cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early Adverse Environments and Genetic Influences on Age at First Sex: Evidence for Gene Environment Interaction

Youth who experience adverse environments in early life initiate sexual activity at a younger age, on average, than those from more advantaged circumstances. Evolutionary theorists have posited that ecological stress precipitates earlier reproductive and sexual onset, but it is unclear how stressful environments interact with genetic influences on age at first sex. Using a sample of 1,244 pairs of twins and non-twin full siblings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the present study tested for gene-by-environment interactions (G × E) on age at first sex (AFS). Multivariate interaction models indicated that genetic influences on AFS were suppressed among low-socioeconomic-status (SES) and ethnic-minority compared with higher SES and ethnic-majority youth. Father absence did not uniquely moderate genetic influences on AFS. These results are broadly consistent with previous findings that genetic influences are minimized among individuals whose environments are characterized by elevated risk; however, future research would benefit from samples with larger numbers of individuals at the very low end of the SES spectrum.
Cinacalcet Hydrochloride Reduces the Serum Calcium Concentration in Inoperable Parathyroid Carcinoma

Background: Management of inoperable parathyroid carcinoma presents a challenge because until recently, effective medical therapy was not available. Morbidity and mortality result primarily from severe hypercalcemia. We assessed the ability of the calcimimetic cinacalcet HCl to reduce serum calcium in patients with parathyroid carcinoma as well as its effect on PTH concentrations, bone turnover markers, safety, and health-related quality of life variables. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with parathyroid carcinoma were enrolled in this open-label, single-arm study consisting of titration and maintenance phases. Cinacalcet doses were titrated (30 mg twice daily to 90 mg four times daily) for 16 wk or until serum calcium was no more than 10.0 mg/dl. The study endpoint was the proportion of patients with at least a 1 mg/dl reduction in serum calcium at the end of the titration phase (responders). Results: Mean (± se) serum calcium (14.1 ± 0.4 mg/dl) and PTH (697 ± 94 pg/ml) were markedly elevated at baseline. ...
The Montreal Protocol Protection of Ozone and Climate

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that has reduced the atmospheric abundances of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) through regulations on national production and consumption of these substances. The regulations have succeeded in protecting the ozone layer from unchecked future emissions of ODSs. As such; the Protocol is perhaps the most successful example of international cooperation on the environment. ODSs are also greenhouse gases that have the potential to change global climate when they accumulate in the atmosphere. Thus; the actions of the Montreal Protocol to protect ozone have also protected future climate and; hence; have provided a dual benefit to society. As for the long-term substitutes for ODSs;hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) do not destroy ozone - but they are greenhouse gases. The increases in HFC emissions that occur in response to Montreal Protocol regulations could be substantial by the mid twenty-first century;offsetting the climate protection already achieved by the Protocol. Avoiding these projected HFC emissions stands as a significant opportunity for international cooperation on protecting future climate.
High serum Cu and Cu/Zn ratios correlate with impairments in bone density, physical performance and overall health in a population of elderly men with frailty characteristics

Serum Cu levels rise with age and high Cu/Zn ratios are linked with multiple-cause mortality in the elderly. The relationships of these parameters to measures of musculoskeletal health and frailty have not yet been analyzed. We used inductively coupled mass spectrometry to assess serum levels of Cu and Zn and probed for relationships between serum Cu levels and the Cu/Zn ratio with specific measures of bone, physical and overall health in a cohort of 144 frail elderly men. Subjects were divided into quintiles based on serum metal levels and comparisons for functional measures were made between the reference (middle) group and the low and high groups. Subjects' serum metal values were normally distributed. We found significant correlations between high Cu/Zn ratios and deficits in femoral bone mineral density, measures of speed and strength, muscle mass and hematocrit. High Cu/Zn ratios were also correlated with decreased triglycerides and increased reliance on ADL assistance. This study identifies specific deficits associated with high Cu/Zn ratios that span multiple organ systems and supports earlier studies indicating that serum Cu levels and the Cu/Zn ratio may serve as useful predictive biomarkers for poor health in the elderly.
Role of Communication Networks in Behavioral Systems Analysis

This article provides an overview of communication networks and the role of verbal behavior in behavioral systems analysis. Our discussion highlights styles of leadership in the design and implementation of effective organizational contingencies that affect ways by which coordinated work practices are managed. We draw upon literature pertaining to complex systems and rule governance to understand how communication networks and verbal rules contribute to the issues involved in reengineering behavioral systems in the face of continued socioeconomic and cultural demands. An analysis of leadership in relation to communication networks in organizations is discussed.
Reviewing the "facts about schizophrenia:: a possible or impossible task?

