cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physiological control of leaf methane emission from wetland plants

Abstract The transport of methane from the rhizosphere to the atmosphere takes place in the intercellular spaces and stomata of wetland plants, and foliar gas exchange is one of the critical steps of the transport process. The objectives of our research were to investigate: (i) variation in foliar gas exchange among four common wetland plant species (i.e., Peltandra virginica L., Orontium aquaticum L., Juncus effusus L., and Taxodium distichum L.), (ii) the role of key environmental factors (i.e., light, temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration) in controlling foliar methane emission, and (iii) physiological mechanisms underlying the variation in methane emission due to species and the environment. Experiments were conducted in an instantaneous, flow-through gas-exchange system that operated on a mass balance approach and concurrently measured foliar fluxes of methane, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. The chamber system allowed for the control of light, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration. Diel patterns of methane emission varied among species, with daylight emissions from P. virginica and O. aquaticum 2–4 times those of J. effusus and T. distichum in saturating light. Foliar methane emission from P. virginica (1.80 μmol m −2 s −1 ) under ambient daylight conditions was an order of magnitude higher than that of the other three species (∼0.20 μmol m −2 s −1 ). As leaf temperature was increased by 10 °C, methane emission increased by a factor of 1.5–2.2, and the temperature effect was independent of stomatal conductance. When data were pooled among the four species, varying the light and carbon dioxide concentrations in a stepwise manner produced changes in foliar methane emission that were associated with stomatal conductance ( r 2 = 0.52). To scale our observations to other wetland plant species, a stepwise multiple regression model is offered that incorporates stomatal conductance and net carbon dioxide assimilation to estimate instantaneous methane emission from foliar surfaces. The model indicates that changes in stomatal conductance affect methane emission three times more than equivalent changes in net carbon dioxide assimilation.
Management of the Patient With Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Lead Failure

52-year-old man was brought to the emergency department because of multiple implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks. His existing dual-chamber pacemaker was upgraded from a biventricular ICD 4 years ago. The ECG in the emergency department showed sinus tachycardia with left bundle-branch block at a rate of 135 bpm. In the emergency department, the patient received 5 additional shocks without a change in rhythm. A donut magnet was placed over the ICD. Interrogation revealed evidence of a lead fracture, and tachycardia therapies were disabled. The high-voltage lead was a Medtronic Sprint Fidelis ICD lead. Admission to the hospital was recommended for definitive correction of his problem. This case illustrates the most common presentation of an ICD lead failure and the resulting management challenges. Lead failure is typically thought of as an intrinsic design or construction defect leading to an adverse clinical event. However, any adverse clinical event mediated through malfunction of an ICD lead represents lead failure. An ICD lead failure can occur in any patient, even with leads that have a proven record of reliability. The overall incidence of ICD lead failure is difficult to assess because of its underreporting and the absence of strict reporting requirements. Random component failures in individual patients are especially difficult to quantify, but some studies suggest a failure rate of ≈0.58%/y among modern ICD leads.1 Leads that have undergone manufacturer advisory or Food and Drug Administration alerts have a much higher incidence of failure. Examples of ICD leads with high failure rates include the Guidant Endotak DSP (model 0125) and the Medtronic Transvene (model 6936). The 6936 lead had a 90% survival rate at 4 to 5 years and a nearly 60% survival rate at 8 to 9 years. Therefore, lead failure rates are not linear over time. The recent recall of the Medtronic …
Measuring meaningful use.

To qualify for new federal funds intended to promote the widespread adoption and use of electronic health records, U.S. physician practices must meet the government’s “meaningful use” benchmarks. Our analysis indicates that among physicians who have electronic health records, between 75–85 percent are already using functions that meet some of the proposed criteria for demonstrating meaningful use. But gaps remain. We provide a new analysis of baseline use of specific electronic health record functions among primary care physicians and medical and surgical specialists. The analysis can help researchers and policy makers measure more accurately the success of ongoing efforts to expand effective use of health information technology.
Performance of feedback flow control mechanisms in large high-speed networks

Data traffic appears today as a critical issue for the design of high-speed networks. Since data traffic cannot in general be characterized in a simple manner, effective preventive congestion control mechanisms are difficult to realize. Reactive mechanisms can be employed instead, but such mechanisms are not easily adapted to the case of non-negligible propagation delays. We proposed a feedback control mechanism that explicitly takes into account the network propagation delay. In this paper, we study the behavior of an interconnection system under the proposed control and we develop an exact analytical solution for the evolution equation of the destination unit. This result allows us to determine the value of the optimal command and to infer the maximum buffer requirements. Simulation provides a good confirmation of the analytical results. We conclude the paper with a discussion of implementation and interoperation issues.
Lung-targeted VEGF inactivation leads to an emphysema phenotype in mice

