cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence of Bladder Cancer in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Metformin or Sulfonylureas

OBJECTIVE Previous studies evaluating the effect of metformin on cancer risk have been impacted by time-related biases. To avoid these biases, we examined the incidence of bladder cancer in new users of metformin and sulfonylureas (SUs). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This cohort study included 87,600 patients with type 2 diabetes in The Health Improvement Network database. Use of metformin or an SU was treated as a time-dependent variable. Cox regression–generated hazard ratios (HRs) compared metformin use with SU use, adjusted for age, sex, smoking, obesity, and HbA 1c level. RESULTS We identified 196 incident bladder cancers in the metformin cohort and 66 cancers in the SU cohort. Use of metformin was not associated with decreased bladder cancer risk (HR 0.81 [95% CI 0.60–1.09]). This association did not differ by sex ( P for interaction = 0.20). We observed no association with duration of metformin relative to SU use (3 to P for trend = 0.26). CONCLUSION Use of metformin is not associated with a decreased incidence of bladder cancer. Similar methods should be used to study other cancers that have previously been identified as potentially preventable with metformin.
Anticipation-based temporal pattern generation

A neural network model of complex temporal pattern generation is proposed and investigated analytically and by computer simulation. Temporal pattern generation is based on recognition of the contexts of individual components. Based on its acquired experience, the model actively yields system anticipation, which then compares with the actual input flow. A mismatch triggers self-organization of context learning, which ultimately leads to resolving various ambiguities in producing complex temporal patterns. The architecture of the model incorporates a short term memory for building associations between remote components and recurrent connections for self-organization and component generation in a temporal pattern. Synaptic modification is based on a one-shot normalized Hebbian rule, which is shown to exhibit temporal masking. The major conclusion, namely the network model which can learn to generate any complex temporal pattern, is established analytically. An estimate on the efficiency of the training algorithm is provided. Multiple temporal patterns can be incrementally acquired by the system, exhibiting a form of retroactive interference. Neural and cognitive plausibility of the model is discussed. >
Property Characteristics of Contaminated Land in Environmental Cleanup Programs in New York State

This article reports empirical research on the property characteristics and land uses of contaminated properties in New York State in the two principle environmental cleanup programs. This research investigated 321 contaminated properties in New York. The authors analyze the characteristics of contaminated property to discover information that research using a case study design with a small number of properties has not found. We also investigate similarities and differences in the properties that enter the two most important environmental cleanup programs in the United States. Some of their results are unexpected and have implications for public works management, including location and size data for the brownfield properties and both the past land uses and proposed future land uses of these contaminated properties after remediation.
Tracking Studies on the Effects of Random Multipoles in the 6.5 T Lattice of the SSC Reference Designs Study

The acceptance of lattice A (6.5 T) of the SSC Reference Designs Study is determined for ten different sets of random errors as various multipole orders are set to zero. On the basis of 400 turn studies it is concluded that all multipole orders in the dipoles are important. Further studies show that the beam crossing dipoles limit the acceptance--when their multipoles are scaled as r-(n+ l), corresponding to an increased coil radius, the acceptance of the lattice essentially doubles.
Cost-Effective Measurements of Piezoelectric Coefficient d33 of Thin-Film PZT Using a Mini Force Hammer

Lead Zirconate Titanate (PbZrx Ti1−x O3 or PZT) is a piezoelectric material widely used as sensors and actuators. For microactuators, PZT often appears in the form of thin films to maintain proper aspect ratios. One major challenge encountered is accurate measurement of piezoelectric coefficients of PZT thin films. In this paper, we present a simple, low-cost, and effective method to measure piezoelectric coefficient d33 of PZT thin films through use of basic principles in mechanics of vibration. We use a small impact hammer with a tiny tip to generate an impulsive force acting perpendicularly to the surface of a PZT film. In the meantime, we measure the impulsive force via a load cell and the responding charge of the PZT thin film via a charge amplifier. Then the piezoelectric coefficient d33 is obtained from the measured force and charge based on piezoelectricity and a finite element modeling. We also conduct a thorough parametric study to understand the sensitivity of this method on various parameters, such as substrate material, boundary conditions, specimen size, specimen thickness, thickness ratio, and PZT thin-film material. To demonstrate the feasibility, we calibrate the new method via a PZT thick film disk resonator with a known d33 . Experimental results show that d33 measured via this method is as accurate as those from the manufacturer’s specifications within its tolerance. We then apply the new method to PZT thin films deposited on silicon substrate, and successfully measure the corresponding piezoelectric coefficient d33 .Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Kate Theimer, ed. Innovative Practices for Archives and Special Collections: Educational Programs. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015. 195p. ISBN 9781442249523. $55.00

