cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systemic administration of Follistatin288 increases muscle mass and reduces fat accumulation in mice

The present study describes the physiological response associated with daily subcutaneous injection of mice with recombinant follistatin288. This systemic administration of follistatin288 increases the follistatin levels in serum, indicating that the protein enters the circulation. The data suggest that a dose-dependent increase in body lean mass also occurs, together with an increase in muscle mass, possibly as a result of an increase in the size of the muscle fibers. After thirteen weeks of treatment, metabolic changes were observed; additionally, the switching of muscle fiber types was also apparent through myosin heavy chain remodeling, implying that changes are occurring at the molecular level. Furthermore, an increase in the muscle mass was associated with a significant decrease in the body fat mass. Overall, this study raises the possibility for the use of follistatin288 as an agent to treat muscle wasting diseases and/or to restrict fat accumulation by systemic administration of the protein.
The effect of obesity on direct medical costs in total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Obesity prevalence continues to rise in the United States. We sought to examine the effect of obesity on length of hospital stay and direct medical costs in a large cohort of patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. Methods: The study included 8129 patients who had undergone 6475 primary total knee arthroplasties and 1654 revision total knee arthroplasties at a large U.S. medical center from January 1, 2000, to September 30, 2008. Patients with bilateral procedures within ninety days following the index admission were excluded. Data on clinical and surgical characteristics and complications were obtained from the original medical records and the institutional joint registry. Patients were classified into eight groups based on their body mass index at the time of surgery. Direct medical costs were calculated in 2010 U.S. dollars by using standardized, inflation-adjusted costs for services and procedures billed during hospitalization and the ninety-day window. Study end points were hospital length of stay and direct medical costs. End points were compared across the eight body mass index categories in both unadjusted and multivariable risk-adjusted analyses. Linear regression models were used to determine the cost impact associated with increasing body mass index and obesity accounting for comorbidities and complications. Results: Body mass index data were available for 99.5% of patients and ranged from 15 to 73 kg/m2. Length of stay and the direct medical costs were lowest for patients with body mass index values in the normal to overweight range. Increasing body mass index was associated with significantly longer hospital stays and costs. Every 5-unit increase in body mass index beyond 30 kg/m2 was associated with approximately $250 to $300 higher hospitalization costs in primary total knee arthroplasty and $600 to $650 higher hospitalization costs in revision total knee arthroplasty. These estimates persisted after adjusting for comorbidities or complications. Conclusions: Obesity is associated with longer hospital stays and higher costs in total knee arthroplasty. The effect of obesity on costs appears to be independent of obesity-related comorbid conditions and complications. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Family Richness and Biomass of Understory Invertebrates in Early and Late Successional Habitats of Northern New Hampshire

In the northeastern United States, many vertebrate species rely on early successional forest habitats (ESHs). ESHs may also support higher invertebrate diversity and abundance than late successional habitats (LSHs). We assessed the differences in family-level richness and biomass of understory terrestrial invertebrates during the summer season in paired ESH (3–7 years since harvest) and LSH (50 years since last harvest) stands in the northern hardwood forests of northern New Hampshire. Invertebrate family richness was 1.5 times greater in ESH, with 35 families found only in ESH compared with 5 families found only in LSH. Invertebrate biomass was 3.2 times greater in ESH than in LSH. Our sampling methodology and time frame were limited, and taxonomic resolution was relatively coarse. Nevertheless, our results suggest that including ESH stands in northeastern managed forest landscapes may help maintain high levels of invertebrate diversity and are consistent with the use of ESH by many insectivorous vertebrates.
Natural toll-like receptor agonists in prophylactic vaccines for dendritic cell activation

There is an unmet need for novel and effective treatments for lymphoma, the fifth most common malignancy in the US. In situ vaccination—an immunotherapeutic maneuver involving local irradiation, intratumoral (i.t.) injections of Flt3L and Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist—has been shown in recent clinical trials ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00185965","term_id":"NCT00185965"}}NCT00185965, {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00880581","term_id":"NCT00880581"}}NCT00880581, {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00226993","term_id":"NCT00226993"}}NCT00226993) to induce partial and complete remissions in patients with low-grade lymphoma[1]. The strength of anti-tumor response correlates with the potency of immunogenic dendritic cells (DCs) to efficiently uptake and present tumor antigens to T cells[2]. While the latest clinical trial {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01976585","term_id":"NCT01976585"}}NCT01976585 employs Poly-ICLC—a synthetic TLR3 agonist—to activate DCs, we hypothesize that “natural” TLR agonists (nTLRa) contained within prophylactic vaccines could simultaneously target multiple TLRs and be repurposed as clinical-grade DC activators for the in situ vaccination maneuver[3].
Differences in Non-Stinging Aggressive Responses of Worker Honeybees to Diseased and Healthy Bees in May and July

