cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sleep and stress in the acute phase of concussion in youth

Abstract This study sought to address the complex interplay between both biological and psychological perceptions of stress and sleep in the acute stages following a mild traumatic brain injury. A secondary goal was to identify potential targets for intervention. Eleven acutely injured youth (mean age 12 years) were studied at home with overnight actigraphy, salivary cortisol and melatonin assays, and subjective ratings of stress and fatigue (injured group). Nine matched control youth also were assessed (control group). Results suggested longer sleep latencies (time to fall asleep) and higher levels of fatigue in the injured group exist (p = 0.025 and p = 0.004, respectively). In the injured group, stress and sleep onset were significantly related with most subjects meeting criteria for Acute Stress Disorder. Melatonin levels were lower at bedtime in the injured group. Saliva samples were collected via passive drool at three time points: ∼1 hour before bed (“bedtime” or T1), immediately upon waking (time 2: T2), and 30 minutes post-waking (time 3: T3). Overnight increases in cortisol (T1 to T2) were greater for the injured group; however, post-sleep changes in cortisol (T2 to T3) were reversed with control concentrations increasing. These findings are unique in using actigraphy and salivary hormone levels in an acutely injured youth while in their homes. The differences in sleep latency and the presence of injury-related stress point to potential treatment targets in acute concussion.
Frustrated magnetism in the layered triangular lattice materials K 2 Co ( SeO 3 ) 2 and Rb 2 Co ( SeO 3 ) 2

A study of the layered triangular lattice materials ${\mathrm{K}}_{2}\mathrm{Co}{({\mathrm{SeO}}_{3})}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{2}\mathrm{Co}{({\mathrm{SeO}}_{3})}_{2}$ is reported. These isostructural compounds crystallize in the trigonal space group $R\ensuremath{-}3m$ (No. 166). The magnetic $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{o}}^{2+}$ ions form a spin-1/2 triangular lattice and display strongly frustrated magnetism. We find no evidence in the susceptibility or heat capacity for in-plane ordering of the spins; rather the in-plane inverse susceptibility is typical of that seen for frustrated magnets. At around 10 K, a ferromagnetic component appears in the magnetic susceptibility perpendicular to the triangular planes. The heat capacity at low applied fields does not show sharp features, but in larger applied fields a sharp ferromagneticlike transition appears. Field- and direction-dependent magnetization measurements at 2 K indicate that both materials have a magnetic easy axis perpendicular to the triangular planes. The magnetic properties are sensitive to the field applied perpendicular to the triangular planes, which induces a metamagnetization transition at 0.75 T. Spin polarization develops along with the increasing out-of-plane field, resulting in a saturated ferromagnetic state at high fields. In contrast, the magnetic properties are resistant to the in-plane field. Our results suggest that these materials are embodiments of Ising spins on triangular lattices with easy-axis anisotropy.
The Federal Circuit in the Shadow of the Solicitor General

The Federal Circuit is an innovation. Created by Congress in 1982 as a way to centralize intermediate appellate jurisdiction in patent cases, the court was expected to create a unified body of patent precedents that would be developed by judges having some substantial degree of experience and expertise in the field. That goal has largely been achieved, though there remains a lively debate as to whether Congress should have aimed for a somewhat different goal. Yet even where innovations are successful in achieving their original goals, they often produce unintended consequences. So too for the Federal Circuit. The innovative jurisdictional structure of the new appellate court has fostered a unique relationship between the Federal Circuit and the Solicitor General’s Office and has, in a subtle but meaningful way, shifted power over the development of patent law from the judicial to the executive branch of government. This Article will document that transfer of power and will consider whether that shift in power should be welcomed or feared.
Protecting Health Care for Transgender Older Adults Amidst a Backlash of U.S. Federal Policies.

While transgender older adults and advocacy organizations have won important victories in health care for transgender older adults, significant barriers remain. New federal leadership in the United...
Evaluation of early postoperative intravenous opioid rescue as a novel quality measure in patients who receive thoracic epidural analgesia: a retrospective cohort analysis and prospective performance improvement intervention.

