cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High Order Numerical Approximation for Inverse Determination of Thermal Conductivity

A second-order finite difference procedure is presented for the inverse determination of the thermal conductivity in a one-dimensional heat conduction domain. In this approach, the thermal conductivity of the material is reconstructed by using the available temperature data at discrete grid points. The accuracy of the inverse algorithm is investigated. To confirm the validity of the numerical procedure, various comparative examples are presented. The close agreement between solutions obtained using this method and those in the existing literature confirms that the proposed finite difference technique is an effective procedure. The method is applicable for linear and non-linear spatially as well as temperature dependent thermal conductivities. Additionally, the present technique is unique in that a priori knowledge of the functional form for the thermal conductivity is not required. NOMENCLATURE C arbitrary constant f g heat generation, W/m k thermal conductivity, W/m-% q heat flux, W/m2 t time, hr T temperature, 'C x spatial coordinate, m Greek boundary at x=O for t>O a2 boundary at x=l for t>O 0 3 boundary at &<1 and t=O Subscript i,j indices -, function defined at the boundary 3 t Member of Technical Staff, Optimization Techniques + Manager, Satellite Heat Transfer Section, Vehicle Systems Section, Vehicle Systems Division. Division. Senior Member AIAA. Copyri ht
The Effect of Temperature and Pressure on the Refractive Index of Some Oxide Glasses.

The change in refractive index with temperature has been determined for some oxide glasses from about -200 to 700 °C. The change in refractive index with applied hydrostatic pressure has been determined at room temperature from a pressure of 105 to 108 Pa. All measurements were made using the yellow spectral line of helium. A calcium aluminate glass, an aluminum magnesium phosphate glass, a binary barium borate glass and a multicomponent germanate glass were studied, as were four commercial specimens of fused silica. From the data at room temperature, it has been possible to calculate the change in electronic polarizability with temperature at constant volume. This parameter has been found to be very high for the glasses as compared to crystals, and this agrees with the results of earlier research on silica-based optical glasses. Furthermore, over the entire temperature range, the change of refractive index with temperature is shown to be due predominantly to the temperature dependence at constant volume of the electronic polarizability. The relevance of the data to the molecular scattering of light in glasses is discussed.
Divided between Heart and Mind: the Critical Period for Protestant Thought in America

In 1854, Philip Schaff, professor of church history at Mercersburg Theological Seminary and minister of the German Reformed Church, reported to his denomination on the state of Christianity in America. Although the American Church had many shortcomings, according to Schaff the United States was ‘by far the most religious and Christian country in the world’. Many Protestant leaders, however, took a dimmer view of Christianity's prospects. In the middle decades of the nineteenth century, a nagging sense prevailed that traditional theology was no longer capable of integrating religion and culture, or piety and intelligence. Bela Bates Edwards, a conservative New England divine, complained of the prevalent opinion ‘that an intellectual clergyman is deficient in piety and that an eminently pious minister is deficient in intellect’. Edwards was not merely lamenting the unpopularity of Calvinism. A Unitarian writer also noted a burgeoning ‘clerical skepticism’. Intelligent and well-trained men who wished to defend and preach the Gospel, he wrote, ‘find themselves struggling within the fetters of a creed by which they have pledged themselves’. An 1853 Memorial to the Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church summed up the doubts of Protestant clergymen when it asked whether the Church's traditional theology and ministry were ‘competent to the work of preaching and dispensing the Gospel to all sorts and conditions of men, and so adequate to do the work of the Lord in this land and in this age’.
Gender influences coronary L-type Ca2+current and adaptation to exercise training in miniature swine

Endurance exercise training increases smooth muscle L-type Ca(2+) current density in both resistance and proximal coronary arteries of female miniature swine. The purpose of the present study was to determine 1) whether gender differences exist in coronary smooth muscle (CSM) L-type Ca(2+) current density and 2) whether endurance training in males would demonstrate a similar adaptive response as females. Proximal, conduit (approximately 1.0 mm), and resistance [~200 microm (internal diameter)] coronary arteries were obtained from sedentary and treadmill-trained swine of both sexes. CSM were isolated by enzymatic digestion (collagenase plus elastase), and voltage-gated Ca(2+)-channel current (I(Ca)) was determined by using whole cell voltage clamp during superfusion with 75 mM tetraethylammonium chloride and 10 mM BaCl(2). Current-voltage relationships were obtained at test potentials from -60 to 70 mV from a holding potential of -80 mV, and I(Ca) was normalized to cell capacitance (pA/pF). Endurance treadmill training resulted in similar increases in heart weight-to-body weight ratio, endurance time, and skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity in male and female swine. I(Ca) density was significantly greater in males compared with females in both conduit (-7.57 +/- 0.58 vs. -4.14 +/- 0.47 pA/pF) and resistance arteries (-11.25 +/- 0.74 vs. -6.49 +/- 0.87 pA/pF, respectively). In addition, voltage-dependent activation of I(Ca) in resistance arteries was shifted to more negative membrane potentials in males. Exercise training significantly increased I(Ca) density in both conduit and resistance arteries in females (-7.01 +/- 0.47 and -9.73 +/- 1.13 pA/pF, respectively) but had no effect in males (-8.61 +/- 0.50 and -12.04 +/- 1.07 pA/pF, respectively). Thus gender plays a significant role in determining both the magnitude and voltage dependence of I(Ca) in CSM and the adaptive response of I(Ca) to endurance training.
The Spirit and Voice of Langston Hughes within the College Composition Classroom: Incorporating Humor and Code-Meshing into Student Writing

