cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Individual Differences in Second-Language Proficiency Does Musical Ability Matter?

This study examined the relation between musical ability and second-language (L2) proficiency in adult learners. L2 ability was assessed in four domains: receptive phonology, productive phonology, syntax, and lexical knowledge. Also assessed were various other factors that might explain individual differences in L2 ability, including age of L2 immersion, patterns of language use and exposure, and phonological short-term memory. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to determine if musical ability explained any unique variance in each domain of L2 ability after controlling for other relevant factors. Musical ability predicted L2 phonological ability (both receptive and productive) even when controlling for other factors, but did not explain unique variance in L2 syntax or lexical knowledge. These results suggest that musical skills may facilitate the acquisition of L2 sound structure and add to a growing body of evidence linking language and music.
Unemployment and disposable workers in Philadelphia: Just how far have the bastards gone?

Abstract Drawing on ethnographic research in Philadelphia, this article illustrates the ravages of a capitalism moving beyond worker alienation to worker disposability. Uneven geographic development within the context of neoliberalism is destroying marginal workers' tools of social reproduction and creating ‘disposable workers.’ Workers in deindustrialized East Kensington are pushed out in a process of neighborhood imperialism, as the community they depended upon for survival is creatively destroyed by finance capitalists and gentrifiers.
The Load as an Energy Asset in a Distributed DC SmartGrid Architecture

DC power systems can be made more reliable by considering the load as an important energy asset. Currently the ability to manage the total system is available only through a centralized controller, which limits flexibility, reconfigurability, and reliability. These limitations can be avoided while still providing system level coordination through the use of distributed controls based on local information. All elements of the power system including source, loads, and the network itself have influence, interaction, and coupling to all other elements. Therefore, it is necessary to model and control a microgrid as a system of systems that share some common aspects, such as voltage levels, but can operate independently. Using local information in the form of the bus voltage, these techniques do not rely on a centralized controller, which improves system reliability. However, it is important to design the microgrid in such a manner as to take advantage of the energy not just from the generation sources, but also the energy stored in the individual points-of-load as well.
Sodium-Calcium Exchange: The Phantom Menace

Researchers have been aware of the existence of a membrane transporter in cardiac myocytes that exchanged calcium for sodium for more than 30 years.1 In that period of time, even as the molecular details of the sodium-calcium exchanger (NaCaX) were being worked out, its physiological role had still not been clearly defined. Early reports focused on the role of the exchanger as an important source of Ca2+ influx2 and as a regulator of contractile force, an important issue given that the most commonly used inotropic agent at the time was digitalis.3 By the mid-1980s, when it had become clear that Ca2+ entry via L-type Ca2+ channels was the major trigger for contractile Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), it became widely accepted that the chief role of the exchanger was to remove Ca2+ from the cytosol during diastole. Interest in the exchanger as an important Ca2+ entry mechanism resurfaced early in this decade when LeBlanc and Hume4 demonstrated sodium-current–dependent Ca2+ influx via the exchanger, capable of triggering contraction; however, this idea has remained controversial. Now, as we approach the new millennium and study excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling at the subcellular level,5 6 the importance of the exchanger as a modulator of Ca2+ release and E-C coupling gain is becoming clearer.7 8 The pathophysiological roles of the exchanger have been much less controversial. In the ischemic/reperfused heart, a rise in intracellular sodium9 frustrates the ability of the exchanger to remove Ca2+.10 Stimulation of the exchanger by oxygen free radicals may further accelerate the rise in cell Ca2+ under sodium-loaded conditions.11 The resulting Ca2+ overload is not only detrimental to contractile function, metabolism, and cellular integrity,12 but it is also …
Rapid identification of architectural bottlenecks via precise event counting

On-chip performance counters play a vital role in computer architecture research due to their ability to quickly provide insights into application behaviors that are time consuming to characterize with traditional methods. The usefulness of modern performance counters, however, is limited by inefficient techniques used today to access them. Current access techniques rely on imprecise sampling or heavyweight kernel interaction forcing users to choose between precision or speed and thus restricting the use of performance counter hardware. In this paper, we describe new methods that enable precise, lightweight interfacing to on-chip performance counters. These low-overhead techniques allow precise reading of virtualized counters in low tens of nanoseconds, which is one to two orders of magnitude faster than current access techniques. Further, these tools provide several fresh insights on the behavior of modern parallel programs such as MySQL and Firefox, which were previously obscured (or impossible to obtain) by existing methods for characterization. Based on case studies with our new access methods, we discuss seven implications for computer architects in the cloud era and three methods for enhancing hardware counters further. Taken together, these observations have the potential to open up new avenues for architecture research.
Antiretroviral therapy and the prevalence and incidence of diabetes mellitus in the multicenter AIDS cohort study.

