cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RNA Futile Cycling in Model Persisters Derived from MazF Accumulation

ABSTRACT Metabolism plays an important role in the persister phenotype, as evidenced by the number of strategies that perturb metabolism to sabotage this troublesome subpopulation. However, the absence of techniques to isolate high-purity populations of native persisters has precluded direct measurement of persister metabolism. To address this technical challenge, we studied Escherichia coli populations whose growth had been inhibited by the accumulation of the MazF toxin, which catalyzes RNA cleavage, as a model system for persistence. Using chromosomally integrated, orthogonally inducible promoters to express MazF and its antitoxin MazE, bacterial populations that were almost entirely tolerant to fluoroquinolone and β-lactam antibiotics were obtained upon MazF accumulation, and these were subjected to direct metabolic measurements. While MazF model persisters were nonreplicative, they maintained substantial oxygen and glucose consumption. Metabolomic analysis revealed accumulation of all four ribonucleotide monophosphates (NMPs). These results are consistent with a MazF-catalyzed RNA futile cycle, where the energy derived from catabolism is dissipated through continuous transcription and MazF-mediated RNA degradation. When transcription was inhibited, oxygen consumption and glucose uptake decreased, and nucleotide triphosphates (NTPs) and NTP/NMP ratios increased. Interestingly, the MazF-inhibited cells were sensitive to aminoglycosides, and this sensitivity was blocked by inhibition of transcription. Thus, in MazF model persisters, futile cycles of RNA synthesis and degradation result in both significant metabolic demands and aminoglycoside sensitivity. IMPORTANCE Metabolism plays a critical role in controlling each stage of bacterial persistence (shutdown, stasis, and reawakening). In this work, we generated an E. coli strain in which the MazE antitoxin and MazF toxin were artificially and independently inducible, and we used this strain to generate model persisters and study their metabolism. We found that even though growth of the model persisters was inhibited, they remained highly metabolically active. We further uncovered a futile cycle driven by continued transcription and MazF-mediated transcript degradation that dissipated the energy derived from carbon catabolism. Interestingly, the existence of this futile cycle acted as an Achilles’ heel for MazF model persisters, rendering them vulnerable to killing by aminoglycosides.
Conjunctive Groundwater Management as a Response to Social Ecological Disturbances: A Comparison of Four Western U.S. States

Recent severe droughts in U.S. western and Great Plains states have highlighted the challenges that socio-ecological disturbances can pose for governing groundwater resources, as well as the interconnections between groundwater and surface water and the need to manage the 2 in an integrated way. Conjunctive management recognizes these interconnections and can be used to mitigate disturbances and achieve a variety of water management goals. However, comparative studies of how and to what extent various states have implemented conjunctive management strategies are few. Here we compare and assess the use of conjunctive management practices in 4 western states—Arizona, California, Nebraska, and Texas—with a particular focus on groundwater. Special attention is paid to factors of geography and infrastructure, degree of administrative (de)centralization, and monitoring and modeling in relation to conjunctive management. Despite the commonality of bifurcated regimes for groundwater and surface water, all 4 states have responded to disturbances with conjunctive management strategies in various ways. Although it has groundwater management challenges similar to those in the other 3 states, Texas has overall been slower to adopt conjunctive management strategies. Citation: Sugg ZP, Ziaga S, Schlager EC. 2016. Conjunctive groundwater management as a response to socio-ecological disturbances: a comparison of 4 western U.S. states. Texas Water Journal. 7(1):1-24. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v7i1.7019.
Planning LIS doctoral education around a focused theme: A report on the B2A Program.

This report discusses the Overcoming Barriers to Information Access (B2A) program. This is a doctoral cohort program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The program has focused on educating the next generation of doctoral graduates in library and information science with an emphasis on the theme of overcoming barriers to information access. Fellows were provided resources to support their educational activities, research and instructional experiences. In this paper the principal investigator for the program and the B2A Fellows reflect on the challenges and the rewards of their experiences in the program. Key findings that emerged include the importance of building community throughout the program and exposure to diverse perspectives. This initiative shows that although funding packages provide important resources to students, they do not buy extra time. The reflections in this paper provide insights into the doctoral student experience that can benefit other library and information science doctoral programs.
X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study of Structure and Stability of Disordered (Cu $_{\bf 2}$ SnS $_{\bf 3}$ ) $_{\bf 1-x}$ (ZnS) $_{\bf x}$ Alloys

