cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Middle Pleistocene intense monsoonal episode from the Kapthurin Formation, Kenya: Stable isotopic evidence from bovid teeth and pedogenic carbonates

Abstract Carbon and oxygen isotope values of bovid tooth enamel and pedogenic carbonates were used to reconstruct the paleoenvironments associated with Middle Pleistocene archeological and paleontological sites from the Kapthurin Formation, Kenya. Fossil teeth and pedogenic carbonates were collected from lacustrine and fluvial facies (K3 and K3’) of the Kapthurin Formation (~ 543–509 ka). Twenty teeth from six bovid tribes and twenty four pedogenic carbonates were sequentially sampled for stable oxygen and carbon analysis. The primary aims of this work are to reconstruct the vegetative habitats of bovids and environmental landscapes from the Kapthurin Formation, assessing the presence of C3, C4, or mixed vegetation and foragers. We also assess general paleoclimate factors, such as overall aridity, seasonal shifts in water availability, and broad habitat reconstructions. Carbon isotope values suggest a wide range of foraging strategies were available to bovids, and are characterized by both C3 dominated and C4 dominated diets, with little evidence for mixed feeders, while pedogenic carbonates suggest the landscape combined a mix of C3 and C4 vegetation sources, structurally similar to wooded grasslands. Paleoclimatic conditions, based on the reconstructed mean annual water deficit from δ18Oenamel values suggest a hyper mesic environment, most comparable to the modern Ituri rainforest, indicating a much wetter climate than the modern Lake Baringo Basin. This environment coincides with an intensified Middle Pleistocene African monsoonal system at the onset of Marine Isotope Stage 13 (~ 533 ka). The Middle Pleistocene Lake Baringo regional habitat appears to have been one dominated by woodland areas, perennially active streams, marsh and sumpland environments, and a surrounding grassland ecosystem. This lush basin would have provided hominins with a diverse and productive ecosystem. Perhaps not surprisingly, archeological sites are found in all habitats, including wet, forested, and grassland environments.
Partnership-Level Analysis of African American Women’s Risky Sexual Behavior in Main and Non-Main Partnerships

The majority of research on risky sexual behavior in African American women has examined global associations between individual-level predictors and behavior. However, this method obscures the potentially significant impact of the specific relationship or relationship partner on risky sexual behavior. To address this gap, we conducted partnership-level analysis of risky sexual behavior among 718 African American women recruited from HIV counseling, testing, and referral sites in four states. Using mixed model regressions, we tested relationships between condomless vaginal intercourse with men and variables drawn from the Theory of Planned Behavior, Theory of Gender and Power, and previous research specifically on sexual risks among African American women. Significant associations with risky sexual behavior indicate the need for continued emphasis on condom attitudes, condom negotiation behaviors, and overcoming partner resistance to condoms within both main and non-main partnerships when implementing interventions designed to address HIV and sexually transmitted infection risks among African American women.
Methods for Determination of Thiamine in Blood and Tissues with Observations on Relative Contents

SummaryWith the aid of these methods it has been shown, in the rat, that the thiamine concentration in the blood parallels that in the tissues, and both reflect the intake.
Induced factors of adverse reaction of traditional Chinese medicine

Objective To investigate the causes of adverse reaction of traditional Chinese medicine clinical pharmacy.Methods The taking of our hospital between 2011 January to June medicine in clinical adverse reactions occurred in 30 patients of the cases,and in patients with primary disease conditions,adverse reactions occur medicine sick time,and in the process drugs used to do specific investigations,but also for patients after the onset of the affected tissues,organs and the various clinical manifestations do specific research and analysis.Results In the clinical pharmacy medicine adverse reactions induced on many factors.Conclusion In clinical treatment,adverse reactions to traditional Chinese medicine sufficient attention,effectively prevent the occurrence of drug-induced diseases.
Kinetic Modulation of Outer-Sphere Electron Transfer Reactions on Graphene Electrode with a Sub-surface Metal Substrate

Abstract The atomic thickness of graphene electrodes makes them a suitable platform to explore interfacial interactions with dissimilar materials and their impact on the rates and mechanisms of electrochemical reactions. Here, we report on the modulation of the electrochemical kinetics of outer-sphere redox mediators by metal electrodes buried in the sub-surface of continuous double layer graphene electrodes. Graphene was obtained via chemical vapor deposition and a near-full coverage of graphene over the metal surface was inspected via microscopy and by the use of electrochemically active surface redox probes. Enhancements in the rate of electron transfer on three reactive species, ferrocyanide, ferricyanide, and ferrocene, were observed on graphene coated metal deposits using scanning electrochemical microscopy in the feedback mode. Our results strongly suggest that the electron transfer kinetics to outer sphere redox species across the graphene/electrolyte interface is significantly enhanced by the use of subsurface metals. We show that buried Au deposits exhibit ca. 5 times enhancement of the electrochemical rate constant. These enhancements are likely a consequence of increased electronic density of states due to a donating effect from the substrate.
Sport for development and peace: a systems theory perspective on promoting sustainable change

