cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurements in a Combustor Operated on Alternative Liquid Fuels

Diminishing fossil fuel resources, ever-increasing energy cost, and the mounting concerns for environmental emissions have precipitated worldwide research on alternative fuels. Present study demonstrates low-emission combustion of diesel, biodiesel and straight vegetable oil (VO) is a dual-fuel burner employing flow blurring (FB) injector concept for fuel atomization. Measurements of temperature and CO and NOx emissions are acquired at various axial and radial locations within the combustor. A custom-designed thermocouple probe and a helium product gas sampling probe are employed to obtain the measurements. Infra-red images to depict combustor wall temperatures and visual flame images to demonstrated clean combustion are also presented. Results show that the FB injector ensured fine atomization of all three fuels irrespective of significant differences in their kinematic viscosity and surface tension properties.
Monitoring the Effects of Governments on Human Dignity: Policy Evaluation in Communist Party States

Upon returning from a recent trip to the People's Republic of China, a Western observer was asked to evaluate the impact of communism upon that particular society. Mao Tse-tung and the Chinese Communists, the observer noted, have restored dignity to Chinese society. They have made the people proud to be Chinese once again. Another Western observer of Chinese affairs has made a starkly different evaluation. In his words, communist governments in general and the Chinese regime in particular have done more to destroy the human dignity of their populations than any governments in modern political history. As I see it, the proposal (Snyder et al., 1976) to establish a Global Monitoring System (GMS) is an idea whose time has come. But while the GMS is likely to have many significant benefits, it is doubtful whether it will be able to resolve disagreements such as that noted above. In a world of ideological diversity, it will be difficult and perhaps impossible to gain universal agreement concerning the values and policies leading to the enhancement of human dignity. While a variety of different questions concerning the monitoring system can be raised, this essay explores the feasibility and advisability of attempting to use a universal set of values to represent human dignity and to employ them to evaluate political performance in Communist Party states. In order. to illustrate how specific appraisals might be made, the essay then considers the problems and prospects of assessing performance in respect to the value of industrial democracy using the illustrative case of Yugoslavia.
Rub and the Methods of Solving Balance Problem with Self-locking Conditions

Rub is a general phenomenon that exists in the nature. It's also a subject which be considered widely in the mechanical-making field. We should pay attention to the important functionality of rub and the methods to solving the balance problem with self-locking conditions.
the Application of the Kalman Filter in the Gyro’s Random Drift

Based on the random drift of the micro gyro within the MIMU, the AR model of the random drift error is created by using the time- serial and the detail method of decreasing the random drift noise by using Kalman filter is discussed in this paper. The simulating results on the practical data show that the filtering method proposed in this paper is correct and effective.
Temporal Interval Learning in Cortical Cultures Is Encoded in Intrinsic Network Dynamics.

Summary Telling time and anticipating when external events will happen is among the most important tasks the brain performs. Yet the neural mechanisms underlying timing remain elusive. One theory proposes that timing is a general and intrinsic computation of cortical circuits. We tested this hypothesis using electrical and optogenetic stimulation to determine if brain slices could "learn" temporal intervals. Presentation of intervals between 100 and 500 ms altered the temporal profile of evoked network activity in an interval and pathway-specific manner—suggesting that the network learned to anticipate an expected stimulus. Recordings performed during training revealed a progressive increase in evoked network activity, followed by subsequent refinement of temporal dynamics, which was related to a time-window-specific increase in the excitatory-inhibitory balance. These results support the hypothesis that subsecond timing is an intrinsic computation and that timing emerges from network-wide, yet pathway-specific, changes in evoked neural dynamics.
2016: Reviewing for Radiology—Reporting Guidelines and Why We Use Them

It is our hope that increased use and awareness of guideline criteria will allow for the manuscripts, at the time of submission, to be more complete and aid our reviewers in better understanding, and thus critiquing, the methodology and results of submissions they receive. Online supplemental material is available for this article.
A Method of Training Bees to Visit a Feeding Station

(1961). A Method of Training Bees to Visit a Feeding Station. Bee World: Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 8-11.
Commercial Banks and Caribbean Trade

This paper first reviews the nature of the retail educational gap, then indicates some likely courses of action to remedy the situation; a case study example is also supplied.
Collection of photoelectrons from a CsI photocathode in triple GEM detectors