SummaryData from previous studies by the authors were re-examined and compared with previously unpublished results.Responses of groups of 30 caged worker honeybees (Apis mellifera) to introduced hivemates, intruder bees (healthy non-hivemates) and bees afflicted with chronic bee paralysis were monitored in late May and late July at c. 24·4°C. Bees with paralysis elicited the greatest response in both May and July. Responses to hivemates and intruders were similar in May, whereas in July intruders elicited a greater response than hivemates. Average temperature and barometic pressure in the apiary from which test bees were taken were similar during the two observation periods. Relativity humidity (RH) averaged 42% in May and 71% in July, but responses of caged bees maintained experimentally at RH values of 48% and 90% were not significantly different. Changes in the weight of a scale-hive in the same apiary indicated that the change in responsiveness to intruder bees occurred as a nectar flow waned and a de...
Endovascular Intervention for Post Cardiac Catheterization Ischemic Strokes (P05.265)

Objective: To report an outcome of post cardiac catheterization stroke patients treated with endovascular intervention. Background Cardiac catheterization related stroke has an incidence of 0.03% to 0.3% for diagnostic procedures and 0.3–0.4% for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Endovascular interventions have added a new option for treatment in patients with embolic occlusion of large vessel occlusion. Design/Methods: Following retrospective data was collected from 2007 to September 2011 for post cardiac catheterization stroke and endovascular intervention : demographics, risk factors, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale- NIHSS, arterial involvement, type of intervention, outcome. Results: Nine patients underwent cerebral angiogram for post cardiac catheterization stroke. Five patients (mean age- 76.3 years, 1 male and 4 female, all black) had large arterial occlusion, 2 middle cerebral, 1 carotid bifurcation, 1 anterior cerebral, 1 basilar artery. All patients had history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and coronary atherosclerosis. Two had severe heart failure, one had left ventricular thrombus and one had descending aorta thrombus. None of them had atrial fibrillation. Median NIHSS was 17.5. All interventions were performed within 8 hours of symptoms. Three received intravenous thrombolysis. Pre TIMI score was 0 in 4 and 1 in 1 patient. Intra arterial thrombolysis was used in 3 while mechanical thrombectomy (MERCI or Penumbra) in 4. Post procedure, 3 patients had TIMI 3 recanalization and 2 had TIMI 2. None of them had hemorrhage. Two patients (Basilar, carotid bifurcation occlusion) died during hospitalization due to large stroke in spite of recanalization. At discharge, modified Rankin scale was 2 in 2 patients and 3 in 1. Conclusions: Some patients with post-cath large vessel occlusion can be salvaged with a reasonable functional outcome. Mortality/bad outcome rate remains high with endovascular intervention in spite of good recanalization rate. Further data is needed to evaluate the factors predicting the outcome in this group of patients. Disclosure: Dr. Kansara has nothing to disclose. Dr. Damani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tiwari has nothing to disclose. Dr. Narayanan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chaturvedi has received personal compensation for activities with Genentech, Inc., and Abbott Vascular. Dr. Xavier has received personal compensation for activities with Concentric as a consultant.
Increasing Productivity of Microreactors for Fast Gas−Liquid Reactions: The Case of Direct Fluorination of Toluene

The throughput of a single-channel microreactor used for a fast gas−liquid reaction was increased by up to one order of magnitude relative to previously published results by simultaneously increasing the superficial gas and liquid velocities. Superficial gas and liquid velocities varied between 2.9−14.6 m/s and 0.012–0.061 m/s, respectively. The direct fluorination of toluene in acetonitrile, selected as a model reaction, was performed at room temperature in microchannels formed in a silicon substrate, coated with thermally grown silicon oxide and evaporated nickel, and capped by Pyrex. With faster velocities the toluene conversion increased from 63% to 76%, while the combined selectivity of ortho-, meta-, and para-fluorotoluene isomers remained constant at 26%. Operating at faster gas and liquid velocities appeared to enhance the contacting between the two phases, thus outweighing the reduced liquid residence time.
UGV Trailer Position Estimation Using a Dynamic Base RTK System

In this paper, an algorithm for a dynamic base real-time kinematic (DRTK) GPS is presented and a novel application to the guidance and control of a mobile robot pulling a trailer is discussed. The DRTK system is used to estimate the relative position between the robot and trailer in the autonomous system described, and the results are compared to traditional methods utilizing an optical encoder. Geometry error is analytically predicted and the influence on trailer position is shown. Experimental results show a marginal accuracy improvement over a properly calibrated encoder based system but a significant improvement when calibration errors are present.
Why and When Does the Gender Gap Reverse? Diversity Goals and the Pay Premium for High Potential Women

Abundant research has documented a gender pay gap; women earn less than men, all else being equal. Against the backdrop of an overall female penalty, we propose that the widespread adoption of dive...
Inhibition of geranylgeranylation blocks agonist-induced actin reorganization in human airway smooth muscle cells.

