cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Grain size and grain boundary effects on the mechanical behavior of fully stabilized zirconia investigated by nanoindentation

Mechanical behavior of fully yttria stabilized zirconia (F-YSZ) was investigated by nanoindentation. The coarse- and fine-grained materials displayed similar reduced modulus and hardness. Clear pop-in was observed in coarse-grained F-YSZ, with the pop-in loads varying with grain orientation and distance from the grain boundary. Pop-in was not clear in nanocrystalline F-YSZ. The lower hardness of the grain boundary and the similar hardness of the two grain-sized materials indicate an intrinsic atomic structure difference in the coarse- and fine-grained F-YSZ.
Pediatric Health: a translational pipeline for the pediatrician in a new era of health care discovery

Pediatric Health is a new journal that targets a wide range of individuals who provide care to children, and the launch of this journal comes at a unique crossroads in the history of clinical practice. For many years, pediatric journals have generally been considered as either ‘academic’ journals, where those individuals who work in an academic environment (typically medical schools and universities) report new research, or ‘practical’ journals, where review articles focus on topics of interest to the general pediatrician. As an individual who has practiced in both kinds of settings, I can attest to the fact that it is only too infrequent that an article or paper that appeals to one audience will simultaneously hold the interest of the other. This is not a criticism of either group, but simply an observation borne by experience: the concerns of the general pediatrician and the academic physician–scientist have historically seldom overlapped. Nonetheless, pediatricians have continued to provide outstanding care to our children, and academicians have generated new knowledge that has advanced that care, often in dramatic ways. So what is changing today? Are we truly at a historical crossroad in the way we deliver clinical care? Increasingly, it has been recognized that the translation of basic laboratory and clinical research into clinical practice has not been as seamless or straightforward as might be hoped. Out of this concern grew the NIH Roadmap Initiative [1]. The basic tenet of this initiative is that efforts must be made to catalyze changes in the way that we transform our new scientific knowledge into tangible benefits for patients. Developed with input from key leaders in academia, industry, government and the public, the NIH Roadmap provides a framework of priorities which must be met in order to optimize not only the NIH research portfolio, but, by extension, other biomedical research as well. The NIH Roadmap
The effect of sleep deprivation on the rate of focal interictal epileptiform discharges

Eight men with complex partial seizures who had frequent focal interictal epileptiform discharges (FIEDs) during routine EEGs were selected for all-night EEG recording before, and after 36 h of sleep deprivation. After sleep deprivation 6 of 8 patients showed increased FIEDs. The pooled mean number of FIEDs was greatest during light non-REM stages of sleep, especially stage II. Thus sleep deprivation is an effective activation method in medicated patients with complex partial seizures. However, a significant activation requires recording stage II sleep after sleep deprivation.
Image-based simulation of urethral distensibility and flow resistance as a function of pelvic floor anatomy.

Aims The goal of this study is to develop an image-based model of urethral distention and resistance in women with and without SUI. Methods A biomechanical vector force model was created to simulate the mechanical deformation of pelvic floor structures during cough and Valsalva in order to measure urethral distension and predict flow resistance patterns. Dynamic MRI images were used to create a spatial model to construct an accurate representation of tissue thickness and location, which was combined with tissue property values (MATLAB 2011a, MathWorks, Natick, MA). Spatial profiles were created to demonstrate the effects of hypermobility and tissue property variability on distensibility and flow resistance along the urethra. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to demonstrate the relationship between flow resistance and various tissue properties. Results The average distension for incontinent cases (3.8 mm) was significantly greater than that of continent cases (2.6 mm) (t = 3.3083, df = 8, P < 0.01), corresponding to a 70% drop in average resistance to urine flow. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the stiffness and contractility of the vagina and urethra had the greatest effect on continence. Conclusions We present a novel, 2-dimensional biomechanical model of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) that relates the effects of various factors such as tissue elasticity, pelvic floor structure, and muscle activation. A better understanding of the pathophysiology underlying SUI has potential implications for the creation of novel targeted treatments. Neurourol. Urodynam. 34:???–???, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of flood management systems' flexibility with application to the Sacramento River basin, California, USA

ABSTRACTWater resources managers and researchers have concluded that increasing system flexibility will provide flood management systems advantages in meeting objectives under uncertain future hydrologic conditions. However, despite the frequent use of the term flexibility, demonstration of the concept to analysis and design of flood management systems has yet to be conducted. Building upon previous studies of flexibility in the fields of information technology and social-ecological systems, among others, we outline an approach to investigate how structural and non-structural flood management actions relate to system flexibility. We assess flexibility using metrics that describe flexibility by five characteristics: slack, redundancy, connectivity, adjustability, and compatibility/cooperation. We apply this flexibility assessment to four proposed flood management strategies, each with a unique suite of management actions, for the Sacramento River basin in California, USA. The foci of benefits differ betwee...
Bleu: a Method for Automatic Evaluation of Machine Translation

