cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Acute Care Use Patterns of Patients in a Senior Living Community Medical Practice

Objectives Primary care medical practices dedicated to the needs of older adults who dwell in independent and assisted living residences in senior living communities (SLCs) have been developed. To date, the demographic and acute medical care use patterns of patients in these practices have not been described.
Toward consistent definitions for preload and afterload—revisited

The following is the abstract of the article discussed in the subsequent letter: Norton JM. Toward consistent definitions for preload and afterload. Advan Physiol Educ 25: 53–61, 2001. Significant ...
Policy reforms and productivity differences in US food manufacturing: The case of meat, dairy, and sugar plants

Abstract This paper provides some empirical evidence of plant-level productivity growth dispersion in the US meat, dairy, sugar, and confectionery products industries and explores the government policy influences on the differences in productivity dispersion across industries. Different than the meat products industry, the dairy, sugar, and confectionery products industries enjoy government policy protection for prices of the principal raw commodity. These industries also have relatively small productivity dispersion between the best and the poorest performing plants over the study period.
Hydrogen exchange on amino acids, peptides, proteins and certain related compounds.

Abstract The numbers of hydrogens per molecule which freely exchange with hydrogen from an aqueous solvent have been determined by the isotope-exchange technique. It is found for amino acids, peptides, and proteins that all hydrogens not involved in CH bonds may be classed as exchangeable. This information may be used to determine precisely the water content of proteins by isotope equilibrium methods using hydrogen and deuterium as water tracers.
The mass spectra of some per-O-acetylaldononitriles

Abstract The mass spectra of some per- O -acetylaldono- and per- O -acetyldeoxyaldononitriles have been recorded. The major fragmentation-pathways are discussed in terms of the application of electron-impact mass-spectrometry to structural studies of aldoses. Both acetyl and deuterium-labelled acetyl derivatives are included. The spectra are useful in verifying the position of the deoxy group(s) of deoxyaldoses.
Apparent paralytic shellfish poisoning in captive herring gulls fed commercial scallops

This report describes an acute poisoning event observed in captive herring gull (Larus argentatus) chicks fed a batch of store-bought scallops. They developed a characteristic acute syndrome, that has not hitherto been reported in birds and the cause of which remains to be identified. We suggest that it is a variant of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) insofar as it was paralytic and caused by shellfish. However, analyses by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to identify known toxins (saxitoxins, brevetoxins, domoic acid) in the scallops were negative.
Integrated Molecular Orbital Method with Harmonic Cap for Molecular Forces and Its Application to Geometry Optimization and the Calculation of Vibrational Frequencies

When applied to large systems, the integrated-levels strategy has been demonstrated to be a good approximation for the calculation of energy differences with an accuracy comparable to the accuracy that would be obtained by a single-level calculation at the higher level with only a part of its computational expense. In the present paper we introduce a modification to the original integrated method, namely, an additive harmonic term that allows a very simple and general extension of the integrated methods to the calculation of forces (gradients), optimization of geometries, and calculation of harmonic vibrational frequencies. The new method, called integrated molecular orbital method with harmonic cap (IMOHC), has been successfully tested by calculating the C−H bond distances, vibrational frequencies, and bond energies in the ethane molecule. The method should serve as an efficient method for creating dual-level methods of the QM:MM and IMOMO variety, and the forces can be used to drive classical (Car−Parri...
Quantitative mechanical analysis of thin compressible polymer monolayers on oxide surfaces

A clear understanding of the mechanical behavior of nanometer thick films on nanostructures, as well as developing versatile approaches to characterize their mechanical properties, are of great importance and may serve as the foundation for understanding and controlling molecular interactions at the interface of nanostructures. Here we report on the synthesis of thin, compressible polyethylene glycol (PEG) monolayers with a wet thickness of <20 nm on tin dioxide (SnO2) nanofibers through silane-based chemistries. Nanomechanical properties of such thin PEG films were extensively investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). In addition, tip–sample interactions were carefully studied, with different AFM tip modifications (i.e., hydrophilic and hydrophobic) and in different ionic solutions. We find that the steric forces dominate the tip–sample interactions when the polymer film is immersed in solution with salt concentrations similar to biological media (e.g., 1× phosphate buffer solution), while van der Waals and electrostatic forces have minimal contributions. A Dimitriadis thin film polymer compression model shows that the linear elastic regime is reproducible in the initial 50% indentation of these films which have tunable Young's moduli ranging from 5 MPa for the low molecular weight films to 700 kPa for the high molecular weight PEG films. Results are compared with the same PEG films deposited on silicon substrates which helped quantify the structural properties and understand the relationship between the structural and the mechanical properties of PEG films on the SnO2 fibers.
Electrochemical Deposition of Metals in the Preparation of Standard Materials for Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry

This paper reports on novel efforts to prepare standard materials for glow discharge mass spectrometric (GDMS) applications by electrolytically depositing trace quantities of transition metal ions onto the surface of a compressed silver electrode. These electrodes are then pulverized and recompacted for use in GDMS. Preparation of suitable standards would allow analysis by standard addition or isotopic dilution methods. The direct addition of aqueous standards to a silver powder was not an effective method of standard preparation, initiating the search for an alternative technique. Methods for the successful electrodeposition of copper, zinc, nickel, and lead onto silver are provided, as are the initial mass spectrometric results for copper which appear promising.
Leisure Well-Being

Leisure typically refers to the use of discretionary time. That is, a person experiencing leisure is experiencing the time remaining after work. Thus, leisure is total time minus time spent on nondiscretionary activities. This definition of leisure is grounded in traditional economic theory, which divides human activities in terms of time spent on production, consumption, and leisure. In this chapter, I will describe selected research in QOL studies related to the use of leisure time that is satisfying and enhancing to subjective well-being. In doing so, I will address the following questions: What is leisure well-being? Does leisure well-being contribute significantly to subjective QOL? If so, how? And what are the predictors of leisure well-being and subjective QOL?
Neuroimaging and the "Complexity" of Capital Punishment

The growing use of brain imaging technology to explore the causes of morally, socially, and legally relevant behavior is the subject of much discussion and controversy in both scholarly and popular circles. From the efforts of cognitive neuroscientists in the courtroom and the public square, the contours of a project to transform capital sentencing both in principle and in practice have emerged. In the short term, these scientists seek to play a role in the process of capital sentencing by serving as mitigation experts for defendants, invoking neuroimaging research on the roots of criminal violence to support their arguments. Over the long term, these same experts (and their like-minded colleagues) hope to appeal to the recent findings of their discipline to embarrass, discredit, and ultimately overthrow retributive justice as a principle of punishment. Taken as a whole, these short- and long-term efforts are ultimately meant to usher in a more compassionate and humane regime for capital defendants. This Article seeks to articulate, analyze, and provide a critique of this project according to the metric of its own humanitarian aspirations. It proceeds by exploring the implications of the project in light of the mechanics of capital sentencing and the heterogeneous array of competing doctrinal rationales in which they are rooted. The Article concludes that the project as currently conceived is internally inconsistent and would, if implemented, result in ironic and tragic consequences, producing a death penalty regime that is even more draconian and less humane than the deeply flawed framework currently in place.
Assembly of Newly Imported Oxygen-Evolving Complex Subunits in Isolated Chloroplasts: Sites of Assembly and Mechanism of Binding.

We have examined the assembly of the nuclear-encoded subunits of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) after their import into isolated intact chloroplasts. We showed that all three subunits examined (OE33, OE23, and OE17) partition between the thylakoid lumen and a site on the inner surface of the thylakoid membrane after import in a homologous system (e.g., pea or spinach subunits into pea or spinach chloroplasts, respectively). Although some interspecies protein import experiments resulted in OEC subunit binding, maize OE17 did not bind thylakoid membranes in chloroplasts isolated from peas. Newly imported OE33 and OE23 were washed from the membranes at the same concentrations of urea and NaCl as the native, indigenous proteins; this observation suggests that the former subunits are bound productively within the OEC. Inhibition of neither chloroplast protein synthesis nor light- or ATP-dependent energization of the thylakoid membrane significantly affected these assembly reactions, and we present evidence suggesting that incoming subunits actively displace those already bound to the thylakoid membrane. Transport of OE33 took place primarily in the stromal-exposed membranes and proceeded through a protease-sensitive, mature intermediate. Initial binding of OE33 to the thylakoid membrane occurred primarily in the stromal-exposed membranes, from where it migrated with measurable kinetics to the granal region. In contrast, OE23 assembly occurred in the granal membrane regions. This information is incorporated into a model of the stepwise assembly of oxygen-evolving photosystem II.
Analyzing tabular requirements specifications using infinite state model checking

This paper investigates the application of infinite state model checking to the formal analysis of requirements specifications in the SCR (software cost reduction) tabular notation using action language verifier (ALV). After reviewing the SCR method and tools and the action language, experimental results are presented of formally analyzing two SCR specifications using ALV, The application of ALV to verify or falsify (by generating counterexamples) the state and transition invariants of SCR specifications and to check disjointness and coverage properties is described. ALV is compared with the verification techniques that have been integrated into the SCR toolset.
Influence of Sun-view geometries on the relationships among vegetation indices, LAI, and absorbed PAR

The absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR) and leaf area index (LAI) of vegetated surfaces have been addressed as important parameters to be included in growth and productivity models. However, surface heterogeneities render the signal detected by the remote sensor sensitive to illumination/view geometry and background (e.g. soil, litter) reflectance properties. In addition, there is the influence of the intervening and variable atmosphere. In this study, the Myneni radiative canopy model in conjunction with the '65' atmospheric model, were used to simulate the optical properties of both uniform and heterogeneous vegetated surfaces. The relationships among fAPAR, LAI, and VIs under various Sun-view geometries are investigated. >
Mining Purpose-Based Authorization Strategies in Database System

With the development of computer and communication technology, access control of the resources in databases has become an issue focused by both consumers and enterprises. Moreover, the new concept of purpose-based authorization strategies is widely used instead of the traditional one of role-based strategies. The way of acquiring the optimal authorization strategies is an important problem. In this paper, an approach of mining authorization strategies based on purpose in database system is proposed. For obtaining the optimal authorization strategies of the resources in databases for supporting various purposes, an algorithm of clustering purposes is designed, which is based on the inclusion relationship among resources required by the purposes. The resultant purpose hierarchy is used for guiding the initial authorization strategies. The approach provides valuable insights into the authorization strategies of database system and delivers a validation and reinforcement of initial strategies, which is helpful to the database administration. The approach can be used not only in database system, but also in any access control system such as enterprise MIS or web service composing system. Theories and experiments show that this mining approach is more effective and efficient.
Bearing estimation using Hopfield neural network

A neural network algorithm for bearing estimation is introduced. It utilizes a basic and proven property of Hopfield neural networks, i.e. the guaranteed convergence to a local minimum of the Lyapunov energy function. Unlike the previous methods, the new method estimates the in-phase and quadratic components separately and in a parallel manner and combines them to estimate the bearings of plane waves to an array. The connection parameters of the neural networks are calculated for both components with a significant reduction in computation in comparison with the previous methods. Furthermore, the new method is able to estimate the actual magnitude of each bearing component, rather than just its presence. This is accomplished by using the 1984 Hopfield model rather than the 1982 model, as opposed to the previous methods. >
Augmentation of free amino acids in eggs of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus as part of the induced spawning protocol

An attempt was made to increase free amino acids (FAA) concentrations in eggs of red snapper Lutjanus campechanus as part of an induced spawning protocol. Mature female red snapper were given intramuscular injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) at a 1100 IU kg−1 of female body weight. Immediately after the HCG injection, one set of females received an intramuscular injection of FAA in a buffered saline solution at a dose of 20 mg FAA cocktail kg−1 of body weight. The FAA cocktail was 25% isoleucine, 25% leucine, 25% lysine and 25% valine on a molecular weight basis. A second set of fish did not receive the FAA supplement. Both sets of fish were equally successful in spawning with ovulation occurring 21–32.5 h post injection. Injection of FAA into brooders as eggs began final maturation and hydration resulted in an increase in leucine (nmoles mg egg−1) and a slight increase in isoleucine (nmoles egg−1) in recently ovulated eggs. FAA supplementation via brood injection altered FAA utilization rates by embryos and during larval development, resulted in a greater yolk sac and oil globule reserve in larvae as they approached the time of first feeding.
FFT-based sonar array beamforming without corner turning

The concept of ldquocorner turningrdquo has been, for many decades, at the heart of array beamforming via Fourier transforms. As widely reported in the open literature (both for sonars and radars), corner turning operations in the computational sequence Lttemporal Fourier transforms rarr data cube corner turning rarr spatial Fourier transformsGt, constitute a major obstacle to achieve high-performance and lower power dissipation (by reducing the number memory accesses). To date, leading industry providers still include explicit corner turning stages in their computational flow architectures for multidimensional array processing. The emergence of ultra-low power multicore processors opens unprecedented opportunities for implementing sophisticated signal processing algorithms faster and within a much lower energy budget. In that context, the primary innovation reported in this paper addresses the development of a computational scheme that avoids altogether the corner turning stage. We discuss its implementation on an IBM Cell multicore processor (Sony PS3) and provide preliminary timing results.
Childhood Animal Cruelty Methods and Their Link to Adult Interpersonal Violence

Recent research has begun to establish a relationship between childhood acts of animal cruelty and later violence against humans. However, few studies have focused on the influence of animal cruelty methods on later interpersonal violence. In a replication of a study by Hensley and Tallichet (2009) and based on a sample of 180 inmates at medium- and maximum-security prisons in a Southern state, the present study examines the relationship between several retrospectively identified animal cruelty methods (drowned, hit, shot, kicked, choked, burned, and sex) and interpersonal violence committed against humans. Four out of 5 inmates reported hitting animals. Over one third of the sample chose to shoot or kick animals, while 1 in 5 had sex with them. Less then one fifth of the sample drowned or choked animals, while less than one sixth of the inmates burned animals. Regression analyses revealed that the age at which offenders began committing animal cruelty and having sex with animals were predictive of adult interpersonal violence.
Understanding Chinese American Adolescents' Developmental Outcomes: Insights from the Family Stress Model.

