cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of the Formation of Thin Film Titanium Diselicide

Multilayered difiiision couples consisting of alternating layers of titanium (Ti) and amorphous silicon (a-Si) have been fabricated using sputter deposition with a range of modulation lengths corresponding to an average composition of Ti33 Si67. We have used differential scanning calorimetry to measure the enthalpy evolved during the solid state reaction a-Si + Ti → C49-TiSi2 and have characterized the phases formed using x-ray diffraction analysis. An average measured enthalpy of formation, ΔΗ was found to be ΔΗ = -58 + 9 kJ/g atom for thin film samples. Using scanning and isothermal calorimetry measurements, we have also characterized the kinetics involved during the initial intermixing stage.
Systematic Approach in Designing Rare-Earth-Free Hybrid Semiconductor Phosphors for General Lighting Applications

As one of the most rapidly evolving branches of solid-state lighting technologies, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are gradually replacing conventional lighting sources due to their advantages in energy saving and environmental protection. At the present time, commercially available white light emitting diodes (WLEDs) are predominantly phosphor based (e.g., a yellow-emitting phosphor, such as cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet or (YAG):Ce3+, coupled with a blue-emitting InGaN/GaN diode), which rely heavily on rare-earth (RE) metals. To avoid potential supply risks of these elements, we have developed an inorganic–organic hybrid phosphor family based on I–VII binary semiconductors. The hybrid phosphor materials are totally free of rare-earth metals. They can be synthesized by a simple, low-cost solution process and are easily scalable. Their band gap and emission energy, intensity, and color can be systematically tuned by incorporating ligands with suitable electronic properties. High quantum efficiency is ...
Post-Diversion Pre-Cystectomy Irradiation for Carcinoma of the Bladder

AbstractIn 47 patients treated sequentially with urinary diversion and laparotomy staging, irradiation therapy and total cystectomy for invasive carcinoma of the bladder, the mortality rate was 2 per cent and the complication rate was 20 per cent. The survival rate was most favorable in patients in whom the pathologic specimen revealed no tumor after irradiation. The lower mortality and morbidity rates are attributed to staging of surgical procedures and the challenge remains to increase the number of patients in whom carcinoma of the bladder is converted by irradiation therapy to a lower stage or no tumor.
Pharmacokinetic Values of Drugs Frequently Used in Performance Horses

Tables of values of pharmacokinetic variables (volume of distribution, total body clearance, and plasma elimination half-life) of drugs frequently administered to performance horses are accompanied by explanatory notes. Drugs described include the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, central nervous system-modifying drugs, respiratory system drugs, diuretics, local anesthetics, and antibacterial drugs.
Development of Strategic Quality Metrics for Organizations Using Hoshin Kanri

Often in organizations there is a disconnect between the long-term strategy and their improvement efforts. Organizations may have a vision; however, their daily continuous improvement activities may not be linked to the vision. Conversely, an organization may be very organized with respect to daily functions but not have any long-term goals. Effective planning is critical for creating an organizational strategy and vision. Lean and Six Sigma are both powerful tools for continuous improvement that are widely used to increase quality, productivity, profitability, and market competitiveness. Six Sigma is focused on reducing variation using a problem solving approach and statistical tools. Lean focuses on eliminating waste and improving flow using various Lean principles and their respective approaches. As stand-alone tools, companies can achieve strong improvements. However, many companies realize suboptimal results due to poor project selection and inappropriate tool selection. The Lean and Six Sigma philosophies drive continuous improvement; however to realize significant improvements, organizations must link their continuous improvement efforts to their strategic vision and goals. Therefore, an integrated approach to process improvement using Lean principles and Six Sigma begins with a strategic approach to identifying gaps between the current and future state. The final goal of this integration is to holistically optimize the entire process of value flow by eliminating waste and controlling variation. One of the techniques that companies can adopt to systematically make progress in implementing the organization’s vision into its daily process is Hoshin Kanri. This technique encourages employees to reach the root cause of problems before searching for solutions, create sustainable plans for implementation, incorporate performance metrics, and take appropriate action for implementation. Though developed in Japan, this technique is based on Deming’s classic Plan–Do–Check–Act improvement cycle. Hoshin Kanri drives the long-term strategic vision of the organization down throughout all levels of the organization. Lean and Six Sigma initiatives are then tied to the long-term success of the organization. In this chapter, Hoshin Kanri will be presented as a strategic approach to implementing Lean and Six Sigma to achieve long-term results.
Extended Stakeholder Orientation: Influence on Innovation and Firm Performance

