cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design-Bid-Build (DBB) vs. Design-Build (DB) in the U.S. public transportation projects: The choice and consequences

Abstract Should public-sector owners use Design-Build or Design-Bid-Build to deliver projects? To seek answers to this question, this study tackles the following questions related to fundamental decisions in the procurement process: 1) For which project owners are likely to employ one delivery method or the other? 2) To which contractor owners tend to award Design-Build projects? and 3) How different are the consequences of the decisions between the two methods in terms of cost and schedule? Economic theories of contract selection suggest that Design-Build would fit better with large, environmentally uncertain, and technologically challenging projects, thereby, requiring better-qualified contractors. However, analyses of comprehensive data on public transportation projects in Florida reveal some misfits between theories and the reality. Regardless, Design-Build seems advantageous to schedule control, while cost advantages of one method over the other is still inconclusive. This study concludes with some implications of these findings for efficient deliveries of public infrastructure projects.
Alternative remedies for insomnia: a proposed method for personalized therapeutic trials

Insomnia is a common symptom, with chronic insomnia being diagnosed in 5-10% of adults. Although many insomnia patients use prescription therapy for insomnia, the health benefits remain uncertain and adverse risks remain a concern. While similar effectiveness and risk concerns exist for herbal remedies, many individuals turn to such alternatives to prescriptions for insomnia. Like prescription hypnotics, herbal remedies that have undergone clinical testing often show subjective sleep improvements that exceed objective measures, which may relate to interindividual heterogeneity and/or placebo effects. Response heterogeneity can undermine traditional randomized trial approaches, which in some fields has prompted a shift toward stratified trials based on genotype or phenotype, or the so-called n-of-1 method of testing placebo versus active drug in within-person alternating blocks. We reviewed six independent compendiums of herbal agents to assemble a group of over 70 reported to benefit sleep. To bridge the gap between the unfeasible expectation of formal evidence in this space and the reality of common self-medication by those with insomnia, we propose a method for guided self-testing that overcomes certain operational barriers related to inter- and intraindividual sources of phenotypic variability. Patient-chosen outcomes drive a general statistical model that allows personalized self-assessment that can augment the open-label nature of routine practice. The potential advantages of this method include flexibility to implement for other (nonherbal) insomnia interventions.
Ecohydrologic considerations for modeling of stable water isotopes in a small intermittent watershed

Naturally occurring stable water isotope tracers provide useful information for hydrologic model development and calibration. Existing models include varied approaches concerning unsaturated zone percolation mixing (preferential versus matrix flow) and evapotranspiration (ET) partitioning. We assess the impact of unsaturated zone simplifying assumptions when simulating the Shale Hills Watershed (SHW), a small (7.9 ha), temperate, forested watershed near Petersburg, Pennsylvania, USA with a relatively simple model. We found that different model structures/assumptions and parameterizations of unsaturated zone percolation had substantial impacts on the agreement between simulated and observed unsaturated-zone water isotopic signatures. We show that unsaturated zone percolation mixing primarily affects the unsaturated zone δ18O and δ2H during winter and spring and that percolation was best represented as a combination of both preferential and matrix flow. We evaluate the importance and implications related to the partitioning of ET into evaporation (E) and transpiration (T) and demonstrated that incorporation of a plant growth model for ET partitioning substantially improved reproduction of observed hydrologic isotopic patterns of the unsaturated zone during the spring season. We show that unsaturated zone percolation mixing and ET partitioning approaches do not substantially influence stream δ18O and δ2H and conclude that observed streamflow isotopic data is not always a strong predictor of model performance with respect to intra-watershed processes.
Navigating the Rolling Hills of Justice: Mental Disabilities, Employment and the Evolving Jurisprudence of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mental illness and disability affect millions of individuals yearly in the U.S. The most important legislation protecting the mentally disabled in the workplace in the U.S. over the last half century has been the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its associated legislation and guidance. Although the employee should first request reasonable accommodation with the employer, evaluation by a mental health professional is one of the initial steps for individuals who report significant psychiatric symptoms that are impairing their functioning at work in the U.S.. Important regulations and laws in the United States that are essential knowledge to performing thorough mental disability evaluations include the ADA and Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), Social Security Disability, Workers' Compensation, and private disability insurance. These laws differ in applicability and in their definitions of disability. Social Security Disability is applicable to workers who have long-term impairments regardless of whether the disability arose on or off the job, while Worker's Compensation is specific to persons with work-related illness and injuries that occur on the job (Reno, Williams, & Sengupta, 2003/2004). The Social Security definition of a disabled person is a person who is not “able to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically-determinable physical or mental impairment(s): that is expected to result in death, or that has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months” (Social Security Red Book, 2016). However, the Workers' Compensation definition of what illnesses/injuries are compensated, the level of benefits and who provides the insurance are state-specific. Due to these differences in definition of disability, it is essential for the mental health professional performing a mental disability evaluation to clarify with the referral source or referring agency which legislation and laws they feel are directly relevant to the specific situation before starting the evaluation. While the ADA and ADA Amendments Act of 2008 have had the greatest impact on the improvement of conditions for mentally disabled individuals in employment over the last 25 years, they have also been the most challenging by far for mental health experts to understand and apply (Cook, 2006). Interestingly, the ADA has had a much quicker effect on improving access to services for the medically disabled as compared with the mentally disabled in the U.S. (Ullman, Johnsen, Moss, & Burris, 2001). This article reviews the history and status of current ADA- and ADAAA-related law and employment as well as Canadian disability law and global progress towards universal disability legislation as evidenced by the 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Should I Convince My Partner to Go on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)? The Role of Personal and Relationship Factors on PrEP-Related Social Control among Gay and Bisexual Men