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of systems theory to facilitate more robust and rigorous program design, implementation and evaluation in the SFDP field. Given the gap between micro-level program successes and macro-level change, a need exists to explore systems theories as a way to promote integration across various sectors of development and peace work generally, and SFDP specifically. In an effort to do so, a brief overview of the key issues in the SFDP field is given, highlighting the need for a systems approach. Next, an overview of systems theories is discussed, with a particular focus on the structural, attitudinal, and transactional model of peace building (Ricigliano, 2012). Then, current SFDP theories and models are discussed within the context of systems theories. Finally, commentary from SFDP practitioners is provided as it relates to the role of sport in promoting a more holistic approach to development.
An Introduction to Catholicism: Catholic reformation(s)

INTRODUCTION Catholic Christianity has always been aware that only the Church in Heaven will live in perfect harmony and in a state of predestined perfection. It knows that in this life, from its beginnings, the early followers of Jesus showed themselves imperfect and even, at moments, craven. It knows that in the life of the Church reflected in the early New Testament writings there were moral lapses, dissensions, and party strife. Catholicism has never understood itself as a perfectionist sect; it takes seriously the images left by Jesus to the effect that only at the Last Judgment would the Judge of all separate the sheep from the goats and the wheat from the weeds. All that being said, the history of Catholicism also shows that in the recognition of the imperfect nature of the Church in this life, despite its equal conviction that the Church, as the rule of faith has it, is one, holy, catholic and universal, there was an equal determination to re-form the life of the Church, to cleanse it of its most conspicuous failings, and to call it back to its mandate to be the visible presence of Christ on this earth. It saw this as a duty given by its apostolic teaching. One way to say it is that the Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic, but it can always be more unified, more holy, more universal, and more faithful to the apostolic preaching.
Selenium: Dietary Sources, Human Nutritional Requirements and Intake Across Populations

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral found ubiquitously in the environment in geographically variable amounts. The bioavailability of Se compounds varies depending on the source and form of Se, with our primary source of Se intake through food, including grains, animal products and, increasingly recently, dietary supplements. Recommended dietary amounts vary slightly among countries due to differential average intakes and subsequent Se status across populations, and typically range from 40–45 μg/day for adults in Japan to 75 μg/day for adults in the United Kingdom. Controversies continue to prevail regarding adequate amounts of Se for health and disease prevention in the general population and for populations which are potentially more sensitive to changes in dietary Se. The biological response to dietary Se, much like that of other nutrients, likely follows a U-shaped curve, which may be modulated by a variety of factors, including gender, ethnicity, Se status, and background health.
What does quality-aware data collection really achieve in energy harvesting wireless sensor networks?

Energy is the major bottleneck for wireless sensor networks WSNs. Although energy harvesting sensor nodes have emerged as a solution, new challenges in energy management arise due to the intermittently available energy. We also observe that many applications can tolerate certain levels of data inaccuracies. Here, we exploit the application's tolerance for data inaccuracy to achieve an equilibrium between energy consumption and availability while satisfying application's accuracy needs, thereby improving network lifetime. Performance studies indicate that our method outperforms other data collection methods. Moreover, our comprehensive energy consumption analysis of quality-aware data collection on different sensor node arrangements reveals the limitations on energy savings when quality-aware data collection is used. We show that a tighter cooperation between MAC layer and Application layer, that is achieved through an Application-driven control mechanism can unlock the full potential of quality-aware data collection.
Alain Desrosières’s spectacles: one lens realist, the other constructivist

This paper focuses one central problem that Alain Desrosieres has tackled during his whole career, namely how to articulate the two contradictory natures of statistics, that they are at the same times real and constructed. To understand the different strategies that he followed to solve it, we focus on his writing techniques. He was acutely aware of the importance of rhetoric, as shown among other things by his activity as journal editor at the INSEE and by his paper on the importance of the “writing styles” in the genre of the history of statistics. We show that he wrote first and foremost narratives, in which the subject of the action is very often downplayed of even absent. His narrative techniques allowed him to build a very solid bridge between statistics and politics.
First microlensing events offer fresh insights on dark matter

"Dark" matter is believed to account for 90% of the mass of the Universe but nothing is known about what it might be made of. Current theories opt either for massive compact halo objects (MACHOs), such as brown dwarf "stars", or exotic weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). Now three independent teams of astronomers have demonstrated for the first time that it may be possible to shed light on the nature of at least some of the dark matter in the galactic halo, using the phenomenon of gravitational microlensing.
Sustained drug delivery for glaucoma: current data and future trends.

