cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tectonic geomorphology of the Red Rock fault, insights into segmentation and landscape evolution of a developing range front normal fault

The Red Rock fault, an active normal fault in southwest Montana, is reevaluated for fault segmentation using a multiproxy approach. Field characterization of soils coupled with radiocarbon ages in offset hanging wall fans and terraces constrain the rupture history at a number of locations along strike. These data are coupled with morphometric analysis of dated alluvial fan deposits and adjacent 2nd and 3rd order footwall drainage basins to further constrain fault kinematics and segmentation. Morphometric analysis of the Big Sheep Creek catchment, which drains a large area of the footwall range, provides a control on the spatial extent offault influence on footwall topography. Three fault segments are recognized by this study, compared with the two segments recognized previously. Data from offset alluvial surfaces were synthesized with hanging wall fan and footwall drainage basin data to demonstrate a southward increase in displacement along the Red Rock fault since at least the latest Pleistocene, at a maximum rate of 1.5 mm/yr. Red Rock ruptures were mainly confined to segments, suggesting a fault behaving as several discrete slip surfaces; however, simultaneous rupture of adjacent segments during one event indicates some fault zone coalescence. A youthful Red Rock fault is supported by the absence of tectonic influences on footwall topography and is consistent with an eastward progression of normal fault development along the northern arm of the Yellowstone hot spot. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A comparison of area pointing and goal crossing for people with and without motor impairments

Prior work has highlighted the challenges faced by people with motor impairments when trying to acquire on-screen targets using a mouse or trackball. Two reasons for this are the difficulty of positioning the mouse cursor within a confined area, and the challenge of accurately executing a click. We hypothesize that both of these difficulties with area pointing may be alleviated in a different target acquisition paradigm called "goal crossing." In goal crossing, users do not acquire a confined area, but instead pass over a target line. Although goal crossing has been studied for able-bodied users, its suitability for people with motor impairments is unknown. We present a study of 16 people, 8 of whom had motor impairments, using mice and trackballs to do area pointing and goal crossing. Our results indicate that Fitts' law models both techniques for both user groups. Furthermore, although throughput for able-bodied users was higher for area pointing than for goal crossing (4.72 vs. 3.61 bits/s), the opposite was true for users with motor impairments (2.34 vs. 2.88 bits/s), suggesting that goal crossing may be viable for them. However, error rates were higher for goal crossing than for area pointing under a strict definition of crossing errors (6.23% vs. 1.94%). Subjective results indicate a preference for goal crossing among motor-impaired users. This work provides the empirical foundation from which to pursue the design of crossing-based interfaces as accessible alternatives to pointing-based interfaces.
Review: hospital at home is as effective as inpatient care for mortality and hospital readmissions in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Ram FS, Wedzicha JA, Wright J, et al. Hospital at home for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review of evidence. BMJ 2004;329:315. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ecological Indicators for Ecological Engineering in Wetlands

While the extent of wetlands in presettlement United States is difficult to determine, the wetlands in the coterminous United States are estimated to have decreased from approximately 60 to 75 million hectares then to about 42 million hectares today (OTA, 1984; Mitsch and Gosselink, 1986). In Midwestern states such as Ohio and Illinois, over 90 percent of the wetlands were drained, partially in response to The Swamp Lands Acts of 1849, 1850, and 1860. The riparian and coastal wetlands of the Midwestern States, which once were connected to all the streams, rivers, and Great Lakes of the glaciated midwestern United States, are almost completely gone from the landscape. With their loss, rivers, streams, and lakes have lost their buffer from upland regions. In 1987, a National Wetlands Policy Forum was convened by the Conservation Foundation at the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the issue of wetland loss in the United States (NWPF, 1988; Davis, 1989). This distinguished group of 20 members, which included three governors, a state legislator, state and local agency heads, chief executive officers of environmental groups and businesses, farmers, ranchers, and academic experts, published a report (NWPF, 1988) which set significant goals for the nation’ing wetlands. The Forum recommended a policy: … to achieve no overall net loss of the nation’s remaining wetlands base and to restore and create wetlands, where feasible, to increase the quantity and quality of the nation’s wetland resource base (NWPF, 1988).
Cavoatrial tumor thrombus excision without circulatory arrest.