The review by Tandon and colleagues in this issue aims to update previous reviews of several years ago that have attempted to distinguish what are truly facts we know about schizophrenia and what are really not facts and controversial. “Facts” when pieced together can be helpful aids for making progress toward understanding a subject initsentiretyand serveascluesthatmay revealan understanding of schizophrenia. A fact, as defined by Webster's Dictionary is “the quality of being actual… a question of fact hinges on evidence; something that has actual existence; an actual occurrence; a piece of information presented as having objective reality (http://www. merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Fact). However, these definitionsdonot actuallyhelpinTandonandcolleague's search for distinguishing “facts”, as all of any of the so called “facts” are subject to individual interpretation of realityandcertainlyvaryfrominvestigatortoinvestigator, even given the same supportive evidence.
Robust Electroreduction of CO2 at a Poly(4‐vinylpyridine)–Copper Electrode

The development of efficient and robust catalysts based on earth-abundant and nontoxic materials is critical for the viability of the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 into useful chemicals. Herein, we report a new class of electrocatalysts with incorporated mechanisms of their stabilization. A Cu electrode coated with a poly(4-vinyl pyridine) film synthesizes formate at a faradaic efficiency of 40 % at an overpotential of −0.67 V, and its catalytic activity does not degrade after 30 h of operation. We attribute the outstanding catalytic properties of the new hybrid material to the formation of Cu–polymer complexes, as well as to new intrinsic mechanisms of the electrode stabilization offered by the N-heteroaromatic polymer. This is the first report of CO2 electroreduction with copper–N-heteroaromatic ligand complexes. More generally, our study offers a new simple strategy to design and prepare robust CO2 reduction electrocatalysts based on earth-abundant metals.
Increased Expression of Activation Markers in Renal Cell Carcinoma Infiltrating Lymphocytes

ABSTRACTPurpose: As manifested by the presence of immune competent cells, failure to control the progression of renal cell carcinoma by a local immune response attests to impaired local cell mediated immunity. To test this hypothesis we compared the expression of T-cell activation markers in renal cell carcinoma infiltrating lymphocytes with the expression of activation markers of peripheral blood lymphocytes in the same patients.Materials and Methods: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were harvested from a patient with renal cell carcinoma undergoing radical nephrectomy. Peripheral blood was obtained before surgery. Tumor infiltrating and peripheral blood lymphocytes were incubated with monoclonal antibodies defining specific differentiation and activation markers on the cell surface, and analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell subsets are expressed as a fraction of the total number of mononuclear cells.Results: The T-cell subset level was significantly higher in peripheral blood than in renal cell carcinoma tissu...
Computational Prediction of Pitch Damping for Supersonic Blunt Cones

Conclusions Observations clearly demonstrate thatthe PSIhas had the desired effect on the TIDEmeasurements: Low-energy ions that would otherwise be unobservable are seen. Equally clear is that the PSI modie es the sheath structure around the POLAR spacecraft in ways that also affect measurements made by other instruments, such as the PWI and the EFI. This implies that it will also have quantitative consequencesfortheTIDEobservations.TheEFIobservationssuggest that the TIDE core ion measurements will not be signie cantly affected unless ion energies are much less than 5 eV. Core electrons are more affected by the PSI sheath, and at lower oute ow speeds the ions will also be ine uenced, requiring a better understanding of the sheath. A physical model has been presented that explains qualitatively the origin of the anisotropy found in observations with the PSI operating. This model can be used to guide the development of a detailed and accurate numerical model, which in turn can be used to develop modie cations to the analysis to compensate for the PSI effects. The best understanding of the PSI sheath will come from synoptic operations of the PSI and dedicated analysis of the complete POLAR plasma data set.
Effect of Paramagnetic Lanthanide(III) Complexes of a Six-Nitrogen Macrocyclic Ligand on the Aqueous NMR Spectra of Amino Acids

The lanthanide(III) complexes of formula {ML}X3 ·nH20, in which M is a trivalent lanthanide, L is the macrocyclic ligand C22H26N6 (Fig. 1a), and X is acetate and/or chloride, possess a unique combination of properties and structure (De Cola et al., 1986; Benetollo et al., 1990; Bombieri et al., 1989). They are soluble in water as well as in organic solvents. The metal-macrocycle entities retain their integrity in solution even in the presence of adds, bases, and competing ligands; the exocyclic counterions, in contrast, are labile and exchangeable. This solution behavior is consistent with the crystal structure established by X-ray analysis for the europium diacetate chloride analog (Fig. 1b). In this structure the Eu(III) center is linked to the six nitrogen atoms of the macrocyclic ligand in a quasi-planar arrangement that results in a highly inert {EuL} moiety. At the same time, the Eu(III) center remains easily accessible and can coordinate even fairly bulky exocyclic ligands on the two opposite open faces of the {EuL} macrocycle.
Virtual Collaborations in the Spanish Class: From E-Mail to Web Design and CD-ROM Development

