cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary Habits and Risk of Kidney Function Decline in an Urban Population

Objective Explore the association between following a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)–accordant diet and kidney end points among urban adults. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study. Subjects A total of 1,534 urban dwelling participants of the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 . Intervention DASH diet accordance determined via a score based on nine target nutrients. Main Outcome Measure Rapid kidney function decline (eGFR decline >3 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 per year), incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) (follow-up eGFR 2 ), and eGFR decline >25%. Results Participants' mean age was 48 years, and 59% were African-American. Median DASH score was 1.5 (range, 0-8). Over a median of 5 years, 13.4% experienced rapid eGFR decline, including 15.2% among participants not following a DASH-accordant diet (score ≤1) and 12.0% with higher accordance (score >1) ( P = .08). Outcomes varied by hypertension status. In multinomial logistic regression models, following adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical factors, including total energy intake, low DASH diet accordance was associated with rapid eGFR decline among participants with hypertension (risk ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval: 1.17–2.42) but not among those without hypertension (risk ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval: 0.56-1.24; P interaction .001). There was no statistically significant association between DASH diet accordance and incident CKD or eGFR decline >25%. Results were similar when DASH diet accordance was analyzed in tertiles. Conclusions Among urban adults, low accordance to a DASH-type diet was not associated with incident CKD, but was associated with higher risk of rapid eGFR decline among those with hypertension, yet not among those without hypertension. Further study of dietary patterns as a potential target for improving kidney outcomes among high-risk populations is warranted.
Deblur Rapidly Resolves Single-Nucleotide Community Sequence Patterns

High-throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicons has facilitated understanding of complex microbial communities, but the inherent noise in PCR and DNA sequencing limits differentiation of closely related bacteria. Although many scientific questions can be addressed with broad taxonomic profiles, clinical, food safety, and some ecological applications require higher specificity. Here we introduce a novel sub-operational-taxonomic-unit (sOTU) approach, Deblur, that uses error profiles to obtain putative error-free sequences from Illumina MiSeq and HiSeq sequencing platforms. Deblur substantially reduces computational demands relative to similar sOTU methods and does so with similar or better sensitivity and specificity. Using simulations, mock mixtures, and real data sets, we detected closely related bacterial sequences with single nucleotide differences while removing false positives and maintaining stability in detection, suggesting that Deblur is limited only by read length and diversity within the amplicon sequences. Because Deblur operates on a per-sample level, it scales to modern data sets and meta-analyses. To highlight Deblur's ability to integrate data sets, we include an interactive exploration of its application to multiple distinct sequencing rounds of the American Gut Project. Deblur is open source under the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) license, easily installable, and downloadable from https://github.com/biocore/deblur. IMPORTANCE Deblur provides a rapid and sensitive means to assess ecological patterns driven by differentiation of closely related taxa. This algorithm provides a solution to the problem of identifying real ecological differences between taxa whose amplicons differ by a single base pair, is applicable in an automated fashion to large-scale sequencing data sets, and can integrate sequencing runs collected over time.
The Perils of User Tracking Using Zero-Permission Mobile Apps

Users' traveled routes and locations can be exploited by permissionless access to smartphone motion sensors. Extensive simulations for 11 cities and real experiments for two cities show that a significant number of users are vulnerable to tracking by seemingly innocuous apps.
Evaluation of an informational and behavior change program to increase students' self‐reported energy conservation

A systematic evaluation of a program, consisting of sustainability education, self-management strategies, and feedback, to decrease college students' energy use was conducted. During treatment, the experimental group showed increased self-reported energy savings relative to baseline levels and relative to the self-reported energy use of the comparison group who were shown only an instructional video on conserving energy. Treatment gains were maintained at a 2-week follow-up. More participants in the experimental group rated their experience as resulting in learning something new about green issues and influencing their pro-environmental behavior compared to the comparison group. This study suggests that further research is warranted, specifically using these strategies in real-life situations.
Modeling opinion dynamics in a social network using Markov random field

We propose a Markov Random Field (MRF) based opinion model for social networks that allows for negative, neutral and positive opinions with different magnitudes at discrete levels. The opinion held by a node depends both on its intrinsic behavior (which is external to the network), and its neighbors. This model may be useful in studying firms competing for market share, political parties competing in elections, etc. We characterize the steady state of the proposed model using two methods. The first simulates the above MRF based opinion model using periodic Gibbs sampling, while the second numerically computes the steady state probability distribution of the system using fixed point iteration technique. We present numerical results and insights on synthetic as well as real social networks. In the experiments, we find that the system reaches steady state in a short time. The advantage held by a less popular opinion in the initial stages of system evolution is quickly lost to the more popular opinion in the system. Also, heavy tailed networks require larger safety margins in applications where we need to guarantee some minimum level of prevalence of a desired opinion.
On Boundary Correspondence for Domains on the Sphere

