cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolated cold plasma regions - Observations and their relation to possible production mechanisms

Regions of enhanced cold plasma, isolated from the main plasmasphere along the Explorer 45 orbit on the equatorial plane, are reported using the sheath induced potentials seen by the electric field experiment. The occurrence of these regions has a strong correlation with negative enhancements of Dst, and their locations are primarily in the noon-dusk quadrant. The data support the concept that changes in large scale convection play a dominant role in the formation of these regions. Plasmatails that are predicted from enhancements of large scale convection electric fields in general define where these regions may be found. More localized processes are necessary to account for the exact configuration and structure seen in these regions and may eventually result in detachment from the main plasmasphere.
Thermochemistry of the U-O and Zr-O systems

The thermodynamic constraint relating the standard free energy of formation of an oxide (MOc) to its oxygen potentials by ΔGf0(MOc) =½ƒocΔḠ(O2) dC′ has been used to develop the full spectrum of oxygen potentials of the U─O and Zr─O systems at high temperatures. Henry's law is applied to the metal region in the U─O system. Oxygen dissolution in liquid Zr has been shown to deviate only slightly from Henry's law, despite the high solubility. Minor modifications of the previously reported oxygen pressures in the two-phase regions of both of the U─O and Zr─O systems result from the requirement of satisfying the integral constraint. Oxygen pressures in the oxygen-containing metal regions where no data are available have also been estimated. The ensemble of the results is displayed in the form of oxygen isobars superimposed on the phase diagrams of the U─O and Zr─O systems. The oxygen pressure-temperature–composition relation of tetragonal (β) ZrO2±x has also been established.
Satellite attitude control using three reaction wheels

This work addresses the attitude control of a satellite by applying MIMO quantitative feedback approach. The objective is to design a set of proper controllers in presence of unknown disturbances and parametric uncertainties for a nonlinear MIMO system. The physical model of satellite utilizes three reaction wheels as actuators. The controller goal is to change the rotational speed of reaction wheels to adjust the satellite in desired course. First, the mathematical model of satellite and its actuators using angular kinematics and kinetic equations is developed. Quantitative feedback theory is then applied to synthesize a set of linear controllers that deals with both nonlinearities in the equations and unknown parameters or disturbance sources. By using basically non-interacting desired outputs and extracting sets of linear time invariant equivalent (LTIE) plants, the controllers set is designed for nine SISO systems. Simulation of closed loop system shows that all desired specifications of closed loop (tracking, stability, disturbance rejection) are robustly satisfied.
AN INTERPLAY OF LEARNING, CREATIVITY AND NARRATIVE BIOGRAPHY IN A MENTAL HEALTH SETTING: BERTIE'S STORY

This paper describes selected findings from a research study exploring the use of a basic literacy/creative writing course provided in a community setting for adults with long‐term mental health difficulties. It explores one case in particular, where long‐term mental illness coupled with limited verbal articulation and low levels of literacy presented significant barriers to learning, creativity and the construction of narrative. However, whilst little movement or development could be discerned in some participant cases where recognisable barriers were less formidable, the case study selected illustrates a resilience and agency on the part of one individual which enabled incremental but significant development. The paper suggests that seeking the creative in the writing, or the meaning in the words was to overlook the actual creative act, which was the resilient, reparative process of coming to terms with a new identity and a new self narrative.
Trunk Coordination in Dancers and Nondancers

Variability, or how a task changes across trials, may reveal differences between athletes of differing skill levels. The purpose of this study was to examine trunk and lower extremity (LE) single joint kinematic variability and intersegmental coordination variability in dancers and nondancers during bipedal vertical dance jumps (sautes). Twenty healthy females, 10 with no formal dance training and 10 professional dancers, performed 20 consecutive sautes. Single joint kinematic variability was assessed using mean standard deviation of angular displacement, and intersegmental coordination variability was assessed using angular deviation of the coupling angle between segments. Within the context of the standard error of measure, there was no difference in single joint kinematic variability between dancers and nondancers. Intersegmental coordination variability in the trunk was higher than variability in LE couplings for both groups. Dancers had lower intersegmental coordination variability than nondancers fo...
Alexithymia in holocaust survivors with and without PTSD

Alexithymia was measured in non-treatment seeking, community-dwelling Holocaust survivors using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale—Twenty Item Version (TAS-20). Scores of survivors with (n = 30) and without (n = 26) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were compared, and associations among alexithymia, severity of trauma, and severity of PTSD symptoms were determined. Survivors with PTSD had significantly higher scores on the TAS-20 compared to survivors without PTSD. TAS-20 scores were significantly associated with severity of PTSD symptoms, but not with severity of trauma. This study adds to our knowledge of the relationship between alexithymia and trauma by demonstrating that this characteristic is related to the presence of posttraumatic symptoms and not simply exposure to trauma.
Recent Advances in Wearable Sensors for Health Monitoring

