cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preinjury Use of Marijuana and Outcomes in Trauma Patients

Abstract Background Recent studies have examined the effects of marijuana in various populations; however, there has been limited research on the effect of marijuana use in severely injured trauma patients. We hypothesized that preinjury use of marijuana would be associated with improved outcomes in severely injured trauma patients. Methods All adult (18+ y) level I and level II trauma activations who presented to two large regional trauma centers between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)- indicated absence of drugs confirmed by testing and as THC + confirmed THC without another drug present. Results Of the 4849 patients included, 1373 (28.3%) were THC+. The THC + cohort was younger, had more males, and was more likely to be injured by penetrating mechanism (P Conclusions Although preinjury use of marijuana does not improve survival in trauma patients, it may provide some improvement in outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury and those that are more severely injured (Injury Severity Score ≥16). The mechanism behind this finding needs further evaluation.
Catalyst Property Effects on Product Distribution during the Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin Pyrolysis Vapors over MoO3/γ-Al2O3

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of three model compounds (i.e., anisole, 4-propylphenol, and 2-butanone) and real lignin pyrolysis vapors was investigated at 673 K and ∼1.7 bar of H2 over a series of MoO3...
Downsides of Corporate Political Connections: Evidence from Mass Shootings

This paper studies the negative impacts of corporate political connections on firm outcomes. Employing 20 years of mass shootings, I find that when mass shootings take place, companies that primarily support gun-rights politicians experience negative stock price reactions and worse operating performance. Depending on the number of fatalities in a mass shooting, one-week cumulative abnormal returns are about 1% to 2.5% lower for these firms. The operating performance of these firms also shows a substantial decline after mass shootings. The decline lasts for at least one year. After mass shootings, firms significantly reduce corporate political donations to gun-rights politicians. Further tests suggest that damage to corporate reputations rather than loss of corporate political connections to gun-rights politicians explain the findings.
The Trouble With City of Boerne, and Why It Matters for the Voting Rights Act

The Supreme Court's test for the constitutionality of state action and its test for the constitutionality of congressional legislation enforcing the Fourteenth Amendment are out of synch with one another. When a plaintiff challenges state action under the Fourteenth Amendment, the degree of scrutiny varies with the type of claim. Racial classifications, for -example, are examined under strict scrutiny. Most classifications, such as disability, age, or socioeconomic status, are examined on a rational basis. When Congress acts pursuant to its Section 5 powers under the Fourteenth Amendment to protect rights, however, the Court has no corresponding spectrum of degrees of scrutiny. In this Lecture, I argue that the Court should adopt the "mirror image" spectrum of scrutiny for congressional enactments pursuant to its Section 5 powers. For example, if Congress seeks to protect people from age discrimination or discrimination based on disability by permitting individuals to sue states without their consent in federal court, the plaintiff should have to show that he or she actually suffered a constitutional violation in the case at bar. If Congress seeks to protect people from race discrimination, the plaintiff should have to show only that there is a rational, means---end relationship between the congressional remedy and the targeted discrimination. Applying this test to the Fifteenth Amendment, which prohibits race discrimination in voting, the courts should apply rational, means---end scrutiny to statutes such as the Voting Rights Act, including the preclearance condition that is presently before the Court in Shelby County v. Holder.
Association between Physical Activity and Sport Participation on Hemoglobin A1c Among Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.

Purpose: To determine associations between physical activity (PA) and sport participation on HbA1c levels in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Method: Pediatric patients with T1D were invited to complete a PA and sport participation survey. Data were linked to their medical records for demographic characteristics, diabetes treatment and monitoring plans, and HbA1c levels. Results: Participants consisted of 71 females and 81 males, were 13 ± 3 years old with an average HbA1c level of 8.75 ± 1.81. Children accumulating 60 min of activity 3 days or more a week had significantly lower HbA1c compared to those who accumulated less than 3 days (p < 0.01) of 60 min of activity. However, there was no significant difference in HbA1c values based on sport participation groups. A multiple linear regression model indicated that PA, race, age, duration of diagnosis, and CGM use all significantly predicted HbA1c (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the significant relationship between daily PA and HbA1c. Those in this sample presented with lower HbA1c values even if accumulating less than the recommended number of days of activity. Further, it was shown that sport participation alone may not be adequate enough to impact HbA1c in a similar manner.
Indole-Containing Amidinohydrazones as Nonpeptide, Dual RXFP3/4 Agonists: Synthesis, Structure-Activity Relationship, and Molecular Modeling Studies.

