cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rise of the Machines: The State, Its Subjects, and the Sepoy Rebellion

This chapter utilizes the concept-metaphor of the “machine” to examine events preceding and following the Sepoy Rebellion, including disciplinary measures such as the magnification of Indian debt to Great Britain (as repayment for the latter’s costs in suppressing the uprising) and increasingly harsh working conditions for an expanding industrialized Indian labor force. At the time of the Sepoy Rebellion, discourses on rationalization, technology, and the role of the state in managing both were introduced to India because of its role as a supplier of raw materials; as a locus for the production of finished goods for export; as a market for cheap finished goods from the British imperial metropole; and as the scene for the expansion of infrastructure, including telegraphs, railways, prisons, and factories necessary for modern capitalist production and through the investment of purportedly British capital. Shaping these discourses was the language of mechanical philosophy, formulated most famously by Descartes and Hobbes during the seventeenth century. The Sepoy Rebellion would become a site and symbol of resistance to that machine, while the suppression of the rebellion would lead to the machine’s further entrenchment within the colony. By engaging in various interpretations of the rebels’ actions through interpretations of James Minchin’s poetic collection Ex Oriente: Sonnets on the Indian Rebellion (1858) and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s history The Indian War of Independence of 1857 (1909), I illustrate the limits and possibilities in representations of the rebels’ motives and agency. My study of Felice Beato’s “Mutiny” photographs (1858–1862) and Shoshee Chunder Dutt’s novella Shunkur (1874) reveals how the modern imperial state operates not in policing borders, but in allowing borders and spheres within those borders to remain places of unrule, sites of radically curtailed or potentially expansive sovereignty. I move to an examination of Dadabhai Naoroji’s economic treatise Poverty and Un-British Rule in India (1901) and Romesh Chunder Dutt’s economic histories The Economic History of India under Early British Rule (1902) and India in the Victorian Age (1904) to show how these texts illustrate and attempt to reverse the transfiguration of imperialist devaluation (the official reduction in the exchange value of the Indian rupee) into capitalist self-valorization (the realization of ever greater surplus value from Indian capital by British capitalists). Finally, I show how workers’ efforts in devalorizing and revalorizing their labor in Mulk Raj Anand’s novel Coolie (1936) and Deepchand Beeharry’s novel That Others Might Live (1979) depend upon the protagonists’ coming-into-consciousness of themselves as laboring subjects, and their attempts to reintegrate a mind and body that have been dichotomized by industrial capitalism. The failure of complete reintegration reveals both novels’ resistance in interpellating their respective characters solely as laboring subjects.
Parent Perspectives on Pain Management in Preschool-Age Children With Sickle Cell Disease.

Pain episodes occur for many preschoolers with sickle cell disease (SCD), but little is known about parent perceptions of managing pain episodes in young children. We surveyed parents of young chil...
Power balance on a multibeam laser

Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) cryogenic experiments on the 60-beam OMEGA laser have strict requirements for the laser energy delivered on target to be power balanced in order to maximize target-irradiation uniformity. For OMEGA, this quantity (power balance) is inferred from measurements of the time-integrated energy and time-resolved, spatially integrated temporal profile of each of the 60 beams at the output of the laser. The work presented here proposes a general definition of power balance as measured at the laser output and discusses the conditions that are fundamental to achieving laser power balance. Power balance necessitates equal gain across all stages of amplification, equal net losses across each amplifier stage, equal frequency conversion (from 1053 nm to 351 nm) of all 60 beams, and equal beam path lengths (beam timing). Typical OMEGA ICF laser pulse shapes consist of one or more short (100-ps) "pickets" followed by a shaped "drive" pulse of 1 to 2 ns. For these experiments, power balance is assessed for the pickets and the drive independently, with the ultimate goal of achieving root-mean-square (rms) imbalance across all 60 beams of less than 2p rms on both. This work presents a comprehensive summary of laser shot campaigns conducted to significantly improve laser power balance from typical rms values of 4.7p and 5.2p, respectively, to the 3p level for both features along with a discussion of future work required to further reduce the rms power imbalance of the laser system.
Peacemaking in Palestine: Encounters in Principles and Practice

While assessing the applicability of a transformative mediation model in a Middle East setting, the author recognized the influence and preference for local practices for peace. Sulha, a traditional Arab process for peacemaking predating Islam, remains a culturally appropriate framework for building peaceful relations within pluralistic and collectivistic Palestinian environments. Initial research hoped to compare the underlying theory supporting sulha with a Western transformative mediation framework, to consider the potential for training in the region. However, through interviews with sulha practitioners, the analysis focused less on how transformative mediation could be applied in a new cultural context, and more on the need for any outside model to honor the core principles and practices evident in conflict and peacemaking processes in Palestinian society.
Professional Development for Secondary School Mathematics Teachers Using Student Work: Some Challenges and Promising Possibilities

