cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Value of Confrontation as a Felony Sentencing Right

This Article advocates recognition of the Sixth Amendment's Confrontation Clause as a felony sentencing right. Williams v. New York -- the most historic case on the issue of confrontation rights at felony sentencing -- held that cross-examination was not required to test the veracity of information presented at sentencing hearings. This Articles theorizes that Williams should constitute the beginning of the debate on the issue, not the end. Williams continues to exist in a world before incorporation of the Sixth Amendment's Confrontation Clause. Williams also reflects a sentencing model that assumes judicial authority to consider uncross-examined testimony for purposes of fixing the punishment. This assumption may be unwarranted in light of recent jurisprudence on founding era criminal procedure rights at felony sentencing. Moreover, the standard that applied to confrontation rights at the time of Williams has been reformed and establishes that where testimonial statements are at issue, the only indicium of reliability sufficient to satisfy constitutional demands is confrontation. While this jurisprudence has only been applied during the trial, it can be practically and efficiently applied at felony sentencing. The Sixth Amendment's other clauses give reason to value confrontation as a felony sentencing right. The structurally identical Jury Trial and Counsel Clauses have rejected the “trial-right-only” approach to Sixth Amendment rights. The Counsel Clause applies to all “critical stages” of the “criminal prosecution”, which has been ruled to include the sentencing "stage." The Court recently expanded the Jury Trial Clause to any fact that increased the statutory maximum or minimum punishment. In light of this jurisprudence and the growing importance of sentencing hearings, a framework should and can be established to distinguish between sentencing evidence that should be cross-examined and sentencing evidence that should not be cross-examined. This Article concludes that confrontation should apply if two requirements are met: one, the evidence is material to punishment; and two, where cross-examination will assist the fact-finder in assessing truth and veracity.
Radiofrequency and Neurolysis for the Treatment of Chronic Visceral Abdominal Pain

The abdominal and pelvic organs contain complex systems for neural signaling which can be targeted for pain control. Because of the nonfocal nature of chronic visceral pain, choosing the appropriate target for neurolysis may require multiple diagnostic decisions. Patients may present with visceral, somatic, or even referred pain, and a strong understanding of the neuroanatomy will allow for selection of treatments. Both the sympathetic chain and abdominal and pelvic nerves can be targeted depending on the characteristics of the pain syndrome. Various neurolytic procedures, including chemical, cryoablation, and radiofrequency ablation, are available for nerve destruction and prolonged pain relief of these structures. Selection of which modality for neurolysis depends not only on patient characteristics and concerns, but also on neuroanatomy and surrounding structures. As our understanding of neurolytic procedures improves, a focus is placed on appropriate selection of targets and neurolysis for specific visceral pain syndromes, which is discussed in this chapter.
Smoking Cessation Counseling Improves Quality of Care and Surgical Outcomes with Financial Gain for a Vascular Practice

Background Cigarette smoking is strongly associated with atherosclerotic disease. It is incumbent on vascular surgeons to provide smoking cessation counseling (SCC) to their patients. The objective of this study was to determine the association of SCC and improvement in quality of care. Methods As a quality project using retrospective data, the study received institutional review board exemption status. A retrospective review of prospectively maintained database from April 2014 through March 2015 of outpatient encounters in a vascular surgery clinic was performed of current smokers. Through the quality support team, providers were encouraged to counsel smokers to quit, document the discussion, and bill specific Evaluate and Management codes (99406 and 99407). The number of outpatients by smoking status, documentation and billing of SCC, demographics of current smokers, and monetary collections were collected. Data were compared using a correlation coefficient calculated and tested for statistical significant using two-tailed t -test. Results A sample of 1,077 visits by 612 currently smoking patients accounted for 24% of all outpatient vascular surgery visits. The average age was 61 years, and 64% were male. Comorbidities included 77% with hypertension, 32% with diabetes mellitus, and 14% with chronic kidney disease. Medically, 72% were on aspirin, 71% on statin, and 48% on beta blocker. A total of 208 (34%) never underwent a vascular intervention, and 183 (30%) had an intervention during the study period (44% for peripheral artery disease, 10% for carotid stenosis, 14% amputations, and 10% abdominal aortic aneurysm). Documentation improved from 65% of encounters during the first month to 89% in the peak month and 79% of total encounters. All-cause mortality rate was 2%, and this cohort demonstrated 75% SCC for 28 encounters. Fifty-five patients (9%) quit smoking for more than 30 days at the end of the study period, and this cohort had 69% of their 97 encounters with documented SCC. Increased SCC was correlated with decreased 30-day readmissions during the concurrent month ( r = −0.711, P = 0.009) and the following month ( r = −0.719, P = 0.008). There was a weak correlation with decreased amputations the following month ( r = −0.5, P = 0.08). From a financial perspective, $1,373 was collected for 33 patients with a potential for collection of $7,460 predicted for minimum Medicare payment of 1 visit per patient. Conclusions Advising vascular patients in the arduous process of smoking cessation benefits both the patient and the health system. Proper documentation and billing decreases costs of early readmissions and increases departmental revenue.
Cross-Validation of Two Accelerometers for Assessment of Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Preschool Children.

