cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finite element analysis of RC beams strengthened in flexure with CFRP rod panels

Abstract The carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) rod panel technique has recently been introduced as an efficient and economical retrofit option for concrete structures. In a previous study, an experimental testing was carried out on RC beams strengthened with several rod panel configurations (continuous, overlapped, and overlapped with fabric end-anchorage). The current study presents comprehensive FE models of the tested beams, developed to provide an in-depth examination of the rod panel and its interaction with the concrete substrate. The FE models considered different material models and presented methodologies for simulating the failure modes experienced in the tests [intermediate crack-induced debonding (ICID) and concrete cover separation (CCS)]. Various comparisons with the experiments, such as ultimate load, load mid-span deflection history, failure mode, demonstrated the validity the FE models. This study reported on vital data, such as tensile stress distribution in the rod panel, maximum interfacial shear and normal stresses at the panel-concrete interface, and location of maximum stresses. It was found that high shear stresses exist at the end of the continuous and overlapped rod panels, and high normal stresses at the edge of the rod finger joint. Wrapping the panel’s ends with fabrics resulted in reduction of end shear stresses and contributed to the prevention of CCS failure and the increase in the ultimate load. For field applications, the study recommends using the fabric wraps at the panel ends to prevent premature failures.
Regional calibration models for predicting loblolly pine tracheid properties using near-infrared spectroscopy

This study developed regional calibration models for the prediction of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) tracheid properties using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. A total of 1842 pith-to-bark radial strips, aged 19–31 years, were acquired from 268 trees from 109 stands across the southeastern USA. Diffuse reflectance NIR spectra were collected at 10-mm increments from the radial face of pith-to-bark strips using a FOSS 5000 scanning spectrometer. A subset of the 10-mm samples was selected based on the NIR spectra uniqueness and placed in calibration (N = 1020) and validation (N = 998) test sets. The samples were macerated and the tracheid properties measured using an optical analyzer (Techpap MorFi Fiber and Shive Analyzer). Models were created using partial least squares (PLS) regression using the calibration samples, and their performance checked using the validation set. Prediction PLS models for tracheid length were strong when checked with the validation set [R p 2 = 0.87, standard error of prediction (SEP) = 0.23 mm, ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) = 2.8]. Prediction models for tracheid width had moderate fit statistics (R2 = 0.61, SEP = 1.6 μm, RPD = 1.6), but the SEP was similar to the measurement error of the camera (± 2 μm). The NIR wavelengths of importance were largely attributed to cellulose. The 1542 nm wavelength explained 77% of the variation in tracheid length (RMSE = 0.31 mm). These results demonstrate that NIR spectroscopy models for tracheid length and width can be developed from a diverse set of samples and still maintain prediction accuracy.
AI education: adaptive planning

In this column, we focus on designing assignments and projects that make use of planning engines. Planning has been one of the pillars of artificial intelligence since the origin of the field, and the research community remains active, as evidenced by competitions such as the IPC and conferences such as ICAPS.
Magnetoreception of Photoactivated Cryptochrome 1 in Electrochemistry and Electron Transfer.

Cryptochromes are flavoproteins whose photochemistry is important for crucial functions associated with phototropism and circadian clocks. In this report, we, for the first time, observed a magnetic response of the cryptochrome 1 (CRY1) immobilized at a gold electrode with illumination of blue light. These results present the magnetic field-enhanced photoinduced electron transfer of CRY1 to the electrode by voltammetry, exhibiting magnetic responsive rate constant and electrical current changes. A mechanism of the electron transfer, which involves photoinduced radicals in the CRY, is sensitive to the weak magnetic field; and the long-lived free radical FAD•– is responsible for the detected electrochemical Faradaic current. As a photoreceptor, the finding of a 5.7% rate constant change in electron transfer corresponding to a 50 μT magnetic field may be meaningful in regulation of magnetic field signaling and circadian clock function under an electromagnetic field.
Lameness Evaluation of the Athletic Horse

Lameness examination is commonly performed in the athletic horse. A skilled lameness diagnostician must have keen clinical and observational skills. Evaluation starts with a detailed history and thorough physical examination. Next, gait evaluation in the moving horse is performed. Lame horses have asymmetrical body movement due to unconscious shift of body weight. Recognition of the resultant head nod and pelvic hike is the basis for lameness diagnosis. Lameness identification is enhanced by circling, limb flexions, and riding. Most lame horses do not exhibit pathognomonic gait characteristics, and therefore, diagnostic analgesia is the best way to authenticate underlying sites of pain.
PMI's own in vivo clinical data on biomarkers of potential harm in Americans show that IQOS is not detectably different from conventional cigarettes.

