cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Economic Implications of theDepartment of Labor’s 2010 Proposalsfor Broker-Dealers

In 2010, the Department of Labor proposed changes that would eliminate third-party incentive payments, such as 12b-1 fees, that may encourage broker-dealers to sell highfee mutual funds to Individual Retirement Account (IRA) customers. The investment industry argues that eliminating these fees could force broker-dealers to charge directly for advice, which could result in less advice being provided and customers making poor investment decisions. This article examines the trade-off between lower fees and poor investment decisions. Our best estimate is that the elimination of 12b-1 fees would reduce IRA customer costs by 4 basis points. If broker-dealers responded by moving customers from high-cost, actively managed funds into low-cost index funds, IRA customers could save another 7 basis points. Broker-dealers are unlikely to change their business model with respect to the provision of advice as a result of the loss of 12b-1 fees. The article also uses an inter-temporal optimization model to quantify the potential benefits and costs of reform to households. This exercise points to relatively modest potential benefits, but even more modest costs under plausible assumptions. Several more extensive reforms are suggested to ensure that IRA savings are invested more effectively.
Packaging multichip modules (MCMs) into SEM-E configurations

The authors describe, in the context of a particular processor system development, a multichip module (MCM) technology aimed at meeting the challenges of application of advanced digital electronics systems in military platforms. In 1989, ERIM began a program to develop a multimodal advanced target recognition (ATR) processing engine. The ATR processor can be configured in any of several physical forms. One configuration is a standard electronics module (SEM-E) frame that fits a 3/4-width standard air transportable rack chassis. This configuration must have a backplane interconnect because of the chassis type. The work to date has developed the electrical, mechanical, and thermal packaging designs that are outlined. >
Adaptive coordination among fuzzy reinforcement learning agents performing distributed dynamic load balancing

We present an adaptive multi-agent coordination algorithm applied to the problem of distributed dynamic load balancing. As a specific example, we consider the problem of dynamic web caching in the Internet. In our general formulation of this problem, each agent represents a mirrored piece of content that tries to move itself closer to areas of the network with a high demand for this item. Each agent in our model uses a fuzzy rule base for choosing the optimal direction of motion and adjusts the parameters of this rule base using reinforcement learning. The resulting architecture for multi-agent coordination among fuzzy reinforcement learning agents (MAC-FRL) allows the team of agents to adaptively redistribute its members in the environment to match the changing pattern of demand. We simulate the performance of MAC-FRL and show that it significantly improves performance over non-coordinating agents.
Effects of Foraging Activity on Sexual Segregation in Mule Deer

We retrospectively tested whether differences in activity patterns and foraging efficiency by males and females were responsible for sexual segregation in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). These deer spatially segregated by sex during the dry season (May‐October), which encompassed parturition, and aggregated during the wet season (November‐April), which included rut. Activity did not differ among types of social groups of deer (mixed-sex, adult male, or adult female), but was greater during the dry season than in the wet season. Foraging efficiency (percentage of active deer feeding) was greater in mixed-sex groups than in groups of either adult males or adult females during both wet and dry seasons. We rejected the hypothesis that differences in activity or foraging efficiency lead to spatial segregation of the sexes in mule deer; no aspect of that hypothesis will explain why sexes use space or other resources differentially. We propose a new approach that incorporates niche theory and reconciles past difficulties in how best to interpret sexual segregation in ungulates.
Hierarchical modeling to facilitate personalized word prediction for dialogue

The advent and ubiquity of mass-market portable computational devices has opened up new opportunities for the development of assistive technologies for disabilities, especially within the domain of augmentative and alternative communications (AAC) devices. Word prediction can facilitate everyday communication on mobile devices by reducing the physical interactions required to produce dialogue with them. To support personalized word prediction, a text prediction system should learn from the user's own data to update the initial learned likelihoods that provide high quality "out of the box" performance. Within this lies an inherent trade-off: a larger corpus of initial training data can yield better default performance, but may also increase the amount of user data required for personalization of the system to be effective. We investigate a learning approach employing hierarchical modeling of phrases expected to offer sufficient "out of the box" performance relative to other learning approaches, while reducing the amount of initial training data required to facilitate on-line personalization of the text prediction system. The key insight of the proposed approach is the separation of stopwords, which primarily play syntactical roles in phrases, from keywords, which provide context and meaning in the phrase. This allows the abstraction of a phrase from an ordered list of all words to an ordered list of keywords. Thus the proposed hierarchical modeling of phrases employs two layers: keywords and stopwords. A third level abstracting the keywords to a single topic is also considered, combining the power of both topic modeling and trigrams to make predictions within and between layers. Empirically relaxed versions of the developed models are evaluated on training data composed of a mixture of slightly modified dialogues from the Santa Barbara Corpus of Spoken American English. Performance is measured in terms of the number of user interactions (keystroke or touch screen event) required to complete a phrase. We compare their performance against a system employing no prediction.
Impact factor versus impact to readers: not necessarily at odds.