Human evaluations of machine translation are extensive but expensive. Human evaluations can take months to finish and involve human labor that can not be reused. We propose a method of automatic machine translation evaluation that is quick, inexpensive, and language-independent, that correlates highly with human evaluation, and that has little marginal cost per run. We present this method as an automated understudy to skilled human judges which substitutes for them when there is need for quick or frequent evaluations.
Transient measurements of adsorption and diffusion in H‐ZSM‐5 membranes

A transient permeation method presented in this paper not only determines the adsorption and diffusion properties of the pores that are the transport pathways through zeolite membranes, but nondestructively estimates the effective thickness of the membrane. Transient responses of the permeate concentration to step changes in the feed were measured on two H-ZSM-5 tubular membranes and modeled assuming Maxwell-Stefan diffusion and Langmuir adsorption. The adsorption isotherms determined from these transient measurements at 298 K of N 2 and CO 2 were nearly identical to those measured by calorimetry on H-ZSM-5 powders. The CH 4 isotherm at 298 K was similar to isotherms measured by calorimetry and gravimetric techniques on Na-ZSM-5 and silicalite powders. The similarity of the isotherms indicates that transport of these light gases occurs mainly through zeolite pores. The Maxwell-Stefan diffusion coefficients Đ MS depended on concentration and were higher for higher feed partial pressures. Average Đ MS values for the two membranes were 7.5, 5 and 1.5x10 -10 m 2 /s for N 2 , CH 4 , and CO 2 , respectively; these are in the same range and order as diffusion coefficients measured in zeolite crystals.
CORRELATIONAL ANALYSIS OF STUDENT VISIBILITY AND PERFORMANCE IN ONLINE LEARNING

This study examines the relationship between student visibility and learning outcomes in a graduate-level online course. Visibility in this study refers to students’ cognitive, social, and emotive presence [1, 2] in various communication settings, such as posts on the discussion board, contributions in live chats, email messages, online profiles, and inputs via any other means of communication. A visibility score is determined for each student, and the Spearman r correlational tests are used to detect any significant correlation between visibility and learning outcomes (grades). In addition, two surveys were distributed to the students at the end of the course: (a) Survey on Self-Perception on Learning Experiences provides a context for understanding student performance; and (b) Survey on Useful Aspects of Socializing Online asks students to rank the importance of eight types of online activities, such as sharing information, solving problems, and making friends. Both surveys probe into students’ perceptions and social context, which often have great impact on students’ online presence.
Measuring the Effects of Federal Grants-in-Aid on Total Public Sector Size

Empirical studies of intergovernmental grants have applied a partial-equilibrium framework to investigate the marginal effects of grants on the spending by recipient governments, and generally conclude that all grants do stimulate such spending. Although it is tempting to interpret this to mean that an increase in grants therefore always increases aggregate government spending, such a conclusion gives no consideration to the underlying cause of a change in grant amounts or their financing. A general-equilibrium model that explains the aggregate effect of grants, as well as their existence, is used herein to estimate the aggregate stimulative effect of intergovernmental grants.
Enhanced Extracellular Production of Aspartyl Proteinase, a Virulence Factor, by Candida albicans Isolates following Growth in Subinhibitory Concentrations of Fluconazole

We examined the production of secreted aspartyl proteinase (Sap), a putative virulence factor of Candida albicans, by a series of 17 isolates representing a single strain obtained from the oral cavity of an AIDS patient before and after the development of clinical and in vitro resistance to fluconazole. Isolates were grown in Sap-inducing yeast carbon base-bovine serum albumin medium containing 0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1 MIC of fluconazole, and cultures were sampled daily for 14 days to determine extracellular Sap activity by enzymatic degradation of bovine serum albumin. Extracellular Sap activity was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner for the most fluconazole-susceptible isolate (MIC, 1.0 microg/ml) and significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner for the most fluconazole-resistant isolate (MIC, >64 microg/ml). Enhanced extracellular Sap production could not be attributed to cell death or nonspecific release of Sap, because there was no reduction in the number of CFU and no significant release of enolase, a constitutive enzyme of the glycolytic pathway. Conversely, intracellular Sap concentrations were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner in the most fluconazole-susceptible isolate and decreased in the most fluconazole-resistant isolate. Enhanced Sap production correlated with the overexpression of a gene encoding a multidrug resistance (MDR1) efflux pump occurring in these isolates. These data indicate that exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of fluconazole can result in enhanced extracellular production of Sap by isolates with the capacity to overexpress MDR1 and imply that patients infected with these isolates and subsequently treated with suboptimal doses of fluconazole may experience enhanced C. albicans virulence in vivo.
The Current State of Niacin in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

