cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mineralogical and textural criteria for recognizing remnant Cenozoic deposits on the Piedmont: evidence from Sparta and Greene County, Georgia, U.S.A.

Two soilkaprolite profiles from ridge crest sites in central Georgia were investigated for mineralogical and textural trends to help elucidate the relationship between Cenozoic Coastal Plain deposits landward of the Fall Line and the Piedmont. Result from the study of a 10.5 m thick sequence in Sparta, Georgia reveal a deep lateritic profile showing complete loss of plagioclase, gradational loss of K-feldspar, vermiculitization of biotite and precipitation of kaolinite and halloysite within the lower 6 m. The middle section of the sequence is characterized by authigenic kaolinite. halloysite and goethite. The upper 1.35 m is quartz-rich, but also contains K-feldspar, hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite (HIV) and gibbsite. A comparison of grain shape and size indicates a slight textural difference between the upper and middle sections, with the fine sand grains of the upper section being more spherical and less angular. Preliminary results from the study of a 6.35 m sequence in Greene Country, Georgia also reveal a deep lateritic profile. A sharp soil fabric contact, from slightly mottled to highly mottled, occurs 3.1 m below the surface. This profile is characterized by a bimodal clay mineral abundance distribution as a function of depth. This includes an antithetical relationship between kaolinite and HIV, where HIV is abundant at the surface, decreases with depth, increases again at the fabric interface and then decreases with depth. It is suggested that the profiles contain paleosols that are a result of deep lateritic weathering, subsequent allochthonous deposition of a sedimentary cap and then further chemical weathering. The exact relationship between the depositional ages of the veneers and the age, duration and climatic conditions for past weathering events are currently poorly constrained. Recognition of paleo-weathering surfaces has potential importance for our understanding of the record of geologic and paleoclimatic change in the southeastern United States. Identification of such Cenozoic sedimentary veneers and paleosols on the Piedmont also has potential importance for land use practices from the standpoint of better understanding regional soil terrain properties.
A modified pattern reconfigurable microstrip antenna for IC fabrication and integration with RF MEMS switches

The paper outlines the modifications to a pattern reconfigurable antenna, with pattern reconfigurability over a shared bandwidth centered at 26 GHz, for IC fabrication and integration with RF MEMS switches. Several changes to the antenna structure that enable the incorporation of the switch geometry (including DC biasing networks) as well as the feeding mechanism are described. Performing these modifications allows a standard probe fed microstrip antenna to be successfully transformed into an IC compatible structure. Measured results from several of these modifications show very promising results.
SPHINX: a fault-tolerant system for scheduling in dynamic grid environments

A grid consists of high-end computational, storage, and network resources that, while known a priori, are dynamic with respect to activity and availability. Efficient scheduling of requests to use grid resources must adapt to this dynamic environment while meeting administrative policies. In this paper, we describe a framework called SPHINX that can administrate grid policies, and schedule complex and data intensive scientific applications. We present experimental results for several scheduling strategies that effectively utilize the monitoring and job-tracking information provided by SPHINX. These results demonstrate that SPHINX can effectively schedule work across a large number of distributed clusters that are owned by multiple units in a virtual organization in a fault-tolerant way in spite of the highly dynamic nature of the grid and complex policy issues. The novelty lies in use of effective monitoring of resources and job execution tracking in making scheduling decisions and fault-tolerance - something that is missed in today's grid environments.
Cryotherapy-Induced Persistent Vasoconstriction After Cutaneous Cooling: Hysteresis Between Skin Temperature and Blood Perfusion

The goal of this study was to investigate the persistence of cold-induced vasoconstriction following cessation of active skin-surface cooling. This study demonstrates a hysteresis effect that develops between skin temperature and blood perfusion during the cooling and subsequent rewarming period. An Arctic Ice cryotherapy unit (CTU) was applied to the knee region of six healthy subjects for 60 min of active cooling followed by 120 min of passive rewarming. Multiple laser Doppler flowmetry perfusion probes were used to measure skin blood flow (expressed as cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC)). Skin surface cooling produced a significant reduction in CVC (P < 0.001) that persisted throughout the duration of the rewarming period. In addition, there was a hysteresis effect between CVC and skin temperature during the cooling and subsequent rewarming cycle (P < 0.01). Mixed model regression (MMR) showed a significant difference in the slopes of the CVC-skin temperature curves during cooling and rewarming (P < 0.001). Piecewise regression was used to investigate the temperature thresholds for acceleration of CVC during the cooling and rewarming periods. The two thresholds were shown to be significantly different (P = 0.003). The results show that localized cooling causes significant vasoconstriction that continues beyond the active cooling period despite skin temperatures returning toward baseline values. The significant and persistent reduction in skin perfusion may contribute to nonfreezing cold injury (NFCI) associated with cryotherapy.
Regional Filmmaking After Jia Zhangke: Relational Cinematic Space and Ying Liang's The Other Half