![Figure][1] A few months ago, we learned that the Journal of the American College of Cardiology had achieved the number 1 status for Impact Factor among the 125 cardiovascular journals in the world. This was a tremendous honor for the Journal , and one for which I must applaud the work of my
Kodak Versus Fuji (B): A Section 301 Petition: Fuji Responds

This series of cases (see also the A [UVA-BP-0370] and C [UVA-BP-0373] cases) examines Eastman Kodak's Section 301 petition against Fuji Film Company of Japan and the Japanese government, Fuji's response, and the U.S. trade representative's role in the dispute. The cases are a vehicle for discussing key aspects of U.S. trade policy, the World Trade Organization, and the nature of global competition in the photographic-film industry.
Infrared Properties of Unusual Initial State Interactions

The related roles of gauge invariance and of initial coherent/ degenerate states in the factorization of QCD processes into short-distance and long-distance parts are discussed. For ππ →μ+μ - + X it is shown that although the systematic summation over all possible spectator interactions removes the outside soft-IR divergences in the non- overlapping ladder Glauber diagrams, unphysical inside soft-IR divergences persist. So, the on-shell Glauber region is not a gauge invariant concept which can be physically isolated from radiative corrections which non-trivially involve other diagrammatic regions. It is conjectured that in QCD non-factorization is inconsistent with local gauge invariance.
Piezotronic Effect on the Output Voltage of P3HT/ZnO Micro/Nanowire Heterojunction Solar Cells

We report the first observation of piezotronic effect on the output voltage of a flexible heterojunction solar cell. The solar cell was fabricated by contacting poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) with one end of a ZnO micro/nanowire to form a p–n heterojunction on a flexible polystyrene (PS) substrate. The open-circuit voltage Voc of the solar cell was characterized by tuning the strain-induced polarization charges at the interface between ZnO and P3HT. The experimental data were understood based on the modification of the band structure at the p–n junction by the piezopotential, which is referred as a result of the piezotronic effect. This study not only provides an in-depth understanding about the effect but also is useful for maximizing the output of a solar cell using wurtzite structured materials.
Analysis of Infants Death in A Children's Hospital Emergency Room

Objectives: To determine the predisposing factors of unsuccessful rescue and the leading underlying diseases of infants death in the ER. Methods: To review the rescue medical records of all who arrived at the ER of Children's Hospital during the period January 1, 1997 to December 1, 2001. Results: 142 infants were failed to rescue in the ER. Apnea, pneumonia, congenital anomalies, diarrhea and intracranial lesions were the most common underlying diseases of the infants death. 103(72.6% ) patients were arrived at the ER by public transportation or taxi without medical personels accompanied and only 21 infants(l4. 8% ), by ambulance. 124 were found dead immediately arrived at ER. Conclusions: Respiratory and central nervous diseases were the most common underlying diseases of the neonatal and infants dead at the ER. Limited medical resources were used by the public during transportation. Cardiopulmonary arrest occurred out-of-hospital in most neonatal and infants dead at the ER. It is not overemphasized to establish a referral net-work and to safely transport the patients.
Comparison of Vacuum and Aspiration on Phacoemulsification Efficiency and Chatter Using a Monitored Forced Infusion System

Purpose To evaluate the effect of vacuum and aspiration rates on phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter using a monitored forced infusion system. Design In vitro animal study. Methods Setting: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Procedures: Formalin-soaked porcine lenses were divided into 2 mm cubes (tip diameter, 0.9 mm). Vacuum levels were tested at 200, 300, 400, and 500 mm Hg; aspiration rates at 20, 35, and 50 mL/min. Torsional power was set at 60% and intraocular pressure at 50 mm Hg. Results Increasing vacuum increased efficiency regardless of aspiration rates (R 2 = 0.92; P = .0004). Increasing aspiration further increased efficiency when vacuum was at 400 and 500 mm Hg ( P = .004 for 20 vs 35 mL/min, P = .0008 for 35 vs 50 mL/min). At 200 and 300 mm Hg, efficiency only improved when increasing aspiration to 35 mL/min ( P P = .003 for 200 vs 300 mm Hg and P = .045 for 300 vs 500 mm Hg). A similar trend of improved chatter was seen with increasing levels of aspiration. Conclusions Vacuum improved efficiency up to 500 mm Hg independent of flow. Flow has an additive effect on efficiency through 50 mL/min, when vacuum is at 400 mm Hg or higher, and only up to 35 mL/min at vacuums less than 400 mm Hg. Chatter correlated with both vacuum and flow such that increasing either parameter decreases chatter, up to 400 mm Hg with vacuum.
Li intercalation at graphene/hexagonal boron nitride interfaces