In this brief report, we investigated whether the Family Stress Model could be replicated with a sample of Chinese American families. Path analyses with 444 adolescents and their parents provided support for the model's generalizability. Specifically, mothers' and fathers' reports of economic status (i.e., income, financial, and job instability) were associated with parents' economic stress. Economic stress and economic status were related to parental depressive symptoms, which, in turn, were associated with more hostile and coercive parenting, less nurturing and involved parenting, and greater interparental hostility. Finally, mothers' hostile and coercive parenting was directly related to both adolescents' academic and sociobehavioral outcomes, whereas fathers' nurturing and involved parenting was related to academic but not sociobehavioral outcomes.
Determination of bovine serum albumin conjugated drugs by immobilization as microarrays and oblique-incidence reflectivity difference microscopy

Human serum is a mixture of various proteins which may interact with drugs. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the binding kinetics of pharmaceuticals with their corresponding antibodies in serum. In this article, microarrays and a label-free biosensor were used to study these interactions. Microarrays provide a high-throughput platform for characterizing biomolecular interactions, and the label-free oblique-incidence reflectivity difference biosensor avoids the drawbacks of fluorescence-based methods. The experimental results show that the binding affinities between most of the drugs and their antibodies were reduced in human serum because the bulky proteins block the access to or reduce the stability of the reaction complexes. Therefore, one should be mindful when in vitro or in vivo testing the efficiency of potential drugs and their antibodies.
An apparatus for rapidly preparing protein samples for hydrolysis.

Abstract A device is described which allows 12 samples to be prepared for acid hydrolysis in approximately 1 h. Screw-cap test tubes containing the weighed samples are placed into the apparatus along with 6 n HCl reagent. Air is removed rapidly and simultaneously from samples and reagent by alternate evacuation and nitrogen flushing. Reagent is measured into the sample tubes, and caps are threaded into place under a nitrogen atmosphere.
Characterization and Mechanistic Studies of a Novel Melanoma-Targeting Construct Containing IκBa for Specific Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB Activity

The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a central mediator of growth and homeostasis for both normal and neoplastic cells. IκBα is the natural intracellular inhibitor of NF-κB and can effectively complex with and thereby inhibit the biologic activity and translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus. We designed a fusion protein designated IκBα/scFvMEL composing of human IκBα and the single-chain antibody scFvMEL, targets melanoma gp240 antigen. Cells treated with IκBα/scFvMEL before irradiation showed specifically inhibition of both constitutive and radiation-induced NF-κB activity on gp240 antigen-positive A375M cells. Pretreatment of A375M cells with IκBα/scFvMEL significantly sensitized melanoma cells to ionizing radiation assessed using a clonogenic survival assay. Mechanistic studies showed that IκBα/scFvMEL, when exogenously added to A375M cells, could be coimmunoprecipitated with the p65 subunit of NF-κB. IκBα/scFvMEL inhibited in a time and/or dose-dependent manner of tumor necrosis factor α- or radiation-induced NF-κB activity in vitro. IκBα/scFvMEL was also shown to specifically inhibit the translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit to the cell nucleus and NF-κB-mediated gene transcription. Further, initial studies showed that mice bearing well-established A375M xenografts were treated (intravenously) with IκBα/scFvMEL and showed a significant suppression of tumor growth. We also observed a decrease in levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL signaling events downstream of NF-κB in the tumor model. These studies demonstrate for the first time that tumor cell-targeted delivery of IκBα may be beneficial for the treatment of melanoma when combined with standard anticancer therapies such as radiation.
Society of Pediatric Psychology Presidential Address: Opportunities for Health Promotion in Primary Care

Objective: To set an agenda for health promotion in primary care settings. Methods: This is a review of the scientific bases of child development as applied to pediatric psychology and health promotion. Results: Primary care is an ideal setting for health promotion because there is a hidden morbidity of children with unrecognized and untreated behavioral and developmental problems that, if unresolved, may lead to psychiatric and physical disorders and increased use of the health care system. Although pediatric psychologists endorse the importance of health promotion, there are few examples in the literature involving pediatric psychologists. Recommendations are provided for a proactive agenda for health promotion programs involving pediatric psychologists in primary care. Conclusions: With conceptual homes in clinical and developmental psychology, expertise in theories of clinical and child development, scientific methods, and collaborative relationships with pediatricians, pediatric psychologists are in a unique position to develop and evaluate health promotion programs for use in primary care.
Study on Parameter Selection Using SampleBoost.