Purpose of review Sustained drug delivery has been recognized as a need for patients with ocular hypertension or glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Several sustained drug delivery systems and devices are currently on the horizon. This review aims to summarize initial results with these platforms, as reported in the literature, and also provide insight into their possible role in the glaucoma treatment paradigm. Recent findings Sustained drug delivery systems currently on the horizon include the topical bimatoprost ocular insert, travoprost and latanoprost punctal plugs, latanoprost-eluting contact lenses, bimatoprost and travoprost intraocular implants, as well as several other therapies in earlier stages of development. Delivery strategies differ with respect to ocular site of implantation, ocular hypotensive agent, and duration of efficacy. Efficacy and safety outcomes with these devices are favorable thus far. Summary The glaucoma treatment paradigm is currently in a state of flux as sustained drug delivery systems bring promise to individuals suffering from ocular hypertension or glaucoma. Several options will likely become available in the near future to ease the burden of daily administration of chronic therapy with intraocular pressure-lowering agents.
The Effects of Employment Interventions on Addiction Treatment Outcomes: A Review of the Literature

Employment is a goal for many people in recovery from substance use disorders, and might protect against relapse. Interventions that use employment to promote recovery outcomes are well-studied among individuals with serious mental illness, but less is known about the outcomes of such interventions for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Therefore, we searched the literature for published studies that describe the effects of employment interventions on substance abuse treatment outcomes for persons recovering from substance use disorders. Twelve peer-reviewed studies were identified. Although employment interventions varied greatly across the studies, 11 of 12 studies demonstrated a positive relationship between employment interventions and substance use treatment outcomes. This review suggests that employment might be an effective relapse prevention measure, and offers possible opportunities for innovative programming in addiction treatment settings.
Non-cardiac Chest Pain: A Review for the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist.

Background Patients presenting with chest pain to general practice or emergency providers represent a unique challenge, as the differential is broad and varies widely in acuity. Importantly, most cases of chest pain in both acute and general practice settings are ultimately found to be non-cardiac in origin, and a substantial proportion of patients experiencing non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) suffer significant disability. In light of emerging evidence that mental health providers can serve a key role in the care of patients with NCCP, knowledge of the differential diagnosis, psychiatric co-morbidities, and therapeutic techniques for NCCP would be of great use to both consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatrists and other mental health providers. Methods We reviewed prior published work on (1) the appropriate medical workup of the acute presentation of chest pain, (2) the relevant medical and psychiatric differential diagnosis for chest pain determined to be non-cardiac in origin, (3) the management of related conditions in psychosomatic medicine, and (4) management strategies for patients with NCCP. Results We identified key differential diagnostic and therapeutic considerations for psychosomatic medicine providers in 3 different clinical contexts: acute care in the emergency department, inpatient C-L psychiatry, and outpatient C-L psychiatry. We also identified several gaps in the literature surrounding the short-term and long-term management of NCCP in patients with psychiatric etiologies or co-morbid psychiatric conditions. Conclusions Though some approaches to the care of patients with NCCP have been developed, more work is needed to determine the most effective management techniques for this unique and high-morbidity population.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fracture

The zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) articulates the facial skeleton at four locations. These include the zygomaticofrontal (ZF) suture, zygomaticotemporal (ZT) suture, zygomaticomaxillary buttress (ZMB), and zygomaticosphenoid (ZS) suture. ZMC fractures are one of the three most common types of facial fractures, and facial trauma can disrupt one or multiple of these articulations (The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery 21:1018–1023, 2010). Because of its importance in facial structure and function, proper reduction and fixation of the ZMC, when indicated, is paramount. Indications for surgical intervention include displacement of the malar complex resulting in functional or cosmetic deformity. Nondisplaced fractures do not typically require surgical intervention. Potential complications include malar malposition, enophthalmos, visual disturbances, and persistent infraorbital nerve paresthesias (Seminars in Plastic Surgery 24:389–397, 2010; Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery 14:62–66, 2012).
The Study Of Molecular Attractions In The Asphalt System By Solubility Parameter

