cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INFLUENCES OF TEMPERATURE HISTORY, WATER STRESS, AND NEEDLE AGE ON METHYLBUTENOL EMISSIONS

Volatile organic compounds emitted by plants have long been recognized as having important influences on tropospheric chemistry, most notably in contributing to the production of tropospheric ozone and aerosols. One such compound, methylbutenol (MBO), was recently identified as a major component of the volatiles emitted by ponderosa pine and several other species of pine in western North America. On short time scales, MBO emissions increase with light intensity in parallel with photosynthetic responses, but emissions and photosynthesis show opposite responses to increases in temperature. We investigate the response of MBO emission to water stress, ambient temperature, and the aging of needles in field grown Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine). Photosynthetic rates and MBO production capacities of P. ponderosa were measured over the course of a season on saplings at a site that experienced summer drought and at a site that received supplementary water. In addition, a water-stress alleviation experiment was performed in which drought-stressed P. ponderosa seedlings were re-watered at the end of the season and pre-/post-alleviation photosynthetic rates and MBO production capacities were compared. Over the season photosynthesis declined while MBO production capacity tracked changes in ambient temperature linearly both over the entire season and on a day-to-day basis. Although severe water stress reduced photosynthetic rates, there was no difference in the response of MBO production capacity to ambient temperature under either drought-stressed or well-watered conditions, and there was no change in MBO production capacity following water stress alleviation. MBO emission declined with needle age. The correlation between MBO production capacity and ambient temperature is consistent with the view that MBO may provide a protection against high temperature stress similar to that suggested for isoprene. Corresponding Editor: K. F. Raffa
Empirical relations between elastic wavespeeds and density in the Earth's crust

A compilation of compressional-wave ( V p) and shear-wave ( V s) velocities and densities for a wide variety of common lithologies is used to define new nonlinear, multivalued, and quantitative relations between these properties for the Earth's crust. Wireline borehole logs, vertical seismic profiles, laboratory measurements, and seismic tomography models provide a diverse dataset for deriving empirical relations between crustal V p and V s. The proposed V s as a function of V p relations fit V s and V p borehole logs in Quaternary alluvium and Salinian granites as well as laboratory measurements over a 7-km/sec-wide range in V p. The relations derived here are very close to those used to develop a regional 3D velocity model for southern California, based on pre-1970 data, and thus provide support for that model. These data, and these relations, show a rapid increase in V s as V p increases to 3.5 km/sec leading to higher shear-wave velocities in young sedimentary deposits than commonly assumed. These relations, appropriate for active continental margins where earthquakes are prone to occur, suggests that amplification of strong ground motions by shallow geologic deposits may not be as large as predicted by some earlier models.
The structure of social effects: Personality as impact on others:

Social‐effect descriptors (like charming and annoying) register the individual's footprint on the social world. Highly prototypical social‐effects terms in English were identified and factor‐analys...
Is Ablation to Termination the Best Strategy for Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation? Ablation to Termination Is Not the Best Strategy During Ablation

> “I’ll follow him around the Horn, and around the Norway maelstrom, and around perdition’s flames before I give him up.” > > -Captain Ahab, Moby Dick > “The mysterious thing you look for your whole life will eventually eat you alive.” > > -Laurie Anderson on Moby Dick Optimal strategy and end points for ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) have not been well established. Although antral pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is often effective for ablation of paroxysmal AF, it is an insufficient stand-alone strategy for many patients with persistent AF. Selection of adjunctive targets and determination of procedural end points are variable and at the discretion of the operator. Several studies suggested that termination of AF should be the procedural end point during ablation in patients with persistent AF, as a higher probability of maintaining sinus rhythm after the ablation was reported, despite a long procedure duration and a high rate of repeat ablation procedures. However, these studies were not consistently reproducible, and conversion usually occurred to an atrial tachycardia rather than sinus rhythm after extensive ablation. In patients with persistent AF, there is insufficient experimental, mechanistic, or clinical evidence to support termination of AF during ablation as a procedural end point. Response by Lim et al on p 980 Rapid and repetitive depolarizations originating within or at the antra of the pulmonary veins (PVs) and the other thoracic veins are the predominant mechanism in the initiation and perpetuation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).1–3 Antral isolation of PVs and elimination of focal triggers and drivers from other thoracic veins often result in termination and noninducibility of PAF in response to various pharmacological and pacing protocols. Patients with PAF whose AF terminated during ablation and were rendered noninducible, also were more likely to remain in sinus rhythm during long-term clinical follow-up.4 …
Chiropractic consultation requests in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System: demographic characteristics of the initial 100 patients at the Western New York medical center.