Introduction New ‘heated tobacco products’ are being marketed in several countries with claims that they expose users to lower levels of toxins than conventional cigarettes which could be read as being less likely to cause health problems than conventional cigarettes. In the USA, Philip Morris International (PMI) has submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration for permission to market its heated tobacco product, IQOS, with reduced exposure and reduced risk claims. Methods Analysis of detailed results on 24 biomarkers of potential harm in PMI studies of humans using IQOS compared with humans using conventional cigarettes. Results Among American adults, there is no statistically detectable difference between IQOS and conventional cigarette users for 23 of the 24 biomarkers of potential harm in PMI’s studies. In Japan, there were no significant differences between people using IQOS and conventional cigarettes in 10 of 13 biomarkers of potential harm. It is likely that some of the significant differences are false positives. Conclusion Despite delivering lower levels of some toxins than conventional cigarettes, PMI’s own data fail to show consistently lower risks of harm in humans using its heated tobacco product, IQOS, than conventional cigarettes.
The Role of Mindfulness in Reactivity to Daily Stress in Urban Firefighters

The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that mindfulness would be related to reduced reactivity to daily stress in urban firefighters. Participants were 78 members from an urban fire department who completed an initial questionnaire and a 21-day daily diary. Mindfulness was assessed at baseline using the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale. The daily diary included measures of stress (total stress, work stress, partner stress) and measures of negative affect, positive affect, and loneliness. Multilevel analyses adjusting for the dependent variable on the previous day were used to test the hypotheses. Higher daily total, partner, and work stress were associated with increased negative affect. Higher daily, total, and partner stress were associated with increased loneliness and decreased positive affect. Mindfulness appeared to buffer against stress reactivity as higher baseline mindfulness was related to (a) less negative affect on days of greater total stress, (b) more positive affect on days of greater total, work, and partner stress, and (c) less loneliness on days of greater total, work, and partner stress. Mindfulness may improve the health and wellbeing of urban firefighters by reducing reactivity to daily stress, especially in relation to positive affect and loneliness. Future research should determine whether mindfulness-based interventions may be enhanced by focusing more closely on reducing reactivity to stress, especially in fire service populations.
Educational Change Initiatives: Misalignments Between Changemakers and Their Institutions

This Work-in-Progress Research paper presents preliminary findings from a larger study on how and why individuals engage in educational change initiatives within institutional and multi-institutional settings. In this paper, we quantitatively explore the learning beliefs, professional identities, and educational values of individuals involved in change efforts, and we examine how these beliefs, identities, and values align or misalign with those of their colleagues or institutions. Our pilot data reveal significant differences between participants’ self-evaluation and institutional evaluation of beliefs, identities, and values around education. For example, educators rate their own conceptions of learning as more student-centered, and their educational goals as broader, than what they perceive among colleagues at their institution. Within faculty groups from the same school, we see examples of both strong alignment and strong misalignment in educational beliefs, values, and identities. While our investigation is ongoing, we believe this research has the potential to help changemakers develop greater awareness of their own points-of-view, and to more effectively converse with potential collaborators about specific areas of alignment and misalignment that could affect change processes and outcomes.
Clinical Experience of HeartMate II to HeartWare Left Ventricular Assist Device Exchange: A Multicenter Experience.

Background Despite improvements in pump design and durability, left ventricular assist device patients still suffer from life-threatening complications such as pump thrombosis (PT) and infection, often necessitating device exchange. Surgical exchange from HeartMate II (HM2; Abbott, Pleasanton, CA) to another HM2 is safe and associated with low mortality, but recurrent device thrombosis rates are high. Switching from axial-flow to centrifugal-flow pump, such as the HeartWare ventricular assist device (HVAD; Medtronic, Framingham, MA) may offer certain advantages due to it being a smaller, newer generation device, although there are limited data to support this strategy. Herein, we aimed to assess the surgical approach and feasibility, safety, and outcomes of surgical exchange from HM2 to HVAD. Methods We evaluated HM2 patients who underwent device exchange to HVAD due to PT or infection at 4 large-volume left ventricular assist device implant centers. Results Twenty-four patients underwent HM2 to HVAD exchange due to PT (92%) and refractory infection (8%). Patients were male (75%), white (88%), with ischemic cardiomyopathy (54%), Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) scale level 1-3 (90%), and destination therapy (62%). The majority underwent redo-sternotomy (79%) and the remainder underwent minimally invasive thoracotomy with subcostal approach. The existing HM2 outflow graft was maintained in 79% of cases. Recurrent PT was noted in 9% of patients. Mortality was 8% at 30 days and 33% at 1 year. Conclusions The surgical exchange from a HM2 to HVAD is safe and feasible, despite the differences in device specifications and surgical adaptation required. Newer-generation pumps are increasingly considered for exchange in the setting of HM2 device complication, and increasing experience with modified surgical approaches may be valuable in the current era.
How do Korean–English bilinguals speak and think about motion events? Evidence from verbal and non-verbal tasks

