cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elementary Teachers’ Selection and Use of Visual Models

As science grows in complexity, science teachers face an increasing challenge of helping students interpret models that represent complex science systems. Little is known about how teachers select and use models when planning lessons. This mixed methods study investigated the pedagogical approaches and visual models used by elementary in-service and preservice teachers in the development of a science lesson about a complex system (e.g., water cycle). Sixty-seven elementary in-service and 69 elementary preservice teachers completed a card sort task designed to document the types of visual models (e.g., images) that teachers choose when planning science instruction. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted to analyze the card sort task. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a subsample of teachers to elicit the rationale for image selection. Results from this study showed that both experienced in-service teachers and novice preservice teachers tended to select similar models and use similar rationales for images to be used in lessons. Teachers tended to select models that were aesthetically pleasing and simple in design and illustrated specific elements of the water cycle. The results also showed that teachers were not likely to select images that represented the less obvious dimensions of the water cycle. Furthermore, teachers selected visual models more as a pedagogical tool to illustrate specific elements of the water cycle and less often as a tool to promote student learning related to complex systems.
Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Outcomes of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis, 2004-2014

There is a paucity of data regarding the benefits of bariatric surgery in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bariatric surgery on clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with IBD. The United States (US) National Inpatient Sample database was queried between 2004 and 2014 for discharges with co-diagnoses of morbid obesity and IBD. Hospitalizations with a history of prior-bariatric surgery were also identified. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included renal failure, under-nutrition, thromboembolic events, strictures, fistulae, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. Using Poisson regression, adjusted incidence risk ratios (IRR) were derived for clinical outcomes in patients with prior-bariatric surgery compared to those without bariatric surgery. Among 15,319 patients with a discharge diagnosis of IBD and morbid obesity, 493 patients (3.2%) had bariatric surgery. From 2004 to 2014, the proportion of obese IBD patients that underwent bariatric surgery declined (5.2 versus 3.1%). In a multivariable analysis, prior-bariatric surgery was associated with decreased IRR for renal failure, under-nutrition, and fistulae formation in morbidly obese IBD patients [(IRR 0.1; 95% CI 0.02–0.3; P < 0.001), (IRR 0.2; 95% CI 0.05–0.8; P = 0.03), and (IRR 0.1; 95% 0.2–08; P = 0.03), respectively]. Bariatric surgery did not influence mortality (P = 0.99). Despite a gradual increase in morbid obesity among patients with IBD, there has been a decrease in proportion of overall bariatric surgeries. Bariatric surgery appears to reduce morbidity in obese patients with IBD.
Rome Redeems Athens? Livy, the Peloponnesian War, and the Conquest of Greece

When Livy describes Rome’s wars in Greece at the beginning of the 2nd century B.C., he does so in constant awareness of the distinguished prior history of those states who are falling under Roman sway. A significant part of that history is the Peloponnesian War. Livy alludes in passing to the war when Rome (at the request of Athens) takes up arms against Philip V of Macedon; but the Peloponnesian War plays a still more important role in his accounts of the wars against Sparta, and its defeat first by the Romans and subsequently by the Achaean general Philopoemen. Through allusions to Xenophon’s account of the Spartan defeat of Athens, Livy indicates that the Spartans now are suffering a similar fate to that which they inflicted on the Athenians.
Communicative management of tensions by MSIs for water resilience

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to undertake a comparative case study (Stake, 2006) of two multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) building resilient water systems to address how they communicatively frame and manage key tensions. “Glacier” is the North American convener of an MSI focused on developing reliable and measurable standards of water stewardship in catchment areas around the world. “Delta” convenes a MSI centered on the water economy, with the goal to connect and help diverse organizations around “the business of water.” Design/methodology/approach Qualitative data were analyzed using Tracy’s (2013) pragmatic-iterative method, which envisions ongoing cycles of theme generation and refinement, and draws on both induction and deduction to identity and sort themes. The “reflexive circular process” it involves helped trace how tensional poles were framed and managed. Findings For Glacier, the key tensions were: creating new and distinct standards while reiterating extant measures; collective decision making although privileging corporate interests; and fixed impact performance that is nevertheless fluid. Delta also displayed three tensions: focus on the ecological issue connecting the MSI or partner benefits; broader ethics of water stewardship vis-a-vis local considerations; and avowing a bipartisan agenda although politics remained central to its everyday work. Research limitations/implications The paper underlines how communicative framing and management of tensions are key to developing resilience for socioecological systems. It highlights how traditional organizational boundaries and collectives are disrupted in seeking resource system resilience, and suggests that texts and conversations might emphasize tensions differently. Practical implications First, MSI conveners and members working for resource system resilience should use visioning exercises to see how tensional poles might be dialectical, rather than focus on stark differences. Second, ongoing dialogue and evaluation can help trace alternative tension frames. Third, since context and MSI purpose matter in framing tensions, practitioners should be careful while transferring lessons learned across MSIs. Originality/value This paper contributes to resilience scholarship by underlining how the communicative management of tensions is vital to developing adaptive complexity and learning capabilities within broader socioecological systems – especially with MSIs working on complex wicked problems.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterior Cruciate Ligament Tears