To determine whether RhoA isoprenylation (geranylgeranylation) is required for agonist-induced actin cytoskeleton reorganization (measured by an increase in the filamentous F- to monomeric G-actin ...
Effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 on proliferation and induction of hemoglobin accumulation in K-562 cells

The effects of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on proliferation and hemoglobinization in K-562 cells, a human multipotential hematopoietic cell line, were studied. We found that TGF-beta 1 could induce hemoglobin accumulation in K-562 cells. Various clones were selected on the basis of the inducibility of hemoglobinization by TGF-beta 1. One high response clone (no. 1) and one low response clone (no. 8) were studied in detail. Hemoglobin accumulation peaked on day 5 of culture in the presence of TGF-beta 1 (0.5 ng/mL, 20 pmol/L), when 90% of clone 1 cells, 55% of parent line cells, and less than 10% of clone 8 cells contained hemoglobin. There was a concomitant reduction in proliferation of 60% for clone 1, 40% for the parent line, and 30% for the clone 8 on day 5 of culture. Quantitative analysis showed that the hemoglobin contents in clone 1 after 5-day induction by TGF-beta 1 and hemin were 1.0 pg/cell and 2.9 pg/cell, respectively. The hemoglobin induced by TGF-beta 1 showed the same electrophoretic characteristics as the hemoglobin induced by hemin. The expression of epsilon-globin mRNA was minimally detectable in control cells and was induced in both TGF-beta 1 and hemin treated cells. Other cytokines with potential effects on K-562 cell proliferation and differentiation were also studied. Interleukin-1, interleukin-3, interferon alpha, interferon gamma, and inhibin, tested as single agents, showed minimal effects on proliferation. None of these agents could induce hemoglobinization or inhibit the hemoglobinization induced by TGF-beta 1.
Theoretical Studies of UNCD Synthesis and Properties

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the theoretical studies of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) including growth mechanisms and electronic properties. These studies have modeled the growth of diamond with the carbon dimer as the growth species. The postulated reaction mechanisms occur by insertion of C2 into the C—H bonds of the hydrogen-terminated diamond surface or into π-bonded carbon dimers on dehydrogenated diamond surfaces. Diamond films grown from hydrogen-poor argon/fullerene or argon/methane microwave plasmas are characterized by a microstructure consisting of crystallites with an average size of 3–10nm. The growth mechanism for diamond films grown from hydrogen-poor microwave plasmas is significantly different than that in hydrogen-rich plasmas because the latter depends on hydrogen abstraction by the hydrogen present in the plasma. The carbon dimer has been proposed as the principal growth species in hydrogen-poor plasmas used to grow diamond.
EDTA-induced increase in platelet surface charge associated with the loss of aggregability. Assessment by partition in aqueous two-phase polymer systems and electrophoretic mobility

When human platelets in citrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were incubated for up to 7 min at 37° C and pH 7.8 with EDTA, they progressively lost their ability to aggregate and, after separation from plasma, were found in progressively greater numbers in the upper phase of a two-phase dextran-polyethylene glycol system (i.e., had a higher partition coefficient). Partition values were also increased when the platelets were fixed in formalin after EDTA treatment. The increases were associated with increased anodal electrophoretic mobility. EDTA treatment of PRP at room temperature or pH 7.0 caused no change in platelet aggregability or partition coefficient, providing evidence that loss of aggregability is associated with the increased negative surface charge. Platelets from patients with thrombasthenia had normal partition coefficients, although they could not aggregate, and the coefficient usually increased normally after EDTA treatment. Gel-filtered platelets, free of most plasma proteins, also showed an increased partition coefficient after incubation with EDTA and fixation. The partition coefficient of control platelets differed depending on whether they were incubated with isotonic saline or with CaEDTA and whether they were fixed at room temperature or at 37° C or in the presence of plasma.
Hyperosmolar Tears Induce Functional and Structural Alterations of Corneal Nerves: Electrophysiological and Anatomical Evidence Toward Neurotoxicity

Purpose In an effort to elucidate possible neural mechanisms underlying diminished tearing in dry eye disease, this study sought to determine if hyperosmolar tears, a ubiquitous sign of dry eye disease, produce functional changes in corneal nerve responses to drying of the cornea and if these changes correlate with alterations in corneal nerve morphology.
Combustion Chambers for Air-Breathing Engines

The attributes of good combustion chamber for airbreathing engines and appropriate modeling of the chemical energy release are described. The special cases of combustors with constant area and those with constant pressure are developed in detail using the quasi-one-dimensional equations developed in Chapter 2. The fuels used in airbreathing engines and their characteristics, such as fuel-air ratios, are derived. Then the concept of combustor efficiency is introduced and practical combustor configurations and methods for thermal management are discussed. The special case of supersonic combustion for high-speed vehicles is considered. The criteria for chemical equilibrium are developed and the means for calculating equilibrium chemical compositions using equilibrium constants is derived. Equilibrium chemistry calculations are illustrated and the concept of the adiabatic flame temperature is introduced. A technique for calculating the adiabatic flame temperature and an example appropriate to liquid propellant combustion completes the chapter.
Systematic Identification of Preferred Orbits for Magnetospheric Missions: 2. The “Profile” Constellation

