cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Passive microwave Neural network Precipitation Retrieval (PNPR) algorithm for AMSU/MHS observations: description and application to European case studies

Abstract. The purpose of this study is to describe a new algorithm based on a neural network approach (Passive microwave Neural network Precipitation Retrieval – PNPR) for precipitation rate estimation from AMSU/MHS observations, and to provide examples of its performance for specific case studies over the European/Mediterranean area. The algorithm optimally exploits the different characteristics of Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A) and the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) channels, and their combinations, including the brightness temperature (TB) differences of the 183.31 channels, with the goal of having a single neural network for different types of background surfaces (vegetated land, snow-covered surface, coast and ocean). The training of the neural network is based on the use of a cloud-radiation database, built from cloud-resolving model simulations coupled to a radiative transfer model, representative of the European and Mediterranean Basin precipitation climatology. The algorithm provides also the phase of the precipitation and a pixel-based confidence index for the evaluation of the reliability of the retrieval. Applied to different weather conditions in Europe, the algorithm shows good performance both in the identification of precipitation areas and in the retrieval of precipitation, which is particularly valuable over the extremely variable environmental and meteorological conditions of the region. The PNPR is particularly efficient in (1) screening and retrieval of precipitation over different background surfaces; (2) identification and retrieval of heavy rain for convective events; and (3) identification of precipitation over a cold/iced background, with increased uncertainties affecting light precipitation. In this paper, examples of good agreement of precipitation pattern and intensity with ground-based data (radar and rain gauges) are provided for four different case studies. The algorithm has been developed in order to be easily tailored to new radiometers as they become available (such as the cross-track scanning Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS)), and it is suitable for operational use as it is computationally very efficient. PNPR has been recently extended for applications to the regions of Africa and the South Atlantic, and an extended validation over these regions (using 2 yr of data acquired by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission precipitation radar for comparison) is the subject of a paper in preparation. The PNPR is currently used operationally within the EUMETSAT Hydrology Satellite Application Facility (H-SAF) to provide instantaneous precipitation from passive microwave cross-track scanning radiometers. It undergoes routinely thorough extensive validation over Europe carried out by the H-SAF Precipitation Products Validation Team.
Behind the Masks: Identifying Students' Competencies for Learning Mathematics and Science in Urban Settings

Three mathematics and science educators reexamine and reflect on their teaching within the context of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) and National Council of Mathematics' call to make math and science education accessible to all. The paper highlights the importance of teachers reflecting on their teaching practices in order to create opportunities for their students especially those in the urban setting. The educators argue that teachers' reflection on their teaching can cause them to recognize and validate their students' ways of knowing as they identify the students' hidden/concealed abilities that are often masked by their behaviors. The educators discuss their experiences and highlight the lessons that they learned about ways to prepare teachers to successfully teach math and science students in urban settings. Culturally responsive pedagogy and cultural competency are critical skills that teachers need to develop in order to teach all children, especially those in the math and science classroom in the urban setting.
The quenching rate of O(1D) by O(3P)

Abstract The rate coefficient for the quenching ofO( 1 D) by O( 3 P) has recently been calculated by Yee et al. (1985). Their results indicate that quenching by atomic oxygen should not be ignored in the analysis of the 6300 A emission airglow. Data obtained by the Visible Airglow Experiment (VAE) on board the AE satellites have been reanalyzed to determine the quenching rate of O( 1 D) by atomic oxygen. The results of this analysis are presented.
Primitive-streak origin of the cardiovascular system in avian embryos

The origin of the avian cardiovascular system from the primitive streak has been mapped by the construction of quail/chick transplantation chimeras, the use of QH-1 (an antiquail endothelial/endocardial cell marker), and injections of a vital fluorescent dye (DiI) into the primitive streak. Our studies reveal that the prospective heart, including its endocardial and myocardial layers and the adjacent parietal pericardium, occupies much of the rostral half of the primitive streak at early primitive-streak stages of gastrulation. The heart originates from the primitive streak in roughly rostrocaudal sequence (i.e., the prospective bulbus cordis arises more rostrally in the streak than does the prospective ventricle, which in turn arises more rostrally than does the prospective sinus venosus), and all layers of the heart at each of its rostrocaudal subdivisions originate in concert from the same level of the primitive streak. Moreover, all rostrocaudal levels of the primitive streak at gastrula and neurula stages contain prospective endothelial cells. Again, these cells are rostrocaudally ordered within the streak, such that head blood vessels (both arteries and veins) arise at more rostral streak levels than do trunk blood vessels. Ingression of cardiogenic cells is complete by midprimitive-streak stages, and the position formerly occupied by prospective cardiogenic cells within the streak becomes occupied by ingressing prospective somitic cells. Additional studies on the state of commitment of prospective cardiogenic and endothelial cells during their ingression through the primitive streak are underway.
Immunohistochemical Evidence for the Localization of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, a Single-stranded RNA Virus, in Ovarian Oocytes in the Cow:

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a single-stranded RNA virus responsible for enteric disease and reproductive failure in cattle. The virus can pass vertically from cow to fetus, causing abortion, birth of malformed calves, and calves born with persistent and life-long infections. In this study, we investigated the tropism of BVDV in ovarian tissue from persistently infected animals. Three heifers persistently infected with BVDV were euthanatized and their ovaries were recovered. A specimen of each ovary was taken (n = 6) for virus isolation, and the remaining ovarian tissue was stored at -70 C. Cryosections (6 microm) cut from each ovary were analyzed for the presence of BVDV antigens by indirect immunofluorescence. The immunofluorescent analysis employed two monoclonal antibodies, WB103 and WB162, previously raised against the nonstructural protein NS3 and the envelop glycoprotein E2, respectively. High titers (6.97 +/- 0.17 log10 tissue culture infective dose50/ml) of BVDV were recovered from 6/6 ovarian samples; NS3 and E2 were widely distributed within the ovarian stroma, the cumulus cell population, and the oocytes maturing in primordial, primary, and secondary follicles. Overall, 362/1,939 (18.7%) of the oocytes contained BVDV antigens, and there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the proportion of BVDV-infected oocytes recorded within the primordial (227/1,247, 18.2%), primary (122/630, 19.4%), and secondary (13/62, 21.0%) follicle populations. Although the developmental potential of the infected oocytes could not be established in the present study, we conclude that bovine oocyte and the cumulus cells are susceptible to BVDV infection.
The impact of depressive and bipolar symptoms on socioeconomic status, core symptoms, function and severity of fibromyalgia.

Aim To evaluate the prevalence of depressive and bipolar symptoms in a cohort of consecutive fibromyalgia (FM) patients seen in a tertiary care center and to determine the relationship between depressive and manic symptoms with FM symptoms, socioeconomic status, severity and function. Methods Three hundred and five FM patients were enrolled; demographic, clinical and questionnaire data were collected. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), manic symptoms by the Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ). Results The FM cohort had the following characteristics: age 43.53 (11.7) years; 86.5% white; 82.7% female; PHQ-9 ≥ 10, 59.7%, mean 11.9 (7.3); no depression 11.4%, mild 29.1%, moderate 27.5%, moderate severe 17.7%, severe 14%; anxiety 41.6%; 21.3% had either an MDQ score ≥ 7 and/or reported a past diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD). Increasing levels of depression severity, as well as a positive screen for BD were significantly associated with increasing prevalence and severity of FM symptoms, longer duration of morning stiffness, and increased severity of FM. Increasing levels of depression were significantly associated with increase in prevalence of reported past sexual abuse, and a decline in socioeconomic status, including higher disability and unemployment rates. Conclusion Patients with severe FM disease activity, high load of symptoms, prolonged morning stiffness, increased disability, lower socioeconomic status and those who take a lot of medications for FM should be evaluated for depressive and manic symptoms.
Soft Tissue Amyloidoma of the Extremities: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

The deposition of amyloid as a distinct, clinically apparent mass is uncommon, particularly in soft tissues. Among reported sites of soft tissue amyloidomas, the extremities are quite rare. Amyloid tumors can mimic malignant neoplasms both clinically and radiologically. We report a case of AA amyloidoma presenting in the deltoid region with radiological features suggesting sarcoma. Cytomorphology from fine-needle aspiration material, tissue histology, and appearance by magnetic resonance imaging are described. The literature on soft tissue amyloidoma is reviewed.
Contesting Citizenship in Latin America: THE ARGUMENT: INDIGENOUS MOBILIZATION IN LATIN AMERICA

The Latin American anomaly has yet to be explained. Why were ethnic cleavages weak in Latin America? Why did they reverse course at century's end, as indigenous mobilization proliferated throughout the region? And why have significant regional and national movements emerged in all cases except Peru? This chapter addresses the contemporary and yet uneven emergence of indigenous movements in Latin America by analyzing the five cases outlined in Chapter 1: Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru. I compare these cases cross-temporally and cross-nationally. This chapter highlights the role of citizenship regimes vis-a-vis existing social cleavages and uneven state penetration – as conceptualized and discussed in Chapter 2. I argue here that different types of citizenship regimes first diffused and then activated ethnic cleavages. Earlier citizenship regimes unintentionally enabled indigenous communities to carve out spaces of local autonomy, with limited interference from the state in matters of local governance. Subsequent citizenship regimes, however, threatened the autonomy that had been secured and, consequently, politicized ethnic cleavages. Hence we must trace the comparative historical arc of citizenship regimes and the associated patterns of state formation to understand the politicization of these ethnic cleavages and the motive for organizing. Where autonomy was possible, ethnic cleavages were weak. Where autonomy was subsequently challenged, ethnic cleavages became more salient. This comparative historical discussion of citizenship regimes explains why ethnic cleavages have become more politicized in the contemporary period but were comparatively weak in earlier periods.
Abandoning Teenage Consent for Legal Assent: Harmonizing Developmental Sciences and the Law