Background: The risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has not been well defined. Methods: We conducted an analysis in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study to determine the prevalence and incidence of DM in this cohort of HIV-infected and HIVseronegative men. Prevalence analysis included 1278 men (710 HIV seronegative and 568 HIV infected, 411 receiving HAART) with fasting glucose concentration determinations at baseline. Incidence analysis included 680 of these 1278 men who at the baseline visit had a fasting glucose concentration of 98 mg/dL (5.4 mmol/L) or less, no self-reported history of DM, and no selfreported use of antidiabetic medication. Diabetes mellitus was defined as a fasting glucose concentration of 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher, self-reported diagnosis of DM, or self-reported use of antidiabetic medication. Results: Fifty-seven (14%) of the 411 HIV-infected men using HAART at the baseline visit had prevalent DM compared with 33 (5%) of the 711 HIV-seronegative men (prevalence ratio =4 .6; 95% confidence interval, 3.07.1, adjusted for age and body mass index[calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters]). The rate of incident DM was 4.7 cases per 100 person-years among HIV-infected men using HAART compared with 1.4 cases per 100 person-years among HIVseronegative men (rate ratio=4.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.85-9.16, adjusted for age and body mass index), during the 4-year observation period, based on a median follow-up of 2.3 years. Conclusion: The incidence of DM in HIV-infected men with HAART exposure was greater than 4 times that of HIV-seronegative men, representing a risk that is higher than previous estimates. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:1179-1184
A delay-based admission control mechanism for multimedia support in IEEE 802.11e wireless LANs

Multimedia over IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks (WLANs) has recently been the focus of many researchers due to its rapidly increasing popularity. Unlike their best-effort counterparts, multimedia applications have quality of service (QoS) needs typically expressed in terms of the maximum allowed delay and/or the minimum required throughput. Therefore, prior to accepting a multimedia application, the network must assure the satisfaction of its QoS requirements. In this paper, we develop a mechanism that can be used to control the admissibility of multimedia applications into WLANs. To develop the proposed mechanism, we first derive an analytical approximation of the delay experienced by packets when travelled through these networks. The analytical approximation of the delay is then used to propose an admission control mechanism for the enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) method used by the hybrid coordination function (HCF) of IEEE 802.11e. The proposed delay-based admission control mechanism is validated via simulations of voice traffic.
Raman Imaging and Raman Mapping

Raman spectroscopy can be used to non-destructively add image contrast in visualizing structures and dynamics in living systems and materials. Image contrast can be derived from any information contained in Raman spectra, including band intensities, positions and widths. Because these parameters are functions of the local physical and chemical environment of a constituent, the images can display these properties as well. This chapter discusses instrumentation for acquiring low definition Raman maps and high definitions Raman images in two and three dimensions. Experimental configurations and their advantages and drawbacks are described. Methods for enhancing resolution are discussed. Finally several examples these techniques are presented, with an emphasis on application areas not elsewhere discussed in the book.
Toward a Libertarian Theory of Guilt and Punishment for the Crime of Statism

This paper is an attempt to combine the insights of Van Creveld (1999) concerning statism with libertarian theory in order to forge a theory of justified punishment for the crime of engaging in statist, governmental or other gangster activity.
Type III home sleep testing versus pulse oximetry: is the respiratory disturbance index better than the oxygen desaturation index to predict the apnoea-hypopnoea index measured during laboratory polysomnography?

Objectives In its guidelines on the use of portable monitors to diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine endorses home polygraphy with type III devices recording at a minimum airflow the respiratory effort and pulse oximetry, but advises against simple pulse oximetry. However, oximetry is widely available and simple to use in the home. This study was designed to compare the ability of the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) based on oximetry alone with a stand-alone pulse oximeter (SPO) and from the oximetry channel of the ApneaLink Plus (ALP), with the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) based on four channels from the ALP to predict the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) from laboratory polysomnography. Design Cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study. Setting Sleep medicine practice of a multispecialty clinic. Participants Patients referred for laboratory polysomnography with suspected sleep apnoea. We enrolled 135 participants with 123 attempting the home sleep testing and 73 having at least 4 hours of satisfactory data from SPO and ALP. Interventions Participants had home testing performed simultaneously with both a SPO and an ALP. The 2 oximeter probes were worn on different fingers of the same hand. The ODI for the SPO was calculated using Profox software (ODI SOX ). For the ALP, RDI and ODI were calculated using both technician scoring (RDI MAN and ODI MAN ) and the ALP computer scoring (RDI RAW and ODI RAW ). Results The receiver–operator characteristic areas under the curve for AHI ≥5 were RDI MAN 0.88 (95% confidence limits 0.81–0.96), RDI RAW 0.86 (0.76–0.94), ODI MAN 0.86 (0.77–0.95), ODI RAW 0.84 (0.75–0.93) and ODI SOX 0.83 (0.73–0.93). Conclusions We conclude that the RDI and the ODI, measured at home on the same night, give similar predictions of the laboratory AHI, measured on a different night. The differences between the two methods are small compared with the reported night-to-night variation of the AHI.
Nanotectonics: Direct Fabrication of All-Inorganic Logic Elements and Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems from Nanoparticle Precursors

