cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE GENERIC BIOTHREAT, OR, HOW WE BECAME UNPREPARED

This essay concerns the current intersection of national security and public health in the United States. It argues that over the course of the past three decades, a new way of thinking about and acting on the threat of infectious disease has coalesced: for public health and national security officials, the problem of infectious disease is no longer only one of prevention, but also—and perhaps even more—one of preparedness. The essay describes the process through which a norm of preparedness came to structure thought about threats to public health, and how a certain set of responses to these threats became possible. The story is a complex one, involving the migration of techniques initially developed in the military and civil defense to other areas of governmental intervention. The analysis is centered not on widespread public discussion of biological threats but, rather, on particular sites of expertise where a novel way of understanding and intervening in threats was developed and deployed. It focuses in particular on one technique, the scenario-based exercise, arguing that this technique served two important functions: first, to generate an affect of urgency in the absence of the event itself; and second, to generate knowledge about vulnerabilities in response capability that could then guide intervention. More broadly, the scenario-based exercise is exemplary of the rationality underlying the contemporary articulation of national security and public health.
Synthesis, characterization, X-ray crystallography analysis and kinetic study of tris(2-(4-trifluoromethylbenzylideneamino)ethyl)amine copper derivatives

Abstract A two-component synthetic procedure for a tetradentate, tripodal organo-fluorine derivative; along with copper(I) and copper(II) analogues is presented. Solid state studies show that the (4TFM-TREN) ligand crystallizes in a monoclinic system with P21/c space group, while the [CuI(4TFM-TREN)][PF6] complex crystallizes in a cubic crystal system with P213 space group. Kinetic studies monitoring the addition of carbon tetrachloride to the copper(I) analogue produced an activation rate constant value of 5 × 10−2 M−1 s−1. UV–Vis spectroscopy results confirmed the ability of compounds presented here to slow down the activation step of atom transfer radical addition reactions employing fast initiators such as carbon tetrachloride. This work addresses a need to develop novel methods that can be used in activation rate constant value calculations for ideal atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) reactions incorporating active copper catalysts and fast initiators.
Views of AAAAI members on climate change and health.

FIGURE 1. Climate change is relevant to direct patient care. American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology members are witnessing medical problems caused by climate change among their patients. They support physician leadership on environmental sustainability, advocacy by physicians and their associations, and education for themselves, their patients, the public, and undergraduate medical students.
Angular distribution measurements for 14 C(d, p) 15 C and the level structure of 15 C

A 14 MeV deuteron beam was used to measure the angular distributions for the $^{14}\mathrm{C}(d, p)^{15}\mathrm{C}$ reaction leading to the two bound states and eight of the unbound states of $^{15}\mathrm{C}$. Vector-analyzing powers were measured for the elastic scattering and for the two bound states. Distorted wave Born approximation calculations were performed and spectroscopic factors were obtained for the two bound states. Calculations for stripping to unbound states using a resonance form factor and following the approach of Vincent and Fortune were compared with the angular-distribution data of the unbound states to obtain values of $J$, $\ensuremath{\pi}$, and neutron width ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}$. A strong $J$ dependence occurs in the calculated cross sections for stripping to unbound states.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{14}\mathrm{C}(d, p)$, ($\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{d}, p$), ($\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{d}, d$), ${E}_{d}=14.0$ MeV: measured $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\theta})$, $i{T}_{11}(\ensuremath{\theta})$. $^{15}\mathrm{C}$ levels deduced $J$, $\ensuremath{\pi}$, $S$, and/or $\frac{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{\mathrm{s}.\mathrm{p}.}}$.
PHYLOGENETIC INFERENCE FROM RESTRICTION ENDONUCLEASE CLEAVAGE SITE MAPS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE EVOLUTION OF HUMANS AND THE APES.

