cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nutrient Intake and Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables in Young Children

Children’s fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) is below recommendations. Objectives of the study were to (a) describe the type and frequency of FVC, (b) analyze the average nutrient intake from young children’s fruit consumption and vegetable consumption separately, and (c) determine the contribution of demographic factors on FVC. Children aged 2 to 5 years (n = 821) were identified using the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Average servings and nutrient intake from FVC were estimated. Multiple comparisons among age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and poverty index ratio (PIR) were analyzed using an ANCOVA. Akaike’s information criterion determined relative contribution of each factor to FVC. Children consumed 3 times as many fruit servings as vegetable servings regardless of age, gender, BMI, ethnicity, and PIR. Potato products and fruit juice were consumed most frequently and in the greatest amounts. In general, children obtained more nutrients from fruits than ve...
On the issue of urea phase connectivity in formulations based on molded flexible polyurethane foams

Lithium chloride was added to systematically alter the phase separation behavior, and hence, the nature of urea phase connectivity, in a series of plaques based on molded flexible polyurethane foam formulations. The plaques prepared were found to possess varied levels of urea phase connectivity that was examined at different length scales using several characterization techniques. SAXS, TEM, and t-AFM were used to show that addition of LiCl systematically reduced the formation of the urea aggregate structures typically observed in flexible polyurethane foam formulations and thus led to a loss in urea phase connectivity at the macrolevel. SAXS, DSC, and DMA revealed that formulations with and without LiCl exhibited similar interdomain spacings and soft segment glass transitions, suggesting that incorporation of LiCl did not prevent the plaques from undergoing partial microphase separation. WAXS demonstrated that addition of LiCl led to a loss in the local ordering of the hard segments within the microdomains, i.e., it led to a reduction of microlevel connectivity or the regularity in segmental packing of the urea phase. High-magnification t-AFM images showed that increasing the LiCl content dispersed the urea component more homogeneously and in a more uniform manner in the polyol matrix, and thus altered the connectivity of the urea phase at the microdomain level. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2956–2967, 2002
First wall stress analysis for a tokamak reactor

Abstract An outline of the general design considerations for the first wall is given, and stress analysis studies which contributed to the conceptual design of the first wall of a fusion reactor are described.
Designed Compressive Measurements

In this talk we review recent information-theoretic results on design of the form of compressive measurements. The theory is applicable to real and (photon) count measurements, and it is applied to actual compressive camera systems. In this talk we review the underlying theory, and discuss how it may employed in practice, in design of next-generation cameras.
Fringing Field Effects in Thin-Film Silicon Transistors on Glass

A new process enabling the transfer of a single-crystal silicon film to a glass substrate has been developed allowing for the creation of fully crystalline thin-film silicon-on-glass (SiOG) transistors. The dominant 2-D effect in SiOG transistors results from fringing electric field lines emanating through the glass substrate between the source, drain, and thin-film channel regions. The fringing field leads to a shift in the flatband or threshold voltage in a similar manner to drain-induced barrier lowering. The fringing field effect can lead to an 11% shift in flatband for devices with channel length of 4 μm and a nominal flatband of -1 V. A compact model for the fringing field in these devices has been developed using conformal mapping techniques that capture the dependence on both channel length and the relative size of the source and drain electrodes. The model accurately predicts the influence of the fringing field on subthreshold drain current for SiOG PFETs operating in accumulation. The model is validated against the 2-D device simulator Silvaco Atlas.
The Definitional Process of Domestic Violence in Japan

Recognition of a phenomenon as a social problem and subsequent social mobilization are critical to the development of social policy and services to address it. Action-oriented research projects on domestic violence conducted by grassroots organizations have played an important role in shaping public discourse on the issue in Japan. This article examines the process by which domestic violence came to be recognized as a social problem in Japan, particularly highlighting the role of action-oriented research and the use of international mechanisms such as the United Nations conferences in raising public awareness and instigating changes in national policy.
Prevalence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and its relationship to serum prostate specific antigen.

Objective We assessed the incidence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) in prostates removed for bladder cancer, and evaluated its correlation with preoperative serum prostate specific antigen (PSA). Materials and methods We reviewed the histology of the prostate from men who underwent cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer without known prostate pathology prior to surgery. Preoperative serum PSA levels in patients with HGPIN were analyzed. Results 61 cystoprostatectomy specimens from May 1992 to April 1999 were reviewed. High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) was found in 46/61 (75%) of the prostate specimens, including 21/21 (100%) patients with prostatic cancer, and 25/40 (63%) patients without prostatic cancer. The mean serum PSA in men with PIN without evidence of prostatic adenocarcinoma was 1.9 ng/mL (SD=2.026). Conclusion The incidence of isolated high-grade PIN was 63%. The presence of high-grade PIN does not result in a significant elevation of serum PSA.
Isotopic evidence for preservation of Cordilleran lithospheric mantle during the Sevier-Laramide orogeny, western United States

