cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial Misalignment in time series studies of air pollution and health data

Time series studies of environmental exposures often involve comparing daily changes in a toxicant measured at a point in space with daily changes in an aggregate measure of health. Spatial misalignment of the exposure and response variables can bias the estimation of health risk, and the magnitude of this bias depends on the spatial variation of the exposure of interest. In air pollution epidemiology, there is an increasing focus on estimating the health effects of the chemical components of particulate matter (PM). One issue that is raised by this new focus is the spatial misalignment error introduced by the lack of spatial homogeneity in many of the PM components. Current approaches to estimating short-term health risks via time series modeling do not take into account the spatial properties of the chemical components and therefore could result in biased estimation of those risks. We present a spatial-temporal statistical model for quantifying spatial misalignment error and show how adjusted health risk estimates can be obtained using a regression calibration approach and a 2-stage Bayesian model. We apply our methods to a database containing information on hospital admissions, air pollution, and weather for 20 large urban counties in the United States.
Morphometric and mechanical properties of femora in young adult male turkeys with and without femoral fractures

Morphologic and torsional mechanical properties of femora were evaluated in three groups of turkeys to determine whether turkeys that incurred femoral fracture have different radiographic, morphologic, and torsional mechanical properties than do turkeys without femoral fracture, and if body weight was a factor differentiating affected and nonaffected turkeys. Nine turkeys with unilateral femoral fractures and nine turkeys without fractures from Farm A were compared with a group of nine age and genetically matched turkeys from Farm B. Turkeys from Farm A were 10 to 25% heavier (26.2+/-0.9 kg) and turkeys from Farm B were 10% lighter (18.2+/-0.9 kg) than expected breed standards. Femoral length, cortical thickness, medullary diameter, and diaphyseal curvature were measured from craniocaudal and lateromedial radiographs. One intact femur from each of five turkeys with a contralateral femoral fracture (Farm A), nine unaffected turkeys from Farm A, and nine turkeys from Farm B were subjected to failure in a torsion test. Geometric and mechanical results were compared. Turkeys from Farm A had a thicker cortex and a smaller medullary diameter than turkeys from Farm B. Turkeys from Farm A had significantly lower torsional stiffness and failure torque values compared with turkeys from Farm B, when differences in body weight were accounted for (analysis of covariance, P < 0.05). Mechanical failure torque calculated from geometric values suggests that organic or inorganic material arrangement and composition may be responsible, in part, for differences between groups. Femoral fractures may be associated with insufficient skeletal adaptation to heavy body weight.
Effects of Folate Deficiency and Supplementation on Methylnitrosourea-Induced Rat Mammary Tumors

Background There are metabolic and epidemiologic data consistent with the hypothesis that folate deficiency increases the likelihood of cancer. Conversely, it is also known that folate is necessary for cancer growth, but few experiments in laboratory animals have evaluated the effects of folate deficiency on the development of chemically induced cancers. Purpose Our purpose was to determine the effects of nutritional folate deficiency in female Fischer 344 rats on initiation and early promotion of methylnitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary cancer. Methods Rats (age, 27 days) were fed a folic acid-deficient diet (AIN-76A) supplemented with glycine and succinylsulfathiazole [FA(0)]; the FA(0) diet supplemented with 2 or 40 mg of folic acid per kilogram [FA(2) or FA(40), respectively]; or the FA(0) diet supplemented with 20 mg of folinic acid per kilogram [FL(20)]. At 57 days of age, each diet-treated group (30 rats in each group) received MNU (50 mg/kg) by intravenous injection. Immediately after MNU treatment, all animals were fed the AIN-76A complete diet containing 2 mg of folic acid per kilogram. Control groups were fed the AIN-76A complete diet throughout the entire experiment. Results After 4 weeks, folate deficiency, but not anemia or growth suppression, was documented by lower folate levels in plasma and red blood cells in the group receiving the FA(0) diet. Cancer multiplicity (i.e., number of mammary cancers per number of tumor-bearing animals) at 180 days after MNU injection was 1.32, 1.90, 2.14, and 2.73 mammary cancers per tumor-bearing animal in the FA(0), FA(2), FA(40), and FL(20) groups, respectively; the value in the FA(0) group was statistically significant compared with the values in the other groups. The time required for 50% of the rats to develop palpable mammary cancer was 170, 142, 100, and 85 days, respectively. The value of 170 days for the FA(0) group was statistically significant compared with the values of 100 and 85 days. Mammary cancer incidence was 63%, 70%, 72%, and 73%, respectively; these percentages were not significantly different. Conclusions Folate deficiency suppresses and folate supplementation enhances initiation or early promotion of MNU-induced mammary cancer in rats, even when the folate-deficient rats do not have anemia or growth suppression. Implication Since the rat is relatively resistant to folate deficiency anemia, other animal models should be used to test the effect of folate nutriture on carcinogenesis.
Muscle Organization in Individuals with and without Pain and Joint Dysfunction

