cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HISTORICIZING AMERICAN TRAVEL, AT HOME AND ABROAD

In the winter of 1859, the Boston poet Julia Ward Howe sailed for Cuba; and in the winter of 1860, Ticknor and Fields published an account of her travel. A Trip to Cuba appeared only months after the same firm had published Richard Henry Dana's story of his “vacation voyage,” To Cuba and Back. These two narratives responded to a burgeoning American interest in the Caribbean island that promised recuperation to American invalids and adventure for military “filibusters.” Howe's narrative demonstrated a self-conscious familiarity with antebellum travel writing more broadly, however, as she playfully resisted yet ultimately upheld various conventions of a genre that had become a staple of the American literary marketplace. “I do not know why all celebrated people who write books of travel begin by describing their days of seasickness,” she noted, before discussing her own shipboard illness. She followed similar cues as she blended elements of autobiography, the social sketch, nature writing, and political and social commentary. Across 250 “sprightly” pages, readers were offered a familiar melange of humorous portraits, detailed descriptions of “foreign” institutions, and extensive commentary on local customs and social mores.
Robbery characteristics and employee injuries in convenience stores.

Background Each year approximately 30,000 convenience store employees are at risk for injuries related to robberies and many are fatal. Methods A prospective cohort study of 460 convenience store robberies from 1 February 1995 to 30 September 1996 was conducted to uncover possible associations between injury and pertinent robbery circumstances and work environments. Data collection sources included police reports, employee interviews, store evaluations, and relevant Census data. Rate ratios and correlation statistics were calculated to identify associations with injury and relationships between variables. Results Injury risk was strongly associated with the following characteristics: employee resistance, robberies without firearms or money taken, daytime and merchandise robberies, stores with limited escape routes and no cash policy or drop safe, older clerks, and surrounding areas with lower valued buildings, less expensive rent, more vacant structures, and younger residents. Numerous intercorrelations between these characteristics were identified. Discussion Training opportunities, store procedures, and environmental designs are important factors to consider in reducing robbery-related injuries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:703–709, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc
Systematic analysis of transcribed loci in ENCODE regions using RACE sequencing reveals extensive transcription in the human genome

Background: Recent studies of the mammalian transcriptome have revealed a large number of additional transcribed regions and extraordinary complexity in transcript diversity. However, there is still much uncertainty regarding precisely what portion of the genome is transcribed, the exact structures of these novel transcripts, and the levels of the transcripts produced. Results: We have interrogated the transcribed loci in 420 selected ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements (ENCODE) regions using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) sequencing. We analyzed annotated known gene regions, but primarily we focused on novel transcriptionally active regions (TARs), which were previously identified by high-density oligonucleotide tiling arrays and on random regions that were not believed to be transcribed. We found RACE sequencing to be very sensitive and were able to detect low levels of transcripts in specific cell types that were not detectable by microarrays. We also observed many instances of sense-antisense transcripts; further analysis suggests that many of the antisense transcripts (but not all) may be artifacts generated from the reverse transcription reaction. Our results show that the majority of the novel TARs analyzed (60%) are connected to other novel TARs or known exons. Of previously unannotated random regions, 17% were shown to produce overlapping transcripts. Furthermore, it is estimated that 9% of the novel transcripts encode proteins. Conclusion: We conclude that RACE sequencing is an efficient, sensitive, and highly accurate method for characterization of the transcriptome of specific cell/tissue types. Using this method, it appears that much of the genome is represented in polyA+ RNA. Moreover, a fraction of the novel RNAs can encode protein and are likely to be functional.
Routine cycling of antimicrobial agents as an infection-control measure.

Antimicrobial cycling is the deliberate, scheduled removal and substitution of specific antimicrobials or classes of antimicrobials within an institutional environment (either hospital-wide or confined to specific units) to avoid or reverse the development of antimicrobial resistance. True antimicrobial cycling requires a return to the antimicrobial(s) that were first used. Testing of the hypothesis that cycling will result in a lower prevalence of resistance is ongoing, mostly occurs within intensive care units, and largely involves cycling regimens targeted for treatment of suspected gram-negative bacterial infections. Unfortunately, there has been insufficient study to determine whether any meaningful impact on resistance has occurred as a result of a cycling program. Mathematical models question the usefulness of cycling as an infection-control method. Published studies demonstrate that cycling may be one way to change prescribing practices by clinicians without sacrificing patient safety. However, optimizing antimicrobial use through traditional and novel methods (e.g., computer decision support) should not be abandoned.
The Effects of Workload Transitions in a Multitasking Environment

