cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Narrow Niche hypothesis: Gray squirrels shed new light on primate origins

Current hypotheses for primate origins propose that nails and primate-like grasping hands and feet were important early adaptations for feeding in fine branches. Comparative research in this area has focused on instances of convergence in extant animals, showing that species with primate-like morphology feed predominantly from terminal branches. Little has been done to test whether animals without primate-like morphology engage in similar behavior. We tested the fine-branch niche hypothesis for primate origins by observing branch use in Eastern gray squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, a species lacking primate grasping adaptations that has been understudied in the context of primate origins. We hypothesized that because gray squirrels lack primate-like grasping adaptations, they would avoid feeding and foraging in terminal branches. Instantaneous focal animal sampling was used to examine the locomotor and postural behaviors used while feeding and foraging. Our results demonstrate habitual and effective usage of terminal branches by gray squirrels while feeding and foraging, primarily on tree seeds (e.g., oak, maple, and elm). Discriminant function analysis indicates that gray squirrels feed and forage like primates, unlike some other tree squirrel species. Given the absence of primate-like features in gray squirrels, we suggest that although selection for fine-branch foraging may be a necessary condition for primate origins, it is not sufficient. We propose an alternative model of primate origins. The Narrow Niche hypothesis suggests that the primate morphological suite evolved not only from selection pressure for fine branch use, but also from a lack of engagement in other activities.
Effect of magnetic confinement on many-body nonlinearities of Lorentzian excitons

Summary form only given. We have demonstrated that application of a magnetic field is a powerful tool to investigate the interplay between the fundamental processes governing the nonlinear optical response of excitons. We explore these processes in an optically thin, 0.25 /spl mu/m, bulk GaAs sample by time-resolved and frequency-resolved four wave mixing.
Cost-effective standardization of preterm labor evaluation

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a standardized evidence-based protocol for preterm labor evaluation on resource use and obstetrics outcomes. Study Design We conducted a retrospective 12-month observational study of patients with symptoms of preterm labor at the Mayo Clinic. All patients underwent triage evaluation per a standardized protocol with a combination of cervical length measurement with contingent fetal fibronectin assay. Results Of 201 patients who underwent evaluation, 3 women delivered within 7 days, and only 1 woman delivered after a negative evaluation. Mean gestational age at evaluation was 29 weeks 1 day, and delivery was at 38 weeks 3 days of gestation, with an average interval of 57.4 days until delivery. The rate of hospital admission was reduced by 56%, compared with the previous year; an estimated annual cost saving was $39,900. Conclusion Implementation of a standardized protocol for evaluation of preterm labor reduces the rate of unnecessary hospital admissions for observation with consequent significant reduction in expenses.
Surgeon-performed ultrasound: A single institution experience in parathyroid localization

Background Ultrasound has been used successfully to localize parathyroid glands. This study evaluates surgeon-performed ultrasound (SUS) for pre-operative parathyroid localization prior to parathyroidectomy. Methods In all, 442 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) underwent SUS at a single institution. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 338) had correct localization, and group 2 (n = 104) had incorrect localization. The true-positive (TP) rate and peri-operative findings were compared. TP was defined as localization of all abnormal parathyroids resulting in operative success. A P value >.05 was considered significant. Results Of 442 patients, 338 (76.5%) had TP results. Group 1 patients were younger (57 vs 63 years; P Conclusion Younger patients have a greater rate of correct localization. When SUS correlates with operative findings, MGD is significantly lower and fewer BNEs are performed. Additionally, operations are shorter with a higher success rate.
From the Double Helix to Genomic Medicine

What we take for granted in the clinical literature today was just recently considered basic science. As we begin to reap the benefits of the scientific progress achieved over the past 50 years, we...
FRET-based reporters for the direct visualization of abscisic acid concentration changes and distribution in Arabidopsis

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone that regulates plant growth and development and mediates abiotic stress responses. Direct cellular monitoring of dynamic ABA concentration changes in response to environmental cues is essential for understanding ABA action. We have developed ABAleons: ABA-specific optogenetic reporters that instantaneously convert the phytohormone-triggered interaction of ABA receptors with PP2C-type phosphatases to send a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal in response to ABA. We report the design, engineering and use of ABAleons with ABA affinities in the range of 100–600 nM to map ABA concentration changes in plant tissues with spatial and temporal resolution. High ABAleon expression can partially repress Arabidopsis ABA responses. ABAleons report ABA concentration differences in distinct cell types, ABA concentration increases in response to low humidity and NaCl in guard cells and to NaCl and osmotic stress in roots and ABA transport from the hypocotyl to the shoot and root. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01739.001
The Efficiency of Cathode‐Ray Phosphors II . Correlation with Other Properties