Central nervous system organization of masticatory muscles determines the magnitude of joint and muscle forces. Validated computer-assisted models of neuromuscular organization during biting were used to determine organization in individuals with and without temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Ninety-one individuals (47 women, 44 men) were assigned to one of four diagnostic groups based on the presence (+) or absence (-) of pain (P) and bilateral temporomandibular joint disc displacement (DD). Electromyography and bite-forces were measured during right and left incisor and molar biting. Two three-dimensional models employing neuromuscular objectives of minimization of joint loads (MJL) or muscle effort (MME) simulated biting tasks. Evaluations of diagnostic group and gender effects on choice of best-fit model were by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey-Kramer post hoc tests, evaluations of right-left symmetry were by Chi-square and Fisher's exact statistics, and evaluations of model accuracy were by within-subject linear regressions. MME was the best-fit during left molar biting in +DD individuals and incisor biting in men (all p < 0.03). Incisor biting symmetry in muscle organization was significantly higher (p < 0.03) in healthy individuals compared with those with TMD. Within-subject regressions showed that best-fit model errors were similar among groups: 8 to 15% (0.68 ≤ R(2) ≤ 0.74). These computer-assisted models predicted muscle organization during static biting in humans with and without TMDs.
Peer weight norm misperception as a risk factor for being over and underweight among UK secondary school students

Erroneous perceptions of peer weight norms may be important risk factors for being underweight and overweight. This study assessed misperceptions of peer weight norms and their association with being overweight or underweight among UK youth. Anonymous surveys were conducted among students (n=2104) attending schools in a Greater London borough in Fall 2007. Students’ perceptions of the weight norm for same sex peers in their year in their school (years 5 through 11) are compared with the aggregate self-reports of weight for these same sex and year cohorts in each school. Variation in perceptions is compared with personal body mass index (BMI) on the basis of self-reported height and weight. A total of 34% of males and 32% of females overestimated peer weight norms by more than 5% (10 kg on average). Similarly, 37% of males and 43% of females underestimated peer weight norms by more than 5% (7 kg on average). For both males and females, overestimating peer weight norms was associated with a greater risk for being overweight and underestimating peer weight norms was associated with a greater risk for being underweight. Perceived peer weight norm was the strongest predictor of BMI among females compared with estimated actual weight norms of peers (based on the mean of self-reported weight) and demographic factors, and one of the two strongest predictors among males in linear regression analyses, including schools as fixed effects. Pervasive misperceptions of peer weight norms may contribute to unhealthy weight-related behaviors and help perpetuate students’ overweight or underweight status. Future research should examine perceptions of other weight-related peer norms and explore what may create misperceptions. Addressing pervasive misperceptions of weight could perhaps be included as a part of interventions aimed at reducing unhealthy weight and related behaviors.
Professional reading habits of pharmacists attending 2 educational seminars in New York City.

Purpose:Data regarding the professional reading habits of pharmacists in the United States are lacking. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate whether pharmacists read professional publications and assess other aspects of their professional reading habits.Methods:In December 2010, surveys were distributed to pharmacists participating in 2 educational seminars in New York City. The main outcome measures were percentages of pharmacists who read regularly (at least monthly), specific publications read, and the perceived value and impact of reading.Results:A total of 184 pharmacists were surveyed. Of the 122 (66%) respondents, 112 (92%) reported reading professional publications regularly. Of these, 97 (87%) indicated the titles read, with the 4 publications reported most frequently being Drug Topics (n = 73; 75%), Pharmacy Times (n = 67; 69%), US Pharmacist (n = 60; 62%), and Pharmacist’s Letter (n = 48; 49%). All 122 respondents indicated that reading positively impacted their practice, and 121 ...
High-capacity full lithium-ion cells based on nanoarchitectured ternary manganese–nickel–cobalt carbonate and its lithiated derivative