Interest in workload transitions is centered on the hypothesis that transitions from one level of task difficulty to another may negatively impact performance on those tasks, and result in potentially critical impacts on professionals such as air traffic controllers and emergency medical staff. The current study sought to determine the effect of workload transitions on participants’ neurophysiological signals and performance. Participants completed trials in the Air Force Multi-Attribute Task Battery (AF-MATB; Miller, 2010), while Electroencephalography (EEG), Electrocardiography (ECG) and Electrooculogram (EOG) signals were recorded. All participants completed AF-MATB trials that delivered consistently low or high task difficulty, and trials that transitioned from an easy level to a difficult level and vice versa. Additionally, participants completed the NASA Task Load Index to assess subjective workload, and the shortened Dundee Stress State Questionnaire to measure subjective task-related stress during their testing sessions. Analyses of the performance data provide limited support for a negative impact of transitions from hard-to-easy, and the analysis of both the NASA Task Load Index and of the shortened Dundee State Questionnaire did not reveal any significant differences related to workload transitions. Analysis of the EEG data revealed that temporal gamma oscillations rapidly changed following a transition and settled after easy-to-hard changes in task difficulty, but settled more slowly after the task transitioned from hardto-easy. Frontal theta oscillations, in contrast, exhibited consistently rapid settling which may indicate rapid changes in working memory utilization and conflict resolution (Gevins, et al., 1997). These EEG results suggest potential for further research.
Stress-induced effects in PLZT ceramics

Soft, high lead-containing ferroelectric ceramic materials such as PLZT are known to be highly vulnerable to the effects of mechanical stress at room and elevated temperatures as a consequence of their ferroelastic and pyroplastic natures which are usually manifested in some form of nonlinear behaviour within the material. Examples of such behaviour include: (1) hydrostatic and shock-wave stimulated structural phase transformations as in stress-induced depoling of explosive-to-electrical (EET) transducers, (2) mechanically stimulated domain reorientation as in shape memory effects and Rainbow de,ices, (3) mechanically stimulated electrooptic effects as in ferroelectric picture (Ferpic) devices and Rainbows, (4) mechanically stimulated strength effects and (5) thermo-mechanically stimulated dimensional changes as in high temperature creep. The improved utility or increased sensitivity of these materials as a result of stress-enhancing techniques is described.
Regulation of Dendritic Growth and Remodeling by Rho, Rac, and Cdc42

The acquisition of cell type-specific morphologies is a central feature of neuronal differentiation and has important consequences for nervous system function. To begin to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms, we have explored the role of Rho-related GTPases in the dendritic development of cortical neurons. Expression of dominant negative mutants of Rac or Cdc42, the Rho-inhibitory molecule C3 transferase, or the GTPase-activating protein RhoGAP p190 causes a marked reduction in the number of primary dendrites in nonpyramidal (multipolar) neurons and in the number of basal dendrites in neurons with pyramidal morphologies. Conversely, the expression of constitutively active mutants of Rho, Rac, or Cdc42 leads to an increase in the number of primary and basal dendrites. In cortical cultures, as in vivo, dendritic remodeling leads to an apparent transformation from pyramidal to nonpyramidal morphologies over time. Strikingly, this shift in favor of nonpyramidal morphologies is also inhibited by the expression of dominant negative mutants of Cdc42 and Rac and by RhoGAP p190. These observations indicate that Rho, Rac, and Cdc42 play a central role in dendritic development and suggest that differential activation of Rho-related GTPases may contribute to the generation of morphological diversity in the developing cortex.
Using Humor, Art, and Music with Dying and Bereaved Children:

This article discusses using humor, art, and music with dying and bereaved children. All forms of artistic expression may be used to provide social support for children, to foster positive attitude...
Mechanical response of electrically conductive laminated composite plates in the presence of an electromagnetic field

Abstract A new 2D model for electrically conductive laminated composite plates subjected to mechanical and electromagnetic loads has been developed. The model is based on an extension of the classical lamination theory that utilizes the Kirchhoff hypothesis of nondeformable normals combined with physics-based simplifying hypotheses for the electromagnetic field. Within the developed model a problem of the dynamic response of laminated composite plates subjected to the dynamic transverse mechanical loading, pulsed electric current, and magnetic field is considered. The numerical results show that the applied electromagnetic field can change the amplitude and pattern of vibrations of the laminated plate. A damping effect is observed for rather large external magnetic inductions. It has also been found that the electromagnetic field effects are more apparent in a unidirectional composite plate than in a cross-ply plate.
A programmable accelerator for next generation wireless communications

