cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Survey of Recent Results in the Radiocarbon Chronology of Westers and Northern Africa

This paper is the first in a series summarizing, for the benefit of historians and archaeologists from other areas, the latest developments in radiocarbon dating for the later prehistory of western and northern Africa. These articles will appear every two years, alternating with similar surveys of eastern and southern Africa. A selection of more than 200 dates from those not previously published in this Journal is discussed, and dates obtained by thermoluminescence are quoted for the first time. It should be emphasized that most of the dates included are published in advance of full reports which are being prepared by the archaeologists concerned. The conclusions reached are therefore provisional and may well require modification in the light of a fuller examination of the related archaeological data.
Effects of field orientation on the driven lattice gas

Steady states of the driven lattice gas (DLG) on triangular, hexagonal and square lattices with the field at several fixed orientations to the principal lattice vectors were studied by Monte Carlo simulation. In most cases a strong field suppressed change to a low-temperature ordered phase. On each lattice, one field orientation that caused nonequilibrium ordering was identified. On triangular and hexagonal lattices, dependence of energy and anisotropy on field strength was studied at those orientations. Anisotropic ordering along the field developed at intermediate temperatures under weak fields. Partial ordering along the field persisted to low temperature under strong fields.
LED Drive Circuit with Series Input Connected Converter Cells Operating in Continuous Conduction Mode

This paper introduces an LED drive circuit implemented by series input connected converter cells with a common duty cycle control approach operating from a dc voltage bus. With this structure, low voltage high frequency ICs and low profile components can be applied in high voltage applications. Flexibility is provided for the cells to work under different voltage supply conditions by simply changing the number of series converters. With the converters operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM), the common duty cycle control approach enables automatic line voltage sharing and output current copying. The approach results in a control-to-output transfer function of the system that is close to that of a single converter for ease of feedback loop design. The modular approach also allows continued operation in the presence of open circuit LED failures. Design considerations and experimental results are presented for a 25 W 3-cell system with 9 Luxeon K2 high brightness LEDs, demonstrating line voltage sharing, output current copying and LED failure response.
Binary equivalents of ternary relationships in entity-relationship modeling: a logical decomposition approach

Little work has been completed which addresses the logical composition and use of ternary relationships in entity -relationship modeling. Many modeling notations and most CASE tools do not allow for ternary relationships. Alternative methods and substitutes for ternary relationship structures do not necessarily reflect the original logic, semantics or constraints of a given situation. Furthermore, it has been shown that ternary relationships can be constrained by additional implicit binary constraints which do not occur in the logic of binary relationships. This paper develops an analytical perspective of ternary relationships. We investigate the logical relationships implicit to the ternary structure and then identify potential simplification through decomposition into binary equivalents. These alternative binary equivalents allow retention of the implicit logical structure, and consequently also retain the semantics of the original structure. The analysis investigates equivalency of lossless decompositions, preservation of functional dependencies and finally the ability to preserve update constraints (insertions and deletions). We identify which ternary relationships have true, fully equivalent, b inary equivalents and those which do not. We provide an exhaustive analysis of cardinality combinations found in ternary relationships which practitioners can use to guide the way in which they deal with ternary relationships in conceptual modeling.
Reimbursement to advanced practice nurses (APNs) through Medicare

Purpose: To analyze why U.S. legislation for direct Medicare reimbursement to advanced practice nurses (APNs) was approved during the 105th congressional session. Help in understanding the complexities of policy making and in strategizing future policy activities is needed. Given their vast numbers, nurses are a formidable group with potential to influence policy. Organizing Construct: Kingdon's (1995) framework indicates that policy formation involves constant interaction among participants and the problem, its politics, and policy. When a policy is enacted into legislation, the three come together and an opportunity for policy formation exists, if even fora short period. Methods for data extraction included telephone interviews, information provided by the American Nurses Association (ANA), and information from the internet to access information. Findings: Lack of access to health care by Medicare beneficiaries, tagging a policy proposal onto the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the national mood to provide cost-effective quality care, and lobbying by interest groups helped to make direct Medicare reimbursement for advanced practice nurses a reality. Conclusions: When lobbying for the enactment of legislation, nurses should decrease their tendency to fragment. Nurses should be more effectively organized and concentrate on specific agendas. Working together can influence policy and change clinical situations to improve patient care.
Fast ML Decoding for OSTFBC and QOSTFBC Coded MIMO-OFDM System with Clipping

In a clipped MIMO-OFDM system, the overall additive noise, including the clipping distortion, may not be white. In this paper, we develop fast ML decoding algorithms for orthogonal space-time-frequency block codes (OSTFBC) and quasi orthogonal space-time-frequency block codes (QOSTFBC) in clipped MIMO-OFDM systems by using a clipping noise model with Gaussian approximation. By using the statistics of the clipping distortions, our newly proposed fast ML decoding algorithms improve the performance for clipped MIMO-OFDM systems with OSTFBC and QOSTFBC without increasing the decoding complexity. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the improvement.
Field effect transistors-from silicon MOSFETs to carbon nanotube FETs

