cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impedance study of reproducible switching memory effect

The reproducible switching and memory effect in thin film colossal magnetoresistive (CMR) materials has been further studied. A resistive memory device was made in a sandwich structure comprised of Au or Pt top electrode on Pr/sub 0.17/Ca/sub 0.3/MnO/sub 3/ (PCMO) on Pt/LaAIO/sub 3/(100) (LAO), on Pt/TiN/SiO/sub 2//Si, and on YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// (YBCO) on LaAIO3 (100) substrates. In these samples, polycrystalline PCMO films were deposited on polycrystalline Pt films, and (101) ordered PCMO films were epitaxially grown on c-oriented YBCO crystalline films. Both PCMO and YBCO films were deposited by pulse laser deposition (PLD). The top Au electrode was made by dc-sputtering, and in the case of Pt top and bottom electrodes they were deposited by e-beam evaporation. We have characterized the temperature dependence of the device resistance change R(T) upon electric pulse switching. We have also measured the impedance spectroscopy Z(T,/spl Omega/) of the device in the temperature range of 77K to 300K and the frequency range from 10 to I06 Hz for both the low- resistance and high-resistance states of the resistive memory device. The influence of intrinsic film defects on switching and fatigue properties of the non-volatile resistive memory device, and the switching mechanism itself are discussed.
President Trump and the “Fringe”

The “fringe”—rejected and marginalized ideas and beliefs—has historically been clearly divided from the cultural and political mainstream. However, recent technological developments have weakened the boundary separating them. The Internet and social media have made it possible for fringe ideas to move much more readily into the mainstream. The Trump campaign was accompanied by the massive infusion of fringe motifs including the denigration of ethnic and religious groups; the support of political extremists; and the acceptance of conspiracy theories. As the fringe becomes legitimated by this mainstreaming, the possibilities for violence increase.
Calcium as a chemopreventive agent against colorectal neoplasm: does obesity play a role?

Concerning the chemopreventive potential of calcium against colorectal neoplasms, strong evidence from initial randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of colorectal adenoma has not been confirmed from the most recent large RCT. To explain the conflicting results, a new hypothesis was proposed that the benefit of calcium may be confined to lean individuals. To test this hypothesis, we examined heterogeneity of the associations of calcium intake with adenoma and CRC, using data from the most recent meta-analyses of observational studies and conducting subgroup analysis by average body mass index (BMI) of study population. An inverse association of calcium intake with adenoma and CRC did not vary by population average BMI. By anatomical subsites of CRC, while there was no significant evidence of heterogeneity by population average BMI (P heterogeneity > 0.05), the benefit of calcium was confined to studies with population average BMI of ≥25 kg/m2 for both colon cancer and rectal cancer, contradicting the hypothesis. In our study-level meta-analysis, we found no evidence to support that the chemopreventive potential of calcium, if real, may be stronger in leaner individuals.
Experimental and numerical analysis of the performance and wake of a scale–model horizontal axis marine hydrokinetic turbine

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study of a scale-model Horizontal Axis Hydrokinetic Turbine (HAHT). The model turbine is based on the U.S. Department of Energy Reference Model 1 (RM1), with the blade geometry modified to reproduce the design Cp–TSR performance curve of the RM1 at the flume scale Reynolds numbers (5 × 104–10 × 105). The performance and wake structure of a 45:1 scale turbine were measured using a load cell (torque applied on shaft) and a magnetic angular encoder (rotor rpm), and by planar particle image velocimetry, respectively. The details of the rotor flow field and three-dimensional wake evolution are analyzed from the numerical solution of the RANS equations solved around a computational model of the turbine. The comparison of experimental and numerical results highlights the strengths and limitations of the experimental and numerical analyses in the characterization of HAHT. Useful guidelines for developing experimental flume scale data and using them for validating ...
Responses to Politics: The Role of Psychological Safety in Perceptions of Organizational Politics

Although much of the research on organizational politics highlights its negative effects on important employee work attitudes and behaviors, some evidence indicates that reactions to political envi...
Medicine and Philosophy: The Coming Together of an Odd Couple

Part of the history of bioethics involves the coming together of what can be described as an odd couple—the professions of clinical medicine and moral philosophy. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the medical profession in the U.S. began reaching out to the academic disciplines of philosophy and the other humanities, seeking help in dealing with a number of serious problems facing medicine. These problems included the following: changes in the practice of medicine in the years after World War II had made interactions between physicians and their patients increasingly impersonal; there was widespread dissatisfaction with medical education and its apparent inability to restore the humanism that once had characterized American medicine; the rise of patient autonomy was calling into question traditional medical paternalism; abuses in medical research involving human subjects had come to light, raising concerns that medicine was unable to regulate itself; and advances in biomedical technology were creating new and difficult ethical issues for physicians. Looking back, it is ironic that medicine sought help from philosophy, given that moral philosophy in the English-speaking world during the previous decades had become more and more removed from “real world” problems. The thesis of this essay includes two main assertions: the coming together of medicine and moral philosophy changed both of these fields; and the characteristics that bioethics turned out to have were greatly influenced by the ways in which the interaction between clinical medicine and philosophy unfolded in the context of medical education. In developing this thesis, the author draws upon his own experience as a philosopher who was recruited to teach ethics to medical students and residents.
A PROTECTIVE ROLE OF NERVE ENDINGS IN THE STRESS-STIMULATED INCREASE IN PINEAL N-ACETYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY

Publisher Summary Catecholamines serve as neurotransmitters and adrenal hormones. The activity of pineal N-acetyltransferase is transsynaptically regulated by norepinephrine. N-acetyltransferase activity controls large daily changes in the amount of serotonin, and the amount and rate of production of N-acetylserotonin and melatonin in the pineal gland. This chapter describes the studies suggesting that sympathetic nerve endings in the pineal gland might play a protective role in stress. They act by removing circulating catecholamines from extracellular spaces, thus preventing an increase in N-acetyltransferase activity during stress. The mechanism through which catecholamines are taken up by nerve endings has been well characterized. It functions physiologically to terminate transsynaptic transmission by removing active neurotransmitter from extracellular spaces. This mechanism plays a protective role in stress. Circulating catecholamines, which are released because of stress, pass through blood vessels into the extracellular space of the pineal gland.
Expanded Analysis of the Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii DC283 Complete Genome Reveals Plasmid-borne Virulence Factors

Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii, a Gram-negative proteobacterium, causes Stewart's wilt disease in corn. Bacterial transmission to plants occurs primarily via the corn flea beetle insect vector, which is native to North America. P. stewartii DC283 is the wild-type reference strain most used to study pathogenesis. Previously the complete genome of P. stewartii was released. Here, the method whereby the genome was assembled is described in greater detail. Data from a mate-pair library preparation with 3.5 kilobase insert size and high-throughput sequencing from the MiSeq Illumina platform, together with the available incomplete genome sequence of AHIE00000000.1 (containing 65 contigs) was used. This work resulted in the complete assembly of one circular chromosome, ten circular plasmids and one linear phage from P. stewartii DC283. A high number of sequences encoding repetitive transposases (> 400) were found in the complete genome. The separation of plasmids from genomic DNA revealed that two Type III secretion systems in P. stewartii DC283 are located on two separate mega-plasmids. Interestingly, the assembly identified a previously unknown 66-kb region in a location interior to a contig in the previous reference genome. Overall, a novel approach was successfully utilized to fully assemble a prokaryotic genome that contains large numbers of repetitive sequences and multiple plasmids, which resulted in some interesting biological findings.
THE PREVALENCE OF HYPERGLYCEMIA IN NEONATES HOSPITALIZED IN NICU AT AL-ZAHRA HOSPITAL TABRIZ, IRAN

Introduction Hyperglycemia is the most common disorder of glucose metabolism in low birth weigh neonates hospitalized in the NICU. If undiagnosed and untreated it progresses to osmotic diuresis and dehydration and its complications. Methods In this retrospective survey, we studied 360 neonates hospitalized in the NICU. We considered high glucose levels more than 145 mg/dl. We also studied the correlation between hyperglycemia and risk factors such as birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, medications (such as methylxantines, corticosteroids), Hypoxia and septicemia. Results The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 13.5% It was 61.7% in males and 38.2% in females 74.5% of hyperglycemic neonates were preterm, 23.4% were term and 2.1% post term. The maximum level of BS was 466 mg/dl. The minimum weight of neonates was 650 gr and maximum weight was 4180 gr. 10.6% of neonates had septicemia, 12.8% were IUGR, 31.9% had hypoxia, 23.4% were meconium stained, 23.4% had received aminophylline, 10.6% had received hydrocortisone, 8.5% of neonates had low apgar score. There were no cases of diabetes mellitus due to its rarity. Hyperglycemia in 85.1% of neonates were controlled by tapering of glucose administration. 10.6% of neonates died due to other reasons and they were not dehydrated. There was no need to use insulin. Discussion Neonatal hyperglycemia has correlation with risk factors such as low birth weight, prematurity, IUGR, intake of parentral glucose, hypoxia, sepsis and medications. There is a need to lower the glucose intake, and, rarely, administration of insulin along with treatment of underlying disorders.
Motivierende und gesundheitsförderliche Gestaltung von Leitständen in der Automobilproduktion

