cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CDF Central Muon Detector

Abstract Design, construction and performance characteristics of the streamer chambers for the central muon detector at CDF are described. A single hit TDC is used for measurements in the drift (azimuth) direction while charge division is used for measurements along the sense wire (pseudorapidity). The chambers operate in the limited streamer mode with a 50%/50% ratio of argon/ethane bubbled through ethanol. Measurements in a cosmic ray test stand, pion test beam and as part of the CDF detector indicate that an rms resolution of 250 μm in the drift direction and an rms resolution of 1.2 mm along the sense wire are attainable.
Allocation of storage for arrays in ALGOL 60

Abstract : One of the more challenging features of ALGOL 60 is the possibility of allowing the dimensions of both own and non-own arrays to be defined by variables which take on their values only dynamically, so that no fixed amount of storage in the computer can be reserved by the compiler at compilation time. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the realizability of this feature of the language by presenting a model of such an allocator. The basis of the approach used here is that of allowing the translator include in the coding it puts out copies of those of its own functions which must, because of the specification of the problem, be carried out at run time. The mechanism described in this paper is independent of the possible presence of recursive procedures in the program. (Author)
Access to facility delivery and caesarean section in north-central Liberia: a cross-sectional community-based study

Objective Rural north-central Liberia has one of the world9s highest maternal mortality ratios. We studied health facility birthing service utilisation and the motives of women seeking or not seeking facility-based care in north-central Liberia. Design Cross-sectional community-based structured interviews and health facility medical record review. Setting A regional hospital and the surrounding communities in rural north-central Liberia. Participants A convenience sample of 307 women between 15 and 49 years participated in structured interviews. 1031 deliveries performed in the regional hospital were included in the record review. Primary outcomes Delivery within a health facility and caesarean delivery rates were used as indicators of direct utilisation of care and as markers of availability of maternal health services. Results Of 280 interview respondents with a prior childbirth, only 47 (16.8%) delivered their last child in a health facility. Women who did not use formal services cited cost, sudden labour and family tradition or religion as their principal reasons for home delivery. At the regional hospital, the caesarean delivery rate was 35.5%. Conclusions There is an enormous unmet need for maternal health services in north-central Liberia. Greater outreach and referral services as well as community-based education among women, family members and traditional midwives are vital to improve the timely utilisation of care.
Resonance in flows with vortex sheets and edges

It is shown that the vortex sheet in a slot between two semi-infinite plates does not admit incompressible resonant perturbations. The semi-infinite vortex sheet entering a duct does admit incompressible resonance. These results indicate that the vortex-sheet approximation is less useful for impinging shear flows than for non-impinging flows. They also suggest an important role of downstream vortical disturbances in resonant flows. The general solution for perturbations to flow with a vortex sheet and edges is written in terms of a Cauchy integral. Requirements on the behavior of this solution at edges and at downstream infinity fix the criteria for resonance.
Nutritional and feeding value of crude glycerin for poultry. 1. Nutritional value of crude glycerin

SUMMARY Glycerin is the main by-product of biodiesel production and it has been speculated that it may be a good energy source in poultry diets. However, knowledge is limited on the nutritional value of crude glycerin. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the nutritional and chemical characteristics of various glycerin samples from diverse production facilities. Seven samples of crude glycerin from an array of biodiesel producers were analyzed for gross energy and TMEn. Ten crude glycerin samples were analyzed for glycerol, methanol, nutritional, and mineral composition. Considerable variation was found in the composition of the crude glycerin samples. The gross energy ranged from 3,337 to 6,742 kcal/kg, with a mean of 4,648 kcal/kg, and TMEn ranged from 2,950 to 6,711 kcal/kg, with a mean of 4,206 kcal/kg. Mean concentration values for glycerol, methanol, moisture, fat, salt, and ash were 63.7, 1.33, 18.2, 8.1, 2.19, and 4.35%, respectively. Phosphorus was the highest mineral component, with an average of 0.1% in the crude glycerin samples, and the average calcium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, and manganese levels were 328, 2,090, 3.20, 5.21, 18.6, 43.6, and 1.26 ppm, respectively. The range in glycerol, methanol, moisture, fat, salt, and potassium levels were from 34.2 to 86.1%, from 0.01 to 3.10%, from 7.85 to 34.9%, from 0.01 to 30.0%, from 0.01 to 4.21%, and from 120 to 11,200 ppm, respectively. Based on the variation observed among samples, we suggest that confirmatory analyses be conducted before using any crude glycerin product in poultry diets.
Virtual reality and tactile augmentation in the treatment of spider phobia: a case report

