cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Versatile Solid-State Time-to-Pulse-Height Converter

A time-to-pulse-height converter has been developed for use in delayed-coincidence as well as pulsed-beam experiments. It embodies advantages of both start-stop and overlap converters with a single-valued output, A constant current flows into a capacitor only when a fast bistable element is in the "on" condition. In the pulsed-beam mode of operation, the "start" pulse from the detector turns the bistable element on and the "stop" pulse derived from the rf chopping signal turns it off. In the delayed-coincidence mode, the "start" pulse turns the bistable element on only if a "ready" pulse from a second detector is present, and it is turned off by the termination of the "ready" pulse, whose duration is determined by the length of a coaxial line shorted at one end. A means of gating the timing pulses by a fast integral gate is provided to reduce the duty cycle.
Design of chiral auxiliaries for the allene ether nazarov cyclization.

A 1,3- or a 1,4-cis axial tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy substituent on the pyranose derived chiral auxiliary for the allene ether Nazarov cyclization leads to products in high optical purity. α-Pyranose and β-pyranose derived auxiliaries lead to enantiomeric products.
Evaluation and management of the patient with a failed midurethral synthetic sling

While most women will do well following placement of a midurethral sling (MUS), a substantial minority do experience surgical failure. There are several risk factors that can help identify a patient at higher risk for failure, including body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2, mixed incontinence, previous continence surgery, intrinsic sphincter deficiency, and diabetes. At the present time, there is no evidence-based guidance for which intervention to use following failure. Careful evaluation of patient characteristics will help guide subsequent management.
Use and Evolution of a Modular Digital Hydrophone Array

The Defence Research Establishment Atlantic (DREA) has been using and improving a linear hydrophone array since it was first reported at Oceans '81. This array, which we call "Hydra", was developed primarily as a bottom-mounted array to collect acoustic information in continental shelf waters. It has been used in combined vertical and horizontal configurations in the waters off Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, Baffin Island, Devon Island, and England over the past eight years. We have found that digitization and control of information right at the widely-spaced sensors in our system is invaluable in giving us the flexibility and accuracy required for our environmental acoustics research. The hydrophones for vertical array portions were completely re-designed to reduce low frequency self-noise. The battery cans were changed to an in-line design to overcome deployment problems. The improved array design is discussed in this paper, along with our experiences in using this type of array.
Polarization optics of interfaces and thin films

The differential reflection of p- and s-polarized light by interfaces and thin films is central to the theory and applications of ellipsometry. It is also the basis of a wide variety of optical devices for the control and analysis of polarized light such as polarizers, polarizing and polarization-preserving beam splitters, and quarter-wave and half-wave retarders. New insight into the cotrelation between optical properties of film and substrate materials and reflection properties is emphiasized.
Systematic review of interdisciplinary interventions in nursing homes.

Abstract Background The role of interdisciplinary interventions in the nursing home (NH) setting remains unclear. We conducted a systematic evidence review to study the benefits of interdisciplinary interventions on outcomes of NH residents. We also examined the interdisciplinary features of successful trials, including those that used formal teams. Data Sources Medline was searched from January 1990 to August 2011. Search terms included residential facilities, long term care, clinical trial, epidemiologic studies, epidemiologic research design, comparative study, evaluation studies, meta-analysis and guideline. Study Selection We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of interdisciplinary interventions conducted in the NH setting. Measurements We used the Cochrane Collaboration tools to appraise each RCT, and an RCT was considered positive if its selected intervention had a significant positive effect on the primary outcome regardless of its effect on any secondary outcome. We also extracted data from each trial regarding the participating disciplines; for trials that used teams, we studied the reporting of various team elements, including leadership, communication, coordination, and conflict resolution. Results We identified 27 RCTs: 7 had no statistically significant effect on the targeted primary outcome, 2 had a statistically negative effect, and 18 demonstrated a statistically positive effect. Participation of residents' own primary physicians (all 6 trials were positive) and/or a pharmacist (all 4 trials were positive) in the intervention were common elements of successful trials. For interventions that used formal team meetings, presence of communication and coordination among team members were the most commonly observed elements. Conclusion Overall interdisciplinary interventions had a positive impact on resident outcomes in the NH setting. Participation of the residents' primary physician and/or a pharmacist in the intervention, as well as team communication and coordination, were consistent features of successful interventions.
Race in the workplace: Black/White differences in the sources of job satisfaction.

