cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A fixed effects logit model of rural land conversion and zoning

We examine the effect that public facilities moratorium and minimum lot size zoning have on the conversion of rural land to residential subdivisions in fast-growing exurban areas using a natural experiment approach. Zoning ordinances are the most common growth control policy at the local level and are hypothesized to be one of the most important factors in determining the likelihood of residential development. We investigate the role of minimum lot size zoning by taking advantage of plausibly exogenous changes in zoning policies that altered the developable status of some rural land parcels in an exurban county of Ohio. A discrete-choice econometric model of land use conversion is estimated with a parcel-level temporal dataset, using conditional maximum likelihood estimation to account for the panel structure of the data and fixed effects to control for unobserved heterogeneity. Empirical evidence indicates that minimum lot size zoning has a negative effect on the likelihood of rural land conversion and that this effect is large in magnitude. Specifically, we find that a parcel that is subject to a minimum lot size zoning is between 4.4 and 6.4% less likely to be converted to residential land use. In comparison, results from a pooled model, in which the unobserved heterogeneity is left uncontrolled, suggest that minimum lot size zoning has a relatively small negative effect on the conversion probability of undeveloped land parcels. Thus, estimates that do not control for unobserved heterogeneity are likely biased toward zero.
Análise pedagógica da I Mostra de Trabalhos Técnico-Científicos do Ifes/Campus Piúma: em cena a divulgação científica

A educacao em ciencias demanda um trabalho interdisciplinar e, para tanto, bem servem as mostras culturais e cientificas. Tomando por base o pressuposto do ensino por projetos, esta pesquisa analisou a construcao coletiva da I Mostra de Trabalhos Tecnico-Cientificos do Ifes Campus Piuma, avaliando suas potencialidades para divulgacao da Ciencia. O trabalho tambem destacou a importância das feiras de ciencias como estrategia pedagogica que favorece o protagonismo e a autonomia do educando nos processos de ensino e aprendizagem a partir da mediacao docente. A avaliacao realizada considerou as contribuicoes da Feira para a promocao da criticidade com vistas a formacao sociocultural dos educandos. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, baseada em um estudo de caso, que focaliza individuos e organizacoes educacionais, utilizando tecnicas e metodos caracteristicos da observacao participante. A pesquisa evidenciou a organizacao dos alunos para a realizacao das tarefas e alguns obstaculos que enfrentaram para sua execucao. A experiencia possibilitou a superacao da passividade do educando nos processos de ensino e aprendizagem por meio do estimulo a autonomia investigativa, bem como pela interacao com os pares, com o professor e com a comunidade visitante, ampliando a construcao colaborativa do conhecimento.
Ultrathin film crystallization of poly(ε-caprolactone) in blends containing styrene-isoprene block copolymers: The nano-rose morphology

Abstract We report the discovery of a new nanostructured morphology in ultrathin blend films of semi-crystalline poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) and various styrene-isoprene block copolymers. The nano-rose morphology is visualized by atomic force microscopy as a monolayer of approximately 500 nm diameter crystalline spirals. Our finding that the nano-rose morphology occurs in a narrow film thickness window commensurate with the crystalline lamellar thickness suggests that this distinctive morphology results from redirection of growing PCL crystalline lamellae due to confinement effects during film casting. The nano-rose morphology was located in blends with several block copolymers of various architecture but was absent in blends with the individual homopolymer components. PCL molecular weight did not affect nano-rose size or film thickness window. However, solvent choice was an important factor, with nano-rose formation favored in non-polar and weakly polar solvents. This work supports theories that unbalanced surface stresses and impurity exclusion cause polymer crystals to grow unconventionally.
The Patient Experience: Stereotype Threat in Medical Care

Stereotype threat has significant potential to contribute to disparities in health and health care experience. Health care provider behavior can sometimes be perceived as endorsing group stereotypes. When a patient senses that they are being seen in terms of a group stereotype, stereotype threat may occur. Stereotype threat triggers a stress response that requires emotional regulation. The experience of stereotype threat causes increased vigilance for further evidence of discrimination or stereotyping. Both the physiologic and psychological effects of the stress response and vigilance can reduce a patient’s cognitive capacity, making it difficult to communicate effectively or to store new information. A patient may also withdraw from the encounter and further clinical guidance. Combined, this response is thought to contribute to poor post-encounter adherence, less trust, and delay of follow-up care. Health care providers can help patients protect themselves from stereotype threat by encouraging them to affirm values or recall accomplishments. Providers can also take steps to reduce the likelihood that implicit attitudes or stereotypes affect their behavior and prioritize creating a clinical environment that feels inclusive to all patients.
Association of Frailty and Postoperative Complications With Unplanned Readmissions After Elective Outpatient Surgery