A study has been made of the parameters affecting the extraction and collection of photoelectrons from the surface of a CsI photocathode in a triple GEM detector. The purpose of this study was to optimize the photoelectron collection efficiency and GEM operating conditions for the PHENIX Hadron Blind Detector (HBD) at RHIC. The parameters investigated include the electric field at the surface of the photocathode, the voltage across the GEM, the electric field below the GEM, the medium into which the photoelectrons are extracted (gas or vacuum), and the wavelength dependence of the extraction efficiency. A small, calibrated light source, or “scintillation cube”, was used to measure the photoelectron yield from the CsI photocathode using 241Am particles to produce scintillation light in CF 4 and an 55Fe source to measure the GEM gas gain. The absolute scintillation light yield (photons/MeV) in CF 4 gas was also determined using a CsI photocathode GEM detector. Results are presented on the study of the parameters affecting the photoelectron collection efficiency, the construction and calibration of the scintillation cube, and the measurement of the absolute scintillation light yield in CF 4 .
A retrospective study of the influence of the vitreomacular interface on macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion

Aims To compare anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment outcomes for macular oedema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) based on vitreoretinal interface (VRI) status. Methods This retrospective case series includes treatment-naive eyes diagnosed with RVO and treated with anti-VEGF injections. Eyes were stratified based on international VRI classification schema at baseline into three groups—vitreomacular traction (group A), no posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) (group B) and PVD without vitreomacular attachment (group C). Fifty-two eyes were identified based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. The primary endpoint was change in central subfield thickness (CST) on optical coherence tomography at 6 months. Results There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics of patients with RVO when stratified by VRI subgroups. After 6 months of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the change in CST from baseline between VRI cohorts (p=0.11). There was a trend demonstrating the greatest improvement in CST in eyes in group A compared with eyes in groups B and C (−224.13 μm, −160.88 μm and −50.92 μm, respectively, p=0.11 between cohorts). Mean change in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity from baseline to month 6 in group A compared with groups B and C was −0.25, −0.14 and −0.13, respectively (p=0.64 between cohorts). Conclusions We did not identify an association between VRI status and treatment outcomes with anti-VEGF agents for ME secondary to RVO.
Effects of intensive systolic blood pressure control on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in persons without kidney disease

Incidence of chronic kidney disease is reported to be higher with intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering, but the public health significance of this observation is unclear. The authors pe...
The Global Education Policy Field: Characterization, Conceptualization, Contribution

Before delving into the trajectory of the Education with Community Participation program presented in this book, the present chapter first addresses the nature of the global education policy field. In doing so, it describes the evolution of this field and the dynamics that characterize it from the 1940s onward. The focus is to depict the “international political space in which policy agencies compete for influencing the shape of national and international education policy” (Jakobi, Glob Soc Educ 7: 473–487, 2009, p. 477). Following this characterization, the chapter reviews multiple approaches to investigating global education policies. This is done both to clarify the range of approaches employed by scholars and to situate the approach employed in this book. The approaches reviewed in this chapter are known as (or are grounded in) World Culture Theory (a.k.a., World Society Theory), international political economy, international relations and global governance, policy sociology, political perspectives, and anthropological perspectives.
School vulnerability to disaster: examination of school closure, demographic, and exposure factors in Hurricane Ike’s wind swath

Damage and destruction to schools from climate-related disasters can have significant and lasting impacts on curriculum and educational programs, educational attainment, and future income-earning potential of affected students. As such, assessing the potential impact of hazards is crucial to the ability of individuals, households, and communities to respond to natural disasters, extreme events, and economic crises. Yet, few studies have focused on assessing the vulnerability of schools in coastal regions of the USA. Using Hurricane Ike’s tropical storm wind swath in the State of Texas as our study area, we: (1) assessed the spatial distribution patterns of school closures and (2) tested the relationship between school closure and vulnerability factors (namely physical exposure and school demographics) using zero-inflated negative binomial regression models. The regression results show that higher probabilities of hurricane strikes, more urbanized school districts, and school districts located in coastal counties on the right side of Ike’s path have significant positive associations with an increase in the number of school closure days. Socioeconomic characteristics were not significantly associated with the number of days closed, with the exception of proportion of Hispanic youth in schools, a result which is not supported by the social vulnerability literature. At a practical level, understanding how hurricanes may adversely impact schools is important for developing appropriate preparedness, mitigation, recovery, and adaptation strategies. For example, school districts on the right side of the hurricane track can plan in advance for potential damage and destruction. The ability of a community to respond to future natural disasters, extreme events, and economic crises depends in part on mitigating these adverse effects.
Determining characteristics of artificial near-Earth objects using observability analysis