Recombinant DNA technology provides evolutionary biologists with another tool for making phylogenetic inference through contrasts of restriction endounuclease cleavage site maps or DNA sequences between homologous DNA segments found in different groups. This paper is limited to the problem of making phylogenetic inference from restriction site maps. Several methods for making such inference have already been used or proposed (Avise et al., 1979a, 1979b;NeiandLi, 1979; Ferris et al., 1981), but all these methods depend upon the assumption that shared restriction sites reflect common evolutionary origins and are not the result of convergent evolution. Unfortunately, convergent evolution occurs with high probability for this type of data (Templeton, 1983). In addition, data from several different restriction enzymes are generally pooled in these analyses. Recently, Adams and Rothman (1982) have examined the distributions of cleavage sites and related sequences for 54 restriction endonucleases. They concluded 1) that cleavage sites and related sequences are distributed non-randomly in most DNA sequences, 2) that there is considerable heterogeneity between different restriction enzymes (even those with recognition sequences of the same length) with respect to the number and distribution of their respective cleavage sites and related sequences, and 3) that inference of phylogenetic relationship based on distances will be biased. In addition, Brown et al. (1982) sequenced 896 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA from humans and apes and concluded that about 90% of the substitutions were transitions. The predominance of transitions over transversions increases the probability of convergence over that expected when all base substitutions are assumed to be equally likely (Templeton, 1983). Therefore, a need exists for an algorithm of phylogenetic inference that deals more directly with the problem of convergent evolution and statistical inhomogeneity between different restriction enzymes. In this paper, I propose such an algorithm. After discussing the problem of estimation of a phylogenetic tree, the task of statistical testing is then addressed. First, I present a non-parametric statistical framework for testing the fit of one hypothesized phylogeny versus an alternative phylogeny. Second, non-parametric statistical procedures are presented for testing hypotheses about relative rates of evolution among the various lineages.
Contemporary Mapping of Post-Prostatectomy Prostate Cancer Relapse with 11C-Choline Positron Emission Tomography and Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose: We identify sites and patterns of cancer recurrence in patients with post-prostatectomy biochemical relapse using 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography and endorectal coil multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.Materials and Methods: Between January 2008 and June 2015, 2,466 men underwent choline positron emission tomography for suspected prostate cancer relapse at our institution. Of these men 202 did not receive hormone or radiation therapy, underwent imaging with choline positron emission tomography and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, and were found to have disease recurrence. Overall patterns of recurrence were described, and factors associated with local only recurrence were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.Results: Median prostate specific antigen at positive scan was 2.3 ng/ml (IQR 1.4–5.5) with a median time from prostate specific antigen relapse to lesion visualization of 15 months (IQR 4.8–34.2). Of these 202 me...
Abstract 1219: Defective catagen entry in EGFR deficient skin precedes cutaneous inflammation

Treatment of cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors causes perifollicular inflammation in the skin. Mouse models with EGFR deficiency predicted this folliculitis and revealed that abrogation of EGFR disrupts hair follicle cycling. We hypothesized that the defect in progression through catagen resulting from EGFR deficiency causes cutaneous inflammation. EGFR regulation of the hair cycle and inflammation was investigated using skin-targeted deletion of Egfr (Krt14-Cre + /Egfr fl/fl mice). Hair cycle stage was assessed using histological criteria, analysis of follicular apoptosis and the position of the dermal papillae. Dorsal hair follicles of control mice synchronously entered catagen at 17 d and progressed to telogen by 21 d. In contrast, Egfr mutant follicles asynchronously entered catagen, with some follicles beginning catagen at 18 d or later, and others remaining in anagen through 24 d. Mast cells were examined because follicular mast cell precursors can facilitate the transition into catagen after their maturation and degranulation. Failed catagen progression preceded an inflammatory response in the mutant skin, which was characterized by a 40% or more increase in mast cell numbers beginning at 21 d. Mast cells in mutant skin were more likely to be degranulated as well. Neutrophils and macrophages increased in mutant skin by 28 d, subsequent to the increase in mast cell numbers. Transcriptional profiling was performed at 17 d, the time of normal catagen onset, using follicular RNA obtained from laser capture microdissection to identify EGFR-regulated mediators of the inflammatory response. In silico analyses of these data identified increased expression of 12 immune function genes in mutant hair follicles including the mast cell proteases Chymase and Tryptase. Additionally, the class I major histocompatibility (MHC) molecules H2-Q9, H2-Q7 and H2-D1 and class II MHC molecules H2-Eb1, H2-Dmb1 and H2-Dmb1/2 were over-expressed in mutant hair follicles consistent with a role for adaptive immunity in cutaneous inflammation following asynchronous catagen. Thus, an aberrant catagen transition and upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes preceded folliculitis in Egfr mutant skin. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1219. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1219
Behavioral Ecology of Dispersal in the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog

An investigation of black-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus ) was conducted in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, between May 1979 and May 1982 to study factors affecting dispersal. Dispersing prairie dogs were radiotracked to determine distance of movements and survivorship, and a study colony was monitored intensively to determine proximate factors that caused dispersal. Exchange of individuals between coteries (family groups) within the study colony (intracolony dispersal) occurred throughout the year, whereas dispersal away from established colonies (intercolony dispersal) occurred only during a predictable period in late spring. Both males and females dispersed. Dispersing males were predominantly yearlings whereas dispersing females also included older individuals. Intercolony dispersers appeared to be in good physical condition, moved an average distance of 2.4 km from points of capture, and survivors immigrated into existing colonies; no new colonies were established by radiocollared animals. The mortality rate of intercolony dispersers was significantly greater than that among residents of the study colony. Prairie dogs select new vegetative growth at colony peripheries. Coterie density per ha of edge vegetation was inversely related to the exchange of individuals between coteries during the dispersal season. There was no relationship between absolute coterie density and change in animal numbers. Other factors promoting dispersal included shortage of unrelated females in the coterie, harassment of females by juveniles, and possible genetic influences.
The Construction of Multi-dimensional Dynamic Evaluation System for Autonomous Learning of College English via MOOC based on Multiple Intelligences Theory

