bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical Visualization of Cathepsin K Activity in Atherosclerosis With a Novel, Protease-Activatable Fluorescence Sensor
Authors: Jaffer Farouc A. , Kim Dong-Eog , Quinti Luisa , Tung Ching-Hsuan , Aikawa Elena , Pande Ashvin N. , Kohler Rainer H. , Shi Guo-Ping , Libby Peter , Weissleder Ralph
Published: April 2007

Background—

Cathepsin K (CatK), a potent elastinolytic and collagenolytic cysteine protease, likely participates in the evolution and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. To assess better the biology of CatK activity in vivo, we developed a novel near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) probe for imaging of CatK and evaluated it in mouse and human atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results—

The NIRF imaging agent consists of the CatK peptide substrate GHPGGPQGKC-NH
2
linked to an activatable fluorogenic polymer. In vitro, CatK produced a 2- to 14-fold activation of the agent over other cysteine and matrix metalloproteinases (
P
<0.0001), as well as a >8-fold activation over a control imaging agent (
P
<0.001). Optical imaging of atheroma revealed >100% NIRF signal increases in apolipoprotein E
−/−
mice in vivo (n=13;
P
<0.05, CatK imaging agent versus control agent) and in human carotid endarterectomy specimens ex vivo (n=14;
P
<0.05). Fluorescence microscopy of plaque sections demonstrated that enzymatically active CatK (positive NIRF signal) localized primarily in the vicinity of CatK-positive macrophages. Augmented NIRF signal (reflecting CatK activity) colocalized with disrupted elastin fibers within the media underlying plaques.

Conclusions—

Use of this novel protease-activatable NIRF agent for optical imaging in vivo demonstrated preferential localization of enzymatically active CatK to macrophages, consistent with their known greater elastinolytic capabilities compared with smooth muscle cells. Augmented CatK proteolysis in atheromata further links CatK to vascular remodeling and plaque vulnerability.
Lactadherin Deficiency Leads to Apoptotic Cell Accumulation and Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Mice
Authors: Ait-Oufella Hafid , Kinugawa Kiyoka , Zoll Joffrey , Simon Tabassome , Boddaert Jacques , Heeneman Silvia , Blanc-Brude Olivier , Barateau Véronique , Potteaux Stéphane , Merval Régine , Esposito Bruno , Teissier Elisabeth , Daemen Mat J. , Lesèche Guy , Boulanger Chantal , Tedgui Alain , Mallat Ziad
Published: April 2007

Background—

Atherosclerosis is an immunoinflammatory disease; however, the key factors responsible for the maintenance of immune regulation in a proinflammatory milieu are poorly understood.

Methods and Results—

Here, we show that milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (Mfge8, also known as lactadherin) is expressed in normal and atherosclerotic human arteries and is involved in phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells by peritoneal macrophages. Disruption of bone marrow–derived Mfge8 in a murine model of atherosclerosis leads to substantial accumulation of apoptotic debris both systemically and within the developing lipid lesions. The accumulation of apoptotic material is associated with a reduction in interleukin-10 in the spleen but an increase in interferon-γ production in both the spleen and the atherosclerotic arteries. In addition, we report a dendritic cell-dependent alteration of natural regulatory T-cell function in the absence of Mfge8. These events are associated with a marked acceleration of atherosclerosis.

Conclusions—

Lack of Mfge8 in bone marrow–derived cells enhances the accumulation of apoptotic cell corpses in atherosclerosis and alters the protective immune response, which leads to an acceleration of plaque development.
C-Terminal Provasopressin (Copeptin) as a Novel and Prognostic Marker in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Khan Sohail Q. , Dhillon Onkar S. , O’Brien Russell J. , Struck Joachim , Quinn Paulene A. , Morgenthaler Nils G. , Squire Iain B. , Davies Joan E. , Bergmann Andreas , Ng Leong L.
Published: April 2007

Background—

The role of the vasopressin system after acute myocardial infarction is unclear. Copeptin, the C-terminal part of the vasopressin prohormone, is secreted stoichiometrically with vasopressin. We compared the prognostic value of copeptin and an established marker, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), after acute myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results—

In this prospective single-hospital study, we recruited 980 consecutive post–acute myocardial infarction patients (718 men, median [range] age 66 [24 to 95] years), with follow-up over 342 (range 0 to 764) days. Plasma copeptin was highest on admission (n=132,
P
<0.001, day 1 versus days 2 to 5) and reached a plateau at days 3 to 5. In the 980 patients, copeptin (measured at days 3 to 5) was elevated in patients who died (n=101) or were readmitted with heart failure (n=49) compared with survivors (median [range] 18.5 [0.6 to 441.0] versus 6.5 [0.3 to 267.0] pmol/L,
P
<0.0005). With logistic regression analysis, copeptin (odds ratio, 4.14,
P
<0.0005) and NTproBNP (odds ratio, 2.26,
P
<0.003) were significant independent predictors of death or heart failure at 60 days. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for copeptin (0.75) and NTproBNP (0.76) were similar. The logistic model with both markers yielded a larger area under the curve (0.84) than for NTproBNP (
P
<0.013) or copeptin (
P
<0.003) alone, respectively. Cox modeling predicted death or heart failure with both biomarkers (log copeptin [hazard ratio, 2.33], log NTproBNP [hazard ratio, 2.70]). In patients stratified by NTproBNP (above the median of ≈900 pmol/L), copeptin above the median (≈7 pmol/L) was associated with poorer outcome (
P
<0.0005). Findings were similar for death and heart failure as individual end points.

