Showing papers by "Kent State University published in 2018"
TL;DR: In this article, a review concisely compiles the recent progress in the fabrication, modification, and major applications of the direct Z-scheme photocatalysts; the latter include water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, degradation of pollutants, and biohazard disinfection.
1,013 citations
TL;DR: All the developed CO2 -reduction cocatalysts for semiconductor-based photocatalytic CO2 conversion are summarized, and their functions and mechanisms are discussed.
Abstract: Ever-increasing fossil-fuel combustion along with massive CO2 emissions has aroused a global energy crisis and climate change. Photocatalytic CO2 reduction represents a promising strategy for clean, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbon fuels by utilizing solar energy. This strategy combines the reductive half-reaction of CO2 conversion with an oxidative half reaction, e.g., H2 O oxidation, to create a carbon-neutral cycle, presenting a viable solution to global energy and environmental problems. There are three pivotal processes in photocatalytic CO2 conversion: (i) solar-light absorption, (ii) charge separation/migration, and (iii) catalytic CO2 reduction and H2 O oxidation. While significant progress is made in optimizing the first two processes, much less research is conducted toward enhancing the efficiency of the third step, which requires the presence of cocatalysts. In general, cocatalysts play four important roles: (i) boosting charge separation/transfer, (ii) improving the activity and selectivity of CO2 reduction, (iii) enhancing the stability of photocatalysts, and (iv) suppressing side or back reactions. Herein, for the first time, all the developed CO2 -reduction cocatalysts for semiconductor-based photocatalytic CO2 conversion are summarized, and their functions and mechanisms are discussed. Finally, perspectives in this emerging area are provided.
894 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors synthesize and provide a comprehensive overview of individual-level consumer behavior theories in green marketing and present their definition, application, and suggestions for future areas of research.
274 citations
TL;DR: With the development of cost‐effective assessment of sleep reactivity, individuals at risk of future insomnia, shift‐work disorder and mental illness can be identified, thus identifying a target population for preventive intervention.
Abstract: Sleep reactivity is the trait-like degree to which stress exposure disrupts sleep, resulting in difficulty falling and staying asleep. Individuals with highly reactive sleep systems experience drastic deterioration of sleep when stressed, whereas those with low sleep reactivity proceed largely unperturbed during stress. Research shows that genetics, familial history of insomnia, female gender and environmental stress influence how the sleep system responds to stress. Further work has identified neurobiological underpinnings for sleep reactivity involving disrupted cortical networks and dysregulation in the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Sleep reactivity is most pathologically and clinically pertinent when in excess, such that high sleep reactivity predicts risk for future insomnia disorder, with early evidence suggesting high sleep reactivity corresponds to severe insomnia phenotypes (sleep onset insomnia and short sleep insomnia). High sleep reactivity is also linked to risk of shift-work disorder, depression and anxiety. Importantly, stress-related worry and rumination may exploit sensitive sleep systems, thereby augmenting the pathogenicity of sleep reactivity. With the development of cost-effective assessment of sleep reactivity, we can now identify individuals at risk of future insomnia, shift-work disorder and mental illness, thus identifying a target population for preventive intervention. Given that insomniacs with high sleep reactivity tend to present with severe insomnia phenotypes, patient sleep reactivity may inform triaging to different levels of treatment. Future research on sleep reactivity is needed to clarify its neurobiology, characterize its long-term prospective associations with insomnia and shift-work disorder phenotypes, and establish its prognostic value for mental illness and other non-sleep disorders.
234 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that could be used by nurse educators and nurse administrators to better prepare nurses for disaster response that contribute to a growing body of knowledge regarding disaster preparedness in nurses and have implications for academia, hospital administration and nursing educators.
Abstract: Aim
This review explored peer-reviewed publications that measure nurses’ preparedness for disaster response.