Intercalation of Li in graphite and other layered structures is of interest for highly efficient energy storage devices. In this paper, we determine the extent to which Li intercalates at the different interfaces formed between graphene (G) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) heterostructures. We use ab initio calculations to explore in detail the position of the dispersed Li atoms, changes in the structure at the interfaces, energetic stability of the configurations, and the corresponding electronic structure with varying concentrations of the intercalant. We trace the origin of the energetic stability and maximum concentration of Li that intercalates into various layered structures to the ability of the interface to accept electrons. Our calculations indicate that Li intercalates easiest at G/G interfaces, followed by interfaces between G/hBN, whereas Li cannot intercalate in hBN/hBN interfaces. Our results provide a framework for the design of experimental setups with optimal Li intercalation and reveal the implications of intercalation on the dielectric properties of these materials and their possible application in plasmonics.
An Improved Method for Collecting the Liquid Fraction of Bee Venom

SUMMARYBy introducing a cooling system into an existing apparatus for collecting bee venom, it was possible to obtain large enough quantities of the liquid fraction to facilitate chemical analysis. Gas chromatograms showed at least 13 peaks, one of which is presumed to be iso-amyl acetate. The effect on bees of this substance, and of the liquid fraction now obtained, is described briefly.
Determination of microvascular oxyhemoglobin saturations using cryospectrophotometry

Although a four-wavelength method for cryospectrophotometric measurement of intravascular oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) saturations has previously been described, the relationship between experimental measurements and theory has not been clearly detailed. The current work utilizes an empirical relationship between HbO2 saturation measurements and reflected light oximetry, which is consistent with the two-flux theory of Kubelka and Munk (Z. Tech. Phys. 11a: 593-603, 1931). To obtain linear, concentration-independent calibration curves, the theoretical results require that 1) the complex function relating optical density, scattering, and absorption can be linearly approximated over the range of scattering and absorption coefficients used; and 2) the scattering coefficient is independent of wavelength. Incident light cannot easily be measured using reflection spectroscopy, which precludes the determination of isosbestic points. Therefore, equibestic wave-length pairs were used at which optical density differences were invariant with saturation. This allows numerous wavelength sets over the range 540-600 nm to be selected, rather than the limited choices of isosbestic wavelengths. Finally, the effects of freeze rate, freeze depth, Hb concentration, and vessel diameter are each discussed in terms of their influence on experimental measurements.
Efficient observation selection in probabilistic graphical models using Bayesian lower bounds

Real-world data often includes rich relational information, which can be leveraged to help predict unknown variables using a small amount of observed variables via a propagation effect. We consider the problem of selecting the best subset of variables to observe to maximize the overall prediction accuracy. Under the Bayesian framework, the optimal subset should be chosen to minimize the Bayesian optimal error rate, which, unfortunately, is critically challenging to calculate when the variables follow complex and high dimensional probabilistic distributions such as graphical models. In this paper, we propose to use a class of Bayesian lower bounds, including Bayesian Cramer Rao bounds as well as a novel extension of it to discrete graphical models, as surrogate criteria for optimal subset selection, providing a set of computationally efficient algorithms. Extensive experiments are presented to demonstrate our algorithm on both simulated and real-world datasets.
Precision Polymer Synthesis via Chemoselective, Stereoselective, and Living/Controlled Polymerization of Polar Divinyl Monomers

Post-polymerization modification of polymers carrying reactive side-chain groups has been a successful method to introduce target functionalities into polymer systems, based commonly on atactic amorphous polymers. Effective synthetic methods for obtaining stereoregular functional polymers from polymerization of polar divinyl monomers must achieve not only high chemoselectivity and livingness of the polymerization, but also high stereoregularity of the polymer main-chain backbone, preferably under ambient reaction conditions for a facile manipulation over the spatial orientation of such functional groups. In this account, we review some recent metal-mediated coordination polymerization systems that are simultaneously chemoselective, stereo­selective, and living/controlled for obtaining highly stereoregular and densely functionalized polymers. In addition, we compare such results with those obtained by certain organocatalysts and describe the efforts to post-functionalize the olefin-carrying stereoregular polymers with the efficient thiol-ene ‘click’ reaction. 1 Introduction 2 Metal-Catalyzed Coordination-Addition Polymerization of Polar Divinyl Monomers 3 Organocatalyzed Conjugate-Addition Polymerization of Polar Divinyl Monomers 4 Post-Functionalization of Vinyl-Containing Stereoregular Polymers 5 Conclusions and Outlook
Numerical simulations of permeability of plain and blended cement pastes

