cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Planning via search in the input/output space

The computational complexity of planning can be reduced by the synthesis of an appropriate representational hierarchy. In order to provide a formal structure for the description of such a hierarchy, the concepts of temporal and spatial resolution are defined, and a technique for the automated construction of multilevel system representations is described. The operation of contraction (or focusing of attention) is introduced, and its use in accelerated, search-based planning within a hierarchical framework is proposed and discussed. The consistency and admissibility of plans generated using this approach are evaluated. It is shown why it is not feasible to search for a unique "best" plan. Instead, it is suggested that a minimax approach to randomized planning be implemented, which would attempt to minimize the penalty of eliminating the "best" solution from consideration. >
An interpretation of potential scale dependence of the effective matrix diffusion coefficient

Matrix diffusion is an important process for solute transport in fractured rock, and the matrix diffusion coefficient is a key parameter for describing this process. Previous studies have indicated that the effective matrix diffusion coefficient values, obtained from a large number of field tracer tests, are enhanced in comparison with local values and may increase with test scale. In this study, we have performed numerical experiments to investigate potential mechanisms behind possible scale-dependent behavior. The focus of the experiments is on solute transport in flow paths having geometries consistent with percolation theories and characterized by multiple local flow loops formed mainly by small-scale fractures. The water velocity distribution through a flow path was determined using discrete fracture network flow simulations, and solute transport was calculated using a previously derived impulse-response function and a particle-tracking scheme. Values for effective (or up-scaled) transport parameters were obtained by matching breakthrough curves from numerical experiments with an analytical solution for solute transport along a single fracture. Results indicate that a combination of local flow loops and the associated matrix diffusion process, together with scaling properties in flow path geometry, seems to be an important mechanism causing the observed scale dependence of the effective matrix diffusion coefficient (at a range of scales).
Rational Choice Models and Aggregate Voter Behaviour in the 1929–69 Northern Irish Parliamentary Elections*

Rational-choice models of voter behaviour are concerned with two basic questions: what stimulates citizens to vote, and, if a citizen votes, for whom does he/she vote? In this study, aggregate voter behaviour is modelled as a system of equations with three endogenous variables related to these questions. The parameters of this system are estimated with pooled cross-sectional, time-series data on the 1929–69 Northern Irish Parliamentary elections. After appropriate controls are included and within the constraints imposed by these data, evidence is found which supports the applicability of rational-choice models to these elections. On the related issue of voter decision rules, evidence is found which supports the calculus-of-voting approach, an important component of many voting models (e.g., spatial models of candidate/party competition). Finally, the analysis highlights the major aspects of Northern Irish voter behaviour in these elections and can serve as a paradigm for the examination of similar electoral data from other political systems.
Subchondroplasty for Treating Bone Marrow Lesions

The prognosis of osteoarthritis (OA) is worsened by persistent subchondral defects known as bone marrow lesions (BMLs), which herald severe joint degeneration and the need for joint replacement. Joint-preserving treatments that reverse the progression of pain and immobility are limited. Subchondroplasty is a procedure developed to treat BMLs by injecting a calcium phosphate bone substitute into compromised subchondral bone, under fluoroscopic guidance. Here we evaluate the effectiveness of this approach for relieving pain and improving function in patients with documented BMLs and advanced knee OA, in a retrospective study. Data were collected from a consecutive patient series (n = 66) who underwent subchondroplasty combined with arthroscopy, performed at a single center by one surgeon. We observed significant improvements in both pain and function following subchondroplasty with arthroscopic debridement, as measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation Form, through 2 years postoperative follow-up. Given that arthroscopic debridement alone has been previously shown to yield insignificant pain relief beyond 6 months postoperatively, our results suggest that subchondroplasty may be a promising approach for the treatment of OA with BMLs.
Increasing virulence, but not infectivity, associated with serially emergent virus strains of a fish rhabdovirus

Surveillance and genetic typing of field isolates of a fish rhabdovirus, infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), has identified four dominant viral genotypes that were involved in serial viral emergence and displacement events in steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in western North America. To investigate drivers of these landscape-scale events, IHNV isolates designated 007, 111, 110, and 139, representing the four relevant genotypes, were compared for virulence and infectivity in controlled laboratory challenge studies in five relevant steelhead trout populations. Viral virulence was assessed as mortality using lethal dose estimates (LD50), survival kinetics, and proportional hazards analysis. A pattern of increasing virulence for isolates 007, 111, and 110 was consistent in all five host populations tested, and correlated with serial emergence and displacements in the virus-endemic lower Columbia River source region during 1980-2013. The fourth isolate, 139, did not have higher virulence than the previous isolate 110. However, the mG139M genotype displayed a conditional displacement phenotype in that it displaced type mG110M in coastal Washington, but not in the lower Columbia River region, indicating that factors other than evolution of higher viral virulence were involved in some displacement events. Viral infectivity, measured as infectious dose (ID50), did not correlate consistently with virulence or with viral emergence, and showed a narrow range of variation relative to the variation observed in virulence. Comparison among the five steelhead trout populations confirmed variation in resistance to IHNV, but correlations with previous history of virus exposure or with sites of viral emergence varied between IHNV source and sink regions. Overall, this study indicated increasing viral virulence over time as a potential driver for emergence and displacement events in the endemic Lower Columbia River source region where these IHNV genotypes originated, but not in adjacent sink regions.
Resummation of Goldstone boson contributions to the MSSM effective potential

