cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proteome basis of pale, soft, and exudative-like (PSE-like) broiler breast (Pectoralis major) meat

Pale, Soft, and Exudative (PSE) broiler breast meat has poor protein functionality, which leads to quality problems and economic loss in the poultry industry. Proteomics has been applied to characterize the biochemical mechanisms governing tenderness, color, and water-holding capacity in meat. However, the proteome basis of PSE has not yet been characterized for broiler breast meat. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the differences in meat quality (cooking loss and shear force), descriptive sensory characteristics, consumer acceptance, and whole muscle proteome between normal and PSE-like broiler breast meat. Male Hubbard × Cobb 500 birds (n = 1,050) were raised in commercial houses. Prior to harvest, a sample of the broilers (n = 900) were subjected to short-term stress (38°C for 2 h), and the remaining broilers (n = 150) were maintained at control conditions (21°C for 2 h). Broiler breast (Pectoralis major) meat was collected and characterized by pH24 and L*24 as normal (pH24 5.8 to 6.2, L*24 45 to 55) or PSE-like (pH24 5.4 to 5.7, L*24 55 to 65) samples. Normal broiler breast meat had lower shear force values than PSE-like meat (P < 0.05). Based on sensory descriptive analysis, normal cooked chicken breast meat was more tender and juicier than PSE-like breast meat (P < 0.05). Consumer sensory analysis results indicated that 81% of consumer panelists liked normal breast meat whereas 62% of the panelists liked PSE-like breast meat. Whole muscle proteome profiling identified fifteen differentially abundant proteins in normal and PSE-like broiler breast samples. Actin alpha, myosin heavy chain, phosphoglycerate kinase, creatine kinase M type, beta-enolase, carbonic anhydrase 2, proteasome subunit alpha, pyruvate kinase, and malate dehydrogenase were over-abundant (P < 0.05) in PSE-like broiler breast whereas phosphoglycerate mutase-1, alpha-enolase, ATP-dependent 6-phosphofructokinase, and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase were over-abundant (P < 0.05) in normal meat. Thus, results indicated that differences in proteome abundance could be related to the meat quality differences between normal and PSE-like broiler breast meat.
Evaluation of Continuous and Multipaddock Grazing on Vegetation and Livestock Performance—a Modeling Approach

Although the impact of optimal stocking rate on rangeland health and ranch profitability has been extensively studied, grazing management practice has received far less attention in mathematical modeling analyses. This paper uses a mathematical model to examine the impacts of continuous grazing and multipaddock (MP) grazing on vegetation and livestock forage consumption. Simulations are carried out using parameters applicable to the southern tallgrass prairie of North America. On small areas of land with no difference between defoliation rates across different grazing methods, the performance of MP grazing is no better than continuous grazing. At the scale of commercial ranches, MP grazing with improved defoliation management improves grass composition and productivity, as well as livestock consumption relative to continuous grazing, especially with heavier stocking rates and unfavorable initial biomass composition. The advantages of MP grazing, however, are reduced with favorable rainfall conditions, light stocking, low levels of undesirable plants, and inadequate recovery periods.
Evidence Against Deficit Accounts: Conversations About Science in Mexican Heritage Families Living in the United States

ABSTRACTNeoliberal deficit approaches assume that parents’ schooling level predicts their effective guidance of children’s science learning. In four case studies of Mexican-heritage parents—two with Basic Schooling and two with Higher Schooling—and their 4-year-old children, we explored conversational science practices—questioning, making predictions, evaluating evidence—during a sink-and-float game. Contrary to deficit accounts, Basic Schooling parents evaluated evidence more, and their children asked more conceptual (rather than procedural) questions; Higher Schooling parents questioned their children more, using teacher-like directiveness. These findings contradict erroneous deficit beliefs about Basic Schooling families and inform future attempts to reduce inequities in science education.
Philip Johnson: The Whence and Whither of Art in Architecture

In the late 1950s and 1960s, before it became a norm to situate contemporary art in public spaces, Philip Johnson employed a model for relating contemporary architecture and art, proposing mutual enhancement based on juxtaposition and contrast over independence or integration. In Philip Johnson: The Whence and Whither of Art in Architecture, Cecile Whiting examines two examples of Johnson9s use of contemporary art: the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center and the New York State Pavilion at the 1964–65 New York World9s Fair. Whiting discusses the ways in which the commissioned art contrasted with the structures and orchestrated the movement of visitors. Johnson9s use of painting and sculpture in and on these two buildings blurred lines—not only the line between art and architecture but also that between high art and popular commerce. As demonstrated in these works, modern art and architecture could engage in a rapprochement without effacing the creative tension between them.
Coagulation defects in liver disease.