This article examines Ying Liang’s films to illustrate Chinese independent filmmakers’ growing propensity for representing regional space through innovative cinematic techniques. As one of the most...
Mechanisms of Pi regulation of the skeletal muscle SR Ca2+ release channel

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) accumulates in the fibers of actively working muscle where it acts at various sites to modulate contraction. To characterize the role of Pi as a regulator of the sarcoplasm...
The External Dimensions of the European Law of Civil Procedure – A Transatlantic Perspective

The last two decades have witnessed the creation and rapid expansion of a new area of law called European civil procedure. Thus far, the growing number of rules of European civil procedure has been limited to inter-European transnational litigation, that is, litigation that has connections to two or more member states of the European Union. In the future, however, the European institutions are increasingly likely to start lawmaking initiatives for transnational litigation involving both EU and non-EU countries, such as the United States. The present contribution hones in on this latter category of lawmaking for transnational litigation involving EU and non-EU nations. Adopting a trans-Atlantic perspective, I try to shed light on the underlying interests with which Europeans on the one hand and Americans on the other are likely to approach treaty negotiations in this area, interests that are likely to play a crucial role in determining outcomes in lawmaking for transnational litigation involving Europe and the United States in the coming years. To examine these interests, I begin with the renewed effort to negotiate a judgments convention at The Hague. The Hague Judgments Project covers a potentially important part of external EU civil procedure. Thus, an analysis of the main interests underlying this project on both sides of the Atlantic yields important insights for other aspects of lawmaking in this area, such as whether the Lugano Convention can serve as a useful basis for negotiations between Europe and the United States, and what to do with jurisdiction over defendants from non-member states, matters I address in turn.
Presentation of the Mineralogical Society of America Award for 2011 to Motohiko Murakami

Over the past decade or so, it has become increasingly common to hear the phrase “transformative science” in various contexts. In reality, the number of scientific results that are truly transformative are relatively few. (After all, how often can our fields be transformed?) Today, it is my pleasure to be introducing Motohiko Murakami, a young scientist whose work has fundamentally changed the way we think of the Earth’s lower mantle, and especially the few hundred kilometers just above the core-mantle boundary: the D′′ region. In 2004, Motohiko published a paper with his Ph.D. thesis advisor Kei Hirose, N. Sata, and Y. Ohishi showing convincing proof that MgSiO3-perovskite transforms to a new “post-perovskite” phase under pressure-temperature conditions …
Relation of Reticulo-Endothelial System to Refractoriness Developed in Response to Gonadotropic Hormone

Summary1. Immature splenectomized rats injected with pregnancy urine extract for 20 days produce a smaller quantity of inhibitory substance than normal injected controls. 2. “Blockage” experiments with trypan blue indicate that the production of antagonistic principle is not peculiar to the spleen but is possessed by the reticuloendothelial system as a whole.
What's in a Name? Of Dog-Killers, Jews and Rasputin

Russians have long been preoccupied with surnames, particularly a distinction between so-called "good" and "bad" surnames, in ways that may be hard to understand by a nation of immigrants whose ancestral names were often mutilated by immigration authorities or anglicized by their bearers with a stroke of the pen. In the Russian Empire, such changes required the personal permission of the ruler and were exceedingly rare until the end of the nineteenth century.
Ultrastructural Localization of Acid Phosphatase and Alkaline Phosphatase Within Oogonia of Achlya Recurva

Oogonial development of Achlya recurva Cornu (sensu Latham) was studied utilizing the Barka-Anderson and Hugen Borgers modifications of the Gomori reaction. The differentiation of the oogonium was ...
Biliary tract cancers

In the United States, an estimated 20,000 new cases of liver and biliary tract cancer are diagnosed annually.1 Biliary tract cancer is the second most common primary hepatobiliary cancer, after hepatocellular cancer. Approximately 7500 new cases of biliary tract cancer are diagnosed per year; about 5000 of these are gallbladder cancer, and between 2000 and 3000 are bile-duct cancers.1 Biliary tract cancers have traditionally been divided into cancers of the gallbladder, the extrahepatic bile ducts, and the ampulla of Vater, whereas intrahepatic bile-duct cancers have been classified as primary liver cancers.2 The term “cholangiocarcinoma” was originally intended to refer only . . .
Prevalence and risk factors of hand problems and carpal tunnel syndrome among dental hygienists.