Uberwachungstatigkeiten in Leitstanden der Automobilproduktion sind durch die Beobachtung von Anlagendaten gekennzeichnet. Ein Erfolgsfaktor fur eine effiziente Produktion ist, dass Operateure auftretende Storungen im Leitstand schnell erkennen und beheben. Die hierfur notige Dauerbeobachtung ist fur die Operateure eine Herausforderung. Cummmigs, Gao und Thornburg (2016) haben beobachtet, dass bei einer geringen Arbeitsbelastung die Aufmerksamkeit der Operateure bei der Uberwachung von automatisierten Systemen mit der Zeit abnahm. Zum anderen mussen die Operateure ein gutes Situationsbewusstsein uber Veranderungen ihrer Anlage haben, um Storungen schnell beheben zu konnen. In diesem Beitrag werden Ergebnisse einer Interviewstudie zur Untersuchung psychischer Bedurfnisse in der Mensch-Technik-Interaktion an Leitstanden beschrieben. In 20 semi-strukturierten Experteninterviews wurden Operateure nach beanspruchenden und intrinsisch motivierenden Faktoren bei Uberwachungstatigkeiten befragt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die zentralen Nutzerbedurfnisse der Operateure auf, mithilfe deren in Folge motivierende Nutzerelemente fur den Leitstand der Zukunft entwickelt werden sollen.
Lewis-Acid Properties of Technetium(VII) Dioxide Trifluoride, TcO2F3: Characterization by 19F, 17O, and 99Tc NMR Spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy, Density Functional Theory Calculations of TcO2F3, M+TcO2F4- [M = Li, Cs, N(CH3)4], and TcO2F3·CH3CN, and X-ray Crystal Structure of Li+TcO2F4- †

Technetium(VII) dioxide trifluoride, TcO2F3, behaves as a Lewis acid toward the fluoride ion and acetonitrile forming M+TcO2F4- [M = Li, Cs, N(CH3)4] salts and TcO2F3·CH3CN. Fluorine-19 NMR spectroscopy established that the TcO2F4- anion has a cis-dioxo geometry in CH3CN solution. Variable-temperature 19F NMR studies of TcO2F4- and TcO2F3·CH3CN in CH3CN revealed that the one-bond couplings between 99Tc and the two fluorine environments exhibit widely different degrees of quadrupolar collapse. The 17O NMR spectra of 17O-enriched TcO2F4- and TcO2F3·CH3CN and the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of TcO2F3·CH3CN indicated that chemical exchange occurs between TcO2F3·CH3CN and CH3CN solvent. The TcO2F4- anion was characterized by X-ray crystallography as its lithium salt crystallizing in the tetragonal system, space group P421m, with a = 4.706(1) A, c = 8.797(2) A, V = 194.8(1) A3, and Z = 2, at 20 °C. Refinement converged with R = 0.0339 (Rw = 0.0320). The anion geometry is a distorted octahedron with the two oxygen l...
Affective response as a mediator of the association between the physical and social environment and physical activity behavior

Perceptions of the physical and social environment have been shown to be predictive of physical activity (PA) behavior. However, the mechanisms of this association have not been examined. Affective response to PA was examined as a putative mediator of the association between perceptions of the PA environment and subsequent PA behavior. As part of a PA promotion study, 59 low-active overweight or obese but otherwise healthy adults completed real-time assessments of the perceived physical and social PA environment, affective response to PA, and PA behavior over a 6-month period. As hypothesized, decreased latency to and greater duration of subsequent PA was predicted by engaging in PA with a partner (b = 17.24, SE = .45, p < .01), engaging in PA outdoors versus indoors (b = 3.70, SE = 0.67, p < .01), and perceived pleasantness of the physical (b = 0.59, SE = .17, p < .01) and social settings (b = 0.68, SE = .16, p < .01). Affective response to PA (a shift toward feeling good versus bad during PA) mediated the association between engaging in PA with a partner (a path: 0.53(.11), p < .01, b path: 0.42(.12), p < .01, ab path: 0.22(.08), 95% CI .09–.41) and perceived pleasantness of the physical (a path: .38(.02), p < .01; b path: .65(.23), p = .01; ab path: .25(.09), 95% CI .08–.43) and social setting (a path: .35(.02), p < .01; b path: .57(.23), p = .01; ab path: .20(.08), 95% CI .03–.37) and PA behavior, but not the association between engaging in PA outdoors versus indoors and PA behavior. These findings suggest that perceived environmental variables may have their effects on PA through the process of psychological hedonism.
Mechanical and structural changes in human thoracic aortas with age.