Secondary phase segregation is hypothesized to have detrimental impacts on Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) thin-film solar cells. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of using kinetic stabilization to inhibit phase decomposition in CZTS. By growing CZTS films at low temperature, we achieve a kinetically stabilized alloy with an expanded solid solution window in the pseudoternary CuS-ZnS-SnS phase diagram. Using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we study the structural evolution and stability of this metastable alloy upon annealing. For near-stoichiometric samples, we observe a continuous emergence of short-range order toward crystalline CZTS that is nearly complete after a 1-min anneal at 450 °C. For Zn-rich samples, we detect precipitation of ZnS upon annealing, which suggests that the excess Zn exists as cation antisite defects in metastable CZTS.
Skeletomusculature of Trunk Segments and Their Limbs in Speleonectes tulumensis (Remipedia)

ABSTRACT We describe the skeletomusculature of the trunk segments and their limbs, which power swimming (Kohlhage and Yager, 1994). Contrary to previous descriptions, the peduncle is composed of two podomeres, the coxa and basis. Except for the hinge lines adjacent to the coxa, all are along the anterior margin, making the muscles that pass across them flexors; extension is either passive or a result of hydrostatic turgor. Remipedian trunk musculature falls comfortably within the crustacean pattern.
Occurrence of Coxsackie Virus Complement Fixing Antibodies in Sera of Normal Monkeys.

SummaryIn the sera of normal rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys substances have been encountered which are capable of fixing complement in the presence of as many as 6 (or 11) antigenically distinct Coxsackie, or C, virus antigens. “Antibodies” to 4 C virus types were consistently absent. The behavior of these antibodies did not differ significantly from Coxsackie virus complement fixing antibodies produced by specific immunization. Accompanying heat stable neutralizing antibodies have not been demonstrated in normal monkeys but only in those specifically immunized.
Creative Art Expression from a Leukemic Child

A primary purpose in studying the creative art expression of a leukemic child was to observe the progress of the disease as it might appear in a child's art work. In this case study the author was interested in discovering whether the healing process through art could alleviate the mental and physical traumas of leukemia in its more acute and advanced stages. By working with the child, an atmosphere of mutual trust was encouraged whereby some of these feelings could emerge through pictorial expression. Further study with children who have leukemia must be done in order to expand our knowledge through research; however, some of the present evaluations might provide insight into the problem of leukemia—both diagnostically and therapeutically.Following an introduction and examples from literature, a section is included on leukemia. Then a description illustrates the author's work with Sabrina for approximately six months. The author ends the descriptive case study with a section on personal experience, concl...
The Effects of Increased Campaign Finance Disclosure: Evaluating Reform Proposals

Campaign disclosure requirements vary considerably across the United States. In some states, it is difficult to learn much about outside group spending in non-federal elections; other states have recently passed disclosure laws that go beyond federal requirements. This study builds upon a growing body of research on the impact of anonymous spending to address two questions about campaign finance disclosure: what types of disclosure information voters pay attention to and whether there are partisan differences in responsiveness to campaign finance data. We address these questions via an experiment in which people are randomly assigned to receive additional information about the donors to an outside group. We find some evidence that campaign finance information affected candidate evaluations and vote choice, but that subjects’ evaluations were particularly sensitive to whether they were told that out-of-state donors were behind the outside group. Further, we find little evidence that partisan identification conditioned these treatment effects; Republicans, Democrats, and Independents responded to our experimental stimuli in much the same way.
Crossing Cross-Platform Comparing Skills Preferences and Convergence Attitudes in Strategic Communication and News Disciplines

National survey of college mass communication students (N = 247) analyzed attitudes on the teaching of print and electronic media skills, using journalism students as comparison group. Previous res...
Serratia marcescens and the urologist.

AbstractSerratia marcescens, long considered a non-pathogen, is now found to be responsible for outbreaks of nosocomial infections. An outbreak of Serratia infection at 2 institutions is reported, in which 253 cultures of Serratia were grown and 115 patients were involved. The 3 most important conditions that preceded isolation of Serratia were the use of indwelling urethral catheters, antibiotic therapy and operation. All infections were acquired in the hospital. An epidemiological survey showed that the organism is present in the environment, even in the absence of active infection.
Funding computing instruction from water: combining sweat equity with open source and other free tools

Over the past ten years, faculty at Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) have implemented instructional environments for computing using Free, Open Source and low-cost tools and resources. (Although not completely accurate, for convenience "Open Source" will be used here to refer to Free, Open Source and low-cost tools.) This has resulted in a set of initiatives to trade "sweat equity" for capital equity investments to provide quality computing instruction on our campus. The faculty members have started and maintain multiple instructional development activities, which are built on a foundation of Open Source technology platforms and in the sum are in alignment with SPSU's polytechnic nature. This 90 minute workshop will describe and explain what worked and what did not work, prescribe and recommend methods, tools and actions for effective implementation on participants' campuses, allow for questions and discussion, and provide tool recommendations and resources for participants to take back home.
Controversies in Macroeconomics: Patinkin, Friedman and Marglin