It is well known that a conformal mapping between domains bounded by Jordan curves can be extended to a homeomorphism of the closures. For many applications what is needed however is a local version of this result. In the present paper such a result is provided in a generalized context.
Physician Attitudes About Breastfeeding

Despite mounting evidence of the health importance of breastfeeding, physicians demonstrate persistent, suboptimal knowledge about and support for breastfeeding.1 Educational interventions can increase physician breastfeeding knowledge, and yet not necessarily improve behavior.2 This suggests the need for a richer understanding of physician attitudes towards breastfeeding, including how those attitudes relate to utilization of data and clinical practice.
LifeGrid: Understanding and Quantifying the Impact of Social Determinants on Chronic Disease for Predictive Health

As the US healthcare system undergoes a paradigm shift from a fee-for-service model to a more quality driven fee-for-service model, the need for customizable solutions and effective ways to predict health outcomes has become more critical. Research has continued to point to social determinants of health (SDOH) as the critical factors contributing to health problems seen among Americans. Addressing social determinants of health will help to improve health outcomes; however, understanding the disparate implications of these factors on different socioeconomic groups could also provide insight into health inequities among populations. The "LifeGrid" theory being developed at Howard University Medical School proposes that 'place' is a strong indicator of chronic disease expression and health outcomes. Expanding on this theory, a quantitative statistical approach will be used to assess the relationship between community, economic stability, and 'LifeGrid' indicators and their impact on an individual. This LifeGrid score can be effectively used to define susceptibility of chronic disease and may be used as a predictive metric in personalized health tools for identifying the relative risk of chronic disease expression.
Scribal Revision. A Post-Qumran Perspective on the Formation of Jeremiah

This article describes the presence of three different degrees of scribal revision in Jeremiah: (1) multidimensional revision —the revision of multiple aspects of a text in a single moment by one scribe (such as relocating the Oracles Against the Nations and the addition of new headings); (2) single-dimensional revision —the revision of one aspect of a text (such as the addition of new headings by itself) again by one scribe in one moment; and, (3) incremental revision —the ongoing, piecemeal revision of one aspect of a text by an unknown number of scribes over a longer period of time. This article offers criteria for distinguishing these degrees of revision and applies the criteria to two categories of scribal expansion in Jeremiah: the insertion of names and titles and the addition of new headings. It concludes that these features took shape through a combination of all three degrees of revision.
Killing me softly with your rights : Queer death and the politics of rightful killing

On 8 July 2008 an Associated Press reporter asked the US Presidential candidate Senator John McCain why, despite the US sanctions against Iran, the US cigarette exports to Iran grew more than tenfold during President Bushs presidency. The representational economy of queer death is implicated in an assemblage that includes state and non-state institutions, individuals, human rights regimes, civilizational discourses, diasporas and the international media. The queer refugee's instability and lack of freedom is juxtaposed to the freedom that First World queer citizens seemingly enjoy. The willing American queer subjects who have historically been excluded from the realms of the normal, often exercise belonging to the national culture through performances of normative citizenship, against the figure of the dangerous terrorist or the victimized refugee. Normative notions of authentic gender and sexuality are not the only conventions that the queer refugee applicant has to repeat convincingly and without contradictions in multiple interviews.
Interval Tournaments

A tournament is an orientation of a complete graph. A directed graph is an interval digraph if for each vertex v there corresponds an ordered pair of intervals (Sv, Tv) such that u → v if and only if Su ∩ Tv ≠ ∅. A bipartite graph is an interval bigraph if to each vertex there corresponds an interval such that vertices are adjacent if and only if their corresponding intervals intersect and each vertex belongs to a different partite set. We use the equivalence of the models for interval digraphs and interval bigraphs to characterize tournaments that are interval digraphs via forbidden subtournaments and prove that a tournament on n vertices is an interval digraph if and only if it has a transitive (n - 1)-subtournament. We also characterize the obstructions to the existence of a transitive subtournament of order n - 1 in a tournament of order n. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 56: 72–81, 2007
Synthesis of the HIF-2α translation inhibitor compound 76 via a Japp-Klingemann coupling