Conclusions—

The vasopressin system is activated after acute myocardial infarction. Copeptin may predict adverse outcome, especially in those with an elevated NTproBNP (more than ≈900 pmol/L).
Predictive Utility of Pulse Pressure and Other Blood Pressure Measures for Cardiovascular Outcomes
Authors: Mosley William J. , Greenland Philip , Garside Daniel B. , Lloyd-Jones Donald M.
Published: April 2007

Data are sparse regarding the actual predictive utility of pulse pressure and other blood pressure measures for cardiovascular events. We included all of the participants from the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry who were free of cardiovascular disease and not receiving antihypertensive treatment at baseline (1967–1973). Baseline blood pressure measures were assessed for predictive utility for fatal and nonfatal events over 33 years. Among 36 314 participants (mean age: 39±13 years; 43.4% women), there were 11 452 deaths: 745 were attributed to stroke, 2812 to coronary disease, and 599 to heart failure. Of the 16 393 participants who attained Medicare eligibility, 3050, 1367, and 2207 had ≥1 hospitalization for stroke, myocardial infarction, or heart failure, respectively. In univariate analyses, hazards ratios for stroke death per SD of pulse, systolic, and diastolic pressure, respectively, were 1.49, 1.75, and 1.71. Likelihood ratio χ
2
(134.3, 302.0, and 232.6, respectively), Bayes information criteria values (15 142, 14 974, and 15 044, respectively), and areas under receiver-operating characteristic curves (0.59, 0.64, and 0.63, respectively) all indicated better predictive utility for systolic and diastolic compared with pulse pressure. Results for coronary or heart failure death and stroke, myocardial infarction, or heart failure hospitalization were similar. Pulse pressure had weaker predictive utility at all ages but particularly for those <50 years. In this large cohort study, pulse pressure had predictive utility for cardiovascular events that was inferior to systolic or diastolic pressure. These findings support the approach of current guidelines in the use of systolic and diastolic blood pressure to assess risk and the need for treatment.
Pulse Wave Velocity Is Inversely Related to Vertebral Bone Density in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Raggi Paolo , Bellasi Antonio , Ferramosca Emiliana , Block Geoffrey A. , Muntner Paul
Published: April 2007

Abnormalities of bone mineral metabolism in patients with stage-5 chronic kidney disease may contribute to the high incidence of cardiovascular disease. Noninvasive imaging methods may help predict the simultaneous presence of vasculopathy and bone disease. Accordingly, we measured pulse wave velocity and bone mineral density (BMD), and T-scores (number of SDs below the BMD of a younger reference group) of the spine by both dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in 110 maintenance hemodialysis patients. Older age, white race, diabetes mellitus, lower diastolic blood pressure, and lower albumin levels were associated with lower QCT-assessed T-scores (each
P
<0.05). After age and multivariable adjustment, pulse wave velocity (PWV) increased as QCT BMD decreased (the prevalence of PWV ≥9 m/s was 32.4%, 61.8%, and 76.5% for participants in the highest to the lowest tertile of QCT-assessed BMD;
P
<0.001). In contrast, there was no relationship between spine dual energy x-ray absorptiometry-BMD and PWV. In unadjusted models, thoracic spine QCT-assessed T-scores correlated significantly, albeit weakly, with aorta calcification (
r
=0.22;
P
=0.01) but not with coronary calcification. The odds ratio of PWV ≥9 m/s for patients taking vitamin D
3
or its analogs was 0.51 (95% CI: 0.19 to 1.39). In conclusion, low spine BMD is associated with increased PWV in stage-5 chronic kidney disease, supporting the notion of a close interaction of vascular and bone disease in this patient group. QCT and not dual energy x-ray absorptiometry should be used to assess spine BMD in dialysis patients.
Response of the Middle Atmosphere to CO2 Doubling: Results from the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model
Authors: Fomichev V. I. , Jonsson A. I. , de Grandpré J. , Beagley S. R. , McLandress C. , Semeniuk K. , Shepherd T. G.
Published: April 2007

The Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM) has been used to examine the middle atmosphere response to CO2 doubling. The radiative-photochemical response induced by doubling CO2 alone and the response produced by changes in prescribed SSTs are found to be approximately additive, with the former effect dominating throughout the middle atmosphere. The paper discusses the overall response, with emphasis on the effects of SST changes, which allow a tropospheric response to the CO2 forcing. The overall response is a cooling of the middle atmosphere accompanied by significant increases in the ozone and water vapor abundances. The ozone radiative feedback occurs through both an increase in solar heating and a decrease in infrared cooling, with the latter accounting for up to 15% of the total effect. Changes in global mean water vapor cooling are negligible above ∼30 hPa. Near the polar summer mesopause, the temperature response is weak and not statistically significant. The main effects of SST changes are a warmer troposphere, a warmer and higher tropopause, cell-like structures of heating and cooling at low and middlelatitudes in the middle atmosphere, warming in the summer mesosphere, water vapor increase throughout the domain, and O3 decrease in the lower tropical stratosphere. No noticeable change in upward-propagating planetary wave activity in the extratropical winter–spring stratosphere and no significant temperature response in the polar winter–spring stratosphere have been detected. Increased upwelling in the tropical stratosphere has been found to be linked to changed wave driving at low latitudes.
North American Droughts of the Last Millennium from a Gridded Network of Tree-Ring Data
Authors: Herweijer Celine , Seager Richard , Cook Edward R. , Emile-Geay Julien
Published: April 2007

Drought is the most economically expensive recurring natural disaster to strike North America in modern times. Recently available gridded drought reconstructions have been developed for most of North America from a network of drought-sensitive tree-ring chronologies, many of which span the last 1000 yr. These reconstructions enable the authors to put the famous droughts of the instrumental record (i.e., the 1930s Dust Bowl and the 1950s Southwest droughts) into the context of 1000 yr of natural drought variability on the continent. We can now, with this remarkable new record, examine the severity, persistence, spatial signatures, and frequencies of drought variability over the past milllennium, and how these have changed with time.

The gridded drought reconstructions reveal the existence of successive “megadroughts,” unprecedented in persistence (20–40 yr), yet similar in year-to-year severity and spatial distribution to the major droughts experienced in today’s North America. These megadroughts occurred during a 400-yr-long period in the early to middle second millennium a.d., with a climate varying as today’s, but around a drier mean. The implication is that the mechanism forcing persistent drought in the West and the Plains in the instrumental era is analagous to that underlying the megadroughts of the medieval period. The leading spatial mode of drought variability in the recontructions resembles the North American ENSO pattern: widespread drought across the United States, centered on the Southwest, with a hint of the opposite phase in the Pacific Northwest.

Recently, climate models forced by the observed history of tropical Pacific SSTs have been able to successfully simulate all of the major North American droughts of the last 150 yr. In each case, cool “La Niña–like” conditions in the tropical Pacific are consistent with North American drought. With ENSO showing a pronounced signal in the gridded drought recontructions of the last millennium, both in terms of its link to the leading spatial mode, and the leading time scales of drought variability (revealed by multitaper spectral analysis and wavelet analysis), it is postulated that, as for the modern day, the medieval megadroughts were forced by protracted La Niña–like tropical Pacific SSTs. Further evidence for this comes from the global hydroclimatic “footprint” of the medieval era revealed by existing paleoclimatic archives from the tropical Pacific and ENSO-sensitive tropical and extratropical land regions. In general, this global pattern matches that observed for modern-day persistent North American drought, whereby a La Niña–like tropical Pacific is accompanied by hemispheric, and in the midlatitudes, zonal, symmetry of hydroclimatic anomalies.
Homogenization of Radiosonde Temperature Time Series Using Innovation Statistics
Authors: Haimberger Leopold
Published: April 2007

Radiosonde temperature records contain valuable information for climate change research from the 1940s onward. Since they are affected by numerous artificial shifts, time series homogenization efforts are required. This paper introduces a new technique that uses time series of temperature differences between the original radiosonde observations (obs) and background forecasts (bg) of an atmospheric climate data assimilation system for homogenization.

These obs − bg differences, the “innovations,” are a by-product of the data assimilation process. They have been saved during the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and are now available for each assimilated radiosonde record back to 1958. It is demonstrated that inhomogeneities in the obs time series due to changes in instrumentation can be automatically detected and adjusted using daily time series of innovations at 0000 and 1200 UTC.

The innovations not only reveal problems of the radiosonde records but also of the data assimilation system. Although ERA-40 used a frozen data assimilation system, the time series of the bg contains some breaks as well, mainly due to changes in the satellite observing system. It has been necessary to adjust the global mean bg temperatures before the radiosonde homogenization.

