cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical and Redox Sensors for Metal Ions

Optical and redox sensors are materials that have a wide range of uses and applications in both medical and environmental situations. Sensors can be designed to make use of changes in either the wavelength or extinction coefficient of an optical sensing material, or in the redox potential of an electroactive compound. Alternatively for emissive materials, it is possible to use changes in the emission wavelength or intensities to monitor the presence or absence of chemical species. These chemical species for both and redox sensors can be cations, anions, or organic molecules. For a sensor to be useful it is necessary for the device to be selective for the specific chemical species of interest, and that the change in the property of the sensing material be responsive in a consistent manner to changes in concentration of the chemical species being detected or analyzed.1–8 The sensing component is referred to as the reporter molecule. For optical reporter molecules the material needs to be photostable, and for redox reporters the oxidation-reduction step should be reversible. For metal ion sensors a binding site needs to be present that is selective for the targeted metal. In such sensors it is usual to employ chelate or macrocyclic ligands because they can be tailored to selectively complex a variety of different metal ions. For the detection of uncharged molecules a host will usually be selected such that its cavity matches the shape and size of the chosen guest. More recently, metal-containing optical sensors are being developed that can function as anion selective receptors, and again the receptor must be specifically designed to meet the binding requirements of the individual anions.9
Promoting user sensitive inclusive design: strategies for communicating user needs to designers

This workshop will explore effective and innovative ways to help designers understand the needs of diverse customers, including those with limitations due to age, disability, or the environment. Workshop participants will share strategies for gathering input from users and communicating this information to designers and engineers in ways that help them understand and design for user needs. The workshop will include presentations and demonstrations of "best practice" techniques to assist designers along the journey to understanding user needs. The workshop will be followed on the subsequent day by a satellite meeting of interested participants, providing an opportunity for strategy development, brainstorming, and planning possible research collaborations.
Computer Fiction: “A Logic Named Joe”

The bulk of Science Fiction (SF) has not predicted the most influential computer technologies of the late 20th century. This paper begins with an exception entitled “A Logic Named Joe” and its accurate description of the contemporary environment of PCs and the World Wide Web. It then proposes the possible historical and cultural value of SF in techno-scientific development - more specifically computer development - in both the U.S. and Finland, and argues that social science approaches to understanding technoscience should take SF into account when describing those communities of practice.
Current Massively Parallel Sequencing Technologies: Platforms and Reporting Considerations

DNA sequencing has recently undergone a dramatic transformation in speed and throughput. Instead of the traditional approach of sequencing one small (150–200 bp) DNA region at a time, using a specific pair of complementary primers targeted to just that area of interest, the new sequencing platforms utilize a shotgun approach, randomly shearing the entire genome into over 300 million small fragments, sequencing each of them repeatedly in parallel, and then reconstructing the resulting sequences, using sophisticated computer software, into the complete genome. This “next-generation” or “massively parallel” DNA sequencing (NGS) technology has truly been a “game-changer”, allowing for practical and timely sequencing of large panels of genes, of all the coding regions of the genome (the exome), or of the whole genome itself in the clinical setting. This chapter reviews the major NGS platforms currently in use, as well as the interpretive and ethical challenges involved in filtering through the countless sequence variants observed to generate a meaningful clinical report.
Nebulin stiffens the thin filament and augments cross-bridge interaction in skeletal muscle.

Nebulin is a giant sarcomeric protein that spans along the actin filament in skeletal muscle, from the Z-disk to near the thin filament pointed end. Mutations in nebulin cause muscle weakness in nemaline myopathy patients, suggesting that nebulin plays important roles in force generation, yet little is known about nebulin’s influence on thin filament structure and function. Here, we used small-angle X-ray diffraction and compared intact muscle deficient in nebulin (using a conditional nebulin-knockout, Neb cKO) with control (Ctrl) muscle. When muscles were activated, the spacing of the actin subunit repeat (27 A) increased in both genotypes; when converted to thin filament stiffness, the obtained value was 30 pN/nm in Ctrl muscle and 10 pN/nm in Neb cKO muscle; that is, the thin filament was approximately threefold stiffer when nebulin was present. In contrast, the thick filament stiffness was not different between the genotypes. A significantly shorter left-handed (59 A) thin filament helical pitch was found in passive and contracting Neb cKO muscles, as well as impaired tropomyosin and troponin movement. Additionally, a reduced myosin mass transfer toward the thin filament in contracting Neb cKO muscle was found, suggesting reduced cross-bridge interaction. We conclude that nebulin is critically important for physiological force levels, as it greatly stiffens the skeletal muscle thin filament and contributes to thin filament activation and cross-bridge recruitment.
Creating a Pathway for Multidisciplinary Shared Decision-Making to Improve Communication During Preoperative Assessment