The present study compared both linguistic and non-linguistic representations of motion events in Korean–English sequential bilinguals sampled at varying proficiency levels (N = 80) against each other and against those of Korean and English monolinguals (N = 15 each). The bilinguals' L2 descriptions of motion events showed that their encoding patterns were influenced by both the first language (L1) and second language (L2) and also displayed unique behaviors that were not found in either monolingual norm. The non-verbal results on a triads-matching task demonstrated that bilinguals' categorization patterns followed L1-based patterns rather than L2-based patterns. The extent to which these bilinguals employed L2 encoding patterns in their motion event descriptions was largely modulated by L2 proficiency, whereas length of immersion experience in an L2-speaking country emerged as the only predictor of their non-verbal categorization patterns. These findings suggest that the bilinguals' verbal behavior seems more susceptible to change than their non-verbal behavior.
Neonatal Intermittent Hypoxia Induces Lasting Sex-specific Augmentation of Rat Microglial Cytokine Expression

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) affects 3-5% of the pediatric population, including neonates who are highly susceptible due to an underdeveloped ventilatory control system, and REM-dominated sleep. Although pediatric SDB is associated with poor cognitive outcomes, very little research has focused on models of pediatric SDB, particularly in neonates. In adults and neonates, intermittent hypoxia (IH), a hallmark of SDB, recapitulates multiple physiological aspects of severe SDB, including neuronal apoptosis, sex-specific cognitive deficits, and neuroinflammation. Microglia, resident CNS immune cells, are important mediators of neurodevelopment and neuroinflammation, but to date, no studies have examined the molecular properties of microglia in the context of neonatal IH. Here, we tested the hypothesis that neonatal IH will enhance microglial inflammation and sex-specifically lead to long-term changes in working memory. To test this hypothesis, we exposed post-natal day (P1) neonates with dams to an established adult model of pathological IH consisting of 2 min cycles of 10.5% O2 followed by 21% O2, 8 h/day for 8 days. We then challenged the offspring with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at P9 or at 6-8 weeks of age and immunomagnetically isolated microglia for gene expression analyses and RNA-sequencing. We also characterized neonatal CNS myeloid cell populations by flow cytometry analyses. Lastly, we examined working memory performance using a Y-maze in the young adults. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found that neonatal IH acutely augmented basal levels of microglial anti-inflammatory cytokines, attenuated microglial responses to LPS, and sex-specifically altered CNS myeloid populations. We identified multiple sex differences in basal neonatal microglial expression of genes related to chemotaxis, cognition, and aging. Lastly, we found that basal, but not LPS-induced, anti-inflammatory cytokines were augmented sex-specifically in the young adults, and that there was a significant interaction between sex and IH on basal working memory. Our results support the idea that neonates may be able to adapt to IH exposures that are pathological in adults. Further, they suggest that male and female microglial responses to IH are sex-specific, and that these sex differences in basal microglial gene expression may contribute to sexual dimorphisms in vulnerability to IH-induced cognitive disruption.
Acoustic Inverse Scattering Images from Simulated Higher Contrast Objects and from Laboratory Test Objects

Our previously reported acoustic inverse scattering imaging algorithms, based on the exact (not linearized) Helmholtz wave equation, are accurate and robust when applied to scattering data from small or low contrast objects. In order to compare the relative efficacy of our inverse scattering methods with linear approximations such as the Born or Rytov approximations, we have reviewed the limitations of those methods with both theoretical and experimental data. We have augmented our original alternating variable algorithms with Newton-Raphson-like methods which give improved convergence with higher contrast objects (up to 20% contrast in the scattering potential) andSLASHor larger grid sizes. We have also developed a new, fast algorithm for computing forward scattering solutions from two non overlapping right circular cylinderical objects using a Bessel function series expansion. When using our inverse scattering algorithms to reconstruct images from this independently generated data, we find excellent agreement. We demonstrate the ability of our methods to reconstruct separate images of compressibility, absorption, and density for simulated data from a simple breast phantom. We also report on our progress in reconstructing images of larger size, as measured in wavelengths, and in using more realistic tissue simulating models as test objects.. (Acoustical Imaging 16, Chicago, Illinois, June, 1987).
Antithrombin III Contributes to the Protective Effects of Fresh Frozen Plasma Following Hemorrhagic Shock by Preventing Syndecan-1 Shedding and Endothelial Barrier Disruption.