An estimated 35–68% of new HIV infections among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) are transmitted through main partnerships. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in reducing HIV seroconversion, yet PrEP uptake has been modest. PrEP-naive GBM with HIV-negative, PrEP-naive main partners enrolled in One Thousand Strong (n = 409), a U.S. national cohort of GBM, were asked about (1) the importance of partner PrEP use and (2) their willingness to convince their partner to initiate PrEP. On average, participants thought partner PrEP was only modestly important and were only moderately willing to try to convince their partner to initiate PrEP. Personal PrEP uptake willingness and intentions were the strongest indicators of partner PrEP outcomes. Being in a monogamish relationship arrangement (as compared to a monogamous arrangement) and the experience of intimate partner violence victimization were associated with increased willingness to persuade a partner to initiate PrEP.
Comparative Analysis of Skid Resistance for Different Roadway Surface Treatments

Pavement skid resistance impacts road functionality and can affect user safety and vehicle operation costs. This study was an investigation of the effect of sealcoats on skid resistance. Seven different sealcoats-fog seal, chip seal, slurry seal, sand seal, high-friction seal, cape seal, and glass seal-were lab and field tested. Laboratory samples were further tested in the field on pavement sections. To validate lab and field tests, high-friction seal was tested on recently placed pavement sections in Anchorage, Alaska. The British Pendulum tester was used to measure sealcoat skid resistance. A minimum of 40 randomized readings from the lab and field were sorted. Statistical analysis of lab and field data showed insignificant differences between all sealcoat types with the exception of cape seal. The mean skid resistance of sealcoats indicated a preference for high-friction and glass seals. On average, high-friction and glass seals had skid numbers close to 40, providing effective skid resistance as well as safer riding quality. The field and lab data of high-friction sealcoat were validated on recently paved roads in Anchorage. The results highlighted the consistency of skid resistance measurements for the three types of testing conditions (lab, field, and real roadway) for high-friction sealcoat.
Transpsoas cystolitholapaxy in a pediatric patient with myelomeningocele, augmented neobladder, and Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy.

Abstract Recurrent urolithiasis is a common and potentially morbid complication of spina bifida. Although the size, the location, and the composition of these stones often necessitates percutaneous intervention, access is often complicated by body habitus and spinal deformity. There is little consensus regarding the approach to percutaneous lithotripsy when a clear path to the collecting system is unavailable, particularly in the setting of surgically augmented urological anatomy. Here we present the first known case in which a pediatric patient with spina bifida underwent percutaneous lithotripsy of bladder stones via a transpsoas approach.
Subwavelength grating metamaterial waveguides for silicon photonics (Conference Presentation)

Subwavelength pho¬tonics has seen tremendous progress, particularly in nanostructured engineered materials: metamateri¬als, metallic and dielectric subwavelength structures and subwavelength engineered waveguides. The novel optical properties found in these structures, along with the capability, through advanced fabrication techniques, to control their optical responses with unprecedented accuracy, has opened new prospects for controlling and manipulating light in planar waveguide circuits, at subwavelength scale. Since the first demonstrations of an optical waveguide with a periodic subwavelength grating metamaterial core at National Research Council of Canada, metamaterial SWG waveguides have attracted a strong research interest in academia and industry because of their unique potential to control light propagation in planar waveguides. The subwavelength metamaterial waveguides have been adopted by industry for fiber-chip coupling and subwavelength engineered structures in general are likely to become key building blocks for the next generation of integrated photonic circuits. In this invited talk we will present an overview of recent advances in implementations of these structures in silicon photonics, including high-efficiency fiber-chip couplers, ultra-broadband surface grating couplers and multimode interference (MMI) devices, and grating filters for near- and mid-infrared operation.
Promoting Excellence in Surgical Educational Research