To test the hypothesis that VEGF is important for the maintenance of alveolar structure and elastic properties in adult mice, lung-targeted ablation of the VEGF gene was accomplished through intratracheal delivery of an adeno-associated cre recombinase virus (AAV/Cre) to VEGFloxP mice, and the effects were followed for 8 wk. Control mice were similarly treated with AAV/Cre. Pulmonary VEGF levels were reduced by 86% at 5 wk postinfection but returned to normal levels by 8 wk. VEGF receptor VEGFR-2 levels were also reduced at 5 wk (by 51%) and returned to control values by 8 wk. However, alveolar septal wall destruction (increased mean linear intercept) and loss of lung elastic recoil (increased compliance) persisted for 8 wk. No decrease in alveolar cell proliferation was detected by Western blot or immunohistochemical analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Increased alveolar septal cell and bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling analysis at 5 wk. Total lung caspase-3 levels and enzyme activity were also increased at 5 wk. No obvious accumulation of inflammatory cells was observed at any time after tracheal instillation of AAV/Cre. Thus a transient decrease in pulmonary VEGF leads to increased alveolar and bronchial cell apoptosis, air space enlargement, and changes in lung elastic recoil (processes that are characteristic of emphysema) that persist for at least 8 wk.
Novel approach to parental permission and child assent for research: improving comprehension.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to test a multimedia permission/assent (P/A) process. The overall hypothesis was that children and their parents exposed to a multimedia P/A process would have better comprehension compared with those exposed to a text-based process. METHODS: Traditional and multimedia P/A processes were created by using an innovative learning-objective approach. A total of 194 parent-child dyads (children aged 11―14 years) were enrolled: 24 dyads in a prestudy testing P/A components for preference and effect on comprehension and 170 dyads in a randomized trial of a multimedia or paper P/A process for a hypothetical study. Participants were predominantly white and were from a metropolitan area served by a tertiary care pediatric hospital and outpatient facility. Comprehension of 8 essential elements of the P/A process was assessed. RESULTS: The majority of prestudy subjects preferred the video version of the dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry description over theanimated and paper versions combined (41 of 48 [85%]; P < .0001), and there were similar results for the abdominal ultrasound description (38 of 47 [81%]; P< .0001). Children exposed to the novel process showed significantly better overall comprehension compared with the paper P/A process (P = .0009), and there were highly significant differences in understanding of study procedures (P = .0002) and risks (P < .0001). The parental multimedia group had significantly better overall comprehension (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Multimedia approaches to the research P/A process may improve overall understanding of research participation for children and parents. Improved understanding of study-specific research components (rather than research rights) may improve overall comprehension.
Theory of Superconducting Alloys

Various lattice defects (dissolved foreign atoms, vacancies, atomic substitutions etc.) in normal metals determine the so-called residual resistance. The latter is characterized by the corresponding mean free path, l, and for many physical phenomena studied in the physics of normal metals the longer the mean free path is, the more pronounced are most of the physical effects. For instance, to observe galvanomagnetic phenomena in normal metals very pure and perfect crystal samples are necessary. In other words, defects are important for studying normal phase properties, but their role is often a negative one.
Monte Carlo modelling of a multiple-hole collimator for high energy gamma-ray imaging

To develop a second generation gamma-ray camera for industrial applications, various multiple-hole collimator designs that meet high-energy, high-intensity and far-field imaging requirements have been studied. The collection of parallel holes each parallel to one another (parallel-hole, parallel collimator) is ineffective for imaging high energy far-field sources, whereas a collimator with parallel holes arranged in a diverging manner (parallel-hole, diverging collimator) is a good candidate for our imaging system. The response of a proposed collimator to different source conditions is modelled and presented in this work. >
Assessing satisfaction with desloratadine and fexofenadine in allergy patients who report dissatisfaction with loratadine.

Background The FDA recently moved loratadine (Claritin) from prescription only status to over-the-counter (OTC). In response to the availability of an OTC non-sedating antihistamine, many managed care organizations are reevaluating which if any prescription antihistamines should remain on formulary. From a managed care perspective, determining which of the remaining prescription antihistamines results in the greatest patient satisfaction with allergy treatment would be informative.
Distributed systems design using function-class decomposition with aspects

Object-oriented methods are known for their capabilities to encapsulate and manage core concerns of complex software systems. However, they are inadequate in discerning and separating a variety of other cross-cutting concerns. In particular, for distributed systems, a number of important concerns such as synchronization, logging, and security, should be sufficiently treated in the design phase of the software lifecycle in order to ensure high system quality. Often these concerns tend to be overlooked at the design level and consequently scattered across multiple system modules during implementation. Consequently it becomes difficult to connect the set of requirements with the system structure, thus system traceability is reduced. This paper proposes an extension to the function-class decomposition (FCD) method, that is a hybrid method of structured analysis and OO approach, by integrating the concepts of "aspect". "Aspect" is an abstraction mechanism that emerged in recent years from the aspect-oriented programming (AOP) community. This extended method supports separation of functional and non-functional concerns by maintaining two primary views (function-class view and aspect view) at the design stage, and demonstrates the iterative process by applying it to the development of an example system called M-Net that is an Internet-based real-time distributed conferencing system.
Self-administered instruments to measure cultural competence of health professionals: a systematic review.

