cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
System design: A novel, project-based course connecting the dots of the electrical engineering curriculum

The four year curriculum of the Electrical Engineering program includes a fairly diverse set of classes covering topics including electronics, electromagnetics, signal processing, power & energy, digital systems, as well as communication and control systems. While these topics constitute the core components in the technical education of a future electrical engineer, a major missing component is the holistic, system understanding of these individual topics. This paper describes a class addressing the integration of the technical topics in addition to defining the overall architecture, the modularity of complex systems, as well as the interfaces between the different components to satisfy design requirements. The new class is a project-based, one credit-hour class with a single weekly meeting in a laboratory environment. The paper describes the assigned projects as well as their proposed solutions. The paper also includes assessment data including student feedback from the first class offering. Assessment shows a great student enthusiasm towards the class. It also shows that the class improved the student's conceptual knowledge, knowledge retention, and problem solving skills.
Sarcomere length measurement permits high resolution normalization of muscle fiber length in architectural studies

The use of sarcomere length to normalize fiber length in architectural studies is commonly practiced but has not been explicitly validated. Using mouse hindlimb muscles as a model system, ankle joints were intentionally set to angles ranging from 30 degrees to 150 degrees and their muscles fixed. Tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles were removed and their raw fiber length measured. Sarcomere length was then measured for each fiber length sample and fiber length was normalized to a standard sarcomere length. As expected, raw fiber length was dependent on tibiotarsal angle (P 0.24, r2 range 0.001-0.028). Similarly, one-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences in normalized fiber length among ankle angles for any of the three muscles (P > 0.1), regardless of animal size. To determine the resolution of the method, power calculations were performed. For all muscles studied, there was >90% chance of detecting a 15% fiber length difference among muscles and >60% chance of detecting fiber length differences as small as 10%. We thus conclude that the use of sarcomere length normalization in architectural studies permits resolution of fiber length variations of 15% and may even be effective at resolving 10% fiber length variations.
The Use of a Rapid Theophylline Assay in the Ambulatory Setting

The Seralyzer reflectance photometer was evaluated in three ambulatory settings. Of the total 99 assays in the pediatric general medicine clinic, 47 were below the therapeutic range, and 20 patients were noncompliant. There were 13 low and nine high levels along with 22 noncompliant patients detected from a total of 109 in the allergy clinic. The physician's office documented 43 low and four high levels along with 10 noncompliant patients from 105 assays. The mean time required for Seralyzer results in both the allergy and pediatric general medicine clinic was 13 minutes. Regression analysis of both finger-stick and venipuncture split samples indicated a strong correlation between Seralyzer results and traditional methods of assay (r = 0.94 and 0.99, respectively). The Seralyzer proved accurate, timely, and simple to operate.
Television Viewing, Bedroom Television, and Sleep Duration From Infancy to Mid-Childhood

BACKGROUND: Television and insufficient sleep are associated with poor mental and physical health. This study assessed associations of TV viewing and bedroom TV with sleep duration from infancy to midchildhood. METHOD: We studied 1864 children in Project Viva. Parents reported children’s average daily TV viewing and sleep (at 6 months and annually from 1–7 years) and the presence of a bedroom TV (annually 4–7 years). We used mixed effects models to assess associations of TV exposures with contemporaneous sleep, adjusting for child age, gender, race/ethnicity, maternal education, and income. RESULTS: Six hundred forty-three children (35%) were racial/ethnic minorities; 37% of households had incomes ≤$70 000. From 6 months to 7 years, mean (SD) sleep duration decreased from 12.2 (2.0) hours to 9.8 (0.9) hours per day; TV viewing increased from 0.9 (1.2) hours to 1.6 (1.0) hours per day. At 4 years, 17% had a bedroom TV, rising to 23% at 7 years. Each 1 hour per day increase in lifetime TV viewing was associated with 7 minutes per day (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4 to 10) shorter sleep. The association of bedroom TV varied by race/ethnicity; bedroom TV was associated with 31 minutes per day shorter sleep (95% CI: 16 to 45) among racial/ethnic minority children, but not among white, non-Hispanic children (8 fewer minutes per day [95% CI: −19 to 2]). CONCLUSIONS: More TV viewing, and, among racial/ethnic minority children, the presence of a bedroom TV, were associated with shorter sleep from infancy to midchildhood.
Continuous attachment of the periodontal membrane

A polychrome stain for differentiating precollagenous and collagenous fibers, and tetracycline for labeling bone changes were used in young rats to trace adjustments involved in movements of teeth within bone. Distinct differences were seen in fibrous attachments on depository and resorptive bone surfaces. These are associated with shifts of the periodontal membrane as the root and surrounding bone undergo drift. Some resorptive areas receive total destruction of fibrous attachment. Other areas involve a process of fibrous conversion as ordinary fibers of the bone matrix become uncovered during bone removal and function as periodontal fibers anchored into the receding bone surface. An intermediate zone of the periodontal membrane functions to progressively shorten distal ends of these same fibers and to relink them with newly formed precollagenous fibrils. These become continuous with mature fibers attached to the cementum. On depository surfaces, outer fibers of the membrane become embedded into new alveolar bone, and former precollagenous fibrils of the inward-shifting intermediate zone translocate to become the new outer zone. Continuous relinkage is simultaneously maintained between the inner and outer zones. Haversian remodeling occurs beneath resorptive surfaces and re-anchorage is thereby established in specific areas where total destruction of fibrous connection had previously occurred.
A test of the effects of functional group richness and composition on grassland invasibility.