Abstract A normally functioning hemostasis system is closely related to liver function. The liver parenchymal cells produce most of the factors and inhibitors of the clotting and fibrinolytic systems, and the RES of the liver greatly aids in the clearance of activation products. Hemostasis defects thus depend on the extent of liver damage. A wide spectrum of defects is found in patients with liver cirrhosis. Owing to impaired protein synthesis, most factors and inhibitors of the clotting and the fibrinolytic systems are markedly reduced. Additionally, abnormal vitamin K-dependent factor and fibrinogen molecules have been encountered. Most patients have hyperfibrinolysis that could be DIC in nature. Thrombocytopenia and thrombocytopathy are also found. Acute or chronic hepatocellular disease may display decreased vitamin K-dependent factor levels, especially factor VII and protein C, with other factors still being normal. If patients go into hepatic failure, the abnormalities resemble those found in liver cirrhosis. Vitamin K deficiency is associated with the production of poorly functioning vitamin K-dependent factors. All other hemostasis parameters are normal. Disturbances associated with liver surgeries again depend on the underlying liver problem. Peritoneovenous shunts (LeVeen) may lead to DIC; bleeding from partially resected liver surfaces is usually a mechanical problem. Severe bleeding is encountered with orthotopic liver transplantation. It is greatly influenced by the activation of the fibrinolytic system. This occurs during the anhepatic phase and during the reperfusion phase. The hyperfibrinolysis is mediated by an intense release of t-PA. Antifibrinolytic drugs, if used cautiously, have markedly reduced bleeding and thus reduced need for blood and blood product substitution.
Congenital melanocytic nevi in young children: Histopathologic features and clinical outcomes

Background Although only large congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are associated with a significantly high risk for malignant transformation, CMN of all sizes are prone to changes in clinical appearance in early childhood and thus are often biopsied or excised. While CMNs typically exhibit benign behavior, atypical histopathologic findings might be common and may prompt additional unnecessary procedures. Objective To assess the prevalence and associated clinical outcomes of atypical histopathologic features in CMN in children. Methods A single center retrospective study was conducted with patients 0-35 months of age with CMN diagnosed by histopathology between 1993-2013. Results One hundred seventy-nine patients with a total of 197 CMNs were identified. Cytologic atypia, architectural disorder, or pagetoid spread were present in 73% of CMN. With a mean follow up of 7.3 years, no cases of melanoma or CMN-related deaths were identified. Limitations Our findings were based on a largely Caucasian population and might not apply to darker skin types. Our findings might not apply to older children or adults with CMN. Conclusion Atypical histopathologic features of cytologic atypia, architectural disorder, and pagetoid spread are common in benign CMN of young children.
Securing and Maintaining Qualified Readers for Visually Impaired College Students

Describes ways in which visually impaired students can recruit readers on campus, make sure that they perform well, maintain productivity, and terminate them should it be necessary.
Adding a functional utility score to the evaluation of behavioral health screens in integrated care settings: What's all the FUS about?

Abstract As healthcare delivery is rapidly changing, the rise of integrated care systems is becoming more prominent. A vital pathway of care in these new integrated care systems is the screening and identification of behavioral health issues through the use of efficient and valid behavioral health screens. While research examining the utility of these screens tends to focus on traditional psychometric properties, such as sensitivity and specificity, these fail to measure how well these screens will generalize to medical settings outside the research context. This leads to the creation of behavioral health screens that have adequate psychometric properties but questionable functional utility in the medical setting. The current paper provides a justification and framework for examining the concept of a “functional utility score” (FUS), which assesses a screen's ability to be useful within its intended system of care. The use of such a metric can improve research on behavioral health screens, and ensure that new measures will be able to meet the needs of the integrated care setting.
Systemic Chemoconvulsants Producing Acute Seizures in Adult Rodents

Abstract This chapter reviews models of generalized seizures induced by systemic administration of chemical agents in adult rodents. Models of acute seizures induced by chemoconvulsants still represent a valuable research tool used for screening of putative antiseizure drugs, in the toxicology research investigating convulsant properties of naturally occurring and man-made toxins, as well as for studies on mechanisms of action of these convulsant drugs. Models using drugs affecting GABA-A receptor and GABA synthesis, excitatory amino acids, cholinergic agents including organophosphorus compounds, and other drugs, such as strychnine and aminophylline are presented and their major features are described. Information regarding solubility, dosing, and appropriate routes of administration are discussed and examples of seizure outcome are presented including EEG samples recorded in mice and rats.
Ultra-Sensitive Potentiometric Measurements of Dilute Redox Molecule Solutions and Determination of Sensitivity Factors at Platinum Ultramicroelectrodes.