The challenge posed to modern economics by the revival of ‘political economy,’ the redevelopment of the approach of the Classical authors and Marx, cuts across contemporary ideological lines. The central issue is the relation between production and the payment of income through the market. This requires an understanding, on the one hand, of the institutions of production, which may involve taking account of some subtle forms of social coercion and, on the other, of the way the market works, and this depends among other things on the way the technology has developed through transformational growth. Each of the major schools of modern economics, ‘the grand neo-Classical synthesis,’ led by Patinkin, free-market conservatism, championed by Milton Friedman, and modern Marxism, represented by S. Marglin, has failed to connect the generation of monetary income payments with the productive process in accordance with the technology in use. The following three essays explore the resulting problems.
Response and Resistance to Ionizing Radiation

For many years, the impact of ionizing radiation on cell biology and survival was not fully understood, and thought to be solely dependent on the levels of DNA damage caused following radiation exposure. Similarly, the mechanisms by which growth factors and cytokines modulate cell behavior were largely unknown. In the mid-1980s, with the discovery of the first mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and with subsequent discoveries of other MAPK family pathways in the early 1990s, our understanding of the hormonal control of cell biology was provided with a greater degree of molecular underpinning. In light of these findings, the ability of ionizing radiation to control the activity of MAPK family (and other) signaling pathways was first investigated in the mid-1990s. It was discovered that ionizing radiation in a cell type-dependent manner simultaneously activates multiple intracellular signal transduction pathways: the activation of some pathways has been reported to be DNAdamage dependent, that of others by generation of lipids such as ceramide, whereas others have been noted to be dependent on mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen/ nitrogen species and the activation of growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases. The precise roles of growth factor receptors and signal transduction pathways in cellular responses to radiation exposure are presently under intense investigation.
Walter Jens, Deutsche Literatur der Gegenwart. Themen, Stile, Tendenzen: München: Piper, 1961. Pp. 157. DM 7.80.

(1962). Walter Jens, Deutsche Literatur der Gegenwart. Themen, Stile, Tendenzen. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 142-143.
Conceptual and technical insights into the basis of neuromuscular monitoring.

Summary Unrecognised postoperative residual neuromuscular block remains a frequent occurrence in recovery rooms. Evidence indicates that current practice continues to perpetuate the status quo, in which 10–40% of patients experience postoperative residual weakness. A departure from the current practice requires small efforts on the clinicians’ part. This review addresses several selected core questions regarding neuromuscular blockade monitoring and provides a framework to rationally discuss and develop basic guidelines for the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in patient care.
Douglas W. Shadle, Orchestrating the Nation: The Nineteenth-Century American Symphonic Enterprise: New York, Oxford University Press, 2016, ix, 330 pp., $55.00 (hardback), ISBN-13 978-0-19-935864-9

The most insidious lies are those that are so widely believed they are never questioned. One such fundamental untruth of American music history is the notion that no American composer before Ives w...
Building an Opportunity Economy: The State of Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship matters. It fosters discovery, innovation and job creation. It leads to more productive production processes that improve productivity and real wages. Entrepreneurs develop new and less expensive products that improve consumer well-being. They make markets more efficient. New firms account for most of the net job creation in the United States. Moreover, the vast majority of economic gains from innovation and entrepreneurship accrue to the public at large, rather than entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is in decline. The reasons for this are manifold. One policy change – or even a few – will not solve the problem because the problem is caused by the combined weight of hundreds of regulatory or statutory burdens imposed on small and start-up enterprises. The problems fall into eight basic categories: (1) Poor Tax Policy; (2) Inadequate Access to Capital; (3) Expensive Health Care; (4) Burdensome Energy and Environment Laws; (5) High and Growing Regulatory Costs; (6) Onerous Labor and Employment Laws; (7) Bad Immigration Rules; and (8) A Costly Legal System. If we want a return to a prosperous America with opportunity for all and rising real wages, then Congress needs to systematically address these issues with alacrity. This testimony makes 97 specific recommendations to remove barriers to entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Vowel Patterns in Language

1. Introduction 2. Preliminaries: functional grounding 3. Generalized licensing 4. Typological predictions 5. Indirect licensing 6. Identity licensing 7. Direct licensing 8. Maximal licensing 9. Conclusion and final issues.
Response to Comment on Lewis et al. Management of Hemoglobin Variants Detected Incidentally in HbA1c Testing: A Common Problem Currently Lacking a Standard Approach. Diabetes Care 2017;40:e8–e9