Abstract Observability analysis is a method for determining whether a chosen state of a system can be determined from the output or measurements. Knowledge of state information availability resulting from observability analysis leads to improved sensor tasking for observation of orbital debris and better control of active spacecraft. This research performs numerical observability analysis of artificial near-Earth objects. Analysis of linearization methods and state transition matrices is performed to determine the viability of applying linear observability methods to the nonlinear orbit problem. Furthermore, pre-whitening is implemented to reformulate classical observability analysis. In addition, the state in observability analysis is typically composed of position and velocity; however, including object characteristics beyond position and velocity can be crucial for precise orbit propagation. For example, solar radiation pressure has a significant impact on the orbit of high area-to-mass ratio objects in geosynchronous orbit. Therefore, determining the time required for solar radiation pressure parameters to become observable is important for understanding debris objects. In order to compare observability analysis results with and without measurement noise and an extended state, quantitative measures of observability are investigated and implemented.
Atomic force microscopy of phase separation on ruptured, giant unilamellar vesicles

Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are synthetic model systems widely used in biophysical studies of lipid membranes. Phase separation behaviors of lipid species in these two model systems differ due to the lipid-substrate interactions that are present only for SLBs. Therefore, GUVs are believed to resemble natural cell membranes more closely, and a very large body of literature focuses on applying nano-characterization techniques to quantify phase separation on GUVs. However, one important technique, atomic force microscopy (AFM), has not yet been used successfully to study phase separation on GUVs. In the present study, we report that in binary systems, certain phase domains on GUVs retain their original shapes and patterns after the GUVs rupture on glass surfaces. This enabled AFM experiments on phase domains from binary GUVs containing 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC) and either 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) or 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC). These DLPC/DSPC and DLPC/DPPC GUVs both presented two different gel phases, one of which (bright phase) included a relatively high concentration of DiI-C20 but excluded Bodipy-HPC, and the other of which (dark phase) excluded both probes. The bright phases are of interest because they seem to stabilize dark phases against coalescence. Results suggested that the gel phases labeled by DiI-C20 in the DLPC/DSPC membrane, which surround the dark gel phase, is an extra layer of membrane, indicating a highly curved structure that might stabilize the interior dark domains. This phenomenon was not found in the DLPC/DPPC membrane. These results show the utility of AFM on collapsed GUVs, and suggest a possible mechanism for stabilization of lipid domains.
A comparison of methods used to monitor groundwater inundation of sea turtle nests

Abstract Sea turtle eggs are at risk of inundation and erosion throughout their incubation. Inundation reduces gas exchange necessary for proper embryonic development with prolonged exposure resulting in mortality. Management actions such as nest relocation may reduce this threat; however, they are often undertaken with incomplete information (e.g., tolerance of sea turtle embryos to inundation, and knowledge of the environmental differences between the original and final nest locations). Despite the need to understand the risk of sea turtle nest inundation, few studies measure inundation directly, and those that have, used PVC-based equipment with limited sampling resolution and measurement precision. To improve in situ inundation monitoring, we tested the use of electronic water level loggers (HOBO U20L-04) at loggerhead sea turtle nests, and compared costs, benefits, and limitations of this equipment to the PVC devices used in previous research. The HOBO loggers demonstrated >90% correlation with the PVC inundation devices in inundation frequency for both experimental sites and incubating nests. PVC devices tended to overestimate inundation duration (24.7 ± 5.0 h SE) and underestimate inundation severity (14.6% ± 6.6% SE) compared to the HOBO loggers. The greater temporal resolution and measurement precision of the HOBO logger provided higher quality data pertaining to inundation stress in the nests during inundation events over the PVC devices. Small-scale studies of inundation tolerance and other physiological responses to inundation would benefit from this improved data quality; however, the cost of each unit and associated software and hardware may be prohibitive for some monitoring programs. The PVC devices are low cost and simple to mass-produce, lending their use for large-scale monitoring efforts to better inform relocation decisions and productivity assessments.
Soft Computing Tools to Predict Progression of Percent Embedment of Aggregates in Chip Seals

In this study, soft computing and multilinear regression techniques were employed to develop models for prediction of progression of chip seal percent embedment depth (Pe). The model uses inputs su...
Erring on the Side of Antitrust Enforcement When in Doubt in Data-Driven Mergers

This essay was written as part of a tribute honoring Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg, U.S. Court of Appeals, DC Circuit. This essay makes a case for tilting in favor of antitrust enforcement when in doubt in cases involving "big data"-driven mergers, but continuing to adopt a cautious approach toward claims of unlawful exclusions against dominant digital platforms that are seemingly based on their collection (and use) of large amounts of user data through organic growth.
Hemofiltration and Ultrafiltration: Nursing Concerns