Previous research on job satisfaction largely ignores possible race differences in its determinants. This study examines two explanations of a race/job satisfaction relationship: a structural perspective focuses on objective job rewards; a dispositional, on the role of worker orientations. The former implies that characteristics of race; the latter, that race leads to distinctive job needs and values and thus contributes to black/white differences in the sources of satisfaction. Analysis of recent national survey data supports the structural model: similarities outweigh differences in the predictors of job satisfaction across races. Blacks’ lower workplace satisfaction is a function, not of racial differences in the process that determines satisfaction, but of their lower scores on the factors that tend to promote it.
Network-Code Machine: Programmable Real-Time Communication Schedules

Distributed hard real-time systems require guaranteed communication. One common approach is to restrict network access by enforcing a time-division multiple access (TDMA) schedule.The typical data representation of offlinegenerated TDMA schedules is table-like structures. This representation, however, does not permit applications with dynamic communication demands, because the table-like structure prevents on-the-fly changes during execution. A common approach for applications with dynamic communication behavior is dynamic TDMA schedules. However, such schedules are hard to verify, because they are usually implemented in a programming language, which does not support verification. Network code is a behavioral model for specifying realtime communication schedules. It allows modeling arbitrary time-triggered communication schedules with on-thefly choices, and it is also apt for formal verification. In this work, we present network code and show how we can use a model checker to verify safety properties such as collision-free communication, schedulability, and guaranteed message reception. We also discuss its implementation in RTLinux and provide performance measurements.
Niche construction, social co-construction, and the development of the human mind

Laland et al.'s model of human evolution and cultural change needs to incorporate theory and research in human psychological development. The psychological approach that focuses on sociocultural contributions to growth offers a way of thinking about individual development that would complement and extend this model.
Product Development at OPOWER

OPOWER, a software startup that helps utilities engage their customers in ways that reduce energy consumption, is scaling rapidly. The company's new head of product management has designed a system to address a point of constant tension: whether to build custom features in response to new customers' request, even if these custom features entail expensive departures from OPOWER's product roadmap. The system grants Sales a number of tokens it can "spend" annually on engineering work to build custom features - boosting the odds of signing contracts with new customers. In December 2010, a request for proposal from a very large utility will put the token system to the test, because the customer is demanding a custom feature that would be unusually disruptive to develop.Learning Objective: Illustrate the challenges confronting the product management function as a software startup mature; in particular, the challenge of prioritizing requests for custom features from large enterprise customers.
Reconstruction of topologies for acyclic networks of dynamical systems

The paper deals with the problem of unveiling the link structure of a network of linear dynamical systems. A technique is provided guaranteeing the exact detection of the links for networks with no undirected cycles (Linear Dynamic Polytrees). The result extends previous work that was limited to a more restricted class (Linear Cascade Model Trees).
Potential of neuropeptide Y for preventing or treating post-traumatic stress disorder

There is extensive evidence that NPY in the brain can modulate the responses to stress and play a critical role in resistance to, or recovery from, harmful effects of stress. Development of PTSD and comorbid depression following exposure to traumatic stress are associated with low NPY. This review discusses putative mechanisms for NPY's anti-stress actions. Recent preclinical data indicating potential for intranasal delivery of NPY to brain as a promising non-invasive strategy to prevent a variety of neuroendocrine, molecular and behavioral impairments in PTSD model are summarized.
Political Factors Behind Cuts and Surges in Government Spending: The Effects on Old Market Democracies and Post-Communist Countries

Surges and cuts are explained here by some of the political factors affecting governments' abilities to balance the budget broadly discussed in the literature. We focus on territorial separatism, minority government, grand coalition, single party government, and the ruling party's ideology. Special attention is paid to the phenomenon of universal suffrage, which has caused the rise to power of modern left-wing parties and strong special interest groups within the bureaucracy. Most political factors turn out to be time- and case-sensitive except for universal suffrage. A severe crisis can open the window of opportunity to cut public expenditure, while favorable economic conditions stimulate claims for redistribution and spikes in government spending. The most effective way to curb the instability of public finance is to strengthen pro-reformist political coalitions, claiming defense of national identity and moral values, that encourage austerity and are market-friendly.
Experimental observations of natural circulation flow in the NSTF

Abstract A 1/2 scale test facility has been constructed at Argonne National Laboratory to study the heat removal performance and natural circulation flow patterns in a Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS). Our test facility, the Natural convection Shutdown heat removal Test Facility (NSTF), supports the broader goal of developing an inherently safe and fully passive ex-vessel decay heat removal for advanced reactor designs. The project, initiated in 2010 to support the Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART), Small Modular Reactor (SMR), and Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) programs, has been conducting experimental operations since early 2014. The following paper provides a summary of some primary design features of the 26-m tall test facility along with a description of the data acquisition suite that guides our experimental practices. Specifics of the distributed fiber optic temperature measurements will be discussed, which introduces an unparalleled level of data density that has never before been implemented in a large scale natural circulation test facility. Results from our test series will then be presented, which provide insight into the thermal hydraulic behavior at steady-state and transient conditions for varying heat flux levels and exhaust chimney configuration states.
On the independence and domination numbers of replacement product graphs