The durability of a concrete structure is principally dependent on its permeability, which governs the rate of transport of fluid through the concrete pore network. This paper presents a numerical model based on the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) to calculate the saturated permeability of cement pastes, including blended cement pastes, wherein cement is replaced partially by an inert filler. The LBM uses a discretized form of the Boltzmann equation to simulate the pressure-gradient induced flow of a fluid through a porous microstructure. The accuracy of the algorithms implemented in the LBM are verified against analytical solutions of permeability of simple geometries. A microstructural model is used to generate three dimensional (3D) microstructures of cement pastes. The effects of liquid-to-solid ratio (l/s), degree of hydration of cement (DOH), filler content, and physical properties of the cement and filler (e.g., PSD: particle size distribution, affinity towards nucleation of hydrates on their surfaces) are evaluated. The simulations are verified against experimental measurements and numerically derived values of permeability published in literature. Results obtained from the simulations show that in both plain and blended pastes, the permeability increases and decreases monotonically, though in a nonlinear manner, over several orders of magnitude, in relation to the effective capillary porosity and the DOH, respectively. At equivalent DOHs, pastes consisting of finer anhydrous (i.e., cement or filler) particles have lower permeability compared to those prepared with coarser particles. This is attributed to the improved packing of finer particles at the time of mixing, which increases the likelihood of 3D percolation of solid phases and, ultimately, results in a higher connected volume of solid phases and a poorly connected capillary pore space within the microstructure. It is shown that in blended pastes, those prepared using a filler with a greater affinity towards nucleation and growth of hydrates on their surfaces have a higher volume of percolated solid phases, and, hence, lower permeability.
Informed Systems for Participatory Organizations : Contributions from International Researchers

Informed Systems honors stakeholder perspective and values information experience through inclusive construction of workplace systems and participatory processes. Enabling design tools and inclusive information processes support planning and building organizational communication systems for evidence based inquiry and continuous team learning. In this North American example, international researchers’ contributions illustrate the efficacy of introducing theory from Australia and methods from Sweden to re-invent an academic library. To initiate transformative change at the University of Colorado Denver, Scandinavian participation design practices guided co-creation of shared vision and systems purpose.. Building upon these catalytic collective experiences, an organizational learning culture was advanced through introduction of Australian informed learning principles. This maturation model guided enactment of evidence-based decisionmaking and decision taking practices for information sharing and knowledge exchange activities. Longitudinal results suggest that such conversation-rich dialogic organization development benefits from introduction and guidance by international researchers with deep knowledge and nuanced experience.
Health4Families: An intervention to improve weight and health behaviors in families with hereditary breast/ovarian cancer or Lynch syndrome.

1555Background: Physical activity, diet, and healthy weight may reduce cancer risk in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome (LS) families. Evidence-based programs to help a...
Impaired memory consolidation in children with obstructive sleep disordered breathing.

Memory consolidation is stabilized and even enhanced by sleep (and particularly by 12–15 Hz sleep spindles in NREM stage 2 sleep) in healthy children but it is unclear what happens to these processes when sleep is disturbed by obstructive sleep disordered breathing. This cross-sectional study investigates differences in declarative memory consolidation among children with primary snoring (PS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared to controls. We further investigate whether memory consolidation group differences are associated with NREM stage 2 (N2) sigma (12–15 Hz) or NREM slow oscillation (0.5–1 Hz) spectral power bands. In this study, we trained and tested participants on a spatial declarative memory task with cued recall. Retest occurred after a period of daytime wake (Wake) or a night of sleep (Sleep) with in-lab polysomnography. 36 participants ages 5–9 years completed the protocol: 14 with OSA as defined by respiratory disturbance index (RDI) > 1/hour, 12 with primary snoring (PS) and 10 controls. OSA participants had poorer overall memory consolidation than controls across Wake and Sleep conditions [OSA: mean = -18.7% (5.8), controls: mean = 1.9% (7.2), t = -2.20, P = 0.04]. In contrast, PS participants and controls had comparable memory consolidation across conditions (t = 0.41; P = 0.38). We did not detect a main effect for condition (Sleep, Wake) or group x condition interaction on memory consolidation. OSA participants had lower N2 sigma power than PS (P = 0.03) and controls (P = 0.004) and N2 sigma power inversely correlated with percentage of time snoring on the study night (r = -0.33, P<0.05). Across all participants, N2 sigma power modestly correlated with memory consolidation in both Sleep (r = 0.37, P = 0.03) and Wake conditions (r = 0.44, P = 0.009). Further observed variable path analysis showed that N2 sigma power mediated the relationship between group and mean memory consolidation across Sleep and Wake states [Bindirect = 6.76(3.5), z = 2.03, P = 0.04]. NREM slow oscillation power did not correlate with memory consolidation. All results retained significance after controlling for age and BMI. In sum, participants with mild OSA had impaired memory consolidation and results were mediated by N2 sigma power. These results suggest that N2 sigma power could serve as biomarker of risk for cognitive dysfunction in children with sleep disordered breathing.
Resilience in a two-population system: interactions between Allee effects and connectivity

Resilience in ecosystems and resistance to regime shifts has been a major focus in ecological research. How migration and general network dynamics affect the resilience of populations or induce regime shift cascades is a particularly challenging open question in theoretical ecology. We focus on regime shifts in populations with variable-strength Allee effects to demonstrate the effect of migration on resilience in two-population systems with critical transitions. The result is a mathematical model that justifies the assumption that resilience can be averaged across connected populations and suggests several management strategies to either avoid or induce regime shift cascades.
Fifty shades of organising kinkster events: munch events in the BDSM community