Surgical education offers a rich and exciting setting for conducting educational research. Surgical educators need to understand basic concepts in educational research in order to design and conduct research studies as well as to become critical consumers of journal articles that report educational research findings. This chapter is divided into two portions. The first offers an overview of foundational concepts involved in the design of educational research studies. To that end we describe the differences between quantitative and qualitative studies and for each of them address what we believe are the five key questions: (1) What is the main purpose of the research being conducted?; (2) How is the number of research subjects determined?; (3) What are the key methods for collecting data from research subjects?; (4) How are research data analyzed?; and (5) How are research data reported? The second half of the chapter discusses in detail two published articles, one that follows the quantitative design and one that uses the qualitative research design. For each article we discuss, in a practical manner, how the five key elements apply.
Remote Sensing from Space Platforms

Since its inception in the early 1960’s, lidar has been extensively used for the measurement of atmospheric properties including molecular and aerosol backscattering, gas concentration profiles, wind velocities, and atmospheric waves. There are basically four main lidar techniques: elastic scattering, Raman scattering, resonance fluorescence, and differential absorption. Lidar measurement of elastic backscattering1 2 from the atmosphere has been a prominent lidar activity that has focused on investigations of molecular, aerosol, and cloud properties. Lidar systems that detect returned signals at Raman shifted frequencies have been limited to measurements of gas species having high mixing ratios, such as water vapor, at ranges typically less than several kilometers3. Resonance flourescence has been an important lidar technique4 5 to measure Na and K in the upper atmosphere, and it is the primary lidar technique for studying upper atmospheric waves6. The Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) technique can be used to measure concentration profiles of atmospheric gases at long ranges in the lower atmosphere8.
The Poisoning of Nostalgia: Commentary

The present paper explores elements of traumatic separation associated with involuntary migration by individuals and groups. Loss of “home,” one's sense of security, familiarity, and historical continuity—without physical threat or actual injury—is examined within a cultural and historical context. The author addresses the complex implications of traumatic separation by conscious human choice, rather than natural processes, such as the “poisoning of nostalgia,” the process by which normal mourning of loss is undermined by a potentially transgenerationally enduring sense of betrayal of trust.
Experimental Demonstration of Redundant Long-Reach PON

Automated failover for redundant long-reach TWDM PON is experimentally demonstrated. This novel architecture provides protection to each power splitter without backup OLTs. Instead, optical splitters and amplifiers are used to generate multiple feeds for the redundant feeder fibre.
Transistor Sizing for Parameter Obfuscation of Analog Circuits Using Satisfiability Modulo Theory

In this paper, an approach is described for enhancing the security of analog circuits using Satisfiability Modulo Theory (SMT) based design space exploration. The technique takes as inputs generic circuit equations and performance constraints and, by exhaustively exploring the design space, outputs transistor sizes that satisfy the given constraints. The analog satisfiability (aSAT) methodology is applied to parameter biasing obfuscation, where the width of a transistor is obfuscated to mask circuit properties, while also limiting the number of keys that produce the target performance requirements. The proposed methodology is used in the design of a differential amplifier and a two stage amplifier. The widths determined through aSAT analysis are shown to meet the gain, phase margin, and power consumption requirements for both a differential amplifier and a two-stage amplifier. However, a 7 MHz offset in the gain-bandwidth of the two-stage amplifier is observed from the target value of 30 MHz. The total gain of the two stage amplifier is masked with a 24 bit encryption key that results in a probability of 5.96×10−08 to determine the correct key. The simulated results indicate that the proposed analog design methodology quickly and accurately determines transistor sizes for target specifications, while also accounting for obfuscation of analog circuit parameters.
Mindfulness predicts growth belief and positive outcomes in social relationships

Prior research demonstrates that growth belief, or the implicit view that relationships are successful as a function of effort and cultivation, is associated with a variety of positive relational o...
Foot Rotation Gait Modifications Affect Hip and Ankle, But Not Knee, Stance Phase Joint Reaction Forces During Running

Alterations of foot rotation angles have successfully reduced external knee adduction moments during walking and running. However, reductions in knee adduction moments may not result in reductions in knee joint reaction forces. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of internal and external foot rotation on knee, hip, and ankle joint reaction forces during running. Motion capture and force data were recorded of 19 healthy adults running at 3.35 m/s during three conditions: (1) preferred (normal) and with (2) internal and (3) external foot rotation. Musculoskeletal simulations were performed using opensim and the Rajagopal 2015 model, modified to a two degree-of-freedom knee joint. Muscle excitations were derived using static optimization, including muscle physiology parameters. Joint reaction forces (i.e., the total force acting on the joints) were computed and compared between conditions using one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) via statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Internal foot rotation reduced resultant hip forces (from 18% to 23% stride), while external rotation reduced resultant ankle forces (peak force at 20% stride) during the stance phase. Three-dimensional and resultant knee joint reaction forces only differed at very early and very late stance phase. The results of this study indicate, similar to previous findings, that reductions in external knee adduction moments do not mirror reductions in knee joint reaction forces.
The role of bioresorbable intraluminal airway stents in pediatric tracheobronchial obstruction: A systematic review.