Purpose Recent research indicates a growing presence of hand problems and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in dental professionals, especially among dental hygienists. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of hand problems and CTS among dental hygienists and identify risk factors for these conditions. Methods As part of a study that surveyed more than 5,000 army dental personnel, 177 dental hygienists were analyzed in great detail. Because of the magnitude of the overall study, which included all types of dental professionals, it was not only possible to identify the prevalence and risk factors of hand problems and CTS affecting dental hygienists, but also the prevalence rates as compared to other dental personnel. Results While the overall response rate for all dental personnel was 81%, dental hygienists responded at nearly 92%. Seventy-five percent of dental hygienists reported having hand problems, and 56% exhibited probable or classic symptoms of CTS. By logistic regression, the data revealed that dental hygienists whose practice comprised a majority (> 50%) of patients with heavy calculus were 2.3 times more likely to develop hand problems than those treating fewer patients with heavy calculus. Those who had practiced more than 10 years were also 1.9 times more likely to manifest symptoms associated with CTS than those with fewer years in the profession. Conclusion The prevalence of hand problems and CTS among dental hygienists was the highest among army dental personnel, with the exception of dental therapy assistants. Risk factors for both hand problems and CTS are multifactorial, and dental hygienists should be particularly aware of those factors that can be prevented.
Lycium (Lycium barbarum)

The berries of Lycium barbarum, a perennial plant native to Asia and southeastern Europe, have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat poor vision, anemia, inflammation, and cough. They are also consumed as food and used in soup recipes. Lycium has gained immense popularity in the United States over the past decade because of its antioxidant properties. It is available in health food stores and is marketed via the Internet in juice form, typically blended with the juices of other berries and fruits. A wide range of health benefits, including cancer prevention and treatment, have been claimed for lycium.
Prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general middle-aged and elderly population

Objective: To determine the prevalence of chronic polyneuropathy in an unselected community-dwelling population of middle-aged and elderly people. Methods: The current study was embedded in the prospective, population-based Rotterdam Study. Between June 2013 and October 2015, 1,310 participants (mean age 70 years, 55% female) were screened for the presence of polyneuropathy. This screening consisted of a questionnaire, neurologic examination, and nerve conduction studies. Polyneuropathy was diagnosed by a consensus panel that categorized participants into no, possible, probable, or definite polyneuropathy, depending on the level of abnormality of the screening. Medical records were scrutinized to evaluate whether the disorder was diagnosed before and laboratory investigations were performed to determine the presence of associated risk factors. Results: Prevalence of definite polyneuropathy was 5.5% (95% confidence interval 4.4–6.9), age-standardized to the population of the Netherlands 4.0% (3.1–5.3). Prevalence was higher in male participants (6.7% compared to 4.5%) and increased with age. When combining probable and definite polyneuropathy, age-standardized prevalence was 9.4% (7.9–11.1). Almost half of the polyneuropathies (49%) were newly diagnosed. The majority of polyneuropathies were idiopathic (46%). Diabetes, present in 31% of participants with polyneuropathy, was the most commonly found risk factor. Conclusions: Prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general middle-aged and elderly population is at least 4%, and increases with age. Almost half of the cases were newly diagnosed, indicating that the presence of polyneuropathy is underreported or underdiagnosed. Currently, almost half of the polyneuropathies are idiopathic. Future prospective cohort studies should focus on identifying new determinants of polyneuropathy.
Asynchronous learning: student utilization out of sync with their preference.

Background : Asynchronous learning is gaining popularity. Data are limited regarding this learning method in medical students rotating in emergency medicine (EM). In EM, faculty time is limited to give in-person lectures. The authors sought to create an online curriculum that students could utilize as an additional learning modality. Objective : The goal was to evaluate effectiveness, participation, and preference for this mode of learning. Methods : We developed five online, narrated PowerPoint presentations. After orientation, access to the online curriculum was provided to the students, which they could review at their leisure. Results : One hundred and seven fourth-year medical students participated. They reported the curriculum to be of high quality. Pretest scores were similar for those that viewed all lectures – compliant group (CG) (9.5 [CI 4.8–14.1]) and those that did not view any – non-compliant group (NCG) (9.6 [CI 5.9–13.4]). There was no statistical significant difference in posttest scores between the groups although there was improvement overall: CG 14.6 (CI 6.9–22.1); NCG 11.4 (CI 5.7–17.1). A majority (69.2%) favored inclusion of asynchronous learning, but less than a quarter (22.4%) reported viewing all five modules and more than a third (36.4%) viewed none. Conclusion : Despite student-expressed preference for an online curriculum, they used the online resource less than expected. This should give pause to educators looking to convert core EM topics to an online format. However, when high-quality online lectures are utilized as a learning tool, this study demonstrates that they had neither a positive nor a negative impact on test scores. Keywords: medical education; asynchronous learning; online; medical student; clerkship; curriculum development; emergency medicine; clinical education (Published: 7 June 2016) Citation: Med Educ Online 2016, 21: 30587 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v21.30587
Historical Antecedents of Life-Span Developmental Psychology

Contemporary developmental psychology studies children or aged persons and rarely considers the whole of life. Child psychology originated in baby biographies, genetic psychology, child-clinical, and educational psychology. These origins have maintained the focus on childhood and on the person. Educational measurement and behaviorism started the trend toward scientific rigor in research. Although some studies of maturity and old age were conducted early, most postadolescent research originated after World War II and emphasizes the medical, physiological, and social problems of old age. The entire life-span has become an area for concern primarily by those researchers involved in longitudinal studies: As their subjects have matured and aged, the researchers' interests have kept pace.
The Two Faces of Lactobacillus kunkeei: Wine Spoilage Agent and Bee Probiotic