We present a MIMO decoder accelerator architecture that offers versatility and re-programmability while maintaining a very high performance-cost metric. The accelerator is meant to address the MIMO decoding bottlenecks associated with the convergence of multiple high speed wireless standards onto a single device. It is scalable in the number of antennas, bandwidth, modulation format, and most importantly, present and emerging decoder algorithms. It features a Harvard-like architecture with complex vector operands and a deeply pipelined fixed-point complex arithmetic processing unit. Memory allows efficient access to operands in matrix form, while a custom state machine enhances performance in light of OFDM. The accelerator shows an advantage of up to 3 orders of magnitude in power-delay product for typical MIMO decoding operations relative to a general purpose DSP.
Previous Injuries and Behavior Problems Predict Children's Injuries

Investigated factors related to unintentional injuries in 50 children from summer day camps for economically underprivileged youth. Data were collected on parent reports of children's previous medically treated injuries, Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) scores, and the day camp's incident reports of injuries. One year later, parents completed a second questionnaire about medically and home-treated injuries. Multiple linear regression indicated that previous medically treated injury, ECBI opposition score, and injury at camp accounted for 50% of the variance of medically treated injuries in the year after camp. Previous medically treated injury accounted for 21% of the variance in frequent home-treated injuries during the year after camp. Children who have behavior problems may behave in ways that predispose them to common injuries. Conceptualizing injury as a behavioral process suggests behavior change strategies to reduce injury risk and ways to target children for injury prevention efforts. Language: en
Post-translational regulation of activation-induced cytidine deaminase

The assembled immunoglobulin genes in the B cells of mice and humans are altered by distinct processes known as class switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation, leading to diversification of the antibody repertoire. These two DNA modification processes are initiated by the B cell-specific protein factor activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). AID is post-translationally modified by phosphorylation at multiple sites, although functional significance during CSR has been implicated only for phosphorylation at serine-38 (S38). Although multiple laboratories have demonstrated that AID function is regulated via phosphorylation at S38, the precise biological role of S38 phosphorylation has been a topic of debate. Here, we discuss our interpretation of the significance of AID regulation via phosphorylation and also discuss how this form of AID regulation may have evolved in higher organisms.
The Dynamics of Helical Shape Memory Actuators

This paper presents an experimental and theoretical study of the dynamic and thermal characteristics of SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY (SMA) actuators. The actua tors are made of a NIckel-TItanium (NITINOL) wires formed in the shape of helical coils that are capable of generating large deflections when subjected to low voltage excitations. The deflections produced are accompanied by significant forces resulting from the unique phase transformation of the NITINOL alloy as it is heated past its transition temperature.
Nonparametric analysis of an accelerated failure time model

SUMMARY Survival distributions can be characterized by and compared through their hazard functions. Tests using a proportional hazards model have good power if the two hazards do not cross, but without time-dependent covariates can have low power if they do. The method contained herein is designed to provide a complement to the proportional hazards model. Differences in survival distributions are parameterized by a scale change and the log rank statistic is used to generate an estimate of the change and a confidence interval based test. This approach is fully efficient for the Weibull family with no censoring. In general it compares favourably with the proportional hazards approach, although neither method dominates.
Nature of coupled-mode contributions to hot-electron relaxation in semiconductors

The energy flow in a system of hot electrons, hot LO phonons, and a bath of acoustic phonons is studied using nonequilibrium Green functions. In lowest order, Kogan's formula for the energy-loss rate is obtained. When coupled modes are included we find, in sharp contrast to Das Sarma and co-workers, that the energy-loss rate is significantly suppressed by coupled-mode formation and quasiparticlelike modes do not contribute to the energy-loss rate.
Optimizing platelet inhibition in clopidogrel poor metabolizers: therapeutic options and practical considerations.

Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel represents the standard of care for the prevention of recurrent ischemic events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement. However, some patients have impaired clopidogrel response and thus persist with high
In situ vapor-deposited parylene substrates for ultra-thin, lightweight organic solar cells

Abstract We fabricate the thinnest (1.3 μm) and lightest (3.6 g/m2) solar cells yet demonstrated, with weight-specific power exceeding 6 W/g, in order to illustrate the lower limits of substrate thickness and materials use achievable with a new processing paradigm. Our fabrication process uniquely starts with growth of an ultra-thin flexible polymer substrate in vacuum, followed by deposition of electrodes and photoactive layers in situ. With this process sequence, the entire cell—from transparent substrate to active layers to encapsulation—can be fabricated at room temperature without solvents and without breaking vacuum, avoiding exposure to dust and other contaminants, and minimizing damage risk associated with handling of thin substrates. We use in situ vapor-phase growth of smooth, transparent, and flexible parylene-C films to produce ultra-thin, lightweight molecular organic solar cells as thin as 2.3 μm including encapsulation with a second parylene-C film. These parylene-based devices exhibit power conversion efficiencies and fabrication yields comparable to glass-based cells. Flexible solar cells on parylene membranes can be seamlessly adhered to a variety of solid surfaces to provide additive solar power.
Behavior of Beach Fills in New England