The central relaxin-3/RXFP3 system plays important roles in stress responses, feeding, and motivation for reward. However, exploration of its therapeutic applications has been hampered by the lack of small molecule ligands and the cross-activation of RXFP1 in the brain and RXFP4 in the periphery. Herein, we report the first structure-activity relationship studies of a series of novel nonpeptide amidinohydrazone-based agonists, which were characterized by RXFP3 functional and radioligand binding assays. Several potent and efficacious RXFP3 agonists (e.g., 10d) were identified with EC50 values 100-fold selectivity for RXFP3/4 over RXFP1. In vitro ADME and pharmacokinetic assessments revealed that the amidinohydrazone derivatives may have limited brain permeability. Collectively, our findings provide the basis for further optimization of lead compounds to develop a suitable agonist to probe RXFP3 functions in the brain.
Genetic Association Study of Cognitive Performance (P6.209)

OBJECTIVE: In a prospective cohort of 704 Hispanics, we sought to investigate the association between 13 candidate genes and cognitive performance. BACKGROUND: Focusing on individuals of Western European origin, previous genetic studies have demonstrated that cognition is highly heritable and impacted by many genes. DESIGN/METHODS: The Northern Manhattan Study contains a subgroup of 704 stroke-free Hispanics (mean age 69), who were genotyped using the AffyMetrix Genome-Wide Human single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Array 6.0. Participants underwent a baseline neuropsychological evaluation. Test scores were Z-transformed and grouped into four factor analysis-derived domains: executive function, episodic memory, semantic memory, and processing speed. Linear regression analyses were performed between each SNP and cognitive domain after adjusting for age, sex, years of education, testing language, insurance status, and ancestry (top two principal components from Eigenstrat). Fully adjusted linear regression analyses were also performed to see if the SNPs were effect modifiers of age-related variability in cognitive performance. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted models, accounting for SNPs in linkage disequilibrium and applying a modified Bonferonni correction (P<0.00028), we found no significant association between the genes, AKT1, ALDH5A1, BDNF, CCKAR, DTNBP1, FGF23, HTR2A, IL1B, KL, METTL23, REST, SNAP25, and SORL1, and the domains of cognition. We found a significant interaction on episodic memory between age and two SNPs in high linkage disequilibrium (Rsq=0.85 and D9=0.99), rs2101756 (β=0.046, P=1.1E-05) and rs985421 (β=0.040, P=5.08E-05), located in SORL1. While independently adjusting for rs2101756 and rs985421, age had a significant detrimental impact on episodic memory (β=-0.043, P=6.8E-30 and β=-0.043, P=5.24E-29, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: SORL1 encodes an apolipoprotein E receptor, and influences cognitive decline. Decreased expression of SORL1 has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Our data support SNPs rs2101756 and rs985421 as possible moderators of age-related episodic memory decline. Study Supported by: NINDS R37 NS029993, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, ACMG Foundation Disclosure: Dr. Katz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stern has received personal compensation for activities with Elan, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Cephalon, and GalaxoSmithKlein as a consultant. Dr. Wright has received royalty payments from UpToDate. Dr. Blanton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sacco has received personal compensation for activities with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals.
Effective Synaptic Currents Generated in Cat Spinal Motoneurones by Activating Descending and Peripheral Afferent Fibres

Understanding how synaptic inputs from segmental and descending systems shape motor output from the spinal cord requires detailed descriptions of the relative magnitudes of the synaptic currents produced by the different systems and their pattern of distribution within a motoneurone pool (Burke, 1981; Heckman & Binder, 1990). Knowledge of how distinct synaptic inputs interact when they are activated concurrently and quantitative expressions for how synaptic currents are transduced into spike trains by motoneurones are equally important.
Case-control study of risk factors and outcomes associated with neonatal candidiasis

Background: Invasive candidiasis is a late-onset sepsis that occurs in infants in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Our study aimed to evaluate the risk factors and outcomes associated with neonatal candidiasis. Methods: A case-control retrospective study was conducted at Miller Children's Hospital from January 1990 to December 2008. Cases were matched to controls by birth weight category, birth date and gestational age. Results: A total of 161 neonates, 103 cases and 58 controls, were included. Demographics such as age, sex, weight and underlying disease were similar between groups. Mean time to infection was 38 days from NICU admission. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that congenital heart disease (odds ratio (OR), 6.35; 95% CI 1.75-23.03, p = 0.005), total parenteral nutrition (OR, 42.97; 95% CI 3.35-550.55, p = 0.004) and abdominal surgery (OR, 6.35; 95% CI 1.75-23.03, p = 0.005) were independently associated with neonatal candidiasis. Mean NICU stay was longer and more patients died in the case group vs. control groups (103 ± 63 vs. 66 ± 27 days, p 38 days. Presumptive antifungal therapy should be initiated promptly and antifungal prophylaxis should be considered in these infants.
Decentralized control of coupled nonlinear dynamic systems with application to quadruple-tank process

