cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of both the presence, and oxidation state, of Mn in Bacillus atrophaeus spores and its imparting of magnetic susceptibility to the spores

Bacillus atrophaeus spores were previously reported to have significant magnetic susceptibility in a magnetic field due to the presence of Mn. However, relatively little is known about the total amount and distribution of the oxidation state of Mn associated with this specific strain's spores. Using the instrument, cell tracking velocimetry (CTV) both magnetically induced velocity and settling velocity was quantitatively measured. Visual observations, and calculated diameter using previously reported densities, indicate that the spores are present in the form of clusters of approximately 3–6 µm. Treatment of these clusters with EDTA or pH of 2.0 or below resulted in not only the disruption of the spore clusters, but also a significant decrease in magnetic susceptibility, in some cases by almost two orders of magnitude. Since the magnetic susceptibility of Mn varies significantly between the three typically reported valance states of Mn, Mn(II), Mn(III), and Mn(IV); X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, XPS, was used to determined the valance states of Mn in the spores. This XPS analysis, which penetrates up to 10 nm into the spore, returned the following fractions: 0.41, 0.38, and 0.21 for the valance states: Mn(II), Mn(III), and Mn(IV), respectively. The total mass of Mn associated with each spore cluster was determined by ICP-MS. A second, completely independent estimate of Mn mass associated with each spore cluster was made, by mathematically solving for the amount of Mn per spore cluster using the experimentally measured magnetophoretic mobility and the magnetic susceptibility of each of the three valence states from the XPS analysis. IPC-MS returned a value of 3.28 × 10−11 g of Mn per spore cluster while the calculated estimation from mobility and XPS analysis retuned a value of 1.16 × 10−11 g, which given the complexity of the two techniques, is a reasonable agreement. Finally, a discussion of potential applications of the magnetic properties of these spores is presented. Bioeng. 2011; 108:1119–1129. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hyperkalemia Associated With Inhibitors of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Balancing Risk and Benefit

Maintenance of normal potassium homeostasis is increasingly an important limiting factor in the therapy of cardiovascular disease. Many pharmacological agents that reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with complicated myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure, including β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), and aldosterone receptor antagonists, are also known to raise serum potassium and augment the risk of life-threatening hyperkalemia. Conversely, loop diuretics, a mainstay of heart failure treatment, tend to enhance the risk of hypokalemia and ventricular arrhythmias, which may in part account for their consistent dose-related association with increased mortality in observational studies. Because combination drug therapy may simultaneously improve clinical outcomes and enhance the risk of potassium-related adverse events, an appropriate balance of benefit and risk depends heavily on careful patient selection and adequate surveillance of serum potassium and renal function. Article p 1643 The ability of the kidney to maintain potassium homeostasis even as the glomerular filtration rate declines depends critically on adequate sodium delivery to the distal nephron, normal production of aldosterone, and adequate sodium/potassium exchange in the cortical collecting duct.1 Reduction in the filtered sodium load (as a consequence of decreased renal perfusion or reduced cardiac output), diminished aldosterone production, or impaired potassium secretion by the cortical collecting duct (related, for example, to tubulointerstitial disease or use of potassium-sparing diuretics) may attenuate tubular compensatory mechanisms and precipitate hyperkalemia in the vulnerable patient. Aldosterone production is decreased in the elderly, in diabetic patients, and in those receiving drugs that block the production or action of renin (eg, β-blockers, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and plasma renin inhibitors) and angiotensin II (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and ARBs); as a result, these groups, as well as those with already impaired potassium excretion due to progressive age or disease-related decline in glomerular filtration rate, are particularly vulnerable to the …
Some Effects of Gamma Rays on Recombination and on Crossing over in Drosophila Melanogaster.

HE process of crossing over in Drosophila wzelanogaster gonads has T been shown to be affected by several external and internal variables. These include X-rays ( MAVOR 1923), temperature extremes (PLOUGH 1917, 1921 ; STERN 1926), nitrogen mustard (WHITTINGHILL 1948b), age of female (BRIDGES 1915, 1927), physiological aging ( BERGNER 1928), larval nutrition ( NEEL 1941 ) , triploidy ( REDFIELD 1930, 1932), and the presence of inversions in chromosomes of some other pair in the nucleus (SCHULTZ and REDFIELD 1933 ; STEINBERG 1936 ; STEINBERG and FRASER 1944). An increased recombination value, which is greatest near the spindle attachment, is the chief effect already demonstrated except for the two forms of aging. The data from one of these, limited larval nutrition, is similar if relative rather than absolute changes are compared. Sometimes this proximal increase has been accompanied by decreases of lesser magnitude in the most distal regions of the chromosomes. In the present gamma-ray experiments both changes in recombination values have been found, together with some regular and predictable changes in the coincidence values which furnish new evidence as to where the irradiation effect was first produced. The experiments were planned with the realization that amy recombination value obtained might properly be attributed to one or more of three sources, although customarily it has been assumed that each recombination offspring is the product of one meiotic crossing over. The three possibilities under consideration are represented in figure 1, in which several generations of oogonia are shown multiplying to produce numerous primary oocytes, whence come the observable data. For example, an experiment would show the same recombination value whether crossing over occurred five times in the cells marked A, or five times in the cells marked B, or merely once in the cell marked C. (1) Crossing over in cells A would represent truly random meiotic crossing over, the kind usually inferred from experimental data. The standard errors of crossover ratios are valid only in so far as each crossover fly is thus independently formed. (2) Crossing over in cells B would be
Optimization of Preventive Maintenance scheduling in semiconductor manufacturing models using a simulation-based Approximate Dynamic Programming approach