After this step, homogeneity adjustments, which can be added to existing raw radiosonde observations, have been calculated for 1184 radiosonde records. The spatiotemporal consistency of the global radiosonde dataset is improved by these adjustments and spuriously large day–night differences are removed. After homogenization the climatologies of the time series from certain radiosonde types have been adjusted. This step reduces temporally constant biases, which are detrimental for reanalysis purposes. Therefore the adjustments applied should yield an improved radiosonde dataset that is suitable for climate analysis and particularly useful as input for future climate data assimilation efforts. The focus of this paper relies on the lower stratosphere and on the internal consistency of the homogenized radiosonde dataset. Implications for global mean upper-air temperature trends are touched upon only briefly.
Assessing a Satellite-Era Perspective of the Global Water Cycle
Authors: Schlosser C. Adam , Houser Paul R.
Published: April 2007

The capability of a global data compilation, largely satellite based, is assessed to depict the global atmospheric water cycle’s mean state and variability. Monthly global precipitation estimates from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) and the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) span from 1979 to 1999. Monthly global Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I)-based bulk aerodynamic ocean evaporation estimates span from June 1987 to December 1999. Global terrestrial evapotranspiration rates are estimated over a multidecade period (1975–99) using a global land model simulation forced by bias-corrected reanalysis data. Monthly total precipitable water (TPW) from the NASA Global Water Vapor Project (NVAP) spans from 1988 to 1999.

The averaged annual global precipitation (P) and evaporation (E) estimates are out of balance by 5% or 24 000 (metric) gigatons (Gton) of water, which exceeds the uncertainty of global mean annual precipitation (∼±1%). For any given year, the annual flux imbalance can be on the order of 10% (48 000 Gton of water). However, observed global TPW interannual variations suggest a water flux imbalance on the order of 0.01% (48 Gton of water)—a finding consistent with a general circulation model (GCM) simulation. Variations in observationally based global P and E rates show weak monthly and interannual consistency, and depending on the choice of ocean evaporation data, the mean annual cycle of global E − P can be up to 5 times larger to that of TPW. The global ocean annual evaporation rates have as much as a ∼1% yr−1 increase during the period analyzed (1988–99), which is consistent in sign with most transient CO2 GCM simulations, but at least an order of magnitude larger. The ocean evaporation trends are driven by trends in SSM/I-retrieved near-surface atmospheric humidity and wind speed, and the largest year-to-year changes are coincident with transitions in the SSM/I fleet.

In light of (potential) global water cycle changes in GCM projections, the ability to consistently detect or verify these changes in nature rests upon one or more of the following: quantification of global evaporation uncertainty, at least a twofold improvement in consistency between the observationally based global precipitation and evaporation variations, a two order of magnitude rectification between annual variations of E − P and precipitable water as well as substantial improvements in the consistency of their seasonal cycles, a critical reevaluation of intersatellite calibration for the relevant geophysical quantities used for ocean evaporation estimates, and the continuation of a dedicated calibration in this regard for future satellite transitions.
The Impacts of Climate Change on Autumn North Atlantic Midlatitude Cyclones
Authors: Jiang Jing , Perrie William
Published: April 2007

This study explores how midlatitude extratropical cyclone intensities, frequencies, and tracks can be modified under warming-induced conditions due to enhanced greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. Simulations were performed with the Canadian mesoscale compressible community (MC2) model driven by control and high CO2 climate estimates from the Canadian Climate Centre model, the Second Generation Coupled Global Climate Model (CGCM2). CGCM2 simulations have effective CO2 concentration forcing, following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) IS92a scenario conditions, which define a near doubling of CO2 concentrations by 2050 compared to the 1980s. The control and high CO2 conditions were obtained from years 1975–94 and 2040–59 of CGCM2 simulations. For the northwest Atlantic, the CO2-induced warming for this period (2040–59) varies from ∼1°–2°C in the subtropics, near the main development region for Atlantic hurricanes, to ∼1°C in the north. In simulations of northwest Atlantic storms, the net impact of this enhanced CO2 scenario is to cause storms to increase in radius, with marginal tendencies to become more severe and to propagate faster (although not statistically significant), and for the mean storm tracks to shift slightly poleward.
Characterization of the Interannual and Intraseasonal Variability of West African Vegetation between 1982 and 2002 by Means of NOAA AVHRR NDVI Data
Authors: Philippon N. , Jarlan L. , Martiny N. , Camberlin P. , Mougin E.
Published: April 2007

The interannual and intraseasonal variability of West African vegetation over the period 1982–2002 is studied using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR).

The novel independent component analysis (ICA) technique is applied to extract the main modes of the interannual variability of the vegetation, among which two modes are worth describing. The first component (IC1) describes NDVI variability over the Sahel from August to October. A strong photosynthetic activity over the Sahel is related to above-normal convection and rainfall within the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in summertime and is partly associated with colder (warmer) SST in the eastern tropical Pacific (the Mediterranean). The second component (IC2) depicts a dipole pattern between the Sahelian and Guinean regions during the northern summer followed by a southward-propagating signal from October to December. It is associated with a north–south dipole in convection and rainfall induced by variations in the latitudinal location of the ITCZ as a response to the occurrence of the tropical Atlantic dipole.

