cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PKC and PKA inhibitors reinstate morphine-induced behaviors in morphine tolerant mice.

Male Swiss Webster mice exhibited antinociception, hypothermia and Straub tail 3h following a 75mg morphine pellet implantation. These signs disappeared by 72h, and the morphine-pelleted mice were indistinguishable from placebo-pelleted ones, although brain morphine concentrations ranged from 200 to 400ng/gm. We previously demonstrated that chemical inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and A (PKA) are able to reverse morphine tolerance in acutely morphine-challenged mice. However, it was not known whether the reversal of tolerance was due to the interaction of kinase inhibitors with the morphine released from the pellet, the acutely injected morphine to challenge tolerant mice, or both. The present study aimed at determining the interaction between the PKC and PKA inhibitors and the morphine released "solely" from the pellet to reinstate the morphine-induced behavioral and physiological effects, 72h after implantation of morphine pellets. Placebo or 75mg morphine pellets were surgically implanted, and testing was conducted 72h later. Our results showed that the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of the PKC inhibitors, bisindolylmaleimide I and Go-6976 as well as the PKA inhibitors, 4-cyano-3-methylisoquinoline and KT-5720, restored the morphine-induced behaviors of antinociception, Straub tail and hypothermia in morphine-pelleted mice to the same extent observed 3h following the pellet implantation. The tail withdrawal and the hot plate reaction time expressed as percent maximum possible effect (%MPE) was increased to 80-100 and 41-90%, respectively, in PKC and PKA inhibitor-treated morphine tolerant mice compared to 2-10% in non-treated mice. Similarly, a significant hypothermia (1.3-4.0 degrees C decrease in body temperature) was detected in PKC and PKA inhibitor-treated morphine tolerant mice compared to an euthermic state in non-treated morphine tolerant mice. Finally, the Straub tail score was increased to 1.1-1.6 in PKC and PKA inhibitor-treated tolerant mice, whereas it was totally absent in non-treated animals. It is noticeably that the kinase inhibitors used in the study had no effect in placebo-pelleted mice. Our results provide the first evidence on the ability of PKC and PKA inhibitors to reinstate the behavioral and physiological effects of morphine in non-challenged morphine-tolerant animals.
Subcutaneous sumatriptan relieved migraine-like headache in two adolescents with aseptic meningitis

Sumatriptan was developed as an agent for the treatment of acute migraine. However, sumatriptan may alleviate not only migraine headache, but also headache of subarachnoid hemorrhage and meningitis. We report 2 patients whose migraine-like headache on presentation was relieved by subcutaneous sumatriptan. Later, both patients were diagnosed with aseptic meningitis.
Properties of rooster serum high density lipoproteins.

Abstract The physical and chemical properties of normolipemic rooster serum high density lipoproteins (HDL) were determined and compared with human HDL. Rooster HDL was found to be composed of essentially one class of particles, as determined by flotational analysis at d 1.21 g/ml in the analytical ultracentrifuge. On a weight-percentage basis, it contained 44, 29, 16, 5 and 6% protein, phospholipid, cholesteryl ester, cholesterol, and triacylglycerol, respectively. This distribution resembled that of human HDL2 more closely than that of HDL3. On the other hand, the physical parameters of rooster HDL resembled those of human HDL3. The sedimentation coefficient, diffusion coefficient, molecular weight, partial specific volume and the anhydrous frictional ratio for rooster HDL were 3.99 S 4.36 · 10−7 cm2 · s−2, 1.73 · 105,0.868 ml/g, and 1.24, respectively. However, the circular dichroic spectra of rooster HDL indicated an α-helical content 20% greater than that in human HDL. The lipid composition resembled that of human HDL except for a relatively higher content of stearic acid. The HDL protein gave several bands by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The main component, representing almost 90% of the total protein, had a molecular weight of about 26 000, an amino acid composition and an electro phoretic mobility similar to those of human apolipoprotein A-I. A component of mol. wt 15 000 and a group of fast-migrating peptides, resembling the human apo C peptides, were also found. It is concluded that the structure of rooster HDL, although showing similarities to human HDL, can be distinguished from the latter by some physical parameters, but particularly by its polypeptide distribution.
Modeling power management for hard disks

Recently, a large effort has been made to reduce the power consumed by computer-systems. Multiple power states have been defined, and mechanisms have been developed to allow system software to control transitions between these states. Unfortunately, little work has been done to determine effective times to change states. Statistical models of the power utilized by individual subsystems call provide a basis for making such decisions. The hard disk state model described provides both the quantitative data and insight necessary to design an efficient power management system. >
A networked embedded system platform for the post-mote era