Study of behavior of fills placed on 10 New England beaches; quantitative determinations of changes in volumes, high and low water shore line positions, and slopes; data on construction of projects, wave exposure, past erosion, littoral drift, and character of beach and fill materials; tables give numerical values of volumetric changes on beaches studied; list of 79 beaches improved by fill placement.
Retrograde Solubilities of Source Term Phases

Natural analog, experimental, and thermodynamic studies indicate that the properties of secondary uranyl minerals are likely to control the source term for U and other radioelements incorporated in these phases in the proposed Yucca Mountain repository. Thermodynamic calculations using data from the 1992 NEA data base indicate an increase in the equilibrium constant for schoepite dissolution from 103.1 to 104.8 with decreasing temperature from 100° to 25°C, i.e., retrograde solubility. Enthalpies for mineral transformation reactions that consume protons and release cations are typically negative, suggesting that solubilities of other uranyl phases such as uranophane increase more than that of schoepite with decreasing temperature. Solubilities of mineral phases associated with spent nuclear fuel will be initially relatively low under the elevated repository temperature regime. As the temperature of the repository decreases due to radioactive decay and heat dissipation, source term mineral solubilities increase. The rate of release of U and other species is controlled by a series of processes: transport of oxidants and flux of water; oxidative dissolution of spent fuel; uranyl mineral precipitation; uranyl mineral dissolution or transformation; and radionuclide transport. Decreasing diffusion and reaction rates and increasing uranyl mineral solubilities with decreasing temperature may lead to a change with time from solubility to transport or reaction rate as a source term controlling mechanism. Preservation of large quantities of uranyl minerals formed by oxidation of uraninite and radiometrie ages of secondary uranophane at the natural analog site at Pena Blanca indicate that oxidative alteration of uraninite was fast relative to transport of U away from the deposit. The successive formation of schoepite and uranophane in natural settings where uraninite has been oxidized may represent a paragenesis reflecting increasing temperature or increasing incorporation of environmental components. In contrast, diminishing temperature conditions in a repository source area could lead to the reverse sequence of mineral formation.
Disaster Social Service Volunteers Evaluation of a Training Program

This article presents the results of an evaluation of a volunteer training program that prepares participants to enter postdisaster settings to work with affected children and families. The evaluat...
Dietary Carbohydrate and Fat Do Not Alter the Thyroid Response to Protein Deficiency in Chicks

AbstractConsumption of low-protein diets consistently causes elevations in circulating levels of triiodothyronine (T3) in several species of animals. In chicks this is often accompanied by lower levels of circulating thyroxine (T4). Since low-protein diets are usually formulated by replacing the deleted protein with carbohydrate, the question arises as to whether the changes in thyroid hormones are a result of the lower protein or higher amounts of carbohydrate in such diets. Male broiler chicks, 13-26 days of age, were fed experimental diets that contained either an adequate level of protein (24%) or levels that were slightly (17%) or moderately (10%) deficient in protein. The deleted protein was replaced, isocalorically, with either glucose, soybean oil, or hydrogenated coconut fat. Though the level of protein and source of energy differed among diets, all diets contained identical amounts of all nutrients and energy, and were of similar weight densities. Circulating levels of thyroid hormones were meas...
ACR appropriateness Criteria® advanced stage endometrial cancer.

Objectives Patients with advanced stage endometrial carcinoma constitute a heterogeneous group of patients with different stages, tumor histologic types, and involved sites. Hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy, and surgical staging are the cornerstone of surgical management in these patients. The optimal adjuvant therapy is yet to be established. An expert panel was convened to reach consensus on the most appropriate management options in this group of patients. Methods The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 3 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment. Results Four clinical variants were developed to address common scenarios in the management of women with advanced-stage endometrial carcinoma. Group members reached consensus on the appropriateness of specific evaluation and treatment approaches with numerical ratings. Conclusions In combining available medical literature and expert opinions, this manuscript may serve as an aid for other practitioners in the appropriate management of women with advanced-stage endometrial carcinoma.
A digest of listservs of interest to access services, September–December 2015

Steven Dunlap, Stanford University Medical Center Library, asked the ILL list members whether, when they received ILL requests for materials that were not suited for loans, they had the staff scan ...
Selective dorsal rhizotomy for spastic diplegia secondary to stroke in an adult patient.