Modern technologies can provide language students with authentic content and contextualized, collaborative learning situations. This article illustrates how e-mail exchanges, Web exercises, and CD-ROM development between students in the United States and organizations in Ecuador can promote contextualized and authentic practice of Spanish language and culture as well as the design of mutually beneficial practical applications.
A hybrid SPC method with the chi-square distance monitoring procedure for large-scale, complex process data

Standard multivariate statistical process control (SPC) techniques, such as Hotelling's T2, cannot easily handle large-scale, complex process data and often fail to detect out-of-control anomalies for such data. We develop a computationally efficient and scalable Chi-Square () Distance Monitoring (CSDM) procedure for monitoring large-scale, complex process data to detect out-of-control anomalies, and test the performance of the CSDM procedure using various kinds of process data involving uncorrelated, correlated, auto-correlated, normally distributed, and non-normally distributed data variables. Based on advantages and disadvantages of the CSDM procedure in comparison with Hotelling's T2 for various kinds of process data, we design a hybrid SPC method with the CSDM procedure for monitoring large-scale, complex process data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heterotopic Pancreatic Tail Appearing as Adrenal Mass in a Patient With Left Pelvic Kidney

A computed tomography scan of a 30-year-old male patient with hematuria incidentally revealed a left pelvic kidney and a lobulated mass in the left adrenal gland concerning for neoplasm. Although laparoscopic adrenalectomy was considered, serial imaging revealed the mass to be the pancreatic tail within the vacant renal fossa. This case demonstrates that ectopia of the kidney can lead to anatomic distortions that may confound the interpretation of radiologic examinations.
Glucocorticoid Signaling: An Update from a Genomic Perspective

Glucocorticoid hormones (GC) regulate essential physiological functions including energy homeostasis, embryonic and postembryonic development, and the stress response. From the biomedical perspective, GC have garnered a tremendous amount of attention as highly potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications indispensable in the clinic. GC signal through the GC receptor (GR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor whose structure, DNA binding, and the molecular partners that it employs to regulate transcription have been under intense investigation for decades. In particular, next-generation sequencing–based approaches have revolutionized the field by introducing a unified platform for a simultaneous genome-wide analysis of cellular activities at the level of RNA production, binding of transcription factors to DNA and RNA, and chromatin landscape and topology. Here we describe fundamental concepts of GC/GR function as established through traditional molecular and in vivo approaches and focus on...
Comparing Data Mining Models in Academic Analytics

The goal of this research study was to compare data mining techniques in predicting student graduation. The data included demographics, high school, ACT profile, and college indicators from 1995-2005 for first-time, full-time freshman students with a six year graduation timeline for a flagship university in the south east United States. The results indicated no difference in misclassification rates between logistic regression, decision tree, neural network, and random forest models. The results from the study suggest that institutional researchers should build and compare different data mining models and choose the best one based on its advantages. The results can be used to predict students at risk and help these students graduate.
Effect of Sample Preparation on Microwave Material Characterization by Loaded Waveguide Technique

Microwave material characterization is an important nondestructive evaluation tool, as many physical and chemical properties can be related to a material’s dielectric properties. These properties can be measured using a number of methods including the loaded waveguide technique. This method requires that a sample be placed in a waveguide sample holder and subsequently utilizes measured complex reflection ( $S_{11})$ and transmission ( $S_{21})$ properties to calculate the sample’s dielectric properties. As such, it is important that the sample be prepared carefully, as the dielectric property calculation assumes a perfect (ideal) sample geometry. However, in practice, samples are oftentimes prepared by hand, resulting in a distorted sample geometry. This paper presents a simulation and measurement study on a number of potential sample preparation errors and the effect of these errors on calculated dielectric properties. Finally, a statistical analysis (including mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and confidence interval) was applied to provide a method by which calculated dielectric properties (even when imperfect samples are used) can be checked to ensure that proper accuracy of the results has been achieved.
The Moral Nature of Man in Organizations: A Comparative Analysis: Reply

The nature of man is the predicament of mankind. A knowledge of this nature is to be had from introspection, each man reading himself in order to discern in himself, mankind. Civil philosophy begin...
Adhesion and Tribological Properties of Ag and Ag/Ti Films on Zro 2 Ceramic Substrates After Heat Treatment at 250°C

Ag and Ag/Ti films were deposited on ZrO 2 substrates by ion-beam-assisted deposition. Adhesion of these films was measured before and after heat treatment at 250°C in air. The results show that a graded interface between Ag and Ti was necessary for the Ag films to survive the heat treatment. Reciprocating pin-on-disc tests were performed at 150°C after heat treatment to investigate the relationship between adhesion and tribological properties. The failure of Ag and Ag/Ti (without graded interface) films was also observed during wear tests. However, this Ag film failure did not result in negative effects. All three Ag-coated substrates show better tribological behavior.
Altered mental status in cirrhosis: etiologies and outcomes.