Background: Tools that measure knowledge, attitudes, and skills reflecting cultural competence of health professionals have not been comprehensively identified, described, or critiqued. Summary: We systematically reviewed English-language articles published from 1980 through June 2003 that evaluated the effectiveness of cultural competence curricula targeted at health professionals by using at least one self-administered tool. We abstracted information about targeted providers, evaluation methods, curricular content, and the psychometric properties of each tool. We included 45 articles in our review. A total of 45 unique instruments (32 learner self-assessments, 13 written exams) were used in the 45 articles. One third (15/45) of the tools had demonstrated either validity or reliability, and only 13% (6/45) had demonstrated both reliability and validity. Conclusions: Most studies of cultural competence training used self-administered tools that have not been validated. The results of cultural competence t...
A multilevel dc-dc converter with high voltage gain and reduced component rating and count

This paper proposes a bidirectional multilevel dc-dc converter for applications that require high voltage gain. Some of conventional multilevel dc-dc converters have diverse voltage or current stresses for the switching devices within the circuit, not suitable for modular configuration or for high efficiency demand; some suffer from relatively high power loss or large device count for high voltage gain, even if the device voltage stress could be low. By contrast, the proposed dc-dc converter features low component (switching device and capacitor) power rating, small switching device count and low output capacitance requirement. In addition to its low current stress, the combination of two short symmetric paths of charge pumps further lowers power loss. Therefore, a small and light converter with high voltage gain and high efficiency can be achieved. Simulation and experimental results of a 450-W prototype with a voltage conversion ratio of six validate the principle and features of this topology.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: initial experience at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Abstract Background: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has emerged as a potential alternative to routine axillary dissection in clinically node-negative breast cancer. Study Design: From September 1995 to June 1996 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 60 patients with clinically node-negative cancer underwent SNB, which was immediately followed by standard axillary dissection. Both blue dye and radioisotope were used to identify the sentinel node. SNB was compared with standard axillary dissection for its ability to accurately reflect the final pathologic status of the axillary nodes. Results: The sentinel node was successfully identified by lymphoscintigraphy in 75% (42 of 56), by blue dye in 75% (44 of 59), by isotope in 88% (52 of 59), and by the combination of blue dye and isotope in 93% (55 of 59) of all 59 evaluable patients. Of the 55 patients in this study where sentinel nodes were identified, 20 (36%) were histologically positive. The sentinel node was falsely negative in three patients, yielding an accuracy of 95%. SNB was more accurate for T1 (98%) than for T2–T3 tumors (82%). Conclusions: Lymphatic mapping is technically feasible, reliably identifies a sentinel node in most cases, and appears more accurate for T1 tumors than for larger lesions. Blue dye and radioisotope are complementary techniques, and the overall success of the procedure is maximized when the two are used together.
Can takotsubo cardiomyopathy be familial

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a form of reversible left ventricular dysfunction that is presumably precipitated by stress. Our observations of the recurrence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in an individual and the occurrence of a reversible cardiomyopathy in her daughter lead us to speculate on the possibility of a familial predisposition to this entity or its variants.
Support for the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Hypofunction Hypothesis of Schizophrenia From Exome Sequencing in Multiplex Families

Importance Schizophrenia is a complex genetic disorder demonstrating considerable heritability. Genetic studies have implicated many different genes and pathways, but much of the genetic liability remains unaccounted for. Investigation of genetic forms of schizophrenia will lead to a better understanding of the underlying molecular pathways, which will then enable targeted approaches for disease prevention and treatment. Objective To identify new genetic factors strongly predisposing to schizophrenia in families with multiple affected individuals with schizophrenia. Design We performed genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization, linkage analysis, and exome sequencing in multiplex families with schizophrenia. Setting Probands and their family members were recruited from academic medical centers. Participants We intended to identify rare disease-causing mutations in 5 large families where schizophrenia transmission appears consistent with single-gene inheritance. Intervention Array comparative genomic hybridization was used to identify copy number variants, while exome sequencing was used to identify variants shared in all affected individuals and linkage analysis was used to further filter shared variants of interest. Analysis of select variants was performed in cultured cells to assess their functional consequences. Main Outcome Measures Rare inherited disease-related genetic mutations. Results No segregating rare copy number variants were detected by array comparative genomic hybridization. However, in all 5 families, exome sequencing detected rare protein-altering variants in 1 of 3 genes associated with the N -methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. One pedigree shared a missense and frameshift substitution of GRM5, encoding the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5), which is coupled to the NMDA receptor and potentiates its signaling; the frameshift disrupts binding to the scaffolding protein tamalin and increases mGluR5 internalization. Another pedigree transmitted a missense substitution in PPEF2, encoding a calmodulin-binding protein phosphatase, which we show influences mGluR5 levels. Three pedigrees demonstrated different missense substitutions within LRP1B, encoding a low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein tied to both the NMDA receptor and located in a chromosome 2q22 region previously strongly linked to schizophrenia. Conclusions and Relevance Exome sequencing of multiplex pedigrees uncovers new genes associated with risk for developing schizophrenia and suggests potential novel therapeutic targets.
Snowpack, fire, and forest disturbance: interactions affect montane invasions by non-native shrubs.