Abstract The Iliopoulos laboratory previously reported the discovery of compound 76, a small molecule HIF2α inhibitor. HIF2α activation is known to play a critical role in both von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-related tumors and sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We required a facile and scalable synthetic route to confirm the structure, to investigate the biological properties of compound 76, and to perform structure activity relationship optimization studies. Herein, we report the straightforward synthesis of compound 76 and a preliminary investigation into the scope of the methods developed.
Solving Practical Engineering Mechanics Problems: Advanced Kinetics

Abstract Engineering Mechanics is one of the fundamental branches of science which is important for the education of professional engineers regardless of major. Most of the basic engineering course...
Research on Voltage Control Strategy of Distribution Network Based on Model Prediction Technology

With the development of the economy and the improvement of people’s living standards, energy has become an increasingly indispensable substance. The large-scale development and utilization of fossil energy has caused problems of energy crisis and environmental pollution. In order to solve these two problems, it is necessary to develop and utilize renewable energy sources, and access distributed power sources in the distribution network to form an active distribution network. The active distribution network contains a large number of distributed power sources, energy storage units and reactive power compensation equipment. Although it provides more convenience for voltage and reactive power regulation of the distribution network, the intermittent and volatility of renewable energy sources will also be Its voltage has a big impact. In order to solve the voltage dip and overvoltage problem of active distribution network, a new active distribution network voltage control strategy is proposed by using model prediction control technology. Inaccurate system modeling is reduced by establishing active distribution bus voltages, distributed power supplies, and energy storage device prediction models. With the minimum adjustment cost as the control target, the second-order cone relaxation method is used to optimize the action behavior of each control device. Finally, the IEEE33 node simulation example is built on the matlab simulation platform. The results show that the proposed voltage control strategy has good control effect and robustness.
Academic Library Management: Case Studies

Academic libraries are complex organizations and present many challenges to managers and administrators. With Academic Library Management: Case Studies, editors Tammy Nickelson Dearie, Michael Meth...
Experimental results of a high Q quasioptical reflection cavity

A quasi-optical reflection cavity intended to be used as the resonant load of a submillimeter wavelength oscillator has been designed, constructed, and tested. The resonator consists of three elements in cascade: a high Q, high finesse folded Fabry-Perot resonator, a lower Q, low finesse Fabry-Perot resonator, and a Littrow mounted diffraction grating. The resonator exhibits a Q of 6600 and 2.5 dB of loss at 63 GHz. The design can be scaled to 1 THz, where waveguide structures become impractical, to serve as the resonator for high frequency quantum well resonant tunneling device oscillators.
Cubital tunnel syndrome: a surgical modification to in situ decompression to improve results

Background The gold standard for surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome is in situ decompression. However, this procedure does not come without complications. Subluxation of the ulnar nerve and ulnar nerve neuritis from adhesion formation remain 2 potential complications after this procedure. It has been shown in the literature that young, active, male patients are most likely to have these complications postoperatively. We have developed a modification to in situ decompression by developing a fascial turnover flap and using a porcine submucosa extracellular matrix (Axogen) to help reduce both ulnar nerve subluxation and adhesion formation postoperatively. Methods Thirteen patients underwent cubital tunnel surgery by the highlighted technique to prevent postoperative ulnar nerve subluxation and adhesion formation. Patient outcomes including elbow range of motion, functional status, paresthesia, and grip strength were recorded. Results Of the 13 patients, 10 had excellent results, 1 had a good result, and 2 required revision with anterior transposition of the nerve. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score of the 11 patients not needing revision was 92.7. Conclusion The described surgical technique provides surgeons with the ability to directly decompress the ulnar nerve while decreasing postoperative complications such as instability and adhesion formation.
Abstract to Publication in Microsurgery: What Are the Discrepancies?

Background The American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) annual meeting is a forum to present new research abstracts prior to peer-reviewed publication. The aim of this study is to determine the conversion rate, discrepancies, and time between presentation and publication. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted cross-referencing ASRM abstracts presented between 2014 and 2018 with peer-reviewed manuscripts. The title and authors of the abstract and manuscript, the journal of manuscript publication, and time in months between presentation and publication were recorded. The conversion rate was calculated as the proportion of publications to abstracts. Major discrepancies were defined as changes in the purpose, study design, methods, sample size, statistical analysis, results, or conclusions. Minor discrepancies were defined as changes in the title or authorship. Results Out of 667 oral abstract presentations, 361 (54%) resulted in publication. Of these abstracts, 53 were presented after their corresponding manuscripts were published. The mean conversion rate was 55.52 ± 10.17%. The mean time from presentation to publication was 13.83 months. Minor discrepancies were more frequent than major discrepancies (91 vs. 76%). The most common major and minor discrepancies involved changes in the results (63%) and authorship (79%), respectively. There was a significant association between the year of abstract presentation and whether the conclusion was changed (p = 0.001), but interyear relationships with all other discrepancies failed to reach statistical significance. Conclusion Only around half of abstracts presented at the annual ASRM conference have reached full publication in peer-reviewed journals, and most are undergoing significant changes between presentation and publication. This may be due to panel discussions at meetings suggesting study modifications, as well as revisions after careful peer review. Altering surgical practices may not be recommended based on abstracts' content.
The deep medial femoral sulcus sign: does it exist?