The reduced melting point and high solubility of inorganic nanoparticles have been shown to be useful in the low-temperature solution-based fabrication of semiconductor devices. These inks have been patterned using various techniques to form inorganic logic elements, multi-layer structures, and MEMS. Here we report a new technique known as offset liquid embossing that is used to print the nanoparticle inks. Structures created include multiple layers of gold and spin-on-glass printed without the need for etching or planarization, and 100 nm resolution.
Micro-Structured Sapphire Fiber Sensors for Simultaneous Measurements of High-T and Dynamic Gas Pressure in Harsh Environments

This is the final report for the program “Micro-Structured Sapphire Fiber Sensors for Simultaneous Measurements of High Temperature and Dynamic Gas Pressure in Harsh Environments”, funded by NETL, and performed by Missouri University of Science and Technology, Clemson University and University of Cincinnati from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2014. Securing a sustainable energy economy by developing affordable and clean energy from coal and other fossil fuels is a central element to the mission of The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). To further this mission, NETL funds research and development of novel sensor technologies that can function under the extreme operating conditions often found in advanced power systems. The main objective of this research program is to conduct fundamental and applied research that will lead to successful development and demonstration of robust, multiplexed, microstructured silica and single-crystal sapphire fiber sensors to be deployed into the hot zones of advanced power and fuel systems for simultaneous measurements of high temperature and gas pressure. The specific objectives of this research program include: 1) Design, fabrication and demonstration of multiplexed, robust silica and sapphire fiber temperature and dynamic gas pressure sensors that can survive and maintain fullymore » operational in high-temperature harsh environments. 2) Development and demonstration of a novel method to demodulate the multiplexed interferograms for simultaneous measurements of temperature and gas pressure in harsh environments. 3) Development and demonstration of novel sapphire fiber cladding and low numerical aperture (NA) excitation techniques to assure high signal integrity and sensor robustness.« less
Predictors of motivation to comply with social referents regarding one's romantic relationship

This research examined predictors of motivation to comply with social referents regarding one's romantic relationship. Two variables are argued to predict motivation to comply with the opinions of social network members: (a) social consequences of compliance and (b) perceived relationship expertise. Three studies examined the association of these variables with motivation to comply. Study 1 used survey research to demonstrate that these variables predict motivation to comply. Studies 2 and 3 experimentally manipulated social consequences of compliance and perceived relationship expertise, respectively, providing evidence of a causal connection between these variables and motivation to comply. Across three studies, the results support the role of social consequences of compliance and perceived relationship expertise in understanding social influences on romantic decision making.
The Content of a Course in Algebra for Prospective Secondary School Teachers of Mathematics

(1939). The Content of a Course in Algebra for Prospective Secondary School Teachers of Mathematics. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 32-35.
Notes on Boletes. I

During the past two summers in the Adirondacks in New York, where the writer has been making persistent searches for boletes, a single plant was quite often found in one locality, which could not be identified with the help of American literature on the subject. This plant was noteworthy in three respects:? (1) the pileus and stipe were light olive brown to dark brown, turning black with age; (2) the spore print was a light reddish purple, quite different from the color of any described American species; (3) when spore prints were made on white paper, the paper was stained a bluish green. A search through European literature showed that it was a familiar Friesian species, Boletus porphyrosporus (fig. 1). Thus far the writer has been able to find no mention of this species in America. There are no speci? mens of this species in the Farlow Herbarium at Harvard, but there is one at the New York Botanical Garden, which was sent by Bresadola. The specimens obtained came from a single hollow in the Pack Forest operated by the New York College of Forestry near Warrensburg, N. Y. Continued collecting through the Adiron? dacks in similar forest stands has thus far revealed no other
The Effect of Voluntary Spin-Offs on Stock Prices: The Anergy Hypothesis

This study investigates the corporate spin-off. It provides the institutional details of the spin-off, an analysis of alternative hypotheses to explain spin-offs, and an event study. In addition, it contains a detailed analysis of the motives for spin-offs as provided by the companies. Anergy is the opposite of synergy, a diseconomy present in a company that can be removed by spinning off a portion of the company. The evidence suggests that anergies are present in many spin-offs and help account for their occurrence.
On the Central Limit Property of Convex Bodies

For isotropic convex bodies K in R n with isotropic constant L K , we study the rate of convergence, as n goes to infinity, of the average volume of sections of K to the Gaussian density on the line with variance L K 2.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT BY LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN. II. THERAPY WITH INTRATHECAL METHOTREXATE.