This is the first case report to demonstrate the efficacy of immersive computer-generated virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (touching real objects which patients also saw in VR) for the treatment of spider phobia. The subject was a 37-yr-old female with severe and incapacitating fear of spiders. Twelve weekly 1-hr sessions were conducted over a 3-month period. Outcome was assessed on measures of anxiety, avoidance, and changes in behavior toward real spiders. VR graded exposure therapy was successful for reducing fear of spiders providing converging evidence for a growing literature showing the effectiveness of VR as a new medium for exposure therapy.
Calibration-free structured-illumination photoacoustic flowgraphy of transverse flow in scattering media

We propose a calibration-free photoacoustic (PA) method for transverse flow measurements. In this method, a pulsed periodically structured (i.e., grating patterned) optical beam is used to illuminate flowing absorptive particles in an optically scattering medium. The PA signal amplitudes measured over consecutive laser pulses carry an imprint of the illumination structure. The modulation frequency of the imprint is proportional to the component of the flow speed projected onto the normal axis of the striped illumination pattern. This method can tolerate high particle density, and is insensitive to the particle size, thus calibration-free. Bovine blood and microsphere phantoms were used to validate the proposed method. Blood flow in a mouse ear was measured in vivo as well.
A low-power, area-efficient digital filter for decimation and interpolation

The area and power consumption of oversampled data converters are governed largely by the associated digital decimation and interpolation filters. This paper presents a low-power, area-efficient, mask-programmable digital filter for decimation and interpolation in digital-audio applications. Several architectural and implementation features reduce the complexity of the filter and allow its realization in a die area of only 3670 mils/sup 2/ (2.37 mm/sup 2/) in a 1-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. The use of simple multiplier-free arithmetic logic and a new memory addressing scheme for multi rate digital filters results in a power consumption of only 18.8 mW from a 5-V supply and 6.5 mW from a 3-V supply. The memory addressing scheme and the programmable functionality of the filter are general enough to implement a wide class of FIR and IIR single-rate and multi-rate digital filters. >
Predicting Psychological Empowerment Among Service Workers: The Effect of Support-Based Relationships

Data from 292 service workers in 21 private clubs show that supportive peer and customer relationships are predictive of higher levels of employee experienced empowerment. Both organizational and employee-customer relationships accounted for significant variation in the dimensions of empowerment: meaningfulness, influence, and self-efficacy. Peer helping and supportive customer relationships were the two most influential predictors of all three empowerment dimensions. Implications for future research and for management practice are discussed.
Chapter XIII Characteristics and Auxotyping of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the procedures for the auxotyping of Neisseria gonorrhea . Auxotyping subdivides gonococci according to their ability to grow on standard chemically defined agar media, which contain or lack certain compounds. The complete medium, Neisseria defined agar (NEDA), supports the growth of about 99% of the gonococci isolated from patient material. However, NEDA medium also promotes the growth of most other species of Neisseria and many other bacteria. Complications of gonorrhea may arise by local extension of infection, causing epididymitis in men and salpingitis, peritonitis, and perihepatitis in women. Blood-borne infections may develop in patients with either symptomatic or asymptomatic gonorrhea. N. gonorrhoeae may be disseminated to many tissues, including the skin, joints, heart, liver, and meninges. N. gonorrhea and members of the species of Neisseria are non-motile, gram-negative cocci that commonly occur as pairs of cells with their abutting sides flattened.
FRUIT ABUNDANCE AND LOCAL DISTRIBUTION OF WINTERING HERMIT THRUSHES (CATHARUS GUTTATUS) AND YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (DENDROICA CORONATA) IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Abstract We conducted winter censuses of two short-distance migrants, Hermit Thrushes (Catharus guttatus) and Yellow-rumped Warblers (Dendroica coronata), over seven years in five different habitats to determine whether their local abundances could be predicted by fruit pulp biomass. Sampled habitats were stands of upland and bottomland hardwood, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), longleaf pine (P. palustris), and young (<10 years) longleaf pine. Hermit Thrush abundance, which was highest in bottomland hardwood habitats, was positively related to total dry mass of fruit pulp. Those results are consistent with the hypothesis that resource availability affects the local distribution of migrant passerines on their wintering grounds. Our results also indicate that bottomland hardwood habitats in the southeastern United States may be especially important to wintering Hermit Thrushes. Yellow-rumped Warbler abundance was correlated with ripe-fruit pulp dry mass of Myrica cerifera, a major source of winter food for tha...
Vegetation response of a mesquite-mixed brush community to aeration

Abstract Responses of plant communities to mechanical treatments such as aeration on semiarid rangelands are not clearly understood. Our objective was to compare woody and herbaceous plant cover, density, and diversity on aerated and nontreated rangelands. Five rangeland sites that were aerated with a double/tandem drum aerator during summer 1998 and 5 sites of nontreated rangeland were selected for study on the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area, La Salle County, Tex. Woody plant cover was estimated using the line-intercept method, and stem density was estimated in 30 × 1.5 m plots in 1999 and 2000. Forb and grass cover and density were estimated in 20 × 50 cm quadrats during spring and fall 1999. Woody and herbaceous plant diversity did not differ between treatments. On aerated sites percent woody plant cover was 4-fold less 1-year after aeration and increased 89% from the first to the second growing-season post treatment. Canopy cover of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.), twisted acacia (Acaci...
Second Lien Financing