It has been inferred that Sevier-Laramide flat subduction imparted a large basal shear traction force to the overriding North American plate, resulting in Laramide Rocky Mountain foreland deformation and significant thinning of Cordilleran lithosphere. Additional inferred consequences include regional refrigeration of Cordilleran crust and suppression of synorogenic extensional collapse. Nd isotopic data from Cenozoic mafic volcanic rocks indicate that normal-thickness lithospheric mantle was preserved beneath the Cordilleran craton from Precambrian to late Cenozoic time. Therefore, Cordilleran lithosphere was not thinned significantly, and extensional collapse of orogenically thickened crust was not suppressed by refrigeration. Analogy with the South American Cordillera suggests that flat subduction does not apply significant shear stress to the base of overriding plate lithosphere beyond the fore-arc region and therefore does not mechanically thin overriding plate lithosphere (except in the fore-arc region). The principal result of flat subduction was enhanced mechanical coupling between the underriding and overriding plates along the fore-arc region. This increased the horizontal end load, due to relative plate convergence, placed on the North American plate. Horizontal end-load stress was transmitted laterally across both (1) a hinterland that had attained maximum crustal thickness and (2) the rigid Colorado Plateau into the Laramide Rocky Mountain foreland. Early Tertiary waning of plate-convergence rates then allowed radial extensional collapse of the southern Cordilleran region to drive the Colorado Plateau block northward, resulting in late Laramide Rocky Mountain foreland deformation.
A flexible perforated microelectrode array for extended neural recordings

A flexible and perforated 32-element planar microelectrode array has been fabricated and used to measure evoked potentials in brain slices. Electrodes are spaced 200 mu m apart in a 4*8 array and are sandwiched between layers of insulating polyimide. The polyimide sandwich is lifted off its substrate, making it flexible so that it could be shaped to contoured tissues. Prior to liftoff, holes are etched to expose recording sites 15 mu m in diameter and to create perforations which allow increased circulation of artificial cerebrospinal fluid to the recording surface of the tissue and, hence, increased viability. Comparisons of evoked potentials measured over tie showed an average increase of 10 h to the viability of the slice while using the perforated versus nonperforated arrays. >
Practical Lessons from Place Lab

The creators of Place Lab, a location-enhanced mobile computing system, share lessons learned about leading the project and real-world deployment. Place Lab lets a device estimate its location by scanning for fixed radio beacons, such as nearby 802.11 access points and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) cell towers and referencing the beacons' positions cached in the mobile device's database. Place Lab devices can access the wigle.net community Wi-Fi data base, which increases coverage to almost six million beacons worldwide. We also investigated how to bootstrap a beacon database from a partial database and keep it fresh as beacons are added or moved. The Place Lab approach of running on commodity devices, using existing infrastructure, and supporting existing applications resulted in a location technology that is practical for deployment in the real world. The core idea of the beacon-location approach was even commercialized twice during the life of our project, and Place Lab was occasionally criticized as being too practical for good research. We argue, however, that Place Lab is an example of how commercializable ideas can lead to high-impact research projects
SELF‐STERILE AND MATURATION‐DEFECTIVE MUTANTS OF THE HOMOTHALLIC ALGA, CHLAMYDOMONAS MONOICA (CHLOROPHYCEAE).1

Homothallic sexual reproduction in Chlamydomonas monoica Strehlow culminated in the formation of mature, chloroform-resistant zygospores (zygotes) in clonal culture. Early in the zygote maturation process, a distinctive “primary zygote wall” was released into the culture medium where it remained stable for at least several days. This wall appeared as a rigid, darkly-outlined, and often multilayered structure, as viewed by phase contrast microscopy. From a sample, of 2500 individual clones isolated after ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis, five maturation-defective strains (zym) produced abnormal zygotes which failed to release a primary zygote wall, failed to develop the normal reticulate zygospore wall, and disintegrated within five days. These strains were utilized to identify additional mutants which were sexually competent, but self-sterile (het). Mixed cultures of the zym and het mutant strains were found to contain numerous, fully-matured, chloroform-resistant zygospores and discarded primary zygote walls. In combination, the two types of mutants provided a useful system for the selective recovery of heterozygous zygospores, thus facilitating genetic studies on a homothallic Chlamydomonas.
Fisheries in Mount Hope Bay: Notes on a Special Symposium from a Session Moderator

This contribution represents a summary of talks presented during the afternoon session of the Mount Hope Bay Symposium, focused directly on issues surrounding observed winter flounder populations, as prepared by the session moderator.
State Politics, Organized Interests and Income Inequality: Do Interest Groups Matter on a Systemic Level?