Using orbital criteria developed in Part 1 of this study (Stern, [1]), a "Profile" constellation mission is developed for studying the Earth's magnetosphere. The basic "Profile" has six satellites in each of two close orbits with apogee 25R E or 20R E , (Earth radii, 1 R E = 6371 km), but it can be extended to a "Twin Profile" mission with two coplanar constellations (total of twenty-four spacecraft), covering the magnetosphere end-to-end and requiring only one launch. One constellation of twelve then has apogee at midnight (or at other times, dusk), the other at noon (or dawn), and the two exchange positions every six months. The small satellites (17 kg, 29 w) will measure magnetic fields, ion and electron energy spectra, and plasma bulk flows. They require a minimal Av and can therefore be flung off in pairs from a spinning mother ship, assuring a scientifically desirable spin axis and other benefits. Simulation codes derive the week-by-week coverage of ten magnetospheric regions by the twelve satellites, as well as the annual number of hours certain formations occur, e.g. ten + satellites within 2R E of the tail's neutral sheet. Of particular interest is the tight clustering of six to twelve satellites at r > 23R E (for 25R E apogee), enhancing (at various times) local coverage of the substorm reconnection region, low latitude boundary layer and bow shock. The article concludes with a list of thirty targeted scientific investigations, each with its appropriate formation.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A: Axonal Lesions

The clinical and electrophysiological phenotype in 42 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) were analysed at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Explaining the Spread of Ethnosectarian Conflict: Syria's Civil War and the Resurgence of Kurdish Militancy in Turkey

Ethnic civil wars tend to spread to adjacent countries, yet the processes whereby diffusion takes place remain obscure. Quantitative studies point to a wide range of factors and dynamics that drive ethnosectarian conflicts across international borders with no consensus regarding the causal potency of these variables or the ways in which they interact with one another. Surveying the most influential theories that have been advanced so far clarifies the logic of disparate arguments and offers hypotheses that can be tested against particular cases. The civil war in Syria represents one notable instance in which fighting along ethnosectarian lines provoked a revival of political violence in a neighboring state, the Turkish Republic. Applying existing theories to this empirical case clarifies promising directions for future research.
Turbulent fluctuations during pellet injection into a dipole confined plasma torus

We report measurements of the turbulent evolution of the plasma density profile following the fast injection of lithium pellets into the Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX) [Boxer et al., Nat. Phys. 6, 207 (2010)]. As the pellet passes through the plasma, it provides a significant internal particle source and allows investigation of density profile evolution, turbulent relaxation, and turbulent fluctuations. The total electron number within the dipole plasma torus increases by more than a factor of three, and the central density increases by more than a factor of five. During these large changes in density, the shape of the density profile is nearly “stationary” such that the gradient of the particle number within tubes of equal magnetic flux vanishes. In comparison to the usual case, when the particle source is neutral gas at the plasma edge, the internal source from the pellet causes the toroidal phase velocity of the fluctuations to reverse and changes the average particle flux at the plasma edge. An edg...
Hold Back or Held Back? The Roles of Constraint Mitigation and Exchange Diffusion on Power “Nonuse” in Buyer–Supplier Exchanges

Research on the use of power in buyer–supplier exchanges often derives insights from resource dependence theory to explain how power-advantaged firms leverage their strength. Yet, when power-advantaged firms should not—or cannot—use their power is less understood. To explain why firms should not use their power advantages, we put forth the concept of constraint mitigation, whereby firms relinquish power in mutually dependent contexts. To explain why firms cannot use their power advantages, we draw on insights from resource orchestration theory to put forth the concept of exchange diffusion. Exchange diffusion occurs when firms have not effectively structured and bundled a resource—in this case power. Thus, we theorize that exchange diffusion in power-advantaged firms will limit their ability to use their power. Furthermore, and perhaps less intuitively, we argue that diffusion in weaker firms will also limit the ability of the stronger firm to use its power. In other words, we theorize that exchange diffusion “disarms” the stronger firm—regardless of whether self- or partner-inflicted. Our key contribution is to offer theorizing centered on power nonuse. We also advance a theory of exchange diffusion, which could significantly augment our understanding of buyer–supplier exchanges.
Rapid evolution of resistance to parasitism in biological control.