To determine the normal depth of the medial femoral sulcus on lateral radiographs of the knee and determine if abnormal deepening of the medial femoral sulcus exists as a radiographic indicator of intra-articular knee abnormalities. A retrospective search was performed over a period of 10 years to identify all individuals with a bone contusion of the anterior medial femoral condyle at MR imaging. Study patients had documented acute knee injuries and radiographs 6 weeks or less prior to their MR. A control group had normal MR exams and radiographs 6 weeks or less prior to their MR. Two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists independently measured the depth of the medial femoral sulcus on lateral radiographs blinded to control or study individuals. The study group consisted of 76 patients (57 men, 19 women; age range, 18–50 years; mean age, 27 years) and 92 control patients (33 men, 59 women; age range, 18–46 years; mean age 26 years). Sulcus depth was (0–2.3 mm reader 1 and 0–1.7 mm reader 2 for controls; 0–2.2 mm reader1 and 0–1.8 mm reader 2 for study patients). No significant difference in sulcus depth was identified between the control and study groups. Inter-reader agreement was very strong. The most common cause of injury in the study group was motor vehicle accidents followed by hyperextension and twisting injuries of the knee. The normal medial femoral sulcus ranges in depth from 0 to 2.3 mm. Although impaction of the sulcus does occur following knee injuries, the sulcus does not deepen.
Medical Disorders and Behavioral Risk Factors

Neurological disorders that directly affect brain structure and function have been the primary subject of neuropsychological inquiry. Yet, over the past 2 decades, there has been growing awareness that cognitive and behavioral problems also often arise secondary to systemic medical conditions that are not neurological disorders per se. The effect of systemic medical disease on brain function has been the subject of increasing interest, as people are living longer, though often with chronic health problems. There has been increased realization that many medical conditions, though of systemic origin, eventually affect the brain. Attention and processing speed are among the cognitive functions most commonly impacted by systemic medical disease. Consideration of all of the medical disorders that affect attention is beyond the scope of this book. We will consider several conditions: cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and other metabolic disorders, human immunological virus (HIV), and chemotherapy effects in the treatment of cancer. These particular disorders were selected to discuss as they serve to illustrate attentional disturbances associated with common medical conditions and in the case of HIV and CVD, because they have been the subject of considerable inquiry by my research group. These disturbances result from different pathological mechanisms, including chronic vascular and metabolic disturbances, viral effects, and iatrogenic treatments effects.
What Is the Accretion Rate in Sagittarius A

The radio source Sagittarius A* at the center of our Galaxy is believed to be a 2.6×106 M black hole that accretes gas from the winds of nearby stars. We show that limits on the X-ray and infrared emission from the Galactic center provide an upper limit of ~8×10-5 M yr-1 on the mass accretion rate in Sgr A*. The advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF) model favors a rate of 10-5 M☉ yr-1. In comparison, the Bondi accretion rate onto Sgr A*, estimated using the observed spatial distribution of mass-losing stars and assuming noninteracting stellar winds, is ~3×10-5 M☉ yr-1. Thus, there is rough agreement between the Bondi, the ADAF, and the X-ray-inferred accretion rates for Sgr A*. We discuss uncertainties in these estimates, emphasizing the importance of upcoming observations by the Chandra X-ray Observatory for tightening the X-ray-derived limits.
Validation of Coolant Thermal Response in a Transient Finite Difference Thermal Transport Model with Applications to Fast Spectrum Reactors