In the past two decades, new methods and techniques of extracorporeal therapy have brought about vast improvement and concurrent expansion of its clinical role. Previously, dialysis and isolated ultrafiltration had been the mainstay therapy for patients with acute oliguric renal failure. Dialysis, from a clinical standpoint, is the removal of endogenous and exogenous toxins and other harmful substances from the body fluids by differential diffusion across a semipermeable membrane. Mass transfer across a semipermeable membrane is based on two mechanisms, diffusion and ultrafiltration. Diffusion, a conductive process, is a passive transfer of solutes across a membrane. Ultrafiltration is a convective process in which simultaneous transfer of solutes and solvent across the membrane occurs. In the past, ultrafiltration procedures were performed only in isolated fashion; either predialysis or postdialysis, ultrafiltration was used to remove significant amounts of fluid in relatively small periods of time, i.e., 2–6 hours. This rapid removal of 2–3 liters of fluid could produce hemodynamic instability in acutely ill patients.
The availability of social support reduces cardiovascular reactivity to acute psychological stress

The influence of the availability of social support on cardiovascular reactivity to acute psychological stress was examined. Twenty-eight men and twenty-one women performed a speech task either in a support availability or no support availability condition while measures of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were assessed. Consistent with past research, the speech stressor was associated with significant increases in SBP, DBP, and HR. More important, the availability of social support moderated cardiovascular reactivity to the acute stressor: individuals in the support availability condition were characterized by lower SBP and DBP reactivity to the acute stressor compared to individuals in the no support availability condition. These data suggest that simply having potential access to support is sufficient to foster adaptation to stress in the absence of enacted support.
Comparing Human and Animal Cancer Risk Models Using Multistage Theory: Exponential vs. Relative vs. Additive Risk

Comparing human and animal cancer risk assessments often results in inconsistencies due to different extrapolation methodologies. Descriptive relative risk models using cumulative dose are typically used in human epidemiological studies, whereas multistage additive risk models using dose rate are typically used in high dose animal studies to extrapolate to human exposures. Biologically motivated nonclonal and clonal multistage risk models are reviewed for their unifying role in consistently comparing human and animal risks and for suggesting alternate cumulative dose epidemiological risk models.
Granulomatous Inflammation in Bladder Wash Specimens After Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Therapy for Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder

The authors retrospectively reviewed a series of bladder wash cytologic specimens and concurrently available bladder biopsy samples to evaluate granulomatous inflammation in patients receiving intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Comparisons were made during the 2-month period following six weekly BCG instillations in 25 patients and during the 1-year period following the last dose of BCG in 23 patients. At some point during the 2-month follow-up period, cytologic specimens contained free histiocytes in 64%, histiocyte aggregates (resembling fragments of granulomas) in 76%, and multinucleated histiocytic giant cells in 56% of patients. Similarly, concurrent biopsy samples contained granulomas in 78% and multinucleated giant cells in 56% of patients. During the 1-year period following the last dose of BCG, inflammatory changes peaked within the first 3 months and gradually resolved at 9-12 months. In none of these instances were the cytologic features of granulomatous inflammation misinterpreted as malignant. It was concluded that the cytologic findings after intravesical BCG are more specific than previously realized and closely parallel the histologic changes seen in corresponding bladder biopsy specimens.
- Kinetics of Non-Isothermal Crystallization Syndiotactic Polypropylene: Avrami, Ozawa, and Kissinger Approaches

It is well-known that a semi-crystalline polymer, such as Syndiotactic Polypropylene (sPP), crystallizes when subjected to a cooling regime whether it is isothermal or non-isothermal. The physical properties of semi-crystalline polymers are strongly dependent on the crystalline structure formed and the extent of the crystallization during processing. It is, therefore, very important to understand the processing–structure–property inter-relationships of the materials such as sPP. This chapter discusses the kinetics of non-isothermal crystallization of sPP using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The data are analyzed based on the modified Avrami and Ozawa approaches. The non-isothermal melt crystallization exotherms show that as the cooling rate increases the temperature at 1% relative crystallinity, the peak temperature, and the temperature at 99% relative crystallinity moves towards the lower temperature range. The crystallization half-time decreases as the cooling rate increases. This suggests that crystallization is completed in a shorter time-period as the cooling rate increases. Analysis of the time dependent relative crystallinity reveals that the Avrami exponent lies in the range of 4.5 to 6.1. Whereas, analysis of the temperature dependent relative crystallinity suggests that the Ozawa exponent ranges from 1.7 to 3.7. The activation energy for non-isothermal melt crystallization is also calculated based on the Kissinger method.
A Guide for Implementing Tridiagonal Solvers on GPUs

Tridiagonal solvers are important building blocks for many applications on GPUs. Although a wide range of algorithms and optimizations have been proposed for tridiagonal solvers, there are no comprehensive guidelines for building a high-performance tridiagonal solver for GPUs. In this chapter, we review and summarize several existing optimization strategies, and systematically analyze the purpose for each optimization. Finally, a case study, called SPIKE-CR, is given to demonstrate how to apply the guidelines to build a high-performance GPU tridiagonal solver.
Recent Developments in Cayley Hash Functions