RBM: A Journal of Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Cultural Heritage reviews books, reports, new periodicals, databases, websites, blogs, and other electronic resources, as well as exhibition, book, and auction catalogs pertaining directly and indirectly to the fields of rare book librarianship, manuscripts curatorship, archives management, and special collections administration. Publishers, librarians, and archivists are asked to send appropriate publications for review or notice to the Reviews Editor. Due to space limitations, it may not be possible for all books received to be reviewed in RBM . Books or publication announcements should be sent to the Reviews Editor: Amy Cooper Cary, Raynor . . .
Belgium’s Public Debt: Profile, Dynamics, and Vulnerabilities

With the European sovereign debt crisis still unfolding, European countries with a high public deficit or debt are now more closely scrutinized by investors. This paper examines the profile and dynamics of the public debt of Belgium, and discusses the challenges of achieving public debt sustainability. Notwithstanding the effective debt management operations and investor relations management, the high debt burden, the maturity profile, and the reliance on short-term foreign funding expose the country to sudden shifts of market sentiment as well as credit and liquidity risk. It demonstrates the pressing challenge Belgium faces in restoring public finance soundness and underlies the urgent need to achieve credible and successful fiscal consolidation.
Notions of Choice Sequence

We use sheaf models to undertake a constructive analysis of the effects of admitting non-constructive choice sequences to mathematics. § PREAMBLE “A choice sequence is an infinite sequence of natural numbers whose terms are generated in succession; in the process of generating them, free choices may play a part. At one extreme, the selection of each term may be totally determined in advance by some effective rule: a sequence generated by such a rule is a lawlike sequence. At the other extreme, we have a sequence the selection of each term of which is totally unrestricted: these are the lawless sequences. In between are those choice sequences the selection of whose terms is partially restricted in advance, but not completely determined.” Dummett (Elements, p. 418)
Many US adults with controlled type 2 diabetes receive frequent HbA1c testing and possible overtreatment

Commentary on: McCoy RG, Van Houten HK, Ross JS, et al. HbA1c overtesting and overtreatment among US adults with controlled type 2 diabetes, 2001–13: observational population based study. BMJ 2015;351:h6138. Recent clinical guidelines have emphasised that patients with type 2 diabetes should have glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) goals that are tailored to their individual clinical characteristics. Guidelines also recommend that patients with stable glycaemic control who are meeting their glycaemic goals and have no complications of glucose lowering should have less frequent HbA1c testing. The HbA1c reflects the average glucose over about 3 months and thus, at most, the HbA1c should be measured every 3 months. This epidemiologic study examines how frequently HbA1c levels are being tested in patients with type 2 diabetes and the potential clinical implications. This was a retrospective epidemiological study of national administrative claims data from commercially insured …
Detection of in Vivo Stimulated Cerebrospinal-Fluid Lymphocytes by Flow Cytometry in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

To examine the immune response in the central nervous system in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), we characterized the cell-cycle phase of lymphocytes from cerebrospinal fluid. Cells were stained with acridine orange, and both RNA and DNA content were determined by flow cytometry. Although most cells were in the quiescent phase of the cycle, a significant increase was seen in the percentage of cells in the first stage of the proliferative cycle (G1 phase) when 21 samples of cerebrospinal fluid from 17 patients with MS were compared with samples from 21 controls (P < 0.001). Stimulated cells in the first stage of the cycle were seen in all categories of MS: active, progressive, or stable. In addition, increased numbers of cells in the second stage of the cycle (S phase) were seen in six specimens from patients with MS, five of whom had actie disease, but no increases were seen in controls (P < 0.02). These data indicate that stimulated lymphocytes were present in the cerebrospinal fluid durng all phases of MS and that stimulation becomes more intense during an acute exacerbation.
Study on Cell Surface Super-structure Under the Influence of Virus Infection

Apply AFM to observe the basic appearance of Han taan virus,make a image for Vero-E6 cells treated by glutaraldehyde and Vero-E6 cells infected by Han taan virus respectively,observe the super-structure of Vero-E6 cells before and after infecting by virus at the atomic or nanometer level.By Dropping the virus on mica sheet directly and scanning the virus after air drying,observe the structure of virus clearly;Cells were treated with glutaraldehyde of 0.5%~2.0% concentration;The results of experiment revealed that the higher concentration of fixative used,the better quality of pictures appeared,but the cells were damaged more seriously.The appearance of cells is similar to physiological conditions after reducing the concentration of fixative,and the quality of picture is also good.Cells were treated by glutaraldehyde of appropriate concentration after infected by different dilution's virus,then observed that the appearance of cells varied greatly before and after infection,found that there are remarkable relationships between appearance changing of cells and concentration of virus.
Commentary, The Washington Conference on Clinical Pharmacology

The Drug Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council convened a Conference on Clinical PhannacoIogy in Washington, D. C., on December 3 and 4, 1970. For two days the participants reviewed the status and future possibilities of Clinical Pharmacology. In some instances the viewpoints of several individuals blended wen in support of an idea, while a clear separation occurred on the other occasions The Conference thus afforded an opportunity to gauge the state of opinion on many important issues related to clinical pharmacology.
Retarding hydrolytic degradation of polylactic acid: Effect of induced crystallinity and graphene addition

