cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anti-hypertensive medications and cardiovascular events in older adults with multiple chronic conditions.

Importance Randomized trials of anti-hypertensive treatment demonstrating reduced risk of cardiovascular events in older adults included participants with less comorbidity than clinical populations. Whether these results generalize to all older adults, most of whom have multiple chronic conditions, is uncertain. Objective To determine the association between anti-hypertensive medications and CV events and mortality in a nationally representative population of older adults. Design Competing risk analysis with propensity score adjustment and matching in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey cohort over three-year follow-up through 2010. Participants and Setting 4,961 community-living participants with hypertension. Exposure Anti-hypertensive medication intensity, based on standardized daily dose for each anti-hypertensive medication class participants used. Main Outcomes and Measures Cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cardiac revascularization, stroke, and hospitalizations for heart failure) and mortality. Results Of 4,961 participants, 14.1% received no anti-hypertensives; 54.6% received moderate, and 31.3% received high, anti-hypertensive intensity. During follow-up, 1,247 participants (25.1%) experienced cardiovascular events; 837 participants (16.9%) died. Of deaths, 430 (51.4%) occurred in participants who experienced cardiovascular events during follow-up. In the propensity score adjusted cohort, after adjusting for propensity score and other covariates, neither moderate (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.89–1.32]) nor high (1.16 [0.94–1.43]) anti-hypertensive intensity was associated with experiencing cardiovascular events. The hazard ratio for death among all participants was 0.79 [0.65–0.97] in the moderate, and 0.72 [0.58–0.91] in the high intensity groups compared with those receiving no anti-hypertensives. Among participants who experienced cardiovascular events, the hazard ratio for death was 0.65 [0.48–0.87] and 0.58 [0.42–0.80] in the moderate and high intensity groups, respectively. Results were similar in the propensity score-matched subcohort. Conclusions and Relevance In this nationally representative cohort of older adults, anti-hypertensive treatment was associated with reduced mortality but not cardiovascular events. Whether RCT results generalize to older adults with multiple chronic conditions remains uncertain.
Organic electro-optic materials

The potential of organic electro-optic materials for large electro-optic activity and fast response to applied electric fields (leading to 100 GHz device bandwidths) is important and increasingly well-recognized. In this communication, we demonstrate how quantum and statistical mechanical calculations can be used to guide the systematic improvement of both molecular first hyperpolarizability (β) and macroscopic electro-optic activity (r). Femtosecond time-resolved, wavelength-agile Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering (HRS) measurements have been used to measure β values relative to chloroform and to avoid confusion associated with two photon contributions. Electro-optic coefficients have been characterized by simple reflection (Teng-Man method), attenuated total reflection (ATR), and Mach Zehnder interferometry. "Constant bias" modifications of these techniques have been used to permit investigation of optimized poling conditions. Organic electro-optic materials also afford unique advantages for the fabrication of conformal and flexible devices, for the integration of disparate materials, and for exploitation of novel manufacturing technologies such as soft lithography. Both stripline and ring microresonator structures have been fabricated by soft lithography. The integration of organic electro-optic materials with silicon photonics (both split ring microresonators and photonic bandgap circuitry) has been demonstrated.
Symmetrization of the growth deformation and velocity gradients in residually stressed biomaterials

Some fundamental issues in the kinematic and kinetic analysis of the stress-modulated growth of residually stressed biological materials are addressed within the context of the multiplicative decomposition of deformation gradient into its elastic and growth parts. The symmetrizations of the growth part of the deformation gradient and the growth part of the velocity gradient are derived for isotropic pseudoelastic soft tissues. The significance of results in the formulation of the biomechanic constitutive theory is discussed.
Spiders of the genus Loxosceles (Araneae, Sicariidae): a review of biological, medical and psychological aspects regarding envenomations

Loxosceles spiders are of concern outside of the arachnological world because their bites can cause occasional necrotic skin lesions and/or systemic complications; these manifestations are known as loxoscelism. Once these spiders became well associated as medical entities, much notoriety was attained through the publication of medical case histories as well as tales of horrific wounds in the general literature. Although most Loxosceles spider bites are unremarkable, require only general supportive care, and often result in excellent outcome, they are an occasional source of severe dermonecrotic injury with long healing times and significant scarring. In rare cases of systemic loxoscelism, serious intravascular, nephrological and/or multi-organ damage can occur, sometimes resulting in death. However, also of concern is that loxoscelism is diagnosed by medical personnel or presumed by the general public in highly improbable scenarios preventing or delaying proper remedy, which can lead to deleterious outcome. Herein, Loxosceles spider biology and medical aspects are reviewed. In particular, an extensive discussion of the distribution of the brown recluse spider, L. reclusa Gertsch & Mulaik 1940, is presented along with life history characteristics, which relate to the medical aspects of the genus. Also presented are manifestations and epidemiology of loxoscelism, misdiagnoses of bites by the medical community, alternative diagnoses confused with recluse spider bites and a discussion of the psychological basis for the proliferation of the myth of loxoscelism by both the general public and the medical community. North and South American species are reviewed because this is where the genus predominates and is the region where the most pertinent research has originated.
Coulomb Excitation of Cu 63 and Cu 65

