cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of the Gender Pay Gap and Factors That Predict It

This study conducts a systematic review of 98 peer-reviewed journal articles that empirically investigate the presence of the gender pay gap along with factors that espouse it in organizations. The purposes of this study are threefold. First, it aims to explore trends in recurring themes that surface as factors that engender the gender pay gap in the workforce. Second, based on identified themes, the review summarizes and compares the gender pay gap by sector. Finally, the study presents a discussion on how the public sector fairs out in closing the gender pay gap and factors that predict it.
Characterization of Hydrotreated Decant Oils. Effect of Different Severities of Hydrotreating on Decant Oil Chemical Composition

Different severities of hydrotreatment were performed on a raw decant oil and one of its subsequent hydrotreated decant oils. Six hydrotreated decant oils with different chemical composition were obtained during this process. The products obtained from the raw decant oil showed difficulty in sulfur removal. Higher desulfurization was obtained after repassing the first drum of product (EI-132) at a reduced feed rate (LHSV 0.5h–1), higher temperature (734 °F and 750 °F), and higher reactor pressure (8.3 MPa). Several analyses were performed to characterize the decant oils: elemental analysis, 1H and 13C NMR, asphaltene content, average boiling point, API gravity, GC/MS, and viscosity. Two structural parameters derived from the 1H NMR spectra and elemental analyses were calculated: aromaticity (fa) and the fraction of aromatic edge carbons carrying substituents (σ). All the information gathered from the different techniques was helpful to understand the chemical transformations taking place during hydrotreat...
The Logic Model as a Tool for Developing a Network Performance Measurement System

Performance measurement and networked collaboration are each important trends in public management. Research and practice on these two issues have largely proceeded on separate tracks. A logic model framework offers a way to conceptualize network coordination and performance by making explicit the hypothesized relations between network processes and outcomes. Hatry's (2006) logic model approach is used as a heuristic tool toward developing measurable indicators for network planning, implementation, and evaluation. This article provides a theoretical rationale for bridging the logic model concept with emergent network theory about outcomes-focused network processes. Several illustrative examples depict the application of logic modeling to three elements of a network performance measurement system: planning, implementation, and evaluation. The article discusses the implications of the logic model approach as a tool for developing, managing, and assessing the performance outcomes of collaborative and network...
Multi-Population Selective Genotyping to Identify Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Seed Protein and Oil QTLs

Plant breeders continually generate ever-higher yielding cultivars, but also want to improve seed constituent value, which is mainly protein and oil, in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Identification of genetic loci governing those two traits would facilitate that effort. Though genome-wide association offers one such approach, selective genotyping of multiple biparental populations offers a complementary alternative, and was evaluated here, using 48 F2:3 populations (n = ∼224 plants) created by mating 48 high protein germplasm accessions to cultivars of similar maturity, but with normal seed protein content. All F2:3 progeny were phenotyped for seed protein and oil, but only 22 high and 22 low extreme progeny in each F2:3 phenotypic distribution were genotyped with a 1536-SNP chip (ca. 450 bimorphic SNPs detected per mating). A significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on one or more chromosomes was detected for protein in 35 (73%), and for oil in 25 (52%), of the 48 matings, and these QTL exhibited additive effects of ≥ 4 g kg–1 and R2 values of 0.07 or more. These results demonstrated that a multiple-population selective genotyping strategy, when focused on matings between parental phenotype extremes, can be used successfully to identify germplasm accessions possessing large-effect QTL alleles. Such accessions would be of interest to breeders to serve as parental donors of those alleles in cultivar development programs, though 17 of the 48 accessions were not unique in terms of SNP genotype, indicating that diversity among high protein accessions in the germplasm collection is less than what might ordinarily be assumed.
Dissociation between decreased left ventricular hypertrophy and anaerobic glycolysis in treated hypertension

Systemic hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy may be associated with left ventricular ischemia. Reduced oxygenation of the hypertrophied left ventricule may lead to acceleration of anaerobic glycolysis. The present study was undertaken to determine if lactacte production, an indicator of anaerobic glycolytic metabolism, is increased in the hypertrophied left ventricle, and if reductions of arterial pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy using antihypertensive treatment are associated with a decrease in myocardiol lactate production. Three-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with nifedipine for 3 mo
Modified inverse micelle synthesis for mesoporous alumina with a high D4 siloxane adsorption capacity