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are two major ligaments that stabilize the knee. Injuries can occur to these ligaments by both contact and noncontact mechanisms. An injury to the ACL may present with a “popping” noise, pain and swelling, and an unsteady knee. An injury to the PCL most often presents as pain with swelling that leads to a stiff knee. Clinical diagnosis of an ACL tear can be made by the anterior drawer test or Lachman’s test and for a PCL tear by the posterior drawer test. Both diagnoses can be confirmed by an MRI scan. Conservative management consists of rest, bracing, and therapy. In addition, surgical repair may be pursued for those interested.
Does Location Really Matter? Exploring the Role of Place in Domestic and International Service-Learning Experiences

Although increasingly popular, international/global service-learning programs are not without critique; in fact, the role of crossing national borders in service-learning is highly contested. The purpose of the study discussed in this article was to explore this role of crossing borders within the context of a particular experience: participation in an alternative break (AB) program. The authors sought to understand whether there is an aspect of learning in specific places, namely learning across national borders, that is separate (and separable) from what happens in those places. Participants reported a high level of influence of their AB experience on both their intentions to volunteer and to travel internationally, although there were a number of differences between students who participated in domestic and international ABs. Mediation analysis showed that the relationship between program location and the influence of the AB on students’ plans to volunteer was mediated completely by features of the AB program itself, while the relationship between program location and the influence of the AB on students’ plans to travel internationally was only partially mediated by program features.
Does dietary intake change during an intervention to reduce sedentary behavior and cardiovascular disease risk? A randomized comparative effectiveness trial.

Evidence from physical activity interventions suggests that women, in particular, may overcompensate for exercise energy expenditure by increasing caloric intake. Sedentary behavior and poor dietary quality are independent risk factors for many major chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether insufficiently active women, accumulating less than 60 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, alter caloric intake or dietary quality when participating in an 8-week intervention to reduce sedentary behavior and CVD risk. A secondary aim was to determine whether the two treatment groups differed from one another in dietary intake while participating in the intervention. Insufficiently active women (n = 49) working full-time sedentary jobs were randomized to one of two treatment groups to reduce sedentary behavior during the workweek: short-break (1–2 min breaks from sitting every half hour, SB), or long-break (15 min breaks from sitting twice daily, LB). Three-day food records were collected at baseline, week 4 and week 8. Dietary quality was assessed using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010). Risk factors for CVD were assessed at baseline and week 8. For all participants, average caloric intake decreased significantly from baseline to week 8 by approximately 12% (∆ = − 216.0 kcals, p = 0.003). Average caloric intake decreased significantly over time for the SB group (∆ = − 369.6 kcals, p = 0.004), but not the LB group (∆ = − 179.5 kcals, p = 0.17). There was no significant difference between SB and LB groups with regard to calories from baseline to week 8 (F = 0.51, p = 0.48). Total AHEI-2010 scores did not decrease significantly for all participants (∆ = − 4.0, p = 0.14), SB (∆ = − 5.2, p = 0.16), or LB groups (∆ = − 4.5, p = 0.67). Following an 8-week intervention to reduce sedentary time, insufficiently active women decreased caloric intake over time, however there were no differences between SB and LB groups. In all participants, dietary quality was not altered over time. Future studies should explore sedentary reduction interventions compared to physical activity interventions as a means to create negative energy balance, as frequent sedentary breaks may be effective for improving health outcomes in women. ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT02609438 , retrospectively registered November 20, 2015.
Structure Prediction of Binding Sites of MHC Class II Molecules based on the Crystal of HLA-DRB1 and Global Optimization

Class II histocompatibility molecules are cell surface molecules that form complexes with self and non-self peptides and present them to T-cells that activate the immune response. A number of class II histocompatibility molecules have been analyzed by crystallography and include the molecules HLA-DR1 [59], HLA-DR3 [22], and I-E k [21].
The Compensatory Style

Compensatory social control involves the payment of a debt from offenders to their victims (Black, 1987). Offenders are obligated to compensate victims for damage or other harm that they have suffered. Once restitution has been provided, the matter is settled.
Erythropoietin Neuroprotection in the Term and Preterm Infant: Safety and Efficacy

The neonatal brain is particularly susceptible to a variety of insults, particularly hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Developmental differences occur during brain maturation and contribute to variable patterns of brain injury in preterm and term neonates after HI. Following HI, a multifactorial cascade is initiated that injures the developing brain and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite intense investigation, no effective interventions are currently available to lessen the devastating impact of neonatal brain injury. Erythropoietin (EPO), a hematologic cytokine, has shown promise as a neuroprotective agent in both in vitro and in vivo animal studies and continues to be actively investigated. In this chapter, we explore mechanisms of brain injury following HI in neonates, highlight differential injury responses that occur during development, and discuss the promising role of EPO as a therapeutic agent after neonatal HI.
Chromatographic Analysis for Identification of Microorganisms and Diagnosis of Infection: An Introduction