Although many theoretical and observational studies suggest that diverse systems are more resistant to invasion by novel species than are less diverse systems, experimental data are uncommon. In this experiment, I manipulated the functional group richness and composition of a grassland community to test two related hypotheses: (1) Diversity and invasion resistance are positively related through diversity's effects on the resources necessary for invading plants' growth. (2) Plant communities resist invasion by species in functional groups already present in the community. To test these hypotheses, I removed plant functional groups (forbs, C3 graminoids, and C4 graminoids) from existing grassland vegetation to create communities that contained all possible combinations of one, two, or three functional groups. After three years of growth, I added seeds of 16 different native prairie species (legumes, nonleguminous forbs, C3 graminoids, and C4 graminoids) to a1 3 1 m portion of each 4 3 8 m plot. Overall invasion success was negatively related to resident functional group richness, but there was only weak evidence that resident species repelled functionally similar invaders. A weak effect of functional group richness on some resources did not explain the significant diversity-invasibility relationship. Other factors, particularly the different responses of resident functional groups to the initial disturbance of the experimental manipulation, seem to have been more important to community in- vasibility.
The Micropolitics of Identity in Adverse Circumstance: A Study of Identity Making in a Total Institution

This article is about the micropolitics of identity construction by residents in a total institution. Data come from two hundred hours of participant observation during a four-month period of full-time employment as a nurse aide. Interactional analysis of observations suggests that residents' personal narratives, whether real or imagined, become who some residents conceive themselves to be and define residents' expectations for interactional others. Changes in institutional culture occur as staff begin to recognize in interaction the ways residents think of themselves. The narrative accounts and interactional struggles to define self that the author discovered in the institution are not unlike conceptions and processes of identity construction, maintenance, and change that confront all human actors. These accounts provide insight into the liberating possibilities of personal identity claims.
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor β–Induced Smad Signaling and Myofibroblast Transformation in Mouse Cardiac Fibroblasts

This study tested the hypothesis that activation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)/cGMP/protein kinase G signaling inhibits transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1–induced extracellular matrix expression in cardiac fibroblasts and defined the specific site(s) at which this molecular merging of signaling pathways occurs. Left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis, collagen deposition, and myofibroblast transformation of cardiac fibroblasts in response to pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction were exaggerated in ANP-null mice compared with wild-type controls. ANP and cGMP inhibited TGF-β1–induced myofibroblast transformation, proliferation, collagen synthesis, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in cardiac fibroblasts isolated from wild-type mice. Following pretreatment with cGMP, TGF-β1 induced phosphorylation of Smad3, but the resultant pSmad3 could not be translocated to the nucleus. pSmad3 that had been phosphorylated with recombinant protein kinase G-1α was analyzed by use of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. The analysis revealed phosphorylation of Ser309 and Thr388 residues, sites distinct from the C-terminal Ser423/425 residues that are phosphorylated by TGF-β receptor kinase and are critical for the nuclear translocation and down-stream signaling of pSmad3. These results suggest that phosphorylation of Smad3 by protein kinase G is a potential molecular mechanism by which activation of ANP/cGMP/protein kinase G signaling disrupts TGF-β1–induced nuclear translocation of pSmad3 and downstream events, including myofibroblast transformation, proliferation, and expression of extracellular matrix molecules in cardiac fibroblasts. We postulate that this process contributes to the antifibrogenic effects of the natriuretic peptide in heart.
Energy Savings through Dynamic Base Station Switching in Cellular Wireless Access Networks

Reducing the energy consumption of cellular wireless access networks is not only beneficial for the global environment but also makes commercial sense for telecommunication operators. Since access networks are designed to support peak time traffic, the utilization of base stations can be very inefficient during off-peak time because the traffic profile is time varying. We study the dynamic switching of base stations (BS) to reduce the energy consumption considering the time varying characteristic of the traffic profile. We show via analysis that the mean and variance of traffic profile and the BS density are the dominant factors that determine the amount of energy saving that can be achieved. Simulations using ideal and real traffic profiles are used to quantify the potential savings from dynamic BS switching in a realistic setting.
CHEMICAL NATURE AND BIOLOGICAL SPECIFICITY OF THE SUBSTANCE INDUCING TRANSFORMATION OF PNEUMOCOCCAL TYPES.