Importance Ambulatory surgery in geriatric populations is increasingly prevalent. Prior studies have demonstrated the association between frailty and readmissions in the inpatient setting. However, few data exist regarding the association between frailty and readmissions after outpatient procedures. Objective To examine the association between frailty and 30-day unplanned readmissions after elective outpatient surgical procedures as well as the potential mediation of surgical complications. Design, Setting, and Participants In this retrospective cohort study of elective outpatient procedures from 2012 and 2013 in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, 417 840 patients who underwent elective outpatient procedures were stratified into cohorts of individuals with a length of stay (LOS) of 0 days (LOS = 0) and those with a LOS of 1 or more days (LOS ≥ 1). Statistical analysis was performed from June 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019. Exposure Frailty, as measured by the Risk Analysis Index. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was 30-day unplanned readmission. Results Of the 417 840 patients in this study, 59.2% were women and unplanned readmission occurred in 2.3% of the cohort overall (LOS = 0, 2.0%; LOS ≥ 1, 3.4%). Frail patients (mean [SD] age, 64.9 [15.5] years) were more likely than nonfrail patients (mean [SD] age, 35.0 [15.8] years) to have an unplanned readmission in both LOS cohorts (LOS = 0, 8.3% vs 1.9%; LOS ≥ 1, 8.5% vs 3.2%;P Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that frailty is a significant risk factor for unplanned readmission after elective outpatient surgery both independently and when partially mediated through increased complications. Screening for frailty might inform the development of interventions to decrease unplanned readmissions, including those for outpatient procedures.
Hospital revisits within 30 days after discharge for medical conditions targeted by the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program in the United States: national retrospective analysis

Abstract Objective To determine any changes in total hospital revisits within 30 days of discharge after a hospital stay for medical conditions targeted by the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Hospital stays among Medicare patients for heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or pneumonia between 1 January 2012 and 1 October 2015. Participants Medicare fee-for-service patients aged 65 or over. Main outcomes Total hospital revisits within 30 days of discharge after hospital stays for medical conditions targeted by the HRRP, and by type of revisit: treat-and-discharge visit to an emergency department, observation stay (not leading to inpatient readmission), and inpatient readmission. Patient subgroups (age, sex, race) were also evaluated for each type of revisit. Results Our study cohort included 3 038 740 total index hospital stays from January 2012 to September 2015: 1 357 620 for heart failure, 634 795 for acute myocardial infarction, and 1 046 325 for pneumonia. Counting all revisits after discharge, the total number of hospital revisits per 100 patient discharges for target conditions increased across the study period (monthly increase 0.023 visits per 100 patient discharges (95% confidence interval 0.010 to 0.035)). This change was due to monthly increases in treat-and-discharge visits to an emergency department (0.023 (0.015 to 0.032) and observation stays (0.022 (0.020 to 0.025)), which were only partly offset by declines in readmissions (−0.023 (−0.035 to −0.012)). Increases in observation stay use were more pronounced among non-white patients than white patients. No significant change was seen in mortality within 30 days of discharge for target conditions (−0.0034 (−0.012 to 0.0054)). Conclusions In the United States, total hospital revisits within 30 days of discharge for conditions targeted by the HRRP increased across the study period. This increase was due to a rise in post-discharge emergency department visits and observation stays, which exceeded the decline in readmissions. Although reductions in readmissions have been attributed to improvements in discharge planning and care transitions, our findings suggest that these declines could instead be because hospitals and clinicians have intensified efforts to treat patients who return to a hospital within 30 days of discharge in emergency departments and as observation stays.
Modified State Observer Based Two-Way ETNAC Design For Uncertain Linear Systems

In this study, a neural network (NN) based two-way event-triggered controller (ETC) design is presented for uncertain linear systems. Dynamic triggering conditions are developed for both state and control data transmission. These triggering conditions are based on real performance parameters including estimation/tracking errors which make control execution more relevant instead of the extended time sampling as seen in most ETC literature. The other unique feature of this ETNAC scheme is the online uncertainty approximation even during inter-event time which makes control robust and efficient. A Modified State Observer (MSO) used in this study to replicate the system to estimate the system uncertainty. In this way it not only saves data communication over network but also reduces computational efforts. System stability and event-triggering conditions are established using Lyapunov analysis. A benchmark numerical example is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Oswestry Disability Index scores correlate with MRI measurements in degenerating intervertebral discs and endplates

