cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angiographic severity does not correlate with fractional flow reserve in heavily calcified coronary arteries.

Objectives To determine the relationship between severity of stenosis and hemodynamic significance in calcified coronary arteries. Background Severity of stenosis is widely used to determine the need for revascularization but the effect of lesion calcification on hemodynamic significance is not well understood. Methods Two hundred consecutive patients undergoing fractional flow reserve (FFR) testing of an intermediate coronary lesion with a pressure wire and intravenous infusion of adenosine were studied. Coronary calcium was quantified based upon radiopacities at the site of the stenosis on cineangiography using the method of Mintz et al. (0 = none or mild calcium, 1 = moderate calcium, 2 = severe calcium). Results Mean age was 61 ± 11 years, 66% were males, 87.5% had hypertension, 44.5% had diabetes, and 20.5% were current smokers. The mean coronary stenosis by quantitative coronary angiography was 60 ± 12% and the mean FFR was 0.83 ± 0.08. There were 109, 45, and 46 patients classified as Calcium Score of 0, 1, or 2, respectively. Compared to those with no/mild or moderate calcification, patients with severe coronary calcium were older and more likely to have chronic kidney disease and pulmonary disease. The correlation between angiographic severity and FFR decreased as lesion calcification increased [calcium score = 0 (R2 = 0.25, P < 0.005); calcium score = 1 (R2 = 0.11, P < 0.005); calcium score = 2 (R2 = 0.02, P = 0.35)]. Conclusions In patients with heavily calcified coronary lesions, there was no association between angiographic stenosis and hemodynamic significance and FFR is needed to determine hemodynamic significance of intermediate lesions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative Accuracy of 17 Point-of-Care Glucose Meters

Background:The accuracy of point-of-care blood glucose (BG) meters is important for the detection of dysglycemia, calculation of insulin doses, and the calibration of continuous glucose monitors. T...
Higher infliximab trough levels are associated with perianal fistula healing in patients with Crohn's disease

SummaryBackground Infliximab has been found to be efficacious in the treatment of fistulas in the setting of Crohn's disease, even though some patients do not benefit from therapy. Aim To assess the correlation between perianal fistula healing and trough levels of infliximab. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we identified patients with Crohn's disease who had perianal fistulas and were treated with infliximab for at least 24 weeks. We excluded patients who underwent a faecal diversion procedure or proctectomy. Predictive variables included demographics, disease phenotype, disease activity, infliximab levels, anti-infliximab antibodies. The primary outcome was fistula healing defined as the absence of drainage. The secondary outcome was complete fistula closure and mucosal healing. Results 117 patients were included. Patients with fistula healing had significantly higher median serum infliximab levels when compared to those with active fistulas [15.8 vs. 4.4 μg/mL, respectively (P < 0.0001)]. There was an incremental gain in fistula healing with higher infliximab levels. The AUC for the association between fistula healing and infliximab levels was 0.82 (P < 0.0001), while the AUC for the association of infliximab levels and fistula closure was 0.69 (P = 0.014). Patients with anti-infliximab antibodies had a lower chance of achieving fistula healing (OR: 0.04 [95%CI: 0.005–0.3], P < 0.001). Conclusions There is a significant association between serum infliximab levels and rates of fistula healing. Achieving infliximab levels ≥10.1 mcg/mL in patients with Crohn's disease and perianal fistulas may improve outcomes as part of a treat-to-target strategy.
ECMO Support in Lung Transplantation: A Contemporary Analysis of Hospital Charges in the United States.

Background There is little in the literature pertaining to cost associated with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in lung transplantation. We sought to evaluate charges associated with the index hospitalization among recipients of a lung transplant who required ECMO to identify factors that increase hospital charges in these patients. Methods With the use of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we reviewed data pertaining to patients who received a lung transplant between 2000 and 2011 and stratified them into ECMO and non-ECMO groups based on use of ECMO. Regression modeling was used to identify differences in charges. Results Data pertaining to 15,596 recipients of a lung transplant were evaluated, 658 (4.2%) of whom required ECMO. ECMO recipients were more likely to have a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (3.5% versus 1.3%, p = 0.007) or pulmonary hypertension (PH) (9.1% versus 3.0%, p p p = 0.001) higher charges. Median charges for recipients of a lung transplant who required ECMO were $780,391.50 versus $324,279.80 for non-ECMO recipients of a lung transplant and were 50.3% (95% CI: 33.0% to 67.5%, p p = 0.028) higher than privately insured recipients of a lung transplant. Black recipients had approximately 34.2% (95% CI: 3.2% to 65.0%, p = 0.030) higher charges. The ECMO group had longer median length of stay (LOS) (25 versus 15 days, p Conclusions Recipients of a lung transplant who required ECMO support had longer LOS and higher hospital charges, specifically among black recipients, recipients with PH, and Medicare enrollees.
Written and Oral in Islamic Law: Documentary Evidence and Non-Muslims in Moroccan Shari‘a Courts