The combination of elevated temperature and humidity leads to rapid degradation of polylactic acid (PLA) because of hydrolysis. Consequently, PLA, which is a bio-derived and biodegradable polymer, is not currently used for durable applications since properties cannot always be maintained over time. In this work, the ability of polymer crystals to reduce the rate of degradation during accelerated aging tests was studied. Also examined was the influence of addition of 2 wt % graphene nanoplatelets to act as moisture transport barriers in the polymer. PLA samples were immersed in aqueous media of different pH or exposed to 100% relative humidity at 50 °C for different lengths of time to study the hydrolytic degradation behavior. In addition to monitoring the loss in mass of the samples, the values of crystallinity, melt viscosity, and mechanical properties, among others, were measured as functions of aging time using techniques such as DSC and rheometry. It was found that both crystallization and graphene addition are able to slow down the rate of degradation at short times, but significant degradation of PLA still occurs at long times. This is because PLA crystallites and graphene nanoplatelets can only reduce, but not eliminate, moisture diffusion into the polymer sample. Between the use of nanoplatelets and crystals, though, the former approach may be the better choice since enhanced crystallization tends to make PLA brittle. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44166.
Posets, graphs and categories

In Appendix A, we recall some of the basic concepts associated with partially ordered sets, graphs and categories. Posets and graphs A partial order on a set P is a binary relation ≤ satisfying the following three properties: (i) reflexivity: for all x ∈ P , we have x ≤ x ; (ii) antisymmetry: for all x, y ∈ P , if we have both x ≤ y and y ≤ x , then x = y ; (iii) transitivity: for all x, y, z ∈ P , if we have both x ≤ y and y ≤ z , then x ≤ z . A set P equipped with a partial order ≤ is known as a partially ordered set or poset . If Q is a subset of a poset P , then Q inherits a poset structure from P by restricting the relation ≤ to Q . Strictly speaking, a partial order is the subset of P × P given by {( x, y ) ∈ P × P : x ≤ y }. Every partial order, ≤, on P has an opposite order on P , denoted by ≥ This is the subset of P × P with the property that ( y, x ) ∈ ≤ if and only if ( x, y ) ∈ ≥ It turns out (Exercise A.1.4) that ≤ is also a partial order. We write P . to refer to the set P equipped with the opposite partial order.
Pituitary and Sellar Region Lesions

Abstract Lesions of the sellar, parasellar, and suprasellar regions are common and account for up to 20% of all intracranial neoplasms. Of these, pituitary adenomas are the most common in adults, accounting for over 50% of all lesions in this region. Magnetic resonance imaging has become the imaging examination of choice in this region given its multiplanar capabilities, superior soft-tissue contrast and resolution, and lack of beam hardening artifact seen with computed tomography. The other imaging modalities play a more limited role in answering specific questions related to the lesions. Although there is considerable overlap in the imaging characteristics of the many lesions that can occur in this region, we will attempt to identify imaging characteristics of the lesions that are classic and allow for a more accurate preoperative diagnosis. The type, location, and extent of the lesion are important factors in determining the optimal surgical approach and in effective treatment planning.
Calving distributions of individual bulls in multiple-sire pastures.

The objective of this project was to quantify patterns in the calving rate of sires in multiple-sire pastures over seven years at a large-scale cow-calf operation. Data consisted of reproductive and genomic records from multiple-sire breeding pastures (n = 33) at the United States Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) from 2007 to 2013. Calving intervals were analyzed in 21-day periods. A ranking system for each bull was developed based on the calving rate per pasture over the breeding season, with Rank 1 = the bull with greatest calving rate, Rank 3 = the bull with the least calving rate, and Rank 2 = all other bulls. A total of 179 bulls and 3703 calves were successfully genotyped over seven years. A uniform distribution described the expected percentage of calves sired per rank within pasture. Rank 1 bulls sired 113% greater calves than the expected pasture-average, Rank 2 bulls sired 6% less than expected, and Rank 3 bulls sired 81% less than expected. A rank by calving interval interaction effect was identified (P < 0.05). A Rank 1 bull in calving interval 1 produced a greater average percent of the total calf crop over the entire season, compared to a Rank 2 and Rank 3 bull. The calving rate for individual sires is not homogeneous and there is a large difference between bulls siring the greatest and least number of calves. More research is needed to determine how rank changes over multiple breeding years and its association with dominance, libido, and fertility.
Modern Tropical Cyclone Wind Observation and Analysis