MOOC is a kind of new online learning experience,which integrates high quality educational resources,excellent professors from top universities throughout the world as well as free and open autonomous learning. Therefore,the evaluation of autonomous learning via MOOC is not confined to linguistic intelligence,and it should implement multidimensional dynamic assessment to evaluate the process and effectiveness of learning from the perspective of knowledge,skills,attitudes and emotions according to the differences of students ' intelligence,in order to provide students with feedback from many aspects,help students understand learning situation,promote the cultivation of autonomous learning ability. This paper discusses how to construct a multidimensional dynamic evaluation system from five aspects of evaluation objectives,evaluation subjects,evaluation contents,evaluation methods and evaluation results for College English autonomous learning via MOOC based on the theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Fragments of the Gender Travel in China

With reference to Said's"travelling theory"concept and certain theories in translation studies,this essay makes a general analysis of fragments of the gender concept 's China"travel"in the1990s and after.On the basis of this analysis,it explores why,and how,this concept spread to China in this period;how,and why,this concept was accepted or rejected through translation and interpretation in the course of the travel;and what problems and challenges were encountered during the travel.
Cell pH and acid transport in renal cortical tissue.

Cell pH (pHc) was examined by the [14C]DMO technique in suspensions of proximal tubule fragments from rabbit renal cortex. In buffer with 10 mM HCO3(-), pHc was more alkaline than external pH (pHe) at values of the latter 7.4, pHc was more acid than pHe was. However, pHc was always more alkaline than the electrochemical equilibrium pH. At pHe congruent to 7.0, 60 min of deoxygenation decreased delta pH from 0.22 +/- 0.02 to 0.05 +/- 0.01. Reoxygenation restored delta pH to control values. Incubation with ouabain abolished the delta pH. Both the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolamide, and the anion transport inhibitor, 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic stilbene (SITS), increased delta pH. The studies demonstrate relative intracellular alkalinity in proximal tubule. A fall in pHc occurs with maneuvers that interfere with H+ pumping out of the cells. A rise in pHc occurs with maneuvers that i...
Effects of Type of Placentation on Birthweight and its Variability in Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins

Birthweight was measured on 188 monochorionic monozygotic, 54 dichorionic monozygotic, 102 like-sexed dizygotic, and 94 unlike-sexed dizygotic liveborn twin pairs. Overall, males were found to be significantly heavier than females. These differences were not significant, however, when birthweights were compared within zygosity/chorion-type categories. Males were also characterized by a slightly greater overall total variance. Comparisons of intrapair variation of monochorionic and dichorionic monozygotic twins revealed significant differences between monochorionic pairs and dichorionic separate pairs and no significant differences between monochorionic pairs and dichorionic fused pairs. The results of this study suggest that placental proximity may have as important an influence on variation in birthweight as does the presence or absence of vascular anastomoses.
Chemotherapy for invasive bladder cancer: rationale and results

The development of effective combination chemotherapy regimens, and the observation that patients who succumb to bladder cancer following local treatment modalities such as surgery or radiation therapy and doing so from metastatic disease, led to the integration of chemotherapy in the treatment of locally invasive nonmetastatic (T2–4, NOMO) bladder tumors. When used in either the neo-adjuvant or adjuvant setting, the aim is to treat micrometastases, to exploit the higher sensitivity of small volume-high growth fraction tumors, and the higher cure fraction seen in patients with nodal v.s. metastatic disease [1]. The approaches are contrasted in Table 1.
Gender and Sexuality in Modern Chinese History: Sexuality and gender relations in politics and law

To be chaste is very difficult and painful, favored by no one, of profit to no one, of no service to the state or society, and of no value at all to posterity. It has lost its vigor and has no reason to exist. Lu Xun, 1918 (Pao Tao 1991:118) Of late the new reformers have suggested the so-called new ethics. They denounce filial piety on the ground that children are borne by parents only because of their sexual passion.…They also regard lustful women and disloyal ministers in history as good people. Lin Shu, letter to Cai Yuanpei, 1919 (Tse-tsung Chow 1960:69) Today, there are still those who regard marriage problems as “personal affairs.” This viewpoint is mistaken.…Now we have to publicize the Marriage Law and have public trials to convince people that marriage problems are not just personal matters and everyone should care. Women's Federation report on the 1951 Marriage Law (Diamant 2000:45) During the New Culture Movement (1915–1919), China's urban intellectuals rejected the Confucian family values espoused by the late imperial government. But the system they challenged was deeply rooted in local custom and lineage power. The Qing government had created an informal system of control that minimized reliance on punitive legal sanctions to maintain the family-based social order. In addition, as we have seen, the late imperial state stressed positive rewards and transformation through education, rather than coercion, to enforce its policies. The imperial government's exceptional success in spreading its messages internalized gender values, especially in women, who were honored for widow fidelity and even for martyrdom in resisting rape or asserting their sexual purity. Court records show individual women testifying to their deep commitment to chastity, not only as a matter of family honor but also as a personal individual responsibility, to the point where a woman would take her own life to express her moral conviction (Theiss 2004).
The effect of franchising on debt maturity in the US restaurant industry

