cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mental health treatment use among cannabis users aged 50+: Associations with cannabis use characteristics.

Abstract Background This study examined associations of mental health treatment use and perceived treatment need with cannabis use characteristics (medical vs. nonmedical use, initiation age, use frequency, and cannabis use disorder) among past-year cannabis users aged 50+. Methods Data came from the 2015–2019 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (N = 44,007). After comparing past-year cannabis users with nonusers and nonmedical users with medical users on sociodemographic and health-related factors, the research questions were examined with logistic regression models. Results In addition to mental disorders, medical use, compared to nonmedical use, was associated with higher odds of psychotherapeutic prescription medication use (AOR = 1.47, 95 % CI = 1.07–2.01) and any mental health treatment (prescription medication, outpatient care and/or inpatient care) (AOR = 1.51, 95 % CI = 1.13−2.03). Compared to 1−29 days of use, nonmedical users who used on 100−199 days (AOR = 0.60, 95 % CI = 0.40−0.89) and medical users who used on 200−365 days users (AOR = 0.48, 95 % CI = 0.26−0.87) had lower odds of treatment receipt. Factors associated with increased odds of receiving treatment included discussion with a healthcare professional about drug use, higher education, and having health insurance. Other illicit drug use, chronic illnesses, and female gender were associated with higher odds of perceived treatment need, while having health insurance was associated with lower odds. Conclusions Some older adults may use medical cannabis as an adjunct to professional mental health treatment while others may use it as a substitute. Affordability and accessibility gaps followed by cultural and personal sense of stigma and self-sufficiency beliefs appear to be barriers to receiving professional care.
Lateral-Apical Approach to Pericardiocentesis for Treatment of Cardiac Tamponade Immediately Post-orthotopic Liver Transplantation.

Cardiac tamponade is a rare complication following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The incidence and treatment specific to the immediate postoperative OLT patient have never been reported. Here, we describe a case of OLT complicated by coagulopathy and difficult intraoperative pulmonary artery catheter placement with subsequent postoperative hemopericardium resulting in tamponade. An emergent, ultrasound-guided, lateral-apical pericardiocentesis was successfully performed, suggesting a possible procedural technique for pericardiocentesis in the immediate postoperative period for liver transplant patients.
The Social Aspect of Risk

When someone is at risk, who bears the responsibility for addressing the problem? Of course the risk-bearer himself stands in the foreground here. But when this individual is helpless, then if something is to be done about that risk it must be done by others. Of course the which, when and how of it is a matter for resolution by the “potential” process.
A case of placental chorioangiomatosis and frontal horn cystic lesions. Can frontal horn cysts be symptomatic

Chorioangioma is a benign growth of the placenta. Diffuse placental chorioangioma is termed as chorioangiomatosis. We report a case of placental chorioangiomatosis with hydrops fetalis and frontal horn cystic lesions. Frontal horn cystic lesions are considered as benign lesions. Contrary to expectations, this neonate with frontal horn cysts developed seizures at 2 months of age.
Proactive marine information system for environmental monitoring

Detecting and monitoring oil spills at sea has become an important issue due to both the increased demand and use of oil based products, and the more careful attention given to environmental protection. Safety in maritime transportation has improved, but contextually the number of vessels along shipping routes has increased, thus raising the risk of accidents occurring. Along with this, also monitoring sources and capabilities have individually grown; what still needs to be improved is an integrated approach to monitoring, in particular in case of sensitive areas, such as protected marine parks. The Marine Information System proposed here is an integrated and interoperable system able to monitor maritime traffic, using sensing capabilities from various electronic sources, along with geo-positioning tools, and based on a specific communication infrastructure. This system, integrating seamlessly heterogeneous data, supplies a collection of decision support services providing proactive functionalities, which demonstrates its potential in facilitating dynamic links among different data, models and actors. Accomplishment of several field tests demonstrates these potentialities.
Model Reference Adaptive Control of Mildly Non-Linear Systems with Time Varying Input Delays – Part I

In this paper, we develop a Direct Model Reference Adaptive Tracking Controller for mildly non-linear systems with unknown time varying input delays. This controller can also reject bounded disturbances of known waveform but unknown amplitude, e.g. steps or sinusoids. In this paper a robustness result is developed for DMRAC of mildly non-linear systems with unknown small constant or time varying input delays using the concept of undelayed ideal trajectories.We will show that the adaptively controlled system is globally stable, but the adaptive tracking error is no longer guaranteed to approach the origin. However, exponential convergence to a neighborhood can be achieved as a result of the control design. A simple example will be provided to illustrate this adaptive control method. The proof of the corollary for the application and further examples are provided in the paper: Model Reference Adaptive Control of Mildly Non-Linear Systems with Time Varying Input Delay - Part II.
The Price-Quality Relationship: An Empirical Study of Food Products