Background
The increasing frequency of disasters worldwide necessitates nurses to adequately prepare to respond to disasters to mitigate the negative consequences of the event on the affected population. Despite growing initiatives to prepare nurses for any disasters, evidence suggests they are under prepared for disaster response.
Methods
This is a systematic review of scientific articles conducted from 2006 to 2016 on nurses’ preparedness for disasters. SCOPUS, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL and PsychINFO were the primary databases utilized for search of literature. Keywords used in this review were as follows: ‘emergency’, ‘disaster’, ‘disaster preparedness’, ‘disaster competencies’, ‘disaster nursing’, ‘disaster role’ and ‘nurse’. Seventeen (17) articles were selected for this review.
Findings
Factors that increase preparedness for disaster response include previous disaster response experience and disaster-related training. However, it is widely reported that nurses are insufficiently prepared and do not feel confident responding effectively to disasters.
Conclusion
The findings of this review contribute to a growing body of knowledge regarding disaster preparedness in nurses and have implications for academia, hospital administration and nursing educators. The findings of this review provide evidence that could be used by nurse educators and nurse administrators to better prepare nurses for disaster response.
Implications for nursing and health policy
The findings from this review place an emphasis on hospitals to implement policies to address lack of preparedness among their employees. Furthermore, this review highlights the benefit of further research and provision of well-grounded disaster exercises that mimic actual events to enhance the preparedness of the nursing workforce.
210 citations
TL;DR: Soil quality in Heigangkou-Liuyuankou irrigation areas of Kaifeng, China is examined to find transportation, rural settlements, and water bodies are found to be the major sources of heavy metal pollution in the soil; among the major source, transportation is the most significant factor.
205 citations
University of Wisconsin-Madison1, University of Minnesota2, University of California, Merced3, Drexel University4, University of Oregon5, Pennsylvania State University6, Kent State University7, North Dakota State University8, United States Geological Survey9, Lehigh University10, Umeå University11, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign12, University of Göttingen13, University of Arizona14, University of Chile15, Columbia University16, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University17, Kyoto Prefectural University18
TL;DR: The Neotoma Paleoecology Database as mentioned in this paper is a community-curated data resource that supports interdisciplinary global change research by enabling broad-scale studies of taxon and community diversity, distr...
198 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors hypothesize that CSR serves as a control mechanism to reduce deviations from optimal risk taking, and therefore, CSR curbs excessive risk taking and reduces excessive risk avoidance.
Abstract: We hypothesize that CSR serves as a control mechanism to reduce deviations from optimal risk taking, and therefore, CSR curbs excessive risk taking and reduces excessive risk avoidance. Based on the stakeholder theory, firms with CSR focus must balance the interests of multiple stakeholders, and therefore, managers must allocate resources to satisfy both investing and non-investing stakeholders’ interests. Using five measures of corporate risk taking and a sample of 1718 US firms during 1998 to 2011, we find that stronger CSR performance is associated with smaller deviations from optimal risk taking levels. We examine the mechanism through which CSR has an impact on firm value and find a positive indirect impact of CSR on firm value through the impact of CSR on risk taking. CSR performance is positively associated with firm value because CSR reduces excessive risk taking and risk avoidance.
193 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors classified heterojunctions into five different types, each of which is associated with its own charge transfer characteristics, based on the type of band alignment and direction of internal electric field.
180 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that sleep reactivity and cognitive–emotional reactivity may share a bidirectional relationship, conferring an insalubrious environment for sleep in response to stress.