Background Low back pain (LBP) is a widespread problem and the leading cause of disability worldwide. While the cause of LBP is multifactorial, several studies suggested that inflammatory mediators in damaged subchondral plates of degenerating discs may lead to chemical sensitization and mechanical stimulation, eventually causing pain. The goal of this study was to explore associations between such changes and LBP-related disability using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Methods Thirty-two patients diagnosed with nonspecific LBP and 24 healthy control subjects were studied with dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCEMRI) MRI and T1r (spin-lattice relaxation in the rotating frame) acquisitions. DCEMRI enhancement in disc endplate regions and average T1ρ measurements in the nucleus pulposus were extracted. The LBP patients were grouped based on their Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and associations between MRI measurements and ODI scores were analyzed. Results Significant associations were found between ODI scores and DCEMRI enhancement in the cartilaginous endplate regions of the most degenerated discs. ODI scores also correlated with T1ρ measurements in the nucleus pulposus of degenerating discs. Conclusions DCEMRI enhancement in the cartilaginous endplate regions and lower T1ρ measurements in the nucleus pulposus (NP) were associated with greater disability that is related to low back pain as reported on the ODI. This complements earlier reports suggesting a link between LBP and endplate degeneration. Further studies are needed to validate these findings. Significance Our findings indicated that dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI signal enhancement in the cartilaginous endplate regions were associated with greater disability related to low back pain. This signal enhancement might be an indication of inflammatory changes in disc endplate regions. Therefore, advanced quantitative imaging techniques like the ones presented in this study might be needed to complement conventional radiological evaluations to identify the subset of patients who could potentially benefit from novel therapies directed towards treating the disc endplate regions.
Weights of Fetal Membranes and Umbilical Cords: Correlation With Placental Pathology.

IntroductionProper placental gross examination requires weighing the placental disc trimmed of fetal membranes and the umbilical cord. However, untrimmed placental weights are often reported, both ...
Retrospective Review of Pediatric Blunt Renal Trauma: A Single Institution's Five Year Experience

Children are at higher risk of renal injury from blunt trauma than adults due to a variety of anatomic factors such as decreased perirenal fat, weaker abdominal muscles, and a less ossified thoracic cage. Non-operative management is gaining in popularity for even major injuries, although there are no universally accepted guidelines. We present a retrospective review of pediatric major blunt renal injuries (grade 3 or higher) at a children's hospital in Hawai'i over a 5-year period. Medical records were examined between January 2009 and September 2014 from Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of renal trauma, or the diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma with hematuria. Exclusion criteria were grade I or II renal injury or death due to an additional traumatic injury. Mechanism of injury, clinical characteristics on admission, blood product requirements, surgical interventions performed, and hospital length of stay were retrospectively analyzed. Eleven total patient records were examined, nine of which fit inclusion criteria. Uniquely, 33% of patients sustained their renal injury while surfing. No patients required laparotomy or nephrectomy, though 22% of patients received a blood transfusion and 44% of patients underwent ureteral stent placement. Non-operative management of major renal injuries in children is feasible and allows for preservation of renal tissue. A novel mechanism of surfing as a cause of major renal trauma is seen in the state of Hawai'i.
MiRNA Testing to Identify Candidates for Individualized Weight Loss

Expressions of circulating microRNA 935 and 140 were evaluated pre- and post-8-week diet and exercise intervention in overweight subjects using a sensor developed by our group. A unique pre-to-post microRNA expression pattern was identified only in the subjects who lost 5% or more excess weight.
Microfluidics for sepsis early diagnosis and prognosis: a review of recent methods

Sepsis is a complex disorder of immune system response to infections that can be caused by a wide range of clinical contexts. Traditional methods for sepsis detection include molecular diagnosis, biomarkers either based on protein concentration or cell surface expression, and microbiological cultures. Development of point-of-care (POC) instruments, which can provide high accuracy and consume less time, is in unprecedented demand. Within the past few years, applications of microfluidic systems for sepsis detection have achieved excellent performance. In this review, we discuss the most recent microfluidic applications specifically in sepsis detection, and propose their advantages and disadvantages. We also present a comprehensive review of other traditional and current sepsis diagnosis methods to obtain a general understanding of the present conditions, which can hopefully direct the development of a new sepsis roadmap.
III-V-on-Si transistor technologies: Performance boosters and integration

Abstract In this work, we review progress in III-V transistor technologies. Key approaches for silicon integration are described, with a distinction being made between large area layer transfer and selective growth techniques. We show how the integration approach must be tailored for the intended application to maximize performance, functionality and minimize cost. We also highlight performance boosters such as heterostructure channel stacks, which offer increased carrier mobility towards improved RF and RF-CMOS performance. Recent progress in tunneling field-effect transistors (TFETs) have enabled the TFET architecture as a process module, allowing for dense integration with MOSFETs on the same chip towards an extremely low-power CMOS technology. Finally, we highlight emerging applications for III-V devices at cryogenic temperatures, where there is a rising need for low-power electronics to support the scaling of quantum computers. The unique properties of III-V, their high mobility and band gap engineering make them highly suitable for this application.
Velocity and Temperature Dissimilarity in the Surface Layer Uncovered by the Telegraph Approximation