Open circuit potential (OCP) measurements can be very sensitive to small changes in the electrode environment and may allow detection of electron transfer events involving few, and maybe single, electrons. Factors affecting the overall sensitivity of OCP measurements were investigated to achieve the highest sensitivity. The OCP of platinum ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) was determined in solutions that initially contained only supporting electrolyte where the OCP is a mixed potential governed by background faradaic processes. Then, increasing amounts of a redox couple at equimolar amounts of oxidized and reduced forms were added. In dilute solutions of the redox couple, the OCP deviates from the redox potential because of additional background half reactions occurring at the electrode. These dominate the OCP through their partial current contributions, shifting the OCP to a mixed potential region. The OCP at a platinum UME remains unchanged from the aqueous electrolyte solution mixed potential until ∼10–6 to...
Geometrical shock dynamics applied to condensed phase materials

Taylor blast wave (TBW) theory and geometrical shock dynamics (GSD) theory describe a radially expanding shock wave front through an inert material, typically an ideal gas, in the strong blast wave limit and weak acoustic limit respectively. We simulate a radially expanding blast shock in air using a hydrodynamic simulation code and numerically describe the intermediate region between these two limits. We test our description of the intermediate shock phase through a two-dimensional simulation of the Bryson and Gross experiment. We then apply the principles of GSD to materials that follow the Mie–Gruneisen equation of state, such as plastics and metals, and derive an equation that accurately relates the acceleration, velocity and curvature of the shock through these materials. Along with detonation shock dynamics (DSD), which describes detonation shock propagation through high explosive fluids, we develop a hybrid DSD/GSD model for the simulation of heterogeneous explosives. This model enables computationally efficient simulation of the shock front in high explosive/inert mixtures consisting of simple or complex geometric configurations. We simulate an infinite two-dimensional slab consisting of one half explosive, PBXN-9, and one half aluminium and model the boundary angle conditions using shock polar analysis. We also simulate a series of high explosive unit cells embedded with aluminium spherical particles, and we compare the propagation of the detonation shock front with a direct numerical simulation performed with the ALE3D code.
The Clash of Procedural Values

Should civil litigation be fast, inexpensive or accurate? When these goals clash, which one should prevail? These questions are the subject of countless court opinions, policy arguments, academic debates, and civil procedure exams. Yet discussion of procedural values to date has taken place in the dark, lacking vital information about which procedural values matter to actual litigants. This Article fills that void with empirical analysis. It analyzes an original data set based on 1200 surveys mailed to a broad range of litigants and judges asking for their views on procedural values. It interprets survey responses by introducing to legal scholarship a novel combination of methodological tools: multi-dimensional scaling and circular regressions. The analysis reveals a consensus among surveyed groups for not valuing highly speed, cost, and privacy. This consensus cuts against the prevailing wisdom in policy-making circles, court opinions, and academic literature. Beyond this consensus, this Article also reveals significant conflict between groups over which of the remaining procedural values are most important. Federal judges prioritize fairness and participation. Large corporations value accuracy and finality. Pro se litigants stress the importance of accessibility and simplicity. These findings raise pressing concerns: whenever we favor one procedural value over another, we favor some litigants over others. Conflict over prioritizing procedural values is, ultimately, conflict about prioritizing litigants themselves.
Monomer Distribution and Transport in Miniemulsion Copolymerization

Miniemulsions are oil-in water emulsions prepared using a mixed emulsifier system comprised by an ionic surfactant and a cosurfactant, such as a fatty alcohol or a long chain alkane1. The two main characteristics of the miniemulsions are their good stability and droplet size, ranging from 50 to 400 nm in diameter. From the latter characteristic arises the term miniemulsion, to distinguish them from the conventional emulsions or macroemulsions with droplets larger than 1 µm in diameter and from the microemulsions with droplets less than 0.1 µm in diameter.
The impact of patient autonomy on older adults with asthma.

Abstract Background Understanding patient preferences and desire for involvement in making medical decisions is important when managing chronic conditions. Previous studies have used the Autonomy Preference Index (API) in younger patients with asthma to evaluate these preferences. Objective To identify factors associated with autonomy and to determine whether autonomy is related to asthma outcomes among older adults. Methods A total of 189 older adults (>55 years old) with persistent asthma were included. Preferences for autonomy were assessed using the API, with a higher score indicating higher desire for autonomy. Scores were separated into 2 domains of information-seeking and decision-making preferences. The separated scores were correlated with asthma outcomes and demographic variables. To control for confounding factors, a linear regression analysis was performed. Results Higher decision-making preference scores correlated with female sex (P = .007), higher educational level (P = .01), and lower depression scores (P = .04). Regarding outcomes, decision-making scores positively correlated with Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-AQLQ) scores (P = .01). On linear regression analysis, the Mini-AQLQ score remained significantly associated with decision-making preference scores (P = .03). There was no association with asthma control test scores, spirometry values, and health care use. Information-seeking preference scores correlated with educational level (P = .03), but there was no correlation with asthma outcomes. Conclusion Older adults with asthma and a greater desire for involvement in decision making have better asthma-related quality of life. Future studies with the intention to increase patient autonomy may help establish a causal relationship.
Adaptive wireless sensor for aerospace application

