cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lead Isotopes as Age-Sensitive, Genetic Markers in Hydrocarbons: 2. Kerogens, Crude Oils, and Unleaded Gasoline

The ability to use lead isotopes as a means of dating sedimentary,stratiform ore deposits suggests that lead isotope analysesof sedimentary kerogen and crude oil may also provide age-sensitive,genetic information that is pertinent to petroleum generation.In order to evaluate this premise further, lead isotopic analyseswere performed on suites of kerogens, crude oils, and unleadedgasolines to assess lead isotopic relationships during catagenesisof kerogen and refining of crude oil. Alaskan North Slope kerogen–crude oil samples from Cretaceoussource rocks, as well as unleaded gasoline refined from NorthSlope crude oil feedstock, exhibit overlapping or concordant206Pb/207Pb and 206Pb/204Pb ratios (1.215–1.225 and 18.9–19.2,respectively). This indicates that lead isotopic ratios areconservative, being passed on from kerogen to crude oil duringcatagenesis and from crude oil to gasoline during refining.Lead isotope ratios of North Slope hydrocarbons are consistentwith those expected of Cretaceous crustal rocks in the region,indicating that lead isotope ratios of kerogens and crude oilsserve as age-sensitive genetic markers during petroleum generation. A second suite of crude oils, with known source rock ages (Devonianto Tertiary), was also analyzed. Lead isotopic ratios of crudeoils of different geologic age vary systematically, increasingwith decreasing geologic age, being consistent with averagecrustal lead growth models. Results indicate that crude oillead isotopic evolution follows the same systematics as crustalrocks, increasing through the Phanerozoic because of productionof radiogenic lead via radioactive decay of uranium isotopes.As observed with model lead ages of stratiform ore minerals,model lead ages based on crude oil lead isotopic ratios arein good agreement with known source rock ages, with age resolutionpotentially approaching that of individual geologic periods. The observed lead isotopic variations of crude oils explainwhy lead isotopic ratios of unleaded gasolines produced by differentmanufacturers differ. Unleaded gasoline 206Pb/207Pb and 206Pb/204Pbratios range from approximately 1.19 and 18.40 to approximately1.24 and 19.5, respectively, and are consistent with lead isotopicranges of Cretaceous-/Tertiary-age crude oils, which are blendedin variable proportions with North Slope crude oil to producemost U.S. unleaded gasolines. However, each of the six manufacturer'sunleaded gasoline lead isotope ratios are distinct, indicatingthat lead isotopes can be used to discriminate among sourcesof unleaded gasoline accidentally released into the environment.
Behavior problems in 5-year-old monozygotic and dizygotic twins: Genetic and environmental influences, patterns of regulation, and internalization of control

Genetic influence on externalizing problems, internalizing problems, and attentional/activity problems in 5-year-olds was consistently identified across informants and assessment contexts. Effects of the shared environment were identified as well but with less consistency (i.e., only from parents, not teachers, and more from father than mother reports). Correlations between observed patterns of regulation at ages 3, 4, and 5 years and behavior problems at age 5 years were often significant, but low in magnitude and specific to teacher reports. Adaptive internalization of control at each age (e.g., frustration tolerance, capacity to attend and focus, good impulse control) predicted fewer externalizing problems. Internalization of standards, reflected in children's moral themes, understanding of reciprocity, and constructive social problem solving, also were sometimes associated with fewer problems. Significant correlations were low in magnitude and again specific to teacher reports. Externalizing problems were more prevalent for boys than girls, and regulation (i.e., internalization of control and standards) was more characteristic of girls than boys.
BMI, waist circumference, and incident urinary incontinence in older women.

Overall body fat and central adiposity may reflect different mechanisms leading to urinary incontinence (UI). We examined the associations of BMI and waist circumference with incident UI, including the independent associations of BMI and waist circumference with UI type, among women aged 54-79 years in the Nurses' Health Study. Study participants reported their height in 1976 and their weight and waist circumference in 2000. From 2000 to 2002, we identified 6,790 women with incident UI at least monthly among 35,754 women reporting no UI in 2000. Type of incontinence was determined on questionnaires sent to cases with at least weekly incontinence. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression. There were highly significant trends of increasing risk of UI with increasing BMI and waist circumference (P for trend or =35 kg/m(2) to women with BMI 21-22.9 kg/m(2) and 1.72 (95% CI 1.53-1.95) comparing women in extreme quintiles of waist circumference. When BMI and waist circumference were included in models simultaneously, BMI was associated with urge and mixed UI (P for trend 0.003 and 0.03, respectively), but not stress UI (P for trend 0.77). Waist circumference was associated only with stress UI (P for trend <0.001). These results suggest that women who avoid high BMI and waist circumference may have a lower risk of UI development.
Differential replication capacities of G1 and S-phase extracts from sea urchin eggs

