cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Going where traditional markers have not gone before: utility of and promise for RAD sequencing in marine invertebrate phylogeography and population genomics

Characterization of large numbers of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) throughout a genome has the power to refine the understanding of population demographic history and to identify genomic regions under selection in natural populations. To this end, population genomic approaches that harness the power of next-generation sequencing to understand the ecology and evolution of marine invertebrates represent a boon to test long-standing questions in marine biology and conservation. We employed restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) to identify SNPs in natural populations of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis ,a n emerging cnidarian model with a broad geographic range in estuarine habitats in North and South America, and portions of England. We identified hundreds of SNPcontaining tags in thousands of RAD loci from 30 barcoded individuals inhabiting four locations from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. Population genomic analyses using high-confidence SNPs resulted in a highly-resolved phylogeography, a result not achieved in previous studies using traditional markers. Plots of locus-specific FST against heterozygosity suggest that a majority of polymorphic sites are neutral, with a smaller proportion suggesting evidence for balancing selection. Loci inferred to be under balancing selection were mapped to the genome, where 90% were located in gene bodies, indicating potential targets of selection. The results from analyses with and without a reference genome supported similar conclusions, further highlighting RAD-seq as a method that can be efficiently applied to species lacking existing genomic resources. We discuss the utility of RAD-seq approaches in burgeoning Nematostella research as well as in other cnidarian species, particularly corals and jellyfishes, to determine phylogeographic relationships of populations and identify regions of the genome undergoing selection.
Who Defers to Whom and Why? Dual Pathways Linking Demographic Differences and Dyadic Deference to Team Effectiveness

We develop and test predictions about how demographic differences influence dyadic deference in multidisciplinary research teams, and how differential patterns of dyadic deference emerge to shape team-level effectiveness. We present a dual pathway model that recognizes that two distinct mechanisms--task contributions and social affinity-- account for how team members' demographic attributes contribute to deference. Furthermore, we propose that the extent to which these different mechanisms are prevalent in a team has implications for the team's research productivity, with deference based on social affinity detracting from it and deference based on task contributions enhancing it. Using longitudinal data from a sample of 55 multidisciplinary research teams comprising 619 scientists, we found general support for our conceptual model. Our findings underscore the importance of accounting for multiple interpersonal mechanisms to understand the complex, multilevel nature of deference in teams
Adhesive failure analysis of pressure-sensitive adhesives

In this article we use a linear elastic fracture mechanics approach to characterize the adhesive performance of two commercially available pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs). An axisymmetric adhesion test involving the contact of a spherical indenter with a thin adhesive layer is used to generate “tack” curves for both adhesives. These curves describe the relationship between the normal loads and displacements during the test. Adhesive failure is understood in terms of crack propagation at the indenter/adhesive interface. We investigate the effects of adhesive layer thickness and crosshead velocity on the tack curves. Using fracture mechanics equations developed for thin layers, we show that the energy release rate is a unique function of the crack velocity for a given adhesive. Based on the tack curves and energy release rates, we discuss the coupling of the bulk and interfacial properties that produce the large adhesion energies typical of pressure-sensitive adhesives. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 3455–3472, 1999
Experimental galactosemia produces diabetic-like retinopathy

Six normal dogs were made galactosemic by feeding a 30% D-galactose diet, and were followed up to 5 yr. For comparison, 10 normal dogs and 10 alloxan-diabetic dogs were concurrently fed the diet less the galactose supplement. Retinopathy occurred in each of four dogs glactosemic 3 or more yr, and was absent at lesser durations of galactosemia, and from normal dogs not given the galactose supplement. The retinopathy was marked by saccular capillary aneurysms, hemorrhages, nonperfused or acellular vessels, tortuous hypertrophic capillaries, loss of capillary pericytes, and other lesions typical of diabetic patients and alloxan-diabetic dogs. In galactose-fed dogs, blood galactose varied between 0 (fasted) and 250 mg/dl (postprandial), and glycosylated hemoglobin levels became supranormal. In contrast to diabetic dogs, blood levels of glucose, free fatty acids, and branched-chain amino acids were not elevated in the galactosemic dogs, and their serum insulin seemed normal. The results suggest that the level of blood hexose is itself an important determinant of retinopathy.
Reliability and performance-aware 3D SRAM design

In 3D integrated circuits, through-silicon-vias (TSVs) are used to connect different dies stacked on top of each other. These TSVs occupy significant silicon area and are many times larger than gates. Depending on the fabrication technique, TSVs can have different area and fabrication cost. TSVs can also cause reliability challenges for 3D ICs by reducing the yield of the chip. In this paper, we discuss how to perform physical design of bank-level 3D SRAM. We show that a tradeoff exists in terms of reliability and performance for 3D SRAMs. We also show the impact of via-first vs via-last TSVs on the layout quality of 3D SRAM designs. All our results are based on GDSII based layouts. Based on our results different SRAM organizations maybe chosen based on reliability versus performance tradeoff.
Iterated W̄ and T-groupoids