Abstract The relationship between price and objective quality is important for consumers who perceive that high prices signal high quality. Several studies in the past have attempted to measure the relationship. This study focuses on brands of food products in a variety of categories in an attempt to measure the correlation between price and quality, and to report the outcomes if the highest and lowest priced brand in category are selected. This study also considers the findings of earlier food product studies, as well as earlier studies of non-food products.
Group tasks, group interaction process, and group performance effectiveness: A review and proposed integration

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews existing research and thought on the role of group interaction in task-oriented groups, and provides suggestion that part of the difficulty in understanding the relationship between group interaction and group effectiveness has to do with the nature of existing methodological and conceptual tools. It proposes an alternative framework for research on group effectiveness. The major functions group interaction serves in enhancing and depressing group effectiveness have been explored in the chapter and a set of strategies for influencing group interaction and group performance by alteration of “input” factors has been proposed within the new framework. The chapter presents an argument for a return to action-oriented research as a way to improve simultaneously the understanding of the determinants of group effectiveness and the capability to change and improve it. Implications for research and for action have been drawn and explored.
The Prevalence and Cost of the Faint and Fall Problem in the State of Utah

Background: Understanding the frequency and economic impact of faint and fall is a prerequisite for the creation of cost-effective diagnostic approaches. Methods: We evaluated the total number of patients presenting with faint or fall to the University of Utah Health Care System between November 1, 2008, and October 31, 2009. Using these data, we estimated the prevalence and total cost of the faint and fall problem in the state of Utah. Results: A total of 1,936 and 6,043 patients presented with faint and fall resulting in a total number of visits equal to 2,701 and 8,163, respectively. The yearly prevalence of faints was 9.5 patients (13.2 visits) per 1,000 inhabitants and the yearly prevalence of falls was 29.8 patients (40.2 visits) per 1,000 inhabitants. The prevalence of faints and falls progressively increased with age, reaching the values of 40 and 115 per 1,000 inhabitants in subjects aged >80 years. In both patient populations, two-thirds of visits were outpatient evaluations. While the cardiovascular service was involved in the outpatient evaluation of faint visits in 24% of the cases, Language: en
Abstract 4443: The tumor suppressive small GTPase DiRas1 binds the RhoGEF SmgGDS and antagonizes RhoA activation

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA A number of malignancies are promoted by the activation of Rho GTPases. Regulators of RhoA activity, including the RhoGEF, SmgGDS, can also promote cancer development. Both RhoA and SmgGDS have been shown to enhance NF-ĸB activation in a number of tumors. Utilizing mass spectrometry, we identified the tumor suppressive small GTPase DiRas1 as a novel binding partner for SmgGDS. DiRas1 is a tumor suppressor in malignant gliomas and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. Examining DiRas gene expression using the ONCOMINE mRNA microarray database (www.oncomine.org) revealed that DIRAS1 and DIRAS2 are markedly decreased in central nervous system tumors, including anaplastic astrocytomas and GBMs, when compared to normal tissue. The role of DiRas1 in other cancers is largely undetermined, and the ways in which DiRas1 may antagonize pro-oncogenic small GTPase signaling is largely unknown. To define how DiRas1 expression may affect SmgGDS functions, we tested the association of DiRas family proteins with SmgGDS. SmgGDS robustly bound wildtype DiRas1, and its closely-related family member DiRas2, but only weakly bound DiRas3 in vitro and in cell lines. In addition, DiRas1, DiRas2, or DiRas3 protein expression decreased proliferation of HEK293T cells. DiRas1 expression could promote less activated RhoA, as a low level of DiRas1 expression caused markedly decreased RhoA-SmgGDS binding in a number of cell lines. DiRas1 expression also abrogated SmgGDS- and RhoA-mediated NF-ĸB activation in a concentration-dependent manner. SmgGDS may exhibit GEF activity toward DiRas1, as a dominant negative DiRas1 (S21N) binds to SmgGDS more than the wildtype protein. However, DiRas1 is predominantly GTP-bound in cells, likely due to a high rate of guanine nucleotide dissociation and low intrinsic GTPase activity. Thus, DiRas1 expression may in part promote tumor suppression by non-productively binding SmgGDS, resulting in less RhoA activity. Taken together, these results suggest that the tumor suppressive small GTPase DiRas1 can antagonize RhoA signaling by competing for binding of the RhoGEF SmgGDS. Further characterizing these actions may lead to novel therapeutic targeting of RhoA activation in cancer malignancies. Citation Format: Andrew D. Hauser, Kristen M. Barr, Anne C. Frei, Patrick Gonyo, Ellen L. Lorimer, Carol L. Williams, Carmen Bergom. The tumor suppressive small GTPase DiRas1 binds the RhoGEF SmgGDS and antagonizes RhoA activation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4443. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4443
Political Magazines on Twitter During the US Presidential Election 2012