For the last fifteen years, research explored the hardware, software, sensing, communication abstractions, languages, and protocols that could make networks of small, embedded devices---motes---sample and report data for long periods of time unattended. Today, the application and technological landscapes have shifted, introducing new requirements and new capabilities. Hardware has evolved past 8 and 16 bit microcontrollers: there are now 32 bit processors with lower energy budgets and greater computing capability. New wireless link layers have emerged, creating protocols that support rapid and efficient setup and teardown but introduce novel limitations that systems must consider. The time has come to look beyond optimizing networks of motes. We look towards new technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy, Cortex M processors, and capable energy harvesting, with new application spaces such as personal area networks, and new capabilities and requirements in security and privacy to inform contemporary hardware and software platforms. It is time for a new, open experimental platform in this post-mote era.
Sliding friction of copper

Abstract The sliding friction between copper specimens was measured under atmospheric conditions and loads of 0.1–20 g. With very clean surfaces, the coefficient of friction was 1.0–1.1 for the entire load range. With less clean surfaces, the coefficient of friction obtained was about 0.4. Since the degree of cleanliness cannot be controlled quantitatively, the friction-load curve of sliding copper pairs in air exhibits a bifurcation characteristic. The higher friction value may be satisfactorily explained by adhesion theory. No sign of adhesion, however, was detectable when the friction coefficient was 0.4. All observations to date indicate that plastic deformation exists during the sliding process. Using published data on the total expended work in plastic deformation, the coefficient of friction between copper pairs was estimated to be about 0.2. When adhesion is negligible, based on the plastic deformation mechanism, one may deduce that (1) the friction coefficient depends largely on the properties of the softer material of the two specimens, and that (2) upon repeated sliding, a slight drop in friction may occur. Both of these phenomena have been observed experimentally.
Manufacture and Physical Characterization of Wood-Derived Activated Carbon from South Texas Mesquite for Environmental Applications

Activated carbons are widely used to remove contaminants from waste streams. Desirable properties of activated carbon include large surface area, porosity, high degree of selectivity between contaminant and carrier medium, rapid transport of the contaminant from bulk stream to the internal porous structure of the adsorbent, high adsorption capacity at low contaminant concentration, and available commercially at competitive prices. This research focuses on the production and physical characterization of carbonaceous adsorbents from low cost mesquite woodchips available in the South Texas region. Activated carbons were prepared from mesquite woodchips in a bench-scale tubular reactor. Steam and a potassium carbonate solution were used for the physical and chemical activation methods to manufacture activated carbons. The activated carbons were then characterized in terms of their physical and adsorption capacities for nitrogen at 77 K and methanol and water vapor at ambient temperature. The surface areas of the samples were determined using the N2-Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. The percent yield, bulk density, pore size distribution, average pore width, and total pore volume were evaluated. Equilibrium adsorption capacities of methanol and water vapor were determined by a gravimetric method. Experimental adsorption capacity data were in agreement with the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models.
Bird's nest fungi (Nidulariales: Nidulariaceae) in Baltic and Dominican amber.

Abstract Nidula baltica sp. nov. and Cyathus dominicanus sp. nov. are described from Cenozoic Baltic and Dominican amber. These are the first fossil members of the Family Nidulariaceae and show that the basic characteristics of this group were already established some 40–50 million years ago.
Emulsion procedures for thermally reversible covalent crosslinking of polymers

Quaternization and dequaternization of tertiary amine compounds were employed to obtain thermally reversible ionene networks from aqueous colloidal polymer dispersions prepared via emulsion polymerization. Chlorine-functionalized polymers prepared via the emulsion copolymerization of styrene (St), butylacrylate (BA), or both with chloromethylstyrene, and amino-functionalized polymers prepared via the emulsion copolymerization of St, BA, or both with 2-(dimethylamino)ethylacrylate or 4-vinylpyridine, were reacted without polymer separation, with a ditertiaryamine crosslinker and a dihalide crosslinker, respectively, to obtain crosslinked polymers. Crosslinked polymers were also obtained via the reaction of a chlorine-functionalized polymer dispersion with an amino-functionalized polymer dispersion or via the drying of the polymer blend prepared from the two kinds of dispersions. Reactive solubility experiments, flowability investigations (by thermocompression at ca. 215 °C), IR, and 'H NMR analyses of the obtained crosslinked polymers indicated that the generated ionene bridges dequaternized on heating and requaternized on cooling. In comparison with solution crosslinking, no organic solvent was employed, and simple procedures were required for the preparation of the thermally reversible covalent crosslinked polymers.
Occupational Trajectories of Legal US Immigrants: Downgrading and Recovery

Data from the New Immigrant Survey 2003 are examined to analyze trajectories in occupational prestige between the last job abroad and the first US job and from the first US job to the current US job for a select sample of men and women. Incorporating the first job in the United States overcomes an important limitation faced by many previous studies that were generally restricted to a comparison of the last job abroad and the US job as measured at the time of the survey. Distinctions are made between class-of-admission groups, since the trajectories toward labor market success vary systematically along that dimension. Consistent with a model of immigrant occupational assimilation, all preference groups show a U-shaped adjustment pattern with, on average, initial downgrading followed by subsequent ascension. However, although all groups exhibit a similar pattern, the trough of the U is deepest for refugees, who also experience the steepest subsequent upward climb.
Arsenic remediation of drinking water using iron-oxide coated coal bottom ash.