Abstract The classical Eilenberg-MacLane classifying complex functor W for simplicial groups has been generalized by Duskin to a functor on bisimplicial objects. When restricted to the category of (simplicial) T -groupoids whose complex of objects is constant, it is part of the equivalence to the category of T -complexes. The construction of its inverse, a loop functor, neccessitated the development of new proof techniques using recursively defined trees of horns. A consequence of this equivalence is that multiple groupoid structures may be systematically unfolded (by iterating W ) to form equivalent simplicial ones.
Scaling up logic-based truth maintenance systems via fact garbage collection

Truth maintenance systems provide caches of beliefs and inferences that support explanations and search. Traditionally, the cost of using a TMS is monotonic growth in the size of this cache. In some applications this cost is too high; for example, intelligent learning environments may require students to explore many alternatives, which leads to unacceptable performance. This paper describes an algorithm for fact garbage collection that retains the explanation-generating capabilities of a TMS while eliminating the increased storage overhead. We describe the application context that motivated this work and the properties of applications that benefit from this technique. We present the algorithm, showing how to balance the tradeoff between maintaining a useful cache and reclaiming storage, and analyze its complexity. We demonstrate that this algorithm can eliminate monotonic storage growth, thus making it more practical to field large-scale TMS-based systems.
Emergence and pseudo-equilibrium in geomorphology

Many geomorphic system states and behaviors often interpreted as tendencies toward establishment and maintenance of steady-state equilibrium are actually emergent outcomes of two simple principles: gradient selection and threshold-mediated modulation. The principle of gradient selection is simply that geomorphic features associated with gradient-driven flows persist and grow relative to other features and pathways. The principle of threshold-mediated modulation reflects the inherent limits on system development along any particular pathway. Thresholds not only define a restricted state space for any given geomorphic system, but may also result in oscillatory behavior around an intermediate condition that resembles fluctuations around a steady-state equilibrium. Together, these principles often produce outcomes that mimic steady-state equilibria. Examples are given involving several aspects of fluvial systems (channel profiles, alluvial channel changes, and drainage density), hillslope gradients, and barchan dunes. Steady-states indeed occur in Earth surface systems, and are a useful simplification in some models. However, the assumption that such states are somehow normative, or the only natural condition, is incorrect, and can lead to problems in geomorphic interpretations, environmental restoration and management, and conceptions of how Earth systems work.
Serum eosinophilotactic activity in eosinophilic fasciitis

Serum eosinophil chemotactic activity was determined by the Boyden chamber technique in 20 patients with eosinophilic fasciitis. Increased eosinophil chemotactic activity (greater than 125% of background) was found in all 20 patients (mean 297% +/- 129), whereas sera of 20 controls with systemic sclerosis and diffuse scleroderma had increased eosinophil chemotactic activity in only 6 (30%) instances (mean 96% +/- 47, P less than 0.001). Although serum eosinophil chemotactic activity decreased over time in all 8 eosinophilic fasciitis patients studied longitudinally, this activity returned to normal in only 3, all of whom received prolonged courses of corticosteroids. Preliminary data suggest the existence of a eosinophilotactic serum factor common to patients with eosinophilic fasciitis.
Natural variation in ENSO flavors

[1] Using a multivariate, “patterns-based”, red noise approach to 42 years of observed tropical SST, thermocline depth, and zonal wind stress seasonal anomalies, it is shown that natural random variations can account for the observed variability of Central Pacific (CP) and Eastern Pacific (EP) ENSO events. The recent multidecadal increase in the number of CP events relative to EP events, which has been hypothesized to be connected to anthropogenic change in the state of the ocean, is also found to be consistent with multivariate red noise and hence with stationary statistics. ENSO “flavors” are the consequence of differing combinations of two initially orthogonal spatial patterns that are precursors to CP or EP events of both signs. These precursors can be excited by random weather forcing and subsequently result in SST anomaly amplification primarily through surface or thermocline feedbacks, respectively.
Using death to one's advantage: HIV modulation of apoptosis

Infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with an early immune dysfunction and progressive destruction of CD4+ T lymphocytes. This progressive disappearance of T cells leads to a lack of immune control of HIV replication and to the development of immune deficiency resulting in the increased occurrence of opportunistic infections associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The HIV-induced, premature destruction of lymphocytes is associated with the continuous production of HIV viral proteins that modulate apoptotic pathways. The viral proteins, such as Tat, Env, and Nef, are associated with chronic immune activation and the continuous induction of apoptotic factors. Viral protein expression predisposes lymphocytes, particularly CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and antigen-presenting cells, to evolve into effectors of apoptosis and as a result, to lead to the destruction of healthy, non-infected T cells. Tat and Nef, along with Vpu, can also protect HIV-infected cells from apoptosis by increasing anti-apoptotic proteins and down-regulating cell surface receptors recognized by immune system cells. This review will discuss the validity of the apoptosis hypothesis in HIV disease and the potential mechanism(s) that HIV proteins perform in the progressive T cell depletion observed in AIDS pathogenesis.
Improving Quality of VoIP Streams over WiMax