In this analysis, I examine state level interest group systems and political outcomes, particularly income inequality. Gray and Lowery (1996) investigated the density and diversity of state-level interest group systems and found that state-level economic variables were related to the density and diversity of group systems. State-level interest group systems vary, leading to bias (Lowery and Gray 1998). I expand upon their research to investigate the effects of various state systems on aggregate economic outcomes using classic theories of pluralism (Truman 1951) and elitism (Schattschneider 1960). Measured using the GINI coefficient, income inequality and group systems are likely endogenous: the size and diversity of the group system reacts to the outcome (income inequality) as additional groups attempt to change those outcomes.
The value of increasing the dose of human menopausal gonadotropins in women who initially demonstrate a poor response

Objective To evaluate the benefit of increasing the hMG dose in subsequent superovulation cycles for those individuals who demonstrate a poor response on up to three ampules of hMG daily. Design and Setting Retrospective analysis of all superovulation cycles at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Patients All women undergoing hMG therapy with IUI from January 1990 until December 1992. Interventions All patients were initially stimulated with up to three ampules of hMG daily. All patients who did not conceive on their first hMG cycle and demonstrated a poor response to hMG therapy were started on higher doses of hMG in an effort to obtain a good response. A maximum of eight ampules of hMG per day were used. Main Outcome Measures Peak serum E 2 , the number of mature preovulatory follicles, and cycle fecundity were compared. Results The poor responders using up to three ampules daily had a peak E 2 of 384±26pg/mL (1,421±96 pmol/L), 1.4±0.1 mature follicles, and a cycle fecundity of 3.1% compared with an E 2 of 900±83pg/mL (3,330±307 pmol/L), 2.7±0.2 mature follicles, and a cycle fecundity of 4.3% when these poor responders had their dose increased to five or more ampules daily. Those individuals demonstrating a good response on less than or equal to three ampules of hMG daily had an average peak E 2 of 1,159±41pg/mL (4,288±151 pmol/L), 3.4±0.2 mature follicles, and a cycle fecundity of 16.5%. Conclusions Despite significant improvement in peak E 2 and the number of mature preovulatory follicles when the hMG dose was increased in poor responders, no significant increase in cycle fecundity was noted.
Acceptability of Functional Behavioral Assessment Procedures to Special Educators and School Psychologists

ABSTRACT: This survey study assessed the acceptability of a variety of functional behavioral assessment (FBA) procedures (i.e., functional assessment interviews, rating scales/questionnaires, systematic direct observations, functional analysis manipulations) to a national sample of 123 special educators and a state sample of 140 school psychologists. Results indicated that special educators and school psychologists reported generally positive perceptions regarding their willingness to participate in, the appropriateness of, the usefulness of, and the feasibility of the FBA procedures. Special educators were significantly more likely to endorse the use of systematic direct observation and functional analysis manipulation strategies than school psychologists, although no differences were found regarding the social desirability of FBA procedures for individuals exhibiting mild and severe problem behaviors. School psychologists were also more likely than special educators to express concerns about the amount ...
EFFECT OF AGGRESSIVE LIPID THERAPY ON PROGRESSION OF CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS: A LONGTERM FOLLOW UP STUDY

The relationship of serum lipid levels, aggressive statin use and progression of carotid stenosis (CS) severity has not been well studied. We assessed the correlation between aggressive risk modification, statin use, and lipid levels with progression of carotid artery stenosis and incidence of
My aortic root simulator: if I can build it, you can build it

OBJECTIVES Simulation has become an integral part of thoracic surgical training that has been proven to improve residents' skills. The purpose of the current study was to develop a low-fidelity and low-cost simulator for aortic root surgery that could provide training in multiple aortic valve and root procedures. METHODS The current aortic root simulator is made of inexpensive, easily available materials and can be built easily to simulate an aortic root. The basic components are rubber glove, plastic cup, silk tape and small silastic tubes. RESULTS The simulator was proven to be simple and cost-effective. Several procedures have been performed with this simulator such as standard aortic valve replacement, aortic valve repair, valve-sparing aortic root replacement, and modified Bentall procedure. The building of the simulator is in itself a beneficial process to the resident. The benefit of its construction is a great learning experience. The simulator was placed in a box to create a portable device that can be used by the resident anywhere. CONCLUSIONS This is a simple and cost-effective aortic root simulator that can be built by the thoracic surgical resident to provide training in multiple aortic valve and aortic root procedures. Such low-fidelity portable simulators are beneficial to young trainees and may contribute to improvement of technical skills and procedural knowledge that ultimately leads to improved performance in the operative field.
Grandparents and Reciprocal Learning for Family Harmony