Stakeholder theory and market orientation both provide valuable insights to researchers and managers alike on fundamentals related to sustainable competitive advantage (Grinstein 2008a; Grinstein and Goldman 2011; Kirca et al. 2005; Laplume et al. 2008). Market orientation, where orientation is defined collectively as the culture, policies, organization and management practices within a firm (Ferrell et al. 2010), views customers and competitors as core stakeholders (Narver and Slater 1990), while stakeholder theory suggests a broader focus to include two more groups as core stakeholders: employees and shareholders. Scholars suggest that a broader stakeholder focus can enhance our understanding of the drivers necessary for sustainable firm performance (Maignan et al. 2011; Matsuno et al. 2000). Extended stakeholder orientation (XSO) is conceptualized here as an integrative approach that responds to calls to investigate market orientation and stakeholder theory (Ferrell et al. 2010; Narver and Slater 1990). The second order XSO construct is composed of orientations to core or ‘essential’ stakeholders – customers, competitors, employees and shareholders (Greenley et al. 2005; Yau et al. 2007). XSO includes embedded proactive considerations for each stakeholder in accord with suggestions by Narver et al. (2004). Additionally, amid market and technological turbulence virtually dictating the need for innovation (Christensen et al. 1998), this study also develops an innovation orientation scale to investigate the relationship of stakeholder orientation to innovation orientation. We conducted two pilot studies (n = 400) for an exploratory factor analysis which yielded scales for responsive and proactive customer, competitor, employee and shareholder orientations. A separate sample (n = 360) was obtained from across the USA in diversified industries with public and private companies ranging from small to large corporations to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis. Results were encouraging based on CB-SEM analysis. Model fit parameters were within guidelines and results significant at the p < .001 level (Hair et al. 2010). We found XSO is positively correlated to firm performance with 60 % variance explained. XSO is also positively correlated to innovation orientation which acts as a partial mediator to firm performance. In summary this empirical study shows extended stakeholder orientation is key to firm performance and innovation. The implication for management practice is that proactive considerations and a balanced approach to core stakeholders should be integral to the firm. For researchers the study provides a baseline to further investigate salience of stakeholders and interactive effects among them. Moreover, alternative analytical methods such as PLS-SEM may provide additional insights since CB-SEM overall model fit requirements may tend to result in elimination of otherwise important content (Binz et al. 2014).
Cascadia Volcanic Arc System

The North Cascades, the Central-Southern Cascades, the Washington-Oregon Coast Range and Valleys, the Olympic Mountains, and the Klamath Mountains together constitute the Cascadia volcanic arc system, where the Juan de Fuca plate is actively subducting beneath the North American plate. Subduction has produced a tectonic landscape consisting of coastal mountains, an inland valley, and an explosive volcanic arc. Chapter 16 discusses the origin and evolution of this landscape. Coastal uplift appears to be in response to underplating at the subduction zone and, with the exception of the Olympic Mountains, is greater along the Oregon coast than along the Washington coast. The Olympic Mountains appear to be in a steady state, as indicated by calculated rates of uplift and erosion over the past 14 million years. Although volcanism has been active in the Cascade Range for at least the past 38 million years, all of the active volcanoes are less than 800,000 years old. They either blow themselves up or go extinct, with active volcanism generally migrating eastward. Uplift within the past 10 million years has created a major rain shadow across Oregon and Washington.
Status of Fuel Cell Development In the United States

The u.s. Department ofEnergy is sponsoring a program to dellelop high-efficiency fuel cell technologies for the production ofelectric power from natural gas and other methane- or hydrogen-rich fuel...
Pre- and postsynthesis simulation mismatches

With the widespread adoption of top-down design methodologies using HDL and synthesis, RTL models have become the "golden" design database. However, ASIC and FPGA vendors still require a gate level netlist as the official sign-off design. Model ambiguities in RTL designs can cause differences between RTL and synthesized netlist designs. These differences in the best case cause simulation mismatches between RTL and gate designs. In the worst case, if not detected in simulation they can result in faulty hardware. This paper covers common sources of ambiguity in RTL models. Solutions are provided for avoiding these situations. Some basic simulation debug tips are provided to help identify these errors in simulation with both VHDL and Verilog. These examples are based on Synergy (Cadence's synthesis tool) but also apply to synthesis in general.
Solvation dynamics of an ionic probe in choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents.

Solvation of the thiocyanate ion in three different deep eutectic solvents (DES) was investigated by linear FTIR spectroscopy, and Two Dimensional IR spectroscopy. Linear infrared spectroscopy reveals that the thiocyanate ion forms a hydrogen bond through its sulphur atom, while its nitrile end remains free. Photon-echo vibrational spectroscopy shows that the thiocyanate has a frequency–frequency correlation function (FFCF) with two distinct dynamics occurring on the picosecond time scale in all of the studied solvents. The observed dynamics is assigned to in-place and diffusional motions of the components within the thiocyanate solvation shell. Molecular dynamics simulations and ab initio calculations confirm the experimental findings and their molecular interpretation. In addition, theoretical modeling of the thiocyanate nitrile stretch lineshape suggests that alcohol-based DES are more structurally disorganized than the amide-based analogue. However, the organization observed in the different DES is not sufficient to explain physical properties, such as density, indicating that the amount of defects (i.e., hole theory) is not sufficient to fully describe the properties of DES.
Electrically switchable metamaterials