Montane regions worldwide have experienced relatively low plant invasion rates, a trend attributed to increased climatic severity, low rates of disturbance, and reduced propagule pressure relative to lowlands. Manipulative experiments at elevations above the invasive range of non-native species can clarify the relative contributions of these mechanisms to montane invasion resistance, yet such experiments are rare. Furthermore, global climate change and land use changes are expected to cause decreases in snowpack and increases in disturbance by fire and forest thinning in montane forests. We examined the importance of these factors in limiting montane invasions using a field transplant experiment above the invasive range of two non-native lowland shrubs, Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) and Spanish broom (Spartium junceum), in the rain–snow transition zone of the Sierra Nevada of California. We tested the effects of canopy closure, prescribed fire, and winter snow depth on demographic transitions of each species. Establishment of both species was most likely at intermediate levels of canopy disturbance, but at this intermediate canopy level, snow depth had negative effects on winter survival of seedlings. We used matrix population models to show that an 86% reduction in winter snowfall would cause a 2.8-fold increase in population growth rates in Scotch broom and a 3.5-fold increase in Spanish broom. Fall prescribed fire increased germination rates, but decreased overall population growth rates by reducing plant survival. However, at longer fire return intervals, population recovery between fires is likely to keep growth rates high, especially under low snowpack conditions. Many treatment combinations had positive growth rates despite being above the current invasive range, indicating that propagule pressure, disturbance, and climate can all strongly affect plant invasions in montane regions. We conclude that projected reductions in winter snowpack and increases in forest disturbance are likely to increase the risk of invasion from lower elevations.
GABAergic Integration of Progesterone and Androgen Feedback to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons

Steroid feedback regulates GnRH secretion and previous work has implicated gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons as a mediator of these effects. We examined GABAergic postsynaptic currents (PSCs) in green fluorescent protein-identified GnRH neurons from mice exposed to different steroid milieus in vivo. Adult mice were ovariectomized and treated with estradiol (OVX1E, controls) or E plus progesterone (P, OVX1E1P). P decreased PSC frequency, a presynaptic effect, and PSC size, which could be via pre- and/or postsynaptic mechanisms. In contrast, dihydrotestosterone (DHT, OVX1E1DHT) increased both GABAergic PSC frequency and size in GnRH neurons. Tetrodotoxin (TTX), which eliminates action-potential-dependent presynaptic effects, did not alter frequency, suggesting DHT may have increased PSC frequency by increasing connectivity between GABAergic and GnRH neurons. TTX reduced PSC size below control values, indicating DHT may augment presynaptic GABA release but inhibits the postsynaptic GnRH neuron response. In mice treated with both P and DHT (OVX1E1P1 DHT), PSC frequency and size were similar to controls, suggesting these steroids counteract one another. These results demonstrate GABAergic neurons participate in integrating and conveying steroid feedback to GnRH neurons, defining a potential central mechanism for steroid regulation of GnRH neurons during the reproductive cycle, and providing one possible mechanism for increased activity of these cells in hyperandrogenic females.
Is the Effective Size of an Alkyl Group a Gauge of Dynamic Gearing

This paper presents a critical discussion of the perceived similarity between alkyl groups and mechanical gears. Specifically, we examine the notion that the availability of “free spaces” between the ligands of the central atom in an alkyl group leads to a reduction in the steric requirements of the group and, hence, to an effect on the rate of conformational interconversion. It is concluded that there is no compelling experimental evidence to support the operation of this type of dynamic gear effect.
Fluctuation Microscopy Studies Of Aluminum Oxides Exposed To CL Ions