This paper examines invariants of the replacement product of two graphs in terms of the properties of the component graphs. In particular, we present results on the independence number, the domination number, and the total domination number of these graphs. The replacement product is a noncommutative graph operation that has been widely applied in many areas. One of its advantages over other graph products is its ability to produce sparse graphs. The results in this paper give insight into how to construct large, sparse graphs with optimal independence or domination numbers.
Innovation in Medical Education

The design of U.S. graduate medical education is the product of tradition and has changed little despite substantial changes in patient needs and care delivery. Research is needed on the most appropriate structure, content, funding mechanisms, and organization of GME.
Chemical Spot-Test Reactions-Boletes

Fresh tissues of the pileal surface and context of 38 species in six genera (159 collections) of the Boletaceae were spot-tested with the following reagents: KOH, NH4OH, FeSO4, catechol, HCl and ca...
(xn)' = nxn-1: Six Proofs

(1990). (xn)' = nxn-1: Six Proofs. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 312-313.
Photographs and Descriptions of Cup-Fungi—XVIII. Rare Species of Godronia

The genus Godronia was established by J. B. Mougeot in 1845 wTho characterized it as having apothecia which are coriaceous or gelatinous but with the spores of a Stictis. While typically the spores of the genus are nliform the limits have been somewhat extended to include those forms in which the spores are much elongated and fusiform. It is difficult to segregate arbitrarily on this basis. Hence a number of species have been included which might appear to belong elsewhere. The genus overlaps Scleroderris of the Phacidiales so that some of the species have been used interchangeably between the two and in fact it has been suggested by some mycologists that the genera are identical. During two collecting trips to Colorado among other collections the writer obtained two rare species of the genus Godronia. The first of these has been twice described as new first by Ellis and Everhart, later by the writer but is now found to be synonymous with an old European species, as brought out in the accompanying treatment. The second has been extensively known in this country in its conidial stage but does not seem to have been so commonly collected in its perfect form. For these reasons it is thought well to describe and illustrate the two species giving our present conception of their synonymy. Both have been found accompanied by their conidial stages which adds interest to the problem.
Brief supportive counseling.

Many patients with emotional problems do not need highly specialized therapy. They can control their distress, but it causes them discomfort which they feel can be relieved by explanation or advice. Brief supportive counseling is beneficial in these cases. It is important to approach such counseling with confidence and to offer advice in an interested manner and in understandable terms.
Binge-Eating Disorder Comes of Age

The review by Brownley and colleagues summarizes the evidence on treatment for binge-eating disorder, including approaches developed since binge eating was first recognized as a clinical disorder. ...
Engineering Lipid Structure for Recognition of the Liquid Ordered Membrane Phase

The selective partitioning of lipid components in phase-separated membranes is essential for domain formation involved in cellular processes. Identifying and tracking the movement of lipids in cellular systems would be improved if we understood how to achieve selective affinity between fluorophore-labeled lipids and membrane assemblies. Here, we investigated the structure and chemistry of membrane lipids to evaluate lipid designs that partition to the liquid ordered (Lo) phase. A range of fluorophores at the headgroup position and lengths of PEG spacer between the lipid backbone and fluorophore were examined. On a lipid body with saturated palmityl or palmitoyl tails, we found that although the lipid tails can direct selective partitioning to the Lo phase through favorable packing interactions, headgroup hydrophobicity can override the partitioning behavior and direct the lipid to the disordered membrane phase (Ld). The PEG spacer can serve as a buffer to mute headgroup–membrane interactions and thus impr...
PKM2, cancer metabolism, and the road ahead

A major metabolic aberration associated with cancer is a change in glucose metabolism. Isoform selection of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase has been implicated in the metabolic phenotype of cancer cells, and specific pyruvate kinase isoforms have been suggested to support divergent energetic and biosynthetic requirements of cells in tumors and normal tissues. PKM2 isoform expression has been closely linked to embryogenesis, tissue repair, and cancer. In contrast, forced expression of the PKM1 isoform has been associated with reduced tumor cell proliferation. Here, we discuss the role that PKM2 plays in cells and provide a historical perspective for how the study of PKM2 has contributed to understanding cancer metabolism. We also review recent studies that raise important questions with regard to the role of PKM2 in both normal and cancer cell metabolism.
Coastal sources, sinks and strong organic complexation of dissolved cobalt within the US North Atlantic GEOTRACES transect GA03