Abstract: Hyperarousal is a key component in all modern etiological models of insomnia disorder. Overall patterns in the literature suggest that over-active neurobiological and psychological systems contribute to difficulty sleeping. Even so, mixed results regarding the specific mechanisms linking hyperarousal to sleep disturbance limit current etiological conceptualizations. Similar basal arousal profiles between individuals with high vs low risk for insomnia in the absence of stress exposure suggest that dysregulated stress "response" rather than general hyperarousal may be a more pertinent marker of risk. In this report, we discuss evidence for hyperarousal in insomnia and explore the role of sleep reactivity. A trait characteristic, sleep reactivity is the degree to which stress disrupts sleep, manifesting as difficulty falling and staying asleep. Premorbid sleep reactivity has been shown to identify individuals at risk for future insomnia disorder, such as highly reactive sleepers (whose sleep systems are sensitive to stress) who are at elevated disease risk. Research points to genetics, family history of insomnia, gender, and environmental stress as factors that influence sleep reactivity. Importantly, stress-related cognitive-emotional reactivity (e.g., rumination, worry) may exploit the vulnerability of a highly reactive sleep system. We propose that sleep reactivity and cognitive-emotional reactivity may share a bidirectional relationship, conferring an insalubrious environment for sleep in response to stress. Future research on sleep reactivity is needed to identify its neurobiology, characterize its relationship with cognitive-emotional reactivity, and explore the potential clinical utility of sleep reactivity in treatment planning.
178 citations
TL;DR: A schema is proposed to categorize the gathered articles into 15 classes and facilitate the generation of data analysis tasks and suggest research opportunities and challenges in fusing social media data with authoritative datasets, i.e. census data and remote-sensing data.
Abstract: Social media analytics has become prominent in natural disaster management. In spite of a large variety of metadata fields in social media data, four dimensions i.e. space, time, content and network have been given particular attention for mining useful information to gain situational awareness and improve disaster response. In this article, we review how existing studies analyze these four dimensions, summarize common techniques for mining these dimensions, and then suggest some methods accordingly. We then propose a schema to categorize the gathered articles into 15 classes and facilitate the generation of data analysis tasks. We find that 1 a large part of studies involve multiple dimensions of social media data in their analyses, 2 there are both separate analyses for each dimension and simultaneous analyses for multiple dimensions and 3 there are fewer simultaneous analyses as dimensions increase. Finally, we suggest research opportunities and challenges in fusing social media data with authoritative datasets, i.e. census data and remote-sensing data.
TL;DR: The molecular transfer mechanism in confined nanochannels, and the corresponding model equation are established, paving a way to nanoscale design of highly efficient channeled membranes for transport and separation applications.
Abstract: Lamellar membranes show exceptional molecular permeation properties of key importance for many applications. However, their design and development need the construction of regular and straight interlayer channels and the establishment of corresponding transport rate equation. The fabrication of a uniformly lamellar membrane is reported using double-layered Ti3 C2 Tx MXenes as rigid building blocks. This membrane possesses ordered and straight 2 nm channels formed via a direct self-stacking, in contrast to the conventional irregular ones from flexible sheets. Such channels permit precise molecular rejection and unparalleled molecular permeation. The permeance of water and organics by this membrane reached 2300 and 5000 L m-2 h-1 bar-1 , respectively. The molecular transfer mechanism in confined nanochannels, and the corresponding model equation are established, paving a way to nanoscale design of highly efficient channeled membranes for transport and separation applications.
TL;DR: In this article, a framework that incorporates kernel density estimation (KDE), geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) and the Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI) is proposed to explore the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of vibrancy and the spatiotemporal relationships with the influential factors.
TL;DR: The results demonstrate the superiority of the unique sandwich-type electrodes and produced efficient binder-free anodes for ion storage.
Abstract: Confined transformation of assembled two-dimensional MXene (titanium carbide) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets was employed to prepare the free-standing films of the integrated ultrathin sodium titanate (NTO)/potassium titanate (KTO) nanosheets sandwiched between graphene layers. The ultrathin Ti-based nanosheets reduce the diffusion distance while rGO layers enhance conductivity. Incorporation of graphene into the titanate films produced efficient binder-free anodes for ion storage. The resulting flexible NTO/rGO and KTO/rGO electrodes exhibited excellent rate performances and long cycling stability characterized by reversible capacities of 72 mA h g-1 at 5 A g-1 after 10000 cycles and 75 mA h g-1 after 700 cycles at 2 A g-1 for sodium and potassium ion batteries, respectively. These results demonstrate the superiority of the unique sandwich-type electrodes.