Real-time services such as VoIP are becoming popular and are major revenue earners for network service providers. These services are no longer confined to the wired domain and are being extended over wireless networks. Although some of the existing wireless technologies can support some low-bandwidth applications, the bandwidth demands of many multimedia applications exceed the capacity of these technologies. The IEEE 802.16-based WiMax promises to be one of the wireless access technologies capable of supporting very high bandwidth applications. In this paper, we exploit the rich set of flexible features offered at the medium access control (MAC) layer of WiMax for the construction and transmission of MAC protocol data units (MPDUs) for supporting multiple VoIP streams. We study the quality of VoIP calls, usually given by R-score, with respect to the delay and loss of packets. We observe that loss is more sensitive than delay; hence, we compromise the delay performance within acceptable limits in order to achieve a lower packet loss rate. Through a combination of techniques like forward error correction, automatic repeat request, MPDU aggregation, and minislot allocation, we strike a balance between the desired delay and loss. Simulation experiments are conducted to test the performance of the proposed mechanisms. We assume a three-state Markovian channel model and study the performance with and without retransmissions. We show that the feedback-based technique coupled with retransmissions, aggregation, and variable length MPDUs are effective and increase the R-score and mean opinion score by about 40 percent.
Two coagulase-negative staphylococci emerging as potential zoonotic pathogens: wolves in sheep's clothing?

First described together in 1988, S. lugdunensis and S. schleiferi are coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) species that recently have emerged as potential zoonotic pathogens (Freney et al., 1988). S. lugdunensis typically has been associated with human disease, primarily skin infections and endocarditis, but recently also has been described as an animal pathogen (Frank et al., 2008; Rook et al., 2012). S. schleiferi, which may be coagulase negative (CNS: subsp. schleiferi) or coagulase positive (CPS: subsp. coagulans), typically has been associated with skin infections in dogs and cats, but recently has been described as a human pathogen (Kumar et al., 2007; Tzamalis et al., 2013). In this sense, we apply Calvin Schwabe's definition of zoonosis as “shared infection” of animals and man, without ascribing direction of transmission from one to the other (Schwabe, 1984).
Heat Transfer Enhancement of Separated Convection Flow Adjacent to Backward-Facing Step With Baffle

Simulations of three-dimensional laminar forced convection adjacent to inclined backward-facing step in rectangular duct are presented to examine effects of the baffle on flow and heat transfer distributions. The step height is maintained as constant. A baffle is mounted onto the upper wall and its distance from the backward-facing step is varied. The inlet flow is hydrodynamically steady and fully developed with uniform temperature. The bottom wall is heated with constant heat flux, while other walls are maintained as being thermally adiabatic. Velocity, temperature, Nusselt number, and friction coefficient distributions are presented. A baffle mounted onto the upper wall increases the magnitude of maximum Nuselt number at the stepped wall. One segment of the xu -line developing close to the backward-facing step becomes shorter with the decrease of the distance of the baffle from the backward-facing step. It becomes more relatively uniform in the spanwise direction as the distance decreases. The other segment developing adjacent to the sidewall moves further downstream as the baffle moves in the streamwise direction. The maximum Nusselt number does not appear at the center of the duct, as one may expect. It develops near the sidewall, and it moves further downstream as the location of the baffle moves in the streamwise direction. The friction coefficient at the stepped wall decreases as the distance of the baffle from the inlet increases.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Rho-kinase regulates myosin II activation in MDCK cells during recovery after ATP depletion

Alterations in the actin cytoskeleton of renal tubular epithelial cells during periods of ischemic injury and recovery have important consequences for normal cell and kidney function. Myosin II has been demonstrated to be an important effector in organizing basal actin structures in some cell types. ATP depletion in vitro has been demonstrated to recapitulate alterations of the actin cytoskeleton in renal tubular epithelial cells observed during renal ischemia in vivo. We utilized this reversible cell culture model of ischemia to examine the correlation of the activation state and cellular distribution of myosin II with disruption of actin stress fibers in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells during ATP depletion and recovery from ATP depletion. We found that myosin II inactivation occurs rapidly and precedes dissociation of myosin II from actin stress fibers during ATP depletion. Myosin II activation temporally correlates with colocalization of myosin II to reorganizing stress fibers during recovery from ATP depletion. Furthermore, myosin activation and actin stress fiber formation were found to be Rho-associated Ser/Thr protein kinase dependent during recovery from ATP depletion.
Finite Sample Mean Square Error of Forecast for the Difference Stationary and the Trend Stationary Processes.