Through a close examination of Langston Hughes’ rhetoric of humor within his works of fiction and non-fiction, I seek to question the pedagogical implications Hughes’ work might have within Composition courses, specifically with beginning writers. Looking at the texts of Hughes might help students break away from their preconceived notions of writing as one of those “dread courses.” Writing and reading can be transformative, and as an instructor, I need to begin forming new pathways for my students of looking at reading and writing differently, and I think this can be achieved through the humor of Hughes’ texts. This paper illustrates an endeavor to reinvent my beginning writing classroom to reflect the needs of the students who sit before me, dreading the writing they will have to do throughout the semester. As a result, I look at Hughes’ humor texts in two specific ways. On the one hand, I examine Hughes as a social humorist, who, through his poetry, prose, and newsprint, ultimately endeavors to expose and moderate the complex fears and anxieties about racial difference. In addition, I will look closely at African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and code meshing through the lens of Hughes’ humor texts in an attempt to foster alternative ways beginning writers can start to think about language and writing. By incorporating Hughes’ modular texts, AAVE, and code meshing into the beginning writers’ classroom, it is my primary goal to assist students in creating writing that is alive, meaningful, and challenges the current concept of what acceptable writing is within higher education.
Fatty streak development in the vicinity of aortic coarctations in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

The influence of altered local hemodynamics on fatty streak development in rabbits fed high cholesterol diets was investigated. An aortic coarctation was created in the abdominal aorta of nine rabbits by placing a partially constricting gold or silver band (1.7 mm x 10 mm) around the aorta between the renal arteries and aortic bifurcation. Controls were 20 rabbits; seven sham operated and 13 unoperated rabbits. The abdominal aorta 1-2 cm proximal to the coarctation showed lipid deposition involving 45 +/- 8% (mean +/- SEM) of the luminal surface which was more than occurred within or distal to the obstruction (p less than 0.05) and also more than in controls (p less than 0.05). Within the coarctation, 4 +/- 2% of the luminal surface showed lipid deposition which was less than either proximally or distally (p less than 0.01) and also less than in comparable regions in controls (p less than 0.05). The aorta 1-2 cm distal to the coarctation showed lipid deposition involving 18 +/- 4% of the surface which was similar to control rabbits. Lipid deposition in corresponding regions of the control rabbits was involved in 17 +/- 4%, 19 +/- 5% and 19 +/- 4% of the luminal surface, respectively. Fatty streak development, therefore, appeared to be inhibited within the coarctation and enhanced proximal to it. The results suggest that some early step in the process of lipid accumulation may be affected by local fluid dynamics or modification of the wall of the vessel.
Transforming Science Pedagogy: Using Concept Mapping to Design an Interdisciplinary Approach to Teaching Middle School Science

The purpose of this study was to apply concept mapping to the design of an interdisciplinary approach for teaching middle school science. The study was centered around the question: What does it mean for pre-service teacher candidates to plan an integrated instructional unit using content from different science disciplines taught in middle school grades? The study required pre-service teachers to (through their own understanding of science, math, and literacy content) be able to identify with an authentic real-world scenario and apply core elements to the design of an interdisciplinary approach to lesson planning, classroom instruction, and student assessment. Designing the unit involved the use of concept maps to visualize and communicate essential pedagogical elements and their relationships to each other. Analysis of pre-service teacher candidate concept maps provided a fluid basis for peer-learning, facilitated co-planning, and created a context for next level content understanding.
Irrigation Technology Choice as Adaptation to Climate Change in the Western United States

Several commentators have suggested adoption of improved irrigation will be important for agricultural adaptation to climate change. This study used data from a special tabulation of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey to examine how climate and other factors influence the choice of sprinkler versus gravity-flow irrigation across 17 western states. Because studies of irrigation technology adoption often concentrate on small geographic areas with the same climate, few have estimated effects of climate on irrigation technology choice. Results suggest sprinkler irrigation is a more promising climate adaptation in areas that are relatively cooler and where extreme precipitation events increase. Sprinkler adoption is less likely in warmer climates and under drier climate change scenarios. An implication is that for hot, arid parts of the West, other climate adaptation strategies may be more important to pursue. Consistent with several previous studies, sprinkler adoption was greater among farms that were larger, had higher water costs, and relied more on groundwater. Sprinkler adoption was also greater in states with a higher erosion index that captured effects of rainfall, field slope, and soil water-holding capacity, which also have been found to be important adoption predictors in a number of previous studies.
Executive Function and Higher-Order Cognition: Assessment in Animals