With franchising as an efficient means of growth and expansion, this study aims to explore how franchising can influence corporate debt maturity structure in the US restaurant industry. The purpose of this study is to investigate (1) the effect of franchising on debt maturity structure, (2) the relationship between leverage and short-term debt, and (3) the moderating effect of franchising on the relationship between short debt maturity and leverage in the US restaurant industry. Analyzing panel data on publicly traded US restaurant firms, this study showed that franchising could be an important determinant of the maturity structure of corporate debt. Empirical evidence suggests that restaurant firms pursuing growth and expansion through franchising should take into consideration the effect of franchising on the debt maturity structure when making capital structure decisions.
Building healthy communities: A comprehensive school health program to prevent obesity in elementary schools.

Abstract Obesity among children is highly prevalent and can lead to risk factors for chronic disease in adulthood. Key organizations have called on schools to play a larger role by increasing children's physical activity and nutrition by adopting an overall culture of health. This study examined the impact of a socioecological theory driven school-wide nutrition and physical activity intervention on 5th graders' central adiposity and obesity level. In 2015–2016, in the Midwest region of U.S., four treatment and two control schools, including 628 (377 treatment) 5th grade children participated in an eight-month intervention. Children in the treatment schools participated in a comprehensive healthy school transformation program consisting of six components. Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and used as the measure of obesity. ANCOVA revealed a significant difference in WHtR among treatment and control groups at time two (T2) FMI(1,6148.14) = 4.43, p = .035, R2 = 0.64, R2Treament = 0.01, with no significant differences based on age, sex, and race. Additionally, the ANCOVA for BMI revealed a marginally significant lower BMI among the treatment than comparison group students FMI(1, 614) = 3.575, p = .059, R2 = 0.01 (Mdiff = −0.23, 95%CI upper boundary: −0.03). The healthy school intervention led to significant differences in obesity levels, regardless of age, sex, or race, across the 8-month program between 5th grade children in treatment and non-treatment schools. This supports the ability of schoolwide programs to significantly and positively impact student health and chronic disease prevention.
Epigenetic Therapy in a Patient With Down Syndrome and Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with Down syndrome (DS-AML) is a unique entity of AML with superior treatment response and overall survival compared with children with non–DS-AML. Despite good outcomes in DS-AML, those who relapse or have refractory disease have poor survival. Successful tre
Facial nerve recording from the eardrum: A possible method for evaluating idiopathic facial nerve paralysis

A noninvasive technique has been developed for recording from the the facial nerve within the fallopian canal. Following transcutaneous stimulation of the nerve on the face, an antidromic nerve potential can be detected with electrodes placed on the eardrum and enhanced by the technique of averaging. In studies conducted on cats and normal human subjects it has been determined that the primary recording site of the nerve potential is along the tympanic segment of the nerve just distal to the geniculate ganglion. Disturbances in nerve conduction caused by an experimental lesion produced changes in the recorded nerve potential. Thus it seems likely that this technique could assess a developing lesion in a patient with idiopathic facial nerve paralysis. A more accurate and earlier prognosis could be obtained than with conventional peripheral nerve testing techniques, since the severity of the developing lesion itself could be assessed.
A Kenyan Birth? Still Natural Born

This paper is a “so what” rebuttal to those who hold the birther view and argues that even if Barack Obama were born outside of the United States, he is still a natural born citizen because, under the laws of the United States, he was entitled to birthright citizenship through his mother, no matter where he was born. The essence of the article lies on simple logic: that there are two types of American citizens — natural-born and naturalized. Those entitled to birthright citizenship do not have to be naturalized, no matter where they are born; so it follows that they are natural-born.
A Collective Coordinate Approach to the One-Dimensional Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation with Spatial Periodic Potentials

This article is motivated by two very important considerations in nonlinear science: (i) that the combination of nonlinearity with disorder and/or noise is an essential direction for research; and (ii) that nonlinear mode reductions to low-dimensional systems via the use of “collective coordinate”descriptions of coherent space-time structures is one of the very few robust techniques for general nonlinear equations supporting such “soliton-like”or “particle-like”solutions.
Phase relations and hardness trends of ZrO 2 phases at high pressure