This study offers a content analysis of Twitter activity by 16 American political opinion magazines during the month before the 2012 presidential election. The study attempts to operationalize aspects of tweets that may contribute to frame alignment processes and mobilization among Twitter users. The analysis identifies these components and examines how political magazines’ Twitter activity may demonstrate aspects of this process. These magazines must consider both the normative goal of achieving specific political gains by mobilizing readers and the pragmatic goal of remaining sustainable as publishing enterprises. The degree to which their Twitter usage reflects frame alignment processes may not only reinforce political mobilization, but also affect the longevity of their publications. This analysis offers practical and theoretical insights into the changing role of political magazines in an increasingly digital era of political engagement.
SU‐E‐J‐236: Feasibility of Using Infrared Imaging to Verify the Accuracy of the Radiotherapy Delivery

Purpose: To assess whether infrared imaging can be used to verify the accuracy of the radiation treatment delivery. Methods: Radiation treatment induced skin reactions include acute changes (erythema and pigmentation) and chronic changes (telangiectasia and ulceration). Thermal imaging can detect these reactions before they become visible. A thermal camera with infrared spectral band 7.5 μm to 14 μm, and temperature measurement range from −20 °C to +150 °C and accuracy of ±2 °C was used. Beams-eye-view images were taken by the end of each treatment for a head and neck patient. The temperature changes of three points were monitored throughout the treatment course, including two points in the field (canthus and vessel) and one point outside of the field. The thermal images were warped and registered to the corresponding planning CT skin rendering. Dose map was exported from the treatment planning system and warped and registered to the planning CT skin rendering as well. The correlation between these two warped and registered images was calculated. The time spent to take the images was recorded. Results: The temperatures of the two points inside the field were always higher than the temperature of the point outside of the field. The temperature insidemore » the field tended to increase as more fractions delivered to the patient. A correlation of 0.90 was found between the registered thermal image and the 3D dose map. On average, half minute was needed to take the images after each treatment. Conclusion: Thermal imaging can monitor the temperature variations of the skin, and the temperatures were proportional to the dose map. It can therefore potentially be an inexpensive and non-ionization tool to verify the accuracy of the radiation treatment delivery.« less
Local control comparison of adjuvant brachytherapy to intensity-modulated radiotherapy in primary high-grade sarcoma of the extremity

BACKGROUND: Based on results of a prospective randomized trial, brachytherapy (BRT) had been the preferred form of adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) at our institution. In recent years, intensity-modulated radiotherapy IMRT had been increasingly used. This study compared local control by IMRT versus by BRT in primary-extremity STS. METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 2006, 134 adult patients with high-grade primary nonmetastatic STS of the extremity were treated at this institution with limb-sparing surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Low-dose-rate BRT was given to 71 patients between January 1995 and November 2003 to a median dose of 45 Gray (Gy). IMRT was given between February 2002 and December 2006: preoperatively to 10 (50 Gy) and postoperatively to 53 (median, 63 Gy). Median follow-up was 46 months. RESULTS: Treatment groups were comparable in terms of gender, age, site, depth, histology (malignant fibrous histiocytoma vs other), and use of adjuvant chemotherapy. More IMRT patients had positive/close margins ( 10 cm), and bone or nerve stripping/resection (P = 0.006, 0.005, 0.02, and 0.002, respectively). Median follow-up was 46 months for IMRT and 47 months for BRT. Five-year local control was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI], 85-100) for IMRT versus 81% (95% CI, 71-90) for BRT, P = 0.04. On multivariate analysis, IMRT was the only predictor of improved local control, P = 0.04. CONCLUSIONS: Local control with IMRT was significantly better than BRT despite higher rates of adverse features for IMRT in this nonrandomized comparison. IMRT should be further examined as the treatment of choice for primary high-grade extremity sarcoma. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Increased calreticulin stability in differentiated NG-108-15 cells correlates with resistance to apoptosis induced by antisense treatment