Objectives This study sought to assess the efficacy of niacin for reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, as indicated by the aggregate body of clinical trial evidence including data from the recently published AIM-HIGH (Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health Outcomes) trial. Background Previously available randomized clinical trial data assessing the clinical efficacy of niacin has been challenged by results from AIM-HIGH, which failed to demonstrate a reduction in CVD event incidence in patients with established CVD treated with niacin as an adjunct to intensive simvastatin therapy. Methods Clinical trials of niacin, alone or combined with other lipid-altering therapy, were identified via MEDLINE. Odds ratios (ORs) for CVD endpoints were calculated with a random-effects meta-analyses. Meta-regression modeled the relationship of differences in on-treatment high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with the magnitude of effect of niacin on CVD events. Results Eleven eligible trials including 9,959 subjects were identified. Niacin use was associated with a significant reduction in the composite endpoints of any CVD event (OR: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49 to 0.89; p = 0.007) and major coronary heart disease event (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.96; p = 0.02). No significant association was observed between niacin therapy and stroke incidence (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.5 to 1.54; p = 0.65). The magnitude of on-treatment high-density lipoprotein cholesterol difference between treatment arms was not significantly associated with the magnitude of the effect of niacin on outcomes. Conclusions The consensus perspective derived from available clinical data supports that niacin reduces CVD events and, further, that this may occur through a mechanism not reflected by changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration.
Some effects of selection strategies on linkage analysis.

A study was designed to address the relative merits of different sampling strategies for detecting linkage. Genotypes of pedigree members were generated by the use of a single genetic model, and the pedigrees were subdivided into dominant-appearing, recessive-appearing, and "interesting" subsets. An investigator blind to how the data had been generated applied two different selection rules to determine which individuals in each pedigree would be "typed" for linkage analysis. Linkage analyses were then conducted on these pedigree subsets, as well as on the combined data, by the use of three autosomal dominant models, three autosomal recessive models, and the generating (i.e., "true") model. Results suggest (1) that linkage is likely to be detected even in the absence of knowledge of the mode of transmission, if a range of models can be examined; (2) that false evidence for heterogeneity will not necessarily result when pedigrees are selected according to apparent mode of transmission for analysis; (3) that recessive-appearing pedigrees (i.e., those with multiplex sibships) may be particularly useful for detecting linkage; and (4) that including information on unaffected second-degree relatives adds little to linkage studies of affected individuals and their first-degree relatives.
Computer observer design for dynamic PET image using time domain filtering

We propose a method to design linear computer observer to evaluate the quality of dynamic PET image. Instead of applying a joint space-time template in the observer design, the proposed suboptimal method separates the temporal and spatial processing. We argue that this framework provides a reasonable way to measure the quality of the dynamic image with moderate complexity. Further more, we study three possible choices for temporal filtering, including temporal matched filter, Patlak analysis and a new method called minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) filtering. The temporal matched filter sets an upper bound of SNR among all temporal linear filtering methods in terms of SNR, but its output may not be suitable for a physiologically quantitative analysis. Theoretically, the outputs of Patlak and MVDR are inferior to that of the matched filter, but their outputs are physiological related parameters. Monte Carlo simulation and the ROC study are employed to test these three methods. The results show that the MVDR filtering provides the higher area under the curve (AUC) over Patlak method, and its AUC is close to that of temporal matched filter in the high SNR cases, which implies a very good overall observer performance. Therefore, MVDR filtering could be a potential candidate for time domain processing of dynamic image observer in our design.
Mechanisms Responsible for Forskolin-Induced Relaxation of Rat Tail Artery