Background Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is often recommended for children with spastic paraparesis and cerebral palsy. SDR reduces spasticity in the lower extremities for these children with spastic paraplegia. However, SDR is infrequently recommended for adults with spasticity. Spastic diplegia in adult patients can be due to stroke, brain or spinal cord injury from trauma, infection, toxic-metabolic disorders, and other causes. Although rarely considered, SDR is an option for adult patients with spastic diplegia as well. Case description The authors describe a patient who underwent a SDR with a successful postoperative outcome. This man suffered a hypertensive and hemorrhagic stroke secondary to intravenous drug abuse at age 46. A SDR was performed after two failed intrathecal baclofen pump placements due to recurrent infections, likely resulting from his immunocompromised status. The patient underwent lumbar laminectomies and dorsal rhizotomies at levels L1-S1 bilaterally. Postoperatively, the patient's spasticity was significantly reduced. His Ashworth spasticity score decreased from 4/5 to 1/5, and the reduction in tone has been durable over 3 years. Conclusion SDR in older patients with spastic paraparesis may be considered as a treatment option.
Effective Online Instruction in Higher Education

† Lynda R. Wiest, College of Education/299, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89557. Tele-phone: (775) 682-7868. E-mail: wiest@unr.eduThe Quarterly Review of Distance Education, Volume 13(1), 2012, pp. 11–14 ISSN 1528-3518Copyright © 2012 Information Age Publishing, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
Effects of Age on the Development of Arthropathy in Mice with Hemophilia.

Abstract The National Hemophilia Foundation, World Federation for Hemophilia and the World Health Organization recommend that prophylaxis be continued indefinitely. Questions about stopping prophylaxis as boys become adolescents or adults have been raised. In particular, discontinuing prophylaxis after a boy reaches skeletal maturity has been suggested. The impact of joint bleeding on these mature joints is thought to be less deleterious than in those of younger patients. To test the hypothesis that older, skeletally mature joints are less susceptible to joint damage after hemarthrosis, mice deficient in factor 8 gene expression (n=42) were studied to determine the impact of age and skeletal maturity on the development of hemophilic arthropathy. Mice at different ages were subjected to needle puncture of the knee joint capsule to induce a single massive hemarthrosis and then sacrificed 30 days or one year after the joint bleed. The diameter of the right (R) and left (L) knee joints was measured and the greatest bone diameter recorded. The joints were then isolated and subjected to image analysis using micro-computed tomography (mCT). Images were reviewed by 6 examiners blinded to the experimental conditions. After 30 days, a single episode of hemarthrosis resulted in a significant increase (p=0.0152) in the size of the affected joints compared to the control contralateral joint (figure). Although all ages of mice demonstrated bone hypertrophy, this was most pronounced in older mice. mCT images showed that changes were present in bones of the affected knees both young and old mice compared to the contralateral control joints. A pitted appearance of the surface was prominent in young mice early after a joint bleed (day 30). By one year, this pitting was much less evident. Osteocyte formation was a prominent feature. The surface contour of older mice scarified on day 30 was rugose. By one year, osteocyte and new bone formation dominated the surface. Consistent with the observation in patients with hemophilia, the patella of older mice was laterally displaced. The knee joints of both young, skeletally immature and older skeletally mature mice demonstrate marked structural changes after a single hemarthrosis. These results indicate: that bone hypertrophy is greater in older mice; the blood-induced joint damage is different depending on the age of the animal; that bleeding into the skeletally mature joint damages the bones resulting in new bone formation; bleeding into immature joints causes more pitting of the surface and bone changes. Therefore, in conclusion, this data does not support the hypothesis that bleeding into the mature joint is less detrimental compared to hemarthrosis in the younger skeletally immature joint. This observation, if translatable to humans suggests that joint bleeding in adults is likely to result in bone damage and that prevention of joint bleeding should be a goal for patients of all ages. Download : Download high-res image (65KB) Download : Download full-size image
Diurnal Variation of TRMM/LIS Lightning Flash Radiances

AbstractThis study provides, for the first time, an analysis of the climatological diurnal variations in the lightning flash radiance data product e from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Lightning Imaging Sensor (TRMM/LIS). The e values over 13 years (2002–14), and over a global scale (∼38°S–38°N), reveal novel and remarkably consistent regional and seasonal patterns as a function of the local solar time (LST). In particular, the diurnal variation of e (over both continental and oceanic regions) is characterized by a monotonic increase from late afternoon (∼2000 LST), attaining a maximum around 0900 LST, followed by a decreasing trend. The continental (oceanic) e values reach a broader minimum spanning from ∼1500 to 1900 LST (∼1800 to 2000). The relative diurnal amplitude variation in continental e is about 45%, compared to about 15% for oceanic e. This study confirms that the results are not affected by diurnal biases associated with instrument detection or other statistical artifacts. Notable agr...
Introduction to Packing Patterns and Packing Energetics of Crystalline Self-Assembled Structures