Abstract In this work, mesoporous aluminas (MAs) with uniform and monomodal pores were fabricated via a modified inverse micelle synthesis method, using a non-polar solvent (to minimize the effect of water content) and short reaction time (for a fast evaporation process). The effects of reaction times (4–8 h), surfactant chain lengths (non-ionic surfactants), and calcination temperatures and hold times (450–600 °C; 1–4 h) on the textural properties of MA were studied. The targeted pore sizes of MA were obtained in the range of 3.1–5.4 nm by adjusting the surfactant and reaction time. The surface area and pore volume were controlled by the calcination temperature and hold time while maintaining the thermal stability of the materials. The tuned MA of the large mesopore volume achieved 168 mg/g octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4 siloxane) adsorption capacity, a 32% improvement compared to commercially activated alumina. After three adsorption recycles, the synthesized MA still maintained approximate 85% of its original adsorption capacity, demonstrating a sustainable adsorption performance and high potential for related industrial applications.
Pollination and sterility in horseradish

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana, Brassicaceae) is a crop that seldom produces viable seed and is propagated exclusively via vegetative (or clonal) procedures for commercial production. Male sterility and self-incompatibility (SI) have been suspected as possible mechanisms underlying sterility in horseradish. Therefore, greenhouse and laboratory analyses were conducted to assess pollen viability, pollen recognition in pistils, and to quantify success in self- and cross-pollination events using various horseradish clones. Pollen viability was high (98–100%); consequently, male sterility was an unlikely explanation for low seed set. Self-pollination in some horseradish clones produced seed, although most clones showed some level of SI. Significant numbers of pollen tubes were found in ovaries of self-compatible (SC) individuals soon after stigmas were saturated with pollen; furthermore, between three and six ovules with pollen tubes were found in the micropyle which correlates with the number of seed typically found in mature fruits from outcrossed or SC individuals. The results of this study suggest variation in the breeding system of horseradish, as some clones exhibit complete SC, while other clones are SI that recognize and reject self-pollen.
Concepts for Studying Urban Environmental Justice.

This paper offers research frameworks for understanding and acting to address urban environmental justice. Urban neighborhoods tend to concentrate and colocate vulnerable people and toxic environments. Cities are also where the poor and people of color tend to be disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards, such as air pollution, lead in paint and water, and polluting industries. Researchers and government agencies are increasingly recognizing the need to document cumulative exposures that the urban poor and people of color experience in addition to environmental hazards. These “toxic stressors” can exacerbate the health impacts of pollution exposures and include such social and economic factors as discrimination, racism, linguistic isolation, and political exclusion. Urban environmental justice research can benefit from a structural racism approach, which requires documenting the historical decisions, institutions, and policies that contribute to today’s cumulative exposures. Key research frameworks and methods utilizing this approach for urban environmental justice include community-based participatory research, measuring cumulative stressors, and community-based asset and hazard mapping.
Modulation of NK-2 receptor associated G-protein signaling by alteration of the aromatic residue at position six in neurokinin A analogs

signaling is the first event in the cascade of biochemical reactions which follows activation of NK-2 receptors [1]. Thus, measurement of G-protein activation can serve for the assessment of agonism or antagonism of NKA analogs [2]. In this study, a assay [3] was used. NKA(4-10) represents the minimal specific sequence required for the binding to the NK-2 receptors. The following NKA(4-10) analogs were synthesized to examine requirements at position six for the binding to the NK-2 receptor and for subsequent activation of signaling: a) [p-X-Phe,Nle]NKA(4-10), where X = F, Cl, Br, I, and NO2; and b) [Xaa ,Nle]NKA(4-10), where Xaa = Trp, D-Phe, and Tic. The para-substituents modify the van der Waals volume and perturb the electrostatic field around the aromatic ring of The Trp replacement increases the van der Waals volume of the residue at position six. The D-Phe replacement introduces a conformational change in the peptide backbone. The Tic replacement stabilizes g(+) and g(-) conformations of the aromatic group and restricts rotation around the torsional angle [4].
Nanomechanics and Testing of Core-Shell Composite Ligaments for High Strength, Light Weight Foams

Composite nanostructured foams consisting of a metallic shell deposited on a polymeric core were formed by plating copper via electroless deposition on electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber mats. The final structure consisted of 1000-nm scale PCL fibers coated with 100s of nm of copper, leading to final core-shell thicknesses on the order of 1000-3000 nm. The resulting open cell, core-shell foams had relative densities between 4 and 15 %. By controlling the composition of the adjuncts in the plating bath, particularly the composition of formaldehyde, the relative thickness of copper coating as the fiber diameter could be controlled. As-spun PCL mats had a nominal compressive modulus on the order of 0.1 MPa; adding a uniform metallic shell increased the modulus up to 2 MPa for sub-10 % relative density foams. A computational materials science analysis using density functional theory was used to explore the effects pre-treatment with Pd may have on the density of nuclei formed during electroless plating.
DksA and ppGpp Regulate the σ S Stress Response by Activating Promoters for the Small RNA DsrA and the Anti-Adapter Protein IraP