Comparisons of recent California, New York, and Illinois civil law precedent concerning the juvenile “age of consent” for sexual activity reveal that states treat adolescent “consent” erratically. The new neuroscience and psychosocial evidence of adolescent development adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court in Graham v. Florida supports the movement to treat adolescents different from more developmentally mature adults. Moreover, adult prejudice and judicial bias against sexually active teenagers places teenagers at risk for sexual harassment and predation.Conflicts between law and science, as well as between state civil and criminal law, mandate a revision of legal approaches to teenage “consent,” and perhaps not just with respect to consent to sexual activity. Drawing wisdom from recent scientific discoveries and traditional legal guidance, this presentation introduces a new mechanism to replace adolescent “consent,” legal assent. Legal assent presumes no threshold legal capacity but affords teenagers autonomous decision-making authority, as well as protection following misguided decisions. It highlights that recognition of legal assent might reduce legal bias, better protect teenagers, and encourage their responsible decision-making as they are “developing capacity.”
Calculation of Heating Patterns in Microwave Sintering using a 3D Finite-Difference Code

Analysis of heating patterns in microwave sintering experiments provide information on the contributions of the various heat transfer components to the overall temperature pattern. Measured temperature patterns provide limited information on overall effects. Numerical simulations provide a cost effective way from which the effect of geometry, material properties and the presence of stimulus such as SiC rods or sheets on the heating pattern can be studied separately. Parametric studies allow us to identify the most significant properties and provide guidelines for the routine successful utilization of microwave sintering experiments. These guidelines may also facilitate the scale up and commercialization of microwave sintering. In this paper we describe a thermal model that calculates the temperature distribution in ceramic samples and insulation under realistic microwave sintering conditions. The calculation process involves a two-step procedure. The first step is to calculate the microwave power deposition in the sample and surrounding insulation. 3D FDTD calculations, described in a companion paper[1,2], are used for this purpose. The other step involves calculation of the temperature distribution using a 3D finite-difference heat-transfer program developed in our Departments[3]. Results illustrating the effect of thickness of insulation and the placement of SiC rod susceptors in picket-fence arrangement are presented.
Atypical fibrous histiocytoma of the humerus: a light and electron microscopic study.

Saito, Reisuke, and Caines, Myrven J.: Atypical fibrous histiocytoma of the humerus. A light and electron microscopy study. A unique osseous tumor, which arose in the humerus of a 44-year-old white man, is reported. The lesion was designated atypical fibrous histiocytoma because of the absence of atypical mitoses despite prominent nuclear pleomorphism of tumor cells. The tumor was composed mainly of spindle cells, tightly packed in a storiform pattern. Clear histiocytes and tumor giant cells were occasionally seen. Toward the proximal and distal ends, the tumor showed increasing fibrogenesis, and the ends were composed of areas of packed clear histiocytes and acellular myxoid matrix with focal calcification. Ultrastructurally, five cell types comprised the tumor, but fibroblast-like cells predominated. Histiocyte-like, xanthomatous, giant and undifferentiated cells were observed only occasionally. The patient has been followed for five years after disarticulation without developing evidence of distant metastasis.
High-Resolution Casts for Lithic Use-Wear Analysis

ABSTRACTThis paper describes a method for creating positive epoxy casts of lithic artifacts that can be subjected to use-wear examination. This method overcomes problems associated with examining patinated artifactsfor microscopie traces of use and limitations documented for other casting methodologies. These limitations include having to work with negative casts or surface peels, air bubbles on cast surfaces, and long-term east integrity. To demonstrate the utility andaccuracy of the described casting methodology, use-wear features were documented on a sample of patinated Middle Paleolithic stone tools from the site of Solutre-Village (Saone-et-Loire), France. Epoxy casts were made of these tools, and the same use-wear features observed on the tools were located and documents on the casts. The results demonstrate that this methodology allows for the systematic functional analysis of stone tool assemblages independent of artifact color or chemical weathering.
Statin Utilization and Recommendations Among HIV- and HCV-infected Veterans: A Cohort Study