This paper presents initial results on the application of a simulation-based Approximate Dynamic Programming (ADP) approach for the optimization of Preventive Maintenance (PM) scheduling decisions in semiconductor manufacturing systems. In particular, the so-called Intel Mini-Fab benchmark is used as an illustrative example. Our approach is based on an actor-critic architecture in which the critic corresponds to a parametric estimation of the optimal differential cost for an infinite horizon average cost criterion-based optimization model. The actor is defined using post-decision state variables and a heuristic approach. Our algorithm also utilizes a temporal-difference learning algorithm with a gradient descent approach to tune a linear parametric structure that approximates the optimal differential cost function. Simulation experiments validated the applicability of our algorithm in the Intel Mini-Fab by showing a significant reduction in average cycle time when compared with a series of fixed baseline PM schedules.
TARP Funds Distribution: Evidence from Bank Internal Capital Markets

In this paper, we investigate the role played by the internal capital markets of bank holding companies in the distribution of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds. Our results suggest that TARP bank holding participants transferred more capital to bank subsidiaries with higher needs generated by regulatory requirements. Smaller bank subsidiaries with relatively lower level of capital were more likely to receive larger transfers of capital. We find evidence that bank holding companies used capital transfers to avoid increased regulatory scrutiny and revision of their dividend policies. Our results indicate that regulatory motive had a stronger impact on the distribution of funds to bank subsidiaries made by TARP participants than non-participants.
Reflectivity of Li 6 F and Li 7 F

Reflectivity measurements were performed on films of Li6F and Li7F. The films were deposited onto substrates of natural lithium fluoride crystals by vacuum evaporation. Typical film thickness was 10 μ. Because the lattice constants of the pure isotope material and the natural crystal differ by less than 0.03%, the crystallinity of the films was good. It was found that the fundamental optical mode frequency is proportional to the square root of the reduced mass, as predicted from the simple model of an ionic crystal.
Impaired lymphocyte transformation and capping in autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura

Abstract Alterations in lymphocyte function and the role of cell-mediated immunity have been studied in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP). The numbers of T cells, B cells, and null cells were 62 ± 4.0%, 5.4 ± 0.8%, and 33%, respectively, in 43 patients and were no different than those found in 33 control measurements in normal subjects. In 31 ATP patients an inverse relationship was found between the number of T cells and the platelet count, with r = –0.55, p
Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Review of Current Advances

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive cutaneous malignancy of neuroendocrine origin. Its incidence has tripled over the past 15 years. This article reviews the recent advancement in diagnosis, discoveries in pathogenesis, and updates in management. The acronym, AEIOU, has been proposed to aid in clinical identification. In addition to cytokeratin 20, newer immunohistochemical stains (in particular thyroid transcription factor-1 and neurofilament protein) have proven to be essential in pathologic diagnosis. Although immune suppression and ultraviolet radiation have long been associated with the MCC oncogenesis, recent studies also show involvement of a new polyomavirus and bcl-2. Several tumor classifications have been published in the literature, with the 4-tiered system from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center the most widely used. A similar classification with additional distinctions among nodal disease is being constructed. A multidisciplinary treatment algorithm is recommended for MCC. Surgical excision with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is indicated for localized tumors. RT is favored over complete lymph node dissection and chemotherapy for regional lymph node involvement. For distant metastasis, management should be individualized with a combination of palliative surgery, RT, and chemotherapy.
Effect of muscular activity on curarization in rabbits.

SummaryMuscular exercise has been demonstrated to be synergistic with d-tubo-curarine in producing head-drop in rabbits. Synergistic effects are apparent following short bouts of exercising and the degree of additive effect increases with the duration and intensity of the exercise.
Points of Convergence in Music Education: The Use of Data Labels as a Strategy for Mixed Methods Integration

Although the mixing of quantitative and qualitative data is an essential component of mixed methods research, the process of integrating both types of data in meaningful ways can be challenging. Th...
Vibrationally Coherent Preparation of the Transition State for Photoisomerization of the Cyanine Dye Cy5 in Water.