A full lithium-ion battery cell has been assembled based on nanoarchitectured ternary manganese–nickel–cobalt compounds, in which multi-shell spherical Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13(CO3)0.8 serves as the anode and the subsequently lithiated Li-excess Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O2 with a yolk–shell structure acts as the cathode. The performance of a lithium-ion full battery significantly relies on the electrochemical properties of both anode and cathode materials. A multi-shell carbonate anode is first tested in a half battery cell with metallic lithium as the counter electrode, revealing an unexpectedly high initial charge capacity of 1173.1 mA h g−1 at a specific current of 25 mA g−1, which is two times higher than its theoretical capacity. Moreover, when cycled at 250 mA g−1 for 100 electrochemical cycles, this carbonate anode retains a final specific capacity of 434.6 mA h g−1. Accordingly, a yolk–shell-structured Li-excess layered cathode material has been facilely obtained through lithiation of carbonate compounds, showing an initial discharge capacity of 250.7 mA h g−1 when cycled at 0.1 C (1 C = 250 mA g−1) in a half battery cell. Furthermore, this cathode retains a final capacity of 156.3 mA h g−1 at 1 C after 100 cycles and exhibits an outstanding capacity retention of 90.3%. Such remarkable electrochemical properties of carbonate anode and Li-excess oxide cathode materials are attributed to their nanoarchitectures resulting from the water-based solvothermal process, i.e., multi-shell and yolk–shell structures composed of numerous primary nanoparticles, in comparison with mediocre performances from monodispersive carbonate microspheres and Li-excess oxide nanoparticles synthesized via an ethylene-glycol-based solvothermal method. Combination of the nanostructured ternary transition metal carbonate anode and the Li-excess layered cathode into a full lithium-ion battery results in a remarkable specific capacity above 250 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C in the voltage range of 0.1–4.0 V, which demonstrates the application as a very promising electrochemical device for future energy conversion and storage.
The spring of Arab nations? Paths toward democratic transition:

This article defends three basic premises. First, the same conditions and forces favorable to revolution may serve to impede efforts at post-revolutionary consolidation. Second, one can assess prospects for consolidation based on the capacity of prospective hegemonic parties to achieve several interrelated objectives: developing a shared worldview among disparate segments of the population, delivering social and economic goods, and establishing order. Third, while democratization is a home-grown process, it may require particular forms of limited intervention to offset anti-democratic forces. The goal of this article is to provide an analytical framework that informs the ongoing debates over democratic transitions while suggesting where and how external engagement may influence the transition process.
Cognitive Coping Moderates the Association between Violent Victimization by Peers and Substance Use among Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: This study tested whether violent victimization by peers was associated with alcohol and tobacco use among adolescents, and whether adaptive coping styles moderated associations. METHODS: A total of 247 urban Mexican-American and European-American adolescents aged 16-20 years were interviewed. RESULTS: Independent of demographics and violent perpetration, adolescents victimized by violence reported greater alcohol and tobacco use. Adolescents who engaged in higher levels of behavioral coping (e.g., problem solving) reported less substance use, independent of violence variables. Interaction effects showed that violent victimization was associated with greater substance use only among adolescents who engaged in lower levels of cognitive coping (e.g., focusing on positive aspects of life). Substance use was relatively low among adolescents who engaged in higher levels of cognitive coping, regardless of whether they had been victimized. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancement of cognitive coping skills may prevent engagement in substance use as a stress response to violent victimization. Language: en
Exertional dyspnea and inspiratory stridor of 2 years' duration: a tale of 2 wheezes.

INSTRUCTIONS Credit can now be obtained, free for a limited time, by reading the review articles in this issue. Please note the instructions listed below: 1. Review the target audience, learning objectives and author disclosures. 2. Complete the pre-test online at www.jacionline.org (click on the Online CME heading). 3. Follow the online instructions to read the full version of the article, including the clinical vignette and review components. 4. Complete the post-test. At this time, you will have earned 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credit . 5. Approximately 4 weeks later youwill receive an online assessment regarding your application of this article to your practice. Once you have completed this assessment, you will be eligible to receive Part II MOC credit from the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
Accessibility of cylindrical channels within patterned mesoporous silica films using nanoparticle diffusion

Mesoporous silica films with well ordered nanochannels (approximately 7 nm in diameter) oriented parallel to the substrate were synthesized using supercritical carbon dioxide mediated silica deposition within templates comprised of triblock copolymers blended with strongly associating homopolymers. The films were patterned at the device level by conventional lithography and etched to yield periodic circular features approximately 20 µm in diameter. The nanoscale channels remained accessible to penetrant diffusion as shown by dye uptake experiments. The nanochannel arrays were used as miniature size exclusion columns to mediate nanoparticle diffusion.
Letters From the Future: The Use of Therapeutic Letter Writing in Counseling Sexual Abuse Survivors

ABSTRACT In the context of counseling sexual abuse survivors, the creative counseling technique of having clients write letters—to themselves or others—from a future context is described. A theoretical framework for writing letters to oneself from the future is presented. Specific types of letters from the future are explained, and case examples and applications are provided.
Statistical multilayer process space coverage for at-speed test

Increasingly large process variations make selection of a set of critical paths for at-speed testing essential yet challenging. This paper proposes a novel multilayer process space coverage metric to quantitatively gauge the quality of path selection. To overcome the exponential complexity in computing such a metric, this paper reveals its relationship to a concept called order statistics for a set of correlated random variables, efficient computation of which is a hitherto open problem in the literature. This paper then develops an elegant recursive algorithm to compute the order statistics (or the metric) in provable linear time and space. With a novel data structure, the order statistics can also be incrementally updated. By employing a branch-and-bound path selection algorithm with above techniques, this paper shows that selecting an optimal set of paths for a multi-million-gate design can be performed efficiently. Compared to the state-of-the-art, experimental results show both the efficiency of our algorithms and better quality of our path selection.
Efficient subcarrier, power, and rate allocation with fairness consideration for OFDMA uplink