The physicist and mathematician Shang-Keng Ma once commented that “the simplest possible variable is one that can have two values. If there is only one value, no variation is possible." Guided by this dictum, the telegraphic approximation (TA) is applied to the streamwise velocity component and air temperature time series acquired in the first metre above the salt flats of Utah, USA. The TA technique removes amplitude variations and retains only zero-crossing behaviour in a turbulent series, thereby allowing for an isolated examination of the role of clustering in intermittency. By applying the TA technique, clustering properties are analyzed to uncover dissimilarity in temperature and velocity across unstable, near-neutral, and stable atmospheric stratification. The spectral exponents of the original and of the TA series are examined, with the inertial-subrange behaviour conforming to prior empirical relations and the energy-containing range exhibiting deviations. These two distinct scale regimes are observed in the standard deviations of the running density fluctuations of the TA series, delineating scaling behaviour between fine and large scales. In the fine scales, clustering is not appreciably affected by the stability regime and is higher than in the large scales. In the large scales, the temperature series exhibits stronger clustering with increasing stability, and higher clustering compared with the streamwise velocity component series under stable conditions. Amplitude variations are shown to mitigate intermittency in the small scales of velocity, but play only a minor role in intermittency for temperature. Last, the inter-pulse period probability distributions are explored and implications to self-organized criticality as models for TA turbulence are discussed.
Breeding and biotechnological efforts in Jatropha curcas L. for sustainable yields

Abstract Jatropha is a non-edible, important bioenergy plant, which can grow in marginalized land. The seeds possess about 36% oil and this would be converted into biodiesel or biojet-fuel. Jatropha provides an option for sustainable feed and fuel production due to its inherent qualities including hardy nature, drought tolerance and surviving with limited amount of water, tolerance to unfavorable conditions and excessive moisture. However, heterozygosity, low productivity and poor understanding of its genome are the major impediments to elite line development. Further, classical breeding and advanced technological investments remain limited owing to log juvenile phase and breeding cycles. Scientific technologies that lead to identification of elite genotypes and development of high yielding elite Jatropha lines and effective methods of detoxification of seeds needs immediate priority. Efficient tissue culture system, doubled haploids (DH) and genomic tools are increasingly made available to improve the seed yield and its oil quantity through the development of geminivirus disease resistant lines. The application of advanced, sequencing technologies has presented a repertoire of genomic information for this important yet orphan crop. In the present investigation, we highlight the achievements made in Jatropha towards development of high yielding, virus resistant elite lines and hybrids with yield potential ranging from 3 to 5 tons per hectare in a year, which is a first ever report in the world. We also developed potential biotechnological tools such as genetic transformation, genome editing and next generation genomics tools including linkage maps and QTLs for accelerating breeding efforts through marker assisted selection. Because of our concerted and continuous efforts during the past 15 years, we have overcome all the obstacles and developed high yielding, disease resistant hybrids/lines, advanced cultivation technologies with thorough knowledge on Agronomy of the Jatropha crop. The Jatropha cultivation technology developed for the first time in the world, could open up new avenues for higher yield productivity of commercial viability.
Exporting, externalities, and technology transfer

Developed-country purchasers of exports from developing-country industrial firms have often provided considerable technical aid to the exporting firms. Some question the benefits to both OECD and developing country firms of such transfers. The authors developed a model to analyze the implications of diffusion of the transferred technology to other developing country firms and the impact of the market entry of additional firms. Surprisingly, diffusion upstream combined with entry downstream may increase the profits of both the OECD importer and its initial developing-country supplier because the diffusion increases competition both upstream and downstream. The intuition is that a firm does not necessarily lose from competition in its market so long as its buyer/supplier is also forced to behave more competitively as a result of diffusion. A limited amount of increased competition at both stages moves the two firms closer to a vertically integrated firm.
TSH Function and Secretion

Thyrotropin (TSH) is produced in the pituitary gland in response to TSH-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus. TSH acts on the thyroid gland to produce secretion of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3), which are carried in the circulation in association with binding proteins. Free T4 (FT4) and free T3 (FT3) regulate protein synthesis that affects metabolic processes of the body (e.g., growth, energy, intestinal motility, cardiac output and pulse rate, hair growth, body temperature). FT4 and FT3 provide feedback on both pituitary TSH-producing cells and hypothalamic cells producing TRH. Fine-tuning of TSH secretion maintains normal thyroid homeostasis.
Community resistance and conditional patriotism in cold war Los Angeles: The battle for Chavez Ravine

This article examines the resistance to displacement of residents of Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, a community slated to be razed for a public housing project in the post-war era (1950–1953). Community women, mostly Mexican American, overtly identified themselves as patriotic wives and daughters of veterans who were entitled to keep their homes and live in peace. They declared that their patriotism was conditional, and that the seizure of their homes and destruction of their community threatened the basis of their patriotism; displacement, they suggested, might radicalize them. While their efforts to preserve the Chavez Ravine community were unsuccessful, they influenced local politics and became a lasting symbol of Chicano displacement and resistance.
Psychology of Literacy and Literacy Instruction