This article begins from the premise that the margins can shine light on the center, and uses the experience of Jews (thought of as marginal in the Islamic world) in Moroccan courts (similarly thought of as marginal in Islamic history) to tell a new story about orality and writing in Islamic law. Using archival evidence from nineteenth-century Morocco, I argue that, contrary to the prevailing historiography, written evidence was central to procedure in Moroccan shari‘a courts. Records of nineteenth-century lawsuits between Jews and Muslims show that not only were notarized documents regularly submitted in court, but they could outweigh oral testimony, traditionally thought of as the gold standard of evidence in Islam. The evidentiary practices of Moroccan shari‘a courts are supported by the jurisprudential literature of the Mālikī school of Sunni Islam, the only one prevalent in Morocco. These findings have particular relevance for the experience of non-Muslims in Islamic legal institutions. Scholars have generally assumed that Jews and Christians faced serious restrictions in their ability to present evidence in shari‘a courts, since they could not testify orally against Muslims. However, in Morocco Jews had equal access to notarized documents, and thus stood on a playing field that, theoretically at least, was level with their Muslim neighbors. More broadly, I explore ways in which old assumptions about the relationship of the written to the oral continue to pervade our understanding of Islamic law, and call for an approach that breaks down the dichotomy between writing and orality.
Water quality function of an extensive vegetated roof

In this paper we present the results of a four-year study of water quality in runoff from an extensive, sedum covered, vegetated roof on an urban commercial building. Monitoring commenced seven months after the roof was constructed, with the first growing season. Stormwater drainage quality function of the vegetated roof was compared to a conventional (impermeable, high-albedo) membrane roof in addition to paired measurements of wet and bulk depositions at the study site. We present concentrations and fluxes of nutrients and major solutes. We discuss seasonal and year-to-year variation in water quality of drainage from the vegetated roof and how it compares with atmospheric deposition and drainage from the impermeable roof. Drainage waters from the vegetated roof exhibited a high concentration of nutrients compared to atmospheric deposition, particularly during the warm temperature growing season. However, nutrient losses were generally low because of the strong retention of water by the vegetated roof. There was marked variation in the retention of nutrients by season due to variations in concentrations in drainage from the vegetated roof. The vegetated roof was a sink of nitrogen, total phosphorus and chloride, and a source of phosphate and dissolved inorganic and organic carbon. Chloride exhibited elevated inputs and leaching during the winter. The drainage from the vegetated and impermeable roofs met the United States Environmental Protection Agency freshwater standards for all parameters, except for total phosphorus.
Change in skeletal muscle stiffness after running competition is dependent on both running distance and recovery time: a pilot study

Long-distance running competitions impose a large amount of mechanical loading and strain leading to muscle edema and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Damage to various muscle fibers, metabolic impairments and fatigue have been linked to explain how DOMS impairs muscle function. Disruptions of muscle fiber during DOMS exacerbated by exercise have been shown to change muscle mechanical properties. The objective of this study is to quantify changes in mechanical properties of different muscles in the thigh and lower leg as function of running distance and time after competition. A custom implementation of Focused Comb-Push Ultrasound Shear Elastography (F-CUSE) method was used to evaluate shear modulus in runners before and after a race. Twenty-two healthy individuals (age: 23 ± 5 years) were recruited using convenience sampling and split into three race categories: short distance (nine subjects, 3-5 miles), middle distance (10 subjects, 10-13 miles), and long distance (three subjects, 26+ miles). Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) measurements were taken on both legs of each subject on the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), soleus, lateral gastrocnemius (LG), medial gastrocnemius (MG), biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles. For statistical analyses, a linear mixed model was used, with recovery time and running distance as fixed variables, while shear modulus was used as the dependent variable. Recovery time had a significant effect on the soleus (p = 0.05), while running distance had considerable effect on the biceps femoris (p = 0.02), vastus lateralis (p < 0.01) and semitendinosus muscles (p = 0.02). Sixty-seven percent of muscles exhibited a decreasing stiffness trend from before competition to immediately after competition. The preliminary results suggest that SWE could potentially be used to quantify changes of muscle mechanical properties as a way for measuring recovery procedures for runners.
Investigating Cumulative Marijuana Use and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Middle Age With Longitudinal Data

The authors discuss the article "Cumulative lifetime marijuana use and incident cardiovascular disease in middle age: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study" by J.P. Reis in the April 2017 issue. They mention a flaw in the methodology used in the study regarding the reporting of marijuana use.
Analysis of Regional Ground Motion Variations for Engineering Application

An important question for many ground motion hazard analyses is the degree to which ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) developed for one region may have bias for a different region. A closely related problem is the applicability of multi-regional GMPEs to a particular region, even if that region contributed some fraction of the database. It is well known that ground motions show distinct characteristics for stable continental regions, subduction zones, and active tectonic regions with shallow crustal earthquakes. Here I consider variations among active regions with shallow crustal earthquakes. For such regions having sufficient data that meaningful comparisons are possible, I review four approaches for evaluating regional variations: (1) direct comparisons of medians from GMPEs; (2) analysis of variance; (3) overall goodness of fit metrics; and (4) verification of specific GMPE attributes relative to regional data. For engineering application, the objective of the comparison should be to evaluate whether median predictions show statistically similar trends with respect to magnitude-scaling, distance-scaling, and site effects across the range of magnitudes and distances controlling the seismic hazard, as well as consistent standard deviation terms.
The T cell marker RT6 in a rat model of autoimmune diabetes.