The purpose of this paper is to explore the practical issues and concerns of the organisers of BDSM non-play events. Previous research has shown that these events are critical elements in their lifestyle/community. While something is known about the events and their centrality in BDSM culture, no research has yet investigated munch events from the perspective of the organiser of munches and similar events. This article investigates munch events to show how organisers deal with the challenges of organising munches throughout the world, based upon data from a global survey of munch organisers. The findings indicate that the organisers are largely self-selected individuals who organise munches to fulfil a community need. The findings not only show us what munch organisers face in terms of challenges but suggest models for a collaborative economy and the need for further investigations into the motivations of volunteer organisers of events.
Broadband Energy Harvesting Performance of a Piezoelectrically Generated Bistable Laminate

The vibration based energy harvesting performance of a piezoelectrically generated bistable laminate consisting of only Macro Fiber Composites (MFC) is experimentally characterized. Conventionally, piezoelectric transducers are bonded onto thermally induced bistable composite laminates and exhibit broadband cross-well dynamics that are exploited for improved power generation over linear resonant harvesters. Recently, a novel method of inducing bistability was proposed by bonding two actuated MFCs in a [0 MFC ∕90 MFC ] T layup and releasing the voltage post cure to create in-plane residual stresses and yield two cylindrically stable configurations. Forward and backward frequency sweeps at multiple acceleration levels across the first two observed modes of the laminate’s two states are performed to identify all dynamic regimes and the corresponding voltages produced by each MFC. Besides single-well oscillations, snap throughs are observed in intermittencies, subharmonic, chaotic, and limit cycle oscillations across wide frequency ranges. Resistor sweeps are conducted for each regime to determine maximum power outputs, and single and multi-frequency performance metrics accounting for laminate volume, mass, input accelerations, and frequencies are evaluated for the laminate. A performance comparison with conventional bistable composite harvesters demonstrate the laminate’s viability for energy harvesting, allowing it to be multi-functional in combination with its snap through morphing capability.
How we use hospice: Hospice enrollment patterns and costs in elderly ovarian cancer patients

Abstract Objective To describe disparities in patterns of hospice use and end-of-life costs among ovarian cancer patients. Methods Using Texas Cancer Registry-Medicare data, ovarian cancer patients deceased 2005–2012 with >12 months of continuous Medicare coverage before death were included. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regressions were used to evaluate patterns of hospice use. Cost and resource utilization was obtained from Medicare claims and analyzed using a non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Results 2331 patients were assessed: 1788 (77%) white, 359 (15%) Hispanic, 158 (7%) black and 26 (1%) other. 1756 (75%) enrolled in hospice prior to death but only 1580 (68%) died with hospice. 176 (10%) of 1756 patients unenrolled and died without hospice. 346 (20%) unenrolled from hospice multiple times. From 2008 to 2012, patients were less likely to unenroll from hospice prior to death. Black patients were more likely to unenroll from hospice prior to death (OR 2.07 [1.15–3.73]; p = 0.02) compared to white patients. The median amount paid by Medicare during the last six months of life was $38,530 for those in hospice compared to $49,942 if never enrolled in hospice (p Conclusion Recently, more patients remain enrolled in hospice, but black patients have a higher risk of unenrollment. Hospice enrollment was associated with lower costs as long as a patient did not unenroll from hospice.
Bridge to recovery and myocardial cell division: a paradigm shift?

The heart failure epidemic continues largely unabated, with more than 26 million people affected worldwide [(1,2)][1]. Despite “optimal medical treatment,” severe forms of the disease carry a very poor prognosis [(3–6)][2], with cardiac transplantation being the only long-term solution. Due to
Verifying intervention policies to counter infection propagation over networks: a model checking approach

Spread of infections (diseases, ideas, etc.) in a network can be modeled as the evolution of states of nodes in a graph as a function of the states of their neighbors. Given an initial configuration of a network in which a subset of the nodes have been infected, and an infection propagation function that specifies how the states of the nodes evolve over time, we show how to use model checking to identify, verify, and evaluate the effectiveness of intervention policies for containing the propagation of infection over such networks.
Latency relationships between cerebral blood flow velocity and intracranial pressure

Pulsatile intracranial pressure (ICP) is a key to the understanding of several neurological disorders in which compliance is altered, e.g., hydrocephalus. A recently proposed model suggests that ICP pulse is a standing wave and not a transmitted wave. The present work, aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the pulsatility in the cranium, tries to test the following hypotheses: first, ICP pulse onset latency would be lower than that of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) pulses measured at a distal vessel; second, CBFV pulse at different intracranial arteries will have different pulse onset latencies, and hence they are not generated as a standing wave. The dataset used in the present study consists of ICP and CBFV signals collected from 60 patients with different diagnoses. The results reveal that the ICP pulse leads CBFV for 90% of the patients regardless of the diagnosis and mean ICP value. In addition, we show that CBFV pulse onset latency is roughly determined by the distance of the measurement point to the heart. We conclude that the ICP signal is not generated as a standing wave and that ICP pulse onset may be related to the arteries proximal to the heart.
High-Resolution Chromatin Mapping in Heart Failure: Some Answers, but More Questions.