Abstract —The goal of the present study was to determine the physiologically relevant mechanisms for forskolin-induced relaxation of intact rat tail artery. We stimulated deendothelialized rat tail artery with phenylephrine and then relaxed the tissue with the addition of forskolin, a specific activator of adenylyl cyclase. We measured membrane potential with the use of microelectrodes, estimated intracellular Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) with the use of fura 2, and measured isometric force with a strain-gauge transducer. We found that 0.3 to 1.0 μmol/L forskolin relaxed 0.3 to 1.0 μmol/L phenylephrine-stimulated rat tail artery by decreasing the [Ca 2+ ] i sensitivity of force as well as through repolarization. There was no evidence for forskolin-induced inhibition of Ca 2+ influx beyond that associated with repolarization. There also was no evidence for forskolin-induced enhancement of Ca 2+ efflux or sequestration. Inhibition of ATP-activated K + channels with 10 μmol/L glibenclamide, Ca 2+ -activated K + channels with 50 nmol/L iberiotoxin, Ca 2+ -activated K + channels with 3 or 10 mmol/L tetraethylammonium ion, inwardly rectified K + channels with 20 μmol/L Ba 2+ , and voltage-activated K + channels with 0.5 mmol/L 4-aminopyridine did not significantly attenuate forskolin-induced reductions in [Ca 2+ ] i or force. Forskolin-induced repolarization was not altered by 10 μmol/L glibenclamide or 0.5 mmol/L 4-aminopyridine. These data suggest that these K + channels were not individually involved in forskolin-induced relaxation and that other channels and/or multiple channels are involved in forskolin-induced repolarization of intact rat tail artery. Our data also suggest that forskolin-induced relaxation of intact rat tail artery occurred primarily through repolarization and reductions in the [Ca 2+ ] i sensitivity of force.
SnO2 nanocrystals deposited on multiwalled carbon nanotubes with superior stability as anode material for Li-ion batteries

Abstract We report a novel ethylene glycol-mediated solvothermal-polyol route for synthesis of SnO 2 –CNT nanocomposites, which consist of highly dispersed 3–5 nm SnO 2 nanocrystals on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). As anode materials for Li-ion batteries, the nanocomposites showed high rate capability and superior cycling stability with specific capacity of 500 mAh g −1 for up to 300 cycles. The CNTs served as electron conductors and volume buffers in the nanocomposites. This strategy could be extended to synthesize other metal oxides composites with other carbon materials.
A Simulation-Based Resident-As-Teacher Program: The Impact on Teachers and Learners

Background Residency training is charged with improving resident teaching skills. Utilizing simulation in teacher training has unique advantages such as providing a controlled learning environment and opportunities for deliberate practice. Objective We assessed the impact of a simulation-based resident-as-teacher (RaT) program. Design A RaT program was embedded in an existing 8-case simulation curriculum for 52 internal medicine (IM) interns. Residents participated in a workshop, then served as facilitators in the curriculum and received feedback from faculty. Methods Residents' teaching and feed back skills were measured using a pre- and post-program self-assessment and post-session and post-curriculum evaluations by intern learners. Setting/participants Forty-one second- and third-year residents participated in the study August 2013 to October 2013 at a single center. Results Pre- and post-program teaching skills were assessed for 34 of 41 resident facilitators (83%) participating in 3.9 sessions on average. Partaking in the program led to improvements in resident facilitators' self-reported teaching and feedback skills across all domains. The most significant improvement was in teaching in a simulated environment (2.81 to 4.16, P Conclusions Our simulation-based RaT program offered a unique opportunity for deliberate practice of teaching skills in a controlled environment and led to improvements in resident facilitators' teaching and feed back skills. The simulation curriculum, facilitated by residents, was well received by the intern learners. Our program design may serve as a model for the development of simulation curricula and RaT programs within IM residencies.
Leveraging the Corporate Brand

Brand assets are difficult and expensive to develop, maintain, and adapt. The offering environment is cluttered, confused, and complex in part because of the proliferation of products, brands, and sub-brands. Dynamic market contexts with the emergence of new sub-categories make it necessary to adapt and stretch brands, putting additional strain on their ability to deliver the needed support. In this context, the corporate brand (or, more generally, an organization brand) can be dialed up to play a more prominent role in the brand portfolio. The corporate brand defines the firm that will deliver and stand behind the offering that the customer will buy and use. The brand has access to organizational as well as product associations and the flexibility to play several roles within the brand portfolio. Of most significance is its potential in some contexts to be a master brand with a significant driver role. In fact, in the case of Dell, UPS, Sony, Samsung, IBM, and others, it can been seen as the ultimate branded house, where the product brands consist largely of the corporate brand plus a descriptor. In these cases, the use of a corporate brand as a master brand maximizes brand portfolio goals such as generating leverage, synergy, and clarity.
Strained-Si-strained-SiGe dual-channel layer structure as CMOS substrate for single workfunction metal-gate technology