SampleBoost is an intelligent multi-class boosting algorithm that employs an error parameter combined with stratified sampling during training iterations to accommodate multi-class data sets and avoid problems associated with traditional boosting methods. In this paper we investigate the choice of the error parameter along with the preferred sampling sizes for our method. Experimental results show that lower values of the error parameter can lower the performance while larger values lead to satisfactory results. The parameter choice has noticeable effect on low sampling sizes and has less effect on data sets with low number of classes. Varying sampling sizes during training iterations achieves the least variance in the error rates. The results also show the improved performance of SampleBoost compared to other methods.
Syncronization in Hybrid Neuronal Networks

Publisher Summary The brain exhibits a number of EEG rhythms, generated by synchronous neuronal activity, that appear in particular behavioral contexts. Local rhythmic activity is particularly prominent in the hippocampal formation. This structure, which exhibits mainly feedforward excitatory connections, is crucial for learning and memory associated with episodes in one's own life and a site of critical neuropathologies in Alzheimer's disease and temporal lobe epilepsy. This chapter explores how phase–response techniques from the mathematical discipline of non-linear dynamics can be applied in cellular electrophysiological experiments. These techniques are a powerful tool for studying synchronization under normal conditions, as well as in pathological conditions like epilepsy. Applying phase-response methods in principal cells of the entorhinal cortex, this chapter elucidates that layer 2 spiny stellate cells synchronize strongly via mutual excitation. Layer 3 pyramidal cells also synchronize via mutual excitation, but less strongly. The inwardly rectifying cation conductance gH is a crucial determinant of the ability of interconnected excitatory networks to synchronize. Manipulation of gH experimentally can lead to opposing effects on excitability and synchronization. These results are discussed in the context of animal models of epilepsy.
Effect of a Cobalt-Based Oxygen Evolution Catalyst on the Stability and the Selectivity of Photo-Oxidation Reactions of a WO3 Photoanode

A bare WO3 electrode and a WO3 electrode coupled with a layer of Co−Pi oxygen evolution catalyst (OEC) were prepared to investigate the effect of Co−Pi OEC on the selectivity of photo-oxidation reactions and photostabilities of WO3 photoanodes. WO3 photoanodes have been reported to produce peroxo species as well as O2 during photo-oxidation reactions, and the accumulation of peroxo species on the surface is known to cause a gradual loss of photoactivity of WO3. The photocurrent to O2 conversion efficiencies of the WO3 and WO3/Co−Pi OEC electrodes were obtained by simultaneously measuring the photocurrent and O2 gas generated during illumination at 0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl. The result shows that the presence of OEC increases the photocurrent to O2 conversion efficiency from approximately 61% to approximately 100%. The complete suppression of peroxo formation provided the WO3/Co−Pi OEC photoelectrode with long-term photostability. The photocurrent−potential characteristics show that the presence of OEC effectively ...
Freshwater wrack along Great Lakes coasts harbors Escherichia coli: Potential for bacterial transfer between watershed environments

Abstract We investigated the occurrence, persistence, and growth potential of Escherichia coli associated with freshwater organic debris (i.e., wrack) frequently deposited along shorelines (shoreline wrack), inputs from rivers (river CPOM), and parking lot runoffs (urban litter). Samples were collected from 9 Great Lakes beaches, 3 creeks, and 4 beach parking lots. Shoreline wrack samples were mainly composed of wood chips, straw, sticks, leaf litter, seeds, feathers, and mussel shells; creek and parking lot samples included dry grass, straw, seeds, wood chips, leaf/pine needle litter; soil particles were present in parking lot samples only. E. coli concentrations (most probable number, MPN) were highly variable in all sample types: shoreline wrack frequently reached 10 5 /g dry weight (dw), river CPOM ranged from 81 to 7,916/g dw, and urban litter ranged from 0.5 to 24,952/g dw. Sequential rinsing studies showed that 61–87% of E. coli concentrations were detected in the first wash of shoreline wrack, with declining concentrations associated with 4–8 subsequent washings; viable counts were still detected even after 8 washes. E. coli grew readily in shoreline wrack and river CPOM incubated at 35 °C. At 30 °C, growth was only detected in river CPOM and not in shoreline wrack or urban litter, but the bacteria persisted for at least 16 days. In summary, freshwater wrack is an understudied component of the beach ecosystem that harbors E. coli and thus likely influences estimations of water quality and the microbial community in the nearshore as a result of transfer between environments.
The End of the Future

The television series Life after People. Aftermath of the destruction of the world: population zero. The television series The Future Is Wild and pseudo-scientific prognostication. “Seeing” the future as a fictional construct. The animals of the future. Nuclear annihilation and the reclaiming of the Earth. The collapse of human civilization. The exoticism of the end; the imagination of disaster. Conventional animal documentaries and the truth of human depredation. Man as the most dangerous animal of all.
Temperature, plants and oxygen: How does season affect constructed wetland performance?