Article, see p 1613 The long-standing quest to define the basic mechanisms responsible for the development and progression of heart failure has yielded important insights into the myriad of cellular, molecular, and anatomic changes that occur in the failing heart, and how these changes are modulated by the use of evidence-based medical and device therapies, as well, that lead to improvements in clinical outcomes. The preponderance of data suggests that clinical heart failure develops in response to a series of complex interactions involving changes in the biology of the cardiac myocyte, changes in the number of cardiac myocytes, and changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix, which lead collectively to changes in left ventricular (LV) structure and function (reviewed in reference1). Among the more important changes in the biology of the failing cardiac myocyte are those related to the expression levels for genes that regulate sarcomere function, excitation-contraction coupling, the cytoskeleton, and cardiac energetics.1 Whereas prior studies have identified an important role for activation of specific DNA-binding transcription factors with respect to the dysregulated gene expression profile in heart failure, more recent studies have suggested that histone modifications and changes in chromatin structure may play an equally important role in regulating the transcriptional dynamics of the failing heart.2,3 Accordingly, the study by Rosa-Garrido et al4 in this issue of Circulation that examines high-resolution mapping of chromatin conformation is …
Evolution of 316L stainless steel feedstock due to laser powder bed fusion process

Abstract Some of the primary barriers to widespread adoption of metal additive manufacturing (AM) are persistent defect formation in built components, high material costs, and lack of consistency in powder feedstock. To generate more reliable, complex-shaped metal parts, it is crucial to understand how feedstock properties change with reuse and how that affects build mechanical performance. Powder particles interacting with the energy source, yet not consolidated into an AM part can undergo a range of dynamic thermal interactions, resulting in variable particle behavior if reused. In this work, we present a systematic study of 316L powder properties from the virgin state through thirty powder reuses in the laser powder bed fusion process. Thirteen powder characteristics and the resulting AM build mechanical properties were investigated for both powder states. Results show greater variability in part ductility for the virgin state. The feedstock exhibited minor changes to size distribution, bulk composition, and hardness with reuse, but significant changes to particle morphology, microstructure, magnetic properties, surface composition, and oxide thickness. Additionally, sieved powder, along with resulting fume/condensate and recoil ejecta (spatter) properties were characterized. Formation mechanisms are proposed. It was discovered that spatter leads to formation of single crystal ferrite through large degrees of supercooling and massive solidification. Ferrite content and consequently magnetic susceptibility of the powder also increases with reuse, suggesting potential for magnetic separation as a refining technique for altered feedstock.
Targeted Elimination of Senescent Beta Cells Prevents Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to progressive loss of pancreatic beta cells. Immune-mediated beta cell destruction drives the disease, but whether beta cells actively participate in the pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we show that during the natural history of T1D in humans and the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model, a subset of beta cells acquires a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Senescent beta cells upregulated pro-survival mediator Bcl-2, and treatment of NOD mice with Bcl-2 inhibitors selectively eliminated these cells without altering the abundance of the immune cell types involved in the disease. Significantly, elimination of senescent beta cells halted immune-mediated beta cell destruction and was sufficient to prevent diabetes. Our findings demonstrate that beta cell senescence is a significant component of the pathogenesis of T1D and indicate that clearance of senescent beta cells could be a new therapeutic approach for T1D.
FSHR-1/GPCR activates the mitochondrial unfolded protein response in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is an evolutionarily conserved adaptive response that functions to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis following mitochondrial damage. In C. elegans, the nervous system plays a central role in responding to mitochondrial stress by releasing endocrine signals that act upon distal tissues to activate the UPRmt. The mechanisms by which mitochondrial stress is sensed by neurons and transmitted to distal tissues is not fully understood. Here, we identify a role for the conserved follicle-stimulating hormone G protein coupled receptor (GPCR), FSHR-1, in promoting UPRmt activation. Genetic deficiency of fshr-1 severely attenuates UPRmt activation and organism-wide survival in response to mitochondrial stress. FSHR-1 functions in a common genetic pathway with SPHK-1/sphingosine kinase to promote UPRmt activation, and FSHR-1 regulates the mitochondrial association of SPHK-1 in the intestine. Through tissue-specific rescue assays, we show that FSHR-1 functions in neurons to activate the UPRmt, to promote mitochondrial association of SPHK-1 in the intestine, and to promote organism-wide survival in response to mitochondrial stress. We propose that FSHR-1 functions cell non-autonomously in neurons to activate UPRmt upstream of SPHK-1 signaling in the intestine.
Efficient Total Syntheses and Structural Verification of Both Diospongins A and B via a Common δ-Lactone Intermediate