The strained-Si-strained-SiGe dual-channel layer substrate is known for its mobility advantage. This letter investigates its potential as a CMOS substrate that would enable single workfunction metal-gate electrode technology. Simulation shows that a single metal electrode with workfunction of 4.5 eV produces near-ideal CMOS performance on a dual-channel layer substrate that consists sequentially of a silicon wafer, an epitaxially grown 30% Ge relaxed SiGe layer, a compressively strained 60% Ge layer, and a tensile-strained-Si cap layer. Measured threshold voltages in experimental TiN gate n- and p-MOSFETs built on such dual-channel layer substrates support the simulation analysis.
The lin-4 Regulatory RNA Controls Developmental Timing in Caenorhabditis elegans by Blocking LIN-14 Protein Synthesis after the Initiation of Translation

lin-4 encodes a small RNA that is complementary to sequences in the 3* untranslated region (UTR) of lin-14 mRNA and that acts to developmentally repress the accumulation of LIN-14 protein. This repression is essential for the proper timing of numerous events of Caenorhabditis elegans larval development. We have investigated the mechanism of lin-4 RNA action by examining the fate of lin-14 mRNA in vivo during the time that lin-4 RNA is expressed. Our results indicate that the rate of synthesis of lin-14 mRNA, its state of polyadenylation, its abundance in the cytoplasmic fraction, and its polysomal sedimentation profile do not change in response to the accumulation of lin-4 RNA. Our results indicate that association of lin-4 RNA with the 3* UTR of lin-14 mRNA permits normal biogenesis of lin-14 mRNA, and normal translational initiation, but inhibits step(s) thereafter, such as translational elongation and/or the release of stable LIN-14 protein. © 1999 Academic Press
Does This Patient With Chest Pain Have Acute Coronary Syndrome?: The Rational Clinical Examination Systematic Review

Importance About 10% of patients with acute chest pain are ultimately diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Early, accurate estimation of the probability of ACS in these patients using the clinical examination could prevent many hospital admissions among low-risk patients and ensure that high-risk patients are promptly treated. Objective To review systematically the accuracy of the initial history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, and risk scores incorporating these elements with the first cardiac-specific troponin. Study Selection MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched (January 1, 1995-July 31, 2015), along with reference lists from retrieved articles, to identify prospective studies of diagnostic test accuracy among patients admitted to the emergency department with symptoms suggesting ACS. Data Extraction and Synthesis We identified 2992 unique articles; 58 met inclusion criteria. Main Outcomes and Measures Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio (LR) of findings for the diagnosis of ACS. The reference standard for ACS was either a final hospital diagnosis of ACS or occurrence of a cardiovascular event within 6 weeks. Results The clinical findings and risk factors most suggestive of ACS were prior abnormal stress test (specificity, 96%; LR, 3.1 [95% CI, 2.0-4.7]), peripheral arterial disease (specificity, 97%; LR, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.5-4.8]), and pain radiation to both arms (specificity, 96%; LR, 2.6 [95% CI, 1.8-3.7]). The most useful electrocardiogram findings were ST-segment depression (specificity, 95%; LR, 5.3 [95% CI, 2.1-8.6]) and any evidence of ischemia (specificity, 91%; LR, 3.6 [95% CI,1.6-5.7]). Both the History, Electrocardiogram, Age, Risk Factors, Troponin (HEART) and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk scores performed well in diagnosing ACS: LR, 13 (95% CI, 7.0-24) for the high-risk range of the HEART score (7-10) and LR, 6.8 (95% CI, 5.2-8.9) for the high-risk range of the TIMI score (5-7). The most useful for identifying patients less likely to have ACS were the low-risk range HEART score (0-3) (LR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.13-0.30]), low-risk range TIMI score (0-1) (LR, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.23-0.43]), or low to intermediate risk designation by the Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand risk algorithm (LR, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.19-0.31]). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with suspected ACS presenting to emergency departments, the initial history, physical examination, and electrocardiogram alone did not confirm or exclude the diagnosis of ACS. Instead, the HEART or TIMI risk scores, which incorporate the first cardiac troponin, provided more diagnostic information.
Cardiac troponin I for stratification of early outcomes and the efficacy of enoxaparin in unstable angina: a TIMI-11B substudy

Abstract Objectives We sought to evaluate cardiac troponin I (cTnI) for predicting early clinical outcomes and the efficacy of enoxaparin among patients with non–ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and negative creatine kinase, MB fraction (CK-MB) levels. Background Cardiac TnI identifies patients with unstable angina who are at higher risk of death or myocardial infarction (MI) by 30 days. The utility of cTnI for predicting very early clinical events, including recurrent ischemia, and the efficacy of enoxaparin are not yet established. Methods At baseline and 12 h to 24 h after enrollment in the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)-11B trial, samples were collected for cTnI determination. Results Among 359 patients with negative serial CK-MB values, 50.1% had a cTnI result ≥0.1 ng/ml within the first 24 h. Patients with elevated cTnI were at higher risk of death or MI at 48 h (3.9 vs. 0%, p = 0.01) and 14 days (13.9 vs. 2.2%, p Conclusions Elevation of cTnI among patients with non–ST segment elevation ACS and negative levels of CK-MB identifies those at higher risk for very early adverse outcomes, including severe recurrent ischemia. Treatment with enoxaparin reduces the risk associated with elevated cTnI.
3D Integration technology for energy efficient system design