We discuss the resummation of the Goldstone boson contributions to the effective potential of the minimal supersymmetric Standard Model. This eliminates the formal problems of spurious imaginary parts and logarithmic singularities in the minimization conditions when the tree-level Goldstone boson squared masses are negative or approach zero. The numerical impact of the resummation is shown to be almost always very small. We also show how to write the two-loop minimization conditions so that Goldstone boson squared masses do not appear at all, and so that they can be solved without iteration.
Teaching international animal agriculture.

Students who major in animal science at U.S. institutions are generally exposed to a curriculum that emphasizes commercial, large-scale production of the few traditional food animals: cattle, poultry, sheep, and swine. Globally, most farmers live in lesser-developed countries under limited-resource conditions of land, feed supplies, equipment, and capital. The promotion of commercial animal production enterprises may not be appropriate for such farms because it can subject farmers to considerable economic risk. Rather, use of limited numbers of large livestock, locally adapted breeds, or smaller livestock (e.g., ducks, goats, guinea pigs, and rabbits) may be more appropriate under subsistence, integrated farming systems. In this global context, a course in international animal agriculture has been taught for 15 yr to undergraduate and graduate students. The course consists of a review of traditional and potential livestock species well suited for impoverished families on small farms and methods to implement sustainable livestock projects, including feasibility, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation stages. To enhance student understanding, global food issues and challenges are illustrated with case studies. A term paper is also assigned for which students choose three suitable livestock species or local breeds that would be complementary on a small crop farm (< 5 ha). Daily dietary requirements of protein and energy per family member are calculated. Itemized enterprise budgets and production tables are prepared. Early in the course, the general consensus of students was that people who are malnourished and live in poverty have low personal ambition and motivation, and that their problems should be amenable to solution by application of American technology and expertise. The course modifies such attitudes and enhances a student's critical thinking and problem-solving abilities and communication skills. Course evaluations indicated that students believed that it is important to acquire some international knowledge and understanding when seeking a job, and that certain animal science courses should contain some international content. Students gain an understanding of global animal agriculture and an appreciation of the complexity of food production and hunger issues.
Managerial Communication and Work Perception

(1984). Managerial Communication and Work Perception. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 8, Communication Yearbook 8, pp. 538-557.
Quantitation of 11 alkylamines in atmospheric samples: separating structural isomers by ion chromatography

Abstract. Amines are important drivers in particle formation and growth, which have implications for Earth's climate. In this work, we developed an ion chromatographic (IC) method using sample cation-exchange preconcentration for separating and quantifying the nine most abundant atmospheric alkylamines (monomethylamine (MMAH+), dimethylamine (DMAH+), trimethylamine (TMAH+), monoethylamine (MEAH+), diethylamine (DEAH+), triethylamine (TEAH+), monopropylamine (MPAH+), isomonopropylamine (iMPAH+), and monobutylamine (MBAH+)) and two alkyl diamines (1, 4-diaminobutane (DABH+) and 1, 5-diaminopentane (DAPH+)). Further, the developed method separates the suite of amines from five common atmospheric inorganic cations (Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+). All 16 cations are greater than 95 % baseline resolved and elute in a runtime of 35 min. This paper describes the first successful separation of DEAH+ and TMAH+ by IC and achieves separation between three sets of structural isomers, providing specificity not possible by mass spectrometry. The method detection limits for the alkylamines are in the picogram per injection range and the method precision (±1σ) analyzed over 3 months was within 16 % for all the cations. The performance of the IC method for atmospheric application was tested with biomass-burning (BB) particle extracts collected from two forest fire plumes in Canada. In extracts of a size-resolved BB sample from an aged plume, we detected and quantified MMAH+, DMAH+, TMAH+, MEAH+, DEAH+, and TEAH+ in the presence of Na+, NH4+, and K+ at molar ratios of amine to inorganic cation ranging from 1 : 2 to 1 : 1000. Quantities of DEAH+ and DMAH+ of 0.2–200 and 3–1200 ng m−3, respectively, were present in the extracts and an unprecedented amine-to-ammonium molar ratio greater than 1 was observed in particles with diameters spanning 56–180 nm. Extracts of respirable fine-mode particles (PM2. 5) from a summer forest fire in British Columbia in 2015 were found to contain iMPAH+, TMAH+, DEAH+ and TEAH+ at molar ratios of 1 : 300 with the dominant cations. The amine-to-ammonium ratio in a time series of samples never exceeded 0.15 during the sampling of the plume. These results and an amine standard addition demonstrate the robustness and sensitivity of the developed method when applied to the complex matrix of BB particle samples. The detection of multiple alkylamines in the analyzed BB samples indicates that this speciation and quantitation approach can be used to constrain BB emission estimates and the biogeochemical cycling of these reduced nitrogen species.
Abstract 237: VEGF-Mediated Phosphorylation of eNOS Regulates Angioblast and Endothelial Cell Proliferation