The RT6 alloantigenic system of the rat was discovered in the 1970s. It was originally designated Pta, AgF, A.R.T.-2, and RTLy-2 by the laboratories involved in its characterization. Exchange of reagents demonstrated that these laboratories had identified the same system, and the official designation RT6 was assigned in 1982 (1).
Reanalyzing final consonant extrametricality

Many languages, including Norwegian, exhibit CVC weight asymmetry, where CVC is heavy but behaves as light word-finally. This asymmetry is proposed to be motivated by facts of phonetic length and human perception. A production experiment in Norwegian shows a parallel proportional increase for the rimes of heavy syllables across positions. A theory of weight is advanced in which a syllable shape in a given position is only heavy if it is, on average, sufficiently proportionally longer than the rime of a CV syllable in the same position. While a CVC syllable reaches this proportional increase threshold non-finally, it fails to do so word-finally. Final lengthening affects word-final syllables, causing there to be a smaller proportional increase between the rime of a final CV and final CVC. A further study finds perception to behave as predicted; that is, larger raw increases are needed to reach a sufficient length for word final syllables to be categorized as heavy. The proportional increase theory of weight provides a phonetically and perceptually motivated explanation for CVC weight asymmetry.
Cement composition and sulfate attack: Part I

Four cements were used to address the effect of tricalcium silicate content of cement on external sulfate attack in sodium sulfate solution. The selected cements had similar fineness and Bogue-calculated tricalcium aluminate content but variable tricalcium silicates. Durability was assessed using linear expansion and compressive strength. Phases associated with deterioration were examined using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Mineralogical phase content of the as-received cements was studied by X-ray diffraction using two methods: internal standard and Rietveld analysis. The results indicate that phase content of cements determined by X-ray mineralogical analysis correlates better with the mortar performance in sulfate environment than Bogue content. Additionally, it was found that in cements containing triclacium aluminate only in the cubic form, the observed deterioration is affected by tricalcium silicate content. Morphological similarities between hydration products of high tricalcium aluminate and high tricalcium silicate cements exposed to sodium sulfate environment were also observed.
Artificial Intelligence: Combinatorial Search

Combinatorial search is the study of computer algorithms designed to solve problems by systematic trial-and-error exploration of possible solutions. Problem-solving tasks include single-agent path-finding problems, such as the Fifteen Puzzle, two-player games, such as chess, and constraint-satisfaction problems, such as the Eight-Queens problem.
Low-Temperature Thermodynamics of the | Δ | ≥ 1 Heisenberg-Ising Ring

We use the equations proposed by Gaudin for the free energy of the Heisenberg-Ising ring for $|\ensuremath{\Delta}|\ensuremath{\ge}1$ to obtain the first temperature-dependent term in a systematic low-temperature expansion of the free energy.
It's Lonely at the Top: Adolescent Students' Peer-perceived Popularity and Self-perceived Social Contentment.

Popularity is highly desired among youth, often more so than academic achievement or friendship. Recent evidence suggests being known as “popular” among peers (perceived popularity) may be more detrimental during adolescence than being widely well-liked (sociometric popularity). Thus, this study sought to better understand how two dimensions of popularity (perceived and sociometric) may contribute to adolescents’ own perceptions of satisfaction and happiness regarding their social life at school, and hypothesized that “being popular” would have a more complex (and curvilinear) association with adolescents’ social contentment than previously considered by linear models. Adolescents’ peer popularity and self-perceived social contentment were examined as both linear and curvilinear associations along each status continuum in a series of hierarchical regressions. Participants were 767 7th-grade students from two middle schools in the Midwest (52% female, 46% White, 45% African American). Perceived and sociometric popularity were assessed via peer nominations (“most popular” and “liked the most”, respectively). Self-reported social satisfaction, best friendship quality, social self-concept, and school belonging were assessed as aspects of social contentment. The results indicated that both high and low levels of perceived popularity, as well as high and low levels of sociometric popularity, predicted lower perceptions of social satisfaction, poorer best friendship quality, and lower social self-concept than youth with moderate levels of either status. Implications to promote adolescents’ psychosocial well-being by targeting popularity’s disproportionate desirability among youth are discussed.
Individual and Population Comparisons of Surgery and Radiotherapy Outcomes in Prostate Cancer Using Bayesian Multistate Models.