We thank Drs. Little and Rohlfing for their comments (1) regarding our article on the management of incidental detection of hemoglobin (Hb) variants in HbA1c testing (2). We agree that awareness of the potential for interference to affect HbA1c results is essential in research and clinical care. Multiple studies (including that of Lin et al. [3]) prior to the 2016 article by Rohlfing et al. (4) had yielded no evidence of clinically significant bias resulting from HbAS or HbAC variants in Tosoh G8 results. In the Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes (D2d) Study, we excluded potential participants with HbAE and HbAD because clinically significant bias had been demonstrated. In a recent article by Rohlfing et al. (4), HbA1c testing using a Tosoh G8 with software version 5.20 was found to show …
The Shape of Fluids

The possibility of bond orientational ordering in supercooled liquids and glasses has been the subject of considerable attention in recentyears.1-5 Steinhardt, Nelson and Ronchetti [SNR] introduced a set of bond orientation order parameters to examine this question.1-3 They performed molecular dynamics simulations of 8 64 Lennard-Jones particles undercooled by about 10% below the equilibrium melting temperature and found that a state with extended orientational order but only short-range translational order. They suggested that their results indicated the presence of icosahedral symmetry in the orientation of the bonds.
Objective Evaluation of Levodopa Response on Gait and Balance (P2.041)

Objective: To objectively compare the effects of levodopa response on gait and balance in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Background: Bradykinesia, tremor and rigidity are generally well-controlled by levodopa; however, there is less consistency regarding the effect of levodopa on gait and balance. Standard clinical examinations for PD provide historical, subjective and often limited assessments of gait and balance. Design/Methods: Gait and balance assessments as well as UPDRS, were performed in the medication ON and OFF states using the Mobility Lab System equipped with six wireless inertial sensors: two foot sensors, two wrist sensors, one lumbar sensor, and one trunk sensor (APDM, Inc., Portland, OR). Results: Sixteen pre-DBS PD patients (14 males, 2 females), with a mean age of 64.7 years (±10.2 yrs, range 33–79 yrs), with an average disease duration of 10.4 years (±6.3 yrs) were included. UPDRS Motor scores were significantly improved (p 0.05). With respect to balance, lumbar range of motion in the coronal, sagittal, and transverse planes and trunk range of motion in the coronal and transverse planes were significantly greater when ON compared to OFF (p 0.05). Conclusions: As measured by wireless inertial sensors, multiple aspects of gait and balance are improved with levodopa in advanced PD patients. Study Supported by: Bowling Research Fund Disclosure: Dr. Fowler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gernon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pahwa has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Abbvie, ACADIA, Acorda, Adamas, Cynapses, Global Kinetics, Lundbeck, Neurocrine, Pfizer, Sage, Sunovion, Teva Neuroscience and US World Meds. Dr. Pahwa has received research support from Abbvie, Adamas, Avid, Biotie, Boston Scientific, Civitas, Cynapses, Kyowa, National Parkinson Foundation, NIH/NINDS, Parkinson Study Group. Dr. Lyons has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with ACADIA, NPF, Sage. Dr. Lyons has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for International Journal of Neuroscience / Taylor & Francis.
Human Serum With High Neutralizing Antibody Titers Against Both Zika and Dengue Virus Shows Delayed In Vitro Antibody-Dependent Enhancement of Dengue Virus Infection.

Zika virus infection in a dengue virus-naive subject was associated with the induction of high levels of cross-reactive binding antibodies. These responses were, however, largely non-neutralizing and displayed a capacity to enhance dengue infection in vitro at significantly low dilution (1:10). In contrast, a subject who had high levels of neutralizing antibodies against both dengue and Zika viruses enhanced infection at a dilution of 1:10 000. These results suggest that high levels of dengue cross-neutralizing antibodies could potentially prevent the enhancement of dengue infection in Zika virus-convalescent individuals.
A fatal case of Susac syndrome: The importance of ophthalmic examination in confirming the diagnosis.

Abstract Purpose To report a fatal case of Susac syndrome in a 24-year-old female. Observations A 24-year-old female presented with progressive encephalopathy of unknown etiology. Her previous evaluation consisted of laboratory testing, imaging, and a brain biopsy to investigate for infectious and rheumatologic diseases. Several months after onset of symptoms, she underwent ophthalmic examination, which demonstrated bilateral branch retinal artery occlusions. Further review of her medical record revealed a recent history of hearing loss. Based on the retinal and systemic findings, the patient was diagnosed with Susac syndrome. The patient was started on intensive immunosuppression; however, she became more obtunded and succumbed several months after her diagnosis. Conclusions and importance The timely and accurate diagnosis of Susac syndrome, which classically manifests as the triad of encephalopathy, vestibulocochlear abnormalities, and retinal arteriolar occlusions, may help to reduce the morbidity of invasive testing and to prevent fatality
Mathematical Models of Technological and Social Complexity