A growing awareness of human dependence on the natural capital of ecosystem services has highlighted the importance of such services to the sustainable management of both natural and production ecosystems. Biological control is an ecosystem service in which a pest, pathogen, or weed is effectively controlled through an ecological interaction (trophic or competitive) with its natural enemies, henceforth referred to as biological control agents (1). The control of an alien invasive species through the deliberate introduction of a specialist control agent from its geographic region of origin serves as one of the clearest examples of the value of biological control as an ecosystem service. A classic case is the successful control of the cassava mealybug ( Phenacoccus manihoti ) across the Central Belt of Africa following the introduction of a parasitoid wasp ( Anagyrus lopezi ) from South America (2). One surprising observation from the historical record of biological control is that although pests and weeds frequently become resistant to chemical pesticides (3), there has been no documented evidence of host resistance to an introduced parasitoid wasp (4). In PNAS, Tomasetto et al. (5) present the first clear example of the evolution of host resistance to an introduced parasitoid wasp from a study of the outcome of biological control of an invasive pasture weevil in New Zealand. The Argentine stem weevil ( Listronotus bonariensis ) was discovered in New Zealand in 1927 and became increasingly more damaging to grasslands with the intensification of livestock production in the 1980s. The deliberate introduction and establishment of an asexual population of a specialist parasitoid ( Microctonus hyperodae ) from South America in 1991 resulted in high levels of parasitism of adult weevils and successful suppression of the abundance of this invasive weevil. However, using a dataset on parasitism of overwintering Argentine stem weevils for the period from 1994 to 2015 … [↵][1]1Email: nmills{at}berkeley.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
High performance La 2 NiO 4+δ -infiltrated (La 0.6 Sr 0.4 ) 0.995 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-δ cathode for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract In this paper, we reported our effort on improving electrochemical performance of (La 0.6 Sr 0.4 ) 0.995 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3− δ (LSCF) cathode in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) by infiltration of La 2 NiO 4+ δ (LNO). It is found that a porous LSCF backbone coated with LNO nanoparticles is an attractive way to acquire a noticeable decrease in the polarization resistance and activation energy of LSCF cathode, thereby showing high surface activity and enhanced oxygen transport capability. The key contributions of the LNO nanoparticles also lead to a 67% increase in peak power density and operation stability at a constant current density of 250 mA cm −2 with a low degradation rate of 0.39% for about 500 h at 750 °C. Although extended durability of LNO-infiltrated LSCF might be concerned, based on coarsening of the LNO nanoparticles, a greatly increased power density and voltage output after a cell operation of 500 h engenders substantial confidence in the beneficial effect of LNO-infiltrated LSCF materials on cell properties. The enhancement of ORR kinetics could be ascribed to the increase of active surface area and active reaction regions from the heterostructured LSCF/LNO interface architecture, and/or favorable cation diffusion from LSCF to LNO.
Catalysis by Cations in Cores of Non-Aqueous Micelles

The cationic core of inverse micelles of metal sulfonates in hydrocarbon solvents has a catalytic microenvironment like a molten salt but it is easily available to hydrocarbon-soluble reactants. Not only can a wide variety of cations be used as catalysts, but mixed cation micelles provide the intimate contact between unlike cations desirable for many special catalysts. The acidity of cations is not appreciably masked by the weak basicity of the sulfonate anions, and acid-catalyzed reactions are shown to depend strongly on which cations are used.
Interpreting Integrated STEM: Sustaining Pedagogical Innovation within a Public Middle School Context.

Integrated STEM education leverages interconnections between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in order to reflect upon how each discipline operates within real world contexts. Students benefit from the integrated STEM approach because it values the real-life experiences of students along with the hands-on applications that mirror professional STEM work. Nevertheless, integrated STEM instruction remains ill-defined with many gaps evident in the existing research of how implementation explicitly works. The school setting central to this case study was a suburban public middle school that had sustained an integrated STEM program for a period of over 5 years. Through the use of phenomenological qualitative inquiry, we focused on both teachers’ and students’ experiences of participation in one integrated STEM model. Three major themes emerged as part of this inquiry. First, teachers engaged in continual reflection that along with district supports contributed to the durability of the model. Second, teachers and student engaged in dynamic learning transactions based on the particular task and concept covered. Third, science projects anchored learning opportunities deemed most successful by participants.
Low-Cost Carbon Fiber-Based Conductive Silicone Sponge EEG Electrodes

We propose a novel carbon fiber-based conductive silicone sponge for low electrode-skin impedance EEG recordings. When this sponge is used with water or saline solution, no gel is required, lowering the setup time drastically compared to classical wet electrodes. Moreover, the wet conductive carbon fiber silicone sponges achieve an electrode-skin impedance as low as $2.5\mathrm {k} \Omega $ at 1kHz when wet, making them better than state of the art gel electrodes. Additionally, even as the sponge dries out, it continues to remain conductive and performs as a reliable dry electrode. We demonstrate through experiments that these conductive carbon fiber silicone sponge electrodes, wet or dry, are able to measure alpha wave activity. Our carbon fiber conductive sponge electrodes are low-cost and are highly suitable for designs of portable high density EEG measurement systems.
A Supramolecular Coordination-Polymer-Derived Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