Abstract Objectives The objectives of this study were to review the demographic characteristics of Veterans Affairs (VA) chiropractic patients and to determine the level of appropriateness of chiropractic consultation requests within a VA chiropractic clinic. Information regarding the volume of requests and wait times for appointments were obtained to provide insight on the demand for and access to VA chiropractic services. Methods A purposive sample of the first 100 chiropractic consultation requests received through the Computerized Patient Record System at the VA of Western New York Health Care System was selected for data collection and analysis. Results The VA chiropractic patients in this study were primarily older men with chronic low-back pain that had not responded to medical management and other treatment modalities. More than half of the patients had service-connected disabilities. Consultation requests came largely from primary care, and most requests were for patients for whom chiropractic was clinically indicated and requested preconsultation diagnostic studies had been performed. Conclusions The VA chiropractic patients in this study differed from traditional non-VA chiropractic patients with regard to age and sex. A review of the chiropractic consultation requests that were considered inappropriate resulted in a revision of the instructions for requesting providers within the Computerized Patient Record System. Additional health systems research is indicated to evaluate chiropractic implementation on a larger scale within the VA Health Care System.
Negative feedback regulation of nerve-mediated contractions by KCa channels in mouse urinary bladder smooth muscle.

When the urinary bladder is full, activation of parasympathetic nerves causes release of neurotransmitters that induce forceful contraction of the detrusor muscle, leading to urine voiding. The rol...
Faculty Perceptions Concerning the Frequency and Appropriateness of Student Behaviors

A national sample of psychology instructors (N = 134) rated the appropriateness and frequency of 104 potential student behaviors, replicating and extending Parr and Valerius. The top 10 ratings for appropriateness and frequency differed from previous work. The author discusses the importance of clear communication of instructor expectations of student behavior in addition to course expectations as presented in the syllabus. Instructors may wish to use this list to help inform students of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors as well as to encourage students to increase the frequency of appropriate behaviors.
Economic Development and Belief in Locus of Control among Factory Workers in Four Countries

Factory workers from a developed Western country (the United States), a developed oriental country (Japan), a developing Western country (Mexico), and a developing oriental country (Thailand) were tested on Rotter's Internal-External Control scale. Items were grouped for analysis into four categories proposed as meaningful in cross-cultural research: leadership and success; respect; politics; luck and fate. Comparisons of the percentage of external responses by category showed workers from the two developed countries as more internal on leadership and success than workers from the two developing countries, and workers from the two oriental countries as more external on respect than workers from the two Western countries. Other significant intercountry differences were found on the remaining categories.
Tight upper and lower bounds on the constrained capacity of non-coherent multi-antenna channels

This paper first presents an optimal receiver and coding scheme for a multi-user, multi-receiver, non-coherent Rayleigh flat fading channel which achieves the channel's constrained capacity (i.e., the capacity for a fixed input distribution). The paper then goes on to analyze the optimal receiver and uses it to generate tight upper and lower bounds on the constrained capacity. Knowing this constrained capacity is essential to judge the efficiency of coding schemes for the channel; it performs the same function as BPSK capacity for the AWGN channel in judging LDPC codes. The paper then goes on to present a practicable correlation based receiver that uses a novel iterative channel estimation technique. The performance of this receiver remains close to the constrained capacity as long as the per-user SNR is low; there is no requirement on the aggregate SNR. With 50 users, 50 receivers and a brickwall fading channel with a coherence length of 200 symbols, for example, the correlation based receiver achieves a sum rate of 36 bits/sec/Hz, significantly greater than any current cellular standards.
The Challenge of Understanding the Disablement Process in Older Persons Commentary Responding to Jette AM. Toward a Common Language of Disablement

DISABILITY is caused by a diverse set of conditions and diseases and can affect people across the full age spectrum. Understanding the development of disability, the impact of disability on the individual and ways to both prevent disability and mitigate the impact of disability on quality of life are high priorities. But disability is a complex and challenging process to study, especially when it develops over years or decades. Researchers who study disability face many challenges and need all the help we can give them. A key tool to support this research is a simple, clear model to help examine steps along the pathway to disability. Such a model should provide measurable concepts along the pathway that are unambiguously operationalized. This approach is critical to making discoveries that can turn into useful interventions.
Induction of transcription factor AP-1 by adenovirus E1A protein and cAMP.

Treatment of adenovirus-infected mouse S49 cells with cAMP analogs leads to the transcriptional induction of early viral genes. El A proteins and cAMP work in synergy to activate several of these genes. We now demonstrate that the transcription factor AP-1 is modestly induced by cAMP in S49 cells and induced to significantly higher levels by cAMP in the presence of El A proteins. Cytoplasmic levels of c-/os and junB mRNAs are rapidly increased by cAMP, and the induction is substantially stronger in the presence of El A protein. The AP-1 activity binds efficiently to both AP-1 and activating transcription factor (ATF)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)-binding sites present in ElA-inducible promoters and presumably plays a role in the transcriptional activation of adenovirus genes by El A proteins and cAMP.
ZnO-TiO2 Core-Shell Nanorod/P3HT Solar Cells