CMOS scaling will continue, doubling transistor integration capacity every two years, providing billions of transistors to enable future novel systems. 3D integration technology will open the doors even further, changing the landscape and allowing integration of diverse functionality to realize energy-efficient and affordable complex systems that will continue to deliver higher performance. This paper presents how to exploit this new technology for energy efficient system design.
Converting Faculty Performance Evaluations Into Merit Raises: A Spreadsheet Model

One of the most important, yet difficult tasks of any academic department chairperson is to evaluate the annual performance of individual faculty members and then to convert the array of performance evaluations into a structure of merit raises. Building on previous literature, this paper presents a spreadsheet model to convert qualitative performance evaluations into merit raises subject to 1) a limited pool of funds for salary adjustments and 2) a requirement that the relative structure of percentage raises match the relative structure of performance evaluations as defined by a linear evaluation scale. The contribution of the paper is its practical nature in that the proposed spreadsheet can immediately be put to use by academic chairpersons, is readily understandable by the faculty, and is useful for all institutions with various combinations of teaching, research, and service expectations for the faculty. To match the structure of raises with that of performance evaluations, qualitative evaluations in each of the three areas of faculty performance—teaching, research, and service—are first converted into numeric equivalents based on a linear evaluation key. Next, the numeric equivalents are weighted according to a weighting scheme dependent on the amount of release time provided to the faculty member for research and/or service, in order to generate an overall numeric evaluation for each faculty member. Finally, the weighted numeric evaluations are converted into percentage merit raises subject to a finite salary adjustment pool using the Goal Seek function in Microsoft Excel. The model is illustrated using a hypothetical department of ten faculty members with varying teaching loads and thus different amounts of release time for research and/or service.
Final Report. Center for Scalable Application Development Software

The Center for Scalable Application Development Software (CScADS) was established as a part- nership between Rice University, Argonne National Laboratory, University of California Berkeley, University of Tennessee – Knoxville, and University of Wisconsin – Madison. CScADS pursued an integrated set of activities with the aim of increasing the productivity of DOE computational scientists by catalyzing the development of systems software, libraries, compilers, and tools for leadership computing platforms. Principal Center activities were workshops to engage the research community in the challenges of leadership computing, research and development of open-source software, and work with computational scientists to help them develop codes for leadership computing platforms. This final report summarizes CScADS activities at Rice University in these areas.
Defining the role of surgery in global health: a systematic review of cost-effectiveness of surgery in developing countries

INTRODUCTION: Community-based surveillance methods to monitor epidemiological progress in surgery have not yet been employed for surgical capacity building. The goals of this study are twofold: to create a validated survey tool to easily measure surgical disease; and to accurately define the surgical epidemiology of a catchment population for a Partners In Health-supported district hospital in northern Rwanda.
Adsorption of acid and polymer coated nanoparticles: a statistical thermodynamics approach.

A molecular theoretical description is developed to describe the adsorption of nanoparticles (NPs) that are coated with polymers and functionalized with (surface) acid groups. Results are presented...
Protesting Putin or protecting rights? Media reflections on reflective student activism

ABSTRACTThis paper considers new challenges for Russian universities and the state, including flourishing and widespread corruption, politicization and state pressure, and student activism, and hypothesizes on how these three may be linked. To do so, this paper uses systematic research of media accounts from 2007 to 2012 in order to investigate student activism and its possible links with corruption and university politicization. This paper develops a theoretical extension that explains the corruption and coercion mechanism as applied to student activism, and places emphasis on higher education corruption and state pressure applied to universities. This study concludes that students are more interested in fighting for their economic rights and fulfilment of contractual obligations by the universities, while remaining politically inactive. This is normal for modern Russian society, where market reforms in higher education gain momentum, while democratic changes in the country remain very slow.
Design principles for hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst materials