Femtosecond pump–continuum probe spectroscopy with impulsive excitation was employed to observe coherent wavepacket motions of the cyanine dye Cy5 in water that promote photoisomerization after optical preparation of the first excited singlet state, S1. The chief component in the excited-state vibrational coherence is a resonance Raman-inactive, 273 cm–1 mode of mixed carbon–carbon bond length alternation and out-of-plane or twisting character. The ultrafast (30 fs) damping of these motions arises from trajectories that irreversibly cross the transition state barrier; after several recurrences to the transition state region, vibrational cooling traps a significant fraction of the excited-state molecules in the planar, Franck–Condon region of the potential energy surface. Motion in the 273 cm–1 promoting mode is apparently launched by a change in conformation of the conjugated polyene backbone during the first few vibrations of the high-frequency C–C and C═C bond length alternation coordinates that princip...
Online Static Security Analysis Considering Automatic Device Simulation for Large Power Systems

In traditional online static security analysis software for province level or larger power systems,the action influence of security automatic devices is not considered.Therefore,in some cases,the analysis result cannot correctly reflect the real situation of power system.A novel practical method of online static security analysis considering automatic device simulation for large power systems is put forward.The model maintenance burden can be considerably alleviated through custom-modeling based on adopting condition and action groups.The accurate analysis result and fast calculation speed can be well achieved by using local network topology to get changing logical nodes of automatic device post-action and partial matrix re-factorization to modify the factor table.The simulation results of practical power network show that the proposed approach can be applied online in large power systems.
Evaluation and recommendations The nutrition program for older Americans

The author offers recommendations, stemming from extensive study of congregate feeding of the elderly, for making such programs effective in meeting the objectives of the federal legislation which funds them.
Dawn simulation treatment of winter depression: a controlled study.

Objective This study sought to determine whether dawn simulation was superior to a shorter dimmer "placebo" dawn signal in treating winter depression. Method In a randomized, parallel design, 22 patients with winter depression were treated with either 1 week of a 2-hour dawn simulation peaking at 250 lux or 1 week of a 30-minute dawn simulation peaking at 0.2 lux. The subjects were told that they would receive either a "gradual" dawn or a "rapid" dawn reaching an intensity that would be dimmer than standard bright light treatment. At the end of both the baseline week and the treatment week, subjects were assessed in a blind manner with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the two dawn treatments. Results The 2-hour, 250-lux dawn simulation resulted in Hamilton depression scale scores that were significantly lower than scores after the 30-minute, 0.2-lux dawn simulation. Conclusions This study indicates that dawn simulation is an effective treatment for winter depression.
Apparel disposal and reuse

Abstract The fate of clothing at the end of its life cycle has become increasingly burdensome and complicated with the growth of mass production and multinational retail firms enabling the rapid delivery of fashionable items on a global scale to a trend-driven industry. The imbalance of consumption and disposal often pushes the overconsumption of developed nations into the markets of lesser-developed countries. To understand the context of apparel reuse and disposal, an examination of the global supply chain for apparel production and consumption is necessary because apparel is discarded at different points along this chain. Charitable organizations such as Oxfam, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army may be the first point of collection for unwanted clothing, but other for-profit organizations have entered the market for clothing collection in an effort to meet the market demands of a global trade in used clothing. Once the used garments enter a new market with new consumers it cannot be assumed that this is a sustainable solution to end-of-life management. Consideration of the impact of the used garment once it passes on to a new market should be factored into part of its life cycle. Demand for used clothing is slowing in some developing nations due to low-cost imports of new clothing or import restrictions. Therefore, developed nations will have to generate more alternatives for reuse in their own countries in order to prevent direct disposal of used clothing into waste streams.
Preliminary Report: Evaluation of the effectiveness of essential oil-based cleaners against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract. While there is currently no research linking skin infections to improperly sanitized yoga mats, there are many investigations concerning athletes and infectious disease outbreaks due to contact with athletic equipment, particularly at the high school or college level. The yoga community has developed a number of essential-oil based cleaning products that are advertised as “all-natural” or “organic” and antibacterial or antifungal. In order to test the effectiveness of these agents, two commercially available products were chosen and a third was produced in the laboratory to simulate the popular “Do It Yourself” recipes. The antibacterial effectiveness of these products was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and compared to the antibacterial properties of Lysol® using disk diffusion assays. Based on the lack of established disinfectant chemicals in the “all natural” cleaners, we hypothesized that these cleaning products would not be as effective in controlling the growth of S. aureus as Lysol. ...
A Model for Teaching Information Literacy in a Required Credit-Bearing Online Course