ABSTRACTBackground:Endothelial dysfunction during hemorrhagic shock (HS), is associated with loss of cell-associated syndecan-1 (Sdc1) and hyperpermeability. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) preserves Sdc1 and reduces permeability following HS, although the key mediators remain unknown. Antithrombin III (A
Comparison of Prompt Gamma Yield from C-11 and C-12 Ion Beams Using Monte Carlo Simulation

In this study, we investigate the prompt gamma yields of two carbon ion species, C-11 and C-12, in the therapeutic beam energy range (95MeV u-1 ~ 300MeV u-1 with regarding to the C-12 beam). For head-to-head comparison, Monte Carlo simulations for mono-energetic pencil incident beams were performed in three energy levels. Beam transportations inside a fixed size water phantom were governed by Geant4 Monte Carlo package and the QGSP_BIC_HP model. Dose distributions, prompt gamma phase space files including energy, time of flight (TOF), position, direction and yield process were recorded. To obtain a dose distribution sensitizer, energy cutoff and TOF windowing were applied to raw prompt gamma data. Depth dose profiles and prompt gamma distributions were then compared. Generally, the absolute yield of the prompt gamma yield per incident C-12 ion is slightly higher than that per C-11 ion. However, the depth distribution of prompt gamma from the C-11 ions seem to be narrower at the Bragg peak region when a tight TOF applied, which may indicate a higher sensitivity to the dose distribution. With regarding to the specific yield processes, prompt gamma from the ion inelastic process is of dominance in both C-11 and C-12 beams. Slightly different depth distributions of gammas from this process was also observed for C-11and C-12. Besides, C-11 has a slight proto This study shows that the C-11 ion beam can provide a comparable prompt gamma yield to, if not better than, the C-12 beam with respect to the dose profile. The C-11 ion beam may serve as a reporter for both prompt gamma imaging and positron emission tomography (PET) for online dose monitoring.
Recent advances in the role of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors on cardiac allograft vasculopathy

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a progressive fibroproliferative disease, which contributes to significant morbidity and mortality during long-term follow-up after heart transplantation. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have favorable effects on endothelial function and reduce intimal proliferation, and their early use after transplantation has been associated with a reduction in the risk of development and progression of CAV. However, there are conflicting reports on the efficacy of these agents in treating established CAV. Most of the data until recently have been based on short-term follow-up, and CAV was assessed by changes in intravascular ultrasound. In this study, we review the mechanism of action of mTOR inhibitors and their protective role in CAV and summarize some of the recent literature, which include long-term follow-up using this class of medications.
The cave of treasures: Syriac Anthology from late antiquity in Hebrew translation

The official language of some of the most relevant Eastern Churches and the idiom in which one of the earliest translations of the Bible is written, Syriac, has been the subject of academic studies...
Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cervical Epidural Abscess and/or Cervical Vertebral Osteomyelitis with or without Retropharyngeal Abscess; A Review.

Background Every year approximately 19.6 patients/100,000 per year are admitted to hospitals with spinal epidural abscesses (CSEA), 7.4/100,000 have vertebral osteomyelitis (VO)/100,000/year, while 4.1/100.000 children/year have cervical retropharyngeal abscesses (RPA) (i.e., data insufficient for adults). Methods Here we evaluated 11 individual case studies, 6 multiple patient series, and looked at 9 general review articles focusing on CSEA, and/or VO, with/without RPA. Results Of the 11 case studies involving 15 patients, 14 had cervical spinal epidural abscesses (CSEA: 10 CSEA/ VO/RPA, 2 CSEA/VO, 1 CSEA/TSEA, 1 CSEA/ TSEA/LSEA), 13 had cervical osteomyelitis (VO: 11 VO/CSEA, 2 VO/RPA), and 12 had cervical retropharyngeal abscesses (RPA: 10 RPA/CSEA/VO, 2 RPA/VO alone). When patients were treated surgically, they required 12 anterior, and 2 posterior approaches; 1 patient required no surgery. In the 6 larger cervical series involving 355 patients, 4 series involved CSEA (3 CSEA, 1 CSEA/VO), and 2 seires had cervical VO. Primary surgery was performed in 298 patients, while 57 were initially managed medically; 24 of these latter patients failed non-surgical therapy, and required delayed cervical surgery. Notably, all 17 clinical studies advocated early surgery where clinically appropriate for varying combinations of CSEA and/or VO with or without RPA. The 8 final articles reviewed all-levels of SEA and or VO, while also providing additional unique information regarding RPA. Conclusion We analyzed 11 case studies and 6 multiple case series regarding the diagnosis and treatment of combinations of cervical CSEA, and/or VO with or without RPA. We also reviewed 8 articles on the evaluation/ management of all-level SEAs and/or VOs, along with the unique features of RPAs.
Deep Multiview Learning to Identify Population Structure with Multimodal Imaging

We present an effective deep multiview learning framework to identify population structure using multimodal imaging data. Our approach is based on canonical correlation analysis (CCA). We propose to use deep generalized CCA (DGCCA) to learn a shared latent representation of nonlinearly mapped and maximally correlated components from multiple imaging modalities with reduced dimensionality. In our empirical study, this representation is shown to effectively capture more variance in original data than conventional generalized CCA (GCCA) which applies only linear transformation to the multi-view data. Furthermore, subsequent cluster analysis on the new feature set learned from DGCCA is able to identify a promising population structure in an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cohort. Genetic association analyses of the clustering results demonstrate that the shared representation learned from DGCCA yields a population structure with a stronger genetic basis than several competing feature learning methods.
Does preparing citizens matter? Examining the value of civic mindedness in pre-service teachers