Abstract Introduction Tracheal stenosis and tracheobronchomalacia are complicated, patient-specific diseases that can be treated with intraluminal stenting. Most commonly, silicone and metal stents are utilized, however, they pose significant early and late morbidity and are further complicated by growth of the airway in the pediatric population. Given recent improvements in materials science, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting a strong role for bioresorbable intraluminal stents in treating pediatric tracheobronchial obstruction. Methods A PubMed.gov literature search was performed on December 3, 2019 and May 15, 2020, and a 2-researcher systematic review was performed following the PRISMA criteria. The following search query was utilized: (((((((bioresorbable) OR bioabsorbable) OR resorbable) OR absorbable) OR biodegradable AND airway) OR trachea) AND stent. A pooled statistical analysis was performed on all reported pediatric patients using SPSS software. Results 1369 publications were screened and 26 articles with original data were identified. Materials used included polydioxanone (PDO), poly- l -lactic acid (PLLA), polyglycolic acid/poly- l -lactide co-polymer with Proglactin 910 (Vicryl®-PDS®), polycaprolactone (PCL), magnesium alloys, and co-polymers in varying proportions. Twelve articles presented data on human subjects, 8 of which were case series and case reports on pediatric populations using polydioxanone (PDO) stents. Pooled statistical analysis demonstrated an average age of 19 months (range 0.25–144), 56.5% associated with a cardiovascular anomaly, and overall complication rate of 21.7%, with a stent fragment foreign body being the most common (8.7%), followed by significant granulation tissue (4.3%), stent migration (4.3%), and local stenosis (4.3%). Comparative analysis demonstrated short-term improvement (up to 1 month) has a statistically significant association with tracheobronchomalacia versus tracheal stenosis on chi-squared test (p = 0.001). The remaining analyses did not yield statistical significance. Conclusion The reported application of bioresorbable materials as intraluminal airway stents is positive. All comparative animal studies report biocompatibility and fewer morbidities compared to metal and silicone stents, however, in human studies there are concerns over the short interval of degradation and the potential for obstructive foreign bodies in poorly seated stents. Overall, there are clear, reproducible advantages to bioresorbable intraluminal stents in pediatric airway obstruction, as well as common pitfalls, that warrant further research.
Longer Distance From Dialysis Facility to Transplant Center Is Associated With Lower Access to Kidney Transplantation.

Author(s): Whelan, Adrian M; Johansen, Kirsten L; McCulloch, Charles E; Adelmann, Dieter; Niemann, Claus U; Roll, Garrett R; Siyahian, Salpi; Grimes, Barbara; Ku, Elaine | Abstract: Rates of kidney transplantation vary substantially across dialysis facilities in the United States. Whether distance between the dialysis facility and transplant center associates with variations in transplantation rates has not been examined.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of adults treated with dialysis between 2005 and 2015, according to the US Renal Data System. We examined the association between distance from dialysis facility to transplant center and time to kidney transplantation (primary outcome) and waitlist registration (secondary outcome) using Fine-Gray models. We also performed sensitivity analyses using the distance from each patient's dialysis facility to the nearest transplant center as the predictor so that patients who were never registered on the waitlist (and therefore would not have a transplant center) could be included.ResultsIn total, 178 885 waitlisted patients were included for our primary analysis. As distance between dialysis facility and transplant center increased, lower hazard of transplantation (subhazard ratio [HR], 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91-0.94, if distance was 10 to l50 miles; sub-HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.88-0.92, if distance ≥50 miles compared with l10 miles) was noted. We also found a weak association between longer distance and hazard of waitlist registration (sub-HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.97, if distance was ≥50 miles versus l10 miles). Findings were similar in sensitivity analyses using distance between dialysis facility and the nearest transplant center (N = 1 149 721).ConclusionsPatients receiving dialysis in facilities located further away from transplant centers have lower hazard of kidney transplantation. Developing strategies to address barriers to transplantation in patients receiving dialysis at facilities located far away from a transplant center may help improve disparities in transplantation rates.
Enhanced initial protein adsorption on engineered nanostructured cubic zirconia