In this study, we explored the utility of intravenous opioid rescue analgesia in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU-OpResc) as a single marker of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) failure and evaluated the resource implications and quality improvement applications of this measure. We performed a retrospective analysis of all TEA placements over a three-year period at a single academic medical center in Boston, Massachusetts. The study exposure was PACU-OpResc. Primary outcome was PACU length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included reasons for delayed PACU discharge and intraoperative hypotension. The analyses were adjusted for confounding variables including patient comorbidities, surgical complexity, intraoperative intravenous opioids, chronic opioid use and local anesthetic bolus through TEA catheter. Post analysis chart review was conducted to determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of PACU-OpResc for inadequate TEA. As a first Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, we then introduced a checkbox for documentation of a sensory level check after TEA placement. Post implementation data was collected for 7 months. PACU-OpResc was required by 211 (22.1%) patients who received preoperative TEA, was associated with longer PACU LOS (incidence rate ratio 1.20, 95% CI:1.07–1.34, p = 0.001) and delayed discharge due to inadequate pain control (odds ratio 5.15, 95% CI 3.51–7.57, p < 0.001). PACU-OpResc had a PPV of 76.3 and 60.4% for re-evaluation and manipulation of the TEA catheter in PACU, respectively. Following implementation of a checkbox, average monthly compliance with documented sensory level check after TEA placement was noted to be 39.7%. During this time, a reduction of 8.2% in the rate of PACU-OpResc was observed. This study demonstrates that PACU-OpResc can be used as a quality assurance measure or surrogate for TEA efficacy, to track performance and monitor innovation efforts aimed at improving analgesia, such as our intervention to facilitate sensory level checks and reduced PACU-OpResc. not applicable.
Novel Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Thrombosis in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Thrombosis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in BCR/ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Circulating blood cells are both increased in quantity and qualitatively abnormal in MPN, resulting in an increased thrombotic risk. Herein, we review recently elucidated mechanisms of MPN thrombosis and discuss implications of drugs currently under investigation for MPN. Recent studies highlight that in JAK2V617F granulocytes and platelets, thrombo-inflammatory genes are upregulated. Furthermore, in JAK2V617F granulocytes, protein expression of integrin CD11b, tissue factor, and leukocyte alkaline phosphatase are all increased. Overall, myeloid cells, namely neutrophils, may contribute in several ways, such as through increased adhesion via β1 integrin binding to VCAM1, increased infiltration, and enhanced inducibility to extrude neutrophil extracellular traps. Non-myeloid inflammatory cells may also contribute via secretion of cytokines. With regard to red blood cells, number, rigidity, adhesion, and generation of microvesicles may lead to increased vascular resistance as well as increased cell-cell interactions that promote rolling and adhesion. Platelets may also contribute in a similar fashion. Lastly, the vasculature is also increasingly appreciated, as several studies have demonstrated increased endothelial expression of pro-coagulant and pro-adhesive proteins, such as von Willebrand factor or P-selectin in JAK2V617F endothelial cells. With the advent of molecular diagnostics, MPN therapeutics are advancing beyond cytoreduction. Our increased understanding of pro-inflammatory and thrombotic pathophysiology in MPN provides a rational basis for evaluation of in-development MPN therapeutics to reduce thrombosis.
Subjective Social Status and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers by Intersectionality of Race/Ethnicity and Sex Among U.S. Young Adults.

BACKGROUND Subjective social status (SSS) has shown inverse relationships with cardiometabolic risk, but intersectionalities of race/ethnicity and sex may indicate more nuanced relationships. PURPOSE To investigate associations of SSS with cardiometabolic risk markers by race/ethnicity and sex. METHODS Data were from Wave IV (2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n = 4,847; 24-32 years), which collected biological cardiometabolic risk markers. A 10-step ladder captured SSS; respondents indicated on which step they perceived they stood in relation to other people in the U.S. higher values indicated higher SSS (range: 1-10). We tested the relationship between SSS and individual markers using generalized least square means linear regression models, testing three-way interactions between SSS, race/ethnicity, and sex (p < .10) before stratification. RESULTS SSS-race/ethnicity-sex interactions were significantly associated with waist circumference (p ≤ .0001), body mass index (BMI; p ≤ .0001), systolic blood pressure (SBP; p ≤ .0001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; p = .0004), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; p = .07). SSS was associated with waist circumference (β [SE]: -1.2 (0.4), p < .05) and BMI (-0.6 [0.2], p < .01) for non-Hispanic White females, compared with males; with HDL-C among non-Hispanic White (0.2 [0.1]; p < .05) and Hispanic (0.3 (0.1); p < .05) females, compared with males; with SBP for non-Hispanic Asian (1.7 [0.8]; p < .05) and Multiracial (1.8 [0.8]; p < .05), versus White, females; and with DBP for non-Hispanic Black (0.8 [0.3]; p < .01), versus White, males. CONCLUSIONS SSS was differentially related to cardiometabolic risk markers by race/ethnicity and sex, suggesting intersectional aspects. Clinical and research applications of SSS should consider race/ethnicity- and sex-specific pathways influencing cardiometabolic risk.
"GO BACK IN YOUR FETUS CAVE": HOW PREDATORY INFLUENCERS MANIPULATE AUDIENCES THROUGH PLATFORM RETREATS

In the summer of 2020, dozens of high-profile influencers in videogaming entertainment were accused of sexual harassment and predatory behavior. Among these, popular gaming YouTuber Craig Thompson (username 'Mini Ladd') confessed on Twitter to grooming minors but resumed uploading content to his YouTube channel one month later, resulting in public outcry. Thompson’s return to YouTube provides a case study in how predatory influencers can manipulate affordances across platforms, especially on YouTube, to insulate themselves from accountability and maintain their platform. Using scraped data from Twitter (34k tweets) and YouTube (62k comments and video network data), this article uses a mixed-methods social network analysis (Burgess and Matamoros-Fernandez 2016) to map the public effort to deplatform Mini Ladd. This case study raises questions about cross-platform insulation and audience manipulation, by demonstrating how a predatory influencer 1) censored keywords in his comments to obfuscate criticism 2) gamed YouTube’s video algorithms to avoid references to his scandal and 3) redirected harassment onto his own fanbase. Ultimately, I argue that predatory influencers manipulate YouTube’s platform affordances to insulate themselves from accountability in the absence of moderation.
Paraneoplastic Syndrome with a Progressive Supranuclear Palsy phenotype (P2.2-049)