Since its first identification as a high-affinity calcium-binding protein over two decades ago [T.J. Ostwald and D.H. MacLennan, Isolation of a high-affinity calcium-binding protein from sarcoplasmic reticulum, J. Biol. Chem., 249 (1974) 974-979], calreticulin has become recognized as a multifunctional protein involved in a wide variety of cellular processes. We have previously shown that it has a protective function in Ca2+-mediated cell death [N. Liu, R.E. Fine, E. Simons and R.J. Johnson, Decreasing calreticulin expression lowers the Ca2+ response to bradykinin and increases sensitivity to ionomycin in NG-108-15 cells, J. Biol. Chem. , 269 (1994) 28635-28639]. We report here that in NG-108-15 neuroblastomaxglioma hybrid cells, calreticulin protein levels increase markedly when these cells are induced to differentiate by treating them with N,N-dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP). We demonstrate that the reason for this increase is mostly due to a large increase in the turnover time of calreticulin in differentiated cells. We also show that a calreticulin antisense oligonucleotide, CrtAS1, previously described by Liu and co-workers [N. Liu, R.E. Fine, E. Simons and R.J. Johnson, Decreasing calreticulin expression lowers the Ca2+ response to bradykinin and increases sensitivity to ionomycin in NG-108-15 cells, J. Biol. Chem., 269 (1994) 28635-28639] causes cell death in undifferentiated NG-108-15 cells when antisense treatment is extended for more than 24 h. This effect is not seen in NG-108-15 cells that have been induced to differentiate with db-cAMP until the cells have been treated with antisense for more than 4 days, due to the increased stability of Crt in these cells. Our results indicate that the mechanism by which these cells die is likely to be apoptosis.
Improvements to Robotics-Inspired Conformational Sampling in Rosetta

To accurately predict protein conformations in atomic detail, a computational method must be capable of sampling models sufficiently close to the native structure. All-atom sampling is difficult because of the vast number of possible conformations and extremely rugged energy landscapes. Here, we test three sampling strategies to address these difficulties: conformational diversification, intensification of torsion and omega-angle sampling and parameter annealing. We evaluate these strategies in the context of the robotics-based kinematic closure (KIC) method for local conformational sampling in Rosetta on an established benchmark set of 45 12-residue protein segments without regular secondary structure. We quantify performance as the fraction of sub-Angstrom models generated. While improvements with individual strategies are only modest, the combination of intensification and annealing strategies into a new “next-generation KIC” method yields a four-fold increase over standard KIC in the median percentage of sub-Angstrom models across the dataset. Such improvements enable progress on more difficult problems, as demonstrated on longer segments, several of which could not be accurately remodeled with previous methods. Given its improved sampling capability, next-generation KIC should allow advances in other applications such as local conformational remodeling of multiple segments simultaneously, flexible backbone sequence design, and development of more accurate energy functions.
Cadmium-113 and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry of cadmium peptide complexes.

The cadmium complexes of glycylglycine, glycylglycylglycine, glycyl-γ-aminobutyric acid and β-alanylglycine (β-Ala-Gly) have been investigated by 113 Cd and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. The minima observed in plots of the 113Cd chemical shift vs. pH are consistent with cadmium binding first at the car☐ylic site and then at the amino-group site. The chemical shift vs. pH profile for the β-Ala-Gly system is different from that for the other peptides, and is interpreted as suggesting formation of a five-membered chelate between Cd(II) and glycyl residues at the N-terminal groups and not at the C-terminal groups. The data further indicate that the NH groups of the peptide linkages are probably not involved in complexation with cadmium. Finally, a reported pH-dependent 113Cd resonance for parvalbumin has been reassigned.
Temporal Sequences in Information Acquisition for Decision Making: A Focus on Source and Medium

Previous research on selection of source and medium has failed to consider the dynamic, temporal aspects of information acquisition. In this paper a model that integrates the decision-making and communication literatures is developed. Media selection is viewed beyond an immediate incident to the range of media and sources used throughout the entire decision-making process. Propositions are derived from the model and future empirical research and implications are discussed.
The Hematopoietic Transcription Factor SCL Binds the p44 Subunit of TFIIH