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to cross-validate previously developed Actiwatch (AW; Ekblom et al. 2012) and AcitGraph (AG; Sirard et al. 2005; AG-P, Pate et al. 2006) cut-point equations to categorize free-living physical activity (PA) of preschoolers using direct observation (DO) as the criterion measure. A secondary aim was to compare output from the AW and the AG from previously developed equations. Methods:Participants’ (n = 33; age = 4.4 ± 0.8 yrs; females, n=12) PA was directly observed for three 10-min periods during the preschool-day while wearing the AW (nondominant wrist) and AG (waist). Device specific cut-points were used to reduce the AW-E (Ekblom et al. 2012) and AG (AG-S, Sirard et al. 2005; AG-P, Pate et al. 2006) data into intensity categories. Spearman correlations (rsp) and agreement statistics were used to assess associations between the DO intensity categories and device data. Mixed model regression was used to identify differences in times spent in activity intensity categori...
Progress in Defining Disease: Improved Approaches and Increased Impact

In a series of recent papers, I have made three arguments about how to define "disease" and evaluate and apply possible definitions. First, I have argued that definitions should not be seen as traditional conceptual analyses, but instead as proposals about how to define and use the term "disease" in the future. Second, I have pointed out and attempted to address a challenge for dysfunction-requiring accounts of disease that I call the "line-drawing" problem: distinguishing between low-normal functioning and dysfunctioning. Finally, I have used a dysfunction-requiring approach to argue that some extremely prevalent conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and ductal carcinoma in situ, are not diseases, but instead are risk factors. Four of the papers in this issue directly engage my previous work. In this commentary, I applaud the advances these authors make, address points of disagreement, and make suggestions about where the discussion should go next.
Regenerative Fuel Cell Power Systems for Lunar and Martian Surface Exploration

This paper presents the preliminary results of a recent National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) study funded under the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Modular Power Systems (AMPS) project. This study evaluated multiple surface locations on both the Moon and Mars, with the goal of establishing a common approach towards technology development and system design for surface power systems that use Regenerative Fuel Cell (RFC) energy storage methods. One RFC design may not be applicable to all surface locations; however, AMPS seeks to find a unified architecture, or series of architectures, that leverages a single development approach to answer the technology need for RFC systems. Early system trades were performed to select the most effective fuel cell and electrolyzer architectures based on current state-of-the-art technology, whereas later trades will establish a detailed system design to enable a near-term ground (non-flight) demonstration. This paper focuses on the initial trade studies, presents the selected fuel cell and electrolyzer architectures for follow-on system design studies, and suggests areas for further technology investment.
44 single institutional experience of interrupted aortic arch repair asad khan, mohamed elrih,yamin alzain, prof mark redmond,jonathan mcguinness,lars nolke. paediatric cardiothoracic surgery unit,our lady’s children’s hospital crumlin dublin

Introduction Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare congenital heart disease and is often associated with other cardiovascular anomalies,including ventricular septal defect (VSD), truncus arteriosus,aorto-pulmonary window and various types of single ventricle.One staged repair of interrupted aortic arch (IAA) was first described by Barratt-Boyes et al.One-stage repair incorporating direct arch anastomosis was first described by Trusler in 1975.As outcomes of neonatal cardiac surgery have been improved, primary complete repair of IAA and concomitant congenital heart disease in neonatal period has been gradually applied in many institutions. Methods Retrospective chart review and data base of patients operated for interrupted aortic arch from 2007 to 2016 has been reviewed. Results 22 patients underwent interrupted aortic arch repiar between 2007 to 2016. Mean Age at the one stage repair was 5 day.Mean age at the second stage repair was 8 months.15 patients(68.1%) were female and 7 patients(31.8%) were male.Di George syndrome was associted in 9 patients(40.9%).Type B (81.9%) was the most common. Mean weight at one stage repair was 3.15 kg at one stage repair.A variety of concmmitent procedures were performed same time including VSD repair in 19 patients( 86.3%),AP window repair in one patient (4.5%),Left pulmonary artery reimplntation in one patient(4.5%) and trucus arteriosus repair in one patient (4.5%).Mean total bypass time and cross clamp time was 174 minutes and 89 minutes respectively.The mean circulatory arrest time was 28 minutes.Postoperative mean ventilatory support was 6 days.The overall mortality was one patient(4.5%). Conclusion Surgical outcomes for Interrupted aortic arch has significantly improved in last decade. One stage repair with concommitent procedures can be undertaken with good results.
Analyses of Calcified Structures: Texture and Spacing Patterns