Shared decision-making (SDM) is essential for high-quality surgical care. Barriers to SDM exist in clinical practice but there is evidence these obstacles can be overcome. SDM requires clinician and patient engagement. Though patients may indicate understanding, deficits in decision making may persist based on language, age, or educational barriers. Multidisciplinary decision-making before surgery is an opportunity for anesthesiologists and other perioperative professionals to improve surgical care. The authors present an example of a successfully implemented pathway for high-risk surgical patients at a tertiary care center, leveraging the preoperative anesthesia evaluation.
Comparing demographic and health characteristics of new and existing SNAP recipients: application of a machine learning algorithm

Background The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) expanded significantly after the Great Recession of 2008-2009, but no studies have characterized this new group of recipients. Few data sets provide details on whether an individual is a new or established recipient of SNAP. Objective We sought to identify new and existing SNAP recipients, and to examine differences in sociodemographic characteristics, health, nutritional status, and food purchasing behavior between new and existing recipients of SNAP after the recession. Methods We created a probabilistic algorithm to identify new and existing SNAP recipients using the 1999-2013 waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. We applied this algorithm to the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS), fielded during 2012-2013, to predict which individuals were likely to be new SNAP recipients. We then compared health and nutrition characteristics between new, existing, and never recipients of SNAP in FoodAPS. Results New adult SNAP recipients had higher socioeconomic status, better self-reported health, and greater food security relative to existing recipients, and were more likely to smoke relative to never recipients. New child SNAP recipients were less likely to eat all meals and had lower BMI relative to existing recipients. New SNAP households exhibited differences in food access and expenditures, although dietary quality was similar to that of existing SNAP households. Conclusion We developed a novel algorithm for predicting new and existing SNAP recipiency that can be applied to other data sets, and subsequently demonstrated differences in health characteristics between new and existing recipients. The expansion of SNAP since the Great Recession enrolled a population that differed from the existing SNAP population and that may benefit from different types of nutritional and health services than those traditionally offered.
Identification of a new mutation in the EGFR ligand-binding domain: Predictive factor for cetuximab antitumor activity in head and neck carcinoma?

e16017 Background: Cetuximab is an EGFR-blocking antibody that has been approved for the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and metastatic colorectal cancer, b...
The Campaign Against Sex Work in the United States: A Successful Moral Crusade

Sex work was not a prominent public issue in the USA a generation ago. Law and law enforcement were fairly settled. Over the past two decades, however, a robust campaign has sought to intensify the stigmatization and criminalization of the participants involved in all types of sex work, which are now conflated with human trafficking. These efforts have been remarkably successful in reshaping government policy and legal norms and in enhancing penalties for existing offenses. The article analyzes these developments within the framework of a modernized version of moral crusade theory that includes both instrumental and expressive arguments against sex work.
Cardiac Arrest Secondary to Traumatic Aortopulmonary Window During Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Implantation in Supported Ross

Abstract We present a patient with a supported Ross procedure and severe pulmonary homograft stenosis who developed cardiac arrest while undergoing transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement and was found to have a large iatrogenic aortopulmonary window. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated followed by covered stent placement, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and ultimately emergent surgery with a good outcome. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)
Knowing How to Know That

Many virtue-based approaches to propositional knowledge begin with the ability and achievement intuitions. In this paper, I rely on this pair of intuitions to explore the relationship between knowing how and knowing that. On the view that emerges, propositional knowledge is a kind of success through cognitive know how. Rather than simply equating know how with ability, I reveal deeper connections between both kinds of knowledge by focusing on the role of self-regulation.
Development and Evaluation of Recurrent Neural Network-Based Models for Hourly Traffic Volume and Annual Average Daily Traffic Prediction:

The prediction of high-resolution hourly traffic volumes of a given roadway is essential for transportation planning. Traditionally, automatic traffic recorders (ATR) are used to collect these hour...
LKB1 and AMPK instruct cone nuclear position to modify visual function

Cone photoreceptors detect light and are responsible for color vision. These cells display a distinct polarized morphology where nuclei are precisely aligned in the apical retina. However, little is known about the mechanisms involved in cone nuclear positioning or the impact of this organization on retina function. We show that the serine/threonine kinase LKB1 and one of its substrates, AMPK, regulate cone nuclear positioning. In the absence of either molecule, cone nuclei are misplaced along the axon, resulting in altered nuclear lamination. LKB1 is required specifically in cones to mediate this process, and disruptions in nuclear alignment result in reduced cone function. Together, these results identify molecular determinants of cone nuclear position and indicate that cone nuclear position alignment enables proper visual function.
Thermodynamic destabilization of azurin by four different tetramethylguanidinium amino acid ionic liquids.