Sea urchin eggs are arrested in G1 of the first mitotic cell cycle. Fertilization triggers release from G1 arrest and the onset of DNA synthesis about 20 minutes later, even when protein synthesis is blocked. Here we describe extracts from eggs and S-phase embryos that reproduce this stage-specific pattern of DNA synthesis. Fertilized egg extracts formed nuclear membranes around decondensed Xenopus sperm chromatin whereas unfertilized egg extracts did not. Aphidicolin-sensitive deoxynucleotide incorporation was high in extracts of fertilized S-phase eggs and low in those of unfertilized eggs. In contrast, single-stranded DNA templates directed high rates of incorporation in both unfertilized and fertilized egg extracts, suggesting that the stage-specific activities in nuclear DNA synthesis is restricted to initiation on double-stranded DNA. Mixing experiments showed that unfertilized eggs do not contain a dominant inhibitor of replication, nor does fertilization induce the appearance of a soluble, dominant activator.
Electromagnetic scattering and absorption by randomly oriented fibers

In this paper, we numerically calculate the extinction, scattering, absorption, and radar cross sections for a randomly oriented finite conducting fiber. Calculations in the long (centimeter) and short (infrared) wavelengths are presented and compared with the fixed orientation value when the incident electric field is aligned along the fiber length. The calculations presented in this paper are necessary for the parametrization of fibers to play the role of efficient obscurant and anti-radio frequency interference.
Let’s Be Logical!

In arithmetic we learned how to perform arithmetical operations (addition, multiplication, taking negatives, etc.) on numbers; then, in algebra, we generalized arithmetic using variables instead of numbers. Similarly, we can build compounded statements from simple statements, and we can study their general structures. The branch of mathematics dealing with the structure of statements is called logic. A study of the rules of logic is essential when one studies correct reasoning.
Factors that Influence Online Learning Assessment and Satisfaction: Using Moodle as a Learning Management System

Higher education continues to evolve, including recent increases in the number of courses offered fully and partially (hybrid) online. Many new technologies have been used to support online education, particularly learning management systems (LMS’s), which serve as the core technology platforms for the online environment. Our research is to use Moodle as an LMS and empirical survey data to investigate what are the factors that influence online assessment and overall satisfaction with online learning. We used an online survey as the method of data collection for this study. The survey questionnaire was sent anonymously to all students who took the online or hybrid course sections at a US university, as well as all faculty who taught those online or hybrid course sections. The research result showed that overall student satisfaction with online learning is significantly affected by how the course is organized and how the content is sequenced, the ease with which students can complete assignments, and the use of the LMS to engage with content.
Theory and Applications of Electromagnetic Band Gap Structures

In recent years, there has been significant research interest in applications of electromagnetic(photonic) band gap structures. This Chapter provides an overview of recent research efforts on new applications of microwave band gap structures to integrated circuits and antennas. Results based on both rigorous numerical analysis and measurements are presented. The concept of modeless integrated substrates is reviewed. Examples of microwave circuit components and antennas on substrates without surface wave are given to demonstrate the reduction of surface wave loss. The characteristics of microstrip antennas and high-gain leaky wave antennas on periodic substrate are discussed. Basic properties of microstrip line on periodic substrates are also described.
Treatment Complications of Lyme Meningitis

Researchers at Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, and other Centers in Lyme endemic areas determined the frequency and type of all treatment complications at return visits within 30 days of an initial Lyme meningitis diagnosis.
Hypoxia-inducible factor 3 biology: complexities and emerging themes

The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) family has three distinct members in most vertebrates. All three HIFs consist of a unique and oxygen-labile α-subunit and a common and stable β-subunit. While HIF-1 and HIF-2 function as master regulators of the transcriptional response to hypoxia, much less is known about HIF-3. The HIF-3α gene gives rise to multiple HIF-3α variants due to the utilization of different promoters, different transcription initiation sites, and alternative splicing. These HIF-3α variants are expressed in different tissues, at different developmental stages, and are differentially regulated by hypoxia and other factors. Recent studies suggest that different HIF-3α variants have different and even opposite functions. There is strong evidence that full-length HIF-3α protein functions as an oxygen-regulated transcription activator and that it activates a unique transcriptional program in response to hypoxia. Many HIF-3α target genes have been identified. While some short HIF-3α variants act as dominant-negative regulators of HIF-1/2α actions, other HIF-3α variants can inhibit HIF-1/2α actions by competing for the common HIF-β. There are also a number of HIF-3α variants yet to be explored. Future studies of these naturally occurring HIF-3α variants will provide new and important insights into HIF biology and may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Profiling and Understanding Virtualization Overhead in Cloud