This paper presents a novel method of control system design for nonlinear interconnected large-scale systems. Conventional control design techniques often involve linearization of the system model with respect to an operating state, which may lead to incorrect control performance for systems that are highly nonlinear and interconnected. In this paper, a decentralized control design consisting of a PI controller with constant feedback gains is considered. Then a nonlinear optimal control method based on integral minimum principle of Pontryagin is developed. In this method, the controller performance is defined using a standard quadratic cost function, and the control law is defined using the PI structure with constant feedback gain. The effectiveness of the developed control scheme shows that the controller is capable of maintaining the desired water level in the four tanks.
CRITICALITY SAFETY OF GEOLOGIC DISPOSAL FOR HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES

A review has been made for the previous studies on safety of a geologic repository for high-level radioactive wastes (HLW) related to autocatalytic criticality phenomena with positive reactivity feedback. Neutronic studies on geometric and materials configuration consisting of rock, water and thermally fissile materials and the radionuclide migration and accumulation studies were performed previously for the Yucca Mountain Repository and a hypothetical water-saturated repository for vitrified HLW. In either case, it was concluded that it would be highly unlikely for an autocatalytic criticality event to happen at a geologic repository. Remaining scenarios can be avoided by careful selection of a repository site, engineered-barrier design and conditioning of solidified HLW. Thus, criticality safety should be properly addressed in regulations and site selection criteria. The models developed for radiological safety assessment to obtain conservatively overestimated exposure dose rates to the public may not be used directly for the criticality safety assessment, where accumulated fissile materials mass needs to be conservatively overestimated. The models for criticality safety also require more careful treatment of geometry and heterogeneity in transport paths because a minimum critical mass is sensitive to geometry of fissile materials accumulation.
Behavioral Finance and Economics Back to the Basics: Adam Smith, the Behavioralist!

This draft presentation shares with the readers a critical and historical truth about the fast-emerging field of Behavioral Finance & Economics. The fact that the roots of Behavioral Finance & Economics can be easily traced back to the founding of Capitalism and Free Enterprise System and specifically to Adam Smith and his “other book”, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (TMS). Sentiments, which was first published in 1759, went through six revisions in Smith’s lifetime; including the last revision in 1790, the year of his death. For comparison, Wealth of Nations was published in 1776. I am certainly not the first to make such a claim as a 2010 JBF&E article by Vernon Smith and a 2005 JPE writing by Ashraf, Camerer, and Loewenstein made similar observations and Smith went even further and developed some testable propositions.
Mid-term outcomes following endovascular re-intervention for iliac artery in-stent restenosis

Objectives We sought to evaluate the procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes of endovascular repair for iliac artery (IA) in-stent restenosis (ISR).
Are tensor decomposition solutions unique? on the Global convergence HOSVD and parafac algorithms

Matrix factorizations and tensor decompositions are now widely used in machine learning and data mining. They decompose input matrix and tensor data into matrix factors by optimizing a least square objective function using iterative updating algorithms, e.g. HOSVD (High Order Singular Value Decomposition) and ParaFac (Parallel Factors). One fundamental problem of these algorithms remains unsolved: are the solutions found by these algorithms global optimal? Surprisingly, we provide a positive answer for HSOVD and negative answer for ParaFac by combining theoretical analysis and experimental evidence. Our discoveries of this intrinsic property of HOSVD assure us that in real world applications HOSVD provides repeatable and reliable results.
Importance of Tobacco Cessation Services at Higher Education Public Institutions in Texas.

While rates of tobacco use on university campuses rose over the past decade, little is known about what institutions are doing to address this rising concern. Health center directors at public institutions of higher education across the state of Texas were surveyed (n = 42) regarding the perceived importance of smoking cessation, prevalence of interventions on their campuses, and perceived success of intervening efforts. While most health center directors regarded smoking cessation as important, over half of the directors indicated that their sites did not offer tobacco cessation services of any kind. Furthermore, of those offering smoking cessation, most believed that their smoking cessation programs were only somewhat or not at all effective. Findings revealed that there is a noticeable gap between perceived importance and actual implementation of smoking cessation programs within university-based health centers. Recommendations include implementing innovative cessation methods, such as those that are Web-based and highly accessible to students.
Engagement with Social Media Platforms via Mobile Apps for Improving Quality of Personal Health Management: A Healthcare Analytics Case Study

Patient engagement in self health and wellness management has been identified as an important goal in improving health outcomes. As a result, the use of mobile and social media for health and wellness promotion is gathering considerable momentum. Several early adopting health plans and provider organizations have begun to design and pilot social and mobile media platforms to empower members to enhance self management of health and wellness goals. Based on a member survey of a large health plan in Pennsylvania, the authors identify factors that are significantly associated with member interest in adopting such technology platforms for obtaining health related information and services. Analysis of relevant data from more than 4,000 responses from health plan members indicate significant effects of several factors such as age, gender, general health condition including presence of chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, level of computer and social media usage and frequency of engaging in different online activities such as banking, shopping, and emailing. This analysis allows us to identify important consumer segments that are correlated with professed willingness to use applications and programs offered by the health plan. Besides, the authors also develop statistical models to predict people's odds of adopting health-related mobile apps and identify the significant predictors thereof. The authors anticipate that these insights can assist health plans to develop and deploy targeted services and tools through integration of mobile and social media platforms for health and wellness management.
Is there a world mode of production? A comment