To understand how molecules assemble themselves in crystalline forms requires knowledge of space group symmetry. The complexity of the symmetry relationships between molecules, although well understood by crystallographers, makes it very difficult for others to understand the chemical significance of the close packing interactions present in the solid state. With the use of Kitaigorodskii’s Aufbau Principle (KAP) and a few simple ideas concerning symmetry and the energetics of packing, complex crystal structures can be analyzed in terms of the substructures that make them up. KAP analysis along with some simple molecular simulation methods can be used to predict crystal structures of arbitrary shaped molecules in specific space groups, even those that have numerous internal rotational degrees of freedom.
Heteroepitaxy of orientation-patterned nonlinear optical materials

Abstract We report some recent results on thick heteroepitaxial growth of GaP on GaAs substrates and on orientation-patterned (OP) GaAs templates conducted in a hot-wall horizontal quartz reactor for Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy. The growths on the plain substrates resulted in up to 500 µm thick GaP with smooth surface morphology (RMS
Overpressure estimation and productivity analysis for a Marcellus Shale gas reservoir, southwest Pennsylvania: A case study

Abstract It is well established that geology, geomechanics, and completion play an important role in gas productivity from shale formations. In particular, overpressured shale — along with higher f...
Retinoids and chemoprevention of aerodigestive tract cancers.

Natural and synthetic vitamin A metabolites and analogs (retinoids) were found to suppress head and neck and lung carcinogenesis in animal models and inhibit carcinogenesis in individuals with premalignant lesions and a high risk to develop cancer of the aerodigestive tract. Likewise, retinoids prevent the development of second primary cancers in head and neck and lung cancer patients who had been treated for the first primary. These effects are thought to result from changes in the expression of genes that regulate cell growth and differentiation. Most of the effects of retinoids on gene expression are mediated by nuclear retinoic acid receptors RARs (α, β, and γ) and retinoid X receptors (RXR α, β, and γ), which function as retinoid-activated transcription factors. Like vitamin A deficiency, alterations in receptor expression or function could interfere with the retinoid signaling pathway and thereby enhance cancer development even in vitamin A sufficient individuals. We found that the expression of RARβ was suppressed in more than 50% of oral and lung premalignant lesions in individuals without cancer (e.g., oral leukoplakia and squamous metaplasia), in dysplastic lesions adjacent to cancer, and in malignant oral and lung carcinomas. The expression of the other receptors was not different among normal, dysplastic, and malignant oral tissues. However, the expression of RARγ and RXRβ was somewhat decreased in lung cancers. These results show that RARβ expression is lost at early stages of carcinogenesis in the aerodigestive tract and support the hypothesis that the loss of RARβ expression may facilitate the development of some of these cancers.
The Physics of Stored Laser Cooled Ion Clusters: Phase Transitions in a System with Only a Few Degrees of Freedom

Laser cooled stored ions offer a number of intriguing possibilities as an experimental tool for contemporary atomic physics research. Confined by “walls of pure energy” the ions are free from any unwanted contact with the surface of the confining vessel. This is an ideal situation for spectroscopy, for storing antimatter, or even a combination of both: antimatter spectroscopy. Moreover, a single laser cooled ion might well be the core of future high accuracy frequency standards, several orders more accurate than present day Cs atomic clocks. The basic idea of storing and cooling of ions might also find useful applications in analytical chemistry, where the idea could be further developed into a tool which is sensitive on the single ion level. Recently an additional dimension was added to the physics of laser cooled ions. It was conjectured that crystallized ion beams, cooled by electrons or lasers might exist in accelerators and storage rings with far reaching consequences for elementary particle physics. The new type of crystallized beams surpass by orders of magnitude the quality of “traditional” beams as far as beam diameter and emittance are concerned. These features result in a considerably increased luminosity implying that atomic and elementary particle processes with cross sections too tiny and therefore too costly to be measured with present day technology would now be within the experimental reach.
Sulfonation and glucuronidation of hydroxylated bromodiphenyl ethers in human liver

Abstract Hydroxylated bromodiphenyl ethers (OH-BDEs) can arise from monooxygenation of anthropogenic BDEs or through natural biosynthetic processes in marine organisms, and several OH-BDEs have been shown to be toxic. OH-BDEs are expected to form sulfate and glucuronide conjugates that are readily excreted, however there is little information on these pathways. We examined the human hepatic glucuronidation and sulfonation of 6-OH-BDE47, 2-OH-BDE68, 4-OH-BDE68 and 2-OH-6′methoxy-BDE68. Human liver microsomes and cytosol were from de-identified female and male donors aged 31 to 75 under an exempt protocol. Recombinant human SULT1A1, 1B1, 1E1 and 2A1 enzymes were prepared from bacterial expression systems. Sulfonation and glucuronidation of each OH-BDE were studied using radiolabeled co-substrates, 3′phosphoadenosine-5′phospho-35S-sulfate or uridine diphospho-β-D-14C-glucuronic acid in order to quantify the sulfated or glucuronidated products. The OH-BDEs studied were more efficiently glucuronidated than sulfonated. Of the compounds studied, 2-OH-BDE68 was the most readily conjugated, and exhibited an efficiency (Vmax/KM) of glucuronidation of 0.274 ± 0.125 mL/min/mg protein, mean ± S.D., n = 3, while that for sulfonation was 0.179 ± 0.030 mL/min/mg protein. For both pathways, all Km values were in the low μM range. Studies with human SULT enzymes showed that sulfonation of these four substrates was readily catalyzed by SULT1B1 and SULT1E1. Much lower activity was found with SULT1A1 and SULT2A1. Assuming that the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates are non-toxic and readily excreted, as is the case for most such conjugates, these studies suggest that OH-BDEs should not accumulate in people to the same extent as the parent BDEs.
Teaching for Creativity: Mini-c, Little-c and Experiential Learning in College Classroom