Direct observation of the maximum wind in tropical cyclones is extremely rare because of the violence of the environment, the paucity of ocean-borne observing stations, and the remoteness and size of the storms. Besides raising confidence in historical tropical cyclone climate records – which are currently inadequate for climate studies – accurate measurements of the tropical cyclone wind structure and other characteristics are particularly important to more accurately forecast storms, thus mitigating economic and human loss. Large amounts of resources have been devoted to develop innovative methods to adequately observe these systems. This chapter will present an overview of the observing systems and instruments that are used to observe tropical cyclone winds in the early twenty-first century, including in situ and remote sensing approaches. Techniques used to determine the maximum wind speed in the frequent absence of more direct observations are also discussed.
Modeling sulfur cycling and sulfate reactive transport in an agricultural groundwater system

Abstract Many irrigated agricultural areas worldwide suffer from salinization of soil, groundwater, and nearby river systems. Increasing salinity concentrations are due principally to a high water table that results from excessive irrigation, canal seepage, and a lack of efficient drainage systems, and lead to decreased crop yield. High groundwater salinity loading to nearby river systems also impacts downstream areas, where saline river water is diverted for application on irrigated fields. This paper presents a physically-based, spatially-distributed groundwater reactive transport model that simulates the fate and transport of sulfate, the principal salt ion in many salt-affected watersheds, in an agricultural groundwater system. The model, developed from the UZF-RT3D model that simulates chemical species transport in variably-saturated subsurface systems, accounts for sulfur cycling (crop uptake, organic matter decomposition, mineralization/immobilization) in the soil-plant system, oxidation-reduction reactions, including the oxidation of residual Sulfur in marine shale, and also the effect of dissolved oxygen and nitrate on sulfate chemical reduction. The model is tested at the small scale (i.e. soil profile) and at the regional scale (500 km 2 ) in the Lower Arkansas River Valley (LARV) in southeastern Colorado, an area acutely affected by salinization in the past few decades. Results demonstrate that although the major sulfate reactive transport processes are accounted for, the model consistently under-predicts measured soil and groundwater sulfate concentrations, pointing to the need for a comprehensive salinity module that accounts not only for advection, dispersion, sulfur cycling, and oxidation-reduction, but also salt ion equilibrium chemistry that includes the dissolution and precipitation of salt minerals in the soil-aquifer system. However, the model can be a useful tool to assess sulfate fate and transport in areas that are not dominated by salt mineral precipitation and dissolution.
Intelligent Reconfiguration of Manufacturing Systems Based on Fuzzy Objectives

Abstract Modern dynamic systems, such as manufacturing processes, are complex systems that demand continuous process monitoring, status evaluation and implementation of a variety of control strategies. An intelligent scheme is presented for control of manufacturing system under normal as well as fault conditions. A controller, well differentiated from plant, performs sequencing and scheduling of jobs under normal operating conditions while it performs reconfiguration operation under fault, breakdown or changed objective criteria. Reconfiguration is performed in terms of jobs re-routing and resource re-allocation, carried out by selecting a relocatable resource which would satisfy the new objective criteria. The re-routing problem is generally a multi-dimensional problem. A generalized framework is developed to deal quantitatively with the imprecision and complexity of the re-routing problem by using fuzzy multi-criteria analysis technique in conjunction with fuzzy Petri net representation of the system
Use of UV light for the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes and lactic acid bacteria species in recirculated chill brines.

Ready-to-eat meat products have been implicated in several foodborne listeriosis outbreaks. Microbial contamination of these products can occur after thermal processing when products are chilled in salt brines. The objective of this study was to evaluate UV radiation on the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes and lactic acid bacteria in a model brine chiller system. Two concentrations of brine (7.9% [wt/wt] or 13.2% [wt/wt]) were inoculated with a ~6.0 log CFU/ml cocktail of L. monocytogenes or lactic acid bacteria and passed through a UV treatment system for 60 min. Three replications of each bacteria-and-brine combination were performed and resulted in at least a 4.5-log reduction in microbial numbers in all treated brines after exposure to UV light. Bacterial populations were significantly reduced after 5 min of exposure to UV light in the model brine chiller compared with the control, which received no UV light exposure (P < 0.05). The maximum rate of inactivation for both microorganisms in treated...
Abstract P173: Targeting α-1-Adrenergic Receptors for Heart Failure Therapy