Typical sources of electronics exposure in space are the high level ionizing radiation such as the Van Allen radiation belt, cosmic radiation for spacecraft and high altitude aircraft. It causes the major problem for airspace operations and space mission. Contemporary visual CCD cameras, CMOS devises, image optical sensors are extremely vulnerable to high level ionized radiation. Radiation hardening technology for contemporary electronic devices such as image sensors and image cameras causes the loss of resolution and is expensive. Using vector-tensor algorithm and theory of self-coupling electromagnetic waves in crystal symmetry 23 we demonstrated optimization of real time image procession. The results of theory were applied to doped bismuth titanium oxide crystal which exhibits electro-optical and photorefractive effect and is not vulnerable for high level X-Ray and 2x107 rad gamma radiation exposure. Under the same level radiation exposure CMOS sensor was damaged. Application potential of doped bismuth titanium oxide crystal image sensor was discussed for nondestructive, non-non-contact, in situ evaluation of the major parts of engineering constructions in space.
Papers in metaphysics and epistemology: Armstrong on combinatorial possibility

D. M. Armstrong, A Combinatorial Theory of Possibility , Cambridge University Press, 1989. TWO UNFAMILIAR QUESTIONS, JOINTLY ANSWERED Later we shall see how Armstrong answers some familiar questions about the metaphysics of modality. But the core of his theory lies elsewhere. He raises two un familiar questions, and answers them jointly as follows. What is the range of different possibilities? – The range of all re-combinations of actually instantiated universals. What does it take to make a possibility statement true? – The universals thus recombined. ARMSTRONG'S COMBINATORIALISM: THE POSITIVE SIDE The range-of-possibilities question is everyone's question. It can be framed in different ways to suit different views about the nature of possibilities; and no matter how we frame it, we can, if we like, borrow Armstrong's answer. We can say that for any way of recombining all or some of the universals that are found within our actual world, there is another ‘concrete’ world wherein these constituents are thus recombined; or there is an ‘abstract’ ersatz world that represents these universals as being thus recombined; or it is primitively possible, without benefit of any entities to play the role of possible worlds, that they might have been thus recombined. If we like, we can say positively, as Armstrong (almost) does, that no recombination is excluded: there are no exclusions or necessary connections between genuine, distinct universals. Roughly, anything can coexist with anything, and anything can fail to coexist with anything.
CHAPTER 12 – STATE ESTIMATION: OBSERVER AND THE KALMAN FILTER

This chapter presents a well-known procedure “Kalman filtering” developed by Kalman for optimal estimation of the states of a stochastic system, followed by a brief discussion on the Linear Quadratic Gaussian problem that deals with optimization of a performance measure for a stochastic system. The chapter discusses how the states of a continuous-time system can be estimated. The discussions apply equally to the discrete-time systems, possibly with some minor changes. So the main focus is on the continuous-time case. The chapter describes two common procedures for state estimation: one, via eigenvalue assignment and the other, via solution of the Sylvester-observer equation. The chapter also describes two other numerical methods, especially designed for Sylvester-observer equation; both are based on the reduction of the observable pair to the observer-Hessenberg pair and are recursive in nature. Both numerical methods seem to have good numerical properties.
Co-processing of pyrolysis vapors with bio-chars for ex-situ upgrading

Abstract Co-processing of woody biomass with two bio-chars (bio-chars made from switchgrass and red oak bark) was studied as a way of upgrading the pyrolysis vapors. The clean woodchips were pyrolyzed with and without bio-chars under atmospheric pressure at the target temperature of 500 °C. The co-processing with both bio-chars showed a significant influence on the bio-oil yields, moisture content and pH value of bio-oils. However, the vapor-upgrading process significantly decreased the carbon yield in the bio-oil when using switchgrass bio-char was used for co-processing. The bio-oil yield decreased from 49.31% (non-bio-char) to 44.81% with the switchgrass bio-char and to 48.68% with the bio-char from the red oak bark. The lost mass of bio-oil ended-up in the gaseous phase as reflected in an increased content of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The gaseous-phase composition of hydrogen increased from 0.82% to 3.74%, of carbon dioxide from 21.16% to 32.33%, and of carbon monoxide from 16.49% to 23.19% with the addition of the switchgrass bio-char compared to non-bio-char pyrolysis.
Distributed proximal augmented Lagrangian method for nonsmooth composite optimization