This chapter focuses on Excelsior College Library’s best practices for teaching information literacy to nontraditional students with diverse learning styles in an online environment. As distance education librarians at the Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, the Excelsior College Library team has developed and continues to manage a full-service online library for Excelsior College. Excelsior is an accredited, nonprofit, entirely online institution of higher education. In addition to managing the library, the team has created a customized required information literacy course for the students. This course is a robust online, one-credit course teaching the concepts of information literacy, including evaluating, selecting, searching for, and learning how to apply the ethical use of information. Over the span of 15 years, the team has developed a model for teaching information literacy that has proven to positively impact student achievement. The librarians found there are many elements that can be developed over time that lead to a successful course such as including multimedia and purposefully designed assessments, embedding library resources, and maintaining a consistent schedule for updates.
The Intracellular Domain of Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels and its Effect on Receptor Conductance in GLIC Chimeras

The pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC) superfamily includes the nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh), 5-HT3, ɣ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA), and glycine receptor. These channels are made up of five homologous subunits surrounding a central ion channel pore and can be divided into three pentameric domains. The extracellular domain (ECD) and transmembrane domain (TMD) of the channels show high levels of homology and have been well studied and structures have been published. In contrast, the intracellular domain (ICD) shows sequence and length divergence in the different receptors. Mutations in the ICD have been shown to alter receptor conductance. Gloeobacter violaceus LGIC (GLIC) is a prokaryotic pLGIC without a native ICD, which can be expressed and studied in Xenopus oocytes. To elucidate the mechanisms by which the ICD affects the channel pathway and conductance we have created chimeras of GLIC ECD and TMD with ICDs of both anion- and cation-conducting pLGICs (GABAρ1, Glyα1, nAChRα7, 5-HT3A). Functional expression of chimeras was first confirmed by applying low pH (pH 5) pulses to oocytes under two-electrode voltage clamp. We have begun to study the single channel conductance and gating kinetics of chimeric channels and confirmed that the GLIC wildtype has a single-channel conductance of 10pS. For the GLIC-5-HT3A-ICD chimera, we expect to see a decrease in conductance as we observed an increase in a construct of 5-HT3A upon removing the ICD. Amino acid engineering in both the chimeras and eukaryotic parent channels will then be used to further understanding of how the ICDs contribute to ion conducting properties.
Mortality salience, religiosity, and indefinite life extension: Evidence of a reciprocal relationship between afterlife beliefs and support for forestalling death.

Strides are being made in medicine toward the possibility of indefinite life extension (ILE). Research shows that people cope with the prospect of mortality with various ways to feel transcendent of death, including investing in religion and afterlife beliefs. But how would these investments be affected by the possibility of ILE through medical science? The current research provides an initial effort to answer this question by testing whether, after mortality has been made salient, portraying indefinite life extension as plausible might reduce investment in afterlife beliefs. Results showed that for participants low in religiosity, mortality salience, or an essay supporting the plausibility of ILE, decreased belief in the afterlife and increased support for ILE. Furthermore, among participants low in religiosity, the increase in support for ILE was mediated by decreased afterlife belief. These findings provide the first evidence of the psychological impact of the prospect of indefinite life extension.
Dependency & Domination: Gender & Kant’s Practical Sexual Ethic

This chapter provides an overview of Kant’s practical sexual ethic, drawing attention to the way in which his views are informed by both his philosophical anthropology and his understanding of gender. I begin by examining what Kant says about “the character of the sexes,” which is the phrase he uses to describe what we would call “gender.” Specifically, I present the way in which Kant characterizes women and analyze the implications of his account for (a) his understanding of the moral agency of women, and (b) his understanding of gender relations. Next, I examine Kant’s understanding of sexual appetite and explain the ways in which he thinks it involves the objectification of the object of one’s sexual desire. I conclude the chapter with a detailed examination of Kant’s treatment of various sexual vices in order to bring to light the moral reasoning that informs his practical sexual ethic. In this way I hope to identify how and why Kant finds sex problematic, which will allow me in the next chapter to explain why and to what extent he thinks marriage is the solution to this problem.
New Articulations of Biological Difference in the 21st Century: A Conversation

This conversation is prompted by continued frustration about how race is discussed and understood by the public and by those researchers who remain determined to draw clean lines around people who ...
Building Resilience to Drought in the Sahel by Early Risk Identification and Advices