Organizing teacher learning around the study of mathematical tasks and associated student work is a version of practice-based professional development that has been used effectively with preservice teachers and inservice elementary school teachers of mathematics. In this chapter, we examine the research evidence regarding the use of student work in teacher education and professional development, and we consider the potential impediments to using such an approach with inservice secondary school teachers, given many facets of their work and their preparation that appear to mitigate against the effectiveness of such an approach. To explore the feasibility of this approach with secondary school mathematics teachers, we consider in some detail the use of student work on one mathematics task, adapted from the PISA mathematics assessment, within a particular professional development initiative involving teachers in grades 7–11. Our examination of this experience indicates that although student work is not a self-enacting tool for teacher learning, professional developers can engage secondary school mathematics teachers with student work in ways that afford powerful and potentially transformative learning opportunities.
Dissertation II: Geo-Techniques

This proposal is an example of a technique driven proposal. The proposal is a fine example of the use of graphics to simplify complex methods of analysis and the effectiveness of graphics to convey information. Additionally, the literature review clearly defines the contribution of the research and is presented in a straightforward fashion using a table structure.
Convex Relaxations in Power System Optimization, A Brief Introduction

Convex relaxations of the AC power flow equations have attracted significant interest in the power systems research community in recent years. The following collection of video lectures provides a brief introduction to the mathematics of AC power systems, continuous nonlinear optimization, and relaxations of the power flow equations. The aim of the videos is to provide the high level ideas of convex relaxations and their applications in power system optimization, and could be used as a starting point for researchers who want to study, use or develop new convex relaxations for use in their own research. The videos do not aim to provide an in-depth tutorial about specific convex relaxations, but rather focus on ideas that are common to all convex relaxations of the AC optimal power flow problem.
Extent of MHC Clustering Regulates Selectivity and Effectiveness of T Cell Responses

MHC proteins that present peptide ligands for recognition by TCR form nanoscale clusters on the cell membrane of APCs. How the extent of MHC clustering controls productive TCR engagement and TCR-mediated signaling has not been systematically studied. To evaluate the role of MHC clustering, we exploited nanoscale discoidal membrane mimetics (nanolipoprotein particles) to capture and present peptide-MHC (pMHC) ligands at various densities. We examined the binding of these model membrane clusters to the surface of live human CD8+ T cells and the subsequent triggering of intracellular signaling. The data demonstrate that the proximity of pMHC ligands, high association rate of CD8-MHC interactions, and relatively long lifetime of cognate TCR-pMHC complexes emerge as essential parameters, explaining the significance of MHC clustering. Rapid rebinding of CD8 to MHC suggests a dual role of CD8 in facilitating the T cells' hunt for a rare foreign pMHC ligand and the induction of rapid T cell response. Thus, our findings provide a new understanding of how MHC clustering influences multivalent interactions of pMHC ligands with CD8 and TCR on live T cells that regulate Ag recognition, kinetics of intracellular signaling, and the selectivity and efficiency of T cell responses.
Photoinduced electron transfer kinetics of linked Ru-Co photocatalyst dyads

Abstract Two new supramolecular photocatalyst dyads based on the [Ru(2,2′-bipyridine)3]2+ photosensitizer linked to a macrocyclic Co(II)tetra(pyridyl) catalyst for proton reduction are reported. The dyads differ primarily in the bridging ligand which links the molecular modules; the first being a short and flexible linker, and the second a longer and electronically conjugated linker. Ultrafast transient optical spectroscopy was used to monitor the photoinduced kinetics of the dyads following visible excitation of the photosensitizer module. Direct comparison of transient spectra and kinetics indicates that there are indeed substantial differences between the ultrafast transient optical spectroscopy of the dyads, but there is no indication of oxidative quenching of the photosensitizer module by the catalyst module. These initial design and characterization studies of the linked Ru(II)—Co(II) dyads provide an important foundation for advanced designs of systems for efficient solar energy conversion by molecular architectures.
Our troubling fiscal situation

Federal debt is on an unsustainable path. Low interest rates mean that we do not need to reduce budget deficits immediately and that we should do more public investment. However, we will need to make deficit-reducing changes eventually, and we should set those changes in motion now and use the extra time provided by low interest rates to phase in the changes gradually. The largest long-term changes will come through tax increases rather than spending cuts: the appetite for significant reductions in the big benefit programs is very limited among voters and their representatives on both sides of the aisle. Moreover, we should reduce deficits in ways that do not “share the sacrifice” as much as “steer the sacrifice” toward people who have been doing better. I worry that, in the next economic downturn, we will not undertake the fiscal expansion we should. We will have fiscal space in an economic sense, but I fear that too many people will pick that moment to be especially concerned about deficits (as occurred in 2011 and 2012). We have a uniquely inefficient healthcare system in this country. We probably should and probably will make more policy changes that amount to price-setting, rather than relying on market forces to hold down prices.
BLRM: A Basic Linear Ranking Model for Protein Interface Prediction