Objective: To highlight a rare and unusual presentation of a paraneoplastic syndrome mimicking PSP with rapid progression in a patient with metastatic breast adenocarcinoma with Type II Anti-Neuronal Nuclear Antibody (ANNA-2/Anti-Ri) serologic positivity. Background: Multiple ANNA-2 paraneoplastic syndromes have been identified in association with breast cancer. But a PSP phenotype has been rarely reported, with extremely scant literature of any ANNA-2 association with such presentation. Design/Methods: Case presentation Results: A 55 year old Caucasian female with history of stage IIB invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast status post bilateral mastectomy and 6 cycles of FEC/Tax chemotherapy 3 years prior to presentation. The patient was in remission for 2 years until she presented with bilateral lower extremity weakness and frequent backward falls, hand tremor, vertical/oblique diplopia, and dysphagia of 3 months duration. She had an unremarkable brain MRI prior to admission. Presenting exam revealed normal cognition, “astonished-like” facial expression, retrocollis, restricted upward and lateral gaze bilaterally, preferred downward gaze, absent convergence, intact vestibuloocular reflex, intermittent resting hand tremor, and 4+/5 power throughout consistent with PSP. However, rapid progression was atypical and paraneoplastic syndrome was considered. High dose IV methylprednisolone was started empirically with minimal improvement. PET-CT revealed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, lung and pleural heterogenous nodularities, and a T10 vertebral focus. An endobronchial lymph node biopsy was performed and plasma exchange was started with noted improvement in lateral and vertical gaze by third session. Biopsy revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast and oncology began treatment. Serum paraneoplastic panel revealed ANNA-2 with titer of 1:30720. She received rituximab infusion once prior to discharge, with discharge planning for continued chemotherapy and maintenance rituximab. Conclusions: PSP phenotype has been very rarely reported as a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with classic neuronal antibodies and malignancies. Our patient presented with corticosteroid and PLEX responsive ANNA-2 positive paraneoplastic PSP phenotype associated with breast cancer. Disclosure: Dr. Amireh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Amrutkar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Burton has nothing to disclose.
Tracking metastatic brain tumors in longitudinal scans via joint image registration and labeling

The treatment of metastatic brain tumors with stereotactic radiosurgery requires that the clinician first locate the tumors and measure their volumes. Thoroughly searching a patient scan for brain tumors and delineating the lesions can be a long and difficult task when done manually and is also prone to human error. In this paper, we present an automated method for detecting changes in brain tumor lesions over longitudinal scans to aide the clinician's task of determining tumor volumes. Our approach jointly registers the current image with a previous scan while estimating changes in intensity correspondences due to tumor growth or regression. We combine the label map with correspondence changes with tumor segmentations from a previous scan to estimate the metastases in the new image. Alignment and tumor tracking results show promise on 28 registrations using real patient data.
Approximate guaranteed cost fault-tolerant control of unknown nonlinear systems with time-varying actuator faults

In this paper, the guaranteed cost fault-tolerant control problem for unknown multi-input continuous nonlinear systems with loss of actuator effectiveness faults is investigated using the adaptive dynamic programming algorithm. Initially, by modifying the cost function to account for actuator faults, the problem is transformed into an optimal control problem of the nominal system. Subsequently, by using an existing policy iteration (PI) algorithm to solve the corresponding optimal control problem, a guaranteed cost controller is constructed approximately. Furthermore, a rigorous proof is given to show the convergence of the aforementioned PI algorithm while taking the neural network approximation errors into consideration. Finally, simulation examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Data Semantics on the Information Superhighway

Major advances in data semantics are needed to keep pace with the generalized forms of data now becoming widely available on the information superhighway. We begin by describing a system that treats character string data as genuine text in a natural language, and adds the level of semantic understanding provided by thematic analysis. Extensions of conventional database type systems and query paradigms are needed for handling text and document and multimedia information, and are discussed especially in relation to SQL. Finally, seeking a theoretical foundation of sufficient breadth for future work in data semantics, we explore the semiotics of the philosopher Charles S. Peirce.
Endovascular intervention for acute stroke due to infective endocarditis

