cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Identity: Genetic Interventions, Reproductive Choices

According to the framework developed in this book, we human persons are essentially human animals and characteristically self-narrators who care about continuing as such. Through the lens of this framework, in conjunction with defensible moral assumptions, we have examined the definition of human death, the authority of advance directives in cases involving severe dementia, and the use of enhancement technologies. Our discussion of enhancement technologies focused on postnatal enhancements, while our treatment of advance directives considered an institution in which adults make self-regarding decisions. Naturally, different issues arise when adults make decisions for dependent others – with greater complexity emerging if those others are unborn. Our examination of the definition of death studied the end of our existence, leaving open the question of when we come into existence. In this final chapter, we will confront several controversial issues that were not addressed in earlier chapters. We will consider the prenatal human animal, or organism, and several types of decisions that adults make on behalf of this being. More specifically, we will address these topics: (1) our origins, or when we come into existence; (2) prenatal genetic interventions in relation to human identity; (3) the ethics of prenatal genetic interventions; (4) reproductive choices that may affect who comes into being (the nonidentity problem); and (5) implications of this chapter's findings and the Time-Relative Interest Account (TRIA) (introduced in Chapter 5) for the morality of abortion.
Research-active Clinical Nurses: Against All Odds

Aims and objectives To develop a theoretical understanding of factors that impact decisions of clinical nurses to conduct a research study. Background Only a small percentage of all nurses are research-active and even fewer clinical nurses are research-active. Several researchers have explored barriers to research activity by clinical nurses, but few have examined why, in spite of all odds, some clinical nurses are research-active. Design As the purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical understanding of the research-active nurse, a grounded theory approach was used. Methods The sample interviewed for this study consisted of registered nurses (n = 26) who worked in a hospital or ambulatory setting, had daily direct patient contact and had participated as principal investigator on at least one completed clinical nursing research study that was not in fulfilment of an educational requirement. The interviews were digitally recorded and analysed by two researchers using the constant comparative method. Results The findings from this study suggest that the conduct of research by clinical nurses was the direct result of a clinical trigger, characteristics and beliefs of the nurse about research and their role in generating knowledge, and the presence of support conditions, such as a research mentor. Conclusions Clinical nurses can and do conduct research, in spite of constraints due to a lack of time, money and/or knowledge, if they have access to research mentors and are practising in a research-supportive environment. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses at the bedside are in a unique position to identify problems most in need of solutions. Findings from this study provide a foundation upon which to develop and test various programmes that seek to increase the number of clinical nurses who are research-active.
Evaluation of temporary flood-fighting structures

Sandbags have traditionally been the product of choice for temporary, barrier-type, flood-fighting structures. However, sandbag structures are labor intensive and time consuming to construct and may not always be the best choice when selecting a flood-fighting barrier. To compare different barriers, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) developed a standard protocol to evaluate flood-fighting structures. Rapid Deployment Flood Wall (RDFW), Portadam, and Hesco Bastion were selected for testing based on technical merit from proposals submitted by companies that manufacture barrier-type, flood-fighting products. A standard sandbag structure was also tested.The evaluation included time, ease, and cost of construction, performance under hydrostatic and wave loading, overtopping, debris impact, possible repair, reuse, environmental impact, and cost. The results of the evaluation showed that the RDFW performed well but is more expensive than the other structures and also not easy to dis-assemble. The Portadam was efficient under hydraulic loading but did not test well in the debris impact tests. The Hesco levee performed well except for the amount of seepage that was observed. The Hesco levee was later retested after the company improved the product, and much less seepage was observed during the retest. The sandbag levee failed during the overtopping test. These results provide the flood-fighting community with results that will assist in the selection of the product that best fits their need.
High-resolution, downward-looking radar imaging using a small consumer drone

High-resolution, downward-looking radar imaging is demonstrated using a small consumer drone. The entire system including an ultra-wideband radar, antennas, camera, and a single-board computer fits on a small drone and is controlled through a Wi-Fi connection. The drone-fitted system is able to collect concurrent radar and video data of the same scene. The measurement results of three real-world settings (trees, parked vehicles, and humans) are presented and discussed.
Use of Fine Aggregate Matrix Experimental Data in Improving Reliability of Fatigue Life Prediction of Asphalt Concrete

Asphalt concrete (AC) material performance has been assessed by numerous mechanistic models over the years. Often these models are purported to enable more accurate prediction of the pavement service life than existing empirical models. Most of these models use fundamental material properties, which are obtained by performing experiments on the materials, as input variables. However, by introducing more variables, these models create the potential for greater uncertainty because the variables have inherent variability. Variations observed in these input parameters affect the reliability of any resulting performance predictions. In an effort to improve the reliability of fatigue life predictions, experimental data from the fine aggregate matrix (FAM) phase was used in this study for predicting fatigue life. From the comparative assessment, it was observed that the reliability of fatigue life predictions was improved by more than 50% when data from the FAM phase rather than AC data were used. An upscaling p...
Vehicular visible light networks with full duplex communications