We study a class of nonsmooth composite optimization problems in which the convex objective function is given by a sum of differentiable and nondifferentiable terms. By introducing auxiliary variables in nondifferentiable terms, we provide an equivalent consensus-based characterization that is convenient for distributed implementation. The Moreau envelope associated with the nonsmooth part of the objective function is used to bring the optimization problem into a continuously differentiable form that serves as a basis for the development of a primal-descent dual-ascent gradient flow method. This algorithm exploits separability of the objective function and is well-suited for in-network optimization. We prove global asymptotic stability of the proposed algorithm and solve the problem of growing undirected consensus networks in a distributed manner to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Comparative study using ion exchange resins to separate and reduce NORM from oil and gas flowback wastewater

The application of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing has enabled access to previously unrecoverable gas reservoirs. This method uses large quantities of water and the likely presence of NORM in the water that flows up to the wells have caused some concerns. In this study, a new cation resin, RSM-25HP, was compared to Dowex 50W-X8 resin for its ability to separate radium from produced water. Our results show that the RSM resin was able to retain barium and radium at higher acidities compared to the Dowex resin and could provide a higher degree of separation in the flowback water.
Effect of Testosterone Use on Bone Mineral Density in HIV-Infected Men.

Abstract HIV-infected men have increased rates of osteoporosis and fracture compared to HIV-uninfected men. Testosterone use among HIV-infected men is common. In HIV-uninfected men, testosterone in...
Epoxy⁻PCM Composites with Nanocarbons or Multidimensional Boron Nitride as Heat Flow Enhancers.

The need for affordable systems that are capable of regulating the temperature of living or storage spaces has increased the interest in exploring phase change materials (PCMs) for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES). This study investigates n-nonadecane (C19H40) and n-eicosane (C20H42) as alkane hydrocarbons/paraffins for LHTES applications. An epoxy resin is used as the support matrix medium to mitigate paraffin leakage, and a thickening agent is utilized to suppress phase separation during the curing process. In order to enhance the thermal conductivity of the epoxy–paraffin composite, conductive agents including carbon nanofibers (CNFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), boron nitride (BN) microparticles, or boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are incorporated in different gravimetric ratios. Enhancements in latent heat, thermal conductivity, and heat transfer are realized with the addition of the thermal fillers. The sample composition with 10 wt.% BN shows excellent reversibility upon extended heating–cooling cycles and adequate viscosity for template casting as well as direct three-dimensional (3D) printing on fabrics, demonstrating the feasibility for facile integration onto liners/containers for thermal regulation purposes.
Plasmon nanolasing with aluminum nanoparticle arrays [Invited]

This paper compares plasmon nanolasing and corresponding ultrafast dynamics supported by Al and Au nanoparticle arrays. By tuning nanoparticle size, we achieved high-quality surface lattice resonances from both dipolar lattice plasmons and hybrid quadrupolar lattice plasmons at near-infrared wavelengths. We demonstrated that the dipolar and hybrid quadrupolar lattice modes can serve as optical feedback for plasmonic nanolasing. Even at the wavelength of its interband transition, Al showed nanolasing properties similar to Au. Also, independent of the type of cavity mode used as optical feedback, Al lattice plasmon lasing showed thresholds and ultrafast dynamics similar to Au.
Resistance training and timed amino acid supplementation protects against the loss of muscle mass and strength with disuse

Space flight and ground-based models of weightlessness result in loss of muscle mass and strength. Amino acid supplementation and resistance training reverse these losses but their optimal combinat...
Superconditioning TMS for examining upper motor neuron function in MND

We used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of motor cortex, including a novel four-pulse superconditioning (TMSsc) paradigm, in repeated examinations of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in eight subjects with motor neuron disease (MND), including seven with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The goals were: (1) to look for evidence of cortical hyperexcitability, including a reduction in short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI); and (2) to examine the utility of using TMSsc for quantifying upper motor neuron function during MND progression. Testing of abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles bilaterally was carried out every 3 months in MND subjects for up to 2 years; results were compared to those from a cohort of 15 control subjects. Measures of SICI were not significantly different between control and MND subjects for either APB or TA muscles. Other measures of cortical excitability, including TMS threshold and MEP amplitude, were consistent with lowered cortical excitability in MND subjects. Certain combinations of superconditioning TMS were capable of causing stronger inhibition or facilitation of MEPs compared to dual-pulse TMS, for both APB and TA target muscles. Moreover, there were multiple cases in which target muscles unresponsive to strong single-pulse TMS, whether at rest or when tested with an active contraction, showed an MEP in response to TMSsc optimized for facilitation. Our findings suggest that a multi-faceted neurophysiologic protocol for examining upper motor neuron function in MND subjects might benefit from inclusion of TMSsc testing.
The Role of Terrestrial and Space Environments in Launch Vehicle Development