Properties of levels Coulomb excited in ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{63}$ and ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{65}$ with 4- to 8-MeV alpha particles have been investigated. The $B(E2)'\mathrm{s}$ for excitation determined from the yields of gamma rays observed in singles and coincidence spectra for the (668\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4)-, (961\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6)-, and (1323\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}16)-keV levels in ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{63}$ are, respectively, (1.16\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.12), (3.49\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.34), and $(4.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}50}{e}^{2}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{4}$; for the (771\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}7)-, (1115\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}11)-, and (1474\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}19)-keV levels in ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{65}$, they are (1.02\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.11), (3.45\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.38), and $(4.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.8)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}50}{e}^{2}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{4}$. These results give $B(E2)'\mathrm{s}$ for decay which are 13 to 16 times the single-particle $B(E2)$. This similarity of $B(E2)'\mathrm{s}$ was predicted by de Shalit for levels which result from the coupling of the odd particle to the first excited state of the even-even core. From angular correlation studies the 961- and 1115-keV levels have been assigned spin $\frac{5}{2}$ and the 1323-keV level spin $\frac{7}{2}$. Mixing ratios obtained from these measurements along with the $B(E2)'\mathrm{s}$ establish values of 0.09 and 0.4 ${(\frac{e\ensuremath{\hbar}}{2} \mathrm{Mc})}^{2}$ for the $B(M1)'\mathrm{s}$ of the 961- and 1115-keV transitions.
Intimate partner violence: a culturally sensitive approach.

Richele Thompson, NP, explains that with the United States becoming increasingly ethnically diverse, under-standing of intimate partner violence in other cultures is essential for nurse practitioners. Approximately 1.5 million U.S. women are physically assaulted by intimate partners each year. Partner violence also occurs against men, but these incidents are reported much less frequently.
A Threat Assessment Model in PAAIS

The tactical situation assessment is the base of Mission Planning,Emergency Action Planning,Firepower Assignment and Attack Sequence in PAAIS(Pilot Assistant Artificial Intelligent System).To take into account the current BVR(Beyond-Visual-Range) air combat threat assessment,the paper proposed a method which used the TOPSIS(Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) arithmetic to evaluate the air target threat.Compared to the other threat methods,this arithmetic has the characteristics of simple modiling,fast computation,expedient updating and so on.The simulation result indicated that it can respond quickly to the detected objects and satisfy the goal of situation assessment in PAAIS.
Factors influencing attitudes within AIDS service organizations toward the use of research-based HIV prevention interventions.

Although the efficacy of small-group, risk reduction interventions based on cognitive behavioral principles has been widely documented in HIV behavioral research literature, little is known about how AIDS service organizations (ASOs) view these research-based models. From a nationwide sample of 77 ASOs, this study assessed factors influencing attitudes of prevention program directors and frontline staff toward research-based interventions. Characteristics of individual respondents as well as organizational characteristics of the ASO itself were used to predict perceived benefits of adopting this type of intervention, perceived efficacy (confidence) in the ASO's ability to implement it, and perceived barriers to adoption. Findings revealed uniformly positive perceptions of benefits among respondents from ASOs of different sizes and organizational experiences, although directors held more favorable evaluations than frontline staff. Respondents from ASOs that were larger, had previously delivered group or workshop interventions, or had received outside technical assistance in the past expressed more confidence in the ability of their ASO to implement the intervention. On the other hand, older and more highly educated individuals had less confidence in their organization's ability to implement the model. Resource constraints (money, staff, and time) were the most common barriers cited by the respondents. Overall, higher organizational role and longer tenure at an ASO were associated with the perception of more barriers to adopting science-based interventions. Respondents from ASOs with a history of receiving technical assistance reported fewer perceived barriers. The successful dissemination of HIV prevention models from the research arena to the service arena will require mechanisms to provide appropriate funding and technical assistance, particularly to smaller organizations. Mindful of the resource constraints faced by ASOs, researchers can facilitate this process by attempting to develop interventions that are less resource - and time-consuming than current models.
Capillarity-Driven Welding of Semiconductor Nanowires for Crystalline and Electrically Ohmic Junctions

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) have been demonstrated as a potential platform for a wide-range of technologies, yet a method to interconnect functionally encoded NWs has remained a challenge. Here, we report a simple capillarity-driven and self-limited welding process that forms mechanically robust and Ohmic inter-NW connections. The process occurs at the point-of-contact between two NWs at temperatures 400–600 °C below the bulk melting point of the semiconductor. It can be explained by capillarity-driven surface diffusion, inducing a localized geometrical rearrangement that reduces spatial curvature. The resulting weld comprises two fused NWs separated by a single, Ohmic grain boundary. We expect the welding mechanism to be generic for all types of NWs and to enable the development of complex interconnected networks for neuromorphic computation, battery and solar cell electrodes, and bioelectronic scaffolds.
Interpretation of Data Workshop in the Pediatric Preclerkship Educational Exercises (PRECEDE) Curriculum.