In cathode‐ray excitation of a phosphor the energy of the fast electrons appears, in an intermediate stage, as excitation of the valence shell electrons. We have used photons of energy up to 25 eV to simulate cathode‐ray excitation. Attempts to account for cathode‐ray efficiencies on the basis of the photoexcitation efficiencies give agreement in some cases and substantial lack of agreement in others. A correlation between high plasma resonance energy and low cathode‐ray efficiency is pointed out.
Effects of Calcium on the Rate and Extent of Litter Decomposition in a Northern Hardwood Forest

Cross-site syntheses of litter decomposition studies have shown that litter calcium (Ca) concentration may have a role in controlling the extent of decomposition of tree foliage. We used an ongoing watershed CaSiO3 addition experiment at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, USA, to test the hypotheses that increased Ca in litter would have no effect on the initial rates of litter decay but would increase the extent or completeness (limit value) of foliar litter decomposition. We tested these hypotheses with a 6-year litter decomposition experiment using foliar litter of four tree species that are prominent at this site and in the Northern Hardwood forest type of North America: sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), and white ash (Fraxinus americana L.). The experiment used a reciprocal transplant design with the Ca-treated watershed and a control site providing two sources of litter and two placement sites. The litter from the Ca-treated site was 10–92% higher in Ca concentration, depending on species, than the litter from the control site. After about 3 years of decomposition, the Ca concentrations in the litter reflected the placement of the litter (that is, the site in which it was incubated) rather than the source of the litter. The source of the litter had no significant effect on measures of initial decomposition rate, cumulative mass loss (6 years), or limit value. However, the placement of the litter had a highly significant effect on extent of decomposition. Some litter types responded more than others; in particular, beech litter placed in the Ca-treated site had a significantly higher limit value, indicating more complete decomposition, and maple litter in the Ca-treated site had a marginally higher limit value. These results indicate that Ca may influence the extent of litter decomposition, but it is the Ca at the incubation site rather than the initial litter Ca that matters most. The results also suggest that loss of Ca from the soil due to decades of acid deposition at this site may have impeded late-stage litter decomposition, possibly leading to greater soil C storage, especially in forest stands with a substantial component of beech. Likewise, de-acidification may lead to a reduction in soil C.
Early and Intermediate Hospital-to-Home Transition Outcomes of Older Adults Diagnosed With Diabetes

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting early and intermediate hospital-to home transition outcomes of older adults with preexisting diabetes mellitus.MethodsA mixed-methods design was used. A sample of 96 hospitalized older adults with a prior diagnosis of diabetes were recruited within 4 hours of discharge. Data reflective of general health status, diabetes status, perceived discharge readiness (Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale), hospitalization, and anticipated postdischarge support were gathered upon enrollment. Transition outcome data including unplanned care encounter occurrences, perceived transition quality (Care Transition Measure-15), and postdischarge difficulty (scale and free responses to the Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale [PDCDS]) were obtained by telephone interview 7 and 30 days after discharge. Three unique, dichotomous variables were created from recurrent subthemes that emerged during content analysis of free-response data and were used in statis...
Acoustic Loading of Steam Dryers: Load Attributes and Structural Response

Acoustic waves in the steam supply of some Boiling Water Reactors have caused fatigue cracking of steam dryers. The physics of acoustic source terms in the steam supply are reviewed and attributes of the acoustic loading are illustrated. Novel signal interrogation techniques are developed to characterize variability over time in load amplitude as a function of load frequency. Time varying attributes of the dynamic loading are related to component dynamic stress prediction methods to enable component endurance predictions.© 2009 ASME
Integrating reservoir properties and seismic with borehole and surface time-lapse gravity data for monitoring CO2 sequestration: A site investigation

†Summary We present a feasibility study on the potential application of time-lapse gravity as a monitoring tool for a proposed CO2 sequestration test site. The results are a component of a larger geotechnical suitability study to evaluate a specific field’s potential for CO2 storage and to evaluate potential techniques for effective monitoring there. The reservoir model is constructed from detailed site data as available through separate reservoir characterization studies. The associated gravity inversion is a highly constrained binary approach that incorporates reservoir geometry from seismic data and internal 3D distributions of density change derived from the reservoir engineering database. The complete study includes both surface and joint surface/borehole timelapse gravity data for five CO2 plume movement scenarios. In this paper, we present a subset of the entire study. Results indicate that the site likely has a favorable combination of geometry, depth, thickness, and predicted density change from CO2 movement to be effectively monitored with time-lapse gravity.
Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination coverage among children born from 2005 to 2009 in Hangzhou