Wearable sensor technology continues to advance and provide significant opportunities for improving personalized healthcare. In recent years, advances in flexible electronics, smart materials, and low-power computing and networking have reduced barriers to technology accessibility, integration, and cost, unleashing the potential for ubiquitous monitoring. This paper discusses recent advances in wearable sensors and systems that monitor movement, physiology, and environment, with a focus on applications for Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and head and neck injuries.
M3-receptor knockout mice: muscarinic receptor function in atria, stomach fundus, urinary bladder, and trachea

Negative chronotropic and smooth muscle contractile responses to the nonselective muscarinic agonist carbamylcholine were compared in isolated tissues from M3-muscarinic receptor knockout and wild-...
Social network therapies and society: An overview

In this overview of the preceding papers, the author points to common themes: the complex nature of social network intervention; positive and negative effects; and different network constellations that vary with different clinical problems. The author raises the variables of ethnicity and social change as important variables of network effects which remain to be explained.
Thermal Stability of Defects in Substrates for Multiferroic Materials

Strontium Titanate (STO) substrates were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to assess possible changes incurred by deposition of multiferroic thin films. To this effect, STO was vacuum annealed at pressures of 10−5 Torr for one hour at temperatures in the range of 200 – 500 °C. EPR spectra, measured before and after each anneal, revealed changes in the amount of three different defects, Cr3+, Fe3+ and an iron-oxygen vacancy complex, Fe3+Vo. The latter was used to monitor the diffusion of oxygen. EPR analysis showed that Fe3+Vo increases from its as-grown value, suggesting that a charged oxygen species is mobile in the substrate under film deposition conditions. Coupled with a subsequent O2 anneal showing minimal change in the Fe3+Vo signal, the data indicate a loss of oxygen from the sample during vacuum annealing. As charged oxygen vacancies may affect the substrate as well as the substrate/ thin film interface, these results are important for understanding the behavior of multiferroic devices built on STO substrates.
Secular trends in body composition for children and young adults: the Fels Longitudinal Study.

Objectives: To determine secular trends by birth decade in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference/height (W/Ht), percent body fat (PBF), and fat-free mass adjusted for height squared (FFM/Ht2) in children and adolescents aged 8–18 years. Methods: Serial data were analyzed from 628 boys and 591 girls aged 8–18 years who participated in the Fels Longitudinal Study. Subjects were stratified by birth decade from 1960 to 1999. Means and standard deviations were computed for all measurements by birth decade, age, and sex. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used data to ascertain secular trends separately for boys and girls. Results: Boys and girls born in the 1990s had significantly higher mean BMI, W/Ht, and PBF than did children born in previous decades. Mean FFM/Ht2 was significantly smaller in boys born in the 1990s than boys of the same age born in earlier decades. No secular trend was noted in FFM/Ht2 in girls by decade of birth. Conclusion: Our analysis of serial data collected over 4 decades confirms the secular trend in childhood BMI previously observed in successive cross-sectional studies. Our analysis discloses significant positive secular trends in W/Ht and PBF in both boys and girls and a significant negative secular trend in FFM/Ht2 in boys over the last 4 decades of the 20th century. The secular changes presage increases in the prevalence of conditions associated with childhood and adolescent obesity—such as hypertension, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia—that may appear as early as the second decade of life. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of thermal contraction crack polygons in cold-desert fluvial systems

Thermal contraction crack polygons modify the generation, transport, and storage of water in Wright Valley gullies. Water generation is contributed to by trapping of windblown snow in polygon troughs. Water transport is modified by changes to the ice-cement table and active layer topography caused by polygon trough formation. Water storage is modified by sediment grain-size distribution within polygons in gully distal hyporheic zones. Patterned ground morphological variation can serve as an indicator of fluvial modification, ranging from nearly unmodified composite-wedge polygons to polygons forming in association with gully channels. Thermal contraction crack polygons may also constrain the gully formation sequence, suggesting the continuous presence of permafrost beneath the Wright Valley gullies during the entire period of gully emplacement. This analysis provides a framework for understanding the relationships between polygons and gullies observed on Mars. If comparable stratigraphic relationships can be documented, the presence of an analogous impermeable ice-cemented layer beneath the gullies can be inferred, suggesting an atmospheric source for Martian gully-carving fluids.
Green biotechnology and European competitiveness

Europe has led many aspects of gene research and yet it has been unable to translate these discoveries into a globally dominant industrial sector. There are valid societal, political and financial reasons for its reluctance to deploy agricultural biotechnology but this reluctance might have unintended consequences. It will be hard to de-commoditize agriculture and improve farmer's lives. Research in medical biotechnology and the global environment might suffer. Europe could damage its overall economy and its global competitive standing.
Using the initial vector from surface electrocardiogram to distinguish the site of outflow tract tachycardia