Importance Whether surgery or radiotherapy is the preferred treatment for patients with localized prostate cancer continues to be debated, and randomized clinical trials cannot yet fully address this question. Furthermore, there may be heterogeneity in responses, and the optimal treatment for a patient will depend on his clinical and tumor characteristics. Objectives To use a unified statistical approach to compare the association of surgery and radiotherapy with both metastatic clinical failure (CF) and survival in localized prostate cancer and to develop an online calculator for individualized, treatment-specific outcome prediction. Design, Setting, and Participants Cohort study for statistical analysis and development of individualized predictions using Bayesian multistate models that jointly consider both CF and survival and adjust for confounding factors. This study used data from patients treated at the University of Michigan between January 1, 1996, and July 1, 2013, with detailed information on treatment, patient and tumor characteristics, and outcomes. Primary analyses were performed in 2017 and 2018. Participants were a cohort of 4544 patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing primary treatment. Exposures Radical prostatectomy and external beam radiotherapy. Main Outcomes and Measures The clinical outcomes were metastatic CF, death after CF, and death from other causes. The adjustment factors were age, prostate gland volume, prostate-specific antigen level, comorbidities, Gleason score, perineural invasion, cT category, race, and treatment year. An online calculator was developed to estimate risks for multiple outcomes for any patient based on 2 treatment choices and on his clinical and tumor characteristics. Results Among 4544 men (mean [SD] age, 61.2 [8.0] years), 3769 underwent radical prostatectomy, 775 received external beam radiotherapy, 157 (3.5%) had CF, 90 (2.0%) died after CF, and 378 (8.3%) died of other causes. Across all patients, there was no significant difference in risk of CF for surgery vs radiotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.52-1.23). However, using multistate models, in some cases individualized predictions resulted in different expected outcomes between surgery and radiotherapy for a given patient. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, after adjustment for measured confounders, the hazard of CF was similar between treatments on average. However, these data indicate a greater oncologic benefit for some individual patients if treated with surgery and for other patients if treated with radiotherapy. Individualized predictions provide a novel approach to facilitate treatment decision making.
Diverted versus undiverted restorative proctocolectomy for chronic ulcerative colitis: an analysis of long-term outcomes after pouch leak short title: outcomes after pouch leak

The safety of undiverted restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) is debated. This study compares long-term outcomes after pouch leak in diverted and undiverted RPC patients. Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained registry from a single surgical practice. One-stage and staged procedures with an undiverted pouch were considered undiverted pouches; all others were considered diverted pouches. The outcomes measured were pouch excision and long-term diversion defined as the need for loop ileostomy at 200 weeks after pouch creation. Regression models were used to compare outcomes. There were 317 diverted and 670 undiverted pouches, of which 378 were one-stage procedures. Pouch leaks occurred in 135 patients, 92 (13.7%) after undiverted, and 43 (13.6%) after diverted pouches. Eighty-six (64%) leaks were diagnosed within 6 months of pouch creation. Undiverted patients underwent more emergent procedures within 30 days of pouch creation (p < 0.01). Pouch excision occurred in 14 (33%) diverted patients and 13 (14%) undiverted patients (p = 0.01). Thirteen (32%) diverted patients and 18 (21%) undiverted patients (p = 0.17) had ileostomies at 200 weeks after surgery. In multivariable analyses, diverted patients had a higher risk of pouch excision (HR 3.67 p < 0.01), but similar rates of ileostomy at 200 weeks (HR 1.8, p = 0.19) compared to undiverted patients. Despite a likely selection bias in which “healthier” patients undergo an undiverted pouch, our data suggest that diversion does not prevent pouch excision and the need for long-term diversion after pouch leak. These findings suggest that undiverted RPC is a safe procedure in appropriately selected patients.
Engaging Medical Students in Leadership Development

Leadership development plays a critical role in preparing collaborative, systems-based physicians. Medical schools across the globe have dedicated significant effort towards programming for medical student leadership development. Students report a variety of existing leadership opportunities, ranging from formal didactics to leadership positions within the community. Students identify lack of time, funding, and the hierarchy of medicine as significant barriers for engaging in leadership opportunities. Students favor a formal leadership curriculum coupled with hands-on opportunities to practice leadership skills. In order to train medical students to be engaged physician leaders, it is imperative to foster practical opportunities for leadership development.
Discovery of a novel small molecular peptide that disrupts helix 34 of bacterial ribosomal RNA

Despite the advances in modern medicine, antibiotic resistance is a persistent and growing threat to the world. Thus, the discovery and development of novel antibiotics have become crucial to combat multi-drug resistant pathogens. The goal of our research is to discover a small molecular peptide that can disrupt the synthesis of new ribosomes. Using the phage display technique, we have discovered a 7-mer peptide that binds to the second strand of 16S h34 RNA with a dissociation constant in the low micromolar range. Binding of the peptide alters RNA structure and inhibits the binding of the ribosomal RNA small subunit methyltransferase C (RsmC) enzyme that methylates the exocyclic amine of G1207. The addition of this peptide also increases the lag phase of bacterial growth. Introduction of chemical modifications to increase the binding affinity of the peptide to RNA, its uptake and stability can further improve the efficacy of the peptide as an antibiotic agent against pathogenic bacteria.
Compact and efficient elastocaloric heat pumps—Is there a path forward?