This article surveys observations and techniques used to study cognition in animals including nonhuman primates, rodents, and birds.
Enzyme Architecture: Self-Assembly of Enzyme and Substrate Pieces of Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase into a Robust Catalyst of Hydride Transfer

The stabilization of the transition state for hlGPDH-catalyzed reduction of DHAP due to the action of the phosphodianion of DHAP and the cationic side chain of R269 is between 12.4 and 17 kcal/mol. The R269A mutation of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (hlGPDH) results in a 9.1 kcal/mol destabilization of the transition state for enzyme-catalyzed reduction of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) by NADH, and there is a 6.7 kcal/mol stabilization of this transition state by 1.0 M guanidine cation (Gua+) [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 5312–5315]. The R269A mutant shows no detectable activity toward reduction of glycolaldehyde (GA), or activation of this reaction by 30 mM HPO32–. We report the unprecedented self-assembly of R269A hlGPDH, dianions (X2– = FPO32–, HPO32–, or SO42–), Gua+ and GA into a functioning catalyst of the reduction of GA, and fourth-order reaction rate constants kcat/KGAKXKGua. The linear logarithmic correlation (slope = 1.0) between values of kcat/KGAKX for dianion activation of wildtype ...
Linguistic positivity in historical texts reflects dynamic environmental and psychological factors.

People use more positive words than negative words. Referred to as “linguistic positivity bias” (LPB), this effect has been found across cultures and languages, prompting the conclusion that it is a panhuman tendency. However, although multiple competing explanations of LPB have been proposed, there is still no consensus on what mechanism(s) generate LPB or even on whether it is driven primarily by universal cognitive features or by environmental factors. In this work we propose that LPB has remained unresolved because previous research has neglected an essential dimension of language: time. In four studies conducted with two independent, time-stamped text corpora (Google books Ngrams and the New York Times), we found that LPB in American English has decreased during the last two centuries. We also observed dynamic fluctuations in LPB that were predicted by changes in objective environment, i.e., war and economic hardships, and by changes in national subjective happiness. In addition to providing evidence that LPB is a dynamic phenomenon, these results suggest that cognitive mechanisms alone cannot account for the observed dynamic fluctuations in LPB. At the least, LPB likely arises from multiple interacting mechanisms involving subjective, objective, and societal factors. In addition to having theoretical significance, our results demonstrate the value of newly available data sources in addressing long-standing scientific questions.
Synthesis and cytotoxicity of Baylis-Hillman template derived betulinic acid-triazole conjugates

Abstract Several alkynes and azides were prepared starting from betulinic acid and Baylis-Hillman reaction-derived allylic alcohols. These alkynes and azides were then coupled under click cycloaddition conditions to obtain functionalized betulinic acid-triazole conjugates. Similarly, pyrazinyl- and indolylbetulinic acid-triazoles were also prepared employing cycloaddition chemistry. All the synthetic compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against murine breast cancer (4T1) and human pancreatic cancer (MIA PaCa-2) cell lines. Based on these in vitro assays, two series of compounds have been identified as lead compounds for further development.
Liquid crystal frequency tunable terahertz metamaterial absorber

Here, we theoretically and experimentally realize a terahertz (THz) perfect metamaterial absorber with an actively tunable frequency response. The structure is made of a complementary frequency selective surface (CFSS) and a metal backplane where the subwavelength space between them is filled with liquid crystal. By applying a voltage between CFSS and metal backplane a resonance frequency shifts about 4.5 GHz at 0.567 THz is obtained while the absorbance maintains at %90.
Interactions between Scytalidium species and brown- or white-rot basidiomycetes in birch wood

Growth and subsequent decay by seven basidiomycetes in birch wood blocks was inhibited by three Scytalidium isolates. Scytalidium initially colonized the surface of the blocks and gradually overgrew the basidiomycetes. In individual wood blocks from 11 Scytalidium-basidiomycete paired treatment combinations, the basidiomycete was not inhibited throughout the entire wood block. These wood blocks demonstrated interspecific interactions and antagonism between the different fungi. The white-rot fungi responded to isolates of Scytalidium by occluding xylem cells with masses of hyphae, forming pseudosclerotial plates in the zone of initial interaction. Scytalidium appeared to gain access into portions of wood colonized by the basidiomycetes only after substantial decay had resulted by the wood decay fungus.
Degradation mechanisms in Li-ion batteries: a state-of-the-art review