To evaluate when nitric oxide (NO) is first expressed in the EC lineage, the expression pattern of eNOS, phosphorylated eNOS (P-eNOS), and key proteins that define the endothelial lineage (i.e., Flk-1, TAL-1, CD31) were assessed in 7.0-8.5dpc mouse embryos. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that embryonic endothelial cells (Flk-1 + /TAL-1 + / CD31 + ) expressed eNOS prior to their investment by smooth muscle cells while isolated angioblasts (Flk-1 + /TAL-1 + / CD31 - ) did not express eNOS. Based on eNOS expression we identified a cell type, transitional angioblasts ( eNOS + / FLK-1 + /TAL-1 + / CD31 - ), intermediate between embryonic endothelial cells (EECs) and angioblasts. Transitional angioblasts are further distinguished from angioblasts by their initiation of cell-cell contacts with other eNOS + Flk-1 + /TAL-1 + /CD31 - cells or with EECs. Analysis of P-eNOS and phospho-histone H3 expression in transitional angioblasts and EECs showed a tight correlation between P-eNOS expression and cell proliferation. This correlation was also observed in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with nocodazole to induce a G2/M cell cycle block. Given that VEGF mediates both EC division and NO production, we evaluated whether VEGF-mediated NO production is critical for neovascular processes (vasculogenesis/angiogenesis). We show using allantoic cultures that VEGF-mediated mitosis in Flk-1 + cells is decreased by the eNOS inhibitors L-NIO and 17-AAG, suggesting that VEGF-mediated eNOS phosphorylation is regulating cell proliferation. Supporting such a role, we found that the alterations in VEGF-mediated vascular patterning we observed in response to eNOS inhibitors were consistent with an overall reduction in the EEC numbers and that VEGF-induced NO production in HUVECs increased the S-nitrosylation of proteins important for the regulation of the G2/M transition, such as cyclin B. Taken together, our findings suggest that VEGF-mediated eNOS phosphorylation regulates transitional angioblast, EEC, and EC proliferation.
Left Atrial Size and Heart Failure Hospitalization in Patients with Diastolic Dysfunction and Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Context: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a clinical syndrome associated with diastolic function abnormalities. It remains unclear which factors, if any, can predict the transition from asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction to an overt symptomatic phase. Materials and Methods: Patients hospitalized with suspected heart failure between January 2012 and November 2014 with a transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrating preserved systolic function were screened (n = 425). Patients meeting the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association definition for HFpEF (n = 40) were matched in a 1:1 fashion to individuals admitted for hypertensive urgency with diastolic dysfunction and neither pulmonary edema nor history of heart failure (n = 40). The clinical records and echocardiograms of all eighty patients included in this retrospective study were reviewed. Results: Patients with HFpEF had higher body mass index (BMI), creatinine, beta-blocker use, and Grade 2 diastolic dysfunction when compared to the hypertensive control population. Echocardiographic analysis demonstrated higher right ventricular systolic pressures, left ventricular mass index, E/A, and E/e' in patients with HFpEF. Similarly, differences were observed in most left atrial (LA) parameters including larger LA maximum and minimum volume indices, as well as smaller LA-emptying fractions in the heart failure group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed LA minimum volume index (odds ratio [OR]: 1.23 [1.09–1.38], P = 0.001) to have the strongest association with heart failure hospitalization after adjustment for creatinine (OR: 7.09 [1.43–35.07], P = 0.016) and BMI (OR: 1.11 [0.99–1.25], P = 0.074). Conclusion: LA minimum volume index best correlated with HFpEF in this patient cohort with diastolic dysfunction.
THE PROGNOSTIC ROLE OF PRIOR HEART FAILURE HOSPITALIZATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE SYMPTOMATIC AND RECURRENT HEART FAILURE: INSIGHTS FROM ESCAPE

Background: In severe heart failure, hospitalizations are high-risk events. However, their prognostic role, especially regarding clinical, neurohormonal, and hemodynamic factors, is not well-described. Methods: We analyzed the Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Artery
DNA Period 1969–1983