1. Thirty-six children with leukemic involvement of the CNS were treated with one to seven courses of methotrexate given intrathecally. a. Complete or partial symptomatic relief occurred in 57 of 67 episodes treated. b. Onset of improvement ranged from immediately after the initial lumbar puncture to 18 days later. c. Duration of response, with complete relief from symptoms, ranged from eight to 751 + days, median 84 days. d. Median values for CSF pressure, white cell count, and sugar were abnormal during therapy but were normal one week after therapy was complete. In individual episodes, abnormalities persisted longer. e. Systemic toxicity was infrequent. f. CNS leukemia has the same sensitivity or resistance to intrathecal methotrexate as the systemic disease had when initially treated with oral methotrexate. The response of CNS leukemia to intrathecal methotrexate may be predicted by the responsiveness of the systemic disease when initially treated with oral methotrexate. g. Intrathecal methotrexate may still be effective therapy for CNS leukemia in patients whose systemic disease was initially sensitive but later developed resistance to oral methotrexate. 2. Symptoms due to CNS leukemia may respond to lumbar puncture without the injection of medication. Symptomatic improvement was observed within 48 hours and lasted from 23 to 110 days in a small number of patients not given intrathecal methotrexate therapy. However, lumbar puncture per se did not significantly alter the abnormal CSF findings.
Building a semantic web-based metadata repository for facilitating detailed clinical modeling in cancer genome studies

Detailed Clinical Models (DCMs) have been regarded as the basis for retaining computable meaning when data are exchanged between heterogeneous computer systems. To better support clinical cancer data capturing and reporting, there is an emerging need to develop informatics solutions for standards-based clinical models in cancer study domains. The objective of the study is to develop and evaluate a cancer genome study metadata management system that serves as a key infrastructure in supporting clinical information modeling in cancer genome study domains. We leveraged a Semantic Web-based metadata repository enhanced with both ISO11179 metadata standard and Clinical Information Modeling Initiative (CIMI) Reference Model. We used the common data elements (CDEs) defined in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data dictionary, and extracted the metadata of the CDEs using the NCI Cancer Data Standards Repository (caDSR) CDE dataset rendered in the Resource Description Framework (RDF). The ITEM/ITEM_GROUP pattern defined in the latest CIMI Reference Model is used to represent reusable model elements (mini-Archetypes). We produced a metadata repository with 38 clinical cancer genome study domains, comprising a rich collection of mini-Archetype pattern instances. We performed a case study of the domain “clinical pharmaceutical” in the TCGA data dictionary and demonstrated enriched data elements in the metadata repository are very useful in support of building detailed clinical models. Our informatics approach leveraging Semantic Web technologies provides an effective way to build a CIMI-compliant metadata repository that would facilitate the detailed clinical modeling to support use cases beyond TCGA in clinical cancer study domains.
Battelle primate facility

The Battelle Primate Facility houses one of the largest collections of neotropical primates in the United States. The facility is a research resource for undergraduate and graduate students. Battelle staff, as well as staff and faculty from U.S. and international institutions. Researchers have access to the animals for a variety of studies encompassing several disciplines, a large collection of preserved tissues, and an extensive biomedical database. The facility is a World Health Organization Collaborative Center for Clinical Pathology of Neotropical Primates and is involved with the Peruvian Primatological Project in Iquitos, Peru, which provides opportunities for research in primatology and conservation.
Teaching and Learning Morphology: A Reflection on Generative Vocabulary Instruction.

Students' knowledge of morphology can play a critical role in vocabulary development, and by extension, reading comprehension and student writing. This reflection describes the nature of this knowl...
Finite-Element Bending Analysis for Plates

A general approximate solution method applicable to the bending analysis of structural plates is presented. The plates may have variable thicknesses and arbitrary shapes. Additionally, the plates may possess variable material properties. Arbitrary normal, thermal and boundary loading conditions have been included. The analysis has been so formulated that it may be easily adapted to the analysis of folded plate and shell structures. The analysis is developed by expressing the plate bending equations, written as functions of the transverse deflection, and the bending moments, by means of a variational theorem. The plate to be analyzed is represented by a series of finite elements. Forms of the primary dependent variables (transverse deflection and moments) are assumed within each element and are related to moment and displacement unknowns at the element nodes. The approximate solution is obtained by taking the variational of the function with respect to the node values of the unknowns, thus generating a set of linear algebraic equations which define these nodal values. The application and accuracy of the procedure is illustrated by an example.
Perceived risk and benefits of e-cigarette use among college students