Subcarrier, power, and rate allocation schemes for the orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) uplink are considered. A low-complexity algorithm with fairness consideration is proposed to maximize the sum rate under individual rate and transmit power constraints. The complexity reduction and fairness are achieved by performing subcarrier allocation in two steps: Initial subcarrier allocation that considers per-user fairness; and residual subcarrier allocation that further increases the sum rate. The proposed algorithm achieves superior outage performance and has linear complexity in the number of users and subcarriers, while incurring negligible sum-rate degradation when the average path-loss is the same among users.
An amyloid-forming segment of β2-microglobulin suggests a molecular model for the fibril

In humans suffering from dialysis-related amyloidosis, the protein β2-microglobulin (β2M) is deposited as an amyloid; however, an amyloid of β2M is unknown in mice. β2M sequences from human and mouse are 70% identical, but there is a seven-residue peptide in which six residues differ. This peptide from human β2M forms amyloid in vitro, whereas the mouse peptide does not. Substitution of the human peptide for its counterpart in the mouse sequence results in the formation of amyloid in vitro. These results show that a seven-residue segment of human β2M is sufficient to convert β2M to the amyloid state, and that specific residue interactions are crucial to the conversion. These observations are consistent with a proposed Zipper-spine model for β2M amyloid, in which the spine of the fibril consists of an anhydrous β-sheet.
Defibrillation of high-risk patients during coronary angiography using self-adhesive, preapplied electrode pads

Abstract Direct-current shocks for ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia have traditionally been administered using hand-held "paddle" electrodes. Hurried, incorrect paddle electrode placement during emergency cardioversion or defibrillation and poor contact between the paddle electrode and skin may be responsible for failure of electrical shocks to terminate arrhythmias. 1,2 Additionally, when shocks are given in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, the need to remove sterile drapes and radiographic equipment and the presence of intravascular (and often intracoronary) catheters makes defibrillation during angiography at least cumbersome, and may cause important delays in shock delivery. Moreover, sterile fields are often contaminated during defibrillation attempts using handheld paddle electrodes. Self-adhesive, preapplied electrode pads have been successfully used in place of hand-held paddle electrodes for elective cardioversion and for out-of-hospital defibrillation. 3,4 However, the foil electrodes of such preapplied defibrillation pads may interfere with radiographic visualization of the heart. Recently, to overcome this potential visualization problem, a new, commercially available version of the self-adhesive electrode pads was introduced. The modified self-adhesive pads consist of an apical electrode, which is half-circular in order to avoid obscuring the heart, and a fully circular electrode, which is placed in the right parasterngl position. We report our experience with use of these self-adhesive, preapplied electrodes during angiographic procedures in high-risk patients in whom serious ventricular arrhythmias requiring direct-current shocks are likely to develop.
Synthesis and Characterization of Spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.3Ti0.2O4

Pure spinel phase LiNi0.5Mn1.3Ti0.2O4 is synthesized. A mixture of LiAc•2H2O, Mn(Ac)2•2H2O, Ni(Ac)2•4H2O and Ti(OCH3)4 is used as starting material. Ethanol and citric acid are also added. The calcining process is carried out at 900 °C for 4 h. It is then followed by a thermostatic process at 600 °C for 6 h. XRD analyses indicate that the product LiNi0.5Mn1.3Ti0.2O4 is formed with F3dm structure. The SEM image shows that the particle sizes of product LiNi0.5Mn1.3Ti0.2O4 are 0.5-2 um. It exhibites excellent electrochemical performance. The discharge capacity of product cycled at 1 C (148 mA g−1) rate is about 130.2 mAh g−1 in the voltage range 3.5–4.9 V (versus Li+/Li) and the capacity retention is about 97% at the 50th cycle.
The role of δ-opioid receptors in brain ionic homeostasis under physiological condition