The analysis of the intraseasonal variability of the Sahelian vegetation relies on the analysis of the seasonal marches and their main phenological stages. Green-up usually starts in early July and shows a very low year-to-year variability, while senescence ends by mid-November and is prone to larger interannual variability. Six types of vegetative seasonal marches are discriminated according to variations in the timing of phenological stages as well as in the greening intensity. These types appear to be strongly dependent on rainfall distribution and amount, particularly those recorded in late August. Finally, year-to-year memory effects are highlighted: NDVI recorded during the green-up phase in year j appears to be strongly related to the maximum NDVI value recorded at year j − 1.
Impact of Tropical Easterly Waves on the North American Monsoon
Authors: Adams Jennifer L. , Stensrud David J.
Published: April 2007

The North American monsoon (NAM) is a prominent summertime feature over northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is characterized by a distinct shift in midlevel winds from westerly to easterly as well as a sharp, marked increase in rainfall. This maximum in rainfall accounts for 60%–80% of the annual precipitation in northwestern Mexico and nearly 40% of the yearly rainfall over the southwestern United States. Gulf surges, or coastally trapped disturbances that occur over the Gulf of California, are important mechanisms in supplying the necessary moisture for the monsoon and are hypothesized in previous studies to be initiated by the passage of a tropical easterly wave (TEW). Since the actual number of TEWs varies from year to year, it is possible that TEWs are responsible for producing some of the interannual variability in the moisture flux and rainfall seen in the NAM.

To explore the impact of TEWs on the NAM, four 1-month periods are chosen for study that represent a reasonable variability in TEW activity. Two continuous month-long simulations are produced for each of the selected months using the Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model. One simulation is a control run that uses the complete boundary condition data, whereas a harmonic analysis is used to remove TEWs with periods of approximately 3.5 to 7.5 days from the model boundary conditions in the second simulation. These simulations with and without TEWs in the boundary conditions are compared to determine the impact of the waves on the NAM. Fields such as meridional moisture flux, rainfall totals, and surge occurrences are examined to define similarities and differences between the model runs. Results suggest that the removal of TEWs not only reduces the strength of gulf surges, but also rearranges rainfall over the monsoon region. Results further suggest that TEWs influence rainfall over the Southern Plains of the United States, with TEWs leading to less rainfall in this region. While these results are only suggestive, since rainfall is the most difficult model forecast parameter, it may be that TEWs alone can explain part of the inverse relationship between NAM and Southern Plains rainfall.
The Effect of Divorce on Domestic Crime
Authors: Stolzenberg Lisa , D'Alessio Stewart J.
Published: April 2007

Social scientists remain unsure as to whether divorce acts to alleviate domestic violence or whether ex-spouses become the targets of the displaced violence. Using data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System and the Census, this study investigates the relationship between the divorce rate and the domestic crime rate. The study contributes to the literature by distinguishing between spouse and ex-spouse victimization and by using a comprehensive measure of domestic crime. Results show a strong positive effect of the divorce rate on spouse and ex-spouse victimization. The length of time a married couple must be separated prior to finalizing a divorce was also found to amplify the spouse victimization rate. This finding suggests that mandatory separation periods may need to be eliminated or shortened in length to help attenuate crime between married couples seeking a divorce. Overall, these results support the view that divorce acts to shift domestic strife to ex-spouses.
Modeling Fear of Crime in Dallas Neighborhoods
Authors: Ferguson Kristin M. , Mindel Charles H.
Published: April 2007

This study tested a model of the effects of different predictors on individuals' levels of fear of crime in Dallas neighborhoods. Given its dual focus on individual perceptions and community-level interactions, social capital theory was selected as the most appropriate framework to explore fear of crime within the neighborhood milieu. A structural equation model was developed and tested. Several positive influences of social capital on lowering fear were identified, including police presence in the neighborhood, social support networks, neighborhood satisfaction, and collective efficacy. This study suggests that social capital can be mobilized as a public safety, community resource in high-crime neighborhoods.
National Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS) Overview
Authors: Wexler Harry K. , Fletcher Bennett W.
Published: April 2007

In 2002, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) launched the National Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS), a major research initiative. Researchers from 9 research centers and a coordinating center and NIDA work together with federal, state, and local criminal justice partners to develop and test integrated approaches to the treatment of offenders with drug use disorders. There are 13 major studies within CJ-DATS that cover 8 study areas, including screening and referral, modifying treatment programs and interventions for reentering offenders, improving engagement and retention, linking services in the community, improving coordination with criminal justice reentry processes, addressing the needs of special populations, understanding the general organizational and contextual factors in treating offenders, and understanding current treatment practices for the drug-involved offender.
Specialized Prisons and Services
Authors: Cropsey Karen L. , Wexler Harry K. , Melnick Gerald , Taxman Faye S. , Young Douglas W.
Published: April 2007