Recent data demonstrates that the use of e-cigarettes is growing, especially among college students and young adults. This trend is increasingly problematic, as many of these individuals report never using traditional tobacco cigarettes, but nevertheless are using e-cigarettes. The present study sought to develop the Risks and Benefits of E-cigarettes (RABE) questionnaire to assess the perceptions about e-cigarette use among college students. College students (N=734) completed the RABE via online survey. Principal components analysis yielded two reliable scales representing perceptions about e-cigarette use. Based on the two-factor solution, subscales were named according to item content. The resulting 30 items demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Risks scale α=0.92; Benefits scale α=0.89). Subsequent confirmatory factor analysis generally supported the 2-factor structure. As an initial measure of construct validity, scale scores were compared across smoking status groups. Smoking status groups were defined by the following: "e-cigarette users" were current daily users of e-cigarettes, "conventional smokers" were daily traditional cigarette users, and "dual users" were individuals who used both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes daily. Scale scores for perceived Benefits of e-cigarette use differed significantly across groups (p<0.001), whereby students who reported using e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes reported benefits associated with e-cigarette use. Scale scores for perceived Risks of e-cigarette use across smoking status groups did not significantly differ. The present results indicate that the RABE is a reliable instrument to measure college student's perceived risks and benefits of e-cigarettes.
Sara Sharratt: Global Feminist Pioneer

ABSTRACTSara Sharratt is a psychotherapist, a scholar and an activist, whose contributions to feminist therapy and social activism are innumerable. Some of her most salient work was during the years she spent witnessing and giving voice to countless victims at war crime tribunals in the former Yugoslavia, the stories of which are recounted in her published works. As a global feminist pioneer, Sharratt has dedicated her life to insuring that the voices of women throughout the world be heard, in order that justice and peace might prevail.
Approaches to Reducing Wind-Induced Damage in the United States

Abstract Dramatic losses from Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew demonstrated that low-rise buildings erected using conventional US construction techniques are extremely vulnerable to damage in severe wind events. These losses continue to spur the development of programs and efforts aimed at reducing wind-induced damage in the United States. The conclusions drawn regarding reasons for the damage and losses and the types of programs developed have varied depending on the groups assessing the damage, their perspectives and their biases. Many of the programs initiated in recent years are focusing on community awareness and developing incentives for mitigation. In most cases, the needs for developing the technological underpinnings of effective mitigation are being ignored. There is a clear need for a coordinated national effort to develop effective strategies for increasing public awareness of hazards, initiating and fostering a commitment to implementing mitigation, and the development of effective mitigation technologies. This paper provides a brief description of current initiatives and provides an overview of research progress and research needs for development of effective mitigation strategies.
Accelerator Design for Deep Learning Training: Extended Abstract: Invited

Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have emerged as a powerful and versatile set of techniques showing successes on challenging artificial intelligence (AI) problems. Applications in domains such as image/video processing, autonomous cars, natural language processing, speech synthesis and recognition, genomics and many others have embraced deep learning as the foundation. DNNs achieve superior accuracy for these applications with high computational complexity using very large models which require 100s of MBs of data storage, exaops of computation and high bandwidth for data movement. In spite of these impressive advances, it still takes days to weeks to train state of the art Deep Networks on large datasets - which directly limits the pace of innovation and adoption. In this paper, we present a multi-pronged approach to address the challenges in meeting both the throughput and the energy efficiency goals for DNN training.
Lessons from the five data breaches: Analyzing framed crisis response strategies and crisis severity

To fill a gap of research that explores cyber crisis management, this study analyzed news stories of the five largest data breaches experienced in 2014 by retailers (i.e. Target, Michaels, Neiman M...
The First Six Years of JESS: Categorizing Authors and Topics

A variety of studies note that who and what are published in academic journals can affect individual careers, gender and geographic biases, readership and impact of particular journals, how articles are assigned, and other issues. The Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences (JESS) is an important new journal due to its foci, the growing number of environmental science and studies graduate and undergraduate programs, the journal’s stated intent to be multi- and interdisciplinary, and its link to the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences. This short article examines the gender and institutional location of authors published in the first six volumes of JESS (2011–2016), the gender of authors of the books reviewed in the journal, the breakdown of natural science versus social science articles, and the percentage of articles that examine issues related to climate change and teaching. It does so to gather information that might assist JESS improve intellectually or instrumentally and to provide comparison data for similar studies of other journals.
What do venture capital and private equity firms do? Some current and historical examples