Records from archeology indicate that the average lifespan of ancient mankind was about 20 years, with few people surviving to age 50. In contrast, people in wealthy nations now can expect to live 85 years or perhaps even 100 if they were born since the year 2000 (Christensen, Doblhammer, Rau, & Vaupel, The Lancet, 374(9696), 1196–1208, 2009). Expansion of the lifespan has introduced a new stage of development that is accompanied by unfamiliar challenges for policy makers, health care providers, employers, educators, religious institutions, and families. A common opportunity is that the longer the duration, the more individuals can anticipate being a grandparent. This additional time can allow them to provide continuity of affection, care, and guidance to grandchildren from infancy until early adulthood. More than 90 % of retirees in the United States are grandparents; half of them will live to see their great grandchildren (Uhlenberg, International handbook of population aging, Springer, New York, 2009). This presentation explains how innovative education can equip grandparents to become a greater source of favorable influence in the family.
Phototransformation of Wastewater-Derived Trace Organic Contaminants in Open-Water Unit Process Treatment Wetlands

Open-water cells in unit process treatment wetlands can be used to exploit sunlight photolysis to remove trace organic contaminants from municipal wastewater effluent. To assess the performance of these novel systems, a photochemical model was calibrated using measured photolysis rates for atenolol, carbamazepine, propranolol, and sulfamethoxazole in wetland water under representative conditions. Contaminant transformation by hydroxyl radical (•OH) and carbonate radical (•CO3–) were predicted from steady-state radical concentrations measured at pH values between 8 and 10. Direct photolysis rates and the effects of light screening by dissolved organic matter on photolysis rates were estimated using solar irradiance data, contaminant quantum yields, and light screening factors. The model was applied to predict the land area required for 90% removal of a suite of wastewater-derived organic contaminants by sunlight-induced reactions under a variety of conditions. Results suggest that during summer, open-water...
Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry (IM-MS) for Top-Down Proteomics: Increased Dynamic Range Affords Increased Sequence Coverage

A general approach that combines mass spectrometry (MS), collision-induced dissociation (CID), ion mobility (IM), and MS for top-down proteomics is described, denoted as MS-CID-IM-MS. Using this approach, CID product ions are dispersed in two dimensions, specifically size-to-charge (IM) and mass-to-charge (MS), and the resulting 2D data display greatly facilitates peptide/protein mass mapping, amino acid sequence analysis, and determination of site-specific protein modifications. Also, this approach alleviates some of the inherent limitations of top-down proteomics, viz. the limitations in dynamic range for fragment ion abundances owing to the number of fragmentation channels available to large ionic systems as well as the resulting spectral congestion. For large peptides such as melittin (2845 Da), CID of the [M + 3H]3+, [M + 4H]4+, and [M + 5H]5+ ions yields amino acid sequence coverage of 42.3%, 38.5%, and 7.7%, respectively, whereas the hybrid MS-CID-IM-MS approach yields amino acid sequence coverages...
An innovative and highly drug-tolerant approach for detecting neutralizing antibodies directed to therapeutic antibodies.

Aim: Immunogenicity testing of biotherapeutic drugs is a regulatory requirement. Herein, we describe a drug-tolerant assay for detecting neutralizing antibodies against a therapeutic antibody. Results: Excess target of the therapeutic antibody was incorporated into the detection step of an affinity capture elution assay. Signal generated from binding of antidrug antibody (ADA) to the therapeutic antibody was compared with signal from binding of ADA to the therapeutic antibody preincubated with its target. The results demonstrated that the target blocked binding of the therapeutic antibody to neutralizing monkey ADA and to two anti-idiotypic antibodies. Conclusion: This highly drug-tolerant novel approach enables the detection of neutralizing antibodies and allows for one basic assay format to achieve complete characterization of ADA responses.
Hypothesis tests for phylogenetic quartets, with applications to coalescent-based species tree inference

Numerous statistical methods have been developed to estimate evolutionary relationships among a collection of present-day species, typically represented by a phylogenetic tree, using the information contained in the DNA sequences sampled from representatives of each species. In the current era of high-throughput genome sequencing, the models underlying such methods have become increasingly sophisticated, and the resulting computations are often prohibitive. Here we consider the problem of rigorously testing the phylogenetic relationships among collections of four species under the multispecies coalescent model that accommodates both multi-locus datasets and SNP data. Our test employs a new statistic - the summed absolute differences between certain columns in flattened phylogenetic matrices - as well as a previously used statistic that measures the distance of a flattened matrix from the space of rank-10 matrices. We derive distributional results for both statistics and study the performance of the corresponding hypothesis tests using both simulated and empirical data. We discuss how these tests may be used to improve inference of phylogenetic relationships for larger samples of species under the multispecies coalescent model, a problem that has until recently been computationally intractable.
How-to-guide for writing multiple choice questions for the pharmacy instructor