In 1994, Tillich and Zemor proposed a scheme for a family of hash functions. In the scheme, they used products of \(2 \times 2\) matrices in special linear group over a field. Since then, other hash functions based on the Tillich and Zemor’s design have been proposed. These cryptographic hash functions are called Cayley hash functions because of the correspondence between their constructions and Cayley graphs of (semi)groups. Most instances of Cayley hash functions have been proved insecure, but the algorithms used to break Cayley hash functions target specific vulnerabilities of each underlying (semi)group used. However, these algorithms don’t seem to invalidate the generic scheme. An overview is presented of some of the latest proposals for Cayley hash functions and related open problems.
The Relative Reinforcing Value of Snack Foods in Response to Consumption of Sugar- or Non-Nutritive-Sweetened Beverages

The effects of sugar and non-nutritive sweetener on the regulation of appetite and energy intake remain controversial. Using a behavioral economic choice paradigm, we sought to determine the effect...
The Construction of Transnational Remembrance in the War Cemeteries of the Twentieth Century

In the anniversary years of 2018 and 2019, it is important to take a close look at the war cemeteries commemorating the world war conflicts. These sites are crucial places for sustaining and even creating transnational, collective memory. By studying the memory work the war cemeteries accomplish, scholars have increased their knowledge of and understanding about these driving, foundational power structures. The following essays focus on the construction, design and reception of war cemeteries, and together the essays reveal complex layering of social, political and cultural contexts of these crucial sites of war memory.
The Effect of Organic Diluent on the Extraction of Eu(III) by HEH[EHP]

ABSTRACTBecause there are fewer tools available to probe the interactions therein, the effect of the fundamental chemistry of the organic diluent on solvent extraction equilibria has been under-cha...
Co-Occurrence of Rarest Type of Dysphagia Lusoria (Type N-1) and Eosinophilic Esophagitis in a Cognitively Disabled Individual.

Dysphagia is an expressive symptom, described by an individual as “difficulty in swallowing.” Dysphagia due to esophageal compression from an aberrant right subclavian artery is rare, and it is termed as “dysphagia lusoria.” We present a rare case of co-occurrence of dysphagia lusoria with esophageal eosinophilia in a patient with cognitive disability which portends a case with diagnostic challenge and treatment dilemma. A 31-year-old man with intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, previous history of feeding difficulty, and esophageal food impaction presented with esophageal foreign body impaction. He has no known history of atopy and food allergies. There was no laboratory evidence of peripheral eosinophilia. The IgE-mediated allergic test was unremarkable. His prior presentation revealed a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis. The imaging studies showed proximal esophageal dilatation with extrinsic compression at the level of the upper esophagus. The foreign bodies were removed successfully through the help of upper endoscopy. Subsequent evaluation revealed a rare type of dysphagia lusoria (type N-1) due to an aberrant left subclavian artery arising from the right-sided aortic arch. The patient’s family refused further management of artery lusoria. Prolonged stasis of secretions and food in the esophagus can also lead to increased esophageal eosinophils. In our case, it remains undetermined whether increased number of esophageal eosinophils resulted from primary eosinophilic esophagitis or due to prolonged food stasis from esophageal compression caused by an aberrant subclavian artery. However, food impaction right above the compression site makes dysphagia lusoria the likely etiology.
Promotion of T Regulatory Cells in Mice by B Cells and BAFF.

In addition to promoting B cell expansion, overexpression of BAFF promotes expansion of T cells, including T regulatory (Treg) cells. To determine the relationships among BAFF, B cells, and Treg cells, a panel of C57BL/6 (B6) congenic mice was tested. Treg cells were disproportionately expanded in mice expressing a Baff transgene (B6.BTg) and were disproportionately contracted in mice deficient in BAFF (B6.Baff-/- ). In vitro suppressor activities of B6 wild-type, B6.BTg, and B6.Baff-/- Treg cells were identical, as was in vitro generation of Treg cells. In vivo proliferation of Treg cells was greatest in B6.BTg mice, whereas in vivo survival of Treg cells was lowest in B6.Baff-/- mice. B cells promoted BAFF-independent Treg cell expansion in vivo, as evidenced by the correlation between B cells and percentages of Treg cells in B6.Baff-/- mice and by the greater percentages of Treg cells in B6.Bcl2Tg mice (which harbor B cells largely independent of BAFF because of expression of a Bcl2 transgene) than in B6 wild-type mice despite the lower serum BAFF levels in the former than in the latter. Experiments with BAFF-deficient B6.Baff-/- Bcl2Tg mice, B cell-deficient B6.μMT mice, BAFF-overexpressing/B cell-deficient B6.BTg.μMT mice, and BAFF-deficient/B cell-deficient B6.Baff-/- μMT mice demonstrated that, in a host that harbors B cells, the effect of BAFF on Treg cells goes beyond its ability to expand the B cell population and is additional to the BAFF-independent effect of B cells on Treg cells. These findings may have considerable relevance to the treatment of B cell-associated autoimmune diseases.
Two trillion gallons: Fuel savings from fuel economy improvements to US light-duty vehicles, 1975–2018