Abstract Introduction The PRECEDE (preclerkship educational exercises) curriculum was developed by the Johns Hopkins Pediatrics Clerkship with the primary goal of providing students with experienti...
Palliative Care for Advanced Heart Failure in a Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Hospice Program: Patient Selection, a Treatment Protocol, and Clinical Course.

Abstract Background: Palliative care for advanced heart failure (HF) is generally recommended. However, few reports have focused on the particulars of treatment, or the clinical course of HF on a specific treatment regimen. Objective: Palliation adequate to allow patients to avoid HF admission and die at home. Methods: Patients from a veterans administration regional practice with multiple, recent hospital admissions were enrolled in community hospice programs. Treatment of HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) included guidelines-directed medical therapy, digoxin, opioids, and oral bumetanide (with metolazone as needed) rather than intravenous diuretics. Levodopa (l-dopa) was added when conventional therapy failed to control symptoms. HF with preserved EF was also treated with bumetanide and opioids. Results: Thirty male veterans, 23 of them with HFrEF, had 90 HF admissions in the 6 months before enrollment, and 3 HF admissions during follow-up of at least 14 months. Twenty-one patie...
In search of missing time: A review of the study of time in leadership research

Abstract Many studies describe leadership as a dynamic process. However, few examine the passage of time as a critical dimension of that dynamism. This article illuminates this knowledge gap by conducting a systematic review of empirical studies on temporal effects of leadership to identify if and how time has been considered as a factor. After synthesizing key findings from the review, the article discusses methodological implications. We propose that a computational science approach, particularly agent-based modeling, is a fruitful path for future leadership research. This article contributes to leadership scholarship by shedding light on a missing variable (time) and offering a novel way to investigate the temporal, dynamic, emergent, and recursive aspects of leadership. We demonstrate the usefulness of agent-based modeling with an example of leader-member exchange relationship development.
Determination of Lead and Cadmium Levels in Local and Imported Carrots and Cabbage

تناولت هذه الدراسة على تقدير مستويات الرصاص والكادميوم في بعض عينات اللهانة والجزر التي جمعت من الأسواق في مدنية النجف لعام 2017باستخدام مطياف الامتصاص الذري الهبي , وأظهرت النتائج وجود تراكمات للرصاص في بعض العينات , وكان التركيز الأعلى في الهانة الخضراء الإيرانية ( (1.478جزءآ في الميلون , و اللهانة الخضراء العراقية ((1.344 جزءآ في المليون بينما كان التركيز الأقل في الجزر البرتقالي العراقي (0.201 )جزءآ في المليون . أما نتائج تركيز الكادميوم في جميع العينات فكان أعلى تركيز في اللهانة الخسي الإيرانية حيث بلغ ((0.047 جزءآ في المليون وفي اللهانة الخضراء الإيرانية ((0. 046 جزءآ في المليون وأقل قيمة في الجزر البنفسجي العراقي ((0.035جزءآ في المليون . ومن النتائج أعلاء تبين وجود تلوث معدني بعنصري الرصاص والكادميوم في نباتي اللهانة والجزر وهي أعلى من المستوى الطبيعي حسب مواصفات الصحة العالمية . ونظرآ إلى خطورة هذه العناصر السامة و ضررها على أنسجة الإنسان جاءت أهمية هذه الدراسة الميدانية لتحديد مستويات عنصري (الرصاص والكادميوم ) في اللهانة والجزر المنتج محليآ والمستوردة .
Modular In Situ Functionalization Strategy: Multicomponent Polymerization by Palladium/Norbornene Cooperative Catalysis.

Herein, we report a cooperatively palladium/norbornene-catalyzed polymerization, which simplifies the synthesis of functional aromatic polymers, including conjugated polymers. Specifically, an A2 B2 C-type multicomponent polymerization that is based on an ortho amination/ipso alkynylation reaction was developed for the preparation of various amine-functionalized arylacetylene-containing polymers. Within a single catalytic cycle, the amine side chains are site-selectively installed in situ by C-H activation during the polymerization process, which represents a major difference from conventional cross-coupling polymerizations. This "in situ functionalization" strategy enables the modular incorporation of functional side chains starting from simple monomers, thereby conveniently affording a diverse range of functional polymers.
Falsification Experiments for Spacetime Theories from the Neurological Sciences