Objective To assess the status of haemophilus influenza type b(Hib) vaccination coverage among children born from 2005 to 2009 in Hangzhou,and to discuss factors affecting Hib vaccination and propose some suitable strategies which could promote Hib vaccination in hangzhou.Methods Vaccination data of children born from 2005 to 2009 in Hangzhou were retrieved from Hangzhou Children's Immunization Information Administration System and analyzed using SPSS12.0 software.Results There were a total 397 304 infants born from 2005 to 2009 in Hangzhou.The Hib vaccination coverage for the first 4 doses were 53.80%,36.76%,29.32% and 16.75%,showing a significant difference among each dose(χ2=127024.2,P0.000).No difference of coverage(χ2=0.32,P0.05) was observed between male and female children.Children of local residence had higher coverage compared with those from outside(χ2=430.83,P0.05).Meanwhile,Hib vaccination coverage varied by district and county in Hangzhou.In general,the coverage was found to be higher in downtown city than that in rural areas(χ2=28293.50,P0.05).Conclusions Compared with children from developed countries,children in Hangzhou still has relatively lower Hib vaccination coverage,indicating that more work need to be done to immunize children with Hib vaccine,especially for those from rural areas and non residents of Hangzhou.
Abstract B21: A long noncoding RNA LINC00467 regulates autophagy in cancer

Autophagy is a degradation pathway utilized by cells under stressful conditions such as nutrient deprivation or drug treatment to support extended survival. During this process, cellular components are broken down to macromolecules to be re-assimilated for consumption to sustain cell survival. With autophagy serving an important role between life and death for a cell, it has implications in not only maintaining homeostasis of normal cells but also the growth and survival of malignant cancer cells. Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides with no protein-coding potential and play an important role in the regulation of gene expression. Albeit certain LncRNAs are overexpressed in cancer with a strong correlation with cancer risk and prognosis, the relationship of LncRNAs and autophagy has not yet been extensively explored. Our previous work has identified LINC00467 (long intergenic noncoding RNA 00467 or C1orf97) as a potential autophagy regulator in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. We further hypothesized that LINC00467 is a common autophagy regulator in cancer. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the gene expression pattern of this LncRNA using RT-PCR, monitored its expression in cancers by querying different gene expression databases, measured expression by RT-PCR in different cancer cell lines, and measured autophagy in cancer cells upon depletion of LINC00467. Our results show that (1) LINC00467 is expressed as two transcripts (733 and 797 nucleotides); (2) LINC00467 is ubiquitously expressed in different types of cancer; and (3) LINC00467 depletion activates autophagy in multiple cancer cell lines. This work will illuminate an otherwise unknown and new autophagy-regulatory pathway and will add a new dimension to our knowledge of the regulation of cancer cell survival and death. Of particular importance, this new autophagy regulatory pathway may provide new and effective therapeutic targets. Citation Format: Kevin J. Pridham, Sujuan Guo, Zhi Sheng. A long noncoding RNA LINC00467 regulates autophagy in cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Noncoding RNAs and Cancer: Mechanisms to Medicines ; 2015 Dec 4-7; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(6 Suppl):Abstract nr B21.
Site-directed mutagenesis of rat cellular retinol-binding protein: Alteration in binding specificity resulting from mutation of glutamine 108 to arginine

Cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) is a retinol-specific binding protein. A rat cDNA clone of CRBP was expressed in Escherichia coli. In order to determine amino acid residues in CRBP which may be important for the binding of all-trans-retinol, comparative model-building studies were performed in which strong sequence similarities were identified between CRBP and several other binding proteins. Based on this analysis, specific amino acids were predicted to be important in retinol binding, and these predictions were tested using the technique of site-directed mutagenesis to subtly alter the protein's structure and function. Specifically, site-directed mutagenesis was performed to alter the Gln-108 to Arg-108 (Q108R). Making use of fluorescence, Q108R was found to have a 3-fold lower affinity for all-trans-retinol, and the fine structure of the excitation spectrum of the Q108R.all-trans-retinol complex was also different than for the wild type.all-trans-retinol complex. The mutant bound 13-cis-retinol with an excitation spectrum identical to wild type bound to 13-cis-retinol, but with only one-half of the fluorescence intensity. In competition binding experiments, the Q108R mutant was found to have similar binding affinities for all-trans-retinol, all-trans-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid, and retinal, while wild type CRBP was only able to bind to all-trans-retinol. Thus, altering a single amino acid in CRBP (Gln-108 to Arg-108) caused a significant change in the ligand binding specificity of the protein.
Consensus and disturbance attenuation in multi-agent chains with nonlinear control and time delays