Solubility parameter is an indicator which is based on the energy needed to overcome all the forces holding the molecules together. Thus, the intermolecular forces can be estimated by the solubility parameter. Both one-component and three-component solubility parameters are used to study the molecular attraction within the asphalt system. In one-component solubility parameter study, three colloidal types of asphalts and corresponding asphaltenes are compared at room temperature. Comparing the spectra between asphalt and asphaltene, it appears that asphaltene is the controlling factor in the solubility of asphalt system. From the spectra of three asphaltenes, it may be implied that the attraction forces in three different colloidal types of asphalt are similar. In three-component solubility parameter spectra, the distribution of molecular attractions attributing from three categories, dispersion, hydrogen bonding, and polar interactions, are studied. In observing the spectra, dispersion forces dominated in the system is demonstrated to override either polarity or hydrogen bonding.
Systems Design and Implementation

Analyzing a planning or scheduling problem and developing a procedure for dealing with it on a regular basis is, in the real world, only part of the story. The procedure has to be embedded in a system that enables the decisionmaker to actually use it. The system has to be integrated into the information system of the organization, which can be a formidable task. This chapter deals with system design and implementation issues.
Direct palladium-mediated on-resin disulfide formation from Allocam protected peptides

The synthesis of disulfide-containing polypeptides represents a long-standing challenge in peptide chemistry, and broadly applicable methods for the construction of disulfides are in constant demand. Few strategies exist for on-resin formation of disulfides directly from their protected counterparts. We present herein a novel strategy for the on-resin construction of disulfides directly from Allocam-protected cysteines. Our palladium-mediated approach is mild and uses readily available reagents, requiring no special equipment. No reduced peptide intermediates or S-allylated products are observed, and no residual palladium can be detected in the final products. The utility of this method is demonstrated through the synthesis of the C-carboxy analog of oxytocin.
Medicaid Reimbursement for Oral Direct Antiviral Agents for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C.

Medicaid Reimbursement for Oral Direct Antiviral Agents for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C
Assessing the survival impact of perioperative opioid consumption in children and adolescents undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

SummaryBackground Several studies in adult patients have suggested an unfavorable association between opioid consumption and cancer progression. Aims This study investigated the impact of opioid consumption on the survival of children and adolescents undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Methods A retrospective study of patients <19 years who had undergone cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy was performed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to identify factors associated with recurrence-free survival and overall survival. Results Seventy-five patients were identified. Median age was 11.6 years (range, 1.8–18.9), and 43% was female. Median perioperative opioid consumption was 18.9 morphine dose equivalents per kilogram (range, 0.6–339.6). There was no statistically significant association between opioid consumption and recurrence-free survival [hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, (0.99–1.02), P = 0.55] or overall survival [hazard ratio 1.01; 95% confidence interval (0.99–1.03), P = 0.22]. Independent prognostic factors associated with poor survival included incomplete cytoreduction and extra-abdominal disease. Conclusion In this retrospective study of children and adolescents who had undergone cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, there was no statistically significant association between opioid consumption and recurrence-free survival or overall survival.
A Bayesian Analysis of Synchronous Distance Learning versus Matched Traditional Control in Graduate Biostatistics Courses

ABSTRACTDistance learning can be useful for bridging geographical barriers to education in rural settings. However, empirical evidence on the equivalence of distance education and traditional face-to-face (F2F) instruction in statistics and biostatistics is mixed. Despite the difficulty in randomization, we minimized intra-instructor variation between F2F and online sections in seven graduate-level biostatistics service courses in a synchronous (live, real time) fashion; that is, for each course taught in a traditional F2F setting, a separate set of students were taught simultaneously via online learning technology, allowing for two-way interaction between instructor and students. Our primary objective was to compare student performance in the two courses that use these two teaching modes. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to test equivalence of modes. The frequentist mixed model approach was also conducted for reference. The results of Bayesian and frequentist methods agree and suggest a difference o...
India's Attempt to Reconcile Diversity and Intellectual Property Issues

For developing countries, the concept of diversity holds great promises not least because of the protection it promises for the fast depleting natural resources leading to catastrophic effect on the environment. The concept of diversity also holds great promises from a trade perspective. In reality, appropriate protection of diversity can be the solution to balance the effects of the trade regime to achieve sustainable development. The term sustainable development, as opposed to rapid pockets of development, embodies great promises for the socio-political framework in poorer nations, apart from the obvious benefit of sustainability. In fact, sustainable development, if it ensues, would complete the trade regime‘s agenda by supplying the missing piece of the puzzle. From a practical standpoint, at the very basic level, sustainable development promises a level of inclusiveness, which can facilitate addressing broader national issues. Similarly, sustainable development is compatible with the larger trade agenda by promising to include newer forms of trading capital – such as biodiversity for biotechnology or traditional knowledge for pharmaceutical innovation - hitherto excluded from the trade regime. The trade regime which traditionally deals with what is typically western properties like goods, services, patents and investments, can, in turn, benefit from the dynamism resulting from say, trade in biodiversity and traditional knowledge. This paper will discuss the issues that impact biodiversity protection as a result of its interaction with the trade regime. Particularly, this paper will focus on India and the issues it faces from embracing the biodiversity and the trade regime.
Effect of land use change for bioenergy production on feedstock cost and water quality