Background Cirrhotic patients admitted with altered mental status (AMS) represent a clinical challenge, as many potentially life-threatening diseases must be considered. Although many patients with AMS have hepatic encephalopathy (HE), other causes of AMS occur, and we hypothesized that these may have different outcomes. Aim We aimed to understand the causes of AMS in cirrhotic patients admitted to the hospital and investigate their associated outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study in 1218 inpatients with cirrhosis. Altered mental status was defined a priori (HE, sepsis/infectious, metabolic, exogenous drugs/toxins, structural lesions, or psychiatric abnormalities). Results Patients with AMS had higher levels of serum bilirubin, international normalized ratio, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and lower levels of albumin and platelets than those with normal mental status (NMS) (P = Conclusions Nearly one third of admissions in cirrhotic patients were due to AMS, most commonly caused by HE. The overall mortality of patients admitted with AMS was greater than with NMS, particularly for those with infection or structural lesions, emphasizing the importance of a search for these causes of AMS in all patients with cirrhosis.
A model system for studying membrane biogenesis. Overexpression of cytochrome b5 in yeast results in marked proliferation of the intracellular membrane

Cytochrome b5 is an amphipathic microsomal protein that is anchored to the endoplasmic reticulum by a single hydrophobic transmembrane alpha-helix located near the carboxyl terminus of the protein. In yeast, cytochrome b5 provides electrons for fatty acid desaturation and ergosterol biosynthesis. High level expression of cytochrome b5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was achieved using the yeast metallothionein promoter and a synthetic cytochrome b5 gene. In order to accommodate the markedly increased amount of the membrane-bound cytochrome b5, the yeast cell proliferated its nuclear membrane. As many as 20 pairs of stacked membranes could be observed to partially encircle the nucleus. This morphological arrangement of membrane around the nucleus is known as a karmella. In an effort to understand which part of the cytochrome b5 molecule, i.e. the membrane anchor or the soluble heme domain, which is competent in electron transfer, provided the signal for the de novo membrane biogenesis, a series of studies, including site-directed mutagenesis, was undertaken. The results of these experiments demonstrated that the inactive hemedeficient apo form of the membrane-bound protein stimulates membrane proliferation to the same extent as the holo wild-type protein, whereas cytosolic forms of cytochrome b5 did not induce membrane synthesis. These data demonstrate that membrane proliferation is a consequence of the cell's ability to monitor the level of membrane proteins and to compensate for alterations in these levels rather than the result of the ability of the extra cytochrome b5 to catalyze synthesis of extra lipid that had to be accommodated in new membrane. Site-directed mutagenesis studies of the membrane binding domain of cytochrome b5 provided additional clues about the nature of the signal for membrane proliferation. Replacement of the membrane anchor by a non-physiological nonsense sequence of 22 leucines gave rise to a mutant protein that triggered membrane biosynthesis. The conclusion from these experiments is clear; the signal for membrane proliferation does not reside in some specific amino acid sequence but instead in the hydrophobic properties of the proliferant. Interestingly, these membranes are somewhat diminished in quantity and have a slightly altered morphology compared to those induced by the wild-type protein. It was also observed that disruption of the putative alpha helix of the membrane anchor by an Ala116Pro mutation, which gives rise to two sequential prolines at positions 115 and 116 results in a protein with diminished capacity to induce membrane formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Amine Functionalization of Microsized and Nanosized Mesoporous Carbons for Carbon Dioxide Capture

Carbonaceous nanomaterials with uniform pore size are potential solid sorbents in various industrial applications, such as gas purification and water treatment, because of their easily tunable pore diameter and morphology. However, the carbon-based sorbents are greatly limited in CO2 capture, because of their weak interaction with CO2 (physical adsorption in nature). This work reports the amino functionalization of microsized and nanosized mesoporous carbons for CO2 capture. Two strategies, i.e., physical impregnation with branched polyethylenimine (PEI) and chemical grafting of ethylenediamine, are used to functionalize mesoporous carbon microparticles (MCMs) with a particle size of 100–200 μm. The amine-grafted MCMs (NH2-MCMs) show little advantage over PEI-impregnated MCMs (PEI/MCMs) in CO2 adsorption capacities, because of their similar surface functional groups and textural properties. In addition, mesoporous carbon nanospheres (MCNs) with a sphere size of 850–1000 nm are prepared by a silica-assiste...
Electron microscopic and other observations on the ependyma and small cerebral blood vessels in mice and rats affected with scrapie.