The influence of temperature and plant-mediated oxygen transfer continues to draw attention from researchers, practitioners and regulators interested in the use of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. Because the vast majority of research on constructed wetland performance has been conducted during periods of active plant growth, the true influence of temperature, season, and plant species selection on constructed wetlands performance has not yet been evaluated adequately. In this article, we briefly summarize changes in the understanding of these influences on wetland performance, and suggest that effects of temperature and oxygen transfer are not readily separable because both factors respond to seasonal cycles and because effects of one can offset the other. We further speculate that the net effect of seasonal variation in these factors is such that plant-mediated oxygen transfer affects water treatment most in winter. Results of controlled-environment experiments conducted at Montana State University support these perspectives. Different plant species' capacities to oxidize the root zone responded differently to seasonal cycles of growth and dormancy, and species' effects on wastewater treatment were most pronounced in winter.
Structure and Li+ ion transport in a mixed carbonate/LiPF6 electrolyte near graphite electrode surfaces: a molecular dynamics study

Electrolyte and electrode materials used in lithium-ion batteries have been studied separately to a great extent, however the structural and dynamical properties of the electrolyte-electrode interface still remain largely unexplored despite its critical role in governing battery performance. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we examine the structural reorganization of solvent molecules (cyclic ethylene carbonate : linear dimethyl carbonate 1 : 1 molar ratio doped with 1 M LiPF6) in the vicinity of graphite electrodes with varying surface charge densities (σ). The interfacial structure is found to be sensitive to the molecular geometry and polarity of each solvent molecule as well as the surface structure and charge distribution of the negative electrode. We also evaluated the potential difference across the electrolyte-electrode interface, which exhibits a nearly linear variation with respect to σ up until the onset of Li+ ion accumulation onto the graphite edges from the electrolyte. In addition, well-tempered metadynamics simulations are employed to predict the free-energy barriers to Li+ ion transport through the relatively dense interfacial layer, along with analysis of the Li+ solvation sheath structure. Quantitative analysis of the molecular arrangements at the electrolyte-electrode interface will help better understand and describe electrolyte decomposition, especially in the early stages of solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) formation. Moreover, the computational framework presented in this work offers a means to explore the effects of solvent composition, electrode surface modification, and operating temperature on the interfacial structure and properties, which may further assist in efforts to engineer the electrolyte-electrode interface leading to a SEI layer that optimizes battery performance.
Nonverbal immediacy behaviors and online student engagement: bringing past instructional research into the present virtual classroom

ABSTRACTNonverbal immediacy behaviors are underresearched in the online teaching environment. Using social presence theory as a guiding framework, this study explores several online nonverbal immediacy behaviors: emoticons/figurative language, color, cohesion, visual imagery, and audio in course design; response latency, length, time of day, and message frequency in forums; and type and promptness of feedback via grading and email. Coding of 51 online courses found that more consistent use of nonverbal immediacy behaviors was related to students’ reports of higher course engagement. However, the nonverbal behaviors most associated with engagement were the ones not used as often. Findings indicate instructors can improve the effectiveness of online learning environments via nonverbal immediacy behaviors.
Sequencing of sipuleucel-T and androgen deprivation therapy in men with hormone-sensitive biochemically recurrent prostate cancer: A phase II randomized trial

Purpose: STAND, a randomized, phase II, open-label trial (NCT01431391), assessed sequencing of sipuleucel-T (an autologous cellular immunotherapy) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer (BRPC) patients at high risk for metastasis.Experimental Design: Men with BRPC following prostatectomy and/or radiotherapy, a PSA doubling time ≤12 months, and no metastasis were enrolled. Patients were randomized (34/arm) to sipuleucel-T followed by ADT (started 2 weeks after sipuleucel-T completion), or ADT followed by sipuleucel-T (started 12 weeks after ADT initiation); ADT continued for 12 months in both arms. The primary endpoint was PA2024-specific T-cell response [enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT)] over time.Results: PA2024-specific ELISPOT responses over time were similar between groups, except at week 6, where responses were higher with sipuleucel-T→ADT versus ADT→sipuleucel-T (P = 0.013). PA2024-specific T-cell proliferation responses, averaged across time points, were approximately 2-fold higher with sipuleucel-T→ADT versus ADT→sipuleucel-T (P = 0.001). PA2024-specific cellular and humoral responses and prostatic acid phosphatase-specific humoral responses increased significantly versus baseline (P < 0.001) and were maintained for 24 months (both arms). Median time-to-PSA recurrence was similar between arms (21.8 vs. 22.6 months, P = 0.357). Development of a PA2024-specific humoral response correlated with prolonged time-to-PSA progression (HR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.08-0.67; P = 0.007). Sipuleucel-T with ADT was generally well tolerated.Conclusions: Sipuleucel-T→ADT appears to induce greater antitumor immune responses than the reverse sequence. These results warrant further investigation to determine whether this sequence leads to improved clinical outcomes, as well as the independent contribution of ADT alone in terms of immune activation. Clin Cancer Res; 23(10); 2451-9. ©2016 AACR.
Accelerated Total Lymphoid Irradiation-containing Salvage Regimen for Patients With Refractory and Relapsed Hodgkin Lymphoma: 20 Years of Experience.