Elastocaloric cooling holds promise for energy-efficient heat pumping near room temperature with low environmental impact. Its adoption is, however, impeded by disproportionally large sizes of actuators compared with the active material volume. Taking magnetocaloric cooling as the baseline, the value of no more than 10:1 actuator volume to active material volume should lead to both size- and cost-effective solutions that may potentially be competitive with vapor-compression devices. With the goal to establish performance metrics that can lead to informed actuator selection for specific regenerator requirements, we analyze a wide range of elastocaloric materials and actuator technologies to find the best matches. We find that actuation with magnetic shape memory alloys meets all requirements; however, this technology is currently in early developmental stages and such actuators are not widely commercially available. Another promising and easily accessible option is standard rotary electric motors in combination with rotary-to-linear transduction mechanisms. A theoretical analysis of two case studies of elastocaloric systems using rotary electric motors with a Scotch yoke mechanism demonstrates the usefulness of our approach. Actuator requirements are based on two different regenerator configurations: one starting from zero strain without any mechanical energy recovery and another with 2% pre-strain and mechanical energy recovery to reduce the power and torque required from the motor. Our results indicate that the 10:1 target actuator to active material volume ratio can be met and feasibly lowered further, demonstrating that the proposed method for selecting actuators makes compact and efficient elastocaloric systems possible.
Cu-catalyzed hydroxycyclopropanol ring-opening cyclization to tetrahydrofurans and tetrahydropyrans: short total syntheses of hyperiones.

Tetrahydrofurans (THFs) and tetrahydropyrans (THPs) are important core scaffolds frequently found in many molecules of medicinal importance. Herein, we report a novel copper-catalyzed hydroxycyclopropanol ring-opening cyclization methodology to synthesize di- or tri-substituted THFs and THPs. In this reaction, a strained C–C bond was cleaved and a new Csp3–O bond was formed to produce the aforementioned O-heterocycles. The new THF synthesis features a broad substrate scope, scalability, and good functional-group tolerability. It enabled us to complete the shortest enantioselective syntheses of hyperiones A and B (3 and 4 steps, respectively), which is significantly shorter than the previously reported two total syntheses (≥10 steps).
Innate Immune Regulation of Dermatitis.

Dermatitis encompasses a spectrum of inflammatory skin disorders with aberrant immune responses classified as type 1, type 2, and/or type 3. Major advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) have shed new light on how innate immune responses critically regulate type 2 inflammation and itch. This article highlights the diverse ways by which type 2 immune cells regulate diseases beyond AD. The discovery of human Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 on mast cells has revealed novel T cell-independent and immunoglobulin E-independent mechanisms of allergic contact dermatitis-associated and urticarial itch, respectively.
Latent tuberculosis infection among patients with and without type-2 diabetes mellitus: results from a hospital case-control study in Atlanta.

The purpose of this study is to compare the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) among patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to healthy controls without T2DM. To achieve this objective, we conducted a case-control study in a large hospital in Atlanta from 2016 to 2019. We enrolled 98 cases; 119 potential controls were screened, 84 of which had HbA1c ≥ 5.7% and one did not have QFT result, leaving 34 (28.6%) individuals enrolled as controls. LTBI prevalence was 9.2% among cases and 14.7% among controls (crude odds ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.19–2.04). After adjusting for age and sex, the adjusted odds of LTBI among patients with T2DM was 0.45 (95% CI 0.13, 1.71) times the controls. We did not observe a statistically significant association between LTBI and T2DM. However, we reported a positive correlation between HbA1c level and nil count among individuals with LTBI (R2 = 0.55, p < 0.01). In addition, we reported a high prevalence of LTBI among adults with T2DM and family members without T2DM.
Using On-Farm Monitoring of Ergovaline and Tall Fescue Composition for Horse Pasture Management.

Central Kentucky horse pastures contain significant populations of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea (Schreb.) Dumort) infected with an endophyte (Epichloe coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) Bacon and Schardl) known to produce several ergot alkaloids, with ergovaline in the highest concentration. While most classes of horses are not adversely affected by average levels of ergovaline in pastures, late term pregnant mares have a low tolerance to ergovaline and the related ergot alkaloids. Endophyte-infected tall fescue has been known to cause prolonged gestation, thickened placenta, dystocia, agalactia, and foal and mare mortality. The University of Kentucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program utilizes ergovaline and endophyte testing, as well as pasture species composition, to calculate ergovaline in the total diet in broodmare pastures. This data is used to develop detailed management recommendations for individual pastures. Application of these recommendations has led to reduced tall fescue toxicity symptoms on these farms, as well as improved pasture management and improved forage quality and quantity.
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME: STATE CRIMINALITY AND THE LIMITS OF SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