This paper derives expressions for the finite sample exact mean square errors (MSEs) of forecast and for their bounds for the difference stationary (DSP) and the trend stationary (TSP) data generating processes with parameters certainty and uncertainty when the shock sequences follow infinite order moving averages.
Rare Earths: Market Disruption, Innovation, and Global Supply Chains

Rare earths, sometimes called the vitamins of modern materials, captured public attention when their prices increased more than tenfold in 2010 and 2011. As prices fell between 2011 and 2016, rare earths receded from public view, but less visibly, they became a major focus of innovative activity in companies, government laboratories, and universities. Geoscientists worked to better understand the resource base and improve our knowledge about mineral deposits that can be mines in the future. Process engineers carried out research that is making primary production and recycling more efficient. Materials scientists and engineers searched for substitutes that require fewer or no rare earths while providing properties comparable or superior to those of existing materials. As a result, even though global supply chains are not significantly different now than they were before the market disruption, the innovative activity motivated by the disruption will likely have far-reaching, if unpredictable, consequences f...
SUSCEPTIBILITY OF BURLEY AND FLUE-CURED TOBACCO TYPES TO TOMATO SPOTTED WILT VIRUS TRANSMITTED BY THRIPS (ORDER: THYSANOPTERA)

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is an economically important plant virus, belonging to the family Bunyaviridae and genus Tospovirus, first identified in the United States in the middle to late 1980s and in North Carolina tobacco in 1988. By 1997 TSWV had been identified in nearly every North Carolina county. TSWV incidence has increased since its introduction. Tobacco plants infected with TSWV display a range of symptoms, including wilting and yellowing of leaves, ring spots, necrotic lesions, discoloration of leaf veins, and stunting. The majority of tobacco plants infected with TSWV will eventually die. TSWV is transmitted mechanically by 7 thrips species worldwide. The tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is the most important vector of TSWV in eastern and central North Carolina, and the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a locally important vector in the western piedmont and mountainous region of the state. Previo...
C18-Phosphono Fatty Acid Syntheses and Properties for Some Additives

The saturated, monoenic and hydroxy C18-phosphono fatty acid esters in which a phosphono group was directly connected to the center of their long alkyl chains were synthesized by the radical addition reaction of diethyl phosphite with methyl oleate, linoleate and acetylated ricinoleate respectively. Then, all ester linkages of the phosphono fatty acid esters were hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid. Properties and utilization of these phosphono fatty acids and their derivatives were discussed. Trisodium salts of these phosphono fatty acids were more surface active than trisodium salt of 2-phosphonostearic acid, because the hydrophilic group was present at the center of hydrophobic alkyl chain. Among these phosphono fatty acids, 9 (10) -phosphostearic acid from methyl oleate had good thermal stability and showed only a little change on thermogravimetric and a differential thermal analyses up to 250°C. These phosphono fatty acidesters obtained were effective additives for improvement of cleanness of polyvinyl chloride sheet containing metal soap stabilizer. Moreover, it was found that methyl 9 (10) -diethylphosphonostearate was an excellent flame resisting additives for polyvinyl chloride. The phosphono fatty acid esters thus produced were also effective as extreme-pressure additives of lubricating oil, and methyl diethylphosphono acetoxystearate from acetylated methyl ricinoleate was superior most, among these products.
Education Diplomacy: Global Diplomacy Awareness Developed Through Short-Term International Internships

Education is the great problem solver in global societies. The first set of international educational goals was set in Thailand in 1999, with key targets to be universal primary education and gende...
An Evaluation of the AOAC Method of Yolk Color Analysis

Abstract Experiments were conducted to evaluate and compare several methods of egg yolk color analysis. Egg yolks of various colors and intensities were produced either by feeding known concentrations of synthetic xanthophylls to color depleted hens or by mixing the xanthophylls directly into depleted egg yolks. The yolk samples were then analyzed for color using the AOAC procedure, visual comparisons using the Roche Color Fan, and by reflectance colorimetry to describe color in the CIE and L*a*b* systems. The AOAC procedure of beta-carotene equivalents was found to be inadequate in describing yolk colors produced from different xanthophyll sources. Yolks blended to approximate the same total xanthophyll concentration from natural feed sources or from canthaxanthin resulted in about the same beta-carotene equivalent values of 14.3 and 14.2 μg/g, respectively. Visual scoring resulted in a Roche Color Fan value of 7 for the natural yolks and 15 for the canthaxanthin blended yolk. The colorimetric analysis indicated that the natural yolk was more yellow and less red (578.4 dominant wavelength, 2.74 a* and 56.7 b*) than the canthaxanthin yolk (591.9 dominant wavelength, 25.60 a* and 34.7 b*). The AOAC procedure, however, shows good agreement with increases in a monopigment source of color. These results would indicate that the AOAC procedure is an adequate procedure for describing egg yolk color from a monopigment source. However, it is a very poor procedure for describing egg yolk color from a variety of pigments.
Psychographics: Some Additional Findings

In a recent JMR article. Wells undertook a critical review of psychographics. The writers present additional product-related psychographic findings. They also provide evidence on the question of re...
Synthesis and structural characterization of group 4 metal carboxylates for nanowire production.