DNA sequence was Fred’s ultimate goal. Up to this time, DNA sequencing seemed out of reach. No small DNAs were available to work out methods and there were no suitable enzymes for breaking DNA into more manageable fragments.
Targeting Cadherin-11 Prevents Notch1-Mediated Calcific Aortic Valve Disease.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) accounts for ≈15 000 patient deaths per year in the United States, and intervention occurs only when severe stenosis requires surgical replacement of the valve. Recently, it was discovered that long noncoding RNA H19 expression silences NOTCH1 in cases of idiopathic CAVD,1 similar to the heritable form in patients with NOTCH1 mutations.2 We have previously reported that valves from idiopathic cases are enriched for the cell junction protein, cadherin-11 (CDH11),3 and that valve interstitial cells from Notch1 +/− mice overexpress CDH11.4 Thus, we speculate that CDH11 is downstream of NOTCH1 receptor dysfunction and may be a hallmark in both heritable and idiopathic CAVD.5 Here, we sought to determine whether targeting CDH11, genetically or pharmacologically, would prevent CAVD in Notch1 +/− mice. Notch1 +/+ and Notch1 +/− mice were given a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet starting at 10 weeks. At 4 months, 10 mg/kg SYN0012, a CDH11-blocking antibody, or IgG2a isotype control was administered by intraperitoneal injection once a week for 8 …
Comunicación de calidad para el desarrollo humano

In the digital age, the Media are today, fortunately, affordable instruments that progressively allow all human beings –up to now confined and silent– to know what is happening anywhere in the world, being able, in addition, to express their own views and opinions. This article insists on the value of Communication to achieve the equality of the human being in all the senses. “The same dignity –writes the author– as the foundation of the world we long for.”
Aminopyrimidine Class Aggregation Inhibitor Effectively Blocks Aβ-Fibrinogen Interaction and Aβ-Induced Contact System Activation

Accumulating evidence suggests that fibrinogen, a key protein in the coagulation cascade, plays an important role in circulatory dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous work has shown that the interaction between fibrinogen and β-amyloid (Aβ), a hallmark pathological protein in AD, induces plasmin-resistant abnormal blood clots, delays fibrinolysis, increases inflammation, and aggravates cognitive function in mouse models of AD. Since Aβ oligomers have a much stronger affinity for fibrinogen than Aβ monomers, we tested whether amyloid aggregation inhibitors could block the Aβ-fibrinogen interaction and found that some Aβ aggregation inhibitors showed moderate inhibitory efficacy against this interaction. We then modified a hit compound so that it not only showed a strong inhibitory efficacy toward the Aβ-fibrinogen interaction but also retained its potency toward the Aβ42 aggregation inhibition process. Furthermore, our best hit compound, TDI-2760, modulated Aβ42-induced contact system activation, a pathological condition observed in some AD patients, in addition to inhibiting the Aβ-fibrinogen interaction and Aβ aggregation. Thus, TDI-2760 has the potential to lessen vascular abnormalities as well as Aβ aggregation-driven pathology in AD.
Discharge current measurements on Venera 13 & 14 – Evidence for charged aerosols in the Venus lower atmosphere?

Abstract Measurements of discharge currents on the Venera 13 and 14 landers during their descent in the lowest 35 km of the Venus atmosphere are interpreted as driven either by an ambient electric field, or by deposition of charge from aerosols. The latter hypothesis is favored (`triboelectric charging' in aeronautical parlance), and would entail an aerosol opacity and charge density somewhat higher than that observed in Saharan dust transported over long distances on Earth.
Ecological Economics 1

Ecological economics is a transdisciplinary effort to link the natural and social sciences broadly, and especially ecology and economics. Its goal is to develop a deeper scientific understanding of the complex linkages between humans and the rest of nature, and to use that understanding to develop policies that will lead to a world which is ecologically sustainable, has a fair distribution of resources (both between groups and generations of humans and between humans and other species), and efficiently allocate scarce resources including ‘natural’ and ‘social’ capital. This requires new approaches that are comprehensive, adaptive, integrative, multiscale, pluralistic, evolutionary, and which acknowledge the huge uncertainties involved.
Nutrition Recommendations for the General Population: Where Is the Science?

During the 1990s dietary guidelines for the US and many other countries promoted a diet low in fat and high in “complex” carbohydrates. However, there was little evidence then that such a diet would promote health and reduce risk of chronic disease, and subsequent data have not supported benefits for cardiovascular disease, cancer, or weight control. Instead, the combination of controlled feeding studies of intermediate risk factors and prospective epidemiologic studies has indicated that the type of dietary fat and dietary carbohydrate have major impacts on risks of these diseases. Specifically, higher intake of trans fatty acids has adverse effects on blood lipids and inflammatory factors, and has also been associated with greater risks of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In contrast, both types of studies have indicated beneficial effects of unsaturated fats, especially polyunsaturated fats. The replacement of saturated fat with carbohydrates has little effect on the ratio of serum total to HDL cholesterol, and is minimally associated with risk of heart disease. Similarly, higher intake of refined starches and sugar, represented by dietary glycemic load, has adverse effects on blood lipids and inflammatory factors and is related to higher risks of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Conversely, higher consumption of whole grains is related to lower risks of these diseases. Regrettably, this evidence has yet to be translated clearly into dietary guidance for many populations.
Influence of left ventricular ejection fraction on morbidity and mortality after aortic root replacement.