As CMOS devices scale into the nanometer regime, the material set and device structures employed by conventional FET are beginning to reach their limits. In this paper, device and technology features of CMOS at the nanometer regime are examined. This includes new devices formed by different device structures such as the double-gate FET and back-gate FET, as well as devices made of new materials such as silicon germanium and combinations of new materials such as high-dielectric constant gate dielectrics and metal gate electrodes. Device and materials possibilities beyond silicon CMOS are discussed.
National profiles of school readiness skills for Head Start children: An investigation of stability and change

Abstract Among a nationally representative sample of 2336 Head Start children, patterns of school readiness were compared at the beginning and end of children's first preschool year, and predictors of stability and change across readiness profiles were examined. The present study documented that although the majority of children remain in a qualitatively similar school readiness profile across their first year in Head Start, 20% of children move to a qualitatively different profile over the school year, reflecting both improvements and declines in functioning. Child and family attributes (e.g., child age, ELL status, maternal education, and family structure), as well as contextual factors (e.g., teacher education and experience, parenting style, and parent involvement) were significant predictors of both profile stability and change. Given that we have little understanding about what factors practice or policy can manipulate to improve school readiness, these findings shed light on what we might do to promote school readiness and prevent declines in functioning over time. Thus, findings from this study provide a population- and pattern-based perspective of Head Start children's strengths and needs, relevant for informing both individual and systems level change in Head Start programs across the nation.
Theoretical Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics at All Times

Microtubules are biopolymers consisting of tubulin dimer subunits. As a major component of cytoskeleton they are essential for supporting most important cellular processes such as cell division, signaling, intracellular transport and cell locomotion. The hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) molecules attached to each tubulin subunit supports the nonequilibrium nature of microtubule dynamics. One of the most spectacular properties of microtubules is their dynamic instability when their growth from continuous attachment of tubulin dimers stochastically alternates with periods of shrinking. Despite the critical importance of this process to all cellular activities, its mechanism remains not fully understood. We investigated theoretically microtubule dynamics at all times by analyzing explicitly temporal evolution of various length clusters of unhydrolyzed subunits. It is found that the dynamic behavior of microtubules depends strongly on initial conditions. Our theoretical findings provide a microscopic explanation for recent experiments which found that the frequency of catastrophes increases with the lifetime of microtubules. It is argued that most growing microtubule configurations cannot transit in one step into a shrinking state, leading to a complex overall temporal behavior. Theoretical calculations combined with Monte Carlo computer simulations are also directly compared with experimental observations, and good agreement is found.
A Rotating and Magnetized Three-Dimensional Hot Plasma Equilibrium in a Gravitational Field

A rotating and magnetized three-dimensional axisymmetric equilibrium for hot plasma confined by a gravitational field is found. The plasma density and current can exhibit strong equatorial plane localization, resulting in disk equilibria with open magnetic field lines. The associated equatorial plane pinching results in magnetic field flaring, implying a strong gravitational squeezing of the plasma carrying ambient magnetic field lines toward the gravitational source. At high plasma pressure, the magnetic field becomes strongly radial outside the disk. The model predicts the rotation frequency bound, the condition for a plasma disk, and the requirement for strong magnetic field flaring.
Optimization of the productivity index and the fracture geometry of a stimulated well with fracture face and choke skins

For a given reservoir of known permeability and dimensions, the proppant mass injected to the pay determines a unique proppant number. Unique to each proppant number, there exists an optimum dimensionless fracture conductivity that exclusively determines the optimum fracture dimensions.' Impairments affecting flow perpendicular to the fracture surface are accounted for as fracture-face-skin effect. On the other hand, flow impairment caused by a reduction of the fracture conductivity near the wellbore is called choked fracture skin. Both effects have a large influence on the productivity of a fractured well. In this work, the performance of a fractured well is calculated with a direct boundary element method. This method provides the dimensionless productivity index, and the model allows for the presence of each of the two different skin effects. The fracture face skin was found to have a significant detrimental effect on the dimensionless productivity index, even changing the character of its dependence on the dimensionless fracture conductivity. The effect of the choke skin also was found to be potentially detrimental but less complex to account for because it can be represented as an apparent reduction in the proppant number.
Radiobacteriolysis: a New Technique Using Chromium-51 for Assaying Anti- Vibrio cholerae Antibodies