We describe laboratory and field results of a novel arsenic removal adsorbent called ‘Arsenic Removal Using Bottom Ash’ (ARUBA). ARUBA is prepared by coating particles of coal bottom ash, a waste material from coal fired power plants, with iron (hydr)oxide. The coating process is simple and conducted at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Material costs for ARUBA are estimated to be low (∼ $0.08 per kg) and arsenic remediation with ARUBA has the potential to be affordable to resource-constrained communities. ARUBA is used for removing arsenic via a dispersal-and-removal process, and we envision that ARUBA would be used in community-scale water treatment centers. We show that ARUBA is able to reduce arsenic concentrations in contaminated Bangladesh groundwater to below the Bangladesh standard of 50 ppb. Using the Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.77) ARUBA's adsorption capacity in treating real groundwater is 2.6 × 10− 6mol/g (0.20 mg/g). Time-to-90% (defined as the time interval for ARUBA to remove 90% of ...
Optional stopping: No problem for Bayesians

Optional stopping refers to the practice of peeking at data and then, based on the results, deciding whether or not to continue an experiment. In the context of ordinary significance-testing analysis, optional stopping is discouraged, because it necessarily leads to increased type I error rates over nominal values. This article addresses whether optional stopping is problematic for Bayesian inference with Bayes factors. Statisticians who developed Bayesian methods thought not, but this wisdom has been challenged by recent simulation results of Yu, Sprenger, Thomas, and Dougherty (2013) and Sanborn and Hills (2013). In this article, I show through simulation that the interpretation of Bayesian quantities does not depend on the stopping rule. Researchers using Bayesian methods may employ optional stopping in their own research and may provide Bayesian analysis of secondary data regardless of the employed stopping rule. I emphasize here the proper interpretation of Bayesian quantities as measures of subjective belief on theoretical positions, the difference between frequentist and Bayesian interpretations, and the difficulty of using frequentist intuition to conceptualize the Bayesian approach.
TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC NEOICHNOLOGICAL LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS WITH THE FRESHWATER CRAYFISH ORCONECTES TRACKWAYS ON MEDIA OF VARYING GRAIN SIZE, MOISTURE, AND INCLINATION

This study records the different types of trackways produced by the freshwater crayfish Orconectes in a controlled environment. Different trackway morphologies were created through the variation of media ( = substrates) grain size, moisture level, and surface inclination in terrestrial and subaqueous settings. Sediment was sieved into clay and silt, very fine-, fine-, and medium-grained sand. A rectangular container filled with sediment was used to run trackway trials on flat and 10° inclined surfaces. All subaqueous tracks were made in a container on a flat surface. Moisture content for the terrestrial trials was determined by removing a sample of moistened sediment, weighing it before and after heating in an oven for 24 hours, and recording the values in percent water weight. Media moisture content had the greatest effect on trackway characteristics. Trackway preservation of individual appendage marks decreased as grain size and moisture content increased; dry clay and silt preserved the most detailed trackways. Intermediate moisture levels created a firm surface that decreased trackway preservation. Crayfish movement through soupy sediment produced continuous furrows to a depth of 1 cm. Trackways of crayfish moving up and down the inclined surface had shorter stride lengths than those made of a flat surface. Subaqueous trackways in fine- and very fine-grained sand preserved the clearest, most consistent trackways. Results from this study can be used to (1) identify trackways of ancient crayfish and (2) infer the relative amount of moisture present at the time the trackway was produced.
Canine Distemper with Spinal Cord Lesions

Summary A case of distemper in a 6-month-old dog is described. The dog was presented with a history of tetraparesis suggestive of trauma. Neurological examination and clinical pathology findings of lymphopenia and pleocytosis suggested a viral cause. Microscopic findings of a nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with numerous intranuclear inclusions in the cerebellum, brain stem, and all parts of the spinal cord suggested a diagnosis of distemper.
Remission of renal disease: recounting the challenge, acquiring the goal