The total syntheses of the two aryl C-glycoside natural products diospongins A and B are described. The key reactions involved stereoselective reductions of the appropriate oxocarbenium cations that were derived from a common δ-lactone intermediate.
Hepatitis E Virus Replication

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a small quasi-enveloped, (+)-sense, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Hepeviridae family. There are at least 20 million HEV infections annually and 60,000 HEV-related deaths worldwide. HEV can cause up to 30% mortality in pregnant women and progress to liver cirrhosis in immunocompromised individuals and is, therefore, a greatly underestimated public health concern. Although a prophylactic vaccine for HEV has been developed, it is only licensed in China, and there is currently no effective, non-teratogenic treatment. HEV encodes three open reading frames (ORFs). ORF1 is the largest viral gene product, encoding the replicative machinery of the virus including a methyltransferase, RNA helicase, and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. ORF1 additionally contains a number of poorly understood domains including a hypervariable region, a putative protease, and the so-called ‘X’ and ‘Y’ domains. ORF2 is the viral capsid essential for formation of infectious particles and ORF3 is a small protein essential for viral release. In this review, we focus on the domains encoded by ORF1, which collectively mediate the virus’ asymmetric genome replication strategy. We summarize what is known, unknown, and hotly debated regarding the coding and non-coding regions of HEV ORF1, and present a model of how HEV replicates its genome.
The Catalytic Subunit of cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase

Protein phosphorylation is a common posttranslational modification associated with regulatory processes in eukaryotic cells. Protein kinases represent a large and diverse family of enzymes that catalyze the transfer from the γ-phosphate of ATP to a target protein or peptide. These enzymes regulate most known metabolic pathways by phosphorylating either a serine, threonine or tyrosine residue (Krebs & Beavo, 1979). The first protein kinase to be discovered was phosphorylase kinase (Krebs et al., 1959), but the best understood biochemically is the second to be described, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK) (Walsh et al., 1968). cAPK is one of the simplest and smallest in the large family of protein kinases, which overall show tremendous diversity in terms of size, subunit structure, subcellular localization, and activation mechanism. Despite these differences, however, all eukaryotic protein kinases, including the catalytic subunit of the cAPK, share a conserved catalytic core (Hanks et al., 1988). For this reason, the C-subunit can serve as a framework for the entire protein kinase family (Taylor et al., 1992).
Association of Transient Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Mental Stress With Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Men and Women With Coronary Artery Disease.

Importance Acute mental stress can result in transient endothelial dysfunction, but the prognostic relevance of this phenomenon is unknown. Objective To determine the association between mental stress–induced impairment in endothelium-dependent relaxation as assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation and adverse cardiovascular outcomes among individuals with stable coronary artery disease. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study was conducted at a university-affiliated hospital network between June 2011 and August 2014. A cohort of individuals with stable coronary artery disease were included. Data analysis took place from November 2018 to May 2019. Exposures Study participants were subjected to a laboratory mental stress task (public speaking). Main Outcomes and Measures Flow-mediated vasodilation was measured before and 30 minutes after a public-speaking mental stress task. We examined the association of the rest (prestress), poststress, and δ flow-mediated vasodilation (poststress minus prestress levels) with an adjudicated composite end point of adverse events, including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina leading to revascularization, and heart failure hospitalization, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, medical history, and depression. Results A total of 569 patients were included (mean [SD] age, 62.6 [9.3] years; 420 men [73.8%]). Flow-mediated vasodilation decreased from a mean (SD) of 4.8% (3.7%) before mental stress to 3.9% (3.6%) after mental stress (a 23% reduction;P Conclusions and Relevance In this study, transient endothelial dysfunction with mental stress was associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. Endothelial responses to stress represent a possible mechanism through which psychological stress may affect outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.
Imaging of hypoxia, oxygen consumption and recovery in vivo during ALA-photodynamic therapy using delayed fluorescence of Protoporphyrin IX.

Abstract Background Hypoxic lesions often respond poorly to cancer therapies. Particularly, photodynamic therapy (PDT) consumes oxygen in treated tissues, which in turn lowers its efficacy. Tools for online monitoring of intracellular pO2 are desirable. Methods The pO2 changes were tracked during photodynamic therapy (PDT) with δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in mouse skin, xenograft tumors, and human skin. ALA was applied either topically as Ameluz cream or systemically by injection. Mitochondrial pO2 was quantified by time-gated lifetime-based imaging of delayed fluorescence (DF) of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). Results pO2-weighted images were obtained with capture-times of several seconds, radiant exposures near 10 mJ/cm2, spatial resolution of 0.3 mm, and a broad dynamic range 1−50 mmHg, corresponding to DF lifetimes ≈20−2000 μs. The dose-rate effect on oxygen consumption was investigated in mouse skin. A fluence rate of 1.2 mW/cm2 did not cause any appreciable oxygen depletion, whereas 6 mW/cm2 and 12 mW/cm2 caused severe oxygen depletion after radiant exposures of only 0.4−0.8 J/cm2 and Conclusions Time-gated imaging of PpIX DF seems to be a unique tool for direct online monitoring of pO2 changes during PDT with a promising potential for research purposes as well as for comparatively easy clinical translation to improve efficacy in PDT treatment.
Screening soybean cyst nematode effectors for their ability to suppress plant immunity