Abstract Aortic mechanical and structural characteristics have profound effects on pathophysiology, but many aspects of physiologic stress-stretch state and intramural changes due to aging remain poorly understood in human tissues. While difficult to assess in vivo due to residual stresses and pre-stretch, physiologic stress-stretch characteristics can be calculated using experimentally-measured mechanical properties and constitutive modeling. Mechanical properties of 76 human descending thoracic aortas (TA) from 13 to 78-year-old donors (mean age 51±18 years) were measured using multi-ratio planar biaxial extension. Constitutive parameters were derived for aortas in 7 age groups, and the physiologic stress-stretch state was calculated. Intramural characteristics were quantified from histological images and related to aortic morphometry and mechanics. TA stiffness increased with age, and aortas became more nonlinear and anisotropic. Systolic and diastolic elastic energy available for pulsation decreased with age from 30 to 8 kPa and from 18 to 5 kPa, respectively. Cardiac cycle circumferential stretch dropped from 1.14 to 1.04, and circumferential and longitudinal physiologic stresses decreased with age from 90 to 72 kPa and from 90 to 17 kPa, respectively. Aortic wall thickness and radii increased with age, while the density of elastin in the tunica media decreased. The number of elastic lamellae and circumferential physiologic stress per lamellae unit remained constant with age at 102±10 and 0.85±0.04 kPa, respectively. Characterization of mechanical, physiological, and structural features in human aortas of different ages can help understand aortic pathology, inform the development of animal models that simulate human aging, and assist with designing devices for open and endovascular aortic repairs. Statement of significance This manuscript describes mechanical and structural changes occurring in human thoracic aortas with age, and presents material parameters for 4 commonly used constitutive models. Presented data can help better understand aortic pathology, inform the development of animal models that simulate human aging, and assist with designing devices for open and endovascular aortic repairs.
Cysteine catabolism and the serine biosynthesis pathway support pyruvate production during pyruvate kinase knockdown in pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Pyruvate kinase, especially the M2 isoform (PKM2), is highly expressed in PDAC cells, but its role in pancreatic cancer remains controversial. To investigate the role of pyruvate kinase in pancreatic cancer, we knocked down PKM2 individually as well as both PKM1 and PKM2 concurrently (PKM1/2) in cell lines derived from a KrasG12D/-; p53-/- pancreatic mouse model. We used liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine metabolic profiles of wildtype and PKM1/2 knockdown PDAC cells. We further used stable isotope-labeled metabolic precursors and LC-MS/MS to determine metabolic pathways upregulated in PKM1/2 knockdown cells. We then targeted metabolic pathways upregulated in PKM1/2 knockdown cells using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. PDAC cells are able to proliferate and continue to produce pyruvate despite PKM1/2 knockdown. The serine biosynthesis pathway partially contributed to pyruvate production during PKM1/2 knockdown: knockout of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase in this pathway decreased pyruvate production from glucose. In addition, cysteine catabolism generated ~ 20% of intracellular pyruvate in PDAC cells. Other potential sources of pyruvate include the sialic acid pathway and catabolism of glutamine, serine, tryptophan, and threonine. However, these sources did not provide significant levels of pyruvate in PKM1/2 knockdown cells. PKM1/2 knockdown does not impact the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. The serine biosynthesis pathway supports conversion of glucose to pyruvate during pyruvate kinase knockdown. However, direct conversion of serine to pyruvate was not observed during PKM1/2 knockdown. Investigating several alternative sources of pyruvate identified cysteine catabolism for pyruvate production during PKM1/2 knockdown. Surprisingly, we find that a large percentage of intracellular pyruvate comes from cysteine. Our results highlight the ability of PDAC cells to adaptively rewire their metabolic pathways during knockdown of a key metabolic enzyme.
Cases of high mortality in cull sows and feeder pigs associated with Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus septicemia

Investigations of 2 cases of high mortality in cull sows and feeder pigs from a buying station in Ohio and cull sows at an abattoir in Tennessee were conducted at the Iowa State University Veterina...
Influences of academic culture in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL): Differences in Mexican and U.S. students' reported experiences

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is an education model that provides a framework for international academic exchanges. Though COIL projects outline some best practices for academic partnerships, there are still several areas of project development in which participating faculty must make important decisions that affect the success of the academic venture. Perhaps one of the most important, yet frequently overlooked, aspects of international academic exchanges are the considerations made for differences in academic cultural practices. The current article details a COIL project in which binational faculty and students shared a semester‐long course. At the conclusion of the course, the two student groups reported vast differences in their experiences. In an effort to explain students' divergent perspectives, the author examines the academic climate reported by students and how academic practices implemented in the COIL project affected the overall success of the course.
Undone science, funding, and positionality in transportation research

A robust body of research in transportation has brought to light valuable findings and supported the development of important tools. However, crucial questions of “undone” science remain – topics a...
Temporal trends in prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors among U.S. older workers: NHIS 2004-2018.