We consider the problem of prediction of the interfaces of protein-protein interactions, a challenging problem with important applications in drug discovery and design. The standard machine learning approach is to attempt to predict the interface in its entirety. Because of the difficulty of the problem, we propose to treat the problem as a ranking problem and focus on getting at least a few correctly predicted interface residues in the top ranked predictions. Our results demonstrate that a simple linear model out-performs more complicated models that try to solve the corresponding classification problem. The source code is available at https://bitbucket.org/afrasiab/blrm.
Developments and debates on latent variable modeling in diagnostic studies when there is no gold standard

Latent variable modeling is often used in diagnostic studies where a gold standard reference test is not available. Its applications have become increasing popular with the fast discovery of novel ...
A decomposition approach based on meta-heuristics and exact methods for solving a two-stage stochastic biofuel hub-and-spoke network problem

Abstract An alternative to the production of fossil transportation fuels is the production of biofuels, specifically, bioethanol. One of the main opportunity areas is the reduction in the overall cost of biofuel. An approach to reduce this cost is to design and implement a supply chain (SC) that considers the quality-related properties of the biomass as well as the economies of scale to minimize the logistics and quality-related costs. This problem is formulated as a hub location problem, which has been classified as an NP-hard problem, therefore, meta-heuristics are a suitable approach to solve this problem. We propose a hybrid meta-heuristic solution procedure to solve large-scale instances of a two-stage stochastic biomass-to-biorefinery hub-and-spoke network problem. This solution procedure is proposed to support the large-scale production and distribution of bioethanol by considering the variability in its moisture and ash contents. The hybrid method utilizes a simulated annealing-simplex method to find an initial solution and a tabu search-simplex method to improve the solution. Numerical experimentation was performed on a realistic case study in Texas. The results show that the hybrid procedure outperforms the standard L-shaped (LS) method. The meta-heuristic combining simulated annealing and tabu search with the simplex method (SATS-SM) achieved 2.48% lower costs and required 96.57% less time, on average, when compared to the results from using the LS.
Disability as a Social Construction

This paper employs Critical Discourse Analysis to examine the representation of autism within a small sample of mainstream newspaper articles. The paper concludes that media, as a communicative tool, has enormous cultural power whereby the portrayal of Autism as a disability is predicated on notions of normality and underpinned by ableist ideology. Such promotion of normalcy and disability in general can serve to generate and sustain disabling barriers and oppression. This hegemonic practice therefore produces a replicative process that is detrimental to the production of social justice and equality within contemporary society and culture.
Single islet autoantibody at diagnosis of clinical type 1 diabetes is associated with older age and insulin resistance

CONTEXT Multiple islet autoantibody positivity usually precedes clinical (stage 3) type 1 diabetes (T1D). OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that individuals who develop stage 3 T1D with only a single autoantibody have unique metabolic differences. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of participants in the T1D TrialNet study. SETTING Autoantibody-positive relatives of individuals with stage 3 T1D. PARTICIPANTS Autoantibody-positive relatives who developed stage 3 T1D (at median age 12.4 years, range = 1.4-58.6) and had autoantibody data close to clinical diagnosis (n = 786, 47.4% male, 79.9% non-Hispanic white). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Logistic regression modeling was used to assess relationships between autoantibody status and demographic, clinical, and metabolic characteristics, adjusting for potential confounders and correcting for multiple comparisons. RESULTS At diagnosis of stage 3 T1D, single autoantibody positivity, observed in 119 (15.1%) participants (72% GAD65, 13% microinsulin antibody assay, 11% insulinoma-associated antigen 2, 1% islet cell antibody, 3% autoantibodies to zinc transporter 8 [ZnT8]), was significantly associated with older age, higher C-peptide measures (fasting, area under the curve, 2-hour, and early response in oral glucose tolerance test), higher homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and lower T1D Index60 (all P < 0.03). While with adjustment for age, 2-hour C-peptide remained statistically different, controlling for body mass index (BMI) attenuated the differences. Sex, race, ethnicity, human leukocyte antigen DR3-DQ2, and/or DR4-DQ8, BMI category, and glucose measures were not significantly associated with single autoantibody positivity. CONCLUSIONS Compared with multiple autoantibody positivity, single autoantibody at diagnosis of stage 3 T1D was associated with older age and insulin resistance possibly mediated by elevated BMI, suggesting heterogeneous disease pathogenesis. These differences are potentially relevant for T1D prevention and treatment.
Public Interest in Preventive Measures of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Associated With Timely Issuance of Statewide Stay-at-Home Orders.