Transient behavior in nuclear reactors is important in accidents and with reactivity control systems that are driven by thermal feedback. Here, we describe a transient finite difference model for a pin cell system. The fidelity of the model is shown by validation against the thermocouple measurements of the CABRI BI1 experiment and the Safety Analysis System-Sodium Fast Reactor model of the experiment. In the BI1 experiment, a sodium-cooled mixed oxide fuel pin was subject to a loss of flow transient to coolant boiling within a sodium test loop positioned in the center of the CABRI research reactor. Comparisons to the initial steady-state coolant temperature profile, coolant temperature profile at twenty seconds into the transient, and at four axial locations within the coolant show agreement of the simple model with the experimental results better than or similar to those of the Safety Analysis System-Sodium Fast Reactor model. The model can be used to determine the thermal response times of coolant in fast reactors currently operating or in the design phase when subject to loss of flow accidents or other transients. Here, we investigate the difference in coolant thermal response for metal fueled and mixed oxide fueled sodium fast reactors when subject to transient overpower and loss of flow events. Additionally, we determine the effect of pin pitch on outlet coolant temperatures during the overpower event. Finally, we return to the CABRI experiment and show the importance of porosity in fuel temperature calculations.
Unsolved issues of compliance with the registration convention

Abstract The apparently simple and benign process of registering space objects as provided for in Article VIII of the Outer Space Treaty and further refined in the Registration Convention, is really quite complex and controversial. Registration raises numerous questions. They range from meeting its original purpose to its accuracy and efficacy in actual use due to recent technological advances such as the plethora of small satellites being launched, new on-orbit activities such as debris removal and satellite servicing, etc. This paper argues that the current U.N. registration system is so faulty that it is not able to fulfill its original purposes and that many of its objectives are accomplished in other ways. However, there are specific benefits to having and continuing the present registration system, and it has been useful in unforeseen ways: 1) creating a tool for international partnerships such as the ISS to parse ownership and responsibility among the partners, and 2) creating a regime of good will, good faith, and best practices among nations. This paper will address these problems and suggest that the U.N. registration system be improved. It will also argue that associated national requirements such as those found in Art. VI and Art. XII of the Outer Space Treaty should be better coordinated with registration and with overall national transparency in space activities. These efforts will become more important to questions of responsibility, liability, and effective dispute resolution mechanisms as private spacecraft, private on-orbit operations, and other non- and quasi-governmental actors and activities expand in outer space.
Trust-based User Interface Design for Islanded Alternating Current Microgrids

Microgrid systems can provide extensive information using their measurement units to the operators. As microgrid systems become more pervasive, there will be a need to adjust the information an operator requires to provide an optimized user-interface. In this paper, a combinatorial optimization strategy is used to provide an optimal user-interface for the microgrid operator that selects information for display depending on the operator's trust level in the system, and the assigned task. We employ a method based on sensor placement by capturing elements of the interface as different sensors, that find an optimal set of sensors via combinatorial optimization. However, the typical inverter-based microgrid model poses challenges for the combinatorial optimization due to its poor conditioning. To combat the poor conditioning, we decompose the model into its slow and fast dynamics, and focus solely on the slow dynamics, which are more well conditioned. We presume the operator is tasked with monitoring phase angle and active and reactive power control of inverter-based distributed generators. We synthesize user-interface for each of these tasks under a wide range of trust levels, ranging from full trust to no trust. We found that, as expected, more information must be included in the interface when the operator has low trust. Further, this approach exploits the dynamics of the underlying microgrid to minimize information content (to avoid overwhelming the operator). The effectiveness of proposed approach is verified by modeling an inverter-based microgrid in Matlab.
Detection and quantitation of cellulose II by Raman spectroscopy

In cellulose materials, the cellulose II allomorph is often present either exclusively or in conjunction with cellulose I, the natural cellulose. Moreover, in regenerated and mercerized fibers (e,g., lyocell and viscose), natural cellulose adopts to the crystal structure cellulose II. Therefore, its detection and quantitation are important for a complete assessment of such materials investigations. In the Raman spectra of such materials, a band at 577 cm−1 is typically observed indicating the presence of this allomorph. In the present study, to quantify the content of cellulose II, a calibration method was developed based on the intensity of the 577 cm−1 peak relative to the 1096 cm−1 band of cellulose. For this purpose, in addition to pure cellulose I and cellulose II samples (respectively, Avicel PH-101 and mercerized Avicel PH-101; hence referred to as Avicel I and Avicel II), a set of five samples were produced by mixing them in known quantities of Avicel I and Avicel II. The crystalline cellulose II contents of the samples were calculated based on the X-ray crystallinity of mercerized Avicel I. These seven samples were included in the calibration set and their Raman spectra were obtained. Subsequently, Raman intensity ratios I577/I1096 were calculated by taking ratios of peak intensities at 577 and 1096 cm−1. These ratios were plotted against the % of crystalline cellulose II present in the calibration set samples and the two were found to be linearly correlated (R2 = 0.9944). The set-samples were also analyzed using XRD which were then compared with the Raman method developed here. Compared to XRD, the Raman method was found to be more sensitive at detecting and quantifying cellulose II. Additionally, several cellulose II containing materials were analyzed by the new Raman method.
Obstetric hemorrhage risk assessment tool predicts composite maternal morbidity.