In 1946, McCarty became the public face of the Avery lab. He read this paper detailing the team's work at the Annual Meeting of the American Chemical Society Symposium on Biochemical and Biophysical Studies on Viruses, Atlantic City, NJ.
Acoustic sensor coverage variation due to water stratification in estuaries

Monitoring underwater environments is critical for future near-shore exploration and port security. The effectiveness of underwater acoustic sensor systems is affected by the water environment, as sharp gradients in salinity and temperature cause sound to refract and reflect. Sound transmission can be impaired in estuaries where the salinity of the water is highly variable in space, and tidal action causes water conditions to change as a function of time. We study the behavior of estuarine water conditions and characterize the acoustic sensing range in an estuary using environmental data extracted from the forecast model of the Hudson River. We analyzed the shape of sound speed profiles and performed statistical analysis of the distribution of highly stratified water. Sound propagation is computed using a beam tracing model. The variation of sensing range is evaluated and correlated to the level of water stratification.
Local-Similarity Description of Trajectories of Plumes and Jets in Neutrally Stratified Turbulent Shear Flow

For neutral and unstably stratified atmospheres, the “active” part of trajectories of bent-over plumes (buoyancy-dominated rise) and jets (momentum-dominated rise) in crosswind flow is usually described by the formulae (Briggs,1984; Arya and Lape, 1990): $$ \Delta z\left( x \right) = 1.6{{({{F}_{b}}/U_{H}^{3})}^{{1/3}}}\bullet {{x}^{{2/3}}} $$ (1) and $$ \Delta z\left( x \right) = 2{{({{F}_{m}}/U_{H}^{2})}^{{1/3}}}\bullet {{x}^{{1/3}}} $$ (2) in which Δz(x) = z(x) — H is the height of the plume or jet above the stack, x is the distance from the point source (along-wind direction), UH is the wind speed at the stack height H, Fm and Fb are “fluxes” of momentum and buoyancy which depend on the stack diameter D, effluent velocity W, effluent temperature Ts, ambient air temperature Ta, and gravitational acceleration g. Fluxes Fm and Fb are determined from Fm=0.25W2D2Ta/Ts and Fb=0.25gWD2(Ts-Ta)/Ts. Equations (1) and (2) may be rewritten as Δz(x)/lb = 1.6(x/lb)2/3 (“two-thirds law”) and Δz(x)/lm = 2.0(x/lm)1/3 (“one-third law”) using length scales for buoyancy lb = Fb/UH 3 and for momentum lm = (Fm)1/2/UH.
Chemically determined mineral content of explanted porcine aortic valve bioprostheses: Correlation with radiographic assessment of calcification and clinical data

Bioprosthetic valve calcification is usually assessed pathologically by gross inspection, radiographic studies, and histologic examination. Quantitation of mineral content by chemical assay has not been reported for failed clinical valves removed from adults. In this study, calcium determination by atomic absorption spectroscopy was done on 52 removed porcine valves after routine pathologic examination, including specimen radiography done by a standard technique. Specimens included 31 valves with calcific primary tissue failure, two calcified (but not overtly dysfunctional) valves removed simultaneously with failed valves, 14 nondeteriorated valves obtained at reoperation or autopsy after long-term implantation, and five valves removed within 1 month after insertion. Chemically determined mineral content varied widely among patients and duration of function. Valves with calcific failure had 113 +/- 68 micrograms/mg calcium overall (mean +/- SD) after 36 to 156 months (mean 87) of function. Almost all dysfunctional porcine valves with radiographically demonstrated calcific deposits had greater than 34 and 67 micrograms/mg calcium for mitral and aortic valves, respectively. Nondeteriorated valves (implanted 8 to 145 months, mean 57) had 5 +/- 6 micrograms/mg calcium. Failed aortic valves had more calcium than failed mitral valves and valves with calcific stenosis more than valves with regurgitation caused by calcification with tearing. Correlation of semiquantitative radiographic grading with chemically determined valve mineral was good, indicating that radiographic assessment of calcification may be used reliably for clinical comparisons between valves.
Effect of autoclave sterilization of a tropical andept on seed germination and seedling growth

Steam sterilization of a Typic Dystrandept in Costa Rica resulted in a six-fold increase in extractable Mn, to levels often considered toxic. Seeds of eight species, comprised of six successional taxa and two cultivars (soybean,Glycine max and raddish,Raphanus sativus) were planted in the sterilized soil and in unsterilized soil after delays of 1, 8, 15, and 28 days. Germination and mortality were not different in the two soils, indicating that steamsterilized soil can safely be used in seed traps. Six species (including both cultivars) grew better in unsterilized soil, but two of the native taxa (Phytolacca rivinoides andBocconia frutescens) grew significantly faster in sterilized soil.
Panama revisited: evolution of coastal management policy