Background:The purpose of this study is to determine whether initial vector force might best distinguish tachycardias arising from the right ventricular (RV) outflow tract (OT) versus aortic sinus cusps (ASCs). Methods:Among 45 patients with OT tachycardia, we measured the time from the earliest QRS onset in any lead to local onset and to the first QRS peak/nadir in each surface leads during VT. We compared the earliest phase differences among patients with foci in RVOT (n = 32) and in ASCs (n = 13) (determined by ablation), using unpaired t-tests. We determined the optimum cut-points by analyzing the receiver–operator characteristics curves, and derived an algorithm to discriminate ASC from RVOT foci. Results:Compared with an RVOT focus, origin in the ASC was associated with lower likelihood that the earliest lead of QRS activation was V2 (4/13 [12%] vs 29/32 [88%], P = 0.0001), later initial peak/nadir in III (110 ± 19 vs 93 ± 16 ms, P = 0.0026) and V2 (75 ± 26 vs 42 ± 19 ms, P < 0.0001). After determining the optimum cut-points for each, we found that the presence of any one of these findings discriminated well between RVOT and ASC foci (sensitivity 92%, specificity 88%, positive predictive value 75%, and negative predictive value 97%). The sensitivity and specificity using standard ECG criteria were inferior to the vector approach. Conclusions:The ECG phase differences during VT can distinguish the origin of OT-VT. Earliest onset or first peak/nadir in V2 and early initial peak/nadir in the inferior leads suggest a RVOT focus.
Alleviation of Seed Dormancy in the Desert ForbZygophyllum simplexL. from Pakistan

Abstract Zygophyllum simplex L. is a succulent annual that grows on the coastal and inland saline flats around Karachi, Pakistan. The seeds are moderately salt tolerant during germination. Germination of Zygophyllum simplex seeds under various salinity, proline, betaine, GA and kinetin treatments was determined. Proline (0.1 and 1 m m ) and betaine (0.1 and 1 m m ) alleviated the innate dormancy of seeds, and germination reached 60–70% compared to 12% in the control set. At low salinity compatible osmotica alleviated some effects of salinity, but at higher NaCl concentrations both proline and betaine were ineffective. Gibberellic acid (0.3 and 3 m m ) and kinetin (0.05 and 0.5 m m ) substantially alleviated both innate as well as salinity-induced seed dormancy. At higher salinity (125 m m ), low concentrations of kinetin (0.05 m m ) and high concentrations of GA (3 m m ) were more effective. GA completely alleviated the effect of salinity at all concentrations used.
Evidence‐Based Criteria for Differential Treatment Planning of Implant Restorations for the Mandibular Edentulous Patient

Since the introduction of the endosseous concept to North America in 1982, there have been new permutations of the original ad modum Branemark design to meet the unique demands of treating the edentulous maxilla with an implant restoration. While there is a growing body of clinical evidence to assist the student, faculty, and private practitioner in the algorithms for design selection, confusion persists because of difficulty in assessing the external and internal validity of the relevant studies. The purpose of this article is to review clinician- and patient-mediated factors for implant restoration of the edentulous maxilla in light of the hierarchical level of available evidence, with the aim of elucidating the benefit/risk calculus of various treatment modalities.
Recurrent limb pain in childhood ('growing pains')

Recurrent limb pain in childhood has long been recognized as a problem not only troublesome to children, but also to parents and professionals. Attempts at investigating this condition over the last century have produced a number of conflicting terms, definitions, theories and results. Unfortunately, the nature of this condition remains poorly understood and under-researched and there is certainly not a recognized method for its treatment. The aim of this paper is to review the available literature and to highlight the possible contribution of further research. It is essential that the term ‘recurrent limb pain in childhood’ (RLPC) should be adopted to avoid some of the difficulties with the term ‘growing pains’.
Impact of phase noise on the performance of the QPSK modulated signal

This paper presents the impact of phase noise on the performance of a communication link with QPSK digital modulation. For example, how phase noise affects bit error rate is demonstrated with detailed simulations. Also, this paper illustrates how phase noise affects the receiver signal constellation diagram and employs a model for simulating the phase noise. More importantly, this paper shows clearly both by simulation and analysis that a band limiting filter such as a root raised cosine (RRC) filter, which is commonly used in digital communication systems, has little effect on the receiver phase noise probability density function, the phase noise variance, and the probability of bit error. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes certain intuitive aspects of phase noise, such as its impact on the signal constellation diagram showing that phase noise can result in crossover of the decision boundaries in the signal space and thus cause symbol errors even in the absence of the receiver additive noise. Significantly, this intuitive result is also verified by bit error results obtained by both simulations and analysis. 12
Mechanisms of stomatal development

The main route for CO(2) and water vapor exchange between a plant and the environment is through small pores called stomata. The accessibility of stomata and predictable division series that characterize their development provides an excellent system to address fundamental questions in biology. Stomatal cell-state transition and specification are regulated by a suite of transcription factors controlled by positional signaling via peptide ligands and transmembrane receptors. Downstream effectors include several members of the core cell-cycle genes. Environmentally induced signals are integrated into this essential developmental program to modulate stomatal development or function in response to changes in the abiotic environment. In addition, the recent identification of premitotic polarly localized proteins from both Arabidopsis and maize has laid a foundation for the future understanding of intrinsic cell polarity in plants. This review highlights the mechanisms of stomatal development through characterization of genes controlling cell-fate specification, cell polarity, cell division, and cell-cell communication during stomatal development and discusses the genetic framework linking these molecular processes with the correct spacing, density, and differentiation of stomata.
Impact of nicotine on bone healing.