Summary In this paper, we investigate consensus and disturbance attenuation in a chain of mobile agents, which include non-autonomous agents, semi-autonomous agents and autonomous agents. In particular, the nonlinear dynamics of non-autonomous agents is given and cannot be designed, while the dynamics of semi-autonomous and autonomous agents can be partially and fully designed, respectively. To improve the robustness of multi-agent chains against disturbances, we propose a nonlinear control framework for semi-autonomous and autonomous agents such that they mimic the behavior of non-autonomous agents for compatibility while also exploiting long-range connections with distant agents. This framework ensures the existence of a unique consensus equilibrium, which is independent of the network size, connectivity topologies, control gains and information delays. Robustness of multi-agent chains against disturbances is investigated by evaluating the frequency response at the nonlinear level. For infinitely long multi-agent chains with recurrent patterns, we also derive a condition that ensures the disturbance attenuation but only requires the analysis of the linearized model. A case study is conducted for a connected vehicle system where numerical simulations are used to validate the analytical results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the Initial Loco-Regional Treatment Received for Early-Stage Breast Cancer between Elderly Women in Appalachia and a United States - Based Population: Good and Bad News.

BACKGROUND Breast conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiation therapy (RT) (BCS+RT) is as effective for long-term survival of invasive early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) as mastectomy, and is the local treatment option selected by the majority of women with ESBC. Women of older age and vulnerable socio-demographic characteristics are at greater risk for receiving substandard (BCS only) and non-preferred treatments (mastectomy), such as populations of women from the Appalachian region of United States. METHODS Using a retrospective cohort study design, we identified 26,106 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked dataset and 811 patients from the West Virginia Cancer Registry (WVCR)-Medicare dataset age ≥ 66 diagnosed from 2003 to 2006 with stage I-II breast cancer. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated type of initial treatment received between WVCR-Medicare and SEER-Medicare patients, and the association with type of treatment. RESULTS Overall, women in WV were 0.82 (95% CI 0.68-0.99) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.58-0.84) times less likely to have mastectomy or BCS only vs. BCS+RT, than those in SEER regions. Women in WV of increasing age, greater comorbidity, stage II disease, and non-white race were more likely to have mastectomy or BCS only vs. BCS+RT, whereas, those residing in areas of higher income, higher education, and metro status were less likely, than similarly characterized women from SEER regions. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study suggest that the magnitude of disparities in breast cancer treatment between groups of women with more and less resources are even greater in the Appalachian region, than they are among US populations. Improving access to oncology treatment services, as well as, the implementation of patient navigation programs are needed to improve patterns of initial treatment for ESBC among at-risk populations.
Management of the Scleroderma Patient with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Failing Initial Therapy

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) commonly complicates systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is a leading cause of death in this patient population. While advances in our understanding of the pathobiology of PAH have led to novel therapies directed at PAH, response to these agents in patients with PAH related to SSc (SSc-PAH) has in general been less robust than in patients with other forms of PAH. The reasons for these differences in response to therapy between SSc-PAH and other PAH patients are complex, but likely include the outcome measure selected to assess response (e.g., the 6-min walk test and hospitalizations) and concomitant diseases that influence response (e.g., gastrointestinal dysmotility and renal dysfunction), among others. In this chapter, we present a patient vignette to highlight the challenges in management of SSc-PAH and to offer our practice pattern to address these challenges.
NON-PLANAR DUAL SYMMETRIC LOOP GRAPHS AND THE POMERON.

Abstract Dual symmetric single loop graph amplitudes are constructed using the world sheet postulate and H. B. Nielsen's Lagrangian method. The result agrees with the sewing procedure of Bardakci, Halpern and Shapiro for planar loops and the prescription of Gallardo, Galli and Susskind for non-planar graphs. Non-planar loops possess a Pomeranchuk-like trajectory with slope 1 2 α′(0) .
Nucleotide excision repair

Nucleotide excision repair is the major DNA repair mechanism in all species tested. This repair system is the sole mechanism for removing bulky adducts from DNA, but it repairs essentially all DNA lesions, and thus, in addition to its main function, it plays a back-up role for other repair systems. In both pro- and eukaryotes nucleotide excision is accomplished by a multisubunit ATP-dependent nuclease. The excision nuclease of prokaryotes incises the eighth phosphodiester bond 5' and the fourth or fifth phosphodiester bond 3' to the modified nucleotide and thus excises a 12-13-mer. The excision nuclease of eukaryotes incises the 22nd, 23rd, or 24th phosphodiester bond 5' and the fifth phosphodiester bond 3' to the lesion and thus removes the adduct in a 27-29-mer. A transcription repair coupling factor encoded by the mfd gene in Escherichia coli and the ERCC6 gene in humans directs the excision nuclease to RNA polymerase stalled at a lesion in the transcribed strand and thus ensures preferential repair of this strand compared to the nontranscribed strand.
Higher Education as an Instrument of Economic Growth in Kenya