Summary Importance: Lactobacillus kunkeei, also known as the “ferocious lactobacilli”, causes fermentation arrest during wine production 1 . L. kunkeei co-evolved with honeybees and is an important probiotic for bee and hive health 2 . In the bee ecosystem, L. kunkeei is one of a suite of lactic acid bacteria that protect the bee and hive from pathogens as well as aid in preservation of sugar-rich hive resources. The protection of sugar-rich resources probably uses similar mechanisms to those inhibiting yeast during grape juice fermentation. Key Observations: The probiotic role of L. kunkeei Unique aspects of L. kunkeei metabolism enabling rapid growth in grape juice Proposed mechanisms of inhibition of yeast fermentation by L. kunkeei The environmental incentive for [ GAR + ] prion induction by yeast in the presence of L kunkeei and fermentation arrest Impact and Significance: The essential role of L. kunkeei in prevention of bee colony collapse disorder limits the options available to winemakers for control of this pervasive spoilage agent. L. kunkeei can be controlled by sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) addition 3 . However, although this organism is sensitive to SO 2 , our data suggest that other microbes present in juice at the same time may reduce the effective concentration of SO 2 , thereby enabling growth of L. kunkeei . Clues from the mechanism of arrest of fermentation may help explain the role of L. kunkeei in bee health.
A Polycythemia Vera JAK2 Mutation Masquerading as a Duodenal Cancer Mutation

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is increasingly being used in cancer care to identify both somatic tumor driver mutations that can be targeted for therapy, and heritable mutations in the germline associated with increased cancer risk. This report presents a case of a JAK2 V617F mutation falsely identified as a duodenal cancer mutation via NGS. The patient was found to have a history of polycythemia vera, a disorder with a high incidence of JAK2 somatic mutations. Buccal cell DNA showed heterozygosity for the mutation, suggesting that it was potentially germline. However, subsequent resequencing of tumor, adjacent normal tissue, and fingernail DNA confirmed the mutation was somatic, and its presence in tumor and buccal cells resulted from contaminating blood cells. This report highlights important nuances of NGS that can lead to misinterpretation of results with potential clinical implications.
Microscale distribution and dynamic surface tension of pulmonary surfactant normalize the recruitment of asymmetric bifurcating airways

The dynamic surface tension of pulmonary surfactant is integral to the uniformity of asymmetric bifurcation airway recruitments because it modulates capillary pressure drop in a velocity-dependent ...
Relative time reference in the Bamileke tense system

In this paper it is demonstrated that Bamileke-Dschang (Grassfields Bantu, Cameroon) has a highly developed system of multiple past and future tenses with inherently relative time reference. A tense marker in one clause may refer either relatively to the time reference of a preceding clause, or it may refer absolutely to the time of speaking. In addition, tense markers can be combined within a single clause, in which case the timing of a second tense marker is calculated relative to the first marker. It is shown that tense markers occurring in second position in a clause historically derive from main verbs which are consecutivized one after the other.
Is There a Chastity Belt on Perception

Can one’s ability to perform an action, such as hitting a softball, influence one’s perception? According to the action-specific account, perception of spatial layout is influenced by the perceiver...
Exploring sensitivity of the extensional flow to wormlike micellar structure

Abstract The non-linear dynamics of a series of salt-free surfactant solutions is investigated via a combination of TEM imaging, shear rheology and capillary breakup extensional rheometry. Surfactant solutions contain Hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate (CTAT) in de-ionized water. At low surfactant concentrations, 0.7 wt%
Understanding change in violence-related attitudes for adolescents in relationship education

Relationship education (RE) targets common correlates of adolescent dating violence (ADV), such as gender role beliefs (GRB) and DV acceptance (DVA), yet few studies have evaluated the influence of RE on GRB and DVA and none have considered participants' sociodemographic characteristics. Using a sample of adolescents from the United States (Mage = 15.66 years; 58% female), this study examined pre- and post-test GRB and DVA scores of RE participants (n = 1645) compared to nonparticipants (n = 522) and explored the differential and combined effects of participants' sociodemographic characteristics on change. Black males held the most traditional GRB at pre-test, but became more egalitarian after programming. RE participation also appeared to act as a buffer against an increase in DVA for females, but not males. Study findings provide a more complex picture of the role of RE in shifting beliefs and attitudes associated with ADV and provide implications for programming.
Parent reported long-term quality of life outcomes in children after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to determine long-term outcomes for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients including quality of life (QoL), symptom burden, reoperation rates, and health status. Methods A chart review and phone QoL survey were performed for patients who underwent CDH repair between 2007 and 2014 at a tertiary free-standing children’s hospital. Comprehensive outcomes were collected including subsequent operations and health status. Associations with QoL were tested using Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results Of 102 CDH patients identified, 46 (45.1%) patient guardians agreed to participate with mean patient age of 5.8 (SD, 2.2) years at time of follow-up. Median PedsQLTM and PedsQLTM Gastrointestinal scores were 91.8 (IQR, 84.8–95.8) and 95.8 (IQR, 93.0–98.2), out of 100. Thoracoscopic repair was associated with higher PedsQLTM scores while defects with an intrathoracic stomach were associated with increased gas and bloating. No difference in QoL was found when comparing defect side, patch vs primary repair, prenatal diagnosis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or recurrence. Older age weakly correlated with worse school functioning and heartburn. Conclusion Children with CDH have reassuring QoL scores. Given the correlation between older age and poor school function, longer follow-up of patients with CDH may be warranted. Level of Evidence III (Retrospective comparative study).
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to the Patient with Vasculitis