I would like to discuss an emerging picture of world order I have called globology, which simply means the science of the global or world-system [1]. If sociology is the science of social systems, then globology is the science of the global or world-system. Today we are somewhere between sociology and globology. Although we are increasingly concerned with structure and process at the world level, we still conceive of these global realities in essentially societal terms. One of the clearest examples of this is the popular conception of the world economy as a core-per iphery division of labor [2]. Here the fundamental units are high wage, capital intensive, developed countries specializing in manufactures the core and low wage, labor intensive, underdeveloped countries usually, but not always, specializing in raw materials for export the periphery. From this point of view the substance of world economic order is thought to reside in the flow of these commodities between core and peripheral states, constituting an unequal exchange which is understood to be the principal mechanism creating and perpetuating unequal world development. At the level of the world economy as a whole, unequal exchange relations represent our present understanding of distinctly world social relations. This, though, is only a partial picture of the world economy, and most importantly leaves out the question of the distinctly world class relations which make this very division of labor physically possible. My point here is the same one sociology made about the utilitarian conception of the division of labor during the 19th century; namely, human interaction and a resultant division of labor does not create social order, rather social order precedes and creates the division of labor, whether that be Durkheim's pre-contractural understandings, Weber's cultural basis of economic motives, or Marx's class relations. In each case some a priori social reality is posited as preceding the division of labor and making its very existence possible. I wish to make the same point about our present idea of a world division of labor, for it too is preceded by a priori social relations which make it possible. These are social relations of production which exist on a world scale and have so far been largely absent from the writings of the major
CURRENT SEX STEREOTYPES OF 25 OCCUPATIONS

To investigate current sex stereotyping of various occupations, a list of 25 occupations was given to 89 male and 73 female college students. Results indicate that certain occupations are still considered as “male” or “female” occupations. These findings suggest progress must still be made in changing traditional societal attitudes toward women entering several occupations.
Electroremediation of Naphthalene in Aqueous Solution Using Alternating and Direct Currents

The key objectives of this study were to evaluate the use of an alternating current (AC) for the degradation of naphthalene in spiked aqueous solutions and to investigate the effect of current density on the degradation rates of naphthalene. Direct current (DC) was also used to compare the rates of degradation. Sodium chloride (NaCl) and anhydrous sodium sulfate ( Na2 SO4 ) were used as the supporting electrolytes. Degradation rates and byproducts formed were investigated when DC and AC were separately passed through naphthalene solutions. A square wave AC, having a frequency equal to 0.1 Hz was used. Naphthalene solutions having an initial concentration of about 20 mg∕L (∼0.15 mM) were subjected to an AC peak current density and DC density of 6 mA∕ cm2 , using NaCl as the supporting electrolyte. An approximate 65% reduction in the concentration of naphthalene was observed after a period of 48 h when DC was applied. Degradation was almost 100% when the AC was applied during the 48-h period. The effect of ...
Fuzzy post-retirement financial concepts: an exploratory study

This article presents preliminary observations from a study that investigates and models the fuzziness inherent in post-retirement financial concepts. The focus is on how fuzzy post-retirement concepts can be conceptualized and represented, and the goal is to give the reader a sense of the issues involved. The study begins with a brief overview of the conceptual aspects of fuzzy logic that are used in this article. This is followed by a description of the context of the study. We turn then to the conceptualization of some common fuzzy post-retirement concepts, and their related issues. The article ends with a comment on the scope of the study.
Assessment of Drought due to Historic Climate Variability and Projected Future Climate Change in the Midwestern United States