Motivated by experimentally-observed biocompatibility enhancement of nanoengineered cubic zirconia (ZrO2) coatings to mesenchymal stromal cells, we have carried out computational analysis of the initial immobilization of one known structural fragment of the adhesive protein (fibronectin) on the corresponding surface. We constructed an atomistic model of the ZrO2 nano-hillock of 3-fold symmetry based on Atom Force Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy images. First principle quantum mechanical calculations show a substantial variation of electrostatic potential at the hillock due to the presence of surface features such as edges and vertexes. Using an implemented Monte Carlo simulated annealing method, we found the orientation of the immobilized protein on the ZrO2 surface and the contribution of the amino acid residues from the protein sequence to the adsorption energy. Accounting for the variation of the dielectric permittivity at the protein–implant interface, we used a model distance-dependent dielectric function to describe the inter-atom electrostatic interactions in the adsorption potential. We found that the initial immobilization of the rigid protein fragment on the nanostructured pyramidal ZrO2 surface is achieved with a magnitude of adsorption energy larger than that of the protein on the smooth (atomically flat) surface. The strong attractive electrostatic interactions are a major contributing factor in the enhanced adsorption at the nanostructured surface. In the case of adsorption on the flat, uncharged surface this factor is negligible. We show that the best electrostatic and steric fit of the protein to the inorganic surface corresponds to a minimum of the adsorption energy determined by the non-covalent interactions.
All-optical lithography process for contacting nanometer precision donor devices

We describe an all-optical lithography process that can make electrical contact to nanometer-precision donor devices fabricated in silicon using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). This is accomplished by implementing a cleaning procedure in the STM that allows the integration of metal alignment marks and ion-implanted contacts at the wafer level. Low-temperature transport measurements of a patterned device establish the viability of the process.
Local magnetic inhomogeneities observed via 75As NMR in Ba(Fe1−xNix)2As2 with H0 ⊥ c-axis

We present field-swept 75As Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements in the spin-density wave (SDW) state of Ba(Fe1−xNix)2As2 for x = 0.0072. The large single crystals were aligned with the external field H0 perpendicular to the c axis. The spectra are increasingly broadened as a function of doping, and are well fit by a model of a commensurate SDW with local impurities.
DNA-PKc inhibition overcomes taxane resistance by promoting taxane-induced DNA damage in prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND Overcoming taxane resistance remains a major clinical challenge in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Loss of DNA repair proteins is associated with resistance to anti-microtubule agents. We propose that alterations in DNA damage response (DDR) pathway contribute to taxane resistance, and identification of these alterations may provide a potential therapeutic target to resensitize docetaxel-refractory mCRPC to taxane-based therapy. METHODS Alterations in DDR gene expression in our prostate cancer cell line model of docetaxel-resistance (DU145-DxR) derived from DU-145 cells were determined by DDR pathway-specific polymerase chain reaction array and immunoblotting. The PRKDC gene encoding DNA-PKc (DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic unit), was noted to be overexpressed and evaluated for its role in docetaxel resistance. Cell viability and clonogenic survival of docetaxel-treated DU145-DxR cells were assessed after pharmacologic inhibition of DNA-PKc with three different inhibitors-NU7441, LTURM34, and M3814. Response to second-line cytotoxic agents, cabazitaxel and etoposide upon DNA-PKc inhibition was also tested. The impact of DNA-PKc upregulation on DNA damage repair was evaluated by comet assay and analysis of double-strand breaks marker, γH2AX and Rad51. Lastly, DNA-PKc inhibitor's effect on MDR1 activity was assessed by rhodamine 123 efflux assay. RESULTS DDR pathway-specific gene profiling revealed significant upregulation of PRKDC and CDK7, and downregulation of MSH3 in DU145-DxR cells. Compared to parental DU145, DU145-DxR cells sustained significantly less DNA damage when exposed to etoposide and docetaxel. Pharmacologic inhibition of DNA-PKc, a component of NHEJ repair machinery, with all three inhibitors, significantly resensitized DU145-DxR cells to docetaxel. Furthermore, DNA-PKc inhibition also resensitized DU145-DxR to cabazitaxel and etoposide, which demonstrated cross-resistance. Inhibition of DNA-PKc led to increased DNA damage in etoposide- and docetaxel-treated DU145-DxR cells. Finally, DNA-PKc inhibition did not affect MDR1 activity, indicating that DNA-PKc inhibitors resensitized taxane-resistant cells via an MDR1-independent mechanism. CONCLUSION This study supports a role of DDR genes, particularly, DNA-PKc in promoting resistance to taxanes in mCRPC. Targeting prostatic DNA-PKc may provide a novel strategy to restore taxane sensitivity in taxane-refractory mCRPC.
Volume-outcome relationships for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients in the sleeve gastrectomy era.