An iron oxide decorated nickel iron alloy nanoparticle/porous graphene hybrid exhibits high electrocatalytic activity and excellent durability toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It displays a low overpotential of 274 mV at 10 mA cm-2 , and low Tafel slope of 37 mV dec-1 , showing a superior performance to the state-of-the-art RuO2 OER electrocatalyst.
Ecosystem feedbacks contribute to geographic variation in plant–soil eco-evolutionary dynamics across a fertility gradient

Plant species that occur in different soil nutrient environments often vary in plant functional traits that affect soil nutrient cycling, creating positive feedbacks that reinforce nutrient availability. Variation in such nutrient feedbacks could affect plant fitness, but few studies have explored the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of within‐species nutrient feedbacks, and the role that soil communities may play in mediating plant evolutionary responses. We investigated whether a widespread Populus species regulates soil fertility, resulting in positive nutrient feedbacks that influence population divergence. Here, we combined field observations, a reciprocal transplant experiment, and soil community sequencing to test how nutrient feedbacks might facilitate plant adaptation to soil environments. We find that: (1) Plant populations exist along a soil fertility gradient in the field and display trait variation consistent with positive nutrient feedbacks, (2) populations assemble distinct soil prokaryotic communities that are structured by soil chemistry, (3) populations show inconsistent patterns of local adaptation to their soil communities, however (4) genetic variation in plant–soil interactions reinforces soil nutrient differences. Soil communities may mediate variation in plant adaptation across a soil fertility gradient such that plant–soil interactions reinforce positive nutrient feedbacks. Identifying the eco‐evolutionary links between plant trait variation, soil nutrients and microbial communities demonstrates that plants modify and adapt to soil environments. These results support the hypothesis that eco‐evolutionary feedbacks may result when plant–soil interactions (eco) affect ecosystem‐level processes that sustain population‐level feedbacks and selective gradients (evo). A plain language summary is available for this article.
Bisphosphonate Infusion Therapy

Bisphosphonates (e.g., pamidronate, clodronate, alendronate) are pyrophosphate analogs, traditionally used in the treatment of pathologic conditions associated with abnormal bone metabolism, such as osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and cancer-related bone pain. Recent research shows encouraging results regarding efficacy in often difficult to treat chronic pain syndromes including complex regional pain syndrome and osteoarthritic low back pain. These results combined with a benign safety profile makes bisphosphonate infusion an intriguing modality for physicians to consider for patients suffering from these conditions.
Designing a Personalized Support Tool for Patients facing Bone Marrow Transplant

It is crucial for patients facing complex medical treatment to understand possible treatment outcomes, but this is difficult to achieve in practice due to the nature of stressful situations. This study explores how Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) patients and providers perceive graphical representations of outcome-related information as a first step toward developing a secure patient portal to support the information needs of patients facing BMT. To inform system design, we conducted interviews with 10 veteran BMT patients and a focus group with 7 providers about our prototypes. We found that patients perceived the proposed tool as sense-making support to better comprehend and prepare for the complexities and emotional challenges relating to treatment rather than decision support, whereas providers attended to the tool's functionality in supporting decision-making. Findings revealed insights for personalized sense-making support regarding representations of numeric data and the navigation of experience-videos of veteran patients describing outcomes. Drawing on these, we discuss implications and suggest directions for future work.
Pseudotime Based Analysis of Cancer Dynamics

Longitudinal or time-series multiomics data for the same cohort of patients are necessary to understand the cancer dynamics or development. But no such data is available for cancer. Most of the time-series gene expression data for cancer genomes available in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database contain gene expression values from different samples at different stages and each stage contains few samples, mostly 3 to 10. So, these datasets are not suitable for analyzing cancer dynamics. Recent studies show that single-cell gene expression with no temporal information can be analyzed to discover the mechanism of cell development by inferring pesudotime. Researchers have developed models for the dynamic behavior of cell development and differentiation using single cell expression profiles with both temporal [1] and no temporal [2] information. This motivates us that the static multiomics data of more than 12,000 cancer patients from TCGA could be analyzed by inferring pseudotime to decipher the cancer dynamics.
Axiomata Erasmi Pro Cavsa Martini Lvtheri

In the Axiomata pro causa Lutheri, Erasmus summarized the most important points of the argument already advanced in the Acta Academiae Louaniensis and soon to be completed in the Consilium cuiusdam. The Axioms stand midway between these two pamphlets — presenting the case for Luther and against his enemies, without the personal attacks of the former, and suggesting the plan for a court of arbitration, without the definite detail of the latter. They contain no new ideas. For the history of their author, their chief significance lies in the fact that here, in notes not intended for publication, Erasmus committed himself definitely and unequivocally to the programme of the two anonymous pamphlets. For the history of the Reformation in general, however, their significance is based on other grounds. They were written for the guidance of the Elector Frederick the Wise at a crucial moment in the career of Martin Luther. How far was the elector’s course of action influenced by the advice of Erasmus? This question is worth considering if one is to estimate the importance of the Axiomata.
Do passionate engineering and IT job seekers use more recruiting sources