Fluctuation electron microscopy studies have been performed on several aluminum oxides exposed to different electrochemical conditions. Little is known about amorphous aluminum oxide structures and their relationship with their passivation behaviors. Corrosion studies have shown that exposure of aluminum oxide films to Cl ions in solution reduces the oxide's passivity, and this results in the onset of pitting corrosion. The physical changes that occur in the oxide as a result of Cl exposure have not been previously identified due to the difficulty in investigating the structure of this amorphous material. Fluctuation microscopy is a new electron microscopy technique that is able to detect the presence of medium range order structures in amorphous systems. In this paper, we will report fluctuation microscopy results on amorphous aluminum oxides that have been exposed to Cl ions in solution and compare them with oxides that have seen no electrolyte exposure or that have been exposed to electrolytes that do not contain Cl-,such as SO4 2- containing electrolytes. We will also compare the Cl-exposed oxides with oxides that have been implanted with Cl ions. The differences in pitting behaviors for these oxidesare consistent with our previous speculation on the effect of medium range order on the passivation behavior of aluminum oxides grown using ozone.
The role of technology agility on business processes and organizational agilities

Organizational agility has been regarded as one of the most important critical resources for enabling better firm performance. This study extends the existing literature by introducing technology agility as an antecedent to organizational agilities, which, subsequently, impact business processes and, ultimately, firm performance. Technology agility is the firm's ability to quickly react to technological changes. Our conceptual framework bridges the dynamic capabilities framework with the process-based view of the organization. We test our conceptual framework using a survey data set from the Brazilian automotive industry. The results confirm that technology agility is a significant antecedent to key organizational agilities and these agilities impact both financial and market performance through intermediate business processes. We conclude that technology agility plays a key strategic role in shaping the firm's dynamic capabilities that further enhance firm performance.
Eddy-Mean Flow Interaction in the Gulf Stream at 68°W. Part II: Eddy Forcing on the Time-Mean Flow

Abstract Data front the SYNOP 68°W current meter array show a trough pattern in the 26-month mean Gulf Stream path at 68°W and a cyclone in the mean deep flow. In order to determine whether eddies are controlling the speed and direction of the time-mean Gulf Sream flow at 68°W a theory is developed that extends the Eliassen-Palm theory for zonal-mean flows to time-mean flows. The eddy force is evaluated as the three-dimensional divergence of an eddy stress tensor and is equivalent to the eddy advection of momentum Fmom and the rotated divergent eddy stretching potential vorticity flux Ftherm. The study region at 68°W is characterized by large amplitude trough formation events. It is shown that Ftherm is associated with the growth stage of the eddy trough formation events and tends to turn the upper-level time-mean flow southward into the trough pattern and accelerate and “spin up” the deep-layer cyclone; Fmom has a vertically coherent pattern associated with the decay stage of the trough formation events ...
Designing repetitive screening procedures with imperfect inspections: An empirical Bayes approach

Abstract A batch of expensive items, such as IC chips, is often inspected multiple times in a sequential manner to further discover more conforming items. After several rounds of screening, we need to estimate the number of conforming items that still remain in the batch. We propose in this paper an empirical Bayes estimation method and compare its performance with that of the traditional maximum likelihood method. In the repetitive screening procedure, another important decision problem is when to stop the screening process and salvage the remaining items. We propose various types of stopping rules and illustrate their procedures with a simulated inspection data. Finally, we explore various extensions to our empirical Bayes estimation method in multiple inspection plans.
Growth Hormone Therapy Accelerates Axonal Regeneration, Promotes Motor Reinnervation, and Reduces Muscle Atrophy following Peripheral Nerve Injury.

Background:Therapies to improve outcomes following peripheral nerve injury are lacking. Prolonged denervation of muscle and Schwann cells contributes to poor outcomes. In this study, the authors assess the effects of growth hormone therapy on axonal regeneration, Schwann cell and muscle maintenance,
Native Hymenopteran Parasitoids Attacking an Introduced Weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus in Virginia

Rhinocyllus conicus Froelich, a thistle head-infesting weevil, imported from France and released in Virginia in 1969 for the biocontrol of thistles, has been established on musk ( Carduus nutans L.) and plumeless ( Carduus acanthoides L.) thisles (Surles et al. 1974). Field collection of weevils without endangering establishment was possible at 1 site after 3 years (Surles 1972). In the summer of 1971, weevil-infested musk thistle heads were collected, from which native hymenopteran parasitoids were reared.
The mystery of public health workforce development.

“Academic Perspectives” is a column within the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice that examines the linkages between academic public health and practice. Contract column editor: Louis Rowitz, PhD, to contribute to this feature.
In vivo release of histamine from rabbit blood by reserpine.