Sleeve gastrectomy is now the most common bariatric operation performed. With lower volumes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), it is unclear whether decreasing surgeon experience has led to worsening outcomes for this procedure. We used State Inpatient Databases from Florida, Iowa, New York, and Washington. Bariatric surgeons were designated as those who performed ten or more bariatric procedures yearly. Patients who had RYGB were included in our analysis. Using multi-level logistic regression, we examined whether surgeon average yearly RYGB volume was associated with RYGB patient 30-day complications, reoperations, and readmissions and 1-year revisions and readmissions. From 2013 to 2017 there were 27,714 patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB by 311 surgeons. Median surgeon volume was 77 RYGBs per year. The distribution was 10 bypasses yearly at the 5th percentile, 16 bypasses at the 10th percentile, 38 bypasses at the 25th percentile, and 133 bypasses at the 75th percentile. Multi-level regression revealed that patients of surgeons with lower RYGB volumes had small but statistically significant increased risks of 30-day complications and 1-year readmissions. At 30 days, risk for any complication was 6.71%, 6.43%, and 5.55% at 10, 38, and 133 bypasses per year, respectively (p = 0.01). Risk for readmission at 1 year was 13.90%, 13.67%, and 12.90% at 10, 38, and 133 bypasses per year, respectively (p = 0.099). Of note, volume associations with complications and reoperations due to hemorrhage and leak were not statistically significant. There was also no significant association with revisions. This is the first study to examine the association of surgeon RYGB volume with patient outcomes as the national experience with RYGB diminishes. Overall, surgeon RYGB volume does not appear to have a large effect on patient outcomes. Thus, patients can safely pursue RYGB in this early phase of the sleeve gastrectomy era.
Does Electoral Politics Affect Corporate Investment? Evidence from Battleground States (preprint)

I examine the link between election year political incentive and corporate investment. Using battleground states as a source of plausibly exogenous variation in political importance, I find that firms located in battleground states increase corporate investment by 4.2% relative to firms located elsewhere during election years. The increase in corporate investment appears to be due to improved investment efficiency. Further analyses reveal battleground state firms appear to be more likely to receive Paycheck Protection Program loans following the onset of the COVID-19 crisis and more government contracts. My results also suggest firms located in battleground states are more insulated from political uncertainty and being perceived as politically important can lead to more efficient capital allocation.
DOCUMENTING COMPETENCE: EVIDENCE OF EXCELLENCE IN NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE

Sweeping changes in the healthcare environment reveal a greater need for the placement of qualified, cost-effective providers in all areas. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) have a proven track record of safety. However, a gap exists in identifying, quantifying, and linking existing practice evidence to the performance of individual CRNAs. The purpose of this project was to develop a practice portfolio for each CRNA that would provide evidence of competent performance in a rural acute care setting. The project demonstrated that CRNA practice portfolios can be utilized to demonstrate competent practice through the compilation of objective and quantifiable evidence.
Standing Doctrine, Judicial Technique, and the Gradual Shift From Rights-Based Constitutionalism to Executive-Centered Constitutionalism

Although scholars have long criticized the standing doctrine for its malleability, its incoherence, and its inconsistent application, few have considered whether this chaos is related to the Court's insistence that standing be used as a tool to maintain separation of powers.] Most articles on Copyright © 2008 by Laura A. Cisneros. t Assistant Professor of Law, Thurgood Marshall School of Law; LL.M., University of Wisconsin Law School; J.D., Loyola University New Orleans School of Law; B.A., University of San Diego. I would like to thank Arthur McEvoy and Victoria Nourse for their feedback on earlier drafts of this Article. I am also grateful to the William H. Hastie Fellowship Program at the University of Wisconsin for its support of my research. Finally, I am grateful to the organizers and participants in the Scholarly Papers panel at the 2009 Association of American Law Schools' Annual Conference for the opportunity to present and discuss this project. My thanks, as well, to the editors at the Case Western Reseroe Law Review for their extremely conscientious work. J Scholarship focusing specifically on the Court's separation of powers rationale is comparatively sparse. The first significant article on this topic was published in 1983 in the
Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthases-1 and -2

Publisher Summary The chapter compares and contrasts the structural and kinetic properties of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-1 (PGHS-1) and -2. It also discusses the description of the interactions of the two isozymes with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). There are three general areas of study important to understanding more about PGHS isozymes: mechanisms of catalysis, regulation of gene expression, and subcellular functional independence. The chapter also explain how is arachidonic acid specifically channeled to PGHS-2 following mobilization in cells in response to TPA and how is the localization of PGHS-2 in the nuclear envelope important for PGHS-2 functioning. The chapter also describes the structures and regulation of expression of the PGHS-1 and -2 genes. The concepts that PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 represent two separate prostaglandin biosynthetic pathways and two separate prostaglandin signaling pathways need to be tested. The chapter also discusses how the two isozymes may act independently in intact cells to mediate the formation of prostanoids destined to act on cell surface and/or nuclear targets to mediate different biological and pathobiological events.
Nutrition and fetal brain maturation. I. Responses in vitro and in vivo.