Virtualization is a key technology for cloud data centers to implement infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and to provide flexible and cost-effective resource sharing. It introduces an additional layer of abstraction that produces resource utilization overhead. Disregarding this overhead may cause serious reduction of the monitoring accuracy of the cloud providers and may cause degradation of the VM performance. However, there is no previous work that comprehensively investigates the virtualization overhead. In this paper, we comprehensively measure and study the relationship between the resource utilizations of virtual machines (VMs) and the resource utilizations of the device driver domain, hypervisor and the physical machine (PM) with diverse workloads and scenarios in the Xen virtualization environment. We examine data from the real-world virtualized deployment to characterize VM workloads and assess their impact on the resource utilizations in the system. We show that the impact of virtualization overhead depends on the workloads, and that virtualization overhead is an important factor to consider in cloud resource provisioning. Based on the measurements, we build a regression model to estimate the resource utilization overhead of the PM resulting from providing virtualized resource to the VMs and from managing multiple VMs. Finally, our trace-driven real-world experimental results show the high accuracy of our model in predicting PM resource consumptions in the cloud datacenter, and the importance of considering the virtualization overhead in cloud resource provisioning.
Sitting Phases of Polymerizable Amphiphiles for Controlled Functionalization of Layered Materials.

Precisely tailoring surface chemistry of layered materials is a growing need for fields ranging from electronics to biology. For many applications, the need for noncovalently adsorbed ligands to simultaneously control interactions with a nonpolar substrate and a polar solvent is a particular challenge. However, biology routinely addresses a similar challenge in the context of the lipid bilayer. While conventional standing phases of phospholipids (such as those found in a bilayer) would not provide spatially ordered interactions with the substrate, here we demonstrate formation of a sitting phase of polymerizable phospholipids, in which the two alkyl chains extend along the surface and the two ionizable functionalities (a phosphate and an amine) sit adjacent to the substrate and project into the solvent, respectively. Interfacial ordering and polymerization are assessed by high-resolution scanning probe measurements. Water contact angle titrations demonstrate interfacial pKa shifts for the lipid phosphate ...
The Surgeon's Dilemma: Cement or Revise? Commentary on an article by Timothy L. Tan, MD, et al.: "Long-Term Outcomes of Liner Cementation into a Stable Retained Shell. A Concise Follow-up of a Previous Report".

The problem faced by the surgeon that Tan et al. address is the dilemma about what to do when a patient has a worn-out liner in a well-fixed cup. Usually, this situation is seen in a patient with an index total hip replacement that was done before the year 2000. (After that date most were done with highly cross-linked polyethylene liners, which usually show little wear at less than fifteen years.) If a highly cross-linked polyethylene replacement liner is not available for the cup in question or if the locking mechanism has failed, what does the surgeon do? Extract the cup or cement the liner? Heck and Murray1 first described the idea of cementing a new liner into a well-fixed shell in 1986. This option is attractive in that it can be done quickly with minimal blood loss and morbidity. Ever since they described the idea, however, there have been questions as to the durability of the resulting construct. Fortunately, there have been several studies describing the biomechanical testing of this technique, as well as several mid-term studies of the clinical cases2. The present study provides a longer-term (two to nineteen-year) clinical look at a previously published series of thirty-two hips in thirty patients. Unfortunately for critical analysis, nearly half of these new liners were metal. It is understandable that Tan et al. chose to use metal liners at the time these cases were performed. Metal-on-metal total hip replacements were thought back then to perhaps be superior with respect to longevity in younger patients (and the average age in the study was only 53.7 years). Now that metal-on-metal …
Guided Self-Assembly of Mn Wires on the Si(100)(2 × 1) Surface

Doping of group IV semiconductors with Mn is a critical building block in the development of novel spintronics devices, and the fabrication of magnetic nanostructures is the next challenge in this field. The growth of monatomic Mn wires on Si(100)(2 × 1) at room temperature is investigated with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and described with a kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulation. Mn forms monatomic wires on the Si(100)(2 × 1) surface, which are always oriented perpendicular to the Si dimer rows, and the Mn wire growth competes with the formation of nanoclusters. The wire quality and wire length distributions are controlled by the vacancy concentration of predominantly C-type defects on the Si surface and the Mn coverage. The phase space covered in this study includes vacancy concentration of 1–18% and coverages of 0.1–0.8 monolayer (ML), at which point the growth of the second layer becomes dominant. A surface phase diagram is established, and the highest wire quality can be achieved for vacancy c...
Radiofluorinated rhenium cyclized α-MSH analogues for PET imaging of melanocortin receptor 1