Abstract. Cobalt is the scarcest of metallic micronutrients and displays a complex biogeochemical cycle. This study examines the distribution, chemical speciation, and biogeochemistry of dissolved cobalt during the US North Atlantic GEOTRACES transect expeditions (GA03/3_e), which took place in the fall of 2010 and 2011. Two major subsurface sources of cobalt to the North Atlantic were identified. The more prominent of the two was a large plume of cobalt emanating from the African coast off the eastern tropical North Atlantic coincident with the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) likely due to reductive dissolution, biouptake and remineralization, and aeolian dust deposition. The occurrence of this plume in an OMZ with oxygen above suboxic levels implies a high threshold for persistence of dissolved cobalt plumes. The other major subsurface source came from Upper Labrador Seawater, which may carry high cobalt concentrations due to the interaction of this water mass with resuspended sediment at the western margin or from transport further upstream. Minor sources of cobalt came from dust, coastal surface waters and hydrothermal systems along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The full depth section of cobalt chemical speciation revealed near-complete complexation in surface waters, even within regions of high dust deposition. However, labile cobalt observed below the euphotic zone demonstrated that strong cobalt-binding ligands were not present in excess of the total cobalt concentration there, implying that mesopelagic labile cobalt was sourced from the remineralization of sinking organic matter. In the upper water column, correlations were observed between total cobalt and phosphate, and between labile cobalt and phosphate, demonstrating a strong biological influence on cobalt cycling. Along the western margin off the North American coast, this correlation with phosphate was no longer observed and instead a relationship between cobalt and salinity was observed, reflecting the importance of coastal input processes on cobalt distributions. In deep waters, both total and labile cobalt concentrations were lower than in intermediate depth waters, demonstrating that scavenging may remove labile cobalt from the water column. Total and labile cobalt distributions were also compared to a previously published South Atlantic GEOTRACES-compliant zonal transect (CoFeMUG, GAc01) to discern regional biogeochemical differences. Together, these Atlantic sectional studies highlight the dynamic ecological stoichiometry of total and labile cobalt. As increasing anthropogenic use and subsequent release of cobalt poses the potential to overpower natural cobalt signals in the oceans, it is more important than ever to establish a baseline understanding of cobalt distributions in the ocean.
S. oralis activates the Efg1 filamentation pathway in C. albicans to promote cross-kingdom interactions and mucosal biofilms.

ABSTRACTCandida albicans and Streptococcus oralis are ubiquitous oral commensal organisms. Under host-permissive conditions these organisms can form hypervirulent mucosal biofilms. C. albicans biofilm formation is controlled by 6 master transcriptional regulators: Bcr1, Brg1, Efg1, Tec1, Ndt80, and Rob1. The objective of this work was to test whether any of these regulators play a role in cross-kingdom interactions between C. albicans and S. oralis in oral mucosal biofilms, and identify downstream target gene(s) that promote these interactions. Organotypic mucosal constructs and a mouse model of oropharyngeal infection were used to analyze mucosal biofilm growth and fungal gene expression. By screening 6 C. albicans transcription regulator reporter strains we discovered that EFG1 was strongly activated by interaction with S. oralis in late biofilm growth stages. EFG1 gene expression was increased in polymicrobial biofilms on abiotic surfaces, mucosal constructs and tongue tissues of mice infected with bot...
Blood-group A and G specific structures in toad (Bufo) spawn. Comparative studies on three species (Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Bufo calamita)

Permethylation analyses of the spawn material of three toad (Bufo) species allow the conclusion that the serologically determinant group in Bufo bufo spawn is identical with that found in human and hog blood-group A substances (i.e. GalNAc(alpha1,3) [Fuc(alpha1,2)] Gal -), and the serologically determinant group in Bufo viridis and Bufo calamita spawn is identical with that found in blood-group H substances (i.e. Fuc(alpha1,2) Gal -).
Effects of Blaine and Tricalcium Aluminate on the Sulfate Resistance of Nanosilica-Containing Mortars

AbstractThis study set out to determine the effect of dry powder nanosilica (nS) on the sulfate resistance of mortars when paired with portland cements (PCs) of contrastingly different fineness and...
Association of Body Mass Index With Lifetime Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Compression of Morbidity.