Abstract Introduction Traditional methods of cavoatrial thrombus excision use deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with significant associated morbidity and mortality. We describe a novel technique that avoids circulatory arrest, yet provides a bloodless field for tumor excision. Technical considerations A 59-year-old woman presented with a left renal mass and tumor thrombus with extension into the right atrium. After left radical nephrectomy, an aortic occlusion balloon was placed in the abdominal aorta at the level of the diaphragm, limiting flow in the inferior vena cava for tumor excision and maintaining both cerebral and spinal cord perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass. Tumor excision was successfully performed using this technique with minimal postoperative morbidity in the patient described. She remained free of recurrence at 9 months of follow-up. Conclusions Cavoatrial tumor thrombus excision can be successfully performed without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.
Fetal Spinal Cord Transplants Support the Development of Target Reaching and Coordinated Postural Adjustments after Neonatal Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Neonatal midthoracic spinal cord injury disrupts the development of postural reflexes and hindlimb locomotion. The recovery of rhythmical alternating movements, such as locomotion, is enhanced in injured animals receiving fetal spinal cord transplants. Neonatal cervical spinal cord injury disrupts not only locomotion but also skilled forelimb movement. The aims of this study were to determine the consequences of cervical spinal cord injury on forelimb motor function and to determine whether transplants of fetal spinal cord support normal development of skilled forelimb use after this injury. Three-day-old rats received a cervical spinal cord lesion at C3, with or without a transplant of fetal cervical spinal cord (embryonic day 14); unoperated pups served as controls. Animals were examined daily during the first month of life using a behavioral protocol that assessed reflexes, postural reactions, and forelimb motor skills. They also were trained and tested as adults to assess performance in goal-directed reaching tasks. The onset of postural reflexes was delayed in the lesion-only group, and goal-directed reaching and associated postural adjustments failed to develop. The transplant group developed reflex responses and skilled forelimb activity that resembled normal movement patterns. Transplant animals developed both target reaching and accompanying postural adjustments. Target reaching requires integration of segmental, intersegmental, and supraspinal input to propriospinal and motor neurons over many spinal cord levels. Transplants may support the reestablishment of input onto these neurons, permitting the development of skilled forelimb activity after neonatal cervical spinal cord injury. The neuroanatomical reorganization of descending and propriospinal input was examined in the companion paper (Diener and Bregman, 1998).
Recombinant HLA-G5 and -G6 drive U937 myelomonocytic cell production of TGF-β1

Throughout human pregnancy, activated maternal macrophages producing anti-inflammatory cytokines comprise a stable cell population in the uterus. This organ is also massively infiltrated with semiallogeneic, placenta-derived, invasive cytotrophoblast cells, which produce membrane and soluble isoforms of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G. Here, we investigated the possibility that two soluble isoforms of HLA-G, HLA-G5 and -G6, program macrophage production of cytokines. The model system consisted of human U937 myelomonocytic cells treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), which induced differentiation and activation but did not affect their viability or decrease their expression of the two inhibitory immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT) receptors for HLA-G, ILT2 and ILT4. Exposure of the PMA/IFN-gamma-treated U937 cells to increasing concentrations of recombinant HLA-G5 or -G6 (rG5 and rG6) stimulated effects common to the two isoforms. High doses of both significantly decreased interleukin (IL)-10 and dramatically increased transforming growth factor-beta1. Differential effectiveness between the isoforms was demonstrated in dose-response studies, as was differential binding to ILT2 and ILT4 in receptor-blocking studies. No effects on production of IL-4, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1beta, or IL-6 were observed. Collectively, the results are consistent with the postulate that environmental programming of decidual macrophages may be dictated in part by their proximity to soluble HLA-G-producing fetal cytotrophoblast cells.
Gut Microbes Take Their Vitamins

The dense microbial ecosystem within the gut is connected through a complex web of metabolic interactions. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Degnan et al. (2014) establish the importance of different vitamin B12 transporters that help a Bacteroides species acquire vitamins from the environment to maintain a competitive edge.
Evolutionary Theory and African American Self-Perception: Sex Differences in Body-Esteem Predictors of Self-Perceived Physical and Sexual Attractiveness, and Self-Esteem

Evolutionary biological theory has been shown to be relevant to an understanding of how individuals assess others' physical and sexual attractiveness. This research used the Body-Esteem Scale and m...
NEAR-IDEAL PLATINUM-GAN SCHOTTKY DIODES

Fabrication and characterisation of nearly ideal Pt/n-GaN Schottky barrier diodes are described. The n-GaN employed was grown by the reactive molecular beam epitaxy method. The capacitance/voltage (C/V) characteristics indicate marginal trap density in the semiconductor, and the current/voltage (I/V) characteristics give an ideality factor very close to unity. Barrier height deduced both from I/V and C/V measurements are /spl sim/1.10 eV provided the influence of scattering is considered negligible. This confirms again the near absence of interface traps in the diodes, and suggests that the effective mass of an electron in GaN is 0.2/spl plusmn/0.02.
The Influence of Reading on Vocabulary Growth: A Case for a Matthew Effect

Purpose Individual differences in vocabulary development may affect academic or social opportunities. It has been proposed that individual differences in word reading could affect the rate of vocab...
Developing a Middle-Range Theory of Father Involvement Postdivorce:

The problem addressed in the article is why so many fathers remove themselves from their children's lives after divorce. The authors develop a theory that offers a partial explanation of this phenomena based on the potential for change in the salience of a man's identity as a father postdivorce. Propositions are developed and hypotheses are derived from symbolic interaction and identity theory. The authors define and interrelate the concepts of identity, saliency, commitment, and significant others to explain father presence or absence postdivorce across time. The theory further isolates a number of variables that are expected to moderate (strengthen or weaken) the relationship between father parenting-role identity and father involvement. Identifying modifiers enables the authors to stipulate why some fathers are more involved with their children following separation by explaining the conditions under which father identity becomes translated into a patterned set of behaviors.
Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Diseases

In the last 3 decades breast conservation has shown survival rates comparable to more extensive surgical treatments for breast cancer. Over this period sentinel node has replaced axillary dissection for staging, minimally invasive percutaneous biopsy has replaced excisional biopsy for diagnosis, and the trend continues with the investigation of percutaneous ablative therapies for small breast cancers. Minimally invasive approaches have changed the practice of breast surgery and steered us toward endoscopic techniques, which are the future of breast surgery.
Comparison of packing material in an animal model of middle ear trauma.

Abstract Purpose To compare the performance of absorbable gelatin sponge (AGS) with polyurethane foam (PUF) as middle ear packing material after mucosal trauma. Materials and methods Using a randomized, controlled and blinded study design fifteen guinea pigs underwent middle ear surgery with mucosal trauma performed on both ears. One ear was packed with either PUF or AGS while the contralateral ear remained untreated and used as non-packed paired controls. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds were measured pre-operatively and repeated at 1, 2, and 6 weeks postoperatively. Histological analysis of middle ear mucosa was done in each group to evaluate the inflammatory reaction and wound healing. Another eighteen animals underwent middle ear wounding and packing in one ear while the contralateral ear was left undisturbed as control. Twelve guinea pigs were euthanized at 2 weeks postoperatively, and six were euthanized at 3 days post-operatively. Mucosal samples were collected for analysis of TGF-β1 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results ABR recordings demonstrate that threshold level changes from baseline were minor in PUF packed and control ears. Threshold levels were higher in the AGS packed ears compared with both control and PUF packed ears for low frequency stimuli. Histological analysis showed persistence of packing material at 6 weeks postoperatively, inflammation, granulation tissue formation, foreign body reaction and neo-osteogenesis in both AGS and PUF groups. TGF-β1 protein levels did not differ between groups. Conclusion PUF and AGS packing cause inflammation and neo-osteogenesis in the middle ear following wounding of the mucosa and packing.
Treatment of lower extremity injuries due to antipersonnel mines: blast resuscitation and victim assistance team experiences in Cambodia.

The two teams comprising the fiscal year 2001 Blast Resuscitation and Victim Assistance mission had the opportunity to learn from and practice mine injury treatment principles with experienced local and international war surgeons in Cambodia. Treatment principles were modifications of International Committee of the Red Cross recommendations. A total of 14 acute lower extremity mine injuries were treated. Surgery generally consisted of an open amputation or thorough irrigation and debridement using equipment readily available in any U.S. military field hospital. The surgical techniques will be described in detail. Delayed primary closure occurred 5 days later followed by prosthesis fitting (for amputees) in an International Committee of the Red Cross facility 12 weeks later. Other options and techniques will be discussed with an emphasis on applicability to U.S. military field surgery.
Consensus Organizing: A Practice Model for Community Building

Through a case study this paper explores consensus organizing as a community practice model explicating its core tenets, strategies, and tactics. The premises of consensus organizing make it different from conflict approaches. Specifically, consensus organizing believes that: power does not have to be redistributed but it can be grown, mutual self-interest provides a powerful tool for change, people often behave in reasonable ways when given reasonable choices, and alliances that support social justice goals can be formed between people of divergent backgrounds. Consensus organizing should not be viewed as a replacement for other forms of community organizing and political activity, but rather as an additional tool for organizers.
Effects of weight loss on serum 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D concentrations in adults: A preliminary report

During a review of 42 metabolic studies in healthy women and men we observed that serum 1,25-(OH)2-D concentrations were directly correlated to the observed daily changes in body weight (r=0.68;P<0.001) and to caloric intake/kg/day (r=0.39;P=0.01). These relationships could not be accounted for by related and physiologically expected changes in serum Ca or iPTH concentrations. However, serum 1,25-(OH)2-D concentrations were observed to be inversely correlated to serum PO4 levels (r=−0.44;P=0.004). In addition, serum PO4 levels were inversely correlated to the daily changes in body weight (r=−0.40;P=0.009). Since dietary sodium intake averaged 142 mmol/day, it is unlikely that the observed changes in weight were the result of changes in salt and water balance. Thus it seems reasonable to speculate that serum 1,25-(OH)2-D concentrations may vary directly with energy balance, as reflected by changes in body weight. This effect may be mediated by alterations in PO4 metabolism. The accurate assessment of serum 1,25-(OH)2-D levels thus appears to require several measurements over time periods during which body weight is stable.
New perspectives in calcium metabolism