A limited number of experimental animal studies and in vitro data confirm that nicotine impairs bone healing, diminishes osteoblast function, causes autogenous bone graft morbidity, and decreases graft biomechanical properties. Therefore, our long-term goal is to develop an effective therapy to reverse the adverse impact of nicotine from tobacco products. However, before accomplishing this goal, we had to develop an animal model. Our hypotheses were nicotine administration preceding and following autogenous bone grafting adversely affected autograft incorporation and depressed donor site healing in a characterized animal wound model. Hypothesis testing was accomplished in bilateral, 4-mm diameter parietal bone defects prepared in 60 Long–Evans rats (male, 35-day-old). A 4-mm diameter disk of donor bone was removed from the left parietal bone and placed in the contralateral defect. The donor site served as a spontaneously healing bone wound. The rats were partitioned equally among three doses of nicotine administered orally in the drinking water (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/L). For each dose, the duration and sequence of nicotine treatment followed four courses, including no nicotine and designated combinations of nicotine administration and abatement prior to and following osseous surgery. Experimental sites were recovered on 14 and 28 days postsurgery, responses quantitated, and data analyzed by analysis of variance and post hoc statistics (p ≤ 0.05). We developed a convenient and effective osseous model, and the results validated our hypothesis that nicotine negatively impacts on bone healing. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 45, 294–301, 1999.
Mechanisms Linking Obesity, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Fatty Liver Disease: The Roles of Fetuin-A, Adiponectin, and AMPK

Obesity is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recent studies identify mechanisms common to both diseases linked through an interorgan communication orchestrated by fetuin-A and adiponectin. In liver and kidney, the energy sensor 5′-AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) is pivotal to directing podocytes and hepatocytes to compensatory and potentially deleterious pathways, leading to inflammatory and profibrotic cascades culminating in end-organ damage. Regulation of these early upstream pathways may provide new therapeutic targets for these increasingly common sequelae of obesity.
Engineering students' motivational beliefs: Development of a scale utilizing an expectancy, value, and cost framework

In the current study, researchers developed a 12-item instrument (Engineering Student Motivational Beliefs Scale; ESMBS) to assess engineering students' perceived expectancies, values, and costs of being an engineering major and pursuing an engineering career. The purpose of the paper is to present the ESMBS development process, including preliminary psychometric information. Researchers used Benson's model of construct validation, encompassing three phases, to guide the development and preliminary validation of ESMBS. The substantive phase included a thorough review of the literature to theoretically and empirically define the expectancy, value, and cost constructs within the context of undergraduate engineering. The structural phase consisted of psychometric investigations of the scale to examine internal consistencies. Finally, during the external phase, the relationship between the ESMBS constructs and student engagement was examined. The results from this preliminary instrument development study were mixed, showing the need for further examination of the measure.
MY APPROACH to ventricular tachycardia

I recently saw a 65-year-old man who presented to the emergency room with palpitations and lightheadedness who was found to be in a wide complex tachycardia at a rate of 180 beats per minute. He had a systolic blood pressure of 100 mmHg and received intravenous amiodarone, with conversion to sinus rhythm. When we saw him the following day he felt normal. He had no prior history of cardiac symptoms or known cardiac disease, and his examination was normal. With this scenario, the first question is what was the rhythm? Was this ventricular tachycardia (VT), supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy, or a preexcited tachycardia in the presence of an accessory pathway?
Defining and Treating Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Who Are Ineligible for Intensive Therapies.

Although acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is primarily a disease of older adults (age ≥60 years), the optimal treatment for older adults remains largely undefined. Intensive chemotherapy is rarely beneficial for frail older adults or those with poor risk disease, but criteria that define fitness and/or appropriateness for intensive chemotherapy remain to be standardized. Evaluation of disease-related and patient-specific factors in the context of clinical decision making has therefore been largely subjective. A uniform approach to identify those patients most likely to benefit from intensive therapies is needed. Here, we review currently available objective measures to define older adults with AML who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, and discuss promising investigational approaches.
Sovereignty before the Law: Agamben and the Roman Republic

(2007). Sovereignty before the Law: Agamben and the Roman Republic. Law and Humanities: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 31-55.
Treatment of Yeast Infections Employing Organotin-Containing Modified Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)

Organotin-containing modified poly(vinyl alcohol) effectively controls the growth of Candida albicans, the microorganism responsible for yeast infections. Other gram negative and gram positive bacteria are either unaffected or less severely inhibited. Thus, the inhibition of Candida albicans is selective.
Conductivity of electrolytes and their mixtures: The aqueous HCl-MgCl2 system at low concentrations