Abstract Producing renewable fuel from dedicated energy crops, such as switchgrass, has the potential to generate localized environmental benefits. This study uses high-resolution spatial data for west Tennessee to quantify the effects of producing switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol on the grey water footprint (GWF), or the amount of freshwater needed to dilute nitrate leachate to a safe level, relative to existing agricultural production. In addition, the estimated cost and GWF are incorporated in a mixed-integer multi-objective optimization model to derive the efficient frontier of the feedstock supply chain and determine a switchgrass supply chain that achieves the greatest reduction in GWF at the lowest cost. Results suggest that background nitrate concentration in ambient water and the types of agricultural land converted to switchgrass production influence the extent of the GWF. The average GWF of switchgrass in the study area ranges between 131.8 L L−1 and 145.9 L L−1 of ethanol, which falls into the range of estimated GWF of other lignocellulosic biomass feedstock in the literature. Also, the average cost of reducing GWF from the feedstock supply chain identified by the compromise solution method is $0.94 m−3 in the region. A tradeoff between biofuel production costs and reduced nitrate loading in groundwater is driven by differences in the agricultural land converted to feedstock production. Our findings illustrate the energy-water-food nexus in the development of a local bioenergy sector and provide a management strategy associated with land use choices for the supply of energy crops. However, the water quality improvements associated with displacing crop with feedstock production in one region could be offset by expanded or more intensive agricultural production in other regions.
The transcriptomes of cave and surface populations of Gammarus minus (Crustacea: Amphipoda) provide evidence for positive selection on cave downregulated transcripts.

Gammarus minus, a freshwater amphipod living in the cave and surface streams in the eastern USA, is an excellent model for investigating evolutionary adaptation to the subterranean environment. RNA-Seq was conducted on one pair of morphologically distinct sister populations inhabiting surface and cave habitats to identify genes that were differentially expressed in the two populations, as well as to compare levels and patterns of genetic variation within and between populations. Of the 104,630 transcripts identified in the transcriptome assembly, 57% had higher average levels of expression in the cave population. After Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple tests, 1517 and 551 transcripts were significantly upregulated or downregulated, respectively, in the cave population, indicating an almost three-fold enrichment of cave-upregulated genes. The average level of nucleotide diversity across all transcripts was significantly lower in the cave population. Within the cave population, where the average nucleotide diversity of cave-downregulated transcripts was 75% that of the cave-upregulated transcripts, a highly significant difference, whereas within the spring population the nucleotide diversities of cave-downregulated and cave-upregulated transcripts was virtually identical. Three lines of evidence suggest that the reduced variation in cave downregulated transcripts is due to positive selection in the cave population: 1) the average neutrality index of cave-downregulated genes was < 1, consistent with positive selection, and significantly less than that of cave-upregulated genes; 2) Tajima’s D was positively correlated with the cave:surface expression ratio, and 3) cave-downregulated transcripts were significantly more likely to be highly diverged from their surface homologs than cave-upregulated transcripts. Five transcripts had fixed premature termination codons in the cave population. The expression patterns and sequence variation in one such transcript, encoding the DNA repair protein photolyase, were examined in more detail and provide the first evidence for the relaxation of functional constraint in this light-dependent protein in a subterranean population.
iPads/tablets and students with autism: A meta-analysis of academic effects

Since the introduction of iPads in 2010, educators have been working to effectively incorporate this technology as a supplement to curriculum and a tool to increase student engagement and student achievement. The current investigation examines the effectiveness of iPad applications in supporting the instruction of students identified on the autism spectrum. Specifically, this investigation provides a meta-analysis of available research that examines the use of iPad technology and its impact on learning outcomes for students with autism. Four studies were found that provided results for groups of students. The findings of this research are based on 12 effect-size measures, representing a synthesized sample size of 99 participants. The results suggest that the use of iPad technology can have a positive, significant effect on student learning outcomes. The moderators of these positive outcomes are presented and discussed.
Hubs for innovation: Examining the effects of consolidated news design on quality:

In an effort to cut costs, newspaper chains nationwide have consolidated design operations at a few sites. These design hubs have changed the newspaper production process and removed designers from...
Techno-Economic Analysis of Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis for Production of Biofuels