Although Ca in small quantities plays a fundamental role in cell activation, excessive intracellular Ca accumulation results in severe cellular damage and is a major factor in the pathophysiology of multiple diseases. Paradoxically, high Ca intake may be beneficial in unrelated disorders such as arterial hypertension, nephrolithiasis and in the prevention of colon cancer. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) could be the link capable to explain this paradox. PTH stimulates cellular calcium influx. Under normal conditions, this effect takes place only in target tissues for the hormone, but in the presence of altered cell-membrane permeability for calcium, normal plasma PTH may be detrimental, enhancing cellular calcium influx. Thus, the suppression of PTH secretion by a high Ca intake would result in a reduced PTH-induced cellular Ca accumulation in genetically predisposed tissues with a loose cellular Ca control. Thus, parathyroid ablation in dystrophic hamster reduces the elevated muscle Ca observed in muscular dystrophy and causes histological improvement without altering the serum Ca concentration. The amount of dietary Ca required is not firmly established, but anthropological observations suggest a daily intake of approximately 1600 mg, much higher than the present average Ca intake in Western societies. Thus, a higher Ca intake would be beneficial in the treatment, and more importantly, in the prevention of multiple diseases.
Providing access to blacks and Hispanics in dietetics education.

To increase the number of blacks and Hispanics in dietetics and three other health professions, the Health Sciences Recruitment and Retention Program was developed and implemented in 1985 by the College of Health at Florida International University in Miami. The coordinated undergraduate program assisted in a federal grant to accomplish the objectives of recruiting and retaining minority students. High school and community college students were recruited using a slide/tape presentation featuring black and Hispanic professionals. In addition, the college offered a summer course entitled “Perspectives of the Health Sciences Professions” to students entering their senior year in high school. In this course, students learned how dietitians, medical laboratory scientists, and physical and occupational therapists treat various disease states. Field trips and site visits provided additional exposure to the professions. A summer orientation and tutorial program was established to retain minority students enrolled in the coordinated undergraduate program. We recommend that this program be considered as a model for dietetics educators to use in developing other programs to increase the number of minorities in the profession.
Evaluation of Constipation and Treatment of Abdominal Constipation

Constipation is a prevalent condition that can have significant effects on quality of life. Initial treatment should include behavioral modification and fiber supplementation or laxatives. In patients that require further intervention, testing modalities are available to aid in differentiating between constipation subtypes. For patients with slow transit constipation, confirmed by transit studies, prescription medications are available which may improve symptoms. Those who do not respond favorably may be candidates for surgical intervention, which is most commonly a total abdominal colectomy. Most importantly, management strategies for constipation must be tailored to the individual patient.
Gene-For-Gene Relationships Specifying Disease Resistance in Plant-Bacterial Interactions

We are currently developing three model plant-bacterial interactions that will allow us to answer specific questions concerning the molecular basis of disease resistance and genetic mechanisms involved in pathogen mutation to overcome host resistance. We are studying the interaction of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) with Arabidopsis thaliana and Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) with the goal of cloning corresponding avirulence-resistance gene pairs that specify disease resistance. We have demonstrated that certain strains of Pst can cause disease on both hosts while others are only capable of causing disease on specific ecotypes of A. thaliana or cultivars of tomato. Two avirulence genes have been cloned and characterized from Pst that correspond to two genetically characterized resistance genes in both tomato and A. thaliana.. Pst strains carrying the avirulence gene avrPto are avirulent on tomato cultivars carrying the resistance gene Pto, while Pst strains harboring the avrRpt2 gene are avirulent on A. thaliana ecotypes containing the corresponding gene Rpt2. Finally, we have demonstrated that the avirulence gene avrBs2 from Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria is involved in the fitness of the pathogen and may explain why the corresponding pepper resistance gene Bs2 seems to stable under natural field conditions.
Transcriptome association analysis identifies miR-375 as a major determinant of variable acetaminophen glucuronidation by human liver.