SUMMARY Unfixed preparations of ependymal cells from scrapie-affected mice and rats were examined for cilial movement; the rate of beating observed was similar to that of control animals. Electron microscopy of ependymal cells in scrapie cases showed them to be intact; large intracytoplasmic masses of amorphous material were observed. Myelinated nerve fibres immediately below the ependyma showed gross degenerative changes in scrapie. The small cerebral blood vessels in scrapie showed no regular abnormalities in their endothelial cells or basement membrane. There was little ultrastructural evidence that well recognized scrapie changes, such as neuronal abnormalities, were secondary to changes in ependyma or small blood vessels.
Nonlocal Stress Fields of Dislocations and Crack

The state of stress in the core region around the tip of a sharp crack is of crucial importance in the discussion of crack instability and fracture. Dislocations that are issued from the crack tip (or present in the solid), affect the stress field appreciably depending on their locations and distributions. It is well-known that the classical elasticity solutions of the problem of crack and dislocation interaction fail in the core region since they contain stress singularities both at the crack tip and at dislocations. In this region, one must either resort to atomic lattice models or employ the nonlocal continuum theory.
Culture and Interpersonal Relationship Development: Some Conceptual Issues

(1989). Culture and Interpersonal Relationship Development: Some Conceptual Issues. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 12, Communication Yearbook 12, pp. 371-382.
The effect of sub-alpine landslides on headwater stream gradient and beaver habitat

During previous work in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, we observed that headwater (first-order) streams draining landslides were often characterized by the presence of beaver (Castor canadensis) dams whereas other headwater tributaries typically lacked evidence of beaver. Here, we hypothesize that hummocky landslide topography attracts beaver. To test the hypothesis, we examined 10 landslides and 11 adjacent headwater streams in the area, noting location, vegetation, elevation, and evidence of beaver activity, and then compared the landslide and non-landslide headwater streams using the G-test to determine whether or not variables were independent of one another. We reject the null hypothesis that beaver dam presence is unrelated to landslide deposits (p = 0.003). We further hypothesize that this relationship results from differences in stream gradient and concavity between landslide streams and other streams. We found streams on landslides to have a greater portion of their gradients below w...
The use of digital images to determine deformation throughout a microstructure Part I Deformation mapping technique

Materials with heterogeneous microstructures do not deform uniformly under stress (mechanical or environmental). A new deformation mapping technique (DMT), which compares digital images of microstructures of the same field of view before and after deformation occurs, is reported. Two digital images are required: a reference image, taken before deformation; and a deformed image, taken after deformation. The displacements of pixels required to match the deformed image to the reference image are computed, and these displacements are used to calculate the percent deformation in the two principal directions. Results are presented as either a deformation map, as a histogram, or as data files containing the displacements at the corner of each pixel. Comparison with exact solutions generated on a simulated microstructure shows that the accuracy of this technique is quite good.
The Impact of Political, Economic, and Environmental Uncertainty on the Possible Futures of Consumption

Radical solutions have been called for to militate against the risk of an impending ecological disaster. This essay examines these solutions through the development of a series of prefactual thought experiments on the future of consumption. In particular, political regime, economic vitality, and environmental welfare serve as the scenarios’ guiding uncertainties, depicting an array of possible futures. The outcomes suggest that depending on the magnitude and directionality of change, consumption in its present form could be completely eradicated, thereby leveling current living standards, or it could be enhanced, allowing for transcendental consumption in developed economies, while elevating living standards in lesser developed ones. Thus, each party to the environmental debate should carefully consider the range of possible futures as they consume, enact policies, develop new products, and invoke revolution.
Supply Chain Coordination in the Presence of Gray Markets and Strategic Consumers

The practice of diverting genuine products to unauthorized gray markets continues to challenge companies in various industries and creates intense competition for authorized channels. Recent industry surveys report that the abuse of channel incentives is a primary reason for the growth of gray market activities. Therefore, it is crucial that companies take the presence of gray markets into consideration when they design contracts to distribute products through authorized retailers. This issue has received little attention in the extensive literature on contracting and supply chain coordination. In this paper, we analyze the impacts of gray markets on two classic contracts, wholesale price and quantity discount, in a supply chain with one manufacturer and one retailer when the retailer has the opportunity to sell to a domestic gray market. Our analysis provides interesting and counterintuitive results. First, a classic quantity-discount contract that normally coordinates the supply chain can perform so poorly in the presence of a gray market that the supply chain would be better off using a wholesale price contract instead. Second, the presence of gray market can also degrade the performance of the wholesale price contract; therefore, a more sophisticated contract is needed for coordinating the supply chain. We show that contracts that solely depend on retailer's order quantity cannot coordinate the supply chain, and provide the conditions for coordinating the supply chain with price-dependent quantity discount contracts. We also provide comparative statics and show that when there is a gray market, coordinating the supply chain enhances total consumer welfare. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Late Paleozoic and Triassic Conodont Biostratigraphy: Correlations Around the Expanding Atlantic Ocean