Agriculture in the Sahel region is characterized by traditional techniques and is strongly dependent on climatic conditions and rainfall. As a consequence of recurrent droughts in East and West Africa, integrated famine Early Warning Systems (EWS) have been established in order to produce and disseminate coherent and integrated information for prevention and management of food crises. Since the early 1990s, analysis tools and simulation models based on satellite meteorological data have been developed to support Multidisciplinary Working Groups (MWG) in cropping season monitoring. However, many of these tools are now obsolete from the IT perspective or ineffective due to unavailability of regularly updated meteorological data. To ensure a long-term sustainability of operational systems for drought risk zones identification CNR-IBIMET has developed 4Crop, a coherent Open Source web-based Spatial Data Infrastructure to treat all input and output data in an interoperable, platform-independent and uniform way. The 4Crop system has been conceived as a multipurpose tool in order to provide different categories of stakeholder, from farmers to policy makers, with effective and useful information for climate risk reduction and drought resilience improvement. Advice to farmers is a fundamental component of prevention that can allow a better adaptation of traditional cropping systems to climatic variability. Past experiences show that agro-meteorological information and weather forecasts can play a key role for food security, reducing the vulnerability of farmers, strengthening rural production systems and increasing crop yields. A participatory and cross-disciplinary approach is essential to build farmers’ trust and to develop effective integration between scientific and local knowledge to increase the rate of dissemination and utilization of advice.
Delay Discounting of Losses in Alcohol Use Disorders and Antisocial Psychopathology: Effects of a Working Memory Load.

Background Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are associated with increased discounting of delayed rewards and reduced executive working memory (eWM) capacity. This association is amplified when comorbid with antisocial psychopathology (AP). Furthermore, recent studies suggest that reduced WM capacity is associated with disinhibited decisions reflected by increased impulsive decision making on the delay discounting of rewards task. While discounting of delayed rewards is well studied, the discounting of delayed losses has received significantly less experimental attention. Methods The current study investigated (i) the rate of discounting of delayed losses in individuals with AUD only (n = 61), AUD with comorbid AP (n = 79) and healthy controls (n = 64); (ii) the relationship between eWM capacity and discounting of delayed losses; and (iii) the effect of a WM load on discounting of delayed losses. Discounting performance was assessed using a computerized discounting of delayed losses task. Results Results showed that the AUD-only and AUD-AP groups had higher rates of discounting of delayed losses and lower eWM capacity compared to the control groups. Lower individual eWM capacity was associated with increased discounting of delayed losses. However, WM load did not increase discounting rates overall. Conclusions These results support the hypothesis that greater discounting of delayed losses is associated with AUD and comorbid AP problems and lower individual eWM capacity.
Mechanisms of Regulation of Crystal Growth in Selected Biological Systems

The design of inhibitors of crystallization is aided by an understanding of the binding of the inhibitors at the molecular level and the influence of the binding on crystal morphology. Small, anionic inhibitors such as phosphonates are effective in part because of their high affinity for cationic regions of surfaces of crystals. Polymeric, polyanionic inhibitors may have this affinity enhanced by spatial matching of anionic residues of the polymer with cationic binding sites of the mineral scale.
Oils and Fats

There is no sharp chemical or nutritional distinction between oils and fats. Most of these products go through some sort of refining process before they enter commerce as foodstuffs. (Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that is not refined before being consumed.) At this stage they consist largely of saponifiable triglycerides of straight-chain aliphatic saturated and unsaturated “fatty acids” insoluble in water, with a very small proportion, 3 percent or less, of other substances (phospholipids, sterols, tocopherols, carotenoids, vitamins and coloring matter). In common parlance, oils are those products that are liquid at ambient temperature, while fats are solids. They may be of animal or vegetable origin. In this text “oil” includes “fat” as a generic term except when the context indicates otherwise.
A grammar of contemporary Polish

ions or amorphous objects or spaces: w+L in w+A into z+G from w dali in the distance, w dal into the distance, z dali from out of the distance w t∏umie in the throng, w t∏um into the throng, z t∏umu out of the throng Surfaces, events, wide open places: na+L on, at na+A z+G na stole on the table, na sto∏ onto the table, ze sto∏u off the table na koncercie at the concert, na koncert to the concert, z koncertu from the concert na wsi in the country, na wieE to the country, ze wsi from the country Even when the location-at meaning is determined idiomatically, the movement-to and movement-from prepositions are still based on the static-location use. Thus, because of na poczcie at the post-office, one says na poczt to the post-office. 396 14. SIMPLE SENTENCE SYNTAX Persons, peoples, professional offices:
Anesthetic Efficacy of Intranasal 3% Tetracaine plus 0.05% Oxymetazoline (Kovanaze) in Maxillary Teeth.