This paper discusses the law governing subordination agreements and second lien financing, with particular emphasis on Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
Patient Satisfaction and its Relation to Perceived Visit Duration with a Hand Surgeon

Purpose To determine whether patient perception of time spent with a hand surgeon relates to patient satisfaction after a single new-patient office visit. Methods Prior to each visit, 112 consecutive new patients predicted how much time they expected to spend with the surgeon. Following the visit, patients were asked to estimate the time spent with the surgeon, indicate whether the surgeon appeared rushed, and rate their overall satisfaction with the surgeon. Wait time and actual visit duration were measured. Patients also completed a sociodemographic survey, the Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure, the Newest Vital Sign Health Literacy test, and 3 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System–based questionnaires: Upper Extremity Function, Pain Interference, and Depression. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to determine predictors of patient satisfaction, patient-perceived surgeon rush, and high previsit expectations of visit duration. Results Patient satisfaction was not associated with perceived visit duration but did correlate strongly with patient-rated surgeon empathy and symptoms of depression. Neither visit duration nor previsit expectations of visit length were determinants of patient-perceived surgeon rush. Only surgeon empathy was associated. Less-educated patients anticipated needing more time with the surgeon. Conclusions Patient satisfaction with the surgeon and with the time spent during the office visit was primarily linked to surgeon empathy rather than to visit duration or previsit expectation of visit length. Efforts to make hand surgery office visits more patient-centered should focus on improving dialogue quality, and not necessarily on making visits longer. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic II.
Review: The Battle for Modernism: Quadrante and the Politicization of Architectural Discourse in Fascist Italy by David Rifkind

David Rifkind The Battle for Modernism: Quadrante and the Politicization of Architectural Discourse in Fascist Italy Venice: Marsilio Editori, 2013, 304 pp., 12 color and 102 b/w illus. $45 (paper), ISBN 9788831713481 David Rifkind’s masterful new book is a welcome addition to Italian fascist studies as well as architectural history. It is refreshing to have an in-depth study of one of the formative institutions of Italian modernism: the journal Quadrante , which transformed the practice of architecture in fascist Italy by helping to establish coherence to the modern architecture movement during this time. As we learn, Quadrante , more than any other journal, was the most devoted to developing a unified theory of “architecture of the state,” specifically rationalism, to promote its fascist political agenda. The journal was the most ideologically committed publication of the interwar period. That this even happened is striking given that the short-lived journal was published for only three years between 1933 and 1936 in thirty-one issues. The most inventive aspects of this solid, well-written, and thoroughly researched book (more than twenty archives were consulted) lies in exploring how the history of architecture is simultaneously a history of mediation and a history of networks. Rifkind’s study emphatically shows us the importance of a journal in mediating or choreographing the reception, understanding, and importance of architecture. While simultaneously a study of media, this book is most certainly a study of architecture (with a capital “A”): …
Habitat Multivariate Design Model Pilot Study

This paper presents a preliminary modeling method, Habitat Multivariate Design Model (HMVDM), to estimate the volume, size, shape, and configuration required for the design of a space habitat. The specific habitat used for this analysis is the “Habot” mobile lunar base concept. The HMVDM methodology begins with values for mass and volume from quantitative summation tools such as the NASA Office of Biological and Physical Research (OBPR) Crew Accommodations Guide. From these tools, it derives a more detailed analysis of mass and particularly of volume. The estimated volume is input into the model, written as a spreadsheet-based analytical modeling tool. In this pilot study, the diameter of a cylindrical module serves as the single independent variable. The dependent variables include: the number of pressure ports, the floor area, the height of the end dome, the height of the cylindrical portion of the module, the number of floor decks, the floor to floor height, and the volume of vertical circulation. The model affords an array of adjustable evaluation criteria and set point limits to assess the results in the dependent variables. This evaluation provides the ability to analyze the independent variable for which values meet the “requirements” of the mission and habitat design.
Of Marionettes, Boxers, and Suffragettes: Djuna Barnes's Performative Journalism

Performative writing can be distinguished by its presentation of textual moments that invoke performance, its ability to actively take on the force and affective power of the event, and its emphasis on writing as a human act as well as an action. Djuna Barnes’s stunt journalism demonstrates aspects of performative writing that are linked to corporeal performances, as well as to bodily violence. In her sharp and emotive interpretations of performers, audiences, and such performance events as a puppet show and a boxing match, Barnes tackles the complex issues of mortality and gender, exploring the significance of violence enacted on bodies and the politics of gendered spectatorship. In perhaps her most controversial article, Barnes creates a political spectacle with her own body and pushes the limits of representational journalism as she is force-fed in prison to simulate the experience of American and British suffragettes.
Highly buoyant bent-over plumes in a boundary layer