TL;DR: The radical modification of the pseudocapacitive properties of an oxide material, ZnxCo1−xO, via atomic-level structure engineering is reported, which changes its dominant charge storage mechanism from surface redox reactions to ion intercalation into bulk material.
Abstract: Atomic-level structure engineering can substantially change the chemical and physical properties of materials. However, the effects of structure engineering on the capacitive properties of electrode materials at the atomic scale are poorly understood. Fast transport of ions and electrons to all active sites of electrode materials remains a grand challenge. Here, we report the radical modification of the pseudocapacitive properties of an oxide material, Zn x Co1-x O, via atomic-level structure engineering, which changes its dominant charge storage mechanism from surface redox reactions to ion intercalation into bulk material. Fast ion and electron transports are simultaneously achieved in this mixed oxide, increasing its capacity almost to the theoretical limit. The resultant Zn x Co1-x O exhibits high-rate performance with capacitance up to 450 F g-1 at a scan rate of 1 V s-1, competing with the state-of-the-art transition metal carbides. A symmetric device assembled with Zn x Co1-x O achieves an energy density of 67.3 watt-hour kg-1 at a power density of 1.67 kW kg-1, which is the highest value ever reported for symmetric pseudocapacitors. Our finding suggests that the rational design of electrode materials at the atomic scale opens a new opportunity for achieving high power/energy density electrode materials for advanced energy storage devices.
TL;DR: In this article, a flexible bio-inspired Zn 0.5 Cd0.5 S@PAN (polyacrylonitrile) mat-shaped photocatalyst with a leaf-like structure is presented.
Abstract: Photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water splitting offers a viable potential solution for utilizing solar energy. Here we report a feasible synthesis of flexible bio-inspired Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S@PAN (polyacrylonitrile) mat-shaped photocatalyst with leaf-like structure, which shows high photocatalytic H 2 -production activity with a rate of 475 μmol h −1 per 50 mg of the photocatalyst and an apparent quantum efficiency of 27.4% at 420 nm. The hierarchically porous structure of the mat-shaped Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S@PAN greatly enhances the molecular diffusion/transfer kinetics, and enlarges the utilization efficiency of light through the multiple reflections and scattering effect. Moreover, a good dispersion of Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of PAN nanofibers prevents their aggregation. These features account for high H 2 -production activity of Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S@PAN. Remarkably, the integrity and flexibility of Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S@PAN mat-shaped photocatalyst facilitate their separation and re-use after photocatalytic reaction. Hierarchically porous leaf-like mat-shaped photocatalysts with high photocatalytic activity and stability should also find potential applications in solar cells, catalysis, separation and purification processes.
TL;DR: In this paper, the moments of the net-kaon multiplicity distributions in relativistic heavy-ion collisions were measured and compared with Poisson and negative binomial baseline calculations as well as with UrQMD.
TL;DR: In this article, the dynamical attractors associated with anisotropic hydrodynamics (aHydro) and the DNMR equations for a $0+1\mathrm{d}$ conformal system using kinetic theory in the relaxation time approximation were determined.
Abstract: We determine the dynamical attractors associated with anisotropic hydrodynamics (aHydro) and the DNMR equations for a $0+1\mathrm{d}$ conformal system using kinetic theory in the relaxation time approximation. We compare our results to the nonequilibrium attractor obtained from the exact solution of the $0+1\mathrm{d}$ conformal Boltzmann equation, the Navier-Stokes theory, and the second-order Mueller-Israel-Stewart theory. We demonstrate that the aHydro attractor equation resums an infinite number of terms in the inverse Reynolds number. The resulting resummed aHydro attractor possesses a positive longitudinal-to-transverse pressure ratio and is virtually indistinguishable from the exact attractor. This suggests that an optimized hydrodynamic treatment of kinetic theory involves a resummation not only in gradients (Knudsen number) but also in the inverse Reynolds number. We also demonstrate that the DNMR result provides a better approximation of the exact kinetic theory attractor than the Mueller-Israel-Stewart theory. Finally, we introduce a new method for obtaining approximate aHydro equations which relies solely on an expansion in the inverse Reynolds number. We then carry this expansion out to the third order, and compare these third-order results to the exact kinetic theory solution.