Over the past thirty years, social learning theory has emerged as one of the top criminological theories of the time. Capitalizing on Edwin Sutherland’s differential association theory, social learning theory provided the means for a quantitative assessment of Sutherland’s propositions. Advanced largely by Ronald Akers, the vast majority of research conducted on social learning theory has been limited to self-report studies of adolescents and college students, largely due to convenience. The limitations of the methods developed to empirically test social learning theory combined with the difficulty of gaining access to people in positions of power, has been the primary impediment to testing the theory’s applicability to state and corporate criminality. In contrast to social learning theory, Sutherland established the relevance of differential association to studying white-collar crimes early on by examining the law violations of corporate executives and CEOs. Yet social learning theory has lost this focus on crimes of the powerful, due in part to methodological restrictions. One suggestion for overcoming this limitation is to begin incorporating qualitative methods and data sources such as autobiographical, biographical and journalistic accounts to more thoroughly investigate the social learning process involved in state and corporate crimes. If a theory claims to be truly comprehensive, as Akers claims social learning theory is, then it must prove itself applicable to all populations, different types of criminal and delinquent behavior as well as more diverse methodologies. If it cannot, then it must be abandoned in favor of more versatile theories of criminal behavior which can adequately account for crimes in the street as well as crimes in the suite.
Development of a technical sales course in the engineering technology curriculum

In a recent survey of electrical engineering technology students at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA, over 5% of the respondents were in technical sales. The number of job listings each week in major metropolitan newspapers for sales are greater than virtually any other technical discipline. However, the education for this area in most technical programs has relied on one of two methods. Either the student has received hands-on experience after graduation, or has taken a marketing course where some brief description of selling occurs. An understanding of selling is important even if a student does not intend to enter the technical sales field. Ideas and projects need to be "sold" within a company. In addition, students must "sell" themselves when they first graduate and try to find employment.
Ion-Selective Electrodes: Fundamentals

This article begins with an introduction to ion-selective electrodes (ISEs). The classification protocol based on the most recent International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recommendations is given. The historical development of ISEs is summarized, starting with the pH electrode. For the inorganic cations and anions, a periodic table “time-line” is given. Recent history has seen the rise of polymer membrane ISEs, which are important in clinical analysis. The historical section concludes with a brief look at these ISEs. The general theory of the potential generation process is explained, and then aspects of the potential generation process that are specific for the different classes of ISEs. A short review of the instrumentation needed to make the measurements is given, followed by an overview of the latest commercially available instrumentation. One aspect of ISE research is the development of selective probes for determining the analyte content of individual cells. This requires miniaturization, and this has been achieved by the development of microelectrode ISEs. An overview of this area is given. Finally, some recent developments that represent the directions of research in the ISE field are given. Included are the development of sensors for patient monitoring, the development of ISE sensor arrays, and the development of more sophisticated electronic and mathematical methods of data analysis.
Advances in Environmental Psychology.

When Plenum stopped publishing its edited series—Human Behavior and Environment and Advances in Environment, Behavior and Design—the field of environmental psychology suffered a loss. Scholars could go to one of the edited Plenum books to find state-of-the-art reviews on existing and emerging areas of research. [...]
Surgical outcomes of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy

• Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has emerged as a viable technique for nephron-sparing surgery. • In this article, we review the outcomes of RAPN in its current iteration, with attention to operative, oncological, and functional outcomes. In addition, we highlight techniques that may serve to enhance outcomes.
Causes and Explanations: A Structural-Model Approach: Part 1: Causes

We propose a new definition of actual causes, using structural equations to model counterfactuals. We show that the definition yields a plausible and elegant account of causation that handles well examples which have caused problems for other definitions and resolves major difficulties in the traditional account.
Relationship of plasma phencyclidine levels to phencyclidine discrimination in the pigeon

Abstract Plasma phencyclidin levels were determined in pigeons trained to discriminate 1.5 mg/kg phencyclidine from saline under a second-order schedule using a color-tracking procedure. With both cumulative and non-cumulative dosing procedures, pigeons reliably discriminated plasma phencyclidine levels above 200 ng/ml. When the time course of phencyclidine discrimination was determined and compared with the time course phencyclidine levels in plasma in a different group of birds, a similar relationship between discrimination and plasma phencyclidine was generally observed. Plasma phencyclidine levels did not correlate well with position responding observed in some birds after lower phencyclidine doses.
Spatial Optimization of Thermal Conductivity to Enable Precise Fluid Heating and/or Cooling