Pressley examines the research on literacy that has been contributed by psychologists. The chapter is organized along developmental lines, beginning in late infancy and proceeding through adulthood. Following the emphasis in pre- and early elementary school, there is a focus on the development of language and letter- and word-level competencies in reading and writing. Next, is a focus on the development of fluent reading, vocabulary, then on comprehension and composition, and finally on advanced literacy skills essential to meet the learning demands of secondary and post-secondary education. Adult literacy is reviewed in the final section, stressing research on what works for adults who did not develop literacy competencies. Keywords: adult literacy; emergent literacy; fluency; literacy; phonemic awareness; vocabulary comprehension; writing
On the relationship between cholesterol lowering and coronary disease event rate.

To the Editor: Dr Grundy’s editorial published in the April 21, 1998, issue of this journal1 provides an insightful summary of the reevaluations of the databases from the major statin trials (CARE, 4S, and WOSCOPS). These studies provide apparently divergent interpretations of the relationship between cholesterol lowering and coronary benefits experienced by study subjects. In his review, Dr Grundy elaborates on all 3 possible scenarios on the relationship between cholesterol lowering and clinical benefits: a linear model, a threshold model, and a curvilinear model. Whereas data from 4S2 seem to support the concept of a curvilinear relationship between cholesterol reduction and relative risk reduction, the analyses of the CARE3 and the WOSCOPS4 trials support the notion of a linear relationship up to a threshold level beyond which no further benefits are detected for further reductions in plasma cholesterol. Advocation of the possibility of a linear relationship between cholesterol reduction and relative risk of coronary heart disease is not based on biologically plausible bases. If the relationship …
Neurobiology: Myelin Goes Where the Action is

Summary There is increasing evidence that neuronal activity modulates how axons are wrapped in myelin. Two recent studies demonstrate that activity-dependent vesicle release from neurons regulates myelination in vivo .
Strategic Pricing of Underwriting Service: Entrants Versus Incumbents

This paper documents that bank penetration in underwriting market is positively associated with the benefit of commercial bank underwriting, the presence of relationships with clients and firms with middle credit ratings, but negatively associated with issue size and issue maturity. Commercial banks provide discounts on fees to the clients they serve well, consistent with emphasis on gaining market share as entrants. However, they exploit some seemingly captured clients by charging them higher fees. Conversely, investment banks bargain for the underwriting benefits and charge higher fees when the benefits are positive. In responding to the competition of bank entry, incumbents charge a lower fee in the segments with higher bank penetration.
Implementing Application-Specific Cache-Coherence Protocols in Configurable Hardware

Streamlining communication is key to achieving good performance in shared-memory parallel programs. While full hardware support for cache coherence generally offers the best performance, not all parallel machines provide it. Instead, software layers using Shared Virtual Memory (SVM) can be built to enforce coherence at a higher level. In prior work, researchers have studied application-specific cache coherence protocols implemented either in SVM systems or as handlers run by programmable protocol processors. Since the protocols are specialized to the needs of a single application, they can be particularly helpful in reducing the long latencies and processing overhead that sometimes degrade performance in SVM systems. This paper studies implementing application-specific protocols in hardware, but not via an instruction-based protocol processor as is typical. Instead, we consider configurable implementations based on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). This approach can be faster than software-based techniques and less expensive than some hardware-based techniques. We study one application, appbt, in detail, including a VHDL-level design of the configurable protocol design. We sketch out approaches for other applications as well. Implementing protocol operations in configurable hardware improves communication performance by roughly 11X for a 32-node system. While overall speedups are a more modest 12% our method is promising because of its flexibility and because it offers a new way of harnessing configurable hardware at the network interface, where it already exists or could be easily added to current systems.
Mechanochemical Transformations in the Zinc-Magnetite System

Mixtures of magnetite and zinc powders were milled for up to 540 minutes and the development of the system was followed using X-ray diffraction, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. The process takes place in two overlapping steps. During the first hour of milling, a nonmagnetic intermediate mixed oxide phase forms which decomposes into ZnO and Fe upon further milling. The freshly formed iron particles are supersaturated with Zn.
Nonlinear waves in thermo‐magnetoelasticity I. Basic equations