The synthesis and characterization of a series of group 4 carboxylate derivatives ([M(ORc)4] where M = Ti, Zr, Hf) was undertaken for potential utility as precursors to ceramic nanowires. The attempted syntheses of the [M(ORc)4] precursors were undertaken from the reaction of [M(OBut)4] with a select set of carboxylic acids (H-ORc where ORc = OPc (O2CCH(CH3)2), OBc (O2CC(CH3)3), ONc (O2CCH2C(CH3)3)). The products were identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies as [Ti(η2-OBc)3(OBut)] (1), [Zr2(μ3-O)(μ-OPc)4(μ,η2-OPc)(η2-OPc)]2 (2), [H]2[Zr(η2-OBc)2(OBc)2(OBc)2] (3), [Zr(μ-ONc)2(η2-ONc)2]2 (4), or [Hf(μ-ORc)2(η2-ORc)2]2 [ORc = OPc (5), OBc (6, shown), ONc (7)]. The majority of compounds (4–7) were isolated as dinuclear species with a dodecahedral-like (CN-8) bonding mode around the metals due to chelation and bridging of the ORc ligand. The two monomers (1 and 3) were found to adopt a capped trigonal prismatic and CN-8 geometry, respectively, due to chelating ORc and terminal ORc or OBut ligands...
Research on Hybrid Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluating the Degree of Online-shop trust in C2C

This paper proposes a hybrid fuzzy comprehensive evaluation algorithm based on the degree of online-shop trust,which aimed at the trust problem of products sort in C2C.Using fuzzy AHP method to determine the weights of index and fuzzy TOPSIS method to assess the trust of online-shops.At last,an example is given to evaluate the feasibility of the method.
Is it time to revisit the classification system for cervicovaginal cytology

S the days of Dr George N. Papanicolaou, we as a profession have strived to define and to redefine a reproducible nomenclature system for cervicovaginal cytology. The original Papanicolaou classification system1 consisted of 5 groups: Class I, absence of atypical or abnormal cells; Class II, atypical cytology but no evidence of malignancy; Class III, cytology suggestive of, but not conclusive for, malignancy; Class IV, cytology strongly suggestive of malignancy; Class V, cytology conclusive for malignancy. Dr Papanicolaou emphasized that the only conclusive group was Class V, because of its high diagnostic accuracy and because a varying degree of error in interpretation was to be expected in each of the other 4 groups. In response to criticism that the Papanicolaou classification system was being used differently than intended and that the system was therefore nonreproducible, Reagan and colleagues2 introduced a new terminology in 1953 that used the terms dysplasia (mild, moderate, severe) and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (CIS). The intent was to define and use a reporting system that would be reproducible and predictive of the histology of the cervical lesion. After its implementation, the definitions of this system were also challenged by the practicing community, and a consensus among experts as to the morphologic criteria for diagnosis of the 3 categories of dysplasia and CIS and
Survival impact of neoadjuvant therapy in resected pancreatic cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study involving 18,332 patients from the National Cancer Data Base

Abstract Background Pancreatic cancer carries a dismal prognosis, with surgical resection and adjuvant therapy offering the only hope for long-term survival. Recently, neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) has been employed to optimize outcomes. This study evaluates the impact of NAT in resected pancreatic cancer. Methods Patients with clinically staged I-III resected carcinoma of the pancreas who underwent at least NAT or surgery first in the 2003–2011 National Cancer Data Base were included. Univariate statistics were used to compare characteristics between treatment groups. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate survival analyses using Cox proportional hazards models were also performed. Results 1736 patients who underwent NAT, 6706 patients who underwent surgical resection alone, and 9890 patients who underwent surgical resection followed by adjuvant therapy were studied. In patients with clinical stage I disease, adjuvant therapy was associated with similar median survival to NAT, which was greater than surgery alone (24.9, 24.8, and 18.3 months, respectively, p p p p Conclusion Neoadjuvant therapy in advanced stage pancreatic cancer is associated with a survival benefit, perhaps related to a selection bias. In early stage pancreatic cancer, NAT is associated with similar survival.
Increased Rates of Prolonged Length of Stay, Readmissions, and Discharge to Care Facilities among Postoperative Patients with Disseminated Malignancy: Implications for Clinical Practice.