Abstract A window of opportunity for integrated coastal management may exist in Panama at the beginning of the new century. The country emerged from a period of political instability in the 1990s and began the new century with full political control over its most important resource—the Panama Canal. A major institutional reorganization in the late 1990s merged a number of agencies with authority in the coastal and marine areas into the Panama Maritime Authority and expanded the responsibilities of the marine resource directorate to include marine and coastal resources. This reorganization occurred with the adoption of new legislation that clearly recognizes the importance of integrated coastal management (ICM). Concurrent with the formation of the Maritime Authority, the Legislature passed the General Environmental Law and created the National Environment Authority. Despite these positive developments, institutional change has been slow. Sectoral management of coastal resources continues. Interagency coordination remains deficient, and no formal coastal coordination mechanism exists. Legislation is contradictory and confusing, and the new laws only add to the confusion. As coastal environmental quality continues to degrade and conflicts between sectors increase, the marine and coastal directorate must strengthen its institutional role and take the initiative in the development of a meaningful ICM effort in Panama. This manuscript analyzes the evolution of Panamanian institutions and legal frameworks related to coastal areas and highlights themes that are ripe for future action.
Thermoplasmata class. nov.

Ther.mo.plas.ma' ta. M.L. fem. pl. n. Thermoplasmatales the type order of the class; dropping the ending to denote a class; M.L. fem. pl. n. Thermoplasma the class of Thermoplasmatales. Euryarchaeota / Thermoplasmata Keywords: Thermoplasmata class. nov.; Thermoplasmatales; Euryarchaeota phy. nov.
Mali: A Bibliographical Introduction

Bibliographical research on Mali must begin with the monumental Bibliographie generale du Mali, prepared by Paule Brasseur (Dakar, IFAN, 1964). The present essay is in no way a substitute for such a basic volume. It is an attempt to introduce the reader to some of the best and most important works concerning Mali, at the same time stressing materials that have appeared in English or since the publication of the Brasseur work. Neither the Brasseur bibliography nor this essay takes adequate account of the manuscript sources in Peul and Arabic concerning the western Sudan. Still in private hands or in the archives of Paris, Dakar, Zaria, Kano, Ibadan, or Timbuktu, these manuscripts are largely unclassified and unstudied. Once analyzed, they will provide an important source for the study of Malian history. Vincent Monteil, “Les manuscrits historiques arabo-africains,” Bulletin de l'IFAN, serie B, XXVII, No. 3-4 (July-October 1965), 531-542, surveys efforts being made to collect and classify such manuscripts in West Africa. H. F. C. Smith, “The Archives of Segu,” Bulletin of News of the Historical Society of Nigeria, Supplement to Vol. IV, No. 2 (September 1959), presents a brief analysis of some of the great collection of manuscripts captured by Archinard in 1890 and now in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. In addition, in “Source Material for the History of the Western Sudan,” Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria, I, No. 3 (December 1958), 238-248, Smith surveys significant materials from the Gironcourt Collection, in the Institut de France, Paris. This is updated by him in “Nineteenth-Century Arabic Archives of West Africa,” Journal of African History, III, No. 2 (1962), 333-336, a brief listing of literary works, diplomatic correspondence between West African emirates, etc.
A Swollen Painful Knee In An Elderly Man With Recently Diagnosed Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Gross and Microscopic Histologic Finding Under aseptic conditions, 18.0 mL of turbid fluid was aspirated from the left knee. Microscopically, no crystals were detected under polarized light. Gram stain and microbial cultures were negative. The WBC and RBC counts were 3,285/mm3 and 360/mm3, respectively. However, atypical mononuclear cells were identified on light microscopy [I2]. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of synovial fluid cells from our patient was performed with the results shown in I3. Questions: 1. What is the interpretation of this patient’s flow cytometric immunophenotyping results? 2. Based on the constellation of this patient’s clinical and laboratory findings, what is the most likely diagnosis? 3. Which age group is most commonly affected by this patient’s condition or disorder? 4. What is the usual clinical presentation of this patient’s condition? 5. What is the pathogenesis of this patient’s condition? 6. What is the preferred diagnostic test for establishing the diagnosis of this patient’s condition? 7. What is the best therapy for this patient’s disorder?
Experimental evaluation of turbulent diffusion models in complex 3-D flow near a wing/body junction

Turbulent diffusion models for 3-D flows are experimentally evaluated using the mean velocity and higher order products data measured with a laser-Doppler anemometer in a wing-body junction of a NACA 0020 tail and 3:2 elliptical nose wing shape at a nominal air speed of 27.5 m/s. The triple product relations tested are of Daly-Harlow, Hanjalic-Launder, Mellor-Herring and Lumley. The analysis was performed in a twodimensional turbulent boundary layer (2DTBL), strongly skewed three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer (3DTBL), in the vicinity of a 3D separation line, and around the center of the vortex in the horse-shoe vortex that forms around the wing. Nomenclature static pressure coefficient static pressure coefficient gradient convection tensor f l uc tua t i ng pressure component velocity vector magnitude twice the turbulent kinetic energy production tensor pressure diffusion tensor Reynolds number based on momentum thickness turbulent-diffusion tensor turbulent kinetic energy velocity magnitude at the boundary layer edge mean velocity components Reynolds stress tensor. i=1 , 2, 3; j=1,2, 3. triple velocity correlation tensor P
Endocytosis of a cytotoxic human high density lipoprotein results in disruption of acidic intracellular vesicles and subsequent killing of african trypanosomes