Abstract Objective To better understand morbidity and mortality in patients with a low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) undergoing aortic root replacement. Methods All patients who underwent aortic root replacement at our institution between 2005 and 2013 (n = 595) were retrospectively reviewed and included in the study. The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and perioperative morbidity. Restricted cubic spline analysis showed a relatively linear inverse relationship between LVEF and the hazard ratio for mortality in patients with an LVEF Results LVEF Conclusions Reduced LVEF negatively impacts mortality as well as in-hospital death and perioperative morbidity after aortic root replacement. Careful patient selection and risk discussion are vital in this high-risk population.
Human tumor-associated monocytes/macrophages and their regulation of T cell responses in early-stage lung cancer

Data from mouse tumor models suggest that tumor-associated monocyte/macrophage lineage cells (MMLCs) dampen antitumor immune responses. However, given the fundamental differences between mice and humans in tumor evolution, genetic heterogeneity, and immunity, the function of MMLCs might be different in human tumors, especially during early stages of disease. Here, we studied MMLCs in early-stage human lung tumors and found that they consist of a mixture of classical tissue monocytes and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The TAMs coexpressed M1/M2 markers, as well as T cell coinhibitory and costimulatory receptors. Functionally, TAMs did not primarily suppress tumor-specific effector T cell responses, whereas tumor monocytes tended to be more T cell inhibitory. TAMs expressing relevant MHC class I/tumor peptide complexes were able to activate cognate effector T cells. Mechanistically, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressed on bystander TAMs, as opposed to PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells, did not inhibit interactions between tumor-specific T cells and tumor targets. TAM-derived PD-L1 exerted a regulatory role only during the interaction of TAMs presenting relevant peptides with cognate effector T cells and thus may limit excessive activation of T cells and protect TAMs from killing by these T cells. These results suggest that the function of TAMs as primarily immunosuppressive cells might not fully apply to early-stage human lung cancer and might explain why some patients with strong PD-L1 positivity fail to respond to PD-L1 therapy.
Self-Regulated Learning: Theories, Measures, and Outcomes

Self-regulated learning refers to how students become masters of their own learning processes. Neither a mental ability nor a performance skill, self-regulation is instead the self-directive process through which learners transform their mental abilities into task-related skills in diverse areas of functioning, such as academia, sports, music, and health. This article will define self-regulated learning and describe the intellectual context in which the construct emerged, changes in researchers' emphasis over time as well as current emphases, methodological issues related to the construct, and directions for future research.
Information sharing to promote risky health behavior on social media.

A large number of posts promoting risky health behavior are posted on social media, but not all posts are widely disseminated. Disseminated information is more likely to influence social media users as users may not be exposed to non-disseminated posts. Thus, this study focuses on principal characteristics of disseminated Twitter posts that attract individuals who promote smoking behavior. After collecting 6,432 tweets and analyzing highly disseminated and non-disseminated Tweets, this study found that Tweets expressing emotional support were observed more than expected among the pro-smoking group and less than expected among the anti-smoking group. Affective tone was also found to be an important factor in Tweet dissemination both in pro- and anti-smoking groups. Interestingly, in the pro-smoking group, Tweets having a negative tone were disseminated more than those having a positive tone. This paper concludes with the discussion of theoretical and practical implications of the current findings.
Reclaiming Phosphate from Waste Solutions with Fe(III)-Polysaccharide Hydrogel Beads for Photo-Controlled-Release Fertilizer.

Photoresponsive hydrogels from polysaccharides and Fe(III) were used as a new system to capture and release PO43– from waste solutions. Uptake of 0.6–1.5 mg of phosphate per gram of hydrogels was d...
OPLL PIC Facilitate Record Link SFDR Performance

A new OPLLPIC with record-breaking bandwidth and phase demodulation linearity is presented. The PIC helped a phase modulated (PM) RF/photonic link to achieve 130 dBHz2/3
Safety at Half-Signal Intersections in Portland, Oregon