Author(s): Bateni, Sarah B; Meyers, Frederick J; Bold, Richard J; Canter, Robert J | Abstract: BackgroundThe impact of surgery on end of life care for patients with disseminated malignancy (DMa) is incompletely characterized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative outcomes impacting quality of care among DMa patients, specifically prolonged length of hospital stay, readmission, and disposition.MethodsThe American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried for years 2011-2012. DMa patients were matched to non-DMa patients with comparable clinical characteristics and operation types. Primary hepatic operations were excluded, leaving a final cohort of 17,972 DMa patients. The primary outcomes were analyzed using multivariate Cox regression models.ResultsDMa patients represented 2.1% of all ACS-NSQIP procedures during the study period. The most frequent operations were bowel resections (25.3%). Compared to non-DMa matched controls, DMa patients had higher rates of postoperative overall morbidity (24.4% vs. 18.7%, pl0.001), serious morbidity (14.9% vs. 12.0%, pl0.001), mortality (7.6% vs. 2.5%, pl0.001), prolonged length of stay (32.2% vs. 19.8%, pl0.001), readmission (15.7% vs. 9.6%, pl0.001), and discharges to facilities (16.2% vs. 12.9%, pl0.001). Subgroup analyses of patients by procedure type showed similar results. Importantly, DMa patients who did not experience any postoperative complication experienced significantly higher rates of prolonged length of stay (23.0% vs. 11.8%, pl0.001), readmissions (10.0% vs. 5.2%, pl0.001), discharges to a facility (13.2% vs. 9.5%, pl0.001), and 30-day mortality (4.7% vs. 0.8%, pl0.001) compared to matched non-DMa patients.ConclusionSurgical interventions among DMa patients are associated with poorer postoperative outcomes including greater postoperative complications, prolonged length of hospital stay, readmissions, disposition to facilities, and death compared to non-DMa patients. These data reinforce the importance of clarifying goals of care for DMa patients, especially when acute changes in health status potentially requiring surgery occur.
Two Armies on the Rio Grande: The First Campaign of the US‐Mexican War. By Douglas Murphy. (College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2014. Pp. x, 320. $45.00.)

The legacy of the 1846 US invasion of Mexico could hardly be more obvious. Twenty‐one months of combat and negotiations resulted in the transfer of almost half of Mexico's national territory to the...
The Relationship between Helicopter Parenting and Adjustment to College

As the entry into adulthood has become delayed, parental involvement in young adults’ lives has increased. However, parental overinvolvement may have negative consequences on development. This study examined the role of helicopter parenting and its effects on anxiety, depression, self-efficacy and adjustment to college among 294 college students. It was hypothesized that students with parents who are overly controlling will have higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower levels of self-efficacy, leading to poorer college adjustment, as evidenced by grade point average, academic adjustment, and social adjustment to college. The structural model was generally supported by the data, indicating an indirect effect of helicopter parenting on college adjustment, thus confirming the importance of the relationship between healthy parenting and college student mental health and, subsequently, student success. The study also examined student preferences for parental intervention, finding that students reporting more overparenting were less likely to desire parental intervention.
Fabricating ceramic components with water dissolvable support structures by the Ceramic On-Demand Extrusion process

Abstract This paper describes a further development of the novel Ceramic On-Demand Extrusion (CODE) process, with focus on fabricating ceramic components that have external/internal features and cannot be fabricated without the use of support structures. The minimum angle of a wedge-shaped part that can be fabricated using Al2O3 (alumina) paste without a support structure is first determined. An inorganic sacrificial material, CaCO3 (calcium carbonate), is then identified for building support structures. After fabrication the green part is dried and then sintered. During sintering, the main material densifies, while the sacrificial material decomposes and is then dissolved in water or acid. Sample parts are fabricated and evaluated.
Proverbs 8:22-31: Three Perspectives on Its Composition

Proverbs 8:22-31 is one of those passages in the Hebrew Bible that has pro foundly affected Western religious tradition. The development of Prov 8:22-31 in Sirach 24 with its identification of personified Wisdom as Torah, for example, and the role of Prov 8:22-31 in the early church's christological controversies stand out as almost rites of passage in its ongoing postbiblical life.1 The purpose of this article is to step back in history to the nativity of this poem to offer (yet another) demon stration that it was from the beginning conceived in theological discourse, born into polemic, and nurtured in concerns of divine-human mediation. To achieve this goal I investigate and interpret several literary factors in the composition of Prov 8:22-31, presenting three complementary perspectives to show that the lan guage of this poem weaves a rich tapestry of literary allusions and creates multi valent poetic possibilities in order to explain personified Wisdom's origin and relationship to Yahweh, to polemicize against foreign gods of wisdom, and to pre
Vascular Disease and Kidney Stones: Abdominal Aortic Calcifications Are Associated with Low Urine pH and Hypocitraturia.