Abstract Highly buoyant plumes, such as wildfire plumes, in low to moderate wind speeds have initial trajectories that are steeper than many industrial waste plumes. They will rise further into the atmosphere before bending significantly. In such cases the plume's trajectory will be influenced by the vertical variation in horizontal velocity of the atmospheric boundary layer. This paper examined the behavior of a plume in an unstratified environment with a power-law ambient velocity profile. Examination of previously published experimental measurements of plume trajectory show that inclusion of the boundary layer velocity profile in the plume model often provides better predictions of the plume trajectory compared to algebraic expressions developed for uniform flow plumes. However, there are many cases in which uniform velocity profile algebraic expressions are as good as boundary layer models. It is shown that it is only important to model the role of the atmospheric boundary layer velocity profile in cases where either the momentum length (square root of source momentum flux divided by the reference wind speed) or buoyancy length (buoyancy flux divided by the reference wind speed cubed) is significantly greater than the plume release height within the boundary layer. This criteria is rarely met with industrial waste plumes, but it is important in modeling wildfire plumes.
Analysis results of urban and rural life drinking water quality monitoring in Hanzhong city

Objective:By exploring the status of Hanzhong urban and rural life drinking water sanitary quality to provide scientific basis for improvement.Methods: According to the ministry of health standard of living and drinking water GB5750-2006 inspection and evaluation.Results: 665 water samples were tested in 2003-2010.439 cases were qualified,the qualified rate was 66.02%.Every annual qualified rate were more than 50%.by statistical processing,8 years qualified comparison,no significant difference(χ2=10.17 P0.05)Conclusion: Rivers,reservoirs and mountain spring have suffered from pollutions of different degree.It shows that the surface water was polluted by human and livestock waste and life rubbish.This area water health protection,disinfection measures have to be strengthened.
Reversal of Visual Impairment Associated with Vasospasm After Resection of Sphenoclinoidocavernous Meningioma with Intra-Arterial Verapamil

Background Visual loss can be encountered in the immediate, early, or even delayed postoperative period after resection of skull base meningiomas involving the optic apparatus. Various mechanisms for visual loss can include mechanical injury, vascular insult, optic nerve and chiasm edema, and vasospasm of the blood supply to the visual apparatus. Case Description In this article, we describe a patient who developed unilateral visual worsening in the early postoperative period after skull base resection of a sphenoclinoidocavernous meningioma that was compressing the ipsilateral optic nerve. After implementing hyperdynamic therapy and high-dose corticosteroids, catheter angiography showed severe vasospasm of the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery with delayed filling of the choroidal blush. Intra-arterial chemical angioplasty with verapamil was administered that resulted in angiographic improvement and clinical restoration of vision back to preoperative baseline. Vision remained stable in the postoperative course and continued to improve after discharge from the hospital. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful reversal of postoperative unilateral visual loss related to vasospasm after resection of a skull base sphenoclinoidocavernous meningioma. This may be a useful strategy to diagnose and treat possible vasospasm-induced visual loss after resection of skull base meningiomas involving the optic apparatus.
The role of inositol phospholipid turnover in the actions of peptide secretagogues

Although the role of calcium in stimulus-secretion coupling was established by the independent efforts of William Douglas (Douglas, 1968) and Sir Bernard Katz (Katz, 1969) two to three decades ago, the various steps in this process are still poorly understood. One approach to elucidating the nature of the cellular events associated with activation of secretion concerns the turnover of membrane phospholipids. Particular attention has focused on a relatively minor membrane component, phosphatidylinositol (PI), with regard to its participation in receptor-response coupling in diverse cell types, including those specialized to secrete. Thus, both the turnover of the polar head group and arachidonic acid in position 2 of PI—which are catalysed by phospholipase C and A2, respectively—have been implicated in events associated with the secretory process (Laychock & Putney, 1982).
Senior Women and Sexuality in the United States

This entry provides an overview of sex and sexuality in older adult women. Current prevalence rates within the United States, including details about facilitators and inhibitors to sexual activity and sexual interest in the aging are discussed. Furthermore, issues and difficulties regarding personal, social, and environmental contexts are provided to examine how ageist and stereotypical notions about sex impact comfort and willingness to discuss sexuality among senior women. Benefits of how sex and sexual activity in improving health and psychological well-being in older age are also noted. Recommendations for clinicians and physicians which include providing basic sex education and using the five A's (assess, advise, agree, assist, and arrange) approach are described to enhance medical encounters. Consideration of the increased representation of culturally, ethnically, and racially diverse older adult women in the United States, and abroad is encouraged to improve upon further research endeavors examining the nuances of sex and sexuality in older adult women. Keywords: Aging and Ageism; Sexual behaviors; Sex: Beliefs and customs; Sex Research; Sexuality
High Quality VLA Imaging of Sgr A West at 6 cm