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis is one of the promising attempts to produce bio-fuel with a key advantage of fast internal heating by microwave irradiation. A microwave pyrolysis reactor could overcome heat transfer rate limitation which is suitable for the pyrolysis of large fragments of biomass materials. A study was carried out on the techno-economic analysis of a transportable small scale microwave assisted ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis facility converting Douglas fir pellets to aromatic hydrocarbons enriched bio-oil, syngas and biochar. The assessment showed that microwave assisted ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis of plants is profitable. The equipment costs have the largest contribution to the total capital investment, whereas the feedstock and chemicals costs have the largest contribution to the total annual production cost. Sensitivity analysis results indicate a strong impact from bio-oil yield and selling price. This implies that slight improvement in the bio-oil yield and bio-oil quality could increase the Return of Investment (ROI) significantly whereas lower yield and quality result in a rapid decrease of ROI.
Hands-on introduction to creating intelligent tutoring systems without programming using the cognitive tutor authoring tools (CTAT)

Intelligent tutoring systems guide learners as they practice a complex cognitive skill. They have been shown to enhance learning in a range of domains, and are increasingly being used as platforms for learning science experiments. This workshop provides a hands-on tutorial introduction to building tutors using the freely available Cognitive Tutor Authoring Tools (CTAT). Using CTAT, authors can create a new type of tutors, example-tracing tutors, without programming. No background in computer science is required.
Competition between Salicornia europaea and Atriplex prostrata (Chenopodiaceae) along an experimental salinity gradient

Salicornia europaea L. is a halophyte that often occupies the lowestand most saline (>3.5% total salt) areas of salt marshes. Atriplexprostrata Boucher is less salt tolerant than S. europaea and oftengrows in a less saline (<2.0% total salts) zone adjacent to S. europaea. The purpose of this experiment was to determine thecompetitive outcome when these two species are grown at differentsalinities to ascertain the extent salinity and competition affect plantzonation. Plants were grown in a de Wit replacement series at 85, 170,and 340 mM NaCl in half-strength Hoagland's no. 2 nutrient solution fortwo months. There was a significant effect of salt concentration,competition, and their interaction on biomass production of S. europaea plants. However, only salt concentration significantly affectedbiomass production of A. prostrata plants. Results of thisexperiment confirmed the results of other studies that demonstrated thatthe more salt tolerant species were less competitive at lower salinities. Atriplex prostrata was the better competitor at 85 mM NaCl, whereasS. europaea was the better competitor at 340 mM NaClbecause growth of A. prostrata was inhibited. At 170 mMNaCl, A. prostrata biomass production decreased more than S. europaea biomass in mixed culture.
Phase identification and characterization of aging effects in asphaltic materials by nanoindentation testing

Abstract In this study, the mechanical strength of the statistically identified different phases of asphalt concrete (AC) was determined using nanoindentation technique. The Oliver-Pharr method was used to analyze the nanoindentation test data to obtain Young’s modulus and hardness. During the nanoindentation testing, 200 s dwell time and fast unloading rate were applied to eliminate the viscous effect. To characterize the aging effects, nanoindentation tests were conducted on unaged and pressure aging vessel (PAV) aged samples of binder and mastic separately, and on different phases (binder, mastic, and aggregate) of unaged and field aged AC. Field aged AC were collected from field cores at Interstate 40 (I-40), near Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Instead of visual identification, a statistical approach was proposed to identify different phases of AC. Quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) was found to successfully distinguish between binder and mastic phases in AC from the nanoindentation test data. From this study, it was observed that binder modulus and hardness increase around 553% and 285% respectively due to PAV aging. PAV aging increases mastic modulus around 211%. Nanoindentation test on unaged and 4-year field aged AC showed that due to field aging, binder phase modulus and hardness increased around 123% and 270% respectively; and mastic phase modulus and hardness increased around 193% and 75% respectively. However, no effect of aging was observed in the aggregate phase of the AC.
Antibody-mediated protection against Ebola virus

Recent Ebola virus disease epidemics have highlighted the need for effective vaccines and therapeutics to prevent future outbreaks. Antibodies are clearly critical for control of this deadly disease; however, the specific mechanisms of action of protective antibodies have yet to be defined. In this Perspective we discuss the antibody features that correlate with in vivo protection during infection with Ebola virus, based on the results of a systematic and comprehensive study of antibodies directed against this virus. Although neutralization activity mediated by the Fab domains of the antibody is strongly correlated with protection, recruitment of immune effector functions by the Fc domain has also emerged as a complementary, and sometimes alternative, route to protection. For a subset of antibodies, Fc-mediated clearance and killing of infected cells seems to be the main driver of protection after exposure and mirrors observations in vaccination studies. Continued analysis of antibodies that achieve protection partially or wholly through Fc-mediated functions, the precise functions required, the intersection with specificity and the importance of these functions in different animal models is needed to identify and begin to capitalize on Fc-mediated protection in vaccines and therapeutics alike.
Peer Effects Among Teachers: A Study of Retirement Investments

