Conventional methods for estimating the effect of an intervention suffer from selection bias, where the units that receive the treatment have different characteristics from those in the control ...group. This paper proposes a novel method that provides a specific criterion for selecting the control group. The method, called propensity score matching (PSM), was applied to the evaluation of red-light cameras (RLC) and its performance was compared with conventional cross-sectional and empirical Bayes methods. The application was performed using field data from the City of Ottawa involving 30 RLC intersections and 89 non-camera intersections observed for a period of 15 years. All three methods yielded fairly consistent results, indicating an increase in property damage collisions and a decrease in injury and fatal collisions. Given the strong theoretical basis of the PSM method and its ability to produce a more stable and reliable estimator, the method is recommended as a viable alternative to the conventional methods.
Abstract
The next core-collapse supernova in the Milky Way or its satellites will represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to obtain detailed information about the explosion of a star and provide ...significant scientific insight for a variety of fields because of the extreme conditions found within. Supernovae in our galaxy are not only rare on a human timescale but also happen at unscheduled times, so it is crucial to be ready and use all available instruments to capture all possible information from the event. The first indication of a potential stellar explosion will be the arrival of a bright burst of neutrinos. Its observation by multiple detectors worldwide can provide an early warning for the subsequent electromagnetic fireworks, as well as signal to other detectors with significant backgrounds so they can store their recent data. The supernova early warning system (SNEWS) has been operating as a simple coincidence between neutrino experiments in automated mode since 2005. In the current era of multi-messenger astronomy there are new opportunities for SNEWS to optimize sensitivity to science from the next galactic supernova beyond the simple early alert. This document is the product of a workshop in June 2019 towards design of SNEWS 2.0, an upgraded SNEWS with enhanced capabilities exploiting the unique advantages of prompt neutrino detection to maximize the science gained from such a valuable event.
GGGGCC (G4C2) repeat expansion in C9ORF72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). How this genetic mutation leads to ...neurodegeneration remains largely unknown. Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, we deleted EXOC2, which encodes an essential exocyst subunit, in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from C9ORF72-ALS/FTD patients. These cells are viable owing to the presence of truncated EXOC2, suggesting that exocyst function is partially maintained. Several disease-relevant cellular phenotypes in C9ORF72 iPSC-derived motor neurons are rescued due to, surprisingly, the decreased levels of dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins and expanded G4C2 repeats-containing RNA. The treatment of fully differentiated C9ORF72 neurons with EXOC2 antisense oligonucleotides also decreases expanded G4C2 repeats-containing RNA and partially rescued disease phenotypes. These results indicate that EXOC2 directly or indirectly regulates the level of G4C2 repeats-containing RNA, making it a potential therapeutic target in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD.
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•The N-terminal fragment of EXOC2 is sufficient to maintain cell viability•Deletion of EXOC2 in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD motor neurons rescues disease phenotypes•EXOC2 ASOs reduce axon degeneration and apoptosis in C9ORF72 motor neurons•Loss of EXOC2 decreases the levels of DPR proteins and expanded G4C2 repeats RNA
Halim et al. deleted the gene EXOC2 from patient stem cells and then differentiated them into motor neurons. They found that several amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-related phenotypes were rescued in patient neurons when EXOC2 was deleted or knocked down by a drug. This study identifies EXOC2 as a potential therapeutic target.
AbstractThe effect of warm-mix additive (WMA) on styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-based high-viscosity asphalt (HVA) was conducted in this study. First, the physical properties for control HVA and HVA ...with WMA (RH, EC-120, and Sasobit with 2%, 3%, and 4%, respectively) were evaluated to select the optimum WMA. Physical tests showed that all WMAs reduced viscosity (135°C) significantly, while absolute viscosity (60°C) was improved by EC-120 and Sasobit. In addition, EC-120 improved toughness and tenacity. The rheology and morphology of HVA with and without optimum WMA (3% EC-120) were tested using dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), bending beam rheometer (BBR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results indicated that the high-temperature rheological performance was improved by adding EC-120 under unaged and short- and long-term aging conditions. In addition, EC-120 improved the low-temperature creep behavior of the asphalt binder after long-term aging. This finding was further demonstrated by morphological observation, in which a multinetwork was formed after long-term aging.