The control of electromagnetic radiation lies at the core of many modern technologies. Naturally occurring materials provide only limited electromagnetic response, insufficient for emerging technologies with increasingly demanding requirements. Metamaterials/metasurfaces overcome such an obstacle by realizing exotic electromagnetic properties and enhanced functionalities through a designer approach for the control and manipulation of the amplitude, phase and polarization. However, once fabricated, their properties are fixed, which limits the scope of applications. Actively switchable and frequency tunable metamaterials using an external stimulus are highly desirable in order to accomplish a reconfigurable response and signal modulation for communication, imaging, sensing, and adaptive optics, to name a few. During the past years, hybrid metamaterials realizing active and dynamic properties have attracted intensive research interest, where materials/structrures under consideration include varactor diodes, semiconductor Schottky structures, liquid crystals, phase transition materials, grapheme, transparent conducting oxides, and MEMS, and the tuning knobs can be optical excitation, electric field, magnetic field, currents, and temperature. Each of these approaches has their advantages and limitations. Of particular interest and relevance is the electrically switchable metamaterials that can provide a practical solution in real world applications, which require large modulation depth, fast modulation speed, selective wavelength response, and compatibility with existing integrated electronics and photonics. In this presentation I will introduce the concept and overview the progress of active metamaterials/metasurfaces, including the design principle, functional material integration, structure fabrication, and accomplished functionalities, with a focus on the electrical approach.
Technique Tip: Single-Incision Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy.

Two-incision endoscopic plantar fasciotomy (EPF) is an accepted surgical technique in the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Single-incision plantar fasciotomy is a relatively new techniq...
The Gendered Migration Experience: South Korean Nurses in West Germany

Roberts provides an insight into the guest worker experience of Korean nurses and miners in Germany that started in the 1960s. She notices a difference in experience for the young Korean women and men. She argues that the Korean women took on a new Korean–German identity via the acquisition of German language skills, which allowed the women to escape the restrictions of their former highly patriarchic societal expectations. They formed a women’s group, adapted their linguistic behavior, and started to voice their frustrations with their work conditions. Before the expiration of their work contracts, they managed to fight publically for their right to stay. They were successful in their endeavor and were allowed to stay and work permanently.
When a Parent of a Student with a Learning Disability Is Also an Educator in the Same School District: A Heuristic Case Study.

Advocating for your child with a disability can be a daunting task for any parent. When the parent is also a school district employee, determining whether advocacy could impact one’s position as an employee becomes inherently problematic. Using a heuristic case study approach, this inquiry’s intent is to understand the experiences, barriers, and perceptions of job security related to advocating from inside the district as a parent–educator of a child with a learning disability. Three themes emerged that describe this parent–educator’s experiences. Findings indicate this parent–educator encountered varied experiences. Specifically, these include experiences that were both positive and challenging in nature, barriers that were not anticipated by the parent–educator, and repercussions related to job security. Implications for practice and future research related to parents of children with disabilities who are also educators are discussed.
Threats to Validity in the edTPA Video Component

The edTPA, a performance assessment designed to generate reliable and valid measures of teaching practice, increasingly is used as a gatekeeping mechanism for beginning teacher licensure in various...
THE IMPACT OF CARDIOPULMONARY TESTING ON DOWNSTREAM EVALUATION IN PATIENTS WHO UNDERGO MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION IMAGING

Background: The diagnostic yield of combined cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has received limited study. Methods: We included consecutive patients who underwent combined CPET-MPI at a single tertiary referral center. An abnormal CPET test was defined
Targeting Frailty in Heart Failure

Frailty is a systemic syndrome characterized by impaired physiologic reserve, slowness, weakness, and wasting. It is associated with, but distinct from, aging, disability, and multimorbidity. Frailty is extremely common in patients with heart failure and portends a worse prognosis. The two syndromes worsen one another via complex molecular and cellular mechanisms which are not fully understood but include increased levels of stress hormones and cytokines. In this article, we discuss the mechanisms of frailty and review common frailty metrics. We review and summarize the literature on the impact of frailty in heart failure and discuss treatment and management options.
Impacts of the Lower Stratosphere on the Development of Intense Tropical Cyclones