Abstract Background: Writing multiple choice questions (MCQ) takes a lot of practice. Often, pharmacy practitioners lack the training to write effective MCQ. Sources for instruction in effective MCQ writing can be overwhelming with numerous suggestions of what should and should not be done. Purpose: The following guide is prepared to serve as a succinct reference for creation and revision of MCQ by both novice and seasoned pharmacy faculty practitioners. Methods : The literature is summarized into 12 best practices for writing effective MCQ. Pharmacy specific examples that demonstrate violations of best practices and how they can be corrected are provided. Implications: The guide can serve as a primer to write new MCQ, as a reference to revise previously created questions, or as a guide to peer review of MCQ.
Book Review: George Kleine & American Cinema: The Movie Business and Film Culture in the Silent Era

A review of George Kleine & American Cinema: The Movie Business and Film Culture in the Silent Era by Joel Frykholm London: BFI/Palgrave, 2015.
Mechanical and viscoelastic properties of epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes, nanoclay, and binary nanoparticles:

Mechanical and viscoelastic properties of polymer nanocomposites reinforced with carboxyl functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNT), montmorillonite nanoclays (MMT), and MWCNT/MMT bi...
Enriching semantic search with preference and quality scores

This paper proposes an advanced searching method, aimed at improving Web Information Systems by adopting semantic technology solutions. In particular, it first illustrates the main solutions for se...
America’s front pages: A 30-year update

The digital revolution has ushered in a new era of front page design, with newspapers of all sizes embracing navigation tools and promotions. This study updates the work of Pasternack and Utt exami...
Disparities in managing emotions when facing a diagnosis of breast cancer: Results of screening program of couples distress.

Abstract Introduction Distress screening is now required for cancer center accreditation. Understanding patient and caregiver stress is critical to successful cancer care. This study examines the perceived emotional impact of breast cancer on both patients and partners. Methods From March 2011-February 2016, patients and partners undertook an electronic, 48-point distress screen during their first visit at a surgical breast clinic. Distress was measured via self-reported concerns on a five point Likert scale. Respondents were also asked about preferred interventions. The ability of the patient and partner to manage emotions was assessed in relation to education, ethnicity, fatigue, anxiety, and depression using ordered logistic regression. Results Of the 665 individuals screened, 51.7%(n = 344) were patients, while 48.3%(n = 321) were partners. Patients were more distressed than partners regarding fatigue, anxiety, depression, and worrying about the future (p Conclusion While partners have similar concerns as patients, they do not seek information or help in managing emotions as often as do patients. Both patient and partners with less education and increased financial distress were likely to report difficulty in managing emotions. This study identifies groups who would benefit from supportive measures even in the absence of a request for help.
Human milk contains detectable levels of immunoreactive leptin.

Leptin, the recently cloned product of the obese (ob) gene, is a 16 kDa-protein that acts as a circulating satiety factor. It also serves to regulate energy expenditure and may act as a counter regulatory hormone to insulin. Initially thought to be exclusively produced by mature adipocytes, its mRNA has now been identified in significant levels in the placenta as well as the fetus raising speculation regarding its importance as a growth factor. Given studies demonstrating that exclusively breast-fed infants are leaner due to decreased energy intakes than formula-fed infants, we hypothesized that the presence of leptin in human milk could participate in mediating the earlier satiety of those infants fed human milk. We undertook this initial study to qualitatively examine the presence of leptin in human milk utilizing an immunoblot approach. Random milk samples during the first 2 weeks of lactation were available for study from 4 mothers delivering at term. Milk samples were centrifuged, the aqueous layer removed, and the protein content quantitated. One-hundred micrograms of total protein were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate—polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), transferred to nitrocellulose, and immunoblotted with an antileptin antibody. As controls, recombinant human leptin alone and a sample of milk containing added leptin were similarly electrophoresed and immunoblotted. Labeled proteins were visualized by chemiluminescence. Significant amounts of leptin protein were identified in all milk samples examined. No difference in protein detec-tion was identified in fresh milk vs. frozen milk, and little difference was apparent in foremilk samples vs. hindmilk samples. These preliminary data reveal the presence of leptin in term human milk and suggest that further studies to document bioactivity of milk-derived leptin are warranted.
Suicide and the rural adolescent

The rural family, with its particular stressors, is increasingly vulnerable to overwhelming crises. Adolescent suicide, although rare, may result from or add to that stress. The intent of this study was to identify and examine specific stressors with which a rural adolescent must deal, the coping mechanisms utilized, and when these fail, how it leads to suicidal behavior. Therapeutic modalities available to the troubled adolescent were examined and additional services suggested. Language: en
Toward Development of Efficient Liability Rules

Given the preceding framework and distinctive factors for providing telecommunications service described in chapters 5 and 6, it is now possible to set forth preliminary parameters for developing economically efficient liability rules for telecommunications carriers. A more precise definition of efficient liability rules requires quantitative analyses for some of the factors set forth in the previous chapter. Furthermore, the results of such quantitative analyses could change as technology develops. However, at this point in time, some preliminary recommendations can be made and are presented here. First, preliminary conclusions are made based on the definition of a social welfare function similar to that used in the analysis of (1991). Second, these conclusions are modified to reflect the constraints imposed on the social welfare function by the desire to achieve other public policy goals as well. Third, the results of these analyses are consolidated to make recommendations for liability rules that incorporate economic efficiency and other policy objectives.
The Electrical Double Layer at Calcium Oxalate-Water Interfaces