Abstract Since 1975, the fuel economy of new light-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. has almost doubled. Fuel economy improvements on laboratory tests gradually became real improvements on the road as newer, more efficient vehicles replaced older less efficient ones. Fleet-wide fuel economy gains produced large fuel savings. In this paper, we show that fuel economy gains measured on laboratory test cycles, adjusted for on-road conditions and weighted by the distribution of vehicles by age and their relative use, closely match estimates by the Federal Highway Administration based primarily on traffic counts and motor fuel tax records. Adjusting for the rebound effect of fuel economy on vehicle miles traveled, we estimate the fuel savings, CO2 emissions reductions and dollars saved on fuel due to fuel economy improvements over the past 43 years. Through the end of 2018, estimated cumulative fuel savings amount to approximately 2 trillion gallons of gasoline. We estimate that roughly one-fifth of the savings can be attributed to gasoline price increases over the period and four-fifths to fuel economy and greenhouse gas (ghg) standards.
Perceived performance goal barriers of Olympic athletes: An exploratory study

Background: Goal pursuit is not without its challenges because athletes may encounter barriers along the way. Moreover, these barriers may or may not produce positive affect in the setting of goals or performances. Therefore, this study explored the perceptions of Olympic athletes and their experiences encountering performance goal barriers. Materials and Methods: A qualitative methodology was used to collect data from participants using semi-structured interviews. The interviews focused on their goals and goal setting including the barriers they perceived during their athletic career. These interviews served as the major data source and generation of the relevant themes. The purposefully sampled participants who agreed to be interviewed were scheduled according to a date and time that best suited their calendars. Participants were seven male individual sport Olympic athletes, representing four sports. These elite athletes competed in a total of 10 Games. The average age at their first Olympics was 25.1 years old. Results: The analysis indicated that participants reported experiencing injury as their primary barrier. Participants did not mention facilities or equipment as a potential barrier. Furthermore, although they encountered barriers, they were reluctant to modify their long-term goals by remaining committed to their goals. Conclusion: Research findings revealed that coaches, athletes, and strength and conditioning staff should pay particular attention to training and competition schedules that may initiate or aggravate injury. Moreover, all sports personnel should be cognizant that athletes can experience stress due to injury or illness. Therefore, goal setting should include planning and strategies to collaboratively deal with potential barriers.
Transport Measurement of Landau Level Gaps in Bilayer Graphene with Layer Polarization Control

Landau level (LL) gaps are important parameters for understanding electronic interactions and symmetry-broken processes in bilayer graphene (BLG). Here we present transport spectroscopy measurements of LL gaps in double-gated suspended BLG with high mobilities in the quantum Hall regime. By using bias as a spectroscopic tool, we measure the gap Δ for the quantum Hall (QH) state at filling factors ν = ±4 and -2. The single-particle Δ(ν=4) scales linearly with magnetic field B and is independent of the out-of-plane electric field E⊥. For the symmetry-broken ν = -2 state, the measured values of Δ(ν=-2) are ∼1.1 meV/T and 0.17 meV/T for singly gated geometry and dual-gated geometry at E⊥ = 0, respectively. The difference between the two values arises from the E⊥. dependence of Δ(ν=-2), suggesting that the ν = -2 state is layer polarized. Our studies provide the first measurements of the gaps of the broken symmetry QH states in BLG with well-controlled E⊥ and establish a robust method that can be implemented for studying similar states in other layered materials.
Basic Geometric Dispersion Theory of Decision Making Under Risk: Asymmetric Risk Relativity, New Predictions of Empirical Behaviors, and Risk Triad

Many studies have spotlighted significant applications of expected utility theory (EUT), cumulative prospect theory (CPT), and mean-variance in assessing risks. We illustrate that these models and ...
Factors Related to Positive Memory Count Among Trauma-Exposed Individuals: A Scoping Review.