SummaryIntravenous reserpine in rabbits has been demonstrated by chemical means to release histamine from whole blood. 1. The minimal histamine levels were reached in one to 2 days with complete recovery to control values in 5 to 7 days. 2. Simultaneous serotonin determinations, revealed that the rate and degree of liberation, and the recovery of both histamine and serotonin were very similar. 3. Platelets, isolated 24 hours after reserpine, showed a marked reduction in both histamine and serotonin compared to control platelets.
A Speckle-lnterferometry-Based Method of Deformation Analysis and Fracture Prediction for Solid-State Materials

Adeformation analysis method capable of predicting the timing and location of a fracture is introduced. This method measures the in-plane displacement of the sample and makes diagnoses based on a recent theory of plastic deformation. The prediction of a fracture is made by observing a specific optical pattem representing strain localization or analyzing the temporal characteristics of the displacement field. The theoretical basis is described and the performance of the methodis demonstrated for tensile analyses of aluminum-alloy samples. In principle, this method is applicable to any solid-state material that has an inner-structure.
Perceptual Cues to Lexical Tone in Burmese

Lexical tone in Modern Burmese is a complex contrast where systematic differences in intensity, duration, phonation type, and vowel quality operate alongside pitch distinctions. Prior phonetic studies have confirmed that speakers produce distinct values for each of these phonetic qualities with each tone (Thein Tun 1982, Watkins 2005, Gruber 2010). This study asked twelve native speakers of Burmese to identify resynthesized single syllable stimuli as bearing one of the four tones in a forced-choice test. Results indicate that Burmese listeners necessarily use all three properties examined (duration, pitch, and phonation type) in their perception grammar.
Glioblastoma--more questions than answers?

Glioblastoma multiforme (GMB) is a devastating neoplasm that nearly always culminates in death within 1–2 years of diagnosis. Despite decades of intensive clinical and laboratory research, progress has been slow, partly because of limited drug delivery and tumor heterogeneity. David Reardon describes an innovative chemoradiation approach that has improved overall survival for newly diagnosed GBM patients, and details a number of promising therapeutic strategies under evaluation.
Thymic carcinoma diagnosed by using endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration

There is a paucity of literature on the use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for evaluating superior mediastinal structures, especially the thymus gland. We report a case of thymic carcinoma diagnosed by using EUS elastography with strain ratio and fine-needle aspiration (FNA). A 64-year-old woman presented with altered mental status and was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis. Further work-up suggested a superior mediastinal mass, for which she underwent EUS. A hypoechoic mass was found in the superior mediastinum at the level of the aortic arch. Real-time EUS elastography showed a predominantly blue hue to the mass concerning for malignancy. FNA of the mass was performed, which revealed numerous large neoplastic cells under a background of a small lymphoid infiltrate. Immunohistochemistry was strongly positive for PAX8, pancytokeratin, and CAM5.2. The pathologic and immunohistochemical stains were consistent with thymic carcinoma.
THE ASYMMETRIC EFFECTS OF UNCERTAINTY ON MACROECONOMIC ACTIVITY

We estimate a number of macroeconomic variables as logistic smooth transition autoregressive (LSTAR) processes with uncertainty as the transition variable. The notion is that the effects of increases in uncertainty should not be symmetrical with the effects of decreases in uncertainty. Nonlinear estimation allows us to answer several interesting questions left unanswered by a linear model. For a number of important macroeconomic variables, we show that (i) a positive shock to uncertainty has a greater effect than a negative shock and (ii) the effect of the uncertainty shock is highly dependent on the state of the economy. Hence, the usual linear estimates for the consequences of uncertainty are underestimated in circumstances such as the recent financial crisis.
Reinventing Industrial Energy Use in a Resource-Constrained World

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the progress made to date and the magnitude of the remaining opportunities, stemming both from broader use of current best practices and from a range of possible advances enabled by emerging technologies and innovations. It begins by focusing on the potential for improving energy efficiency in several major energy-consuming industries. After describing the principal barriers to deployment of energy-efficient technologies particularly in the U.S., it explores policy innovations that have successfully transformed industrial practices in five countries: the Netherlands, Denmark, India, Japan, and China. The goal is to identify lessons that can shift industry toward greater efficiency across the globe, thereby becoming part of the climate solution. The chapter also explains the dual goals of advancing energy efficiency at industrial plants and advancing product innovation for broader use are both critical to promoting the more productive consumption of energy in a resource-constrained world.
Closing the Health Care Gap in Communities: A Safety Net System Approach.