Abstract Introduction Needle-free anesthetic delivery is a promising alternative to traditional anesthetic routes of administration. The purpose of this study was to determine the patient preference for and pulpal anesthetic efficacy of a 3% tetracaine plus 0.05% oxymetazoline (Kovanaze) nasal spray in maxillary lateral incisors and first premolars. Methods Fifty adult subjects randomly received a 3% tetracaine plus 0.05% oxymetazoline (Kovanaze) nasal spray and mock infiltration or a mock nasal spray and 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine infiltration at the maxillary lateral incisor or first premolar in 2 appointments spaced at least 1 week apart in a single-blind cross-over design. Pulpal anesthesia was evaluated with an electric pulp tester. Side effects and subject preferences were also recorded. Results Anesthetic success was significantly lower for the Kovanaze nasal spray and mock infiltration (22%–37%) than for the mock nasal spray and lidocaine infiltration (89%–91%). Subjects reported more unwanted effects (nasal drainage and congestion, burning, pressure, and sinus congestion) after the Kovanaze nasal spray and mock infiltration than the mock spray and maxillary infiltration. Before participating in the study, more subjects (56%) preferred the nasal spray route versus a standard infiltration (44%). After experiencing both routes of administration, 100% of subjects preferred the standard infiltration. Conclusions The 3% tetracaine plus 0.05% oxymetazoline (Kovanaze) nasal spray provided significantly less successful pulpal anesthesia than the lidocaine infiltration, was less preferable, and caused more unwanted effects.
A picture of the older homeless female veteran: A qualitative, case study analysis

Abstract Background Homelessness among female veterans is increasing and expected to rise further as more women enter the military. Very few studies qualitatively describe female homeless veterans’ needs from their own perspective. Purpose Homeless female veterans’ perceptions of their homelessness and what they believe is needed for independence and self-sustenance was examined. Methods OA qualitative interpretive interview design was used and findings are reported as a case study. Results A definitive picture emerged of a homeless female veteran, bounded by several factors they all had in common including age, family upheaval, mental health diagnoses, substance abuse, trauma, and need for information and networking.
Developing a Green Chemistry Focused General Chemistry Laboratory Curriculum: What Do Students Understand and Value about Green Chemistry?

Over the past several decades, green chemistry has gained prominence in chemistry education. However, the development of green chemistry curricula has not reached all levels of education equally, f...
Depression Severity, but Not Cognitive Impairment or Frailty, is Associated with Disability in Late-Life Depression

Assess the relationship of cognitive impairment to disability, accounting for depression severity and frailty, among older adults with late-life depression (LLD). Data were analyzed from 78 communi...
Practice Exams and Student Performance in Introductory Programming

Introductory Computer Science courses are often challenging, and students who do not consistently practice the material tend to struggle the most. Weekly exams are an excellent strategy to make students review and practice the course material frequently and consistently. Providing practice exams a few days in advance is a way to help students better prepare and succeed in weekly tests. In this study, we looked at three aspects of how practice exams could correlate with students' performance in actual tests. First, we compared the performance of students who attempted the practice exams with those who did not. Second, we looked at how early students started the practice exam with respect to the date of the actual exam. Third, we calculated the total amount of time spent on each practice exam. Our preliminary results indicate superior performance of students who attempted the practice exams; no effect of practice start time; and a detectable but weak negative correlation between practice duration and exam performance.
Mesenteric venous thrombosis. Modern management and endoscopic diagnosis.

Mesenteric venous thrombosis has an obscure etiology, a prolonged onset of symptoms, and controversial methods of diagnosis and treatment. Eleven collected patients with pathologic confirmation of this diagnosis are presented, with one patient demonstrating the endoscopic appearance of this disease in human small bowel. Other methods of diagnosis are also reviewed. Treatment of mesenteric venous thrombosis requires resection of necrotic bowel and, we believe, anticoagulation. The role of planned “second-look” laparotomy is reviewed, but it was not necessary in those patients in whom definitive resection could be combined with intraoperative anticoagulation.
Effects of low-dose unfractionated heparin on early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage in mice.

Abstract Background Sphingosine kinase (SphK) 1 has been reported as an important signaling node in anti-apoptotic signaling. Heparin is a pleiotropic drug that antagonizes many pathophysiological mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated if heparin prevents early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) by anti-apoptotic mechanisms including SphK1. Methods SAH was induced by endovascular perforation in mice, which were randomly assigned to sham-operated (n = 23), SAH + vehicle (n = 36), SAH + 10U heparin pretreatment (n = 13), SAH + 30U heparin pretreatment (n = 15), SAH + 10U heparin posttreatment (n = 31), and SAH + 30U heparin posttreatment (n = 23). At 24 hours post-SAH, neurological scores, brain water content and Evans blue extravasation were evaluated. Also, the expression of SphK, phosphorylated Akt, and cleaved caspase-3 was determined by Western blotting, and cell death was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated uridine 5’-triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling staining. Results Low-dose heparin posttreatment improved neurobehavioral function, brain edema, blood-brain barrier disruption and cell death in the cortex, associated with an increase in SphK1 and phosphorylated Akt, and a decrease in cleaved caspase-3. High-dose heparin had a tendency for increased SAH severity, which obscured the neuroprotective effects by heparin. Conclusions Low-dose heparin posttreatment may decrease the development of post-SAH EBI through anti-apoptotic mechanisms including sphingosine-related pathway activation.
SIGCHI Social Impact Award Talk - Sustainability and SIGCHI