The Onsager-Fuoss-Chen theory of conductance for mixtures has been explored and compared with experimental results for the system HCl−MgCl2−H2O from 5×10−5 to 0.02 mol-kg−1 of water. In the theory, the higher order term O(ka) which involves the ion size parameter has been replaced by a linear term with an empirical constant. The theory including the additional linear term agrees well with the experimental results. The mixture effect on the equivalent conductance is small, but on the individual ionic mobilities is substantial.
Opportunity or Necessity? Disaggregating Self-Employment and Entry at Older Ages

Bridging the literatures on entrepreneurship and the aging workforce, we study the factors, particularly job loss, wealth, education, and risk aversion, associated with entry into self-employment at older ages using a multinomial logit hazard model. Using the Health and Retirement Study, we disaggregate self-employment by defining four types through an interaction along two scopes: one that divides along those with supervisory responsibilities or business asset ownership and the other divided into so-called “knowledge” and “non-knowledge” occupations. We find that job loss shows a strong association with entry into self-employment, particularly with less desirable forms of self-employment. In addition, we show that there are large differences between individuals in these alternative measures of self-employment and that there are distinctive factors that influence entry into these types. Additionally, we show that there are some differences in the factors affecting men’s and women’s entry into self-employment.
Performance of an electrothermal swing adsorption system with postdesorption liquefaction for organic gas capture and recovery.

The use of adsorption on activated carbon fiber cloth (ACFC) followed by electrothermal swing adsorption (ESA) and postdesorption pressure and temperature control allows organic gases with boiling points below 0 °C to be captured from air streams and recovered as liquids. This technology has the potential to be a more sustainable abatement technique when compared to thermal oxidation. In this paper, we determine the process performance and energy requirements of a gas recovery system (GRS) using ACFC-ESA for three adsorbates with relative pressures between 8.3 × 10–5 and 3.4 × 10–3 and boiling points as low as −26.3 °C. The GRS is able to capture > 99% of the organic gas from the feed air stream, which is comparable to destruction efficiencies for thermal oxidizers. The energy used per liquid mole recovered ranges from 920 to 52 000 kJ/mol and is a function of relative pressure of the adsorbate in the feed gas. Quantifying the performance of the bench-scale gas recovery system in terms of its ability to r...
Impact of Cladding Tubes in Chalcogenide Negative Curvature Fibers

We computationally study the leakage loss and bandwidth in chalcogenide negative curvature fibers. The leakage loss is decreased by a factor of 19, and the operating bandwidth is almost doubled when the optimal gap between cladding tubes is used in negative curvature fibers with six tubes. There is a wide range of the gaps between 5 and 40 $\mu\text{m}$ , which gives a leakage loss lower than 0.04 dB/m and a wide transmission bandwidth of 1.1 $\mu\text{m}$ . The optimal gap in a fiber with six cladding tubes is three times as large as the optimal gap in fibers with eight or ten cladding tubes. A larger gap is needed in a fiber with six cladding tubes to remove the weak coupling between the central core mode and the tube modes. This design of the chalcogenide negative curvature fibers using a wide range of gaps will lead to successful fiber devices with a low loss and a wide bandwidth for mid-IR transmission.
Theory of Virtue Ethics: Do Consumers’ Good Traits Predict Their Socially Responsible Consumption?

Drawing upon the theory of virtue ethics, this study builds a decision tree predictive model to explore the anticipated impact of good traits (i.e., virtuous and personality traits) on socially responsible consumption. Using R statistical software, we generate a classification tree and cross-validate the model on two independent datasets. The results indicate that the virtuous traits of self-efficacy, courage, and self-control, as well as the personality traits of openness and conscientiousness, predict socially responsible purchase and disposal behavior. Remarkably, the largest segment of socially responsible consumers in the study (41 %) scored high in self-efficacy and openness. This result suggests that marketers should focus on these good traits when creating advertisements to encourage sustainable consumption. Our study contributes to enhancing knowledge about the social and psychological aspects of the sustainability movement and provides a new analytical approach to predicting socially responsible consumption.
Gravitational wave astronomy with radio galaxy surveys

In the next decade, new astrophysical instruments will deliver the first large-scale maps of gravitational waves and radio sources. Therefore, it is timely to investigate the possibility to combine them to provide new and complementary ways to study the Universe. Using simulated catalogues appropriate to the planned surveys, it is possible to predict measurements of the cross-correlation between radio sources and GW maps and the effects of a stochastic gravitational wave background on galaxy maps. Effects of GWs on the large scale structure of the Universe can be used to investigate the nature of the progenitors of merging BHs, the validity of Einstein's General Relativity, models for dark energy, and detect a stochastic background of GW. The results obtained show that the galaxy-GW cross-correlation can provide useful information in the near future, while the detection of tensor perturbation effects on the LSS will require instruments with capabilities beyond the currently planned next generation of radio arrays. Nevertheless, any information from the combination of galaxy surveys with GW maps will help provide additional information for the newly born gravitational wave astronomy.
Improvement in osteoporosis detection in a fracture liaison service with integration of a geriatric hip fracture care program