TL;DR: This article examined the reciprocal relationship between Facebook news use and polarization using national 3-wave panel data collected during the 2016 US Presidential Election and found media use and attitudes remained relatively stable over the course of the campaign.
Abstract: The rise of social media, and specifically Facebook, as a dominant force in the flow of news in the United States has led to concern that people incur greater isolation from diverse perspectives through filter bubbles (from algorithmic filtering) and echo chambers (from an information environment populated by social recommendations coming from overwhelmingly like-minded others). This evolution in news diffusion comes at a time when Americans report increased affective partisan polarization. In particular, evidence shows increasingly negative attitudes about out-party members. Based on selective exposure and reinforcing spirals model perspectives, we examined the reciprocal relationship between Facebook news use and polarization using national 3-wave panel data collected during the 2016 US Presidential Election. Over the course of the campaign, we found media use and attitudes remained relatively stable. Our results also showed that Facebook news use was related to a modest over-time spiral of depo...
University of North Carolina at Greensboro1, Colorado State University2, University of California, Santa Barbara3, New Mexico State University4, Johns Hopkins University5, University of New Mexico6, University of California, Davis7, Northeastern University8, University of the Witwatersrand9, Wake Forest University10, Hawassa University11, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad12, Indian Institute of Science13, Utah State University14, United States Geological Survey15, Montana State University16, University of Central Florida17, Archbold Biological Station18, International Trademark Association19, University of Buenos Aires20, Northwest A&F University21, University of Grenoble22, Office of Environment and Heritage23, University of New South Wales24, University of Texas at Austin25, University of La Laguna26, Thompson Rivers University27, Dalhousie University28, University of Wyoming29, University of Nebraska–Lincoln30, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University31, University of Jyväskylä32, University of the Republic33, National Scientific and Technical Research Council34, La Trobe University35, University of Groningen36, University of Florida37, University of Alcalá38, The Nature Conservancy39, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research40, Spanish National Research Council41, National Centre for Biological Sciences42, University of Leeds43, Yokohama National University44, Federation University Australia45, Technische Universität Darmstadt46, North-West University47, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay48, Agricultural Research Service49, Ghent University50, Kent State University51, Chinese Academy of Sciences52
TL;DR: It is shown that herbivore-induced change in dominance, independent of site productivity or precipitation (a proxy for productivity), is the best predictor of Herbivore effects on biodiversity in grassland and savannah sites.
Abstract: Herbivores alter plant biodiversity (species richness) in many of the world's ecosystems, but the magnitude and the direction of herbivore effects on biodiversity vary widely within and among ecosystems. One current theory predicts that herbivores enhance plant biodiversity at high productivity but have the opposite effect at low productivity. Yet, empirical support for the importance of site productivity as a mediator of these herbivore impacts is equivocal. Here, we synthesize data from 252 large-herbivore exclusion studies, spanning a 20-fold range in site productivity, to test an alternative hypothesis-that herbivore-induced changes in the competitive environment determine the response of plant biodiversity to herbivory irrespective of productivity. Under this hypothesis, when herbivores reduce the abundance (biomass, cover) of dominant species (for example, because the dominant plant is palatable), additional resources become available to support new species, thereby increasing biodiversity. By contrast, if herbivores promote high dominance by increasing the abundance of herbivory-resistant, unpalatable species, then resource availability for other species decreases reducing biodiversity. We show that herbivore-induced change in dominance, independent of site productivity or precipitation (a proxy for productivity), is the best predictor of herbivore effects on biodiversity in grassland and savannah sites. Given that most herbaceous ecosystems are dominated by one or a few species, altering the competitive environment via herbivores or by other means may be an effective strategy for conserving biodiversity in grasslands and savannahs globally.