Natural (Terrestrial & Space) Environment (NE) phenomena play a significant role in the design and flight of aerospace vehicles and in the integrity of the associated aerospace systems and structures. Natural environmental design criteria guidelines described here are based on measurements and modeling of atmospheric and climatic phenomena relative to various aerospace vehicle development and mission/operational procedures and for vehicle launch locations. Both the terrestrial environment (0-90 km altitude) and the space environment (Earth orbital altitudes) parameters and their engineering application philosophy is given with emphasis on launch vehicle-affected terrestrial environment elements. This paper also addresses the basis for the NE guidelines presented, the interpretation of the guidelines, and application to the development of launch or space vehicle design requirements. This paper represents the first of three on this subject.
Toward Prescriptive Alternatives to Suspensions: A Preliminary Evaluation:

Data were collected at a large urban high school in order to determine the extent of discipline problems, the use of suspension, and the procedural integrity of the school's disciplinary policy. Results documented a high frequency of disciplinary referrals and suspensions and poor correspondence between school disciplinary policy and disciplinary actions. Next, individual assessments of middle and high school students' academic and social behavior documented a very high incidence of academic and social skills deficits, as well as other adjustment problems, among students with recurrent suspensions. Substantial individual differences between students illustrated that students with recurrent suspensions are a very heterogeneous group. Implications for developing proactive treatment alternatives to suspension are discussed.
Narrative Therapy: The Case of J.J.

This chapter explores the application of narrative theory and the narrative therapy approach in addressing issues of trauma for individuals who have had significant traumatic events over the course of their lifetime, particularly in childhood and adolescence. This chapter considers how the client might leverage narrative therapy to reconstruct his/her/their life story, and further, how best to work with the client to re-evaluate perceptions of one’s experiences, sense of self, perceived power differentials in the environment, and alternative actions the client can take through the re-storying of his/her/their experiences or traumatic events and the yielding effects of those experiences or traumatic events. Madigan (Narrative therapy. American Psychological Association, New York, NY, 2019) recognizes that narrative therapy developers, White and Epston (Narrative means to therapeutic ends. W. W. Norton & Company, New York, NY, 1990), assert that narrative theory is a “therapeutic theory founded on the idea that people have many interacting narratives that go into making up their sense of who they are, and that the issues they bring to therapy are not restricted to (or located) within the clients themselves, but rather are influenced and shaped by cultural discourses about identity and power (p. 3).” Madigan (Narrative therapy. American Psychological Association, New York, NY, 2019) further postulates that narrative theory supports “Narrative therapy in a way that centers around a rich engagement in re-storying a client’s narrative by re-considering, re-appreciating, and re-authoring the client’s preferred lives and relationships” (p. 3).
Characterization of dextran transport and molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) of large pore size hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes

Abstract The development of vaccines, gene therapy agents, and virus-like particles has created exciting opportunities for the use of large pore size ultrafiltration membranes in downstream processing. One of the challenges facing both membrane producers and end-users is the difficulty in evaluating the membrane pore size or nominal molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) for the selection of appropriate membranes for targeted separations. We have used a combination of experimental measurements and theoretical modeling to develop an improved methodology for evaluating the MWCO of these large pore size ultrafiltration membranes based on dextran retention measurements. The model accounts for both concentration polarization effects and the intrinsic dextran retention behavior. The results not only provide fundamental insights into the factors controlling dextran retention, but they can also guide membrane manufacturers and end-users to the most appropriate conditions (i.e. feed flow rate and permeate flux) for evaluating the MWCO for hollow fibers with different geometry, pore size, and permeability.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-Inhibitors and Incidence of Non-infectious Uveitis in a Large Healthcare Claims Database.

Purpose: To determine if angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors (ACE-I) alter the incidence of non-infectious uveitis (NIU).Methods: Patients in a large healthcare claims database who initiated A...
Response of MDOF Systems to Vector Random Excitation

A model time history random vibration analysis is presented. The random excitation is nonwhite, nonstationary, vector-valued and correlated. Excitation components may have different frequency contents and variations in intensity with time. The correlation between any two components can be a function of time. The formulation is appropriate for any linear MDOF system which has been decoupled into modes. Analytical expressions are derived for the evolutionary mean and covariance matrices of a modal system augmented by filters and subjected to vector-valued excitation having piece-wise linear strength functions. Then, using modal superposition, evolutionary mean and covariance matrices of any response vector are computed. A three degree-of-freedom system, subjected to vector-valued earthquake excitation, is analyzed. The formulation captures the effects of nonstationarity and correlation between earthquake components.
Use of the heavy-isotope density-shift method to investigate insulin receptor synthesis, turnover, and processing.