Abstract Introduction Care gaps have been identified in the treatment of osteoporosis after the occurrence of a fragility hip fracture. HiROC (High Risk Osteoporosis Clinic) is a fracture liaison service implemented at our institution. In ProvenCare geriatric hip fracture care program at our institution pre-set orders for the inpatient HiROC consults were prescribed. We hypothesized that there will be a significant increase in the rate of enrollment of patients in the HiROC program after the integration of the pre-set orders. Patients and methods The trauma database at a level-I trauma center was reviewed retrospectively for the charts of patients >50 years of age with fragility intertrochanteric fractures. Patients not treated under the geriatric hip fracture care program and patients treated under the geriatric hip fracture care program were identified and reviewed for the enrollment in HiROC and subsequent follow up. Results Out of 589 patients treated before the implementation of ProvenCare, 443 patients (75%) were enrolled in HiROC at the index consult. In comparison, out of 153 patients treated after the implementation of ProvenCare, 131 patients (85.6%) were enrolled in HiROC at the index consult. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.008). Conclusion Our experience shows that the occurrence of a fragility intertrochanteric fracture can be effectively utilized for the detection and initiation of treatment of osteoporosis. With the implementation of pre-set orders in the geriatric hip fracture care program significantly better enrollment can be achieved.
Drug-induced lupus.

Recent years have seen promising developments in both our appreciation of the spectrum of autoimmune phenomena associated with DIL as well as our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. From our present knowledge, it seems likely that the cause of DIL is multifactorial, and that the disease manifestations depend on both the drugs involved as well as predisposing host factors. The present availability of an animal model of DIL promises to further our understanding of the role of drugs and other environmental factors in this disorder. It is hoped that further studies will provide additional understanding of the pathogenesis of these lupus-like diseases and possibly bring us one step closer to providing more rational and effective treatments for patients with idiopathic lupus.
Hexamethylenetetramine carboxyborane: synthesis, structural characterization and CO releasing properties

Carbon monoxide, although widely known as a toxic gas, has received great attention in the past few decades due to its promising role as a medical gas. Several classes of carbon monoxide releasing molecules (CORMs) have been synthesised with many of them having pharmacological activities under physiological conditions. Herein, we report the synthesis and structural characterization of the first example of amine carboxyborane that releases CO under physiological conditions without the aid of inducers. A representative compound hexamethylenetetramine carboxyborane (HMTA-CB) described here has a half-life of 2.7 days and gradually releases CO with the rate constant of 3.0 × 10−6 s−1. Its ability to promote cell growth shows the beneficial effect of slow CO release to supplement CO in small amounts over time.
The Interfaces of Genetic Conflict Are Hot Spots for Innovation

RNA-guided Cas9 endonucleases protect bacteria from viral infection and have been creatively repurposed as programmable molecular scalpels for surgical manipulation of DNA. Now, two papers in Cell (Pawluk et al. and Rauch et al.) identify viral proteins that suppress Cas9 and may function like molecular sheaths for the Cas9 scalpel.
PEGylation for enhancing nanoparticle diffusion in mucus

The viscoelastic mucus secretions coating exposed organs such as the lung airways and the female reproductive tract can trap and quickly eliminate not only foreign pathogens and ultrafine particles but also particle-based drug delivery systems, thus limiting sustained and targeted drug delivery at mucosal surfaces. To improve particle distribution across the mucosa and enhance delivery to the underlying epithelium, many investigators have sought to develop nanoparticles capable of readily traversing mucus. The first synthetic nanoparticles shown capable of rapidly penetrating physiological mucus secretions utilized a dense coating of polyethylene glycol (PEG) covalently grafted onto the surface of preformed polymeric nanoparticles. In the decade since, PEG has become the gold standard in engineering mucus-penetrating drug carriers for sustained and targeted drug delivery to the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, and female reproductive tract. This review summarizes the history of the development of various PEG-based mucus-penetrating particles, and highlights the key physicochemical properties of PEG coatings and PEGylation strategies to achieve muco-inert PEG coatings on nanoparticle drug carriers for improved drug and gene delivery at mucosal surfaces.
China’s Rise and the Eurasian Transportation Revolution

China is now applying powerful railway and highway technology to its project of conquering the tyranny of distance and tough terrain that had historically trapped its great dynastic states in East Asia. In consequence, the extent of a rejuvenated China’s influence is likely to stretch into regions of Eurasia, especially the South Asia–Indian Ocean region, far beyond imperial China’s traditional sphere. The impact of this on China’s neighbors will be significant, both drawing them into China’s economic and political orbit and causing them to seek means of countering or balancing China’s growing influence. India, once protected by the aforementioned tyranny of distance, will feel China’s growing influence in two contradictory ways: apprehension over China’s “creeping encirclement” and an effort to harness China’s economic growth in order to accelerate its own development.
Child environmental exposures to water and sand at the beach: Findings from studies of over 68,000 subjects at 12 beaches