ABSTRACTThe venture capital and private equity investment fields are not as well understood as other sectors of the financial industry, especially those focused on publicly traded instruments, such...
Renegados cervantinos como personajes oximorónicos: travestismos culturales y amistades heterodoxas

Este trabajo estudia la representacion literaria de renegados, cristianos que se convirtieron al islam durante el contexto de intensos conflictos entre la Monarquia hispanica y el Imperio otomano, ...
Effects of processing on microstructure evolution and fatigue crack growth mechanisms in cold-spray 6061 aluminum alloy

Abstract Owing to their fine microstructures, cold-spray processed alloys possess appealing static mechanical properties, similar to their wrought counterparts, making them potential candidates for structural applications. In spite of their great potential, the lack of knowledge of their cyclic behavior, especially the fatigue crack growth response, limits their use in high-integrity applications. Thus, further advanced characterization of cold-spray processed materials is needed. In this study, fatigue crack growth microstructural mechanisms were established for bulk cold-spray processed 6061 aluminum alloy tested in laboratory air at room temperature. The effects of the material’s characteristic microstructure, stress ratio (R = 0.1, 0.5, and 0.7), and post-fabrication heat treatment (annealing and T6) on the fatigue crack growth behavior were systematically investigated. It was found that the initial powder particle characteristics play an important role in the crack’s propagation through the cold-spray 6061 microstructures, and particle boundaries are critical in the materials’ response, especially at high driving force. To aid the material-process design, two crack tip driving force parameter maps that relate loading conditions to damage at the microstructure scale were also established. Furthermore, a Paris-type, microstructure-based model was successfully developed to predict the fatigue crack growth rates in upper Region II and Region III for the as-fabricated and annealed materials. Discussions related to the use of these materials for fatigue-critical applications are also provided.
Factors promoting resilience among Mexican immigrant women in the United States: Applying a positive deviance approach

This research project used a positive deviance approach to identify Mexican immigrant women (MIW) who have experienced great stress and who have positive mental health indicators in order to determine the factors behind their resilience and coping skills. Signposts, strengths and resources contributing to positive mental health are identified and described. The resilience of participants in this study emerged as a very dynamic phenomenon. A series of internal assets helped these women find meaning, purpose and build resilience. Social networks, families, positive attitudes, and purposeful behaviors determine the strengths and well-being of this group. This may be the first exploration of the mental health assets of MIW. Although the purposive sample in the study limits the generalization of its results, the specificity of its population is a clear point of comparison and reference. The study has implications for the design of health promotion interventions with individuals of Mexican shared ancestry.
Effects of induced plant resistance on soybean looper (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in soybean

Soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Walker), is one of the most destructive pests of soybean in the southern U.S. Soybean looper defoliation exceeding 20% from R3 (pod initiation) to R5 (pod fill) can result in significant yield loss. In addition, soybean looper is highly resistant to many insecticides. An alternative to insecticide control is induced host plant resistance. In this study, a total of four experiments over 2 years were conducted in which three different elicitors of SAR (systemic acquired resistance), Actigard 50WG (acibenzolar-S-methyl), Regalia (extract of Reynoutria sachalinensis), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), were applied to soybean at different plant stages to determine if these chemicals could induce plant resistance and lower soybean looper fitness. None of the elicitors of SAR significantly affected soybean looper mortality. However, Actigard 50WG, MeJA, and Regalia had adverse effects on developmental time, defoliation, and pupal weight of soybean looper. Induced effects by Regalia on soybean looper were very limited compared to Actigard 50WG and MeJA. A single application of MeJA reduced pupal weight by 6.8% and delayed larval development by 14.3%. Soybean seed production was not affected by application of elicitors. In conclusion, the results suggest that exogenous elicitors applied in the field can trigger plant resistance against herbivores and this low level of host plant resistance may effectively lessen pest pressure by favoring natural enemy population regulation without reducing seed production.
Figure and ground: how the visual cortex integrates local cues for global organization.