The host range of Trypanosoma brucei brucei is restricted by the cytolytic effects of human serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The lytic activity is caused by a minor subclass of human serum HDL called trypanosome lytic factor (TLF). TLF binds in the flagellar pocket to specific TLF-binding sites. Internalization and localization of TLF to a population of endocytic vesicles, and ultimately large lysosome-like vesicles, precedes lysis of T. b. brucei. The membranes of these large vesicles are disrupted by the accumulation of TLF particles. Inhibitor studies with lysosomotropic amines have shown these large vesicles to be acidic in nature and that prevention of their rupture spares the cells from TLF-mediated lysis. Furthermore, leupeptin inhibition suggests that a thioprotease may be involved in the mechanism of TLF-mediated lysis of T. b. brucei. Based on these results, we propose a lytic mechanism involving cell surface binding, endocytosis and lysosomal targeting. This is followed by lysosomal disruption and subsequent autodigestion of the cell.
Everyone feels haptics (happy)

Human interfaces are always two-way interactions: receiving feedback from the other end, whether it is a machine or another human being, is always critical to us. While touch interfaces have become pervasive in human machine interfaces, they still rely predominantly on visual or audio feedback, with the direct matching haptic feedback mostly non-existent. In this talk, I would like to provide insights on the potential for practical haptics displays to take natural user interfaces, including touch, gesture, and motion, to the next level. I would also like to present a glimpse of the future natural user interface with haptics and the gap in haptics technology between the state of the art and what is required to realize this vision.
Discuss on the Frequency Conversion of Cooling Water Pumps in Central Air Conditioning System

There were rather less studies on the frequency conversion of cooling water pumps in central air conditioning systems than that of cold water pumps.While,immense controversy is on the subject.This study analyzes the related literatures and concludes frequency conversion of cooling water pumps is energy saving,even more than that of cold water pumps.A new method to calculate the amount of energy saved by frequency conversion of cooling water pumps is put forward.Such methods in literatures are unprecise and not suitable for accessing the feasibility of real projects.The present method is simple,but relatively precise and can be used to access fact projects feasibility.
Due Process Limits on Sentencing Power: A Critique of Pennsylvania's Imposition of a Recidivist Mandatory Sentence Without a Prior Conviction

Pennsylvania has an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program which provides for pretrial diversion for accepted defendants. In exchange for avoiding the risk of conviction, the defendant agrees to supervision or treatment for a specified period of time. Successful completion can lead to dismissal of the charges, while a violation may result in reinstatement of the charges and a criminal trial.Pennsylvania, like most states, also has recidivist sentencing provisions for repeat offenders. It has chosen to include a prior ARD acceptance in its definition of a prior conviction for purposes of its mandatory sentence recidivist drunk driving laws. The article explores the constitutionality of that choice.This article concludes that the Due Process Clause prohibits consideration of an ARD acceptance as a prior conviction. The analysis has broader implications because it examines to what extent allegations of past misconduct must be shown to be reliable under the Due Process Clause before they may be considered against a defendant for sentencing purposes.
Cyclic Steam Stimulation

This chapter first reviews the mechanisms, theories, and screening criteria of cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) projects. Then we will focus on the practice of CSS projects. Finally field cases are presented which include Cold Lake in Alberta, Canada, Midway Sunset in California, Du 66 block in the Liaohe Shuguang field, Jin 45 Block in the Liaohe Huanxiling field, Gudao Field, Blocks 97 and 98 in the Karamay field, and Gaosheng Field in China.
Meta-analysis of univariate P-values

We propose a new meta-analysis method to pool univariate p-values across independent studies and we compare our method with that of Fisher, Stouffer, and George through simulations and identify sub...
Duals of Fréchet Spaces

A good title for this chapter might have been “Weird Countability.” The point is that, while “countability” applies to a Frechet space X in basically one way (it is first countable), it affects X ∗ in some rather strange ways.
Liraglutide for weight management: a critical review of the evidence.

SummaryObjective To review the efficacy, safety, and clinical applicability of liraglutide for weight management from phase III clinical trials. Methods A search of the English language literature was performed using PubMed search terms: “liraglutide”, “glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist”, and “randomized clinical trial”. Articles and bibliographies relevant to the subject were reviewed and additional references known to the authors were included. Results Five randomized, placebo-controlled trials of liraglutide for weight management were identified. In addition to recommended diet and physical activity, liraglutide consistently resulted in a 4 to 6 kg weight loss, with a greater proportion of patients achieving at least 5 and 10% weight loss compared with placebo. The most common adverse effects were gastrointestinal and primarily occurred early in the treatment course. Comparative data suggest that weight loss with liraglutide is greater than that seen with orlistat or lorcaserin, but slightly less that seen with phentermine/topiramate. Liraglutide 1.8 mg was recently shown to have cardiovascular benefit in a large outcomes trial; applicability of these results for the 3.0 mg formulation in a more diverse weight loss population at high cardiovascular risk is not currently known. Barriers to real-world clinical use as a first-line agent include gastrointestinal side effects, high cost, and need for injection. Conclusions Liraglutide helps to induce and sustain weight loss in patients with obesity. Its efficacy is comparable to other available agents but it offers the unique benefit of improved glycemic control. Additional studies are needed to determine its long term efficacy and safety profile.
Anterior uterocervical angle measurement improves prediction of cerclage failure