Abstract This exploratory mixed-methods study considers what motivates pre-service social studies teachers to pursue a career in teaching, and the extent to which those motivations are connected to a desire to promote democratic citizenship. We seek to put pre-service social studies teachers’ motivations into a broader context by comparing them to those of pre-service teachers in other certification areas. Using surveys and open-ended responses, we analyzed the motivational factors of 218 pre-service teachers using the FIT-Choice Scale and Westheimer and Kahne’s categories of citizen-types. Our findings suggest that being civically motivated is not a phenomenon unique to social studies teachers. However, participants’ responses to the open-ended prompts suggest a greater likelihood of pre-service social studies teachers articulating a more nuanced vision of “good” citizenship than their peers in other certification areas. Our findings offer implications that extend beyond social studies teacher education to the structure of teacher education programs more generally.
Calcium-dependent cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation is implicated in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress associated with ApoE4.

Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) is associated with a greater response to neuroinflammation and the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the mechanisms for this association are not clear. The activation of calcium-dependent cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) is involved in inflammatory signaling and is elevated within the plaques of AD brains. The relation between APOE4 genotype and cPLA2 activity is not known. Mouse primary astrocytes, mouse and human brain samples differing by APOE genotypes were collected for measuring cPLA2 expression, phosphorylation, and activity in relation to measures of inflammation and oxidative stress. Greater cPLA2 phosphorylation, cPLA2 activity and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels were identified in ApoE4 compared to ApoE3 in primary astrocytes, brains of ApoE-targeted replacement (ApoE-TR) mice, and in human brain homogenates from the inferior frontal cortex of patients with AD carrying APOE3/E4 compared to APOE3/E3. Greater cPLA2 phosphorylation was also observed in human postmortem frontal cortical synaptosomes and primary astrocytes after treatment with recombinant ApoE4 ex vivo. In ApoE4 astrocytes, the greater levels of LTB4, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were reduced after cPLA2 inhibition. Our findings implicate greater activation of cPLA2 signaling system with APOE4, which could represent a potential drug target for mitigating the increased neuroinflammation with APOE4 and AD.
The Next Big Thing? Next-Generation Sequencing of Microbial Cell-Free DNA Using the Karius Test

Abstract The Karius test is a commercially available metagenomic next-generation sequencing test that can identify cell-free microbial DNA from over 1,200 pathogens. Although study designs have varied to date and its exact clinical role remains to be defined, in certain clinical scenarios, the assay may offer higher sensitivity for pathogen detection than conventional diagnostics, while avoiding the need for invasive sample collection procedures. Depending on the pathogen, the Karius test may allow faster identification, enabling earlier diagnosis and more targeted antimicrobial therapy. With this highly sensitive test comes the potential for polymicrobial results or reporting of possible commensal organisms. This limitation requires careful clinical interpretation within the context of each patient. Future research will hopefully better define the optimal patient population and timing, and the role of this assay in conjunction with conventional testing.
Elderly traumatic central cord syndrome in the USA: a review of management and outcomes

INTRODUCTION As the incidence of elderly spinal cord injury rises, improved understanding of risk profiles and outcomes is needed. This review summarizes clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes specific to the elderly (≥65-years) with acute traumatic central cord syndrome in the USA. EVIDENCE AQUISITION Literature review of the PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases (01/2007-03/2020) regarding elderly subjects with acute traumatic central cord syndrome. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Nine studies met inclusion criteria. Acute traumatic central cord syndrome was more common among married (50%), Caucasian (22-71%) males (63-86%) with an annual income <40,999 USA dollars (30%). Mechanisms consisted predominantly of traumatic falls (32-55%) and motor vehicle collisions (15-34%), with admission American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades D (25-79%) and C (21-51%). Mortality was 2-3%. American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale motor score, maximum canal compromise, and extent of parenchymal damage were predictors of one-year recovery. Greater comorbidities (heart failure, weight loss, coagulopathy, diabetes), lower income (<51,000 USA dollars), and age ≥80 were predictors of mortality. A substantial cohort underwent surgery (40-45%). Elderly patients were less likely to receive surgical intervention, and surgery timing had variable effects on recovery. CONCLUSIONS Elderly patients with acute traumatic central cord syndrome are uniquely at risk due to cumulative comorbidities, protracted recovery times, and unclear effects of surgical timing on outcomes. Prospective research should focus on validating age-specific risk factors, formalizing surgical indications, and delineating the impact of time to surgery on acute and long-term outcomes for this condition.
Impact of Patient-Specific Material Properties on Aneurysm Wall Stress: Finite Element Study.