Since its introduction in 1905, chromatography has played an important role in microbiology. Over the years, microbiologists have used chromatographic procedures for isolation, purification, and separation of bacterial components, byproducts, and products from metabolism. Column and paper chromatography were the principal techniques used until the introduction of gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in the 1950s. The accuracy, speed, sensitivity, and simplicity of GLC and TLC resulted in a major expansion of chromatography to essentially all areas of microbiology.
Solving the Radiosity Linear System

This paper discusses the various algorithms that have been proposed to solve the linear system arising in the radiosity method for image synthesis. These algorithms are placed within the context of the numerical methods literature. In particular, we show that the progressive radiosity method is equivalent to Southwell iteration, and the hierarchical method can be viewed as a preconditioning method that produces an approximately equivalent sparse system. When integrated with a heuristic predictor of where the significant entries in the sparse system will be, the result is the efficiencies claimed by the hierarchical methods.
Chicken Liver–Associated Outbreaks of Campylobacteriosis and Salmonellosis, United States, 2000–2016: Identifying Opportunities for Prevention

Chicken liver has been implicated in several reported U.S. illness outbreaks, probably caused by inadequate cooking and pathogen contamination. To identify commonalities among these outbreaks that could represent targets for prevention, we describe chicken liver-associated U.S. outbreaks during 2000-2016 reported to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in published literature. We identified 28 outbreaks (23 [82.1%] were campylobacteriosis only, 3 [10.7%] were salmonellosis only, and 2 [7.1%] were caused by both pathogens), with 18 (64.3%) occurring during 2014-2016. Common outbreak features included blended chicken liver dishes (e.g., pâte; 24 [85.7%]), inadequate cooking (26 [92.8%]), and preparation in foodservice settings (e.g., sit-down restaurants; 25 [89.3%]). The increasing frequency of reported outbreaks highlights chicken liver as an important food safety problem. Public health partners should collaborate on prevention measures, including education on proper foodservice preparation of blended chicken liver dishes.
Addressing Financial Barriers to Patient Participation in Clinical Trials: ASCO Policy Statement

Research conducted through clinical trials is essential for evaluating new treatment modalities, establishing new standards of cancer care, and ultimately improving and prolonging the lives of patients with cancer. However, participation in trials has been low, and this is attributable to various factors including patient financial barriers. Such financial barriers include the rising cost of cancer care; a lack of transparency in coverage policy; and the perception of ethical, compliance, or institutional impediments to patient financial support. ASCO convened a roundtable discussion with a variety of stakeholders to define the scope of the problem, as well as to identify clinical practice and policy solutions applicable at the institutional and system-wide levels. This statement summarizes key discussions from the ASCO Roundtable, as well as findings from the literature, and provides ASCO's recommendations for overcoming financial barriers that may otherwise prevent participation in clinical trials. These recommendations broadly address the following key areas: (1) improving the policy environment for coverage of clinical trials; (2) facilitating transparency among providers, patients, and payers for trial-related out-of-pocket costs; (3) refuting the specter of inducement to enable targeted financial support for patients; and (4) improving the available data on costs of cancer clinical trials.
Introduction to Theory and Theology in Chinese Literary Studies: An Early Map

Based in the context of Marxist China, Chinese intellectuals with no church background or affiliation have yet shown a keen interest in reading and applying the insights of western Christian theolo...
Software-Defined Edge Cloud Framework for Resilient Multitenant Applications

Edge application’s distributed nature presents significant challenges for developers in orchestrating and managing the multitenant applications. In this paper, we propose a practical edge cloud software framework for deploying multitenant distributed smart applications. Here we exploit commodity, a low cost embedded board to form distributed edge clusters. The cluster of geo-distributed and wireless edge nodes not only power multitenant IoT applications that are closer to the data source and the user, but also enable developers to remotely deploy and orchestrate application containers over the cloud. Specifically, we propose building a software platform to manage the distributed edge nodes along with support services to deploy and launch isolated and multitenant user applications through a lightweight container. In particular, we propose an architectural solution to improve the resilience of edge cloud services through peer collaborated service migration when the failures happen or when resources are overburdened. We focus on giving the developers a single point control of the infrastructure over the intermittent and lossy wide area networks (WANs) and enabling the remote deployment of multitenant applications.
Sortases, Surface Proteins, and Their Roles in Staphylococcus aureus Disease and Vaccine Development