Importance Prior studies have demonstrated lower all-cause mortality in individuals who are overweight compared with those with normal body mass index (BMI), but whether this may come at the cost of greater burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unknown. Objective To calculate lifetime risk estimates of incident CVD and subtypes of CVD and to estimate years lived with and without CVD by weight status. Design, Setting, and Participants In this population-based study, we used pooled individual-level data from adults (baseline age, 20-39, 40-59, and 60-79 years) across 10 large US prospective cohorts, with 3.2 million person-years of follow-up from 1964 to 2015. All participants were free of clinical CVD at baseline with available BMI index and CVD outcomes data. Data were analyzed from October 2016 to July 2017. Exposures World Health Organization–standardized BMI categories. Main Outcomes and Measures Total CVD and CVD subtype, including fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and other CVD deaths. Heights and weights were measured directly by investigators in each study, and BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. We performed (1) modified Kaplan-Meier analysis to estimate lifetime risks, (2) adjusted competing Cox models to estimate joint cumulative risks for CVD or noncardiovascular death, and (3) the Irwin restricted mean to estimate years lived free of and with CVD. Results Of the 190 672 in-person examinations included in this study, the mean (SD) age was 46.0 (15.0) years for men and 58.7 (12.9) years for women, and 140 835 patients (73.9%) were female. Compared with individuals with a normal BMI (defined as a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9), lifetime risks for incident CVD were higher in middle-aged adults in the overweight and obese groups. Compared with normal weight, among middle-aged men and women, competing hazard ratios for incident CVD were 1.21 (95% CI, 1.14-1.28) and 1.32 (95% CI, 1.24-1.40), respectively, for overweight (BMI, 25.0-29.9), 1.67 (95% CI, 1.55-1.79) and 1.85 (95% CI, 1.72-1.99) for obesity (BMI, 30.0-39.9), and 3.14 (95% CI, 2.48-3.97) and 2.53 (95% CI, 2.20-2.91) for morbid obesity (BMI, ≥40.0). Higher BMI had the strongest association with incident heart failure among CVD subtypes. Average years lived with CVD were longer for middle-aged adults in the overweight and obese groups compared with adults in the normal BMI group. Similar patterns were observed in younger and older adults. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, obesity was associated with shorter longevity and significantly increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared with normal BMI. Despite similar longevity compared with normal BMI, overweight was associated with significantly increased risk of developing CVD at an earlier age, resulting in a greater proportion of life lived with CVD morbidity.
Node localization with AoA assistance in multi-hop underwater sensor networks

Abstract This paper proposes a novel node localization method in sparse underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) where the locations of only a small number of anchor nodes are available. The proposed method estimates the Euclidean distances from anchor nodes to multi-hop sensor nodes with the help of angle of arrival (AoA) measurements in the local coordinate systems of the routing nodes. A new distance estimation method is proposed for sensor nodes with greater-than-two-hops to an anchor node by accurately estimating the rotation matrix between the routing nodes. By forwarding distances hop-by-hop through the network, the sensor nodes are able to obtain distance estimates to more than four or five anchor nodes. Then the location of the sensor node is solved by a weighted Least Squares method. This paper develops a practical table of weights for different number of hops and AoA estimation errors. Simulation results show that the proposed localization method outperforms the existing multi-hop localization algorithms, such as DV-hop, DV-distance, Euclidean, and Cosine-law methods, in terms of distance estimation and location estimation, even if the AoA measurement error is large. Meanwhile, the proposed method maintains almost the same high localization coverage as the existing methods.
Slip Systems in Stoichiometric MgAl2O4 Spinel

The mechanical properties of stoichiometric MgAl2O3 spinel single crystals have been investigated at high temperatures (∿1800°C). The slip system has been determined by slip trace analysis and electron microscopy to be {111} . This behavior is rationalized by analyzing the changes in atomic configuration around dissociated dislocations as they move through the lattice. The change to {110} slip planes in non-stoichiometric aluminarich spinel is explained in terms of the influence of cation vacancies on the dislocation structure and movement.
Tumors of the Gastroenteropancreatic Axis

VIPomas (VIP: vasoactive intestinal peptide), gastrinomas, glucagonomas, insulinomas and GRFomas (GRF: growth hormone releasing factor) comprise the tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) system. Patients with mixed pancreatic endocrine tumors usually present with symptoms characteristic of only one peptide, for example, hypoglycemia due to insulinoma. Although controversy exists over the exact site of origin of GEP endocrine cells and the etiology of the tumors, the APUD (amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation) cell concept of Pearse [99] provides a framework for understanding how endocrine tumor cells might produce multiple peptides [91]. In cases of ‘non-functional’ endocrine tumors, peptides with less well-defined pathophysiologic functions (e.g. pancreatic polypeptide) may be secreted.
Potential Non-neoplastic Applications for Polyphenols in Stem Cell Utilization