The glycolytic enzyme enolase increases during the perinatal period of brain development and was utilized as a marker for examining the effect of culture environment on differentiation of cells from 20-day fetal rat brain. Enolase activity in cell cultures increased from 0.91 +/- 0.03 (Day 0) to 2.11 +/- 0.10 mumol/min/mg protein (Day 6). Comparable levels were not reached in vivo until neonatal pups were 15 days old. The in vitro increase was inhibited by both cycloheximide and actinomycin D. Enolase activity in the cells responded to alterations in both incubation media and homologous serum. After 6 days in culture, cells incubated in rat serum (10%) added to MEM or RPMI produced twice as much enolase activity as cells incubated similarly in Ham's medium, i.e., 1.96 +/- 0.09 and 1.85 +/- 0.21 vs 1.02 +/- 0.09, P less than 0.001. Results of a comparable magnitude were obtained when fetal calf serum replaced adult rat serum, but enolase production was somewhat lower when newborn calf serum replaced adult rat or fetal calf serum. When cells were incubated for 6 days with graded concentrations of adult rat serum (2.5-15%), enolase activity increased progressively. The pattern of enolase response suggests that the fetal rat brain cell model described herein will provide a sensitive probe with which to gain insight into nutrition and fetal brain development.
Both ATPase sites of Escherichia coli UvrA have functional roles in nucleotide excision repair.

The roles of the two tandemly arranged putative ATP binding sites of Escherichia coli UvrA in UvrABC endonuclease-mediated excision repair were analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis and biochemical characterization of the representative mutant proteins. Evidence is presented that UvrA has two functional ATPase sites which coincide with the putative ATP binding motifs predicted from its amino acid sequence. The individual ATPase sites can independently hydrolyze ATP. The C-terminal ATPase site has a higher affinity for ATP than the N-terminal site. The invariable lysine residues at the ends of the glycine-rich loops of the consensus Walker type A motifs are indispensable for ATP hydrolysis. However, the mutations at these lysine residues do not significantly affect ATP binding. UvrA, with bound ATP, forms the most favored conformation for DNA binding. The initial binding of UvrA to DNA is chiefly at the undamaged sites. In contrast to the wild type UvrA, the ATPase site mutants bind equally to damaged and undamaged sites. Dissociation of tightly bound nucleoprotein complexes from the undamaged sites requires hydrolysis of ATP by the C-terminal ATPase site of UvrA. Thus, both ATP binding and hydrolysis are required for the damage recognition step enabling UvrA to discriminate between damaged and undamagedmore » sites on DNA.« less
Image Charge, Coherent Scattering, and Symmetry Effects in Electron Stimulated Desorption: O(-) from O sub 2 Condensed on Metals.

Considerable progress has been made towards our understanding of electron/ photon stimulated desorption (ESD/PSD) [1], Identification of the excited states responsible for desorption reveals that they usuaUy are many particle excitations (i.e. n holes (h)-n electrons (e), such 2h, 2h-1e etc.) and arise from widely different excitation mechanisms [2]. Furthermore, it is known that the lifetime of these localized excitations, which determine the probability for desorption, is very much altered by covalent interactions between the active site and its immediate environment [3]. In this work we shall examine “environmental” effects, which do not arise from alteration of the excited-state lifetime, but rather from: (1) the image charge induced in the metal substrate, (2) adsorbate-adsorbate interactions which reduce the symmetry and hence cause certain selection rules to breakdown, and (3) coherent scattering of electrons in the substrate.
Benzodiazepine prescribing patterns and deaths from drug overdose among US veterans receiving opioid analgesics: case-cohort study

ObjeCtive To study the association between benzodiazepine prescribing patterns including dose, type, and dosing schedule and the risk of death from drug overdose among US veterans receiving opioid analgesics. Design
A Hypothesis of Wealth-Maximizing Norms: Evidence from the Whaling Industry

This essay analyzes the rules that high-seas whalers used during the heyday of their industry to resolve disputes over the ownership of harvested whales. The evidence presented sheds light on two important theoretical issues of property rights. The first issue is the source or sources of property rights. According to what Williamson calls the "legal-centralist" view (1983:520), the state is the exclusive creator of property rights. Many scholars, including Thomas Hobbes (1909:97-98), Garrett Hardin, and Guido Calabresi (1972:1090-91), have at times succumbed to legal-centralist thinking. An opposing view holds that property rights may emerge from sources other than the state-in particular, from the workings of nonhierarchical social forces. The whaling evidence refutes legal-centralism and strongly supports the proposition that property rights may arise anarchically out of social custom.' The second theoretical issue is whether one can predict the content of
Risk management at JPL-practices and promises

Risk Management (RM) at JPL has developed in the past few years from a pioneering, effort instituted and implemented by a few brave projects to a methodology required on all projects and supported by a well-defined process and training activity. This paper discusses the beginnings of RM at JPL, the lessons learned from those experiences, and the evolution to the current process. The JPL process is discussed in its salient features: planning, identification and assessment, decision-making, and risk tracking. RM strategies to allow the desired decisions in pro-actively using resources reserves to mitigate risks are presented. Finally, some observations of the direction of future improvements are discussed.
Novel molecular markers differentiate Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout and steelhead) and the O. clarki (cutthroat trout) subspecies