A new method for detecting and quantitating antibodies against Vibrio cholerae is described. The reaction involves the release of radiochromium from prelabeled vibrios in the presence of specific antibody and complement. The entire assay can be completed within 5 hr. The method is highly reproducible, immunologically specific, temperature- and complement-dependent, and significantly more sensitive than other methods currently used for titration of anti-Vibrio cholerae antibodies. The technique is also potentially applicable to titration of antibodies against other gram-negative bacteria.
Design of Robot Controllers for Cooperative Interactive Dynamics

Achieving autonomous competence in dynamic robotic operations involving physical interactions remains a challenge. Recent experimental evidence suggests a pathway to constructing controllers that embody generic skills of dynamic interaction. We describe a means to encode interactive skills in terms of a low-level impedance controller, parameters describing virtual dynamics as an interface to a discrete-event control layer, and the interpretation and synthesis of skills using atomic behaviors. Experimental results are described illustrating high levels of task competence in specific examples.
DOPPLER SONAR NAVIGATOR ERROR PROPAGATION AND CORRECTION

The technique of estimating a vessel's speed over the ground by measuring the Doppler frequency shift of an acoustic pulse reflected from the bottom has been successfully employed by the oceanographic community for many years. A system based on this principle may act as a precise dead-reckoning navigation device, or may provide an accurate velocity reference for other types of navigation systems. Despite the history of success of the Doppler sonar to date, improvements in marine technology and more stringent operational requirements have placed new demands on system accuracy. The study of Doppler sonar navigator error growth and error prediction suggests that significant improvements in the performance of existing systems may be achieved.
Volunteered Geographic Information, the Exaflood, and the Growing Digital Divide

The phenomenon of volunteered geographic information is part of a profound transformation on how geographic data, information, and knowledge are produced and circulated. This chapter begins by situating this transition within the broader context of an “exaflood” of digital data growth. It considers the implications of VGI and the exaflood for further time-space compression and new forms and degrees of digital inequality. We then give a synoptic overview of the content of this edited collection and its three-part structure: VGI, public participation, and citizen science; geographic knowledge production and place inference; and emerging applications and new challenges. We conclude this chapter by discussing the renewed importance of geography and the role of crowdsourcing for geographic knowledge production.
Ethical Issues and Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Behavioral and Mental Health Care

This chapter discusses ethics involved with the use of artificial intelligent technologies in behavioral and mental health care. A foundational overview of medical ethics and current ethical codes and guidelines that pertain to the use of technology is provided. Emerging ethical issues are then discussed along with specific recommendations to address these issues. Novel approaches to help with the design and testing of intelligent autonomous care providers, including methods for developing ethical principles and decision-making processes for autonomous artificial agents, are presented.
Radioimmunoassay of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoadenine (8-hydroxyadenine)

SummaryA sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for 8-hydroxyadenine has been developed. As little as 4 × 10−14 moles of 8-hydroxyadenine can be detected. Unmodified DNA cross-reacts only at concentrations greater than 20 μg/ml. 8-hydroxyadenine can be detected in γ-irradiated DNA at doses less than 10 Gy. The assay requires only mild chemical treatment and many samples can be quickly and easily handled.
The Treatment of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Risk Stratification and Strategies

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a highly aggressive neoplasm of precursor cells (lymphoblasts) committed to the lymphoid B-cell or T-cell lineage. It is significantly more prevalent in children, representing nearly 25% of all childhood cancers, but accounting for only 1% of all adult malignancies. The peak prevalence of ALL falls between the ages of 2 and 5 years, and 75% of all cases occur in children under the age of 6 years. The estimated number of new cases in the United States in 2008 was approximately 5,400, and 1,460 people died of their disease.
The autism associated MET receptor tyrosine kinase engages early neuronal growth mechanism and controls glutamatergic circuits development in the forebrain

The human MET gene imparts a replicated risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and is implicated in the structural and functional integrity of brain. MET encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase, MET, which has a pleiotropic role in embryogenesis and modifies a large number of neurodevelopmental events. Very little is known, however, on how MET signaling engages distinct cellular events to collectively affect brain development in ASD-relevant disease domains. Here, we show that MET protein expression is dynamically regulated and compartmentalized in developing neurons. MET is heavily expressed in neuronal growth cones at early developmental stages and its activation engages small GTPase Cdc42 to promote neuronal growth, dendritic arborization and spine formation. Genetic ablation of MET signaling in mouse dorsal pallium leads to altered neuronal morphology indicative of early functional maturation. In contrast, prolonged activation of MET represses the formation and functional maturation of glutamatergic synapses. Moreover, manipulating MET signaling levels in vivo in the developing prefrontal projection neurons disrupts the local circuit connectivity made onto these neurons. Therefore, normal time-delimited MET signaling is critical in regulating the timing of neuronal growth, glutamatergic synapse maturation and cortical circuit function. Dysregulated MET signaling may lead to pathological changes in forebrain maturation and connectivity, and thus contribute to the emergence of neurological symptoms associated with ASD.
Renal trauma in the multiple injured patient.