This article presents an approach to the diagnosis and therapy of patients with vasculitis. Effective treatment of patients with vasculitis requires a systemic approach to diagnosis and classification of disease, evaluation of the extent of organ system involvement, and an exclusion of underlying treatable diseases.
Sample Selection for Medicare Risk Adjustment Due to Systematically Missing Data

Objective To assess the issue of nonrepresentative sampling in Medicare Advantage (MA) risk adjustment. Data sources Medicare enrollment and claims data from 2008 to 2011. Data extraction Risk adjustment predictor variables were created from 2008 to 2010 Part A and B claims and the Medicare Beneficiary Summary File. Spending is based on 2009-2011 Part A and B, Durable Medical Equipment, and Home Health Agency claims files. Study design A propensity-score matched sample of Traditional Medicare (TM) beneficiaries who resembled MA enrollees was created. Risk adjustment formulas were estimated using multiple techniques, and performance was evaluated based on R2 , predictive ratios, and formula coefficients in the matched sample and a random sample of TM beneficiaries. Principal findings Matching improved balance on observables, but performance metrics were similar when comparing risk adjustment formula results fit on and evaluated in the matched sample versus fit on the random sample and evaluated in the matched sample. Conclusions Fitting MA risk adjustment formulas on a random sample versus a matched sample yields little difference in MA plan payments. This does not rule out potential improvements via the matching method should reliable MA encounter data and additional variables become available for risk adjustment.
The Effect of ECAE on the Ballistic Response of AZ31

The equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) process that refines the grains by severe plastic deformation has been noted to increase the high strain rate compressive strength of metals, such as magnesium alloy, AZ31. However it is not known if the improvement in the properties translates to improvement in the ballistic properties. In this study, ballistic experiments were performed on magnesium AZ31B that were ECAE processed by the 4Bc route. The targets were cut from orientations that exhibit disparate mechanical responses. The complex failure process was characterized by photonic Doppler velocimetry.
Cerebral Oxygenation in the Sitting Position Is Not Compromised During Spontaneous or Positive-Pressure Ventilation

General anesthesia with neuromuscular blockade may facilitate total shoulder arthroplasty but appears to increase risk of cerebral oxygen desaturation. Cerebral desaturation is undesirable and is a proxy for risk of stroke. This study tested the hypothesis that cerebral oxygen desaturation occurs frequently during general anesthesia with neuromuscular blockade and positive-pressure ventilation but does not occur with spontaneous ventilation. Correlations were sought among cerebral oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and cardiac index. We designed a prospective, observational, cohort study to measure cerebral oxygenation in 25 patients during general anesthesia, both with and without positive-pressure ventilation. Patients undergoing elective shoulder arthroplasty in the sitting position received an arterial catheter, near-infrared spectroscopic measurement of cerebral oxygenation, and non-invasive cardiac output measurement. Moderate hypotension was allowed. Blood pressure was supported as needed with ephedrine or low-dose epinephrine (but avoiding phenylephrine). Hypercapnia (45 to 55 mmHg) was targeted during positive-pressure ventilation. No cerebral oxygen desaturations occurred, regardless of ventilation mode. Under positive-pressure ventilation, the median (interquartile range: Q1, Q3) cerebral oxygenation was 110% of baseline (104, 113), the mean arterial pressure was 62% of baseline (59, 69), and the cardiac index was 82% of baseline (71, 104). Cerebral oxygenation did not correlate with blood pressure or cardiac index but had moderate correlation with end-tidal carbon dioxide. No strokes occurred. There were no signs of inadequate brain perfusion during general anesthesia using paralytic agents. Positive-pressure ventilation with moderate hypotension in the sitting position does not endanger patients, in the context of moderate hypercapnia and hemodynamic support using ephedrine or epinephrine.
Pakistan’s Journey into Space

ABSTRACTDespite political, technological, and economic constraints, Pakistan is considered an aspiring space power with a relatively modest space program compared to the larger, more successful one...
Assessing Data Availability and Research Reproducibility in Hydrology and Water Resources