The wave of changes in teaching approaches due to the introduction of the 21 century skills – including creativity and problem solving – has affected not only K through 12 classrooms, but also colleges and universities. Thompson (2014) suggests that when designing courses and curricula college educators should consider not only the content knowledge, skills and dispositions their students need to learn, but also what capacities ought to be developed and through what type of pedagogies. In this article, I propose that pedagogies of engagement are developed and used to teach content and skills in a college level course on Psychology of Creativity. In the main section of the article, I present three groups of creative assignments developed in collaboration with Dr. Heather Snyder: journal activities, creative project assignments, and creative problem-solving workshops. I argue that these assignments not only affect students’ motivation, engagement, and deep learning, but they also facilitate the development of mini-c and little-c creativity.
Clinical practice patterns in laryngeal cancer and introduction of CT lung screening.

Abstract Objectives After the publication of large clinical trials, in January 2014 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended annual lung cancer screening with low-dose CT in a well-defined group of high-risk smokers. A significant proportion of patients with laryngeal cancer (LC) meet the introduced criteria, and we hypothesized that clinical practice would change as a result of these evidence-based guidelines. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with LC and treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital who met USPSTF criteria for annual chest screening and were followed for at least 3 consecutive years in the years surrounding the introduction of screening guidelines (January 2010 to December 2017) was performed to identify those who had recommended screening CT chest. Results A total of 151 patients met the inclusion criteria of the study and were followed for a total of 746 patient-years. 184/332 (55%) patient-years in the pre-guidelines period and 246/414 (59%) in the post-guidelines period included at least one recommended chest imaging (CT or PET-CT; p = 0.27). 248/332 (75%) patient-years in the pre-guidelines period and 314/414 (76%) in the post-guidelines period included any radiological chest imaging (X-ray, CT or PET-CT; p = 0.72). Screening scans were ordered by OHNS (45%), Medical Oncology (31%), Radiation Oncology (8%), and primary care (14%) with 70% of patients missing at least one year of indicated screening. Conclusions The implementation of new lung cancer screening guidelines did not change clinical practice in the management of patients with LC and many patients do not receive recommended screening. Further study concerning potential barriers to effective evidence-based screening and coordination of care is warranted.
A Putative Hybrid between Phoradendron juniperinum and P. capitellatum (Viscaceae) from Northern Arizona

Juniper mistletoe (Phoradendron juniperinum, Viscaceae) and hairy mistletoe (P. capitellatum) commonly parasitize junipers (Juniperus spp.) in Arizona. Although hybridization between species of Phoradendron is rare, this note reports the occurrence of a putative hybrid between these mistletoes in northern Arizona. The principal characteristics of the hybrid plant are the length, width, and pubescence of leaves, which are intermediate between the parent species. The putative hybrid is a female plant, and although it flowered and formed 17 fruits in 2017, seeds from the mature fruits did not germinate, suggesting that the hybrid is probably sterile.
A study of voicing and context effects upon consonant linguapalatal contact patterns

Consonant linguapalatal contacts were studied using electropalatography (EPG) by recording 10 normal, English-speaking adults repeating CV syllables (C = /t,d,k,g,s,z,∫,3,t∫,d3,r,l/, V = /i,a,u/). Contact patterns were examined for total number of electrodes contacted and for consonant specific parameters. Comparisons were made across vowel environments and voicing contrasts. For alveolar and velar stops, the voiced cognates had greater anterior/posterior (A/P) midline lengths of contact while lateral contacts remained relatively the same. This suggested lateral tongue contact was primarily used for creating a seal to prevent air escape while the central regions responded to the voicing differences. Vowel anticipatory effects resulted in the greatest number of contacts in the /i/ context and the fewest in the /a/ context. For the sibilants, groove widths were dictated by voicing characteristics (narrower for voiced cognates) and the grooves were unaffected by vowel context. Vowel context effects were seen for lateral widths of contact only. Vowel context effects were found to affect both length and width of contact for the /r/ whereas with the /1/ only the lateral A/P lengths of contact were affected. Results are discussed in terms of physiological constraints upon the tongue in producing the various consonants, the three dimensional nature of the tongue, and the ability of the tongue components (e.g., tip, blade, dorsum) to function relatively independently.
Effects of a Video-based Intervention on Caregiver Confidence for Managing Dementia Care Challenges: Findings from the FamTechCare Clinical Trial.