Homeostasis is one of the most fundamental concepts in understanding the physiological functions of bodies as well as the pathophysiology of diseases, and in a global view of system biology, is also a vital guiding principle for medicine. Because of the particular importance of ionic environment in neuronal functions, ion homeostasis is the most fundamental mechanism among all the brain homeostasis regulations, and most of the functional activities of the brain are highly dependent on the dynamic and relatively steady state of ionic environment. The concentrations of ions are in dynamic balance under physiological conditions, which depend on the complicated, but elaborate, regulatory mechanisms. The δ-opioid receptor (DOR) regulates a diverse array of physiological functions. DOR and its cognate endogenous opioids are widely expressed throughout the central nervous system and have an extensive interaction with ion channels, receptors, and transporters. DOR can regulate the release of many neurotransmitters, modify neuronal electrical activities and synaptic plasticity, and thereby tightly regulates ion homeostasis in neural activities. In this chapter, we will focus on the regulation of homeostasis of the key cations such as Na+, K+, Ca2+ in the brain under physiological conditions and the role of DOR in such homeostatic regulation. Almost all the previous studies regarding DOR-mediated regulation of ionic homeostasis under normoxic condition focused on intracellular Ca2+ activity. Few studies highlighted the regulation of K+ and Na+ homeostasis despite the functional coupling of DOR with K+ channels and Na+ channels. Overall, the predominant effect of DOR activation on Ca2+ entry is inhibitory. However, some studies show either mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ or stimulation of Ca2+ entry with opioid activation. In general, DOR signaling is inhibitory to Na+ influx and K+ efflux. In regard to this issue, we have recently made the first finding that DOR activation and expression reduces Na+ currents by targeting voltage-sensitive Na+ channels. The DOR effects have been demonstrated to occur through activation of different kind of G proteins, including Gi, Go, and even Gs classes.
Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Study of Permeability of a Thiolated Aryl Multilayer and Imaging of Single Nanocubes Anchored to It.

Electroreduction of diazonium salts is a widely used technique for grafting organic films on various surfaces. In this paper, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was used for high-resolution characterization of a thiolated aryl multilayer film obtained by electrografting of thiophenol diazonium on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The blocking properties of the film were evaluated, and the origins of incomplete surface passivation were elucidated by comparing current–distance curves and surface reactivity maps obtained with nanometer- and micrometer-sized tips. In this way, one can distinguish between different pathways of charge transport in the film, e.g., pinhole defects versus rate-limiting charge transfer through the film. Pd nanocubes were anchored to the film by thiol groups and imaged by SECM. The applicability of SECM to in situ visualization of the geometry of non-spherical nanoparticles has been demonstrated.
Viedma Ripening of Conglomerate Crystals of Achiral Molecules Monitored Using Solid-State Circular Dichroism

Viedma ripening is the attrition-induced spontaneous chiral amplification of a conglomerate crystal mixture. To demonstrate the general nature of this deracemization process, we have extended attrition-enhanced chiral amplification to 10 achiral organic molecules that form conglomerate chiral crystals: benzil (1), diphenyl disulfide (2), benzophenone (3), tetraphenylethylene (4), guanidine carbonate (5), butylated hydroxytoluene (6), hippuric acid (7), ninhydrin (8), cytosine (9), and adeninium dinitrate (10). In these experiments the time required to reach homochirality was as low as 3 h and typically ranged from 25 to 50 h. In most cases amplification to homochirality of both enantiomers was observed in repeat experiments, although often in a nonstochastic fashion, reflecting the scalemic nature of the starting material. We have also demonstrated the utility of quantitative circular dichroism (CD) to determine enantiomeric excess in systems where chirality exists only in the solid-state.
MyD genes in negative growth control

Two interrelated cellular processes are invoked simultaneously upon induction of differentiation, the regulated progression of cells through successive stages of cell differentiation and growth inhibition which ultimately leads to growth arrest. In tissues with rapid cell turnover terminally differentiated cells undergo programmed cell death. Terminal differentiation, thus, represents one form of negative growth control. It was surmised that the molecular engine which drives the differentiation process forward requires induction of positive regulators of terminal cell differentiation, to be found among differentiation primary response genes, as well as suppression of negative regulators, which correspond to genes which control cellular growth. This line of thought has prompted the isolation of myeloid differentiation primary response (MyD) genes activated in the absence of de novo protein synthesis, upon IL-6 induced terminal differentiation of murine M1 myeloblastic leukemia cells, where the cells growth arrest and ultimately undergo programmed cell death. As delineated in this review many of the genes identified as MyD genes, including both known genes [IRF-1, (AP-1)Fos/Jun.EGR-1] and novel ones (MyD88, MyD116, MyD118), turned out to play a role in negative growth control, including growth suppression and apoptosis, in many cell types, of both hematopoietic and non hematopoietic origins.
The impact of performance status, psychosocial interventions, and early palliative care on overall survival.