We use high-resolution synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction and density-functional theory (DFT) to investigate the phase stability, equations of state (EOSs), and mechanical hardness of zirconia $({\text{ZrO}}_{2})$ up to $\ensuremath{\sim}54$ and 160 GPa, respectively. For the equilibrium phase at ambient conditions (MI), we provide an experimental EOS that is comparable to results obtained from room-pressure Brillouin scattering experiments and bulk modulus-volume systematics but different from previous high-pressure experiments. The experimental second-order Birch-Murnaghan EOS parameters of ${\text{MI-ZrO}}_{2}$ are: ambient-pressure volume $({V}_{0})$ of $35.15(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03)\text{ }{\text{\AA{}}}^{3}/\text{f}\text{.u}\text{.}$ with an ambient-pressure bulk modulus ${K}_{0}$ of $210(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}28)\text{ }\text{GPa}$. For the high-pressure OI phase, we find that the ${K}_{0}=290(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}11)\text{ }\text{GPa}$, which is 19%--32% higher than previously determined, and ${V}_{0}=33.65(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07)\text{ }{\text{\AA{}}}^{3}/\text{f}\text{.u}\text{.}$ The small volume decrease of 3.4% across the $\text{MI}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\text{OI}$ transition at $\ensuremath{\sim}10\text{ }\text{GPa}$ is associated with a 38% increase in the bulk modulus consistent with our DFT calculations that predict a $\ensuremath{\sim}36\mathrm{%}$ and 39% increase in ${K}_{0}$ for the generalized gradient and local density approximations, respectively. In contrast to the EOS of MI and OI, we find that our experimental EOS for the high-pressure OII phase is in good agreement with previous measurements. The large volume decrease across the $\text{OI}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\text{OII}$ phase transition as obtained from both our experiments and calculations is $\ensuremath{\sim}10\mathrm{%}$. Our estimates, using scaling relations, indicate that this phase, while dense and quenchable, may have a comparatively low mechanical hardness of $\ensuremath{\sim}10\text{ }\text{GPa}$.
The Year in Electrophysiology: Selected Highlights From 2018

This article is the first in an annual series for the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. The authors thank the editor-in-chief, Dr. Kaplan, the associate editor-in-chief, Dr. Augoustides, and the editorial board for the opportunity to start this series, namely the research highlights of the year that pertain to electrophysiology in relation to cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia. This first article focuses on esophageal thermal injury during radiofrequency ablation, perioperative management of patients presenting for ablation procedures, left atrial appendage occlusion devices, and, finally, heart failure diagnostic devices.
Struggling with/against the unintentional reproduction of power structures in participatory research: Using reconstructive horizon analysis:

Shared power and democratic decision making are core epistemological commitments of participatory action research. Scholars who engage in participatory action research with youth seek to share owne...
Cost Reduction, Yield and Profit Enhancement in Maize Cultivation Through Mechanization

Objectives : To assess the impact of different degrees of mechanization on cost reduction, productivity and profitability of maize cultivation. Methods/Statistical analysis : A sample of 47 maize growers was selected from Shimoga district of Karnataka. Farms were post classified into highly, moderately and less mechanized based on the degrees of mechanization. Enterprise budgeting, energy indicators, dummy variable technique, data envelopment analysis are the tools employed in the study. The data on inputs used, labour use pattern, output, prices of inputs and output were elicited using structured schedule for the agricultural year 2016-17. Findings : Mechanization in maize has led to cost saving and increased profit of 20.21% and 32.14% on HMF compared to LMF. Mechanization reduced dependence on human labour to an extent of 64.28% and 18.50% on HMF and MMF compared to LMF. Mechanical energy was found to be the cheapest energy source at ₹2.93% MJ. HMF was found to be economically efficient in resource use compared to MMF and LMF. The dummy variable analysis indicated that additional rupee spent on machine labour increases net returns by ₹4.45 while it was meager ₹0.38 from human labour. Application/Improvements : Mechanization should be made affordable to marginal and small farmers through establishment of more number of custom hiring centres sponsored by Government in collaboration with NGO’s/ private agencies.
Evidence that an episodic mode of thinking facilitates encoding of perceptually rich memories for naturalistic events relative to a gist-based mode of thinking

Several studies have demonstrated that an episodic specificity induction (ESI) can influence cognitive abilities that involve episodic processes at retrieval. To better understand the downstream im...
Conversion: The Lived Experience of Third-Generation Seventh-Day Adventist Young Adults

AbstractThis qualitative study was concerned with describing the lived experience of conversion in the lives of third- and greater-generation Seventh-day Adventist (Adventist) young adults. Fourtee...
Hazard Perception in City and Highway Environments

Hazard perception (HP) is an important aspect of driving performance and is associated with crash risk. In the current study, we investigate the effect of roadway environment (city vs. highway) and...
β-Sheet Nanocrystals Dictate Water Responsiveness of Bombyx Mori Silk