Alpha-1 adrenergic receptors (α1-ARs) have beneficial effects in the heart and cardiac myocytes. In pilot studies in vivo , a sub-hypertensive dose of the α1A subtype-selective agonist A61603 has cardioprotective signaling and prevents and rescues cardiomyopathy in mouse models. These studies give a possible explanation for adverse cardiac effects of α1-antagonists in clinical trials and are a rationale to test α1-agonists in heart failure. Our objective was to establish models to screen α1-agonists for beneficial cardiac signaling. We tested the hypothesis that different α1-AR agonists have distinct beneficial cardiac effects at very low doses. To test this, we studied α1-AR-mediated cardioprotective and adaptive hypertrophic signaling in isolated neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM) and adult mouse ventricular myocytes (AMVM). We compared A61603 to all clinically approved α1-agonists: epinephrine (EPI), norepinephrine (NE), phenylephrine (PE), dobutamine (DOB), methoxamine (MET), and midodrine (MID) at 5 doses, all in the presence of the beta-blocker propranolol (200 nM). Cardioprotective signaling was measured by α1-AR-ERK survival pathway activation and cell viability by MTT assay after doxorubicin (20 μM)-induced toxicity. Cellular adaptive hypertrophy was measured by protein synthesis in NRVM and fetal gene protein expression in AMVM. In NRVM, A61603 was the most potent (EC 50 = 4 nM) and efficacious agonist for ERK activation. The rank-order potency was: A61603 > NE > EPI > PE > MET > DOB > MID. For protein synthesis, A61603 had high efficacy and potency (EC 50 = 12 nM). The rank-order potency was: A61603 > NE > DOB > PE > EPI > MET > MID. In AMVM, A61603 was potent for ERK (EC 50 = 58 nM) and increased cell viability 48% (1.48 vs. 1.00 control) with doxorubicin toxicity. A61603 (200 nM) increased the number of myocytes expressing beta-myosin heavy chain and atrial natriuretic factor by immunocytochemistry. We conclude that myocyte culture models are predictive of α1-agonist efficacy and potency in adaptive and protective cardiac effects. A61603, an imidazoline with high affinity for the α1A-AR, is more potent and efficacious in myocyte models than are clinically available α1-agonists, and is a promising candidate for therapeutic testing in vivo .
Laparoscopic Repair of Paraesophageal Hernia with Nissen Fundoplication

Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair is indicated in patients who present with symptomatic paraesophageal hernia. This chapter describes indications, essential steps, variations, and complications of this procedure. It provides a detailed template operative note for the procedure.
Interfacial stresses within boundary between martensitic variants: Analytical and numerical finite strain solutions for three phase field models

Abstract The origin of a large elastic stress within an interface between martensitic variants (twins) within a finite strain phase field approach has been determined. Notably, for a sharp interface this stress is absent. Three different constitutive relations for the transformation stretch tensor versus order parameters have been considered: a linear combination of the Bain tensors (kinematic model-I, KM-I), an exponential-logarithmic combination (KM-II) of the Bain tensors, and a stretch tensor corresponding to simple shear (KM-III). An analytical finite-strain solution has been found for an infinite sample for tetragonal martensite under plane stress condition. In particular, explicit expression for the stresses have been obtained. The maximum interfacial stress for KM-II is more than twice that which corresponds to KM-I. Stresses are absent for KM-III, but it is unclear how to generalize this model for multivariant martensitic transformation. An approximate analytical solution for a finite sample has been found as well. It shows good correspondence with numerical results obtained using the finite element method. The obtain results are important for developing phase field approaches for multivariant martensitic transformations coupled to mechanics, especially at the nanoscale.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Medically Inoperable Stage I-II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Mayo Clinic Experience

Abstract Objective To examine disease control and survival after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for medically inoperable, early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and determine associations of pretreatment 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax), biologically effective dose, and mediastinal staging with disease control and survival outcomes. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the cases of consecutive patients with FDG-PET–staged, medically inoperable NSCLC treated with SBRT at our institution between January 1, 2008, and August 4, 2014. Cumulative incidences of recurrence were estimated, accounting for the competing risk of death. Associations of SUVmax, biologically effective dose, and mediastinal staging with outcomes were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results Among 282 patients, 2-year cumulative incidences of recurrence were 4.9% (95% CI, 2.6%-8.3%) for local, 9.8% (95% CI, 6.3%-14.2%) for nodal, 10.8% (95% CI, 7.0%-15.5%) for ipsilateral lung, 6.0% (3.3%-9.8%) for contralateral lung, 9.7% (95% CI, 6.3%-14.0%) for distant recurrence, and 26.1% (95% CI, 20.4%-32.0%) for any recurrence. The 2-year overall survival was 70.4% (95% CI, 64.5%-76.8%), and the 2-year disease-free survival was 51.2% (95% CI, 44.9%-58.5%). Risk of any recurrence was significantly higher for patients with higher SUVmax (hazard ratio [per each doubling], 1.29 [95% CI, 1.05-1.59]; P =.02). A similar association with SUVmax was observed when considering the composite outcome of any recurrence or death (hazard ratio, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.05-1.44]; P =.01). The SUVmax was not significantly associated with other outcomes ( P ≥0.69). Two-year cumulative incidences of local recurrence for patients receiving 48 Gy in 4 fractions, 54 Gy in 3 fractions, or 50 Gy in 5 fractions were 1.7% (95% CI, 0.3%-5.6%), 3.7% (95% CI, 0.7%-11.4%), and 15.3% (95% CI, 5.9%-28.9%), respectively ( P =.02); this difference was independent of lesion size ( P =.02). Conclusion Disease control was excellent for patients who received SBRT for early-stage NSCLC, and this series represents the largest single-institution experience from the United States on SBRT for early-stage inoperable NSCLC. Higher pretreatment FDG-PET SUVmax was associated with increased risk of any recurrence, and the 50 Gy in 5 fractions dose prescription was associated with increased risk of local recurrence.
Leadership Preparation Programs: Preparing Culturally Competent Educational Leaders:

The demographic profile of the United States has been rapidly changing; by 2020, minority students will constitute the majority of the public school student population nationwide. This makes cultur...
Age-Specific Behavior and Habitat Selection of Adult Male Damselflies, Calopteryx maculata (Odonata: Calopterygidae)

We compared the age, movement, and time–activity budgets of male Calopteryx maculata damselflies occupying off-stream tree-fall gaps with those at stream sites within a 10-ha woodland. All males collected at off-stream sites were younger than males collected at stream sites—as indicated by their significantly higher wing transmittance. Thirty-three percent of teneral males marked at off-stream gaps moved to stream sites within 4 days (mean distance = 140 m), while mature males marked at stream sites never left the stream. In contrast to stream site males, off-stream males spent significantly more time capturing prey and never engaged in aggressive interactions with other males. Behavioral differences were not due to variations in the operative body temperature. However, malaise trapping revealed a greater frequency of suitable prey in forest light gaps. Our findings support the idea that teneral male Calopteryx leave their emergence sites along the stream for off-stream light gaps to forage without interference and build the energy reserves necessary to attain and hold streamside territories.
A Mathematical Model of Pendelluft Flow in a Single Airway Bifurcation

Pendelluft is a gas flow phenomenon occurring in parallel respiratory units. When the parallel respiratory units are forded by a periodic pressure, the flow in them becomes asynchronous. This phenomenon plays an important role in mixing and transport of air especially during high-frequency ventilation. Understanding of this phenomenon was based n a mechanical model proposed by Otis et al. (1956). In that model the respiratory units are modeled as electric circuits with lumped parameters. They found that unequal resistances and compliances in the parallel respiratory units could give rise to pendelluft. Ultman et al. (1988) and High, Ultman, and Karl (1991) observed that, for high frequency ventilation, the inertance should be included. They thus expanded the Otis R-C model to the R-I-C model of analogous electric circuits.
Library Society of China Annual Conference 2018 and CALA's Involvement

2018 Chinese Library Annual Conference: Library Society of China Annual Conference & Chinese Library Exhibition was held in Langfang, Hebei Province, China from May 30 th to June 2 nd , 2018. The conference was organized by the Library Society of China and the Langfang Government of Hebei Province under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China.
Mood State Changes Accompanying the Crossfit Open™ Competition in Healthy Adults

Background: Specific mood states were examined during the CrossFit Open, a consecutive 5-week fitness competition involving five separate CrossFit® workouts, to determine whether the unique design or strenuous workouts of the competition resulted in acute and/or chronic mood state alterations. Methods: Participants (n = 8) completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire one-week prior to the competition (baseline), prior to (PRE), immediately post (IP), 30-min post- (30P) and 60-min post-workout (60P) each week. Tension, depression, anger, confusion, fatigue and vigor were derived from the POMS, as was Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) and an Energy Index (EI). Results: Workout intensity exceeded 93% HRmax each week. No differences were observed between baseline and PRE-workout mood states across weeks, indicating little effect of the unique competition design. Significant (week x time) interactions were observed for TMD (p = 0.037), EI (p = 0.038) and fatigue (p = 0.005). Acute mood state fluctuations were consistent across each week, where mood states improved to and beyond PRE values 60-min post-workout. Conclusions: In competitors, the differences in workout design between each week did not influence mood states. This may be related to adaptation to this style of training, while the acute mood state alterations are likely due to the workout intensity.
Nondestructive determination of the astringency of pollination-variant persimmons (Diospyros kaki) using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry.

Abstract Pollination-variant persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit exhibits two distinct phenotypes based upon pollination status. Pollinated fruit are seeded and develop flesh that is brown in color, nonastringent, delectable in taste and highly desirable, whereas non-pollinated fruit retain unseeded orange-color flesh that is astringent and virtually unpalatable. Growers face the problem that both types of flesh may be present in the same persimmon fruit, and external skin color is uniformly orange, regardless of the extent of astringency. Thus, in this work, the nondestructive measurement modalities of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy were investigated for their ability to screen pollination-variant persimmons for extent of nonastringent flesh. Fruit from a diverse sample set – including six cultivars stored for varying lengths of time and exhibiting an array of astringency levels – was subjected to the two nondestructive measurements and then evaluated destructively for astringency using a sequential blotting and visual sensory analysis approach. The sensory astringency score was then used as the response variable to construct partial least squares – discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models from spectra from each modality on its own as well as for concatenated spectra, which combined the information from both modalities. These PLS-DA models performed well, showing a maximum misclassification rate of 33%. When the most market-relevant astringency threshold was used, NIR slightly outperformed NMR. When different astringency screening thresholds were considered, combining the two modalities did not consistently improve PLS-DA model performance. Thus, both modalities show promise for nondestructive characterization of the flesh of pollination-variant persimmons.
Changes in Household Composition and Children’s Educational Attainment