Sortases cleave short peptide motif sequences at the C-terminal end of secreted surface protein precursors and either attach these polypeptides to the peptidoglycan of Gram-positive bacteria or promote their assembly into pilus structures that are also attached to peptidoglycan. Sortase A, the enzyme first identified in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, binds LPXTG motif sorting signals, cleaves between threonine (T) and glycine (G) residues, and forms an acyl enzyme between its active-site cysteine thiol and the carboxyl group of threonine (T). Sortase A acyl enzyme is relieved by the nucleophilic attack of the cross bridge amino group within lipid II, thereby generating surface protein linked to peptidoglycan precursor. Such products are subsequently incorporated into the cell wall envelope by enzymes of the peptidoglycan synthesis pathway. Surface proteins linked to peptidoglycan may be released from the bacterial envelope to diffuse into host tissues and fulfill specific biological functions. S. aureus sortase A is essential for host colonization and for the pathogenesis of invasive diseases. Staphylococcal sortase-anchored surface proteins fulfill key functions during the infectious process, and vaccine-induced antibodies targeting surface proteins may provide protection against S. aureus. Alternatively, small-molecule inhibitors of sortase may be useful agents for the prevention of S. aureus colonization and invasive disease.
Using Machine Learning to Predict Enthalpy of Solvation

Enthalpy of solvation is an important thermodynamic property for studying molecular interactions. However, measuring enthalpies of solvation is non-trivial and time-consuming. Therefore, models that can predict enthalpy of solvation values are of significant worth to the general community. Here we present such models, based upon the Acree enthalpy of solvation open data dataset, which can be used to predict enthalpy of solvation values directly from structure. We created machine learning models for enthalpies of solvation in ethanol using open Chemistry Development Kit descriptors that have overall test-set R2 values of 0.89–0.90 and test-set root mean squared error values of 6.60–7.10 kJ·mol−1. The accuracy of the models was improved by limiting them to a single dominant cluster. Since our models were developed under Open Notebook Science conditions, they are fully reproducible and our techniques transparent and easily adaptable to other solvents.
Evaluation of the Safety of Rapid Parenteral Nutrition Titration.

Background Initiation of parenteral nutrition (PN) can cause complications including hyperglycemia (HGL), electrolyte abnormalities, and refeeding syndrome (RFS). These concerns lead many to titrate over several days, but our practice is to titrate PN to goal within 8 hours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of titrating PN to goal within 8 hours. Methods This was a single-center, retrospective study of adult patients initiated on continuous PN with titration to goal rate in Results Three hundred forty-two patients were included, with a primary outcome incidence of 24.6% (HGL 17.4%; hypokalemia 1.8%; hypomagnesemia 0.6%; hypophosphatemia 8.5%). The primary outcome was more common in the HGL group (34.3% vs 14.7%, P 180 mg/dL occurred more in the HGL group (27.9% vs 7.6%, P Conclusion Rapid PN titration was likely safe in patients without risk factors for HGL or RFS. Further evaluation of protocolized HGL management is needed to determine the risk of HGL in patients with HGL risk factors.
Can eternity be saved? A comment on Stump and Rogers

Eleonore Stump and Katherin Rogers have recently defended the doctrine of divine timelessness in separate essays, arguing that the doctrine is consistent with libertarian free will and that timeless divine knowledge is providentially useful. I show that their defenses do not succeed; a doctrine of eternity having these features cannot be saved.
What we Know (or Think we Know) About the Causes of Superior Financial Performance

Both economic theory and historical experience support the importance of finding ways of achieving good financial performance for the long-term prosperity and survival of individual firms. Although economics is somewhat vague on how to achieve this end, owners and more recently hired managers have, in practice, attempted to make decisions to improve their companies’ financial performance in the face of complex environmental realities, an array of strategic choices and a variety of ways to organize. The continued existence today of firms incorporated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (e.g., Ford, General Electric, Westinghouse) is testimony to some combination of successful managerial decisions, favorable business and economic conditions, and chance, leading to levels of financial performance acceptable over the long run. The disappearance, as independent entities, of many more once-successful organizations, born in a similar time period or later, is testimony to significant failure in achieving acceptable financial performance.
Food Environment in the Lower Mississippi Delta: Food Deserts, Food Swamps and Hot Spots.

The objectives for this study were to examine the location and density of measured food outlets in five rural towns in the Lower Mississippi Delta, determine the spatial location of Delta Healthy Sprouts (DHS) participants’ homes in the food environment, and examine relationships between the spatial location of participants’ homes and their diet quality. Using a food desert/food swamp framework, food outlet geographic locations were analyzed in relation to one another, the distance between DHS participants’ residence and closest food outlets by class were computed, and associations among residents’ diet quality, hot spot status, and census tract classification were explored. Of 266 food outlets identified, 11 (4%), 86 (32%), 50 (19%), and 119 (45%) were classified as grocery stores (GS), convenience stores (CS), full-service restaurants (FS), or fast food restaurants (FF), respectively. A third of participants lived in CS hot spots, while 22% lived in FF hot spots. DHS participants lived closer in miles to CS (0.4) and FF (0.5) as compared to GS (1.6) and FS (1.1) outlets. Participants bought most groceries at national chain grocery stores rather than their closest grocery store. The food environments of the five towns and associated neighborhoods in which DHS participants resided were not supportive of healthful eating, containing both food deserts and food swamps, often in overlapping patterns.
Analysis of Thyroid Hormone Receptor α-Knockout Tadpoles Reveals That the Activation of Cell Cycle Program Is Involved in Thyroid Hormone-Induced Larval Epithelial Cell Death and Adult Intestinal Stem Cell Development During Xenopus tropicalis Metamorphosis.