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, is one of the most destructive pathogens of soybeans. SCN is an obligate and sedentary parasite that transforms host plant root cells into an elaborate permanent feeding site, a syncytium. Formation and maintenance of a viable syncytium is an absolute requirement for nematode growth and reproduction. In turn, sensing pathogen attack, plants activate defence responses and may trigger programmed cell death at the sites of infection. For successful parasitism, H. glycines must suppress these host defence responses to establish and maintain viable syncytia. Similar to other pathogens, H. glycines engages in these molecular interactions with its host via effector proteins. The goal of this study was to conduct a comprehensive screen to identify H. glycines effectors that interfere with plant immune responses. We used Nicotiana benthamiana plants infected by Pseudomonas syringae and Pseudomonas fluorescens strains. Using these pathosystems, we screened 51 H. glycines effectors to identify candidates that could inhibit effector-triggered immunity (ETI) and/or pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI). We identified three effectors as ETI suppressors and seven effectors as PTI suppressors. We also assessed expression modulation of plant immune marker genes as a function of these suppressors.
Half-Lives of Mn 52 and Mn 54

Manganese activities produced by deuteron bombardment of chromium powder and radiochemically purified both by standard chemical techniques and ion-exchange chromatography, have been counted for a period of 2500 hr. The half-life of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{54}$ is determined to be 291\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 days, while that of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{52}$ is found to be 5.72\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 days.
Laypeople’s Knowledge and Misconceptions of Sex Trafficking Influenced by Training Formats

Despite the global epidemic of sex trafficking, laypeople and professionals possess little knowledge about trafficking. Lack of awareness engenders failed victim identification, victim-blaming atti...
Contextualizing barriers to long-acting reversible contraception in Delaware.

Abstract Objective We conducted this study to examine barriers to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) that persist in the context of a large-scale LARC program, Delaware Contraceptive Access Now (Del-CAN), that has actively endeavored to remove such barriers. Study design In 2016-2017, we conducted in-depth interviews with 86 self-identified women of reproductive age, diverse along the lines of age, race, and class, in the state of Delaware on their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding contraception. We analyzed the interviews using an inductive coding process. Results We found that, even in the midst of Del-CAN's efforts, meso and macro-level contexts, including provider-patient communication and clinic/practice structures, reinforced LARC barriers related to knowledge, access, and side effects. Conclusions The multi-level contexts and nuances we illuminate in our study currently fall outside the purview of well-intentioned, large-scale initiatives such as Del-CAN, that attempt to address and ameliorate oft-researched barriers. Thus, these barriers persist within provider-patient interactions and clinic/practice policies and structures. Implications The evaluated LARC-based intervention, Del-CAN, cannot fully address issues around provider autonomy, inadequate provider-patient communication, or practice-specific policies and criteria. In order for this intervention, and others like it, to be successful, they must be aware of and prepared to address such dimensions in their efforts.
Comparison of various basal insulin dose adjustments for inpatients while unable to eat.

Background The American Diabetes Association recommends basal insulin or basal plus correctional insulin regimen for non-critically ill patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus unable to eat. There is limited evidence available examining ideal basal insulin dose reductions in this patient population. Aim This study aimed to determine the percent reduction of maintenance basal insulin that would provide the least hypoglycemic incidence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the non-intensive care unit setting. Methods This retrospective cohort study evaluated adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus prescribed outpatient basal insulin with a minimum unable to eat status of two hours. Patients were divided into four groups; 75% of basal insulin administered compared to home dose. The primary endpoint was the incidence of hypoglycemia while unable to eat. Secondary endpoints included incidence of hyperglycemia, severe hypoglycemia, median daily blood glucose and hospital length of stay. Results A total of 173 patients were included. The primary outcome of hypoglycemia (5.9% vs. 8.8% vs. 14.3% vs. 12.3%; P = 0.578) was similar in all groups. There were no differences in hyperglycemia (P = 0.0701), severe hypoglycemia (P = 0.578) and median daily blood glucose (P = 0.428). Patients receiving 25–50% of home basal insulin had the longest unable to eat duration (11.5 h; P = 0.026); however, this was not statistically significant when adjusted using the Bonferroni correction for multiple tests. Conclusions No differences were observed in hypoglycemic events for patients unable to eat receiving various basal insulin dose reductions.