Findings from the National Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS) National Criminal Justice Treatment Practices survey are examined to describe types of services provided by three types of prisons: those that serve a cross-section of offenders, those that specialize in serving offenders with special psychosocial and medical needs, and those that specialize in serving legal status or gender specific populations. Information is presented on the prevalence and type of specialized prisons and services provided to offenders as reported by wardens and other facility directors drawn from a nationally representative sample of prisons. Additional analyses explore organizational factors that differentiate prisons that serve specialized populations including staffing, training, other resources, leadership, and climate for change and innovation. Implications for expanding and improving services for special populations in correctional settings and the values of specialized prisons are discussed.
CJDATS Co-Occurring Disorders Screening Instrument for Mental Disorders (CODSI-MD)
Authors: Sacks Stanley , Melnick Gerald , Coen Carrie , Banks Steven , Friedmann Peter D. , Grella Christine , Knight Kevin
Published: April 2007

This article describes the development of an instrument to screen male and female offenders for co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. This phase developed and pilot tested ( N = 100) the Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJDATS) Co-occurring Disorders Screening Instrument for Mental Disorders (CODSI-MD), a 6-item instrument derived from three standard mental health screeners. The overall accuracy of the CODSI-MD (81%) compared favorably with the three standard instruments. A second 3-item instrument, developed to screen for severe mental disorders (the CODSI-SMD), had an overall accuracy of 82%. The results of this pilot study must be viewed cautiously, pending validation of the findings with a larger sample.
Relationships and HIV Risk Among Incarcerated Women
Authors: Staton-Tindall Michele , Leukefeld Carl , Palmer Jennifer , Oser Carrie , Kaplan Ali , Krietemeyer Jennifer , Saum Christine , Surratt Hilary L.
Published: April 2007

HIV risk is a public health concern, particularly for women prisoners who are reentering the community. This article describes findings from focus groups conducted as part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse—funded Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS) cooperative agreement to inform the development of a gender-specific HIV intervention for women. Focus group findings indicate that a woman's HIV risk behavior is influenced by relationships: (a) drug and alcohol use are common in relationships, (b) sex is used as a strategy to manipulate partners, (c) trust is often derived from a perceived long-term commitment, (d) perceived safety is influenced by specific partner characteristics, (e) HIV and other sexually transmitted infections were not viewed as potential consequences of risky behavior, (f) feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth become normalized in problem relationships, and (g) women fear rejection if they ask their partners to use protection. Recommendations for developing a relationship-focused HIV intervention for women prisoners at community reentry are discussed.
A Multidimensional Examination of Campus Safety
Authors: Wilcox Pamela , Jordan Carol E. , Pritchard Adam J.
Published: April 2007

Using data from a spring 2004 telephone survey of 1,010 female undergraduate and graduate students at one southeastern state university, the authors examine the objective and subjective experiences with sexual assault or coercion, physical assault, and stalking among college women, paying particular attention to whether actual victimization experiences while in college coincide with cognitive assessments of campus risk, emotionally based worry about crime, and fear-related precautionary behavior. Furthermore, the authors explore whether these interrelationships might be perpetrator specific, focusing on differences in risk perception, worry, or precautionary behavior across acquaintance versus stranger-perpetrated victimization experiences. Results suggest that there is a loose coupling between actual victimization and subjective crime experiences. Implications for how colleges and universities publicly report crime and victimization, as mandated by the Clery Act, are discussed in light of these findings.
Pharmacy Update
Authors: Iltz Jason L. , Soule Odegard Peggy , Setter Stephen M. , Campbell R. Keith
Published: April 2007

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has increased to more than 20 million people in the United States, and current estimates indicate that one third of all Americans born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes mellitus in their lifetime. The need for diabetes therapies offering improved glucose control by mimicking normal physiological properties of glucose metabolism and improving on logistics such as ease of use, self-management, monitoring, and delivery is clear. This article, part 2 of a 3-part series, reviews newer injectable insulin preparations and examines the first-to-market orally inhaled dry powdered insulin (IDPI). The information provided is tailored to diabetes educators and includes mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, clinical trials, dosage and administration guidelines, side effects, and educational pearls for each insulin discussed. A detailed patient case designed to acquaint the reader with these newer insulin products and provide an understanding of clinical issues to consider when providing diabetes education to patients is included.
Stages and Processes of Smoking Cessation Among Adolescents
Authors: Ok Kyung Ham
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this study was to identify the stages and processes of change related to smoking cessation among vocational technical high school students to provide baseline data for smoking cessation programs. Cross-sectional data were collected in April and May, 2004, from 300 male students at three vocational technical high schools in Korean metropolitan areas. The survey instruments included: decisional balance; self-efficacy; nicotine dependence; stages and processes of change; and knowledge related to smoking. The results indicated that 31.7%, 39.2%, and 29.1% of current smokers were in the precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages, respectively, and that 42.6% and 57.4% of former smokers were in the action and maintenance stages, respectively. Decisional balance, self-efficacy, and nicotine dependence were significantly associated with the stages of change. Regarding the processes of change, only behavioral processes were significantly associated with the stages of change, with experiential processes showing no significant relationship. The study results suggest that smoking cessation programs should emphasize behavioral strategies to help students progress through the stages.
Prenatal Health Promotion Content and Health Behaviors
Authors: Vonderheid Susan C. , Norr Kathleen F. , Handler Arden S.
Published: April 2007