σS is an alternative sigma factor, encoded by the rpoS gene, that redirects cellular transcription to a large family of genes in response to stressful environmental signals. This so-called σS general stress response is necessary for survival in many bacterial species and is controlled by a complex, multifactorial pathway that regulates σS levels transcriptionally, translationally, and posttranslationally in Escherichia coli It was shown previously that the transcription factor DksA and its cofactor, ppGpp, are among the many factors governing σS synthesis, thus playing an important role in activation of the σS stress response. However, the mechanisms responsible for the effects of DksA and ppGpp have not been elucidated fully. We describe here how DksA and ppGpp directly activate the promoters for the anti-adaptor protein IraP and the small regulatory RNA DsrA, thereby indirectly influencing σS levels. In addition, based on effects of DksAN88I, a previously identified DksA variant with increased affinity for RNA polymerase (RNAP), we show that DksA can increase σS activity by another indirect mechanism. We propose that by reducing rRNA transcription, DksA and ppGpp increase the availability of core RNAP for binding to σS and also increase transcription from other promoters, including PdsrA and PiraP By improving the translation and stabilization of σS, as well as the ability of other promoters to compete for RNAP, DksA and ppGpp contribute to the switch in the transcription program needed for stress adaptation.IMPORTANCE Bacteria spend relatively little time in log phase outside the optimized environment found in a laboratory. They have evolved to make the most of alternating feast and famine conditions by seamlessly transitioning between rapid growth and stationary phase, a lower metabolic mode that is crucial for long-term survival. One of the key regulators of the switch in gene expression that characterizes stationary phase is the alternative sigma factor σS Understanding the factors governing σS activity is central to unraveling the complexities of growth, adaptation to stress, and pathogenesis. Here, we describe three mechanisms by which the RNA polymerase binding factor DksA and the second messenger ppGpp regulate σS levels.
Is There a Place for Humility in HEAVEN

The primary intention of Ren and Canavero's article (2017) is to respond to various criticisms raised by their proposal of the head anastomosis venture (HEAVEN) procedure. Before we launch a deeper...
Recursive in/formality: Time and ideology in a distributed monetary system

I argue that in/formality is not a distinction between two qualities, but rather, a distinction of relative position achieved through linguistic and nonlinguistic practices of categorization. Through an analysis of illegal currency trading in Argentina, I show how temporal and ideological dynamics shape the semiotic framing of in/formality in any given context.
The fertility integration of Mexican-Americans across generations: confronting the problem of the ‘third’ generation*

The manner in which ‘third generation’ Mexican-Americans are identified, predicated on self-reported ethnic identity rather than grandparental nativity, is imprecise and potentially confounded with...
Acoustic band gaps and elastic stiffness of PMMA cellular solids based on triply periodic minimal surfaces

Abstract In this paper, the acoustic band structure, sound attenuation, and uniaxial elastic modulus of three cellular solids are studied computationally. The cellular solids are generated based on mathematical surfaces, called triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS), which include Schwarz Primitive, Schoen IWP, and Neovius surfaces. Finite element method is used to find the acoustic band gaps and sound attenuation of the TPMS structures. The numerical investigation revealed the existence of acoustic bandgaps at low frequencies and low relative densities compared to other cellular structures reported in the literature. The band gap analysis is numerically validated using structures with finite dimensions subjected to varying pressure with multiple frequencies. The influence of the porosity of TPMS on the width of the band gaps is also reported. In the considered porosity range, it is found that lower porosities result in wider acoustic band gaps. Furthermore, the uniaxial moduli of these TPMS are numerically determined using periodic boundary conditions. When the uniaxial modulus of the TPMS-structures is studied against their porosities, it is found that the response of the TPMS-structures lies between stretching- and bending-dominating.
Ovals from the Point of View of Coding Theory

In this short note we use the term oval in its usual sense for a projective plane of odd order but for a projective plane of even order n we mean n+2 points no three of which are collinear. We split the discussion into three cases: Case 1 is that of a projective plane of even order congruent to 2 modulo 4. Case 2 is that of a projective plane of even order congruent to 0 modulo 4. Case 3 is that of a projective plane of odd order.
Estimating actual height in the older individual