Renal excretory function begins at the glomerular capillaries with the formation of a nearly ideal ultrafiltrate of plasma. The volume and composition of the ultrafiltrate undergo sequential change along the nephron, ultimately regulated to preserve near-constancy of mineral, electrolyte, and fluid balance. Modest derangement of these processes often escapes clinical or laboratory detection, because the myriad of unimpaired nephrons compensate more or less completely. Beyond a certain level of injury, however, compensatory adaptations no longer keep pace with nephron loss. As a result, glomerular filtration rate declines and organic nitrogenous wastes (e.g., creatinine, urea) accumulate in plasma and other body fluids. In acute renal failure, injury is usually transient, so that deterioration of function is short-lived and reversible. Not so, however, with the many forms of irreversible nephron damage, which typically progress over time, often eventuating in complete loss of renal function, systemic toxicity (uremia), and death unless the lost function is replaced by chronic dialysis and/or successful renal transplantation. Much of the effort in nephrology since the 1970s has been concerned with improving the effectiveness of these renal-replacement therapies. In the late 1960s, we fortuitously gained access to a unique strain of rats with many glomeruli that are situated on the renal cortical surface. For the first time, mammalian glomeruli were therefore accessible to direct study by new microtechniques developed in our laboratory. We therefore addressed the following questions: (a) What are the precise hemodynamic forces and biophysical properties that govern glomerular capillary function in health? (b) How are these elements modified during renal injury? (c) Do these modifications contribute to the relentless progression of renal disease? (d) If so, can they be reversed, so as to retard further deterioration of renal function and prevent end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?
Outcomes of skin graft reconstructions with the use of Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC ® ) dressing for irradiated extremity sarcoma defects

Flaps are currently the predominant method of reconstruction for irradiated wounds. The usefulness of split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) in this setting remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to examine the outcomes of STSGs in conjunction with VAC therapy used in the treatment of irradiated extremity wounds. The records of 17 preoperatively radiated patients with extremity sarcomas reconstructed with STSGs in conjunction with VAC® therapy were reviewed regarding details of radiation treatment, wound closure, and outcomes. STSGs healed without complications (>95% of the graft take) in 12 (71%). Minor loss (6% – 20% surface) was noted in 3 patients (17.6%) and complete loss in 2 (11.7%). Two patients (11.7%) required flap reconstructions and 12 (88%) healed without further operative procedures. Although flap coverage is an established treatment for radiated wounds, STSG in conjunction with liberal utilization of VAC therapy is an alternative for selected patients where acceptable soft tissue bed is preserved. Healing of the preoperatively radiated wounds can be achieved in the vast majority of such patients with minimal need for additional reconstructive operations.
PLANT DIVERSITY, COMPOSITION, AND INVASION OF RESTORED AND NATURAL PRAIRIE POTHOLE WETLANDS: IMPLICATIONS FOR RESTORATION

Hundreds of wetlands comprising thousands of hectares have been restored in the Midwestern United States. In nearly all cases, restoration consisted of simply restoring wetland hydrology. For this reason, the success of these restorations relies on natural colonization. We compared the structure and composition of the vegetation in two types of wetlands: 10 natural wetlands and 17 five-to-seven-year-old restored wetlands. The overall vegetative composition of restored wetlands was different from that of natural wetlands. Restored wetland flora was formed from a subset of species found in natural wetlands. The species restricted to natural wetlands tended to be native perennials and were evenly represented along the elevational gradient. The few species that were restricted to restored wetlands were largely mudflat annuals whose presence is more indicative of the presence of more unvegetated habitat in restored wetlands than of the presence of a distinctive restored wetlands flora. In addition, restored wetlands had lower vegetative cover and species richness than natural wetlands. Both wetland types had similar numbers of exotic species at the whole wetland (4.4 species per wetland) and quadrat scale (1.5 species m2), and dominance of exotics increased with elevation. The lower species richness, greater compositional variability, and lack of a distinctive flora support the hypothesis that dispersal limitation is the primary cause of the differences between the vegetation in restored and natural wetlands.
Familial and microbiological contribution to the otitis-prone condition.

Abstract Objective Our group has an ongoing clinical research project investigating the immunology of the otitis–prone (OP) phenotype. In light of evidence that this condition arises from underlying immunological defects, we examined our sample population of stringently defined OP (sOP) children suffering 3 episodes of acute otitis media within 6 months or 4 within a year for a familial association with the sOP phenotype. Methods We analyzed the frequency of sOP within and between families and the nasopharyngeal (NP) otopathogen colonization patterns within and between families. Results The presence of sOP siblings significantly predicted that additional children in the same family would likewise become sOP, with an odds ratio of 3.7 (95% CI 0.77–15.2, 95% lower bound 0.95). We further present evidence for an environmental contribution to this effect by means of prolonged exposure to otopathogens within family units. Conclusion sOP children have a significant familial association. The tendency of siblings to share similar patterns of microbial NP colonization contributes to this association. Further research is necessary to determine whether and to what extent genetics are involved.
Adjuvant chemotherapy of bladder cancer: a preliminary report.