Background: There are two highly conserved thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine [T3]) receptor (TR) genes, TRα and TRβ, in all vertebrates, and the expression of TRα but not TRβ is activated earlier than T3 synthesis during development. In human, high levels of T3 are present during the several months around birth, and T3 deficiency during this period causes severe developmental abnormalities including skeletal and intestinal defects. It is, however, difficult to study this period in mammals as the embryos and neonates depend on maternal supply of nutrients for survival. However, Xenopus tropicalis undergoes a T3-dependent metamorphosis, which drastically changes essentially every organ in a tadpole. Of interest is intestinal remodeling, which involves near complete degeneration of the larval epithelium through apoptosis. Concurrently, adult intestinal stem cells are formed de novo and subsequently give rise to the self-renewing adult epithelial system, resembling intestinal maturation around birth in mammals. We have previously demonstrated that T3 signaling is essential for the formation of adult intestinal stem cells during metamorphosis. Methods: We studied the function of endogenous TRα in the tadpole intestine by using knockout animals and RNA-seq analysis. Results: We observed that removing endogenous TRα caused defects in intestinal remodeling, including drastically reduced larval epithelial cell death and adult intestinal stem cell proliferation. Using RNA-seq on intestinal RNA from premetamorphic wild-type and TRα-knockout tadpoles treated with or without T3 for one day, before any detectable T3-induced cell death and stem cell formation in the tadpole intestine, we identified more than 1500 genes, which were regulated by T3 treatment of the wild-type but not TRα-knockout tadpoles. Gene Ontology and biological pathway analyses revealed that surprisingly, these TRα-regulated genes were highly enriched with cell cycle-related genes, in addition to genes related to stem cells and apoptosis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that TRα-mediated T3 activation of the cell cycle program is involved in larval epithelial cell death and adult epithelial stem cell development during intestinal remodeling.
Development of a high-effectiveness slotted plate cryogenic heat exchanger

High-effectiveness heat exchangers are a ubiquitous component of cryogenic systems, but their performance typically falls short of model-based expectations. The following paper summarizes modeling efforts of a heat exchanger designed to achieve an effectiveness in excess of 99% within a prescribed envelope of volume, weight, pressure drop, and operating conditions. Simulation efforts focus on employing minimal assumptions and accounting for many loss mechanisms to avoid overestimation of predicted effectiveness. Axial conduction and parallel passage flow imbalance are major contributing factors to heat exchanger inefficiency. Consequently, a staggered stacked slotted plate geometry, also known as a matrix heat exchanger, was chosen as the most promising type to achieve the desired effectiveness. High thermal conductivity, high surface area finned copper plates separated by low thermal conductivity, low cross-sectional area stainless steel spacers achieve high stream-to-stream heat transfer while limiting axial conduction and allowing for fluid redistribution between plates. The number of design parameters was reduced based on manufacturing limitations and conceptual reasoning. ANSYS Fluent computational fluid dynamics was used to form Nusselt number and Darcy friction factor correlations for the geometry and flow conditions. A finite difference MATLAB model accounted for axial conduction, parasitic heat loads, and material property variation with temperature and pressure. The Fluent-derived correlations were used as inputs to the MATLAB model. The MATLAB model was validated by comparing its results to an analytic, constant property effectiveness-NTU solution for stacked plate heat exchangers, as well as experimental data collected from a similar heat exchanger. Trade-offs between weight, pressure drop, and effectiveness were studied.
Structure, Molecular Interactions, and Dynamics of Aqueous [BMIM][BF4] Mixtures: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

Molecular dynamics simulations with many-body polarizable force fields were carried out to investigate the thermodynamic, structural, and dynamic properties of aqueous solutions of 1-butyl-3-methyl...
The Economic and Demographic Determinants of Donald Trump's 2016 Election Victory