Summary One of the most prominent energy storage technologies which are under continuous development, especially for mobile applications, is the Li-ion batteries due to their superior gravimetric and volumetric energy density. However, limited cycle life of Li-ion batteries inhibits their extended use in stationary energy storage applications. To enable wider market penetration of Li-ion batteries, detailed understanding of the degradation mechanisms is required. A typical Li-ion battery comprised of an active material, binder, separator, current collector, and electrolyte, and the interaction between these components plays a critical role in successful operation of such batteries. Degradation of Li-ion batteries can have both chemical and mechanical origins and manifests itself by capacity loss, power fading or both. Mechanical degradation mechanisms are associated with the volume changes and stress generated during repetitive intercalation of Li ions into the active material, whereas chemical degradation mechanisms are associated with the parasitic side reactions such as solid electrolyte interphase formation, electrolyte decomposition/reduction and active material dissolution. In this study, the main degradation mechanisms in Li-ion batteries are reviewed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polynomial time summary statistics for a generalization of MAXSAT

MAXSAT problems are notoriously difficult for genetic algorithms to solve. NK-landscapes are often used as test problems of scalable difficulty for genetic algorithms. In this paper we exploit the similar structure of the two problems to create an encompassing class of problems called embedded landscapes. Then we use Walsh analysis to explore the nonlinear bit interactions of these important test functions. We show that by applying Walsh analysis to embedded landscapes, several important summary statistics can be generated in polynomial time. We then use these techniques to discuss the statistical "shape" of both MAXSAT and NK-landscapes.
Endoscopic Therapy for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Related Fistula, Sinus, and Abscess

Abstract Both forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), that is, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), can be complicated by the formation of fistula and abscess. In addition, surgery for CD or UC results in adverse sequelae of acute and chronic anastomotic leak, fistula, or abscess. While IBD-associated or IBD surgery–associated fistula or abscess has been traditionally treated with medical and/or surgical therapy, the role of endoscopic therapy has recently been explored is expanding, thanks to our better understanding of etiopathogenesis and natural history of IBD, principle of treatment, as well as advanced endoscopic techniques. There are important principles in endoscopic management of fistula, sinus, and abscess. Attempts should be made to temporarily or permanently close the feeding side (or the primary) orifice and open up the exit site (or the secondary) orifice of the fistula. In contrast, the opening of an anastomotic sinus should be cut open. Endoscopic techniques include fistulotomy, sinusotomy, fistula closure, endoscopy-guided drainage catheter placement. For disease-related fistula, a combined therapy with medical treatment is often required. For complex fistula and abscess, a multidisciplinary approach is a must. The role of self-expandable metal stent in the treatment of fistula remains to be investigated.
Current issues in veterinary transfusion medicine

Human and veterinary transfusion medicine is an area where there has been ongoing research and new developments. The way in which blood and transfusion products have been used has been questioned r...
The Features of the Larynx.

Abstract: Languages use the larynx in four ways: by varying the tension of the vocal cords so as to produce pitch changes; by adjusting the positions of the arytenoid cartilages so as to produce different glottal strictures; by varying the timing of the onset of voicing relative to articulatory movements; and by raising or lowering the whole larynx to form ejectives or implosives. There are various feature sets which can be used for specifying the possibilities from a linguistic point of view.
Classical biological control of citrus pests in Florida and the Caribbean: interconnections and sustainability.

Beginning in 1993, Florida’s citrus industry has been invaded by citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), brown citrus aphid (Toxoptera citricida Kirkaldy, Homoptera: Aphididae), and the Asian citrus psylla (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, Homoptera: Psyllidae). The source(s) of these pests remain unknown but other countries in the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America, also have suffered invasions by these pests. Brown citrus aphid and Asian citrus psylla are vectors of serious citrus diseases (citrus tristeza virus and greening disease, respectively), while citrus leafminer damage provides openings for invasion of the citrus canker pathogen into the foliage. All three pests were considered suitable candidates for classical biological control. Dr. Ru Nguyen (Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, Florida) and I have collaborated on importing, evaluating, rearing and releasing parasitoids for each pest into Florida’s 860,000 acres of citrus between 1993 and the present. Two parasitoids (Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya, Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae and Cirrospilus quadristriatus, which was subsequently determined to be C. ingenuus Gahan, Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) of the citrus leafminer were imported from Australia, Thailand, and Taiwan with the assistance of several scientists. Both parasitoids have established in Florida, and A. citricola has become the dominant parasitoid while C. ingenuus has had no apparent effect. Ageniaspis citricola has been supplied to colleagues in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Honduras, and several other countries from our rearing program. In all cases, A. citricola was provided free of charge along with information on rearing methods, as well as the risk assessment that we developed prior to obtaining release permits from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Such information assisted the recipients in obtaining local release permits, thus reducing the costs of importation and release for these agencies. Two other parasitoids were imported for control of the Asian citrus psylla: Tamarixia radiata Waterston (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Shafee, Alam and Agarwal) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). The parasitoids were obtained through the kind assistance of colleagues in Taiwan. Again, we have made both parasitoids available to coun-
An after action review engine for training in multiple areas