The safety at half-signalized intersections in Portland, Oregon is analyzed in this thesis using 10 years of crash history and analysis of video that was collected at a subset of intersections. A half-signalized intersection has a standard red-yellow-green traffic signal for automobiles on the major road, a stop sign for motorists on the minor road, and a pedestrian signal with actuation for pedestrians and/or bicyclists on the minor road. Although prevalent in Canada, this type of intersection control is not typically found in the United States because the MUTCD explicitly prohibits its use. Half-signal use is limited mostly to two cities in the Pacific Northwest. In Portland, Oregon there are forty-seven intersections where half-signals are used but the last installation was in 1986; Seattle has over 100 intersections with half-signals and installs these in new locations where warranted. To explore the safety records of these intersections in Portland, crash data from 2002-2011 was analyzed. A total of 442 crashes over the ten-year period at half-signals were observed. Sixteen of these 442 crashes involved pedestrians. In the crashes involving pedestrians, significant differences were found between the approach street of the vehicle and whether the pedestrian or driver was at fault. In the crash error reports, it was found that significantly more of the crashes involving pedestrians were Page i the fault of motorists departing from the minor road who collided with pedestrians crossing the major street. Further crash analysis at half-signals was performed by developing matched comparison groups of minor stop controlled and fully signalized intersections. Crash rates were 0.158 and 0.178 crashes per million entering vehicles for 3-leg and 4-leg half-signals and these rates did not differ significantly from the minor street stop controlled and signalized comparison groups. Results from the matched comparison showed that the half-signalized group had more rear-end crashes when compared with the minor stop controlled group. This was the only result that held significance when crash rates were considered. It was also observed that the minor stop controlled group had a higher proportion of angle crashes when compared with the half-signal group but this did not influence the crash severity. Pedestrian crashes were more prevalent in the half-signal group when compared with the fully-signalized group. Pedestrian volumes were not available which would be used to determine if this significant measure is a result of higher pedestrian use at half-signals. In addition to crash analysis, video was captured at five half-signalized intersections totaling 180 hours. Traffic volumes, pedestrian and bicycle volumes, and signal actuations were collected over a twenty-four hour period. Over this twenty-four hour period the five intersections averaged daily counts of 18613 vehicles on the major
Hearing the minorities in modern Chinese music

The repertoire of “minority”-themed compositions accounts for approximately a quarter of post-1949 Chinese instrumental music output. The incorporation of real or imagined exotic styles into a genre of modern national music so deeply mired in reformist discourses and modernist procedures should prompt us to ask some important questions: What roles does musical exoticism play in China’s becoming of a modern musical nation? What might these self-fashioned and largely concocted “minority” styles tell us about China’s modern national music, rather than the other way? This essay argues that it is crucial to understand minority exoticism not merely as an outcome of some broader ideological processes but also as an important means through which modernist aesthetic goals may be achieved in modern Chinese music.
De-motivating employees’ negative communication behaviors on anonymous social media: The role of public relations

Abstract This study focuses on employees’ negative communication behaviors on anonymous social media and explores the effects of organizational antecedents on reducing their motives. Specifically, the effects of organizations’ symmetrical communication and organization-employee relationship (OER) on individuals’ social media usage motives (e.g., vent negative feelings, warn others) and negative behavioral intentions are examined. Results of an online survey of full-time employees in the United States show that the effects of OER on employees’ negative communication behavior intentions are mediated by their social media motives. Symmetrical communication had a large positive effect on OER, which in turn decreased their motives to share negative contents on anonymous social media. Theoretical and practical implications for public relations and employee behaviors are discussed.
Blackbird: Object-Oriented Planning, Simulation, and Sequencing Framework Used by Multiple Missions

Every JPL flight mission relies on activity planning and sequence generation software to perform operations. Most such tools in use at JPL and elsewhere use attribute-based schemas or domain-specific languages (DSLs) to define activities. This reliance poses user training, software maintenance, performance, and other challenges. To solve this problem for future missions, a new software called Blackbird was developed which allows engineers to specify behavior in standard Java. The new code base has over an order of magnitude fewer lines of code than other JPL planning software, since no DSL or schema interpreter is needed. The use of Java for defining activities also allows mission adapters to debug their code in an integrated development environment, seamlessly call external libraries, and set up truly multi-mission models. These efficiency gains have significantly reduced the amount of development effort required to support the software. This paper discusses Blackbird's design, principles, and use cases. Within a year of its completion, six projects have begun using Blackbird. The Mars 2020 mission is using Blackbird to generate command sequences for cruise and Mars approach. By using multi-mission models, the Mars 2020 cruise adaptation was created in fewer than three months by three engineers at less than half time each. Work has begun to use Blackbird for communications planning during Mars 2020 surface operations. The Psyche mission uses Blackbird to generate its reference mission plans in development. Full simulations with 123,000 activities and 4.7 million resource value changes complete in about one minute. Psyche is also working towards using Blackbird in operations to support integrated activity planning and generate sequences. The InSight project is using Blackbird for mission planning in operations, replacing error-prone manual processes. For the NISAR mission, Blackbird evaluates threats to the commissioning phase timeline. The Europa Lander pre-project used Blackbird to perform a trade study. The ASTERIA mission is automating sequence generation in Blackbird. Going forward, more interested projects are likely to begin using Blackbird, and the capabilities of the core and multi-mission models will keep growing.
Racial and Citizenship Disparities in Health Care Among Middle Eastern Americans.