This paper utilizes cluster-robust, fixed effects OLS regression to find that long term negative economic indicators, white, non-bachelor's degree holding male populations, and to a far lesser extent, short-term economic improvements were indicative of Donald Trump support in the 2016 election. I then utilize this analysis to quantify the effect that each of these factors had on Trump's electoral college victory. By the most conservative estimate, Trump losing either the voters from long term economic conditions or from white-male, non-bachelor's degree holding populations would have led to Hillary Clinton having won the election. Trump would still have won the election having lost the voters from short term economic changes, even by the most liberal estimates.
Effect of diabetes medications and glycemic control on risk of hepatocellular cancer in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS In patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), those with type 2 diabetes (DM) have a high risk of progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the determinants of HCC risk in these patients remain unclear. APPROACH AND RESULTS We assembled a retrospective cohort of patients with NAFLD and DM diagnosed at 130 facilities in the Veterans Administration between 1/1/2004 and 12/31/2008. We followed patients from the date of NAFLD diagnosis to HCC, death or 12/31/2018. We used landmark Cox proportional hazards models to determine the effects of anti-DM medications (metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas) and glycemic control (% of follow up time with HbA1c < 7%) on the risk of HCC, while adjusting for demographics and other metabolic traits (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia). We identified 85,963 patients with NAFLD and DM. In total, 524 patients developed HCC during a mean of 10.3 years of follow up. Most common treatments were metformin monotherapy (19.7%), metformin-sulfonylureas (19.6%), insulin (9.3%), and sulfonylureas monotherapy (13.6%). Compared to no medication, metformin was associated with 20% lower risk of HCC (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.93-0.98). Insulin had no effect on HCC risk (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.85-1.22, p=0.85). Insulin in combination with other oral medications was associated with a 1.6-1.7-fold higher risk of HCC. Adequate glycemic control was associated with a 31% lower risk of HCC (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.62-0.78). CONCLUSIONS In this large cohort of patients with NAFLD and DM, use of metformin was associated with a reduced risk of HCC while use of combination therapy was associated with increased risk. Glycemic control can serve as a biomarker for HCC risk stratification in patients with NAFLD and diabetes.
Influence of glyphosate timing on Kochia scoparia demographics in glyphosate-resistant sugar beet

Abstract The recent evolution of glyphosate-resistant (GR) Kochia scoparia (kochia) is a potential threat to the sustainability of GR cropping systems, including GR sugar beet in the northwestern United States. The lack of effective and economical, alternative herbicide programs for K. scoparia control in GR sugar beet further exacerbates the problem. Therefore, it is critical to understand the population dynamics and demographics of K. scoparia in response to the glyphosate application timing, and their overall impact on the replenishment of the weed seed bank in the soil, and on GR sugar beet yields. To fulfill this objective, field experiments were conducted at the Montana State University Southern Agricultural Research Center near Huntley, Montana, USA in 2012 and 2013. Glyphosate timing treatments included a single application at the 2-leaf (lf), 6-lf, or 10-lf stage of sugar beet or sequential applications at 2-lf followed by (fb) 6-lf, 6-lf fb 10-lf, 2-lf fb 6-lf fb 10-lf, or 6-lf fb 10-lf fb canopy closure (CC) stage of sugar beet. K. scoparia survival, biomass, and seed production were monitored in three cohorts that emerged at different growth stages of sugar beet during the season. K. scoparia plants in cohort 1 and 2 were more competitive (greater biomass and seed production) than those in cohort 3. Compared with a single glyphosate timing, sequential applications of glyphosate at 6-lf fb 10-lf stages of sugar beet prevented survival, biomass and seed production in cohort 1 and cohort 2. K. scoparia plants in cohort 3 that emerged after the glyphosate application at the 10-lf stage of sugar beet, produced up to 1123 seeds m −2 . A follow-up application of glyphosate at the CC stage of sugar beet was needed to prevent biomass and seed production from cohort 3 survivors. Irrespective of timing, sequential applications of glyphosate provided higher root and sucrose yields than the single glyphosate applications in GR sugar beet. Growers should utilize three applications of glyphosate applied sequentially at 6-lf fb 10-lf fb CC stages of sugar beet to prevent season-long K. scoparia interference and seed additions in GR sugar beet.
Metabotropic glutamate receptors activate G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels in Xenopus oocytes

Receptor-mediated activation of a G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK) is a common mechanism for synaptic modulation in the CNS. However, evidence for metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation of GIRK is virtually nonexistent, despite the widespread and overlapping distribution of these proteins. We examined this apparent paradox by coexpressing mGluRs 1a, 2, and 7 with the GIRK subunits Kir3.1 and Kir3.4 in Xenopus oocytes. Functional expression of GIRK was confirmed by coexpression with the D2 dopamine receptor that is known to activate GIRK in neurons. Agonist activation of each of the three mGluRs evoked inward potassium currents in symmetrical KCl solutions. The current amplitudes evoked by mGluR1a, mGluR2, and D2 were comparable, whereas mGluR7 currents were somewhat smaller. mGluR1a-evoked GIRK currents were not blocked in BAPTA-treated oocytes, demonstrating that GIRK activation was distinct from phospholipase C-mediated activation of the endogenous calcium-dependent chloride current ( I CaCl ). Pertussis toxin (PTX) treatment significantly reduced both the mGluR and D2 receptor-evoked GIRK currents. In oocytes in which mGluR2 and D2 were coexpressed, activation of mGluR2 occluded additional D2 receptor current, indicating that mGluR2 and D2 receptor coupling to GIRK involves a common G-protein. The efficient coupling of mGluRs to GIRK in oocytes suggests either that mGluR activation of GIRK has been overlooked in neurons or possibly that mGluRs are excluded from GIRK-containing microdomains.
Robust time delay compensation in a wireless motion control system with double disturbance observers