AbstractImmediate radiological evaluation of renal injuries by a large dose or infusion excretory urogram resulted in a definitive diagnosis in 87 per cent of the cases. Further radiological evaluation or exploration was required to make a definitive diagnosis in the remaining 13 per cent. Blunt external trauma was responsible for 94 per cent of the renal injuries.Less morbidity and a sharp reduction in delayed renal operation followed the introduction of immediate surgical management with the more severe types of renal injury. Clamping of the renal vessels prior to opening Gerota’s fascia prevents reactivation of hemorrhage and allows for a deliberate operation with conservation of undamaged renal tissue. Associated injuries were present in 73 per cent of the patients, including intra-abdominal injuries in 42 per cent. The over-all nephrectomy rate of 5 per cent in this study compares favorably to the nephrectomy rate in studies reporting the expectant management of renal injuries.
Construction of a Transcription Map for Papillomaviruses using RACE, RNase Protection, and Primer Extension Assays

Papillomaviruses are a family of small, non-enveloped DNA tumor viruses. Knowing a complete transcription map of each papillomavirus genome can provide guidance for various papillomavirus studies. This unit provides detailed protocols to construct a transcription map of human papillomavirus type 18. The same approach can be easily adapted to other transcription map studies of any other papillomavirus genotype due to the high degree of conservation in genome structure, organization, and gene expression among papillomaviruses. The focused methods are 5′- and 3′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), which are techniques commonly used in molecular biology to obtain full-length RNA transcript or to map a transcription start site (TSS) or an RNA polyadenylation (pA) cleavage site. Primer walking RT-PCR is a method for studying the splicing junction of RACE products. In addition, RNase protection assay and primer extension are also introduced as alternative methods in the mapping analysis. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: papillomaviruses; transcription map; RACE; primer walking; RPA; primer extension
No association between the mitochondrial genome and prostate cancer risk: The Multiethnic Cohort

Background: Mitochondria are involved in many processes that are central to the life and death of a cell. Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), in particular, is known to be altered in carcinogenesis, leading to an increase in the production of reactive oxidative species and glycolysis, one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. Because of this, genetic variation in the mitochondrial genome, which encodes for part of the OXPHOS pathway, has been suggested to play a role in many cancers, including prostate cancer. Methods: We comprehensively examined the role of the mitochondrial genome and prostate cancer risk in 4,086 prostate cancer cases and 3,698 controls from the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC), testing 350 mitochondrial SNPs (mtSNPs) in five racial/ethnic populations—Africans, Asian Americans, Europeans, Latinos, and Native Hawaiians. Logistic regression was conducted to examine single mitochondrial SNP and haplogroup associations. The sequence kernel association test was conducted for gene and pathway analysis. Results: Eleven mtSNPs and haplogroup N were nominally associated with overall prostate cancer risk at P 0.20). Conclusions: The mitochondrial genome was not associated with prostate cancer risk in our study of 7,784 subjects from the MEC. Impact: Our comprehensive study does not support the role of the mitochondrial genome in the risk of prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(6); 1001–3. ©2016 AACR .
Principles and Applications of Dual-Polarization Weather Radar. Part I: Description of the Polarimetric Radar Variables

The United States Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) radar network has been upgraded to dual-polarization capabilities, providing operational and research meteorologists with a wealth of new information regarding the types and distributions of hydrometeors within precipitating storms, as well as a means for improved radar data quality. In addition to the conventional moments of reflectivity factor at horizontal polarization (ZH), Doppler velocity (Vr), and Doppler spectrum width (W), the new variables available from upgraded radars are the differential reflectivity (ZDR), differential propagation phase shift (ΦDP), specific differential phase (KDP), and the co-polar correlation coefficient (ρhv or CC). In the first part of this review series, a description of the polarimetric radar variables available from the newly polarimetric WSR-88D radars is provided. An emphasis is made on their physical meaning and interpretation in the context of operational meteorology.
Cost-Effectiveness of a Model Infection Control Program for Preventing Multi-Drug-Resistant Organism Infections in Critically Ill Surgical Patients.