The purpose of the present paper is to identify the main challenges facing Kenya's public higher education system and to propose plausible and, concrete steps policy makers and educational leaders can take to address those challenges to ensure the country's higher education system prepares the human capital, which is necessary for the construction of a knowledge economy. To that end, [the author] use[s] the conceptual frameworks of quality and education policy borrowing to argue that Kenya can and should draw useful policy lessons from the success stories of newly industrialized economies (Brazil, China, India, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan) where higher education continues to play a fundamental catalytic role in the process of social and economic transformation. Even so, [the author] is cognizant of the fact that there are important political, cultural, historical, economic, and even geographic differences between Kenya and these newly industrialized countries and that these differences impact education policy borrowing/transfer in varied ways. The documentary review method was used to collect data. The recommendations discussed in this paper provide important insight into how Kenya's policy planners and higher education leaders might reform the public higher education system to ensure that it creates the skilled domestic workforce necessary [to] drive economic transformation.
Standard Chemotherapy Options and Clinical Trials of Novel Agents for Mesothelioma

Despite recent dramatic advances in many solid tumors, malignant mesothelioma remains challenging to treat. Historically, because of the modest number of cases globally and the substantial geographic distribution of patients, large randomized clinical trials were difficult and lengthy to complete, and thus, interest from pharmaceutical companies was limited. Additionally, financial support from various funding agencies is limited for this orphan disease. Consequently, most studies of systemic therapy for mesothelioma were small phase II trials. Despite these limitations, several standards of care were established. This chapter reviews standard cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment for malignant mesothelioma and discusses many novel agents recently and currently under investigation in clinical trials. The roles of surgery, radiation treatment, and combined modality therapy are covered in accompanying chapters. Furthermore, the ongoing development of immunotherapeutic agents is discussed in an accompanying chapter by Hassan and colleagues.
Monitoring child mental health related emergency department visits in New York City

Objective To assess the use of syndromic surveillance to assess trends in mental health-related emergency department (ED) visits among school-aged children and adolescents in New York City (NYC). Introduction From 2001-2011, mental health-related hospitalizations and ED visits increased among United States children nationwide [1]. During this period, mental health-related hospitalizations among NYC children increased nearly 23% [2]. To estimate mental health-related ED visits in NYC and assess the use of syndromic surveillance chief complaint data to monitor these visits, we compared trends from a near real-time syndromic system with those from a less timely, coded ED visit database. Methods The NYC ED syndromic surveillance system receives anonymized patient chief complaint and basic demographic data for nearly every ED visit citywide to provide timely surveillance information to health authorities. Using NYC ED syndromic surveillance data from 2003-2015, we applied previously developed definitions for general psychiatric syndromes. We aggregated ED visits by age group (5-12 years, 13-17 years, and 18-20 years), geography, and temporality. Syndromic data were compared with Statewide Planning and Research Collaborative System (SPARCS) data from 2006-2014 which reported mental health diagnosis (ICD-9), treatment, service, and basic demographics for patients visiting facilities in NYC. Using these two data sources, we compared daily visit patterns and annual trends overall as well as stratified by age group, area-based poverty (ZIP code), and time of visit. Results Both syndromic surveillance and SPARCS data for NYC showed an increasing trend during the period. While both showed relative increases with similar slopes, mental health-related chief complaint data captured fewer overall visits than the ICD-9 coded SPARCS data. Trends in syndromic data during 2003-2015 differed by age- group and area-based poverty, e.g., among children ages 5-12 years the annual proportion of mental health-related ED visits increased roughly 3-fold from 1.2% to 3.8% in the poorest areas, which was greater than the increase in the richest areas (1.7% to 2.6%). Seasonal, day-of-week, and school holiday patterns found far fewer visits during the periods of NYC public school breaks (Figure). Conclusions We conclude that syndromic surveillance data can provide a reliable indicator of mental health-related ED visit trends. These findings suggest potential benefit of syndromic surveillance data as they may help capture temporal and spatial clustering of events in a much more timely manner than the >1 year delay in availability of ED discharge data. Next steps include a qualitative study exploring the causes of these patterns and the role of various factors driving them, as well as use of patient disposition and matched data to better characterize ED visit patient outcomes.
Multi-Function Recorders, The Next Generation of Power System Monitor/Analyser

Abstract The scope of this document is to present the state of the art in transient fault recorders available on the market, known as a multifunction recorders, station monitor or dynamic system monitor. The difference between a traditional transient fault recorder and a multifunction recorder will be explained by considering the wide range of possible functions on the next generation of power system monitoring equipment.
Energy Economic Linkages