VLA data of the Galactic center at 6 cm from the A, B, and C configurations have been combined to produce a high quality image at 0.76″ × 0.41″ resolution with a dynamic range of ≈ 5000. The new combined array image enables a clear definition of the diffuse and filamentary structures in Sgr A West. The bulk of the image processing was carried out with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications’ Cray XMP-48 at Urbana-Champaign.
First deformation results using the NASA/JPL UAVSAR instrument

The UAVSAR instrument, employing an L-band actively electronically scanned antenna, had its genesis in NASA's ESTO Instrument Incubator Program and after 4 years of development has begun collecting science data for investigators. System design was motivated by solid Earth applications where repeat pass radar interferometry can be used to measure subtle deformation of the surface, however flexibility and extensibility to support other applications were also major design drivers. In fact a Ka-band single-pass radar interferometer for making high precision topographic maps of ice sheets was developed and tested based to a large extent on components of the UAVSAR L-band radar. By designing the radar to be housed in an external unpressurized pod, it has the potential to be readily ported to many platforms. Initial testing is being carried out with the NASA Gulfstream III aircraft, which has been modified to accommodate the radar pod and has been equipped with precision autopilot capability developed by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. With this the aircraft can fly within a 10 m diameter tube on any specified trajectory necessary for repeat-pass radar interferometric applications. To maintain the required pointing for repeat-pass interferometric applications we have employed an actively scanned antenna steered using INU measurement data. This paper presents a brief overview of some of the initial deformations made by the UAVSAR instrument.
Profound hyponatraemia in the emergency department: seasonality and risk factors.

AIMS OF THE STUDY Profound hyponatremia (<125 mmol/l) is frequent in the emergency department. Its incidence appears to increase during hot weather. Our objectives were to investigate seasonal variations in the incidence of profound hyponatraemia and identify its risk factors. METHODS The incidence of profound hyponatremia among patients admitted to the emergency department of a university hospital was compared between summer and winter periods over two successive years. Risk factors for profound hyponatraemia were analysed in a case-control retrospective study. Each adult patient admitted during the study periods with a blood sodium level <125 mmol/l was matched with two patients who had normal blood sodium concentrations. RESULTS Of 28 734 analysed patients, 264 cases of profound hyponatraemia (0.92%) were identified. The incidence of profound hyponatraemia was higher in summer than in winter (1.29% vs 0.54%; odds ratio [OR] 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.83-3.12). In a multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), psychiatric disorders (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.86-3.89), and use of thiazide diuretics (OR 7.79, 95% CI 4.73-12.85) or potassium-sparing diuretics (OR 4.69, 95% CI 2.31-9.52) were associated with increased risk. Mortality was higher in cases than in controls (11.7% vs 6.9%, OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.05-2.92). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of profound hyponatraemia was higher during the summer than the winter and was associated with excess risk of overall mortality. The use of thiazide and potassium-sparing diuretics was associated with the highest risk of hyponatraemia.
Basal-Plane Ligand Functionalization on Semiconducting 2H-MoS2 Monolayers

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a two-dimensional material promising for electronic, optical, and catalytic applications. To fully harness its potential, functionalization is essential to controlling its properties. However, MoS2 functionalization has been mostly limited to either 1T-phase MoS2 or the edges of 2H-phase MoS2, and the chemistry of covalent functionalization on the basal plane of 2H-MoS2 is poorly understood. Here, we report a facile approach to covalently functionalize chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown 2H-MoS2 monolayers (MLs), as well as mechanically exfoliated MoS2, via thiol conjugation at sulfur vacancies on the basal plane. Thorough characterization confirmed the functionalization by thiol molecules on MoS2 MLs, and we experimentally proved that sulfur vacancies in MoS2 MLs play a key role in the functionalization of basal planes. By the controlling of the amount of sulfur vacancies via sulfur annealing, the degree of MoS2 functionalization was effectively tuned. Because thiol conju...
Circular Structures Observed in the Deep Sea by the Swathmap Long-Range Sidescan Sonar

The marine geologist/geophysicist’s principal tools for studying the seafloor are acoustic. The first major increase in understanding the seafloor following the original Challeger Expedition came in the 1950’s with the routine application of precision echo sounding techniques from research vessels.
Endoscopic vs. Microscopic Resection of Sellar Lesions-A Matched Analysis of Clinical and Socioeconomic Outcomes.