Understanding the occurrence and variability of drought events in historic and projected future climate is essential to managing natural resources and setting policy. The Midwest region is a key contributor in corn and soybean production, and the occurrence of droughts may affect both quantity and quality of these crops. Soil moisture observations play an essential role in understanding the severity and persistence of drought. Considering the scarcity of the long-term soil moisture datasets, soil moisture observations in Illinois have been one of the best datasets for studies of soil moisture. In the present study, the authors use the existing observational dataset and then reconstruct long-term historic time series (1916‐2007) of soil moisture data using a land surface model to study the effects of historic climate variability and projected future climate change on regional-scale (Illinois and Indiana) drought. The objectives of this study are to (i) estimate changes and trends associated with climate variables in historic climate variability (1916‐2007) and in projected future climate change (2009‐99) and (ii) identify regional-scale droughts and associated severity, areal extent, and temporal extent under historic and projected future climate using reconstructed soil moisture data and gridded climatology for the period 1916‐2007 using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model. The authors reconstructed the soil moisture for a long-term (1916‐2007) historic time series using the VIC model, which was calibrated for monthly streamflow and soil moisture at eight U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge stations and Illinois Climate Network’s (ICN) soil moisture stations, respectively, and then it was evaluated for soil moisture, persistence of soil moisture, and soil temperature and heat fluxes. After calibration and evaluation, the VIC model was implemented for historic (1916‐2007) and projected future climate (2009‐99) periods across the study domain. The nonparametric Mann‐Kendall test was used to estimate trends using the gridded climatology of precipitation and air temperature variables. Trends were also estimated for annual anomalies of soil moisture variables, snow water equivalent, and total runoff using a long-term time series of the historic period. Results indicate that precipitation, minimum air temperature, total column soil moisture, and runoff have experienced upward trends, whereas maximum air temperature, frozen soil moisture, and snow water equivalent experienced downward trends. Furthermore, the decreasing trends were significant for the frozen soil moisture in the study domain. The results demonstrate that retrospective drought periods and their severity were reconstructed using model-simulated data. Results also indicate that the study region is experiencing reduced extreme and exceptional droughts with lesser areal extent in recent decades.
The constructive theory of torsion-free abelian groups

The theory of torsion-free abelian groups is developed, in a manner that is constructive in the sense of Bishop, up to the fundamental the orem that, for finite-rank completely decomposable torsion-free groups, the class of finite-rank pure subgroups is coextensive with the class of finite-rank torsion-free quotients.
Optimal Design of an N-Stage Nonlinear Transmission Line Based on Genetic Algorithm and LTspice

In this paper, we discuss a theoretical optimal design of a nonlinear transmission line using a genetic algorithm (GA) to achieve peak pulse power. The technique is based on an integrated optimization approach that uses a GA coded in Matlab and the circuit simulation program LTspice. A bidirectional interface is created that allowed information to be rapidly transferred between the circuit simulator and GA with real-time monitoring of the entire design process, including peak power and elemental values. The designed process shows a peak voltage enhancement of 318% while eliminating the tedious trial and error process usually required. It is important to note that this result is achieved using only six L-C segments and a much greater voltage increase is likely as the number of segments is increased.
Simple cysts of testis

Three cases of benign intraparenchymal cysts of the testis are described. A nine-month-old infant and a forty-two-year-old man were seen with painless testicular enlargement and underwent orchiectomy and cyst excision, respectively. The third patient, a sixty-eight-year-old man, was asymptomatic with the cyst discovered following orchiectomy for prostatic carcinoma. In each case the cyst was multilocular and lined with a simple cuboidal epithelium. In 1 case special and immunohistochemical stains were performed. Review of the literature in conjunction with the cysts' staining characteristics are strongly supportive of its derivation from ectopic epithelium.
Ethical Decision-Making While Using Social Networking Sites: Potential Ethical and Clinical Implications for Marriage and Family Therapists

The increasing popularity of social networking sites is changing the way therapists interact with others personally and professionally. Interface over the Internet present unique challenges to the therapeutic relationship concerning privacy and ethical boundaries. However, lack of guidelines concerning the use of SNSs often force therapists to navigate the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Code of Ethics and federal laws. This article provides a beginning discussion for therapists to consider new ethical decisions in the context of engaging in online interactions with clients. The authors provide guided questions and vignettes to elicit reflection among therapists on their decision-making.
Theological Higher Education in Cuba, Part 1: Introduction

This article attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the Eastern Cuba Baptist Theological Seminary within the larger context of theological education in Cuba. Three major purposes directed the research reported in this paper. The first purpose was historical: to document and evaluate the rise and achievements of the Eastern Cuba Theological Seminary, which has continued its mission through extraordinary political opposition and economic difficulties. The second major purpose was institutional: to gain insight into the modus operandi of Cuban Christian higher education. The tertiary purpose of the study was to identify perceived needs of the seminaries. Overall, the study sought to provide useful information that could facilitate a better understanding of theological higher education in Cuba. This first article presents a historical overview of Cuban Protestantism and its implications for theological higher education. Also, the article serves as an introduction to the series.
When ribosomes go bad: diseases of ribosome biogenesis

Ribosomes are vital for cell growth and survival. Until recently, it was believed that mutations in ribosomes or ribosome biogenesis factors would be lethal, due to the essential nature of these complexes. However, in the last few decades, a number of diseases of ribosome biogenesis have been discovered. It remains a challenge in the field to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying them.
Geophysical prospecting for new cave passages: Fort Stanton Cave, New Mexico, USA