To examine the existing knowledge base on trauma experiences and positive memories, we conducted a scoping review of trauma and post-trauma factors related to positive memory count. In July 2019, w...
Cost and energy efficient cyclic separation of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural from an aqueous solution

The efficient separation of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) – a platform chemical in biomass valorization – from the reactive aqueous mixture of sugars is key to improving its economic production. Here we demonstrate a cyclic fixed-bed process that selectively adsorbs HMF from the aqueous phase, purifies the solute, and enables its subsequent desorption in a suitable solvent for downstream applications. This intensified process bypasses the traditional energy-intensive recovery of HMF via vacuum distillation. The adsorption and desorption performances of a commercially available polymer-based spherical activated carbon (PBSAC) are quantified in batch and continuous systems. The effects of temperature (25–90 °C) and co-existence of other components from the fructose dehydration reaction (fructose, formic acid, and levulinic acid) on adsorption are evaluated. Model predictions based on parameters extracted from batch isotherms describe reasonably the continuous experimental breakthrough curve with suitable transport parameters. It is demonstrated that HMF can be selectively purified and recovered, and the adsorption column can be reused for at least seven cycles tested here. A simple analysis further showcases nearly tenfold cost and energy savings for HMF separation. The framework outlined here can be applied to other biomass solutes.
Genome-wide variation in betacoronaviruses.

The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2 originated in bats and adapted to infect humans. Several SARS-CoV-2 strains have been identified. Genetic variation is fundamental to virus evolution and, in response to selection pressure, is manifested as the emergence of new strains and species adapted to different hosts or with novel pathogenicity. The combination of variation and selection forms a genetic footprint on the genome, consisting of the preferential accumulation of mutations in particular areas. Properties of betacoronaviruses contributing to variation and the emergence of new strains and species are beginning to be elucidated. To better understand their variation, we profiled the accumulation of mutations in all species in the genus Betacoronavirus, including SARS-CoV-2 and two other species that infect humans: SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Variation profiles identified both genetically stable and variable areas at homologous locations across species within the genus Betacoronavirus. The S glycoprotein is the most variable part of the genome and is structurally disordered. Other variable parts include proteins 3 and 7 and ORF8, which participate in replication and suppression of antiviral defense. In contrast, replication proteins in ORF1b are the least variable. Collectively, our results show that variation and structural disorder in the S glycoprotein is a general feature of all members of the genus Betacoronavirus, including SARS-CoV-2. These findings highlight the potential for the continual emergence of new species and strains with novel biological properties and indicate that the S glycoprotein has a critical role in host adaptation. IMPORTANCE Natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 and vaccines triggers the formation of antibodies against the S glycoprotein, which are detected by antibody-based diagnostic tests. Our analysis showed that variation in the S glycoprotein is a general feature of all species in the genus Betacoronavirus, including three species that infect humans: SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV. The variable nature of the S glycoprotein provides an explanation for the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the differentiation of SARS-CoV-2 into strains, and the probability of SARS-CoV-2 repeated infections in people. Variation of the S glycoprotein also has important implications for the reliability of SARS-CoV-2 antibody-based diagnostic tests and the design and deployment of vaccines and antiviral drugs. These findings indicate that adjustments to vaccine design and deployment and to antibody-based diagnostic tests are necessary to account for S glycoprotein variation.
Monte Carlo Simulations Reveal New Design Principles for Efficient Nanoradiosensitizers Based on Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nMOFs) have recently been shown to provide better radiosensitization than solid nanoparticles (NPs) when excited with X-rays. Here, a Monte Carlo simulation of different radiosensitization effects by NPs and nMOFs using a lattice model consisting of 3D arrays of nanoscale secondary building units (SBUs) is reported. The simulation results reveal that lattices outperform solid NPs regardless of radiation sources or particle sizes via enhanced scatterings of photons and electrons within the lattices. Optimum dose enhancement can be achieved by tuning SBU size and inter-SBU distance.
D1/D5 dopamine receptors and mGluR5 jointly enable non-Hebbian long-term potentiation at sensory synapses onto lamina I spinoparabrachial neurons.