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The potential impact of recently updated cholesterol guidelines on treatment of HIV- and HCV-infected veterans is unknown. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study to assess statin use and recommendations among 13 579 HIV-infected, 169 767 HCV-infected, and 6628 HIV/HCV-coinfected male veterans aged 40-75 years. Prior 2004 Adult Treatment Panel (ATP-III) guidelines were compared with current 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) cholesterol guidelines and 2014 US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)/US Department of Defense (DoD) joint clinical practice guidelines using laboratory, medication, and comorbidity data from the VA Clinical Case Registry from 2008 through 2010. Results Using risk criteria delineated by the ATP-III guidelines, 50.6% of HIV-infected, 45.9% of HCV-infected, and 33.8% of HIV/HCV-coinfected veterans had an indication for statin therapy. However, among those eligible, 22.7%, 30.5%, and 31.5%, respectively, were not receiving ATP-III recommended statin therapy. When current cholesterol guidelines were applied by VA/DoD and ACC/AHA criteria, increases in recommendations for statins were found in all groups (57.3% and 66.1% of HIV-infected, 64.4% and 73.7% of HCV-infected, 49.1% and 58.5% of HIV/HCV-coinfected veterans recommended). Conclusions Statins were underutilized among veterans infected with HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV according to previous ATP-III guidelines. Current VA/DoD and ACC/AHA guidelines substantially expand statin recommendations and widen the gap of statin underutilization in all groups. These gaps in care present an opportunity to improve CVD prevention efforts in these at-risk populations.
Subrecoil cooling in 2D: quantum simulations

We discuss novel schemes for subrecoil cooling based on velocity selective coherent population trapping (VSCPT) in 2D laser configurations. In particular we are interested in configurations where polarization gradient cooling coexists with VSPCT and provides a precooling mechanism for dark state cooling.1 We consider both the case of free atoms (optical molasses) and of atoms confined to a trapping potential in the form of a "box." We analyze the efficiency of these cooling schemes with quantum Monte Carlo wavefunction simulations, and present 2D bandstructure calculations in optical potentials.
Background and Epidemiology.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal-recessive disease in white persons. Significant advances in therapies and outcomes have occurred for people with CF over the past 30 years. Many of these improvements have come about through the concerted efforts of the CF Foundation and international CF societies; networks of CF care centers; and the worldwide community of care providers, researchers, and patients and families. There are still hurdles to overcome to continue to improve the quality of life, reduce CF complications, prolong survival, and ultimately cure CF. This article reviews the epidemiology of CF, including trends in incidence and prevalence, clinical characteristics, common complications, and survival.
X-Ray Diffraction

Compton’s academic career was largely devoted to the study of x-rays and their interaction with matter. X-rays had been discovered in 1895 by William Rontgen while passing an electrical current through an evacuated glass Crookes tube. The tube, he surmised, was emitting invisible rays which could penetrate a heavy black cardboard shield and cause a distant screen to glow with a fluorescent light. Almost immediately, the usefulness of these new highly-penetrating rays was recognized, and they were soon employed for medical diagnostic purposes. In fact, the earliest x-ray images are of Rontgen’s wife’s hand—revealing her skeleton beneath a thin shadow of flesh. The true nature of x-rays, however, remained a mystery until 1912, when Max von Laue discovered that they exhibit a diffraction pattern when passed through a copper sulfate crystal. This confirmed that the mysterious x-rays were indeed electromagnetic waves with lengths comparable to the atomic spacing of the crystal. Inspired by von Laue’s work, William Henry Bragg and his son, William Lawrence Bragg, carried out a systematic investigation of crystal structures using the new technique of x-ray diffraction.
Toward a South Asian Historical Archaeology

This article briefly reviews historical archaeologies of South Asia. In 1996 Charles Orser argued that historical archaeology needs to consider its own definition more broadly and internationalize its scope (Orser 1996). Such an approach would define the contours of the modern world more concretely. This program of research has been widely adopted, yet it has been hampered, to a certain extent, by its hemispheric focus on the Atlantic World. South Asia, as a key constituent of the Indian Ocean, troubles this approach to historical archaeology and demands consideration of other circulations, epicenters, and agendas in the development of the modern world. This article considers that trade, landscapes, and material culture all point to a modern world in which the Atlantic World is not the only epicenter.
Evaluation of Brassica carinata meal as a protein supplement for growing beef heifers

Brassica carinata is a new oilseed crop in Florida with the potential of producing high-quality jet biofuel. A high-protein meal (~40% crude protein; CP) is obtained as a byproduct of oil extraction; however, limited research is available on the utilization of this meal as a protein supplement for beef cattle. A generalized randomized block design was used to evaluate the effects of supplementation with B. carinata meal pellets on performance and attainment of puberty in growing beef heifers consuming bermudagrass hay (Cynodon dactylon) ad libitum. Sixty-four Angus crossbred heifers (240 ± 39 kg initial body weight; BW) were stratified and blocked (2 blocks: light and heavy) by initial BW and randomly allocated into 18 pens over 2 consecutive years (10 in year 1 and 8 in year 2). Within block, pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 0 (CTL) or 0.3% of BW/d (as fed) of B. carinata meal pellets (BCM). Blood samples and BW were collected weekly for 70 d, before daily supplementation. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Model included the fixed effects of treatment, day, treatment × day interactions, block, and block × treatment interactions, with the random effect of year. Plasma was analyzed for concentrations of progesterone, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and haptoglobin (Hp). An effect of treatment was observed (P ˂ 0.01) for ADG between CTL (0.14 kg) and BCM (0.42 kg). There was no treatment or block (P > 0.05) effect for concentrations of T3, T4, or Hp; however, there was an effect of day (P < 0.01) for T3, T4, and Cp. An effect of treatment (P ˂ 0.01) was observed for Cp, with CTL having greater concentrations compared with BCM. Time to attainment of puberty did not differ (P = 0.93) between treatments. Feeding B. carinata meal as a protein supplement at 0.3% of BW/d is a viable option for increasing ADG of growing beef heifers, without affecting attainment of puberty, thyroid hormone status, or eliciting an acute phase response.
Case report: Elonis v. United States