The overall incidence of neurological complications due to infective endocarditis is as high as 40%, with embolic infarcts more common than hemorrhagic strokes. The standard of care for typical strokes does not apply to infective endocarditis because there is a substantial risk of hemorrhage with thrombolysis. In the last decade there have been multiple case reports of intravenous and intraarterial thrombolysis with successful outcomes for acute strokes with related infective endocarditis, but successful endovascular interventions for acute strokes associated with infective endocarditis are rarely reported. To the authors' knowledge, this report is the first case in the literature to use a mechanical retrieval device in successful vegetation retrieval in an infective endocarditis acute stroke. Although an interventional approach for treatment of acute stroke related to infective endocarditis is a promising option, it is controversial and a cautious clinical decision should be made on a case-by-case basis. The authors conclude that this approach can be tested in a case series with matched controls, because this condition is rare and a randomized clinical trial is not a realistic option.
Base-resolution detection of N4-methylcytosine in genomic DNA using 4mC-Tet-assisted-bisulfite- sequencing

Restriction-modification (R-M) systems pose a major barrier to DNA transformation and genetic engineering of bacterial species. Systematic identification of DNA methylation in R-M systems, including N(6)-methyladenine (6mA), 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and N(4)-methylcytosine (4mC), will enable strategies to make these species genetically tractable. Although single-molecule, real time (SMRT) sequencing technology is capable of detecting 4mC directly for any bacterial species regardless of whether an assembled genome exists or not, it is not as scalable to profiling hundreds to thousands of samples compared with the commonly used next-generation sequencing technologies. Here, we present 4mC-Tet-assisted bisulfite-sequencing (4mC-TAB-seq), a next-generation sequencing method that rapidly and cost efficiently reveals the genome-wide locations of 4mC for bacterial species with an available assembled reference genome. In 4mC-TAB-seq, both cytosines and 5mCs are read out as thymines, whereas only 4mCs are read out as cytosines, revealing their specific positions throughout the genome. We applied 4mC-TAB-seq to study the methylation of a member of the hyperthermophilc genus, Caldicellulosiruptor, in which 4mC-related restriction is a major barrier to DNA transformation from other species. In combination with MethylC-seq, both 4mC- and 5mC-containing motifs are identified which can assist in rapid and efficient genetic engineering of these bacteria in the future.
Comparison of Frequency and Duration of Periodontal Disease With Progression of Coronary Artery Calcium in Patients With and Without Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

People with type 1 diabetes mellitus manifest a greater burden of both periodontal disease and coronary artery disease (CAD); however, little is known about their interrelation. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) measures subclinical atherosclerosis and predicts major adverse coronary events. The relation between periodontal disease and CAC progression in individuals with type 1 diabetes has not been previously described. We determined the prevalence and progression of CAC in relation to self-reported periodontal disease. Multivariate logistic and tobit regression models were used to examine the relation between periodontal disease duration and CAC progression and whether this relation differs by diabetes status after controlling for age, gender, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, body mass index (BMI), duration of diabetes, and baseline CAC. A total of 473 patients with type 1 diabetes and 548 without diabetes were followed for a mean of 6.1 years. At baseline, the prevalence and duration of periodontal disease did not differ between subjects with and without diabetes (14.5% vs 13.4%, p = 0.60; 6 vs 9 years, p = 0.18). Duration of periodontal disease was not significantly associated with baseline CAC prevalence. In patients with type 1 diabetes, periodontal disease duration was significantly related to CAC progression (p = 0.004) but not in subjects without diabetes (p = 0.63). In conclusion, this study suggests that periodontal disease is an independent predictor of long-term progression of CAC in patients with type 1 diabetes.
The security analysis of e-voting in Japan

To assess trustworthiness of e-voting practices in Japan, security of e-voting systems and their operational procedures are analyzed. All e-voting systems available on the market are covered in the analysis. Through the analysis we concluded that current e-voting security is heavily depending on protection by operational process rather than security features of the system and it is confirmed that the systems provide only limited security features and there is large room for technical improvement. Typical security issues are lack of protection mechanism of programs and data on tabulation machines. This vulnerability enables malicious poll worker or manufacturer to insert malicious code to generate arbitrary election results.
Update on precursor and early lesions of hepatocellular carcinomas.

Abstract Context.—There is increasing evidence to support a multistep model of the process of human hepatocarcinogenesis. Precursor lesions are characterized by the appearance of dysplastic lesions in the form of microscopic dysplastic foci and macroscopic dysplastic nodules. There are 2 types of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (≤2 cm in diameter): (1) early HCC with an indistinct margin and (2) progressed HCC with a distinct margin. Pathologic diagnostic criteria for early HCC have recently been set up based on a consensus between Eastern and Western pathologists. Objective.—To review the nomenclature, pathology, and biomarkers of precursor and early lesions of HCC. Data Sources.—Literature review and illustrations from case materials were used. Conclusions.—Dysplastic foci are composed of large and small cell changes. Small cell change is considered to be a more advanced precursor lesion than large cell change, and large cell change is a rather heterogeneous lesion that may represent both reactive ...
Diffusion in a medium with connected traps.