One difficulty with spacetime theories is the absence of falsifications tests. Because the observer is part of quantum mechanics (QM) and therefore an obligatory part of cosmological theories that incorporate QM, the neurological sciences have a legitimate role. We examined six different QM based cosmological theories. They make implications about various aspects of the flow of time (FOT)--the past/present/future experience including subjective dynamism). First, a distinction is made between the FOT and the physical passage of time (POT), the occurrence of a new physical event at the periphery of an expanding universe. Four theories suggesting a real POT are the Evolving Block Universe, the Spacetime Dynamics Theory, Causal Set Cosmology; and Muller’s cosmology. However, they retain the past/present components of the Block Universe and imply that the upper level FOT (the experience that the ‘present’ is unique) is illusory. A falsification experiment is proposed utilizing Hartle’s proposed Information and Gathering and Utilizing Systems (IGUSs), which have different experiences of the ‘present’. A virtual reality IGUS which can experientially navigate between past and present is suggested. It could confirm their implication that the experience of past/present events is not unique (i.e., it is a variable cognition). Barbour’s timeless theory involves relative configuration spaces which contain enough information to provide an illusory dynamic scene. That experience of dynamism within that scene is said to be an illusion. A second falsification experiment is proposed to remove dynamism suggesting it is an irrelevant experience. It involves intermittent stimulation of the newly discovered consciousness center (the claustrum) to create brief intervals of unconsciousness. Doing this precludes the recently discovered ‘happening’ percept which can account for the entirely of dynamism (the lower level FOT). The negative implication for Temporal Naturalism in the Cosmological Natural Selection theory is briefly discussed.
Thrombocytopenia: An Introduction

Thrombocytopenia is the most common disorder of coagulation during pregnancy. While a small drop in platelet count should be expected in pregnancy, approximately 7% of all parturients will present with a platelet count <150,000 mm−3, and 0.5–1% will present with a platelet count <100,000 mm−3. Quantitative analysis is the most commonly used tool for determining the safety of neuraxial anesthesia; however, there is no consensus as to the absolute platelet count required for safe neuraxial placement. Other qualitative tests such as platelet aggregometry, automated functional analyzers such as the PFA-100, and thromboelastography (TEG) may have some added benefit but have yet to be fully validated and built into mainstream practice. When confronted with a lower than expected platelet count, the anesthesiologist should obtain a detailed bleeding history to help determine the risk of proceeding with a neuraxial anesthetic. The most common thrombopathies encountered during pregnancy include gestational thrombocytopenia (GT), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). An antenatal hematology consult should be strongly considered in order to aid in diagnosing the etiology of the low platelets as each disease has different effects on counts, trends, and overall platelet function. While the risk of a spinal hematoma is quite rare, rapid recognition, diagnosis, and operative treatment are critical in reducing serious morbidity.
Photoacoustic communications: delivering audible signals via absorption of light by atmospheric H2O.

We describe a means of communication in which a user with no external receiver hears an audible audio message directed only at him/her. A laser transmits the message, which is encoded upon a modulated laser beam and sent directly to the receiver’s ear via the photoacoustic effect. A 1.9 μm thulium laser matched to an atmospheric water vapor absorption line is chosen to maximize sound pressure while maintaining eye-safe power densities. We examine the photoacoustic transfer function describing this generation of audible sound and the important operational parameters, such as laser spot size, and their impact on a working system.
Addressing the Challenges of Recruitment and Retention in Sleep and Circadian Clinical Trials

Objective/Background: Sleep and circadian disorders are prevalent worldwide and frequently comorbid with physical and mental illnesses. Thus, recruiting and retaining samples for sleep and circadian research are high priorities. The aims of this paper are to highlight barriers to recruitment and retention for participants with sleep or circadian dysfunction, and to share strategies used across two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing the efficacy of the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction (TranS-C) to address these challenges. Participants: The first RCT recruited 176 adolescents with an evening circadian chronotype, who were at risk in at least one of five health domains: behavioral, cognitive, emotional, physical, and social. The second RCT recruited 121 low-income, racial or ethnic minority adults diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI) and comorbid sleep or circadian dysfunction. Methods: The current study examined participant, environment, and research factors that impacted recruitment and retention of participants with sleep or circadian dysfunction, and identified strategies to enhance recruitment and retention. Results: Strategies used to recruit participants included community-based recruiting, reducing stigma, and alleviating burdensome sleep data collection. Strategies used to retain participants in our studies included flexible scheduling, mitigating participant barriers, building rapport with participants through empathic and positive interactions, creative problem solving, consulting participant networks, and utilizing incentives and other positive engagement tools. Conclusion: Both at-risk adolescents and low-income, minority adults with comorbid SMI and sleep or circadian dysfunction experience significant barriers to research participation. Recruitment and retention strategies were creatively tailored to meet the unique barriers of these diverse populations.
Account-Making Following Relationship Dissolution: Exploring Sex as a Moderator in Public and Private Breakup Accounts.