Water-responsive (WR) materials that strongly swell and shrink in response to changes in relative humidity (RH) have shown a great potential to serve as high-energy actuators for soft robotics and new energy-harvesting systems. However, the design criteria governing the scalable and high-efficiency WR actuation remain unclear, and thus inhibit further development of WR materials for practical applications. Nature has provided excellent examples of WR materials that contain stiff nanocrystalline structures that can be crucial to understand the fundamentals of WR behavior. This work reports that regenerated Bombyx (B.) mori silk can be processed to increase β-sheet crystallinity, which dramatically increases the WR energy density to 1.6 MJ m-3 , surpassing that of all known natural muscles, including mammalian muscles and insect muscles. Interestingly, the maximum water sorption decreases from 80.4% to 19.2% as the silk's β-sheet crystallinity increases from 19.7% to 57.6%, but the silk's WR energy density shows an eightfold increase with higher fractions of β-sheets. The findings of this study suggest that high crystallinity of silk reduces energy dissipation and translates the chemical potential of water-induced pressure to external loads more efficiently during the hydration/dehydration processes. Moreover, the availability of B. mori silk opens up possibilities for simple and scalable modification and production of powerful WR actuators.
Eroding Support from Below: Performance in Local Government and Opposition Party Growth in South Africa

How does support for opposition parties grow in dominant party systems? Most scholarship on the rise of competitive elections in dominant party regimes focuses on elite defections from the ruling party and coordination by opposition parties as key explanations, but there is less focus on how politics at the local level contributes to opposition victories. This article argues that effective service delivery in local government helps opposition parties grow support in local elections. Examining the case of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in South Africa, this article provides a systematic analysis of local elections and opposition party performance. Using an original data set of electoral, census and spatial data at the lowest electoral unit in South Africa (the ward), this article shows that in the areas where it is the incumbent party, support for the DA grows as the delivery of basic services to non-white households improves, and when DA-run wards outperform the neighbouring ones run by the ruling African National Congress party, support for the DA increases in neighbouring wards. Overall, this study contributes to our understanding of how local politics erode dominant party rule.
The effect of smoking on achieving meaningful clinical outcomes one year after lumbar tubular microdecompression: a matched-pair cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT There has been a shift in the spine literature in reporting meaningful outcomes, including meaningful clinically important difference (MCID), after surgery. The evidence on the effect of tobacco smoking at the time of lumbar tubular microdecompression (LTMD) on meaningful outcomes is limited. PURPOSE To compare differences in 1-year functional outcomes and rates of achieving MCID between current smokers and non-smokers who underwent LTMD for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). STUDY DESIGN A nested case control study to compare the difference in patient reported outcomes (PROs) between smokers and non-smokers 1-year after undergoing LTMD. PATIENT SAMPLE This study included patients that underwent single level LTMD by a single surgeon between January 2014 through August 2019. OUTCOME MEASURES Preoperative and postoperative PROs were recorded using the questionnaires EQ-5D, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain and leg pain. The MCID was also used. METHODS Current tobacco smokers at the time of surgery were matched 1:2 to non-smokers by age (+/- 1year). Preoperative and postoperative functional scores were compared between the two groups using independent t-tests. Additionally, thresholds for achieving MCID were calculated for each individual functional score, and were compared using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS Of the 183 patients with 1-year follow-up who met inclusion criteria, 35 patients were identified as smokers and were matched to 70 non-smokers. No statistical differences were identified between age, BMI, or gender. Comparison of preoperative PROs showed no statistically significant differences between smokers and non-smokers (p>0.05 for all), while smokers had statistically lower EQ-5D (p<0.001) and higher ODI (p=0.05), VAS back (p=0.033), and VAS leg (p=0.03) score averages at a minimum of one year follow-up. Evaluation of meaningful outcomes demonstrated non-smokers had higher rates of achieving MCID on at least 1 threshold score as compared to smokers (98.5% vs. 91.1%; p=0.043). CONCLUSIONS Current smokers at the time of surgery have inferior postoperative EQ-5D scores, increased pain and disability, and lower odds of achieving the MCID at 1-year after undergoing LTMD when compared to patients without any smoking history.
Demonstrating Concepts in Catalysis, Renewable Energy, and Chemical Safety with the Catalytic Oxidation of Hydrogen.

A versatile and portable apparatus was developed to demonstrate exciting visual displays of catalytic phenomena that introduce basic concepts in catalysis, renewable energy, and chemical safety, in order to pique scientific curiosity in a variety of audiences including middle and high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, and the general public. The demonstration uses the platinum-catalyzed oxidation of hydrogen by oxygen as a model reaction to illustrate concepts in thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and electrochemistry. The apparatus was designed to contain inherent safety features and the versatility to adopt several configurations to perform a wide range of experiments in classroom settings, informal science education activities, and public outreach events. Soap bubbles are used to confine small, controlled volumes (<35 cm3) of hydrogen/oxygen gas mixtures and probe the reactivity of bulk and nanoparticle forms of platinum to illustrate how high metal surface areas increase catalytic reaction rates. In parallel, a hydrogen/oxygen proton-exchange fuel cell is used to demonstrate how chemical energy released from the exergonic hydrogen oxidation reaction can be converted into electricity by using a platinum-containing electrocatalyst. With adjustments of the operating configuration and the experimental conditions of the apparatus, the demonstrations can be tailored toward target demographics of varying scientific proficiency to emphasize specific learning objectives for topics in reaction chemistry and engineering. Potential hazards and important safety precautions are addressed.
Fruit secondary metabolites shape seed dispersal effectiveness