AbstractAdjuvant combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and cisplatin was administered to 36 patients after cystectomy for bladder cancer. Therapy was tolerated well except for 1 patient who suffered a fatal chemotherapy complication. Indications for adjuvant chemotherapy included vascular invasion of the primary tumor, perivesicular tumor involvement, invasion of adjacent pelvic viscera (vagina and prostate) and nodal metastases.There were 53 concurrently treated patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy despite similar unfavorable pathological indications (high risk control group). Survival rates (61 and 73 per cent, respectively) were not significantly different for those patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and an additional group of 158 patients who underwent cystectomy during the study period but who had no adverse pathological findings (low risk control group). Survival rates differed significantly between the low risk (73 per cent) and high risk (38 per cent) c...
Hydroxyl radical in/on illuminated polar snow: formation rates, lifetimes,and steady-state concentrations

Abstract. While the hydroxyl radical ( • OH) in the snowpack is likely a dominant oxidant for organic species and bromide, little is known about the kinetics or steady-state concentrations of • OH on/in snow and ice. Here we measure the formation rate, lifetime, and concentration of • OH for illuminated polar snow samples studied in the laboratory and in the field. Laboratory studies show that • OH kinetics and steady-state concentrations are essentially the same for a given sample studied as ice and liquid; this is in contrast to other photooxidants, which show a concentration enhancement in ice relative to solution as a result of kinetic differences in the two phases. The average production rate of • OH in samples studied at Summit, Greenland, is 5 times lower than the average measured in the laboratory, while the average • OH lifetime determined in the field is 5 times higher than in the laboratory. These differences indicate that the polar snows we studied in the laboratory are affected by contamination, despite significant efforts to prevent this; our results suggest similar contamination may be a widespread problem in laboratory studies of ice chemistry. Steady-state concentrations of • OH in clean snow studied in the field at Summit, Greenland, range from (0.8 to 3) × 10−15 M, comparable to values reported for midlatitude cloud and fog drops, rain, and deliquesced marine particles, even though impurity concentrations in the snow samples are much lower. Partitioning of firn air • OH to the snow grains will approximately double the steady-state concentration of snow-grain hydroxyl radical, leading to an average [ • OH] in near-surface, summer Summit snow of approximately 4 × 10−15 M. At this concentration, the • OH-mediated lifetimes of organics and bromide in Summit snow grains are approximately 3 days and 7 h, respectively, suggesting that hydroxyl radical is a major oxidant for both species.
Carbon-deuterium bonds as probes of protein thermal unfolding.

We report a residue-specific characterization of the thermal unfolding mechanism of ferric horse heart cytochrome c using C–D bonds site-specifically incorporated at residues dispersed throughout three different structural elements within the protein. As the temperature increases, Met80 first dissociates from the heme center, and the protein populates a folding intermediate before transitioning to a solvent exposed state. With further increases in temperature, the C-terminal helix frays and then loses structure along with the core of the protein. Interestingly, the data also reveal that the state populated at high temperature retains some structure and possibly represents a molten globule. Elucidation of the detailed unfolding mechanism and the structure of the associated molten globule, both of which represent challenges to conventional techniques, highlights the utility of the C–D technique.
Effects of Interface States on Applied Voltage Dependence of Double Schottky Barrier (Part 1)

Effects of the interface states on the applied voltage dependence of the double schottky barrier (DSB) are theoretically discussed. On the basis of the simplified models of rectangular density distributions for the interface states, effects of the energy level, density of states, and the distribution width of the interface states on the applied voltage dependence of the DSB were quantitatively calculated. The I-V characteristics of DSB's were also calculated and the nonlinear I-V relations were discussed. The nonlinear exponent was found to be determined mainly by the barrier height and the total charge of the interface states.
Influence of current velocity on substratum selection by Naucoridae (Hemiptera): an experimental approach via stream simulation

Microhabitat preferences of three sympatric naucorids ( Ambrysus circumcinctus Montandon, Limnocoris lutzi La Rivers, and Cryphocricos hungerfordi Usinger) from the South Llano River of central Texas were evaluated in laboratory experiments. Each species was individually subjected to all paired contrasts produced from three substratum size classes (coarse gravel, small pebble, and small cobble). Within each contrast, three trials were conducted, each involving a different current velocity (slow, 6.6 ± 0.1 cm/s; intermediate, 9.8 ± 0.1 cm/s; and fast, 13.7 ± 0.5 cm/s). The gravel substratum was never preferred; moreover, preference in the pebble versus cobble contrast, when present, was only shown for the cobble substratum. Overall, A. circumcinctus exhibited consistent substratum preferences (cobble> pebble> gravel) independent of current velocity. C. hungerfordi preferred cobble over either gravel or pebble substrata; however, a synergistic effect between current velocity and substratum size was detected in the gravel versus pebble contrast. Finally, L. lutzi exhibited the highest degree of velocity-dependent substratum selection. Laboratory analyses corroborated field investigations and offered insight into the influence of interacting abiotic variables on the microdistribution of Naucoridae.
The Medieval Idea of Heresy: What Are We to Make of It?