The Supporting Family Caregivers with Technology trial tested the FamTechCare video support intervention against telephone support. Dementia caregivers’ video-recorded challenging care encounters a...
Insulator Technologies to Achieve Maximum Electric Field Holdoff

In large machines, such as accelerators and high power microwave systems, it is common to implement pulsed power technology. Pulsed power attempts to deliver large amounts of power in a short amount of time. This is done by storing high voltage and delivering that energy to the desired load quickly through switches. To ensure that the energy is delivered to the desired load it is necessary to use insulators to separate conductors having different potentials. The insulators function is crucial in the success or failure of the system and because of this, much research has been done in the materials, geometries, and sizes of insulators. A common mean of failure for these insulators is surface flashover. Surface flashover occurs when the electric field becomes strong enough to accelerate electrons along the surface of the insulator to a point where an arc is created between conductors of different potentials. The machine is therefore limited to the amount of voltage it can sustain and the amount of power it can deliver. By making modifications to the insulator, improvements in sustained electric field has been documented. This paper attempts to further investigate the different methods used to increase the sustained electric field to improve the function of the system.
Prioritizing Pediatricians’ Neurosurgical Education: Results From a National Survey of Primary Care Pediatricians:

Introduction. We surveyed nonretired American Academy of Pediatrics-member US pediatricians regarding common neurosurgical conditions, identifying specific areas of focus in education. Methods. Data were acquired via self-administered electronic questionnaire. Results. Of 505 total respondents, 56% reported neurology was not a required residency rotation, and 86% had diagnosed craniosynostosis, plagiocephaly, or macrocephaly. Craniosynostosis can mostly be diagnosed by physical examination alone, but almost 50% reported relying on skull X-rays. Fifty-four percent reported diagnosing ocular surface disease (OSD; with 15% to 40% not screening an infant despite well-established cutaneous markers). Seventy-four screened OSD in a patient with sacral dimple. Ninety-seven percent reported treating concussion, but nearly 25% did not manage these patients alone. Two out of 3 patients indicated head injury as most important for continuing education. Conclusion. Improved education for craniosynostosis, OSD, head injury, and concussion management are important for earlier diagnosis, management, and referral of some disorders, while decreasing resource utilization in others. These results should be used when considering pediatrician educational programs.
An indispensable role for dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) in beige and brown adipogenesis

Emerging evidence indicates that proper mitochondrial dynamics is critical for adipocyte differentiation and functional thermogenic capacity. We found that mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) is highly expressed in brown adipose tissue compared to white adipose tissue and their levels increase during brown adipocyte differentiation. Our results reveal that the inhibition of DRP1 using Mdivi-1 mitigates beige adipocyte differentiation and differentiation-associated mitochondrial biogenesis. We found that DRP1 is essential for the induction of the early phase beige adipogenic transcriptional program. Intriguingly, inhibition of DRP1 is dispensable following the induction of beige adipogenesis and adipogenesis-associated mitochondrial biogenesis. Together, we demonstrate that DRP1 in the preadipocytes plays an essential role in beige and brown adipogenesis.
An Iterative Choice Approach to Valuing Clean Lakes, Rivers, and Streams

This article introduces an iterative choice procedure for valuing inland water quality. This approach breaks up the valuation into a series of component tasks. The water quality ladder approach is not valid empirically. Consequently, respondents in Colorado and North Carolina assessed the value of making water quality rated ‘‘good’’ by EPA, which has a value of $22.40 per additional percent improvement. Nonuse and probabilistic use are highly valued. The results also indicate how water quality valuations differ for aquatic environment, edible fish, and swimming, as well as for water that is cloudy, smelly, or polluted by toxics. Minorities are particularly likely to rely upon monitorable water quality attributes.
Conspiracy in ontological models: λ sufficiency and measurement contextuality

The conspiracy of ontic states responding to measurements contextually to comply with noncontextual quantum mechanical probabilities is analyzed for general ontological models. A general physical picture of ontological space structure and how ontic states are disturbed by measurement contexts is presented. A common assumption in ontological models called $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ sufficiency is analyzed and argued to be inconsistent with measurement contextuality for ontological models with certain symmetry in ontic space with respect to quantum states and measurements.