To compare the anterior uterocervical angle and cervical length as predictors of spontaneous preterm delivery in patients with transvaginal cerclage. We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 142 pregnant women with transvaginal cerclage placed over a 5-year period (2010 to 2015) were evaluated. Cervical morphology characteristics were measured from endovaginal imaging, including cervical length, cerclage height, funnel volume and anterior uterocervical angle prior to cerclage placement (UCA 1), shortly after cerclage placement (UCA 2) and the last image prior to delivery (UCA 3). Cerclage failure was defined as delivery prior to 36 weeks. Univariate analysis, receiver operator characteristic curves and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was defined as a P 108o conferred an OR 35.1 (95% CI 7.7 to 160.3) for delivery prior to 34 weeks, and UCA 3>112o an OR 42.0 (95% CI 5.3 to 332.1) for delivery prior to 28 weeks. In comparison, CL<25 mm had an OR 4.7 (95% CI 1.8 to 12.2) for delivery prior to 34 weeks and OR 6.0 (95% CI 1.9 to 19.3) prior to 28 weeks. In patients with transvaginal cerclage, an increasingly obtuse anterior uterocervical angle reflects an increased risk of cerclage failure in the mid-trimester. Utilization of UCA measurement as a surveillance tool may improve identification of patients at risk for cerclage failure.
Gamma-ray bursts in a new light

"The story of gamma-ray bursts shows the value of looking at objects with different wavelengths rather than just one," says Dave Thompson, an astrophysicist at the God-dard Space Center. "Each part of the spectrum contributes to our understanding."
Community-Level Differences in the Microbiome of Healthy Wild Mallards and Those Infected by Influenza A Viruses

Waterfowl, especially ducks and geese, are primary reservoirs for influenza A viruses (IAVs) that evolve and emerge as important pathogens in domestic animals and humans. In contrast to humans, where IAVs infect the respiratory tract and cause significant morbidity and mortality, IAVs infect the gastrointestinal tract of waterfowl and cause little or no pathology and are spread by fecal-oral transmission. For this reason, we examined whether IAV infection is associated with differences in the cloacal microbiome of mallards (Anas platyrhyncos), an important host of IAVs in North America and Eurasia. We characterized bacterial community composition by sequencing the V4 region of 16S rRNA genes. IAV-positive mallards had lower species diversity, richness, and evenness than IAV-negative mallards. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU) cooccurrence patterns were also distinct depending on infection status. Network analysis showed that IAV-positive mallards had fewer significant cooccurring OTUs and exhibited fewer coassociation patterns among those OTUs than IAV-negative mallards. These results suggest that healthy mallards have a more robust and complex cloacal microbiome. By combining analytical approaches, we identified 41 bacterial OTUs, primarily representatives of Streptococcus spp., Veillonella dispar, and Rothia mucilaginosa, contributing to the observed differences. This study found that IAV-infected wild mallards exhibited strong differences in microbiome composition relative to noninfected mallards and identified a concise set of putative biomarker OTUs. Using Random Forest, a supervised machine learning method, we verified that these 41 bacterial OTUs are highly predictive of infection status. IMPORTANCE Seasonal influenza causes 3 to 5 million severe illnesses and 250,000 to 500,000 human deaths each year. While pandemic influenza viruses emerge only periodically, they can be devastating-for example, the 1918 H1N1 pandemic virus killed more than 20 million people. IAVs infect the respiratory tract and cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans. In contrast, IAVs infect the gastrointestinal tract of waterfowl, producing little pathology. Recent studies indicated that viruses can alter the microbiome at the respiratory and gastrointestinal mucosa, but there are no reports of how the microbiota of the natural host of influenza is affected by infection. Here we find that the mallard microbiome is altered during IAV infection. Our results suggest that detailed examination of humans and animals infected with IAVs may reveal individualized microbiome profiles that correspond to health and disease. Moreover, future studies should explore whether the altered microbiome facilitates maintenance and transmission of IAVs in waterfowl populations.
State estimation in energy harvesting systems

We consider a discrete time scalar Kalman filtering problem over an erasure channel with an energy harvesting transmitter both with and without side information about the erasure state of the channel available at the transmitter. The cost of transmitting an observation is one unit of energy and the transmitter controls its energy expenditure by leveraging the available energy storage and side information. In this setting, the observations are intermittently available at the receiver and this intermittency is controlled by the transmitter. We study the threshold for the growth rate of the dynamics that guarantees the boundedness of the asymptotic expected state estimation error covariance under different system settings.
Developmental biochemistry of cottonseed embryogenesis and germination : XVII. Developmental expression of genes for the principal storage proteins.