The widely used formulas for estimating adult stature require modification of the estimated height to account for the effects of age. The recording of measured and reported height in a living older population from southern Arizona, in conjunction with bone mineralization monitoring, provides an opportunity to test the currently used correction factor. Loss of height appears to commence around the age of 45, and the average rate of loss is relatively rapid at 0.16 cm per year. The correction factor suggested by this study is 0.16(age--45), subtracted from the maximum height. The loss is also affected by the maximum height of the individual. In cases of low bone mineralization, the increased incidence of vertebral crush fractures may cause further reductions in standing height. The low rate of recognition of height changes among the older community lowers the usefulness of the age adjusted height estimate. It is recommended that both the maximum and age adjusted heights be provided in forensic science reports to aid in matching with missing person reports.
Canons of Alphabetic Change

It is well attested that between about 800 and 500 B.C. the Greeks inherited the Phoenician alphabet and set about modifying it in various ways. The present chapter is concerned with interpreting the fundamental forces that lay behind these modifications, with an ultimate view toward providing a new approach to understanding the human mind. Some of these cognitive implications are supported by the findings of contemporary psycho-linguistics, but others are frankly speculative. However, all the arguments presented here are to some extent testable. In the aggregate, it is hoped that they will provide a picture of an historical and an ontogenetic process that in many ways mirror one another, both of a decidedly “Lamarckian” cast. This will be gone into in some detail.
Another Look at Dorian Shainin's Variable Search Technique

An analysis is conducted of the variable search (VS) method of Dorian Shainin. Certain conditions are identified where the VS approach is less effective than traditional designs. Theoretical and simulation studies establish the importance of process knowledge and noise variation to successful use of the VS design.
Family child care providers' responsiveness toward children: The role of professional support and perceived stress

Abstract Approximately 7 million 0- to 5-year-old children attend family child care, which is a non-parental, paid care provided in a child care provider's home in the U.S. Despite the importance of family child care providers' role in supporting young children's development, studies on family child care providers' responsiveness for children in their care are lacking. This study investigates whether family child care providers' perceived professional support (i.e., professional resources and connectedness with children's families) and perceived personal stress are independently and jointly associated with their responsiveness toward children's emotional and social challenges. Survey data were collected from 888 family child care providers in 40 states in the U.S. We found that when family child care providers have more professional resources, they utilize less negative guidance. Further, when family child care providers have more positive connectedness with children's families, they utilize more positive guidance. Family child care providers' perceived personal stress was significantly associated with their responsiveness toward children's negative emotions. Examining interactions between perceived professional support and personal stress, we found that perceived professional support was positively associated with family child care providers' responsiveness only when their stress level was low. The study emphasizes a need for providing targeted interventions for family child care providers to support their professional development as well as psychological wellbeing.
Transglutaminase induced gels using bitter apricot kernel protein: Chemical, textural and release properties

Abstract Plant protein gels have a good biocompatibility and biodegradability to provide a non-reactive environment and control the release of sensitive or bioactive compounds. In this study, the effects of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) catalyzed crosslinking on chemical interactions, textural properties and controlled release of gels made using bitter apricot kernel protein concentrate (APC) were investigated. As the MTGase concentration increased, the free amino and free sulfhydryl groups decreased, while the degree of crosslinking, disulfide bonding and surface hydrophobicity increased. A compact and homogenous network structure was observed using SEM. Textural profile analysis showed that MTGase induced crosslinking increased gel hardness, springiness and cohesiveness. In addition, in vitro controlled release studies showed that MTGase induced APC gels were able to resist acidic conditions and pepsin digestion, protected the riboflavin against simulated gastric fluid and allowed gradual release in simulated intestinal fluid. These APC gels may be suitable for delivering sensitive compounds into functional foods, as well as dietary supplements and pharmaceutical products.
High-fidelity aerostructural optimization of tow-steered composite wings

Abstract Over the past several decades, composites have increasingly become the material of choice in modern aircraft structural design. This is primarily due to the high stiffness- and strength-to-weight ratios offered by conventional composites when compared to metals. Unconventional composite designs, such as tow-steered composites, have demonstrated potential for further expanding these advantages. Unlike their conventional composite counterparts, tow-steered composites feature layers with spatially varying fiber orientations. When applied to wing design, tow-steered composites offer an increase in design freedom at the cost of higher design complexity, making them ideal candidates for design optimization. We develop a methodology for the aerostructural design optimization of tow-steered composite wings using high-fidelity physics models. We also quantify the benefits of this new technology by performing a fuel burn minimization for both a tow-steered and a conventional composite wing design. This assessment is done for the undeflected Common Research Model, which is representative of a twin-aisle transport aircraft. We find improvements of up to 2.4% in fuel burn and 24% in wing weight relative to the optimized conventional composite design. We show that this improvement is due to a combination of improved passive aeroelastic tailoring and local strength tailoring in high-stress regions in the tow-steered structure. For a higher-aspect-ratio (13.5) wing design, we find improvements of up to 1.5% and 14% in fuel savings and wing weight, respectively. To better understand the effect of aspect ratio on tow-steered wing design, we perform an optimization study where the aspect ratio is varied between 7.5 and 13.5. We found that there are diminishing returns in the benefit of tow steering as the aspect ratio is increased because less passive load alleviation is possible.
Multi-informant Expectancies and Treatment Outcomes for Anxiety in Youth