Abstract The best Late Devonian configuration for the present Atlantic borderland area includes North America and northern Europe in contact or close proximity and a “proto-Atlantic Ocean” separating these continents from Africa and South America. During the Carboniferous, the Africa-South America block approached the North America-northern Europe block, destroying the “proto-Atlantic” and during the Permo-Triassic, there was no major separation of a tenuously fused South America, Africa, North America, Europe continent. By Late Triassic, the present North Atlantic began forming as the European and African continents began the shift to their present positions. The relationship of this continental movement to conodont biostratigraphy on either side of the present Atlantic Basin can be compared using the similarity index, 2w/ a + b, for conodont form-species. Conodont similarity between Europe and North America was greatest during the Late Devonian and Permian, with a gradual decrease in the Triassic that might be related to formation of the present Atlantic Basin. Similarity indices among other Atlantic borderland continents are somewhat ambiguous, as far as documenting continental proximity. This is because of limited taxonomic data. Also, such things as low Carboniferous Atlantic borderland conodont similarity may be explained by other factors such as the ecologic idiosyncrasies of the ancient Pacific and Tethyan water masses, or different continental elevations during the time interval. Regardless, some 100 conodont zones (43 Devonian, 23 Carboniferous, 12 Permian, 22 Triassic) provide an important biostratigraphic framework for the Atlantic borderlands. A calculated zonal similarity index mimics that of the form-species index. The greatest zonal similarity is during the Late Devonian, much less during the Carboniferous, but high again in the Triassic before dropping in the Late Triassic, perhaps, in part, reflecting Late Triassic separation of North America and Europe.
Explaining Forward Rate Unbiasedness Hypothesis: The Risk Premium Approach:

The hypothesis that the forward rate is an unbiased predictor of the future spot rate has been questioned time and again. In majority of the cases empirical evidence suggests that forward rates are neither efficient nor rational forecasts of future spot rates. The rejection of the forward rate unbiasedness hypothesis can be attributed to a misspecified theoretical model. In this paper we consider the misspecification to be in the form of exclusion of an explanatory variable, the risk premium. We test the unbiasedness hypothesis by including a time-varying risk premium using the GARCH-M representation. The risk premium is modeled by extending the Domowitz and Hakkio (1985) ARCH framework and by applying a GARCH (1,1) specification. The exchange rates data are from January 1991 to February 2008 for U.K., Canada, Australia and Japn, the four advanced economies and for India, the emerging market economy, the data ranges from January 1999 to February 2008.
Determination of internal temperatures within nitric oxide inductively coupled plasmas

Determination of molecular temperatures within inductively coupled plasmas is critical to understanding the reactions that drive the chemistry of these systems and the mechanisms involved in surface processing. To investigate such interactions, a dual, in situ broadband absorption and optical emission spectroscopy system was designed; providing insight into neutral and excited state species energetics, specifically rotational (TR) and vibrational (TV) temperatures across a broad spectral range (>800 nm). Nitric oxide plasmas have been investigated, where measured TV values were higher than TR values, indicating rotational degrees of freedom are more easily thermalized. Using the imaging of radicals interacting with surfaces technique, surface scatter coefficients were measured for NO radicals, which are discussed in relation to energy partitioning in these systems.
Reactor Neutronics: Impact of Fissile Material

Given a wide variety of reactor designs and fuel types, it can be difficult to identify the underlying cause of basic performance differences such as flux level and enrichment requirement. In this ...
Pedogenic record of climate change across the Pennsylvanian-Permian boundary in red-bed strata of the Cutler Group, northern New Mexico, USA

Abstract The Upper Pennsylvanian to lowermost Permian El Cobre Canyon and Arroyo del Agua formations are well exposed in a 250+ m section in the Chama Basin in northern New Mexico. This is one of the few known successions of fossiliferous red-bed siliciclastic sediments encompassing the Pennsylvanian-Permian boundary in the American Southwest and thus may inform questions regarding changing paleoclimate in tropical Pangea across the Pennsylvanian-Permian boundary. The section consists mainly of silty mudstones and sandstones with sheet-like to ribbon geometry and very minor limestones and records an upward transition from mainly braided stream deposition in the El Cobre Canyon Formation to anastomosing stream deposition in the Arroyo del Agua Formation. We recognized multiple paleosol types within these strata, including calcic Protosols, calcic Argillisols, argillic Calcisols and Calcisols, all generally consistent with the interpretation of a seasonal sub-humid to semi-arid climate. The calcretes in these paleosols occur primarily as truncated profiles. Although Calcisols occur in both formations, we note that Protosols are more common in the El Cobre Canyon Formation, and Argillisols dominate in the Arroyo del Agua Formation. Also, we find that the calcretes in the Arroyo del Agua Formation are generally thicker than those in the underlying El Cobre Canyon Formation. The difference in calcrete maturity could be explained by changes in source-area relief and sedimentation rate. However, stable isotope analyses of pedogenic carbonate indicate that a significant enrichment of δ18O occurs near the transition between the two formations, which approximates the Virgilian-Wolfcampian (equals Gzhelian-Asselian) boundary. Although the δ13C data suggest that pCO2 remained stable during the interval of deposition, the δ18O data are consistent with the interpretation of climate aridification across the Pennsylvanian-Permian transition, potentially related to the onset of Gondwanan glaciation in the earliest Permian.
Sentiment Analysis of Student Evaluations of Teaching