Purpose We report the long-term results of integrated accelerated involved field radiation therapy (IFRT) followed by total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) as part of the high-dose salvage regimen followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation or autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Methods and Materials From November 1985 to July 2008, 186 previously unirradiated patients with relapsed or refractory HL underwent salvage therapy on 4 consecutive institutional review board–approved protocols. All patients had biopsy-proven primary refractory or relapsed HL. After standard-dose salvage chemotherapy (SC), accelerated IFRT (18-20 Gy) was given to relapsed or refractory sites, followed by TLI (15-18 Gy) and high-dose chemotherapy. Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were analyzed by Cox analysis and disease-specific survival (DSS) by competing-risk regression. Results With a median follow-up period of 57 months among survivors, 5- and 10-year OS rates were 68% and 56%, respectively; 5- and 10-year EFS rates were 62% and 56%, respectively; and 5- and 10-year cumulative incidences of HL-related deaths were 21% and 29%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, complete response to SC was independently associated with improved OS and EFS. Primary refractory disease and extranodal disease were independently associated with poor DSS. Eight patients had grade 3 or higher cardiac toxicity, with 3 deaths. Second malignancies developed in 10 patients, 5 of whom died. Conclusions Accelerated IFRT followed by TLI and high-dose chemotherapy is an effective, feasible, and safe salvage strategy for patients with relapsed or refractory HL with excellent long-term OS, EFS, and DSS. Complete response to SC is the most important prognostic factor.
An empirical analysis of the public’s attitudes toward advertising chiropractic services: A comparative cross-sectional study:

The purpose of this study is to investigate current attitudes and opinions about chiropractors’ advertising and to compare them to the attitudes expressed eight years ago. This study was designed t...
Ixiim: A Maiz-Based Philosophy.

ABSTRACTThis work examines the philosophical foundation of Tucson’s highly successful Mexican American studies program. The foundation included two Maya or maiz-based concepts: In Lak’Ech and Panch...
Ludic Game Approach as Assistive Technology for Activities of Daily Living Training

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) are tasks that aim the personal and social development in the multiple daily activities focusing in the independence, autonomy and social coexistence of people with some type of disability. In this context, games developed for ADL training can be considered as assistive technology resources, contributing to provide or extend functional skills in their players. This work presents the proposition of a ludic game to assist the realization of ADL occupational therapy aimed at developing the potential of children and adolescents with neuropsychomotor impairment. In addition to the game, interaction devices were specially designed for a more intuitive use with the game in order to integrate education, rehabilitation and habilitation of people in situation of vulnerability and social risk. After testing with the users, we confirm that the game and the interaction devices can be used as ludic and therapeutic resources that stimulate users' neuropsychomotor development in the form of entertainment.
Fire regimes approaching historic norms reduce wildfire-facilitated conversion from forest to non-forest.

Extensive high-severity wildfires have driven major losses of ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests in the southwestern United States, in some settings catalyzing enduring conversions to nonforested vegetation types. Management interventions to reduce the probability of stand-replacing wildfire have included mechanical fuel treatments, prescribed fire, and wildfire managed for resource benefit. In 2011, the Las Conchas fire in northern New Mexico burned forested areas not exposed to fire for >100 yr, but also reburned numerous prescribed fire units and/or areas previously burned by wildfire. At some sites, the combination of recent prescribed fire and wildfire approximated known pre-settlement fire frequency, with two or three exposures to fire between 1977 and 2007. We analyzed gridded remotely sensed burn severity data (differenced normalized burn ratio), pre- and post-fire field vegetation samples, and pre- and post-fire measures of surface fuels to assess relationships and interactions between prescribed fire, prior wildfire, fuels, subsequent burn severity, and patterns of post-fire forest retention vs. conversion to non-forest. We found that Las Conchas burn severity was lowest, and tree survival was highest, in sites that had experienced both prescribed fire and prior wildfire. Sites that had experienced only prescribed or prior wildfire exhibited moderate burn severity and intermediate levels of forest retention. Sites lacking any recent prior fire burned at the highest severity and were overwhelmingly converted to non-forested vegetation including grassland, oak scrub, and weedy, herbaceous-dominated types. Burn severity in the Las Conchas fire was closely linked to surface woody fuel loads, which were reduced by prior wildfire and prescribed fire. Our results support the restoration of fire regimes via prescribed fire and resource benefit wildfire to promote the resiliency of forest types vulnerable to fire-mediated type conversion. The application of prescribed fire to reduce surface fuels following wildfire may reduce forest loss during subsequent fire under more extreme conditions. These findings are especially relevant given likely increases in vulnerability associated with climate change impacts to wildfire and forest dynamics.
A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Cohort Studies Examining Unintentional Injury in Young Children