Crystal growth inhibition and aggregation (coagulation) of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystallites are phenomena of interest in the physical chemistry of stone formation. These phenomena are affected by the presence of adsorbed species at the solid-aqueous phase interface. Inhibitors function by adsorbing at the growing interface. Aggregation tendencies depend on the forces of interaction between particles which are modified by the adsorption of ionic species. Because of the importance of interfacial processes, a study was carried out with calcium oxalate in aqueous suspensions to define better the role of various ionic species in solution. The electrophoretic mobility was used as a measure of the electric potential (zeta potential) near the particle surface. Variations in zeta potential were determined as a function of calcium/oxalate ion activities, pH, and the activities of multivalent ions which are known to function as crystal growth inhibitors.
Bargaining and Conflict: The Impact of Unobservable Preparation

Most analyses of bargaining focus on the effect of exogenous asymmetric information about the gains from trade. This paper shows that, even with ex ante identical players, the ability to make unobservable preparations affecting the outcome of a conflict generates asymmetric information. This makes the possibility of conflict inevitable, even when it is common knowledge that conflict reduces total welfare and players can bargain to reach a settlement. I characterize the possible equilibria of this infinite-horizon, alternating-offer, bargaining game with two-sided uncertainty and outside options. Finally, I derive comparative statics for the probability of conflict and total welfare.
Counting of states in Higgs theories

We enumerate the microstates in Higgs theories, addressing (i) the number of vacuum states and (ii) the appropriate measure in the quantum path integral. To address (i) we explicitly construct the set of ground state wave functionals in the field basis focusing on scalar modes $\ensuremath{\theta}(x)$. First, we show that in the limit in which the gauge coupling is zero, we obtain an infinite set of degenerate ground states at large volume distinguished by $\ensuremath{\theta}(x)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\theta}(x)+{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{0}$, spontaneously breaking the global symmetry, as is well known. We then show that at finite gauge coupling there is a unique ground state at large volume since the wave functional only depends on $\ensuremath{\nabla}\ensuremath{\theta}$ in the IR, and we explain this at the level of the Lagrangian. Since gauge fields fall off exponentially from sources there are no conserved charges or symmetries in the Higgs phase; so the Higgs mechanism is the removal of symmetry from the theory. We show how physical features of defects, such as cosmic strings in the Abelian Higgs model, are best understood in this context. Since there is a unique ground state, we address (ii) whether the path integral is a volume measure for the radial Higgs field $\mathcal{D}\ensuremath{\rho}{\ensuremath{\rho}}^{N\ensuremath{-}1}$ from the $N$ components of the Higgs multiplet, or a line measure $\mathcal{D}\ensuremath{\rho}$ as the $N\ensuremath{-}1$ would-be Goldstones can be removed in unitary gauge. We prove that the need to avoid quartic divergences demands a tower of counterterms that resum to exactly give the volume measure. So the size of the Hilbert space in the zero gauge coupling case and finite gauge coupling case are in one-to-one correspondence, despite the degeneracy of the ground state being lifted in the latter. As a cosmological application, we point out that the volume measure can make it exponentially more unlikely in $N(=4)$ for the Standard Model Higgs to relax to the electroweak vacuum in the early universe.
Miscarriage Treatment-Related Morbidities and Adverse Events in Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, and Office-Based Settings.

Author(s): Roberts, Sarah CM; Beam, Nancy; Liu, Guodong; Upadhyay, Ushma D; Leslie, Douglas L; Ba, Djibril; Kerns, Jennifer L | Abstract: ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to examine whether miscarriage treatment-related morbidities and adverse events vary across facility types.MethodsA retrospective cohort study compared miscarriage treatment-related morbidities and adverse events across hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and office-based settings. Data on women who had miscarriage treatment between 2011 and 2014 and were continuously enrolled in their insurance plan for at least 1 year before and at least 6 weeks after treatment were obtained from a large national private insurance claims database. The main outcome was miscarriage treatment-related morbidities and adverse events occurring within 6 weeks of miscarriage treatment. Secondary outcomes were major events and infections.ResultsA total of 97,374 miscarriage treatments met inclusion criteria. Most (75%) were provided in hospitals, 10% ASCs, and 15% office-based settings. A total of 9.3% had miscarriage treatment-related events, 1.0% major events, and 1.5% infections. In adjusted analyses, there were fewer events in ASCs (6.5%) than office-based settings (9.4%) and hospitals (9.6%), but no significant difference between office-based settings and hospitals. There were no significant differences in major events between ASCs (0.7%) and office-based settings (0.8%), but more in hospitals (1.1%) than ASCs and office-based settings. There were fewer infections in ASCs (0.9%) than office-based settings (1.2%) and more in hospitals (1.6%) than ASCs and office-based settings. In analyses stratified by miscarriage treatment type, the difference between ASCs and office-based settings was no longer significant for miscarriages treated with procedures.ConclusionsAlthough there seem to be slightly more events in hospitals than ASCs or office-based settings, findings do not support limiting miscarriage treatment to particular settings.
Carboxyl-functionalized covalent organic framework as a two-dimensional nanofiller for mixed-matrix ultrafiltration membranes