INTRODUCTION: One method of monitoring public preparedness is through measuring public interest in preventive measures. The objective of this study was to analyze public interest in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preventive measures and to identify variables associated with timely stay-at-home (SAH) orders issued by governors. METHODS: State-level search volume was collected from Google Trends. Average preventive measure interest was calculated for the query terms "hand sanitizer," "hand washing," "social distancing," and "COVID testing." We then calculated the delay in statewide SAH orders from March 1, 2020, to the date of issuance and by-state presidential voting percentage. Bivariate correlations were computed to assess the relationship between interest in preventive measures and SAH order delay. RESULTS: The correlation between average preventive measure interest and length of time before the SAH order was placed was -0.47. Average preventive measure interest was also inversely related to voting for a Republican presidential nominee in the 2016 election (R = -0.75), the latter of which was positively associated with longer delays in SAH orders (R = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: States with greater public interest in COVID-19 preventive measures were inversely related to governor issuance of timely SAH orders. Increasing public interest in preventive measures may slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), by improving preparedness.
A randomized trial of nicotine vs. no-nicotine e-cigarettes among African American smokers: Changes in smoking and tobacco biomarkers.

Introduction The objective of this clinical trial was to compare the effects of e-cigarettes with and without nicotine on patterns of combustible cigarette use and biomarkers of exposure to tobacco toxicants among African American smokers. Methods African American smokers (n=234) were enrolled in a 12-week, single blind, randomized controlled trial and assigned to ad lib use of nicotine e-cigarettes with or without menthol (2.4% nicotine [equivalent to combustible cigarettes], n=118), or no-nicotine e-cigarettes (n=116) for 6 weeks. Surveys were administered at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 weeks, and urinary biomarkers 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and total nicotine equivalents (TNE) were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks. Results Participants smoked an average of 11.4 cigarettes per day (CPD) and 88% used menthol cigarettes at baseline. At Week 6, the nicotine group reported using e-cigarettes 9.1 times per day compared to 11.4 times in the no-nicotine group (p=0.42). Combustible cigarette smoking decreased 3.0 CPD in the nicotine group compared to 2.7 CPD in the no-nicotine group (p=0.74). Neither TNE nor NNAL changed significantly between baseline and Week 6. There were no differences in nicotine withdrawal symptoms between treatment groups. Smoking reduction persisted in both groups at Week 12. Conclusions Contrary to our hypotheses, nicotine e-cigarettes did not significantly reduce the use of combustible cigarettes compared to no-nicotine e-cigarettes in this cohort of African American smokers. Findings suggest e-cigarettes modestly are associated with decreased use of combustible cigarettes among non-treatment seeking smokers, regardless of nicotine content, but without a reduction in tobacco toxicants. Implications Although e-cigarettes have potential to reduce harm if substituted for combusted cigarettes (or if they promoted cessation) because of lower levels of tobacco toxicants, this study suggests ad lib use of e-cigarettes among African American smokers, with or without nicotine, results in modest smoking reduction but does not change toxicant exposure in a cohort where smoking cessation or reduction is not the goal. These data suggest that testing future harm reduction interventions using e-cigarettes should include more specific behavioral change coaching, including substituting for or completely stopping combusted cigarettes.
Authenticity in online Communications: Examining Antecedents and Consequences

Authenticity has been discussed as an important characteristic of successful online communications (Galpin et al. 2010), yet little is known about its antecedents and consequences. This research examines the mediating role of authenticity in the relationship between two message characteristics, responsiveness and transparency, and the three dimensions of trust: competency, integrity, and benevolence.
Strain index, lattice softness and superconductivity of organic donor-molecule salts: Crystal and electronic structures of three isostructural salts k-(BEDT- TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]X (X=Cl, Br, I)

Abstract The recently discovered k -phase salts k -(BEDT-TTF) 2 ]Cu[N(CN) 2 ]X (X=Cl,Br, I) are isostructural but differ in their superconducting properties: the Br-salt is an ambient-pressure superconductor with T c =11.6K, the Cl-salt becomes superconducting ( T c =12.8K) under a slight applied pressure of 0.3 kbar, and the I-salt does not exhibit superconductivity under an applied-pressure of up to 5 kbar. We examine the structural and electronic properties of these three salts on the basis of their crystal structures determined at 127 K by single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements. The band electronic structure of the three salts are virtually the same and do not account for the differences in the conduction properties. The differences in the three salts with regard to superconductivity are examined from the viewpoint of lattice softness by calculating strain indices for short intermolecular contacts. The random potential arising from ethylene group conformational disorder prevents superconductivity in the iodide salt.
Targeted disruption of an EH-domain protein endocytic complex, Pan1-End3

Pan1 is a multi-domain scaffold that enables dynamic interactions with both structural and regulatory components of the endocytic pathway. Pan1 is composed of Eps15 Homology (EH) domains which interact with adaptor proteins, a central region that is responsible for its oligomerization and C-terminal binding sites for Arp2/3, F-actin, and type-I myosin motors. In this study, we have characterized the binding sites between Pan1 and its constitutive binding partner End3, another EH domain containing endocytic protein. The C-terminal End3 Repeats of End3 associate with the N-terminal part of Pan1's central coiled-coil region. These repeats appear to act independently of one another as tandem, redundant binding sites for Pan1. The end3-1 allele was sequenced, and corresponds to a C-terminal truncation lacking the End3 Repeats. Mutations of the End3 Repeats highlight that those residues which are identical between these repeats serve as contact sites for the interaction with Pan1.
Assessing the Existing Professional Exercise Recommendations for Hypertension: A Review and Recommendations for Future Research Priorities