We evaluate an ordered organic−inorganic solar cell architecture based on ZnO−TiO2 core−shell nanorod arrays encased in the hole-conducting polymer P3HT. Thin shells of TiO2 grown on the ZnO nanorods by atomic layer deposition significantly increase the voltage and fill factor relative to devices without shells. We find that the core−shell cells must be exposed to air to reproducibly attain efficiencies higher than 0.05%. Cells stored in air for 1 month are 0.29% efficient.
PERSPECTIVE: HERE'S TO FISHER, ADDITIVE GENETIC VARIANCE, AND THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM OF NATURAL SELECTION

Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection, that the rate of change of fitness is given by the additive genetic variance of fitness, has generated much discussion since its appearance in 1930. Fisher tried to capture in the formula the change in population fitness attributable to changes of allele frequencies, when all else is not included. Lessard's formulation comes closest to Fisher's intention, as well as this can be judged. Additional terms can be added to account for other changes. The "theorem" as stated by Fisher is not exact, and therefore not a theorem, but it does encapsulate a great deal of evolutionary meaning in a simple statement. I also discuss the effectiveness of reproductive-value weighting and the theorem in integrated form. Finally, an optimum principle, analogous to least action and Hamilton's principle in physics, is discussed.
Biotin uptake by human colonic epithelial NCM460 cells: a carrier-mediated process shared with pantothenic acid.

Previous studies showed that the normal microflora of the large intestine synthesizes biotin and that the colon is capable of absorbing intraluminally introduced free biotin. Nothing, however, is k...
Evaluating short‐ and long‐term impacts of fuels treatments and simulated wildfire on an old‐forest species

Fuels-reduction treatments are commonly implemented in the western U.S. to reduce the risk of high-severity fire, but they may have negative short-term impacts on species associated with older forests. Therefore, we modeled the effects of a completed fuels-reduction project on fire behavior and California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) habitat and demography in the Sierra Nevada to assess the potential short- and long-term trade-offs. We combined field-collected vegetation data and LiDAR data to develop detailed maps of forest structure needed to parameterize our fire and forest-growth models. We simulated wildfires under extreme weather conditions (both with and without fuels treatments), then simulated forest growth 30 years into the future under four combinations of treatment and fire: treated with fire, untreated with fire, treated without fire, and untreated without fire. We compared spotted owl habitat and population parameters under the four scenarios using a habitat suitability index developed from canopy cover and large-tree measurements at nest sites and from previously derived statistical relationships between forest structure and fitness (k) and equilibrium occupancy at the territory scale. Treatments had a positive effect on owl nesting habitat and demographic rates up to 30 years after simulated fire, but they had a persistently negative effect throughout the 30-year period in the absence of fire. We conclude that fuels-reduction treatments in the Sierra Nevada may provide long-term benefits to spotted owls if fire occurs under extreme weather conditions, but can have long-term negative effects on owls if fire does not occur. However, we only simulated one fire under the treated and untreated scenarios and therefore had no measures of variation and uncertainty. In addition, the net benefits of fuels treatments on spotted owl habitat and demography depends on the future probability that fire will occur under similar weather and ignition conditions, and such probabilities remain difficult to quantify. Therefore, we recommend a landscape approach that restricts timber harvest within territory core areas of use (;125 ha in size) that contain critical owl nesting and roosting habitat and locates fuels treatments in the surrounding areas to reduce the potential for high-severity fire in territory core areas.
Effects of nanoparticle impregnation of polyurethane foam core on the performance of sandwich beams

Abstract Polyurethane foam core has been considered for sandwich design due to its high stiffness and toughness. One of the methods of potential improvement of the foam is impregnating it with stiff nanoparticles, increasing its stiffness and collapse strength. In this paper we use the Mori–Tanaka and the self-consistent methods to estimate an increase in the stiffness of closed-cell and open-cell foams impregnated by stiff nanoparticles that do not affect foam geometry. Subsequently, the effect of the impregnation of the foam core on the response of a sandwich beam is demonstrated. The response characteristics considered in the paper include bending deflections in a three-point test, global buckling and wrinkling loads, and the effect of the foam impregnation on its compressive collapse stress associated with local instability of the elements of the foam. Recognizing that the introduction of nanoparticles in the foam material creates local stress concentrations around the inclusions we also examine the local strength of the impregnated foam using the classical Goodier solution for dilute particles and the Mori–Tanaka based stress analysis for a finite particle concentration. In addition, we demonstrate the approach to the evaluation of the resilience of impregnated foam utilizing the dilute approach. While numerical examples concentrate on polyurethane foam, the methodologies and conclusions can be extrapolated to any polymeric foam material reinforced by nanoparticles.
Abstract 249: Modulation of Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension by Cytochrome P450 1B1 Metabolites of Estrogen in Female Mice