A complete set of field equations, constitutive relations and boundary conditions is derived in material form, within the framework of rigorous thermodynamics, to study the nonlinear thermo-magnetoelastic interactions in anisotropic continuous media for which the specific heat capacity depends on strain and magnetic field. The proposed model includes several other couplings as well and may be considered as a refinement of other existing models. When the medium has finite electric conductivity, it is appropriate to represent the electromagnetic field in terms of the electromagnetic potentials. This has the advantage of reducing the number of field equations. The special case of the perfect electric conductor is briefly mentioned and the linear theory for the isotropic medium of finite electric conductivity is investigated. Comparison is carried out with previous results. The bilinear theory and the propagation of surface regimes and surface magnetoacoustic waves will be dealt with separately.
Deposition in a Case Involving Brain Injury and Neuropsychology

The following represents a complete deposition which represents some of the kinds of questions one is likely to be asked. I first considered editing the deposition to make myself look better but we decided to present this without any changes except of names and places to avoid recognition of the case. It should be noted as discussed earlier, that a deposition such as this which was for discovery allows more leeway than does court testimony for both the professional as well as the lawyers. The original typing and spelling errors have been preserved for the sake of interest.
Youth Violence: How Gender Matters in Aggression Among Urban Early Adolescents

Although research suggests gender differences in both forms and functions of aggressive behavior, there has been limited research into these types among African American early adolescents. This study examined the types and patterns of aggression in girls and boys in that group. Participants were 452 predominantly African American middle school youth (50.4% girls) aged 11 to 13 (M = 11.97) enrolled in three urban public schools. Students were invited to participate in a school-based intervention designed to prevent aggressive and deviant behaviors. Assessments occurred pre- and post-intervention. Surveys were analyzed to identify gender differences in the levels and types of aggressive behaviors, as well as differences in predictors of aggressive behaviors. Predictors were measured at baseline; aggressive behaviors at follow-up. There were significant gender differences in types of aggressive behaviors and their predictors indicating a need to develop and implement more suitable, gender-tailored prevention...
Excision and Patch Grafting of a Lateral Peyronie's Plaque—Utilizing a Longitudinal “Window” Approach

Abstract Introduction Peyronie's disease (PD) is a debilitating disorder in which collagen deposition, fibrosis, and plaques in the tunica albuginea result in penile curvature, shortening, and pain. For severe curvatures requiring plaque incision or excision with grafting (PIEG), a subcoronal circumcising incision with penile degloving has historically been used. Aims The aim of this study was to report our unique approach to PIEG via a longitudinal "window" incision for the correction of PD, minimizing the surgical manipulation and dissection accompanying the traditional circumcising incisional approach that may lead to increased postoperative edema, pain, and prolonged healing time. Methods A patient presented with a stable, painless, 90-degree midshaft leftward curvature causing penetration difficulties and painful intercourse for his partner. His Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score was 23. The patient opted for surgical correction with plaque excision and grafting via a 4-cm longitudinal incision overlying the point of maximal curvature along the left lateral penile shaft. This direct access to the left corpus cavernosum and plaque, along with dissecting skin, dartos, and Buck's fascia, created a window with sufficient exposure for excision and patch grafting. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measures were objective data and subjective data in men undergoing PIEG via lateral longitudinal "window" incision for PD repair. Results The plaque was excised and a porcine small intestinal submucosa graft was sewn in. Intraoperative artificial tumescence at the end of surgery revealed complete correction of the curvature. The patient experienced painless rigid erections by postoperative day three with minimal penile edema. By postoperative week four, he could successfully partake in coitus. His SHIM score remained unchanged. At maximum follow-up 6 months postoperatively, he still endorsed excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes with spontaneous unassisted erections and no recurrence of his curvature. Conclusion A lateral longitudinal incision for PIEG is a feasible technique and may reduce the postoperative morbidity and dissection required with traditional circumcising incision with penile degloving. Larger comparative studies are necessary for further evaluation. Lue K, Emtage JB, Martinez DR, Yang C, and Carrion R. Excision and patch grafting of a lateral Peyronie's plaque—Utilizing a longitudinal "window" approach. Sex Med 2015;3:86–89.
Is incarceration really worse? Analysis of offenders' preferences for prison over probation

Recent correctional reforms have ameliorated the deprivations of prison and indirectly have caused states to toughen probation because many offenders must be diverted from incarceration to meet court-defined limits on prison crowding. These changes raise the possibility that offenders increasingly may view prison as easier or less punitive than probation. Using interview data from newly incarcerated Texas offenders, this analysis examines the extent to which offenders prefer incarceration when presented with choices between paired prison and probation sentences. Though a number of demographic and experiential variables are examined, multivariate analysis reveals that being African-American is the strongest predictor of a preference for prison. Implications of these results are discussed.
The use of curved higher order panels for vortex sheet modeling

A method is presented for predicting the geometry of a vortex sheet trailing a lift generating wing in its vicinity. It differs from others in that it uses a continuous vorticity distribution rather than discrete vortex filaments. It was found that the results were in good agreement with available experimental data, after the initial cycle of what was to be a relaxation scheme, so that iterations for this end were unnecessary. While the technique is computing intensive, it becomes attractive when used in conjunction with panel methods applications for complete aircraft configurations. The panel method solution needs to be found only once for each streamwise station downstream of the wing. Corrections applied are geometric in nature and are independent of other computational aspects.
Depressant effects of fast sodium channel blockade on the electrical activity of ischaemic canine ventricle: mediation by the sympathetic nervous system.