Abstract Purpose This study examined trends in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors among U.S. older adults and workers. We also investigated correlations between the temporal prevalence of CVD and selected risk factors (hypertension, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and treated diabetes) among participants. Methods Data were obtained from the National Health Interview Survey (2004–2018) for U.S. adults aged greater than or equal to 50 years (n = 207,539), of which 84,180 were employed. Temporal trends in prevalence were assessed by fitting weighted regression models to the age-standardized prevalence to the 2010 U.S. population. The relationship between temporal prevalence of CVD with each risk factor was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results Among all older adults, the prevalence of CVD significantly declined (β = −0.16, P Conclusions Among employed adults aged greater than or equal to 50 years, the prevalence of CVD, physical inactivity, and smoking dramatically declined over the past 15 years. The temporal decline in prevalence of CVD was significantly associated with decline prevalence of physical inactivity and smoking.
Prevalence and predictors of persistent pain 2 years after total shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract Background Elective total shoulder arthroplasty is highly successful, but there is a subset of patients who continue to experience pain after this procedure. The purposes of this study were to elucidate the prevalence and patient characteristics predictive of persistent pain after shoulder arthroplasty. Methods We identified patients who had received an elective primary shoulder arthroplasty (anatomic or reverse) between 2016 and 2017 from our prospectively maintained, single-surgeon registry. Patients were stratified by the presence or absence of persistent pain at 2 years postoperatively, as defined by a Visual Analog Pain score of ≥2. This value was chosen in accordance with previously reported values for minimal clinically important differences. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with persistent pain. Results Of the 244 patients included for analysis, 46(18.9%) had persistent pain at 2 years postoperatively. The average pain score in this group was found to be significantly greater than the patients without pain (3.6 ± 1.6 vs 0.14 ± 0.35, P Conclusion About 1 in 5 patients report persistent pain after elective primary shoulder arthroplasty. Prompt identification of at-risk patients (eg, those with severe postoperative inpatient pain and a history of prior shoulder surgery) may prove effective in optimizing the pain experience after shoulder arthroplasty. Level of evidence Level III; Cohort Study with Prospective Data and Retrospective Study Design.
How Instructors Learn to Teach Online: Considering the past to plan for the future

The onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic had major effects on all aspects of higher education, including the way in which courses were taught. Literally, overnight, courses that were taught face-to-face were moved online, and face-to-face instructors of those courses became online educators. Now, several months into the pandemic, it has become clear that instructors at colleges and universities today must be able to teach both online and face-to-face, and they must be able to move from one medium to the other as circumstances dictate. However, that is not easy to do, as learning to teach online takes time, and involves a good deal of effort. Several years ago, we conducted a research study on how university faculty members learned to teach online. What we learned in that research may be helpful to instructors learning to teach online today.
Developmental Service Referrals and Utilization Among Young Children in Protective Custody

Children in foster care are at high risk for developmental delay. In this retrospective cohort study of young children presenting to a foster care clinic, 77% were not receiving developmental services and 75% failed developmental screening. Of those potentially eligible, 60% were not referred for developmental services.
SAR-Gi*: Taking a spatial approach to understand food deserts and food swamps

Abstract Most existing food deserts/swamps studies adopted non-spatial approaches,overlooking the role of spatial dependence in the associations between food access and socioeconomic status. This study aims to fill the gap by examining this relationship with a spatial perspective. Using Austin, Tx as a case study, we adopted a multi-mode Huff-based 2SFCA method to measure the spatial access to food stores. Eight socioeconomic variables were represented by two indices per factor analysis:Economic Deprivation Index (EDI) and Sociocultural Deprivation Index (SDI). We proposed a SAR-Gi* model to characterize food deserts/swamps in Austin. Our analyses reveal that EDI is a significant predictor for access to healthy food (β = -0.054, p = 0.037), and SDI is significantly associated with access to unhealthy food (β= 0.160, p = 0.000). We also found that food deserts and swamps in Austin are concentrated in the east and northeast of Austin, respectively. The noticeable difference between the spatial patterns of food deserts and food swamps as identified by our study and those based on the USDA definition or other traditional methods speaks to the great potential of the SAR-Gi* model in reflecting geographical patterns and relations embedded in food access and socioeconomic status of neighborhoods.
Updates in artificial intelligence in gastroenterology endoscopy in 2020.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Artificial intelligence is becoming rapidly integrated into modern technology including medicine. Artificial intelligence has a wide range of potential in gastroenterology, particularly with endoscopy, given the required analysis of large datasets of images. The aim of this review is to summarize the advances of artificial intelligence in gastroenterology (GI) endoscopy over the past year. RECENT FINDINGS Computer-aided detection (CADe) systems during real-time colonoscopy have resulted in increased adenoma detection rate with no significant increase in procedure times. Deep learning techniques have been utilized to accurately assess bowel preparation quality, which would impact surveillance colonoscopy recommendations. For the upper GI tract, CADe systems have been developed to aid in improving the diagnosis of Barrett's neoplasia during real-time endoscopy. Artificial intelligence-assisted real-time endoscopy has been shown to reduce blind spots during EGD. SUMMARY The application of artificial intelligence in gastroenterology endoscopy remains promising. Advances over the past year include improved detection of GI neoplasia during endoscopy and characterization of lesions. Further research including randomized, multicenter trials are needed to further evaluate the use of artificial intelligence for real-time endoscopy.
A review of the advancements made in helical baffles used in shell and tube heat exchangers