We used a sentiment analysis tool, VADER (Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner), to analyze Student Evaluations of Teaching (SET) of a single course from three different sources: official evaluations, forum comments from another course, and an unofficial “reviews” site maintained by students. We compared the positive and negative valences of these sites; identified frequently-used key words in SET comments and determined the impact on positivity/negativity of comments that included them; and determined positive/negative values by question on the official course SET comments. Many universities use similar questions, which may make this research useful for those analyzing comments at other institutions. Previous published studies of sentiment analysis in SET settings are rare.
Upper aerodigestive tract manifestations of Behçet's disease: review of 30 cases.

Behcet's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of undetermined cause. The most frequent manifestations are aphthous ulceration of the upper aerodigestive tract, genital ulcers, ocular inflammation, and arthritis. Less frequent features include involvement of the CNS, thrombophlebitis, and large-vessel arteritis. Of utmost importance is the fact that aphthous ulceration of the upper aerodigestive tract will develop in all patients who have Behcet's disease; thus, they may come to the otorhinolaryngologist for evaluation. This disease must be distinguished from recurrent aphthous ulceration, herpes simplex infection, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Reiter's disease, pemphigus, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Crohn's disease. Behcet's disease is diagnosed on the basis of clinical features; no specific laboratory abnormalities have been noted. The histopathologic perivasculitis is non-specific. Corticosteroid administration has been the most efficacious treatment. For serious complications, such as uveitis or meningoencephalitis, immunosuppressive agents can be used.
Cutting Edge Therapeutic Insights Derived from Molecular Biology of Pediatric High-Grade Glioma and Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

Pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) and brainstem gliomas are some of the most challenging cancers to treat in children, with no effective therapies and 5-year survival at ~2% for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) patients. The standard of care for pHGG as a whole remains surgery and radiation combined with chemotherapy, while radiation alone is standard treatment for DIPG. Unfortunately, these therapies lack specificity for malignant glioma cells and have few to no reliable biomarkers of efficacy. Recent discoveries have revealed that epigenetic disruption by highly conserved mutations in DNA-packaging histone proteins in pHGG, especially DIPG, contribute to the aggressive nature of these cancers. In this review we pose unanswered questions and address unexplored mechanisms in pre-clinical models and clinical trial data from pHGG patients. Particular focus will be paid towards therapeutics targeting chromatin modifiers and other epigenetic vulnerabilities that can be exploited for pHGG therapy. Further delineation of rational therapeutic combinations has strong potential to drive development of safe and efficacious treatments for pHGG patients.
Tricyclic Antidepressant and/or γ-Aminobutyric Acid-Analog Use Is Associated With Fall Risk in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Background/objectives Peripheral neuropathy is a common diabetes complication that can increase fall risk. Regarding fall risk, the impact of pain management using tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs is unclear because these medications can also cause falls. This study investigates the impact of these drugs on fall and fracture risk in older diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) patients. Design Historical cohort study with 1-to-1 propensity matching of TCA/GABA-analog users and nonusers. Setting Nationally representative 5% Medicare sample between the years 2008 and 2010. Participants After applying all selection criteria, 5,550 patients with prescription and 22,200 patients without prescription of TCAs/GABA-analogs were identified. Both patient groups were then stratified for fall history and matched based on propensity of receiving TCAs/GABA-analogs within each group. Measurements Patients were followed until the first incidence of fall or the first incidence of fracture during the follow-up period (for up to 5 years). Results After matching, users and nonusers were largely similar. After covariate adjustment, TCA/GABA-analog use was associated with a statistically significant increase in fall risk (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-1.20), but was not associated with fracture risk (adjusted HR = 1.09; 95% CI = 0.99-1.19) in the conventional analysis. Treating TCA/GABA-analog use as a time-dependent covariate resulted in statistically significant associations of TCA/GABA-analog use with both fall and fracture risk (HR = 1.26 [95% CI = 1.17-1.36]; and HR = 1.12 [95% CI = 1.02-1.24], respectively). Conclusion Among older patients with DPN, GABA-analogs or TCAs increase fall risk and possibly fracture risk. Use of these medications is therefore a potentially modifiable risk factor for falls and fractures in this population.
Simulating blood pressure and end tidal CO2 in a CPR training manikin.