Direct connectivity between vehicles will let a variety of new applications become a reality, from safety to traffic management and infotainment. Different wireless access technologies can enable this kind of connections, from mobile-fi IEEE 802.11p in the US and ETSI G5 in Europe, to the more recent 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications. To integrate the capabilities and performance of these radio access technologies, light emitting diodes (LEDs) operating in the front and rear vehicles' lights, can introduce a further degree of connectivity through the so called visible light communication (VLC), by setting up direct links between vehicles in visibility and between vehicles and the road side (such as traffic lights and variable message panels). This paper investigates the performance of vehicular visible light networks (VVLNs) in terms of message delivery rate when full-duplex (FD) capabilities are exploited. Specifically, instead of considering carrier sensing multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) as foreseen by the IEEE 802.15.7 standard for VLC, we here propose a CSMA with collision detection (CSMA/CD) protocol exploiting the reverse link made available by the concurrent use of LEDs as transmitters and photodiodes as receivers for an immediate feedback during decoding. Results show an increase of up to 10% in the delivered data thanks to FD in realistic urban scenarios and give guidelines to network designers.
Work-family spillover and metabolic syndrome indicators: Findings from a national sample.

This study examines the link between negative work–family spillover and metabolic risk factors over a 9-year period. Data from two waves of the Midlife in the United States Survey were used to explore relationships between negative work–family spillover and four indicators of metabolic syndrome—blood pressure, triglycerides, body mass index, and glucose levels. In a sample of full-time working men and women (N = 630), increased negative spillover at baseline significantly predicted higher body mass index nearly a decade later, with a marginally significant effect for triglyceride levels. Increases in spillover also body mass index and glucose levels at follow-up. This study extends research tying work–life spillover to health and suggests that further investigation is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of work stress.
Freshmen at a University in Appalachia Experience a Higher Rate of Campus than Family Food Insecurity.

Food insecurity means having limited or uncertain access, in socially acceptable ways, to an adequate and safe food supply. Ample evidence has identified college students as vulnerable to this problem, but little research has focused on freshmen. This cross-sectional study examined family and campus food insecurity among freshmen at a university in Appalachia. An online questionnaire contained sociodemographic items and scales that measured food security status, academic progress, coping strategies for accessing food, and social support. T-tests and Chi square analyses compared food insecure and food secure students. Statistical significance was p<.05. Participants were 456 freshmen, 118 males (26%) and 331 females (73%). Family and campus food insecurity were experienced by 32 (7.1%) and 98 (21.5%) of the freshmen, respectively, and 42.5% of those who experienced campus food insecurity believed their food access had worsened since starting college. Family and campus coping strategies, respectively, included stretching food (72.9 vs. 18.4%) and purchasing cheap, processed food (68.8 vs. 16.3%). Food secure students scored significantly higher on self-rated measures of academic progress (p<.01), and greater proportions of food secure students (60.7 vs. 43.9%, p<.01) perceived their eating habits since starting college as “healthy/very healthy,” and perceived their health status as “good/ excellent” (86.0 vs. 71.4%, p<.01). Students requested assistance with job opportunities (19.4%), affordable meal plans (18.4%), money management (13.3%), and eating healthy (11.2%). Findings suggest that college student food insecurity begins during the freshmen year, and that there is a need for campus and community-based interventions to increase food access among these freshmen and their families.
A Novel Approach for Assessing Power Wheelchair Users’ Mobility by Using Curve Fitting

It is important to assess power wheelchair users’ mobility characteristics, which can provide insights about an individual’s quality of life and health status. For practicality considerations, we propose to use smartphones (particularly, the built-in accelerometer) to collect wheelchair maneuvering data for assessing power wheelchair users’ mobility characteristics. However, accelerometer data demonstrates a wide variety of patterns due to significant noise, which makes it difficult to process using traditional methods. To address these challenges, we developed a novel regression-based curve fitting approach that can transform the un-patterned raw sensor data into a sinusoid-like data curve to facilitate the analysis of wheelchair users’ mobility. To evaluate the proposed approach, we have conducted a series of experiments in an indoor setting, which contains various types of terrains. Experimental results showed that our approach is promising in achieving accurate analysis of wheelchair users’ mobility.
Thromboelastometry analysis of severe North American pit viper-induced coagulopathy: A case report