Pre-menopausal females are less susceptible to increases in blood pressure (BP) compared to males in various models of experimental hypertension, and this protection is lost following ovariectomy (OVX). We reported that in male rodents, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1B1, via generation of reactive oxygen species, contributes to angiotensin (Ang) II- and DOCA-salt-induced hypertension and in SHR. Recently it has been shown that dexfenfluramine causes pulmonary arterial hypertension by a CYP1B1-dependent mechanism in female, but not male mice. Whether sex differences exist in the contribution of CYP1B1 to systemic hypertension is not known. Since CYP1B1 has a high affinity for estrogen, and estrogen and its metabolites exert both pro- and anti-proliferative effects, this study was conducted to determine the contribution of CYP1B1, estrogen, and its metabolites in the development of Ang II-induced hypertension in 8 weeks old female Cyp1b1 +/+ and Cyp1b1 -/- mice. Mice were infused with Ang II (700 ng/kg/min) or vehicle with or without 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE), 4-OHE (1.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.), or the CYP1B1 inhibitor, 2,4,3′5′-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS, 300 μg/kg, every 3 rd day, i.p.), for 2 weeks, and BP was measured twice weekly by tail cuff. Ang II increased BP to a greater degree in Cyp1b1 -/- than in Cyp1b1 +/+ mice (119 ± 3 to 171 ± 11 mmHg vs. 120 ± 4 to 149 ± 4 mmHg, respectively, P Cyp1b1 -/- mice was reduced by treatment with 2-OHE (171 ± 11 vs. 140 ± 8 mmHg, P Cyp1b1 +/+ mice enhanced the hypertensive effect of Ang II (190 ± 4 vs. 149 ± 4 mmHg, P Cyp1b1 +/+ or Cyp1b1 -/- mice. Furthermore, our preliminary data show that OVX increased the hypertensive effect of Ang II after 7 days of infusion in Cyp1b1 +/+ mice (171 ± 10 vs. 140 ± 4 mmHg, P Cyp1b1 -/- mice (167 ± 8 vs. 169 ± 7 mmHg, P > 0.05). These data suggest that estrogen metabolites of CYP1B1 exert both anti- (2-OHE) and pro-hypertensive (4-OHE) effects, and that the low pressor effect of Ang II in female mice is most likely mediated by the latter. Moreover, agents that inhibit CYP1B1 activity could promote development of systemic hypertension in female mice.
On ordering transaction commit

In this poster paper, we briefly introduce an effective solution to address the problem of committing transactions enforcing a predefined order. To do that, we overview the design of two algorithms that deploy a cooperative transaction execution that circumvents the transaction isolation constraint in favor of propagating written values among conflicting transactions. A preliminary implementation shows that even in the presence of data conflicts, the proposed algorithms outperform other competitors, significantly.
Progressive atrophy of skeletal muscles. Tips on differential diagnosis.

The “motor unit” concept is delineated and a classification of atrophies is presented. The four main categories are composed of disease states associated with (1) proximal symmetric, (2) distal symmetric, (3) diffuse bilateral and (4) restricted atrophies of skeletal muscles. Within each category, atrophies are separated according to origin: muscle, peripheral nerve, root or plexus, and anterior horn cell.
Machine Learning Methods for Multi Robot Navigation

In multi robot navigation, robots need to move towards their goal positions while adapting their paths to account for potential collisions with other robots and static obstacles. Existing methods compute motions that are optimal locally but do not account for the motions of the other robots, producing inefficient global motions when many robots move in a crowded space. In my research approach, each robot uses online machine learning techniques to adapt dynamically its behavior to the local conditions. The approach is highly scalable because each robot makes its own decisions on how to move. Experimental results obtained in simulation under different conditions show that the robots reach their destinations faster using motions that are more energy efficient.
Humes Criterion of Significance

IThere are various ways of being a sceptic. Most obviously, perhaps, versions of scepticism can differ with respect to scope. Scepticism can be universal; it can be directed against beliefs belonging to certain broad kinds, say beliefs having to do with the external world; or it can be quite focussed, as in the case of religious scepticism. But there is also the question of force. Some philosophers treat scepticism as a purely theoretical affair, defining it as the thesis that knowledge is impossible. This kind of scepticism, theoretical scepticism, has no essential connection with any particular sceptical practice. A theoretical sceptic does not necessarily entertain doubts or suspend judgment about any particular matter of fact or theory. He may think that the problem of induction is insoluble yet not be seriously concerned that the sun will not rise tomorrow. But in other versions, the force of scepticism is taken to be practical, in which case to be a sceptic is to entertain doubts or suspend judgment, and not just to take a certain theoretical position in epistemology.
Time resolved vibrational spectroscopy in biodynamics

Applications of time-resolved infrared and Raman spectroscopies to protein structural dynamics and function, involving timescales of picoseconds and longer, will be presented. Prospects for future development of this field will be discussed.
Newly identified iron-binding protein in human duodenal mucosa