This chapter recounts part of the history of mathematical modeling in the social sciences in the United States and England in the 1950s and 1960s. It contrasts the modeling practices of MIT engineer Jay Forrester, who developed the field of System Dynamics, with that of English cybernetician Stafford Beer, and American social scientist Herbert Simon, in regard to the contested issues of prediction and control. The analysis deals with the topic of mathematics and technology in three senses: the technological origins of mathematical modeling in cybernetics and System Dynamics in the fields of control and communications engineering; the use of digital computers to create models in System Dynamics; and the conception of scientific models, themselves, as technologies. The chapter argues that the different interpretations of Forrester, Beer, and Simon about how models should serve as technologies help explain differences in their models and modeling practices and criticisms of Forrester’s ambitious attempts to model the world.
Age-based health and economic burden of skin and soft tissue infections in the United States, 2000 and 2012.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) across healthcare settings and analyze direct healthcare expenditures related to SSTIs in 2000 and 2012 in the United States. METHODS We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys. Population-based incidence rates were examined for all healthcare settings that include inpatient visits, emergency department visits and ambulatory visits for SSTIs. The direct costs of healthcare services utilization were reported. Population-based prescribing rates for each antimicrobial class during ambulatory visits were compared. RESULTS A total of 2.4 million patients experienced an SSTI in 2000 compared to 3.3 million in 2012 (40% increase). From 2000 to 2012, the incidence of patients with at least one hospital visit for SSTIs increased 22%, ambulatory care visits increased 30%, and emergency department visits increased 40%. The incidence of SSTIs in children and adolescents declined 50% (from 150 to 76 per 10,000 person; RR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.38-0.67; p 65 years of age) increased almost 2-fold (from 67 to 130 per 10,000 person; RR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.44-2.61; p<0.001). The annual incidence of SSTI in adults did not change significantly from 2000 to 2012 (from 84 to 81 per 10,000 person; RR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.71-1.31; p = 0.41). The total estimated direct healthcare costs of SSTIs increased 3-fold from $4.8 billion in 2000 to $15.0 billion in 2012, largely driven by an 8-fold increase in ambulatory expenditures for SSTIs. Total population-based antimicrobial prescription rates for SSTIs increased 4-fold from 2000 to 2012 (from 59.5 to 250.4 per 10,000 person). CONCLUSIONS The highest healthcare utilization for SSTI treatment occurred in the ambulatory care setting and also accounted for the largest increase in overall direct expenditures from 2000 to 2012.
Writing a Research Article

This chapter discusses pertinent research on the structure of research articles from the field of applied linguistics, including the macro-organization of the main sections in articles and patterns in use of rhetorical features, such as metadiscourse and academic criticism. Studies have revealed the importance of particular rhetorical functions, such as the use of alternative explanations in commenting on results in applied linguistics research articles (Basturkmen, Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 241–251, 2009) while also pointing to intra-disciplinary variation in academic norms. In addition, studies have identified a variety of metadiscoursal features used to establish author presence and academic criticism that varies across sections. Following the discussion of features of the applied linguistics research article, the chapter focuses on pedagogical issues related to the instruction of writing the research article, such as rhetorical consciousness raising and the use of annotated corpora. The chapter also presents the novice writer with some questions to consider when constructing a research article in applied linguistics.
Recent Advances in Smap RFI Processing

The measurements made by the Soil Moisture Active/Passive (SMAP) mission are affected by the presence of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) in the protected 1400–1427 MHz band. In SMAP data processing, the main protection against RFI is a sophisticated RFI detection algorithm which flags sub-samples in time and frequency that are contaminated by RFI and removes them before estimating the brightness temperature. This contribution presents two additional approaches that have been developed to address the RFI concern in SMAP. The first consists in locating sources of RFI, which can then be reported; once located, it becomes possible to report RFI sources to spectrum management authorities, which can lead to less RFI being experienced by SMAP in the future. The second is an additional RFI detection method that is based on detecting outliers in the spatial distribution of measured antenna temperatures.
Interview Results: The Design Reviewer as Therapist

This chapter discusses how design reviewers act as therapists throughout the design review process. In the role of therapist, the design reviewer focuses on managing interpersonal stresses regarding sensible responses to participants’ emotional challenges in design review, such as anger, frustration, fear, mistrust, and distress. When and how reviewers can use techniques of listening, comforting, consoling, understanding, storytelling, conversation, and positive reinforcement is discussed.
Potential Weight Benefits of IM7/8552 Hybrid Thin-Ply Composites for Aircraft Structures