Some of the difficulties of using even the extended, energy denominated input-output framework for analyze energy policy issues were alluded to in the closing sections of Chapter 6. In our analysis of Republica, for example, we saw the need to use an iterative approach if one were interested in determining that combination of economic activities that would result in oil imports of a given level. One way around such situations is to combine the input-output model with some kind of optimization framework, that in particular allows the solution of constrained optimization problems (whose constraint set might include, for example, upper bounds on energy imports, or lower bounds on particular levels of renewables). Moreover, given that we introduce an element of choice in the energy system, there is no reason why one cannot relax some of the more confining assumptions of conventional input-output analysis (only one industry producing one product using a single technology) to allow choice also in terms of the technologies of the productive sector: and include in the analysis, for example, the choice between say, electric arc, open hearth, or sponge iron processes in steelmaking. Indeed, there is no reason why industrial process models cannot be directly integrated into the energy system LP.
Voluntarist theology and early-modern science: The matter of the divine power, absolute and ordained:

This paper is an intervention in the debate inaugurated by Peter Harrison in 2002 when he called into question the validity of what has come to be called 'the voluntarism and early-modern science thesis'. Though it subsequently drew support from such historians of science as J. E. McGuire, Margaret Osler, and Betty-Joe Teeter Dobbs, the origins of the thesis are usually traced back to articles published in 1934 and 1961 respectively by the philosopher Michael Foster and the historian of ideas Francis Oakley. Central to Harrison's critique of the thesis are claims he made about the meaning of the scholastic distinction between the potentia dei absoluta et ordinata and the role it played in the thinking of early-modern theologians and natural philosophers. This paper calls directly into question the accuracy of Harrison's claims on that very matter.
Morphology of the D/A interface in vapor deposited bilayer organic photovoltaics

A series of bilayer films were prepared by vacuum deposition onto Silicon substrates. These films consisted of either Si/SiO2/donor/C60 or Si/SiO2/C60/donor, where the organic films were in the 20-40 nm thick range and the donors were 7,7-difluoro-14-phenyl-7H-6l4,7l4-[1,3,2]diazaborinino[4,3-a:6,1-a']diisoindole (bDIP), copper phthalocyanine (CuPC), 3,6,11,14-tetraphenyldiindeno[1,2,3-cd:1',2',3'-lm]perylene (DBP) and 2-(4-(diphenylamino)-2,6- dihydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-(diphenyliminio)-2,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene)-3-oxocyclobut-1-en-1-olate (DPSQ). The donors chosen here have been reported to give good power efficiencies when incorporated into bilayer photovoltaic cells with a C60 acceptor. These bilayer films were examined by neutron reflectometry to characterize the interface between the donor and C60. In the SiO2/donor/C60 films, DPSQ, CuPC, and DBP show a discrete interface with C60 while bDIP shows substantial spontaneous mixing at the interface, consistent with a donor/(donor + C60)/C60 structure, where the mixed layer is 14 nm.. In the SiO2/C60/donor films, all four donors show negligible mixing at the D/A interface consistent with a discrete D/A junction.
'Substance Over Form': Meaningful Ways to Measure Organizational Performance

A key principle of financial reporting is that substance matters, not form. This is how auditors ensure that a firm will be viable in the future. The authors provide a checklist of goals that an organization should examine in order to determine whether it is investing in the long-run rather than being concerned with short-term goals that only provide the appearance of health. Goals that are crucial for long-term viability include: increasing customer satisfaction; retention of key employees; providing meaningful work; ensuring employee engagement; creation of an ethical tone at the top; and building a strong, positive reputation.
Private Rental Landlords: North America

This article describes the key features of the private rental housing industry in the United States and Canada, beginning with an overview of characteristics and trends in the private rental market and continuing with a discussion of the key features of the industry, distinguishing between the important submarkets into which the rental industry is divided. A closing section explores the critical relationships between the private rental housing industry and public policy, and the effect of subsidy policies, housing finance policies, and land use regulations on the rental housing market and its providers.
Pathophysiology of human proximal tubular transport defects.

The generalized proximal tubular transport abnormalities comprising the Fanconi syndrome (glycosuria, generalized aminoaciduria, the proximal form of renal tubular acidosis, and increased renal clearance of phosphate, urate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium) may be ascribed to interference with “sodiumlinked” active transport. Evidence is presented that the majority of conditions known to cause Fanconi syndrome in man or experimental animals are associated with inhibitors of the renal Na-K-ATPase-ATP transport system.
Cognitive Enhancement and Metaphor Choice as Moral Choice.