The long-time decay of the density of diffusive particles in a d-dimensional medium with static traps which form a statistically homogeneous connected set is analyzed by methods analogous to those recently applied to the case of randomly distributed traps. Pertinent statistical properties of connected-trap configurations are inferred from analysis of two special cases. The density is shown to decay as exp(-${t}^{(d\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1)/(d+1)}$) for large t. The analysis is motivated by an application to transport in porous media.
“The Air Belongs to the People”: The Rise and Fall of a Postwar Radio Reform Movement

The postwar 1940s witnessed the beginnings of a full-fledged broadcast reform movement composed of labor activists, African Americans, disaffected intellectuals, Progressives, educators, and religious organizations. Although this reform movement would never realize the full sum of its parts before it was quelled by reactionary forces, it would succeed in registering significant victories as well as laying the necessary groundwork for future reform. The following analysis draws from archival materials and interviews to recover a largely forgotten moment in broadcast history, one that holds much contemporary relevance for current media reform efforts and media policy issues.
Internal dipole radiation as a tool for particle identification

A numerical approach for the calculation of the internal dipole radiation associated with particles of arbitrary morphology is investigated by using the discrete-dipole approximation (DDA) method. The DDA and analytical solutions for the total radiated power and radiation pattern are compared in the case of spherical host particles. It is shown that the DDA can be quite accurate under the condition that m≲2, and mkd<0.5, where m is the refractive index of the host particle, k=2π/λ is the wavenumber in vacuum, and d is the distance between two adjacent dipoles in the DDA cubic dipole array. Furthermore, the DDA solutions for the dipole radiation patterns associated with nonspherical host particles are compared with their corresponding counterparts obtained from the finite-difference time-domain method. Excellent agreement between the two results is noted. The DDA method is also applied to the computation of the internal dipole radiation associated with simulated nonspherical sporelike particles. The results suggest that the internal dipole radiation patterns contain a great deal of information about the morphology and composition of the host particle.
A self-adapting model for assessing hazardous environmental releases

Simulation results are presented by using an h-adaptive mass consistent finite element method (FEM) coupled with a Lagrangian particle transport technique (LPT) for dispersion associated with hazardous atmospheric releases. A three-dimensional wind field is first constructed from the adaptive FEM model. Lagrangian particles that define the contaminant dispersion are then produced with the LPT scheme, employing a random walk/stochastic approach. The application of FEM permits flow patterns with irregular geometries to be easily simulated, while the LPT permits contaminant particle dispersion patterns to be quickly depicted. The hybrid model is fast, runs on PCs, and appears well suited for emergency response dispersion predictions and assessment.
Salt Marsh Diking and Restoration: Biogeochemical Implications of Altered Wetland Hydrology.

/ In salt marshes, most biomass plus large reserves of biologically important N, P, Fe, and S are sequestered below ground under saline, waterlogged, and anaerobic conditions. Thus, hydrologic alterations such as diking and ditch drainage that reduce salinity and increase peat aeration can cause radical changes in the composition of salt marsh soils.Experimental short-term desalination and drainage of salt marsh cores in greenhouse microcosms caused Spartina production to increase after one growing season, reflecting decreased salt stress and sulfide toxicity. However, production thereafter declined, likely due to pyrite oxidation and acidification in drained treatments and sulfide accumulation in waterlogged treatments.A survey of longer-term (decadal) effects of diking on peat composition of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, marshes revealed acidification, Fe(II) mobilization, and decreased organic content in drained sites. Despite the aerobic decomposition of organic matter, abundant nutrients remained as sorbed NH4 and mineral-bound PO4. In diked, seasonally waterlogged sites, porewater alkalinity, sulfide, ammonium and orthophosphate were much lower, and organic solids higher, than in adjacent natural marsh.Seawater was added to cores from diked marshes to study the effects of tidal restoration. Salination of the drained peat increased porewater pH, alkalinity, ammonium, orthophosphate, Fe, and Al; copious ammonium N, and Fe(II) for sulfide precipitation favored Spartina growth. Salination of diked-waterlogged peat increased sulfate reduction and caused 6-8 cm of sediment subsidence. The resulting increase in porewater sulfides and waterlogging decreased vigor of transplanted Spartina alterniflora. Results indicate that seawater restoration should proceed cautiously to avoid nutrient loading of surface waters in drained sites or sulfide toxicity in diked-waterlogged marshes.KEY WORDS: Salt marsh; Diking; Biogeochemical cycling; Restoration; Massachusettshttp://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/journals/00267/bibs/24n1p111.html
A case study utilizing spinal manipulation and dynamic neuromuscular stabilization care to enhance function of a post cerebrovascular accident patient

Summary Introduction This case report demonstrated physical function improvement of a 31-year-old male, four years post cerebral vascular compromise, with 32 weeks of Chiropractic adjustive and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) rehabilitation care. Methods Chiropractic care occurred weekly over a 32 week care program with the inclusion of DNS treatments over the final 16 weeks. Functional changes were tracked via Low Back Bournemouth assessment, objective findings and independent clinical examination. Results Throughout care the patient progressed with non-assisted ambulation, global improvement in balance and movement pattern, decreased Low Back Bournemouth assessment scores from 43% to 23%. Discussion This therapeutic approach reduced the patient's physical disabilities, enhancing quality of life. Conclusion Chiropractic adjustive care combined with DNS treatment improved functional deficits warranting consideration in subsequent care investigations.
Regenerative biology: new hair from healing wounds.