Objective. Injury is the leading cause of death and long-term disability in children. Longitudinal cohorts are designed to follow subjects longitudinally in order to determine if early-life exposur...
Modeling and simulation of tree spatial patterns in an oak-hickory forest with a modular, hierarchical spatial point process framework

Abstract Modeling and simulating tree spatial distribution in complex forests is important to ecologists and applied scientists who seek to both understand pattern-creating biological processes and create realistic model forests that can be used for hypothesis testing and sampling experiments. Several patterns of tree spatial distribution can co-occur in a forest. Clustering can occur due to localized patterns of growth and mortality of larger trees and corresponding regeneration of smaller trees, while trees of medium size can exhibit more uniform patterns. Inter-tree interaction may be characterized by asymmetry of competitive strength, with larger individuals having a disproportionate influence on smaller individuals. Many point process modeling approaches exist, but few have incorporated hierarchical principles that describe inter-tree competition. Those that do sometimes assume symmetric interaction among trees, which can be unrealistic. None of the existing models allow for the use of different model types at each level of the hierarchy, something that could provide a more realistic representation of the patterns displayed by trees of different size. In this study, we model and simulate a forest using a novel, modular, hierarchical approach that allows for the use of different model types at each hierarchy level, and incorporates asymmetrical interactions as well as the effects of environmental covariates. The forest is a mid-successional 8-ha stem-mapped oak-hickory watershed in Pennsylvania, USA. Results suggest that asymmetrical interactions based on tree size do exist, and these are mediated by the effects of topography. The hierarchical models reproduce the spatial patterns found in the original data better than non-hierarchical versions of the same models. The flexibility afforded by the modularity of our modeling framework will allow simulation of forests with varying levels of complexity as well as the testing of ecological hypotheses about drivers of spatial pattern creation.
The Caspian and International Law: Like Oil and Water?

The Caspian is a particularly frustrating predicament for international legal scholars. There are almost no treaties specifying which international legal regime has to be applied, and those few that exist are riddled by omissions or are plainly obsolete. Local custom is vague and extremely inconsistent. General international law does not shed much light on the matter either. However the problem is approached, it inevitably makes scholars wonder whether the Caspian is to be legally classified as a lake or a sea. But it does not seem to be either of them. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea does not apply to the Caspian. While customary international law of the sea can help to clam the nature of coastal states’ rights, by itself it cannot help to determine their spatial extension. Similarly, the analysis of the legal regime of international watercourses, or lakes, does not shed any much more light on where or how boundaries should be traced, nor on the extent of customary competencies of Caspian states within those spatial limits. It is not possible to wholesale the legal regime of enclosed seas and/or international lakes to the Caspian without due regard to its historical, geophysical and legal peculiarity. It is up to Caspian states to decide which legal regime the Caspian should have. Customary international law can supplement any agreement they might enter into, but by itself is not enough to reconcile the conflicting interests of the Caspian states and ensure the sustainable development of regional resources.
Surface Structure by Analysis of ‘LEED’ Intensity Measurements

A brief review of the physical basis of LEED is followed by a discussion of why the determination of the surface structure of crystals by analysis of LEED intensity spectra is possible. The procedure for fixing geometrical parameters of the surface layers is illustrated by selected examples, and comments are made on ways of simplifying the structure determination and on the possible complications that can occur. Tables of structures of clean-metal surfaces and of ordered overlayers on metal surfaces are given and commented on. Overlayer systems with unusual features are singled out. Some trends in bonding on a surface are noted and represented as effective radii of adsorbed atoms.
Chimeric antigen receptor engineered allogeneic CD27-negative T cells for the treatment of CD19+ leukemia.

3046Background: Relapsed/refractory pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has a poor prognosis. Adoptive immunotherapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T cells targeted agains...
Reflections on the ``Topical Meeting on Classroom Acoustics'' at the Acoustical Society of America's spring 2005 meeting in Vancouver

I had the pleasure of co-organizing the “Topical Meeting on Classroom Acoustics” at the Acoustical Society of America’s spring 2005 meeting in Vancouver with Murray Hodgson. The topical meeting featured 26 presentations from a diverse group of international scholars; Hodgson and his research team presented seven of those. This talk will include my personal reflections from co-organizing the session with Hodgson, but also discuss the impact of the work presented by Hodgson and his students at that topical meeting. Special attention will be given to how the talks given by Hodgson and his research team demonstrate the breadth of his varied interests in classroom acoustics and point to the significant accomplishments he made in this area throughout his career. Hodgson’s body of work continues to heavily influence my own and many others who study classroom acoustics.