Abstract Objective: Vascular calcifications are associated with nephrolithiasis. Although studies have demonstrated correlations with vascular disease and calcium stones in kidney stone formers (KSF), an etiologic link has remained elusive. As a noncontrast CT (NCCT) scan is typically part of a stone evaluation, our objective was to evaluate the association of NCCT-based assessment of abdominal aortic calcifications (AACs) with 24-hour urine parameters and stone composition. Materials and Methods: Ninety-seven KSF were included with CT imaging and 24-hour urine studies. For each patient, semi-automated CT software was utilized to provide an AAC Agatston score from the celiac axis to the aortic bifurcation. Univariate analysis was performed to compare patients with or without AAC. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess for variables associated with 24-hour urine parameters and stone composition. Results: The presence of AAC was associated with hypertension, diabetes, peripheral vascular d...
What is the Question? (1981)

At the International Meeting on Bayesian Statistics at Valencia, Spain in June 1979, two papers presented by Professors Arnold Zellner of the University of Chicago and Jose Bernardo of the University of Valencia, considered similar problems of hypothesis testing. In both, the point at issue was whether some conjectured new parameter λ was needed to represent the data. The problems were interesting because Bayesian theory allows more than one way of formulating them. One may define a ‘null hypothesis’ H o which asserts that λ = 0, and ask for its posterior probability; or one may ask simply for an estimate of λ, and from that decide the issue. The procedures ask different questions, yet either should be adequate for the practical purpose.
Adaptation, culture, and the energy transition in American coal country

Abstract The U.S. coal industry has experienced economic decline over the past several decades, which has resulted in a loss of mining jobs and severe economic hardship in many coal communities. Recent efforts to relax environmental regulations are ostensibly intended to help relieve this hardship and to revitalize this industry. Based on evidence gathered from focus groups and interviews conducted in U.S. coal communities, we argue that coal communities that have experienced mine closures have already begun an economic and social transition, one that is based on reshaping their culture and sense of identity, and false promises to return coal jobs can be destructive to the progress that has been made.
Commentary on “From Exploitation to Expropriation: Geographies of Racialization in Historic Capitalism”

I would like to begin by saying that it is an honor to respond to Nancy Fraser, and also to Fraser on the relation between capitalism and racism. I would also like to commend Economic Geography for...
MORTALITY TRENDS IN NORTHERN SEA OTTERS (ENHYDRA LUTRIS KENYONI) COLLECTED FROM THE COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OREGON, USA (2002–15)

Abstract: During 2002−15 we examined the causes of mortality in a population of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni). Beachcast sea otters were collected primarily from the US coast of Washington. Although there are no permanent sea otter residents in Oregon, several beachcast otters were collected from the Oregon coast. Infectious diseases were the primary cause of death (56%) for otters we examined. Sarcocystosis was the leading infectious cause of death (54%) and was observed throughout the study period. Some infectious diseases, such as morbilliviral encephalitis and leptospirosis, were documented for a limited number of years and then not detected again despite continued testing for these pathogens in necropsied animals. Trauma was the second most common cause of death (14%) during the study period. The continued stable growth of the Washington population of otters suggests they are able to tolerate current mortality rates.
Author Correction: Equation of state of iron under core conditions of large rocky exoplanets

In the version of this Letter originally published, in the Acknowledgements, the surname of M. Herrmann was misspelt as ‘Hermann’. This has now been corrected.
Light lon Fusion Target Development Facility Pre-Conceptual Design

The light ion fusion target development facility will be used to test high yield ICF targets (50200 MJ) at the rate of 10 shots per day. The 6 meter diameter cylindrical target chamber is designed as a first wall supported by a structural frame and is capable of withstanding 15,000 full yield shots over a 5 year lifetime. It is made from Al 6061, thus greatly reducing induced activity. The chamber is shielded by a water pool to allow easy access.
Dynamic Functions of the α6β4 Integrin in Carcinoma

The α6β4 integrin plays pivotal but distinct roles in the biology of epithelial and carcinoma cells. In healthy epithelia, its major function is to anchor the epithelium to the basement membrane as a component of either Type I or Type II hemidesmosomes. The signaling capacity of this integrin in the hemidesmosome appears to be minimal. Epithelial wounds or, more importantly, factors linked to malignant transformation and progression can induce dramatic changes in the function of α6β4. In fact, a scenario is emerging of how the function of α6β4 is altered in carcinoma. Factors in the host-tumor microenvironment have the potential to mobilize α6β4 from hemidesmosomes and promote its association with F-actin. This association with F-actin enables this integrin to function in cell migration and to harness traction forces on laminin-containing matrices such as basement membranes, a process that could contribute to the remodeling of basement membranes during tumor invasion. Importantly, this altered localization of α6β4 appears to be coupled to an activation of its signaling potential. The primal signaling event triggered by α6β4 appears to be activation of PI3-K. Although the mechanism by which this occurs needs to be deciphered in more detail, especially with respect to the involvement of growth factor receptors, α6β4-mediated activation of PI3-K and its effectors such as Akt, mTOR and Rac has profound consequences on the biology of carcinoma cells. Arguably, the ability of α6β4 to stimulate the translation of VEGF and possibly other growth factors may be the most significant contribution of this integrin to cancer because of the potential autocrine and paracrine effects of these factors.
Graduate Student Perceptions of the Use of Online Course Tools to Support Engagement