This study examines potential impacts of the lower stratosphere on the development and the inner-core structure of intense tropical cyclones (TCs). By initializing the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) model with different monthly averaged sounding profiles in the Northwestern Pacific and the North Atlantic basins, it is shown that the lower stratosphere layer (LSL) can impose a noticeable influence on the TC structure and development via formation of an extra warm core near the tropopause along with a thin layer of inflow in the LSL at the high-intensity limit. Specifically, a lower tropopause level allows for higher TC intensity and a more distinct double warm core structure. Likewise, a weaker LSL stratification also corresponds to a warmer upper-level core and higher intensity. Of further significance is that the double warm core formation is more sensitive to tropopause variations in the Northwestern Pacific basin than those in the North Atlantic basin, given the same sea surface temperature. The results suggest that variations in tropopause level and LSL stratification could be an important factor that is responsible for the long-term variability of TC intensity.
Values Mapping and Counter-Mapping in Contested Landscapes: an Olympic Peninsula (USA) Case Study

Indigenous peoples, local communities, and other groups can use counter-mapping to make land claims, identify areas of desired access, or convey cultural values that diverge from the dominant paradigm. While sometimes created independently, counter-maps also can be formulated during public participation mapping events sponsored by natural resource planning agencies. Public participation mapping elicits values, uses, and meanings of landscapes from diverse stakeholders, yet individuals and advocacy groups can use the mapping process as an opportunity to make visible strongly held values and viewpoints. We present three cases from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State to illustrate how stakeholders intentionally used landscape-values mapping workshops to amplify their perspectives in attempts to further political outcomes. We combine geospatial analysis with qualitative data to explore ways that landscape-values mapping were used as a political tool and how social scientists engaged in similar efforts can defend the scientific integrity of results.
A Custom Contoured Surgical Pillow to Reduce Soring

Commercial donut pillows are used during lengthy surgical operations. With the patient anesthetized, the multiple pressure points on the head and wrinkling of the skin cut off blood circulation in the face, which leads to facial decubitus ulcers [1].Cellular type materials such as foam, which are used in these pillows, are very effective in reducing pressure points by transferring pressure into shear forces [2]. In a similar way to surgical pillows, these materials are used to reduce foot pain due to plantar pressure in foot orthotics [3].However, these same shear forces lead to wrinkling of the skin which generates sores. These shear forces are related to shear stress in the pillow. Pressure normal to the pillow surface is related to normal stress in the pillow, which also leads to soring. Thus, the optimal pillow design, which reduces sores due to pressure points and wrinkling, would be characterized by the design where optimal values of the normal and shear stress are obtained [2].In a previous study [2], a surgical pillow design was developed which implemented foam wedges. The angle these foam wedges made with the transverse plane was determined to be the angle that gave minimal values of the normal and shear stresses. Thus this new pillow design reduced pressure sores as well as sores due to wrinkling of the skin.The use of foam wedges has some fundamental disadvantages. Chief among these disadvantages is that the wedges have planar surfaces which do not match the curvature of the human body well. This tends to make the wedges uncomfortable and ineffective. In addition, the manufacturing of small wedges which then have to be connected to the main pillow structure is cumbersome and inefficient.In this study, a new pillow design was developed which is based on the contour of the patient’s body to generate supportive surfaces that not only match the patient’s shape exactly but which minimizes normal and shear stresses.Copyright © 2017 by ASME
Studying Entrepreneurship as an Institution

The authors propose a research agenda based on the premise that entrepreneurship can and should be viewed as an institution. This approach assumes that typical structures and processes involved in founding new businesses reflect common social understandings held by members of a group about the value of entrepreneurship and how it should be undertaken. It also assumes that these behavioral patterns and social understandings vary by geographic region and over time.
Pacing and Outcomes: Economic Implications

Management of technology is crucial in today’s healthcare environment. Proliferation of available technology has occurred simultaneously with changes in adminsitrative systems, clinical environments, patients’ demands, and the health insurance industry. These changes all suggest an increasingly careful examination of both the outcomes and costs of technological interventions. Comparisons are particularly important when alternative technologies may be used for treatment of the same condition.
Hematological Malignancies and Premalignant Conditions

Hematological malignancies and premalignant conditions represent a wide spectrum of diseases that are characterized by various molecular alterations. One important etiologic and pathogenetic role of these conditions is defined by dysregulation and malfunction of the translation machinery, including aberrations in ribosome biogenesis and function and involvement of translation factors. While the role of ribosomal aberrations in other cancers is still unclear, enough evidence has been obtained in support of the notion that it may serve a causative foundation in a number of premalignant hereditary syndromes called ribosomopathies. This chapter will summarize a vast field of research concerning the involvement of the translation machinery in malignant and premalignant conditions of the hematopoietic system and will discuss ways to target this machinery in these neoplastic processes.
Polycentric governance and the impact of special districts on fiscal common pools