Abstract Background: Interventions to contain two multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) outbreaks reduced the incidence of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) organisms, specifically methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, and Clostridium difficile in the general surgery intensive care unit (ICU) of our hospital. We therefore conducted a cost-effective analysis of a proactive model infection-control program to reduce transmission of MDR organisms based on the practices used to control the MDRA outbreak. Methods: We created a model of a proactive infection control program based on the 2011 MDRA outbreak response. We built a decision analysis model and performed univariable and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the proposed program compared with standard infection control practices to reduce transmission of these MDR organisms. Results: The cost of a proactive infection control program would be $68,509 per year. The incremental cost-e...
Electrocardiographic early repolarization characteristics and clinical presentations in the young: a benign finding or worrisome marker for arrhythmias

Background The early ECG repolarization QRS pattern (ERp), with J-point elevation of 0.1 mV in two contiguous inferior and/or lateral leads, can be associated with ventricular arrhythmias among adults. The significance of an ERp in the young is unknown. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of ERp among young patients (pts), describe and correlate the characteristics with clinical presentations and any arrhythmias. Methods This was a 1 y retrospective review of ECGs obtained from patients referred specifically for documented arrhythmias, possible arrhythmia-related symptoms or sports clearance. ECGs were analyzed for ERp (J-point, ascending/horizontal patterns, location) and correlated with presenting complaints. Results Of 301 patient ECGs, an ERp was found in 177 (59%), (pts age 11.7 ± 4.3 y); 54% male; 23% Caucasian. Of these, 6 pts had a family history of sudden cardiac death. Arrhythmias (72% atrial) occurred in 22 pts. Only 3 pts had ventricular arrhythmias (1 successfully ablated). The ascending ST segment and elevated J-point occurred in 77% and 51% of pts with and without arrhythmias respectively. In 73% of all pts, the ERp location was in inferior/lateral leads. Neither gender, ethnicity, large J-point, lead location, nor the combination of a horizontal ST segment with large J-point correlated with any arrhythmias. Conclusions ERp, especially the diffuse ascending pattern, is common among the young, in those of European ethnicity, found equally in both genders, and with no apparent correlation with atrial nor ventricular arrhythmias.
4-hydroxynonenal-mediated signaling and aging

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), one of the major α, β-unsaturated aldehydes produced during lipid peroxidation, is a potent messenger in mediating signaling pathways. Lipid peroxidation and HNE production appear to increase with aging. Although the cause and effect relation remains arguable, aging is associated with significant changes in diverse signaling events, characterized by enhanced or diminished responses of specific signaling pathways. In this review we will discuss how HNE may contribute to aging-related alterations of signaling pathways.
Porous polymer optical fiber fabrication and potential biomedical application

In this paper we propose a new and cost-effective fabrication scheme for porous polymer optical fibers. Different porous polymer fibers made from polycarbonate (PC) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) using this method have been thermally drawn and characterized. Porosity in the fiber cladding is introduced by the absorbed water in one layer of the polymer fiber preforms under heat treatment and/or thermal drawing, and can be controlled by adjusting the water concentration. In addition, we have shown that the fabricated porous polymer fibers have the potential application in localized drug delivery for cancer treatment.
Integrating the microbiome as a resource in the forensics toolkit.

Abstract The introduction of DNA fingerprinting to forensic science rapidly expanded the available evidence that could be garnered from a crime scene and used in court cases. Next generation sequencing technologies increased available genetic data that could be used as evidence by orders of magnitude, and as such, significant additional genetic information is now available for use in forensic science. This includes DNA from the bacteria that live in and on humans, known as the human microbiome. Next generation sequencing of the human microbiome demonstrates that its bacterial DNA can be used to uniquely identify an individual, provide information about their life and behavioral patterns, determine the body site where a sample came from, and estimate postmortem intervals. Bacterial samples from the environment and objects can also be leveraged to address similar questions about the individual(s) who interacted with them. However, the applications of this new field in forensic sciences raises concerns on current methods used in sample processing, including sample collection, storage, and the statistical power of published studies. These areas of human microbiome research need to be fully addressed before microbiome data can become a regularly incorporated evidence type and routine procedure of the forensic toolkit. Here, we summarize information on the current status of microbiome research as applies to the forensic field, the mathematical models used to make predictions, and the possible legal and practical difficulties that can limit the application of microbiomes in forensic science.
Damage analysis by physically nonlinear composite beam theory

Abstract Damaging constitutive models are incorporated into the variational asymptotic beam sectional analysis method (VABS). Under the governing of the virtual work principle, Newton’s method is applied to solve for the finite cross-sectional warping field and the damage variables according to continuum damage mechanics models from the literature. These solutions result in mesh-insensitive predictions of the damaged beam stiffness and three-dimensional stress and strain fields in the damaged state. The present theory is implemented using the finite element method to capture the high-fidelity elastic-to-damaged beam constitutive behaviors by the cross-sectional analyses. The predicted beam constitutive relations and local fields are compared with results from finite element analyses (FEA) using solid elements and plate elements, and experiments.
Automating Visual Privacy Protection in the IoT Space

The ubiquity of mobile camera devices has been triggering an outcry of privacy concerns, whereas privacy protection still relies on the cooperation of the photographer or camera hardware, which can hardly be guaranteed in practice. In this paper, we introduce LiShield, which automatically protects a physical scene against photographing, by illuminating it with smart LEDs flickering in specialized waveforms. Our prototype implementation and experiments show that LiShield can effectively destroy unauthorized capturing while maintaining robustness against potential attacks.
The effect of socioeconomic factors on the outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma.