Abstract A new carboxyl-functionalized covalent organic framework (referred to as COF hereafter, unless otherwise noted) contains aromatic backbones and carboxyl-functionalized nanopores has been synthesized and used as a two-dimensional (2D) nanofiller in polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer matrix of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. A series of mixed-matrix UF membranes with various concentrations COF ranging from 0 to 0.8 wt% have been investigated using non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The effect of COF concentration has been evaluated on the membrane morphology, intrinsic and mechanical properties, separation performance, and fouling propensity. Increasing COF concentration from 0 to 0.8 wt% could significantly enhance the rejection rate from 3.5 to 81.9 wt% for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 65.0–99.4 wt% for γ-globulin. Moreover, membrane hydrophilicity greatly increased, with the decrease of water contact angle from 64.4° to 45.3°. Overall, compared to the pristine PAN membrane, the mixed-matrix PAN membrane with 0.8 wt% COF demonstrated high water flux of 940 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, better protein retention rate, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and fouling resistance.
Possible climate transitions from breakup of stratocumulus decks under greenhouse warming

Stratocumulus clouds cover 20% of the low-latitude oceans and are especially prevalent in the subtropics. They cool the Earth by shading large portions of its surface from sunlight. However, as their dynamical scales are too small to be resolvable in global climate models, predictions of their response to greenhouse warming have remained uncertain. Here we report how stratocumulus decks respond to greenhouse warming in large-eddy simulations that explicitly resolve cloud dynamics in a representative subtropical region. In the simulations, stratocumulus decks become unstable and break up into scattered clouds when CO_2 levels rise above 1,200 ppm. In addition to the warming from rising CO_2 levels, this instability triggers a surface warming of about 8 K globally and 10 K in the subtropics. Once the stratocumulus decks have broken up, they only re-form once CO_2 concentrations drop substantially below the level at which the instability first occurred. Climate transitions that arise from this instability may have contributed importantly to hothouse climates and abrupt climate changes in the geological past. Such transitions to a much warmer climate may also occur in the future if CO_2 levels continue to rise.
Temporal Trends in Incident Mortality in Dialysis Patients: Focus on Sex and Racial Disparities.

BACKGROUND Racial minorities and women constitute substantial portions of the incident and prevalent end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population in the United States. Although ESRD is characterized by high mortality, temporal trends, and race and sex differences in mortality have not been studied. METHODS We evaluated 944,650 adult patients who initiated dialysis between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2014, using the United States Renal Data System, for sex-related and race-related trends in mortality. Logistic regression models adjusted for pre-dialysis health status were used to examine associations among the predictors' sex, race, and year of incident dialysis, and the outcome all-cause mortality at 1-year post ESRD. RESULTS The mean age was 65 ± 14 years. The 1-year crude mortality rates in incident ESRD patients decreased by 28% from 2004 to 2015. Risk-adjusted 1-year mortality decreased by 3% for each later year of incident ESRD (p < 0.001). In general, from 2005 to 2014, mortality rates decreased across both sexes, and all races. White patients experienced the lowest reduction in adjusted 1-year mortality rates (16%). While women experienced a survival advantage over men in 2005, by 2014 it was reversed to survival advantage for men. Combining all years, the adjusted risk of dying at 1-year after initiating dialysis was lower in women than men (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.97-0.99), and as compared to whites, was lower in blacks (OR 0.73; 95% CI -0.72-0.74), Hispanics (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.63-0.65), Asians (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.53-0.56), and Native Americans (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.63-0.71). CONCLUSION The 1-year mortality rates among patients with ESRD have decreased steadily during a recent 10-year period across both men and women, and in all 5 races. Women have only a 2% lower risk of dying at 1-year after dialysis initiation than men. White patients had higher mortality as compared to other races. Our results suggest the need for sex, and race-specific treatment strategies in ESRD care.
Health-related fitness knowledge growth in middle school years: Individual- and school-level correlates.