There is broad interest to improve the reproducibility of published research. We developed a survey tool to assess the availability of digital research artifacts published alongside peer-reviewed journal articles (e.g. data, models, code, directions for use) and reproducibility of article results. We used the tool to assess 360 of the 1,989 articles published by six hydrology and water resources journals in 2017. Like studies from other fields, we reproduced results for only a small fraction of articles (1.6% of tested articles) using their available artifacts. We estimated, with 95% confidence, that results might be reproduced for only 0.6% to 6.8% of all 1,989 articles. Unlike prior studies, the survey tool identified key bottlenecks to making work more reproducible. Bottlenecks include: only some digital artifacts available (44% of articles), no directions (89%), or all artifacts available but results not reproducible (5%). The tool (or extensions) can help authors, journals, funders, and institutions to self-assess manuscripts, provide feedback to improve reproducibility, and recognize and reward reproducible articles as examples for others.
Distributed Optimization and Coordination Algorithms for Dynamic Traffic Metering in Urban Street Networks

Previous research has shown that proper metering of entry traffic to urban street networks, similar to metering traffic on on-ramps in freeway facilities, reduces traffic congestion, especially in oversaturated flow conditions. Building on the previous research, this paper presents a real-time and scalable methodology for finding near-optimal metering rates dynamically in urban street networks. The problem is formulated into a mixed-integer linear program (MILP) based on the cell transmission model. We propose a distributed optimization scheme that decomposes the network level MILP into several link-level MILPs to reduce the complexity of the problem. We convert the link-level MILPs to linear programs to reduce the computational complexity further. Moreover, we create distributed coordination between the link-level linear programs to push the solutions toward optimality. The distributed optimization and coordination solution algorithm is incorporated into a rolling horizon technique to account for the time-varying demand and capacity and to reduce the computational complexity further. We applied the proposed solution technique to a number of case studies and observed that it was scalable and real time and found solutions that were at most 2.2% different from the optimal solution of the problem. Like the previous studies, we found significant improvements in network operations as a result of traffic metering.
Stress-Buffering Effects of Volunteering on Daily Well-Being: Evidence From the National Study of Daily Experiences.

Objectives Building on theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence linking volunteering and well-being in later life, we investigated the associations between daily engagement in formal volunteering, stressors, and negative and positive affect, focusing on the stress-buffering effect of volunteering. Methods We used 8 days of daily diary data from the second wave of the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE II), a national survey of middle-aged and older adults (participant N = 1,320; participant-day observation N = 8,277). A series of multilevel models were estimated to assess the within-person associations between daily volunteering, stressors, and affect. Results A direct link between daily volunteering and affect was not discovered. However, we found that the association between daily stressors and negative affect (but not positive affect) was weaker on days when volunteering was performed compared to days volunteering was not performed. Discussion Our findings suggested that the stress-buffering effect of volunteering contributes to improved emotional well-being for participants who volunteered on a daily basis. Future studies should investigate whether such stress-buffering effects are present for other forms of helping behaviors.
Skeletal muscle hypertrophy and attenuation of cardio-metabolic risk factors (SHARC) using functional electrical stimulation-lower extremity cycling in persons with spinal cord injury: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at heightened risks of developing unfavorable cardiometabolic consequences due to physical inactivity. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) and surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)-resistance training (RT) have emerged as effective rehabilitation methods that can exercise muscles below the level of injury and attenuate cardio-metabolic risk factors. Our aims are to determine the impact of 12 weeks of NMES + 12 weeks of FES-lower extremity cycling (LEC) compared to 12 weeks of passive movement + 12 weeks of FES-LEC on: (1) oxygen uptake (VO2), insulin sensitivity, and glucose disposal in adults with SCI; (2) skeletal muscle size, intramuscular fat (IMF), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT); and (3) protein expression of energy metabolism, protein molecules involved in insulin signaling, muscle hypertrophy, and oxygen uptake and electron transport chain (ETC) activities. Forty-eight persons aged 18–65 years with chronic (> 1 year) SCI/D (AIS A-C) at the C5-L2 levels, equally sub-grouped by cervical or sub-cervical injury levels and time since injury, will be randomized into either the NMES + FES group or Passive + FES (control group). The NMES + FES group will undergo 12 weeks of evoked RT using twice-weekly NMES and ankle weights followed by twice-weekly progressive FES-LEC for an additional 12 weeks. The control group will undergo 12 weeks of passive movement followed by 12 weeks of progressive FES-LEC. Measurements will be performed at baseline (B; week 0), post-intervention 1 (P1; week 13), and post-intervention 2 (P2; week 25), and will include: VO2 measurements, insulin sensitivity, and glucose effectiveness using intravenous glucose tolerance test; magnetic resonance imaging to measure muscle, IMF, and VAT areas; muscle biopsy to measure protein expression and intracellular signaling; and mitochondrial ETC function. Training through NMES + RT may evoke muscle hypertrophy and positively impact oxygen uptake, insulin sensitivity, and glucose effectiveness. This may result in beneficial outcomes on metabolic activity, body composition profile, mitochondrial ETC, and intracellular signaling related to insulin action and muscle hypertrophy. In the future, NMES-RT may be added to FES-LEC to improve the workloads achieved in the rehabilitation of persons with SCI and further decrease muscle wasting and cardio-metabolic risks. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02660073 . Registered on 21 Jan 2016.
Surgical Treatment of the Thoracic Aorta