Local government services are increasingly being provided in fragmented polycentric systems where the overlapping jurisdictions draw resources from the same fiscal base. Developing optimal policies for the efficient management of fiscal resources requires a consideration of the total underlying fiscal pool. In this study, we evaluate the impact that special purpose districts have on debt ratios at the county “common pool” level in the State of Georgia (U.S.) between 2005-2014. Empirical findings suggest that inclusion of all general government and special purpose debt for each county may at times result in a greater burden on fiscal common pool than existing rules permit. These results call into question the efficacy of fiscal policies in a polycentric governance system that neglect to account for debt levels for all actors within the confines of a single fiscal common pool unit. Results also show that total debt ratios are significantly affected by special districts that operate within boundaries of a single county. We find no evidence that independent special districts have a differential impact on fiscal common pools compared to their dependent counterparts.
Transmission of Risk Between U.S. and Emerging Equity Markets

This study examines the transmission of risk between VIX and VIX-like measures of the Chinese, Brazilian, and overall emerging stock markets (EM) in an integrated system that allows multi-direction...
Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, cannot rule out high-grade lesion: Diagnosis, histological outcomes and human papillomavirus results

BACKGROUND The 2014 Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical Cytology classifies squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) of cervix into two main categories: low-grade SIL (LSIL) and high-grade SIL (HSIL). In some clinical practices, the LSIL cannot rule out high-grade lesion (LROH) interpretive category is used in cases with LSIL and findings that may raise the possibility of HSIL. Our purpose is to assess follow-up histopathology and high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) results in patients with LROH, in comparison with LSIL, atypical squamous cells, cannot rule out HSIL (ASC-H), and HSIL in our institution. DESIGN Cervical Papanicolaou tests with LROH, LSIL, ASC-H and HSIL interpretation, surgical follow-up, and hrHPV status were retrieved from the computer database from May 2014 to December 2016. RESULTS Of 109 963 total Papanicolaou tests, LROH comprised 0.3%, LSIL 3.1%, ASC-H 0.2% and HSIL 0.4%. Only 3272 cases with surgical diagnoses were included in the study. The most common histological outcome for ASC-H was cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2/3 (32.6%); LSIL was CIN 1 (45.7%); LROH was CIN 1 (46.7%) and HSIL was CIN 2/3 (64.4%). For LROH and LSIL, 31.1% and 7.5% respectively, had CIN 2/3. Approximately 79% of cases were hrHPV positive. Of LROH cases with surgical follow-up, 86.9% tested hrHPV positive, accounting for the second most common positive group after HSIL (92.6%). CONCLUSION In our study cohort, LROH interpretation is associated with a higher number of CIN 2 or higher lesions on follow-up compared to patients with LSIL (P < 0.0001), and is associated with a significant percentage of positive other hrHPV, supporting LROH as a useful diagnostic category that triggers appropriate follow-up in affected women.
Age-related risks of complications after distal pancreatectomy for neuroendocrine and cystic neoplasms.

Abstract Background Distal pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) and pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) are often incidentally found in older adults, requiring careful consideration between operative management and watchful waiting. This study analyzes the short-term complications associated with distal pancreatectomy (DP) for PNET and PCN in older adults to inform clinical decision-making. Methods Patients undergoing DP for PNET and PCN were analyzed using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database and the pancreatectomy procedure-targeted dataset. Associations between decade of age and 30-day outcomes were evaluated. Results 1626 patients were analyzed from 2014 to 2015. 692 (42.6%) were younger than 60 years, 507 (31.2%) were sexagenarians, 342 (21.0%) were septuagenarians, and 85 (5.2%) were octogenarians. Minimally invasive approaches were used in 62.7%. While septuagenarians and octogenarians constituted 26.3% of the cohort, they were affected by 55.6% of reintubations, 66.7% of failures to wean, 82.4% of myocardial infarctions, and 57.1% of septic shock. Septuagenarians and octogenarians had longer hospital stays, as compared to those younger than 60 years. Conclusion Septuagenarians and octogenarians are disproportionately affected by perioperative complications after DP for PNET and PCN. Careful patient selection and thorough counseling should be provided when surgery is considered.
Using Volume-Based Tube Feeding to Increase Nutrient Delivery in Patients on a Rehabilitation Unit.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether volume-based tube feeding (VBTF) increased nutrient delivery to patients in a rehabilitation unit. Design A cohort study with a prospective group and a historical control group was used as the study design. Methods The intervention was VBTF, a change from the standard hourly rate-based enteral nutrition. Data were collected on 70 rehabilitation patients. Data on the control group (n = 35) were collected through retrospective chart review of rate-based tube-fed patients. Data on the VBTF intervention group (n = 35) were collected prospectively after implementation of VBTF in the inpatient medical rehabilitation unit at University of Utah Health. Findings The results showed patients in the VBTF group received 82% of their prescribed feed whereas rate-based patients received 70%. Clinical relevance VBTF appears to increase the amount of nutrition inpatient medical rehabilitation patients receive, which may help with the intensive therapy sessions these patients must undergo.
Patterns in phytoplankton and benthic production on the shallow continental shelf in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Shallow continental shelves support productive pelagic and benthic communities. This study examined primary productivity at a shallow shelf region in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico focusing on the effect of light on water column and benthic productivity at water depths between 12 and 17 m. Measurements were made between November 2015 and September 2016. Dissolved oxygen fluxes were measured using benthic chambers with four different light levels and used to calculate gross primary production and respiration. Phytoplankton productivity was measured using 14C-uptake incubations in a laboratory photosynthetron. Organic matter production by benthic microalgae is substantial in this region of northeastern Gulf of Mexico with daily production rates ranging from 0.1 to 0.8 g C m−2 d−1 in this study. Maximum rates of phytoplankton production up to 2.7 g C m−2 d−1 occurred in spring. This peak productivity followed wind conditions favorable to upwelling and occurred when bottom water NO3− concentrations were 11 times greater than on any other sample date during the study. At these shallow depths, benthic microalgae made a significant contribution to total shelf production, averaging about 14% of total production. These results helped characterize benthic and water column production rates prior to planned habitat alterations caused by placement of numerous artificial reef structures in the region.
The Spectral Calibration of VERVE