Abstract Case details A 51-year-old man presented with rapid onset encephalopathy and respiratory failure after a suspected intravascular envenomation from a North American pit viper. The patient received antivenom and was transferred to a tertiary care facility where he had cardiovascular collapse and persistent coagulopathy requiring 28 vials of Crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab antivenom for initial control and six vials for maintenance. The patient's coagulopathy was monitored using “traditional” measures (platelets, fibrinogen, and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®). The patient also subsequently developed intestinal necrosis requiring exploratory laparotomy with ileum and colonic resections, and anuric renal failure requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. After coordinated multidisciplinary management, he was discharged to an acute inpatient rehabilitation on hospital day 25 and has since made a full recovery. Discussion In the setting of a severe intravascular pit viper envenomation, thromboelastometry correlated well with “traditional” measures. During recovery, ROTEM® demonstrated measurable improvements in the extrinsic coagulation pathway while the INR remained between 1.5 and 1.6. Patient's intestinal necrosis may have resulted from microvascular thrombosis due to Crotalinae venom. The patient's ultimate recovery necessitated a coordinated multidisciplinary effort. ROTEM® abnormalities after North American pit viper envenomation may be more sensitive than “traditional” measures and may have prognostic value to determine the severity of envenomation, but further research to define its utility is required.
Entity Resolution Using Logistic Regression as an extension to the Rule-Based Oyster System

This paper describes two experiments in entity resolution. In both experiments, person references were classified as "linked" or "not linked" by two different methods. The first method used an entity resolution (ER) system and employed standard "if-then" Boolean matching rules. The second method used the supervised machine learning technique of logistic regression to classify the references as "linked" or "not linked". The objective of the experiments was to compare the linking performance of both methods to evaluate the effectiveness of logistic regression as an extension to the existing match functions provided in the OYSTER ER System. One experiment used actual school enrollment data and the other used synthetic data. In both cases the performance of the logistic regression classification compared favorably with rule-based results.
Underuse of Surgery Accounts for Racial Disparities in Esophageal Cancer Survival Times: A Matched Cohort Study.

Background & Aims There are racial disparities in survival times of patients with esophageal cancer. We examined the sequential effects of characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment-related factors on the disparity in survival times of black vs white patients with esophageal cancer. Methods We identified 1900 black and 15,523 non-Hispanic white (NHW) patients, 65 years or older, diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or esophageal adenocarcinoma from 1994 through 2011 in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)–Medicare database. Patients were followed up until death or December 31, 2012. Three sets of 1900 NHW patients were matched sequentially to the same set of 1900 black patients, based on demographics (age, sex, year of diagnosis, and SEER site), presentation (demographics plus cancer stage, grade, and comorbidity), and treatment (presentation variables plus surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy). Results The absolute difference in 5-year survival between black patients (13.3%) and NHW patients (18.4%) was 5.1% (95% CI, 2.3%–7.7%; P = .001) in the demographics match. After we matched for presentation, the difference in 5-year survival was reduced to 2.3% (95% CI, 0.3%–4.8%), but remained statistically significant (P = .04). Additional matching of patients on treatment-related factors eliminated the racial difference in 5-year survival (P = .59). Among patients matched for disease presentation, only 10.8% of black patients underwent surgery, compared with 22.8% of NHW patients (P Conclusions In the SEER–Medicare database, underuse of surgical treatment can account for the disparities in survival times between black and NHW patients with esophageal cancer.
Chromatogram libraries improve peptide detection and quantification by data independent acquisition mass spectrometry

Data independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry is a powerful technique that is improving the reproducibility and throughput of proteomics studies. Here, we introduce an experimental workflow that uses this technique to construct chromatogram libraries that capture fragment ion chromatographic peak shape and retention time for every detectable peptide in a proteomics experiment. These coordinates calibrate protein databases or spectrum libraries to a specific mass spectrometer and chromatography setup, facilitating DIA-only pipelines and the reuse of global resource libraries. We also present EncyclopeDIA, a software tool for generating and searching chromatogram libraries, and demonstrate the performance of our workflow by quantifying proteins in human and yeast cells. We find that by exploiting calibrated retention time and fragmentation specificity in chromatogram libraries, EncyclopeDIA can detect 20-25% more peptides from DIA experiments than with data dependent acquisition-based spectrum libraries alone.
Methotrexate disposition, anti-folate activity and efficacy in the collagen-induced arthritis mouse model.

Abstract Methotrexate (MTX) efficacy in autoimmune arthritis is variable and unpredictable resulting in the need for the identification of biomarkers to guide drug therapy. This study utilizes the collagen-induced arthritis mouse model to investigate erythrocyte MTX disposition and anti-folate activity as biochemical markers of efficacy in autoimmune arthritis. Following induction of arthritis, DBA/1J mice were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous MTX at varying doses over a period of 40 days. At the completion of the study tissue samples were analyzed for MTX and folate content and assessed for their relationship with MTX efficacy. MTX treatment resulted in a reduction in disease activity that was variable and dose-dependent. Erythrocyte accumulation of MTX and its polyglutamate metabolites were dose proportionate, however, polyglutamate metabolites represented a mean ± S.E.M. of 8.9 ± 0.4% of total erythrocyte MTX, which is markedly lower than previously observed in humans and failed to display any significant association with MTX efficacy. MTX treatment resulted in reductions in erythrocyte 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5mTHF) levels that were similar to those previously observed in human studies. Disease induction was associated with a decrease in liver 5mTHF and increased formyl-tetrahydrofolate (fTHF) that was normalized in MTX treated mice. MTX efficacy was associated with reductions in erythrocyte 5mTHF (P = 0.04) and increases in liver 5mTHF (P = 0.0001). Together, these findings demonstrate a relationship between alterations in tissue folate levels and MTX efficacy, and supports erythrocyte levels of 5mTHF as a marker of MTX efficacy in autoimmune arthritis.
Role of electrons in collision cascades in solids. I. Dissipative model

We present a detailed model for the nonadiabatic coupling between ions and electrons in energetic ion-solid interactions over a wide range of energies in concentrated solid-solution fcc alloys of the $3d$ transition metals Ni, Co, Fe, and Cr. The model is based on general statistical mechanical principles and results in a stochastic modification of the classical nuclei motion which is parameterized by the first-principles calculation of a dissipation function produced by explicit time-dependent electronic evolution. This model provides a full picture of an entire collision process, from the ballistic to the thermal phases of a cascade, giving a detailed description of the energy exchange between ions and electrons till their final thermalization, removing in this way some ad hoc assumptions used in the state-of-the-art atomistic two-temperature models. This work is separated in two papers; in the present Part I, we report on the ab initio methodology used to translate stopping power and electron-phonon interaction into a parameterized dissipation function; Part II, to be published, addresses the nonadiabatic ion dynamics using our modified Langevin dynamics [Tamm et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 185501 (2018)] applying the dissipation functions developed here to specific collision cascade events.
Effect of AAC technology with dynamic text on the single-word recognition of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Purpose: Single-word recognition can support participation in life, including engagement in leisure activities, navigation through the community, and vocational opportunities. Given the limited reading skills of many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and limited speech, the current study evaluated the effects of using an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app, featuring dynamic text and speech output embedded in visual scene displays, on the single-word recognition performance of six adults with IDD who demonstrated limited speech.Method: A multiple baseline across participants single-subject design was used. Ten target sight words for each participant were selected on an individual basis, based on participant interest. Intervention consisted solely of interactions between investigators and individual participants using the app.Result: In the absence of any formal instruction and solely through the use of the AAC app interaction, three of the six participants demonstrated increased accuracy in single-word recognition.Conclusion: Results from the study were mixed, but suggest that AAC apps which provide the dynamic display of text in conjunction with voice output can assist some adults with IDD in achieving gains in single-word reading.
The Dualist Model of Legal Teaching and Scholarship

This article presents a closely reasoned analysis of the relationship between the teaching and the scholarly functions of professors of law. This "dualist" model of concurrent law teacher and legal scholar is so much a part of the current culture that it is formally codified, and its use mandated, in the standards used to accredit all American law schools. This article examines carefully and critically the often repeated but rarely examined claim, implicitly assumed by this model, that the roles of teacher and scholar are fully mutually supportive. The article does not question that valuable synergies may exist between the activities of teaching and producing scholarship, though it does note that the majority of empirical studies investigating the question have found no significant relationship between teaching effectiveness and research productivity. Instead, the analysis focuses on an aspect of the issue that has received virtually no attention, the identifiable costs of the dualist model to both the teaching and the scholarship functions. At least half a dozen discrete costs to each function are identified and discussed. After recognizing symptoms of stress in both the law school teaching and scholarship functions, the article discusses the nearly impervious durability of the dualist model and considers some of the possible reasons for this phenomenon. Finally, the analysis turns to focus briefly on the likely costs and benefits of a dedicated-track model for law professors.
Winter Habitats of Bats in Texas

Few studies have described winter microclimate selection by bats in the southern United States. This is of particular importance as the cold-adapted fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which causes the fatal bat disease white-nose syndrome (WNS), continues to spread into southern United States. To better understand the suitability of winter bat habitats for the growth of P. destructans in this region, we collected roost temperature and vapor pressure deficit from 97 hibernacula in six ecoregions in Texas during winter 2016-17 and 2017-18. We also measured skin temperature of Rafinesque's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii), Townsend's big-eared bats (C. townsendii), big-brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius), cave myotis (M. velifer), tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus), and Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) during hibernation to study their use of torpor in these habitats. We found that temperatures within hibernacula were strongly correlated with external air temperatures and were often within the optimal range of temperatures for P. destructans growth. Hibernacula and skin temperatures differed among species, with Rafinesque's big-eared bats, southeastern myotis, and Mexican free-tailed bats occupying warmer microclimates and having higher torpid skin temperatures. For species that were broadly distributed throughout Texas, hibernacula and skin temperatures differed within species by ecoregion; Tri-colored bats and cave myotis in colder, northern regions occupied colder microclimates within hibernacula and exhibited colder skin temperatures, than individuals of the same species in warmer, southern regions. These data illustrate the variability in microclimates used as hibernacula by bats in Texas and suggest similar variation in susceptibility to WNS in the state. Thus, monitoring microclimates at winter roosts may help predict where WNS may develop, and where management efforts would be most effective.
Advanced oxidation process for the inactivation of Salmonella typhimurium on tomatoes by combination of gaseous ozone and aerosolized hydrogen peroxide.

Fresh produce-associated outbreaks of foodborne illnesses continue to occur every year in the U.S., suggesting limitations of current practices and the need for effective intervention technologies. Advanced oxidation process involves production of hydrogen radicals, which are the strongest oxidant. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of advanced oxidation process by combining gaseous ozone and aerosolized hydrogen peroxide. Grape tomatoes were inoculated with a 2-strain cocktail of Salmonella typhimurium on both stem scar and smooth surface. Gaseous ozone (800 and 1600 ppm) and aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (2.5, 5 and 10%) were separately or simultaneously introduced into a treatment chamber where the inoculated tomatoes were placed. During the 30 min treatments, hydrogen peroxide was aerosolized using an atomizer operated in two modes: continuously or 15 s on/50 s off. After the treatments, surviving Salmonella on the smooth surface and stem scar were enumerated. Results showed that ozone alone reduced Salmonella populations by <0.6 log CFU/fruit on both the smooth surface and the stem scar area, and aerosolized hydrogen peroxide alone reduced the populations by up to 2.1 log CFU/fruit on the smooth surface and 0.8 log CFU/fruit on stem scar area. However, the combination treatments reduced the populations by up to 5.2 log CFU/fruit on smooth surface and 4.2 log CFU/fruit on the stem scar. Overall, our results demonstrate that gaseous ozone and aerosolized hydrogen peroxide have synergistic effects on the reduction of Salmonella populations on tomatoes.
Moments of danger: The struggle for community-based public radio in Baltimore

This article explores the struggle of The Center for Emerging Media, an independent community media organisation in Baltimore with roots in the radical traditions of the American left, and aspirations for leveraging new media technologies to empower a new generation of voices and stories, to find audiences at the margins of the US public radio industry in a neoliberal moment of danger. As US Public radio networks have increasingly catered to well-to-do listeners keen to hear about social difference but not from the voices of the marginalised, organisations like the CEM have become increasingly endangered, resilient and necessary. This article explores those dangers and the resilience they inspire, and considers possible futures for alternative community media.
Proposta de ensino de eletromagnetismo baseada nos efeitos da corrente elétrica, por meio do uso de vídeos, de experimentos e de uma visita Ã escola da ciência física da cidade de Vitória - ES

In this article a didactic proposal for the teaching of electromagnetism based on the effects of electric current was developed. The proposal was applied to a third year high school class. The meetings of the application took place in the classroom, most of them, however, there was a visit to a non-formal teaching space, which was the School of Physical Science of Vitoria - ES, which is a kind of museum of physics. This proposal was structured in the methodological procedure of the Three Pedagogical Moments, which is divided into initial problematization, knowledge organization and knowledge application. In this sense, in addition to the use of a non-formal space, we had the use of videos in order to motivate students about the topics covered and encounters with socio-interactive and dialogical characteristics. In general, the results obtained in this work were significant, and through the analysis of the questionnaires we could verify that there was, for most students, conceptual development in much of the content.
Prospective associations between intolerance of uncertainty and psychopathology

Abstract Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is an important transdiagnostic risk factor across internalizing conditions. Little research has focused on establishing temporal relationships between IU and these conditions. The current study examined whether changes in IU across one year would lead to increased internalizing symptoms and elevations across diagnostic indicators. 138 students completed a diagnostic interview and battery of questionnaires at baseline and one-year follow-up. Changes in IU were significantly associated with increases in symptoms of social anxiety, worry, depression, and negative affect. Further, changes in IU were significantly related to an increased incidence of DSM-5 diagnosis and panic attacks from baseline to one-year follow-up. Changes in IU were not associated with increases in symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Further, we did not find evidence for temporal precedence—baseline IU was not significantly associated with increases in internalizing symptoms or diagnostic indicators. Our results corroborate previous research suggesting that IU is an important transdiagnostic risk and extend prior work by showing that changes in IU are associated with changes in diagnostic outcomes. We did not find evidence showing temporal precedence for IU. Given the malleability of IU, these findings are clinically relevant and developing protocols aimed at reducing IU would be important.
Monolayer MoS 2 Steep-slope Transistors with Record-high Sub-60-mV/decade Current Density Using Dirac-source Electron Injection

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors such as MoS 2 are promising material candidates for next-generation energy-efficient nanoelectronics. For the first time, a 2D steep-slope field-effect transistor (FET) based on novel Dirac-source electron injection (DSEI) was demonstrated where monolayer graphene (Gr) source injects cold electrons to monolayer MoS 2 channel. As an innovative steep transistor concept, this atomic-thin 2D DSEI-FET shows the minimum subthreshold swing (SS) of 29 mV/decade and, more importantly, a record-high sub-60-mV/decade current density (over 1 μA/μm) compared to any state-of-the-art 2D or three-dimensional (3D) tunneling FETs (TFETs) or negative capacitance FETs (NCFETs).
The Risks and Rewards of Data Creation: A Heuristic for Composition Instructors

Abstract This article provides a heuristic for composition instructors to help them examine digitally networked technologies (DNTs) so that they may decide whether or not the rewards of using such technologies outweigh the risks. In circumstances where instructors do not have much say in which DNTs they must use or in the ways they must use them, the heuristic is also meant to help instructors work with their administrators to show them the potential risks that such technologies pose to instructors’ careers. In other words, it offers instructors a means in which to reflect upon the unique roles instructors take on and to help them speak with those at their institutions who make important decisions regarding the technologies they can and cannot use in their classrooms. Specifically, this heuristic enables instructors to pay closer attention to the data that they and others might create, control, use, and circulate when using DNTs and to determine whether this data might help to advance instructors’ careers in ways that uniquely benefit instructors or whether the use of DNTs might actually hinder their careers instead.
Migrant Agency and Counter-Hegemonic Efforts Among Asylum Seekers in the Netherlands in Response to Geopolitical Control and Exclusion

Migrants who reach EU asylum camps face various forms of spatialised violence that are bolstered by or produced within these geopolitical protracted spaces of waiting. Segregated from society, migr...
Characterization of the direct pathway in Dyt1 ΔGAG heterozygous knock-in mice and dopamine receptor 1-expressing-cell-specific Dyt1 conditional knockout mice

Abstract DYT1 dystonia is a movement disorder mainly caused by a trinucleotide deletion (ΔGAG) in DYT1 (TOR1A), coding for torsinA. DYT1 dystonia patients show trends of decreased striatal ligand-binding activities to dopamine receptors 1 (D1R) and 2 (D2R). Dyt1 ΔGAG knock-in (KI) mice, which have the corresponding ΔGAG deletion, similarly exhibit reduced striatal D1R and D2R-binding activities and their expression levels. While the consequences of D2R reduction have been well characterized, relatively little is known about the effect of D1R reduction. Here, locomotor responses to D1R and D2R antagonists were examined in Dyt1 KI mice. Dyt1 KI mice showed significantly less responsiveness to both D1R antagonist SCH 23390 and D2R antagonist raclopride. The electrophysiological recording indicated that Dyt1 KI mice showed a significantly increased paired-pulse ratio of the striatal D1R-expressing medium spiny neurons and altered miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. To analyze the in vivo torsinA function in the D1R-expressing neurons further, Dyt1 conditional knockout (Dyt1 d1KO) mice in these neurons were generated. Dyt1 d1KO mice had decreased spontaneous locomotor activity and reduced numbers of slips in the beam-walking test. Dyt1 d1KO male mice showed abnormal gait. Dyt1 d1KO mice showed defective striatal D1R maturation. Moreover, the mutant striatal D1R-expressing medium spiny neurons had increased capacitance, decreased sEPSC frequency, and reduced intrinsic excitability. The results suggest that torsinA in the D1R-expressing cells plays an important role in the electrophysiological function and motor performance. Medical interventions to the direct pathway may affect the onset and symptoms of this disorder.
Chapter 32 Neurotrophin gene therapy in CNS models of trauma and degeneration

Publisher Summary Mounting evidence over the past decade indicates that the central nervous system (CNS) retains a substantial degree of structural and functional plasticity throughout life. The class of protein molecules termed neurotrophic factors plays a significant role in modulating CNS plasticity. In development, neurotrophic factors promote neuronal survival, stimulate axonal growth, and influence axonal target finding and synaptic function. Further, in adulthood neurotrophic factors can prevent neuronal degeneration, promote axonal regeneration in various animal models of neuronal injury and degeneration, and continue to play a likely role in modulating synaptic function. Neurotrophic factors represent a potential means of manipulating the natural course of neuronal dysfunction after injury, or in the course of neurodegenerative conditions to treat nervous system disease. Several fundamental issues must be addressed when examining the biological influences of neurotrophic factors on the nervous system, and the therapeutic potential of neurotrophic factors. First, these relatively large protein molecules must be delivered to intraparenchymal CNS targets across the blood-brain barrier. Second, their provision to sites in the nervous system must be well targeted and regionally restricted both to ensure that targeted neuronal systems can access the growth factor and to prevent potentially deleterious responses from non-targeted neuronal systems. Finally, an ideal delivery system will safely and continuously deliver growth factors to the intended target. Gene therapy is a potential means of accomplishing the goal of effective and safe neurotrophin delivery to the central nervous system and is the subject of this chapter.
Automatic Generation of Modular Time-Space Mappings and Data Alignments

Time-space transformations and data alignments that can lead to efficient execution of parallel programs have been extensively studied. Recently, modular time-space transformations have been proposed to generate a class of algorithm mappings that cannot be described by linear time-space transformations. This paper proposes a new class of data alignments, called expanded modular data alignments (EMDAs), for programs that result from modular time-space transformations. An EMDA subsumes multiple modular data alignments, which are described by affine functions modulo a constant vector. Conditions of a modular time-space mapping and an EMDA for perfect alignment are described. However, these conditions together with other conditions for validity and optimality of a modular mapping introduce nonlinear constraints in the problem of generating modular mappings. A method of O(n^2) complexity is provided to choose some entries of a transformation matrix so that nonlinear constraints are transformed into linear ones, where n is the dimension of the computation domain (e.g., the number of nested loops). Although the solution space of the problem is reduced by assigning fixed values to some entries, the proposed heuristic attempts to minimize the number of the fixed entries and consequently to exclude as few solutions as possible.
Galectin-3 Binding and Metastasis

Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a member of a growing family of carbohydrate-binding proteins. It consists of two functional domains: an amino-(N)-terminal domain, which is cleavable by collagenases and is responsible for dimerization as well as secretion of the protein, and a carboxy-(C)-terminal domain with affinity for carbohydrates containing N-acetylactosamine residues. Gal-3 is present in the nucleus, the cytoplasm, and also the extracellular matrix of many normal and neoplastic cell types. However, an array of reports show an up-regulation of this protein in transformed and metastatic cell lines (1,2). Moreover, in many human carcinomas, an increased expression of gal-3 correlates with progressive tumor stages (3,6).
Influence of blood flow occlusion on the development of peripheral and central fatigue during small muscle mass handgrip exercise.

Key points Critical power represents an important threshold for neuromuscular fatigue development and may, therefore, dictate intensities for which exercise tolerance is determined by the magnitude of fatigue accrued. Peripheral fatigue appears to be constant across O2 delivery conditions for large muscle mass exercise, but this consistency is equivocal for smaller muscle mass exercise. We sought to determine the influence of blood flow occlusion during handgrip exercise on neuromuscular fatigue development and to examine the relationship between neuromuscular fatigue development and W ′. Blood flow occlusion influenced the development of both peripheral and central fatigue, thus providing further evidence that the magnitude of peripheral fatigue is not constant across O2 delivery conditions for small muscle mass exercise. W ′ appears to be related to the magnitude of fatigue accrued during exercise, which may explain the reported consistency of intramuscular metabolic perturbations and work performed for severe-intensity exercise. Abstract The influence of the muscle metabolic milieu on peripheral and central fatigue is currently unclear. Moreover, the relationships between peripheral and central fatigue and the curvature constant (W ′) have not been investigated. Six men (age: 25 ± 4 years, body mass: 82 ± 10 kg, height: 179 ± 4 cm) completed four constant power handgrip tests to exhaustion under conditions of control exercise (Con), blood flow occlusion exercise (Occ), Con with 5 min post-exercise blood flow occlusion (Con + Occ), and Occ with 5 min post-exercise blood flow occlusion (Occ + Occ). Neuromuscular fatigue measurements and W ′ were obtained for each subject. Each trial resulted in significant peripheral and central fatigue. Significantly greater peripheral (79.7 ± 5.1% vs. 22.7 ± 6.0%) and central (42.6 ± 3.9% vs. 4.9 ± 2.0%) fatigue occurred for Occ than for Con. In addition, significantly greater peripheral (83.0 ± 4.2% vs. 69.0 ± 6.2%) and central (65.5 ± 14.6% vs. 18.6 ± 4.1%) fatigue occurred for Occ + Occ than for Con + Occ. W ′ was significantly related to the magnitude of global (r = 0.91) and peripheral (r = 0.83) fatigue. The current findings demonstrate that blood flow occlusion exacerbated the development of both peripheral and central fatigue and that post-exercise blood flow occlusion prevented the recovery of both peripheral and central fatigue. Moreover, the current findings suggest that W ′ may be determined by the magnitude of fatigue accrued during exercise.
Using case studies of ethical dilemmas for the development of moral literacy: Towards educating for social justice

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on a case study, framed as an ethical dilemma. It serves as an illustration for the teaching of moral literacy, with a special emphasis on social justice.Design/methodology/approach – Initially, the paper provides a rationale for the inclusion of case studies, emphasizing moral problems in university teaching. It discusses briefly the strengths and weaknesses of using these types of case studies in the classroom. In particular, it explains how both the rational and emotional minds can be addressed, through the use of these moral dilemmas, by introducing two concepts: Multiple Ethical Paradigms and Turbulence Theory. Following an explanation of the two concepts, an illustrative case is provided. This case deals with aspects of No Child Left Behind legislation that narrows the curriculum for some students. The underlying social justice issue of this case is raised. The dilemma is followed by a discussion of how to resolve or solve it by raising questions that ...
Agave as a model CAM crop system for a warming and drying world

As climate change leads to drier and warmer conditions in semi-arid regions, growing resource-intensive C3 and C4 crops will become more challenging. Such crops will be subjected to increased frequency and intensity of drought and heat stress. However, agaves, even more than pineapple (Ananas comosus) and prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica and related species), typify highly productive plants that will respond favorably to global warming, both in natural and cultivated settings. With nearly 200 species spread throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Central America, agaves have evolved traits, including crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), that allow them to survive extreme heat and drought. Agaves have been used as sources of food, beverage, and fiber by societies for hundreds of years. The varied uses of Agave, combined with its unique adaptations to environmental stress, warrant its consideration as a model CAM crop. Besides the damaging cycles of surplus and shortage that have long beset the tequila industry, the relatively long maturation cycle of Agave, its monocarpic flowering habit, and unique morphology comprise the biggest barriers to its widespread use as a crop suitable for mechanized production. Despite these challenges, agaves exhibit potential as crops since they can be grown on marginal lands, but with more resource input than is widely assumed. If these constraints can be reconciled, Agave shows considerable promise as an alternative source for food, alternative sweeteners, and even bioenergy. And despite the many unknowns regarding agaves, they provide a means to resolve disparities between natural and human systems in semi-arid regions.
The systematics of nematodes that cause ostertagiasis in domestic and wild ruminants in North America: an update and a key to species

Abstract Studies of medium stomach worms (Subfamily Ostertagiinae) of domestic and wild ruminants in North America have refined our understanding of the systematics, host distribution and biogeography of these nematodes. Strong support for recognition of monophyly for the Ostertagiinae has resulted from preliminary phylogenetic analyses of morphological characters among these and other trichostrongylids. Evaluation of morphological and biochemical characters in our laboratory and elsewhere has not refuted the polymorphism hypothesis where paired major and minor morphotypes are postulated to represent polymorphic species within the genera Ostertagia (Ostertagia ostertagi/Ostertagia lyrata; Ostertagia leptospicularis/Ostertagia kolchida; Ostertagia gruehneri/Ostertagia arctica; Ostertagia mossi/Ostertagia dikmansi), Teladorsagia (Teladorsagia circumcincta/Teladorsagia trifurcata (=Teladorsagia davtiani), and Marshallagia (Marshallagia marshalli/Marshallagia occidentalis). The minor mophotype of Ostertagia bisonis, recognized in Eurasia (considered to be Teladorsagia kazakhstanica), has yet to be discovered in North America. The taxonomy of these species has remained stable since an earlier overview of Ostertagia spp. and Teladorsagia spp. in North America domestic stock at the 1986 Ostertagia Workshop. Investigations since 1986 have focused on comparative morphology and the clear differentiation of Ostertagiinae, primarily from wild ruminants, that have been reportd or may potentially occur in domestic bovids. Among these are species which infect wild and domestic sheep (Marshallagia marshalli/Marshallagia occidentalis), bovids (Ostertagia bisonis), and cervids (Ostertagia mossi/Ostertagia dikmansi, Ostertagia leptospicularis/Ostertagia kolchida, Ostertagia gruehneri/Ostertagia arctica, Mazamastrongylus odocoilei and Mazamastrongylus pursglovei) in North America. A key is presented for identifying 5 species of the Subfamily Ostertagiinae that are parasitic in domestic and wild ruminants of North America. Four exotic species (Camelostrongylus mentulatus, Spiculopteragia spiculoptera (=Spiculopeteragia boehmi), Spiculopteragia asymmetrica and Longistrongylus curvispiculum) have been reported in North America, but only in game farms and are not included in the key. Hyostrongyus rubidus, a member of the Ostertagiinae normally parasitic in pigs and only rarely reported from domestic ruminants, is not included in the keys. Additional data from comparative morphology and molecular analyses will promote a reassessment of the generic-level systematics of the Ostertagiinae and allow an evaluation of host-parasite evolution and historical biogeography.