The Eighth Joint National Committee guideline on the management of adult hypertension was recently released. Rather than recommending specific lifestyle modifications as in the Seventh Joint National Committee guideline, the Eighth Joint National Committee endorsed the recommendations of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology 2013 Lifestyle Work Group. The Lifestyle Work Group report included systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials from 2001 through 2011 of "fair to good" quality. In total, 11 reviews qualified for inclusion in the report, 6 of which included blood pressure (BP) as the primary outcome. Three reviews did not find significant reductions in BP, and BP status was not reported in 5. When BP was reported, only 22% of the patients had hypertension. Yet, the group concluded with a strength of evidence categorized as "high" that aerobic exercise training reduces BP by 1 to 5 mm Hg in individuals with hypertension and that the most effective exercise interventions on average included aerobic physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity for at least 12 weeks, 3 to 4 sessions per week lasting 40 minutes per session. The exercise prescription recommendations of the Lifestyle Work Group deviate from those of other professional organizations and committees including the Seventh Joint National Committee, another American Heart Association scientific statement, the American College of Sports Medicine, the European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology, and the Canadian Health Education Program. The purposes of this review are to present the existing exercise recommendations for hypertension, discuss reasons for differences in these recommendations, discuss gaps in the literature, and address critical future research needs regarding exercise prescription for hypertension.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled test of 2 d of calorie deprivation: effects on cognition, activity, sleep, and interstitial glucose concentrations

Background: Anecdotal information and limited research suggest that short-term caloric deprivation adversely affects cognition. However, this issue has not been studied using double-blind, placebo-controlled procedures, because the formulation of a calorie-deficient feeding regimen identical to one with calories is impossible using ordinary foods. Therefore, test meals varying in caloric content, but indistinguishable in sensory characteristics, were formulated using hydrocolloid-based gels as the principal structural component. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 2 d of near-total caloric deprivation on cognitive function, satiety, activity, sleep, and glucose concentrations in a controlled environment. Design: A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of caloric deprivation was conduced in a controlled environment for 48 h. Cognitive function in 27 healthy young subjects was assessed repeatedly with standardized tests of vigilance, reaction time, learning, memory, logical reasoning, mood, and satiety. Wrist-worn monitors were used to assess ambulatory vigilance, activity, and sleep. Interstitial glucose concentrations were assessed continuously with a minimally invasive monitor. Results: When the subjects received the near calorie-free diets, mean calorie consumption totaled 1311 kJ (313 kcal) over the testing period. During the fully fed treatment sessions, the subjects consumed a mean of 9612 kJ/d (2294 kcal/d), which matched their individual, daily energy requirements. Satiety and interstitial glucose concentrations were lower during the calorie-deprived diet (P < 0.001) than during the fully fed diet. There were no detectable effects of calorie deprivation on any aspect of cognitive performance, ambulatory vigilance, activity, or sleep. The mood states assessed, including fatigue, were not affected by calorie deprivation. Conclusions: Cognitive performance, activity, sleep, and mood are not adversely affected in healthy humans by 2 d of calorie-deprivation when the subjects and investigators are unaware of the calorie content of the treatments.
External control of probabilistic boolean networks using inhomogeneous Markov chains

Probabilistic Boolean networks (PBNs) can be used as models for determining therapeutic intervention strategies that reduce the likelihood of aberrant cellular dynamics occurring. Since PBN dynamics can be modeled by Markov chains canonical approaches to control of PBNs have included dynamic-programming based methods. This paper presents an alternative approach exploiting inhomogeneous Markov chains.
NMR, ESR, and TPD study of H2 adsorption on RhTiO2 catalyst

Abstract The adsorption of H2 on a Rh TiO 2 catalyst results in spectroscopic properties which depend on the method of pretreatment. An explanation consistent with the results is proposed, which invokes the presence of at least two distinct hydrogenic species.
Treatment planning of oblique wedge fields comparing enhanced dynamic wedge and standard 60 degree wedge for parotid type treatments

Abstract The “standard” treatment planning for a parotid or similar treatment volume utilizes wedge field technique. This technique can be accomplished by using two beams on the same side of the patient with the heels of the wedges adjacent. This technique can also be accomplished by using standard or enhanced dynamic wedges. Advantages vs. disadvantages of enhanced dynamic wedged fields will be discussed in this paper.
Educating Healthcare Providers Regarding LGBT Patients and Health Issues: The Special Case of Physician Assistants