Objective To assess differences in health access and utilization among Middle Eastern American adults by White racial identity and citizenship. Methods Data from the 2011 to 2018 National Health Interview Surveys (N=1013) and survey-weighted logistic regression analyses compare Middle Eastern immigrants by race and citizenship on access and utilization of health care in the United States. Results White respondents had 71% lower odds of delaying care [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.34; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.13, 0.71] and 84% lower odds of being rejected by a doctor as a new patient (AOR=0.16; 95% CI=0.03, 0.88) compared to non-White respondents. US citizens had higher odds of visiting the doctor in the past 12 months compared with noncitizens (AOR=1.76; 95% CI=1.25, 2.76). Conclusion Middle Eastern immigrants who do not identify as White and who are not US citizens are significantly less likely to access and utilize health care compared with those who identify as White and are US citizens. Policy implications This study shows that racial and citizenship disparities persist among Middle Eastern Americans at a national-level, playing a critical role in access to and use of health care.
A Systems Approach to Addressing Covid-19 Health Inequities

The development of a dashboard to track racial, ethnic, and language metrics as they are related to patients with coronavirus within the community and within the health care organization is an esse...
Snowplow Truck Performance Assessment and Feature Importance Analysis Using Machine-Learning Techniques

AbstractSnowplow trucks serve a crucial role in winter maintenance activities by removing, loading, and disposing of snow. A performance-monitoring and analysis process can assist transportation ag...
Applicability of Neighborhood and Building Scale Wastewater-Based Genomic Epidemiology to Track the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and other Pathogens.

Abstract The benefits of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for tracking the viral load of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, have become apparent since the start of the pandemic. However, most sampling occurs at the wastewater treatment plant influent and therefore can only monitor SARS-CoV-2 concentration and spread within the entire catchment, which can encompass multiple municipalities. Furthermore, most WBE only quantifies the virus, and therefore miss crucial information that can be gained by sequencing SARS-CoV-2. Here we demonstrate feasibility of sampling at the neighborhood or building complex level using a mix of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and targeted sequencing to provide a more refined understanding of the local dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 strains. When coupled with the higher-level treatment plant samples, this creates an opportunity for health officials to monitor the spread of the virus at different spatial and temporal scales to inform policy decisions. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of tracking SARS-CoV-2 at the neighborhood, hospital, and nursing home level with the ability to detect one COVID-19 positive out of 60 nursing home residents. The viral load obtained was correlative with the number of COVID-19 patients being treated in the hospital. Sequencing of the samples over time demonstrated that nonsynonymous mutations fluctuate in the viral population, and wastewater-based sequencing could be an efficient approach to monitor for vaccine or convalescent plasma escape mutants, as well as mutations that could reduce the efficacy of diagnostics. Furthermore, while SARS-CoV-2 was detected by untargeted RNA sequencing, qPCR and targeted whole genome amplicon sequencing were more reliable methods for tracking the pandemic. From our sequencing data, clades and shifts in mutation profiles within the community were traceable and could be used to determine if vaccine or diagnostics need to be adapted to ensure continued efficacy. Graphical Abstract Highlights Neighborhood or building level wastewater analysis accurately detects SARS-CoV-2 SARS-CoV-2 was detected in wastewater from one infected person out of 60 residents Total RNAseq did not accurately detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater samples. Targeted whole genome sequencing of wastewater samples identified Spike mutations.
Influence of soil microbes on Escherichia coli O157:H7 survival in soil rinse and artificial soil

AIMS This research investigated the influence of soil microbiota on Escherichia coli O157:H7 survival in soil rinse and artificial soil. Additionally, the influence of selected soil bacteria on E. coli O157:H7 in soil environments was determined. METHODS AND RESULTS Escherichia coli O157:H7 counts (log CFU per ml or g-1 ) were determined by spread plating: (i) artificial soil amended with soil rinse (filter-sterilized and unfiltered) at 30°C; (ii) unfiltered soil rinse (50 ml) treated with cycloheximide (200 μg ml-1 ), vancomycin (40 μg ml-1 ), heat (80°C, 15 min) and no treatment (control) for 7 days at 30°C and (iii) filtered soil rinse with selected soil bacterial isolates over 7 days. There was a significant difference (P = 0·027) in E. coli O157:H7 counts after 35 days between artificial soils amended with filtered (4·45 ± 0·29) and non-filtered (1·83 ± 0·33) soil rinse. There were significant differences (P < 0·05) in E. coli O157:H7 counts after 3 days of incubation between soil rinse treatments (heat (7·04 ± 0·03), cycloheximide (6·94 ± 0·05), vancomycin (4·26 ± 0·98) and control (5·00 ± 0·93)). Lastly, a significant difference (P < 0·05) in E. coli O157:H7 counts was observed after 3 days of incubation at 30°C in filtered soil rinse when incubated with Paenibacillus alvei versus other soil bacterial isolates evaluated. CONCLUSIONS Soil microbiota isolated from Florida sandy soil influenced E. coli O157:H7 survival. Specifically, P. alvei reduced E. coli O157:H7 by over 3 log CFU per ml after 3 days of incubation at 30°C in filtered soil rinse. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This research identified soil bacterial isolates that may reduce E. coli O157:H7 in the soil environment and be used in future biocontrol applications.
Extremal graphs for the Tutte polynomial