The notion of after action review (AAR) is known in the military where it is used to develop a common picture of what happened and why. Recently, the concept has been rediscovered by other domains. Obviously, a review within these domains would be different. This paper addresses development of an AAR engine. By "AAR engine" we mean a system that provides the common functionalities across all AAR systems into a single foundation for training. Regardless of the domain, there are capabilities needed in an AAR system (e.g. recording and playback of scenario data). On the other hand, there are also features specific for each domain. In this paper we first review the infrastructure of our AAR engine. Then advantages of such a system for addressing various AAR systems are reviewed. Additional advanced functions are then presented and reviewed in light of how the engine can easily provide these enhancements.
S-Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase from Escherichia Coli and from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae: Cloning and Overexpression of the Genes

S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of spermidine and spermine in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.1 We first detected this enzyme in our initial studies on the biosynthesis of spermidine in E. coli2, 3; subsequently S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase has been found widely distributed in bacteria, fungi, plants, and animal cells. The enzyme has been purified to homogeneity from E. coli,4, 5S. cerevisiae,6, 7 liver,8, 9 lymphocytes,11 and mammary gland.12
Morality and conduct disorders.

Conduct disturbances, as indicated by temper tantrums, aggression, destructiveness, defiance, and inconsiderate or uncooperative behavior, constitute one of the most frequent causes of concern regarding children’s behavior (Rutter & Garmezy, 1983), and there has been long-standing speculation that such behavior may be related to an inadequacy in such children’s capacity to make moral judgments. Piaget (1932) initially suggested that developmental analysis of “difficult children,” “youthful offenders,” and “young ruffians” might be fruitful. Several decades later, Anthony (1956) hypothesized that children who repeatedly or seriously violate societal laws may suffer developmental delays in moral reasoning (Jurkovic, 1980). Since then, numerous studies have examined the developmental maturity of moral reasoning among behavioral disordered children.
Bortezomib sensitizes multiple myeloma to NK cells via ER-stress-induced suppression of HLA-E and upregulation of DR5.

ABSTRACTAlthough the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib has significantly improved the survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), the disease remains fatal as most patients eventually develop progressive disease. Recent data indicate that MM cells can evade bortezomib-induced cell death by undergoing autophagy as a consequence of endoplasmatic reticulum (ER)-stress induced by proteasome inhibition. Here we show that bortezomib sensitizes MM cells to NK cell killing via two distinct mechanisms: a) upregulation of the TRAIL death receptor DR5 on the surface of MM cells and b) ER-stress induced reduction of cell surface HLA-E. The latter mechanism is completely novel and was found to be exclusively controlled by the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, with NKG2A single-positive (NKG2ASP) NK cells developing a selective augmentation in tumor killing as a consequence of bortezomib-induced loss of HLA-E on the non-apoptotic MM cells. In contrast, the expression of classical HLA class I molecules remained unchanged fo...
INTO AGING SIMULATION IMPROVES EMPATHY OUTCOME IN ALLIED HEALTH STUDENTS

One of the greatest needs in healthcare is professionals who specialize in care of older adults. Collaboration among interprofessional teams are necessary for the patient and family to receive optimal care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of an aging simulation with nursing, social work, and recreation therapy students to determine if the simulation impacted their appreciation of the aging process and the importance of various health care providers in that process. Students (n=167) across recreation therapy (n=52), social work (n=41), and nursing majors (n=74) participated in Into Aging, a simulation game that mimics the aging process. Students were evaluated using the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale at pre-test and immediately following participation in Into Aging simulation. Results suggested that students significantly improved overall mean empathy scores (Z=-7.02, p<.001) from pre-test (M=85.7, SD=7.7) to post-test (M=89.4, SD=8.9) after participating in the Into Aging simulation. Results also identified significant differences in empathy scores from pre- to post-test within the recreation therapy (Z=-3.65, p<.001, r=-0.28), social work, (Z=-3.50, p<.001, r=-0.27), and nursing majors (Z=-4.84, p<.001, r=-0.37). Follow-up analyses from a repeated measures ANOVA identified a significant effect of time (Wilks’ λ=0.76, F(1, 164)=51.17, p<.001, partial □22=.24), but no significant group×time interaction (Wilks’ λ=0.99, F(2, 164)=.33, p=.718, partial □2=.004), suggesting all majors performed significantly better following participation in the Into Aging simulation. As our nation ages, there is increased need for interprofessional education and training in the field of geriatrics for future healthcare clinicians.
Was kann die Antikörpertherapie in der Neurologie