Abstract The thermal unfolding of the copper redox protein azurin was studied in the presence of four different amino acid-based ionic liquids (ILs), all of which have tetramethylguanidium as cation. The anionic amino acid includes two with alcohol side chains, serine and threonine, and two with carboxylic acids, aspartate and glutamate. Control experiments showed that amino acids alone do not significantly change protein stability and pH changes anticipated by the amino acid nature have only minor effects on the protein. With the ILs, the protein is destabilized and the melting temperature is decreased. The two ILs with alcohol side chains strongly destabilize the protein while the two ILs with acid side chains have weaker effects. Unfolding enthalpy (ΔHunf°) and entropy (ΔSunf°) values, derived from fits of the unfolding data, show that some ILs increase ΔHunf°while others do not significantly change this value. All ILs, however, increase ΔSunf°. MD simulations of both the folded and unfolded protein conformations in the presence of the ILs provide insight into the different IL-protein interactions and how they affect the ΔHunf° values. The simulations also confirm that the ILs increase the unfolded state entropies which can explain the increased ΔSunf° values.
Review of Artistic Mentoring as a Decolonizing Methodology

Imet Kryssi Staikidis when she was just finishing her doctoral studies. She introduced herself to me and spoke about her research. She intrigued me with her enthusiasm for Indigenous studies and ou...
Development and validation of an improved method for the detection of Salmonella in cinnamon bark and oregano leaves using the adsorbent beta zeolite in the pre-enrichment media.

Abstract The detection of Salmonella in spices is challenging due to the presence of antibacterial components. In this study, we evaluated the use of an adsorbent beta zeolite in pre-enrichment media to improve the recovery of Salmonella from cinnamon bark and oregano leaves. Samples (25 g) were spiked with varying levels of S. Montevideo or S. Senftenberg. After 2 weeks of stabilization at RT, betazeolite was added to cinnamon and oregano samples prior to the addition of 225 mL or 475 mL of pre-enrichment media, respectively. Detection sensitivity and rate of the test method were compared to the FDA B acteriological A nalytical M anual (BAM) method which requires the use of 2.5 L pre-enrichment broth. While Salmonella could not be detected in the test method using the reduced volume of pre-enrichment media alone, the addition of beta zeolite resulted in a positivity rate of 62% and 72.6% for cinnamon bark and oregano leaves respectively (all spike levels and both serovars combined). Furthermore, while there were differences in the LOD50 compared to the BAM method, there was no significant difference in the minimum level of detection between the betazeolite and the BAM methods. Our results demonstrate that the use of betazeolite in the pre-enrichment media offers a method with reduced media volumes without compromising on the sensitivity or efficiency of Salmonella detection in cinnamon bark and oregano leaves.
A Cost-Effective On-Chip Power Impedance Measurement (PIM) System in 7nm FinFET for HPC Applications

This work shows a system for power delivery network (PDN) impedance measurements (PIM), targeting high-performance computing (HPC) applications. A delay-line based "TRIG-after-SAMP" approach relaxes timing margins and eliminates high-speed clock sources. On-chip DUTs, with two bonding schemes and a programmable de-coupling capacitor array, are demonstrated using 7nm FinFET technology. Measurement results show that this system achieves a sampling bandwidth of 27 GHz, an accuracy of 1 mV, and a core area of 0.028 mm2.
Single cell Iso-Sequencing enables rapid genome annotation for scRNAseq analysis

ABSTRACT Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) is a powerful technique that continues to expand across various biological applications. However, incomplete 3′ UTR annotations in less developed or non-model systems can impede single cell analysis resulting in genes that are partially or completely uncounted. Performing scRNAseq with incomplete 3′ UTR annotations can impede the identification of cell identities and gene expression patterns and lead to erroneous biological inferences. We demonstrate that performing single cell isoform sequencing (ScISOr-Seq) in tandem with scRNAseq can rapidly improve 3′ UTR annotations. Using threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus), we show that gene models resulting from a minimal embryonic ScISOr-Seq dataset retained 26.1% greater scRNAseq reads than gene models from Ensembl alone. Furthermore, pooling our ScISOr-Seq isoforms with a previously published adult bulk Iso-Seq dataset from stickleback, and merging the annotation with the Ensembl gene models, resulted in a marginal improvement (+0.8%) over the ScISOr-Seq only dataset. In addition, isoforms identified by ScISOr-Seq included thousands of new splicing variants. The improved gene models obtained using ScISOr-Seq lead to successful identification of cell types and increased the reads identified of many genes in our scRNAseq stickleback dataset. Our work illuminates ScISOr-Seq as a cost-effective and efficient mechanism to rapidly annotate genomes for scRNAseq.
Antibiotic stewardship: Early discontinuation of antibiotics based on procalcitonin level in COVID-19 pneumonia.