Acetaminophen is the leading cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in many countries including the United States. Hepatic glucuronidation by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A subfamily enzymes is the major route of acetaminophen elimination. Reduced glucuronidation may predispose some individuals to acetaminophen-induced ALF, but mechanisms underlying reduced glucuronidation are poorly understood. We hypothesized that specific microRNAs (miRNAs) may reduce UGT1A activity by direct effects on the UGT1A 3'-UTR shared by all UGT1A enzyme transcripts, or by indirect effects on transcription factors regulating UGT1A expression. We performed an unbiased miRNA whole transcriptome association analysis using a bank of human livers with known acetaminophen glucuronidation activities. Of 754 miRNAs evaluated, 9 miRNAs were identified that were significantly overexpressed (p 2-fold) in livers with low acetaminophen glucuronidation activities compared with those with high activities. miR-375 showed the highest difference (>10-fold), and was chosen for further mechanistic validation. We demonstrated using in silico analysis and luciferase reporter assays that miR-375 has a unique functional binding site in the 3'-UTR of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) gene. Furthermore overexpression of miR-375 in LS180 cells demonstrated significant repression of endogenous AhR protein (by 40%) and mRNA (by 10%), as well as enzyme activity and/or mRNA of AhR regulated enzymes including UGT1A1, UGT1A6, and CYP1A2, without affecting UGT2B7, which is not regulated by AhR. Thus miR-375 is identified as a novel repressor of UGT1A-mediated hepatic acetaminophen glucuronidation through reduced AhR expression, which could predispose some individuals to increased risk for acetaminophen-induced ALF.
Blocking Adhesion of Sickle Erythrocytes to Endothelial P-Selectin Using an RNA Aptamer.

Abstract Vaso-occlusive crises are a major clinical feature of sickle cell disease (SCD), and the adhesion of sickle erythrocytes (SS-RBCs) to vascular endothelium is crucial to the generation of vaso-occlusion. SS-RBCs express many adhesion molecules. Adhesive SS-RBCs bind to endothelial cell P-selectin and other adhesion molecules, as well as extracellular matrix proteins. Thrombin causes endothelial retraction with exposure of proadhesive extracellular matrix components as well as upregulation of endothelial expression of P-selectin. Other investigators have shown that SS-RBCs can bind to P-selectin, thus suggesting that P-selectin is a suitable target against which to develop reagents to prevent or treat vaso-occlusive crises in SCD. Aptamers are oligonucleotides that bind to molecular targets in a manner conceptually similar to antibodies and have been identified against a wide range of therapeutic targets. RNA aptamers that bind to human P-selectin, inhibit P-selectin binding to its ligand sialyl Lewis X, and inhibit neutrophil-platelet adhesion have previously been identified (Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev , 8:265, 1998). We have now tested one of these high-affinity P-selectin aptamers (clone PF377: ACGCUCAACGAGCCAGGAACAUCGACGUCAGCAAACGCGAGCGCAACCAGUAACACC) for its ability to prevent cellular adhesion of SS-RBCs to endothelial cells. Aptamer clone PF377 bound P-selectin with a Kd of 6nM and a Bmax of 87%. To measure its anti-adhesion activity, an in vitro flow chamber assay was adopted. The anti-adhesion activity of aptamer clone PF377 was confirmed using primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with IL-13 (50ng/mL) for 48hrs, followed by stimulation with histamine (25μM for 12mins at RT) immediately prior to a flow chamber assay. Aptamer clone PF377 at 60nM had anti-adhesion activity similar to heparin (a previously identified inhibitor of SS-RBC adhesion to P-selectin) and 9E1 (an inhibitory antibody to P-selectin), whereas Bi 9.3t (a non-functional aptamer to thrombin, used as a negative control, 60nM) and AC1.2 (a non-inhibitory antibody to P-selectin), did not prevent adhesion (Figure). Normalized % inhibition by aptamer clone (PF377) at 60nM at 1 dynes/cm2 was 99% (Figure). In conclusion, we observed significant anti-adhesion activity of P-selectin aptamer clone PF377, and this aptamer is now suitable for modification to enhance stability and bioavailability. Since we previously reported strong anti-adhesion activity of integrin αvβ3 aptamer clone 17.16 (Blood , 108:206a, 2006), in vivo experiments in mice are currently employing intravital microscopy to measure anti-adhesion activity of aptamer clone 17.16, PF377, and both in combination. The development of combinatorial blocking aptamers against various adhesion molecules, including αvβ3 and P-selectin, represents a novel potential therapeutic option for patients with SCD. Download : Download high-res image (92KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
From Farmer Al Falfa to the Hopperdozer: Medicago sativa in North American Folkways

Alfalfa was integral to the agricultural revolution in Europe because of the plant’s soil nitrifying properties and was widely introduced throughout North America. American folkways eventually addressed planting, harvesting, plant protection, and uses of alfalfa as animal forage and human medicine. Tall tales and folk heroes featured the plant, and it was viewed as bringing luck and success. Alfalfa festivals, including Alfalfa Queens and Princesses (both human and livestock), became widespread in the West and Midwest. “Alfalfa” was used to name fictitious as well as historical persons and places. Alfalfa, the world’s most important forage legume, is scarcely represented in standard folkloristic references, a deficiency corrected by this compilation of North American folkways.
Molecular dynamics modeling of PPTA crystallite mechanical properties in the presence of defects