Publisher Summary Analysis of texture and spacing patterns found in hard body parts is a well-established technique of stock separation. Newer imaging methods have greatly enhanced the approach and increased its power for stock discrimination. The interpretation of texture patterns is partly dependent on the correlation between the growth of the animal and the calcified structure to be analyzed. For example, fish scale growth and the rate of circuli deposition are related. The variation of these features throughout the species' range, as a product of both genetic and environmental influences, allows discrimination of groups with different growth patterns. Therefore, texture patterns of calcified structures relate to phenotypic stocks, which need to be defined to model population dynamics. Spacing patterns can be measured with conventional measurement techniques or with enhanced technologies such as image processing. Simple features, such as the distance from one life history transition zone to another, can be recognized visually and measured manually.
An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning

Background: Obesity and inactivity have led to an increasing number of individuals with sexual dysfunctions (43% of women; 31% of men). Small bouts of exercise can drastically improve sexual functioning. Thus, the present study is designed to examine the effects of physical fitness and self-concept on sexual functioning. Materials and Methods: Fitness assessments and questionnaires were administered to 133 participants between the ages of 18 and 50 years. Physical fitness was assessed through body composition, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Self-concept was presented as a total self-concept score and as six individual concepts of self. Sexual function was presented as both an aggregate score and five separate constructs of sexual functioning – fantasy/cognition, arousal, orgasm, behavior/experience, and drive/desire. Results: The results indicated that sexual behavior/experience was predicted by body fat percentage. In men, fantasy was related to total self-concept; sexual behavior/experience was related to likeability. In women, arousal was predicted by cardiovascular endurance. Total self-concept was related to both orgasm and sex drive/desire. Power and muscular strength were significantly related to number of sexual partners in women but not men. Conclusions: The present study adds to the growing body of evidence indicating a positive relationship between physical fitness and sexual health. Individuals with sexual dysfunctions, particularly women, who are not persuaded by the currently publicized benefits of physical activity, may be inclined to exercise to improve sexual functioning.
The Educational Situation in Water Works Engineering

ject of severe condemnation by critics of our civilization. Viewerswith-alarm point to them as signals warning of coming disaster. Nevertheless they are conditions and they are facts. They can be avoided neither by viewing-with-alarm nor by condemnation. If truly dangerous, a road to avoid them may best be found through study resulting in knowledge rather than through neglect resulting in ignorance. To be out of step, to be either ahead or behind the times is to be eccentric, impotent, ineffectual. To be of value, therefore, any discussion of the education of a water works engineer should be in tune with the times. If this be materialism then our studies must be made with the eyes of the materialist, with due consideration for such other points of view, or schools of thought, as may later affect the conditions to be met by the water works practitioner.
Lithics: Preface to second edition

The first edition of Lithics was written in 1994, with only slight modifications and additions during the review and printing phases. Over the past decade a great deal of research in lithic analysis has emerged. I like to believe that some of that research was developed in response to issues and concerns raised in the first edition. The second edition of Lithics draws upon some of the new research in an effort to update aspects of thinking about various topics and analytical procedures. Even though the structure of the book remains the same, I have embedded materials and discussion on a number of new topics not included in the first edition: minimal nodule analysis, flake tool reduction indices, microdebitage studies, and the relationship of research questions to analytical procedures. The total number of citations has increased by about a third, with most of the new materials being written after 1994. The second edition still focuses upon macroscopic approaches to analysis. However, a section on microscopic techniques of analysis dealing with artifact function has been added (thanks to the many friends who convinced me that such a section was needed). One of the things that becomes immediately apparent when gathering materials for a second edition of a book like Lithics is the shifting influences and contributions of various scholars. I acknowledge the research efforts of those individuals whom I have drawn upon in pulling this edition together.
Serve at Your Own Risk?: Service-Learning in the Promotion and Tenure Process

Pre-tenure faculty integrating service-learning into their professional roles are often uncertain about its position in the faculty reward system. This study gathered data from administrators at five institutions of higher education in Indiana to learn if and how service-learning is credited toward tenure and promotion at their institutions. The results point to the need for junior faculty members and administrators to be cautious when implementing and evaluating service-learning initiatives.
Non-Hanan Optimization for Global VLSI Interconnect

Under current Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology, tens of millions of transistors can be integrated on a single chip, and future trends show that circuit sizes will continue to increase exponentially. Under this scenario, the performance bottleneck will shift to the delays associated with the metal wires, or interconnect, used to join these transistors. In the future, as transistor feature sizes become progressively smaller, the switching speed of a transistor driving a minimum load will become faster. On the other hand, as interconnect wires become thinner and longer, the interconnect delay for global wires is projected to increase, relative to the gate delay, due to the increased wire resistance. Both trends lead interconnect delay to dominate logic delay and become a significant bottleneck in VLSI system performance [1]. As a result, many efforts have been carried out in recent years to improve the interconnect performance, and a good overview of these works is provided in [2–4].
A tactile P300 based brain computer interface system for communication in iOS devices