Some years ago, I began to read environmental philosophy such as deep ecology and Marxist interpretations. At the time I did not know what to do with this material, but my tree hugging instincts and experience of having seen my rural grandparents live a decent but very simple life inspired an abiding interest in the topics these philosophers were writing about. My grandparents grew a lot of their own food, kept an ancient car that my grandfather maintained, and enjoyed strong social ties with family and friends. It seems now that we must develop our own forms of simplicity and self-reliance if we are to weather the devastations the market economy is visiting on the planet. When I discovered computing colleagues worried about the same environmental issues I was, we collaborated to create the Computing within LIMITS community. LIMITS is a series of workshops focused on how to use computing tools and strategies to address global environmental problems. Inspired by the classic 1972 Limits to Growth report (itself a product of computing), the premise is that we must accept and embrace the reality that we live on a finite planet. That reality must inform and animate our work. The first LIMITS Workshop was held in 2015, with one each year since. The Sixth Annual Workshop is in June. Most computing research does not address or take into account the finiteness of Earth. In 2018, I first authored a paper with LIMITS colleagues for Communications of the ACM to discuss this matter. I was skeptical of acceptance, but perhaps it is a sign of the times that reviewers were surprisingly positive. The paper argues that problems of sustainability are socioeconomic in origin, and we can turn to the field of ecological economics to set a course. In a subsequent paper, "Design in the Age of Climate Change," I examined social movements that consider sustainability within an economic frame, such as the post-growth movement in Europe, the Transition Town movement, and food sovereignty movements worldwide. These movements draw from earlier ideas such as Gandhi's notion of abundance within simplicity.
Female rats express heroin-induced and -conditioned suppression of peripheral nitric oxide production in response to endotoxin challenge

Abstract Opioids and opioid-conditioned stimuli (CS) negatively alter host immunity, impairing the response to pathogens during opioid use and following drug cessation. Using male rats, our laboratory has determined that heroin or heroin-CS exposure preceding a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge markedly suppresses normal induction of peripheral pro-inflammatory biomarkers. Presently, it is unknown if these heroin-induced and -conditioned effects extend to the female immune response. To begin this venture, the current study tested the direct effects of heroin and heroin-CS on LPS-induced peripheral nitric oxide (NO) production in female rats. We focused investigations on peripheral NO as it is a critical pro-inflammatory molecule necessary for pathogen resistance. In Experiment 1, male and female Lewis rats were administered 0 (Saline), 1, or 3 mg/kg heroin subcutaneously (s.c). Sixty minutes later, animals were injected with LPS (1 mg/kg, s.c.). Spleen and plasma samples were collected 6 h later to examine NO production through inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression and nitrate/nitrite concentration, respectively. In Experiment 2, female Lewis rats underwent five, 60-minute context conditioning sessions with heroin (1 mg/kg, s.c.) or saline. On test day, CS-exposed and control (home cage) animals were injected with LPS (1 mg/kg, s.c.). Tissue was collected 6 h later to examine splenic iNOS expression and plasma nitrate/nitrite concentration. Both heroin administration alone and exposure to heroin-CS suppressed LPS-induced indices of NO production in spleen and plasma. Our results are the first to indicate that, similar to males, female rats express heroin-induced and -conditioned immunomodulation to a LPS challenge.
A Systematic Review of Research on Self-Sexualization

The self-sexualization of women is an important issue as sexualization is believed to support the low status of women and contribute to body related anxieties and concerns as well as results in negative perceptions by others. Our research purpose was to systematically review the available research in this area. Thirty-one journal articles published from 2007 to 2020 were reviewed. In our review, we focused on what theories were used in self-sexualization research? what measures of self-sexualization were employed? and what are the major findings? Important precursors to self-sexualization include exposure to media and social media, self-objectification, internalization of sexualization, and desiring attention from others. Empowerment has been studied as an outcome of self-sexualization along with negative inferences concerning both young women and girls that self-sexualize. Future research opportunities exist in theory development and scale development in order to strengthen and build research in self-sexualization.
Factors and Economic Outcomes Associated with Documented Difficult Intubation in the United States

Purpose Establishing good mechanical ventilation is a critical component and prerequisite to a wide range of surgical and medical interventions. Yet difficulties in intubating patients, and a variety of associated complications, are well documented. The economic burden resulting from difficult intubation (DI), however, is not well understood. The current study examines the economic burden of documented DI during inpatient surgical admissions and explores factors that are associated with DI. Patients and Methods Using data from the Premier Healthcare Database, adult patients with inpatient surgical admissions between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 were selected. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnosis codes were used to classify the patients into matched cohorts of DI and non-DI patients. Results Patients in the DI group have mean inpatient costs and intensive care unit (ICU) costs that are substantially higher than patients without difficult intubations ($14,468 and $4,029 higher, respectively). Mean hospital length of stay and ICU length of stay were 3.8 days and 2.0 days longer, respectively (all p<0.0001, except ICU cost p=0.0001) in the DI group. Obesity, other chronic conditions, and larger hospital size were significantly associated with DI. Conclusion DI is associated with higher average cost and longer average length of stay.
Borderline Personality Disorder and the Boundaries of Virtue