In order to accomplish in vivo molecular imaging of melanoma biomarker melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), several α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analogues have been labeled with N-succinimidyl-4-¹⁸F-fluorobenzoate (¹⁸)F-SFB) and studied as positron emission tomography (PET) probes in our recent studies. To further pursue a radiofluorinated α-MSH peptide with high clinical translation potential, we utilized 4-nitrophenyl 2-¹⁸F-fluoropropionate (¹⁸F-NFP) to radiofluorinate the transition metal rhenium cyclized α-MSH metallopeptides for PET imaging of MC1R positive malignant melanoma. Metallopeptides Ac-d,Lys-ReCCMSH(Arg¹¹) (two isomers, namely RMSH-1 and RMSH-2) were synthesized using conventional solid phase peptide synthesis chemistry and rhenium cyclization reaction. The two isomers were then conjugated with ¹⁹F-NFP or ¹⁸F-NFP. The resulting cold or radiofluorinated metallopeptides, (¹⁸/¹⁹)F-FP-RMSH-1 and (¹⁸/¹⁹)F-FP-RMSH-2, were further evaluated for their in vitro receptor binding affinities, in vivo biodistribution, and small-animal PET imaging properties. The binding affinities of ¹⁹F-FP-RMSH-1 and ¹⁹F-FP-RMSH-2 were determined to be within low nanomolar range. In vivo studies revealed that both F-labeled metallopeptides possessed good tumor uptake in the B16F10 murine model with high MC1R expression, while possessing much lower uptake in A375M human melanoma xenografts. Moreover, ¹⁸F-FP-RMSH-1 displayed more favorable in vivo performance in terms of higher tumor uptake and much lower accumulation in the kidney and liver, when compared to that of ¹⁸F-FP-RMSH-2 at 2 h postinjection (p.i.). ¹⁸F-FP-RMSH-1 also displayed lower liver and lung uptake when compared with that of the same peptide labeled with ¹⁸F-SFB (named as ¹⁸F-FB-RMSH-1). Small animal PET imaging of ¹⁸F-FP-RMSH-1 in mice bearing B16F10 tumors at 1 and 2 h showed good tumor imaging quality. As expected, much lower tumor uptake and poorer tumor/normal organ contrast were observed for A375M model compared to those of the B16F10 model. ¹⁸F-FP-RMSH-1 also exhibited higher tumor uptake and better tumor retention when compared with ¹⁸F-FB-RMSH-1. ¹⁸F-FP-RMSH-1 demonstrates significant advantages over ¹⁸F-FB-RMSH-1 and ¹⁸F-FP-RMSH-2. It is a promising PET probe for imaging MC1R positive melanoma and MC1R expression in vivo.
The boys on the timeline: Political journalists’ use of Twitter for building interpretive communities

During the 2012 presidential election, Twitter emerged as a key reporting tool for journalists on the campaign trail. Through a textual analysis of over 5700 tweets from 430 political journalists, this study sought to understand how the platform was used as a channel for community building during the first 2012 presidential debate. Building upon Zelizer’s definition of journalists as interpretive communities and Goffman’s dramaturgical model, results reveal that journalists used the online tool for constructing narratives. In addition, online interactions uncover facets of campaign reporting previously confined to backstage regions. Narrative-building, interpretive community discourses, and backstage behaviors were found in tweets in which journalists gave opinions about the political process and used humor to construct the traits of a professional group. Findings suggest that Twitter coverage helps establish new professional boundaries for political communication.
Dynamic performance analysis of two regional nuclear hybrid energy systems

In support of more efficient utilization of clean energy generation sources, including renewable and nuclear options, HES (hybrid energy systems) can be designed and operated as FER (flexible energy resources) to meet both electrical and thermal energy needs in the electric grid and industrial sectors. These conceptual systems could effectively and economically be utilized, for example, to manage the increasing levels of dynamic variability and uncertainty introduced by VER (variable energy resources) such as renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar), distributed energy resources, demand response schemes, and modern energy demands (e.g., electric vehicles) with their ever changing usage patterns. HES typically integrate multiple energy inputs (e.g., nuclear and renewable generation) and multiple energy outputs (e.g., electricity, gasoline, fresh water) using complementary energy conversion processes. This paper reports a dynamic analysis of two realistic HES including a nuclear reactor as the main baseload heat generator and to assess the local (e.g., HES owners) and system (e.g., the electric grid) benefits attainable by their application in scenarios with multiple commodity production and high renewable penetration. It is performed for regional cases – not generic examples – based on available resources, existing infrastructure, and markets within the selected regions. This study also briefly addresses the computational capabilities developed to conduct such analyses.
In Uniform Code: Catherine Barkley's Wartime Nursing Service in A Farewell to Arms

Readings of Catherine Barkley, the female protagonist of Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms , have focused on her gender without fully considering her medical vocation. In contrast, this article foregrounds Catherine’s work as a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurse through a sociohistorical lens drawn from World War I nursing memoirs and medical history. Situating her behavioral antinomies within the discipline of wartime nursing demonstrates Catherine’s capability to repurpose her role as an instrument of war: through her affective labor, Catherine establishes human connections unsanctioned by military authority. This reframing of A Farewell to Arms as Catherine’s war story rather than as her love story also reveals a Hemingway sensitive to how the trauma of World War I rewrote identity for women as well as men.
Ketogenic Diets for the Treatment of Epilepsy