In mammals, most wounds heal by repair, not regeneration. It now seems that, as they heal, open skin wounds in adult mice form new hair follicles that follow similar developmental paths to those of embryos.
‘Concerns, Attitudes and Abilities of Early-career Geography Faculty’: Research Context and Future Directions

We would like to thank the judges of the JGHE for this award. We are honored to be selected, particularly in light of the quality of the other papers nominated for this year's competition as well a...
Rulers and Priests: A Study in Cultural Control

The purpose of this article is to shed some light on contemporary Indian problems of defense and civil-military relations through an examination of the role of the military in ancient Hindu society.
Aggressive Signal in "Courtship" Chirps of a Gregarious Cricket

Unlike other known species of crickets, Amphiacusta maya in Central America mates in groups. Experimentally silenced males experience reduced mating success, not owing to decreased receptivity by females, but owing to increased time spent fighting with other males that persistently interrupt silent courtships. Thus, the data indicate that "courtship" chirping functions as a warning to other males, rather than as a signal to females.
An efficient method for deriving mass-consistent flow fields from wind observations in rough terrain

Abstract Mass-consistent wind fields can be generated for observed wind data. The usual process involves the minimal adjustment of a trial wind field by relaxation techniques to achieve nondivergent flow. This paper describes how linear combinations of a limited number of solutions obtained by the conventional iterative relaxation methods can be used to achieve the same results with greatly reduced computational requirements. The solutions must only be obtained for linearly independent data sets. The application described uses eigenvectors of the covariance matrix of the input wind component data as the linearly-independent data sets. The model with which this technique is applied uses a relaxation scheme to achieve mass-conservative flow with minimum difference between the initial trial wind field obtained by interpolation and the resulting mass-conserving flow.
Application of Bernstein Polynomials for smooth estimation of a distribution and density function

The empirical distribution function is known to have optimum properties as an estimator of the underlying distribution function. However, it may not be appropriate for estimating continuous distributions because of its jump discontinuities. In this paper, we consider the application of Bernstein polynomials for approximating a bounded and continuous function and show that it can be naturally adapted for smooth estimation of a distribution function concentrated on the interval [0,1] by a continuous approximation of the empirical distribution function. The smoothness of the approximating polynomial is further used in deriving a smooth estimator of the corresponding density. The asymptotic properties of the resulting estimators are investigated. Specifically, we obtain strong consistency and asymptotic normality under appropriate choice of the degree of the polynomial. The case of distributions with other compact and non-compact support can be dealt through transformations. Thus, this paper gives a general method for non-parametric density estimation as an alternative to the current estimators. A small numerical investigation shows that the estimator proposed here may be preferable to the popular kernel-density estimator.
A model to relate levels in an isobaric multiplet

A simple two-body model is proposed for relating levels within an isobaric multiplet and is applied to the lowest T=1 levels of the nuclei with A=8 and A=16.
Cold-adapted recombinants of influenza A virus in MDCK cells. I. Development and characterization of A/Ann Arbor/6/60 X A/Alaska/6/77 recombinant viruses.

Abstract Recombinant influenza viruses made at 25 and 33° in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells using the cold-adapted A/Ann Arbor/6/60 virus and the wild-type A/Alaska/6/77 virus were biologically and genetically analyzed. Eight recombinants were separated into two phenotypic groups based on cold-adapted (ca) and temperature-sensitive (ts) markers: ca and ts, ca and non-ts. The ca recombinants showed different degrees of cold adaptibility (DOCA) and different patterns of virus growth at 25°. All recombinants contained at most three genes from the cold variant A/Ann Arbor/6/60 virus (triple-gene recombinant) and most contained two or one gene from the cold variant parent (double-gene and single-gene recombinants, respectively). Further, the same three genes, RNA2, RNA3, and RNA5 (NA) were the only ca A/Ann Arbor/6/60 genes found in the various recombinants. Two clones contained all three A/Ann Arbor/6/60 genes and were both cold-adapted (ca) and temperature-sensitive (ts). All other recombinant clones were ca and non-ts, and contained RNA2 and/or RNA5 (NA). Each set of single-gene ca recombinants correlated with a different, but specific cold-adapted characteristic exhibited by their growth curves at 25°. Single-gene recombinants containing only the RNA2 of A/Ann Arbor/6/60 virus showed rapid growth early in infection and intermediate final virus yield (between the titer of virus yield for the ca A/Ann Arbor/6/60 virus and the wild-type A/Alaska/6/77 virus; while the single-gene recombinant containing only the RNA5 (NA) of A/Ann Arbor/6/60 virus showed slow growth early in infection, but a high final virus yield (equivalent to that of the ca A/Ann Arbor/6/60 parent). The double-gene recombinant containing both these genes showed both rapid growth early in infection and a high final virus yield. Thus, cold adaptation can be transferred to recombinant viruses by at least two independent genes each of which can confer the cold-adaptive property by its own pathway. The genetic basis for temperature sensitivity involves both RNA2 and RNA3, but remains ambiguous in the absence of a single-gene recombinant containing only RNA3 of the cold variant.
Comparing adaptive stepped care and monetary-based voucher interventions for opioid dependence.