Background: Direct comparisons of microscopic and endoscopic resection of sellar lesions are scarce, with conflicting reports of cost and clinical outcome advantages. Objective: To determine if the proposed benefits of endoscopic resection are realized on a population-level. Methods: We performed a matched cohort study of 9,670 adult patients in the MarketScan database who underwent either endoscopic or microscopic surgery for sellar lesions. Coarsened matching was applied to estimate the effects of surgical approach on complication rates, length of stay (LOS), costs, and likelihood of postoperative radiation. Results: We found that LOS, readmission, and revision rates did not differ significantly between approaches. The overall complication rate was higher for endoscopy (47% compared to 39%, OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.22-1.53). Endoscopic approach was associated with greater risk of neurological complications (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.11-1.55), diabetes insipidus (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.37-2.00), and CSF rhinorrhea (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.07-3.13) compared to the microscopic approach. Although the total index payment was higher for patients receiving endoscopic resection ($32,959 compared to $29,977 for microscopic resection), there was no difference in long term payments. Endoscopic surgery was associated with decreased likelihood of receiving post-resection stereotactic radiosurgery (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.90) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65-0.93). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the transition from a microscopic to endoscopic approach to sellar lesions must be subject to careful evaluation. While there are evident advantages to transsphenoidal endoscopy, our analysis suggests that the benefits of the endoscopic approach have yet to materialize.
Campaigning and election outcomes in a presidential primary election

ABSTRACTThis article presents new evidence from the US presidential primary setting on the role campaigning plays in determining election outcomes. Using candidate visits as a measure of campaign intensity, I estimate a discrete choice model of voting using a differentiated products framework where I allow for abstention and create instruments for campaigning based on Democratic Party rules for delegate allocation. On average, a visit by a candidate increases the vote share of this candidate by about 2.4 percentage points and decreases the abstaining share by 0.7 percentage points.
Ehrlichia chaffeensis TRP120 effector targets and recruits host polycomb group proteins for degradation to promote intracellular infection

Ehrlichia chaffeensis has a group of well-characterized type I secreted tandem repeat protein (TRP) effectors that have moonlighting capabilities. TRPs modulate various cellular processes, reprogram host gene transcription as nucleomodulins, function as ubiquitin ligases, and directly activate conserved host cell signaling pathways to promote E. chaffeensis infection. One TRP-interacting host target is polycomb group ring finger protein 5 (PCGF5), a member of the polycomb group (PcG) protein family and a component of the polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1). The current study demonstrates that during early infection, PCGF5 strongly colocalizes with TRP120 in the nucleus and later dramatically redistributes to the ehrlichial vacuole along with other PCGF isoforms. Ectopic expression and immunoprecipitation of TRP120 confirmed the interaction of TRP120 with multiple different PCGF isoforms. At 48 h postinfection, a dramatic redistribution of PCGF isoforms from the nucleus to the ehrlichial vacuole was observed, which also temporally coincided with proteasomal degradation of PCGF isoforms and TRP120 expression on the vacuole. A decrease in PRC1-mediated repressive chromatin mark and an altered transcriptional activity in PRC1-associated Hox genes primarily from HOXB and HOXC clusters were observed along with the degradation of PCGF isoforms, suggesting disruption of the PRC1 in E. chaffeensis-infected cells. Notably, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of PCGF isoforms resulted in significantly increased E. chaffeensis infection. This study demonstrates a novel strategy in which E. chaffeensis manipulates PRC complexes through interactions between TRP120 and PCGF isoforms to promote infection.
Supplementing Resident Research Funding Through a Partnership With Local Industry.

Objective To develop a model for the supplementation of resident research funding through a resident-hosted clinical immersion with local industry. Design Designated research residents hosted multiple groups of engineers and business professionals from local industry in general surgery-focused clinical immersion weeks. The participants in these week-long programs are educated about general surgery and brought to the operating room to observe a variety of surgeries. Setting This study was performed at the University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at a tertiary medical center. Participants Ten designated research residents hosted general surgery immersion programs. Fifty-seven engineers and business professionals from 5 different local biomedical firms have participated in this program. Results General surgery research residents (in collaboration with the University of Minnesota’s Institute for Engineering in Medicine) have hosted 9 clinical immersion programs since starting the collaborative in 2015. Immersion participant response to the experiences was very positive. Two full-time resident research positions can be funded annually through participation in this program. Conclusions With decreasing funding available for surgical research, particularly resident research, innovative ways to fund resident research are needed. The general surgery clinical immersion program at the University of Minnesota has proven its value as a supplement for resident research funding and may be a sustainable model for the future.
Overweight/obesity enhances associations between secondhand smoke exposure and asthma morbidity in children

In two observational cohorts of inner-city children with asthma, secondhand smoke exposure was associated with worsened symptoms in overweight/obese compared to normal weight children, suggesting that elevated BMI may increase susceptibility to secondhand smoke, a common indoor pollutant.
Chemistry of Hop Aroma in Beer1

Three beers were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for hop-derived flavor components. Hop ether, karahana ether, linalool, geraniol, humulol, humuladienone, humulenol II, and humulen...
Specificity of Nerve-Muscle Interactions