Thoracic aortic disease has a variety of presentations and acuities requiring meticulous planning for intervention. Patients typically present with a wide variety of comorbidities and preoperative states.
Gradual cover competitive facility location

A new gradual cover competitive facility location model is proposed and tested. In cover competitive models, it is assumed that up to a certain distance a demand point is attracted to a facility and beyond this distance it is not. The decline in attraction and cover is abrupt. It is either 0 or 1. We propose a gradual decline in attraction from 1 to 0. As the distance increases the attraction and cover decline. The buying power captured by a facility cannot exceed its attraction level, and the total buying power captured by all facilities cannot exceed the buying power available at the demand point. The single-facility location is optimally solved. The largest problem of 1000 demand points is solved in less than one second. The multiple facility version is solved by SNOPT and other solvers.
INCREASED PERICARDIAL DELAYED HYPERENHANCEMENT (DHE) IS ASSOCIATED WITH RECURRENCE IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE RECURRENT IDIOPATHIC PERICARDITIS TREATED WITH ANAKINRA

Interleukin-1 antagonists are a promising novel therapy for recurrent pericarditis, though risk factors for recurrence during treatment are not established. We hypothesized that higher pericardial DHE, a marker of ongoing inflammation, would be associated with recurrence. Patients in this
Understanding the freezing responses of T cells and other subsets of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells using DSMO-free cryoprotectants

Abstract Background This study examined the freezing responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and specific white blood cell subsets contained therein when cryopreserved in three combinations of osmolytes composed of sugars, sugar alcohols and amino acids. Methods A differential evolution algorithm with multiple objectives was used to optimize cryoprotectant composition and thus the post-thaw recoveries for both helper and cytotoxicity T cells simultaneously. Results The screening of various formulations using a differential evolution algorithm showed post-thaw recoveries greater than 80% for the two subsets of T cells. The phenotypes and viabilities of PBMC subsets were characterized using flow cytometry. Significant differences between the post-thaw recovery for helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells were observed. Statistical models were used to analyze the importance of individual osmolytes and interactions between post-thaw recoveries of three subsets of T cell including helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells and natural killer T cells. The statistical model indicated that the preferred concentration levels of osmolytes and interaction modes were distinct between the three subsets studied. PBMCs were cultured for 72 h post-thaw to determine the stability of the cells. Because post-thaw apoptosis is a significant concern for lymphocytes, apoptosis of helper T cell and cytotoxic T cells frozen in a DMSO-free cryoprotectant was analyzed immediately post-thaw and 24 h post-thaw. Both cell types showed a decrease in cell viability 24 h post-thaw compared with immediately post-thaw. Helper T cell viability dropped 17%, and cytotoxic T cells had a 10% drop in viability. Immediately post-thaw, both cell types had >30% of cells in early apoptosis, but after 24 h the number of cells in early apoptosis decreased to below 20%. Conclusion This study helped us identify the freezing responses of different human PBMC subsets using combinations of osmolytes.
9 – The Budget

Publisher Summary More than 80% of National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant proposals are submitted with “modular” budgets. Before budgets became modular they were scrutinized by every member of a study section, probably with the negative intent of discovering an impropriety. Members of sections who have laboratory or clinical experience in the area of proposed research know what the going rate is for the goods and services requested, and have a good sense of levels of effort required for different types of research. If they see anything that seemed out of the bounds of their experience, they question it. Too much attention is paid to minor differences in experimental preferences. This sometimes has a negative impact on considered evaluation of the science. This quibbling over pennies has been stopped by removing most detail from the budget presentation. The modular budget greatly simplifies the burden of the principal investigator (PI), and this is good. If the study section feels the budget is too large, it imposes cuts in increments. Detailed instructions for filling out the budget are given in the PHS 398 application packet, and are supplemented by instructions and sample forms presented at the “NIH Modular Research Grant Applications.”
Repeated toluene exposure leads to neuroadaptation in dopamine release mechanisms within the nucleus accumbens core.

Abstract Background Intentionally inhaling volatile organic solvent like toluene for its intoxicating effects continues to be a public health concern. While repeated abuse of toluene has deleterious behavioral and health effects, little is known about the actions of toluene on the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system within the central nervous system. Method The present study employed complementary neurochemical techniques of slice fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) and in vivo microdialysis, to assess dopamine (DA) dynamics immediately after repeated exposure to 2000- or 4000-ppm toluene. DA D3 autoreceptor functionality, measured by FSCV with pharmacological manipulations and brain tissue content analysis with high performance liquid chromatography, were also used to account for the changes in the DA dynamics. Results Toluene-exposed mice had decreased stimulated DA release only in the nucleus accumbens core immediately after seven days of repeated exposure. DA uptake was decreased in the core only after 2000-ppm exposure. The differences in stimulated DA release were not attributed to alterations in intraneuronal DA levels as measured by tissue content analysis. Basal extracellular DA levels were not significantly different between the air- and toluene-treated mice. However, following an additional toluene exposure, mice had elevated extracellular DA levels in the nucleus accumbens during recovery. This potentiation in extracellular accumbal DA levels was further heightened following potassium stimulation. The accumbal DA D3 autoreceptor function did not appear to play a role as a potential mediator for these differences. Conclusion Our FSCV and microdialysis results suggest a neuroadaptation in DA release mechanics within the nucleus accumbens, but the exact neuronal mechanism of toluene's impact remains elusive.
Estimation and Hypothesis Testing for the Loglinear Model