Composite materials have increasingly been used for aerospace applications due to improved performance and reduced weight compared to their metallic counterparts. Inclusion of thin-ply material, plies with cured thickness half or less than standard-ply composites, have potential to improve performance and reduce structural weight further. The effect of thin-ply material on the weight of aircraft structure was investigated by examining wing cover weight reduction. To minimize the effects on manufacturing due to using thin plies, hybrid laminates were examined that used thin ±45-degree plies to replace their standard-ply counterparts in laminates. Compression after impact (CAI) tests were conducted to examine the possible weight savings that could be gained by increasing the design allowables that were used to size the wing upper cover of a semi-span test article. A large increase in CAI strength was observed for quasi-isotropic hybrid laminates, whereas less improvement was seen for hard hybrid laminates such as found in the wing cover. For laminates design by CAI strength, weight savings of about 13% were found using the hybrid hard laminates compared to the standard-ply laminates. Whether similar weight savings could be expected for structure sized using tension after impact allowables will have to be investigated further. Notched specimens were tested to examine possible weight savings using hybrid laminates in regions that are sized using discrete source damage requirements. As expected, the hybrid laminate had marginal improvements over the standard-ply laminate for compression with a notch present. The hybrid laminate, however, exhibited about 20% lower strength than the standard-ply laminate counterpart for tension with a notch. The failure mode of the hybrid specimens was a brittle, self-similar crack, which differs from the standard-ply specimens that failed by significant amounts of delamination and fiber splitting. In light of the apparent reduction in notched tensile strength, additional investigation is required to assess the use of hybrid laminates for areas containing discrete source damage, and their effect on weight of such regions.
A Review of Published Studies Involving Parametric Manipulations of Treatment Integrity

We reviewed parametric analyses of treatment integrity levels published in 10 behavior analytic journals through 2017. A total of 19 experiments (13 articles) met criteria for review. The objectives were to: (1) determine the number of experiments in which levels of treatment integrity were systematically manipulated; (2) identify the types of errors that were investigated; (3) determine which parts of the intervention procedure were manipulated; and (4) assess the degree to which these errors affected consumer behavior. We also summarized other relevant study features. Although results documented that desired behavior change may occur when treatments feature errors, outcomes are less predictable than treatment outcomes during high-integrity implementation. Our findings also revealed infrequent use of descriptive assessment and that nearly half of the studies introduced both errors of omission and commission. The consequence was the most common treatment component during which errors were introduced. We discuss the general findings from the identified literature as well as directions for future research.
Erectile dysfunction management after failed phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor trial: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Background: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternate erectile dysfunction (ED) management options after failed first line phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors (PDE5-I). Methods: An empiric, repetitive decision tree analysis model was constructed using literature review and expert clinical judgement. This assessed the expected costs and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) of decision alternatives over a 10-year period. The model incorporated interventions including alternate PDE5-Is, intracorporal injections (ICI) with alprostadil or trimix (alprostadil, phentolamine, and papaverine), and inflatable penile prosthesis placement (IPP) and included respective risks of failure, subsequent interventions, and other complications (including priapism risk). Average model QALY estimates obtained from the literature were as follows: ED =0.56, successful alternate PDE5-I =0.70, successful ICI =0.70, and successful IPP =0.78. Cost data were calculated from a high-volume academic center and published manufacturer data. Results: Over the 10-year period, IPP placement was the most cost-effective management option per preserved QALY (QALY =7.82, cost =$22,009/10 years) as compared to ICI alprostadil (QALY =8.51, cost =$62,890/10 years), ICI trimix (QALY =8.47, cost =$48,617/10 years) and alternate PDE5-I (QALY =7.73, $52,883/10 years). Conclusions: Using expert opinion and published utility, cost, and complication data in a decision analysis, we demonstrated that IPP placement is the most cost-effective ED intervention following failed initial PDE5-I over a 10-year period as compared to alternate treatment options. Such cost-effectiveness outcomes may be used in ED management counseling.
ColRadPy: A Python collisional radiative solver

Abstract The properties of emitting ions in a plasma provides both potential for plasma diagnostics and key information required for plasma modeling. Generalized collisional radiative theory provides a powerful tool for the modeling of low and moderately dense plasmas. A new Python program is presented that solves the collisional radiative and ionization balance equations for application to fusion, laboratory, and astrophysical plasmas. It produces generalized coefficients that can be easily imported into existing plasma modeling codes and spectral diagnostics. An overview of the code is presented, along with selected results for applications to high-Z plasma facing components.
The ‘Terrors of the Year 1900’: The eleventh century and a debate about the meaning of modernity

The genesis of the ‘Terrors of the Year 1000’ argument can with some certainty be dated to the 1820s and 1830s when the passions of the July Monarchy shaped the understandings of a generation of scholars. The thesis that there was widespread fear of the Apocalypse was under sustained assault by scholars from France, Germany, and Italy (but not, until later, the United States) as early as the 1870s, though. This essay will examine the historiography of this debate as a product of its time by considering the career of the American historian who led the charge against the cultural Romantics – founding member of the Medieval Academy, president of the American Historical Association, and professor at Cornell, George Lincoln Burr. Burr vs. Michelet was a war about the meaning of the nineteenth century, about modernity, but a war fought by proxy through the sources of the tenth and eleventh centuries.
Structure-thermodynamics relationship of schoepite from first-principles.