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Elonis v. United States (575 U.S. __ (2015)), a case about threats, and the underlying trial and appellate decisions, are analysed. Threats can be perlocutionary or illocutionary. When they are illocutionary, they are always indirect speech acts, requiring a Gricean chain of reasoning to infer their threatening nature. This has the consequence that every putative threat has, also, a non-threat interpretation, making it sometimes difficult to prove that an utterance was a threat. In this report, Anthony Elonis’s Facebook postings of allegedly threatening items are analysed pragmatically; the sophisticated linguistic reasoning used by the appeals court after Elonis’s conviction – involving semantic opacity – is described; and the final outcome of Elonis’s case, the Supreme Court’s decision, is analysed. That decision is both frustrating, because it leaves unresolved what the standard for proof is for threatening, and interesting, because the majority opinion, and, in particular, the dissent by Justice Alito, adduce a factor – recklessness – unnecessary to the linguistic analysis of threatening but relevant to the legal standard of proof for conviction for unlawful threatening.
Oxygen vacancy effects on double perovskite Bi2FeMnO6: A first-principles study

Double perovskite Bi2FeMnO6 (BFMO) is a potential candidate for the highly sought single-phase multiferroic system. The large orbital radius of the Bi 6s2 lone pairs is responsible for BFMO to exhibit low symmetries and spontaneous polarization, whereas B-site ordering of Mn and Fe contributes to its magnetic properties. In this work, we study both electronic correlation and oxygen vacancy effects on magnetic, electronic and optical properties of BFMO by performing first-principles simulations using density functional theory within the local spin-density approximation (LSDA) and the LSDA+U method. We have numerically demonstrated that a strong on-site Hubbard interaction is critical for the gap opening in a pristine BFMO. We have performed calculations on a supercell constructed with eight chemical formula units of BFMO, from which oxygen atoms were removed incrementally. We showed that the average magnetization decreases with the increase of oxygen vacancy concentration. From the calculated band structure and optical conductivity, an insulator-metal transition or crossover was identified with oxygen in BFMO.
‘Eating Sex’ and the Unlovely Song of Songs: Reading Consumption, Excretion and D.H. Lawrence:

Recent trends in Song of Songs scholarship have questioned the obviousness of the so-called literal readings of the poem. This article contributes to that debate by returning to the poem's foodstuf...
Congenital pseudoaneurysm of the mitral–aortic intervalvular fibrosa: a case report

The mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa is an area of fibrous continuity between the mitral and aortic valves. We present the first case of a congenital pseudoaneurysm in this region, detected prenatally as an isolated cardiac defect, which was followed-up conservatively postnatally. The diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiogram demonstrating blood flow into the pouch during systole and into the left ventricular outflow tract during diastole. The infant has been followed-up with serial echocardiograms demonstrating stable size and appearance of the lesion, without signs of obstruction, making close continued observation a reasonable approach.
“This Charming Man”: Queer and Alternative Masculinities, 1970–1994

This chapter utilizes various forms of alternative music to reveal a multi-faceted critique of post-war western masculinity. Artists ranging from David Bowie, to Devo, to Pansy Division, to Pearly Jam, among others, offered performative forms of masculinity that challenged or undermined the general concept of what it meant to be a man in the late twentieth century. In turn, this chapter utilizes queer and masculine theory to demonstrate how alternative artists helped to forge a fluid masculinity that defied traditional gender constructs.
Common Adverse Drug-Drug Interactions in Dermatology: Oral Therapies

Drug-drug interactions between systemic oral therapies in dermatology can result in preventable iatrogenic causes of patient morbidity and mortality. Most of these interactions are due to cytochrome P450 or renal excretion interactions. We review here a number of drugs and drug-drug interactions seen in general dermatology, including methotrexate, bexarotene, macrolides, cyclosporine, epinephrine, isotretinoin, spirinolactone, allopurinol, and oral contraceptives.
Acid Rock Drainage Treatment Using Membrane Distillation: Impacts of Chemical-Free Pretreatment on Scale Formation, Pore Wetting, and Product Water Quality