In the April 2016 issue of Annals of Palliative Medicine ( APM ), Perri and colleagues perform a novel analysis on end-stage liver disease (ESLD) (1).
Is angiotensin II a growth factor masquerading as a vasopressor

The actions of angiotensin II can be described in terms of the three paradigms listed in Table 1. According to the first paradigm (organ physiology), angiotensin II is a pressor, while the second (cell biochemistry) views it as an extracellular messenger that, by promoting Ca2+ release within cells, causes vasoconstriction and a weak positive inotropic response by the heart. However, neither of these paradigms fully explains the remarkable ability of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to improve the prognosis for patients with heart failure. To account for these clinical effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, we will probably need to invoke the third paradigm (gene expression), which views angiotensin II as a growth factor that promotes and modifies protein synthesis. Angiotensin II, therefore, should probably not be viewed simply as a vasoconstrictor with a side effect to promote hypertrophy, but instead as a growth factor that, because it utilizes Ca2+ to mediate its effects on gene expression, also increases smooth muscle tone and myocardial contractility. This view of angiotensin II as a growth factor helps us to understand the clinical benefit of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors as arising from inhibition of maladaptive changes in the failing heart (gene expression) as well as from the reduced afterload (organ physiology) that results from decreased smooth muscle tone (cell biochemistry).
Impact of non-integer planetary revolutions on the distribution of evaporated optical coatings

Planetary substrate rotation for optical-coating deposition is evaluated based on initial and final positions for a given layer with different numbers of revolutions and various deposition-source locations. The influence of partial revolutions of the rotation system is analyzed relative to the total number of planetary revolutions in that layer to determine the relative impact on film thickness and uniformity. Guidance is provided on the necessary planetary revolutions that should take place in each layer versus the expected error level in the layer thickness for the modeled system.
Using the outdoor scavenger hunt to teach theories of organizational communication

Courses: Communication Theory, Organizational Communication, Strategic Communication.Objectives: Students will identify and categorize organizational discourses on their campuses; students will become aware of the ethical considerations of communication; students will recognize the different perceptions of organizational culture on campus.
Nanocrack formation in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors utilizing Ti/Al/Ni/Au ohmic contacts

Abstract AlGaN/GaN HEMTs are poised to become the technology of choice in RF and power electronics applications where high operating frequencies and high breakdown voltages are required. The alloyed contacting scheme utilized in the formation of the source and drain contacts of these devices affects the conduction of electrons through the 2DEG from the moment of ohmic contact formation onward to operation in the field. Analysis of the ohmic contacts of as-fabricated and electrically stressed AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, via chemical deprocessing and Scanning Electron Microscopy, indicates the presence of cracks oriented along the [11-20] directions, which nucleate at metal inclusions present under the alloyed ohmic source/drain contact metal. Cracks which form at the edges of these contact regions can extend into the channel region. It appears that electrical biasing induces additional growth in the longest cracks present within the channel regions of these devices.
Change in b-values during movement on cut surfaces in granite

Abstract A large granite sample containing a saw cut, modeling a natural fault, was triaxially loaded at confining pressures up to 1000 bars. Fourteen violent slip events accompanied by foreshock and aftershock sequences occurred under constant strain rate loading. From digitally recorded acoustic emission, locations and amplitudes were determined for nearly 8,000 microseismic events. Plots of log amplitude versus log frequency of microseismic events were drawn for three periods between each slip event, termed foreshock, aftershock, and background. These plots indicate that the b -value is lower during foreshocks than for periods between events, implying increased average amplitude of microseismic activity just before slip. These experimental results suggest that it may be possible to devise an earthquake warning system based on changes in b -values in active tectonic regions. It has been suggested that according to the dilatancy-diffusion model, b -value would decrease prior to earthquakes. In our experiment, however, the rock was dry.
Vocal effort modification through harmonics plus noise model representation

Harmonics plus Noise Model (HNM) is a well known speech signal representation technique that allows to apply high quality modifications to the signal used in text-to-speech systems providing higher flexibility than its counterpart TD-PSOLA based synthesis systems. In this paper an adaptation of the adaptive pre-emphasis linear prediction technique for modifying the vocal effort, using HNM speech representation, is presented. The proposed transformation methodology is validated using a Copy Re-synthesis strategy on a speech corpora specifically designed with three levels of vocal effort (soft, modal and loud). The results of a perceptual test demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique performing all different vocal effort conversions for the given corpus.
Oral immunotherapy for food allergy

Food allergy is a pathological, potentially deadly cascade of immune responses to molecules or molecular fragments that are normally innocuous when encountered in foods, such as milk, egg, or peanut. As the incidence and prevalence of food allergy rise, the standard of care is poised to advance beyond food allergen avoidance coupled with injectable epinephrine treatment of allergen-induced systemic reactions. Recent studies provide evidence that oral immunotherapy may effectively redirect the atopic immune responses of food allergy patients as they ingest small but gradually increasing allergen doses over many months, eliciting safer immune responses to these antigens. Research into the molecular and cellular bases of pathological and therapeutic immune responses, and into the possibilities for their safe and effective modulation, is generating tremendous interest in basic and clinical immunology. We synthesize developments, innovations, and key challenges in our understanding of the immune mechanisms associated with atopy and oral immunotherapy for food allergy.
Using mHealth App to Support Treatment Decision-Making for Knee Arthritis: Patient Perspective