Studies were undertaken using human duodenal mucosa to determine whether it contained a counterpart to a newly identified iron-binding protein recently isolated from rat duodenum and named mobilferrin. Water-soluble homogenates were prepared from duodena of patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic carcinoma. An iron-binding protein with an approximate molecular mass of 56 Kd was purified to homogeneity using 60% ammonium sulfate and serial chromatographic steps. The protein was biochemically and immunologically distinct from transferrin and ferritin, and competitively bound to zinc, cobalt, and lead. Each molecule bound one molecule of iron with a kd of 8.9 x 10(-5). Human isolates reacted in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a polyclonal antibody raised in rabbits against a similar duodenal protein isolated from rat duodenum. It is postulated that mobilferrin plays a significant role in the absorption of iron and other metals and may explain partially the competition between certain metals for absorption in the small intestine.
Understanding destination personality through visitors' experience: a cross-cultural perspective.

Abstract Destination personality is an essential element of destination brands and closely connected to visitors' experiences and emotions at the destination. This study investigates the reconstruction of destination personality through tourists' written accounts in the situational context of Jeju Island, South Korea. Guided by the brand personality literature and a content analysis of tourists' description of their experiences on travel blogs, the study identifies a set of traits that describe the personality of Jeju Island and further compares personality perceptions between tourists from Eastern and Western markets. The results indicate that tourists' written accounts provide rich information to understand visitors' experiences and an emotional connection to the destination through which destination personality manifests itself. The findings also indicate that destination personality perceptions may vary according to tourists' cultural backgrounds. The results of the study may assist DMOs in developing marketing strategies that are adaptive to cultural differences among their origin markets.
Historical contexts, internal debates, and ethical practice

Response to HAU Debate on Ortner, Sherry. 2016. “Dark anthropology and its others: Theory since the eighties.” HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory 6 (1): 47–73.
Collective action for social justice: An exploration into preservice social studies teachers’ conceptions of discussion as a tool for equity

Abstract An extensive body of research details the lack of discussion and collaboration occurring in K12 classrooms in the United States. This study seeks to examine this issue by exploring the associations preservice social studies teachers make between the underlying principles of democratic education and the use of discussion in the social studies classroom. The present qualitative multi-case study uses a collection of field-based data and university coursework to examine how six preservice social studies teachers at a large southeastern university conceptualize and value discussion as a pedagogical approach. Findings suggest that preservice social studies teachers do see value in the use of discussion and associate it with broad themes of democratic education. However, because their understandings of democratic education are often vague and unclear, the associations being made often do not reflect the work being conducted within academia in regards to social justice.
Factors Affecting Hospital Length of Stay for Drivers with Traumatic Brain Injuries from Motor Vehicle Crashes: South Carolina Case Study:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a major cause of disability and mortality, and many TBIs are caused by motor vehicle crashes. Hospital length of stay (LOS) is often regarded as a representation of consumption of hospital resources and may also represent injury severity. This study investigated the effects of crash factors and driver characteristics on hospital LOS for drivers sustaining a TBI in traffic crashes. The South Carolina Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System for 2005 to 2007 was used to build a zero-inflated negative binomial regression to predict hospital LOS for drivers experiencing a TBI as a result of a crash. Not wearing a seat belt, ejection from the vehicle, and a crash on a roadway with a high speed limit were factors associated with a greater likelihood of being admitted to the hospital and having longer hospital LOS for drivers sustaining TBIs in crashes. Intoxicated drivers were more likely to be admitted to the hospital but tended to have shorter LOS when they sustained a TBI in a...
Investigation of Potential Causes of Peach Skin Streaking.

Peach skin streaking is a previously undescribed skin discoloration affecting red-blush peach cultivars in Georgia and South Carolina. Streaked peach fruit have been observed in the field close to harvest. The cause of streaking is still unknown but one hypothesis is that atmospheric pollutants may be involved. The goal of this study was to establish proof of concept that commonly found air pollutants can produce streaks on peach skin similar to those observed in commercial orchards and investigate the susceptibility of peach fruit during maturation. Common reactive byproducts of atmospheric pollutants, including sulfuric acid (H2SO4), nitric acid (HNO3), and hypochlorite acid (HCl), at concentrations up to 10 μg/ml did not produce streaking under field conditions when applied at week 3, 2, and 1 prior to commercial harvest. However, sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) in the form of Clorox solution and chlorine dioxide (ClO2) at 100 μg/ml generated from the Aquamira water treatment solution produced streaking sy...
XFirewall: A Dynamic and Additional Mitigation Against DDoS Storm

The Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a main concern in network security. Since the attackers have developed different techniques and methods, preventing DDoS attacks has become more difficult. Traditional firewall is ineffective in preventing DDoS attacks. In this paper, we propose a new type of firewall named XFirewall to defend against DDoS attacks. XFirewall is a temporary firewall and is created when an attack occurs. Also, XFirewall will be configured with dynamic rules based on real-time traffic analysis. We will discuss in detail the design and algorithm for generating an XFirewall.
Safer driver responses at intersections with green signal countdown timers