What is known and objective Procalcitonin (PCT) levels rise in systemic inflammation, especially if bacterial in origin. COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, presents with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Elevated procalcitonin in COVID-19 is considered as a marker for severity of disease. There is no study available that indicates whether elevated PCT in COVID-19 is associated with inflammation or superimposed bacterial infection. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between PCT levels and superadded bacterial infection, and the effect of discontinuation of antibiotic in the low PCT ( Methods A retrospective chart review of patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia at a single tertiary care centre. We collected information on demographics, co-morbidities, PCT level, antibiotic use, culture results for bacterial infection, hospital length of stay (LOS) and mortality. Statistical analysis Continuous variables were summarized with the sample median, interquartile range, mean and range. Categorical variables were summarized with number and percentage of patients. Results and discussion We studied a total of 147 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. 101 (69%) patients had a low PCT level ( What is new and conclusion Procalcitonin level remains low in the absence of bacterial infection. Early de-escalation/discontinuation of antibiotics is safe without adverse outcomes in COVID-19 pneumonia. Early de-escalation/discontinuation of antibiotics is associated with lower LOS.
Rare-earth ions in a hexaognal field I

Abstract Energy levels, eigenfunctions, and magnetic moments of rare-earth ions in a crystal field of hexagonal symmetry have been obtained using a Hamiltonian of the form H = B 4 0 O 4 0 + B 6 0 ( O 6 0 + 77 8 O 6 6 ). Results have been presented for all J values appearing in the rare-earth series and have been tabulated in a form convenient for use in analyzing the influence of the crystal field on the bulk thermal and magnetic properties of compounds containing the rare earths. Since experiment shows that B 6 0 B 6 6 may deviate from 8 77 , a few calculations were made with this ratio deviating by 10 and 20% (from 8 77 ). These calculations showed the results to be relatively insensitive to changes in B 6 0 B 6 6 .
Intra-month Availability of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) in the Homes of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Preschoolers

Food availability is greater in SNAP homes at beginning of the SNAP cycle. Study hypothesis: Household availability of SSB will not differ during the beginning (baseline) or the end of the month (f...
Corporate Restructurings Involving Real Estate Assets: Some Earnings and Risk Signal Implications

Changes in common stockholder wealth when companies announce purchases and sales of real estate assets may result from changing investor perceptions about the risk, timing and/or amount of future c...
Exploiting shape memory to study the effect of change in fiber alignment on cancer cell motility

Extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture can play a critical role in cell motility during disease pathogenesis, including that of cancer. Aligned collagen fibers have previously been used to study the effect of ECM architecture on cancer cell motility. Due in part to the stasis of such in vitro model systems, the relationship between changes in ECM architecture and cell motility remains poorly understood. The goal of the present study was to establish a model system to study the effect of change in fiber alignment on cell motility. We present a model system that employs a programmable shape memory electrospun scaffold and automated cell tracking and show that changes in fiber alignment can direct cell motility.
Paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics: patient satisfaction and appointment access

evangelista j.-a.k., connor j.a., pintz c., saia t., o’connell c., fulton d.r. & hickey p. (2012) Paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics: patient satisfaction and appointment access. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(10), 2165–2174. Abstract Aim. This article summarizes a comparative study of patient/family satisfaction and appointment wait times in physician managed vs. paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics. Background. Appointment wait times exceeded 40 days in the outpatient cardiology department at a children’s hospital. To address the gap in available appointments, paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics were implemented. Methods. A sample of 128 patients who presented concurrently in physician or paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics from December 2009 through February 2010 was recruited for participation. The hospital’s ambulatory patient satisfaction survey was utilized to measure level of patient satisfaction with care. Survey responses were evaluated using Fisher’s exact test. Appointment wait times were compared pre and post implementation of paediatric nurse practitioner managed clinics. Results. Sixty-five physician families and 63 paediatric nurse practitioner families completed the satisfaction survey. There was no statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction between clinic types. Appointment wait time decreased from 46 to 43 days, which was not statistically significant. Paediatric nurse practitioner clinics included a statistically higher percentage total of urgent appointments compared to that in physician clinics. Conclusions. Paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics are a strategic solution for improving patient access and facilitating high quality patient care while earning high levels of patient satisfaction. This healthcare delivery model illustrates the potential for expanded utilization of advanced practice nurses.
'There Be No Shelter Here': Anti-Immigrants Housing Ordinances and Comprehensive Reform