In this study we examined the possibility that local anaesthetic agents such as tetrodotoxin may exacerbate electrical changes during acute myocardial ischaemia by inhibiting fast sodium channels, both in cardiac cells and in sympathetic nerve terminals. Bipolar electrograms were recorded during serial 2 to 5 min occlusions of the left anterior descending coronary artery in open-chest, anaesthetised dogs. Tetrodotoxin (1 or 2 μg·kg−1 iv) given prior to occlusion did not affect activation times or electrograms in normal myocardium but exacerbated activation delay and loss of electrogram amplitude during ischaemia. Bilateral stellectomy reversed the effects of tetrodotoxin during ischaemia. Tetrodotoxin (1 μg·kg−1 iv) reduced changes in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure produced by stellate ganglia stimulation. Intracoronary infusion of tetrodotoxin (10−5 mol·litre−1) during normal perfusion lengthened mean effective ventricular refractory periods and propranolol (0.5 mg·kg−1 iv) or bilateral stellectomy prevented this effect. Thus, tetrodotoxin appeared to increase ventricular refractoriness and exacerbate ischaemia-induced activation delay by inhibiting sympathetic nerve activity. Other agents with local anaesthetic properties may have similar effects.
Vitamin B3 boosts neutrophil counts.

A molecular pathway requiring vitamin B3 increases the production of neutrophils (pages 151–158). These findings could lead to new ways to treat neutropenias, diseases involving low neutrophil counts.
National contaminant biomonitoring program : residues of organochlorine chemicals in U.S. freshwater fish, 1976-1984

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service periodically determines concentrations of organochlorine chemicals in freshwater fish collected from a nationwide network of stations as part of the National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (NCBP, formerly a part of the National Pesticide Monitoring Program). From late 1984 to early 1985, a total of 321 composite fish samples were collected from 112 stations and analyzed for organochlorine chemical residues. The mean concentrations of total DDT did not change from 1980-81 to 1984, following a period of steady decline through the 1970's; however, the mean concentrations ofp,p'-DDT declined significantly. The most persistent DDT homolog (p,p'-DDE) was detected at 98% of the stations sampled in 1984, and constituted 73% of total DDT residues, up from 70% in 1974-79. Collectively, these findings indicate a low rate of influx and continued weathering of DDT in the environment. Residues of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) also remained widespread, but a significant downward trend in total PCBs was evident, and early eluting PCB components were present at fewer stations than in the past. Mean concentrations of dieldrin have not changed since 1978-79; concentrations remained highest in Hawaii and in the Great Lakes. Toxaphene concentrations declined from 1980-81 to 1984, especially in the Great Lakes, and the incidence of toxaphene declined from 88% of the stations sampled in 1980-81 to 69% in 1984. Mean chordane concentrations did not change from 1980-81 to 1984, following a period of decline; however,trans-nonachlor replacedcis-chlordane as the most abundant component, suggesting a lower influx of chlordane to the aquatic environment. Residues of other organochlorines-mirex, pentachloroanisole (PCA), benzene hexachloride (BHC) isomers, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and Dacthal(®) (DCPA)-were either found at relatively few (<25%) of the stations sampled in 1984 or were characterized by relatively low concentrations. In general, organochlorine concentrations were lower in 1984 than at any time reported previously.
Ventricular Septal Defect with Aortic Valvular Incompetence Surgical Considerations

Nineteen patients with ventricular septal defect and severe aortic valvular incompetence have been operated on at the Mayo Clinic. There were two early deaths and two late deaths. The ventricular septal defect was located high and anteriorly in the septum and was often small. Aortic valvular incompetence was due, in most cases, to a deformed, prolapsing right coronary cusp. Mild to moderate degrees of infundibular pulmonary stenosis coexisted in nine patients. Repair of the ventricular septal defect was readily accomplished in most cases by direct suture, and relief of obstruction to right ventricular outflow was effected, when required, by resection of the crista supraventricularis. Repair of the aortic incompetence was attempted by a variety of means, but the incidence of persistent significant regurgitation was high, except when prosthetic cusp replacement was used. It is currently our policy to defer operation in children unless there are significant symptoms. When the patient is past the age of about...
Identification of a lambda toxin-negative Clostridium perfringens strain that processes and activates epsilon prototoxin intracellularly.