Abstract Background and Objective The American Heart Association supports titrating the mechanics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to blood pressure and end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) thresholds during in-hospital cardiac arrest. However, current CPR manikin training systems do not prepare clinicians to use these metrics to gauge their performance, and currently provide only feedback on hand placement, depth, rate, release, and interruptions of chest compressions. We addressed this training hardware deficiency through development of a novel CPR training manikin that displays simulated blood pressure and ETCO2 waveforms in real time on a simulated clinical monitor visible to the learner, reflecting the mechanics of chest compressions provided to the manikin. Such a manikin could improve clinicians’ CPR technique while also training them to titrate CPR quality to physiologic blood pressure and ETCO2 targets as performance indicators. Methods We used data and key findings from 4 human and 6 animal studies (including 132 human subjects, 61 pigs, and 16 dogs in total) to develop an algorithm that simulates blood pressure and ETCO2 waveforms based on compression mechanics for a pediatric patient. We modified an off-the-shelf infant manikin to incorporate a microcontroller sufficient to process the aforementioned algorithm, and a tablet computer to wirelessly display the simulated waveform. We recruited clinicians with in-hospital CPR experience to perform compressions with the manikin and complete a post-test survey on their satisfaction with designated elements of the manikin and display. Results 34 clinicians performed CPR on the prototype manikin system that simulates real-time bedside monitoring of blood pressure and ETCO2. 100% of clinicians surveyed reported “satisfaction” with the blood pressure waveform. 97% said they thought depth was accurately reflected in blood pressure (0% inaccurate, 3% not sure). 88% reported an accurate chest compression rate modification effect on blood pressure and ETCO2 (3% inaccurate, 9% not sure) and 59% an accurate effect of leaning (6% inaccurate, 35% not sure). Most importantly, all 34 respondents responded “yes” when asked if they thought this system would be helpful for CPR training. Conclusion A CPR manikin that simulates blood pressure and ETCO2 was successfully developed with acceptable relevance, performance and feasibility as a CPR quality training tool.
Telling better stories: Toward critical, place-based, and multispecies narrative pedagogies in hunting and fishing cultures

This article provides an overview of the ethical and educational functions of storytelling in fishing and hunting practices and pedagogies. I explore various psychological, anthropological, and eth...
Evaluation of Serotonin Release Assay and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Optical Density Thresholds for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Objectives Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a recognized concern in patients on extracorporeal life support. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay optical density threshold less than 1 to rule out heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Design Retrospective, single-center study. Setting Patients were recruited from a prospectively maintained database of all patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation from 2012 to 2018 at a tertiary referral center. Patients Forty-seven patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Interventions The primary objective was to evaluate the application of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay optical density thresholds and the serotonin release assay in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Patients were divided into two cohorts, serotonin release assay negative and serotonin release assay positive. In order to perform a sensitivity and specificity analysis of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay optical density thresholds, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia negative was defined as an optical density less than 1.0 and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia positive as an optical density greater than or equal to 1.0. Measurements and main results Utilizing the prespecified optical density thresholds, a specificity and negative predictive value of 89% and 95% were achieved, respectively. Conclusions This assessment has helped to identify optical density thresholds for patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Our data suggest that an optical density threshold of 1.0 may aid clinicians in objectively ruling out heparin-induced thrombocytopenia without sending a confirmatory serotonin release assay. Increasing the optical density threshold to 1.0 resulted in a high specificity and negative predictive value.
Beyond the Border Spectacle: Global Capital, Migrant Labor, and the Specter of Liminal Legality:

This essay systematically thinks through the relationship between undocumented immigrants, guestworkers, and nonstatus immigrants as sources of flexible and highly exploitable noncitizen labor. It ...
An Unusual Cause of Intubating Laryngeal Mask Obstruction Preventing Successful Intubation in the Emergency Department.

Abstract Background The intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) allows providers to blindly intubate through the device. We report a case of foreign material obstructing passage of an endotracheal tube (ET) through an ILMA. Case Report A 45-year-old man with unknown past medical history was found obtunded with an apparent intentional drug and alcohol overdose, and required tracheal intubation. We opted to use an ILMA to optimize preoxygenation prior to intubation. His upper dentures were removed and an ILMA was inserted without complication; ventilation was easily performed. Blind tracheal intubation was attempted; the ET was inserted through the ILMA and was unable to be advanced past 15 cm despite multiple attempts, including repositioning the ILMA and rotating the ET. The ILMA was removed to prepare for video laryngoscopy. He was subsequently successfully intubated using a standard geometry video laryngoscope, which showed no anatomical abnormalities. After the case, the ILMA was inspected and the bowl of the ILMA was found to be occluded with denture adhesive. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? This case report demonstrates that it is possible that foreign material within the ILMA can make successful intubation impossible, despite successful placement and ventilation through the device. Maneuvers may be performed to attempt successful ET intubation, but when unsuccessful, removal of the ILMA and alternate airway management must be performed.