This Note examines anti-immigrant housing ordinances (AIOs). Part I of this Note examines the most well-known AIOs – the Hazleton-style ordinances and legal theories used to challenge them. This is followed by a discussion of the less conspicuous “maximum occupancy” or “overcrowding” ordinances, changes to definitions of family, and the few successful challenges against these AIOs. Part II reviews the previous legal theories used to challenge AIOs and their relative effectiveness, including preemption doctrine. Unlike previous scholarship this Note concludes that preemption doctrine provides relatively stable ground on which to base a challenge against the most well-known AIOs. Challenges to occupancy ordinances, however, are not as successful. Part III offers alternative legal and public policy approaches to dealing with immigration and housing, such as increased protection for specific classes and decreased federal involvement in the housing sector. In particular, the Note argues that AIOs are best confronted with the recognition that there are roles to play for all levels of government. Part IV provides the Note’s conclusion: AIOs, in both of their forms, are best confronted by acknowledging that federal, state, and local governments each have a distinct role to perform in immigration law.
Dynamic balance decreased in postdromal migraineurs compared to non migraine controls

Balance is a complex process involving visual, vestibular and neuromuscular control. Migraineurs often report vertigo and dizziness symptoms during and post migraine. The Biodex Balance System SD 1 is a reliable method to measure dynamic balance. Little research 2 has examined dynamic balance in migraineurs compared to individuals who do not have migraines.
Written Corrective Feedback: A Review of Studies since Truscott (1996)

Linguistic errors are pervasive in second language (L2) students’ writing. Depending on their gravity, the errors may cause a minor degree of irritation to the reader or even lead to total communication breakdown. As such, errors have always been a major concern to both students and teachers, and error correction has also assumed a central position in language teaching. Students generally expect that their errors will be pointed out and dealt with by their teachers. For L2 teachers, providing written corrective feedback (CF) on student writing has long been an essential practice. In fact, “grammar correction is something of an institution” (Truscott, 1996, p. 327) in L2 writing courses. Despite the fact that correcting students’ written errors is a time-consuming ordeal, and the endeavor is “fraught with uncertainty about its long-term effectiveness” (Ferris, 1999, p. 1), most L2 teachers have continued to slave over students’ errors in one form or another. As confirmed by a recent study on practitioners’ perspectives, the majority of teachers believe that students need CF and that written CF is overall an effective pedagogical practice (Evans et al., 2010).
The Logistic Function, Part II: Topological Conjugacy

We return now to the analysis of the logistic function. Our goal is to prove that if \(r > 2 + \sqrt 5 \), then hr(x) = rx(1 − x) is chaotic on Λ. We recall that Λ is the set of all numbers in [0, 1] which remain in [0, 1] under iteration of h. That is, Λ = {x | hn(x) is in [0, 1] for all n}. By Theorem 9.20, it is sufficient to show that the periodic points of h are dense in Λ and that h is topologically transitive on Λ. We have already shown that the periodic points of h are dense on Λ in exercise 8.4. Unfortunately, proving that h is topologically transitive on Λ directly from the definition is a relatively difficult task. Consequently, we will show instead that the dynamics of h on Λ are the same as the dynamics of σ on Σ2. Mathematically speaking, we say that h on Λ is topologically conjugate to σ on Σ2.
Brain power - borrowing from biology makes for low power computing [bionic ear]

This paper describes the recent advances in the field of neuromorphic engineering, more generally, biologically inspired electronics. This paper focuses on the work being done to develop bionic ears. A key area of interest is understanding the scheme that allows low-power analog processing in the ear followed by digitization. Researchers at MIT have developed a bionic ear processor that does the job of the digital signal processor, is small enough to be implanted, and could run on a 2 gram battery needing a wireless recharge only every two weeks. This effort has also led to the design of a new algorithm that can improve the performance of ordinary cochlear implants and other speech processors. The team is currently working on designing an ultrawideband spectrum analyzer that can simultaneously tune into radio signals all the way from the FM radio bands to Wi-Fi bands.
Behavioral and electrophysiological changes in visual sensitivity following prolonged exposure to constant light

Abstract Albino rats were exposed to 440 foot candles of either continuous light (LL) or cyclic light (LD) for 12 weeks. Then the 75% visual difference threshold was measured by means of an adaptive behavioral psychophysical technique. The difference threshold of the LL rats was 2.2 log units higher than that of the LD rats, indicating that visual sensitivity was greatly reduced following exposure to constant light. In addition, an electrophysiological measure, the early receptor potential, was employed to assess the functional capability of retinal receptor cells in LL and LD rats to respond to light. The mean response of the LL retinas was 10 μV and that of LD retinas 165 μV. These data indicate that when the albino rat is exposed to constant light there is a significant decrease in visual sensitivity. The observed loss of sensitivity is probably due to a reduction in the number of rod outer segments and in the level of rhodopsin.
VOLATILE CONSTITUENTS OF CANTALOUPE, Cucumis melo, AND THEIR BIOGENESIS