Changes in parental romantic relationships are an important component of family instability, but children are exposed to many other changes in the composition of their households that bear on child well-being. Prior research that focused on parental transitions has thus overlooked a substantial source of instability in children’s lives. I argue that the instability in children’s residential arrangements is characterized by household instability rather than family instability. To evaluate this thesis, I use the 1968–2015 waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and time-varying methods for causal inference to test the independent effects of different types of changes in household composition on educational attainment. Experiencing changes involving nonparent, nonsibling household members has a significant negative effect on educational attainment that is similar in magnitude to that for children who experience changes involving residential parents. Measures of parental changes miss the nearly 20 % of children who experience changes involving household members other than parents or siblings. By showing that changes in nonparental household members are both common and consequential experiences for children, I demonstrate the value of conceptualizing the changes to which children are exposed as a product of household instability, rather than simply family instability.
Racial differences in the effect of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor on improved walking distance in peripheral artery disease: The PROPEL randomized clinical trial

Background The effects of race on response to medical therapy in people with peripheral artery disease ( PAD ) are unknown. Methods and Results In the PROPEL (Progenitor Cell Release Plus Exercise to Improve Functional Performance in PAD) Trial, PAD participants were randomized to 1 of 4 groups for 6 months: supervised treadmill exercise+granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor ( GM - CSF ) (Group 1), exercise+placebo (Group 2), attention control+ GM - CSF (Group 3), or attention control+placebo (Group 4). Change in 6-minute walk distance was measured at 12- and 26-week follow-up. In these exploratory analyses, groups receiving GM - CSF (Groups 1 and 3), placebo (Groups 2 and 4), exercise (Groups 1 and 2), and attention control (Groups 2 and 4) were combined, maximizing statistical power for studying the effects of race on response to interventions. Of 210 PAD participants, 141 (67%) were black and 64 (30%) were white. Among whites, GM - CSF improved 6-minute walk distance by +22.0 m (95% CI : -4.5, +48.5, P=0.103) at 12 weeks and +44.4 m (95% CI : +6.9, +82.0, P=0.020) at 26 weeks, compared with placebo. Among black participants, there was no effect of GM - CSF on 6-minute walk distance at 12-week ( P=0.26) or 26-week (-5.0 m [-27.5, +17.5, P=0.66]) follow-up, compared with placebo. There was an interaction of race on the effect of GM - CSF on 6-minute walk change at 26-week follow-up ( P=0.018). Exercise improved 6-minute walk distance in black ( P=0.006) and white ( P=0.034) participants without interaction. Conclusions GM - CSF improved 6-minute walk distance in whites with PAD but had no effect in black participants. Further study is needed to confirm racial differences in GM - CSF efficacy in PAD . Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT 01408901.
Stem cells and extracellular vesicles: biological regulators of physiology and disease.

Many different subpopulations of subcellular extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been described. EVs are released from all cell types and have been shown to regulate normal physiological homeostasis,...
Performance of AquaCrop model in simulating maize growth, yield, and evapotranspiration under rainfed, limited and full irrigation

Abstract The performance assessments of AquaCrop model using long-term field-measured data are rare. In this study, the model was evaluated relative to maize growth, yield, and water use parameters/variables under different water stress conditions over six years (2005–2010) in Nebraska, USA. The model was calibrated and validated for full irrigation treatment (FIT), limited irrigation (50, 60, and 75% of FIT), and rainfed. Model default parameters provided very poor estimates for mostly all variables. After calibration, the model adequately simulated daily canopy cover (CC) for both 2009 and 2010 (NRMSEs ≤ 15.6%), except for slight discrepancies in 2010. However, the model overestimated the final biomass in 2009 due to overestimation of biomass development in the late growth stages. The simulation of final biomass was better in 2010 (NRMSE = 5.3%) than in 2009 (NRMSE = 31%). The model simulated grain yield quite well (NRMSE of 7.7 and 12.1%, EF of 0.8 and 0.7) during both calibration and validation, respectively, except for rainfed treatments in most years. The model was not able to simulate total soil-water accurately in most cases, except for 2009 growing season. The crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was simulated with good accuracy during 2007, 2009, and 2010 and the higher prediction error (up to 16.5%) was observed for dry years (2005 and 2006) and wet year (2008). The model performance declined substantially in conditions of water stress, excess water, and high evaporative demand. In conclusion, the AquaCrop simulated yield and ETc (with slight underestimation) quite well in some cases, but encountered substantial difficulties in simulating biomass and soil-water, especially during years of low precipitation and high evaporative demand as well as in wet year. Further evaluation of the model is needed using field measured evaporation and transpiration data to determine the accuracy of ETc partition by the model to better simulate soil-water and ETc, which are critical for the estimation of in-season irrigation requirements, biomass production, and yield.
Immunodiffusion Analysis of Membranes of Thermoplasma acidophilum