Graduate students in six online courses were asked to complete a questionnaire related to dimensions of engagement including participation and interaction, performance, studying, and relevance of material. Students were asked to indicate the importance of various online course features (e.g., online discussions) in enhancing their engagement in each dimension using a Likert scale. Twenty-six (29%) students completed the questionnaire. Students rated most course management system features as extremely important or very important. When the ratings for the four engagement areas were grouped by course site feature, the feature with the highest mean rating was “instructor feedback on assignments/assessments.” The feature with the lowest mean rating was “online chats with other students.” While the practices of the instructor in the courses studied may have influenced the students’ perceptions, it is clear that students especially value contact with the instructor.
Lymph Node Infarction

Lymph node infarction is defined as confluent coagulative necrosis of all or a proportion of the lymph node parenchyma, presumably as a result of ischemia. Lymph node infarction following chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms is excluded from this category. Although most are associated with a preexisting diagnosis of malignancy, lymph node infarcts may precede the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma or other neoplasm. Cases of lymph node infarction have been also reported in association with non-neoplastic conditions such as recent fine needle aspiration biopsy, mediastinoscopy, infectious mononucleosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and regional administration of gold for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Elastic scattering of 10 MeV 6He from 12C, natNi, and 197Au.

A radioactive nuclear beam of 10.2 MeV $^{6}\mathrm{He}$, with typical intensity 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{4}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, was produced via the $^{9}\mathrm{Be}$${(}^{7}$Li${,}^{6}$He${)}^{10}$B reaction and elastically scattered from targets of $^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{\mathrm{nat}}\mathrm{Ni}$, and $^{197}\mathrm{Au}$. Scattering from C and Ni was observed through sufficiently large angles (up to 60\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} c.m. and 85\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} c.m., respectively) to show large deviations from Rutherford scattering. The Au target gave, as expected, pure Rutherford scattering. Optical potential previously used for low-energy $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ and $^{8}\mathrm{Li}$ ions generally accounted for the shapes of the angular distributions but, for $^{12}\mathrm{C}$, predict oscillations not present in the $^{6}\mathrm{He}$ data. $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ optical potentials predict much smaller deviations from Rutherford scattering than those observed.
Polyglutamine Repeats in Viruses

This review explores the presence and functions of polyglutamine (polyQ) in viral proteins. In mammals, mutations in polyQ segments (and CAG repeats at the nucleotide level) have been linked to neural disorders and ataxias. PolyQ regions in normal human proteins have documented functional roles, in transcription factors and, more recently, in regulating autophagy. Despite the high frequency of polyQ repeats in eukaryotic genomes, little attention has been given to the presence or possible role of polyQ sequences in virus genomes. A survey described here revealed that polyQ repeats occur rarely in RNA viruses, suggesting that they have detrimental effects on virus replication at the nucleotide or protein level. However, there have been sporadic reports of polyQ segments in potyviruses and in reptilian nidoviruses (among the largest RNA viruses known). Conserved polyQ segments are found in the regulatory control proteins of many DNA viruses. Variable length polyQ tracts are found in proteins that contribute to transmissibility (cowpox A-type inclusion protein (ATI)) and control of latency (herpes viruses). New longer-read sequencing methods, using original biological samples, should reveal more details on the presence and functional role of polyQ in viruses, as well as the nucleotide regions that encode them. Given the known toxic effects of polyQ repeats, the role of these segments in neurovirulent and tumorigenic viruses should be further explored.
Approaching nuclei through multiple perspectives and diverse models: Patterns, symmetries, interactions

Nuclei are complex objects yet display remarkable simplicities and regular patterns. The study of these and their origins has long been one of the twin pillars of nuclear structure research. We will discuss the behavior of atomic nuclei from this point of view. A key element will be the advantages of looking at the same data from different perspectives and of inter-relating these perspectives.
Effects of narrowband transport on near-field and far-field thermophotonic conversion

Ideal thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converters approach Carnot efficiency in the limit of monochromatic radiative transfer, motivating the design of narrowband thermal emitters and absorbers. Here, we investigate whether this trend holds for converters with realistic losses by studying the effects of transmission bandwidth on the performance of far-field and near-field TPV and thermophotonic (TPX) converters. To bridge the near-field and far-field regimes, the analysis relies on an approximation that the near-field spectral energy flux is a scaled version of the far-field flux, which is validated for weakly absorbing materials using a rigorous near-field simulation. We show that the optimal bandwidth depends on the type of converter. For far-field TPVs with realistic heat losses, narrowband transport is typically detrimental to the efficiency because the converter becomes more susceptible to parasitic loss. However, narrowband transport boosts efficiencies in TPX converters and near-field TPVs as long as the excitation barrier is comparable with the thermal energy. Given the same excitation energy barrier as TPVs, TPX converters benefit from a larger available photon density of states due to the applied bias. This study suggests that near-field TPX converters with a large applied bias have the largest ratio of useful energy flux to parasitic loss. Leveraging this mechanism for actual improvement is contingent on large near-field enhancements improving photon extraction.