TL;DR: Results provide strong support for using serial simulation as a learning tool and students' perceptions of the simulation experience over a two-year period are explored.
TL;DR: A biomarker-based non-endoscopic method for detecting Barrett’s esophagus (BE) based on detecting methylated DNAs retrieved via a swallowable balloon-based esophageal sampling device and an efficient, well-tolerated, sensitive, and specific method of screening at-risk populations for BE is reported.
Abstract: We report a biomarker-based non-endoscopic method for detecting Barrett's esophagus (BE) based on detecting methylated DNAs retrieved via a swallowable balloon-based esophageal sampling device. BE is the precursor of, and a major recognized risk factor for, developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. Endoscopy, the current standard for BE detection, is not cost-effective for population screening. We performed genome-wide screening to ascertain regions targeted for recurrent aberrant cytosine methylation in BE, identifying high-frequency methylation within the CCNA1 locus. We tested CCNA1 DNA methylation as a BE biomarker in cytology brushings of the distal esophagus from 173 individuals with or without BE. CCNA1 DNA methylation demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.95 for discriminating BE-related metaplasia and neoplasia cases versus normal individuals, performing identically to methylation of VIM DNA, an established BE biomarker. When combined, the resulting two biomarker panel was 95% sensitive and 91% specific. These results were replicated in an independent validation cohort of 149 individuals who were assayed using the same cutoff values for test positivity established in the training population. To progress toward non-endoscopic esophageal screening, we engineered a well-tolerated, swallowable, encapsulated balloon device able to selectively sample the distal esophagus within 5 min. In balloon samples from 86 individuals, tests of CCNA1 plus VIM DNA methylation detected BE metaplasia with 90.3% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity. Combining the balloon sampling device with molecular assays of CCNA1 plus VIM DNA methylation enables an efficient, well-tolerated, sensitive, and specific method of screening at-risk populations for BE.
TL;DR: Nurse managers experienced moderate levels of stress mainly from heavy workloads, lack of resources and financial responsibilities, and Enhancing social support and promoting job control were seen as important in reducing work stress and its related consequences.
Abstract: Aims and objectives To appraise and synthesise empirical studies examining sources of occupational stress and ways of coping utilised by nurse managers when dealing with stress. Background The Nurse Manager's role is challenging yet draining and stressful and has adverse consequences on an individual's overall health and well-being, patients' outcomes and organisational productivity. Considerable research has been carried out; however, an updated and broader perspective on this critical organisational issue has not been performed. Design An integrative review. Methods Five databases (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, SCOPUS, PubMed, PsychINFO and MEDLINE) were searched to identify relevant articles. Search terms and MeSH terms included: "charge nurse," "coping," "coping strategy," "coping style," "psychological adaptation," "psychological stress," "stressors," "nurse manager" and "unit manager." Twenty-two articles were included in this review. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines. Results Four themes were identified: moderate stress levels, common sources of stress, ways of coping and the impact of nurses' characteristics on stress. Conclusions Nurse managers experienced moderate levels of stress mainly from heavy workloads, lack of resources and financial responsibilities. Enhancing social support and promoting job control were seen as important in reducing work stress and its related consequences. Additional studies using a more rigorous method and a larger sample size preferably in multicultural settings would shed more light on this topic. Relevance to clinical practice Hospital and nurse administrators play an important role in promoting supportive structures for daily professional practice for nurse managers through staffing, organisational resources, support services, leadership and stress management training.
TL;DR: It is proposed that myelocortical multiple sclerosis is a subtype of multiple sclerosis that is characterised by demyelination of spinal cord and cerebral hemispheres but not of cerebral white matter.