A Brain Computer Interface (BCI) based assistive technology device offers great reliability and access to individuals who are affected by neurodegenerative motor disabilities. As the disease progresses, individuals lose their physical and voluntary movements and only their brain signals remain active. A BCI system using an individual's electroencephalograph (EEG) signal provides a mechanism for these individuals to communicate with the external world. As most of the communication depends on the use of smartphones or tablets, an EEG based iOS communication device is presented in this study. A tactile feedback mechanism, which evokes P300 event related response is used to obtain EEG signals. This tactile or haptic feedback system comprises of three vibrational coin motors attached at the fingertips of the user. When the user concentrates on these motor vibrations, a P300 response is generated. Three P300 responses can be obtained for each of the three motors as these motors run at different revolutions per minute (rpm). The signals obtained are preprocessed, filtered, feature extracted, and given as the control signals to an Arduino. These signals are mapped to an iPhone device by enabling the Bluetooth and Switch control feature for performing various actions such as “move to previous item”, “move to next item”, and “tap”. Three experiments involving four participants were conducted to test the accuracy and reliability of the system. Our results show that a user can correctly navigate to their desired location 66.67% of the time. The system presented in this study can also be used to navigate from an iPhone's home screen to Google in approximately six minutes. The results obtained are promising for individuals who are completely paralyzed. Lastly, the proposed system can also be used to navigate third party applications, such as Sounding Board which is a commonly used assistive technology application that allows the users to select a phrase that will be heard through the iPhone's speaker.
An experimental study of the effects of prestrain on the propagation of small disturbances in neoprene filaments: Phase velocity and attenuation coefficients were calculated as functions of frequency and initial prestrain from particle-velocity records taken during the passage of a pulse in a prestretched Neoprene filament

A small disturbance was caused to propagate along a long, slender, prestrained Neoprene filament. The particle velocity of the pulse was measured at two stations along the length of the filament by means of electromagnetic transducers which operate on the Faraday principle. Particle velocity vs. time data were obtained from oscilloscope photographs of the transducer outputs for each level of prestrain from 0 percent up to 400 percent engineering strain. The two particle-velocity records for each level of prestrain were subjected to linear viscoelastic analysis which employed the use of numerical Fourier transforms of the particle-velocity records. Computer programs were written which allowed computation of the numerical transforms and from them the computation of the phase velocity and attenuation coefficients of the material over the narrow frequency bandwidth of the Fourier spectra of the particlevelocity pulses. Data analysis revealed that, at a given frequency, the phase velocity increases significantly and that the attenuation coefficient decreases significantly with an increase in prestrain level over the range of prestrains of the tests.
Clinical Momentum as One Reason Dying Patients Are Underserved in Acute Care Settings.

“Clinical momentum” refers to the curious expansion of interventions applied to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) without pause or design
Scalable Decomposition Methods for Preventive Security-Constrained Optimal Power Flow

In power system analysis, the alternating current optimal power flow (ACOPF) problem is modeled to minimize the total cost of generation while ensuring balance in the electrical network and addressing security considerations in which scenarios of partial network failure may occur. The ACOPF can be formulated as a nonconvex quadratically constrained quadratic optimization problem, which is well known to be challenging because of nonlinearity and nonconvexity. We present a decomposable reformulation of the ACOPF, in which variables are copied and linear consensus constraints are added. This decomposability is realized once the consensus constraints are relaxed, thus leading to a particular Lagrangian dual of the ACOPF. We apply a recently developed scalable dual solution approach to the ACOPF based on an augmented Lagrangian method (ALM) that integrates the proximal bundle method with the simplicial decomposition method (SDM) and a Gauss-Seidel method, called SDM-ALM, which is used to solve a primal, convexified characterization of the Lagrangian dual of the ACOPF. We provide computational results demonstrating the scalability of our dual solution approach.
Adaptation limits ecological diversification and promotes ecological tinkering during the competition for substitutable resources