Abstract Traffic signal countdown timers (TSCTs) are innovative, practical, and cost effective technologies with the potential to improve safety at signalized intersections. The purpose of these devices is to assist motorists in decision-making at signalized intersections by providing them with real-time signal duration information. This study examines US driver responses in the presence of a green signal countdown timer (GSCT) and the implications those responses have on intersection safety. A driving simulator study was conducted to record driver responses to virtual GSCTs. Fifty-five participants (32 male and 23 female) responded to 1100 simulated traffic signals, half of which had GSCTs. A predictive model was developed and validated to estimate the change in driver’s probability to stop at different distances from the stop line in the presence of a GSCT. The presence of a GSCT increased average driver stopping probability in the dilemma zone by 13.10%, while decreasing average driver deceleration rates by 1.50 ft/s 2 . These results suggest that GSCTs may contribute to improved intersection safety in the US.
Residual lithium carbonate predominantly accounts for first cycle CO2 and CO outgassing of Li-stoichiometric and Li-rich layered transition metal oxides

The role of residual lithium carbonate in the electrochemistry and outgassing of lithium transition-metal oxides (TMOs) has been largely overlooked. By combining in situ gas analysis, isotopic labeling, and a surface carbonate titration, we show that the presence of residual lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) on the surface of both Ni-rich Li-stoichiometric (specifically LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2) and Li-rich (Li1.2Ni0.15Co0.1Mn0.55O2) TMOs has a direct correlation with the amount of CO2 and CO evolved and has a relationship with O2 evolved from the TMO lattice on the first charge. By selectively isotopically labeling the residual surface Li2CO3, which remains in small quantities (∼0.1 wt %) after synthesis, and not the carbonate electrolyte, we further show that, up to 4.8 V vs Li/Li+ on the first charge, carbonate electrolyte degradation negligibly contributes to gas evolution. These key conclusions warrant a reassessment of our notion of oxidative decomposition of carbonate electrolytes on TMO surfaces and, more gen...
Enhanced reductive de-chlorination of a solvent contaminated aquifer through addition and apparent fermentation of cyclodextrin.

Abstract In a field study, aqueous cyclodextrin (CD) was investigated for its ability to extract chlorinated volatile organic compounds (cVOC), such as trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), and dichloroethene (DCE) through in-situ flushing of a sandy aquifer. After cessation of aquifer flushing, a plume of CD was left. Changes in CD, cVOC, and inorganic terminal electron acceptors (TEAs) (DO, nitrate, sulfate, iron) were monitored in four rounds of wellwater sampling (20, 210, 342, and 425 days after cessation of active pumping). Post-CD flushing VOC levels rebounded (850% for TCE, 190% for TCA, and 53% for DCE) between the first two sampling rounds, apparently due to rate-limited desorption from aquifer media and dissolution from remaining NAPL. However, substantial reduction in the mass of TCE (6.3 to 0.11 mol: 98%) and TCA (2.8 to 0.73 mol: 74%) in groundwater was observed between 210 and 425 days. DCE should primarily be produced from the degradation of TCE and is expected to subsequently degrade to chloroethene. Since DCE levels decreased only slightly (0.23 to 0.17 mol: 26%), its degradation rate should be similar to that produced from the decaying TCE. Cyclodextrin was monitored starting from day 210. The mass of residual CD (as measured by Total Organic Carbon) decreased from 150 mol (day 210) to 66 (day 425) (56% decrease). The naturally anaerobic zone within the aquifer where residual CD mass decreased coincided with a loss of other major potential TEAs: nitrate (97% loss), sulfate (31%) and iron (31%). In other studies, TCE and 1,1,1-TCA have been found to be more energetically favorable TEAs than sulfate and iron and their degradation via reductive dechlorination has been found to be enhanced by the fermentation of carbohydrates. Such processes can explain these observations, but more investigation is needed to evaluate whether residual levels of CD can facilitate the anaerobic degradation of chlorinated VOCs.
Exploration of Expansion and Associated Timing Strategies for International Market Entry

This paper proposes a flexible and dynamic model and associated methodology for studying the effects and antecedents of the international diffusion process. The proposed model and methodology efficiently estimates the interaction of the diffusion process both within and between countries. Future extensions and propositions for further analysis are also discussed.
Opportunities for Inpatient Room Designs That Facilitate Imaging Professionals in Providing Diagnostic Patient Care: A Mixed Methods Study:

An increase in providing hospital bedside imaging examinations could be contributing to the risk of musculoskeletal injuries among imaging professionals. Given the increasing demand for portable be...
Can Specific MMPI-2 Scales Predict Treatment Response among Missionaries?:

While the MMPI-2 is unsurpassed in its ability to identify psychopathology and aid in diagnosis and treatment planning, its value in predicting treatment response is less established. We administer...
Application of Chemical Graph Theory for the Estimation of the Dielectric Constant of Polyimides

In recent years high-performance polymers have become important in the electronics industry as encapsulants for electronic components, interlayer dielectrics, and printed wiring board materials. The dielectric properties of the materials used in plastic packaging play an important role in device performance. Both the dielectric constant (or permittivity) e' (sometimes the symbol e is used) and the loss (or dissipation) factor e" influence the signal-carrying capacity and propagation speed of the device. Materials with low dielectric constants and low loss factors provide better device performance, as they allow faster signal propagation with less attenuation. The signal speed is the velocity of the electromagnetic radiation in the transmitting medium, which is inversely proportional to the square root of the dielectric constant of the material. The ability to estimate accurately the dielectric properties of a polymer is of value in the development of new materials for use in the electronics industry. The purpose of this chapter is to report on calculations that estimate the dielectric constant of polymers that are sufficiently novel that their dielectric properties of
Film Model Approximation for Multicomponent Adsorption

An approximate rate equation based on a film-model representation of diffusional mass transfer is developed to describe the kinetics of multicomponent adsorption. The model describes mass transfer as a pseudo-steady state diffusion process through a flat film of thickness equal to one fifth of the particle radius. Starting with an irreversible thermodynamics description of multicomponent diffusion, the flux relationships are integrated across the film yielding analytical expressions for the rate of mass transfer in a multicomponent adsorption system, when adsorption equilibria are described by the extended Langmuir isotherm. The new approximate rate equation can be conveniently used in the numerical simulation of adsorption systems with concentration-dependent micropore or surface diffusivity, and describes the effects of diffusional flux coupling. Results of accuracy comparable with that obtained when using the classical linear-driving-force approximation for systems with constant diffusivities are obtained with this new rate equation for both batch and fixed-bed adsorption calculations. A generalization of the approach based on the Gibbs adsorption isotherm describes mass transfer rates in terms of the spreading-pressure gradient and provides an extension to other multicomponent isotherm forms.
Clinical Stage Migration and Survival for Renal Cell Carcinoma in the United States.

Abstract Background The rising incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) since the 1980s has been accompanied by stage migration toward early-stage (stage I) cancers. Stage migration drove an apparent increase in survival for RCC since the 1980s, but it is unclear whether it remains a contributor more recently. Objective To determine whether clinical stage migration has persisted and the relative impact of stage migration versus improvements in treatment on survival for RCC. Design, setting, and participants An epidemiologic assessment of stage migration and survival for 262 597 patients at diagnosis of RCC (2004–2015) across >1500 facilities in the National Cancer Database. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Proportion of patients over time was assessed by clinical stage at diagnosis via Cochran-Armitage chi-square tests and linear regression. Mortality data were assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method for 5-yr overall survival, Cox proportional hazards regression, and propensity score matching to differentiate the impact of treatment including systemic therapy from stage migration. Results and limitations Greater diagnosis of clinical stage I disease (70%; p Conclusions The proportion of patients presenting with stage I RCC has stabilized (70%), suggesting that stage migration may have ended. Localized tumors are detected with decreasing size, while advanced cancers have remained stable. Only 11% of patients now present with distant metastatic disease, but 5-yr overall survival is improving in recent years due to improved treatments rather than stage migration. Patient summary In this study, we found that stage migration toward early-stage cancers has ended for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, improved treatment for advanced RCC appears to be responsible for improved survival in recent years.
An overview of Murray’s Hodgson indirect contribution to the acoustical community as a mentor