In their engaging article, “Attitudes Toward Cognitive Enhancement: The Role of Metaphor and Context,” Erin C. Conrad, Stacey Humphries, and Anjan Chatterjee (2019) examine the effects of metaphors...
A Timing Comparison of Different FPGA-Accelerated Load Flow Solvers

In this work, we show how an FPGA can be used to implement a load flow solver using different algorithms: Gauss-Seidel (GS) and Newton-Rhapson (NR), and we examine the timing of these algorithms. Since the bus voltages are solved iteratively, the number of iterations for one network topology to the next may be different. Due to this variability in the number of iterations, the total solving time is variable. A solver implemented in an FPGA is much faster and much more predictable in the amount of time it will take for the solving to complete, meaning that execution times for these simulations are far faster than real-time. In this work, 2 different load flow solvers, GS and NR, are compared with a detailed timing breakdown for each algorithm, given a specific network topology. We present the timing details for each part of each algorithm with an accompanying example. For the example network in this paper, the NR solver converges in fewer iterations and completes in a much shorter execution time, even though the time for each iteration is longer.
Assessment and diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract Because accurate identification of ADHD is a necessary first step to guide the selection and implementation of evidence-based treatments, this chapter focuses on the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD in children. It begins with a brief review of the historical unfolding of this disorder, from its earliest formal beginnings to its current appearance in the health care field as ADHD. Presented next is a brief overview of its epidemiology, etiology, and developmental course. This is followed by a detailed description of the way in which ADHD presents itself clinically, in terms of the variability in its primary symptom presentation, its co-occurring features, and its impact on daily functioning. Against this background, this chapter concludes with a detailed discussion of evidence-based guidelines for diagnosing ADHD, including suggestions for making differential diagnoses and for handling discrepancies across different sources of evaluation data.
The Efficiency Gap After Gill v. Whitford

Objective The objective of this article is to analyze the reasoning underpinning the Supreme Court's rejection of the efficiency gap in Gill v. Whitford as a useful measure of partisan fairness in redistricting. Methods I undertake this analysis by reviewing prior judicial commentary on measures of partisan fairness and debates among political science professionals concerning how and whether to use aggregate statewide seat and vote totals to assess whether there is bias across legislative district elections. Results The analysis reveals that the Supreme Court's rejection of the efficiency gap and other statewide measures of partisan fairness is based upon thoughtful skepticism of the extent to which votes cast under different conditions in different legislative districts for choices among discrete slates of candidates can be aggregated meaningfully into statewide measures that ignore these district‐specific conditions. This skepticism is reinforced by debates among scholars about how and whether partisan votes can be aggregated in this manner. Conclusion The Court's rejection of the efficiency gap and skepticism about other aggregate measures of partisan fairness in redistricting reinforces the extensive criticism of using the single‐member district electoral system. It distorts electoral outcomes, limits voter choice, and, thereby, renders comparisons of partisan votes in different districts quite questionable. A shift to multimember districts with some form of proportional representation such as ranked choice voting would resolve much of the criticism of and uncertainty in redistricting analysis based on the statewide aggregation of discrete legislative district election results.
Decontamination Methods for Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators.

Importance The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has proven to be highly infectious, putting health care professionals around the world at increased risk. Furthermore, there are widespread shortages of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for these individuals. Filtering facepiece respirators, such as the N95 respirator, intended for single use, can be reused in times of need. We explore the evidence for decontamination or sterilization of N95 respirators for health care systems seeking to conserve PPE while maintaining the health of their workforce. Observations The filtration properties and fit of N95 respirators must be preserved to function adequately over multiple uses. Studies have shown that chemical sterilization using soap and water, alcohols, and bleach render the respirator nonfunctional. Decontamination with microwave heat and high dry heat also result in degradation of respirator material. UV light, steam, low-dry heat, and commercial sterilization methods with ethylene oxide or vaporized hydrogen peroxide appear to be viable options for successful decontamination. Furthermore, since the surface viability of the novel coronavirus is presumed to be 72 hours, rotating N95 respirator use and allowing time decontamination of the respirators is also a reasonable option. We describe a protocol and best practice recommendations for redoffing decontaminated N95 and rotating N95 respirator use. Conclusions and Relevance COVID-19 presents a high risk for health care professionals, particularly otolaryngologists, owing to the nature of viral transmission, including possible airborne transmission and high viral load in the upper respiratory tract. Proper PPE is effective when used correctly, but in times of scarce resources, institutions may turn to alternative methods of preserving and reusing filtering facepiece respirators. Based on studies conducted on the decontamination of N95 respirators after prior outbreaks, there are several options for institutions to consider for both immediate and large-scale implementation.
Systems-based proteomics to resolve the biology of Alzheimer’s disease beyond amyloid and tau

The repeated failures of amyloid-targeting therapies have challenged our narrow understanding of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis and inspired wide-ranging investigations into the underlying mechanisms of disease. Increasing evidence indicates that AD develops from an intricate web of biochemical and cellular processes that extend far beyond amyloid and tau accumulation. This growing recognition surrounding the diversity of AD pathophysiology underscores the need for holistic systems-based approaches to explore AD pathogenesis. Here we describe how network-based proteomics has emerged as a powerful tool and how its application to the AD brain has provided an informative framework for the complex protein pathophysiology underlying the disease. Furthermore, we outline how the AD brain network proteome can be leveraged to advance additional scientific and translational efforts, including the discovery of novel protein biomarkers of disease.
Preterm human milk at lactation weeks 1 and 4 categorized by maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index: Metabolomics and lipidomics datasets.