Microbial communities can evade competitive exclusion by diversifying into distinct ecological niches. This spontaneous diversification often occurs amid a backdrop of directional selection on other microbial traits, where competitive exclusion would normally apply. Yet despite their empirical relevance, little is known about how diversification and directional selection combine to determine the ecological and evolutionary dynamics within a community. To address this gap, we introduce a simple, empirically motivated model of eco-evolutionary feedback based on the competition for substitutable resources. Individuals acquire heritable mutations that alter resource uptake rates, either by shifting metabolic effort between resources or by increasing the overall growth rate. While these constitutively beneficial mutations are trivially favored to invade, we show that the accumulated fitness differences can dramatically influence the ecological structure and evolutionary dynamics that emerge within the community. Competition between ecological diversification and ongoing fitness evolution leads to a state of diversification-selection balance, in which the number of extant ecotypes can be pinned below the maximum capacity of the ecosystem, while the ecotype frequencies and genealogies are constantly in flux. Interestingly, we find that fitness differences generate emergent selection pressures to shift metabolic effort toward resources with lower effective competition, even in saturated ecosystems. We argue that similar dynamical features should emerge in a wide range of models with a mixture of directional and diversifying selection.
The Social Sources of Geopolitical Power: French and British Diplomacy and the Politics of Interstate Recognition, 1689 to 1789:

Why did France influence the geopolitical system of eighteenth-century Europe more effectively than did Britain? Explanations pointing to states’ military and economic power are unable to explain t...
A Targeted Swallow Screen for the Detection of Postoperative Dysphagia in Liver Transplant Patients.

Introduction:Postoperative dysphagia leads to aspiration pneumonia, prolonged hospital stay, and is associated with increased mortality. We have demonstrated the validity of a bedside targeted swal...
Comparing income-shares and percentage-of-income child support guidelines

Abstract Child support guidelines are one of the most explicit, and consequential, public articulations of parents' obligations to their biological children. States must weigh a variety of policy tradeoffs, including issues of equity, transparency, and simplicity. Many states are shifting to “income-shares” guidelines models from “percentage-of-income” models, citing a perceived increase in equity and flexibility. Given additional complexities in implementing the income-shares model, we ask how often, and for whom, alternative guidelines yield substantially different child support orders. We use state administrative data on matched pairs of divorcing parents to simulate expected order amounts for each type of guideline. We find that, despite substantial differences in the information required to implement alternative models, for most families, adopting a different model would result in only modest changes in the amount of child support due. However, in some instances a different model would result in large changes, particularly for relatively low-income fathers.
Multimedia Field Test: Can Users Strike Out OCD With the NOCD App?

Abstract NOCD is a mobile application that was developed as an adjunct to evidence-based treatment for individuals diagnosed with OCD. NOCD is not a stand-alone treatment, but rather a resource for patients to access supported strategies outside of treatment sessions. NOCD allows users to assess OCD symptom severity, create exposure and response prevention treatment plans, participate in planned weekly out-of-session exposure exercises, receive guidance during unexpected OCD episodes, share assessment and treatment data, as well as communicate with other NOCD users in an online community. Despite some challenges with initial set-up and inflexibility with varying OCD presentations, we believe this application has strong potential to enhance treatment for patients with OCD. At present, NOCD has not been adequately evaluated in a controlled manner. Although quite promising, research is now needed to examine the extent to which NOCD indeed improves engagement and clinical outcomes relative to traditional evidence-based treatment options.
Lowering dietary cation-anion difference increases sow blood and milk calcium concentrations

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding an acidogenic diet with a low dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) on acid-base balance, blood, milk, and urine Ca concentrations of sows during lactation. A total of 30 multiparous sows (parity: 4.5 ± 2.9, Smithfield Premium Genetic, Rose Hill, NC) were allotted to 1 of 2 dietary treatments: CON (control diets were corn-soybean meal based with a calculated DCAD of 170 and 226 mEq/kg during late gestation and lactation, respectively) or ACI (acidogenic diets had a DCAD 100 mEq/kg lower than the control diets). The lower DCAD was achieved by the addition of an acidogenic mineral. The DCAD was calculated as mEq (Na + K - Cl)/kg diet. Sows had a daily access to 2-kg feed from day 94 of gestation to parturition and ad libitum access to feed during lactation. Blood and urine pH and Ca, serum macrominerals, serum biochemistry, Ca-regulating hormones, and milk composition were measured. Sows in ACI had a lower (P < 0.05) blood pH than sows in CON at day 1 of lactation. Sows in ACI had a lower (P < 0.05) urine pH at day 108 of gestation, days 1, 9, and 18 of lactation compared with sows in CON. Sows in ACI had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of serum total Ca at days 1 and 18 of lactation than sows in CON. There was a greater (P < 0.05) concentration of colostrum Ca in ACI than in CON. There was no difference in urine Ca concentration between treatments during lactation. Concentrations of parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were not different between treatments at either day 1 or 18 of lactation. Sows in ACI tended to have a smaller (P = 0.086) concentration of total alkaline phosphatase in serum at day 18 of lactation compared with sows in CON. At day 1 of lactation, the concentration of serum Cl in ACI was greater (P < 0.05) than that in CON. Feed intake, BW loss, and litter performance were not different between treatments. Collectively, feeding an acidogenic diet with a low DCAD to sows can induce a mild metabolic acidosis at farrowing, reduce the urine pH consistently, and increase serum total Ca and colostrum Ca concentrations during lactation but without altering the parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol levels during lactation.
The American way of war in Africa: the case of Niger