Swimming and recreating in lakes, oceans, and rivers is common, yet the literature suggests children may be at greater risk of illness following such exposures. These effects might be due to differences in immunity or differing behavioral factors such as poorer hygiene, longer exposures to, and greater ingestion of potentially contaminated water and sand. We pooled data from 12 prospective cohorts (n=68,685) to examine exposures to potentially contaminated media such as beach water and sand among children compared with adults, and conducted a simulation using self-reported time spent in the water and volume of water swallowed per minute by age to estimate the total volume of water swallowed per swimming event by age category. Children aged 4-7 and 8-12 years had the highest exposures to water, sand, and algae compared with other age groups. Based on our simulation, we found that children (6-12 years) swallow a median of 36 ml (90th percentile=150 ml), whereas adults aged ≥35 years swallow 9 ml (90th percentile=64 ml) per swimming event, with male children swallowing a greater amount of water compared with females. These estimates may help to reduce uncertainty surrounding routes and durations of recreational exposures and can support the development of chemical and microbial risk assessments.
Comparative Response of the Hepatic Transcriptomes of Domesticated and Wild Turkey to Aflatoxin B1

The food-borne mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) poses a significant risk to poultry, which are highly susceptible to its hepatotoxic effects. Domesticated turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are especially sensitive, whereas wild turkeys (M. g. silvestris) are more resistant. AFB1 toxicity entails bioactivation by hepatic cytochrome P450s to the electrophilic exo-AFB1-8,9-epoxide (AFBO). Domesticated turkeys lack functional hepatic GST-mediated detoxification of AFBO, and this is largely responsible for the differences in resistance between turkey types. This study was designed to characterize transcriptional changes induced in turkey livers by AFB1, and to contrast the response of domesticated (susceptible) and wild (more resistant) birds. Gene expression responses to AFB1 were examined using RNA-sequencing. Statistically significant differences in gene expression were observed among treatment groups and between turkey types. Expression analysis identified 4621 genes with significant differential expression (DE) in AFB1-treated birds compared to controls. Characterization of DE transcripts revealed genes dis-regulated in response to toxic insult with significant association of Phase I and Phase II genes and others important in cellular regulation, modulation of apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. Constitutive expression of GSTA3 was significantly higher in wild birds and was significantly higher in AFB1-treated birds when compared to controls for both genetic groups. This pattern was also observed by qRT-PCR in other wild and domesticated turkey strains. Results of this study emphasize the differential response of these genetically distinct birds, and identify genes and pathways that are differentially altered in aflatoxicosis.
Learning to be citizens: exploring social cohesion and security in times of uncertainty

We are told that we live in a time of heightened threat and insecurity. Such claims, of course, depend critically on who feels threatened and insecure, or perhaps as importantly, whose insecurity r...
Prostate basal cell lesions can be negative for basal cell keratins: a diagnostic pitfall.

BACKGROUND Prostate basal cell lesions can have architectural and cytologic atypia that mimic prostate adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical stains for basal cell markers are most helpful in the differential diagnosis. All of the published studies show basal cell lesions are positive for basal cell keratins, whereas adenocarcinoma is negative for both. We reported two cases of prostate basal cell lesions with negative basal cell keratin expression by immunohistochemistry. STUDY DESIGN We reported the histologic and immunohistochemical profiles of two cases of basal cell lesions of the prostate. RESULTS Histologically, both cases were highly suspicious for prostate adenocarcinoma with infiltrative growth pattern and significant nuclear atypia. The atypical glands in both cases were negative for basal cell keratins. However, both lesions were positive for another basal cell marker, p63, confirming that they were basal cells in origin, rather than prostate adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION Prostate basal cell lesions can occasionally be negative for basal cell keratins by immunohistochemistry and therefore may be misdiagnosed as prostate adenocarcinoma. We recommend using both p63 and basal cell keratins simultaneously in the workup of atypical prostate lesions to avoid such a misdiagnosis.
Forest Pests: The Role of Phloem Osmotic Adjustment in the Defensive Response of Conifers to Bark Beetle Attack

Osmotic adjustment is a physiological process by which trees accumulate solutes in response to drought stress. It benefits the plant by maintaining turgor pressure and hence continued but reduced growth. Osmotic adjustment operates by the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates and amino acids within stressed tissues. An indirect consequence of osmotic adjustment is that it raises the nutritive value of affected tissues as a food source for herbivores. Osmotic adjustment without other metabolic changes therefore increases the vulnerability of stressed trees to pest attack.
Nutrient fluxes in a snow-dominated, semi-arid forest : Spatial and temporal patterns