The goal of U.S. health care should be good health for every American. This daunting goal will require closing the health care gap in communities with a particular focus on the most vulnerable populations and the safety net institutions that disproportionately serve these communities. This Commentar
Architecture in Support of Citizenry: Vernon DeMars and the Berkeley Student Union

University students perennially use college campuses for social and political protest. For this reason it is important to understand how campus design conditions student activism as well as the ways architects have worked to build spaces to practice democracy and citizenship. This article turns to the administrative policies and campus planning activities leading up to the Free Speech Movement in 1964, which took place adjacent to the postwar student union building at the University of California, Berkeley. It argues that the student center and plaza, designed by the architects Vernon DeMars and Donald Hardison and landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, gave the postwar university citizenry a monumental space to practice democracy as it paved the way for civic-oriented student centers elsewhere.
THE CONCEPT OF DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT

The pattern of electricity consumption varies in the course of a day, typically reflecting the patterns of human activity — high during the day and low at night. This simple fact has fundamental implications on the electric utilities business. Adequate generating capacity has to be available to serve the demand during the peak periods, even though much of this capacity is idle during the periods of low demand (off-peak). In order to cost-effectively serve this varying demand, with both diurnal and seasonal variations, the utilities use three types of generating facilities: baseload, intermediate load, and peak load plants. Baseload plants serve the portion of the demand which is present most of the time and, as such, they are designed to operate at a constant level for most of the year and use low-cost fuels, such as coal and nuclear, resulting in low operating cost. The capital cost of these plants is, however, high. On the other hand, peaking plants that serve the peak portion of the load and operate for only about 10% of the time, have low capital but high operating costs. They rely primarily on oil- or natural gas-powered units to provide quick start capabilities. Intermediate plants meet the portion of the load that varies daily and, as implied by the term “intermediate,” their sizes and costs fall between those of baseload and peaking units.
Test Results: Consumer Spending and Borrowing Models (Two-Variable Deficit)

This chapter undertakes 17 tests of different models to determine if the government deficit has a significant, measurable crowd out effect on consumption as well as a stimulus effect. The models included six consumer spending and 11 consumer borrowing; five were OLS, 12 were 2SLS. Results overwhelmingly indicated crowd out adversely affected consumption spending. The two separate variable (Revenue, Spending) definition of the deficit was used, so regression coefficients could be calculated for each, to see if the two types had different effects.
News Media and Corporate Representation of CSR in India

Applying stakeholder theory in an international context, this study examined how Indian news media and corporations communicatively define corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the relationship...
Standardkosten III Mischungs- und Ausbringungs-Abweichungen sowie ein Beispiel der Abrechnung mit Standardkosten

Die in den vorhergehenden Kapiteln besprochenen Abweichungen gelten als ublich bei einem Standardkostensystem. Jedoch verlangen viele Produktionsprozesse die Ermittlung weiterer Abweichungen fur die drei Kostenelemente: Material, Lohne und Gemeinkosten. Oft last der Leiter der betriebswirtschaftlichen Abteilung noch andere, weitergehende Abweichungen errechnen, um der Unternehmensleitung noch bessere Informationen zu geben. Das neunte Kapitel behandelt als wichtige Falle die Mischungs- und Ausbringungs-Abweichung sowie den Instandhaltungskosten-Standard und dessen Analyse. Schlieslich bringen wir ein umfassendes Beispiel einer vollstandigen Standardkostenrechnung, um das Verfahren als geschlossenes System zu zeigen.
Designing Policies to Spur Economic Growth: How Regional Scientists Can Contribute to Future Policy Development and Evaluation

Policymakers at all levels of government try to design policies to promote economic growth. Many of these policies have a goal of attracting new businesses to an area, as new businesses are considered a key driver of local economic growth. An emerging literature suggests that such policies have heterogeneous effects on economic growth, both in terms of how the effect of the same policy may vary across locations as well as how different policies spur different types of growth. In this chapter, we discuss the insights provided by the existing literature on the effect of government policy on local economic growth. We pose questions that have not been fully answered, and for which the evidence is mixed, and discuss methodologies that future work should consider utilizing in order to answer these pressing issues. We also discuss the importance of data and the ideal types of data that should be collected and analyzed in the future. Evaluating the features and outcomes of policies will continue to be an important role for regional scientists over the next several decades, as government officials seek guidance when designing policy and allocating scarce resources.
Novice designers' use of prototypes in engineering design

Prototypes are essential tools in product design processes, but are often underutilized by novice designers. To help novice designers use prototypes more effectively, we must first determine how they currently use prototypes. In this paper, we describe how novice designers conceptualized prototypes and reported using them throughout a design project, and compare reported prototyping use to prototyping best practices. We found that some of the reported prototyping practices by novice designers, such as using inexpensive prototypes early and using prototypes to define user requirements, occurred infrequently and lacked intentionality. Participants' initial descriptions of prototypes were less sophisticated than how they later described using them and only upon prompted reflection did participants recognize more specific benefits of using prototypes.
Gelatin Scaffolds Containing Partially Sulfated Cellulose Promote Mesenchymal Stem Cell Chondrogenesis.