Individuals with conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience chronic, pervasive impairments that interfere with moral functioning. Even in recovery these individuals are plagued by residual symptoms, requiring diligence and management. First, I stipulate that some individuals who recover from BPD (and similar conditions) act morally. I argue that by acting morally while managing residual symptoms these individuals expand the boundaries of traditional Aristotelian virtue. Individuals who recover from BPD are simultaneously virtuous and outside the boundaries of traditional Aristotelian virtue if they meet the following conditions: (1) they experience marked, unchangeable morally-relevant difference(s) in moral faculties; (2) act morally at approximately the same rate or better than other moral agents; and (3) act morally for the right reasons. These individuals challenge the boundaries of traditional Aristotelian virtue by demonstrating that many views of temperance and virtue are too restrictive. I evaluate multiple interpretations of McDowell’s [1] silencing view and call for a more inclusive virtue ethics that embraces continence in the vein of Foot’s [2] corrective view.
Dynamic Land Use Implications from an Expanding Wind Energy Portfolio Reveal Geographic Challenges for a Low Carbon Energy Transition

The geographic dimension of wind power is an important facet of energy transition. We conduct a national-scale spatial analysis of onshore wind deployment, quantifying its cumulative footprint (46,915 km2) and uncovering dynamic land requirements and occupancy patterns with implications for emerging electricity systems that rely on high wind penetrations. We reveal that national declines (68%) in capacity density are driven by evolution of turbine technology and regional deployment patterns. However, counter to a prevailing perception that land area requirements are increasing, we show that concurrent performance gains have stabilized energy production on a per-footprint basis. Surprisingly, turbines are commonly embedded within the built environment, with 90% located within 2 km of a structure. Moreover, evidence of regional clustering of wind plants highlight additional growth risks. Continued development on disturbed land, such as cropland — which have supported a 50.5% of historical deployment — could facilitate multiple uses while potentially alleviating ecological concerns.
GARCH Model With Fat-Tailed Distributions and Bitcoin Exchange Rate Returns

In the era of diminishing power from US dollar and increasing competition among world currencies, Bitcoin, as a completely new concept as a medium of exchange, has received increasing attentions over the world. Nowadays, Bitcoin also becomes an investment vehicle, which carries attractive opportunities but also significant risks for the investment community. In this paper, we have compared the empirical performance of a newly-developed heavy-tailed distribution, the normal reciprocal inverse Gaussian (NRIG), with the most popular heavy-tailed distribution, the Student’s t distribution, under the GARCH framework in fitting the daily Bitcoin exchange rate returns. Our results indicate the heavy-tailed distribution has better performance in capture the daily Bitcoin exchange rate returns dynamics than the standard normal distribution. Our results also show the older fashioned Student’s t distribution still performs better than the new heavy-tailed distribution.
Architects of Justice: The Prosecutor’s Role and Resolving Whether Inadmissible Evidence Is Material Under the Brady Rule

In Brady v. Maryland, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the prosecution has a constitutional duty to disclose evidence favorable to the defendant’s guilt or punishment upon request. The Court’s subsequent expansion of its holding in Brady has formed the “Brady rule,” which requires the prosecution to learn of and to disclose to the defendant all material exculpatory and impeachment information. The Court defined “material” as information that would cause a reasonable probability of a different trial outcome had it been disclosed. Currently, a circuit court split exists regarding whether evidence is material for purposes of the Brady rule if it is inadmissible at trial. This split of authority reflects longstanding tension underlying the Brady doctrine but was incited by the Court’s ambiguous holding in Wood v. Bartholomew. The conflict has substantial repercussions in practice because the U.S. Department of Justice directs federal prosecutors to follow their offices’ local disclosure precedent. Because disclosure precedent may vary by office, prosecutors’ understanding of their constitutional disclosure duty may be inconsistent. This could lead to the alarming result of disparate defendant treatment based solely on the jurisdiction where the defendant is charged.
The Public Responsibilities of Private Capital

Working within John Rawls’s account of justice as fairness, I examine the way in which considerations of justice ought to inform managerial decision-making in large-scale business enterprises. I argue we have reason to reject a widely held view, which is that considerations of justice apply only indirectly to managerial decisions and serve mainly as constraints on profit-maximization. Instead, we have reason to accept one of two alternatives. According to the first, the principles of justice apply directly to decisions made by managers. According to the second, in the case of enterprises that provide goods and services that are integral to the functioning of the economy, managers have a responsibility to focus on the effective provision of these goods and services instead of profit-maximization.