Isolates of Thermoplasma acidophilum were divided into serological groups based on immunodiffusion studies of solubilized-membrane preparations.
Cardiac rehabilitation in older adults: New options

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an important component in the continuum of care for patients with cardiovascular diseases, including the older population. Benefits of CR which include mortality benefit, decreased hospitalizations, increased functional capacity all extend to an older population. In Medicare beneficiaries which represent an older population, utilization of CR continues to remain low despite evidence that suggests lower hospitalization rates, Medicare costs, and improved symptoms. Given poor referral rates, enrollment rates, and completion rates, a call for new strategies has been made by all major societies. However, several barriers exist. Newer models of CR constructed to overcome these barriers are reviewed below. Some of these new strategies include alternative site CR or home-based CR and the utilization of technology.
Surgical site occurrences, not body mass index, increase the long-term risk of ventral hernia recurrence.

Abstract Background Recurrence rates after ventral hernia repair vary widely and evidence about risk factors for recurrence are conflicting. There is little evidence for risk factors for long-term recurrence. Methods Patients who underwent ventral hernia repair at our institution and were captured in the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database between 2002 and 2015 were included. We reviewed all demographic, procedural, and hernia-specific data. Results Six hundred and thirty patients were included for analysis with a median follow-up of 4.9 years (inter-quartile range, 2–7.3 years). By univariate analysis, index hernia repairs were more likely to recur if defect size was ≥4 cm (P = .019), no mesh was used (P = .026), or if the repair was for a recurrent hernia (P = .001). Five-year cumulative incidence of recurrence and reoperation was 24.3% and 16.0%, respectively. Patients with a perioperative surgical site occurrence, which included superficial, deep-incisional, and organ space surgical site infections as well as wound disruption, had a 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence of 54.9% compared with 22.6% for those without surgical site occurrence. By multivariable analysis, non-primary hernia repair (hazard ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.2–2.4, P = .005) and any postoperative surgical site occurrence (hazard ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.1–3.6, P = .02) were the only risk factors predictive of recurrence. Patient body mass index had no independent effect on recurrence. Conclusion 1 in 4 patients undergoing an open ventral hernia repair will have a recurrence after 5 years, and this risk is doubled among patients who experience any perioperative surgical site occurrence. After controlling for patient comorbidities, including body mass index, hernia size, and mesh position, the most significant risk factor for recurrence after ventral hernia repair was a non-primary hernia and surgical site occurrence.
The foundational framework for understanding human psychology and behavioral health care

Abstract Psychology is a tremendously interesting scientific discipline and field of professional practice, although it has also been marked by major amounts of conflict between theoretical camps and schools of thought. Substantial scientific and clinical progress is now allowing the field to leave behind these conflicts, and this chapter outlines the basic features of a contemporary science-based approach to the science and practice of psychology. Behavioral health care is defined, and its foundations in science and professional ethics are explained. The biopsychosocial developmental nature of human psychology is also described. Translating psychological science and professional ethics into behavioral health care through the use of evidence-based practice is also explained. The field has reached an exciting point in its development. For the first time in its history, health service psychology can move forward using a unified conceptual framework for education, practice, and research.
An Approach For Tuning Signal Integrity Properties Of Edge Card Connectors With Conductive Fixture In High-Speed Link Channels

A novel edge card connector design approach with tunable signal integrity (SI) properties is proposed. The tunability is achieved through the presence or absence of a grounded conductive fixture in between the connector pin rows. The main purpose of the tunability is to take an existing connector having a certain impedance intended to work in a high-speed link channel and be able to adjust the impedance of that connector for another channel requiring a different impedance. In this paper, the fixture is designed with a thin metal layer sheet expanding beneath a connector’s pins to provide tunable capacitive coupling between the signal and the ground in order to effectively drop the connector’s impedance from 100ohm to 85ohm. Additionally, it was observed that not only was the impedance tunability achieved for the assumed connector but also improvements in crosstalk and loss potentially extending the operational bandwidth of the connector to higher frequencies. The benefits of the proposed approach are verified by simulations in both frequency-domain and time-domain. A time domain eye simulation of a typical PCIe gen4 SerDes channel designed for 85ohm impedance to work at 16 Gbps shows eye opening improvements of 10.7% and 5.2%, respectively, for the eye height and the eye width when using the tuned connector with the proposed approach.