Expectancies for a favorable treatment outcome have been associated with actual favorable outcomes but have been understudied in youth with anxiety. The current study applied structural equation modeling in a sample of anxious youth (N = 488; 7–17 years, M = 10.69, SD = 2.80) to examine whether a multi-informant latent expectancies factor, indicated by youth, parent, and therapist reports, predicted a latent posttreatment anxiety factor, controlling for a latent pretreatment anxiety factor. Both anxiety latent factors were indicated by youth, parent, and independent evaluator (IE) reports. Analyses also examined whether treatment condition (cognitive behavioral therapy, sertraline, combination, pill placebo) moderated the association between expectancies and outcome, and whether this association differed across development. Findings indicated that informant reports loaded similarly onto the latent factors. Results also demonstrated that treatment expectancies were positively associated with outcomes, and that this relationship held across treatment type and age group. Treatment implications and future research directions are discussed.
Aberrant positioning of the ulnar nerve found during carpal tunnel release: A case report.

Aberrant positioning of the ulnar nerve volar to the carpal tunnel is a rare anatomic variation. We present the case of a 55-yearold female with unique ulnar nerve anatomy that was discovered intraoperatively during carpal tunnel release. The ulnar nerve was running directly adjacent to the median nerve in the distal forearm and as the median nerve traversed dorsal to the transverse carpal ligament (flexor retinaculum) to enter the carpal tunnel the ulnar nerve continued directly volar to this structure before angling towards Guyon’s Canal. The unique ulnar nerve anatomy was successfully identified, carefully dissected and managed with a successful patient outcome. Variations of the anatomy at the level of the carpal tunnel are rare but do exist. Awareness of these anatomic variations and adequate visualization of the ulnar nerve along with the surrounding structures is crucial to avoid iatrogenic injuries during carpal tunnel release.
UPDATE OF GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY: A FRAMEWORK FOR NURSING

ABSTRACT General Systems Theory propositions are reviewed with particular emphasis on the effects of stresses and strains in a developing system. The stages of a system of self are formulated into three units: Identity of Self, Servo-dynamic Mechanisms of Self and Affirmation of Self. The patient is regarded as an open system of self. Systems are defined according to degree of predictability, closed systems as highly predictable are contrasted with low predictability of open systems. Clinical research findings are presented as evidence for nursing manipulation of closed feedback loops.
Classifying fishing behavioral diversity using high-frequency movement data.

Effective management of social-ecological systems (SESs) requires an understanding of human behavior. In many SESs, there are hundreds of agents or more interacting with governance and regulatory institutions, driving management outcomes through collective behavior. Agents in these systems often display consistent behavioral characteristics over time that can help reduce the dimensionality of SES data by enabling the assignment of types. Typologies of resource-user behavior both enrich our knowledge of user cultures and provide critical information for management. Here, we develop a data-driven framework to identify resource-user typologies in SESs with high-dimensional data. To demonstrate policy applications, we apply the framework to a tightly coupled SES, commercial fishing. We leverage large fisheries-dependent datasets that include mandatory vessel logbooks, observer datasets, and high-resolution geospatial vessel tracking technologies. We first quantify vessel and behavioral characteristics using data that encode fishers’ spatial decisions and behaviors. We then use clustering to classify these characteristics into discrete fishing behavioral types (FBTs), determining that 3 types emerge in our case study. Finally, we investigate how a series of disturbances applied selection pressure on these FBTs, causing the disproportionate loss of one group. Our framework not only provides an efficient and unbiased method for identifying FBTs in near real time, but it can also improve management outcomes by enabling ex ante investigation of the consequences of disturbances such as policy actions.
Application of IoT for Concrete Structural Health Monitoring

Structural health monitoring (SHM) of built infrastructure ensures the durability and extended life without the need for major rehabilitation and maintenance strategies. Concrete structures are among the most applicable types of infrastructures that require a well-established SHM routine to ensure serviceability and longevity. The concept of Internet of Things (IoT) can be applied to enhance the SHM process by improved data collection, storage and transfer methods which was not feasible in the past. The frequency of data collection, as well as the quality and accessibility of data, ensure the durability of the infrastructure. This paper includes the details of system development to estimate the strength of concrete structures by using IoT technology and embedded temperature sensors. The integration of sensors to collect performance data were evaluated and discussed. Preliminary results of this work showed promising results in terms of data collection frequency, accuracy and relevance to the broader goal of SHM for concrete structures.
Using Synthetic Data Generators to Promote Open Science in Higher Education Learning Analytics