While polyphenols may have important effects on pluripotential stem cells that make them noteworthy as potential antineoplastic agents, their action on stem cells may portend other health benefits, such as treatments for cardiovascular and neurocognitive disorders. Resveratrol, the beststudied polyphenol, has been found to enable stem cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, neurons, osteocytes, and pancreatic beta cells, as well as facilitating augmentation of stem cell populations and protecting them from toxic injury. Curcumin protects mesenchymal stem cells from toxicity, and prevents them from facilitating chondrocytic hypertrophy. Quercetin enabled osteocytic and pancreatic beta cell differentiation, and protected neuronal stem cells from injury. Epigallocatechin gallate prevented damage to osteocyte precursors and averted differentiation into undesirable adipocytes. Genistein facilitated osteogenesis while preventing adipogenesis. Several other polyphenols, daidzein, caffeic and chlorogenic acid, kaempferol, and piceatannol, protect stems cells from reactive oxygen species and foster stem cells differentiation away from adipocytic and toward osteocytic lineages. Further research should better elucidate the pharmacokinetic profiles of each polyphenol, explore novel delivery systems, and expand investigation beyond rodent models to additional species.
Defining the pathologic contribution of glia to alpha-synucleinopathies (S45.001)

Objective: To define the contribution of glia to neuronal synuclein pathology. Background: Alpha-synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized pathologically by alpha-synuclein inclusions in neurons and glia. The role of glia in these diseases is poorly understood. Design/Methods: The Feany lab has previously characterized a model in which human alpha-synuclein is expressed in Drosophila neurons using the pan-neuronal driver Syb-QF . These flies have widespread neurodegeneration recapitulating human pathology. We have now expanded on this model to express human alpha-synuclein or other genetic modifiers in glia using the glial specific driver, Repo-Gal4 . These drivers are independent of one another, allowing us to co-express alpha-synuclein or other modifiers in both neurons and glia and assess the degree of neurodegeneration pathologically and behaviorally. Results: Using this system we demonstrate that expression of alpha synuclein in glia alone induces only a modest amount of neurodegeneration compared to expression of alpha synuclein in neurons. In contrast, co-expression of alpha synuclein in both neurons and glia worsens substantially worsens neurodegeneration compared to expression of synuclein in neurons alone. Specifically, there is increased synuclein aggregation, neuronal death, dopaminergic neuronal death, and impaired locomotor activity. Finally, we identify additional glial-specific genes that modify the degree of neurodegeneration. Conclusions: These results suggest that expression of alpha synuclein and other genetic modifiers in glia contributes to the burden of pathology the alpha synucleinopathies, and they identify potential novel glial-specific therapeutic targets. Disclosure: Dr. Olsen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Feany has nothing to disclose.
Counter cross-flow evaporator geometries for supercritical organic Rankine cycles

Abstract With recent advancements in advanced manufacturing techniques, it is now possible to fabricate complex geometries that take advantage of well known principles of heat transfer. Therefore, unconventional configurations to enhance effectiveness beyond conventional designs can now be considered for practical application. Thermal performance and overall cost of a new design of heat exchangers in counter cross-flow configurations are studied using a simplified but accurate computational method. The new heat exchanger design was introduced and studied previously for a cross-flow configuration by Sabau et al. (2016, 2018). This new design concept uses multi-scale configurations with successive plenums for the working fluid. At the smallest scale the tubes are sized to be equal to the hydraulic entrance length of the inside fluid, in accord with constructal design. Results indicate that compared to the earlier cross-flow configuration, the counter cross-flow arrangement improves the thermal performance of the heat exchanger by as much as 17% and lowers the total cost by as much as 14%.
Bitumen’s microstructures are correlated with its bulk thermal and rheological properties

Abstract Understanding of how the chemistry of asphalt binders (i.e., bitumens) affects their bulk properties is critical for development of structure-related mechanical models and performance-based specifications for asphalt binders and asphalt-related applications. However, establishing the chemical-mechanical relationships that govern asphalt binders’ properties remains a challenge due to binders’ complex chemical makeup and the intriguing molecular interactions among binders’ various chemical constituents. Here, we investigate the effect of chemical composition on binders’ microstructure, thermal, and rheological behavior. Two virgin binders (i.e., ABD and AAD) from different crude oil origins were chosen and a series of derivative binders was made by remixing different weight ratios of the asphaltenes and the maltenes obtained from the two source binders. Thermal and rheological properties of all binders were measured using modulated differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic shear rheometry, respectively. Binders’ microscopic characteristics (e.g., microstructures and their contrast in phase images) were evaluated using atomic force microscopy. Our results show that bitumens’ characteristic microstructures, as a result of the complex molecular interactions among their various chemical components, are correlated with their bulk thermal and mechanical properties. Notably, the asphaltene/maltene ratio alone cannot predict a bitumen’s bulk properties. Instead, a bitumen’s distinctive microstructures along with its colloidal index, provide meaningful insights into effect of chemical composition on glass transition, phase stability, and rheological properties of the bitumen.
Impact of medical student involvement on outcomes following spine surgery: A single center analysis of 6485 patients