Using a unique matched-panel dataset that combines detailed demographic information from the Florida Department of Education’s annual survey of school districts with investment information from the Florida State Board of Administration for 2002–2009, this paper looks for the presence of peer effects among Florida Defined Contribution plan participants at the school level. Overall, the regression results suggest a small, but significant peer effect on asset allocations and activity level. A 1 standard deviation change in initial peer equity yielded a 0.04 standard deviation change in equity reallocation. This is in comparison to a 1 standard deviation change in the individual’s own initial equity allocation, which would yield a 0.16 standard deviation change in equity allocation. For activity level, a 5.2% change in peer activity level increased the likelihood of a participant being active by 1.8%. The findings are reinforced by similar analysis using false peer groups. These findings suggest the presence of a social multiplier for coworker investment decisions.
Factors in the Continuance of Accomplishment from High School to College.

The college achievements of students who were achievers or non achievers in high school were studied. Biserial correlations were obtained to show the relation between the personality and background...
Components of an Effective Geriatric Emergency Department

Emergency department (ED) visits by older adults are increasing as the worldwide population ages, and health systems struggle to meet the increased health-care needs of older adults. Additionally, the environment in the ED with its focus on rapid diagnostics and stabilization often leads to suboptimal care for older adults in the ED increasing their likelihood of hospitalization, delirium, infections, falls, and other poor outcomes. To improve care for older adults, ED programs across the world have been developed to better address the health-care needs of older adults. These programs seek to provide accessible, integrated, people-centered health services for older adults by identifying and responding to underlying health-related needs such as impaired functional status, multi-morbidity, lack of social support, cognitive impairment, or depression. To address these needs, guidelines for geriatric ED care have been developed in the United States, Australia, Great Britain, and other countries around the world. These guidelines recommend use of a multidisciplinary team in the ED to help address underlying health-related needs of older adults. This team may involve specialized nurses such as transitional care nurses, pharmacists, social workers, geriatric consultants, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. These multidisciplinary teams work to address concerns such as medication risk, falls, functional decline, delirium, dementia, elder abuse, and palliative care needs. Based on hospital and local resources, the teams and protocols in a given geriatric ED will vary; however, the focus always should be on providing high-quality, accessible, integrated, people-centered health services for older adults. When this goal is achieved, patients will benefit from fewer hospitalizations, falls, adverse drug events, delirium, and functional decline and better overall quality of life.
Fandom while black: Misty Copeland, Black Panther, Tyler Perry and the contours of US black fandoms:

Using 50 interviews with black people about their fandoms (and anti-fandoms) of Tyler Perry’s media output, the blockbuster film Black Panther and the African American ballerina Misty Copeland, thi...
Vortex and Surface Phase Transitions in Superconducting Higher-order Topological Insulators.

Topological insulators, having intrinsic or proximity-coupled $s$-wave superconductivity, host Majorana zero modes (MZMs) at the ends of vortex lines. The MZMs survive up to a critical doping of the TI at which there is a vortex phase transition that eliminates the MZMs. In this work, we show that the phenomenology in higher-order topological insulators (HOTIs) can be qualitatively distinct. In particular, we find two distinct features. (i) We find that vortices placed on the gapped (side) surfaces of the HOTI, exhibit a pair of phase transitions as a function of doping. The first transition is a surface phase transition after which MZMs appear. The second transition is the well-known vortex phase transition. We find that the surface transition appears because of the competition between the superconducting gap and the local $\mathcal{T}$-breaking gap on the surface. (ii) We present numerical evidence that shows strong variation of the critical doping for the vortex phase transition as the center of the vortex is moved toward or away from the hinges of the sample. We believe our work provides new phenomenology that can help identify HOTIs, as well as illustrating a promising platform for the realization of MZMs.
Cultures, Languages and the International Smorgasbord: Musings for a New Millennium

Every day we are encountering in the news the names of "new" countries and peoples we were unaware of before-new but very old, often trailing very long memories of past injustices and historic feud...
Becoming Allies Accomplices: Problematizing the Intersection of Reflection and Action through Pre-Service Teachers’ Autoethnographies as Praxis