Data sharing is a common contribution to open science. The creation of open datasets can speed up research advancements by allowing researchers to focus efforts on developing and validating analytical techniques, rather than on obtaining data. Open datasets also allow researchers to benchmark new analytical approaches against a known standard, and increase the reproducibility of research. The field of higher education learning analytics could benefit from the creation of open, shared datasets on higher education students as these data do not currently exist in open and accessible formats. Here, we propose the use of synthetic data generators to create open access versions of student data. Synthetic datasets have an advantage over real data, as private student data is protected by federal laws. We compare the characteristics of the synthetic data to the original data and illustrate a model for how the synthetic data can be leveraged for developing and optimizing a common learning analytics algorithm.
High-throughput analysis identifying drugs that reduce oxidative and ER stress in human coronary artery endothelial cells.

Abstract Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress as well as oxidative stress have been shown to play important roles in metabolic and cardiovascular disease, and drugs that counteract the effects of ER and oxidative stresses may be clinically useful. To identify novel compounds that ameliorate ER and oxidative stresses, we screened two drug libraries purchased from Evotec, San Francisco, CA; the NIH clinical collection 1 (446 compounds) and the NIH clinical collection 2 (281 compounds). Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were tested for ER and oxidative stress. ER stress was measured with an ER stress-sensitive secreted alkaline phosphatase (SAP) assay. The cells were transfected with the plasmid pSAP2.Control, expressing a heat-resistant form of SAP, and treated with the ER stress inducer tunicamycin in the presence or absence of each of the various compounds for 24-h, at which time SAP activity was measured. Compounds exhibiting significant increases in SAP activity (41 compounds out of a total of 727 tested; 5.6%) were then assayed for their ability to suppress superoxide (SO) anion generation in cells treated with 27.5 mM dextrose. SO generation was measured using the superoxide-reactive probe 2-methyl-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-A]pyrazin-3-one hydrochloride chemiluminescence. Of the 41 compounds identified as ER stress reducers, only 33 (80.5%) suppressed dextrose-induced SO anion generation. Interestingly, 51% of the compounds found to be dual-stress modifiers consisted of cardioprotective drugs, including statins, angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors as well as β-blockers. Future studies to validate the clinical effectiveness of these agents remain to be performed in pre-clinical and clinical trials.
Influential others: Infant/toddler teachers’ perspectives on entry into and retention in the infant/toddler workforce

This qualitative descriptive study was designed to answer the following questions: How do infant/toddler teachers (ITTs) enter the infant/toddler workforce? What motivates teachers to work in the i...
Gender Difference in Substance Use and Psychiatric Outcomes Among Dually Diagnosed Veterans Treated in Specialized Intensive PTSD Programs

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a problem of growing importance among female veterans, which is especially challenging when accompanied by comorbid substance use disorder (SUD). Since women...
Cost Avoidance Analysis of Medication Conversions on the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in a Medication Therapy Management Call Center: A Budgetary Perspective.

BACKGROUNDThe burden of prescription drug prices affects patients and health system, creating a need for pharmacists to use their medication expertise to recommend the most cost-effective treatment...
Recent developments in the use of optical coherence tomography for glaucoma

Purpose of review The aim of this article is to summarize findings of recent reports highlighting the utility of novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters in the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Recent findings Optic nerve head (ONH), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and macular parameters show high levels of diagnostic capability. The Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) measurement is a novel ONH parameter obtained using the Spectralis SD-OCT device (Heidelberg Engineering, Inc., Heidelberg, Germany). The inferotemporal BMO-MRW sector shows the highest diagnostic performance for this parameter. Minimum ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer thickness shows the highest diagnostic performance among macular parameters obtained with the Cirrus HD-OCT (Carl Zeiss, Inc., Dublin, CA, USA). Optic nerve head, macular, and retinal nerve fiber layer parameters are not interchangeable across protocols generated by varying OCT manufacturers. Novel machine-learning algorithms show promise with regards to achieving higher levels of diagnostic accuracy using OCT imaging platforms. Summary Digital imaging in glaucoma continues to evolve with novel parameters of the optic nerve head, retinal nerve fiber layer, and macula. Diagnostic abilities of these parameters are high and complementary to each other.
Analytic insights into nonlocal energy transport. III. steady state Fokker Planck theory in spherical and planar geometry