Much is written about the availability of healthcare services among elements of the U.S. population, with a large proportion of the literature focusing on access. Although physical access is an overarching issue for many, educators must remember that a key factor in providing complete and competent healthcare is to understand the patient and any variables that may have a significant impact upon the patient's health and life. Not to do so is to exacerbate healthcare disparities, even when there are no physical barriers to access. Thus, it is not enough to simply lecture our students about diversity. We must provide them tools to deploy when they are in clinical training and their future practices. In this article, we review key healthcare-related issues affecting patients with different sexual orientation or gender identification. Moreover, we present an example of the framework for an interactive method to expand lifestyle understanding and patient care skills for students in all healthcare disciplines, p...
Coupling of two Dirac particles

A study of the formation of excitons as a problem of two Dirac particles in a gapped graphene layer and in two gapped graphene layers separated by a dielectric is presented. In the low-energy limit the separation of the center-of-mass and relative motions is obtained. Analytical solutions for the wave function and energy dispersion for both cases when the electron and the hole interact via a Coulomb potential are found. It is shown that the energy spectrum and the effective exciton mass are functions of the energy gaps as well as of the interlayer separation in the case of two-layer gapped graphene.
Determination of actinides at the radiological and environmental sciences laboratory

Abstract This article briefly describes some of the techniques and procedures that have been developed at the Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory (RESL) to determine the actinides in environmental and biological samples. Dried or ashed samples are totally decomposed in high temperature fusions or with an acid dissolution method. Actinides of interest are coprecipitated from the sample matrix with barium sulfate, cerium fluoride, or a combination of ferrous phosphate and calcium fluoride precipitations. The precipitates are dissolved in perchloric acid and extracted with bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) or dissolved in acidic aluminum nitrate and extracted with Aliquat-336. Actinides in the stripped fractions are coprecipitated with 50 μg of cerium as cerium fluoride, filtered onto membrane filters and counted by alpha spectrometry. The described procedures enable an experienced analyst to prepare sixteen 1 g soil or twelve 5 g faecal ash samples for alpha spectrometry in 14 to 16 working-hours.
A simulation of saltmarsh water column dynamics

Abstract This deterministic model of water column dynamics in saltmarsh tidal creeks focuses mainly on mechanisms of carbon and nitrogen cycling within the water. The model includes biotic interactions among phytoplankton, zooplankton, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, detritus and dissolved organics. In addition, the model examines the effects of tidal exchange with the nearshore coastal ocean. In simulation experiments, the model isolates the water column submodel from simulated vegetated marsh surface, oyster reefs, and subtidal benthos. By comparing simulation results with field data from the North Inlet saltmarsh (Georgetown County, SC) we examined the relative importance of water column processes in controlling seasonal changes observed in the tidal creeks. Results suggest that for the components with rapid biotic turnover rates (phytoplankton and dissolved inorganic nitrogen) much of the observed seasonal pattern is controlled by internal cycling within the water column (planktonic productivity, nutrient uptake and remineralization). For components with slower turnover rates (zooplankton, detritus, and dissolved organic matter) tidal exchange with the coastal ocean plays a larger role in controlling seasonal variability. The model accounts for less of the observed variability in detritus and dissolved organic matter, suggesting the seasonal importance of upland runoff and exchanges with other marsh subsystems in controlling concentrations in tidal creek.
A putative lectin-binding receptor mediates cadmium-evoked calcium release.

Abstract Nanomolar concentrations of cadmium (Cd2+) produce an immediate rise in free Ca2+ in human dermal fibroblasts, which is mostly caused by the release of stored Ca2+ via inositol trisphosphate. Here we have used lectins to evaluate the hypothesis that a cell surface glycoprotein mediates the response to Cd2+. A prior incubation with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) or certain other lectins inhibited calcium release evoked by Cd2+. WGA reversibly inhibited Cd2+-evoked calcium release as indicated by measurements of cytosolic free Ca2+ and 45Ca2+ efflux. WGA half-maximally inhibited Ca2+ release at 1.2 × 10−7 m . The Kd for the binding of fluoresceinylated WGA was 2.8 × 10−7 m . Chitotriose dissociated fluoresceinylated WGA from the cells and restored cadmium responsiveness. WGA inhibited Cd2+-evoked 45Ca2+ efflux similarly at 18 and 37°C. A brief incubation with chitotriose at 18 or 10°C reversed the inhibition by WGA. WGA neither bound 109Cd2+ nor affected 109Cd2+ uptake by the cells. Succinylated WGA, which binds N-acetylglucosamine but not N-acetylneuraminic acid, failed to inhibit Ca2+ release evoked by Cd2+. WGA probably inhibits Ca2+ release produced by Cd2+ by binding to N-acetylneuraminic acid in the external domain of a plasma membrane receptor.
Supercooling and freezing in the main stem of Valencia orange trees