Abstract Design and synthesis of active, stable and cost-effective materials for efficient hydrogen production (hydrogen evolution reaction, HER) is of paramount importance for the successful deployment of hydrogen-based alternative energy technologies. The HER, seemingly one of the simplest electrochemical reactions, has served for decades to bridge the gap between fundamental electrocatalysis and practical catalyst design. However, there are still many open questions that need to be answered before it would be possible to claim that design principles of catalyst materials are fully developed for the efficient hydrogen production. In this review, by summarizing key results for the HER on well-characterized electrochemical interfaces in acidic and alkaline media, we have broadened our understanding of the HER in the whole range of pH by considering three main parameters: the nature of the proton donor (H3O+ in acid and H2O in alkaline), the energy of adsorption of Had and OHad, and the presence of spectator species. Simply by considering these three parameters we show that great deal has already been learned and new trends are beginning to emerge, giving some predictive ability with respect to the nature of electrochemical interface and electrocatalytic activity of the HER.
Maternal obesity and pregnancy

We examined the risk of maternal obesity in 588 pregnant women weighing at least 113.6 kilograms (250 pounds) during pregnancy. Compared with a control group matched for age and parity, we found a significantly increased risk in the obese patient for gestational diabetes, hypertension, therapeutic induction, prolonged second stage of labor, oxytocin stimulation of labor, shoulder dystocia, infants weighing more than 4,000 grams and delivery after 42 weeks gestation. Certain operative complications were also more common in obese women undergoing cesarean section including estimated blood loss of more than 1,000 milliliters, operating time of more than two hours and wound infection postoperatively. These differences remained significant after controlling for appropriate confounding variables. We conclude that maternal obesity should be considered a high risk factor.
Dynamic DNA Binding Licenses a Eukaryotic Repair Complex to Bypass Protein Roadblocks in Search of DNA Lesions

DNA binding proteins search for specific targets amidst an excess of non-target DNA largely through facilitated diffusion. While DNA is crowded with proteins in vivo, little is known about how protein roadblocks affect diffusion. Here, we use single-molecule fluorescence imaging and DNA curtains generated by nano-fabricated chromium arrays to investigate how Msh2-Msh3, a eukaryotic mismatch repair (MMR) complex, navigates on crowded DNA. We discovered that Msh2-Msh3, in contrast to the homologous protein complex Msh2-Msh6, diffuses on DNA by hopping. Furthermore, hopping allows Msh2-Msh3 to bypass protein roadblocks, including nucleosomes. Despite hopping over roadblocks, we observed that Msh2-Msh3 maintains sufficient contact with DNA to bind single DNA lesions. Remarkably, the primary Msh3 DNA binding domain, the mispair binding domain (MBD), translates the ability to hop to a Msh2-Msh6(3-MBD) chimera. This work provides a model for how Msh2-Msh3 locates lesions outside of replication-coupled MMR, provides insight into the structural pre-requisites for protein hopping, and shows how hopping may accelerate target search in the context of chromatin.
The Parton Model and Asymptotic Freedom Revisited

It is the intent of these lectures to give a retrospective review of some of the salient features of the parton model and its relationship to light cone dynamics and asymptotic freedom. There are, of course, many excellent review articles1 covering these topics so in order to avoid excessive repetition I shall attempt to dwell on various aspects of the problem from a somewhat different perspective than usual.
The significant impact of education, poverty, and race on Internet-based research participant engagement.

Internet-based technologies are increasingly being used for research studies. However, it is not known whether Internet-based approaches will effectively engage participants from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. A total of 967 participants were recruited and offered genetic ancestry results. We evaluated viewing Internet-based genetic ancestry results among participants who expressed high interest in obtaining the results. Of the participants, 64% stated that they were very or extremely interested in their genetic ancestry results. Among interested participants, individuals with a high school diploma (n = 473) viewed their results 19% of the time relative to 4% of the 145 participants without a diploma (P < 0.0001). Similarly, 22% of participants with household income above the federal poverty level (n = 286) viewed their results relative to 10% of the 314 participants living below the federal poverty level (P < 0.0001). Among interested participants both with a high school degree and living above the poverty level, self-identified Caucasians were more likely to view results than self-identified African Americans (P < 0.0001), and females were more likely to view results than males (P = 0.0007). In an underserved population, engagement in Internet-based research was low despite high reported interest. This suggests that explicit strategies should be developed to increase diversity in Internet-based research. Genet Med 19 2, 240–243.
In Defense of DW-NOMINATE

Several of the articles in this volume criticize the use of DW-NOMINATE in historical work in American politics and suggest alternative approaches to the use of roll call voting data. While many of criticisms are certainly valid, their practical implications are often overstated. Moreover, the suggested alternatives are either impractical for most historically oriented scholars and or do not adequately address the underlying problems. Almost all of the criticisms can be addressed by correct application of DW-NOMINATE results or those of other closely related measures.
An Overview of Cultural Competency Curricula in ACGME-accredited General Surgery Residency Programs.