In recent years, the loglinear model has been proposed and used for analysing frequency data in multidimensional contingency tables. The primary focus of the literature has been on model building a...
Development and Evolution of the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association

The Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) was established in 1997 as a trainee-led organization under the guidance of the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association (TSDA) to represent the interests and meet the educational needs of cardiothoracic surgery residents across North America. Since its founding, the TSRA has continuously evolved and expanded to further its primary mission. In addition to now offering text- and audio-based educational resources, the TSRA acts to connect students, trainees, and faculty, with the ultimate goal of fostering relationships that will benefit not only individuals but also the field of cardiothoracic surgery as a whole.
Kinematic effects of a passive lift assistive exoskeleton.

Abstract The VT-Lowe’s exoskeleton was designed to help support the back during repetitive lifting tasks. This study focused on the kinematic differences between lifting with and without the exoskeleton (With-Exo and Without-Exo) over three different lifting styles (Freestyle, Squat, and Stoop) and two different box weights (0% and 20% of bodyweight). Twelve young and healthy males (Age 23.5 +/− 4.42 years; Height 179.33 +/− 6.37 cm; Weight 80.4 +/− 5.59 kg) participated in this study. Variables analyzed include the ankle and knee angles and angle between the Shoulder-Hip-Knee (SHK); the shoulder, elbow, and wrist heights; and the lifting speed and acceleration. The relationships between the torso angle, SHK angle, center of mass of the torso, torso torque, box height, as well as electromyography (EMG) data from a related study were also analyzed. On average, wearing the exoskeleton resulted in a 1.5 degree increase in ankle dorsiflexion, a 2.6 degree decrease in knee flexion, and a decrease of 2.3 degrees in SHK angle. Subjects’ shoulder, elbow, and wrist heights were slightly higher while wearing the exoskeleton, and they lifted slightly more slowly while wearing the exoskeleton. Subjects moved more quickly while bending down as compared to standing up, and with the 0% bodyweight box as compared to the 20% bodyweight box. The values for Freestyle lifts generally fell in between Squat and Stoop lift styles or were not significantly different from Squat. EMG data from the leg muscles had relationships with torso torque while the back and stomach muscles showed no significant relationships.
Health Disparities in the U.S. Gulf Coast: The Interplay of Environmental Disaster, Material Loss, and Residential Segregation

We study the interrelationships between health, residential segregation, and disaster-related material losses (income loss, job loss, economic/property damages) due to the worst ever man-made disas...
3D Printing of Aramid Nanofiber Composites by Stereolithography

Vat photopolymerization is a versatile 3D printing method that produces parts using polymeric materials with uniform mechanical properties, high quality surface finish and high-resolution features. However, it is challenging to make composite materials with vat photopolymerization mainly due to the imperfect filler dispersion in the photo resin. Herein, we describe a methodology to incorporate aramid nanofibers (ANFs) into a 3D printable photoresin as a dispersion, followed by a solvent exchange process that limits anisotropic shrinkage and cracking of the printed polymer. By incorporating 0.60 wt.% of ANFs, both the tensile strength and toughness increased by 264 % and 219 % respectively, while the Young’s modulus had a 406 % increase compared to the control photoresin.
Human Rights Law

PART I: HUMAN RIGHTS: THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION AND THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1. Introduction: the idea of human rights 2. The European Convention on Human Rights 3. The European Convention and the law of the United Kingdom 4. The Human Rights Act 1998 (1) rights and duties 5. The Human Rights Act 1998 (2) proceedings and remedies PART II: SUBSTANTIVE RIGHTS AND APPLICATION 6. Convention law: pervasive themes 7. Ancillary rights 8. Article 2 right to life 9. Article 3 prohibition of torture 10. Article 4 prohibition of slavery and forced labour 11. Article 5 right to liberty and security 12. Right to a fair trial 13. Article 7 no punishment without law 14. Introduction to Articles 8-11 15. Article 8 right to respect for private and family life 16. Applications: prisoner's rights, deportation and medical law 17. Applications: police powers 18. Article 9 freedom of thought, conscience and religion 19. Article 10 freedom of expression 20. Article 11 freedom of assembly and association 21. Article 12 right to marry 22. Applications: media law and privacy 23. Applications: political protest and public order 24. Article 1 of the First Protocol protection of property 25. Article 2 of the First Protocol right to education 26. Article 3 of the First Protocol right to free elections 27. Anti-terrorism law and human rights