This paper develops an approximate steady state Fokker Planck theory for energetic electron transport in a spherical laser fusion target. First, we apply the theory to only a small population of electrons, which is specified at the outset. Then, one determines the nonlocal electron energy flux of these electrons at a particular position. These energetic electrons may either come from the tail of the thermal distribution function or be generated by an instability. This paper develops two approximate methods of solution, which we call the “characteristic method” and “sparse eigenfunction.” The former works only in planar geometry and the latter in both planar and spherical geometry. Comparison of the two methods in planar geometry shows that even though the approximations are very different, they give about the same result, increasing their credibility. For the example we have chosen, spherical effects are not important for electrons from the tail of the distribution function but may well be for instability generated electrons, which have much higher energy. Comparing planar to spherical, one finds an additional spherical barrier protecting the fuel. It turns out that the associated fuel preheat a Fokker Planck model predicts is considerably less than that predicted by the Krook models as developed at both NRL and other places.
Understanding Carrier Specific Dynamics in CH3NH3PbBr3 by Femtosecond Tabletop Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

We show that tabletop high-harmonic extreme ultraviolet transient absorption spectroscopy measures transitions from the Br 3d core to the valence and conduction band of CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite, enabling us to observe carrier specific dynamics.
Effect of interfacial structures on phonon transport across atomically precise Si/Al heterojunctions

Phonons are important carriers of energy and information in many cryogenic devices used for quantum information science and in fundamental physics experiments such as dark matter detectors. In these systems phonon behaviors can be dominated by interfaces and their atomic structures; hence, there is increasing demand for a more detailed understanding of interfacial phonon transport in relevant material systems. Previous studies have focused on understanding thermal transport over the entire phonon spectrum at and above room temperature. At ultralow temperatures, however, knowledge is missing regarding athermal phonon behavior due to the challenge in modeling the extreme conditions in microscale, heterogeneous cryogenic systems, as well as extracting single-phonon information from a large ensemble. In this paper, we delineate the effects of interfacial atomic structures on phonon transport using a combination of classical molecular dynamics (MD) and phonon wave-packet simulations, to illustrate the consistency and differences between the ensemble- and single-phonon dynamics. We consider three single-crystal Si surface reconstructions---$(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1), (\sqrt{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{3})$ and $(7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7)$---and model both experimentally observed $\mathrm{Si}(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)/\mathrm{Al}$ interfaces and hypothesized $\mathrm{Si}(\sqrt{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{3})$/Al and $\mathrm{Si}(7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7)/\mathrm{Al}$ interfaces. The overall interfacial thermal conductance calculated from non-equilibrium MD shows that for the $\mathrm{Si}(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)/\mathrm{Al}$ system, the presence of Al twin boundaries can hinder phonon transport and reduce thermal conductance by 2--12% relative to single-crystal Al; whereas the Si $(\sqrt{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{3})$ and $(7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7)$ reconstructions can enhance it by 6--19%. Normal mode decomposition reveals that both the increase and decrease in conductance are related to inelastic phonon scattering. Single-phonon wave-packet simulations predict phonon transport properties consistent with non-equilibrium MD, while further suggesting that phonon polarization conversion is significant even when elastic transmission dominates, and that the interfacial structures have anisotropic impacts on atomic vibrations along different lattice directions. Our findings suggest avenues for achieving selective phonon transport via controlling interfacial structures of materials using atomically precise fabrication techniques, and that the phonon wave-packet formalism is a potentially powerful method for developing a detailed understanding of non-equilibrium phenomena in the low-temperature limit.
Indoor black carbon and brown carbon concentrations from cooking and outdoor penetration: insights from the HOMEChem study

Particle emissions from cooking are a major contributor to residential indoor air pollution and could also contribute to ambient concentrations. An important constituent of these emissions is light-absorbing carbon, including black carbon (BC) and brown carbon (BrC). This work characterizes the contributions of indoor and outdoor sources of BC and BrC to the indoor environment by concurrently measuring real-time concentrations of these air pollutants indoors and outdoors during the month-long HOMEChem study. The median indoor-to-outdoor ratios of BC and BrC during the periods of no activity inside the test house were 0.6 and 0.7, respectively. The absorption Angstrom exponent was used to characterize light-absorbing particle emissions during different activities and ranged from 1.1 to 2.7 throughout the campaign, with the highest value (indicative of BrC-dominated emissions) observed during the preparation of a simulated Thanksgiving Day holiday style meal. An indoor BC exposure assessment shows that exposure for an occupant present in the kitchen area was ∼4 times higher during Thanksgiving Day experiments (primarily due to candle burning) when compared to the background conditions.
Mutation of the Conserved Amino Acids of Mitochondria Aldehyde Dehydrogenase