Geophysical surveys have been used to predict extensions of newly discovered sections of Fort Stanton Cave, the third-longest cave in New Mexico. Because air-filled caves have almost infinite resistivity, the electrical resistivity (ER) method is a very effective tool for detection of subsurface conduits in the unsaturated zone. Resistivity profiles have been used for several years by local cavers to guide exploration in Fort Stanton Cave. However, the most recent discoveries approach the limits of the depth of investigation of the resistivity equipment used by the cavers. The National Cave and Karst Research Institute has begun conducting resistivity profiles over these deeper portions of the cave system using a SuperSting™ R-8 resistivity meter coupled with longer 112-electrode arrays. These ER tools have been very successful at identifying extensions of known passage in Fort Stanton Cave.
Modeling temperature distribution and thermal property of asphalt concrete for laboratory testing applications

Abstract Material characterization from laboratory tests on asphalt concrete or predictions of pavement performance are meaningful only if temperature of the material is well taken into account. This paper discusses an analytical model to predict the transient temperature distribution within asphalt concrete and to determine its thermal properties. The paper also presents the laboratory test program designed to validate the model. Temperature measurements were carried out on a cylindrical specimen at different times after the specimen with a steady-state low temperature (3.5 °C) was placed inside an environmental chamber in a steady-state high temperature (36 °C). The temperature magnitude at different positions and its variation with time was recorded at a sampling rate of 1 min −1 . The analytical temperature models based on the classical planar wall and long cylinder were established to approximate the temperature distribution of asphalt concrete specimens with the geometry of a short cylinder or a beam. Thermal diffusivity as a function of thermal conductivity and heat convection is solved from the models, and then back-calculation was conducted to achieve the thermal properties using curve fitting. It was found that the analytical model could predict the measured temperatures reliably. For the materials used in this research, a thermal conductivity of 2.88 W/m °C and diffusivity of 1.42 × 10 −6 m 2 /s were attained from the back-calculation. The time–temperature relationship, as determined from the prediction model, was found to be very sensitive to the geometric size and thermal properties of asphalt concrete.
Finite-stage reward functions having the Markov adequacy property

Abstract If X is a countable state space and g is a bounded reward function on X n , then say g has the Markov-adequacy property if every strategy has a corresponding randomized Markov strategy which gives g the same integral as the original strategy. A complete characterization of functions having the Markov-adequacy property is given. In particular, if g is permutation-invariant and X has at least three elements, then g has the Markov-adequacy property if and only if g has the linear sections property, a condition which is easy to verify.
The modernization and improvement of the BNL short separators

Two high voltage separators (10 and 15 cm gaps) have been designed, constructed, and tested for use in the new LESB II experimental beam line. Both separators have been tested to 800 kV (limited by power supply capability). The 10 cm gap separator is of the conventional heated glass-cathode, steel-anode design. The 15 cm gap separator has a glass cathode and glass anode. This separator has been conditioned above 780 kV in hard vacuum (10 −6 torr range). In order to attain and reliably maintain the high voltages necessary for testing the separator, the power supplies, cable terminations, feedthroughs, high voltage bushings, standoffs, and surge resistors have all been modified. These modifications and the final test results are discussed in detail.
Pesticides in U.S. streams and groundwater.

A U.S. Geological Survey assessment shows widespread occurrence of pesticides, with concentrations in many streams at levels that may have effects on aquatic life and fish-eating wildlife.
A pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial of diabetes prevention strategies for women with gestational diabetes: design and rationale of the Gestational Diabetes' Effects on Moms (GEM) study

Background Women with gestational diabetes (GDM) are at high risk of developing diabetes later in life. After a GDM diagnosis, women receive prenatal care to control their blood glucose levels via diet, physical activity and medications. Continuing such lifestyle skills into early motherhood may reduce the risk of diabetes in this high risk population. In the Gestational Diabetes’ Effects on Moms (GEM) study, we are evaluating the comparative effectiveness of diabetes prevention strategies for weight management designed for pregnant/postpartum women with GDM and delivered at the health system level.
Reclaiming math for economists: a pedagogical approach to overcoming a persistent barrier to pluralism in economics

This paper presents ideas for a course in the undergraduate economics curriculum designed to de-mystify mathematics and empower students to respond creatively and ethically when they encounter situations that involve mathematics. We build on the strengths of courses that already exist in many departments of mathematics under titles such as ‘Math for the Liberal Arts’. The unpretentious yet comprehensive presentation in texts for those courses, combined with flexible course goals and design provide an effective paradigm for engaging mathematics. We report our experiences in teaching such a course, involving key features of drawing insights from the Moore method to develop mathematical self assurance; using free software to introduce computational thinking; and using history and biography to explore the role of values and ethics.
When a randomised controlled trial is needed to assess drug safety. The case of paediatric ibuprofen.