To improve the effectiveness of prenatal care, there is a need to understand the association between health promotion content and health behaviors during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between prenatal health promotion content and health behaviors during pregnancy among low-income African American and Mexican American women. Twenty-two recommended health promotion topics and their related health behaviors were measured. Structured interviews on health promotion topics and health behaviors were conducted with 159 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at a low-risk urban clinic. Wide variation was found in the number of health promotion topics discussed. Bivariate and regression analyses examined the association between content topics and behaviors. Healthier behaviors were associated with women's reports of discussing more health promotion topics, using fewer substances prepregnancy, and having a more positive attitude toward pregnancy. Data suggest that increasing prenatal health promotion content during routine visits might improve the effectiveness of prenatal care.
Exactly Sparse Extended Information Filters for Feature-based SLAM
Authors: Walter Matthew R. , Eustice Ryan M. , Leonard John J.
Published: April 2007

Recent research concerning the Gaussian canonical form for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) has given rise to a handful of algorithms that attempt to solve the SLAM scalability problem for arbitrarily large environments. One such estimator that has received due attention is the Sparse Extended Information Filter (SEIF) proposed by Thrun et al., which is reported to be nearly constant time, irrespective of the size of the map. The key to the SEIF's scalability is to prune weak links in what is a dense information (inverse covariance) matrix to achieve a sparse approximation that allows for efficient, scalable SLAM. We demonstrate that the SEIF sparsification strategy yields error estimates that are overconfident when expressed in the global reference frame, while empirical results show that relative map consistency is maintained.

In this paper, we propose an alternative scalable estimator based on an information form that maintains sparsity while preserving consistency. The paper describes a method for controlling the population of the information matrix, whereby we track a modified version of the SLAM posterior, essentially by ignoring a small fraction of temporal measurements. In this manner, the Exactly Sparse Extended Information Filter (ESEIF) performs inference over a model that is conservative relative to the standard Gaussian distribution. We compare our algorithm to the SEIF and standard EKF both in simulation as well as on two nonlinear datasets. The results convincingly show that our method yields conservative estimates for the robot pose and map that are nearly identical to those of the EKF.
Manipulation of Convex Objects via Two-agent Point-contact Push
Authors: Qingguo Li  , Payandeh Shahram
Published: April 2007

This paper explores a sensorless manipulation method for orienting and translating convex objects in the plane. The manipulation task is performed by a two-agent point-contact push. During the manipulation, each agent makes a point contact with the object, and both agents push together along a straight-line. One advantage of the two-agent point-contact push over the physical fence based push is that the two-agent point-contact push can manipulate non-polygonal parts, and reduce the position and orientation uncertainties simultaneously. First, two manipulation primitives are identified, equilibrium and non-equilibrium pushes, and the motion of the object characterized under these two pushing actions. Then, a controllability analysis is conducted for this class of manipulation using the theory of positive bases. After the analysis, the planning problem is studied in the framework of a switched system, and an analytical solution to the planning problem is developed. Finally, manipulation examples and experiments are provided to demonstrate the proposed manipulation method.
Adaptive Dynamic Walking of a Quadruped Robot on Natural Ground Based on Biological Concepts
Authors: Kimura Hiroshi , Fukuoka Yasuhiro , Cohen Avis H.
Published: April 2007

The paper reports on a project to make a quadruped robot walk with medium forward speed on irregular terrain in an outdoor environment using a neural system model. The necessary conditions for stable dynamic walking on irregular terrain in general are proposed, and the neural system is designed by comparing biological concepts with those necessary conditions described in physical terms. A PD-controller is used at joints to construct a virtual spring—damper system as the visco-elasticity model of a muscle. The neural system model consists of a CPG (central pattern generator), responses and reflexes. A response directly and quickly modulates the CPG phase, and a reflex directly generates joint torque. The state of the virtual spring—damper system is switched, based on the CPG phase. In order to make a self-contained quadruped (called Tekken2) walk on natural ground, several new reflexes and responses are developed in addition to those developed in previous studies. A flexor reflex prevents a leg from stumbling on small bumps and pebbles. A sideways stepping reflex stabilizes rolling motion on a sideways inclined slope. A corrective stepping reflex/response prevents the robot from falling down in the case of loss of ground contact. A crossed flexor reflex helps a swinging leg keep enough clearance between the toe and the ground. The effectiveness of the proposed neural system model control and especially the newly developed reflexes and responses are validated by indoor and outdoor experiments using Tekken2. A CPG receives sensory feedback as a result of motions induced by reflexes, and changes the period of its own active phase. Since a CPG has the ability of mutual entrainment with pitching motion of legs and rolling motion of the body in addition, the consistency between motion of a leg temporally modified by a reflex and motions of the other legs is maintained autonomously. It is shown that CPGs can be the center of sensorimotor coordination, and that the neural system model simply defining the relationships between CPGs, sensory input, reflexes and mechanical system works very well even in complicated tasks such as adaptive dynamic walking on unstructured natural ground.
Constraint-based Task Specification and Estimation for Sensor-Based Robot Systems in the Presence of Geometric Uncertainty
Authors: De Schutter Joris , De Laet Tinne , Rutgeerts Johan , Decré Wilm , Smits Ruben , Aertbeliën Erwin , Claes Kasper , Bruyninckx Herman
Published: April 2007