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates the use of heavy-isotope density-shift method in chick liver cells in monolayer culture to investigate receptor synthesis, turnover, and processing. The density-shift approach entails exposing cells to medium containing amino acids enriched in 15 N, 13 C, and 2 H. After the density shift, newly synthesized heavy and previously synthesized light insulin receptors are extracted from total cellular membranes with a nonionic detergent and are then separated by isopycnic banding on a CsCl density gradient. The procedures involve preparation of liver cells in monolayer culture; extraction-solubilization of total cellular insulin receptors for density-gradient centrifugation; determination of 125 I-labeled insulin binding to cell-surface and Triton X-100 solubilized insulin receptors; isopycnic banding of solubilized insulin receptor in CsCl density gradients; and heavy-isotope density-shift protocol. The heavy isotope density-shift method can be used in conjunction with a procedure for specifically labeling cell-surface insulin receptors to determine (a) the rate of transit of newly synthesized receptors from their site of translation in the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane; and (b) the rate of net removal of active receptors from the plasma membrane.
Nif Phenotype of Azotobacter vinelandii UW97 CHARACTERIZATION AND MUTATIONAL ANALYSIS

Abstract We have identified the molecular basis for the nitrogenase negative phenotype exhibited by Azotobacter vinelandii UW97. This strain was initially isolated following nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis. Recently, it was shown that this strain lacks the Fe protein activity, which results in the synthesis of a FeMo cofactor-deficient apodinitrogenase. Activation of this apodinitrogenase requires the addition of both MgATP and wild-type Fe protein to the crude extracts made from A. vinelandii UW97 (Allen, R. M., Homer, M. J., Chatterjee, R., Ludden, P. W., Roberts, G. P., and Shah, V. K.(1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268 23670-23674). Earlier, we proposed the sequence of events in the MoFe protein assembly based on the biochemical and spectroscopic analysis of the purified apodinitrogenase from A. vinelandii DJ54 (Gavini, N., Ma, L., Watt, G., and Burgess, B. K.(1994) Biochemistry 33, 11842-11849). Taken together, these results imply that the assembly process of apodinitrogenase is arrested at the same step in both of these strains. Since A. vinelandii DJ54 is a ΔnifH strain, this strain is not useful in identifying the features of the Fe protein involved in the MoFe protein assembly. Here, we report a systematic analysis of an A. vinelandii UW97 mutant and show that, unlike A. vinelandii DJ54, the nifH gene of A. vinelandii UW97 has no deletion in either coding sequence or the surrounding sequences. The specific mutation responsible for the Nif phenotype of A. vinelandii UW97 is the substitution of a non-conserved serine at position 44 of the Fe protein by a phenylalanine as shown by DNA sequencing. Furthermore, oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis was employed to confirm that the Nif phenotype in A. vinelandii UW97 is exclusively due to the substitution of the Fe protein residue serine 44 by phenylalanine. By contrast, replacing Ser-44 with alanine did not affect the Nif phenotype of A. vinelandii. Therefore, it seems that the Nif phenotype of A. vinelandii UW97 is caused by a general structural disturbance of the Fe protein due to the presence of the bulky phenylalanine at position 44.
Training Current and Future Employees of Apparel Companies to Think Like the Customer

Employees at apparel companies often come from various backgrounds and are hired or promoted into the merchandising area. With similar academic backgrounds, merchandising students are usually required to take a variety of courses across multiple disciplines. Integrating this diverse information for critical thinking applications is the goal of our cross-discipline curriculum. Although deemed important by industry, engagement with course information by students, who are either incumbent employees or recent graduates, requires training and practice. We observed that incumbent industry employees as well as students in junior and senior level merchandising classes were having difficulty integrating concepts from various company departments or university classes in order to solve everyday retail problems typically encountered by buyers and other retail customers. Implementation of our innovative teaching strategy involved the renovation of a course. Data from student assessment sources indicate that students, both company employees and merchandising majors, enjoyed conducting the research and using content from previous company positions or university classes. Additionally, the data indicated that these students now feel confident in working with retail math formulas in combination with merchandising principles. Retailers and other employers of the students inform us about how impressed they are with the students and their engagement and assimilation of the vast variety of concepts needed for success in the competitive apparel company.
The Microbiome and Diet: Friend or Foe in the Future Treatment ofInflammatory Bowel Disease?