Introduction: Mobile health (mHealth) technology can be used to integrate into medical decision-making for patients with advanced knee arthritis. We explored patient preferences on content and design of a mobile health app to facilitate daily symptom capture and summary feedback reporting, in order to inform treatment decisions, including use of total knee replacement surgery (TKR). Methods: Patient focus groups were conducted to gather requirements for mHealth app development and to refine the design and content of the app. Clinician (physical therapist, surgeon) interviews were conducted to understand clinician expectations from the summary trend report generated by the app. Results: Sixteen patients attended focus groups with an average age of 67 and 63% female, and three clinicians participated in clinician interviews. The preliminary findings revealed that the patients preferred easy tap user interfaces to multitap or slider methods, and vertical question layout to horizontal orientation. Patients liked to be engaged by progress feedback reports and educational tips. Both patients and clinicians found a trended outcome summary report helpful which provides more precise details on whether and how the symptoms are changing over time. Discussion: User input can inform the design and implementation of mHealth technology to meet patient needs for their treatment decisions. Patient priorities must be considered through patient-centered app design.
Towards a More Complete Taxonomy of Design Solutions for Managerial Collective Action Problems

This paper makes the case that collective action problems in inter- and intra- organizational contexts share important similarities with institutional collective action problems. We establish the c...
Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features reclassification and its impact on thyroid malignancy rate and treatment.

Abstract Background The reclassification of noninvasive encapsulated follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) to noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) may have significant implications by changing overall malignancy rates and minimizing the extent of surgical treatment. Methods A retrospective review of 847 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at a single institution from January 2010 to April 2016 was performed. The subgroup with FVPTC (n = 181) was re-reviewed by endocrine pathologists for reclassification to NIFTP. The overall rate of malignancy (ROM) and within each Bethesda classification was determined before and after the reclassification of NIFTP. The extent of thyroidectomy among others in patients reclassified as NIFTP was further reviewed. Results Of 847 patients who underwent thyroidectomy, there was an overall ROM of 58% (n = 495), the majority being papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) (n = 454, 92%). In 181 patients with FVPTC, 146 underwent pathology re-review. There were 32 cases (22%) reclassified as NIFTP, reducing the overall ROM to 55%. ROM decreased across Bethesda categories I to V by the following: 3% Bethesda I, 8% Bethesda II, 8% Bethesda III, 10% Bethesda IV, and 3% Bethesda V. Among NIFTP patients, 16 underwent total thyroidectomy and 16 underwent thyroid lobectomy, of which 12 had completion thyroidectomies (75%). Twenty patients (63%) underwent central neck dissection, and nine underwent postoperative radioactive iodine ablation treatment (28%). Conclusions A significant proportion of patients with FVPTC reclassified as NIFTP may decrease the overall institutional thyroid ROM. On final pathology, NIFTP should be regarded as an indolent tumor requiring no further surgical treatment.
Negotiation models and applications

A variety of modeling approaches have been used as tools for analyzing aspects of negotiation and related interactions. Many models represent the mixed-motive feature of negotiation where parties are torn between cooperating to get an agreement and competing to get an acceptable agreement close to their own preferences. This feature is highlighted in the two-person games—particularly the Prisoner’s Dilemma—constructed and analyzed in the game theory tradition. The focus of these games is on solutions or outcomes, with attention paid to the distinction between equilibrium (minimizing losses) and optimal (maximizing joint gains) solutions. Similarly, outcomes or end states are the focus of models in the tradition of decision analysis: the bargaining frontier is a tool for identifying optimal or integrative solutions. Other models concentrate more on the negotiation process or throughputs including how impasses are resolved and how a process moves or transitions through stages. Some of these models provide a diagnostic function from which advice is generated; other process models identify the conditions that can either stall the talks (as when the parties are stuck in a stage or have disagreements within delegations) or provide momentum toward an agreement (as when they move quickly from one stage to another or reach consensus within delegations). Examples of each of these types of models are discussed in this chapter.
Editorial: Identifying Predictors of Treatment Response Trajectories of Suicidal Adolescents

In this issue of the Journal, Abbott et al.1 present findings from an important secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial that identifies predictors of treatment response. Previous research has highlighted the importance of varying trajectories of treatment response.2,3 There is a need to identify factors related to varied treatment outcomes. Determining those who will benefit from treatment compared to those who will not is an important step to personalizing treatments.
Understanding Environmental Contaminants’ Direct Effects on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Progression

Environmental contaminants are considered one of the major factors in the development and progression of NAFLD, the most common liver disease in the USA. The evolving knowledge of mechanisms of hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis has recently been reviewed and characterized as ALD, NAFLD, and TAFLD. The most recent mechanistic studies on PFAS and PCBs have revealed a greater role for toxicants in the initiation of not only TAFLD but also NAFLD and the more progressive inflammatory stage of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In addition to insecticides, recent studies support a significant contribution of fungicides and herbicides to NAFLD. The mechanisms of PFAS, PCBs, and fungicides in contributing to the increased prevalence of NAFLD remain unclear. Addressing whether chronic, low-dose exposures could result in liver pathology and whether real-world exposure to mixtures of environmental contaminants pose a significant risk factor for NAFLD is paramount to understand the impact of NAFLD on populations today.
Time-dependent hemeoxygenase-1, lipocalin-2 and ferritin induction after non-contusion traumatic brain injury