Obstetric hemorrhage is one of the leading preventable causes of maternal mortality in the United States. Although hemorrhage risk-prediction models exist, there remains a gap in literature describing if these risk-prediction tools can identify composite maternal morbidity. We investigate how well an established obstetric hemorrhage risk-assessment tool predicts composite hemorrhage-associated morbidity. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of a multicenter database including women admitted to Labor and Delivery from 2016 to 2018, at centers implementing the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses risk assessment tool on admission. A composite morbidity score incorporated factors including obstetric hemorrhage (estimated blood loss ≥ 1000 mL), blood transfusion, or ICU admission. Out of 56,903 women, 14,803 (26%) were categorized as low-risk, 26,163 (46%) as medium-risk and 15,937 (28%) as high-risk for obstetric hemorrhage. Composite morbidity occurred at a rate of 2.2%, 8.0% and 11.9% within these groups, respectively. Medium- and high-risk groups had an increased combined risk of composite morbidity (diagnostic OR 4.58; 4.09–5.13) compared to the low-risk group. This established hemorrhage risk-assessment tool predicts clinically-relevant composite morbidity. Future randomized trials in obstetric hemorrhage can incorporate these tools for screening patients at highest risk for composite morbidity.
Experiential Education in the Legal Field

There are numerous opportunities for students interested in pursuing a career in a law-related field to participate in experiential educational programs.
Locke’s Political Society: Some Problems of Terminology in Two Treatises of Government

This paper not only describes a confusing network of terms (including “political society”, “commonwealth”, and “community”), thus defining a problem of interpretation, but also partially solves the problem. One result is that Locke turns out to differ in at least one important way from those theorists of social contract supposedly belonging to the same tradition, especially Hobbes, Rousseau, and Rawls. The Two Treatises lacks any social contract, that is, a contract constituting society in the inclusive sense usually given “society” in discussions of “social contract”. Locke’s concept of “political society” deserves a closer look, since it has largely been overlooked until now.
Early Screening and Treatment of Women with Prediabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective To examine whether women with prediabetes benefit from early treatment for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Study Design Women with a glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (A1C) of 5.7 to 6.4% at Results Between May 2012 and June 2014, 95 women were enrolled and 83 had data for analysis; 42 were randomized to treatment and 41 to usual care. The groups were similar in baseline characteristics with 40% obese. There was no difference in the primary outcome (treatment 45.2% vs. control 56.1%; relative risk [RR] 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53–1.24) except that women in the treatment group had a significantly lower A1C over time than women in the control group (p = 0.04). Nonobese women (n = 50) treated for GDM experienced a 50% reduction in GDM compared with controls (29.6 vs. 60.9%; RR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25–0.95). Conclusion Early treatment for women with a first-trimester A1C of 5.7 to 6.4% did not significantly reduce the risk of GDM except in nonobese women.
Connoted Quantity of Food-Label Modifier Terms

This descriptive study examined a set of modifier terms (e.g., reduced, enriched) that might be used to indicate amounts of substances in food products. In the context of a mock shopping task, participants were asked to complete a survey that assessed the implied meaning of each of 55 terms, 28 connoting varying degrees of decrease and 27 connoting increase. For each set of modifier terms, participants estimated the amount that each term implied and the likelihood that they would purchase a food product with the term paired with substances that they were advised to consume or avoid. The results showed that the terms used in this study connoted a broad range of quantities. Several alternative terms not currently used or under consideration by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may be effective in helping consumers make finer distinctions among products and, presumably, wiser purchase decisions. The results also suggest that caution be exercised when selecting modifier terms since some terms are less con...
A new look at methane and nonmethane hydrocarbon emissions from oil and natural gas operations in the Colorado Denver-Julesburg Basin