Abstract The mechanical properties of PPTA crystallites, the fundamental building blocks of aramid polymer fibers such as Kevlar® and Twaron®, are studied here using molecular dynamics simulations. The ReaxFF interatomic potential is employed to study crystallite failure via covalent and hydrogen bond rupture in constant strain-rate tensile loading simulations. Emphasis is placed on analyzing how chain-end defects in the crystallite influence its mechanical response and fracture strength. Chain-end defects are found to affect the behavior of nearby chains in a region of the PPTA crystallite that is small relative to the typical crystallite size in manufactured aramid fibers. The central C N bond along the backbone chain is identified as the weakest in the PPTA polymer chain backbone in dynamic strain-to-failure simulations of the crystallite. It is found that clustering of chain-ends leads to reduced crystallite strength and crystallite failure via hydrogen bond rupture and chain sliding, whereas randomly scattered defects impact the strength less and failure is by covalent bond rupture and chain scission. The axial crystallite modulus increases with increasing chain length and is independent of chain-end defect locations. On the basis of these findings, a theoretical model is proposed to predict the axial modulus as a function of chain length.
The Impact of Environmental Factors on Undergraduates’ Career Decision Making

The career and a person’s career choice are playing a vital role and not only on his or her life also in the economic growth. Students are the future leaders and their career decisions will determine the future of the world. This study is aimed to identify the positive impact of Environmental Factors on Undergraduates’ Career Decision Making.
Designing Highly Thermostable Lysozyme-Copolymer Conjugates: Focus on Effect of Polymer Concentration.

Designing biomaterials capable of functioning in harsh environments is vital for a range of applications. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show that conjugating lysozymes with a copolymer [poly(GMA-stat-OEGMA)] comprising glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) results in a dramatic increase of stability of these enzymes at high temperatures provided that the concentration of the copolymer in the close vicinity of the enzyme exceeds a critical value. In our simulations, we use triads containing the same ratio of GMA to OEGMA units as in our recent experiments (N. S. Yadavalli et al., ACS Catalysis, 2017, 7, 8675). We focus on the dynamics of the conjugate at high temperatures and on its structural stability as a function of the copolymer/water content in the vicinity of the enzyme. We show that the dynamics of phase separation in the water–copolymer mixture surrounding the enzyme is critical for the structural stability of the enzyme. Specifically, ...
Unexplained iron deficiency anemia: does Helicobacter pylori have a role to play?

Background and aim Testing for Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is recommended for work-up of unexplained iron deficiency anemia (IDA), although the evidence supporting this recommendation is scant. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Hp infection and unexplained iron deficiency (ID) or IDA in the older adult population without significant upper gastrointestinal source of blood loss. Methods Retrospective single-center cohort study; 523 out of 1253 consecutive patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with no significant upper and/or lower gastrointestinal source for blood loss or risk factors for IDA. Comparisons were made between the Hp-positive and Hp-negative groups using Fisher exact test, chi-square test and Student's t-test. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify significant risk factors associated with ID and IDA. Results One hundred and three subjects (19.7%) had Hp infection and 420 (80.3%) were negative for Hp. Sixty-eight (22.1%) out of 307 subjects with available serum iron profile had unexplained ID and 28 (5.4%) out of 510 subjects with available hemoglobin profile had unexplained IDA. No association was found between ID/IDA and Hp infection in univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. Conclusion We found no association between unexplained ID or IDA and Hp infection in older adult population without peptic ulcer disease or significant upper gastrointestinal source of blood loss.
Is the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence invariant across secular trends in smoking? A question for cross-birth cohort analysis of nicotine dependence

Abstract Background The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), a derivation of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire, was first published in 1991. The FTND remains one of the most widely used measures of nicotine dependence for studying genetic and epidemiological risk factors and the likelihood of smoking cessation. However, it is unclear whether secular trends in patterns of smoking alter the psychometric properties of the FTND and its interpretation. Methods We examined measurement invariance in the lifetime and current FTND scores across birth cohorts using participants drawn from six study samples (N = 13,775). Results We found significant (p Conclusions These findings suggest that possible FTND non-invariance that occurs across study samples of various birth years has a negligible impact on study results.
Sample Analysis and Data Processing

The application of a selected reaction monitoring method in a complete, multiplexed assay is achieved by combining multiple descriptors. Care must be taken to find an optimal number of targets so that proper sampling of the chromatographic experiment is still obtained. The final challenge is then analyzing the data to determine the signals for the respective peptides and calculating an amount of each protein. Internal standards and housekeeping proteins facilitate this process.
Sorting Signals and Trafficking of Lysosomal and Extracellular Hydrolases of Cell Separation

The induction, synthesis and delivery of cell wall hydrolases to specific tissue regions where separation will occur are processes central to cell separation. All are amenable to detailed dissection using modern molecular techniques. Perhaps the next plateau, where molecular probes will be used to completely elucidate the topological and functional interaction of both large and small molecules at the limits of fine structural resolution, will bring even greater levels of understanding to the problem. In this account, the current status of knowledge concerning trafficking of intracellular hydrolases in plants and animal cells will be summarized together with available, albeit limited, evidence for sorting signals. Emphasis will be on hydrolases and secretion pathways followed by hydrolases either during movement to lysosomes in animals or to cell walls in plants.
Computerized data management and decision making in critical care.