With the exception of the transit method employed by the Kepler Space Telescope, the radial velocity (RV)technique has proven to be the most fruitful exoplanet detection method to date. High precision measurements with state-of-the-art equipment have achieved RV precision on the order of 0.5 m s−1. Given that Earth's induced RV on the sun is on the order of 10 cm s−1, this regime represents the next milestone on the path to finding Earth-like planets orbiting distant stars. We describe the Vacuum Extreme Radial Velocity Experiment (VERVE), a single mode fiber-fed high-resolution echelle spectrometer which integrates interferometry with spectroscopy with the aim of achieving RV precision at the 10 cm s−1 level, on par with the ESPRESSO spectrograph (Pepe et al., 2014 [1]). The addition of interferometry relaxes the spectral calibration requirement by several orders of magnitude. We detail the spectral calibration of VERVE, including the development of a precise forward model and a data reduction pipeline to facilitate spectral extraction. We examine the model's agreement with the spectra of various calibration sources and present the results of spectral extractions performed on 635 nm and 780 nm laser sources to demonstrate VERVE's spectroscopic capabilities. We note the 10 cm s−1 RV precision threshold for detecting Earth-like planets, and show that the ~ 2 pixel agreement we achieve is consistent with this requirement. We briefly introduce results pertaining to interferometry and conclude by describing the future stages of testing to prepare VERVE for novel RV measurements.
Age-based differences in the disability of extremity injuries in pediatric and adult occupants.

Objective: The objective was to develop a disability-based metric for motor vehicle crash (MVC) upper and lower extremity injuries and compare functional outcomes between children and adults.Method...
Theoretical characterization of the 5Pi and 3Pi potential energy surfaces for NH + O yields N + OH

The reactant, product, and saddle point regions of the 5Pi and 3Pi potential energy surfaces for the reaction NH + O yields N + OH have been characterized using complete active space self consistent field/externally contracted configuration interaction calculations with large atomic natural orbital basis sets. The computed barrier heights are 5.6 and 11.7 kcal/mol on the 5Pi and 3Pi surfaces, respectively. Transition state theory with an Eckart tunneling correction is used to estimate the rate constant on the 5Pi surface.
Physiological and psychological associations of early childhood adversity in lung cancer.

80Background: Early Childhood Adversity (ECA) explains the presence of psychological issues such as depression in many chronic disease settings but has not been measured in lung cancer. ECA may inc...
Advances in Pediatric Neuroimaging. MR Spectroscopy

The basic principles of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy are presented in this work to briefly familiarize the clinician and to distinguish spectroscopy from magnetic resonance imaging. For those knowledgeable about proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, this article will also provide the reader an update on recent technical and translational developments relevant to pediatric neurologic conditions. These developments were selected for their potential impact towards the clinical care of patients in pediatric-based practices. At this point in time, these new spectroscopic approaches are currently applied to established populations with known diseases. This information will inform our knowledge about diseases and guide therapeutic options for the future.
Social support in patients with CKD and ESRD

Abstract Social support is an important modifiable risk factor for patients with chronic diseases including chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there are limited studies evaluating the impact of changes in perception of social support on outcomes in CKD patients. Perception of social support has been associated with survival, compliance with dialysis treatments, hospitalization risk, assessment of quality of life, and depression. Changes in perception of social support impact CKD patients through multiple mechanisms including hormonal effects, increased access to healthcare, changes in behavioral compliance, and depressive affect. Clinical trials to study interventions designed to increase perception of social support in CKD patients are urgently needed.
Experimental observation of heat flux mitigation during divertor detachment in the DIII-D small angle slot divertor