Freeze avoidance (supercooling) and subsequent freezing of freeze-sensitive Citrus was determined in controlled environment tests on potted 1- to 2-year-old sweet oranges trees, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. Valencia on rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush.) rootstock. Cold hardening was done in controlled-environment, walk-in rooms with programmed light/temperature regimes. Trees were frozen in a separate room and freezing was monitored with multiple thermocouples attached to or inserted into different tissues. Apparent rate of ice propagation and apparent initial ice-nucleation temperature were significantly correlated with cold-hardened trees. Supercooling levels were also increased in cold-hardened trees. Leaves were not critical sites for catalyzing freezing in the main stem, and neither bark girdles nor partial stem severance with overlapping cross-sectional cuts slowed rapid ice propagation in the wood. Supercooling in the main stem was largely transient in temperature and stem location. Decreases in supercooling levels were induced with short periods of ice crystallization in trees during repeated freeze cycles. These supercooling levels were fully restored to original levels with longer periods of thaw. The initial perceived nucleation site was not necessarily a site where visible freeze kill developed, and direction of ice propagation was more characteristically from the lower to the upper stem in cold-hardened trees and vice versa in nonhardened trees.
Modelling and analysis of ship roll oscillations interacting with stationary icebergs

Impact dynamic interaction of ships with solid ice or stationary rigid structures is a serious problem that affects the safe operation and navigation in arctic regions. The purpose of this study is to present two analytical models of impact interaction between ship roll dynamics and one-side rigid barrier. These models are the phenomenological modelling represented by a power law in stiffness and damping forces, and Zhuravlev non-smooth coordinate transformation. Extensive numerical simulations are carried out for all initial conditions covered by the ship grazing orbit for different values of excitation amplitude and frequencies of external wave roll moment. The basins of attraction of safe operation are obtained and reveal the coexistence of different response regimes such as non-impact periodic oscillations, modulation impact motion, period-added impact oscillations, chaotic impact motion, and unbounded rotational motion. The results are summarized in the bifurcation diagram in terms of response-excita...
Review of Antibiotics and Indications for Prophylaxis

Antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infective endocarditis has been controversial through the years, with various changes made to recommendations provided to treating physicians and dentists. The dentist must always use his or her best judgment when applying any guideline. However, it is important to remember that the guidelines may be cited in any malpractice litigation as evidence of the standard of care. Early diagnosis with prompt treatment with effective antimicrobial therapy is the best way to lower the mortality and morbidity. When prescribing antibiotics, the clinician must realize that the overprescription of antibiotics has led to resistance to antibiotic regimens and the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Magnetic characteristics of hyperstoichiometric ZrCrFeT0.8 (T = Mn, Fe, Co and Ni) and hydrides

Abstract Magnetic behavior has been established for the hypertoichiometric ZrCrFeT 0.8 (T = Mn, Fe, Co and Ni) systems and their hydrides as well as stoichiometric ZrCrFe and its hydride at temperatures extending from 4 to 1200 K and at field strengths up to 20 kOe. All systems possess the hexagonal Laves structure (C14). Long-range magnetic ordering appears to be absent in the parent systems. ZrCrFe, ZrCrFeMn 0.8 and ZrCrFe 1.8 exhibit spin-glass-like behavior. In all systems hydrogenation is accompanied by a large expansion of volume, ranging from ≈ 20% to ≈ 30%, with no change in crystal structure. Upon hydrogenation long-range ferromagnetism appears in ZrCrFe and ZrCrFe 1.8 but not in the other ZrCrFeT 0.8 systems. The onset of the long-range magnetic ordering is interpreted in terms of the formation of ferromagnetic clusters of Fe.
The Dole “Godless Americans” advert: representations of the unfaithful, disloyal villains

Using a rhetorical analytic methodology, this study examines the representations constructed in the “Godless Americans” advert from the North Carolina 2008 US Senate race between incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole and Democratic challenger Kay Hagan. Bringing to consciousness ideologies that influence messages is important because they are often taken at face value without understanding of their underlying meaning. Religious faith, morality and trustworthiness are values conveyed in this advert through the devices of framing, coded language and propaganda techniques. Non-linguistic elements are effectively coordinated to perpetuate the code of disloyal villains, activating cognitive networks of fear and anger toward atheists. By marginalizing atheists, an ideology that runs counter to the US Constitution is exposed coming from a lawmaker entrusted to uphold it.
Maternal ethanol consumption: Effect on skeletal muscle development in guinea pig offspring

The effect of ethanol on developing skeletal muscle was analyzed by examining the gastrocnemius muscle from newborn guinea pigs, exposed to ethanol during the second half of gestation. Electron microscopy revealed vacuolated sarcoplasmic reticula, enlarged lipid droplets, decreased glycogen and mitochondrial abnormalities in the skeletal muscle samples from the ethanol-exposed newborn guinea pigs. None of these abnormalities were seen in the newborn controls who were born to dams which consumed the same amount of calories as the ethanol-treated dams. The ethanol-associated abnormalities, seen in this study, are similar to those seen in ultrastructural examination of skeletal muscle from chronic alcoholics.
Primary graft infections.