Acid rock drainage (ARD) is a metal-rich wastewater that forms upon oxidation of sulfidic minerals. Although ARD impacts >12,000 miles of rivers in the U.S. and has an estimated cleanup cost of $32 - $72 billion, the low pH and high metal concentrations in ARD make rapid, high volume treatment without chemical addition difficult. This research focuses on a novel method of ARD treatment, membrane distillation (MD). In MD, heated ARD is separated from a cooled distillate by a hydrophobic, water-excluding membrane. Because water only passes through the membrane in the vapor phase, non-volatile sulfate and heavy metals are retained in the concentrate stream. A preliminary in silico analysis using an electrolyte thermodynamic model indicated that MD of 10 different mine wastes yields product water containing no contaminants at concentrations >0.2 ppm. MD tests of synthetic ARD used a ~34°C temperature difference, operated at 80% recovery, and produced an initial flux of 38.4 ± 1.1 L∙m-2∙h-1. This flux decrease...
Finite-temperature phase transitions of third and higher order in gauge theories at large N

We study phase transitions in $SU(\ensuremath{\infty})$ gauge theories at nonzero temperature using matrix models. Our basic assumption is that the effective potential is dominated by double trace terms for the Polyakov loops. As a function of the various parameters, related to terms linear, quadratic, and quartic in the Polyakov loop, the phase diagram exhibits a universal structure. In a large region of this parameter space, there is a continuous phase transition whose order is larger than second. This is a generalization of the phase transition of Gross, Witten, and Wadia. Depending upon the detailed form of the matrix model, the eigenvalue density and the behavior of the specific heat near the transition differ drastically. We speculate that in the pure gauge theory, although the deconfining transition is thermodynamically of first order, it can be nevertheless conformally symmetric at infinite $N$.
Newspaper Wars: Civil Rights and White Resistance in South Carolina, 1935–1965

By Sid BedingfieldUrbana: University of Illinois Press, 2017, 292 pp.Newspaper Wars examines how newswriting was routinely injected with partisan politicking in South Carolina in the mid-nineteenth...
Video-Based Teaching Playgrounds: Designing Online Learning Opportunities to Foster Professional Noticing of Teaching Practices

In this article, we share design guidelines for the development and use of online, video-based teaching playgrounds, which provide opportunities for prospective teachers to engage in professional noticing of teaching practices. Through teaching playgrounds, we provide an instantiation of the Presence+Experience framework, which combines the Community of Inquiry model with Kolb’s experiential learning cycle. Teaching playgrounds offer a viable mechanism for instructors and designers to incorporate high touch learning experiences into high tech online teacher preparation courses. Using quantitative methods, we demonstrate the efficacy of online content methods courses incorporating teaching playgrounds. We address implications for the incorporation of online content methods courses in mathematics and science teacher education programs.
Mixing Dynamics in Lakes Across Climatic Zones

Interactions between climatic and geographic conditions lead to variations in mixing dynamics in lakes. Based on these factors and depth, lakes historically have been classified with respect to the timing and frequency of full water column mixing. In this chapter, we compare the relative role of wind forcing versus heat loss in mixing and deepening the upper mixed layer as a function of latitude. Similarly, we compare mixing dynamics in the stratified part of the water column. Due to greater evaporative heat losses in tropical lakes, mixed layer deepening can be more rapid and to deeper depths than in temperate lakes. In temperate and arctic lakes, wind and heat loss often make similar contributions towards mixing. As water temperatures decrease, the relative contribution from wind increases. During the stratified period, vertical exchange between the upper and lower water column is mediated by instabilities in the internal wave field. Such instabilities may occur on a diurnal basis in stratified tropical lakes. They occur in many small arctic lakes during the passage of fronts, so recycled nutrients can be supplied to the upper water column intermittently. They are less frequent in small temperate lakes due to the stronger stratification, and vertical exchanges may need to be mediated by biological processes. How frequently they occur in larger lakes depends upon the frequency of frontal systems with high winds.
Oligopoly with Price Inertia and Bounded Rationality

This paper is an exploratory piece aimed toward developing useful approaches to bounded rationality and also toward a more realistic modeling of consumer demand in oligopoly. Regarding the bounded rationality side of the model, anyone familiar with economics knows that the bulk of the theory supposes well informed economic agents who have well defined preferences and who make decisions that are optimal for them in an environment in which neither resources nor time are needed to carry out calculations. Additionally, much, though not all, theory abstracts from uncertainty of every sort. This body of theory is impressive, beautiful, and full of insight into human economic behavior. It provides valuable early steps on a very long path. At the same time, it does great and obvious violence to reality.
1-year risk-adjusted mortality and costs of percutaneous coronary intervention in the Veterans Health Administration: insights from the VA CART Program.