Clostridium perfringens type B and D strains produce epsilon toxin (ETX), which is one of the most potent clostridial toxins and is involved in enteritis and enterotoxemias of domestic animals. ETX is produced initially as an inactive prototoxin that is typically then secreted and processed by intestinal proteases or possibly, for some strains, lambda toxin. During the current work a unique C. perfringens strain was identified that intracellularly processes epsilon prototoxin to an active form capable of killing MDCK cells. This activated toxin is not secreted but instead is apparently released upon lysis of bacterial cells entering stationary phase. These findings broaden understanding of the pathogenesis of type B and D infections by identifying a new mechanism of ETX activation.
Cooperative binding of a quinoline derivative to an RNA stem loop containing a dangling end

Abstract The binding of a quinoline derivative (QD2) to a small RNA stem loop containing a 3′-dangling end (RNA1) has been studied. The compound was identified by first performing a similarity search of the NCI database of 250,000 compounds and then using computational docking with autodock to evaluate the binding of the resulting compounds to RNA1. Binding experiments using fluorescence and ITC methods revealed that QD2 binds cooperatively to four binding sites on RNA1 with equilibrium binding dissociation constants ranging from 8.2 (±0.3) to 12.5 (±4.2) μM. CD and UV titration experiments suggested that binding of QD2 changes the conformation of both RNA1 and the QD2 chromophore and stabilizes RNA1.
Second-order elastic constants of AgCl from 20 to 430 degreesC.

The three independent adiabatic second-order elastic constants of AgCl have been measured from 20 to 430\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C using the McSkimin pulse-superposition technique. Two single crystals with (110) and (001) axes were used in the measurements. Measurements on the (110) crystal gave the complete set of constants and showed that the longitudinal elastic constant ${C}_{11}^{\ensuremath{'}}=\frac{({C}_{11}+{C}_{12}+2{C}_{44})}{2}$ decreased by 37%, the shear constant ${C}_{44}$ decreased by 15%, and the shear constant ${C}^{\ensuremath{'}}=\frac{({C}_{11}\ensuremath{-}{C}_{12})}{2}$ decreased by 65% over this temperature range. The longitudinal elastic constant ${C}_{11}$ decreased by 45%, the elastic constant ${C}_{12}$ decreased by 31% and the bulk modulus ${B}_{s}=\frac{({C}_{11}+2{C}_{12})}{3}$ decreased by 37%. The (001) crystal was used as a check on the consistency of the measurements. The decreases in the elastic constants are linear, as expected, until approximately 320\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, whereupon ${C}_{11}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, ${C}_{44}$, ${C}_{11}$, ${C}_{12}$, and ${B}_{s}$ begin to decrease more rapidly than linearly and are 6.8, 0.8, 6.0, 9.2, and 8.0%, respectively, below the expected linearity at 430\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. By contrast, the shear constant ${C}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ decreases linearly over the entire temperature range. The elastic constant behavior thus becomes anomalous near the melting point, just like many of the other physical properties of the silver halides. This anomalous behavior may be attributed to the unusually high defect concentration near the melting point. Similar changes in elastic constants are seen in superionic conductors near the transition into the superionic state: a large decrease in ${C}_{11}$, but only small changes in ${C}_{44}$. This may indicate that the silver halides are just starting the transition to the superionic state when the halide sublattice melts and the transition is frustrated.
Self-ion sputtering yield determinations of (100) nickel thin films

Abstract Several methods for determining the sputtering yield of a nickel thin film have been examined. One of the more promising techniques is based on measuring the change in electrical resistance of the single-crystal film on its NaCl substrate. This is done as the thin film thickness is decreased by sputtering with 180 keV nickel ions. Since the resistivity of the material is altered only slightly by the ion beam, the measured resistance is expected to increase as the film thickness decreases during sputtering. Plotting the reciprocal resistance vs. time initially results in the anticipated straight line and this is followed by a non-linear portion of the plot. The non-linearity accompanied the complete erosion of the thin film and the ion-beam interaction with the NaCl substrate. The starting thickness of the film was measured using three independent techniques to complete the determination of the sputtering rate. These techniques included optical interference microscopy over a step, transmission electron microscopy of a cross-section of the film prepared using an ultra-microtome, and measuring the characteristic X-ray yield from the film when it was excited by 100 keV electrons and comparing this yield with that from a nickel sample of known thickness. The sputtering yield measured in this manner for the film oriented perpendicular to the ion beam and with the ion beam along a 〈100〉 direction was 3.2±0.5 nickel atoms per incident ion.
Superexchange-Coupled Electron-Spin Pairs in Iron Tetraphenylporphyrin Chloride at Low Temperatures

Magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and EPR studies reported here show that close to 50% of the high-spin ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$ ions in this compound form isolated spin pairs each of which shows a highly anisotropic superexchange coupling. Direct EPR transitions between the superexchange-split energy levels have been observed.