Objective Cultural competency(CC) in surgical residency curricula is not the novel idea it was fourteen years ago when the ACGME challenged program directors to teach and assess six core competencies. CC is recognized as a component of “patient care”, “professionalism”, and “interpersonal and communication skills.” The results of five programs (2004-2012) with CC curricula were identified in a 2013 paper by Ly and Chun. The primary objective of this paper is to provide the current status of CC curricula in general surgery residency programs. Design Three sources were used for this study. First, a four question survey on the current status of CC education was sent to program directors of ACGME-accredited surgery residency programs. Second, the lead authors from five programs previously reported in the 2013 paper were interviewed. Third, the survey mentioned above was resent to 52 residency programs who implemented New York University’s (NYU) SPICE program, which has a CC component. Participants Participants for the survey consisted of program directors of ACGME-accredited surgery residency programs. The interviews were conducted with the corresponding authors from the previous study by Ly and Chun. Results Of the 256 surveyed, nine responded; seven stated that CC is not taught formally at their institution while four stated that they do not feel any part of CC curricula is missing from their program. Due to the low response rate, we identified and conducted interviews with general surgery residency programs with CC curricula. Of the five programs contacted, only three remain active and utilize Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) to teach cultural competency. One of the three, the SPICE program at NYU, has expanded to 52 other residency programs in the US. Conclusions Although the importance of CC has been identified in general surgery, formal curricula and documentation of implementation remains elusive.
What are the merits of hyperbolic metamaterials

Detailed analysis of hyperbolic metamaterials shows that Purcell enhancement attainable in them is negated by loss, slow velocity and impedance mismatch. These materials offer no advantage whatsoever relative to simple slab and gap plasmonic waveguides.
History of Bipolar Disorder and the Risk of Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether history of bipolar disorder (BD) increases the risk of dementia. Methods We searched PubMed and Scopus to identify studies that evaluated the risk of dementia in individuals with a history of BD. A total of 6 studies including 3,026 individuals with history of BD and 191,029 non-BD individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Results History of BD significantly increased the risk of diagnosis of dementia (pooled odds ratio: 2.36; 95% confidence interval: 1.36–4.09; z = 3.07, p Conclusion History of BD is associated with significantly higher risk of dementia in older adults. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the potential mediators of this association and to evaluate interventions that may reduce the risk of dementia in this population.
Establishment of a vernalization requirement in Brachypodium distachyon requires REPRESSOR OF VERNALIZATION1 .

A requirement for vernalization, the process by which prolonged cold exposure provides competence to flower, is an important adaptation to temperate climates that ensures flowering does not occur before the onset of winter. In temperate grasses, vernalization results in the up-regulation of VERNALIZATION1 (VRN1) to establish competence to flower; however, little is known about the mechanism underlying repression of VRN1 in the fall season, which is necessary to establish a vernalization requirement. Here, we report that a plant-specific gene containing a bromo-adjacent homology and transcriptional elongation factor S-II domain, which we named REPRESSOR OF VERNALIZATION1 (RVR1), represses VRN1 before vernalization in Brachypodium distachyon That RVR1 is upstream of VRN1 is supported by the observations that VRN1 is precociously elevated in an rvr1 mutant, resulting in rapid flowering without cold exposure, and the rapid-flowering rvr1 phenotype is dependent on VRN1 The precocious VRN1 expression in rvr1 is associated with reduced levels of the repressive chromatin modification H3K27me3 at VRN1, which is similar to the reduced VRN1 H3K27me3 in vernalized plants. Furthermore, the transcriptome of vernalized wild-type plants overlaps with that of nonvernalized rvr1 plants, indicating loss of rvr1 is similar to the vernalized state at a molecular level. However, loss of rvr1 results in more differentially expressed genes than does vernalization, indicating that RVR1 may be involved in processes other than vernalization despite a lack of any obvious pleiotropy in the rvr1 mutant. This study provides an example of a role for this class of plant-specific genes.
Parent–Child Interaction Therapy: current perspectives

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an empirically supported intervention originally developed to treat disruptive behavior problems in children between the ages of 2 and 7 years. Since its creation over 40 years ago, PCIT has been studied internationally with various populations and has been found to be an effective intervention for numerous behavioral and emotional issues. This article summarizes progress in the PCIT literature over the past decade (2006-2017) and outlines future directions for this important work. Recent PCIT research related to treatment effectiveness, treatment components, adaptations for specific populations (age groups, cultural groups, military families, individuals diagnosed with specific disorders, trauma survivors, and the hearing-impaired), format changes (group and home-based), teacher-child interaction training (TCIT), intensive PCIT (I-PCIT), treatment as prevention (for externalizing problems, child maltreatment, and developmental delays), and implementation are discussed.