466Background: To investigate the impact of socioeconomic factors on overall survival (OS) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at an inner-city tertiary care hospital. Methods: Consecu...
Investigating Strategies for Pre-Class Content Learning in a Flipped Classroom.

In a flipped classroom model, learning of basic content is shifted before class while in-class time is used for concept application. Empirical and controlled research studies are lacking on the best strategies to provide the necessary pre-class content instruction. In this study, we tested three methods of pre-class content learning—interactive online tutorials, video lectures, and textbook-style readings—while holding the content and the in-class application activities constant. Identical introductory, non-majors biology classes were manipulated at both a public, open-enrollment institution and a private, highly selective institution. We found that video lectures offer a small advantage to overall student learning over interactive tutorials or textbook-style readings. Although our two populations differed in their ability to effectively learn from pre-class activities, through a student-centered flipped classroom approach, students at both institutions demonstrated equal learning gains by the final assessment. Potential reasons for some observed differences are suggested.
Stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging effectively reclassifies risk in patients with known or suspected stable coronary artery disease

Background A recent large-scale clinical trial has indicated that an initial invasive strategy does not improve cardiac outcomes beyond optimized medical therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, novel methods to stratify at-risk patients may refine therapeutic decisions and improve outcomes. We sought to test the hypothesis that stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging effectively prognosticates and reclassifies patient risk in a consecutive clinical cohort of patients with known or suspected CAD across a spectrum of guideline-determined risk categories.
New Sorbents for Olefin-Paraffin and Acetylene Separations by π-Complexation

New adsorbents for olefin-paraffin separation have been synthesized by effective dispersion of Ag(1) and Cu(1) cations on substrates that have hydrocarbon-phobic surfaces. These cations bind olefin molecules by a p-complexation bond — a weak chemical bond. For acetylene separations, we have prepared a new type of sorbent by monolayer dispersion of Ni+2 or Co+2 on γ-Al2O3 which has high selectivity and reversibility for acetylene (C2H2) over other hydrocarbons, also through p-complexation. The p-complexation bonds, as well as the effects of anions and substrates on these bonds, are understood from molecular orbital calculation results.
Understanding the Role of Ferroelastic Domains on the Pyroelectric and Electrocaloric Effects in Ferroelectric Thin Films

Temperature- and electric-field-induced structural transitions in a polydomain ferroelectric can have profound effects on its electrothermal susceptibilities. Here, the role of such ferroelastic domains on the pyroelectric and electrocaloric response is experimentally investigated in thin films of the tetragonal ferroelectric PbZr0.2 Ti0.8 O3 . By utilizing epitaxial strain, a rich set of ferroelastic polydomain states spanning a broad thermodynamic phase space are stabilized. Using temperature-dependent scanning-probe microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-frequency phase-sensitive pyroelectric measurements, the propensity of domains to reconfigure under a temperature perturbation is quantitatively studied. In turn, the "extrinsic" contributions to pyroelectricity exclusively due to changes between the ferroelastic domain population is elucidated as a function of epitaxial strain. Further, using highly sensitive thin-film resistive thermometry, direct electrocaloric temperature changes are measured on these polydomain thin films for the first time. The results demonstrate that temperature- and electric-field-driven domain interconversion under compressive strain diminish both the pyroelectric and the electrocaloric effects, while both these susceptibilities are enhanced due to the exact-opposite effect from the extrinsic contributions under tensile strain.
Glucose-dependent trans-plasma membrane electron transport and p70S6k phosphorylation in skeletal muscle cells

The reduction of extracellular oxidants by intracellular electrons is known as trans-plasma membrane electron transport (tPMET). The goal of this study was to characterize a role of tPMET in the sensing of glucose as a physiological signal. tPMET from C2C12 myotubes was monitored using a cell-impermeable extracellular electron acceptor, water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 (WST-1). Superoxide dismutase in the incubation medium or exposure to an NADPH oxidase (NOX) isoform 1/4 inhibitor suppressed WST-1 reduction by 70%, suggesting a role of NOXs in tPMET. There was a positive correlation between medium glucose concentration and WST-1 reduction, suggesting that tPMET is a glucose-sensing process. WST-1 reduction was also decreased by an inhibitor of the pentose phosphate pathway, dehydroepiandrosterone. In contrast, glycolytic inhibitors, 3PO and sodium fluoride, did not affect WST-1 reduction. Thus, it appears that glucose uptake and processing in the pentose phosphate pathway drives NOX-dependent tPMET. Western blot analysis demonstrated that p70S6k phosphorylation is glucose-dependent, while the phosphorylation of AKT and MAPK did not differ in the presence or absence of glucose. Further, phosphorylation of p70S6k was dependent upon NOX enzymes. Finally, glucose was required for full stimulation of p70S6k by insulin, again in a fashion prevented by NOX inhibition. Taken together, the data suggest that muscle cells have a novel glucose-sensing mechanism dependent on NADPH production and NOX activity, culminating in increased p70S6k phosphorylation.
Synergistic growth inhibition by Iressa and Rapamycin in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) with wild-type VHL