Abstract This paper provides a review about the major work done on helical baffles to improve the performance of shell and tube heat exchangers. Some of the major factors affecting the performance of shell and tube heat exchanger are discussed. A comparison between segmental baffles and helical baffles is also presented to show that helical baffles are more advantageous than segmental baffles. In most cases, discontinuous, folded, sextant helical baffles, 40° baffle inclination angle as well as low baffle spacing will give the best results when integrated in some combination, whereas continuous helical baffles eliminate dead regions. Moreover, sealing strips are more likely to improve the performance of shell and tube heat exchangers with continuous helical baffles.
Queuing, Task Complexity and Organizational Structure

This paper explores the economics of information-processing in managerial hierarchy when queuing phenomena and task complexity are considered. Task complexity of processing multiple data types introduces a new issue: data-processing scope. This new factor is important as it helps understand limits or advantages of broadening a firm’s portfolio of different activities such as product offerings. Using queuing theory to model delay, we highlight the scale economies found in hierarchy. To model information-processing with complexity, multiple differentiated data sources are assumed and information extracted from the data is used to coordinate production. As in past literature, our objective in hierarchy design is to find a topological tree with endogenously chosen capacitated processing nodes that minimizes the sum of time and capacity costs. The problem is formulated using calculus of variations. Optimal hierarchy is analyzed along two different dimensions. The first states two possible purposes of the hierarchy: i.) to perform decentralized data-processing (where all information is processed by an upward flow to the apex) or ii.) to perform decentralized decision-making (where information flow may cease at intermediate nodes). The second dimension concerns how scope affects the cost of delay: when total delay cost does not depend on the number of data sources and when it does. Results are presented for all four cases. The case most often studied in the literature corresponds to decentralized decision-making with delay cost that does not depend on the number of data sources. In this case, diseconomies of scope arise at small scope, but economies of scope hold at middling to high scope. This implies that to minimize control cost, low scope firms ought to divide into the smallest units possible or to expand scope to levels that exhibit economies of scope. However, for decentralized decision-making, diseconomies of scope prevail at all levels. For a firm with this characteristic in a competitive market, increasing marginal cost of managerial control can have an impact on the extent of the firm’s activities. Descriptive results about the effect of cost changes on the shape of the hierarchy are developed. For example, if the cost of delay per unit time rises, then with decentralized data-processing the hierarchy flattens, but the opposite effect occurs with decentralized decision-making. It is also shown that when the hierarchy performs both data-processing and decision-making functions, the latter tends to dominate. This would imply that increased time urgency would cause a hierarchy to add tiers and to reduce the number of work groups at each tier, a surprising result.
Thou Shalt Not Flip Flop: Senators’ Religious Affiliations and Issue Position Consistency

Is there a relationship between legislators’ religious affiliations and the consistency of their voting records? Building on the theory of “the personal roots of representation,” we argue that a legislator's likelihood of switching positions depends on whether the issue is central to their personal values. We evaluate this claim using a data set including senators’ religious affiliations and “culture war” votes from 1976 to 2004 and find that different religious groups vary in their voting consistency on issues such as abortion, public prayer, and gay and lesbian rights.
The Asia-Pacific Pivot and U.S.-China Security Dilemma

Much attention has been paid to the Obama administration’s high-profile Asia-Pacific pivot in the last couple of years. While many in the U.S. hail it as a pure success or at least a timely redress of the Bush administration’s preoccupation with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and neglect of Asia, there are also concerns that the series of military, political and economic maneuvers engineered by President Obama and his national security team are just early signs of the unfolding strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China. The paper’s goal is to use one of the most classic theoretical frameworks of international relations theory — security dilemma to analyze the U.S. strategic pivot and its impact on U.S.-China relations. I argue that both the substance and the way the pivot was conducted have aggravated the security dilemma by increasing China’s suspicion of the U.S. long-term intentions. Meanwhile, there are several factors that have mitigated the security dilemma and reduced the likelihood of an overreaction from China.
Modular Verification for Shared-Variable Concurrent Programs

We propose a specification language for shared-variable concurrent programs based on Morgan's specification statement [Mor89]. A denotational semantics is given in terms of transition traces (sequences of pairs of states) following [Bro93]. A context-sensitive notion of approximation between specifications is presented which permits modular verification through stepwise program transformation. We argue that the resulting framework also supports program development through stepwise refinement.
Deduction with Relation Matching

A new deduction rule is introduced to give streamlined treatment to relations of special importance in an automated theorem-proving system. This relation matching rule generalizes to an arbitrary binary relation the E-resolution and RUE-resolution rules for equality, and may operate within a nonclausal or clausal system. The new rule depends on an extension of the notion of polarity to apply to subterms as well as to subsentences, with respect to a given binary relation. It allows the system to draw a conclusion even if the unification algorithm fails to find a complete match, provided the polarities of the mismatched terms are auspicious. The rule allows us to eliminate troublesome axioms, such as transitivity and monotonicity, from the system; proofs are shorter and more comprehensible, and the search space is correspondingly deflated.
Finding mobile data: efficiency vs. location inaccuracy