Developmental neurobiology today can be described as the field of scientific research in which investigators are attempting to explain the organization of extremely complex adult nervous systems in terms of a minimum number of “simple” mechanisms of cellular interaction and the timing of these interactions during development. Even the briefest description of a nervous system will acknowledge the proper connectivity of functional elements. Within a species the organization of the nervous system is extremely similar and not very different from that of any closely related species. This uniformity of organization is ensured by cellular mechanisms that determine the establishment and maintenance of proper connections. In this chapter, I will examine the evidence related to mechanisms of interaction between motoneurons and skeletal muscle fibers in the vertebrates and will discuss what inferences and deductions might be made from the evidence concerning the specifity of such interactions.
Electricity Prices and Costs Under Regulation and Restructuring

Restructuring of the electricity industry was expected to improve the operating efficiency of electric power generators, leading to lower production costs and retail prices. Most studies conclude that there have been some efficiency gains, but the subject of whether retail prices have fallen has been contentious. The existing literature has a number of shortcomings, including the use of blunt or inappropriate definitions of restructuring, failure to incorporate the effects of regulatory decisions regarding price caps and stranded cost recovery, and the use of highly aggregated data. Our study addresses many of these problems and thus represents a significant improvement on existing work. We use a detailed firm-level data set to estimate how the markets and institutions established as a part of "restructuring" have affected the difference between prices and costs. Based on a number of different definitions, we find that utilities that have undergone restructuring display significantly higher price-cost markups than utilities that remained traditionally regulated. We find that some elements of restructuring are associated with higher price-cost margins, while others appear to be uncorrelated with prices and costs. The combination of introducing retail competition into an electric utility's operating territory and divestiture of that utility's generating assets has increased costs, but has increased prices even more. In particular, we find an average difference of 2 to 3 cents per kWh between prices and costs that is explained by restructuring rather than by increases in fuel prices. We conclude that restructuring has been beneficial to companies that restructured, but the evidence is far less clear concerning benefits to consumers.
Communication, Language, and Speech

In many scholarly treatises, no less than in everyday parlance, the word “communication” tends to get tossed around loosely, conveying, in some indeterminate sense, the notion of information transmission, by means nonverbal or verbal, or by both intertwined. Yet “communication” is clearly one of the twin facets of semiosis (the other being “signification”). It had best be regarded as the defining feature that criterially distinguishes the vital from the inanimate. The gulf between the inert world and the living must antedate 3.5 billion years, for, by approximately that era, colonies of very comely bacterial fossils abound in rocks.
Self-powered Flexible Strain Sensor with Graphene/P(VDF-TrFE) Heterojunction

The world of wearable technology is making use of strain sensors in human monitoring, and the use of data can range from improving the lifestyle to improving safety in the workplace, i.e. smart monitoring systems, wearable biomedical health care, and real-time gait analysis [1]–[3]. Long-term stability, fast response time, self-powered operation, low cost and simplicity of the fabrication process are the preferred attributes in piezoresistive based strain sensors. In this work, we have simply fabricated a self-powered flexible strain sensor with graphene/P(VDF - TrFE) heterojunction on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The graphene/P(VDF - TrFE) heterojunction makes the sensor a good candidate for a piezoresistive based strain sensor due to the unique properties of graphene such as high carrier mobility, mechanical strength flexibility, and tunable Fermi level based on surface charge.
Synovial Cyst as a Marker for Lumbar Instability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background The pathogenesis of synovial cysts is largely unknown; however, they have been increasingly thought of as markers of spinal facet instability and typically associated with degenerative spondylosis. We specifically investigated the incidence of concomitant synovial cysts with underlying degenerative spondylolisthesis. Methods A literature search was performed using 4 online databases to assess the association between lumbar synovial cysts and degenerative spinal pathological features. Meta-analyses were performed on the prevalence rates of coexisting degenerative spinal pathological entities and treatment modalities. A random effects model was used to calculate the mean and 95% confidence intervals. Results A total of 17 studies encompassing 824 cases met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence rates of concurrent spondylolisthesis, facet arthropathy, and degenerative disc disease at the same level of the synovial cysts were 42.5% (range, 39.0%–46.1%), 89.3% (range, 79.0%–94.8%), and 48.8% (range, 43.8%–53.9%), respectively. Among these, patients with coexisting spondylolisthesis were more likely to undergo spinal fusion surgery (vs. laminectomy alone) and reoperation than were patients without spondylolisthesis with a pooled odds ratio of 11.5 (95% confidence interval, 4.5–29.1; P Conclusions Patients with a combination of synovial cysts and degenerative spondylolisthesis are more likely to undergo spinal fusion surgery than laminectomy alone compared with patients with synovial cysts and no preoperative spondylolisthesis. Furthermore, patients with synovial cysts and spondylolisthesis are more likely to require additional fusion surgery. The results from the present review lend credence to the argument that synovial cyst herniation might be a manifestation of an unstable spinal level.
Abstract 103: Acute, Dose-Dependent, Blood Pressure-Lowering Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Autonomic Failure Patients With Supine Hypertension