This 6-month randomized clinical trial (with three month follow-up) used a 2 × 2 design to compare the independent and combined effectiveness of two interventions designed to improve outcomes in treatment-seeking opioid dependent patients (n = 236): Motivated Stepped Care (MSC) and Contingent Voucher Incentives (CVI). MSC is an adaptive treatment strategy that uses principles of negative reinforcement and avoidance to motivate both attendance to varying levels of counseling services and brief periods of abstinence (Brooner and Kidorf, 2002, Brooner et al., 2004). In contrast, CVI (Higgins et al., 1991) relies on positive reinforcement to motivate drug abstinence. The results showed that the combined approach (MSC+CVI) was associated with the highest proportion of drug-negative urine samples during both the randomized and three-month follow-up arms of the evaluation. The CVI-only and the MSC-only conditions evidenced similar proportions of drug-negative urine samples that were both significantly greater than the standard care (SC) comparison group. Voucher-based reinforcement was associated with better retention, while adaptive stepped-based care was associated with better adherence to scheduled counseling sessions. These results suggest that both CVI and MSC are more effective than routine care for reducing drug use in opioid dependent outpatients, and that the overall benefits of MSC are enhanced further by adding positive reinforcement.
Can Additional Resources Lead to Higher Levels of Productivity (Arrests) in Police Agencies

While most police chiefs might be willing to make such a claim that there is a positive relationship between COPS grants and police arrests, empirical research on this topic is very limited. Following from an earlier study by Zhao, Scheider, and Thurman (2003), this research makes several contributions to the current literature. First, it includes additional years of data from police agencies receiving federal funding to examine the effects of additional resources on arrests. Second, making use of the two waves of census data (1990 and 2000) allowed time-varying analysis of the relationship between police arrests and demographics. Finally, a hierarchical statistical method for longitudinal analysis (HMLM) was used in the analysis of police arrest data from 5,871 cities during 1993 and 2000 when the involvement of federal government for promoting community policing or quality of life policing was unprecedented. Our primary findings suggest a positive relationship between COPS hiring grants and all four typ...
Antioxidant properties of melatonin--an emerging mystery.

Over three centuries ago, the French philosopher Rene Descartes described the pineal gland as "the seat of the soul." However, it was not until the late 1950s that the chemical identity and biosynthesis of melatonin, the principal hormone secreted by the pineal body, were revealed. Melatonin, named from the Greek melanos, meaning black, and tonos, meaning color, is a biogenic amine with structural similarities to serotonin. The mechanisms mediating the synthesis of melatonin are transcriptionally regulated by the photoperiodic environment. Once synthesized, the neurohormone is a biologic modulator of mood, sleep, sexual behavior, reproductive alterations, immunologic function, and circadian rhythms. Moreover, melatonin exerts its regulatory roles through high-affinity, pertussis toxin-sensitive, G-protein (or guanine nucleotide binding protein) coupled receptors that reside primarily in the eye, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, and brain. Additional evidence also indicates a role for melatonin in aging and age-related diseases, probably related to its efficient free radical scavenger (or antioxidant) activity. The potential clinical benefit of melatonin as an antioxidant is remarkable, suggesting that it may be of use in the treatment of many pathophysiological disease states including various cancers, hypertension, pulmonary diseases, and a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. This review summarizes the biosynthesis of melatonin and its many endocrine and physiological functions, including its therapeutic potential in human disease states. Emphasis is placed on the recent speculations indicating that this pineal hormone serves as an endogenous antioxidant agent with proficient free radical scavenging activity.
Exercise testing in chest pain units: rationale, implementation, and results.

Chest pain units are now established centers for assessment of low-risk patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. Accelerated diagnostic protocols, of which treadmill testing is a key component, have been developed within these units for efficient evaluation of these patients. Studies of the last decade have established the utility of early exercise testing, which has been safe, accurate, and cost-effective in this setting. Specific diagnostic protocols vary, but most require 6 to12 hours of observation by serial electrocardiography and cardiac injury markers to exclude infarction and high-risk unstable angina before proceeding to exercise testing. However, in the chest pain unit at UC Davis Medical Center, the approach includes "immediate" treadmill testing without a traditional process to rule out myocardial infarction. Extensive experience has validated this approach in a large, heterogeneous population. The optimal strategy for evaluating low-risk patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain will continue to evolve based on current research and the development of new methods.
Effect of tryptophan depletion on alcohol cue-induced craving in abstinent alcoholic patients.