Seeing objects seems effortless, but defining objects in a scene requires sophisticated neural mechanisms. For isolated objects, the visual cortex groups contours based on overall distribution, but...
Refusal of Cancer‐Directed Surgery in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

Objectives/hypothesis To investigate the risk factors for refusal of recommended surgery in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of a national database. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for all cases of HNSCC from 1989 to 2014. Patients who underwent recommended surgery (N = 98,270) were identified and compared to patients who refused recommended surgery (N = 3,582). Groups were compared for patient demographics, socioeconomic variables, and tumor characteristics including stage, grade, and primary site. Binary logistic regression was performed to determine independent predictors of surgery refusal. Results Of the total population, 1.8% of patients refused cancer directed surgery. Following regression, the strongest predictors of surgery refusal were found to be age greater than 75years (odds ratio [OR]: 4.23 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 3.00-5.96]), and stage III (OR: 4.19 [95% CI: 3.15-5.57]) or stage IV at diagnosis (OR: 4.49 [95% CI: 3.46-5.80]). Black race was significantly predictive (OR: 1.71 [95% CI: 1.37-2.13]) as well as marital status other than married (OR: 1.76 [95% CI: 1.49-2.07]) and Medicaid insurance status (OR:1.46 [95% CI: 1.20-1.77]). Primary site of larynx (OR: 2.01 [95% CI: 1.71-2.37]) or base of tongue (OR: 2.34 [95% CI: 1.87-2.92]) additionally predicted surgery refusal. Conclusions A number of demographic, socioeconomic, and tumor-related variables are associated with refusal of cancer-directed surgery in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Recognition of these factors may help identify situations where more active education and support are needed to help patients accept optimal care. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 129:1368-1373, 2019.
Generalized Consensus for Practical Fault Tolerance

Despite extensive research on Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) systems, overheads associated with such solutions preclude widespread adoption. Past efforts such as the Cross Fault Tolerance (XFT) model address this problem by making a weaker assumption that a majority of nodes are correct and communicate synchronously. Although XPaxos of Liu et al. (applying the XFT model) achieves similar performance as Paxos, it does not scale with the number of faults. Also, its reliance on a single leader introduces considerable downtime in case of failures. We present Elpis, the first multi-leader XFT consensus protocol. By adopting the Generalized Consensus specification, we were able to devise a multi-leader protocol that exploits the commutativity property inherent in the commands ordered by the system. Elpis maps accessed objects to non-faulty replicas during periods of synchrony. Subsequently, these replicas order all commands which access these objects. The experimental evaluation confirms the effectiveness of this approach: Elpis achieves up to 2x speedup over XPaxos and up to 3.5x speedup over state-of-the-art Byzantine Fault-Tolerant Consensus Protocols.
110th Anniversary: Liquid Separation Membranes Based on Nanowire Substrates for Organic Solvent Nanofiltration and Membrane Distillation

Ceramic nanowire-based flat porous membranes allow development of organic–inorganic membranes. Two types of surface modifications of alumina nanowire-based membranes were implemented. The first one involved reaction of hydroxyl groups on an alumina surface with silicone oil at a higher temperature, developing a grafted coating yielding a nonporous or a porous hydrophobic membrane. The hydrophobicity was verified via a contact angle comparable to that of a porous hydrophobic ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene membrane. The membrane porosity was demonstrated by running vacuum membrane distillation with a 1 wt % salt-containing brine. The process yielded satisfactory water vapor flux with 98% salt rejection. The silicone oil’s reaction with the alumina surface could also block the pores, yielding a nonporous membrane for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN). Interfacial polymerization was also carried out on the porous nanowire membrane to yield a nonporous polyamide membrane. The developed membrane was tested...
A Quasiexperimental Study of the Bystander Plus Program for Changing Rape Culture Beliefs

Sexual violence is considered a public health crisis and is particularly a problem on college campuses. Efforts for rape prevention at the collegiate level have included decreasing rape myth acceptance and increasing prosocial bystander behaviors. Although bystander models vary in regard to format and target population (e.g., male, female, or combined programs), they hold the same goals and underlying principles: to teach individuals how to effectively, and safely, intervene before, during, and after potential rape scenarios. In line with this research, the current study examined the efficacy of a bystander plus program, that goes beyond single session bystander focused programs to include a stronger focus on culture change and consciousness-raising across two sessions. The program was offered to undergraduate students (n = 23), the intervention group, over two sequential weeks. The first session was based on a modified version of Bringing in the Bystander, called Empowering the Bystander (ETB). ETB is a 60-min interactive session in which presenters provide information and lead discussions and activities aimed to address rape myths, to increase sexual assault survivor empathy, to learn prosocial bystander behaviors, and to increase awareness of rape culture at large. We followed this with a consciousness-raising group called Define It! that asked participants to define and operationalize concepts such as sexual assault and rape culture in their own lives. Students in an introductory psychology course served as a control group (n = 58) and did not receive the intervention. Both students within the intervention and control groups completed demographics and the Rape Culture Inventory (RCI) at pre-, post-, and 1-month postintervention. Results revealed a decrease in personal and perceived college endorsement of rape culture beliefs among intervention versus control participants. We discuss the implications of these results with concern to bystander programming and future directions for bystander plus program development.
Metabolic model of nitrite reduction to nitrous oxide coupled to alternating consumption and storage of glycogen and polyhydroxyalkanoate