Background Finite element analysis (FEA) can be used to determine ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (aTAA) wall stress as a potential biomechanical predictor of dissection. FEA is dependent upon zero-pressure three-dimensional geometry, patient-specific material properties, wall thickness, and hemodynamic loading conditions. Unfortunately, determining material properties on unoperated patients using non-invasive means is challenging; and we have previously demonstrated significant material property differences among aTAA patients. Our study objective was to determine the impact of patient-specific material properties on aTAA wall stress. Using FEA, we investigated if patient-specific wall stress could be reasonably predicted using population-averaged material properties, which would greatly simplify dissection prediction. Methods ATAA patients (n=15) with both computed tomography (CT) imaging and surgical aTAA specimens were recruited. Patient-specific aTAA CT geometries were meshed and pre-stress geometries determined as previously described. Patient-specific material properties were derived from biaxial stretch testing of aTAA tissue and incorporated into a fiber-enforced hyper-elastic model, while group-averaged material properties were estimated using mean values of each parameter. Population-averaged material properties were also calculated from literature and studied. Wall stress distribution and its magnitude were determined using LS-DYNA FEA software. Peak and averaged stresses and stress distributions were compared between patient-specific and both group- and population-averaged material property models. Results Patient-specific material properties had minimal influence on either peak or averaged wall stress compared to use of group- or population-averaged material properties. Stress distribution was also nearly superimposed among models with patient-specific vs. group- or population-averaged material properties and provided similar prediction of sites most prone to rupture. Conclusions FEA using population-averaged material properties likely provides reliable stress prediction to indicate sites most prone to rupture. Population-averaged material properties may be reliably used in computational models to assess wall stress and significantly simplify risk prediction of aTAA dissection.
Male-Female Interactions and the Organization of Mammalian Mating Patterns

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses on the male-female interactions and the organization of mammalian mating patterns. The interaction of a mating pair is governed both by the experiences of the pair previous to the sexual encounter and by their stimulation of each other during the sexual encounter. Specific sensory systems are utilized in the normal manifestation of the mating pattern. Prepuberal rearing conditions can affect adult mating performance favorably or adversely. Mating performance also changes with repeated mating experience. Sexually experienced males ejaculate more quickly, need less pre-ejaculatory stimulation derived from intromission, and have better orientation than sexually naive males. Females initially tend to become more receptive with repeated matings. During a sexual encounter, the feedback obtained from performing one portion of the mating sequence affects the performance of subsequent events in copulation. During a sexual encounter, the responses of the mating partner contribute to the regulation of an animal's sexual behavior. Females, especially those in heat, approach and remain with males and may prefer certain individual males; but females may actively avoid encounters with males for a while after sexual contact. Studying the stimulus-response relationships in mating is valuable for understanding the physiological basis of sexual behavior. Careful stimulus-response analysis has revealed that both sensory input and gonadal hormones raise the probability of eliciting mating behavior, and if one of these factors is low the other will compensate for it.
Planning for a New Baby: A Creative Approach to Learning

Teaching about pregnancy in a childbearing (ie, maternity or obstetrical) nursing course can be challenging because experiences with pregnant families are not easy to find. Educators are aware that active learning is more effective than passive learning,1 but when hands-on learning opportunities are not readily available, role playing or simulations are useful. While redesigning an undergraduate childbearing family course, the author sought to include a learning experience that would help nursing students understand the complex psychological and physical transition to parenthood that new parents face.
Computers in medical education

The goals of medical education are to provide students and graduate clinicians specific facts and information, to teach strategies for applying this knowledge appropriately to the situations that arise in medical practice, and to encourage development of skills necessary to acquire new knowledge over a lifetime of practice. Students must learn about physiological processes and must understand the relationships between their observations and these underlying processes. They must learn to perform medical procedures, and they must understand the effects of different interventions on health outcomes. Medical school faculty employ a variety of strategies for teaching, ranging from the one-way, lecture-based transmission of information to the interactive, Socratic method of instruction. In general, we can view the teaching process as the presentation of a situation or a body of facts that contains the essential knowledge that students should learn; the explanations of what the important concepts and relationships are, how they can be derived, and why they are important; and the strategy for guiding interaction with a patient.
How are Work–Family Policies Related to the Gendered Division of Domestic Labor?

Work–family policies are commonly thought to aid parents in attending to their conflicting work and family responsibilities. Some scholars postulate that policies might detract from the gendered division of domestic labor, in which women take a greater responsibility for housework and childcare than men, while others expect that policies encourage women to maintain traditional family roles even while employed. A review of cross-national research in market economies shows that policies are not uniformly related to the gendered division of domestic labor, although parental leave offers the most promising avenue through which the gendered division of domestic labor may be diminished.
Inhibition by reactive aldehydes of superoxide anion radical production from stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes and pulmonary alveolar macrophages. Effects on cellular sulfhydryl groups and NADPH oxidase activity

Alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes such as acrolein (ACR) and crotonaldehyde (CRO) have been shown previously in our laboratory to inhibit the production of superoxide anion radical (O2-) by stimulated phagocytic cells in vitro in a dose-related manner. Based on the known reactivity of these compounds towards cellular sulfhydryls (SH), the present studies were aimed at investigating cellular SH status in relation to O2- production. Plasma membrane surface SH groups were measured using carboxypyridinedisulfide and monitoring the resultant formation of mixed disulfides through assay of thione released into the supernatant fraction. Intracellular non-protein sulfhydryls were measured using 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid. In both human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and rat pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) there was a dose-related decrease in surface SH and soluble SH after ACR and CRO treatment. Propionaldehyde, a three-carbon saturated aldehyde, was without effect. The decrease in surface SH was greater than the decrease in soluble SH. In addition, in PMN and PAM preincubated with 5-40 microM ACR, there was a dose-related inhibition in the rate of O2- production with no effect on the lag time as measured by cytochrome c reduction. In stimulated PMN, there was a dose-related decrease in the rate after addition of 5-40 microM ACR. These data suggest that changes in SH status by reactive aldehydes can modulate the activity of the plasma membrane NADPH oxidase responsible for O2- production.
For Honor and Country: Understanding the Link Between Football Hooliganism and Nationalism

Although football hooliganism is largely understood as a historical phenomenon, the sport has seen a resurgence in fan violence in the 2000's and into the current decade. Modern day hooliganism occurs in both verbal and physical forms, including verbal attacks, offensive or racist chants, pitch invasions, severe property damage, and open assaults on opposing players, fans, referees, or civilians. Though previous studies have identified a number of potential causes of football hooliganism, the present study aims to demonstrate how nationalism arises as a factor behind incidents of hooliganism at international fixtures. Existing studies are severely limited in their scope, focusing primarily on domestic hooliganism in England at its height between the 1960's-1990's. By contrast, this study engages a cross-cultural perspective of hooliganism at the international level through a content analysis of major world newspapers. The author analyzes a total of 103 articles longitudinally, ranging from 2000-2013, using an open coding process based on the theme of international hooliganism in order to determine how nationalism arises from the media content as a motivating factor behind football violence at international matches. Furthermore, the research provides an insight as to when hooliganism appears to manifest most frequently and the regional migration of hooliganism.
Adult Onset Still's Disease Presenting with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by rash, leukocytosis, fevers, and arthralgias. Pulmonary involvement has been reported rarely in AOSD, but acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is extremely rare and potentially fatal and must be recognized as potential manifestation of underlying AOSD.
Single probe for real-time simultaneous monitoring of neurochemistry and direct-current electrocorticography

We report a novel single neural probe for real-time simultaneous monitoring of multiple neurochemicals and direct-current electrocorticography (DC-ECoG). A major advance of this probe is the inclusion of two iridium oxide reference electrodes to improve sensor accuracy. The ECoG reference electrode is identical to the ECoG recording electrodes to significantly improve DC stability, while the reference for electrochemical sensors has 10-fold lower polarization rate to minimize the small current-induced drift in the reference electrode potential. In vitro, the single probe selectively measured oxygen (r(2)=0.985 ± 0.01, concentration range=0-60 mmHg, limit of detection=0.4 ± 0.07 mmHg) and glucose (r(2)=0.989 ± 0.009, concentration range=0-4mM, limit of detection=31 ± 8 µM) in a linear fashion. The performance of the single probe was assessed in an in vivo needle prick model to mimic sequelae of traumatic brain injury. It successfully monitored the theoretically expected transient brain oxygen, glucose, and DC potential changes during the passage of spreading depolarization (SD) waves. We envision that the developed probe can be used to decipher the cause-effect relationships between multiple variables of brain pathophysiology with the high temporal and spatial resolutions that it provides.
A Budget of Paradoxes in Physics1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the paradoxes in physics. The occurrence of paradoxes is a refractory trait that has irritated thinkers throughout the ages. Studies in paradox have acquired a prominent role in logic, mathematics, and epistemology. The first paradox of the kinetic theory arises when one tries to understand the slowness of diffusion of gases. According to this theory, molecules move with tremendous speed. When a number of vessels of different shapes and fill them with water, the liquid column will reach exactly the same level in each vessel. This phenomenon is known as the hydrostatic paradox. The search for paradoxes, even in physics, may become a compulsive habit. To wit, Schrodinger saw fit to christen an interesting physical phenomenon called the paradox of the Richardson effect. The chapter also discusses the Gibbs entropy paradox or discontinuity paradox of Gibbs that arises in the domain of thermophysics and is parasitic on Boltzmann's entropy equation.
Kuo‐Nan Liou Receives 2013 Roger Revelle Medal: Response