The volatile emanations of cultivars of muskmelon were isolated by three procedures: direct sampling of melon cavity gases via a septum-sealed glass probe cemented to the melon, entrapment of large volumes of headspace gas on porous polymer traps, and steam distillation-extraction of pieces of melon fruit tissue. Essences were subjected to gas chromatographic analysis in high resolution wall-coated open-tubular glass capillary columns. Identifications were based on mass spectra, gas chromatographic retentions, and occasionally infrared spectra. Forty-seven compounds, dominantly esters, were identified and their concentrations during ripening were followed. The biogenetic pathways for selected esters were studied by radioassay of volatiles produced by melon tissue incubated with selected radio-labeled precursors.
Who Are the Overworked Americans

This paper analyzes three trends in working time in the United States over the last thirty years. First, we document an increasing bifurcation of working time, with growth evident among those working both long and short hours. An international comparison also shows that the United States stands out as having among the highest percentage of workers putting in 50 hours per week or more. Second, we argue that there is a mismatch between working time and the preferences of American workers. On average, those working very long hours express a desire to work less, while those working short hours prefer to work more. Third, we maintain that the sense of being overworked stems primarily from demographic shifts in the labor force rather than from changes in average working time per se. Even in the absence of a dramatic rise in time spent on the job, the growth in the proportion of American households consisting of dual-earner couples and single parents has created a growing percentage of workers who face heightene...
Activation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) Is Not Sufficient for the Induction of STAT1-dependent Genes in Endothelial Cells: COMPARISON OF INTERFERON-γ AND ONCOSTATIN M

We compared human endothelial cell (EC) responses to interferon-γ (IFNγ) and oncostatin M (OnM), cytokines that utilize Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling. Both cytokines cause phosphorylation of Tyr residue 701 and Ser residue 727 of STAT1, as shown by immunoblotting. Both activate DNA binding of STAT1 homodimers, shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. However, only IFNγ increases expression of three STAT1-dependent gene products examined, namely transporter associated with antigen processing-1 (TAP1), interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF1), and class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) protein, as demonstrated by immunoblotting. Only IFNγ increases TAP1 transcription assessed by reporter gene assay. OnM pretreatment or co-treatment does not inhibit IFNγ responses. Interestingly, IFNγ activation of STAT1 is considerably more long-lived than that produced by OnM. To determine whether duration is functionally significant, we transduced EC with a chimeric receptor containing extracellular domains of platelet-derived growth factor receptor β and intracellular regions of gp130, the signaling subunit of the OnM receptor, mutated to prevent binding of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2. Addition of platelet-derived growth factor to such transduced cells produces STAT1 activation that is comparable in magnitude and duration to that caused by IFNγ, but still fails to induce TAP1, IRF1, or class I MHC molecules. OnM also activates STAT1 but not transcription of STAT1-dependent genes in HepG2 cells. Transient transfection of HepG2 cells with a STAT-defective mouse IFNγ receptor failed to complement the OnM STAT signal. We conclude that STAT1 activation is necessary but not sufficient for induction of transcription of IFNγ-responsive genes. However, signals provided by IFNγ other than STAT1 activation cannot be provided in trans to complement the response to OnM.
Validation of a self-efficacy instrument and its relationship to performance of crisis resource management skills

Self-efficacy is thought to be important for resuscitation proficiency in that it influences the development of and access to the associated medical knowledge, procedural skills and crisis resource management (CRM) skills. Since performance assessment of CRM skills is challenging, self-efficacy is often used as a measure of competence in this area. While self-efficacy may influence performance, the true relationship between self-efficacy and performance in this setting has not been delineated. We developed an instrument to measure pediatric residents’ self-efficacy in CRM skills and assessed its content validity, internal structure, and relationship to other variables. After administering the instrument to 125 pediatric residents, critical care fellows and faculty, we performed an exploratory factor analysis within a confirmatory factor analysis as well as a known group comparison. The analyses specified four factors that we defined as: situation awareness, team management, environment management, and decision making. Pediatric residents reported lower self-efficacy than fellows and faculty in each factor. We also examined the correlation between self-efficacy and performance scores for a subset of 30 residents who led video recorded simulated resuscitations and had their performances rated by three observers. We found a significant, positive correlation between residents’ self-efficacy in situation awareness and environment management and their overall performance of CRM skills. Our findings suggest that in a specific context, self-efficacy as a form of self-assessment may be informative with regards to performance.
SCALAR STRUCTURE OF TURBULENT PARTIALLY-PREMIXED DIMETHYL ETHER/AIR JET FLAMES

Abstract This work presents results of temperature and major species measurements from two turbulent piloted, partially-premixed dimethyl ether (DME)/air jet flames with Reynolds numbers of 29,300 and 58,600. These results are intended to provide a first set of multi-scalar data from a new flame series for the investigation of turbulence–chemistry interaction and the validation of turbulent combustion models using a complex, oxygenated fuel, DME. The current work investigates two Reynolds number cases from the complete DME flame series (five flames) that were formulated to be similar to the well-known Sydney/Sandia piloted jet burner flame series A–F using methane fuels. The flame structure is examined using ensemble mean and rms radial profiles at various axial positions downstream of the nozzle exit as well as statistics conditioned on mixture fraction. Finally, selected results of the two cases are compared to the original methane-based configurations. Finite-rate chemistry effects such as local extinction and re-ignition and their impact on the scalar flame structure are found to be different in the DME/air jet flames as compared to the methane-based jet flames.
ReaxFF Study of the Oxidation of Softwood Lignin in View of Carbon Fiber Production