Abstract Medical student (MS) observation and assistance in the operating room (OR) is a critical component of medical education. Though participation in the operating room has many benefits to the medical student, the potential cost of these experiences to the patients must be taken into account. Other studies have shown differences in outcomes with resident involvement, but the effect of medical students in the OR has been poorly understood. The objective of this study was to understand how medical students and residents impacted surgical outcomes in posterior spinal fusions, anterior cervical discectomy and fusions (ACDFs), and lumbar discectomies. We conducted a retrospective study of patients undergoing posterior spinal fusions, ACDFs, and lumbar discectomies over 15 years. There were 6485 patients met the inclusion criteria of either undergoing a posterior fusion, ACDF or lumbar discectomy (1250 posterior fusion, 1381 ACDF, 3854 lumbar discectomies). Overall, little difference was observed when a medical student was present for surgical outcomes including length of stay, infection, and readmission. For ACDFs, having a medical student present had a significantly longer procedure durations (OR = 1.612, p = 0.001) than cases without. Besides slightly longer operative time (in posterior fusions), there were no major differences in outcomes when a medical student was present in the OR.
The Revolution of Tango: A Response to Matthew Karush's “The Politics of Tango”

How do we understand the politics of culture? That question is at the heart of Matthew Karush's “The Politics of Tango,” a generous response to—and incisive critique of—my 2015 book, Noise Uprising: The Audiopolitics of a World Musical Revolution . Though he finds the book's historical
Diseases of the Liver: Liver Masses (Hemangioma, Focal Nodular Hyperplasia, Hepatic Adenoma)

Increased availability and use of sensitive diagnostic abdominal imaging have led to the detection of benign focal liver lesions in many patients. These are a heterogenous group of nodular lesions, arising from different cell lines, including mesenchymal cells, hepatocytes, or cholangiocytes, often found in the background of an otherwise normal-appearing liver. This chapter will focus on three common benign focal liver lesions encountered in clinical practice, including hepatic hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), and hepatic adenoma (HA), which offer diverse diagnostic and management challenges for the provider. The prevalence of these benign liver lesions is significantly higher in women.
Driving Change Using MOOCS in a Blended and Online Learning Environment

MOOCs and virtualized educational media have enhanced the reach of specialized learning throughout the world. However, traditionally styled, lecture-based classrooms are lagging in incorporating 21st-century teaching and learning methodology to develop innovative thinkers and problem solvers inside brick and mortar institutions. Using the blended classroom approach, a teaching and learning model was constructed that features the integration of MOOCs and Innovation-based Learning (IBL). The ideation and implementation of this combined MOOC and IBL course model is discussed below.
Metropolitan Denver: Growth and Change in the Mile High City

Andrew R. Goetz and E. Eric Boschmann. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2018. viii and 240 pp., maps, photos, diagrams, illustrations, notes, index. $49.95 cloth (ISBN 978-0-8122...
What are the Non-majors Looking for in CS Classes?

This research to practice full paper reports the authors’ experience in teaching five computer science courses that were developed specifically for non-CS major students. These courses were taught in a span of four years in a public research institution in the South-eastern region of the United States. The investigators collected data from both the students and the instructors in the hope to seek empirical answers to the question of what non-CS major students are looking for in computer science classes. The answers to this question help shed the light on what educators should provide to the students in these courses. Based on the analysis of the data gathered , the investigators proposed a list of recommendations to help guide fellow educators in the development of non-CS major computer science courses.
A Dual Mesh Finite Domain Method for the Analysis of Functionally Graded Beams

Abstract A method that employs a dual mesh, one for primary variables and another for dual variables, for the numerical analysis of functionally graded beams is presented. The formulation makes use of the traditional finite element interpolation of the primary variables (primal mesh) and the concept of the finite volume method to satisfy the integral form of the governing differential equations on a dual mesh. The method is used to analyze bending of straight, through-thickness functionally graded beams using the Euler–Bernoulli and the Timoshenko beam theories, in which the axial and bending deformations are coupled. Both the displacement and mixed models using the new method are developed accounting for the coupling. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the methodology and a comparison of the generalized displacements and forces/stresses computed with those of the corresponding finite element models. The influence of the coupling stiffness on the deflections is also brought out.
Selective O-Alkylation of 2,2′-Bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic Acid to Synthesize Biodegradable Polymers for Drug Delivery Applications