Die Bedeutung antigengerichteter Therapien mittels Antikorper in der Neurologie begrenzt sich seit mehreren Jahren nicht nur auf typische Autoimmunerkrankungen wie die Multiple Sklerose, sondern wird auch zur Unterbrechung pathophysiologischer Prozesse wie der Schmerzweiterleitung intensiv erforscht. Damit ergeben sich immer weitere Behandlungsfelder. Neben den damit verbundenen neuen Therapieoptionen ist jedoch auch ein zunehmendes Wissen uber den Wirkmechanismus seitens des Behandlers erforderlich, um potenzielle Nebenwirkungen und Komplikationen zu (er-)kennen, daruber aufzuklaren und entsprechende Begleituntersuchungen einzuleiten.
705-P: Health Extension: A Better Way to Manage Diabetes?

Background: Given the increasing number of individuals with diabetes who live in settings with limited access to care, new models of care delivery for management of diabetes are critical. Health Extension for Diabetes (HED), a community-based non-clinical diabetes education program delivered by a Health Extension Agent, is based on the AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors for Managing Diabetes. Methods: This intervention is a mixed-methods research study with a primary outcome to reduce/prevent complications associated with diabetes. Goal assessment metrics were selected by clinical, non-clinical and evaluation staff, and resulted in 3 categories: health behaviors, health outcomes, and healthcare utilization. Pre/post analysis of graduates in HED cohorts 1-3 focuses on health behaviors and health outcomes with emphasis on 2 crucial measures, diet and exercise. Pre/post data were compared using Stata 15. Results: Table 1 shows client demographics and the pre/post analysis of several variables collected during evaluation process. Conclusion: Overall, this novel educational diabetes self-management support intervention was found to be effective shown through the short-term outcome measures. This new method increased client physical activity and confidence (self-efficacy) in regard to diabetes management while lowering consumption of sugary beverages. Disclosure C.J. Dietz: None. P. Tilkemeier: None. W.W. Sherrill: None. D.E. McFall: None. M.D. Stancil: None. M.A. Parisi: None. C. Beauchamp: None. H.N. White: None. Funding Greenville Health Authority
The Challenges of Achieving Conservation and Development

In this keynote address prepared for the Miller Upton Forum on the Wealth and Well-Being of Nations at Beloit College, Elinor Ostrom discusses the tools that she and her colleagues have developed to assess the likelihood of a particular social-ecological system (SES) — a common pool resource situated within a particular ecological, economic, and political environment — has for generating patterns of robust governance and sustainable development. Ostrom cautions that even though they have identified general principles of robust self-governance and CPR management, their research paradigm offers no panacea. Every SES requires its own multidisciplinary analysis. The analytic tools Ostrom describes do not prescribe solutions, but instead provide the research team a framework that ensures that the right questions are being asked.
Mitochondrial Mechanisms of Neuromuscular Junction Degeneration with Aging

Skeletal muscle deteriorates with aging, contributing to physical frailty, poor health outcomes, and increased risk of mortality. Denervation is a major driver of changes in aging muscle. This occurs through transient denervation-reinnervation events throughout the aging process that remodel the spatial domain of motor units and alter fiber type. In advanced age, reinnervation wanes, leading to persistent denervation that accelerates muscle atrophy and impaired muscle contractility. Alterations in the muscle fibers and motoneurons are both likely involved in driving denervation through destabilization of the neuromuscular junction. In this respect, mitochondria are implicated in aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders, and are also likely key to aging muscle changes through their direct effects in muscle fibers and through secondary effects mediated by mitochondrial impairments in motoneurons. Indeed, the large abundance of mitochondria in muscle fibers and motoneurons, that are further concentrated on both sides of the neuromuscular junction, likely renders the neuromuscular junction especially vulnerable to age-related mitochondrial dysfunction. Manifestations of mitochondrial dysfunction with aging include impaired respiratory function, elevated reactive oxygen species production, and increased susceptibility to permeability transition, contributing to reduced ATP generating capacity, oxidative damage, and apoptotic signaling, respectively. Using this framework, in this review we summarize our current knowledge, and relevant gaps, concerning the potential impact of mitochondrial impairment on the aging neuromuscular junction, and the mechanisms involved.
Natural History of Residual Hip Dysplasia