Abstract Fasting has been recognized to attenuate seizures for centuries, and in the last century dietary therapies have been formulated to treat epilepsy by inducing ketosis, thereby mimicking the state of starvation. A variety of ketogenic diets have been studied, including the classic ketogenic diet (KD), the medium-chain triglyceride diet (MCT), the modified Atkins diet (MAD), and the low glycemic index treatment (LGIT). All result in a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency in approximately half of patients but require close neurologic and dietician follow-up. Traditionally, dietary therapies have been reserved for refractory epilepsy and certain metabolic disorders; however, current work is evaluating a role for ketogenic diets for status epilepticus, as an early intervention in childhood epilepsy, and even in other neurologic disorders.
The Wiles Lectures

After 1944 Butterfield became renowned not as a technical historian, but as a writer who was offering a Christian commentary on a cataclysmic century. It was this aspect of his output that attracted public attention.1 At the same time he argued that [w]hile I am a technical historian, engaged in a specialised kind of enquiry, it is incumbent on me to hold my political and religious views in suspense, and to try to understand the … Mohammedan or Communist better than these people understand themselves. Yet since I believe in Christianity I must allow myself to come out of my specialised thinking, and in the world of action I must see life and history … with the eyes of a Christian.2
Prospective evaluation of a new device for the treatment of anal fistulas.

AIM: To evaluate the safety of the implantation of a new device for the treatment of anal fistulas. The short-term clinical efficacy was also assessed. METHODS: This study took place at a tertiary care university hospital. Patients with a complex anal fistula of cryptoglandular origin were enrolled in the study and were treated with insertion of the new device. All patients were evaluated by clinical and physical examination, including an endoanal ultrasound at the baseline, and then at the 2 wk and 1, 2, 3 and 6-mo follow-up visits. RESULTS: Morbidity, continence status, and success rate were the main outcome measures. Ten patients underwent the placement of the new device. The fistulas were transphincteric in eight patients and extrasphincteric in the remaining two. The median duration of the surgical procedure was 34.5 (range, 27-42) min. Neither intra- nor postoperative complications occurred, and all patients were discharged the day after the procedure. At the 6-mo follow-up evaluation, the final success rate was 70%. Three failures were registered: a device expulsion (on the 10th postoperative day), the persistence of inflammatory tissue around the fistula tract (at the 2-mo follow up), and the persistence of serum discharge (at the 6-mo follow up). No patient experienced any change incontinence, as assessed by the Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence score. CONCLUSION: The technical procedure is simple and has low risk of perioperative morbidity. The pre- and post-operative continence status did not change in any of the patients. The initial results at the 6-mo follow up seem to be promising. However, a longer follow-up period and a larger sample size are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
The Rhetoric of Shared Grief: An Analysis of Letters to the Family of Michael Brown:

The Black Lives Matter Movement is alive and growing as the media capitalizes on the killings of Black men. Amid the marches, protests, funeral services, television appearances, political rallies, ...
Single-Incision Robotic Cholecystectomy

The goal of surgical procedures has always been optimum therapy with minimal trauma. Single-incision robotic cholecystectomy is a step along this path. Robotics has helped to make the single-site platform for cholecystectomy intuitive and safe. This is accomplished by utilization of crossing trocars to obtain working instruments on either side of a robotic camera. The robot is assigned the reverse arms from the trocars, allowing the surgeon to control the instrument viewed on the right side with his or her right hand. It also enables a complete cholecystectomy through a 2.5 cm incision, which can be hidden in the umbilicus. Numerous studies have indicated operative times and outcomes similar to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Imaging mRNA in Vivo, from Birth to Death

RNA is the fundamental information transfer system in the cell. The ability to follow single messenger RNAs (mRNAs) from transcription to degradation with fluorescent probes gives quantitative information about how the information is transferred from DNA to proteins. This review focuses on the latest technological developments in the field of single-mRNA detection and their usage to study gene expression in both fixed and live cells. By describing the application of these imaging tools, we follow the journey of mRNA from transcription to decay in single cells, with single-molecule resolution. We review current theoretical models for describing transcription and translation that were generated by single-molecule and single-cell studies. These methods provide a basis to study how single-molecule interactions generate phenotypes, fundamentally changing our understating of gene expression regulation.
Direct Numerical Simulations to Investigate Energy Transfer between Meso- and Synoptic Scales

AbstractUnderstanding the development of the atmospheric energy spectrum across scales is necessary to elucidate atmospheric predictability. In this manuscript, the authors investigate energy transfer between the synoptic scale and the mesoscale using direct numerical simulations (DNSs) of two-dimensional (2D) turbulence transfer under forcing applied at different scales. First, DNS results forced by a single kinetic energy source at large scales show that the energy spectra slopes of the direct enstrophy cascade are steeper than the theoretically predicted −3 slope. Second, the presence of two inertial ranges in 2D turbulence at intermediate scales is investigated by introducing a second energy source in the meso-α-scale range. The energy spectra for the DNS with two kinetic energy sources exhibit flatter slopes that are closer to −3, consistent with the observed kinetic energy spectra of horizontal winds in the atmosphere at synoptic scales. Further, the results are independent of model resolution and s...
Reforestation can sequester two petagrams of carbon in US topsoils in a century