Care of the critically ill patient places unusual demands on the practicing physician. The critically ill are usually referred to intensive care units (ICUs) and are connected to sophisticated physiologic monitoring equipment. As a result of their illness or injury, these patients are subjected to a wide variety of laboratory tests. Their therapy is complex, its timing is critical, and careful documentation is essential. The large volume of resulting data must be stored, processed, and used for clinical decision making. The tremendous growth of medical information, the demand for cost-effective care, and the need to document the justification for clinical decisions by patients, utilization review committees, third-party payers, and health care policy-makers have placed even more demands on physicians caring for the critically ill.
Clinical and phenotypic diversity of T cell lymphomas

Forty-one cases of T cell lymphoma were identified on the basis of morphology and the expression of two or more T cell antigens with an absence of B cell markers. Mycosis fungoides and lymphoblastic lymphoma were excluded. Marked clinical, morphological, and immunologic diversity was observed. Cutaneous lymphoma was found in approximately 50% of the patient group, and 27% had a prior history of dermatologic or immunologic disease. No correlations among immunologic and morphologic phenotypes and clinical course were apparent. Survival data was comparable to that of a concurrent group of non-T cell lymphoma patients studied at this institution, suggesting that, contrary to previous reports, T cell lymphoma may not necessarily confer a more unfavorable prognosis. Prospective studies using uniform treatments are necessary to address the clinical significance of the T cell phenotype definitively, independent of established histologic and clinical features.
Communication as a Suicide Prevention Program

ABSTRACT A challenge to suicide prevention efforts is presented by high-risk persons who decline care. A therapeutic relationship cannot be provided nor assistance given by traditional psychological, social or biological means. An effort to reduce suicide in this population was based on three hypotheses: 1) A suicidal person's sense of isolation will be reduced by regular, long-term contact with someone concerned about that person's well-being. 2) The contact must be initiated by the concerned individual and put no demands on the suicidal person. 3) A systematic program of this kind will exert a suicide-prevention influence on known high-risk persons who cannot be assisted by traditional means. From a sample of 3,005 hospitalized persons at high-risk for suicide, 862 declined an on-going treatment program after discharge. These were randomly divided into two subgroups identified as “contact” and “no contact.” “Contact” subjects were contacted monthly for four months, bimonthly for eight months, and then every three months for 48 months–a total of five years. The suicide rates of the “contact” and “no contact” samples, to date, were compared. Significant differences in the hypothesized direction were found for the first two years. It appears that such a program can be applied to a large population with very modest resources.
Extremely Broad Laws

Extremely broad laws offend due process. Although the problem has not been lost on courts, their solution to date has been haphazard: casting breadth as a species of uncertainty—ambiguity or vagueness—and repurposing uncertainty-focused doctrine accordingly. The trouble is, breadth and uncertainty are not the same. They have different analytic features and raise distinct concerns, making the tools designed to resolve uncertainty ill-suited to reining in breadth. Vague and ambiguous laws deprive people of notice about what the law requires. They evoke the Star Chamber and Kafka stories—the dread of inhabiting an incomprehensible legal order. With broad laws, the issue is not notice but reach. Broad statutes can be plenty clear about what they require. The problem is they sweep in too much everyday conduct, arousing worry about outsized power and arbitrary enforcement. Here, the literary specter is not Kafka, but Orwell, and the nightmare is not an opaque legal system; it is a police state. Extremely broad laws, in this sense, are problematic for the same basic reason as general warrants: they afford state officials practically boundless justification to interfere with private life. After expounding the problem abstractly, I close by exploring how courts might tackle the breadth problem in practice—and I ultimately suggest that judges should be empowered to hold statutes “void-for-breadth.”
Application of denitrifying bioreactors for the removal of atrazine in agricultural drainage water