Abstract Background Health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK) has been an essential concept for many health and physical education programs. There has been limited understanding and longitudinal investigation on HRFK growth. This longitudinal study examined HRFK growth and its individual- and school-level correlates in middle school years under 1 curriculum condition: Five for Life. Methods Participants were 12,044 students from 47 middle schools. Data were collected at both individual/participant and school/institution levels. Individual-level variables included gender, grade, and HRFK test scores. School-level variables included percentage of students receiving free and reduced meals (FARM), student-to-faculty ratio for physical education, and school academic performance (SAP). We used hierarchical linear modeling to examine HRFK 3-year growth in relation to individual- and school-level correlates. Results The average HRFK score at 6th grade for females was 42.81% ± 1.32%. The predicted HRFK growth was 17.06% ± 1.02% per year, holding other factors constant. A 1-standard deviation increase in FARM correlated with a 14.68%-point decrease in predicted test score (p = 0.02). A 1-standard deviation increase in SAP was associated with an 11.90%-point increase in HRFK score. Males had a significantly lower growth rate than females during the middle school years (0.78%/year, p = 0.02). Conclusion The result showed that both individual- and school-level variables such as gender, FARM, and SAP influenced HRFK growth. Educators should heed gender differences in growth curves and recognize the correlates of school-level variables.
INTENSIDADE E MODELAGEM DAS ILHAS DE CALOR URBANAS DE SUPERFÍCIE EM CIDADES DE PEQUENO PORTE: ANÁLISE DA REGIÃO DO OESTE GOIANO

A temperatura de superficie e um importante parâmetro para examinar o ambiente termico das cidades, com uma cobertura espacial continua de grandes areas. Por isso, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi de analisar as ilhas de calor urbanas de superficie (ICUS) no Oeste Goiano e propor equacoes baseadas na populacao, area urbana e indice de desenvolvimento humano (IDH) para estimar suas intensidades maximas. Para tanto, calculou-se a temperatura de superficie para 20 cidades da Regiao do Oeste Goiano. Posteriormente, para o calculo da ilha de calor urbana de superficie, foram elaborados dois buffers para cada cidade, um que representa a area urbana e o outro que representa a area rural circundante (550 m). Os resultados evidenciaram que a cidade de Ipora apresentou a maior temperatura da superficie, assim como a maior Intensidade das ICUS das cidades estudadas. A equacao proposta para estimar as intensidades maximas das ICUS, a partir da populacao, obteve melhor desempenho que as equacoes propostas por Oke (1973), Torok et al., (2001), Sun (2015) e Lee (1993). A equacao final, proposta como modelo preditor das intensidades maximas das ICUS, para a Regiao do Oeste Goiano, utilizando as tres variaveis (Populacao, area urbana e IDH) obteve r 2 de 0,6, com baixos valores do Root Mean Square Error (RMSE).
Examining the role of feedback in TMS-induced visual suppression: A cautionary tale.

Abstract Visual suppression by single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) has been attributed to interruptions of either feedforward or feedback activity in the visual stream. The relative timing of the C1 event related potential (ERP) and of the TMS suppression, taken from separate studies, supports an interruption of feedback. Here we probe the validity of such cross-study comparisons, both by conducting a literature survey and by measuring each time window within participants for the same stimuli. Cortical transmission time was estimated using the C1. We then suppressed the same stimuli that elicited the C1 using sTMS of variable post-stimulus lags. Results do not conclusively discriminate between interruption of feedback or feedforward mechanisms as the source of the visual suppression. We suggest that more evidence is needed to distinguish between feedback and feedforward interference in TMS suppression effects and we advise caution in making inferences derived from separate literatures, using different stimuli.
Mate Preferences in Three Muslim-Majority Countries: Sex Differences and Personality Correlates:

Cross-cultural research on long-term mate preferences in Muslim-majority countries is scarce. The research described here aims to examine the KASER (kindness/dependability, attractiveness/sexuality...
Paul the Cosmopolitan

The apostle Paul has been viewed by many as a cosmopolitan thinker who called Christ-followers to embrace the ideal of a single humanity living in harmony with a divinely ordered cosmos. A close comparison of Paul's apocalyptic theology with various interpretations of ‘cosmopolitanism’ over the centuries, however, shows few points of agreement. Paul was fundamentally a Jewish sectarian whose vision for a better world embraced only Christ-followers and involved the cataclysmic end of the present world order. Those who accepted and lived by this vision were effectively relegated to the same marginal position in civic life as the local Jewish community.
Sobre Aspectos Contextuales y Ontológicos de la Emergencia y de la Reducción

Although the interest about emergence has grown during the last years, there does not seem to be consensus on whether it is a non-trivial, interesting notion and whether the concept of reduction is relevant to its characterization. Another key issue is whether emergence should be understood as an epistemic notion or if there is a plausible ontological concept of emergence. The aim of this work is to propose an epistemic notion of contextual emergence on the basis of which one may tackle those issues.
Suicide — Rewriting My Story

Suicide — Rewriting My Story As an intern with a mental illness, I approached the starting line knowing that at some point my vulnerabilities would be exposed and that hitting the wall was inevitab...