Soils are Earth’s largest terrestrial carbon (C) pool, and their responsiveness to land use and management make them appealing targets for strategies to enhance C sequestration. Numerous studies have identified practices that increase soil C, but their inferences are often based on limited data extrapolated over large areas. Here, we combine 15,000 observations from two national-level databases with remote sensing information to address the impacts of reforestation on the sequestration of C in topsoils (uppermost mineral soil horizons). We quantify C stocks in cultivated, reforesting, and natural forest topsoils; rates of C accumulation in reforesting topsoils; and their contribution to the US forest C sink. Our results indicate that reforestation increases topsoil C storage, and that reforesting lands, currently occupying >500,000 km2 in the United States, will sequester a cumulative 1.3–2.1 Pg C within a century (13–21 Tg C·y−1). Annually, these C gains constitute 10% of the US forest sector C sink and offset 1% of all US greenhouse gas emissions.
Influence of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Corn Growth Under Different Fertility Sources

A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on root establishment and biomass production of corn (Zea mays L.) using three fertility sour...
Observation of Children in a Child Care Program as a Teaching aid for Medical Students

An observational approach designed to enhance the teaching of child development to medical students, is described in this paper. Students were assigned to observe pre-school children at a university-based child care center. By means of a questionnaire, students were asked to identify behaviors that they witnessed and to evaluate the efficacy of the exercise as an aid to furthering their understanding of child development. The visit was well-received and perceived by most of the 77 respondents as a useful adjunct to the traditional classroom teaching of child development.
Wind turbine measurements and scattering model validation in the high frequency band (3-30 MHz)

This paper describes the first in a series of recent wind-turbine scattering measurements conducted to validate a High Frequency (HF) wind farm interference model. This model was developed to predict the potential interference that may occur if a wind farm is constructed too close to an Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) site. We begin with a review the major components of the full-field electromagnetic model that include the electromagnetic scattering from the turbines, the low-angle propagation from the turbines to the OTHR antennas, and the OTHR antenna response. We then describe the wind turbine scattering measurements that were performed during January 2017 in North Carolina. The object of this effort was to measure the electromagnetic scattering from a single wind turbine as a function of turbine aspect angle, radar frequency in the HF band, and radar bistatic angle with particular attention paid to the forward scattering case. We conclude with a comparison of the measured data to model predictions with favorable results. Subsequent measurements performed during July 2017 captured scattering from the full wind farm and will be described in a future paper.
Celiac Disease and Bone Health

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder with genetic and environmental components. The prevalence of the disease is about 1 % in many parts of the world. It is characterized by innate and adaptive immune responses that are primarily triggered by the ingestion of dietary gluten, resulting in inflammation, villous atrophy, and crypt hyperplasia in the small intestine. Genes that code for human leukocyte antigens (HLA) DQ2 and DQ8 are strongly associated with and confer susceptibility for celiac disease. In addition to the characteristic intestinal symptoms, celiac disease is associated with extra-intestinal complications, including those affecting skeletal health. Reduction in bone mineral density and increased risk of bone fracture, caused by malabsorption-related alteration of calcium metabolism and immune-mediated mechanisms, are frequently seen in patients with celiac disease. The diagnosis of celiac disease relies on serologic testing and intestinal biopsy. Bone density evaluation is recommended within 1 year of diagnosis and treatment. Gluten-free diet is the recommended treatment for celiac disease, usually resulting in the gradual recovery of intestinal mucosa, which leads to elimination of calcium and vitamin deficiencies and progression towards normalization of bone density. This chapter summarizes the currently available information regarding the prevalence, pathogenic mechanism, and treatment of celiac disease in the context of bone health.
Carotenoids and Vitamin A: An Overview

Carotenoids are primarily symmetrical, C-40, polyisoprenoid structures with an extensive conjugated double bond system. Although widely distributed in nature, they are synthesized in photosynthetic microorganisms and plants, but not in animals. Hydrocarbon carotenoids are metabolized to a host of products, including retinal, B-apocarotenals, hydroxylated derivatives (the xanthophylls), and keto and epoxy compounds. Some of these derivatives, such as retinal, abscisin and trisporic acid, show pronounced biological activity. Carotenoids function as accessory pigments in photosynthesis, as protective agents against light-induced cell death in microorganisms, and, in the absence of the dietary intake of preformed vitamin A, as an essential dietary source of the vitamin in mammalian growth and development. Carotenoids also have a variety of interesting actions, which may be of therapeutic value but not necessarily of basic physiological significance. Among such actions are their stimulation of the immune response, their inhibition of mutagenesis and cell transformation, and their prevention of leukoplakia and micronuclei formation in the buccal mucosa. Finally, carotenoid intake has been associated with a lower risk of some types of cancer and of cardiovascular incidents. Because of the many effects of carotenoids on biological systems, distinguishing among functions, actions and associations is important.
A Membrane form of IL-1 — Identification and Control of Expression