For Thomas Aquinas, writing in a society where there was widespread persecution of heretics, heresy was a species of unbelief ( infidelitas ) worthy of death. In Aquinas unbelief is the genus of vices opposed to the fundamental theological virtue of faith ( fides ). Today, in the liberal West, heresy itself is a more or less serious candidate for theological virtue. 2 What are we to make of this?
OT Practitioners’ and OT Students’ Perceptions of Entry-Level Competency for Occupational Therapy Practice

This study examined occupational therapy (OT) practitioners’ and OT students’ perceptions of the importance of 12 specific OT-related entry-level competency skills and the number of weeks required to consistently demonstrate skills for entry-level competency. The results indicated that, on average, practitioners (n = 39) and students (n = 38) agreed that all of the items were important. However, the students had significantly higher ratings regarding the importance of communication, occupation and client-centered goals, time management, interventions, and use of theory and evidence. They also rated a higher number of minimum weeks required to consistently demonstrate entry-level competency. The students who rated use of theory and evidence higher also rated a greater number of weeks to consistently demonstrate entry-level competency (Pearson r = .38; p= .02). The practitioners who rated psychosocial factors higher also rated a greater number of weeks to consistently demonstrate entry-level competency (Pearson r = .33, p = .04). These findings support the need for further research on defining entry-level competence and highlight the importance of communication between OT practitioners, students, and academic fieldwork coordinators to clarify which competencies are perceived as most important and the expectations regarding how long it takes for students to demonstrate them consistently.
Seasonal water quality changes in on-farm water storage systems in a south-central U.S. agricultural watershed

The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of on-farm water storage (OFWS) systems to mitigate off-site nutrient movement in a south-central U.S. agricultural watershed. We examined the seasonal water quality changes in an OFWS system by measuring several physical and chemical constituents at multiple sampling points throughout the system. Water quality sampling occurred every three weeks during the growing season and every six weeks during the dormant season from February 2012 to December 2014. The collected data were grouped into four seasons and then analyzed using boxplots along with the Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum tests for detecting changes in nutrient concentrations. Significant water quality changes were observed in the OFWS system by season and nutrient species, indicating a variation in downstream nutrient reduction with season. The in-ditch median removal efficiency, from the center of the tailwater recovery ditch to the outlet, was 54% during winter and 50% during spring for NO3-N; 60% during spring for NH3-N; 26% during autumn and 65% during winter for ortho-P; and 31% during winter and 10% during spring for TP. The in-pond median concentration removal efficiency was ∼77% during summer for NO3-N, while the concentration remained stable during winter, spring and autumn; 53% from winter to spring and 58% from spring to summer for NH3-N; 70% from winter to spring for ortho-P, while remaining stable during the other seasons; and 28% from winter to spring and 55% from spring to summer for TP. Our results support the hypothesis that OFWS systems could mitigate downstream nutrient-enrichment pollution, especially during spring. The results obtained from this study offer a better insight into the behavior of OFWS systems and help enhance the management of agroecosystems from an ecological and hydrological perspective for water quality pollution control and water resource conservation.
Frictional properties of multi-asperity surfaces at the nanoscale

Abstract Asperities are considered as unevenness of surfaces, or surface roughness. Surfaces that are finely polished are still considered uneven at the nanoscale. This unevenness of surface reduces the actual contact area when two surfaces come into contact. Understanding surface asperities are very important because the friction and wear properties of two materials depend on the nanoscale contact between the material surfaces. Many experimental studies have concluded that surface texture can help improve contact characteristics and reduce the frictional forces between surfaces. We use molecular dynamics simulations to study the frictional and mechanical response of an aluminium surface with cylindrical and spherical asperities that resemble true surfaces. Nanoindentation and scratch tests are carried out using different indenter radii on spherical and cylindrical asperities, and the results are compared to surfaces without asperities. When comparing the spherical and cylindrical asperities, we observe that the coefficient of friction (COF) is lower for spherical asperity surfaces, if the indenter radius is less than or equal to 4 nm, and the COF is lower for cylindrical asperity surfaces, if the indenter radius is greater than or equal to 5 nm. Finally, the COF decreases with increasing indenter radius for the surface geometries studied here. The atomic mechanisms corresponding to the observed frictional response of the surfaces are explained by dislocation nucleation and propagation in the system. These studies could perhaps be used to guide experiments to design multi-asperity surfaces for tribological applications.
A rapid mass spectrometric method for the measurement of catalytic activity of ten-eleven translocation enzymes.

Enzymatic methylation at carbon five on cytosine (5mC) in DNA is a hallmark of mammalian epigenetic programming and is critical to gene regulation during early embryonic development. It has recently been shown that dynamic erasure of 5mC by three members of the ten-eleven translocation (TET) family plays a key role in cellular differentiation. TET enzymes belong to Fe (II)- and 2-ketoglutarate (2KG) dependent dioxygenases that successively oxidize 5mC to 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxycytosine (5CaC), thus providing a chemical basis for the removal of 5mC which once was thought to be a permanent mark in mammalian genome. Since then a wide range of biochemical assays have been developed to characterize TET activity. Majority of these methods require multi-step processing to detect and quantify the TET-mediated oxidized products. In this study, we have developed a MALDI mass spectrometry based method that directly measures the TET activity with high sensitivity while eliminating the need for any intermediate processing steps. We applied this method to the measurement of enzymatic activity of TET1 and 3, Michaleis-Menten parameters (KM and kcat) of TET-2KG pairs and inhibitory concentration (IC50) of known small-molecule inhibitors of TETs. We further demonstrated the suitability of the assay to analyze chemoenzymatic labeling of 5hmC by β-glucosyltransferase, highlighting the potential for broad application of our method in deconvoluting the functions of novel DNA demethylases.
Women's Progress for Men's Gain? Gender-Specific Changes in the Return to Education as Measured by Family Standard of Living, 1990 to 2009-2011