A suite of 26 PCR-based markers was developed that differentiates rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and coastal cutthroat trout (O. clarki clarki). The markers also differentiated rainbow from other cutthroat trout subspecies (O. clarki), and several of the markers differentiated between cutthroat trout subspecies. This system has numerous positive attributes, including: nonlethal sampling, high species-specificity and products that are easily identified and scored using agarose gel electrophoresis. The methodology described for developing the markers can be applied to virtually any system in which numerous markers are desired for identifying or differentiating species or subspecies.
On the relative contributions of NO2 and particles to the color of smoke plumes

Abstract This paper studies the relative influences of NO 2 absorption and particle scattering on plume appearance. Theoretical results are summarized in compact nomograms which permit the direct comparison of absorption and scattering effects. These show the strong variation of scattering effects with viewing angle and particle size. Available data from several coal and oil-fired power plants in the southwestern U.S. are collated and evaluated in the light of the theory. From the limited data base, it is concluded that particle scattering: (a) controls plume-horizon contrast under most conditions at the older coal-fired plants; (b) is an important near-stack plume colorant at oil-fired plants; (c) may be a significant plume colorant at coal-fired plants equipped with wet scrubbers and (d) does not contribute to brown plume color at coal-fired plants equipped with electrostatic precipitators. Throughout the paper, all results and data are expressed in forms which are invariant under plume dilution, so that fundamental optical relationships are not obscured by the large variations encountered in atmospheric transport and dispersion.
The proliferation and differentiation of the bone-lining cell in estrogen-induced osteogenesis

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the capacity of the bone-lining cell, which covers most nonremodeling bone surfaces in the adult skeleton, to proliferate and contribute to the rapid endosteal osteogenic response following estrogen treatment in male Japanese quail. In control, untreated birds bone-lining cells cover most of the femoral endosteal surface. Bone-lining cells are thinly extended along bone surfaces, have flat nuclei, and account for about 77% of the cells adjacent to the bone surface. The lineal density of bone surface cells in the controls was about 21 cells/mm of bone surface. By 16–20 h after estrogen administration cells with larger, round nuclei were seen on the bone surface and some of these cells contained a 3 H-thymidine ( 3 H-TdR) label. Within the first 24 h after estrogen administration the lineal bone surface cell density had increased to about 38 cells/mm. At 20–30 h after estrogen administration, most of the cells adjacent to the bone surface were round. The peak 3 H-TdR labeling of cells immediately adjacent to the bone surface occurred about 36 h after estrogen administration. By 48 h the bone surface was covered with osteogenic cells and developing medullary bone. These results suggest that the bone-lining cell in the adult appears to retain some proliferative capability and osteogenic potential. However, because a rapid increase in cell density began prior to the rapid increases in 3 H-TdR labeling, as well as the appearance of mitotic figures on the bone surface, another source of cells may have also contributed to the osteogenic response induced by estrogen.
The relationship of children's feeding problems to core symptoms of autism and PDD-NOS

Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), are characterized by adherence to routines and ritualistic behaviors. Previous research has demonstrated multiple feeding problems with children with ASD such as food selectivity. While the extent of these problem behaviors is well documented in the literature, efforts have not been made to assess these behaviors briefly and at a young age. In the present study, 279 children with autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), atypical and typical development were evaluated with respect to their current behavior regarding food. The nature and implications of these data with respect to the characteristics of ASD, as well as, assessment of feeding behaviors in children with ASD are discussed.
Thermodynamic behavior of dilute palladium-hydrogen solid solutions

Abstract Temperature-composition isobars in the palladium-hydrogen system have been measured at a series of seven different pressures chosen such that the resulting data could be analyzed to provide the thermodynamic functions of the dissolved hydrogen atoms at concentrations below 10 −2 atom fraction. Some indication has been found that the partial thermodynamic functions are composition dependent. Since single crystals were used, this effect is not due to the presence of grain boundaries. Both the partial excess entropy and enthalpy increase rapidly with temperature. This behavior has been discussed in terms of several statistical models.
Analysis of pollen-style interactions in Petunia hybrida; the determination of variance in male reproductive success

A factorial cross design was used to evaluate the influence of differences among pollen donors and recipients on variation in stylar attrition of pollen tubes in self-fertile plants of Petunia hybrida. Pollinations to flower buds were used to reduce the inhibitory ability of the style and these crosses were compared with flower pollinations to assess the degree of stylar influence on pollen fertilization ability. There was less pollen tube attrition after bud pollinations than after flower pollinations, indicating that styles of buds were less able to inhibit pollen tubes. The variance component for plants acting as pollen donors tended to be greater after flower pollinations than after bud pollinations. The lower variance in male success after bud pollinations indicates that differences among pollen donors after flower pollinations were due to stylar inhibition of pollen rather than differences in pollen vigor. Since the level of variation in pollen growth after pollination to flowers was greater among clones than among ramets within clones, the differences in pollen fertilization ability are probably genetically based.