The developmental time period and the magnitude of expression of the genes for the principal cottonseed storage proteins have been measured by several means. RNA was extracted from cotton cotyledons at stages during embryogenesis and the relative amounts of the mRNAS for these proteins were determined by cell-free translation in the wheat germ system and by dot and northern hybridization of the RNA with cloned cDNA probes representing the three subfamilies of the major storage protein genes. The rates of reassociation in solution of some of the RNAs with one of the cDNA clones were also determined. Data from all four procedures show that the storage protein mRNAs are demonstrable in very small embryo cotyledons, rapidly reach a high abundance level that is maintained during most of embryo growth, and then fall precipitously in amount in the last days of embryogenesis. The expression of all three gene subfamilies appears coordinate. Further, cDNA reverse transcribed from the poly(A)+ mRNA from a stage of maximum storage protein synthesis was hybridized to saturation with cDNA clones representing each of the subfamilies. These data indicate that the mRNAs for two of the families reach the same relative level in the total mRNA population which is about 15% of the total mRNA mass. The mRNA of the third subfamily comprises only 5% of the total mRNA mass at this stage. This apparent 3∶3∶1 ratio of mRNAs does not change during the period of storage protein synthesis. Based on the amounts of the storage protein species in the mature seed, the mRNAs of each subfamily appear to be translated to the same extent during embryogenesis.
Return of the Ice Age: Caspases Safeguard against Inflammatory Cell Death.

In a recent issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Taabazuing et al. (2017) reveal a bidirectional interplay between pathways leading to apoptosis and pyroptosis, two forms of regulated cell death with opposing inflammatory outcomes. The outcome is sealed by differential cleavage of the key pyroptosis execution substrate gasdermin D such that inflammatory caspases activate it but apoptotic caspases prevent its activation.
THE CIVIL EX POST FACTO CLAUSE

Since its first interpretation of the Ex Post Facto Clause in Calder v. Bull, the Supreme Court consistently has held that the clause applies only to retroactive criminal, but not civil, laws. The consequences of this distinction are far-ranging, permitting, for example, states to keep offenders behind bars after they have served their sentences. The Court’s distinction between civil and criminal retroactivity is based wholly on Calder’s historical conclusion that the original meaning of the Ex Post Facto Clause included criminal laws only. This article demonstrates that Calder’s historical analysis is wrong. After examining historical evidence that never before has been considered by scholars or judges interpreting the Ex Post Facto Clause, I conclude that the original meaning of the clause encompassed civil as well as criminal laws. This new evidence calls for a reconsideration of Calder and raises the intriguing possibility of greater judicial scrutiny of civil retroactivity. I also examine the most common doctrinal, structural, and normative arguments for retaining Calder and, based on this new historical analysis, offer new ways of approaching these arguments.
Night-to-night variability in CPAP use over the first three months of treatment

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between night-to-night variability and nightly duration of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy over the first 9 weeks of treatment and to determine when patients begin to establish a nonadherent pattern of use. Data were analyzed from a study of daily CPAP use covertly monitored in 32 diagnosed patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using a microprocessor monitor encased in a CPAP machine. Patterns of CPAP use were bimodal, based on the frequency of nightly use. Approximately half the subjects were consistent users of CPAP, applying it > 90% of the nights for an average of 6.22 +/- 1.21 hours per night, while the other half comprised intermittent users who had a wide range of daily use averaging 3.45 +/- 1.94 hours per night on the nights CPAP was used. The percent of days skipped was significantly correlated with decreased nightly duration (rho = -0.73, p < 0.0001). Analysis of the night-to-night pattern of use revealed that the two groups differed significantly in the nightly duration of CPAP use by the fourth day of treatment (p = 0.001). Exploration of factors that potentially differentiate the two groups revealed no reliable predictors. However, intermittent users continued to report significantly greater OSA symptoms (snoring, snorting, and apnea) posttreatment, suggesting that they continued to experience sleep disordered breathing.
Kinetics of Crack Growth in Plain Concrete

The number of load cycles, N, load-point displacement (LPD) and crack- mouth-opening displacement (CMOD) compliance were measured in a series of fatigue tests on single-edge-notched concrete beams (SENB) under 4-point bending to investigate the kinetics of crack propagation in plain concrete. The prenotched beams were subjected to either a constant or variable pulsating load up to a maximum load level of about 75% of the static ultimate strength. Typically, the crack growth rate, dl/dN decreased for the first 8 mm of crack extension. The crack growth rate and the strain energy release rate, GI, are plotted versus the crack length to beam depth ratio, which is determined from the CMOD compliance measurements. The crack speed varied considerably along the crack path but increasing strain energy release rates produced on the average an increase in the crack speed. Finally, kinetic data from three beams subjected to a constant amplitude repeated loading is compared to the Paris model.
Liver transplantation for hepatitis B and C