During his more than 20 years of career as a professor at University of British Columbia, Murray Hodgson has inspired many of his previous students to pursue their career in various fields of acoustics, both in academia and industry. His undergraduate engineering course Acoustics and Noise Control was the first exposure to the vast world of acoustics for many of his former students. Furthermore, Murray has also supervised many students through their graduate studies. This paper will highlight Murray’s indirect contribution as a mentor by summarizing the current whereabouts of his former students who are now an active member of the acoustical community in North America and around the world.
Inhibition of High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1) Eradicates Human Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Abstract Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous and pre-leukemic clonal stem cell disorder characterized by aberrant hematopoiesis and bone marrow failure. Since MDS is associated with a dysregulated innate immune system, we performed a genetic screen of the human toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway and found that high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) was abundantly expressed in MDS. HMGB1 is a ubiquitously expressed, non-histone chromatin-binding protein. In solid cancers, high expression of HMGB1 was associated with both shortened progression-free and overall survival, but its role in hematologic malignancies is not well defined. We hypothesized that targeting HMGB1 could be therapeutic in MDS. To study HMGB1 in human MDS, we utilized a cell line, MDS-L, derived from a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome with ring sideroblasts. Morphologically, the cells display dysplastic features, including cytoplasmic vacuolation and prominent, irregular nucleoli. We found that HMGB1 was detected at high levels in both MDS-L and in primary CD34+ MDS compared to CD34+ cord blood and healthy human marrow (*p Next, we sought to pharmacologically inhibit HMGB1 signaling with sivelestat, which is a small molecule inhibitor for neutrophil elastase and HMGB1. Since sivelestat has not been studied in either normal or malignant hematopoiesis, whether it or other HMGB1 inhibitors could impact MDS is not yet defined. Following 72 h culture, HMGB1 protein levels were decreased in both MDS-L cells and in primary CD34+ MDS cells treated with 300 mg/ml sivelestat compared to cultures with vehicle alone (*p Since treatment with sivelestat could decrease both MDS cell expansion and impair the ability to generate colonies in methylcellulose assays, we sought to determine whether blocking HMGB1 could decrease MDS engraftment in NOD-scid ILR2gnull (NSG) mice. At 17 weeks, irradiated NSG mice that were transplanted with MDS-L cells treated with sivelestat demonstrated a 3.2-fold decrease in human CD45 marrow engraftment with MDS-L compared to control cultures (*p Mechanistically, sivelestat increased cellular apoptosis in cultures of MDS cells compared to control cultures (*p=0.001). This was done in part by increasing levels of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA, *p=0.0003), activated caspase 3 (*p Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
What's Love Got to do with it? Marital status and survival of head and neck cancer

Objective To determine whether marital status independently predicts survival in a head and neck cancer (HNC) survivor population. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we analysed data from 460 adult patients (59.31 ± 11.42) years diagnosed with HNC at an academic tertiary referral centre between 1997 and 2012. Cox proportional hazards model estimated the effect of marital status on survival. Results Our study had 73% men, and 82.2% were Whites. We found an association between marital status and HNC survival. Unmarried HNC patients had a 66% increase in hazard of death compared to married patients (aHR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.23-2.23). This was after controlling for sociodemographic variables (age, race, sex and health insurance status), social habits (tobacco and alcohol), primary anatomical subsite (oral cavity, oropharyngeal, laryngeal and others), stage at presentation (early vs. late stage) and treatment modality (surgery, surgery with adjuvant therapies, other single modality therapy and palliative care). Conclusions Being married confers survival advantage for HNC survivors. Our finding underscores the need to recognise this aspect of survivorship. Social support should be considered part of standard care for managing HNC. There may also be need to develop other support mechanisms, especially for unmarried HNC survivors.
Comparison of Graft Acquisition and Early Direct Charges of Haploidentical Related Donor Transplantation versus Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation.

Abstract Alternative donor allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants (HCTs), such as double umbilical cord blood transplants (dUCBT) and haploidentical related donor transplants (haplo-HCT), have been shown to be safe and effective in adult patients who do not have an HLA-identical sibling or unrelated donor available. Most transplant centers have committed to 1 of the 2 alternative donor sources, even with a lack of published randomized data directly comparing outcomes and comparative data on the cost-effectiveness of dUCBT versus haplo-HCT. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate and compare the early costs and charges of haplo-HCT and dUCBT in the first 100 days at 2 US transplant centers. Forty-nine recipients of haplo-HCT (at 1 center) and 37 with dUCBT (at another center) were included in the analysis. We compared graft acquisition, inpatient/outpatient, and total charges in the first 100 days. The results of the analysis showed a significantly lower cost of graft acquisition and lower total charges (for 100-day HCT survivors) in favor of haplo-HCT. Importantly, to control for the obvious shortcomings of comparing costs at 2 different transplant centers, adjustments were made based on the current (2018) local wage index and inflation rate. In the absence of further guidance from a prospective study, the cost analysis in this study suggests that haplo-HCT may result in early cost savings over dUCBT and may be preferred by transplant centers and for patients with more limited resources.
The benefits of collaboration: from curriculum mapping to a community of practice.

Collaboration is commonly viewed as a valuable and necessary yet complex and challenging aspect of faculty life in the contemporary academy. The value of collaborative efforts is often tied to tang...
Pain scores and recovery post tonsillectomy: intracapsular versus extracapsular coblation.

Objective This study compared post-tonsillectomy pain scores and recovery using the coblation-only technique, comparing extracapsular versus intracapsular approaches. Methods A prospective study was performed in our paediatric ENT department. Pain scores were recorded on days 0, 2, 4 and 8, using a visual analogue scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme pain). Information was also collected on: return to normal fluid and solid intake, and any post-operative visits to primary care. Results In total, 101 patients were included in the analysis. Average pain scores were statistically lower on days 2, 4 and 8 in the intracapsular group compared to the extracapsular cohort. The intracapsular cohort also returned sooner to normal fluid and solids intake. The extracapsular group were more likely to visit the general practitioner post-operatively. Conclusion Intracapsular tonsillectomy appears to result in reduced morbidity overall and should be considered as a viable alternative in relevant cases.