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) play a central role in seed dispersal and fruit defense, with potential for large impacts on plant fitness and demography. Yet because PSMs can have multiple interactive functions across seed dispersal stages, we must systematically study their effects to determine the net consequences for plant fitness. To tackle this issue, we integrate the role of fruit PSMs into the seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) framework. We describe PSM effects on the quantity and quality of animal-mediated seed dispersal, both in pairwise interactions and diverse disperser communities, as well as trade-offs that occur across dispersal stages. By doing so, this review provides structure to a rapidly growing field and yields insights into a critical process shaping plant populations.
Identifying a Research Topic

Once you have narrowed your trip choices and selected a particular location toward which to travel, the next thing you would want to do is to determine the specific attractions that you want to visit at that location.
The HIV-1 capsid core is an opportunistic nuclear import receptor

The movement of viruses and other large macromolecular cargo through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) is poorly understood. The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) provides an attractive model to interrogate this process due to the genetic and cell biological assays to score virus nuclear entry in living cells. Although initial studies of HIV-1 infection of nondividing cells focused on karyophilic virion proteins, subsequent work revealed the viral capsid (CA), the chief structural component of the pre-integration complex (PIC), to be a critical determinant in nuclear transport. In support of this model, HIV-1 interactions with NPCs can be altered through CA mutation, which makes direct contact with nucleoporins (Nups). Here we identify Nup35, Nup153, and POM121 to coordinately support HIV-1 nuclear entry. For Nup35 and POM121, this dependence was strongly dependent cyclophilin A (CypA) interaction with CA. Mutation of CA or removal of soluble host factors changed the interaction with the NPC. Collectively, these findings implicate the HIV-1 CA hexameric lattice that encapsulates the viral genome as a macromolecular nuclear transport receptor (NTR) that exploits soluble host factors to modulate NPC requirements during nuclear invasion.
Optimization of Single-plane Packet Loss in IP Bearer Networks

This article addresses the issue of single-plane packet loss in IP bearer networks ,which occurs in Mc interface optimization in soft-switching systems ,and this article will discuss the impact of this problem on soft-switching services which underlie the active-standby access mode and load-sharing mode. It also analyzes issues related to the load-balancing mode and offers suggestions for network optimization. It is a reference for optimization and safety protectionof mobile soft-switching networks.
A CARBONIFEROUS SYNZIPHOSURINE (XIPHOSURA) FROM THE BEAR GULCH LIMESTONE, MONTANA, USA

Abstract: A new synziphosurine, Anderella parva gen. et sp. nov., extends the known range of this group from the Silurian to the Carboniferous and is the youngest known so far from the fossil record. Previously the youngest synziphosurine, Kasibelinurus, was from the Devonian of North America. Anderella parva has a semi-oval carapace with pointed genal regions, nine freely articulating opisthosomal segments and a long styliform tail spine. It is the third xiphosuran genus to be described from the Bear Gulch Limestone and its discovery highlights this deposit as containing an unusually diverse xiphosuran biota. It is also the only known locality where synziphosurines occur alongside the more derived xiphosurids. Xiphosurans reached their greatest diversity in the Carboniferous when the xiphosurids began to occupy brackish and freshwater habitats and became dominant over the synziphosurines. The discovery of the only known Carboniferous synziphosurine in marine sediments may indicate their inability to exploit these same environments.
Regeneration of the Urodele Limb

Urodele limbs regenerate via a blastema of mesenchymal cells derived from muscle, connective tissue and nerve sheath cells in the vicinity of the amputation surface by a process of histolysis, dedifferentiation and release of stem cells. Blastema cells replicate their DNA, arrest in G2 and accumulate under an apical epidermal cap (AEC). G2 arrest is broken by factor(s) expressed by the AEC that bind to receptors on the blastema cell surface. Expression of these factors is dependent on factor(s) provided by axons reinnervating the AEC. The blastema cells proliferate and are patterned into new limb structures by suites of signalling factors such as retinoic acid, sonic hedgehog and Wnt, in addition to homeobox transcription factors that endow the cells with positional identities expressed as axial gradients on the cell surface. The degree to which the early blastema is determined is controversial, with some evidence arguing for developmental plasticity and other evidence arguing that the blastema is self-organising. Key Concepts Urodeles are unique in their ability to form a regeneration blastema in response to amputation. The cells of the regeneration blastema are derived from resident stem cells and/or by the reprogramming (dedifferentiation) of differentiated cells. Blastema cells derived from the different limb tissues redifferentiate in a lineage-specific manner, but blastema cells derived from fibroblasts can also transdifferentiate into cartilage and tendon. The apical epidermal cap (AEC) of the wound epidermis is induced by regenerating nerve axons to produce a mitogen(s) that drives the proliferation of blastema cells. Patterning of the blastema involves region-specific contributions of limb cells, lineage-specific redifferentiation of blastema cells, interactions between blastema cells of different positions to eliminate discontinuities and sorting out of blastema cells with different cell surface adhesion. Cell interactions are mediated during axial patterning of the blastema by several signalling molecules and homeobox transcription factors. How the axial pattern and limb type of the early blastema is determined, whether by induction, self-organisation or both, remains controversial. Keywords: blastema origin and formation; cell cycling; determination; patterning; retinoic acid; Hox genes
Outage data and application of probabilistic indicators in system planning