Increasing attention paid to US casualties in far-flung places such as Tongo Tongo, Niger, and headlines claiming ‘secret wars’ have fueled discussion about American military’s involvement in Afric...
Plasma matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs and aging and lifelong exercise adaptations in ventricular and arterial stiffness

Abstract The age-associated increase in cardiac and central arterial stiffness is attenuated with lifelong (>25 years) endurance exercise in a dose-dependent manner. Remodelling of the extracellular matrix of cardiovascular structures may underpin these lifelong exercise adaptations in structural stiffness. The primary aim was to examine whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) levels are associated with aging and lifelong exercise-related changes in cardiac and central arterial stiffness. Plasma MMPs and TIMPs, left ventricular (LV) (LV stiffness constant) and central arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity) were examined in healthy adults stratified into five groups based on age and lifelong weekly exercise frequency: (1) young sedentary adults (28–50 years), and older adults (>60 years) who had performed either: (a) sedentary (0–1 sessions/week), (b) casual (2–3 sessions/week), (c) committed (4–5 sessions/week) or (d) athletic (≥6 sessions/week) frequency of exercise. MMP-1 was significantly lower in young compared to older sedentary (p = 0.049). Except for TIMP-2 (p = 0.018 versus committed) and the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-4 (p = 0.047 versus committed), MMP and TIMP expression was not significantly different in lifelong exercise groups (≥casual) compared to the older sedentary group. MMP-1, -3 had a weak positive relationship with central PWV (r = 0.17–0.25, p ≤ 0.050) but there were no significant relationships between MMPs or TIMPs and LV stiffness constant (p ≥ 0.148). In conclusion, there was not a clear or consistent difference in plasma MMPs and TIMPs with lifelong exercise dose despite exhibiting lower cardiovascular stiffness at the highest exercise levels.
Cities in the urban age: a dissent

Cities in the urban age: a dissent is thematically big and intellectually stimulating. The prose are efficient, crisp, elegant, honest and clear – all hallmarks of the kind of style we typically as...
Correlation of p16 Expression on Cancer and Stromal Cells With Clinicopathologic and Immunohistochemical Features of Lobular Breast Carcinoma.

Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts, play a central role in the tumor-stroma interaction and promote tumorigenesis. However, it is still unclear how these processes are regulated. The aim of this study is to investigate p16 expression in cancer and stromal cells of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Design Clinicopathologic parameters and immunohistochemical stains for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor, E-cadherin, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 of 70 ILC cases were retrieved. In addition, immunohistochemical were performed for p53, p16, and cyclin D1. The p16 expression in cancer and stromal cells were correlated with different clinicopathologic parameters. Results Of the 70 cases, 8 cases were p16- cancer and stromal cells, 14 cases p16- cancer and p16+ stromal cells, 14 cases p16+ cancer and p16- stromal cells, and 34 cases p16+ cancer and stromal cells. Thirty-one of the 59 cases showed axillary lymph node metastases. Nodal involvement, recurrence, and metastasis of ILC with p16+ cancer cells and p16- stromal cells were more frequent compared with other groups. ILC with p16+ cancer and p16- stromal cells were frequently negative for ER, progesterone receptor, and cyclin D1, p53 positive and triple negative compared with other groups. There was no recurrence and metastasis in ILC with p16- cancer and p16+ stromal cells. ILC with p16+ cancer and stromal cells were significantly node negative and were positive for ER and cyclin D1 compared with other groups. Conclusions ILC with p16+ cancer and p16- stromal cells were characterized by frequent nodal involvement, recurrence, and metastatic propensity. These results suggest that p16, has novel anticancer properties capable of suppressing cancer cell migration and invasion and pharmacologic restoration of p16 level in stromal fibroblasts may be exploited as therapeutic strategy to prevent nodal or distant metastasis.
Predicting the impact of biochar on the saturated hydraulic conductivity of natural and engineered media.

Abstract If biochar is applied to soil or stormwater treatment media, the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) may be altered, which is a critical property affecting media performance. While a significant number of studies document biochar's effect on a porous medium's K, predictive models are lacking. Herein models are advanced for predicting K for repacked natural soil and engineered media when amended with biochar of various particle sizes and application rates. Experiments were conducted using three repacked natural soils, two uniform sands, and a bioretention medium amended with a wood biochar sieved to seven different biochar particle size distributions and applied at three rates. Experimental measurements showed a strong positive correlation between the interporosity of each medium and K. Across all media, the classic Kozeny-Carman (K–C) model predicted K and the relative change in K because of biochar amendment for each medium best. For soils alone, a recently developed model based on existing pedotransfer functions was optimal. The K–C model error was improved if the particle specific surface area was increased for large biochar particles, which indicates the importance of biochar particle shape on pore structure and K. X-ray Computed Tomography was coupled with pore network modeling to explain the unexpected decrease in K for sands amended with medium and large biochar. While biochar increased interporosity, mean pore radii decreased by ~25% which reduced K. The X-ray measurements and pore network modeling help to explain anomalous results reported for biochar-amended sands in other studies.
Articulatory and acoustic characteristics of the Korean and English word-final laterals produced by Korean female learners of American English