Abstract Human milk samples were prospectively obtained from women who delivered prior to the 32nd week of gestation [1] . The 36 preterm human milk samples analysed in this dataset were collected at week 1 and week 4 of lactation. Samples were categorized as being from women with normal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI 18–24.9 kg/m2) versus overweight/obese (BMI ≥25). Whole milk samples were frozen at −80 Celsius without prior processing and shipped for analysis on dry ice. Untargeted metabolomic and lipidomic platforms using UPLC-MS/MS and infusion-MS analysis for select lipids were performed by Metabolon. Lipidomic analysis included detection of complex lipids found in the milk fat globule membrane. Data were categorized by maternal BMI, week of lactation as well as gestational age at delivery. Data sheets are separated based on whether they report metabolomics versus lipidomics, as well as whether they report output from samples collected at week 1 versus week 4 of lactation. These data allow calculating relationships between clinical variables and human milk components. As an illustrative example, correlations between pre-pregnancy BMI and total milk fatty acids were calculated for this report using the Spearman correlation. These data will inform scientists of variability in milk composition attributable to maternal pre-pregnancy BMI as well as changes in milk composition as milk matures during lactation from week 1 to week 4. These data may best be used for generating hypotheses and justification of future work investigating whether maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index impacts preterm human milk composition.
The irreverent life and uncompromising death of Deadspin: Sports blogging as punk journalism:

When its entire staff resigned in protest of management meddling in 2019, Deadspin had become one of the most influential institutions in American sports journalism. This critical essay examines th...
The role of race, religion, and partisanship in misperceptions about COVID-19

Concerns about misperceptions among the public are rampant. Yet, little work explores the correlates of misperceptions in varying contexts – that is, how do factors such as group affiliations, medi...
Differential Privacy for Coverage Analysis of Software Traces

This work considers software execution traces, where a trace is a sequence of run-time events. Each user of a software system collects the set of traces covered by her execution of the software, and reports this set to an analysis server. Our goal is to report the local data of each user in a privacy-preserving manner by employing local differential privacy, a powerful theoretical framework for designing privacy-preserving data analysis. A significant advantage of such analysis is that it offers principled "built-in" privacy with clearly-defined and quantifiable privacy protections. In local differential privacy, the data of an individual user is modified using a local randomizer before being sent to the untrusted analysis server. Based on the randomized information from all users, the analysis server computes, for each trace, an estimate of how many users have covered it. Such analysis requires that the domain of possible traces be defined ahead of time. Unlike in prior related work, here the domain is either infinite or, at best, restricted to many billions of elements. Further, the traces in this domain typically have structure defined by the static properties of the software. To capture these novel aspects, we define the trace domain with the help of context-free grammars. We illustrate this approach with two exemplars: a call chain analysis in which traces are described through a regular language, and an enter/exit trace analysis in which traces are described by a balanced-parentheses context-free language. Randomization over such domains is challenging due to their large size, which makes it impossible to use prior randomization techniques. To solve this problem, we propose to use count sketch, a fixed-size hashing data structure for summarizing frequent items. We develop a version of count sketch for trace analysis and demonstrate its suitability for software execution data. In addition, instead of randomizing separately each contribution to the sketch, we develop a much-faster one-shot randomization of the accumulated sketch data. One important client of the collected information is the identification of high-frequency ("hot") traces. We develop a novel approach to identify hot traces from the collected randomized sketches. A key insight is that the very large domain of possible traces can be efficiently explored for hot traces by using the frequency estimates of a visited trace and its prefixes and suffixes. Our experimental study of both call chain analysis and enter/exit trace analysis indicates that the frequency estimates, as well as the identification of hot traces, achieve high accuracy and high privacy.
Nitrogen-based green flame retardants for bio-polyurethanes

Abstract This chapter gives a broad scope for the synthesis of flame-retardant bio-polyurethanes and deepens the specific concepts on the main approaches, designs, and procedures that include the use of biomaterials for the synthesis of polyols and how to implement nitrogen-based flame retardants to impart high efficacy in the process. The types of flame retardants including physical blending and reactive are discussed providing an insight on their advantages and drawbacks to demonstrate when each of those types is effective. Along with that, the fire inhibition mechanisms are discussed in detail, providing the main concepts as well as specifics, which are the key factors to understand and designed procedures that mix different compounds to optimize the process. The synergy effect between nitrogen and other element-based flame retardants is also explored, with the emphasis on carbon and phosphorus-based materials. Therefore, this chapter is aimed to demonstrate novel and sustainable approaches for flame-retardant bio-polyurethanes that are a trend among the scientific community and industries.