We investigate the oxidative, thermal conversion of softwood lignin by performing molecular dynamics simulations based on a reactive force field (ReaxFF). The lignin samples are constructed from coniferyl alcohol units, which are connected through linkages that are randomly selected from a natural distribution of linkages in softwood. The goal of this work is to simulate the oxidative stabilization step during carbon fiber production from lignin precursor. We find that at simulation conditions where stabilization reactions occur, the lignin fragments have already undergone extensive degradation. The 5-5 linkage shows the highest reactivity towards cyclization and dehydrogenation.
Long-term mortality in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: is liver histology of any prognostic significance?

Over the last decade, a wealth of data has emerged illustrating both the rather benign clinical course of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in many individuals, and the unfavorable prognosis of this condition in others. Several studies on long-term mortality of patients suffering from NAFLD confirmed by imaging and/or liver biopsy have been reported. Studies with an average follow-up of at least 5 years are summarized in Table 1 [1-10]. Compared to the general population of same age and sex, NAFLD is associated with a significantly higher overall mortality [1,2,4] and liver-related mortality [1,2]. The long-term prognosis of patients with NAFLD, however, varies across the disease stage. Although the terms simple steatosis and NASH are often used in studies on long-term prognosis to classify patient risk, differing definitions have been used across the studies. Despite that, however, some conclusions can be derived from pooling data from these studies together (Table 1). Within the first 15 years of follow-up, the prevalence of cirrhosis development is significantly higher in patients with NASH as compared to patients with simple steatosis (10.8% vs. 0.7%, respectively, x2 = 23.3, p<0.001). Consequently, the liver-related mortality is also significantly higher in patients with NASH as compared to simple steatosis (7.3% vs. 0.9%, respectively, x2 = 16.7, p<0.001). The overall mortality between these two groups, however, is not significantly different, although there is a trend towards a higher overall mortality in the NASH group (40.5% vs. 32.5%, respectively, x2=3.61, p<0.1).
Frequency, risk factors, and adverse sequelae of bone loss in patients with ostomy for inflammatory bowel diseases

Background Bone loss in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with ostomy has not been systemically studied. The aims of the study were to evaluate the frequency, risk factors, and sequelae of bone loss in patients with IBD and stomas and to monitor the change in bone mineral density (BMD) over time after ostomy. Methods A total of 126 patients met the inclusion criteria (i.e., those with IBD diagnosis and stoma), including ileostomy (N = 120), colostomy (N = 3), and jejunostomy (N = 3). BMD was measured on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Patients were classified as having normal or low BMD based on the International Society for Clinical Densitometry criteria. Thirty-two demographic and clinical variables were evaluated with logistic regression models. Results At a median of 6.6 years (interquartile range, 2-18.7 yr) after stoma, 37 (29.4%) patients had a low BMD. On univariate analysis, there were no significant differences between the normal and low BMD groups in the following variables: gender, race, age at diagnosis of IBD, prevalence of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, age at ostomy, duration from diagnosis to DEXA and from ostomy to DEXA, menopausal age, diabetes, hypothyroidism, renal stones, short bowel syndrome, history of smoking or excessive alcohol use, family history of IBD or osteoporosis, daily calcium and vitamin D supplement, estrogen replacement, and steroid use. Body mass index was significantly lower in the low BMD group than the normal BMD group (23.3 ± 5.5 versus 26.0 ± 5.2, P = 0.013). Fragility fracture occurred in 8 (21.6%) patients in low BMD group and 4 (4.5%) patients in normal BMD group (P = 0.006). In a multivariate analysis, low body mass index was the only covariate-adjusted factor associated with low BMD. In patients with multiple DEXA scans available over time after ostomy, hip BMD was found to improve marginally, and the lumbar and femoral BMD remained stable. Conclusions Low BMD was common in patients with IBD after ostomy, largely based on the findings in patients with CD with ileostomy. Fragility fracture was 5 times more frequent in patients with ostomy with low BMD compared with those with normal BMD. The low BMD was associated with a low body mass index. Screening and surveillance of BMD should routinely be performed, particularly in these patients at risk. Bone mass tends to stabilize over time after stoma.
Development, physics basis and performance projections for hybrid scenario operation in ITER on DIII-D