Emissions of methane (CH4) from oil and natural gas (O&G) operations in the most densely drilled area of the Denver-Julesburg Basin in Weld County located in northeastern Colorado are estimated for 2 days in May 2012 using aircraft-based CH4 observations and planetary boundary layer height and ground-based wind profile measurements. Total top-down CH4 emission estimates are 25.8 ± 8.4 and 26.2 ± 10.7 t CH4/h for the 29 and 31 May flights, respectively. Using inventory data, we estimate the total emissions of CH4 from non-O&G gas-related sources at 7.1 ± 1.7 and 6.3 ± 1.0 t CH4/h for these 2 days. The difference in emissions is attributed to O&G sources in the study region, and their total emission is on average 19.3 ± 6.9 t/h, close to 3 times higher than an hourly emission estimate based on Environmental Protection Agency's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program data for 2012. We derive top-down emissions estimates for propane, n-butane, i-pentane, n-pentane, and benzene from our total top-down CH4 emission estimate and the relative hydrocarbon abundances in aircraft-based discrete air samples. Emissions for these five nonmethane hydrocarbons alone total 25.4 ± 8.2 t/h. Assuming that these emissions are solely originating from O&G-related activities in the study region, our results show that the state inventory for total volatile organic compounds emitted by O&G activities is at least a factor of 2 too low for May 2012. Our top-down emission estimate of benzene emissions from O&G operations is 173 ± 64 kg/h, or 7 times larger than in the state inventory.
A carrier-based discontinuous PWM modulation for four-leg inverters and applications

We review in this paper a carrier-based discontinuous pulse-width modulation (PWM) method for four-leg DC-AC inverters using an extended definition of the classical space vector methodology in which qd and the zero sequence components of the switching vectors enable the development of the expressions of the discontinuous modulation signals that clamp the switching devices to either the positive or negative DC rails for about 1/3 of the waveform period. This modulation scheme is then used for the dynamic control of the voltage of a three-phase (balanced, unbalanced or nonlinear) load with a neutral connection using the concept of nonlinear input-output linearization with decoupling. Simulation and experimental results validate the proposed discontinuous modulation scheme as also the feasible high performance made possible by the control scheme adopted.
Recombination Rates of Electrons with Interstellar PAH Molecules

The goal of this project is to develop a general model for the recombination of electrons with PAH molecules in an interstellar environment. The model is being developed such that it can be applied to a small number of families of PAHs without reference to specific molecular structures. Special attention will be focused on modeling the approximately circular compact PAHs in a way that only depends on the number of carbon atoms.
The Hydrogen Coverage of Interstellar PAHs

The rate at which the CH bond in interstellar Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) rupture due to the absorption of a UV photon has been calculated. The results show that small PAHs (less than or equal to 25 carbon atoms) are expected to be partially dehydrogenated in regions with intense UV fields, while large PAHs (greater than or equal to 25 atoms) are expected to be completely hydrogenated in those regions. Because estimate of the carbon content of interstellar PAHs lie in the range of 20 to 25 carbon atoms, dehydrogenation is probably not very important. Because of the absence of other emission features besides the 11.3 micrometer feature in ground-based 8 to 13 micrometer spectra, it has been suggested that interstellar PAHs are partially dehydrogenated. However, IRAS 8 to 22 micrometer spectra of most sources that show strong 7.7 and 11.2 micrometer emission features also show a plateau of emission extending from about 11.3 to 14 micrometer. Like the 11.3 micrometer feature, this new feature is attributed to the CH out of plane bending mode in PAHs. This new feature shows that interstellar PAHs are not as dehydrogenated as estimated from ground-based 8 to 13 micrometer spectra. It also constrains the molecular structure of interstellar PAHs. In particular, it seems that very condensed PAHs, such as coronene and circumcoronene, dominate the interstellar PAH mixture as expected from stability arguments.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients’ Willingness to Accept Medication Risk to Avoid Future Disease Relapse

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients’ Willingness to Accept Medication Risk to Avoid Future Disease Relapse
Malignant squamous degeneration of a cerebellopontine angle epidermoid tumor: Case report

The authors present the case of a woman with a cerebellopontine angle (CPA) epidermoid cyst that degenerated into a squamous cell carcinoma. Malignant degeneration of an epidermoid cyst is an extremely rare occurrence. Malignant transformation must be considered in the differential diagnosis when new contrast enhancement on imaging studies and progressive neurological deficit are seen in a patient harboring an epidermoid cyst. The patient initially presented with a 10-year history of left trigeminal neuralgia, subacute left-sided hearing loss, and with facial weakness of 3 weeks' duration. Initial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a left CPA mass, consistent with an epidermoid. There was faint contrast enhancement where the tumor was in contact with the lateral brainstem. A subtotal resection was performed. Histopathological findings were consistent with an epidermoid tumor. One year after initial presentation, the patient's neurological deficit had increased, and follow-up MR imaging demonstrated a large contrast-enhancing tumor filling the left CPA and compressing the brainstem. At repeated surgery a squamous cell carcinoma arising from the previous epidermoid was found. The patient was subsequently treated with external-beam radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery. Her tumor stabilized. Three years and 8 months after the patient's initial presentation, a new area of tumor developed at the torcular Herophili. The patient died shortly thereafter. Malignant squamous degeneration is a rare cause of enhancement on MR images, as is progressive neurological deficit in a patient with an epidermoid. The combination of subtotal resection, external-beam radiotherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery may be useful for local tumor control but the long-term prognosis is guarded.
Classical dynamics in the large N limit