A facile synthetic approach to the selective mono- and di-O-alkylation of a β,β-disubstituted hydroxy compound has been demonstrated and applied to the field of polymer chemistry and drug delivery....
Performance Characterization of Multi-threaded Graph Processing Applications on Many-Integrated-Core Architecture

In the age of Big Data, parallel graph processing has been a critical technique to analyze and understand connected data. Meanwhile, Moore's Law continues by integrating more cores into a single chip in the deep-nano regime. Many-Integrated-Core (MIC) processors emerge as a promising solution to process large graphs. In this paper, we empirically evaluate various computing platforms including an Intel Xeon E5 CPU, an Nvidia Tesla P40 GPU and a Xeon Phi 7210 MIC processor codenamed Knights Landing (KNL) in the domain of parallel graph processing. We show that the KNL gains encouraging performance and power efficiency when processing graphs, so that it can become an auspicious alternative to traditional CPUs and GPUs. We further characterize the impact of KNL architectural enhancements on the performance of a state-of-the-art graph framework. We have four key observations: 1 Different graph applications require distinctive numbers of threads to reach the peak performance. For the same application, various datasets need even different numbers of threads to achieve the best performance. 2 Not all graph applications actually benefit from high bandwidth MCDRAMs, while some of them favor low latency DDR4 DRAMs. 3 Vector processing units executing AVX512 SIMD instructions on KNLs are underutilized when running the state-of-the-art graph framework. 4 The sub-NUMA cache clustering mode offering the lowest local memory access latency hurts the performance of graph benchmarks that are lack of NUMA awareness. At last, we suggest future works including system auto-tuning tools and graph framework optimizations to fully exploit the potential of KNL for parallel graph processing.
Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing of Emergency Department Postdischarge Nurse Calls.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Postdischarge telephone calls by nurses can decrease patient return rates to healthcare systems. To date, call program costs have not been compared with patient return rates to determine cost-effectiveness. We used time-driven activity-based costing to determine the costs associated with such programs. We developed process maps for a postdischarge nurse call program in the emergency department of an urban, quaternary care, academic, Level 1 trauma center. Our primary outcome was the total cost of calls, which is based on the length of the calls (after 8 hours of observation) and the total capacity rate cost based on national registered nurse salary and space costs. Seven-day return rate differences between patients reached and those not reached from July 2018 to March 2019 were determined with a Z-test. We observed 113 postdischarge calls for 79 patients. The mean (SD) length of calls for patients reached was 4.3 minutes (1.8) compared with 2.6 minutes (0.6) for those not reached. The total capacity rate cost for calls was $1.09/minute, or $4.69 per patient reached and $2.83 per patient not reached. A retrospective analysis of 6,698 patients reached and 6,519 patients not reached showed hospital return rates of 3.5% and 6.3% (p < .0001), respectively. The study findings show that postdischarge calls were associated with decreased return rates to the emergency department and a savings of $134.89 per prevention of one return. In deciding whether to use postdischarge call programs, healthcare systems should also consider the effects on specific demographics and the potential benefits of greater patient satisfaction and increased treatment adherence.
The Meaning of the Seventeenth Amendment and a Century of State Defiance

Nearly a century ago, the Seventeenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution worked a substantial change in American government, dictating that the people should elect their senators by popular vote. Despite its significance, there has been little written about what the Amendment means or how it works. This Article provides a comprehensive interpretation of the Seventeenth Amendment based on the text of the Amendment and a variety of other sources: historical and textual antecedents; relevant Supreme Court decisions; the complete debates in Congress; and the social and political factors that led to this new constitutional provision. Among other things, this analysis reveals that the Amendment requires states to fill Senate vacancies by holding elections, whether or not they first fill those vacancies by making temporary appointments. In so doing, the Seventeenth Amendment guarantees that the people’s right to vote for senators is protected in all circumstances.Using this interpretation as a baseline, this Article reviews state practice with respect to the filling of vacancies under the Seventeenth Amendment. Since the Amendment was adopted in 1913, there have been 244 vacancies in the U.S. Senate. In one-sixth of these cases, the states have directly violated the Seventeenth Amendment’s core requirement that senators be elected by popular vote by failing to hold any election. In addition, in many more cases the states have delayed significantly the required elections. These practices have cost the people 200 years of elected representation since the Constitution was amended to provide for direct election of senators, and there has been little resistance to this pattern of state defiance of the Constitution.The appendices for this paper are available at the following URL: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2280361.