English [ɫ] exhibits retracted tongue dorsum and low F2 frequencies compared to Korean [l], but is frequently asserted to be perceptually similar to Korean [l] and therefore difficult for Korean learners to acquire due to articulatory transfer. This study examines the articulatory and acoustic characteristics of Korean and English word-final laterals produced by Korean learners. Korean learners' productions of English [ɫ] were systematically different from Korean [l], with retracted tongue dorsum and low F2 similar to L1 English [ɫ]. The findings suggest Korean learners form a distinct phonetic category for English [ɫ] rather than modifying an existing Korean category.
In situ TEM measurement of activation volume in ultrafine grained gold.

A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) based technique is demonstrated for in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements of stress relaxation with simultaneous observation of the underlying plastic deformation processes. True activation volumes are determined from repeated stress relaxation transients and thus provide a signature parameter of the governing mechanisms of plastic deformation. The technique is demonstrated with 100 nm-thick ultrafine-grained gold microspecimens under uniaxial tension. True activation volumes of approximately 3–5b3 (where b is the Burgers vector length) are obtained for tensile stresses ranging from 200–450 MPa. Grain boundary-dislocation interactions are observed via in situ TEM during stress relaxation measurements. The miniaturization of stress relaxation tests inside the TEM provides unique opportunities to characterize the plastic kinetics and underlying mechanisms in ultrafine-grained and nanocrystalline materials.
The Competency Continuum on Teamwork and Team Leadership: Aligning Law School Curriculum with Law Firm Needs

Law firms and legal departments include teamwork and team leadership skills in their competency models and 30% of law schools have included teamwork in their learning outcomes, but there has been no effort to create a continuum that aligns law student development of teamwork skills with the competency models of law firms. This article provides a model for this continuum for law schools and law firms.
Doing archaeology outside of the trench: Energizing museum “Diaspora” collections for research

Abstract Excavated artifacts and field notes from archaeological excavations are often stored in museums for research and display. Many of these old collections were transferred from their home countries to distant museums from the late 19th to the first half of the 20th century through academic expeditions, inter-museum exchanges, and commercial deals. This paper offers a heuristic tool to generate and examine archaeological research questions that address the sociocultural lives of ancient people utilizing the strength of existing museum collections. Methodologically, it is necessary to select artifacts that are diagnostic on surface appearance and that can be linked, as a “diaspora” collection, to the “original” dataset in their homeland. Diaspora artifacts are those that were unearthed in a homeland site that is far away from the museums where they are currently stored. As such, the site or at least the specific region of their origin needs to be firmly established. Once the diaspora collection is embedded within its homeland dataset, this facilitates development of meaningful research questions and leads to solid archaeological research despite the lack of detailed excavation information. A case study to exemplify this approach is drawn from Jōmon-period pottery data originally excavated near Tokyo and currently stored in the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Penn Museum), Philadelphia. This methodology leads to a conclusion that certain types of special pots in Late Jōmon were used as containers for botanical insect repellent and indoor fragrance.
Functional properties of dairy phospholipid gels.

ABSTRACT In this study dairy phospholipid (PL) gels were made using 3 different concentrations of PL (15%, 30%, and 45%) and soybean oil to determine the gel-forming ability and functional traits that dairy PL have. After 24 h of storage the visual stability, crystal morphology, solid fat content, melting behavior, viscosity, and oil binding capacity of the gels were evaluated. All samples showed visual stability, whereas polarized light microscopy showed that high concentrations of PL reduced PL mobility, preventing tubular micelles from forming at high concentrations of PL (45%). Solid fat content increased with an increase in PL concentration. The melting enthalpy increased as the concentration of PL increased. The viscosity was assessed at 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 1/s shear rates. A significant difference was observed between the 45% PL samples and the other samples at low and intermediate shear, but at high shear levels, a significant difference was only seen between the 15% PL sample and the other samples. The oil binding capacity showed a significant difference between the 45% PL sample and the other 2 samples. This study shows that dairy PL can be added to a vegetable oil to produce semi-solid material with appropriate functional properties.
To Failure and Back - How Law Rescued Me from the Depths

This Article considers some of the reasons that attorneys have an overly acute sense of frustration in their chosen profession. It also takes a periodic look at some of the same struggles that I went through as a member of the accounting profession. Ironically, while some attorneys look at their journey through law as their ticket to the depths of professional hell, it was my own journey through law that ultimately rescued me from my own professional hell. Next, this Article examines some career-changing (and life-altering) decisions, which can ultimately lead to a more rewarding life and career. Finally, I offer my own opinion regarding what one can do to make one’s experience - in law school and in a career - rewarding.
The use of blood and blood products in aortic surgery is associated with adverse outcomes.