We consider a fluid flowing within a microchannel embedded in a long bar or strip. If the thermal conductivity of this bar is varied spatially in exactly the right way, the moving fluid can be subjected to arbitrary heating and/or cooling, simply by holding two opposing edges of the bar at different temperatures. With this concept in mind, the objective of this study was to develop a rigorous procedure to identify the pattern of thermal conductivity needed to achieve any particular heating/cooling profile. It is relatively straightforward to fabricate such a bar using laminated composite materials, whose precisely graded composition is comprised of comb-like metal structures embedded within polymeric layers. Within certain practical limits, one can thereby obtain relatively steep (>100C/mm) heating and cooling gradients, which makes it possible to cycle over a relatively wide range of temperatures (>100C) over a relatively short length scale (<10mm). When the desired temperature profile is known, the task at hand is the determination of the required model geometry. This inverse problem can be solved by embedding an inner loop of thermofluidic analysis within an outer loop of numerical optimization. Given a reasonable starting guess, one can move iteratively towards a comb geometry that can better match the desired temperature profile. Of practical value, the starting guess can have far fewer degrees-of-freedom than the optimal solution. In this particular study, the inner loop was performed using finite element methods (i.e., COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2), and the outer loop was implemented using SQP constrained optimization (i.e., MATLAB R2011).Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Biogenic calcite structures forming in Lake Fryxell, Antarctica

Stromatolites are organosedimentary structures produced by microorganisms which have been used extensively in the interpretation of Precambrian and, to a lesser extent, Phanerozoic history1–5. Modern stromatolites are generally restricted to hot springs or warm, hypersaline and/or alkaline aquatic environments3. Recently, however, we documented6 the presence of modern stromatolites in several cold, perennially ice-covered Antarctic dry valley lakes. Here, we report a finding in Lake Fryxell, Antarctica, of biogenic calcite structures not observed in our previous study of other Antarctic lakes. These structures were laminated, indurate, unbranched, and had either a vertical or horizontal orientation. We infer that these calcite structures are biogenic in origin, and hence stromatolitic based on the following evidence: (1) the presence of an actively metabolizing algal mat on their surface; and (2) an internal composition of filamentous blue-green algal cell wall fragments, diatom frustules and calcite crystals.
The Recognition and Cognitive Utilization of Oppositionality

This research series begins in the theoretical view that human cognition rests in part upon implicit oppositionality. Four experiments are presented, each of which builds on some aspect of the recognition and utilization of oppositionality. Experiment I (34 females, 46 males, in cross-validation) finds that subjects recognize antonymy as readily as synonymy in comparison with a control condition (p<.001). Experiment II demonstrates that subjects rely upon oppositionality to solve a problem as readily as on primacy/recency considerations (p<.001). Experiment III (27 males, 27 females) finds that a subject's ability to recognize the opposite meaning of sentences that have been exposed earlier increases with practice (p<.05). Experiment IV (10 females, 11 males) demonstrates that subjects who are given the set to look for either opposite or nonopposite sentence meanings can make oppositional decisions with equal or greater speed than nonoppositional decisions (p<.001). Implications for psycholinguistic theories are discussed.
Control of voice pitch by the deaf: An Experiment Using a Visible Pitch Device

A visible pitch device was constructed around certain components of the Grason-Stadler 1200 series modular programming equipment. Using this device, 60 profoundly and very severely deaf children were given a pitch matching task involving the generation of fundamental voice frequencies at 3 different levels. The performance of the children was generally poor, very few of them having the necessary voluntary control of pitch. Performance was in vestigated in relation to other factors. Age appeared to be a significant factor in that older children performed better than younger ones, but no relation emerged between performance on the pitch matching task and sex, hearing loss, habitual pitch or speech intelligibility.
Theory Versus Experiment for the Rotordynamic Impedances of Two Hole-Pattern-Stator Gas Annular Seals

Measured rotordynamic impedances are presented for two hole-pattern-stator seals and one smooth bore seal. These measured results are compared to predictions from a two-control-volume model and realized in the code ISOTSEAL (constant-temperature seal code). The hole-pattern seals have cell depths of 2.03 mm and 3.18 mm with a cell diameter of 1.59 mm. The hole-area density factor for both hole-pattern seals is 43 percent. The seal diameter is 114.71 mm with an L/D ratio of 0.75. Measured results for radial impedances and leakage were obtained. Test conditions involved three speeds out to 20,200 rpm, three inlet pressures out to 17.2 bar, and two exit-to-inlet pressure ratios of 40 percent and 54 percent. As predicted, the hole-pattern seals exhibit frequency-dependent rotordynamic coefficients K(Ω). k(Ω). C(Ω). c(Ω). Results of the tests show that the 3.18 mm hole-pattern seal has the highest average effective stiffness and lowest effective damping. Direct and effective stiffness were under-predicted in all cases; how-ever, measured direct and effective damping are reasonably well predicted. Impedance predictions improve with increasing pressure ratio. Comparisons of leakage correlate extremely well with predictions; worse case deviations never exceed 10 percent. Results show that leakage decreases as cell depth increases. Results also show that the exit temperature increases substantially with increasing rotational speed.
Sensitivity analysis of HIV infection response to treatment via stochastic modeling