Time delay is a common phenomenon which can be varying and unknown in many networked motion control systems. Since time delay negatively affects the stability and tracking performance, it needs to be carefully handled in controller design. Moreover, both external disturbance and sensor noise exist in such systems, which makes the controller design more challenging. In this paper, a double disturbance observer (DDOB) structure is proposed to handle time delay, external disturbance, and measurement noise simultaneously. Design of disturbance observers (DOBs) and baseline controllers are elaborated. An RT-WiFi wireless network is developed for high-speed and real-time control applications. The RT-WiFi network is integrated with a DC motor and its performance is examined. Simulation and experimental results are demonstrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Separability with outliers

We develop exact and approximate algorithms for computing optimal separators and measuring the extent to which two point sets in d-dimensional space are separated, with respect to different classes of separators and various extent measures. This class of geometric problems generalizes two widely studied problem families, namely separability and the computation of statistical estimators.
Discoloration of the teeth in a 24-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas not primarily associated with tetracycline therapy. Report of a case.

Abstract A case is presented in which there was marked discoloration of the permanent dentition in a 24-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas who could not possibly have received a “tetracycline” until she was 8 years of age and who is not known to have received tetracycline until the age of 12. This case is presented to support the suggestion that the discoloration of the teeth seen in patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas should not necessarily be assumed to be entirely the result of “normal” tetracycline deposition but that there may be some other factor (or factors) within the spectrum of cystic fibrosis of the pancreas itself which also plays either a predisposing or a definitive role.
The Reduced Hamiltonian of General Relativity and the σ-Constant of Conformal Geometry

For the problem of the Hamiltonian reduction of Einstein’s equations on a 3+1 vacuum spacetime that admits a foliation by constant mean curvature (CMC) compact spacelike hypersurfaces M that satisfy certain topological restrictions, we introduce a dimensionless non-local time-dependent reduced Hamiltonian system $$ H_{reduced} :R^ - \times P_{reduced} \to R $$ where the reduced Hamiltonian is given by $$ H_{reduced} \left( {\tau ,\gamma ,p^{TT} } \right) = - \tau ^3 \int\limits_M {\varphi ^6 \mu _\gamma = - \tau ^3 } \int\limits_M {\mu _g = - \tau ^3 vol\left( {M,g} \right).} $$ . For compact connected oriented 3-manifolds of Yamabe type -1, we establish the following properties for this reduced system: 1. Hreduced(τ, γ, pTT ) is a monotonically decreasing function of t unless pTT = 0 and γ = \( \tilde \gamma \) is hyperbolic, at which point Hreduced(τ, \( \tilde \gamma \) , 0) is constant in time. 2. For τ ∈ R fixed, H reduced(τ, γ, p TT ) has a unique (up to isometry) critical point at (\( \tilde \gamma \) , 0) which is a strict local minimum (in the non-isometric directions). 3. For τ ∈ R fixed, the σ-constant of M is related to H reduced by $$ \sigma \left( M \right) = - \tfrac{2} {3}\left( {\mathop {\inf }\limits_{\left( {\gamma ,p^{TT} } \right) \in \operatorname{P} _{reduced} } H_{reduced} \left( {\tau ,\gamma ,p^{TT} } \right)} \right)^{2/3} . $$ .
Measurement of local convective heat transfer coefficients from a smooth and roughened NACA-0012 airfoil: Flight test data

Wind tunnels typically have higher free stream turbulence levels than are found in flight. Turbulence intensity was measured to be 0.5 percent in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) with the cloud making sprays off and around 2 percent with cloud making equipment on. Turbulence intensity for flight conditions was found to be too low to make meaningful measurements for smooth air. This difference between free stream and wing tunnel conditions has raised questions as to the validity of results obtained in the IRT. One objective of these tests was to determine the effect of free stream turbulence on convective heat transfer for the NASA Lewis LEWICE ice growth prediction code. These tests provide in-flight heat transfer data for a NASA-0012 airfoil with a 533 cm chord. Future tests will measure heat transfer data from the same airfoil in the Lewis Icing Research Tunnel. Roughness was obtained by the attachment of small, 2 mm diameter hemispheres of uniform size to the airfoil in three different patterns. Heat transfer measurements were recorded in flight on the NASA Lewis Twin Otter Icing Research Aircraft. Measurements were taken for the smooth and roughened surfaces at various aircraft speeds and angles of attack up to four degrees. Results are presented as Frossling number versus position on the airfoil for various roughnesses and angles of attack.
Mean, Variance and Transforms