Work passion (WP) is considered a potential process variable in Breaugh and Starke's (2000) model of organisational recruitment. The research reported here is the first to examine WP in the recruiting process. Newly hired employees completed a questionnaire about their Work passion, recruiting sources used in their recent job searches and their reasons for using these sources. Results showed that higher levels of WP were not related to using different recruiting sources. Higher WP job seekers, however, were more likely than low-WP job seekers to indicate that their use of these sources was related to the high quality of information found in these sources. This finding suggests organisations trying to find high-WP employees should craft their ads to include higher quality information.
Chapter 10 – EXTENSIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter explores some enhancements to the arsenal of tools available for constructing decision support systems that have database knowledge systems (KS). It discusses language system (LS) enhancements and KS enhancements. The chapter highlights a language that has capabilities beyond the instigation of a report. This language is used for addressing a variety of tasks such as KS loading, information transferral among distributed knowledge systems, dynamic database restructuring, and intermodule communication. The KS enhancements make use of the same operational constructs for knowledge representation. However, these constructs are utilized in nontraditional ways to introduce more levels of abstraction within a database and to organize the elements of a module pool into a network.
Variability in infection surveillance methods and impact on surgical site infection rates.

Background The impact of variability in infection surveillance methodologies on publicly reported rates of surgical site infection (SSI) is not well defined. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study to assess infection preventionists’ surveillance practices across acute care US hospitals. We collected self-reported annual facility standardized infection ratios for colon surgery and abdominal hysterectomy as provided by the National Healthcare Safety Network. Trend analysis using Kendall's rank correlation evaluated the association between surveillance rigor and SSI rates. Results Among 492 participating hospitals, 63%, 15%, 13%, and 8% were community, university-affiliated, critical access, and ambulatory surgical centers, respectively. Most critical access hospitals (82%) and ambulatory surgical centers (98%) reported less than one full time infection preventionists (P ≤ .001). University-affiliated medical centers spent significantly more time and used more data sources for monthly SSI review compared with other hospitals. Critical access hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers were more likely to rely on manual surveillance only (P Conclusions Rigorous SSI surveillance using more data sources for case-finding is more likely to be associated with higher facility SSI rates for colon surgery and abdominal hysterectomy.
Tailored CHG Kits for the Pediatric Population

Background Surgical site infections (SSIs) are preventable events associated with significant morbidity and cost. Evidence-based clinical studies have proven Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) to be a safe and effective preoperative skin prepping agent, commonly provided in bundles with the purpose of reducing the risk of SSIs. CHG bathing bundles are increasingly popular for adult patients, however, little is known about bundles specifically tailored for pediatric patients. The illness of a child can have a traumatic effect on both the patient and their families. Many publications prove that maintaining a family-centered care approach within pediatric care may maximize the well-being of pediatric patients. To address the opportunity to implement a pediatric CHG kit for outpatient distribution, our infection prevention (IP) department collaborated with our hospital pediatric general surgery department. Methods Using a multidisciplinary approach, an existing adult preoperative CHG kit was analyzed to distinguish factors that may differ for pediatric application with the ultimate goal to maximize outcomes for the pediatric patient population. By evaluating the adult CHG kit, an analysis was conducted to depict the appropriate elements for a pediatric specific kit. Results The pediatric CHG kit includes a "Steps to a Safer Surgery" booklet tailored specifically for pediatric patients that are at least 5 years old. The booklet was written for the parent/caregiver to honor their involvement with the patient's preoperative care and to encourage communication. Additionally, the instructions for CHG application were modified to accommodate pediatric patients. In an effort to captivate interest in the usage, pediatric marketing tactics were used for the design of the kit. Par levels were established amongst 3 high-risk clinics: orthopaedics, general surgery, and neurosurgery. Conclusions Families play an integral part of the patient's care team. Tailoring a CHG kit for the pediatric population produces greater patient and family awareness, improves patient outcomes, and improves patient care satisfaction.
The Orbifolds of Permutation-Type as Physical String Systems at Multiples of c = 26 II:. the Twisted BRST Systems of {hat c} = 52 Matter

This is the second in a series of papers which consider the orbifolds of permutation-type as candidates for new physical string systems at higher central charge. In the first paper, I worked out the extended actions of the twisted sectors of those orbifolds — which exhibit new permutation-twisted worldsheet gravities and correspondingly extended diffeomorphism groups. In this paper I begin the study of these systems as operator string theories, limiting the discussion for simplicity to the strings with matter (which are those governed by ℤ2-twisted permutation gravity). In particular, I present here a construction of the twisted reparametrization ghosts and new twisted BRST systems of all strings. The twisted BRST systems also imply new extended physical state conditions, whose analysis for individual strings is deferred to the next paper of the series.
The F3: Faculty Feedback Forms for Students