3406 In RCC cell lines, we found by real-time RT-PCR that EGFR mRNA was highly expressed in the near-absence of other ErbB family members. Based on these findings, we used a selective EGFR inhibitor. Iressa, alone and in combination with rapamycin to inhibit growth. Synergy was observed with the combination but only in wt-VHL cells. Short-term (2h) treatment with Iressa blocked ERK1, 2 phosphorylation specifically in wt-VHL cells while rapamycin inhibited phospho-RPS6 irrespective of VHL. Neither agent, nor the combination, affected phospho-AKT levels. Although the ability to block EGFR phosphorylation was VHL independent, in matched cell lines EGFR protein was overexpressed and EGF-induced phosphorylation was prolonged in VHL mutant cells. The elevated EGFR protein levels were not due to differences in total or ribosome-associated mRNA indicating a post-translational effect. We also determined whether Iressa and rapamycin had effects on protein translation initiation for other mRNAs. While 5’-TOP containing mRNAs were inhibited (e.g., RPS19), as well as eIF4E, no changes were observed for MYC, Cyclin D1 and VEGF. In contrast, following short-term inhibition of AKT phophorylation with LY-294002, polysome-associated MYC mRNAs was substantially downregulated and mRNAs for Cyclin D1 and VEGF were downregulated in total RNA with effects being greater in cells with wt-VHL. We conclude that combined EGFR and mTOR inhibitors may be effective in RCCs with wt-VHL and that non-ErbB kinases are likely responsible for maintaining AKT phosphorylation. The inability to alter AKT phosphorylation may limit the anti-tumor effects of Iressa plus rapamycin.
Maternity Care for Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorder: A Review.

Opioid misuse is a problem that is complex and widespread. Opioid misuse rates are rising across all US demographics, including among pregnant women. The opioid epidemic brings a unique set of challenges for maternity health care providers, ranging from ethical considerations to the complex health needs and risks for both woman and fetus. This article addresses care for pregnant women during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods through the lens of the opioid epidemic, including screening and counseling, an interprofessional approach to prenatal care, legal considerations, and considerations for care during labor and birth and postpartum. Providers can be trained to identify at-risk women through the evidence-based process of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) and connect them with the appropriate care to optimize outcomes. Women at moderate risk of opioid use disorder can be engaged in a brief conversation with their provider to discuss risks and enhance motivation for healthy behaviors. Women with risky opioid use can be given a warm referral to pharmacologic treatment programs, ideally comprehensive prenatal treatment programs where available (a warm referral is a term used when a provider, with the patient's permission, contacts another provider or another service him or herself rather than providing a phone number and referral number). Evidence regarding care for the pregnant woman with opioid use disorder and practical clinical recommendations are provided.
Marketwide Price Transparency Suggests Significant Opportunities For Value-Based Purchasing

The extent of price variation across a local market has important implications for value-based purchasing. Using a new data set containing health care prices for nearly every insurer-provider-servi...
The Embodiment of War: Growth, Development, and Armed Conflict

Armed conflict regularly presents extremely adverse circumstances not only for combatants, but also for civilians. In fact, estimates from various wars over the past 70 years suggest that noncombat...
Furia virescens (Thaxter) Humber (Zygomycetes: Entomophthoraceae) infections in the armyworm. Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Arkansas with notes on other natural enemies

An epizootic caused by Furia virescens (Thaxter) Humber (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) was studied in a population of armyworms, Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth), in a tall fescue, Festuca arundina...
Association between Timing of Energy Intake and Insulin Sensitivity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In addition to the caloric and macronutrient composition of meals, timing of energy consumption may be important for optimal glucose metabolism. Our goal was to examine whether the habitual timing of energy intake was associated with insulin sensitivity in healthy volunteers. Volunteers without diabetes aged 21–50 years completed a 3-day food diary and underwent an oral glucose tolerance test to estimate insulin sensitivity (n = 44). From the food diary, we calculated the proportions of the total energy and macronutrients consumed in the morning and evening, and the clock time at which 25%, 50% and 75% of total energy was consumed. A greater proportion of energy intake in the morning was significantly associated with higher insulin sensitivity estimated by Matsuda Index (B = 2.8 per 10%; 95%CI: 0.3, 5.2). The time at which 25% of energy was consumed was associated with insulin sensitivity estimated by Matsuda Index (B = −1.6 per hour; 95%CI: −3.0, −0.3) and QUICKI (B = −1.4 per hour, 95%CI: −2.8, −0.1). The timing of carbohydrate consumption demonstrated similar associations. Greater energy intake earlier in the day was associated with higher insulin sensitivity in individuals without diabetes.
Neuraxial anesthesia is associated with improved survival after total joint arthroplasty depending on frailty: a cohort study.