We consider some new techniques for generating the 1/N expansion and point out the possibility that the large N limit can be directly given in terms of some particular real-time classical solutions of the original field equations.
Selenium status of preterm infants fed human milk, preterm formula, or selenium-supplemented preterm formula

The selenium status of 46 orally fed vitamin E-sufficient preterm infants (birth weight p p p
Impact of Energy Intake and Exercise on Resting Metabolic Rate

Resting metabolic rate is modulated by the amount of calories consumed in the diet relative to energy expenditure. Excessive consumption of energy appears to increase resting metabolic rate while fasting and very low calorie dieting causes resting metabolic rate to decrease. Since the metabolic rate at rest is the primary component of daily energy expenditure, its reduction with caloric restriction makes it difficult for obese individuals to lose weight and to maintain weight that is lost. Whether exercise has a carry-over effect on resting metabolic rate remains controversial, even though this question has been studied extensively during the last 90 years. Reasons for contradictory results include variations in control of prior diet and exercise patterns, inadequate exercise frequency, intensity and duration, and the possibility of response to exercise varying between individuals. Several lines of evidence suggest exercise may modulate resting metabolic rate. Bed rest in sedentary individuals leads to a reduction in resting metabolic rate. Similarly, in highly trained runners, cessation of daily exercise training lowers resting metabolic rate by about 7 to 10%. Resting metabolic rate is depressed in previously sedentary obese individuals on a very low calorie diet, but it quickly returns to the predieting level when exercise of sufficient frequency, intensity and duration is undertaken while dieting. These findings suggest caloric intake and daily exercise can modulate resting metabolic rate. Exercise of adequate intensity and duration may also enhance resting metabolic rate.
Magnetic susceptibilities below 1 K: antiferromagnetic ordering in [Cu en3]SO4

Abstract The susceptibilities parallel and perpendicular to the room-temperature c axis of [Cu en 3 ]SO 4 have been measured over the temperature interval 40 mK − 4.2 K. Antiferromagnetic ordering is found to occur at 109 mK, with the easy axis essentially parallel to the c axis. The compound orders as a three-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet, with J/k B ≈ −0.03 K.
Son preference and the demand for additional children in Pakistan.

This paper tries to take into account the sequential element in fertility decisions and continues an investigation originally begun by Namboodiri. We examine the extent to which the “desire to have additional children” can be explained by a variety of economic, sociological, and demographic variables. The probit maximum likelihood estimation procedure is utilized, and the analysis is based on cross-sectional data on 2,910 currently married women obtained from a national survey conducted in Pakistan in 1968–1969. The principal finding is the presence of a strong son preference both for the husband and for the wife.
Expanding Internet access to the rural poor in Africa: The views expressed in this paper are those of the author, and do not reflect those of the World Bank or its executive directors. This paper is based partly on results presented in The Economic Toolkit for African Policy Makers, an Africa Internet Forum/UN Economic Commission for Africa project sponsored by the World Bank's infoDev program (ID 950920-10).

At present, the Internet is little used in Africa. However, it has the potential to play a significant role in reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development, especially in rural areas. This paper examines two important elements of increasing rural Internet accessc reducing costs of Internet service provision and increasing the number of rural access points. The paper argues that liberalization of the telecommunications sector combined with targeted, auctioned subsidies to local entrepreneurs are both likely to have a significant impact on rural Internet access rates.
Development of a Lightweight, Low Frequency Acoustic Barrier with Spherical Particles for Fairing Noise Control

The acoustic environment during launch is severe and damaging to critical spacecraft components. Sound pressure levels can exceed 130 dB. Conventionally, special acoustic insulation is used for damping out these high acoustic loads; however, they are ineffective below 500 Hz. In this paper, we present an alternative lightweight acoustic barrier employing particulate interaction in a foil layer. It was theorized that the presence of spherical particles in the foil would enable the excitation of bending waves in the plane of the foil causing inter-particle interactions. Essentially, the foil would act as a dense sound barrier over a narrow frequency range. Blankets were fabricated and tested in a standing wave tube, a resonant enclosure, and a Chamber Core fairing. In the standing wave tube and resonant enclosure tests, the particle embedded foil blanket improved the acoustic performance between 300 and 500 Hz. However, in the Chamber Core tests the improvement occurred between 475 and 625 Hz. The difference is attributed to the different test setups and the attachment method used.