Highly correlated firing of primary afferent inputs and lamina I projection neurons evokes synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP), a mechanism by which ascending nociceptive transmission can be amplified at the level of the spinal dorsal horn. However, the degree to which neuromodulatory signaling shapes the temporal window governing spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) at sensory synapses onto projection neurons remains unclear. The present study demonstrates that activation of spinal D1/D5 dopamine receptors (D1/D5Rs) creates a highly permissive environment for the production of LTP in male and female adult mouse spinoparabrachial neurons by promoting 'non-Hebbian' plasticity. Bath application of the mixed D1/D5R agonist SKF82958 unmasked LTP at STDP pairing intervals that normally fail to alter synaptic efficacy. Furthermore, during D1/D5R signaling, action potential discharge in projection neurons became dispensable for LTP generation and primary afferent stimulation alone was sufficient to induce strengthening of sensory synapses. This non-Hebbian LTP was blocked by the D1/D5R antagonist SCH 39166 or genetic deletion of D5R, and required activation of mGluR5 and intracellular Ca2+ release but was independent of NMDAR activation. D1/D5R-enabled non-Hebbian plasticity was observed across multiple neuronal subpopulations in the superficial dorsal horn but was more prevalent in spinoparabrachial neurons than interneurons. Interestingly, the ability of neonatal tissue damage to promote non-Hebbian LTP in adult projection neurons was not observed in D5R knockout mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that joint spinal D1/D5R and mGluR5 activation can allow unfettered potentiation of sensory synapses onto the output neurons responsible for conveying pain and itch information to the brain.Significance StatementSynaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) in spinal projection neurons has been implicated in the generation of chronic pain. Under normal conditions, plasticity at sensory synapses onto adult mouse spinoparabrachial neurons follows strict 'Hebbian' learning rules, requiring coincident presynaptic and postsynaptic firing. Here we demonstrate that the activation of spinal D1/D5 dopamine receptors (D1/D5Rs) promotes a switch from Hebbian to non-Hebbian LTP, such that primary afferent stimulation alone is sufficient to evoke LTP in the absence of action potential discharge in projection neurons, which required joint activation of mGluR5 and intracellular Ca2+ release but not NMDARs. These results suggest that D1/D5Rs cooperate with mGluR5 receptors in the spinal dorsal horn to powerfully influence the amplification of ascending nociceptive transmission to the brain.
Sunlit aurora and the N2+ ion: a personal perspective

Abstract After a brief autobiographical summary, a description is given of observations of sunlit aurora and the corresponding twilight and dayglow effects, starting with the classic work of Stormer, which showed the phenomenon to extend as high as 1100 km . Spectroscopic studies found that the unusual intensity is caused by resonant scattering of sunlight by the N2+ ion, and that this ion has a very short lifetime at altitudes below 160 km . At these altitudes an ion-atom reaction with the oxygen atom converts it to NO+. Independent work by others led to the suggestion that the same reaction is important in production of the ionosphere. The great extent of the sunlit aurora to high altitudes can only be understood if the ions are transported upwards from their site of production at lower altitudes. More recent observations from rockets, satellites, and the Space Shuttle have confirmed and extended the picture obtained from ground-based remote sensing.
Diffusions, Superdiffusions and Partial Differential Equations

Introduction Parabolic equations and branching exit Markov systems: Linear parabolic equations and diffusions Branching exit Markov systems Superprocesses Semilinear parabolic equations and superdiffusions Elliptic equations and diffusions: Linear elliptic equations and diffusions Positive harmonic functions Moderate solutions of $Lu=\psi(u)$ Stochastic boundary values of solutions Rough trace Fine trace Martin capacity and classes $\mathcal{N}_1$ and $\mathcal{N}_0$ Null sets and polar sets Survey of related results Basic facts of Markov processes and Martingales Facts on elliptic differential equations Epilogue Bibliography Subject index Notation index.
High Desert Wine

Abstract This paper uses data collected via a consumer intercept survey at the annual Harvest Wine Festival in Southern New Mexico to determine the impact wine attributes on consumer preferences. The hypothesis that price, reputation, and origin significantly affect the demand for New Mexico wines is evaluated using discrete choice methods. Results indicate that consumers' preferences and resulting wine choices are affected by wine attributes including wine price, winery reputation, and the origin of the wine.
Electromagnetic near field interference with implantable medical devices

The paper describes the methodology used to detect interference phenomena in vitro caused by digital and analog cellular phones placed in the close vicinity of implantable cardiac pacemakers. All four pacemakers tested exhibited some kind of interference; there was inhibition of the pacemaker function in two devices, when these were located at less than 2.5 cm from the antenna. The other two pacemakers exhibited atrial tracking of the interfering electromagnetic energy when exposed in similar situation.
Environmental Protection Agency, US

This article gives an overview of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in an Encyclopedia of Environmental Statistics. A perspective is given on the history of the Agency's formation, its mission, its legal authority, and its organizational structure. Selected activities of the Agency are given to provide a limited view of how the agency addresses environmental issues and cases in which environmental statistics have been used.
Science and Spirituality: Making Room for Faith in the Age of Science

Michael Ruse offers a new analysis of the often troubled relationship between science and religion. Arguing against both extremes - in one corner, the New Atheists; in the other, the Creationists and their offspring the Intelligent Designers - he asserts that science is the highest source of human inquiry. Yet, by its very nature and its deep reliance on metaphor, science restricts itself and is unable to answer basic, significant questions about the meaning of the universe and humankind's place within it: why is there something rather than nothing? What is the meaning of it all? Ruse shows that one can legitimately be a skeptic about these questions, and yet why it is open for a Christian, or member of any faith, to offer answers. Scientists, he concludes, should be proud of their achievements but modest about their scope. Christians should be confident of their mission but respectful of the successes of science.