It is well established that uncontrolled activation of effector immune cells in response to the gut microbiota triggers chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms in genetically susceptible hosts. The exact cause(s) for IBD remains unknown. Previous studies have examined, in detail, how the gut microbiome, genetic susceptibility, and environmental stress may activate the immune responses associated with IBD. Recent studies show that a high fat diet alters the gut microbiota structure and function and facilitates the initiation and progression of immune responses responsible for IBD outcome. Some recent studies also clearly suggest that changes in pathobionts lead to an altered immune response and disease progression. This editorial focuses on some information provided in these studies and addresses how high fat diet induced alteration in the gut microbiota affect IBD progression. We provide some suggestions on how our current knowledge might be used to develop new dietary microbial and immune based modulation strategies for risk assessment and treatment of IBD.
A system for rating the stability and strength of medical evidence

Methods for describing one's confidence in the available evidence are useful for end-users of evidence reviews. Analysts inevitably make judgments about the quality, quantity consistency, robustness, and magnitude of effects observed in the studies identified. The subjectivity of these judgments in several areas underscores the need for transparency in judgments. This paper introduces a new system for rating medical evidence. The system requires explicit judgments and provides explicit rules for balancing these judgments. Unlike other systems for rating the strength of evidence, our system draws a distinction between two types of conclusions: quantitative and qualitative. A quantitative conclusion addresses the question, "How well does it work?", whereas a qualitative conclusion addresses the question, "Does it work?" In our system, quantitative conclusions are tied to stability ratings, and qualitative conclusions are tied to strength ratings. Our system emphasizes extensive a priori criteria for judgments to reduce the potential for bias. Further, the system makes explicit the impact of heterogeneity testing, meta-analysis, and sensitivity analyses on evidence ratings. This article provides details of our system, including graphical depictions of how the numerous judgments that an analyst makes can be combined. We also describe two worked examples of how the system can be applied to both interventional and diagnostic technologies. Although explicit judgments and formal combination rules are two important steps on the path to a comprehensive system for rating medical evidence, many additional steps must also be taken. Foremost among these are the distinction between quantitative and qualitative conclusions, an extensive set of a priori criteria for making judgments, and the direct impact of analytic results on evidence ratings. These attributes form the basis for a logically consistent system that can improve the usefulness of evidence reviews.
Using the conjugate gradient algorithm for reduced-rank adaptive detection

In this paper, we introduce a group of reduced-rank (RR) space-time adaptive processing (STAP) detectors based on the conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm. The CG algorithm can be used for efficient calculation of the weight vector of several well-known STAP detectors. As an iterative algorithm, it produces a series of approximations to the fully adaptive solution, each of which can be used to filter the test signal and form a test statistic. This effectively leads to a family of RR adaptive detectors, referred to as the CG-RR detectors, which are indexed by k the number of iterations incurred. Performance of the proposed CG-RR detectors are examined in terms of the output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). The conventional RR methods for STAP such as the data-independent DFT or DCT based rank reduction, the adaptive eigencanceler and cross-spectral metric (CSM) algorithm are also considered here. Simulation results show that the computationally efficient CG-RR detector often reaches the peak output SINR with a lower rank compared with the eigencanceler and CSM based detectors.
Leaf area index uncertainty estimates for model-data fusion applications

a b s t r a c t Estimates of data uncertainties are required to integrate different observational data streams as model constraints using model-data fusion. We describe an approach with which random and systematic uncertainties in optical measurements of leaf area index (LAI) can be quantified. We use data from a measurement campaign at the spruce-dominated Howland Forest AmeriFlux site for illustrative pur- poses. We made measurements along two transects (one in a mature stand, one in a recently harvested shelterwood) before sunset on successive days using both the Li-Cor LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer and digital hemispherical photography (DHP). The random measurement uncertainty (1� ) at a given point for a single measurement is about 5% for LAI-2000 and 10% for DHP. These uncertainties are small compared to potential systematic biases due to instrument calibration errors and data processing decisions, which are estimated to be 10-20% for each instrument. Sampling uncertainty (due to the spatial variability along each transect where we conducted our measurements) is an additional, but again relatively small, uncertainty. Assumptions about clumping parameters, for which standard literature values are typically used, remain large sources of uncertainty. This analysis can also be used to develop strategies to reduce measurement uncertainties.
The partitioning of 7beryllium in fresh water

Abstract Field observations and experimental measurements of the partitioning coefficient ( K d ) of 7 Be in fresh water show that it varies inversely with the solids concentration at typical environmental values (up to 30 mg/1). This behavior is similar to that of many other metals and organic pollutants, which means that 7 Be may be useful as a tracer of the movement of these substances in the water column. However, the wide range in the percentage of 7 Be adsorbed by solids over this range of concentrations (over 50%) means that in order to use 7 Be either to measure total sedimentation rates or to trace lateral sediment movement it will be necessary to monitor changes in sediment concentration over the area and time period of interest. The wide scatter in our data at both high and low solids concentrations suggests that other factors also affect K d . Until these factors are identified, application of our results to other systems will be risky. At high (greater than 100 mg/1) solids concentrations over 90% of 7 Be is associated with the solid phase, so it may be a useful tracer of reworking rates in bottom sediments. 7 Be has a slightly greater affinity for the solid phase in fresh water than in seawater.