This study examines sex differences in emotion word use in retrospective private and public relationship dissolution accounts through two studies. Study 1 (n = 423) found men’s use of negative emot...
Plants with neurotoxic potential in undernourished subjects

The consumption by humans of plants with potential to induce neurological disorders is widespread, but overt disease surfaces only when the subject's toxic threshold is exceeded. Excessive intake arising from food dependency in the setting of hunger, chronic undernutrition, vitamin deficiency, inadequate detoxication, or other individual susceptibility, can trigger acute encephalopathy (lychee, ackee fruits), sub-acute spastic paraparesis (grasspea, cassava root/leaves) or ataxic neuropathy (cassava root flour). While these disorders are very rarely encountered in high-income countries, they are not only common among impoverished populations but also often occur as outbreaks that impact a significant proportion of an affected community. Unfamiliarity with the adverse effects of plant toxins has sometimes led to the mistaken attribution of nutritional neurotoxic disease to a neurotropic viral or synthetic pesticidal etiology. The combination of human population growth, food and water insecurity, poverty and, with climate change, increased dependency on environmentally tolerant plants with neurotoxic potential, predictably may result in an increased prevalence of nutritional neurotoxic disorders, especially in certain parts of Africa and Asia.
Efflux transporters in cancer resistance: Molecular and functional characterization of breast cancer resistance protein

Abstract Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2) is one of the major ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins involved in multi-drug resistance of cancer therapy. In the past two decades, BCRP has been extensively studied and substantial knowledge on BCRP has been gained in terms of its structure, function, expression, as well as its role in drug resistance and drug transport. BCRP is expressed in various types of human cancers and it recognizes and transports numerous anticancer drugs, including conventional chemotherapeutics, molecular targeted anticancer agents, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents. Significant effort has been devoted to develop treatment strategies to overcome BCRP-mediated resistance. In addition, BCRP is expressed in many normal tissues and plays an important role in drug absorption, distribution, and elimination. This book chapter summarizes current knowledge on this medically important efflux transporter obtained from studies at the molecular, tissue, and system levels, with a focus on its relevance in cancer resistance and drug transport.
Anesthetic Considerations for Patients With Williams Syndrome

Williams syndrome (WS) is a relatively rare congenital disorder which manifests across multiple organ systems with a wide spectrum of severity. Cardiovascular anomalies are the most common and concerning manifestations of WS, with supravalvar aortic stenosis present in up to 70% of patients with WS. Although a relatively rare disease, these patients frequently require sedation or anesthesia for a variety of medical procedures. The risk of sudden death in this population is 25 to 100 times that of the general population, with many documented deaths associated with sedation or anesthesia. This increased risk coupled with a disproportionately frequent need for anesthetic care renders it prudent for the anesthesiologist to have a firm understanding of the manifestations of WS. In the following review, the authors discuss pertinent clinical characteristics of WS along with particular anesthetic considerations for the anesthesiologist caring for patients with WS presenting for non-cardiac surgery.
Accuracy and Vividness in Motor Imagery Ability: Differences between Children and Young Adults

Motor imagery (MI) refers to the imagination of a motor task without actual movement execution. The purpose of this study was to compare MI accuracy and vividness, and motor proficiency between chi...
Efficient particle transfer to depth in oxygen minimum zones of the Pacific and Indian Oceans

The remineralization depth of sinking organic particles controls the efficiency of the biological carbon pump by setting the sequestration timescale of remineralized carbon in the ocean interior. Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) have been identified as regions of elevated particle transfer and efficient carbon sequestration at depth, but direct measurements remain sparse in these regions and only provide snapshots of the particle flux. Here, we use remineralization tracers to reconstruct time-mean particle flux profiles in the OMZs of the Eastern Tropical Pacific and the Arabian Sea. Compared to the surrounding tropical waters, both OMZs exhibit slow flux attenuation between 100-1000m where suboxic waters reside, and sequester carbon beneath 1000m more than twice as efficiently. Using a mechanistic model of particle sinking, remineralization, and disaggregation, we show that three different mechanisms might explain the shape of the OMZ flux profiles: (i) a significant slow-down of remineralization when carbon oxidation transitions from aerobic to anaerobic respiration (e.g. denitrification); (ii) the exclusion of zooplankton that mediate disaggregation of large particles from suboxic waters (iii) the limitation of remineralization by the diffusive supply of oxidants (oxygen and nitrate) into large particles. We show that each mechanism leaves a unique signature in the size distribution of particles, suggesting that observations with optical instruments such as Underwater Vision Profilers hold great promise for understanding the drivers of efficient carbon transfer though suboxic water columns. In turn, this will allow more accurate prediction of future changes in carbon sequestration as the ocean loses oxygen in a warming climate.
Are office hours obsolete

Office hours are a higher-education tradition. Unchanged for past-decades, the upheaval due to the COVID pandemic, transitioned office hours in many institutions from face-to-face to virtual and other formats. Historically office hours are a resource underused by students. Faculty-student interactions are considered a high-impact activity aimed at promoting student success. One purpose of office hours is to increase student access to faculty. It is time to revitalize and revamp this tradition. Increasing student engagement, clarifying course requirements, and role modeling professional behavior are potential goals for office hours and student-faculty interactions. To meet these goals, faculty will need to undertake activities that are much more active than the typical passive activity of office hours.
Terahertz Communications: From Nanomaterials to Ultrabroadband Networks