The relationship between the structure and thermodynamic properties of schoepite, an important uranyl phase with formula [(UO2)8O2(OH)12]·12H2O formed upon corrosion of UO2, has been investigated within the framework of density functional perturbation theory (DFPT). Experimental crystallographic lattice parameters are well reproduced in this study using standard DFT. Phonon calculations within the quasi-harmonic approximation predict standard molar entropy and isobaric heat capacity of S0 = 179.60 J mol−1 K−1 and C0P = 157.4 J mol−1 K−1 at 298.15 K, i.e., ∼6% and ∼4% larger than existing DFPT-D2 calculations. The computed variation of the standard molar isobaric heat capacity with water content from schoepite (UO3·xH2O, x = 2.25) to dehydrated schoepite (x = 1) is predicted to be essentially linear along isotherms ranging from 100 to 500 K. These findings have important implications for the dehydration of layered uranyl corrosion phases and hygroscopic materials.
End-of-life nursing education: Enhancing nurse knowledge and attitudes.

Abstract Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of a palliative and end-of-life care nursing education program on nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward caring for patients with advanced serious illness or nearing death. Background It is projected that 9 million Americans will be over 85 years old, in the year 2030; many will be living with disabilities and serious medical conditions. Expanding access to palliative care resources and knowledgeable providers is essential for meeting the future demands required by the aging population. Methods A quasi-experimental research design with pre-test and post-test measures was utilized. Potential sample included 134 nurses who participated in a 6-week, 12-hour End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) Core Curriculum© educational program. Changes in knowledge were measured using The Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN) (n = 61), while changes in attitudes in caring for dying patients were measured using the Thanatophobia Scale (TS) (n = 57). Results Results suggest that while post-test PCQN knowledge scores increased significantly (t = −7.498; p = .000), practicing nurses were somewhat lacking in EOL care knowledge answering 13/20 questions correctly before, and 15/20 questions correctly after the educational intervention. Results also indicated that the sample had positive attitudes in caring for this patient population initially, but that attitudes improved significantly post-intervention (t = 3.944; p = .000). Conclusions Results support the use of the ELNEC© curriculum for EOL education among this sample, suggesting that educating practicing nurses about EOL is an effective mechanism for both increasing knowledge and improving attitudes. Results also suggest that more education is warranted.
CONSUMER PENALTY EVALUATION: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COOPERATIVE AND REBELLIOUS CUSTOMERS

This research investigates different types of antecedents such as fairness, disconfirmation and emotion and their influences on different types of satisfaction and behavioral intentions. It also examines how different types of customers, cooperative vs. rebellious, respond to penalties differently. Based on existing literatures, the study proposes a model that views transaction-specific satisfaction as a mediator between cognitive and affective antecedents and overall satisfaction and repurchase intentions. The model is tested on data collected via online survey. The study found that affective and cognitive antecedents have differential impacts on two types of satisfaction judgments, transaction-specific satisfaction and overall satisfaction, and behavioral intentions to repurchase. For example, the influence of emotion is fully mediated by transaction-specific satisfaction while cognitive antecedents have direct influences on both transaction-specific satisfaction and overall satisfaction. Customers weigh transaction-specific evaluations, penalty-related evaluations such as fairness, disconfirmation, emotion and dissatisfaction with the penalty, and global satisfaction evaluation differently based on their relationship with the company. Cooperative customers weigh overall satisfaction more heavily than transaction-specific evaluations. Rebellious customers weigh transaction-specific evaluations more heavily than overall satisfaction. Implications for measurement and management are offered.
Clinical impact of the VOLO optimizer on treatment plan quality and clinical treatment efficiency for CyberKnife.