This study presents a code-to-code and model-to-model comparison of coolant mixing in the VVER-1000/V320 Kozloduy Unit 6 nuclear power plant using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Four different ...CFD codes were used to simulate coolant mixing in the reactor vessel, namely ANSYS Fluent, ANSYS CFX, TrioCFD, and STAR-CCM+. Two different approaches were used to model the upper plenum, while a single simplified model was used for the reactor pressure vessel. The simulations were performed for VVER-1000 coolant transient benchmark (V1000CT-2) mixing exercise. The results were compared between the different CFD codes and models to assess the accuracy and consistency of the simulations with the available experimental data. Overall, the results showed good agreement between the different CFD codes and models, with minor differences observed in some cases. The simplified models were found to be sufficient for predicting the overall coolant mixing patterns observed in the reactor vessel, provided additional insights into the local flow structures and mixing characteristics. This study demonstrates the applicability and reliability of CFD simulations for coolant mixing analysis in VVER-1000/V320 nuclear power plants.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding liquid extract of algae (Hypnea musciformis, Grateloupia acuminata, and Sargassum muticum) (HGS) and Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) using ...this extract to rear water of Oreochromis niloticus, on improving culture water indices, growth performance, digestive enzyme, hemato-biochemical characters, immune, antioxidative responses, and resistance after challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila with specific refer to the potential role of the mixture in vitro as resistance against three strains bacteria (Aeromonas sobria, Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. aeruginosa) and one parasite (Cichlidogyrus tilapia). The first group represented control, HGS0, whereas the other group, HGS5, HGS10, and HGS15 mL−1 of liquid extract, as well as all groups with 7.5 μg mL−1 MgO-NPs added to culture water of O. niloticus, for 60 days. Data showed that increasing levels at HGS 10 and HGS15 mL−1 in to-culture water significantly enhanced growth-stimulating digestive enzyme activity and a significantly improved survival rate of O. niloticus after being challenged with A. hydrophila than in the control group. The total viability, coliform, fecal coliform count, and heavy metal in muscle partially decreased at HGS 10 and HGS15 mL−1 than in the control group. Correspondingly, the highest positive effect on hemato-biochemical indices was noticed at levels HGS 10 and HGS15 mL−1. Fish noticed an improvement in immune and antioxidant indices compared to control groups partially at HGS 10 and HGS15 mL−1. Interestingly, fish cultured in rearing water with the mixture provided downregulated the related inflammatory genes (HSP70, TNF, IL-1β, and IL-8) partially at HGS15 mL−1. In vitro, the mixture showed positive efficiency as an antibacterial and partially antiparasitic at HGS 10 and HGS15 mL−1. This study proposes utilizing a mixture of (HGS) and (MgO-NPs) with optimum levels of 10–15 mL-1 in cultured water to improve water indices, growth, health status, and increased resistance of O. niloticus against bacterial and parasitic infection.
•Seaweed mixture extract (HGS) and (MgO-NPs) synthesis (HGS) was added to cultured water as a natural agent of Nile tilapia.•Including blend improves growth, health status, and resistance against pathogenic.•Immune response and antioxidant activities were significantly improved with increasing blend levels.•Blend controlled the inflammatory and stress-associated genes of tilapia.•(HGS) and (MgO-NPs) with optimum 10 - 15 mL-1 levels in cultured water improve water indices.
Vented suppressive shield (VSS) containers have traditionally been used to store hazardous materials, especially explosives, and to attenuate the blast pressure and impulse outside the shield. VSS ...containers also eliminate the primary fragment hazard associated with accidental explosions. Most VSS containers are designed from experience and observations of container test programs. This design process, however, limits the designer's ability to economize on materials or use suppressive shield configurations other than those used in the test programs. The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between the blast waves and the structural steel elements used in VSSs. This paper investigates the effect of different VSS sections (configurations) in the attenuation of blast pressure outside the container and develops semiempirical equations that can be used to predict blast pressure and impulse outside VSS containers. AUTODYN, a commercial software package, was used to model the explosive detonation process and the evolution of the blast wave and its interaction with the VSS. Different VSS configurations, which ranged in complexity and included single- and multilayer shields, were studied. The single- and multilayer VSSs were compared and used to develop semiempirical equations to predict the pressure and impulse outside the VSS container. The proposed equations were compared with the results obtained from a previous experimental test program and showed a very good correlation.
Exocytosis is the process by which secretory vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to deliver materials to the cell surface or to release cargoes to the extracellular space. The exocyst—an ...evolutionarily conserved octameric protein complex—mediates spatiotemporal control of SNARE complex assembly for vesicle fusion and tethering the secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane. The exocyst participates in diverse cellular functions, including protein trafficking to the plasma membrane, membrane extension, cell polarity, neurite outgrowth, ciliogenesis, cytokinesis, cell migration, autophagy, host defense, and tumorigenesis. Exocyst subunits are essential for cell viability; and mutations or variants in several exocyst subunits have been implicated in human diseases, mostly neurodevelopmental disorders and ciliopathies. These conditions often share common features such as developmental delay, intellectual disability, and brain abnormalities. In this review, we summarize the mutations and variants in exocyst subunits that have been linked to disease and discuss the implications of exocyst dysfunction in other disorders.
AbstractTraffic loads and environmental (climate) conditions are among the most important variables governing the long-term performance of asphalt pavement developed by pavement designers. Several ...studies done at Carleton University indicate that construction methods can also affect the long-term performance of asphalt pavement by creating hairline surface cracks that allow water to penetrate the asphalt layer. This reduces the tensile strength of the asphalt layer and destroys the bonds in the asphalt between pavement layers. This paper presents the results and major findings of an experimental investigation performed on large-scale asphalt slabs that were extracted from newly laid pavement from an actual highway project. The laboratory work included testing the slabs under direct tensile stress and subjecting them to temperatures ranging from room temperature (+20°C) to −20°C. The testing included one hundred nineteen 300×100 mm asphalt samples, with thicknesses of 50 mm for single layer and 100 mm for double layer. The research also included evaluating the bonds between asphalt layers built in the field for what the authors believe is the first time. The results showed that construction-induced cracks affect the tensile strength of new asphalt roads and can weaken the bond between the upper and lower layers when overlays are constructed. Statistical analysis confirmed that the differences observed in the results are significant.
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