The need for higher data-rates and more ubiquitous connectivity for an ever-increasing number of wirelessly connected devices motivates the exploration of uncharted spectral bands. In this context, Terahertz (THz)-band (0.1-10 THz) communication is envisioned as a key wireless technology of the next decade. The very large bandwidth available at THz frequencies (tens to hundreds of consecutive GHz) can alleviate the spectrum scarcity problem while enabling wireless Terabit-per-second links in personal and local area networks, backhaul for urban and rural areas, and even space networks. Moreover, the very small size of THz transceivers and antennas (submil-limetric at THz frequencies) leads to miniature communication devices with applications in wireless networks on chip, wireless nanosensor networks and the Internet of Nano-Things, to name a few. Nevertheless, there are several roadblocks that need to be overcome to tap in the THz band, ranging from the lack of high-power THz sources, high sensitivity detectors and steerable directional antenna systems, to advanced signal processing, communication and networking techniques that can make the most of the ultra-broadband THz channel while overcoming the challenging propagation characteristics of THz waves. In this work, the state of the art and open challenges to enable THz communication systems is presented, including innovative graphene-based plasmonic transceivers, antennas and (reflect) arrays, THz wave propagation and channel modeling, ultra-broadband physical and link layer solutions, co-existence with passive services, and platforms for experimental THz research.
RF Reliability of SOI-based Power Amplifier FETs for mmWave 5G Applications

RF reliability at 28GHz in PAFETs under constant and varying output load (Z0) was evaluated. Time domain analyses show that in addition to non-conducting TDDB (ncTDDB), both conducting (cHCI) and non-conducting Hot Carrier Injection (ncHCI) degradation play key roles as primary mechanisms. RF power as stress variable under linear, P1dB and compression shows higher degradation in compression attributed to higher peak voltage swings. Degradation under varying load is correlated to ruggedness power and VSWR ratio. Excellent DC and RF Model-Hardware correlation was achieved. 5G NR simulations show that PAFETs meet circuit PA lifetime targets making it an ideal technology for mmWave 5G applications.
Student uptake of whole class instructional talking points in their writing

Abstract Data are from a two-year ethnographic study of a diverse, urban classroom community of seven-and-eight-year-olds in the US. Research interest is in student uptake in their writing as a marker of learning. We want to know whether, and how, students who have routinely experienced exploratory talk about instructional points, take up these points in their writing a few weeks later. We examine a class set of writing for evidence. By student uptake we mean the appearance of a teaching point in individually written student stories. We apply nine uptake codes and report descriptive statistics for student stories (N=17) and take a qualitative look at 6 stories. We found widespread and consistent uptake of instructional points.
$g$-invariant on unary Hermitian lattices over imaginary quadratic fields with class number $2$ or $3$

In this paper, we study the unary Hermitian lattices over imaginary quadratic fields. Let $E=\mathbb{Q}\big(\sqrt{-d}\big)$ be an imaginary quadratic field for a square-free positive integer $d$, and let $\mathcal{O}$ be its ring of integers. For each positive integer $m$, let $I_m$ be the free Hermitian lattice over $\mathcal{O}$ with an orthonormal basis, let $\mathfrak{S}_d(1)$ be the set consisting of all positive definite integral unary Hermitian lattices over $\mathcal{O}$ that can be represented by some $I_m$, and let $g_d(1)$ be the smallest positive integer such that all Hermitian lattices in $\mathfrak{S}_d(1)$ can be represented by $I_{g_d(1)}$ uniformly. The main results of this paper determine the explicit form of $\mathfrak{S}_d(1)$ and the exact value of $g_d(1)$ for every imaginary quadratic field $E$ with class number $2$ or $3$.
Chapter 15 A Model Relating the Structure of the Sodium Channel to Its Function

Publisher Summary The model presented in the chapter explains the way in which a structure consistent with known principles of protein structures can account for the selectivity, activation gating, and inactivation of a channel. A great deal of effort is currently being made to improve the theoretical predictions of protein structures. The situation is sure to improve as more membrane structures are determined experimentally, as theoretical methods and parameters are improved, and as computational power increases. The encouraging aspect is that even now the model suggests many experiments, especially with mutagenesis.
New trends in robotics and applications

In recent years, research in Robotics has been particularly productive. Relatively recent areas, like robotic surgery, have almost become main-stream. This talk will discuss two trends that are still in their infancy. One concerns multi-limbed robots that have complex physical interactions with their environments. The focus will be on robots that climb vertical rock surfaces only using natural features (like small protrusions, holes, or cracks) and friction at contact points for upward progress. Motions must satisfy various types of constraints (e.g., equilibrium, collision avoidance, torque limits, energy minimization) that define a feasible subspace of interesting connectivity in the configuration spaces of the robots. We will show that this ^A“xtreme^A”application forces us to look at old problems in new ways that will eventually benefit other robots. Another trend that will be discussed is the application of robotics techniques e.g., (inverse kinematics, motion planning) to biology problems. Like robots, bio-molecules, especially proteins, can be modeled as articulated linkages. We will show that important problems, such as the generation of protein models from electron density map or the study of molecular pathways (like folding and binding pathways), greatly benefit from using robotics techniques. However, because proteins have often many more degrees of freedom than existing robots, this application forces us to extend known techniques beyond their current limits, in ways that are likely to benefit future robots (e.g., modular self-reconfigurable robots).
Generation of a conditional analog-sensitive kinase in human cells using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering

The ability to rapidly and specifically modify the genome of mammalian cells has been a long-term goal of biomedical researchers. Recently, the clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system from bacteria has been exploited for genome engineering in human cells. The CRISPR system directs the RNA-guided Cas9 nuclease to a specific genomic locus to induce a DNA double-strand break that may be subsequently repaired by homology-directed repair using an exogenous DNA repair template. Here we describe a protocol using CRISPR/Cas9 to achieve bi-allelic insertion of a point mutation in human cells. Using this method, homozygous clonal cell lines can be constructed in 5-6 weeks. This method can also be adapted to insert larger DNA elements, such as fluorescent proteins and degrons, at defined genomic locations. CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering offers exciting applications in both basic science and translational research.
Plastin 3 Expression Does Not Modify Spinal Muscular Atrophy Severity in the ∆7 SMA Mouse

Spinal muscular atrophy is caused by loss of the SMN1 gene and retention of SMN2. The SMN2 copy number inversely correlates with phenotypic severity and is a modifier of disease outcome. The SMN2 gene essentially differs from SMN1 by a single nucleotide in exon 7 that modulates the incorporation of exon 7 into the final SMN transcript. The majority of the SMN2 transcripts lack exon 7 and this leads to a SMN protein that does not effectively oligomerize and is rapidly degraded. However the SMN2 gene does produce some full-length SMN and the SMN2 copy number along with how much full-length SMN the SMN2 gene makes correlates with severity of the SMA phenotype. However there are a number of discordant SMA siblings that have identical haplotypes and SMN2 copy number yet one has a milder form of SMA. It has been suggested that Plastin3 (PLS3) acts as a sex specific phenotypic modifier where increased expression of PLS3 modifies the SMA phenotype in females. To test the effect of PLS3 overexpression we have over expressed full-length PLS3 in SMA mice. To ensure no disruption of functionality or post-translational processing of PLS3 we did not place a tag on the protein. PLS3 protein was expressed under the Prion promoter as we have shown previously that SMN expression under this promoter can rescue SMA mice. High levels of PLS3 mRNA were expressed in motor neurons along with an increased level of PLS3 protein in total spinal cord, yet there was no significant beneficial effect on the phenotype of SMA mice. Specifically, neither survival nor the fundamental electrophysiological aspects of the neuromuscular junction were improved upon overexpression of PLS3 in neurons.
Chlorpromazine as a sedative in labor.

Abstract During the past two decades the Boston Lying-in Hospital has been striving to achieve adequate sedation of the woman in labor without creating undesirable side effects in the mother or the fetus. Over a period of years we have found scopolamine to be the most constantly useful drug in producing amnesia. Our most successful method of obtaining obstetrical amnesia and analgesia has been the use of scopolamine with a limited amount of barbiturate given early in labor. However, this therapeutic regimen may occasionally be associated with increased psychomotor activity. Only prohibitive doses of depressant drugs would control this cortical excitation, with the exception of apomorphine in subemetic doses. 1 Recently we 2 reported on the utilization of a new antipsychomotor drug, chlorpromazine, ∗ ∗We are indebted to Mr. C. W. French of Smith, Kline & French Laboratories, Philadelphia for providing us with a constant supply of the drug under the name Thorazine. as an integral part of our present therapeutic regimen during labor. The current report is a more extensive study of chlorpromazine with the purpose of further determining its usefulness during labor. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) was originally developed in France and used as a hypothermic drug in anesthesia. Its essential characteristics have been described 2 previously. We have employed the standard 2.5 per cent aqueous solution of the drug in this study.
Range and misalignment tolerance comparisons between two-coil and four-coil wireless power transfer systems

Two-coil and four-coil magnetic resonance coupled wireless power transfer (MRC-WPT) system configurations are analyzed and compared in this paper based on the simplified circuit model and 3-D physical model simulations. Physical model simulation results of symmetrical MRC-WPT systems show that when the sizes of transmitter (Tx) coil and receiver (Rx) coil are equal and without any external capacitors, the four-coil system achieves longer transmission distance and larger misalignment tolerance with relatively lower efficiency at close distance compared to the two-coil system. The designed 10-turn, 400mm outer diameter spiral shape four-coil WPT system achieves operation distance of 500mm with nearly constant maximum transmission efficiency of 85%, while the two-coil system achieves ∼96% of efficiency up to distance of 350mm. When the vertical Tx to Rx distance is fixed at 150mm, the four-coil system has a larger lateral misalignment tolerance of 275mm compared to the two-coil system which has misalignment tolerance of 200mm at the same distance.
BEHAVIOR OF FROZEN CLAY UNDER CYCLIC AXIAL LOADING