Drugs are frequently made available for use before risks of rare but serious reactions have been identified and quantified. While this situation may be acceptable for drugs used to treat serious conditions, greater information on safety is needed for drugs used to treat less serious conditions, and particularly those medications available without prescription. Spontaneous reports and observational studies can provide useful data in most instances, but nonrandomised studies are inadequate in the presence of confounding by indication (i.e. when patients treated with a drug differ in their underlying risk of adverse outcome from patients given alternate treatments, independent of the effect of the drug). Such is the case in the US with regard to the use of paediatric ibuprofen as an antipyretic. In this setting, a rigorous and large randomised controlled trial is needed to provide valid and statistically stable risk estimates. A trial of this kind is a feasible way to develop clinically meaningful data on safety with respect to rare but serious adverse reactions.
Quantum persistent currents and classical periodic orbits.

Semiclassical theory relates mesoscopic persistent currents to classical periodic orbits. This is used to demonstrate that persistent currents are a sensitive probe of quantum chaos, exhibiting different universal dependences on the Fermi velocity for integrable and for completely chaotic ballistic microstructures. A study of the Sinai-billiard geometry reveals that the universality classes do not coincide with those of the spectral spacing distribution. Our conclusions are supported by numerical calculations.
Robotic assisted Laparoscopic partial Nephrectomy for suspected Renal Cell Carcinoma: Retrospective review of surgical outcomes of 35 Cases

A standard of care for the treatment of small renal masses is partial nephrectomy. The open and laparoscopic approaches have been well described in the literature. Robotic assistance may augment partial nephrectomy by aiding in dissection and renal reconstruction. In this communication we describe the surgical outcomes of 35 patients undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy. Patient records and databases were reviewed for 35 consecutive patients undergoing RPN. Clinical, pathological, and radiographic data were obtained. The data was deidentified. Thirty five patients successfully underwent RPN. An additional 2 patients were converted to other nephron sparing procedures. Mean tumor size was 2.8 cm, and mean OR time was 142 minutes. Mean warm ischemia time was 20 minutes. All margins were negative. There were 4 complications, and no patients required reoperation. Robotic partial nephrectomy can produce excellent initial results. Further studies should be performed to compare the outcomes to laparoscopic and open operations.
Intracardiac Catheter as a Foreign Body of Six Years' Duration Resulting in Endocarditis

This case report describes the presence of a catheter in the heart for six years resulting front a ventriculoatrial shunt for the alleviation of hydrocephalus, with the development of persistent bacteremia of 17 weeks’ duration. Treatment with antibiotics was unsuccessful until the source of the infection was removed. The presence of the catheter in the right ventricle, main pulmonary artery and left pulmonary artery presented the interesting hemodynamic and clinical features of pulmonary insufficiency and tricuspid stenosis.
Medullary carcinoma of thyroid gland. Subcellular distribution of calcitonin and relationship between granules and amyloid

Electron microscopy and bioassay for calcitonin were used to study two intact medullary carcinomas and their subcellular fractions. The fractions were prepared by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation after removal of mitochondria. Virtually all of the calcitonin was bound to subcellular particles, but it was distributed among all of the particulate fractions that were obtained, and consequently it cannot be assigned to any one kind of particle. The two types of particles with which calcitonin most probably is associated are secretory granules and microsomes. Secretory granules also were closely related to the amyloid of the medullary carcinoma, and we suggest that the granules play a role in formation of the amyloid.
A general method of calculating particle size distributions

SUMMARY A general nonparametric approach to estimating the true distribution of particle sizes from either light or electron micrographs of particles of known shape is described. This method can deal with any arbitrary shape and fixed or random orientations, it assumes that the observed distribution is obtained by recording the maximum observed diameters of the particles under study. As examples, the method is applied to the distributions of both cubic particles observed in an optical metallographic specimen and spherical particles observed in a transmission electron microscope specimen.
Effects of new criteria for type 2 diabetes on the rate of postpartum glucose intolerance in women with gestational diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the impact of the 1997 American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes mellitus on the rate of postpartum glucose intolerance in women with gestational diabetes. STUDY DESIGN: Women identified as having gestational diabetes were instructed to undergo a 75-g, 2-hour glucose tolerance test 4 to 6 weeks after delivery. The results were retrospectively categorized with both the 1979 National Diabetes Data Group criteria and those recommended by the American Diabetes Association in 1997. RESULTS: Though the rate of overt diabetes mellitus did not increase when the 1997 American Diabetes Association criteria were used (7.8% vs 5.6%, P = not significant), the rate of impaired glucose metabolism was higher (20.1% vs 5%, P <.001). Most women (28/30, 93%) with a nondiagnostic glucose tolerance test result by the older criteria had abnormal results by the newer criteria. Fifty women had abnormalities of glucose metabolism under 1997 American Diabetes Association criteria; 34% of these women had fasting plasma glucose values in the normal range. Of the 25 women with impaired glucose tolerance, 16 (64%) had only an abnormal 2-hour value, with normal fasting glucose values. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of postpartum abnormalities in glucose metabolism more than doubles when the 1997 American Diabetes Association criteria are applied; more women are identified with lesser degrees of impairment. However, relying on fasting glucose levels alone, without glucose tolerance testing, may miss one third of women with such abnormalities.
The prevalence of halo volumes in familial vitamin D-resistant rickets.