The mathematical expectation of a random variable, defined in §4.3, is one of the foremost notions in probability theory. It will be seen to play the same role as integration in calculus—and we know “integral calculus” is at least half of all calculus. Recall its meaning as a probabilistically weighted average [in a countable sample space] and rewrite (4.3.11) more simply as: $$ E\left( X \right) = \sum\limits_\omega {X\left( \omega \right)P\left( \omega \right)} $$ (6.1.1) If we substitute |X| for X above, we see that the proviso (4.3.12) may be written as $$ E\left( {\left| X \right|} \right) < \infty $$ (6.1.2) We shall say that the random variable X is summable when (6.1.2) is satisfied In this case we say also that “X has a finite expectation (or mean)” or “its expectation exists.” The last expression is actually a little vague because we generally allow E(X) to be defined and equal to +∞ when for instance X ≥ 0 and the series in (6.1.1) diverges. See Exercises 27 and 28 of Chapter 4. We shall say so explicitly when this is the case.
Modular Rtg Technology Status

MOD-RTG represents the design configuration for the next generation of Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG), aimed at improving specific power over current General Purpose Heat Source Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (GPHS-RTGs). As part of the MOD-RTG development program sponsored by the Office of Special Applications of the U.S. Department of Energy, testing has been performed on multicouple thermoelectric devices. This paper presents a discussion of the performance of these devices including diagnosis and resolution of test anomalies observed. Plans to verify long life multicouple performance and prepare MOD-RTG for flight readiness are also discussed in the paper. Eight multicouples were tested in a series string at Fairchild Industries. Six of the multicouples operated on a positive voltage bias. They were operated for approximately 6000 hours and continued to perform normally when testing was terminated. Good agreement was shown with performance predicted from the data base of standard SiGe thermoelectric material. Two multicouples operated with a negative voltage bias, and they both exhibited anomalous behavior. Performance was erratic and degradation in open circuit voltage and internal resistance were observed. Failure analysis of the two negatively biased multicouples indicated the failure was caused by alkali contamination which entered into the multicouple inter leg glass from external sources within the test module. The alkali ions were drawn into the multicouple by the negative bias and produced degradation of the insulating glass. Additional multicouples are being fabricated with improved cleanliness procedures and high purity, low alkali glass and their long term performance will be verified using newly refurbished test modules. A MOD-RTG Ground Demonstration System (GDS) will be fabricated and tested following verification of multicouple performance.
An 84-mW 4-Gb/s clock and data recovery circuit for serial link applications

A 4 Gb/s serial link tracking clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit fabricated in 0.24 /spl mu/m CMOS technology dissipates 84 mW and occupies 0.3 mm/sup 2/. The input signal is 2/spl times/oversampled by 8 offset-cancelled receive amplifiers per receive clock cycle. The samples are processed by a phase controller to position the receive clocks at the center and the edge of the data eye using a semi-digital dual delay-locked loop (DLL). The quiet-supply p-p jitter of the receive clock is 39 ps with 0.33 ps/mV supply sensitivity. It allows for plesiochronous clocking with a frequency tolerance of /spl plusmn/400 ppm. The worst case phase resolution is <20 ps.
Evolution of voltage-gated Na(+) channels.

SUMMARY Voltage-gated Na + channels play important functional roles in the generation of electrical excitability in most vertebrate and invertebrate species. These channels are members of a superfamily that includes voltage-gated K + , voltage-gated Ca 2+ and cyclic-nucleotide-gated channels. There are nine genes encoding voltage-gated Na + channels in mammals, with a tenth homologous gene that has not been shown to encode a functional channel. Other vertebrate and invertebrate species have a smaller number of Na + channel genes. The mammalian genes can be classified into five branches in a phylogenetic tree, and they are localized on four chromosomes. Four of the branches representing the four chromosomal locations probably resulted from the chromosomal duplications that led to the four Hox gene clusters. These duplications occurred close to the emergence of the first vertebrates. The fifth branch probably evolved from a separate ancestral Na + channel gene. There are two branches in the invertebrate tree, although members of only one of those branches have been demonstrated to encode functional voltage-gated Na + channels. It is possible that the other branch may have diverged, so that its members do not represent true voltage-gated Na + channels. Vertebrate and invertebrate Na + channels appear to be derived from a single primordial channel that subsequently evolved independently in the two lineages.
Numerical solution of hybrid fuzzy differential equation IVPs by a characterization theorem

In this paper, we study hybrid fuzzy differential equation initial value problems (IVPs). We consider the problem of finding their numerical solutions by using a recent characterization theorem of Bede for fuzzy differential equations. We prove a corollary to Bede's characterization theorem and give a characterization theorem for hybrid fuzzy differential equation IVPs. Then we prove that any suitable numerical method for ODEs can be applied piecewise to numerically solve hybrid fuzzy differential equation IVPs. Numerical examples are provided which connect the new results with previous findings.
Distribution damage measurement, analysis and correction

Distribution damage is a symptom of underlying problems—a quality system out of adjustment. The purpose of this paper is to develop a management method for controlling distribution damage. Such a system includes setting standards and managing conformance through appraisal and corrective action, including package improvement through damage reproduction test method evaluation.