We are reviewing here three interrelated issues on interleukin-1 that our laboratory has been working on: the presence of a membrane-associated form (mIL-1); the relevance of this mIL-1 to antigen-presentation; and the expression of mIL-1 and the IL-1 α and β genes.
The Generation of Cortical Interneurons

The mammalian telencephalon is responsible for many functions, which range from processing sensory information to learning, decision-making, and modulating emotional responses. The telencephalon's capacity to perform such a variety of functions likely relies on its neuronal diversity. Interneurons, with their enormous multiplicity of subtypes are a primary contributor to this repertoire. Each inhibitory interneuron subclass likely possesses both a unique connectivity and an input/output function that defines its diverse role in the telencephalon.
Immune Function α2-Macroglobulin in Invertebrates

Proteases play important roles in a variety of immune processes, including blood clotting and clot resolution (Furie and Furie 1992), complement activation (Reid and Porter 1981), inflammation (Cohn 1975; Haverman and Janoff 1978), and tissue remodeling (Werb 1993). Additionally, proteases contribute to a variety of pathological conditions such as tumor dissemination (Testa and Quigley 1990) and a variety of degenerative connective tissue diseases (Perlmutter and Pierce 1989). Proteases, whether of endogenous or of exogenous origin, have the potential for serious destructive effects on the surrounding tissues after their release into the tissue spaces. A variety of connective tissue disorders are directly traceable to the activities of proteases present in the wrong places and at the wrong times. Additionally, proteases are important agents facilitating the invasion of parasites (McKerrow et al. 1991; Breton et al. 1992). In response to this, higher animals have evolved a variety of protease inhibitors in the blood that limit the activities of the proteases of endogenous immune processes and the exogenous proteases of microbes and multicellular parasites. Circulating protease inhibitors are of two basic types; inhibitors that complex with and inhibit the active site of the target protease (Laskowski and Kato 1980; Travis and Salvesen 1983) and inhibitors of the α2-macroglobulin family, which leave the active site intact and instead enfold the target protease to block its interaction with protein substrates (Starkey and Barrett 1977). Proteases bound to α2-macroglobulin retain the ability to hydrolyze small amide and ester substrates (Barrett and Starkey 1973) but have lost the ability to hydrolyze proteins.
EUS-guided vascular interventions.

Mediastinal and abdominal vessels have historically served as landmarks to guide routine diagnostic and therapeutic EUS procedures. Major vascular structures including the heart, aorta, celiac axis, portal vein, hepatic veins, mesenteric vessels, and aberrant vascular shunts such as spleno-renal shunts associated with portal hypertension are easily identified. Even smaller vascular structures such as the gastro-duodenal artery, splenic vessels, hepatic artery and portal vein branches can be confidently identified and traced. Vascular access and therapy are now emerging as new targets for EUS-guided interventions. This chapter reviews the current clinical literature regarding EUS-guided vascular interventions, including management of nonvariceal and variceal GI bleeding, EUS-guided portal vein access and therapeutic implications, and EUS-guided cardiac access and therapy.
Characterization and upgrading of fine sillimanite ore using wide-angle dense-medium cycloning

A laboratory investigation was carried out on the characterization and beneficiation of sillimanite ore. Petrographic analysis indicated that the ore consisted of massive elongated sillimanite grains in a matrix of hematite, garnet, feldspar and silica. A procedure for estimating the percentage of sillimanite was developed using float-sink and magnetic-separation techniques. A liberation study was carried out to determine the level of size reduction required to achieve sufficient liberation while ensuring that gravity concentration techniques would be applicable. Laboratory testing was performed on the liberated ore to investigate the applicability of using wide-angle dense-medium cycloning to upgrade this ore. Initially, medium-only tests were carried out using various size distributions of magnetite and ferrosilicon as the dense-medium solids to evaluate the effects of operating conditions on medium segregation. Depending on the medium solids and operating conditions, either positive of negative differentials (difference between the relative densities of the underflow and overflow streams) were obtained. Based on these results, separation tests were performed to process nominal −1.2-mm sillimanite ore. The results indicated that sillimanite concentration could be obtained using a medium relative density that was much lower than would typically be used in a dense-medium cyclone separation.
Predictors of Hand Contracture in Early Systemic Sclerosis and the Effect on Function: A Prospective Study of the GENISOS Cohort.