This study investigates gender-specific changes in the total financial return to education among persons of prime working ages (35–44 years) using U.S. Census data from 1990 and 2000, and the 2009–2011 American Community Survey. We define the total financial return to education as the family standard of living as measured by family income adjusted for family size. Our results indicate that women experienced significant progress in educational attainment and labor market outcomes over this time period. Ironically, married women’s progress in education and personal earnings has led to greater improvement in the family standard of living for married men than for women themselves. Gender-specific changes in assortative mating are mostly responsible for this paradoxical trend. Because the number of highly educated women exceeds the number of highly educated men in the marriage market, the likelihood of educational marrying up has substantially increased for men over time while women’s likelihood has decreased. Sensitivity analyses show that the greater improvement in the family standard of living for men than for women is not limited to prime working-age persons but is also evident in the general population. Consequently, women’s return to education through marriage declined while men’s financial gain through marriage increased considerably.
Imagination extended and embedded: artifactual versus fictional accounts of models

This paper presents an artifactual approach to models that also addresses their fictional features. It discusses first the imaginary accounts of models and fiction that set model descriptions apart from imagined-objects, concentrating on the latter (e.g., Frigg in Synthese 172(2):251–268, 2010; Frigg and Nguyen in The Monist 99(3):225–242, 2016; Godfrey-Smith in Biol Philos 21(5):725–740, 2006; Philos Stud 143(1):101–116, 2009). While the imaginary approaches accommodate surrogative reasoning as an important characteristic of scientific modeling, they simultaneously raise difficult questions concerning how the imagined entities are related to actual representational tools, and coordinated among different scientists, and with real-world phenomena. The artifactual account focuses, in contrast, on the culturally established external representational tools that enable, embody, and extend scientific imagination and reasoning. While there are commonalities between models and fictions, it is argued that the focus should be on the fictional uses of models rather than considering models as fictions.
Malignant Transformation and Distal Airway Complications

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) are benign neoplasms of the larynx caused by low-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) viral subtypes, predominantly 6 and 11. Extension beyond the larynx and transformation to dysplasia and invasive carcinoma have been described but the incidence is rare. Overall, juvenile-onset RRP tends to be more aggressive than the adult form, and a higher proportion of children will experience these life-threatening complications. Children are more likely to require a tracheotomy, develop distal spread of RRP, and experience pulmonary complications such as abscess, pneumatocele, and respiratory failure. Patients diagnosed as adults are more likely to develop laryngeal dysplasia but have a far smaller chance of developing pulmonary complications. Treatment strategies for benign papilloma continue to hinge on surgical removal, with considerations for adjuvant therapy when airway obstruction is imminent, frequency of surgery is intolerable, or distal spread is diagnosed. The most common adjuvant therapies have been interferon and cidofovir. The most recent treatments to show promise include HPV vaccination and bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets angiogenesis by binding to vascular endothelial growth factor. The development of pulmonary papillomatosis and malignant transformation portends a far more dire prognosis.
Dynamic game-theoretic defense approach against stealthy Jamming attacks in wireless networks

This paper develops a game-theoretic defense approach against jamming attacks targeting access points in a wireless network. We formulate a two-player zero-sum stochastic game between a network administrator (the defender) and a jammer (the attacker) in which the defender adapts the RF footprints of the nodes to counteract the jamming attack aimed at creating excessive interference in the network. Our formulation captures inherent tradeoffs between the ability of the attack to inflict damage and the attack exposure, and between reducing the interference level and maintaining network coverage. We obtain optimal policies for both players at Nash Equilibrium using a value-iteration based algorithm. To handle the state-space complexity for this class of games, we develop approximate policies by judiciously extracting features that are well-representative of the different states. Through numerical results, we show convergence of the used algorithm to stationary policies, and demonstrate the effectiveness of the defense mechanism and the approximate policies against such attacks.
Thermal study of the decomposition of HTPB hybrid rocket fuel in the presence of azo-tetrazolate-based high nitrogen content high energy materials