Developmental dysplasia of the hip describes a spectrum of abnormal hip morphology characterized primarily by deficient acetabular coverage of the femoral head. In acetabular dysplasia, increased load transmission through a reduced surface area coupled with structural instability leads to development of pain, functional limitations, and eventual joint degeneration. Symptom onset is most often insidious and pain is typically located in the groin or laterally and made worse by activity. Mechanical symptoms may be present. The rate at which joint degeneration occurs is variable and depends on the severity of the deformity. Joint degeneration is predictable for dysplastic hips with subluxation or with a lateral center edge angle (LCEA) less than 20°. For hips with borderline or mild dysplasia, the exact relationship between radiographic metrics of dysplasia and development of hip problems is less clear. Most, but not all, studies show that hips with a lateral center edge angle less than 25° are at increased risk of development of hip pain and eventual joint degeneration over time.
Future Directions for Lighting Environments

Lighting for homes, schools, and commercial spaces has traditionally been designed for occupants’ visual performance, aesthetic appreciation, and energy conservation, with relatively little attention being paid to its influence on other human factors such as health and well-being, mood, and alertness. Recent discoveries and continued research into the effects of light and electric lighting on the human nonvisual system and its relationship to the human circadian system have dramatically changed how we think about light, how we specify light for the places we live and work in, and how industry has adapted to produce new lighting products and techniques. This chapter begins with a brief description of light and its effects on the human circadian system, followed by a discussion of current trends in the lighted environment and how those trends have guided research into human health and well-being. The need for proposing a 24-h lighting scheme in our lighted environments is addressed, and the chapter concludes with a review of future trends that might be expected in the workplace, healthcare facilities, and the home, as well as key considerations that should guide the future of the lighted environment.
Validation of Pin-Resolved Reaction Rates, Kinetics Parameters, and Linear Source MOC in MPACT

Over the years, significant validation work for the neutronics code MPACT has been performed against zero-power critical benchmarks and measured data from operating nuclear power plants. Among all ...
“More sidewalks, more bus stops”: Travel behaviors and opinions of Connecticut teenagers

Abstract An online survey was developed to evaluate the environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic factors that support or discourage the mobility of teenagers. Distributed to adults (18–25 years old) in Connecticut, the survey gathered retrospective data on their travel behaviors as teenagers, as well as associated attitudes and beliefs about different transportation modes. Seventy-one percent of participants indicated that a family car was their predominant source of transportation. Public transportation was the main source for 14% of participants. Fewer than 10% of participants indicated that a personal car, walking, or other means was their primary source of transportation. Participants who lived in less densely populated areas as teenagers were more likely to report barriers to public transportation access. These same participants were also more likely to report neighborhood walkability issues, including the absence of continuous sidewalks and bike paths. These factors are likely associated with teenagers' reliance on family cars for transportation. Recommendations for improved connectivity and promotion of currently available public transportation options are provided.
Coronavirus-Associated Coagulopathy: Lessons From SARS-CoV1 and MERS-CoV for the Current SARS-CoV2 Pandemic.

To date, several studies have suggested a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2)-mediated hypercoagulability in the forms of pulmonary embolism, stroke, gangrene, "COVID toes," as well as other acute thrombotic complications, warranting the use of systemic anticoagulation. Currently, there are no definitive recommendations as to the timing and dosing of prophylactic or therapeutic anticoagulation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. In this manuscript, we report a case of SARS-CoV2-mediated hypercoagulability and review the literature pertaining to the incidence and pathophysiology of coronavirus-mediated coagulopathies. A 64-year-old female, with a medical history of hypothyroidism and remote tobacco abuse, presented to the ED with fever and nonproductive cough. She had multiple negative SARS-CoV2 nasopharyngeal PCR tests during her hospital stay, but chest imaging and elevated inflammatory markers were suggestive of SARS-CoV2 infection. Computed tomography showed a left upper lobe pulmonary embolism with associated right heart strain, and an enlargement of the main pulmonary artery, for which she was initiated on therapeutic anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin. Despite the medical management of her pulmonary embolism and conservative management of her SARS-CoV2, her clinical condition worsened requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. After seven days, she was successfully extubated and was transferred to the medical service where her clinical course remained stable and subsequently discharged home on apixaban. In patients with SARS-CoV1-, SARS-CoV2-, and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)-mediated hypercoagulability, the risk of thrombosis appears to be multifactorial - direct viral cytopathological effects, a pro-inflammatory state, cytokine storm, hypoxia-inducible thrombosis, and endothelial inflammation culminating in the formation of intra-alveolar or systemic fibrin clots. While initial guidelines have been developed to assist clinicians in selecting appropriate chemoprophylaxis as well as therapeutic anticoagulation, a consensus statement remains lacking. Further studies are needed to evaluate the pathogenesis and treatment of coronavirus-induced thrombosis.
Sex-specific regulatory mechanisms underlying Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Sex differences in cancer occurrence and mortality are evident across tumor types; men exhibit higher rates of incidence and often poorer responses to treatment. Targeted approaches to the treatment of tumors that account for these sex differences require the characterization and understanding of the fundamental biological mechanisms that differentiate them. Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with the incidence rapidly rising. HCC exhibits a male-bias in occurrence and mortality. Most HCC studies, to date, have failed to explore the sex-specific effects in gene regulatory functions. Here we have characterized the regulatory functions underlying HCC tumors in sex-stratified and combined analyses. By sex-specific analyses of differential expression of tumor and tumor adjacent samples, we uncovered etiologically relevant genes, pathways and canonical networks differentiating male and female HCC. While both sexes exhibited activation of pathways related to apoptosis and p53 signaling, pathways involved in innate and adaptive immunity showed differential activation between the sexes. Using eQTL analyses, we discovered germline regulatory variants with differential effects on tumor gene expression between the sexes. We discovered eQTLs overlapping HCC GWAS loci, providing regulatory mechanisms connecting these loci to HCC risk. Furthermore, we discovered genes under germline regulatory control that alter survival in patients with HCC, including some that exhibited differential effects on survival between the sexes. Overall, our results provide new insight into the role of genetic regulation of transcription in modulating sex differences in HCC occurrence and outcome and provide a framework for future studies on sex-biased cancers.
Plasma catalytic ammonia synthesis on Ni nanoparticles: The size effect