This paper introduces a systematic constraint-based approach to specify complex tasks of general sensor-based robot systems consisting of rigid links and joints. The approach integrates both instantaneous task specification and estimation of geometric uncertainty in a unified framework. Major components are the use of feature coordinates, defined with respect to object and feature frames, which facilitate the task specification, and the introduction of uncertainty coordinates to model geometric uncertainty. While the focus of the paper is on task specification, an existing velocity- based control scheme is reformulated in terms of these feature and uncertainty coordinates. This control scheme compensates for the effect of time varying uncertainty coordinates. Constraint weighting results in an invariant robot behavior in case of conflicting constraints with heterogeneous units. The approach applies to a large variety of robot systems (mobile robots, multiple robot systems, dynamic human-robot interaction, etc.), various sensor systems, and different robot tasks. Ample simulation and experimental results are presented.
Comparison of Bioabsorbable Pins and Nails in the Fixation of Adult Osteochondritis Dissecans Fragments of the Knee
Authors: Weckström Maria , Parviainen Mickael , Kiuru Martti J. , Mattila Ville M. , Pihlajamäki Harri K.
Published: April 2007

Background

The optimal device for the fixation of osteochondritis dissecans fragments of the knee remains controversial and lacks long-term results.

Purpose

To review a group of young adults with osteochondritis dissecans of the knee treated with arthroscopic fixation of the fragment using bioabsorbable pins and nails and to examine the medium-term outcome of the fixation via magnetic resonance imaging and clinical evaluation.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Twenty-eight patients (30 knees) with osteochondritis dissecans of the knee were treated with arthroscopic fixation using bioabsorbable, self-reinforced poly-L-lactide pins and nails. All patients were young adult males with closed physes. The average follow-up time was 5.4 years (range, 3-12). At follow-up, magnetic resonance imaging studies were used to evaluate subchondral bone healing, and the outcome was evaluated by the Kujala score.

Results

The functional results were excellent or good for 73% of the patients in the nail group versus 35% in the pin group. The lesions treated were large, with an average size of 447 mm2, affecting the weightbearing area in the majority of the patients. On magnetic resonance imaging, incomplete bone consolidation was predominant in the pin group.

Conclusions

Arthroscopic fixation with bioabsorbable nails seems to be a suitable method of repair for osteochondritis dissecans of the adult knee and appears to be superior to arthroscopic fixation with bioabsorbable pins.
Differences in 3-Dimensional Shoulder Kinematics between Persons with Multidirectional Instability and Asymptomatic Controls
Authors: Ogston Jena B. , Ludewig Paula M.
Published: April 2007

Background

Evidence that persons with multidirectional instability (MDI) of the shoulder have abnormal shoulder kinematics is limited. A kinematic description of scapulothoracic and glenohumeral motion can assist both conservative and surgical rehabilitative programs.

Hypothesis

Persons with MDI of the shoulder demonstrate increased anterior and inferior glenohumeral translation and decreased scapular upward rotation and increased scapular internal rotation compared with age-matched and gender-matched asymptomatic controls.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Sixty-two subjects were recruited from an outpatient orthopaedic clinic. Subjects with MDI were matched according to age, gender, and hand dominance to asymptomatic controls. An electromagnetic motion capture system evaluated the 3-dimensional position of the trunk, scapula, and humerus during frontal and scapular plane elevation. A repeated measures analysis of variance evaluated joint positions and glenohumeral translations during 4 phases of elevation (0°-30°, 31°-60°, 61°-90°, and 91°-120°).

Results

When averaged across the 4 phases of elevation, persons with MDI demonstrated a significant decrease in scapular upward rotation in scapular plane abduction (8°, P = .006) and abduction (5.8°, P = .016) and increased internal rotation during scapular plane abduction (12.2°, P = .03). Alterations in glenohumeral translations in the MDI group did not reach statistical significance (P = .54-.71).

Conclusion

Abnormal scapular kinematics are seen in the MDI shoulder, highlighting the importance of incorporating scapular positioning and stability exercises during rehabilitation. Additional study is warranted concerning the efficacy of various rehabilitation programs, and also both surgical and nonsurgical interventions in this population.