Allies would be in strikethrough in the title. This paper explores the phenomenon of pre-service teachers becoming accomplices for racial justice. Using hermeneutic phenomenology, we examine the experiences of three white, female pre-service teachers navigating this terrain. A framework we are naming autoethnography as praxis emerged from this inquiry. Our research interrogates the notion of white allies and the intersection of critical dialogue and action in pre-service teacher education. Building off of perspectives in critical race and critical whiteness studies, this work is grounded in the reality of the material permanence of white supremacy that white teachers must acknowledge and develop tools to dismantle. Autoethnography as praxis moves students from simply analyzing and reporting their experiences (including their emerging understanding of white privilege) through autoethnography to examining how their experiences have shaped and will continue to shape their identities and practices as teachers. By reframing autoethnography as a dialogue between researcher and her texts, we hope to push beyond reflection to action. Autoethnography as praxis also addresses the flaw of white teachers acting as benevolent allies who set their own agenda and position people of color as “needing their assistance.” It pushes participants to engage their action in reflection, moving them past their own experiences.
Open Repair of Contained Rupture of Right Popliteal Aneurysm

Contained rupture of popliteal aneurysm presented as a painful pulsatile mass behind the knee. Attempted endovascular repair was unsuccessful. Patient underwent resection of the aneurysm with interposition of a PTFE graft.
A Community Springs to Action to Enable Virtual Laboratory Instruction

The COVID-19 pandemic put an abrupt end to face-to-face teaching at many colleges and universities. While numerous methods for synchronous and asynchronous teaching in lecture courses were quickly deployed, laboratory instruction presented a unique set of challenges. To develop online laboratories quickly would be a daunting task for an individual. However, contributions of many individuals could ease and hasten the transition to using virtual laboratories. The IONiC-VIPEr community of practice is one such community that sprung to action to provide virtual alternatives for inorganic chemistry laboratory instruction.
Early Buried Bumper Syndrome: A Rare Complication of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement.

Early buried bumper syndrome (BBS) is a rare complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement where the internal bolster gets "buried" in the gastrocutaneous fistulous tract. BBS is usually a late complication with onset > four weeks of PEG placement. We present a case of early BBS presenting at day 17 after PEG tube placement where the internal bolster got embedded in the subcutaneous fat just outside the gastric wall. The patient underwent urgent endoscopic removal of the buried bumper with the simple external traction, followed by the successful placement of a new tube through the same tract. Early diagnosis and prompt management are of paramount importance to avoid an ominous outcome.
Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine Arrhythmia Section From the His Bundle to the Left Bundle: Clinical Applications of Conduction System Pacing

Conduction system pacing (CSP) has emerged as a new pacing strategy for patients with bradyarrhythmia as well as for applications to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with heart failure. The primary modes to achieve CSP include His bundle pacing (HBP), pacing at the proximal left conduction system (LCS) with left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), and left ventricular septal pacing (LVSP). This review summarizes pertinent, prospective data currently available regarding CSP. Currently, the majority of published data analyze outcomes after HBP and are composed primarily of single-center prospective cohort studies. The studies reviewed evaluated use of HBP in treatment of bradyarrhythmia, post atrioventricular (AV) node ablation, and for CRT applications with follow-up ranging from 12 to 24 months. Fewer studies currently exist in reference to LBBAP or LCS pacing with no randomized data presently available. Three LVSP prospective studies were reviewed with 6–24 months of follow-up. CSP seeks to engage the His-Purkinje system either at the His bundle or the proximal fascicular system. Available data support a role for CSP in patients with bradyarrhythmia indications, and with growing experience in CRT applications. Present data best supports HBP, but LBBAP and LVSP may serve as alternative routes for CSP going forward.
Provider experience and satisfaction with a novel 'virtual team rounding' program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: New inpatient virtual care models have proliferated in response to the challenges presented by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, few of these programs have yet been evaluated for acceptability and feasibility. OBJECTIVE: Assess feasibility and provider experience with the Virtual Team Rounding Program (VTRP), a quality improvement project developed and rapidly scaled at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA, in response to the surge of COVID-19 patients in the spring of 2020. METHODS: We surveyed 777 inpatient providers and 41 providers who served as 'virtual rounders' regarding their experience with the program. Inpatient providers were asked about their overall satisfaction with the program, whether the program saved them time, and if so, how much and their interest in working with a similar program in the future. Providers who had worked as virtual rounders were asked about their overall satisfaction with the program, the overall difficulty of the work and their interest in participating in a similar program in the future. RESULTS: We find that among both groups the program was well-received, with 72.5% of inpatient providers and 85.7% of virtual rounders reporting that they were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with their experience with the program. Among inpatient providers who worked with the program, two-thirds reported the program saved them time on a daily basis. Inpatient respondents who had worked with virtual rounders were more likely to say that they would be interested in working with the VTRP in the future compared with respondents who never worked with a virtual rounder (75.3 vs 52.5%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: As the pandemic continues, rapidly implementing and studying virtual care delivery programs is crucial for hospitals and health systems. We demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of a 'virtual rounding' program assisting inpatient providers. Future work should examine the impact of these programs on patient outcomes.