Abstract Herein we demonstrate the synthesis of ammonia via atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma over nickel nanoparticles supported on silica. We evaluated the performance of nickel nanoparticles with average sizes of 5.6 nm and 13.5 nm. The smallest nanoparticle size sample resulted in an ammonia synthesis rate at least 2 times higher than that of the larger nanoparticle size sample and nickel bulk at equimolar composition. This allowed us to observe experimentally, for the first time, the size effect in the area of plasma catalysis. Moreover, the presented results allowed us to investigate a hydrogen sink metal such as nickel under atmospheric plasma conditions and determine the gas composition that resulted beneficial for this surface chemistry.
A novel machine learning based identification of potential adopter of rooftop solar photovoltaics

Abstract With the proliferation of rooftop solar photovoltaic installations, there is a need to proactively predict consumer potential for solar photovoltaic adoption, for improved electric utility planning and operation. Traditional analytical modeling approaches are limited to a few survey features and a larger part of the survey would remain untouched by the decision model. This article presents a novel, data-driven modeling approach that strategically prunes a large set of consumer profile features using a machine learning framework to train a model for predicting potential solar adoption. The approach utilizes the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree model through a Light Gradient Boosting framework that improves significantly over the poor prediction accuracy of the existing approaches. Model training using focal-loss based supervision is used to overcome the difficulty in identifying the potential adopters that is inherent in conventional data-driven models. In addition, to overcome possible data sparsity in a limited survey sample, a Generative Adversarial Network is presented to create synthetic user samples and its effectiveness on model performance is assessed. A Bayesian optimization approach is used to systematically arrive at the hyperparameters of the proposed model. Validation of the presented approach on a survey data collected by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Virginia in 2018 demonstrates the excellent predictive capability of the machine learning based approach to modeling solar adoption reliably.
The Role of Law in Enabling Postgenocide Recovery: Assessing the Importance of Property Restitution

This chapter assesses the importance of restitution and compensation in the post-Holocaust setting. While Holocaust survivors and their heirs have worked towards achieving some degree of property restitution from Germany and other actors complicit in the crimes, obtaining restitution for other genocide victim groups has been a challenge. None have been able to replicate the success of the Holocaust restitution movement. Whether any restitution occurs at all appears to depend on a variety of factors, discussed in this chapter, which in turn suggests that there is no uniform application of law. Yet, since the Holocaust, international and domestic law have increasingly required compensation for the victims of mass atrocities. Without recognition and redress for the staggering amounts of property typically lost or stolen in a genocide, the reconciliation that allows survivor groups to not only acknowledge the past but transcend it—transforming loss, pain, and anger into new growth—will remain frustratingly slow, even elusive. Law is thus a crucial instrument in the toolkit of postgenocide responses.
Basic Needs and the Discovery of Global Poverty

The development of universal basic income schemes fit both chronologically and substantively with an epoch-making revolution in theories and practices of global development. In the 1960s, ‘global poverty’ was perceived for the first time as a phenomenon that divided north and south. In the 1970s, approaches to development centred around basic needs—rather than overall growth or other ends like the mitigation of inequality at national or global scales—were pioneered. As with universal basic income proposals in their origins and the present, there is every reason to worry that attacks on global poverty play multiple functions beyond their honourable official goal. The invention of basic needs was not solely a moral breakthrough to welcome, since it worked in tandem with calls for equality associated with the global south’s ‘New International Economic Order’ (NIEO) proposals calling for more equalization of states that were marginalized in the process. This chapter explores how the problem of ‘basic needs’ of fellow humans around the world emerged in competition with the global south’s own call for structural justice, and argues that the cause of addressing global poverty arose on the grave of demanding global fairness.