• Planning for uncertain future with deterministic approach does not seem appropriate. Power system behavior is stochastic in nature, and therefore the analysis of such systems should be based on probabilistic techniques. A deterministic approach cannot capture the full spectrum of the renewable generation variability and uncertainties. • Probabilistic approach gives system planning engineers a better feel of future system conditions and will provide more confidence in making judgments concerning investment and utilize the capital where is most needed. • NERC-TADS-GADS and CEA ERIS programs can support ongoing monitoring of a variety of outage events and produce performance indicators that are of need in probabilistic planning. • Probabilistic planning studies assess the relationship between reliability and economy and properly identify the minimum cost to achieve the maximum reliability. • Probabilistic planning can account for a number of uncertainties.
Effects of Female fruit-marking Pheromones on Oviposition, Mating, and Male Behavior in the Neotropical Species Rhagoletis conversa Bréthes and Rhagoletis brncici Frías (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Sex pheromones produced by females of Rhagoletis conversa Brethes and Rhagoletis brncici Frias are deposited on the surface of fruits after the eggs are laid. These pheromones repel other females, preventing repeated oviposition on the same fruit. They also attract males, thus assisting mating. Observations were made on wild populations, and cross-species behavioral tests were performed on males. The pheromone released by females was significantly more attractive for males of the same species. The two species showed remarkable differences in mating behavior, in the duration of oviposition, and in the number of circuits made around the fruit after eggs were laid. A morphological analysis of flies collected from their respective host plants indicated great host fidelity and the reproductive isolation of the two species. Possibly, the specific male-arresting effect of this pheromone was important for the sympatric speciation and evolution of these sibling species.
A concentration-based approach to data classification for choropleth mapping

The choropleth map is a device used for the display of socioeconomic data associated with an areal partition of geographic space. Cartographers emphasize the need to standardize any raw count data by an area-based total before displaying the data in a choropleth map. The standardization process converts the raw data from an absolute measure into a relative measure. However, there is recognition that the standardizing process does not enable the map reader to distinguish between low–low and high–high numerator/denominator differences. This research uses concentration-based classification schemes using Lorenz curves to address some of these issues. A test data set of nonwhite birth rate by county in North Carolina is used to demonstrate how this approach differs from traditional mean–variance-based systems such as the Jenks’ optimal classification scheme.
Young Adult Cancer Survivors’ Experience with Cancer Treatment and Follow-Up Care and Perceptions of Barriers to Engaging in Recommended Care

We examined correlates of low engagement in the healthcare system, experiences with survivorship care, barriers to follow-up care, and potential resources for promoting follow-up care among young adult survivors of childhood cancers. We conducted a mixed-method study involving surveys of 106 survivors of childhood cancer aged 18–34 recruited from a university-affiliated children’s hospital and an NCI-designated cancer center in the Southeastern USA. Phone-based semistructured interviews were then conducted in a subset of 26. Assessments included health factors, psychosocial factors, healthcare system interaction, and interest in resources to promote engagement in healthcare. Survey participants were on average 22.14 (SD = 3.16) years old, 50.0 % female, and 77.4 % White. Overall, 46.0 % had attended survivorship clinic, 47.2 % reported receiving a treatment summary, 68.9 % had a primary care provider, and 17.0 % reported no interaction with healthcare in the past 2 years. Correlates of less than annual healthcare provider visits included being older (p = 0.003), being male (p < 0.001), lack of insurance (p = 0.002), and having had chemotherapy (p = 0.05). Participants reported varied experiences in terms of how health and treatment information was presented, from none or too little to overwhelming or anxiety-provoking amounts. Barriers to engaging in survivorship care included no/limited insurance, time, or transportation; major life changes; anxiety; and difficulty transitioning from pediatrics to adult care. Participants highlighted the need for educational and psychosocial resources, particularly technology-based resources. Multilevel interventions are needed to increase engagement in survivorship care among young adult cancer survivors. Technology-based resources addressing social support and mental well-being are intervention possibilities.