by free lipoprotein, antilipoprotein, and by aggregated Ig. Cytotoxicity also was abolished by the depletion from the mononuclear cells of cells phagocytic for iron filings. The effect of depletion of these phagocytic cells was not restored by the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol. These findings add further evidence that autoimmune responses to liver tissue occur in many patients with chronic active liver disease and, importantly, suggest also that these may occur in some apparently healthy people.
Student response to cooperative learning homework teams: midcourse and final evaluations

To assess student response to mandatory cooperative learning homework teams, midcourse and final evaluations were conducted over two semesters in a junior-level required Materials Science course at the University of San Diego, USA. Students provided feedback on their group's effectiveness, how many hours per week the group meets, difficulties and whether they believe they learn best by themselves or in a group. They also rated their perception of change in skill at problem solving, communication, and teamwork, and provided recommendations for the teams in the course. On both evaluations, there were open-ended and specific response questions. Overall, students rated their groups as being successful although many groups' ratings declined from the midpoint until the final evaluation. Students reported that their experience working in teams positively impacted their skills. The biggest reported difficulty was with finding a common time for the entire team to meet.
Educational Endowments and the Financial Crisis: Social Costs and Systemic Risks in the Shadow Banking System (A Study of Six New England Schools)

Provides comparative analysis of six New England college endowments (Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis, Dartmouth, Harvard, and MIT) during the financial crisis of 2007-2009. The paper identifies deep-seated problems with the influential, radically diversified "Endowment Model of Investing," pioneered by wealthy schools such as Harvard and Yale. It argues that endowment "performance" must be measured beyond portfolio-level risks and returns, and to that end it explores endowments' contributions to systemic risks in the "shadow banking system" and estimates social costs (job losses, project delays) of endowment declines on local communities and regional economies in the Boston metropolitan region and the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and eastern Vermont, using RIMS II. We analyze freshly aggregated data panels on endowment growth, asset allocation, illiquidity (making novel use of Fair Value Hierarchies), borrowings and debt ratios, board composition and conflicts of interest, workforce and compensation trends, payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) on exempt property. The paper includes detailed appendices of identified investment holdings at each school, within limits of transparency (2008/2009).