Abstract Background There is significant interest in measuring health care value, but this concept has not been operationalized in specific patient cohorts. The longitudinal outcomes and costs for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) provide an opportunity to measure an aspect of health care value. Objectives This study evaluated variations in 1-year outcomes (risk-adjusted mortality) and risk-standardized costs of care for all patients undergoing PCI in the Veterans Affairs (VA) system from 2007 to 2010. Methods This retrospective cohort study evaluated all veterans undergoing PCI at any of 60 hospitals in the VA health care system, using data from the national VA Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking (CART) program. Primary outcomes were 1-year mortality and costs following PCI. Risk-standardized mortality and cost ratios were calculated, adjusting for cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities. Results A median of 261 PCIs were performed in the 60 hospitals during the study period. Median 1-year unadjusted hospital mortality rate was 6.13%. Four hospitals were significantly above the 1-year risk-standardized median mortality rate, with median mortality ratios ranging from 1.23 to 1.28. No hospitals were significantly below median mortality. Median 1-year total unadjusted hospital costs were $46,302 per patient. There were 16 hospitals above and 19 hospitals below the risk-standardized median cost, with risk-standardized ratios ranging from 0.45 to 2.09, reflecting a much larger magnitude of variability in costs than in mortality. Conclusions There is much smaller variation in 1-year risk adjusted mortality than in risk-standardized costs after PCI in the VA. These findings suggest that there are opportunities to improve PCI value by reducing costs without compromising outcomes. This approach to evaluating outcomes and costs together may be a model for other health systems and accountable care organizations interested in operationalizing value measurement.
Drivers of within-field spatial and temporal variability of crop yield across the US Midwest.

Not all areas of a farmer’s field are equal; some always produce more relative to the rest of the field, others always less, while still other areas fluctuate in their production capacity from one year to the next, depending on the interaction between climate, soil, topography and management. Understanding why the yield in certain portions of a field has a high variability over time—we call these areas unstable—is of paramount importance both from an economic and an environmental point of view, as it is through the better management of these areas that we can improve yields or reduce input costs and environmental impact. In this research, we analyzed data from 338 fields cultivated with maize, soybean, wheat and cotton in the US Midwest to understand how topographic attributes and rain affect yield stability over time. In addition to this high resolution yield monitor dataset, we used publicly available data on topography, rain and soil information to test the hypothesis that within-field areas characterized by a low topographic wetness index (proxy for areas with probability of lower water content) always perform poorly (low and stable yield) compared to the rest of the field because they are drier, and that areas of a field characterized by a mid-high wetness index (high and stable yield) always perform well relative to rest of the field because they have greater water availability to plants. The relative performance of areas of a field with a very high wetness index (e.g. depressions) strongly depends on rain patterns because they may be waterlogged in wet years, yielding less than the rest of the field, or wetter during dry years, yielding more than the rest of the field. We present three different observations from this dataset to support our hypothesis. First, we show that the average topographic wetness index in the different stability zones is lower in low and stable yield areas, high in high and stable yield areas and even higher in unstable yield areas (p < 0.05). Second, we show that in dry years (low precipitation at plant emergence or in July), unstable zones perform relatively better compared to the rest of the field. Third, we show that temporal yield variability is positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the probability of observing gleying processes associated with waterlogging for part of the year. These findings shed light on mechanisms underlying temporal variability of yield and can help guide management solutions to increase profit and improve environmental quality.
Development and Application of Molecular Tagging Velocimetry for Gas Flows in Thermal Hydraulics

Molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) is a non intrusive velocimetry technique based on laser spectroscopy. It is particularly adequate in challenging gas flow conditions encountered in thermal hydraulics where particle-based methods such as particle image (or tracking) velocimetry do not perform well. The main principles for designing and operating this diagnostic are presented as well as a set of gases that have been identified as potential seeds. Two gases (H2O and N2O) have been characterized extensively for thermodynamic conditions ranging from standard temperature and pressure to environments encountered in integral effect test (IET) facilities for high temperature gas reactors (HTGR). A flexible, modular, and trans- portable laser system has been designed and demonstrated with H2O and N2O seed gases. The laser system enabled to determine the optimum excitation wavelength, tracer concentration, and timing parameters. Velocity precision and thermodynamic domain of applicability are discussed for both tracers. The spectroscopic nature of the diagnostics enables to perform first principle uncertainty analysis which makes it attractive for validating numerical models. MTV is demonstrated for two flows. First, in blow down tests with H2O seed, the unique laser system enables one of the largest dynamic ranges reported to date for velocimetry: 5,000:1 (74 dB). N2O-MTV is then deployed in-situ in an IET, the high-temperature test facility at Oregon State University during a depressurized condition cooldown (DCC) event. Data enable to gain insights into flow instabilities present during DCC. Thus, MTV shows a strong potential to gain fundamental understanding of gas flows in nuclear thermal hydraulics and to provide validation data for numerical solvers.
Exploring the prevalence and construct validity of high-impact chronic pain across chronic low-back pain study samples