Dynamic Young’s modulus and damping ratio were determined for axial strain amplitudes from 3 x 10\u-³% to 10\u-¹%, temperatures from 30.2°F to 14°F (-1°C to -10°C), frequencies from 0.05 cps to 5 cps, and confining pressures from 0 psi to 200 psi (kN/m² to 1,380 kN/m²). For samples of the frozen Ontonagon clay of value of dynamic Young’s modulus over the range of test conditions was from 50 x 10³psi to 870 x 10³psi (3.45 x 10³ to kN/m² to 6,000 x 10³ kN/m²); the value of damping ratio was from 0.02 to 0.3. The test results indicate that the dynamic Young’s modulus of frozen clay decreases with increasing strain amplitude and specific surface area; it increases with descending temperature and increasing water content and frequency. The damping ratio increases with increasing strain amplitude and ascending temperature and decreases, in general, with increasing frequency. There appears to be no well-defined relationship between the damping ratio and the specific surface area or water content. Dynamic Young’s modulus and damping ratio are apparently not affected by confining pressure.
Compression fatigue behaviour of notched composite laminates

The influence of compression fatigue on graphite/epoxy laminates containing circular holes of 0.25 inch diameter was investigated. The laminate stacking sequences were [O2/±45]5S, [0/45/0/-45]5S, [0/±45/90]5S, and [90/0/±45]5S. Specifically this study examined the nature and extent of induced compression fatigue damage and the determination of the effects of this damage on the laminate residual failure mechanisms. Two modes of compressive failure were found to occur: the diagonal shear and the net compression modes. Both failure modes were characterized by local instability of individual lamina or small laminae subgroupings, with diagonal shear predominant in the fiber-dominated laminates, and net compression predominant in the quasi-isotropic laminates. The mode and direction of failure were dependent upon the nature of the specimen delamination. It was also found that the laminate stacking sequence influenced the intraply crack development in the laminates as well as the failure mode. The failure mechanisms were essentially the same for two different material systems which were studied (Narmco 5208 and 5209).
Using Application Bisection Bandwidth to Guide Tile Size Selection for the Synchroscalar Tile-Based Architecture

This paper investigates the impact of proper tile size selection on the power the power consumption for tile-based processors. We refer to this investigation as a tile granularitystudy. This is accomplished by distilling the architectural cost of tiles with different computational widths into a system metric we call the Granularity Indicator(GI). The GI is then compared against the bisection bandwith of algorithms when partitioned across multiple tiles. From this comparison, the tile granularity that best fits a given set of algorithms can be determined, reducing the system power for that set of algorithms. When the GI analysis is applied to the Synchroscalar tile architecture[1], we find that Synchroscalar's already low power consumption can be further reduced by 14% when customized for execution of the 802.11a reciever. In addition, the GI can also be a used to evaluate tile size when considering multiple applications simultaneously, providing a convenient platform for hardware-software co-design.
Effect of stimulus pulsewidth on spatial selectivity of neural stimulation

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of stimulus pulsewidth (PW) on selective activation of peripheral nerve fibers. Computer simulations using a cable model of a mammalian myelinated nerve fiber indicated that shorter PWs increased the difference between the threshold currents of fibers lying at different distances from an electrode. Experiments conducted in a cat model revealed that shorter PWs generated larger torques before spillover, and created a larger range of currents over which the torque was a monotonically increasing function of the stimulus current amplitude. Thus, shorter PWs allowed more spatially selective stimulation of nerve fibers. >
OXIDATION OF HEMOGLOBIN AND THE ENHANCEMENT PRODUCED BY NITROBLUE TETRAZOLIUM

The autoxidation of hemoglobin as a function of oxygen pressure and the effect of added nitroblue tetrazolium have been studied. It has been shown that the enhanced autoxidation at intermediate oxygen pressures can only be partially explained by the outer-sphere reaction of oxygen with deoxygenated chains. An additional enhancement associated with the properties of partially oxygenated hemoglobins has been attributed to the mobility on the distal side of the heme which facilitates the nucleophilic displacement of bound oxygen by the distal histidine. Nitroblue tetrazolium, in addition to reacting with the superoxide formed during autoxidation, is shown to oxidize directly both deoxygenated and oxygenated hemoglobin in two steps, proceeding through the one-electron reduced intermediate, a tetrazolinyl radical. Even though the oxygenated chains are oxidized by nitroblue tetrazolium, much less overall reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium is observed at high oxygen pressures. This phenomenon is attributed to the reoxidation by oxygen of both the tetrazolinyl radical and the formazan. The reaction with nitroblue tetrazolium is also found to contribute to enhanced oxidation at intermediate oxygen pressures. This behavior is explained by the two-electron reaction with nitroblue tetrazolium and the oxygen dependence of the various processes involved in the reaction of nitroblue tetrazolium.
Survey of Projects Involving Evolutionary Algorithms Sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute

Over the last five years, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has been engaged in a number of research and development projects using evolutionary algorithms for applications in the electric power industry. (EPRI 1994b) Most of these projects also involve theory, since advances in theoretical understanding is often necessary in order to address critical barriers faced in practical applications. Projects reviewed briefly in this paper include: