cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and risk for coronary heart disease events

Abstract Background Tissue proportions of long chain n −6 [especially arachidonic acid (AA)] and n −3 fatty acids [FA; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) acids], or some ratio of these may be markers of risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the published associations between risk for CHD events and tissue n −3 and n −6 FA composition. Methods Case–control or prospective cohort data sets examining the risk for CHD endpoints as a function of tissue FA composition were identified. Effect sizes were computed for case versus control comparisons using standard meta-analytic methods. Results Twenty-five studies were included, 18 examining the FA composition of phospholipid-rich and 7 of triglyceride-rich samples. DHA, with or without EPA, was significantly lower in cases than controls in all studies combined, in those with fatal endpoints, in those with prospective designs, and in both tissue types. The only setting where increased AA was associated with case status was in adipose tissue. The AA/EPA ratio in phospholipid-rich samples did not distinguish cases from controls. Lower linoleic acid content was associated with increased risk for non-fatal events. Conclusions The long-chain n −3 FA, especially DHA, were consistently and significantly reduced in patients experiencing CHD events. These findings add further support to the view that long-chain n −3 FA are cardioprotective.
'Nurr'ishing Treg cells: Nr4a transcription factors control Foxp3 expression

The Nr4a family of transcription factors transactivate expression of the transcription factor Foxp3 and are essential for the generation of regulatory T cells. Mice deficient in all three members of the Nr4a family develop massive multiorgan inflammation.
RAPID METHOD FOR THE SEPARATION AND DETERMINATION OF BISMUTH, ANTIMONY, AND TIN BY CONTROLLED CATHODE ELECTROANALYSIS

Abstract A study was made of the separation and determination of bismuth, antimony, and tin by electrochemical means, using controlled cathode potential. The effects of electrolyte composition, cathode potential, and temperature were investigated with respect to separations of the three metals and degree of recovery of each. Best results were obtained by use of an electrolyte containing sulfate and citrate. A procedure was devised which would serve for rapid analysis for bismuth, antimony and tin in the form of mixtures and alloys
Short-lived olefin triplets and energy transfer from them to β-carotene

Abstract Results concerning lifetimes, and kinetics of quenching by β-carotene, are reported for short-lived triplets of several conjugated dienes and aryl-su
Confusing conclusions and the clinician: an approach to evaluating case-control studies.

Between the news in the popular press that hamburgers in Seattle caused hemolytic-uremic syndrome and that diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine can cause neurologic damage, and the advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics that this vaccine probably does not cause neurologic damage I and that prone sleeping is recommended for infants, 2 pediatricians are bombarded by statements based on case-control studies. Recently published case-control studies have addressed the relationships between neonatal vitamin K deficiency and maternal anticonvulsants, 3 risk factors for adolescent suicide, 4 the protective effects of breastfeeding, 5 and whether passive smoking is associated with SIDS. 6 Interpretation of studies such as these is generally the domain of the clinician, who in turn must be able to analyze critically and expediently the data on which these claims are based. Case-control studies, the foundation of traditional epidemiotogy, are widely used in medical investigation because they are usually less expensive and less time-consuming than studies using experimental or prospective cohort designs. The experimental approach of the randomized, controlled trial serves as the gold standard for cause-and-effect research. 7 However, this design may be impractical for rare diseases or may be unethical, especially when adverse outcomes are being investigated. Case-control studies are often used to address questions of rare drug effects, environmental toxins, the cause(s) of rare disease(s), and, occasionally, protective effects. Although case-control studies are subject to more biases than prospective analytic or experimental Studies, invalid conclusions most often result from poor performance of the study than from the method itself. The reader who understands the design and develops the ability to detect the particular biases that can be introduced into
Simple power law for transport ratio with bimodal distributions of coarse sediments under waves

[1] Morphodynamic models of coastal evolution require relatively simple parameterizations of sediment transport for application over larger scales. Here we present a transport parameterization for bimodal distributions of coarse quartz grains using simulations from a discrete particle model for sheet flow and near sheet flow conditions. The discrete particle model simulates the simplest one-dimensional fluid using a turbulent eddy viscosity determined from a mixing length coupled to particle motions. The motions of individual sand grains are simulated using spherical elements. Newton’s second law in translational and rotational forms is solved for every particle in the domain as determined by both grain-grain and grain-fluid interactions. The forcing from idealized monochromatic waves is accomplished by specifying a spatially constant, time varying horizontal pressure gradient acting on the simulation domain. Consequently, the time series of the free-stream fluid acceleration and velocity are also fixed. Simulations cover a range of wave forcing, diameter ratios for the large and small grains in the bimodal size distribution, and mass ratios of large to small grains in the simulation domain, for a total of 243 unique simulation conditions. The simulation results are successfully parameterized with a simple power law that allows for the prediction of the transport rates of each size fraction in the bimodal distribution. The simple power law determined from simulations provides favorable predictions of transport rates for each size fraction when applied to available laboratory data for sheet flow with bimodal size distributions. It is important to note that rapid vertical kinematic sorting of grains by size is explicitly simulated with the model and thus implicitly captured by the power law. Discussion focuses on practical application of the power law.
A modified finite element-transfer matrix for control design of space structures

The Finite Element-Transfer Matrix (FETM) method was developed for reducing the computational efforts involved in structural analysis. While being widely used by structural analysts, this method does, however, have certain limitations, particularly when used for the control design of large flexible structures. In this paper, a new formulation based on the FETM method is presented. The new method effectively overcomes the limitations in the original FETM method, and also allows an easy construction of reduced models that are tailored for the control design. Other advantages of this new method include the ability to extract open loop frequencies and mode shapes with less computation, and simplification of the design procedures for output feedback, constrained compensation, and decentralized control. The development of this new method and the procedures for generating reduced models using this method are described in detail and the role of the reduced models in control design is discussed through an illustrative example.
Real-Time Environmental Monitoring and Notification for Public Safety

Editor's NoteResearchers at Kean University describe their experience developing and deploying a real-time environmental monitoring and visualization system using a mesh network of wireless sensors. Challenges they addressed in their design of the Wireless Integrated Network Sensors (WiNS) application include issues associated with the data volume, latency, and data synchronization from individually clocked sensors.-Doree Duncan Seligmann.
Writing a textbook, the easy way

This paper describes the steps used by the author to write a textbook (The Technology of Metallurgy, Merrill/Macmillan, 1994). Although the process seemed evolutionary, in retrospect it was a reiterative one. Feedback from students and reviewers helped define the scope and content of the text. In total it took six years from first draft to the last. The versatility and flexibility of the computer was invaluable. Initially copyright problems seemed challenging, but they proved to be manageable. The author encourages teachers of technical subjects to write text materials adapted both for their particular course(s) and for the learning style(s) of their students.
The interface in binary mixtures of polymers containing a corresponding block copolymer: Effects of industrial mixing processes and of coalescence

In theories of the minor phase (domain) formation in polyblends rendered as emulsions it is usually assumed that the size and shape of the domains are the result of melt viscosity effects (Taylor, Wu) or viscoelasticity effects (VanOene, Elmendorp) being balanced by interfacial tension. This assumption would predict a monotonic decrease of the domain size to a final limiting size with increasing energy of mixing. However, a systematic study of the dependence of domain morphology on industrial mixing processes which was carried out on a “model” LDPE/PS (2/1) mixture and the related polyalloy (i.e., the same mixture with a corresponding block copolymer as compatibilizer) does not support this expectation. Doirain size was found to go through a minimum as mixing energy was increased. A similar minimum was seen in data on specific volume of the melt vs. mixing energy, which indicates a correlation between melt specific volume and domain size. Calculation of the approximate surface area of the domains using a simple model of domain shape indicated that total interfacial energy in the polyblend and/or polyalloy is a trivial part of the mixing energy introduced. These calculations also indicated that if compatibilizer was located entirely at the interface, the surface layer would have a thickness of about 90 nm. Some micrographs seem to show such a surface layer. We propose that an abrasion mechanism is responsible for the early stage of the dispersion process, and that the final domain size may be controlled by a dispersion-coalescence equilibrium. This is compared with the theories of final particle size proposed by VanOene and Wu.
Vascular erosion by central venous catheters. Clinical features and outcome

We evaluated the clinical characteristics of eight patients who presented with vascular erosion from central venous catheters and reviewed the available literature. Patients typically presented with dyspnea or chest pain, unilateral or bilateral pleural effusions, and mediastinal widening one to seven days after catheter insertion. Pleural fluid appeared transudative with variable glucose concentrations (range, 174 to 588 mg/dl) that were always greater than concurrent serum values. Diagnosis was delayed 3.0 ± 1.5 days (range, 0 to 11 days) after vascular erosion. One patient died and four patients received chest tubes. Seven of eight patients had left-sided line placement; six of these seven left-sided catheters abutted the superior vena cava wall within approximately 45° of perpendicular. Results of a literature search confirm the hazards of delayed diagnosis and the importance of left-sided catheter placement as a risk factor for vascular erosion.
Adaptive resource allocation in jamming teams using game theory

In this work, we study the problem of power allocation and adaptive modulation in teams of decision makers. We consider the special case of two teams with each team consisting of two mobile agents. Agents belonging to the same team communicate over wireless ad hoc networks, and they try to split their available power between the tasks of communication and jamming the nodes of the other team. The agents have constraints on their total energy and instantaneous power usage. The cost function adopted is the difference between the rates of erroneously transmitted bits of each team. We model the adaptive modulation problem as a zero-sum matrix game which in turn gives rise to a a continuous kernel game to handle power control. Based on the communications model, we present sufficient conditions on the physical parameters of the agents for the existence of a pure strategy saddle-point equilibrium (PSSPE).
The Relationship Between Seriously Considering, Planning, and Attempting Suicide in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The assumed ordinal relationship between seriously considering, planning, and attempting suicide in the 1999 Youth Risk Behavior Survey was examined by constructing a trajectory that identified all possible response patterns among the four questions measuring suicidal activity. Statistical analysis tested for differences in frequency of risk behaviors across levels of the trajectory. Overall, the trajectory provided insight to the progression of adolescent suicidal activity and demonstrated usefulness as a measure of suicidal intent. Significant differences between means of dependent variables at each level of the normative trajectory supported the hypothesis that frequency of risk behaviors increases monotonically with successive suicidal thought and behavior.
Habitat-specific feeding by cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) of the northern Gulf of Mexico

Past studies have suggested that increases in cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) abundance may pose problems for fisheries management due to their specialized diet of exploitable mollusks. However, more recent work has identified cownose rays as opportunistic generalists, consuming mainly non- commercial prey (e.g. soft-bodied invertebrates) most abundant in their locale. To better assess the generalist vs. specialist foraging behaviors of cownose rays, including their impact to commercial shellfish of the north-central Gulf of Mexico, we conducted gut content analysis on 201 individuals from coastal Alabama. Prey items were analyzed for frequency of occurrence and percent composition by weight, which were used to develop an index of importance. Our diet analysis indicated a minimal impact of cownose rays to exploitable shellfish species of coastal Ala- bama. Further, we observed important spatial and ontogenetic diet variability: adult diets were dominat- ed by crustaceans along barrier islands and open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, whereas juvenile and young-of-the-year individuals almost exclusively con- sumed bivalves in riverine and estuarine areas. Individual cownose ray diets were primarily mono- typic (54.3%) and appeared selective for amphipods (i.e. Haustorius sp.) when hyperabundant along gulf barrier islands and bivalves at estuarine sites regard- less of ambient densities. While this study highlights the importance of locality in determining dietary composition of cownose rays, we do not suggest this species is opportunistic or completely mollusk- specialized. Alternatively, we propose cownose rays exhibit a continuum of foraging behaviors between specialization and generalization, depending on locale and prey availability.
The effect of discontinuity persistence on rock slope stability

Discontinuity persistence has a major effect on rock mass resistance (strength) but, as direct mapping of discontinuities internal to a rock mass is not possible, persistence is a difficult parameter to measure. As a result, the conservative approach of assuming full persistence is often taken. In this paper a method is developed for relating rock mass stability and hence persistence to the geometry and spatial variability of discontinuities. The method is applied to slope stability calculations in which the probability of failure is related to discontinuity data, as obtained in joint surveys. The complete method makes use of dynamic programming and simulation, but a closed form expression satisfactory for most purposes is also presented.
siRecords: a database of mammalian RNAi experiments and efficacies

RNAi-based gene-silencing techniques offer a fast and cost-effective way of knocking down genes' functions in an easily regulated manner. Exciting progress has been made in recent years in the application of these techniques in basic biomedical research and therapeutic development. However, it remains a difficult task to design effective siRNA experiments with high efficacy and specificity. We present siRecords, an extensive database of mammalian RNAi experiments with consistent efficacy ratings. This database serves two purposes. First, it provides a large and diverse dataset of siRNA experiments. This dataset faithfully represents the general, diverse RNAi experimental practice, and allows more reliable siRNA design tools to be developed with the overfitting problem well curbed. Second, the database helps experimental RNAi researchers directly by providing them with the efficacy and other information about the siRNAs experiments designed and conducted previously against the genes of their interest. The current release of siRecords contains the records of 17,192 RNAi experiments targeting 5086 genes.
Tuberculosis in Hospital Employees as Affected by an Admission Chest X-ray Screening Program

Tuberculosis represents a distinct occupational hazard to hospital employees. This danger has been attested by the fact that from 1942 through 1955, 90 employees of the Los Angeles County Hospital were awarded compensation for tuberculosis. Five of these patients are known to have died of their disease. The incidence was six times as high among those having close contact with patients: i.e., physicians, nurses, attendants, laboratory technicians, etc., as among clerical and other non-exposed personnel. Since the institution of a routine admission chest x-ray screening program in the latter part of 1951, the danger of an employee contracting tuberculosis has almost disappeared. The incidence of newly developed disease among employees has dropped to less than one-fifth of the former rate and not one instance has been found so far among those who began to work at the hospital after 1952. The early recognition and isolation of patients with hitherto unsuspected tuberculosis on the general wards of the hospital should be emphasized as the most important means of reducing personnel exposure and infection. The saving in compensation alone has already amounted to more than the cost of the entire admission chest screening program.
Surveyor: a system for generating coherent survey articles for scientific topics

We investigate the task of generating coherent survey articles for scientific topics. We introduce an extractive summarization algorithm that combines a content model with a discourse model to generate coherent and readable summaries of scientific topics using text from scientific articles relevant to the topic. Human evaluation on 15 topics in computational linguistics shows that our system produces significantly more coherent summaries than previous systems. Specifically, our system improves the ratings for coherence by 36% in human evaluation compared to C-Lexrank, a state of the art system for scientific article summarization.
Differentiation of Linear and Cyclic Polymer Architectures by MALDI Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS2)

[M + Ag]+ ions from cyclic and linear polystyrenes and polybutadienes, formed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI), give rise to significantly different fragmentation patterns in tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) experiments. In both cases, fragmentation starts with homolytic cleavage at the weakest bond, usually a C–C bond, to generate two radicals. From linear structures, the separated radicals depolymerize extensively by monomer losses and backbiting rearrangements, leading to low-mass radical ions and much less abundant medium- and high-mass closed-shell fragments that contain one of the original end groups, along with internal fragments. With cyclic structures, depolymerization is less efficient, as it can readily be terminated by intramolecular H-atom transfer between the still interconnected radical sites (disproportionation). These differences in fragmentation reactivity result in substantially different fragment ion distributions in the MS2 spectra. Simple inspection of the relative intensities of low- versus high-mass fragments permits conclusive determination of the macromolecular architecture, while full spectral interpretation reveals the individual end groups of linear polymers or the identity of the linker used to form the cyclic polymer.
Identification of a homeodomain binding element in the bone sialoprotein gene promoter that is required for its osteoblast-selective expression.

Bone sialoprotein is a 70-kDa extracellular matrix component that is intimately associated with biomineralization, yet the cis-acting elements of the Bsp gene that restrict its expression to mineralizing cells remain uncharacterized. To identify such elements, we analyzed a 2472-base pair fragment of the murine promoter that directs osteoblast-selective expression of a luciferase reporter gene and found that the region between –338 and –178 relative to the transcriptional start is crucial for its osteoblast-selective activity. We identified an element within this region that binds a protein complex in the nuclear extracts of osteoblastic cells and is required for its transcriptional activity. Introduction of a mutation that disrupts a homeodomain binding site within this sequence eliminates both its in vitro binding and nearly all of the osteoblastic-selective activity of the 2472-base pair promoter. We further found that the Dlx5 homeoprotein, which is able to regulate the osteoblast-specific osteocalcin promoter, can bind this element and stimulate its enhancer activity when overexpressed in COS7 cells. These data represent the first description of an osteoblast-specific element within the bone sialoprotein promoter and demonstrate its regulation by a member of a family of factors known to be involved in skeletogenesis.
General covariance, new variables and dynamics without dynamics

We give an example of a generally covariant geometric field theory which leads to the standard Gaussian and supermomentum constraints but which lacks the super-Hamiltonian constraint. This theory is closely linked to Ashtekar’s canonical formulation of general relativity. We discuss the Dirac constraint quantization of our model and comment on the issues which it raises regarding the quantization of generally covariant systems.
Effects of Mental Health Parity on High Utilizers of Services: Pre-Post Evidence From a Large, Self-Insured Employer

Objective:This study evaluated utilization of mental health and substance use services among enrollees at a large employee health plan following changes to benefit limits after passage in 2008 of federal mental health parity legislation.Methods:This study used a pre-post design. Benefits and claims data for 43,855 enrollees in the health plan in 2009 and 2010 were analyzed for utilization and costs after removal of a 30-visit cap on the number of covered mental health visits.Results:There was a large increase in the proportion of health plan enrollees with more than 30 outpatient visits after the cap’s removal, an increase of 255% among subscribers and 176% among dependents (p<.001). The number of people near the 30-visit limit for substance use disorders was too few to observe an effect.Conclusions:Federal mental health parity legislation is likely to increase utilization of mental health services by individuals who had previously met their benefit limit.
Appendices for Interring the Pioneer Invention Doctrine

Online Appendices for: Interring the Pioneer Invention Doctrine, 90 North Carolina Law Review (forthcoming 2012).
Sequencing the genome of hope.

234 Background: Hope is widely regarded as essential to the emotional health of cancer pts, yet remains under-studied. We sought to explore the concept of hope and develop a teaching module to educate providers about the importance of hope in optimizing oncology care. Methods: We audio recorded interviews with oncology patients. Questions focused on what hope means, the role it plays in their ability to manage their illness, and ways in which they felt oncology providers could engender hope and positively impact their experience. We also interviewed oncology providers, including physicians, nurses, and social workers. Questions focused on the role they feel hope plays for their pts, whether or not they have received training in how to discuss hope, and tools they use to discuss hope with their pts. Common themes were extracted to form the backbone of a webcast-style teaching module. Results: A total of 24 volunteers were enrolled in an IRB approved protocol. One half of the subjects were pts and the other...
Introduction to Legal Affinities: Explorations in the Legal Form of Thought

This is my Introduction to Legal Affinities: Explorations in the Legal Form of Thought (forthcoming 2012) (co-edited with H. Jefferson Powell and Jack Sammons), a volume of essays dedicated to exploring the work of Joseph Vining. The Introduction introduces Vining’s phenomenology of law and surveys the themes and topics developed by the volume’s eight authors: Joseph Vining, Judge John T. Noonan, Jr., Rev. John McCausland, H. Jefferson Powell, Jack Sammons, Steve Smith, James Boyd White, and Patrick Brennan.
A Rapid Test of Significance for Differences Between Percentages

T O DETERMINE the statistical significance of differences between percentages found in pairs of samples is a chore which requires a good deal of statistical drudgery, based on a fair amount of statistical knowledge and skill. Consequently, a large proportion of sociological studies based on such comparisons have been presented without any systematic tests of significance. For example, the Cornell study of Puzblic Reaction to the Atomic Bomb and World A fJairs' was published without evidence of systematic and comprehensive checks of this kind. At least one previous attempt has been made to provide a short-cut to facilitate the testing of such studies for statistical significance.2 The method described and illustrated in the present article provides a trustworthy test for the great majority of differences between percentages. In many cases the test can be applied wholesale; in many additional cases the results can be read off by inspection; in all except a few marginal cases, the answer can be obtained without using algebraic formulas. The essential instrument for this rapid test is Chart 1. This is a "contour" chart. It represents three dimensions, just as a contour map shows the three dimensions of north-and-south, east-andwest, and up-and-down. The contours show "the .01 difference"-i.e., the smallest difference between the percentages in two samples of the indicated size which would not be exceeded by random sampling oftener than once in 100 trials.3 The use of Chart 1 in one type of problem can be illustrated in relation to a study in which Professor John F. Cuber sought to test the results of sociology teaching by analyzing the reactions of 217 college students to 29 questions at the beginning and at the end of a semester course in Principles of Sociology. Table 1 gives, for each question, the percentage at the start and at the finish giving the responses for which the most change occurred. For example, to Question 1, 32.3 percent of the 127 students answered "No" at the beginning of the semester, while 59.5 percent gave that answer at the end of the semester. The task in hand is to determine which of the differences in Column (5) of Table 1 are statistically significant on the .01 level-i.e., are so large that they would not arise by chance once in 100 pairs of samples, drawn at random from a
Computerized Reprint Management Using a Simple Commercial Database Program

A personal reprint file is an exceptionally important asset in consultation, teaching, and research. The collection tends to become chaotic and unmanageable with time, as its value increases. Locating articles may be difficult. Filing is complicated because scientific papers often have several areas of interest and indexing is needed to facilitate retrieval. Managing a manual index is time- consuming and limits search options. The microcomputer is a potent tool for cataloguing. We have developed an index of our reprints and reference files using a simple, small, menu-driven, commercial, flat-file database program. To find a reprint or assemble a bibliography, a search may be done by single or combinations of subject, key word in title, author, journal, or date of publication. Rather than filing the documents by subject, reprints are consecutively numbered, which has simplified filing, retrieval, and inventory for missing papers.
Computer Vision for Visual Effects: Dense Correspondence and Its Applications

In the last chapter we focused on detecting and matching distinctive features . Typically, features are sparsely distributed – that is, not every pixel location has a feature centered at it. However, for several visual effects applications, we require a dense correspondence between pixels in two images, even in relatively flat or featureless areas. One of the most common applications of dense correspondence in filmmaking is for slowing down or speeding up a shot after it's been filmed for dramatic effect. To create the appropriate intermediate frames, we need to estimate the trajectory of every pixel in the video sequence over the course of a shot, not just a few pixels near features. More mathematically, we want to compute a vector field ( u ( x , y ), v ( x , y )) over the pixels of the first image I 1 , so that the vector at each pixel ( x , y ) points to a corresponding location in the second image I 2 . That is, the pixels I 1 ( x , y ) and I 2 ( x + u ( x , y ), y + v ( x , y )) correspond. We usually abbreviate the vector field as ( u , v ) with the understanding that both elements are functions of x and y . Defining what constitutes a correspondence in this context can be tricky. As in feature matching, our intuition is that a correspondence implies that both pixels arise from the same point on the surface of some object in the physical world. The vector ( u , v ) is induced by the motion of the camera and/or the object in the interval between taking the two pictures.
Arsenic hyperaccumulating fern: Implications for remediation of arsenic contaminated soils

The ability of hyperaccumulating plants to tolerate, translocate and accumulate very high concentrations of toxic contaminants makes them suitable candidates for phytoremediation of contaminated soils and water. Though there are several arsenic tolerant plants, Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) is the first arsenic hyper-accumulator and the most widely studied. A lot of work has been done to understand the detoxification mechanisms of arsenic hyperaccumulation in this fern. It has been suggested that vacuolar sequestration of arsenite in the fronds may be responsible for the high tolerance of P. vittata to arsenic. Studies on phytoextraction and rhizofiltration of arsenic contaminated soils and groundwater have been very successful in reducing contaminant levels. Numerous studies have shown that arsenic uptake by P. vittata depends majorly on soil and plant factors. Soil properties like soil arsenic concentrations, bioavailability of arsenic, partitioning of soil arsenic, redox potential, phosphate concentration and presence of co-contaminants may limit or enhance arsenic uptake by P. vittata. Plant characteristics like plant age, nutrition, root exudation and biological associations also influence greatly arsenic accumulation by P. vittata. An integration of these factors can be used to increase the efficiency of As hyperaccumulators in phytoremediation of arsenic contaminated soils and groundwater. Phytoremediation of arsenic contaminated soils is best in soils with low Fe/Al oxides, low redox potential, and low available P though addition of phosphates increases arsenic extraction.
GaN and AlGaN/GaN heterostructures grown on two dimensional BN templates

Abstract Two dimension materials, like BN and graphene, have been shown to be excellent templates for the growth and fabrication of freestanding III-nitride materials. In this paper we study the effects of BN morphology on GaN and AlGaN/GaN heterostructures grown on these templates. The crystallinity, transport, and optical properties of the GaN layer are examined and found to be well correlated to the BN template. The self-separation of GaN from the BN/sapphire template is also connected to morphology, resulting in freestanding GaN layers. Transport properties of Si doped GaN and AlGaN/GaN heterostructures were examined for different BN templates. The bulk GaN mobility was closely linked to the morphology of the BN template resulting in room temperature mobility from 395 to 520 cm 2 /Vs. The range in 3D mobility can be linked to increased dislocation densities in GaN grown on rougher BN templates. High 2DEG mobility (~2000 cm 2 /Vs at 300 K) is achieved in AlGaN/GaN grown on atomically smooth BN templates, with a sheet electron density of 1×10 13 cm −2 , comparable to values obtained on conventional substrates. Samples grown on BN/sapphire showed mobilities (at 9 K) from ~33000 cm 2 /Vs to 15200 cm 2 /Vs depending on BN roughness. The differences are associated with variations in AlGaN/GaN interface-roughness scattering and dislocation density due to the BN template morphology.
Stress, Socializing, and Other Motivations for Smoking Among the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Community in New York City.

Purpose:This study contributes to the emerging literature on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer (LGBTQ) health disparities and tobacco use by examining the motivations for smoking among the New York City (NYC) LGBTQ population. Approach: We used grounded theory and blended methods from 3 grounded theorists—Strauss, Corbin, and Charmaz—for data collection, coding, and analysis.Setting:NYC has extensive legislation to prevent smoking; however, the current smoking prevalence of homosexuals is double that of heterosexuals.Participants:Study participants were leaders from 23 NYC LGBTQ organizations. Leaders were chosen to establish a relationship with community and to ensure cultural sensitivity. Eligibility criteria required holding a leadership position in an organization serving the NYC LGBTQ community.Methods:Interviews were transcribed verbatim and uploaded into Dedoose for analysis. An initial code list was developed from the interview guide. Key themes were identified as the themes with th...
Cell Biology of Lens Epithelial Cells

The epithelium of the vertebrate lens plays a critical role in tissue homeostasis and maintenance of lens clarity. The epithelium is the most metabolically active region of the lens and contains all the mitotically active cells. Cell division in the epithelium occurs exclusively in the germinative zone, a swathe of cells encircling the lens just above the equator. Fibroblast growth factor, a molecule with a demonstrated role in lens fiber cell differentiation, may promote epithelial cell division although other growth factors likely contribute. The organization of cells within the lens epithelium has often been likened to a cobblestone pattern. However, recent three-dimensional imaging studies have revealed that individual epithelial cells have a complex, polarized anatomy, with morphologically distinct apical and basolateral domains. The apical membrane is delineated by a hybrid junctional complex consisting of adherens junctions and tight junctions. Adherens junctions play a critical role in epithelial organization and loss of nectins or cadherins, two core components of adherens junctions, has catastrophic consequences for lens organization and transparency. Tight junctions, the apical-most junctional element, restrict the paracellular flow of ions into the lens but also serve as scaffolds for an assemblage of important polarity proteins. Targeted disruption of the partitioning defective (Par) family of polarity proteins results in loss of apical cell junctions and promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
Microwave dielectric spectrum of vegetation. I - Experimental observations. II - Dual-dispersion model

The microwave dielectric behavior of vegetation materials is examined as a function of water content, microwave frequency, and temperature. Dielectric spectra for various types of vegetation, such as leaves, stalks, and trunks at various moisture conditions, were measured using a coaxial probe technique. The basic features and operation of the coaxial probe system are described. Examples of dielectric measurements for the vegetation materials are presented, and the relation between temperature and the dielectric constant is studied. The development of a dual-dispersion model that accounts for the dielectric properties of water in both free and bound conditions is described. The applicability of the model is evaluated by comparing it with the dielectric data; good correlation is observed between the model and the data over a wide range of moisture conditions and over the 0.2-20 GHz range.
Bonds of Union: Religion, Race, and Politics in a Civil War Borderland/The Rivers Ran Backward: The Civil War and the Remaking of the American Middle Border

Review of: "Bonds of Union: Religion, Race, and Politics in a Civil War Borderland/The Rivers Ran Backward: The Civil War and the Remaking of the American Middle Border," by Bridget Ford.
Developing Computer Forensics Minor -- Challenges and Opportunities: (Abstract Only)

This lightning talk will discuss our experience of developing and managing a new Computer Forensics Minor. The Computer Forensics minor is an interdisciplinary program that integrates criminal justice and computer science and combines both theoretical concepts and practical skills to prepare students for a career in computer forensics-related fields. Students will be prepared for a career in law enforcement or corporate security as a digital investigator and evidence examiner as well as pursue graduate education in the area of information security, digital forensics, or law. The lighting talk will describe the various stages in developing the minor including an analysis of competitive academic programs, evaluation of the current resources, qualifications and faculty considerations, the process of developing the program objectives and learning outcomes, and assessment strategies. The program will be run jointly by Criminal Justice and Computer Science departments, and faculty will communicate regularly to track the number of students in the minor and their progress through the curriculum. Both departments will ensure that the minor provides appropriate course content and learning experiences for graduates seeking employment. In our discussion, we will focus on challenges of designing the balanced curriculum to make it accessible for criminal justice and other non-computer science/computer information systems majors, the need of designing new courses and renovating existing courses to answer growing need to address this new emerging field. Lightning talk will also discuss the anticipated cost of the program, required resources, recruitment strategies, and the administrative approval mechanism.
A Role for the Equatorial Undercurrent in the Ocean Dynamical Thermostat

AbstractReconstructions of sea surface temperature (SST) based on instrumental observations suggest that the equatorial Pacific zonal SST gradient has increased over the twentieth century. While th...
How group experiences influence mentor–mentee relational development in a combined group and one-on-one mentoring program for early adolescent girls

AbstractGroup mentoring programs offer multiple routes for influencing development, through both one-on-one relationships and relational processes in the group context. Less explored is how the gro...
Tunable Piezoresistivity from Magnetically Aligned Ni(Core)@Ag(Shell) Particles in an Elastomer Matrix.

Core–shell (Ni@Ag) particles are aligned through the thickness of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) film using a magnetic field in a continuous roll-to-roll process. The alignment of the particles dr...
Analysis of Interface Fracture of Cold-Sprayed Coatings Due to Thermal Cycling

Driving mechanisms for the interface delamination of cold-sprayed chromium on a steel substrate subjected to cyclic thermal loading are studied by using thermomechanical analysis. First, the equilibrium stress states of the coating system due to residual stresses are determined for different coating thickness vales. This system is then subjected to periodic heating and cooling cycles. The potential of crack initiation and growth is simulated with and without embedded micro-cracks. The corresponding crack-driving forces are characterized using the interface stresses and energy release rate as a function of the thermal cycles. The effects of coating thickness, location of the embedded micro-cracks and initial residual stress on these driving forces are investigated systematically to demonstrate the risk of coating fracture and delamination.
“Come on Down!” Pedagogical Approaches from The Price Is Right

Reflecting on my personal experiences teaching Introduction to International Relations for the first time, I describe how I came to realize that my teaching philosophy essentially mirrors my favorite game show—The Price Is Right. In this chapter, I discuss how I used elements from The Price Is Right, both in terms of its attitude and its specific game play, to help me get comfortable teaching a course that is both foundational for students majoring in political science and international relations and a general-education elective for others. Rather than providing a how-to guide for teaching a course, this chapter charts how I found a way to put my teaching philosophy into practice in a way that authentically reflects me and my values.
Concurrent and Prospective Associations Between Emotion Reactivity and Depressive Symptoms in Middle Childhood

According to the emotion context-insensitivity hypothesis (ECI: Rottenberg et al. 2005), depression is associated with emotion reactivity such that depressed individuals are less reactive to stressors. Although little is known about the relation between children’s emotion reactivity and the development of depressive symptoms, finding evidence for the ECI before the onset of major depression would suggest that emotion under-reactivity is a risk factor for depression. In this study we address outstanding questions about depression and reactivity by assessing reciprocal associations between emotion reactivity (operationalized as cardiac reactivity to stress) and depressive symptoms in middle childhood, while controlling for rumination. Forty-three children (53 % girls) between the ages of 8 and 12 participated in this longitudinal study spanning a 2-year period. At Wave 1, children completed questionnaires to assess depressive symptoms and rumination. In addition, they completed an emotional stressor task while cardiac reactivity was measured. At Wave 2, children completed a depression questionnaire as well as a performance challenge task while cardiac reactivity was measured. Results showed that cardiac under-reactivity to the emotional stressor at Wave 1 was associated concurrently and prospectively with greater depressive symptom severity. However, Wave 2 depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with Wave 2 reactivity to the performance stressor and Wave 1 depressive symptoms were marginally associated with Wave 2 reactivity. Additional research on emotion reactivity and depressive symptoms in middle childhood is needed; preliminarily, our results suggest that children who exhibit under-reactivity to sadness may benefit from interventions to reduce or prevent the development of clinically-significant depressive symptoms during middle childhood.
22. NATIONAL SURVEY OF RESEARCH OUTCOMES FOR PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP GRADUATES

Background Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) fellowships were developed between the 1990s and early 2000s and have advanced to meet established goals and forthcoming accreditation standards. Few studies have evaluated the research outcomes of PHM fellowship graduates. Objective To describe research outcomes of PHM fellowship graduates. Methods IRB-approved, cohort study using an electronic survey emailed to all PHM Fellowship graduates in July-December 2018. Questions were modified from an existing survey and developed by expert consensus to address study objectives, and were pilot tested. The 88-item survey addressed demographics, characteristics of fellowship training, and research and leadership outcomes. Results 143/228 (63%) PHM fellowship graduates completed the survey, representing 20 states in the US and Canada (graduation dates, 2000-2018). Of the 143 respondents, 127 (89%) graduated from dedicated PHM fellowship programs, 13 (9%) from academic general pediatrics programs with inpatient clinical experience, and 3 (2%) from combined programs. The median fellowship duration was 2 years. Among the graduates, 67 (47%) hold a Masters’ or Doctoral degree in addition to their medical degree. Participants were on average very satisfied with their decision to do PHM fellowship (mean 4.4/5, st dev 0.77). Nearly half (45%) are currently employed by their fellowship institution. 112 (78%) now practice primarily at a university or children's hospital, 7 (5%) at a community hospital, and 24 (17%) at both. The most common types of research conducted during fellowship were clinical, (N=74, 52%), quality improvement (N=57, 40%), health services (N=34, 24%) and medical education (N=27, 19%), with some fellows reporting multiple categories of research. 48 (34%) applied for a grant during fellowship, and 30 (21%) received a grant during fellowship. 63 (44%) published their primary fellowship research. 110 (77%) fellowship graduates continued to do research after graduation. 90 (63%) published during fellowship or after graduation, with 70 (49%) publishing first-author peer-reviewed original research manuscripts. Conclusions This study demonstrates robust research activity among PHM fellowship graduates and can serve as a benchmark for educational leaders to advise potential fellowship candidates and for fellowship leaders to inform training. Future directions include studying the facilitating factors to research success during fellowship and outlining successful models of research training for fellows.
Oracles, Heroes or Villains: Economic Policymakers, National Politicians and the Power to Shape Markets

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde declared central bankers and finance ministers to be the heroes of recent economic crises for taking corrective action while national politicians squabbled. What enabled them to do so? In the wake of Brexit, chaotic trade policies in the United States, and resurgent nationalism around the world, national politicians are quarrelling again, meanwhile the markets are roiling. Can we again depend on economic technocrats to save the day for these national politicians and the rest of us? What happens if they fail or, perhaps worse, go too far? In this timely book, Shambaugh answers these questions using recent economic crises in Argentina, the United States and Europe as case studies for analysing the intersections of power, politics and markets. By specifying the interactions between political uncertainty, market intervention, and investor risk, Shambaugh predicts how economic technocrats manage market behaviour by shifting expectations regarding what national politicians will do and whether their policies will be effective.