The COVID-19 pandemic forced higher education faculty to swiftly adapt and adopt online learning opportunities for course delivery. This transition, and more online instruction in general, may resu...
The 1930s and 1980s: Parallels and Differences

The possibility of crisis in the years ahead, as in the years that followed the first half of 1930, lies in private revulsion against the dollar − e.g. by Japanese insurance companies with their vast savings and limited investment opportunities at home, unmatched by public governmental efforts in support of the dollar as lenders of last resort. If the leadership of the United States in providing economic stability is waning, as appears possible, what follows? It is possible that the habits of cooperation built up during the period of United States leadership will ensure, what the political scientists call a "regime". Such is the hope. My prediction, however, is that the path ahead stretches out uncertainly, with twists and turns, surprises, some perhaps unpleasant.
Paramedic interactions with the packaging of medications and medical supplies: Poor package design has the potential to impact patient outcomes.

Background Settings where Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are provided to stabilize patients and transport them to locations better equipped to provide comprehensive care, “prehospital settings,” are not frequently considered when designing packaged products. Packaging design is an understudied area, potentially impacting both healthcare provider behavior and patient outcomes. Our objectives were to: 1) describe difficulties associated with packaging in prehospital settings 2) investigate the coping strategies used by paramedics when difficulties occurred, and 3) assess the potential impacts these difficulties had on patient care. Methods An online, cross-sectional survey was distributed via email using the National EMS Certification database maintained by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) to a random sample of nationally-certified paramedics. Eligible respondents were aged 18 and older, employed as paramedics and had administered care in a prehospital setting within the previous 12 months. Survey items explored difficulties experienced and coping strategies used when difficulty was encountered identifying or opening medications and/or medical supplies. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were calculated to analyse responses for trends. Results Of the 12,000 emails sent, 1,912 participants responded (response rate = 16%). After removing respondents who had not administered care within the past 12 months and partial surveys, data from 1,702 respondents were analysed. Nearly 20% of all respondents reported that they had experienced difficulties identifying (21.1%) or opening (20.5%) medications and identifying (17.0%) or opening (23.4%) medical supplies within the past year. Between 1.2% (identifying a medication) and 3.0% (opening supplies) of those included in the analysis indicated that reported difficulties had negatively impacted patient care. Common coping strategies reported to deal with difficulty opening included partner assistance, tool use (scissors, pens, and knives), and the use of teeth, all potential pathways for the transmission of microbes, conceivably further impacting outcomes. Conclusion More thoughtfully designed packaging for prehospital settings has the potential to benefit both EMS providers and the patients that they care for.
Meditation Apps and the Promise of Attention by Design

This article demonstrates how meditation apps, such as Headspace and Calm, are imbricated within public discourse about technology addiction, exploring the consequences of this discourse on contemp...
Analysis of Transformer Core Saturation Instability in Drives with Diode Front End

This paper presents a small signal impedance model and stability analysis used in investigations of rectifier system instabilities observed in several practical applications of high-power Medium Voltage (MV) Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) with Diode Front Ends (DFEs). These self-sustained instabilities, seen in vicinity of the 2nd harmonic frequency, have been extensively studied and linked to the rectifier transformer core saturation and negative resistance effect produced by the saturation related 2nd harmonic current injection.
Interactions of Ordered Water and Cations in the Gel-Forming Polysaccharide Gellan Gum

Gellan gum, useful to the food industry, is chosen as a model system for the investigation of the structural role of water molecules and cations in its gel-forming properties. X-ray fiber diffraction technique has been used to determine the crystal structure of potassium gellan. This gives the three-dimensional structure of the polysaccharide, the locations of ordered water molecules, and of potassium ions. The precise interactions among the three components at molecular level reveal that the water molecules are essential for the stability of the polysaccharide chains, for the binding of cations with the polymer molecules, and for the aggregation of the polymers, all of which are crucial for the gelation process. Computer modeling shows how the calcium ions can directly crosslink adjacent gellan molecules, but the potassium ions cannot, and this explains the stronger gelation properties of calcium gellan, even at very low ionic concentrations. L-glycerate, but not acetyl, groups interfere with the intermolecular association of native gellan molecules and are thus responsible for its weak and rubbery gels.
Radiator Performance Enhancement using a LiBr-H 2 O Absorption Cooler and Microchannel Technology: A Portable Life Support System Example

Portable life support systems must be capable of performing thermal management in a wide variety of environments. Heat-actuated heat pumps may provide this flexibility, if they can be made small enough. Microchannel technologies represent a proven approach for reducing system volume and mass. The potential impact of adding a LiBr-H2O absorption cooler to increase the radiator temperature was considered. This study showed that such a heat pump can lift the radiator temperature from 15°C to 60°C with a coefficient of performance of 0.65 and that the radiator area can be reduced by up to 60%.