Abstract A graph transformation called the compression of a graph G is known to decrease the number of spanning trees, the all-terminal reliability, and the magnitude of the coefficients of the chromatic polynomial of a graph G. All of these graph parameters can be derived from the Tutte polynomial of G , and in this paper we determine more generally compression's effect on the Tutte polynomial, recovering the previous results and obtaining similar results for a wide variety of other graph parameters derived from the Tutte polynomial. Since any simple connected graph can be transformed into a connected threshold graph via a series of compressions, this gives that threshold graphs are extremal simple graphs for all of the parameters considered.
Interfacial reaction dependent performance of hollow carbon nanosphere - sulfur composite as a cathode for Li-S battery

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is a promising energy storage system due to its high energy density, cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness of sulfur. However, there are still a number of technical challenges, such as low Coulombic efficiency and poor long-term cycle life, impeding the commercialization of Li-S battery. The electrochemical performance of Li-S battery is closely related with the interfacial reactions occurring between hosting substrate and active sulfur species which are poorly conducting at fully oxidized and reduced states. Here, we correlate the relationship between the performance and interfacial reactions in the Li-S battery system, using a hollow carbon nanosphere (HCNS) with highly graphitic character as hosting substrate for sulfur. With an appropriate amount of sulfur loading, HCNS/S composite exhibits excellent electrochemical performance because of the fast interfacial reactions between HCNS and the polysulfides. However, further increase of sulfur loading leads to increased formation of highly resistive insoluble reaction products (Li2S2/Li2S) which limits the reversibility of the interfacial reactions and results in poor electrochemical performances. These findings demonstrate the importance of the interfacial reaction reversibility in the whole electrode system on achieving high capacity and long cycle life of sulfur cathode for Li-S batteries.
Las percepciones de liderazgo en el contexto de las elecciones mexicanas de 2006

?Hasta que punto los votantes en 2006 consideraron a Felipe Calderon y a Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador como lideres fuertes y carismaticos? ?Que factores moldearon estas percepciones sobre la imagen de los candidatos? ?Incidieron significativamente estas percepciones en la decision del voto? Con base en los datos de la encuesta ci de-c ses 2006, mostramos que Calderon y Lopez Obrador generaron en los votantes percepciones similares acerca de su fortaleza y su carisma. Argumentamos que las condiciones de amenaza tuvieron efectos importantes en la manera en que el electorado percibio a los lideres y su carisma. Este argumento se sustenta con evidencia empirica analizada con metodos de regresion multiple. Finalmente, justificamos la importancia del carisma al demostrar que existe una relacion cercana entre percepcion de la imagen de estos dos candidatos y la decision del voto.
A detailed model for the decomposition of nitramines: RDX and HMX

A unified decomposition scheme for two very important cyclic nitramines used as primary explosives – RDX and HMX – has been constructed using ab initio Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Molecular parameters such as vibrational frequencies and moments of inertia corresponding to the computed potential energy profile of unimolecular decomposition of these nitramines were then used to obtain the thermochemistry of all identified species and reaction rate constants of each individual channel. These primary decomposition reactions were then combined with: (i) important secondary reactions of the key reactive radical intermediates, such as CH2NNO2 (Methylene Nitramine MN), CH2N, NO, NO2, OH, etc.; (ii) existing nitramie reaction networks [33]. We have developed an improved mechanism for the detailed chemistry of nitramines which can be applied to combustion and detonation phenomena of this class of energetic materials.
Radical Cystectomy in the Elderly Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Younger and Older Patients

BACKGROUND The authors reported their experience with radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. They compared pathologic features and survival rates between older and younger patients. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 1054 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder TCC between 1971 and 1997. Four age groups were compared: < 60 years old at the time of cystectomy (n = 310), 60–69 years old (n = 381), 70–79 years old (n = 313), and ≥ 80 years old (n = 50). RESULTS There were no significant differences in pathologic features among the groups regarding frequency of carcinoma in situ, high-grade disease, p53 status, and lymph node positivity. However, in the age groups < 60, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥ 80, 45%, 49%, 51%, and 72% of patients, respectively, had extravesical TCC (P=0.004). Significant differences also were seen in the proportion of patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy (26%, 26%, 15%, and 6%, respectively; P < 0.001). The 5-year overall survival rates for patients < 60, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥ 80 years old were 72%, 58%, 54%, and 33%, respectively (P < 0.001). The 5-year disease recurrence-free survival rates were 75%, 65%, 68%, and 45%, respectively (P = 0.003). The elderly had a lower probability of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Elderly patients undergoing cystectomy for TCC had similar pathologic features (except for disease stage) as younger patients. In the current series, elderly patients undergoing cystectomy had a higher pathologic stage and were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy. The elderly hade worse disease recurrence-free survival rates. Further work is needed to identify the causes for this and to develop strategies to improve cancer control in elderly patients. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.