Abstract In the coupled aerobic−anoxic nitrous decomposition operation (CANDO), nitrogen removal occurs in two bioreactors: in the first, ammonia is oxidized to nitrite; in the second, nitrite is reduced to N2O for use as a biogas oxidant. We describe here a N2O-producing Defluviicoccus-dominated microbial community that alternately accumulates glycogen and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). 13C-labelled acetate experiments confirmed the role of glycogen in PHA synthesis, and a metabolic model was developed to simulate this process. Batch experiments enabled estimation of model parameters. Key anaerobic reactions are uptake of acetate and fermentation of glycogen to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydrovalerate). Key anoxic transformations are growth with PHA oxidation coupled to nitrite reduction to N2O, and conversion of PHA back to glycogen. With this simple model, we predicted and confirmed improved bioreactor performance at higher nitrogen loading rates. The model suggests strategies to either maximize N2O production or limit N2O emissions in systems designed for biological nutrient removal.
Joint work and ground reaction forces during running with daily-use and running-specific prostheses.

Abstract Some individuals with a transtibial amputation (TTA) may not have access to running-specific prostheses and therefore choose to run using their daily-use prosthesis. Unlike running-specific prostheses, daily-use prostheses are not designed for running and may result in biomechanical differences that influence injury risk. To investigate these potential differences, we assessed the effect of amputation, prosthesis type, and running speed on joint work and ground reaction forces. 13 people with and without a unilateral TTA ran at speeds ranging from 2.5 m/s to 5.0 m/s. People with TTA ran using their own daily-use and running-specific prostheses. Body kinematics and ground reaction forces were collected and used to compute joint work. People with TTA had smaller peak braking, propulsive and medial/lateral ground reaction forces from the amputated leg compared to people without TTA. People wearing running-specific prostheses had smaller peak amputated leg vertical ground reaction forces compared to daily-use prostheses at speeds above 3.5 m/s. Medial/lateral forces were also smaller in running-specific prostheses, which may present balance challenges when running on varied terrain. Running-specific prostheses stored and returned more energy and provided greater propulsion, resulting in more similar positive hip work between legs compared to daily-use prostheses. Increases in positive hip work, but not device work, highlight the importance of the hip in increasing running speed. Running-specific devices may be beneficial for joint health at running-speeds above 3.5 m/s and provide advantages in propulsion and energy return at all speeds compared to daily-use prostheses, helping people with TTA achieve faster running speeds.
Identifying ZIP Coefficients of Aggregated Residential Load Model Using AMI Data

Aggregated load modeling is an important daily practice in utility companies, but existing statistics- or measurement-based methods suffer from various limitations. This work proposes an effective approach to identify ZIP coefficients of the aggregated residential load model using advanced measurement infrastructure (AMI) data. A non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) based algorithm is developed to disaggregate household power consumption into appliance-level activities. Such appliance activities are then associated with ZIP attributes and aggregated to household and feeder level. Therefore, the equivalent ZIP coefficients are obtained without the dependence of other information. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified using a real-world smart meter data set and the IEEE 34-bus feeder test case.
83. SETTING COORDINATORS UP FOR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS: A NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF PEDIATRIC FELLOWSHIP COORDINATORS

Background Coordinators have integral roles in the operation and success of training programs. Due to competing responsibilities, lack of time and limited funding, they encounter challenges with career development. Method An online survey was distributed to all fellowship coordinators in a large pediatric department. The survey was a mix of multiple choice, open/close ended questions. The data was analyzed to improve career development among the coordinators, identifying their strengths as well as the gaps and hindrances that keep them from advancing. Results A response rate of 22/27 fellowship coordinators at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital (81%). 90% were female and 59% had postgraduate degrees. 50% had more than 5 years of experience. The majority (63%) oversee 1 fellowship. 82% reported they have additional non-fellowship administrative responsibilities. The most common responsibility being administrative/academic support to non-program leadership faculty as well as the program leadership. Only 50% are aware of the institution's professional development opportunities for coordinators. The majority reported they don't participate because they're unaware of opportunities (47%) or due to time limitations (27%). Although 55% said they have opportunity to attend national meetings, 64% don't attend due to lack of funding. The two most common stressors were, workload and lack of communications with institutions GME office (50%). 77% reported needing extra support during recruitment or the implementation of new systems like MedHub (68%). Many expressed that additional training would be beneficial. Conclusions Coordinators are limited in their ability to obtain opportunities and identified the need for extra support within their own program. This data may be shared with leadership to make them aware of the need to improve professional development and support for career growth and satisfaction. Next Steps Future directions include enhancing the network of coordinators and strengthening the support of coordinators and training programs.