Background: The capacity of alcohol cues to precipitate the desire to drink may be an important determinant of relapse to alcohol use in recovering alcohol-dependent patients. This study evaluated whether attenuation of serotonin synthesis via depletion of its precursor tryptophan reduces the magnitude of cue-induced craving for alcohol in recently abstinent alcoholic individuals. Methods: Alcohol-dependent patients (n= 16), 1 to 3 months after detoxification, who exhibited a 20% or greater increase in reported craving when presented with an alcoholic beverage, completed two additional alcohol cue-exposure test days, 1 week apart. Each cue exposure was preceded by administration of a concentrated amino acid drink that resulted in a rapid and significant decline in plasma free tryptophan (active depletion, no tryptophan supplementation) or a similar drink containing tryptophan (placebo depletion). Tests were conducted in a randomized, double-blind fashion. Results: There were no significant changes in the magnitude of cue-induced craving with active tryptophan depletion compared with placebo. Conclusions: These data question the dependence of alcohol cue-induced craving in sober alcoholics on the ongoing synthesis of serotonin.
Self diffusion in nonstoichiometric compounds

Abstract A formalism for tracer diffusion in nonstoichiometric compounds is developed at the Bragg-Williams approximation along parallel lines with the Anderson theory of nonstoichiometry. It is specifically assumed that both components of a Frenkel pair may contribute independently to the diffusion coefficient. The equation for the tracer diffusion coefficient leads to a “transition” region in a In D∗ vs 1 T plot for one side of stoichiometry. In this region the slope may attain the value of the sum of the high and low temperature branches. It is also shown that under certain conditions the compositional behavior of the activation energy of diffusion should parallel the compositional behavior of the heat of solution. The success of the mass action law approach, as manifested in ln D∗/ln po2 plots in the case of nonstoichiometric oxides, is also shown to be due to a self cancellation of terms involving defect interactions.
Community-wide prevention of cardiovascular disease: Education strategies of the Minnesota Heart Health Program

The Minnesota Heart Health Program (MHHP) is a research and demonstration project of population-wide primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Study goals are to achieve reductions in cardiovascular disease risk factors and morbidity and mortality in three education communities compared with three reference communities. The program in the first of the three intervention communities, Mankato, has been operating for 3 of the planned 5 years. Early objectives of the program have been achieved based on data obtained from population-based random samples surveyed in education and comparison communities. After 2 years of participation, Mankato was significantly more exposed to activities promoting cardiovascular disease prevention. In this town of 38,000 inhabitants, 190 community leaders were directly involved as program volunteers, 14,103 residents (over 60% of adults) attended a screening education center, 2,094 attended MHHP health education classes, 42 of 65 physicians and 728 other health professionals participated in continuing education programs offered by MHHP, and distribution of printed media averaged 12.2 pieces per household. These combined educational strategies have resulted in widespread awareness of MHHP and participation by the majority of the Mankato adult population in its education activities.
Preparation and single crystal growth of PtGa2 and AuX2 compounds

Abstract The preparation and single crystal growth techniques for PtGa2 and several AuX2 compounds (where X = A1, Ga and In) are discussed. Because of the highly exothermic reaction between gold and aluminum, a self-regulating method of preparing this compound in bulk was developed. The single crystals were grown by the Bridgman method. The crystal growth equipment and growth parameters are presented and the various crystals grown in this work are tabulated.
Molecular cloning and characterization of bovine P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1.

Abstract Human P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is a dimeric membrane mucin expressed on leukocytes that binds selectins. Here, we report that the open reading frame (ORF) of bovine PSGL-1 (bPSGL-1) cDNA is 1284 base pairs in length, predicting a protein of 427 amino acids including an 18-amino-acid signal peptide, an extracellular region with a mucin-like domain, and transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. The amino acid sequence of bPSGL-1 demonstrated 52, 49 and 40% overall homology to equine, human and mouse, respectively. A single extracellular cysteine, at the transmembrane and extracellular domain junction, suggests a disulfide-bonding pattern. Alignment of bovine with equine, human and mouse PSGL-1 demonstrates high conservation of transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, but diversity of the extracellular domain, especially in the anionic NH 2 -terminal of PSGL-1, the putative P-selectin binding domain. In the NH 2 -terminal of bPSGL-1, there are three potential tyrosine sulfation sites and three potential threonine O -glycosylation sites, all of which are required for P-selectin binding in human PSGL-1 (hPSGL-1). bPSGL-1 shares only 57% homology in amino acid sequence with the corresponding epitope region which binds the monoclonal antibody PL1 for hPSGL-1, and no cross-reactivity was found in bovine leukocytes. In summary, bPSGL-1 shares homology with hPSGl-1, but has differences in the putative extracellular P-selectin binding domain.
Reversibility and stability of information processing systems

Classical and quantum models of dynamically reversible computers are considered. Instabilities in the evolution of the classical 'billiard ball computer' are analyzed and shown to result in a one-bit increase of entropy per step of computation. 'Quantum spin computers', on the other hand, are not only microscopically, but also operationally reversible. Readoff of the output of quantum computation is shown not to interfere with this reversibility. Dissipation, while avoidable in principle, can be used in practice along with redundancy to prevent errors.