During the last three decades much have been accomplished to help us understand the mechanism of aldehyde dehydrogenase. Earlier chemical modification studies suggested that C302 and E268 could be essential residues. We used site directed mutagenesis to elucidate the importance of these residues in catalysis. The enzyme was completely inactive when C302 was replaced by alanine. However, replacing C302 by serine did produce a mutant with some catalytic activity. This led us to conclude the C302 may function as a nucleophile (Farres et al., 1995). Glutamate at position 268 was shown to act as a general base to activate the nucleophile that led to the initiation of the catalytic reaction (Wang and Weiner, 1995). There were other residues such as C49, S74, C162 and H235 which were thought to be essential based on the inhibition and protection experiments (Weiner et al., 1985; Tu and Weiner, 1988; Loomes et al., 1990). Later mutational analysis showed that replacing them with other residues did not render the enzyme completely inactive, hence, they might not be critical for the functioning of the enzyme (Zheng and Weiner, 1993; Rout and Weiner, 1994; Farres et al., 1995).
Dual-metal gate CMOS with HfO 2 gate dielectric

We report for the first time on a novel dual-metal gate CMOS integration on HfO/sub 2/ gate dielectric using TiN (PMOS) and TaSiN (NMOS) gate electrodes. Compared to a single metal integration, the dual-metal integration does not degrade gate leakage, mobility and charge trapping behavior. Promising preliminary TDDB data were obtained from dual-metal gate MOSFETs, while still delivering much improved gate leakage (10/sup 4/ - 10/sup 5/ X better than SiO/sub 2/).
Opening Pandora?s 3D Printed Box

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is the practice of creating a physical object from a digital model. This is achieved by using an additive process of laying down successive thin layers of a material. It is not completely clear what impact 3D printers will have on altering our society, but there is no denying that a transformative social, economic, and technical 3D printing revolution is underway. Our world is being 3D printed all around us, creating unforeseen opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs [29], policy makers, and society at large.
A comparative study of the lipolytic activity of thyroid-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.

Abstract The lipolytic activity of bovine thyroid-stimulating hormone and its subunits have been compared to the lipolytic activity of ovine-luteinizing hormone and its subunits. When tested on white adipocytes isolated from epididymal fat pads of BALB/c mice, thyroid-stimulating hormone was a potent lipolytic agent, active at a concentration of 7 x 10-10 m. In contrast, the isolated subunits of thyroid-stimulating hormone were free of lipolytic activity from 7 x 10-10 m to 4 x 10-7 m. When recombined, 20% of the biological activity of native thyroid-stimulating hormone was regained, indicating that cooperation between the two subunits of thyroid-stimulating hormone is needed to get maximal biological activity. In white adipocytes isolated from epididymal fat pads of rats, thyroid-stimulating hormone was 7 times less active. Treatment by dexamethasone of intact or hypophysectomized rats induced an increased sensitivity to the lipolytic activity of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the adipocytes isolated from epididymal fat pads of these rats. Our data are interpreted to indicate that glucocorticoids are involved in the control of one of the components of the effector system for thyroid stimulating hormone. When the lipolytic activity of bovine- and ovine-luteinizing hormone was tested on the white adipocytes isolated from epididymal fat pads of mice, BALB/c, it was 1000 times less active in comparison with thyroid-stimulating hormone. As reported earlier (Gospodarowicz, D. (1971) Endocrinology 89, 699), all of the biological activity was concentrated in the α chain, and the β chain was free of activity. Our results tend to indicate that the lipolytic activity of luteinizing hormone may be a residual thyroid stimulating hormone activity due to the sharing of common determinants (mainly the α chain).
A mitochondrial-targeting peptide (Bendavia) decreases apoptosis and suppresses cardiac fibrosis in the noninfarcted border zone of infarcted hearts (1154.3)

Bendavia is a mitochondrial-targeting peptide with cardioprotective properties. Apoptosis and cardiac fibrosis contribute to left ventricular remodeling in the post infarct state. We hypothesized t...
Interpersonal hostility and violence in vietnam combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: A review of theoretical models and empirical evidence

There is strong evidence that anger and violence are prevalent problems in Vietnam combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, and a summary of relevant empirical studies is presented. However, the pathways responsible for development and perpetuation of anger and violence in this clinical population have been unidentified. Available information processing and neurobiological models regarding how anger and aggression may be dysregulated in response to trauma are reviewed. Anger and interpersonal violence in Vietnam veterans with PTSD may have a distinct etiology and maintenance compared to other disorders, and may be directly related to neurobiological and trauma-related factors. Although anger has not yet been directly modeled in accordance with theories of PTSD, these models may provide frameworks for investigating how anger may be associated with the development and maintenance of PTSD. Additional suggestions for future research are offered.