Abstract Atrazine and nitrate NO 3 - N are two agricultural pollutants that occur widely in surface and groundwater. One of the pathways by which these pollutants reach surface water is through subsurface drainage tile lines. Edge-of-field anaerobic denitrifying bioreactors apply organic substrates such as woodchips to stimulate the removal of NO 3 - N from the subsurface tile waters through denitrification. Here we investigated the co-removal of NO 3 − N and atrazine by these bioreactors. Laboratory experiments were conducted using 12-L woodchips-containing flow-through bioreactors, with and without the addition of biochar, to treat two concentrations of atrazine (20 and 50 μg L−1) and NO 3 − N (1.5 and 11.5 mg L−1), operated at four hydraulic retention time, HRT, (4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 72 h). Additionally, we examined the effect of aerating the bioreactors on atrazine removal. Furthermore, we tested atrazine removal by a field woodchip denitrifying bioreactor. The removal of both NO 3 − N and atrazine increased with increasing HRT in the laboratory bioreactors. At 4 h, the woodchip bioreactors removed 65% of NO 3 − N and 25% of atrazine but, at 72 h, the bioreactors eliminated all the NO 3 − N and 53% of atrazine. Biochar-amended bioreactors removed up to 90% of atrazine at 72-h retention time. We concluded that atrazine removal was primarily via adsorption because neither aeration nor NO 3 − N levels had an effect. At 4-h retention time, the field bioreactors achieved 2.5 times greater atrazine removal than the laboratory bioreactors. Our findings thus highlighted hydraulic retention time and biochar amendments as two important factors that may control the efficiency of atrazine removal by denitrifying bioreactors. In sum, laboratory and field data demonstrated that denitrifying bioreactors have the potential to decrease pesticide transport from agricultural lands to surface waters.
Inner Peace or Piece of Mind? Religiosity, Media Exposure and Tolerance for Disagreement about Religion

ABSTRACTThe current study applies the spiral of silence effect to explore the role of media exposure on tolerance for disagreement about religion. Survey data were collected from students at a larg...
Frontal polymerization of unidirectional carbon-fiber-reinforced composites

Abstract We formulate a homogenized thermo-chemical model to simulate the manufacturing of unidirectional composites made of carbon fibers embedded in a thermosetting dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) matrix using frontal polymerization (FP). The reaction-diffusion model is then solved using the finite element method to investigate the evolution of the temperature and degree of cure during the fabrication process. The results reveal two different processing regimes: At lower fiber volume fractions, the polymerization front speed increases with the fiber volume fraction due to the increase in the effective thermal conductivity of the composite. At higher fiber volume fractions, the front velocity decreases with increasing fiber content due to the reduced heat source generated by the exothermic reaction. The 1-D simulations are complemented with 2-D studies that include heat losses to the surroundings. The model predictions are validated with experiments conducted on carbon/DCPD composite panels manufactured through frontal polymerization.
Supersymmetry in optics for corrugated waveguides and leaky wave antenna design (Conference Presentation)

To date, the supersymmetric (SUSY) formalism in optics has been used to engineer the spatial distributions of refractive indices. Here, we use SUSY formalism to engineer the shape of the corrugated dielectric waveguide instead of its refractive index profile to enable the insertion of an arbitrary number of transmission peaks in the stopband. These peaks can be used to make low-power intensity-dependent optical switches. Moreover, at microwave frequencies, the embedded states can be used to design leaky wave antennas, capable of scanning continuously from forward to the backward direction through broadside without degradation in beam quality.
Curricular Approaches to Transgender Health in Physician Assistant Education.

Author(s): Rolls, Joanne; Davis, John; Backman, Richard; Wood, Tim; Honda, Trenton | Abstract: PurposeAccording to the Williams Institute, 1.4 million U.S. adults identify as transgender. Many experience health care disparities. Professional organizations call for medical education to improve transgender care, but what curricula are being delivered is unknown. The goal of this study was to conduct the first comprehensive, national survey of transgender health care curricula in physician assistant (PA) education.MethodThe authors sent a questionnaire to program directors (PDs) at all 236 U.S. PA programs in June 2018. They categorized programs as those that currently deliver at least 1 hour of transgender health content and those who do not (Teaching/Not Teaching). They examined differences between Teaching and Not Teaching programs using chi-square tests, and they evaluated comments for themes.ResultsThe response rate was 100%. Of the 236 programs, 202 (85.6%) teach transgender content and 34 (14.4%) do not. According to PDs, most transgender content was delivered in medical interviewing (44.1%) or women's health (31.4%) and the most common transgender health topics included differentiating between sex and gender and between behavior and identity (78.8%), followed by health disparities (77.5%) and barriers to care (75.0%). PDs most commonly cited a lack of time (51.3%) and faculty knowledge (35.6%) as barriers for teaching transgender health topics. Half of the PDs (50.4%) ranked transgender health as very or extremely important. The authors detected statistically significant differences between Teaching and Not Teaching programs based on geographic region (P = .01), perceived importance (P ≤ .001), and presence of knowledgeable faculty (P = .01). Presence of knowledgeable faculty was significantly associated with perceived importance (P = .01).ConclusionsThis is the first comprehensive, nationwide survey of transgender health education in U.S. PA programs. A key finding is that the presence of expert faculty is significantly associated with delivery and perceived importance of transgender health curricula.
Per Ardua: Achievements, issues, and opportunities in writing the history of the Royal Air Force

The history of the Royal Air Force has been chronicled and analysed extensively in recent decades. Popular writers, niche experts, and academic scholars have all made contributions of one kind or a...