A token is hidden in one out of n boxes following some known probability distribution and then all the boxes are locked. The goal of a searcher is to find the token in at most D ≤ n rounds by opening as few boxes as possible, where in each round any set of boxes may be opened. We design and analyze strategies for a searcher who does not know the exact values of the probabilities associated with the locked boxes. Instead, the searcher might know only the complete order or a partial order of the probabilities, or ranges in which these probabilities fall. We show that with limited information the searcher can find the token without opening significantly more boxes compared to a searcher who has full knowledge. This problem is equivalent to finding mobile users (tokens) in cellular networks (boxes) and finding data (tokens) in sensor networks (boxes).
An application of neurohydrodynamics to a Hopfield neural network

In this paper, we apply our approach of Neurohydrodynamics (NHD) to a Hopfield neural network by introducing a one-dimensional spacial diffusion term. This reaction-diffusion equation includes an auxiliary equation that “guides” the weights of the network using the divergence of neuron's activation amplitude, which we call the neuropotential. This guiding principle is similar to de Broglie's “pilot wave” interpretation for Quantum Mechanics or Turing's oracle for “human intuition” of a Turing machine. Finally, using a numerical derivation of the dynamical equations of one-dimensional Hopfield neural network, we include a simulation of the network so that we can discuss its behavior and future directions of NHD.
Who’s Afraid of the APA?

The Supreme Court’s decision in Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research v. United States means that tax practitioners must be more sensitive to administrative law and judicial deference to administrative rules. This includes gaining some familiarity with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the major cases that deal with judicial deference to administrative action, starting with Chevron USA Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council Inc. While the Supreme Court spends a lot more time considering issues of administrative law rather than tax law, the many decisions don’t result in a clear set of rules as to how courts are to treat administrative pronouncements. In “Who’s Afraid of the APA?” David Shakow identifies the important issues in the application of general rules of administrative law to tax regulations. The discussion should help tax practitioners identify the issues that are raised when the validity of an IRS pronouncement is open to question. Further guidance may be available when the Supreme Court hands down its decision in Home Concrete & Supply LLC v. United States, which was argued before the Supreme Court in January.
Consumption-Wealth Ratio and Expected Housing Return

In this paper, we estimate expected return on housing by exploiting information from the variations in the consumption-wealth ratio. We combine a present-value model of consumption with an unobserved component model to express the excess consumption-assets ratio (consumption in excess of labor income) as a linear function of unobserved return on housing assets, financial assets, and consumption growth. We apply a Kalman filter to extract expected housing asset returns from the history of realized returns and excess consumption growth. Our results suggest that filtered housing returns do a significantly better job in predicting realized housing returns than other popular predictors.
Connecting first-order ASP and the logic FO(ID) through reducts

Recently, an answer-set programming (ASP) formalism of logic programing with the answer-set semantics has been extended to the full first-order setting. Earlier an extension of first-order logic with inductive definitions, the logic FO(ID), was proposed as a knowledge representation formalism and developed as an alternative ASP language. We present characterizations of these formalisms in terms of concepts of infinitary propositional logic. We use them to find a direct connection between the first-order ASP and the logic FO(ID) under some restrictions on the form of theories (programs) considered.
The Polycomb-group gene eed is required for normal morphogenetic movements during gastrulation in the mouse embryo

We have characterized an induced mutation, called embryonic ectoderm development or eed, that disrupts A-P patterning of the mouse embryo during gastrulation. Positional cloning of this gene revealed it to be the highly conserved homologue of the Drosophila gene extra sex combs, which is required for maintenance of long-term transcriptional repression of homeotic gene expression. Mouse embryos homozygous for loss-of-function alleles of eed initiate gastrulation but display abnormal mesoderm production. Very little embryonic mesoderm is produced; in contrast, extraembryonic mesoderm is relatively abundant. These observations, along with mRNA in situ hybridization analyses, suggested a defect in the anterior primitive streak, from which much of the embryonic mesoderm of the wild-type embryo is derived. To analyse this defect, we initiated clonal analysis of the pre-streak epiblast in eed mutant embryos, using the lineage tracer horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The results of these studies indicate that epiblast cells ingress through the anterior streak, but the newly formed mesoderm does not migrate anteriorly and is mislocalized to the extraembryonic compartment. Abnormal localization of mesoderm to the extraembryonic region did not appear to be due to a restriction and alteration of distal epiblast cell fate, since the majority of clones produced from regions fated to ingress through the anterior streak were mixed, displaying descendants in both embryonic and extraembryonic derivatives. eed mutant embryos also fail to display proper epiblast expansion, particularly with respect to the A-P axis. Based on patterns of clonal spread and calculated clone doubling times for the epiblast, this does not appear to be due to decreased epiblast growth. Rather, epiblast, which is normally fated to make a substantial contribution to the axial midline, appears to make mesoderm preferentially. The data are discussed in terms of global morphogenetic movements in the mouse gastrula and a disruption of signalling activity in the anterior primitive streak.
Built-In Self Optimization for Variation Resilience of Analog Filters