This work focuses on the analysis of HIV infection dynamics during the initial stages of infection when the viral load is low and random fluctuations may have a significant effect on the dynamics of the disease. Deterministic models that describe the expected progress of the infection cannot be employed to predict the probability of infection establishment at the primary stage. Consequently, stochastic simulations are used to determine the probability of successful infection in an average patient. A stochastic model based on Gillespie's algorithm is derived which includes mutant species and employed to determine the sensitivity of HIV infection to different treatment strategies such as single therapy and combination therapy with various efficacy values. The effect of treatment latency on virus clearance probability is also investigated.
Phosphorylation of Rat Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Its Model Peptides In Vitro by Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase

The enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase catalyzes the first step in the biosynthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Tyrosine hydroxylase is a substrate for cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase as well as other protein ki- nases. We determined the K, and V,,, of rat pheochromo- cytoma tyrosine hydroxylase for cyclic AMP-dependent pro- tein kinase and obtained values of 136 pLM and 7.1 pmol/ min/mg of catalytic subunit, respectively. These values were not appreciably affected by the substrates for tyrosine hy- droxylase (tyrosine and tetrahydrobiopterin) or by feedback inhibitors (dopamine and norepinephrine). The high K, of tyrosine hydroxylase correlates with the high content of ty- rosine hydroxylase in catecholaminergic cells. We also de- termined the kinetic constants for peptides modeled after actual or potential tyrosine hydrox ylase phosphorylation sites. We found that the best substrates for cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase were those peptides corresponding to seine 40. Tyrosine hydroxylase (36-46), for example, exhibited a K, of 108 pM and a V,,, of 6.93 pmol/min/mg of catalytic subunit. The next best substrate was the peptide correspond- ing to serine 153. The peptide containing the sequence con- forming to serine I9 was a very poor substrate, and that con- forming to serine 172 was not phosphorylated to any signif- icant extent. The primary structure of the actual or potential phosphorylation sites is sufficient to explain the substrate behavior of the native enzyme. Key Words: Tyrosine hy- droxylase-Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase-Protein serine kinases-Substrate specificity-Pyruvate kinase-6- Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase. Ros- koski R. Jr. and Ritchie P. Phosphorylation of rat tyrosine hydroxylase and its model peptides in vitro by cyclic AMP- dependent protein kinase. J. Neurochem. 56, 1019-1023
Equine bronchial epithelial cells differentiate into ciliated and mucus producing cells in vitro

We describe a method for creating differentiated equine bronchial epithelial cell cultures that can be used for in vitro studies including airway disease mechanisms and pathogen-host interactions. Our method is based on the culturing of human tracheobronchial epithelial cells at an air-liquid interface (ALI) in specific serum-free, hormone-supplemented medium. Bronchial epithelial cells are isolated and grown on T-Clear® insert membranes. Within 2 to 3 wk, cells differentiate into ciliated and mucus producing cells as demonstrated by confocal and electron microscopy. Furthermore, the demonstration of the two major gel-forming mucin species, Muc5ac and Muc5b, in our bronchial epithelial cell culture system validates this method for studies of respiratory tract disease of the horse.
“A new kind of fear”: Jean Baudrillard's neo‐Durkheimian theory of mass‐mediated suicide

The classical Durkheimian understanding of violence has been significantly augmented in recent decades by a neo-Durkheimian analysis of the dual nature of the sacred and mass-mediated ritual. A good deal of the post-1970s thought of Jean Baudrillard, including his controversial writings on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, was centrally concerned with the ways in which the media shape the social experience of violence. In this chapter I argue that his theoretical reconceptualisation of the meaning of suicide, which can reasonably be described as Durkheimian in its essentials, offers a useful tool for making sense of the fascination exerted on viewers by some mediated acts of self-destructive violence.
The Water Budget of the Kuparuk River Basin, Alaska*

A water budget study that considers precipitation, river runoff, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture for the Kuparuk River basin on the North Slope of Alaska is presented. Numerical simulations of hydrologic processes using the NASA Catchment-based Land Surface Model are conducted for the period 1991–2001 and provide the partitioning of the observed precipitation input (292 mm yr 1 ) onto the basin into river discharge (169 mm yr 1 ), evapotranspiration (127 mm yr 1 ), and an increase in soil moisture (1 mm yr 1 ). Discharge attains its annual peak during snowmelt and disposes 58% of the annual precipitation. Evapotranspiration contributes another 43% to the water budget and is mainly associated with warm summertime conditions and a snow-free surface. Combined, surface-snow and blowing-snow sublimation contribute only 5% of the total annual evaporative fluxes. Soil moisture recharge is associated with snowmelt during spring and rainfall during late summer and early fall, whereas soil drying accompanies high evapotranspiration rates during summer. An analysis of interannual variability in the water budget shows that warm, dry years favor a relatively more intense response of river discharge and evapotranspiration to the precipitation input, whereas cool, wet years tend to augment soil moisture.