Abstract Employing an array of surface eroding thermocouples (SETCs), the heat flux measured at the outer strike point of the DIII-D Small Angle Slot (SAS) divertor was found to be reduced by ~50% when the plasma reached the detachment regime compared to the attached state. Reduction in heat flux of similar magnitude has been found in both toroidal field directions (obtained by ramping up the plasma density) but with different characteristics: With the ion B × ∇B drift direction toward the SAS divertor, the heat flux measured by the SETCs first increased as plasma density increased, which may due to reduction in energy losses in the upstream and hence increase in the power flow into the divertor, and then began to roll over concurrent with a reduction in ion saturation current density on nearby Langmuir probes. In contrast, with the ion B × ∇B drift directed away from the SAS, the heat flux began at a higher value but decreases monotonically with increasing plasma density. This leads to lower heat flux in this BT direction at up to 20% lower line-averaged density. These significant differences in the onset of detachment in opposing BT directions are believed to be largely determined by the impacts of E × B drifts. Because ITER’s divertor must be operated with some degree of plasma detachment to radiate most of the power arriving in the scrape-off-layer, it is crucial to further understand the impact of magnetic drifts on plasma detachment behavior in a tight divertor geometry.
The story of two connectives: Korean tunci ‘or’ and kena ‘or’:

Using 129 natural conversations and 185 episodes of television drama conversations as well as the theoretical frameworks of usage-based theory and grammaticalization, I investigate two forms of ‘or...
Co-constructing ancestry through direct-to-consumer genetic testing: challenges and implications

Direct-to-consumer (dtc) genetic ancestry tests offered via the internet supposedly uncover the ancestry of those tested. While the tests might be understood as means to find a biologically inscribed and fixed genealogy, this paper explores how the companies and the customers co-construct ancestry through genetic ancestry testing. The study draws on a review of relevant literature, qualitative interviews with experts and stakeholders, a website analysis, and an autoethnographic self-observation. It shows how dtc genetic testing companies create specific concepts of ancestry in their marketing, development of specific databases, as well as presentation of results, but also how users interpret and incorporate their results into their own genealogy and life. Describing possible social impacts of dtc ancestry testing, the paper questions their categorization as recreational activity or entertainment.
Ongoing tobacco use in women who experience homelessness and unstable housing: A prospective study to inform tobacco cessation interventions and policies.

Abstract Background Tobacco use is common in people who experience homelessness. However, despite biological differences in use by sex and lower quit rates in women, research in homeless and unstably housed (HUH) women is sparse. We identified correlates of use specific to this population, with the goal of informing tobacco cessation programs tailored for HUH women. Methods We conducted a prospective study among HUH women recruited from San Francisco homeless shelters, street encampments, free meal programs and low-income hotels. Between June 2016 and January 2019, study participants completed six monthly interviews to examine factors associated with tobacco use, defined as urinary cotinine >10 pg/mL or self-reported prior 30-day use. Results Among 245 participants, 40% were Black, the median age was 53, 75% currently used tobacco and 89% had ≥one 24-hour quit attempt in the prior year. Tobacco use was more common in women with PTSD (66% vs. 48%) and depression (54% vs. 35%) compared to women without these conditions. Adjusted odds of tobacco use decreased significantly with increasing age (OR/5 yrs: 0.81; 95% CI:0.68, 0.96) and increased with an increasing number of additional substances used (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.88, 3.39). Conclusion Outside of a treatment setting and within a community-recruited sample population composed of HUH women, the number of additional substances used is a primary correlate of ongoing tobacco use. Tailored cessation interventions that prioritize the issue of multiple substance use, and public health policies that allocate funding to address it, may increase tobacco cessation in this population.
A bi-directional quasi-optical lens amplifier

A 10-element bi-directional quasi-optical lens amplifier array is presented. The amplifier is designed for X-band, and operates in transmission mode. SPDT switches are used to switch between transmit and receive amplifiers. An ON/OFF ratio of 25 dB is measured for both transmitting and receiving modes with associated amplifier gains of 5 and 10 dB.
Isolation of Primary Human Colon Tumor Cells from Surgical Tissues and Culturing Them Directly on Soft Elastic Substrates for Traction Cytometry.

Cancer cells respond to matrix mechanical stiffness in a complex manner using a coordinated, hierarchical mechano-chemical system composed of adhesion receptors and associated signal transduction membrane proteins, the cytoskeletal architecture, and molecular motors1, 2. Mechanosensitivity of different cancer cells in vitro are investigated primarily with immortalized cell lines or murine derived primary cells, not with primary human cancer cells. Hence, little is known about the mechanosensitivity of primary human colon cancer cells in vitro. Here, an optimized protocol is developed that describes the isolation of primary human colon cells from healthy and cancerous surgical human tissue samples. Isolated colon cells are then successfully cultured on soft (2 kPa stiffness) and stiff (10 kPa stiffness) polyacrylamide hydrogels and rigid polystyrene (~3.6 GPa stiffness) substrates functionalized by an extracellular matrix (fibronectin in this case). Fluorescent microbeads are embedded in soft gels near the cell culture surface, and traction assay is performed to assess cellular contractile stresses using free open access software. In addition, immunofluorescence microscopy on different stiffness substrates provides useful information about primary cell morphology, cytoskeleton organization and vinculin containing focal adhesions as a function of substrate rigidity.
Anaerobic Biodegradation Capabilities of Freshwater Lake Sediments: Influence of Temperature and Sulfate Concentration on the Degradation of 2,4-Dichlorophenol