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often presents with focal contusion and parenchymal bleeds, activating heme oxygenase (HO) to degrade released hemoglobin. Here we show that diffuse, midline fluid percussion injury causes time-dependent induction of HO-1 and iron binding proteins within both hemorrhagic neocortex and non-hemorrhagic hippocampus. Rats subjected to midline fluid percussion injury (FPI) survived 1-15d postinjury and tissue was collected for Western blot and immunohistochemical assays. HO-1 was elevated 1d after FPI, peaked at 3d, and returned to control baseline 7-15d. Iron management proteins lipocalin 2 (LCN2) and ferritin (FTL) exhibited distinct postinjury time courses, where peak LCN2 response preceded, and FTL followed that of HO-1. LCN2 elevation supported not only its role in iron transport, but also mediation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) activity. Upregulation of FTL for intracellular iron sequestration was delayed relative to both HO-1 and LCN2 induction. In the neocortex IBA-1+ microglia around the injury core expressed HO-1, but astrocytes co-localized with HO-1 in perilesional parenchyma. Non-hemorrhagic dentate gyrus showed predominant HO-1 labeling in hilar microglia and in molecular layer astrocytes. At 1d postinjury, LCN2 and HO-1 co-localized in a subpopulation of reactive glia within both brain regions. Notably, FTL was distributed within cells around injured vessels, damaged subcortical white matter, and along vessels of the hippocampal fissure. Together these results confirm that even the moderate, non-contusional insult of diffuse midline FPI can significantly activate postinjury HO-1 heme processing pathways and iron management proteins. Moreover, this activation is time-dependent and occurs in the absence of overt hemorrhage.
A Comparison of Contextual Bandit Approaches to Human-in-the-Loop Robot Task Completion with Infrequent Feedback

Artificially intelligent assistive agents are playing an increased role in our work and homes. In contrast with currently predominant conversational agents, whose intelligence derives from dialogue trees and external modules, a fully autonomous domestic or workplace robot must carry out more complex reasoning. Such a robot must make good decisions as soon as possible, learn from experience, respond to feedback, and rely on feedback only as much as necessary. In this research, we narrow the focus of a hypothetical robot assistant to a room-tidying task in a simulated domestic environment. Given an item, the robot chooses where to put it among many destinations, then optionally receives feedback from a human operator. We frame the problem as a contextual bandit, a reinforcement learning approach frequently used in Web recommendation systems. We evaluate epsilon-greedy and LinUCB action selection methods under a variety of infrequent feedback scenarios, with several methods for managing the lack of feedback. Our empirical results show that, while early-episode performance and overall accuracy of epsilon-greedy action selection can be improved through learning from no-response feedback and careful management of remembered training episodes, a baseline LinUCB approach outperforms epsilon-greedy action selection in early-episode performance, overall accuracy, and simplicity.
Calling the Shots? Adolescents' Influence on Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Decision-Making During Clinical Encounters.

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to examine adolescents' influence on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine decision-making and receipt during clinical visits. Methods We recruited English- and/or Spanish-speaking parents and their adolescent children aged 9–17 years who were eligible for the first HPV vaccine dose and seeking routine care at pediatric and family medicine clinics in the Greater Boston area enrolled in a multilevel intervention to improve HPV vaccination coverage. Parents completed previsit surveys that included parental intention to vaccinate. We coded transcripts of adolescents' clinical encounters to define adolescents' participation in vaccine discussions and cooperation with immunization. Adolescents' influence on vaccine decision-making was determined based on analyses of their participation in discussions and parents' previsit vaccine intentions. Results A total of 113 adolescents and their parents participated. Eighty-seven percent of adolescents received their first HPV vaccine dose during the visit. Most reactions were negative (23% mild, 23% moderate, and 10% extreme); nearly all objections were concerns related to the pain of injection rather than specific to HPV vaccination. A minority of reactions were positive (12%), 33% were neutral, and 12% did not participate in vaccine discussions. All adolescents with positive or neutral reactions received vaccination, as did 91% of those with negative reactions. After accounting for parents' previsit vaccine intentions and analyzing discussions during clinical encounters, only 5% of adolescents appeared to influence vaccination either positively (n = 3) or negatively (n = 3). Conclusions In this study, adolescents rarely influenced parents' vaccine decision-making, although many exhibited distress over the pain of injections. This suggests that increasing adolescents' involvement in vaccine discussions may have limited effects on vaccination rates.