I was surprised and thrilled to receive AGU's 2013 Roger Revelle Medal. Indeed, it is a great pleasure and distinct honor to be on the roster of previous outstanding awardees. I would like to thank Wilfried Brutsaert for his generous remarks and unwavering support and encouragement in my pursuit of academic and research excellence and to extend my appreciation to the Revelle Medal Selection Committee for recognizing my contributions to radiative transfer and related climate and remote sensing fields.
Ir-Catalyzed Functionalization of C–H Bonds

The ability to selectively functionalize C–H bonds holds enormous potential value in virtually every sphere of organic chemistry, from fuels to pharmaceuticals. Transition metal complexes have shown great promise in this context. Iridium provided the first examples of oxidative addition of C–H bonds; this addition is key to iridium’s leading role in alkane dehydrogenation and related reactions. Catalysts based on iridium have also proven highly effective for valuable borylations of C–H bonds and, to a lesser extent, for C–Si coupling. Compared with other platinum group metals, iridium chemistry has not been developed as extensively for the elaboration of C–C bonds from C–H bonds, but significant promise is indicated, particularly for coupling with simple hydrocarbons which lack functionalities that can act as directing groups.
Epigenetic regulation of Atoh1 guides hair cell development in the mammalian cochlea

In the developing cochlea, sensory hair cell differentiation depends on the regulated expression of the bHLH transcription factor Atoh1. In mammals, if hair cells die they do not regenerate, leading to permanent deafness. By contrast, in non-mammalian vertebrates robust regeneration occurs through upregulation of Atoh1 in the surviving supporting cells that surround hair cells, leading to functional recovery. Investigation of crucial transcriptional events in the developing organ of Corti, including those involving Atoh1, has been hampered by limited accessibility to purified populations of the small number of cells present in the inner ear. We used µChIP and qPCR assays of FACS-purified cells to track changes in the epigenetic status of the Atoh1 locus during sensory epithelia development in the mouse. Dynamic changes in the histone modifications H3K4me3/H3K27me3, H3K9ac and H3K9me3 reveal a progression from poised, to active, to repressive marks, correlating with the onset of Atoh1 expression and its subsequent silencing during the perinatal (P1 to P6) period. Inhibition of acetylation blocked the increase in Atoh1 mRNA in nascent hair cells, as well as ongoing hair cell differentiation during embryonic organ of Corti development ex vivo. These results reveal an epigenetic mechanism of Atoh1 regulation underlying hair cell differentiation and subsequent maturation. Interestingly, the H3K4me3/H3K27me3 bivalent chromatin structure observed in progenitors persists at the Atoh1 locus in perinatal supporting cells, suggesting an explanation for the latent capacity of these cells to transdifferentiate into hair cells, and highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets in hair cell regeneration.
A Two-Way Street Between Environmental Economics and PublicPolicy

Over the past three decades, the study of environmental and resource economics has evolved from a relatively obscure application of welfare economics to a field of economics in its own right, combining elements from industrial organization, public finance, microeconomic theory, and many other areas of economics. When Edward Elgar Publishing recently invited me to collect some of my papers from the past ten years in an edited volume, it was suggested that I prepare a personal introduction in which I might reflect on the professional path that has led to my research and writing. This paper was prepared as that introduction. In it, I describe the path that took me from Northwestern University to the Peace Corps, then to Cornell, to the Environmental Defense Fund, and finally to Harvard. The book consists of 23 articles I selected from the 80 (published and unpublished) papers I produced ? frequently with co-authors ? from the time I received my Ph.D. in 1988 until the winter of 2000. Selecting the papers and organizing them has allowed me to step back and reflect on the set of research endeavors in which I have been engaged over this decade. This introductory chapter describes the background and major findings of the 23 included papers, and identifies common themes that emerge from this decade of research and writing.
Trends in Levels of Allochthonous Dissolved Organic Carbon in Natural Water: A Review of Potential Mechanisms under a Changing Climate

Over the past several decades, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in inland natural water systems has been a popular research topic to a variety of scientific disciplines. Part of the attention has been due to observed changes in DOC concentrations in many of the water systems of the Northern Hemisphere. Shifts in DOC levels, and changes in its composition, are of concern due to its significance in aquatic ecosystem functioning and its potential and realized negative effects on waters that might be treated for drinking purposes. While it may not be possible to establish sound cause and effect relationships using a limited number of drivers, through long-term DOC monitoring studies and a variety of laboratory/field experiments, several explanations for increasing DOC trends have been proposed, including two key mechanisms: decreased atmospheric acid deposition and the increasing impact of climate change agents. The purpose of this review is three-fold: to outline frequently discussed conceptual mechanisms used to explain DOC increases (especially under a changing climate), to discuss the structure of DOC and the impact of higher levels of DOC on drinking water resources, and to provide renewed/sustained interest in DOC research that can encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. Understanding the cycling of carbon from terrestrial ecosystems into natural waters is necessary in the face of a variable and changing climate, as climate change-related mechanisms may become increasingly responsible for variations in the inputs of allochthonous DOC concentrations in water.