Freshwater lake sediment samples from the region around Athens, Georgia, were taken anaerobically after determination of the temperature, pH, and Eh. The slurries were homogenized and incubated in anaerobic crimp tubes (20 ml samples with 16 g wet weight in 20 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.0 containing 20 ppm of added 2,4-dichlorophenol) at 18 different temperatures in the range between 5°C and 72°C. To one set of samples 0.25% (w/v) sulfate was added. Three times autoclaved mud samples were used as controls, and all samples were done in duplicate. Chlorophenol concentrations were determined using HPLC after extraction of 0.2 ml samples with 50% acetonitrile. Methane formation was measured by gas chromatography. In the tested mud samples, 2,4-dichlorophenol was transformed to 4-chlorophenol which, after additional lag periods of several weeks, was then further degraded. Adaptation periods decreased between 5°C and 30°C and the dechlorination rates showed maxima at 30°C., 35°C., and 43°C with a pronounced minimum at 40°C., suggesting that at least two groups of dechlorinating organisms were present. No degradation occurred above 53°C., although there was biological activity up to 60°C., indicated by high methane production. Between 15°C and 30°C., the dechlorination rates and the methane formation rates increased exponentially (linear part of the Arrhenius plot) and the dechlorination rate peaks coincided with methane formation peaks.
3D Structure of Myosin Crossbridges in Insect Flight Muscle

Insect flight muscle (IFM) provides a model system that allows direct viewing of individual myosin head structures in situ that give rise to the average structures reported by X-ray patterns and by the mechanical behavior of the fibers. Coordinating X-ray diffraction, physiological monitoring and fast freezing with EM tomography, correspondence class averaging and atomic model building in IFM is providing 3D imaging of different myosin conformations in situ in relaxed, active and rigor states. Rigor has yielded the most detailed 3D structure, showing actin, myosin S2 and a distribution of variously flexed myosin lever arm in class averages. EM tomograms of fast frozen/freeze substituted isometric and stretch-activated contractions show that crossbridges in active contraction bind to actin target zones by only one head, in contrast to the most prominent class of rigor crossbridges that attach with both myosin heads to actin. In contrast to a ∼5nm lever arm swing inferred during rigor induction, active myosin heads display a wide range of crossbridge angles, consistent with a power stroke greater than 10nm, that proceeds from a prestroke “up” configuration “down” to a rigor angle. However, measurements of isometrically active IFM crossbridges to determine their position, angle and frequency of attachment to actin indicate that the majority of crossbridges in isometric contraction are angled close to perpendicular to the filament axis (60% within 11°), results that are consistent with X-ray studies of vertebrate isometric contraction. X-ray modeling of ATP relaxed Lethocerus IFM shows that a myosin head conformation similar to “prestroke” crystal structures, is arrayed in the 14.5nm periodic “shelves” along thick filaments such that only one head of each molecule is well-positioned, as if poised to bind to actin upon activation, while the other head curves around the thick filament shaft.
PUBLIC RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKE HAZARD INFORMATION

Consumer protection legislation has been based on the assumptions that people prefer to avoid risks and that they make rational decisions given a bounded field of information. Mandated disclosure of information about environmental hazards in limited areas should therefore result in the avoidance of such areas by homebuyers or the adoption of mitigation measures subsequent to the move. The response of California homebuyers to mandated disclosure of the location of special studies zones or surface fault rupture districts was negligible, both because of the failure of the law to specify rigorous disclosure procedures and also because the law was based on the assumption that the mere provision of information will result in a predictable and rational behavioral response.
Alongside the Fast Track: Environmental and Labor Issues in FTAA

This article discusses the fast track procedure and its recent use in the context of environmental and labor issues. The procedure, which allows the President to negotiate international trade agreements and bypass Congressional amendments, emerged in 1997 as an element of a larger debate concerning executive-legislative interaction regarding trade negotiations. Specifically, the author notes, as the United States becomes increasingly involved in the international economy and globalization, its labor and environmental laws become more internationally focused. These issues are central to current Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations.In his discussion, the author considers "trade-relatedness", the standard which Congress uses to determine whether the fast track procedures will be extended to trade agreements. This concept has proven to be flexible and is driven by as much domestic international concerns as it is by political and economic issues. Offering insight into Congressional-Presidential interactions surrounding trade agreements, the author illustrates how the United States' trading positions struggle to balance national and international economic agendas with social policies.