Articular cartilage has a limited capacity to heal after damage from injury or degenerative disease. Tissue engineering constructs that more closely mimic the native cartilage microenvironment can be utilized to promote repair. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), a major component of the cartilage extracellular matrix, have the ability to sequester growth factors due to their level and spatial distribution of sulfate groups. This study evaluated the use of a GAG mimetic, cellulose sulfate, as a scaffolding material for cartilage tissue engineering. Cellulose sulfate can be synthesized to have a similar level and spatial distribution of sulfates as chondroitin sulfate C (CSC), the naturally occurring GAG. This partially sulfated cellulose (pSC) was incorporated into a fibrous gelatin construct by the electrospinning process. Scaffolds were characterized for fiber morphology and overall stability over time in an aqueous environment, growth factor interaction, and for supporting mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogen...
“To Show Concern”: Early Coverage of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis in the American National News Media

Portraits and video coverage of the pope are familiar and standardized, strongly centered on religious events. Popes are pictured giving blessings, celebrating mass, and offering wisdom; popes are seldom presented to the public as taking selfies, addressing governments, or identifying themselves as the servants of “others.” Pope Francis, however, has firmly and consistently rejected this dichotomizing of the religious and the secular. Instead, he has fulfilled his own call “to show concern for the building of a better world” (Evangelii Gaudium, 150) through his continuing outreach, whether in Saint Peter’s Square or traveling throughout the world. Moreover, Francis has deliberately amplified his message by facilitating a visual record of his actions for delivery through print, broadcast, and electronic media. But how does coverage of Francis compare with that accorded his two immediate predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI? More specifically, what do front-page articles and photographs reveal about these popes? About the papacy?
Reversible modulation of the redox characteristics of acid-sensitive molybdenum and tungsten scorpionate complexes

The large-scale synthesis of the scorpionate ligand Ttz (hydrotris(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)borate) is reported as well as syntheses of Group VI complexes K[M(L)(CO)3] and M(L)(NO)(CO)2 (L = Ttz or Tp (hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate), M = Mo or W). The redox characteristics of the metal in these Ttz complexes are shown to be reversibly modulated by interactions between the exo-4-N lone pairs of the triazolyl rings and Bronsted or Lewis acids. The basicity of the scorpionate ligand in [M(Ttz)(CO)3]− is quantified (pKaH2O values range from 1.1 to 4.6) and found to be dependent on both the oxidation state and identity of the metal. In the presence of Bronsted acids, the observed redox behavior for the one-electron oxidation of the Group VI metal center is consistent with a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). Indeed, for both Mo and W derivatives, a one-electron oxidation decreases the pKa by ∼3.5 units.
Insomnia Comorbid with Medical Conditions

Insomnia that occurs in the setting of other medical disorders is a serious public health problem. The frequent association of insomnia with medical disorders may be due to various reasons, including prolonged immobilization that disrupt circadian rhythms and sleep hygiene, medication effects, direct effect of the illness on the brain, and anxiety associated with the illness that contributes to insomnia. Diagnosis is often made by detailed history taking, and tools such as sleep diaries, actigraphs, and nocturnal polysomnograms may also be useful. Treatment should focus on the medical disorder. Behavioral treatment and hypnotics may be used for treating insomnia.
Analysis Idealization Control for Composite Materials with Nonlinear Behavior

Reliable modeling of the physical behavior of composite structures requires the balanced consideration of each of the analysis idealizations used to go from the physical description of the composite system to the numerical analysis models used to predict the behavior. Specification and categorization of the idealization steps associated with the analysis of nonlinear composite materials is complicated by both the complexity of the idealizations needed and the close interrelationships among the idealization steps.
Dismantling White Privilege: The Black Lives Matter Movement and Environmental Justice in Canada

On August 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia, alt-right/White supremacy groups and Black Lives Matter (BLM) supporters came face-to-face regarding what to do about public monuments that celebrate key figures from slavery and the Jim Crow era. White supremacists and White nationalists did not hide their racist ideologies as they demanded that their privileged place in history not be erased. The BLM movement, which challenges state-sanctioned anti-Black racism, was ready to confront themes of White discontent and reverse racism, critiques of political correctness, and the assumption that racialized people should know their place and be content to be the subordinate other. It is easy to frame the events in Charlottesville as indicative of US-specific race problems. However, a sense that White spaces should prevail and an ongoing history of anti-Black racism are not unique to the United States. The rise of Canadian activism under the BLM banner also signals a movement to change Canadian forms of institutional racism in policing, education, and the labor market. This article responds to perceptions that the BLM movement has given insufficient attention to environmental concerns (Pellow 2016; Halpern 2017). Drawing on critical race theory as a conceptual tool, this article focuses on the Canadian context as part of the author’s argument in favor of greater collaboration between BLM and the environmental justice (EJ) movement in Canada. This article also engages with the common stereotype that Blacks in Canada have it better than Blacks in the United States.