Abstract An amputation rate of 8% to 52% and a mortality rate of 13% to 58% make vascular prosthetic graft infections the most dreaded complication facing a vascular surgeon. In 1978 a randomized prospective double-blind study reported a statistically significant decrease in wound infections in patients treated with prophylactic antibiotics whereas the graft infection difference only approached statistical significance. The present study reviews 2614 arterial prosthetic grafts implanted from January 1975 through June 1986. Twenty-four patients were identified as having a prosthetic graft infection, yielding an overall infection rate of 0.92%. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism, occurring in one third of the cases. The most common graft material was polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (33%) followed by Dacron (29%), composite PTFE and Dacron (20%), and umbilical vein grafts (9%). Diabetes was a common factor in one third of the patients. Symptoms of infection were present in 15 patients (63%) within 3 months of operation, with 11 patients showing symptoms within 30 days. The longest interval between operation and onset of symptoms was 48 months. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered to 22 of the 24 patients, but in only 7 of the 22 (29.5%) were they given according to our usual practice. All patients required removal of the infected prosthesis, with limb loss in 17% and death in 17%. (J VASC SURG 1987;6:235-9.)
Improved efficacy of radiation in combination with TGFβ inhibition in a colorectal cancer mouse model

Colorectal cancer patients with high levels of tumor-infiltrating T cells have better survival than patients with low levels. It is not clear whether the T cells are directly responsible for improved prognosis or are a sign of a tumor that is more responsive to conventional cancer therapies. If tumor infiltrating T cell numbers are associated with improved outcome, then we hypothesize that increasing T cell infiltrates using immunotherapy will improve the efficacy of chemoradiation. To test this hypothesis, we established CT26 colorectal carcinomas subcutaneously in immunocompetent BALB/c mice. Tumors were treated with 20Gy of radiation in a single fraction delivered using a clinical linear accelerator. To increase T cell infiltration into the tumor, an oral anti-TGFβ type I receptor small molecule inhibitor was given for one week prior to radiation. Outcomes included tumor kinetics, survival, and immune infiltrate measured by flow cytometry. TGFβ inhibition increased total T cells, activated CD8 T cells, and reduced inhibitory T regulatory cell tumor infiltrate in the tumor prior to radiation therapy. Radiation in mice pretreated with TGFβ inhibitor exhibited improved survival compared to either modality alone. In vitro clonogenic assay demonstrated equivalent radiosensitivity in control and TGFβ-inhibited cells at doses >6Gy. Small molecule penetrance measured using quantitative fluorimetry for FITC-dextran was equivalent in both treated and untreated groups. In vivo depletion of CD8 cells abrogated the efficacy of both radiation and TGFβ inhibition plus radiation. Therapy aimed at optimizing the immune environment holds promise for those colorectal cancer patients with poor immune infiltrates. Our preliminary data suggests TGFβ inhibition is a therapeutic strategy to alter tumor immune infiltrates and improve the efficacy of conventional therapies. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism by which increased immune infiltrates improves outcome.
Psychosocial and health-related characteristics of religious well-being.

This investigation examined the relationship between religious well-being and eight psychosocial and health-related characteristics. This study assessed the hypothesis that religious well-being is related to overall health. Participants were 462 college students at two separate colleges in the Pacific Northwest. Analysis showed those subjects scoring higher on the measure of religious well-being scored lower on indices like loneliness and hopelessness and higher on self-esteem. Alcohol and drug use also differed significantly between the high and the low religious well-being groups.
Decrease in biologically active ultraviolet radiation due to tropospheric ozone increase

In the present study, a comparison between the historic and present records of the surface ozone concentration at three European locations has been performed. Furthermore, the confirmation of the hypothesis that increased photochemical pollution may act as a filter to the transfer of the solar ultraviolet radiation to the surface, is attempted.
Partitioning of proteins between an aqueous solution and a weakly-ionizable polyelectrolyte hydrogel

To predict partitioning of proteins between a temperature- and pH-sensitive hydrogel and its surrounding aqueous solution, it is appropriate to use Schnitzer's method for determining solute partitioning based on size exclusion and the cell model for polyelectrolyte solutions. The mean-pore size of the hydrogel is calculated using the method of Peppas et al. The charge of the network, which depends on pH and salt concentration, is calculated using weak-polyelectrolyte-titration theory. De Gennes' scaling relation and Odijk's wormlike model are used to determine the persistence length and the radius of gyration of the polyelectrolyte chain in the hydrogel. For N-isopropylacrylamide gels copolymerized with sodium acrylate or 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, predicted partition coefficients for cytochrome-C are in semiquantitative agreement with experiment.