Azo-tetrazolate salts and their derivatives have identical negatively charged conjugated nitrogen rings and two varied positively charged cations. The varied cations are guanidinium, aminoguanidinium, diaminoguanidinium, triaminoguanidinium and ammonium. Azo-tetrazolate salts and their derivatives were synthesized and fully characterized by multinuclear spectroscopy (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) has been used as a fuel and/or binder for devices such as hybrid and solid rockets. Present-day work on HTPB includes studying its thermal decomposition in the presence and absence of energetic material. Varying concentrations of energetic materials were used to create samples of crosslinked HTPB, which were utilized for the analysis. Different percentages (10, 15, 20%) by mass of azo-tetrazolate-based high nitrogen materials were used. Crosslinking agent polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate (PAPI) was added to the polybutadiene R45-M resin and was maintained at 15% by mass in all samples. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) were performed to investigate the effect of additives. This is carried out within an atmospheric air setting at a heating rate of 5 °C/min. Plain HTPB has three exothermic peaks under air, with the first occurring at 206.82 °C, the second peak at 350 °C and the third peak beginning (onset) at 421.67 °C. Total decomposition of the mixtures is exhibited by the third exothermic peak, which ends at 600 °C. The effect of mixing these high energy compounds was determined using TG and DSC. Indications are that the resulting high energy compound/HTPB mixtures may provide a better performing fuel for future hybrid rocket formulations.
Analogs of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3

Following the discovery of 25-OH-D3 interest has been generated in analogs of vitamin D possessing the 25-hydroxyl function. In a sense the dihydrotachysterols, the 5,6-trans-25-OH-D3, and the isotachysterols discussed above can be considered as analogs of either 25-OH-D3 or l,25-(OH)2D3. Because of the rotation of ring A about the 5,6 double bond, these compounds assume the role of analogs of l,25-(OH)2D3 especially since they cannot be 1-hydroxylated by the 1-hydroxylase of the kidney. It is sufficient to reaffirm that these compounds, although effective in the absence of kidneys, are very poor analogs of l,25-(OH)2D3, being less than 1/1,000 as active as Open image in new window Fig. 14 Analogs of l,25-(OH)2D3 which are of current interest in our understanding of the metabolism and function of the vitamin l,25-(OH)2D3. The dihydrotachysterols are of some interest because they represent a commercially available substitute for l,25-(OH)2D3 in the treatment of renal osteodystrophy, hypoparathyroidism, and other diseases where there is defective absorption and utilization of calcium.
Chemical Modification of the Multitarget Neuroprotective Compound Fisetin

Many factors are implicated in age-related central nervous system (CNS) disorders, making it unlikely that modulating only a single factor will provide effective treatment. Perhaps a better approach is to identify small molecules that have multiple biological activities relevant to the maintenance of brain function. Recently, we identified an orally active, neuroprotective, and cognition-enhancing molecule, the flavonoid fisetin, that is effective in several animal models of CNS disorders. Fisetin has direct antioxidant activity and can also increase the intracellular levels of glutathione (GSH), the major endogenous antioxidant. In addition, fisetin has both neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory activity. However, its relatively high EC50 in cell based assays, low lipophilicity, high topological polar surface area (tPSA), and poor bioavailability suggest that there is room for medicinal chemical improvement. Here we describe a multitiered approach to screening that has allowed us to identify fisetin derivat...
A Commentary on Theoretical and Political Perspectives Toward Equity and Justice in Mathematics Education

This chapter presents a commentary on chapters in the section focused on theoretical and political perspectives toward equity and justice in mathematics education.
PA 13-8-564 Developing a systems-level checklist for the prevention of violent events against emergency medical services responders in the united states

Background In the United States, calls for emergency medical services (EMS) have increased approximately 20% each year. A major challenge confronting EMS is understanding the organizational, mental health, and safety burden that providers experience as they respond to increasing community demand. An understudied aspect of this demanding work is the impact of violence from patients against EMS responders. A multitude of best practices to address violence are outlined in industry trade journals, but none are organized in a way that first responders and leadership can readily implement. Objective To develop a multi-level industry-specific systems checklist of policies and procedures for preventing and mitigating violence against fire-based EMS responders. Methods Initial content and format of draft checklist items were informed by a previously published systematic literature review. Fire and EMS leaders, academic researchers, front line workers, and labor representatives were convened for a two-day consensus building conference to establish agreement on checklist items. ThinkTank and ThinkLets technology facilitated brainstorming, convergence, organization, evaluation, and consensus building activities. A brief processing period followed, and a final review of the checklist then proceeded amid a large-group facilitated session. Findings We will present the resultant systems checklist, a comprehensive inventory of best practices, policies, and procedures for all levels of the fire department including dispatch, EMS responders, leadership, and union officials. Strategies and barriers to consensus building will be discussed as well as a timeline for checklist implementation and evaluation. Conclusions and policy implications A multi-disciplinary consensus building process led to a systems checklist that speaks to each phase of emergency response. The checklist has the potential to reduce injury exposures from violence, impact self-reported mental health metrics, and improve organizational outcomes (e.g., burnout, job satisfaction, engagement). These improvements- intended to benefit the worker- may also lead to improved patient outcomes and quality of care.