Abstract: Summary Background Demyelination of cerebral white matter is thought to drive neuronal degeneration and permanent neurological disability in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Findings from brain MRI studies, however, support the possibility that demyelination and neuronal degeneration can occur independently. We aimed to establish whether post-mortem brains from patients with multiple sclerosis show pathological evidence of cortical neuronal loss that is independent of cerebral white-matter demyelination. Methods Brains and spinal cords were removed at autopsy from patients, who had died with multiple sclerosis, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH, USA. Visual examination of centimetre-thick slices of cerebral hemispheres was done to identify brains without areas of cerebral white-matter discoloration that were indicative of demyelinated lesions (referred to as myelocortical multiple sclerosis) and brains that had cerebral white-matter discolorations or demyelinated lesions (referred to as typical multiple sclerosis). These individuals with myelocortical multiple sclerosis were matched by age, sex, MRI protocol, multiple sclerosis disease subtype, disease duration, and Expanded Disability Status Scale, with individuals with typical multiple sclerosis. Demyelinated lesion area in tissue sections of cerebral white matter, spinal cord, and cerebral cortex from individuals classed as having myelocortical and typical multiple sclerosis were compared using myelin protein immunocytochemistry. Neuronal densities in cortical layers III, V, and VI from five cortical regions not directly connected to spinal cord (cingulate gyrus and inferior frontal cortex, superior temporal cortex, and superior insular cortex and inferior insular cortex) were also compared between the two groups and with aged-matched post-mortem brains from individuals without evidence of neurological disease. Findings Brains and spinal cords were collected from 100 deceased patients between May, 1998, and November, 2012, and this retrospective study was done between Sept 6, 2011, and Feb 2, 2018. 12 individuals were identified as having myelocortical multiple sclerosis and were compared with 12 individuals identified as having typical multiple sclerosis. Demyelinated lesions were detected in spinal cord and cerebral cortex, but not in cerebral white matter, of people with myelocortical multiple sclerosis. Cortical demyelinated lesion area was similar between myelocortical and typical multiple sclerosis (median 4·45% [IQR 2·54–10·81] in myelocortical vs 9·74% [1·35–19·50] in typical multiple sclerosis; p=0·5512). Spinal cord demyelinated area was significantly greater in typical than in myelocortical multiple sclerosis (median 3·81% [IQR 1·72–7·42] in myelocortical vs 13·81% [6·51–29·01] in typical multiple sclerosis; p=0·0083). Despite the lack of cerebral white-matter demyelination in myelocortical multiple sclerosis, mean cortical neuronal densities were significantly decreased compared with control brains (349·8 neurons per mm2 [SD 51·9] in myelocortical multiple sclerosis vs 419·0 [43·6] in controls in layer III [p=0·0104]; 355·6 [46·5] vs 454·2 [48·3] in layer V [p=0·0006]; 366·6 [50·9] vs 458·3 [48·4] in layer VI [p=0·0049]). By contrast, mean cortical neuronal densities were decreased in typical multiple sclerosis brains compared with those from controls in layer V (392·5 [59·0] vs 454·2 [48·3]; p=0·0182) but not layers III and VI. Interpretation We propose that myelocortical multiple sclerosis is a subtype of multiple sclerosis that is characterised by demyelination of spinal cord and cerebral cortex but not of cerebral white matter. Cortical neuronal loss is not accompanied by cerebral white-matter demyelination and can be an independent pathological event in myelocortical multiple sclerosis. Compared with control brains, cortical neuronal loss was greater in myelocortical multiple sclerosis cortex than in typical multiple sclerosis cortex. The molecular mechanisms of primary neuronal degeneration and axonal pathology in myelocortical multiple sclerosis should be investigated in future studies. Funding US National Institutes of Health and National Multiple Sclerosis Society
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate a dynamic thermal control of the surface topography of an elastomer prepared as a coating with a pattern of in-plane molecular orientation, which can be used to design coating with functionalities that mimic biological tissues such as skin.