Objective. To identify baseline features that predict progression of hand contractures and to assess the effect of contractures on functional status in the prospective GENISOS cohort. Methods. Rate of decline in hand extension, as an indicator of hand contracture, was the primary outcome. We assessed longitudinal hand extension measurements, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ) score, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) physical function score, and demographic, clinical, and serological variables. Subjects with ≥ 2 hand measurements at least 6 months apart were included. Results. A total of 1087 hand measurements for 219 patients were available over an average of 8.1 ± 4.8 years. Hand extension decreased on average by 0.11 cm/year. Antitopoisomerase I antibody (ATA) positivity and higher modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) were predictive of faster decline in hand extension (p = 0.009 and p = 0.046, respectively). In a subgroup analysis of 62 patients with ≤ 2 years from SSc onset, ATA and diffuse disease type were associated with faster decline in hand extension; anticentromere positivity was associated with slower rate of decline. Although the rate of decline in patients with disease duration ≤ 2 years was numerically higher, the difference was not statistically significant. Hand extension continued to decline in a linear fashion over time and was inversely related to overall functional status. Conclusion. ATA was predictive of contracture development in both early disease (≤ 2 yrs) and in the overall cohort. Hand extension declined linearly over time and was inversely associated with MHAQ and SF-36 scores. ATA positivity and higher baseline mRSS were predictive of faster decline in hand extension.
Resistance to greenbugs in the sorghum nested association mapping population

The greenbug, Schizaphis graminum, is a serious pest of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). For the past several decades, resistant sorghum hybrids have been used to control greenbug populations. However, the durability of plant resistance is frequently challenged by evolution of new greenbug biotypes, and there is a continuous need for screening of resistant germplasm for its effective management in the field. Natural variation in sorghum plants/populations provides distinct approaches to identify novel sources of resistance against greenbugs. In this study, we used the recently developed sorghum nested association mapping (NAM) population parental lines to understand sources of sorghum resistance to greenbugs. Using choice and no-choice assays, we have identified SC265 and Segaolane as the resistant and susceptible lines, respectively, to greenbugs compared to the wild-type plants. The Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) analysis revealed that the greenbugs spent significantly lesser time in the xylem and sieve element phases while feeding on the resistant NAM parental line, SC265, compared to the susceptible (Segaolane) and wild-type (RTx430) sorghum lines. In addition, the EPG results indicated that there is no significant difference in the time to first probe, time to reach first sieve element, pathway phase, and non-probing phase among the three sorghum plants, which suggests that the resistance factors present in the vascular tissues of the resistant line (SC265) potentially contribute to the resistance mechanisms against greenbugs. Overall, SC265 NAM parental line showed a combination of antixenotic and antibiotic-mediated resistance mechanisms against greenbugs, whereas the susceptible line Segaolane displayed the least resistance to greenbugs.
Changes in one-carbon metabolism and DNA methylation in the hearts of mice exposed to space environment-relevant doses of oxygen ions (16O)

Abstract Cardiovascular disease constitutes an important threat to humans after space missions beyond the Earth's magnetosphere. Epigenetic alterations have an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Previous research in animal models has shown that protons and 56Fe ions cause long-term changes in DNA methylation and expression of repetitive elements in the heart. However, astronauts will be exposed to a variety of ions, including the smaller fragmented products of heavy ions after they interact with the walls of the space craft. Here, we investigated the effects of 16O on the cardiac methylome and one-carbon metabolism in male C57BL/6 J mice. Left ventricles were examined 14 and 90 days after exposure to space-relevant doses of 0.1, 0.25, or 1 Gy of 16O (600 MeV/n). At 14 days, the two higher radiation doses elicited global DNA hypomethylation in the 5′-UTR of Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements 1 (LINE-1) compared to unirradiated, sham-treated mice, whereas specific LINE-1 elements exhibited hypermethylation at day 90. The pericentromeric major satellites were affected both at the DNA methylation and expression levels at the lowest radiation dose. DNA methylation was elevated, particularly after 90 days, while expression showed first a decrease followed by an increase in transcript abundance. Metabolomics analysis revealed that metabolites involved in homocysteine remethylation, central to DNA methylation, were unaffected by radiation, but the transsulfuration pathway was impacted after 90 days, with a large increase in cystathione levels at the lowest dose. In summary, we observed dynamic changes in the cardiac epigenome and metabolome three months after exposure to a single low dose of oxygen ions.
Skeletal muscle amino acid uptake is lower and alanine production is greater in late gestation intrauterine growth-restricted fetal sheep hindlimb

In a sheep model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) produced from placental insufficiency, late gestation fetuses had smaller skeletal muscle mass, myofiber area, and slower muscle protein a...
Bridging the gaps: a better future for the study of religion

ABSTRACTA better future for the study of religion would incorporate innovative and engaging approaches to bridge the gaps between popular and scholarly understandings of what comprises religion and...
Immigrants’ experiences of work-family conflict in the U.S.: a systematic review*

ABSTRACTThis manuscript aims to synthesize what is known, and what is unknown, about immigrants’ experiences of work-family interaction, specifically the work-family conflict, in the U.S. A systema...