Background Frailty increases risk for complications after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Whether this association is influenced by anesthetic administered is unknown. We hypothesized that use of neuraxial (spinal or epidural) anesthesia is associated with better outcomes compared with general anesthesia, and that the effect of anesthesia type on outcomes differs by frailty status. Methods This single-institution cohort study included all patients (≥50 years) from January 2005 through December 2016 undergoing unilateral, primary and revision TJA. Using multivariable Cox regression, we assessed relationships between anesthesia type, a preoperative frailty deficit index (FI) categorized as non-frail (FI 0.20), and complications (mortality, infection, wound complications/hematoma, reoperation, dislocation, and periprosthetic fracture) within 1 year after surgery. Interactions between anesthesia type and frailty were tested, and stratified models were presented when an interaction (p Results Among 18 458 patients undergoing TJA, more patients were classified as frail (21.5%) and vulnerable (36.2%) than non-frail (42.3%). Anesthesia type was not associated with complications after adjusting for age, joint, and revision type. However, in analyzes stratified by frailty, vulnerable patients under neuraxial block had less mortality (HR=0.49; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.89) and wound complications/hematoma (HR=0.71; 95% CI 0.55 to 0.90), whereas no difference in risk by anesthesia type was observed among patients found non-frail or frail. Conclusions Neuraxial anesthesia use among vulnerable patients was associated with improved survival and less wound complications. Calculating preoperative frailty prior to TJA informs perioperative risk and enhances shared-decision making for selection of anesthesia type.
Local cellular cues that influence the immunology of colorectal cancer treatment.

Therapeutic interventions in colorectal cancer are dependent on immune responses to dying epithelial cells that are modulated by specific members of the gut microbiota.
Finding meaning in times of family stress: A mixed methods study of benefits and challenges amongst home-front parents in military families

Family stress theory explains how demands placed on the family system interact with capabilities to influence family adaptation. One capability that some military families may use naturalistically ...
Verification and implications of the multiple-pin treatment in the SASSYS-1 liquid-metal reactor systems analysis code

As part of a program to obtain realistic, as opposed to excessively conservative, analysis of reactor transients, a multiple-pin treatment for the analysis of intrasubassembly thermal hydraulics has been included in the SASSYS-1 liquid-metal reactor systems analysis code. This new treatment has made possible a whole new level of verification for the code. The code can now predict the steady-state and transient responses of individual thermocouples within instrumented subassemblies in a reactor rather than just predicting average temperatures for a subassembly. Very good agreement has been achieved between code predictions and the experimental measurements of steady-state and transient temperatures and flow rates in the shutdown heat removal tests in the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). Detailed multiple-pin calculations for blanket subassemblies in the EBR-II demonstrate that the actual steady-state and transient peak temperatures in these subassemblies are significantly lower than those that would be calculated by simpler models.
Parallelized and Vectorized Tracking Using Kalman Filters with CMS Detector Geometry and Events

The High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider at CERN will be characterized by greater pileup of events and higher occupancy, making the track reconstruction even more computationally demanding. Existing algorithms at the LHC are based on Kalman filter techniques with proven excellent physics performance under a variety of conditions. Starting in 2014, we have been developing Kalman-filter-based methods for track finding and fitting adapted for many-core SIMD processors that are becoming dominant in high-performance systems.This paper summarizes the latest extensions to our software that allow it to run on the realistic CMS-2017 tracker geometry using CMSSW-generated events, including pileup. The reconstructed tracks can be validated against either the CMSSW simulation that generated the detector hits, or the CMSSW reconstruction of the tracks. In general, the code’s computational performance has continued to improve while the above capabilities were being added. We demonstrate that the present Kalman filter implementation is able to reconstruct events with comparable physics performance to CMSSW, while providing generally better computational performance. Further plans for advancing the software are discussed.
Proton-Induced Disproportionation of Jahn-Teller-Active Transition-Metal Ions in Oxides Due to Electronically Driven Lattice Instability.

The interfacial chemical reactivity of Jahn–Teller-active transition-metal oxides remains an enigmatic area, often leading to uncontrollable phase transformations in the oxide-based technological a...