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT The US National Pain Strategy focused attention on high-impact chronic pain and its restrictions. Although many interventions have been studied for chronic low-back pain, results are typically reported for heterogeneous samples. To better understand chronic pain and target interventions to those who most need care, more granular classifications recognizing chronic pain's impact are needed. PURPOSE To test whether chronic pain impact levels can be identified in chronic low-back pain clinical trial samples, examine the baseline patient mix across studies, and evaluate the construct validity of high-impact chronic pain. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Descriptive analyses using 12 large study datasets. PATIENT SAMPLES Chronic low-back pain patients in nonsurgical, nonpharmacologic trials in the US, Canada, and UK. OUTCOME MEASURES Preference-based health utilities from the SF-6D and EQ-5D, employment status and absenteeism. METHODS We used two logistic regression models to predict whether patients had high-impact chronic pain and whether the remainder had low- or moderate-impact chronic pain. We developed these models using two datasets. Models with the best predictive power were used to impute impact levels for six other datasets. Stratified by these estimated chronic pain impact levels, we characterized the case mix of patients at baseline in each dataset, and summarized their health-utilities and work productivity. This study was funded by a National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine grant. The authors have no potential conflicts of interest. RESULTS The logistic models had excellent predictive power to identify those with high-impact chronic pain. Although studies were all of chronic low-back pain patients, the baseline mix of patients varied widely. Across all datasets, utilities, and productivity were similar for those with high-impact chronic pain and worsened as chronic pain impact increased. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to better categorize chronic pain patients to allow the targeting of optimal interventions for those with each level of chronic pain impact.
Spectral reflectance relationships to leaf water stress

Spectral reflectance data were collected from detached snapbean leaves in the laboratory with a multiband radiometer. Four experiments were designed to study the spectral response resulting from changes in leaf cover, relative water content of leaves, and leaf water potential. Spectral regions included in the analysis were red (630-690 nm), NIR (760-900 nm), and mid-IR (2.08-2.35 microns). The red and mid-IR bands showed sensitivity to changes in both leaf cover and relative water content of leaves. The NIR was only highly sensitive to changes in leaf cover. Results provided evidence that mid-IR reflectance was governed primarily by leaf moisture content, although soil reflectance was an important factor when leaf cover was less than 100 percent. High correlations between leaf water potentials and reflectance were attributed to covariances with relative water content of leaves and leaf cover.
Leaf Traits That Contribute to Differential Ozone Response in Ozone-Tolerant and Sensitive Soybean Genotypes

Ozone (O3) is a phytotoxic air pollutant that limits crop productivity. Breeding efforts to improve yield under elevated O3 conditions will benefit from understanding the mechanisms that contribute to O3 tolerance. In this study, leaf gas exchange and antioxidant metabolites were compared in soybean genotypes (Glycine max (L.) Merr) differing in ozone sensitivity. Mandarin (Ottawa) (O3-sensitive) and Fiskeby III (O3-tolerant) plants grown under charcoal-filtered (CF) air conditions for three weeks were exposed for five days to either CF conditions or 70 ppb O3 in continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) in a greenhouse. In the CF controls, stomatal conductance was approximately 36% lower for Fiskeby III relative to Mandarin (Ottawa) while the two genotypes exhibited similar levels of photosynthesis. Ozone exposure induced significant foliar injury on leaves of Mandarin (Ottawa) associated with declines in both stomatal conductance (by 77%) and photosynthesis (by 38%). In contrast, O3 exposure resulted in minimal foliar injury on leaves of Fiskeby III with only a small decline in photosynthesis (by 5%), and a further decline in stomatal conductance (by 30%). There was a general trend towards higher ascorbic acid content in leaves of Fiskeby III than in Mandarin (Ottawa) regardless of treatment. The results confirm Fiskeby III to be an O3-tolerant genotype and suggest that reduced stomatal conductance contributes to the observed O3 tolerance through limiting O3 uptake by the plant. Reduced stomatal conductance was associated with enhanced water-use efficiency, providing a potential link between O3 tolerance and drought tolerance.
Can a Standard of Care Practice Change Reduce Antibiotic Exposure

Background: Neonatal early onset sepsis (EOS) is defined as bacterial growth in a blood culture in the first 72 hours of life. Chorioamnionitis is a set up for EOS. The incidence of EOS reduced significantly with the CDC's recommendations that all group B Streptococcus (GBS) positive mothers receive intrapartum antibiotics. Despite this recommendation, chorioamnionitis still occurs and newborns develop EOS. The CDC recommends that chorioamnionitis-exposed newborns receive empiric IV antibiotics which results in approximately 11% of newborns being exposed to antibiotics. These recommendations have been questioned as many uninfected newborns receive …
The impact of money on science: Evidence from unexpected NCAA football outcomes

Abstract How productive are university research investments, and do the resulting pools of knowledge create valuable, downstream technology — or simply accumulate in the “ivory tower”? This paper uses unexpected NCAA athletic outcomes to vary research support to university faculty and estimate knowledge productivity. We find positive, significant effects of research expenditures on articles published and patents filed. Then, using data on university technology licensing income, we show that these investments produce large returns in real terms.