Primary autonomic failure (AF) is characterized by disabling orthostatic hypotension but half of these patients also have supine hypertension. We have previously shown that continuous positive airw...
Plasma-Assisted Chemical Vapor Synthesis of Aluminum-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanopowder and Synthesis of AZO Films for Optoelectronic Applications

Transparent conducting oxide aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) nanoparticles were synthesized by a plasma-assisted chemical vapor synthesis route using zinc nitrate and aluminum nitrate as the precursors. The injected precursors vaporized in the plasma flame, followed by vapor-phase reaction and subsequent quenching of the vaporized precursors, producing nanosized AZO powder. The amount of aluminum nitrate was varied to obtain samples with 2 at.%, 4 at.% and 8 at.% Al, designated as AZO1, AZO2 and AZO3, respectively. The XRD patterns of the AZO1 and AZO2 nanoparticles indicated the presence of a wurtzite structure without any alumina peaks except in the AZO3 sample, and scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed spherical particles. The magnetization measurements revealed a ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature in the AZO1 sample, and the ferromagnetic order is decreased in the high field region with an increase in the Al doping amount. AZO thin films were deposited on glass substrates by spin-coating a dispersion of nanoparticles. All the AZO films had a hexagonal wurtzite structure and exhibited a c-axis preferred orientation perpendicular to the substrate. The Hall effect measurements yielded a minimum resistivity of 9.9 × 10−4 Ω cm for the AZO2 film and optical transmission of 80% for both the AZO1 and AZO2 films. However, with 8 at.% Al in the AZO3 film, deterioration in crystallinity, electrical and optical properties were observed. Post-annealing of the AZO1 film in H2 atmosphere caused a significant decrease in resistivity from 1.2 × 10−3 Ω cm to 8.7 × 10−4 Ω cm. The optical band gap energies of the AZO films were determined from the transmission spectra. The blue shift in the band gap from 3.2 eV to 3.28 eV, observed with an increase in Al doping, was interpreted by the Burstein–Moss effect. The photoluminescence spectra of the AZO films revealed a UV near-band edge emission and a green emission peak.
Selected Allied Health Professionals' Self-Confidence in Health Promotion Counseling Skills and Interest in Continuing Education Programs.

Mail surveys of samples of dental hygienists (n = 90, 36% response), registered dietitians (n = 262, 52% response), and physician assistants (n = 289, 89% response) in Texas and certified nurse midwives (n = 143, 57% response) in the US provided data regarding their confidence that they possess skills and knowledge to counsel patients about selected areas of health promotion (self-efficacy). Also, the surveys gathered information regarding respondents' beliefs that patients will follow through on their recommendations (adherence expectation), and their interest in continuing education programs. Overall, respondents displayed highest self-efficacy with regard to counseling patients about blood pressure and smoking. Confidence was lowest in illicit drug abuse and mental health areas. Certified nurse midwives and physician assistants indicated confidence in many more areas than the other two groups. Respondents consistently expressed less certainty about patient adherence than about their own skills and knowledge. They generally indicated a high degree of interest in continuing education across the several health promotion topics. Modest relationships were observed between self-efficacy and interest in continuing education programs for physician assistants and registered dietitians, indicating that those with greater self-efficacy had a greater interest in building their skills. A similar pattern was observed among physician assistant respondents with respect to adherence expectations.
Financial conflicts of interest among the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) Panelists in 2019.

15Background: CPG are evidence-based guidelines, which serve as a standard of care in practice, quality improvement, and reimbursement. The extent of financial conflicts of Interest (FCOI) in NCCN ...
Comparison of projected water availability and demand reveals future hotspots of water stress in the Red River basin, USA

Abstract Study region Red River Basin of the South, United States of America. Study focus We investigated the projected changes in water availability and demand across the Red River to identify regions of potential future water stress. The VIC model was calibrated, validated and then run with ensemble forcing from regionally representative global circulation model (GCM) outputs. For different combinations of representative concentration pathways (RCPs) we evaluated the impacts of climate change on streamflows and water availability throughout the basin. To estimate future water demand, we integrated a series of sector-specific regression models fit to historical water usage per county. New hydrological insights for the region Despite discrepancies among GCMs projections, all future scenarios include a strong west-east gradient in water availability. Joint consideration of projected water demand and availability reveals that the distribution of future hotspots of water stress is spatially patchy and generally driven by changes in water demand, rather than availability. These hotspots of future water stress highlight locations of potential water conflicts. Our approach is likely to be applicable to drought-prone river basins worldwide where the spatial patterns of future water availability differ from spatial patterns of future water demand.