At deep sub-micron integrated circuit technologies and beyond, characteristics of analog circuits are increasingly affected by process variations and device aging. Although design-time approaches are able to take these effects into account, it is very difficult for a single static design to efficiently handle all kinds of variation scenarios. In this work, a built-in self optimization technique is developed such that each analog I chip can autonomously improve its performance in the presence of significant variations. As a demonstration, an on-chip analog self-test platform is implemented to test an active-RC band-pass filter, whose components can be reconfigured to obtain different frequency responses. The desired response is found by a digital circuit implementation of multi-start meta-heuristic optimization. The proposed technique does not rely on external test equipment or any general purpose digital signal processor. Its effectiveness is confirmed by simulations as well as measurement results from a test-chip fabricated in 180 nm CMOS technology.
The Interface between Substance Abuse and Chronic Pain Management in Primary Care: A Curriculum for Medical Residents.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To develop and assess a housestaff curriculum on opioid and other substance abuse among patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). Methods: The two-hour, case-based curriculum delivered to small groups of medical housestaff sought to improve assessment and management of opioid-treated CNCP patients, including those with a substance use disorder. A two-page pre-post survey was administered to assess self-efficacy change on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Results: Of 47/50 (94%) respondents, self-efficacy significantly improved across all items (mean pre vs. post ratings, P <.001). Housestaff were more prepared to manage patients on chronic opioid medication (2.8 vs. 3.8), including those with substance use disorders (2.3 vs. 3.4). They felt more prepared to identify opioid dependence (2.8 vs. 3.9) and overall rated the curriculum favorably (4.2). Conclusions: The brief curriculum was well received and appears effective. Further study is needed to determine p...
Effects of prenatal protein malnutrition on hippocampal long-term potentiation in freely moving rats.

It has been demonstrated that prenatal protein malnutrition significantly affects hippocampal plasticity, as measured by long-term potentiation, throughout development. This paper focuses on the hippocampal dentate granule cell population response to two separate paradigms of tetanization of the medial perforant pathway in prenatally protein-malnourished and normally nourished adult male rats. The 100-pulse paradigm consisted of the application of ten 25-ms-duration bursts of 400 Hz stimulation with an interburst interval of 10 s. The 1000-pulse paradigm consisted of the application of five 500-ms bursts of 400 Hz stimulation with an interburst interval of 5 s. No between-group differences were obtained for input/output response measures prior to tetanization. No between-group, nor between-paradigm, differences were obtained in the degree of population EPSP slope enhancement. However, in response to both paradigms, prenatally malnourished animals showed significantly less enhancement of the population spike amplitude (PSA) measure than normally nourished animals. Normally nourished animals showed a significantly greater level of PSA enhancement in response to the 100-pulse paradigm than the 1000-pulse paradigm. Prenatally malnourished animals showed no significant differences in the degree of PSA enhancement between the two paradigms. Results indicate that short duration bursts (≤25 ms) are more effective in inducing maximal PSA enhancement in normally nourished rats than longer duration stimulus bursts. The apparent inability of prenatally malnourished rats to transfer enhanced cellular activation (population EPSP slope enhancement) into enhanced cellular discharge (PSA enhancement) suggests that a preferential enhancement of GABAergic inhibitory modulation of granule cell excitability may result from the prenatal dietary insult. Such potentiation of inhibitory activity would significantly lower the probability of granule cell population discharge, resulting in the significantly lower level of PSA enhancement obtained from these animals.
Recent research on eccentrically braced frames

Abstract Recent research developments on eccentrically braced steel frames for seismic design are reviewed. The emphasis is placed on the design of links, which are short sections of beams between columns and braces, and similar elements at eccentric joints. The review includes some highlights of the latest experiments with one-third scale models employing different eccentric bracing schemes, an updated classification of links, and special design requirements for different types of links. Some results are given on recent cyclic tests of full-size links.
Project Marco Polo: Bridging the Gap between Natural and Social Sciences.

Abstract Foreign travel for secondary school teachers is beneficial for enhancement of classroom curriculum. The dual nature of the U.S. Navy-National Geographic co-sponsored trips is key to enriching the global geography perspective in the classroom. A travel study to Japan provides in-service benefit for teacher peers and community groups by enhancing geography through the link between the natural and social sciences.
A variational source method for numerical studies of field theory

Abstract A common method of measuring mass gaps in numerical studies of lattice field theories is to calculate the spatial dependence of the expectation value of test operators in the presence of a source. A novel source method is described which is variational: the mass extracted from expectation values measured at any separation is always an upper bound to the true mass. The method is illustrated with an example, the 0 ++ glueball mass is computed in SU(3) lattice gauge theory at β = 5.7.