Udermineralized periosteocyte haloes in bone biopsies from patients with vtamin D-resistant rickets occur more frequently around young than around old osteocytes, indicating that in time the incomplete mineralization suggested by the haloes, undergoes a “healing” process and therefore there is a delay in the mineralization of the perilacunar organic matrix.
Very low density and low density lipoprotein subfractions in type III and type IV hyperlipoproteinemia. Chemical and physical properties.

Abstract Subfractions of VLDL (VLDL 1 , Sf 100–400; VLDL 2 V Sf 60–100; VLDL 3 , Sf 20–60) and LDL (LDL 1 , Sf 12–20; LDL 2 , Sf 6–12; LDL 3 , Sf 3–6) were isolated from the plasma of three normal, three type in and four type IV hyperlipoproteinemic subjects. In the type IV group, all VLDL subspecies Were of normal composition but were increased in concentration in the order VLDL 1 > VLDL 2 > VLDL 3 . In the same subjects, although LDL 1 was lowered and LDL 3 increased, the total plasma LDL concentration Was normal. All VLDL subfractions were elevated in the type III group, but in this ease VLDL 3 predominated. These subfractions were enriched in cholesteryl esters and depleted in triglyceride. In the LDL density range there was a shift of mass towards the least dense fraction, LDL 1 , which was of normal composition. EPR studies of the VLDL and LDL subfractions in a type IV subject demonstrated a decrease in fluidity with increasing density. The major change occurred between VLDL 3 and LDL, and was attributed to a substantial alteration in the cholesteryl ester: triglyceride ratio in the particle. A similar argument was used to explain the reduced fluidity of type III VLDL 3 with respect to that of the same subfraction in normal or type IV subjects. Particle diameters, determined by laser light-scattering speetroscopy were-in good agreement with the values obtained by electron microscopy. This study provides a baseline for the examination of the relationship' between the physical and metabolic properties of VLDL and LDL subtractions in type in and IV hyperlipoproteinemia.
Narrowing the distance: Using There are no children here in the classroom

This paper describes a pedagogical process used in an introductory criminal justice class to challenge typical university students' preconceptions and beliefs about the personal and neighborhood factors that most often characterize crime and criminals. Students were asked to respond to the similarities and differences between themselves and the characters in Alex Kotlowitz's (1991) book There Are No Children Here. They also were asked to relate the book conceptually to issues discussed in the classroom. In contrast to their earlier expressions of ideological narrowness, the students' response papers reflected consistent themes of injustice, powerlessness, unfair police or court practices, and racism. The students were able to stop distancing themselves from “criminals” and to examine how social disorganization and social institutions shape individuals' hopes and opportunities.
Oscillator strengths, Landé g values, and hyperfine structure for 3 d 4 J = 0 → 3 d 3 4 p J = 1 transitions in Fe V

Relativistic configuration-interaction (RCI) calculations with $\ensuremath{\sim}15000$ vectors have been done for f values, Land\'e g values, and hyperfine structure constants for Fe V. There is at least a factor of 2 improvement over our earlier achievable accuracies (Nb II). The 21 largest f values $(g0.01)$ have an average length-velocity gauge difference of 6.7%, and the average error in the energy differences between adjacent levels is 213 (180) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for even- (odd-) parity levels. We find significant f value differences as compared to recent values from Breit-Pauli R-matrix calculations, and, to a lesser extent, as compared to older semiempirical f values. Oscillator strengths to three nearly degenerate odd-parity levels are sensitive to errors smaller than 200 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1},$ but the sum is conserved, as expected.
Concentrating sunlight with an immobile primary mirror and immobile receiver: Ray-tracing results

Abstract Using a combination of custom computer code and commercially available ray-tracing software, we explore variations of concentrator geometries where sunlight is first incident onto a stationary primary mirror of circular cross section. The reflected radiation is incident onto a smaller, secondary moveable mirror, which focuses the radiation onto a stationary target. Simulations for this trough geometry show peak concentrations of 38 solar equivalents.
Making Good on ACOs' Promise — The Final Rule for the Medicare Shared Savings Program

The Department of Health and Human Services is finalizing the rules for establishing accountable care organizations under the Medicare Shared Savings Program, having made improvements to encourage a more pluralistic set of participants without compromising outcomes.