A potential new standard in stationary tokamak performance is emerging from experiments on DIII-D. These experiments have demonstrated the ability to operate near the free boundary, n = 1 stability limit with good confinement quality under stationary conditions. The normalized fusion performance is at or above that projected for Qfus = 10 operation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) design over a wide operating range in both edge safety factor (2.8–4.7) and plasma density (35–70% of the Greenwald density). Projections to ITER based on this data are uniformly positive and indicate that a wide range of operating options may be available on ITER, including the possibility of sustained ignition. Recent experiments have demonstrated the importance of a small m = 3, n = 2 neoclassical tearing mode in avoiding sawteeth and the effect of edge localized modes on tearing mode stability at an edge safety factor near 3. Transport studies using the GLF23 turbulence transport code suggest that E × B shear stabilization is important in reproducing the measured profiles in the simulation. Yet, even in cases in which the toroidal rotation is moderate, confinement quality is robustly better than the standard H-mode confinement scalings.
Use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction to quantitate cytokine messenger RNA molecules.

A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using an internal control (Standard) RNA was developed for precise quantitation of human cytokine mRNA. The target mRNA and internal control were simultaneously reverse transcribed and co-amplified using the same set of primers. The amount of specific target mRNA is then quantitated by extrapolating against the standard curve generated with the internal standard. The internal control RNA consisted of linearly connected sequences of the 5′ primers of multiple cytokine genes followed by the complementary sequences to their 3' primers in the same order. This structure of the internal standard enables one to use the same internal standard for quantitating multiple cytokine mRNAs. Using this approach, we estimated the induced levels of cytokine mRNA, IL2, IL6, and TNF-α to be 2.8 × 106, 2.4 × 105 and 3.4 × 108 molecules per 1.0 μ g total cellular RNA of Jurkat, THP-1 and HL 60 cells, respectively. Comparable values were obtained when quantitation experiments were done on another batch of THP-1 and HL-60 total cellular RNA. The excellent sensitivity and reproducibility makes this approach a valuable one in following changes in cytokine gene expression in wide variety of conditions, both in vivo and in vitro.
Use of the fast fourier transform for frequency analysis of the first heart sound in normal man

The first heart sound of 29 normal, young males, recorded at the apex of the heart, was analysed for the power content as a function of frequency using the technique of the fast Fourier transform. The frequency spectra were seen to contain peaks in the low-frequency range (10–50 Hz) and the medium-frequency range (50–140 Hz). The average spectrum of the entire study shows a peak at 30 Hz, and an average attenuation of the first heart sound at the apex, of 16 dB/octave. The peaks are probably related to the elastic properties of the heart muscles and the dynamic events causing the first sound. Therefore important diagnostic information might be obtained from frequency studies of heart sounds. Such studies should increase the clinical importance of phonocardiography.
The role of deformation mechanisms in flow localization of 316L stainless steel

Abstract Type 316 SS is widely used as a structural material in a variety of current accelerator driven systems and designs as well as in a number of current and advanced fission and fusion reactor concepts. The material is found to be very sensitive to irradiation damage in the temperature range of 150–400 °C, where low levels of irradiation exposure, as little as 0.1 dpa, can substantially reduce the uniform elongation in tensile tests. This process, where the plastic flow becomes highly localized resulting in very low overall ductility, is referred to as flow localization. The process controlling this restriction of flow is related to the difference between the yield and ultimate strengths such that dramatic irradiation-induced increases in the yield strength results in very limited plastic flow until necking. In this study, the temperature dependence of this process is examined in light of the operating deformation mechanisms. It is found that twinning is an important deformation mechanism at lower temperatures but is not available in the temperature range of concern since the stress to activate twinning becomes excessively high. This limits the deformation and leads to the flow localization process.
Sampling and dispersion of the twospotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) and the Western orchard predatory mite (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on tart cherry.

The distribution and dispersion of the Western orchard predatory mite, Typhlodromus Occidentalis Nesbitt (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and its prey, the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), were determined on tart cherry, Prunus Cerasus L. Taylor’s power law was used to quantify the relationship between mean and variance and develop binomial sampling plans. The association between Typhlodromus Occidentalis and Tetranychus urticae was found to be statistically significant ( P >0.01), but weaker than that reported for Typhlodromus occidentalis and Tetranychus mcdanieli on apple in Washington.
Questioning intuition through reflective engagement

Current literature on ethics and moral development focuses on discussion concerning the impact of intuition on moral decision-making. Through the use of student journal reflections over the course of one semester, this study utilized a grounded theory approach in order to explore and understand participant levels of awareness and understanding of intuition in this regard. The findings suggest that reflective engagement enables these participants to become more aware of and therefore access and govern intuitions so that they can be more equally integrated during a moral decision-making process. This study emphasizes the student’s understanding of the impact of intuition on moral decision-making and therefore offers additional insight into the current discussion in the literature.