Abstract Objective To report long-term outcomes after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) with or without perioperative blood or blood products. Methods All patients who underwent proximal aortic surgery with DHCA from 2011 to 2018 were propensity matched according to baseline characteristics. Primary outcomes included short- and long-term mortality. Stratified Cox regression analysis was performed for significant associations with survival. Results A total of 824 patients underwent aortic replacement requiring circulatory arrest. After matching, there were 224 patients in each arm (transfusion and no transfusion). All baseline characteristics were well matched, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) Conclusions In patients who underwent aortic surgery with DHCA, perioperative transfusions were associated with poor outcomes despite matching for preoperative baseline characteristics.
Three-dimensional nonlinear mixed 6-DOF beam element for thin-walled members

Abstract This paper presents a three-dimensional mixed beam element formulation for fully nonlinear distributed plasticity analysis of members composed of sections with no significant torsional warping such as steel angles and tees. This formulation is presented using a corotational total Lagrangian approach and implemented in the OpenSees corotational framework. In this context, a basic coordinate system is lined up with the element chord and translates and rotates as the element deforms. The element tangent stiffness matrix and resisting forces in the basic system are derived through linearization of the two-field Hellinger-Reissner variational principle. The displacement shape functions are cubic Hermitian functions for the transverse displacements and a linear shape function for the axial and torsional deformation. The generalized stress resultant shape functions are linear for moments and constant for axial force and torque with the P - δ effect considered, which are developed from equilibrium equations. The fiber section method with uniaxial constitutive laws is adopted to account for material nonlinearity. Since the degrees-of-freedom in the basic system are defined with respect to different reference points, all element responses are transformed to acting about the shear center before conducting the corotational transformation. The mixed element is validated through a number of experimental and numerical examples.
The effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure on female menstrual cyclicity and reproductive health in rhesus macaques

Objective To determine the dose-dependent effect of contemporary marijuana exposure on female menstrual cyclicity and reproductive endocrine physiology in a nonhuman primate model. Design Research animal study. Setting Research institute environment. Animals Adult female rhesus macaques (6–12 years of age; n = 8). Intervention(s) Daily delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) edible at medically and recreationally relevant contemporary doses. Main Outcome Measure(s) Menstrual cycle length (MCL), anti-Mullerian hormone, prolactin, basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Result(s) The average before THC weight was 6.9 kg (standard deviation, 0.8), and at the highest THC dosing, the average weight was 7.2 kg (standard deviation, 0.8). With increasing THC dosing, MCL and FSH concentrations increased, while basal E2 concentration was stable. The average MCL concentration increased 4.0 days for each mg/7 kg/day of THC (95% CI, 1.4–6.6 days). Follicle-stimulating hormone concentration increased significantly with increasing THC dose, 0.34 ng/mL for each mg/7 kg/day of THC (95% CI, 0.14–0.57 ng/mL). No significant trends were observed between THC dosing and average basal progesterone, anti-Mullerian hormone, prolactin, LH, or thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations. Conclusion(s) In rhesus macaques, a dose response toward increased MCL and basal FSH concentrations but plateau of basal E2 and LH concentrations was observed with increasing THC dosing, suggesting ovulatory dysfunction. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of a longer duration of exposure and whether the significant increase in MCL and FSH concentrations results in reduced fecundity.
TRP channels: Intestinal bloating TRiPs up pathogen avoidance

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are expressed in many nonneural tissues where their functions are not well known. Using C. elegans as a model, a new study demonstrated that colonization of the Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria E. faecalis in the intestine causes intestinal distention. Two TRPM channels sense such intestinal distension to trigger fast pathogen avoidance behavior, thereby limiting pathogen infection. This work signifies the novel role of TRP channels in gut physiology and pathogen defense.
Parkes Weber Syndrome with Lymphedema Caused by a Somatic KRAS Variant.

Parkes Weber syndrome is a vascular malformation overgrowth condition typically involving the legs. Its main features are diffuse arteriovenous fistulas and enlargement of the limb. The condition has been associated with pathogenic germline variants in RASA1 and EPHB4. We report two individuals with Parkes Weber syndrome of the leg and primary lymphedema containing a somatic KRAS variant (NM_004985.5:c.35G>A; p.Gly12Asp). KRAS variants, which cause somatic intracranial and extracranial arteriovenous malformations, also result in Parkes Weber syndrome with lymphatic malformations.