We tested five hypotheses regarding the potential effects of precipitation change on spatial and temporal patterns of water flux, ion flux, and ion concentration in a semiarid, snowmelt-dominated forest in Little Valley, Nevada. Variations in data collected from 1995 to 1999 were used to examine the potential effects of snowpack amount and duration on ion concentrations and fluxes. Soil solution NO3−, NH4+, and ortho-phosphate concentrations and fluxes were uniformly low, and the variations in concentration bore no relationship to snowmelt water flux inputs of these ions. Weathering and cation exchange largely controlled the concentrations and fluxes of base cations from soils in these systems; however, soil solution base cation concentrations were affected by cation concentrations during snowmelt episodes. Soil solution Cl− and SO42− concentrations closely followed the patterns in snowmelt water, suggesting minimal buffering of either ion by soils. In contrast to other studies, the highest concentration and the majority of ion flux from the snowpack in Little Valley occurred in the later phases of snowmelt. Possible reasons for this include sublimation of the snowpack and dry deposition of organic matter during the later stages of snowmelt. Our comparison of interannual and spatial patterns revealed that variation in ion concentration rather than water flux is the most important driver of variation in ion flux. Thus, it is not safe to assume that changes in total precipitation amount will cause concomitant changes in ion inputs to this system.
Breast Cancer Risk Among Women in Jail

Abstract Over 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and incarcerated women face unique risks associated with poor access to healthcare. Regular mammography can diagnose breast c...
Are scripts or deception necessary when repeated trials are used? On the social context of psychological experiments

Scripts and deception are alternative means, both imperfect, to the goal of simulating an environment that cannot be created readily. Under scripts, participants pretend they are in that environment, while deception convinces participants they are in that environment although they are not. With repeated trials, they ought to be unnecessary. But they are not, which poses challenges to behavioral sciences.
Measuring Outcomes of Mohs Defect Reconstruction Using Eye-Tracking Technology.

ImportanceObjectively measuring how Mohs defect reconstruction changes casual observer attention has important implications for patients and facial plastic surgeons. ObjectiveTo use eye-tracking te...
Development of a Modified Nitric Oxide Reducing Ability Method to Determine the Metmymoglobin Reducing Ability of Meat

ObjectivesMany methods are used to quantify the metmyoglobin reducing activity (MRA) of meat. The metmyoglobin reductase assay (MR) measures enzyme activity after adding exogenous metmyoglobin (MMb) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to sample supernatant. MR is difficult and correlates poorly with development of MMb over storage time as it measures potential MRA. Nitric oxide reducing ability (NORA) is commonly used to estimate the inherent metmyoglobin reducing ability (MRA) of meat. NADH has been shown to reduce MMb enzymatically and non-enzymatically in meat systems, therefore there is value in a method utilizing added NADH that quantifies MRA not only enzymatic activity. A modified NORA (MNORA) method could be used to quantify the potential MRA of meat samples given the addition of NADH. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of added NADH on the NORA values of meat samples stored over 9 d.Materials and MethodsUSDA select T. brachii (TB) and B. femoris (BF) were sliced to 1.27 cm, placed on plastic trays, covered with O2 permeable LLDPE film and stored at 5°C under fluorescent lighting (150 to 300 lux). On storage d 0, 3, 6, and 9, four 3 × 3 cm2 squares were excised from separate trim slices from each muscle. Two squares were evaluated using NORA and 2 squares were evaluated using the modified NORA (MNORA) by treating samples with NADH solution (990 ng/mg meat), holding aerobically for 30 min at 5, and then conducting NORA. NORA and MNORA data were reported as initial metmyoglobin formation (IMF), post reduction metmyoglobin formation (PRMF), and relative metmyoglobin reducing ability (RMRA). Storage day was included to evaluate both methods over time as MMb percentage increased. Data were analyzed with ANOVA (ɑ = 0.05) using muscle, method, and storage day as main effects. Tukey least squares means were calculated for significant main effects and interactions and mean separations were determined by PDIFF. Simple Pearson correlation coefficients were determined between RMRA from both methods and MMb % over 9 storage days.ResultsPRMF values for MNORA (16.61, 25.71, 35.48%) were less (P < 0.0001) than NORA (24.07, 47.86, 50.88%) on d 3, 6, and 9, respectively. RMRA declined over 9 storage days using both NORA and MNORA, however RMRA values were greater (P < 0.0001) for MNORA (40.12, 29.07%) than NORA (13.52, 8.76%) on d 6 and 9 respectively, when MMb % was highest. MMb % correlated more highly with RMRA from NORA (r = -0.44, P < 0.001) than MNORA (r = -0.24, P = 0.019). RMRA values determined by MNORA were greater than NORA and IMF and PRMF values were greater for NORA than MNORA on d 6 and 9.ConclusionThe MRA values from MNORA were greater than values from NORA indicating a higher potential MRA than apparent MRA. Pearson correlation data shows that MNORA is less indicative of color stability than NORA which is also true of MR. MNORA will be a more useful method than NORA or MR to determine potential MRA in future studies aimed at extending shelf life of fresh beef.