Abstract: Stimuli-responsive liquid crystal elastomers with molecular orientation coupled to rubber-like elasticity show a great potential as elements in soft robotics, sensing, and transport systems. The orientational order defines their mechanical response to external stimuli, such as thermally activated muscle-like contraction. Here we demonstrate a dynamic thermal control of the surface topography of an elastomer prepared as a coating with a pattern of in-plane molecular orientation. The inscribed pattern determines whether the coating develops elevations, depressions, or in-plane deformations when the temperature changes. The deterministic dependence of the out-of-plane dynamic profile on the in-plane orientation is explained by activation forces. These forces are caused by stretching-contraction of the polymer networks and by spatially varying molecular orientation. The activation force concept brings the responsive liquid crystal elastomers into the domain of active matter. The demonstrated relationship can be used to design coatings with functionalities that mimic biological tissues such as skin.
TL;DR: In this paper, a dynamic thermal control of the surface topography of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) is demonstrated through pre-designed patterns of in-plane molecular orientation.
Abstract: Stimuli-responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) with a strong coupling of orientational molecular order and rubber-like elasticity, show a great potential as working elements in soft robotics, sensing, transport and propulsion systems. We demonstrate a dynamic thermal control of the surface topography of LCE coatings achieved through pre-designed patterns of in-plane molecular orientation. These patterns determine whether the LCE coating develops elevations, depressions, or in-plane deformations. The deterministic dependence of the out-of-plane dynamic surface profile on the in-plane orientational pattern is explained by activation forces. These forces are caused by two factors: (i) stretching-contraction of the polymer networks driven by temperature; (ii) spatially varying orientation of the LCE. The activation force concept brings the responsive LCEs into the domain of active matter. The demonstrated relationship can be used to design programmable coatings with functionalities that mimic biological tissues such as skin.
TL;DR: The findings of this study highlight the need for formulation and implementation of interventions to promote life-long commitment in nurses and to reduce turnover rates.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review recent progress in relativistic anisotropic hydrodynamics and present a pedagogical introduction to the topic which takes into account the advances in our understanding of this topic since its inception, and demonstrate how one can implement a realistic equation of state using a quasiparticle approach.
TL;DR: A random forests-based geostatistical approach to improve one of the most commonly used satellite-derived, gridded PM2.5 datasets with a refined spatial resolution (0.01°) and enhanced accuracy by combining the random forests machine learning method and the kriging family of methods.
TL;DR: Delayed return to work was associated with patient-related and intensive care unit/hospital-related factors, substantial lost earnings and a marked rise in government-funded healthcare coverage, which emphasise the need to design and evaluate vocation-based interventions to assist ARDS survivors return toWork.
Abstract: Background Delayed return to work is common after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but has undergone little detailed evaluation. We examined factors associated with the timing of return to work after ARDS, along with lost earnings and shifts in healthcare coverage. Methods Five-year, multisite prospective, longitudinal cohort study of 138 2-year ARDS survivors hospitalised between 2004 and 2007. Employment and healthcare coverage were collected via structured interview. Predictors of time to return to work were evaluated using Fine and Grey regression analysis. Lost earnings were estimated using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Results Sixty-seven (49%) of the 138 2-year survivors were employed prior to ARDS. Among 64 5-year survivors, 20 (31%) never returned to work across 5-year follow-up. Predictors of delayed return to work (HR (95% CI)) included baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index (0.77 (0.59 to 0.99) per point; p=0.04), mechanical ventilation duration (0.67 (0.55 to 0.82) per day up to 5 days; p Conclusions Across 5-year follow-up, nearly one-third of previously employed ARDS survivors never returned to work. Delayed return to work was associated with patient-related and intensive care unit/hospital-related factors, substantial lost earnings and a marked rise in government-funded healthcare coverage. These important consequences emphasise the need to design and evaluate vocation-based interventions to assist ARDS survivors return to work.