With the recent CyberKnife treatment planning system (TPS) upgrade from Precision 1.0 to Precision 2.0, the new VOLO optimizer was released for plan optimization. The VOLO optimizer sought to overcome some of the limitations seen with the Sequential optimizer from previous TPS versions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical impact of the VOLO optimizer on treatment plan quality and clinical treatment efficiency as compared to the Sequential optimizer. Treatment plan quality was evaluated in four categories of patients: Brain Simple (BS), Brain Complex (BC), Spine Complex (SC), and Prostate (PC). A total of 60 treatment plans were compared using both the Sequential and VOLO optimizers with Iris and MLC collimation with the same clinical constraints. Metrics evaluated included estimated treatment time, monitor units (MUs) delivered, conformity index (CI), and gradient index (GI). Furthermore, the clinical impact of the VOLO optimizer was evaluated through statistical analysis of the patient population treated during the 4 months before (n = 297) and 4 months after (n = 285) VOLO introduction. Significant MU and time reductions were observed for all four categories planned. MU reduction ranged from -14% (BS Iris) to -52% (BC MLC), and time reduction ranged from -11% (BS Iris) to -22% (BC MLC). The statistical analysis of patient population before and after VOLO introduction for patients using 6D Skull tracking with fixed cone, 6D Skull tracking with Iris, and Xsight Spine tracking with Iris were -4.6%, -22.2%, and -17.8% for treatment time reduction, -1.1%, -22.0%, and -28.4% for beam reduction and -3.2%, -21.8%, and -28.1% for MU reduction, respectively. The VOLO optimizer maintains or improves the plan quality while decreases the plan complexity and improves treatment efficiency. We anticipate an increase in patient throughput with the introduction of the VOLO optimizer.
30 Years After the Americans with Disabilities Act: Perspectives on Employment for Persons with Spinal Cord Injury.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, represented landmark legislation and led to significant improvements in accessibility, such as prohibiting discrimination based on disability in public life, including employment. Now 30 years later, however, employment rates for persons with disabilities, including spinal cord injury, remain low. This article discusses why employment is so important for persons with spinal cord injury and challenges that remain. Presented are previously unpublished employment data from a nationally representative US sample. Finally, the state of the art of vocational rehabilitation, including models proven to facilitate this critical rehabilitation outcome, is discussed.
Impact of years in bahiagrass and cultivation techniques in organic vegetable production on epigeal arthropod populations

Plantings of perennial grasses have been shown to be an effective means to enhance soil qualities for organic production. Similarly, tillage methods can significantly impact production in organic crop production systems. We have previously examined direct effects of these practices on crop yields, profitability, and soil quality for rotations of organic vegetables in a 4-yr study in northern Florida, but less is known about the effects of these treatments on arthropods. We report here on experiments that used large fields of Argentine bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum Flugge (Poaceae) ‘Tifton 9,’ converted to seasonal vegetable rotations of oat/rye, bush beans, soybeans, and broccoli in a nested design using 4 levels (yr) of continuous bahiagrass production prior to vegetable rotations and 2 tillage methods (conventional and strip tillage). During the fourth yr of the study, we conducted pitfall trapping on a subset of plots involving all 8 treatments (4 bahiagrass treatments and 2 tillage treatments) to examine effects on epigeal arthropods. Over 10,000 organisms and 48 species were identified with 36 arthropod species comprising greater than 97% of the collected specimens. Fields with increasing yr in bahiagrass significantly increased the number of carabid beetles, whereas there was a decline in total herbivores. Tillage treatments impacted arthropod abundance with a noted decline in total carabids collected in strip tilled plots. Pest management implications of these treatments are discussed.
On The Non Thermal Emission and Acceleration of Electrons in Coma and Other Clusters of Galaxies

Some clusters of galaxies in addition to thermal bremsstrahlung (TB), emit diffuse radiation from the intercluster medium (ICM) at radio, EUV and hard x-ray (HXR) ranges. The radio radiation is due to synchrotron by relativistic electrons, and the inverse Compton (IC) scattering by the cosmic microwave background radiation of the same electrons is the most natural source for the HXR and perhaps the EUV emissions. However, simple estimates give a weaker magnetic field than that suggested by Faraday rotation measurements. Consequently, non-thermal bremsstrahlung (NTB) and TB have also been suggested as sources of these emissions. We show that NTB cannot be the source of the HXRs and that the difficulty with the low magnetic field in the IC model is alleviated if we take into account the effects of observational bias, nonisotropic pitch angle distribution and spectral breaks. We derive a spectrum for the radiating electrons and discuss acceleration scenarios. We show that continuous and in situ acceleration in the ICM of the background thermal electrons requires unreasonably high energy input and acceleration of injected relativistic electrons gives rise to a much flatter spectrum than desired, unless a large fraction of electrons escape the ICM, in which case one obtains EUV and HXR emissions extending well beyond the boundaries of the cluster. A continuous emission by a cooling spectrum resulting from interaction with ICM of electrons accelerated elsewhere also suffers from similar shortcomings. The most likely scenario appears to be an episodic injection-acceleration model, whereby one obtains a time dependent spectrum that for certain phases of its evolution satisfies all the requirements.