Liver transplantation (LTx) is considered effective therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease. Unfortunately, the results of TLx for patients with chronic viral hepatitis has not been as promising as for other liver disorders. A high rate of hepatitis recurrence in the allograft leading to a high incidence of graft and patient loss have led many transplant centers to reassess the use of LTx in these groups. Current strategies to prevent hepatitis B and C viral (HBV, HBC) reinfection focus on identifying patients with a low risk of reinfection, specifically those with markers for a low level of or no viremia. Trials to convert “high risk” hepatitis patients to “low risk” status have been initiated with the aim to reduce the viral burden at the time of LTx. Antiviral agents or immunostimulatory therapy before or after LTx (or at both times) have been proposed as a means to minimize recurrence of hepatitis in the liver allograft. Although this approach has been effective for HBV infection (i.e., with the use of hepatitis B immune globulin and nucleoside analogs, specifically lamivudine), this approach has not been as effective for the prevention or treatment of HCV infection. Ongoing trials are assessing the use of antibodies to HCV during the early posttransplant period as well as the use of α-interferon and ribaviron. Despite the lack of overwhelming efficacy of these approaches for HCV, the impact of recurrent HCV following LTx is less significant, at least during the early posttransplant period.
Emotional security theory: An application to sibling bereavement

There is a need for guiding theory to understand the experiences and outcomes of bereaved siblings, particularly from a family systems framework. The present study investigated the relevance of emotional security theory in a sample of 72 young adults who experienced sibling bereavement. We investigated (1) whether perceptions of prolonged parental grief predicted key aspects of emotional security (disengagement, preoccupation, and security), and (2) whether emotional security mediated a relation between perceptions of prolonged parental grief and young adult emotional functioning. Results supported the potential utility of emotional security theory as a theoretical framework for understanding sibling bereavement.
Impact of oral anticoagulants on 30-day readmission: a study from a single academic centre

Researchers are extensively searching for modifiable risk factors including high-risk medications such as anticoagulation to avoid rehospitalisation. The influence of oral anticoagulant therapy on hospital readmission is not known. We investigated the impact of warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on all cause 30-day hospital readmission retrospectively in an academic centre. We study the eligible cohort of 1781 discharges over 2-year period. Data on age, gender, diagnoses, 30-day hospital readmission, discharge medications and variables in the HOSPITAL score (Haemoglobin level at discharge, Oncology at discharge, Sodium level at discharge, Procedure during hospitalisation, Index admission, number of hospital Admissions, Length of stay) and LACE index (Length of stay, Acute/emergent admission, Charlson comorbidity index score, Emergency department visits in previous 6 months), which have higher predictability for readmission were extracted and matched for analysis. Warfarin was the most common anticoagulant prescribed at discharge (273 patients) with a readmission rate of 20% (p<0.01). DOACs were used by 94 patients at discharge with a readmission rate of 4% (p=0.219). Multivariate logistic regression showed an increased risk of readmission with warfarin therapy (OR 1.36, p=0.045). Logistic regression did not show DOACs to be a risk factor for hospital readmission. Our data suggests that warfarin therapy is a risk factor for all-cause 30-day hospital readmission. DOAC therapy is not found to be associated with a higher risk of hospital readmission. Warfarin anticoagulation may be an important target for interventions to reduce hospital readmissions.
Demographic Research: The Big Picture in Research.

Demographic research looks at the “big picture.” It gathers basic information about the current status and conditions across the entire breadth and compass of art education and, in turn, has real i...
Secure Messaging Through PositiveLinks: Examination of Electronic Communication in a Clinic-Affiliated Smartphone App for Patients Living with HIV.

Purpose: Secure messaging between patients and their health care team can facilitate chronic care management. PositiveLinks® (PL) is a clinic-affiliated smartphone application designed for patients living with HIV that includes a secure messaging feature for patients, PL staff, and clinic providers to communicate. Our aim was to examine the content and function of messaging within PL. Methodology: We examined messages exchanged through PL from November 2017 through January 2018. Qualitative analysis included categorization of topics as: related to the app, medical care, or social needs. Messaging functions were categorized as information exchange or rapport building. Results: Of the 1,474 PL messages analyzed, 44% were sent by PL staff, 38% by patients, and 18% by providers, whereas 61% were received by patients, 22% by providers, and 17% by PL staff. Message topics included app-related (57.6%), medical care (34.3%), and social concerns (12.4%). App-related messages addressed technical difficulties, software updates, or coordinating phone payments. Medical messages included medical information, medications, appointments, outreach, and care coordination for physical and mental health. Social messages related to insurance, transportation, housing, food, utilities, disability, finances, and work absences. Message function coding showed that 87.3% of messages contained information exchange and 33.8% contained rapport building. Messages sent by providers were most likely to contain rapport building at 54.8%. Conclusion: PL messaging was used to handle medical and social needs with potential impact on patients' health and offers an opportunity to strengthen patient-provider relationships through responsiveness and rapport building. Secure messaging through a clinic-affiliated smartphone app could enhance patient-centered care between clinical visits.