SCL is a basic domain helix-loop-helix (bHLH) oncoprotein that is involved in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as in normal hematopoiesis. Although it is believed that SCL functions as a tissue-specific transcription factor, no molecular mechanism has thus far been identified for this putative function. In this report, we show that SCL interacts with p44, a subunit of the basal transcription factor TFIIH. The minimal region of SCL that interacts with p44 was mapped to a 101-amino acid sequence that includes, but is not limited to, the bHLH region; the SCL-binding site of p44 is located in the carboxyl-terminal half of p44. This interaction was confirmed by glutathione S-transferase fusion protein pull-down assays and a co-immunoprecipitation assay. As analyzed with a yeast two-hybrid system, p44 interacts specifically with SCL, but not with the other class A or B bHLH proteins tested. E2A did not compete with p44 for SCL binding, as demonstrated by anin vitro binding assay. These findings document a previously unsuspected interaction between SCL and a subunit of the basal transcription factor TFIIH, suggesting a potential means by which SCL might modulate transcription.
Diffusible signal to murine alveolar macrophages from lipopolysaccharide- and Escherichia coli-stimulated lung Type II epithelial cells.

Objective and design: To demonstrate a diffusible intercellular macrophage activation factor secreted by Type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) in transwell co-cultures.
Jet algorithms and top quark mass measurement

Mass measurements of objects that decay into hadronic jets, such as the top quark, are shown to be improved by using a variant of the ${k}_{t}$ jet algorithm in place of standard cone algorithms. The possibility and importance of better estimating the neutrino component in tagged $b$ jets is demonstrated. These techniques will also be useful in the search for Higgs boson \ensuremath{\rightarrow}$b\overline{b}$.
A comparison of the psychological test performance of patients with focal and nonfocal epilepsy

Abstract In this investigation psychological tests were used to study the performance of patients with various forms of epilepsy. A pilot study suggested that patients with temporal lobe epilepsy perform more poorly than patients with centrencephalic or diffuse epilepsy on a test of memory and that the reverse might be true on a test of attention. The memory and attention test were therefore administered to a larger, independent sample of epileptic patients which consisted of two groups with focal epilepsy (39 cases with temporal lobe and 18 with frontal lobe foci) and one group with nonfocal epilepsy (19 cases of whom 14 were of the centrencephalic variety). The several groups were matched by statistical means to control for differences in intelligence, age, duration of illness, seizure frequency, and amount of EEG abnormality. When analyzed in this manner, the results support the preliminary finding that the nonfocal (centrencephalic) patients perform more poorly than the focal patients on the test of attention; there were, however, no significant differences among groups on the memory test. Possible reasons for the inconsistent results on the memory test are discussed. The impairment of the nonfocal (centrencephalic) patient on the attention test is interpreted in terms of the Penfield and Jasper hypothesis of subcortical dysfunction in this disease.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status in individuals with psoriasis in the general population.

There is a dearth of data assessing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) status in psoriasis. This population-based study in the United States evaluated 25(OH)D status in psoriasis and examined the associations between 25(OH)D and psoriasis severity. The 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was analyzed. Participants aged 20–59 years self-reported psoriasis, psoriasis body surface area (BSA), and psoriasis life impairment (PLI). Serum 25(OH)D was assessed with the DiaSorin radioimmunoassay. General linear models were used to examine the associations between psoriasis and 25(OH)D while accounting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, season, and body mass index (BMI). Among the 5,841 participants with complete data, 148 reported a psoriasis diagnosis. Mean 25(OH)D levels and deficiency prevalences ( 10 hand palms trended towards lower 25(OH)D compared to those with minimal BSA (−4.98 ng/mL, P = 0.07). PLI was not associated with 25(OH)D, but BMI showed an inverse association with 25(OH)D (coefficient = −0.40, P < 0.001). In summary, dermatologists may consider measures of adiposity as better screening tools for vitamin D deficiency than BSA involvement among psoriatics with mild-to-moderate disease.
Brightness Distribution Across the Mach Bands Measured with Flicker Photometry, and the Linearity of Sensory Nervous Interaction

Since a comparison stimulus produces inhibition, it is difficult to measure lateral inhibition. This is true especially for measurements of the brightness of the white and dark Mach bands. Starting with the observation that no Mach bands are formed on the edge of two surfaces of different colors if the brightness of the two colors are equal, a marker was then developed which allowed the subject to locate a point inside the Mach bands under observation. The flicker method was used to match the brightness of the Mach bands with the brightness of the marker, without the marker introducing any changes in the brightness distribution of the bands. When the brightness of the white band was compared with that of the dark band, it was concluded that the lateral inhibition that produces the Mach bands probably takes place after the receptor organs have transduced the stimuli into electrical activity in the nervous tissue. A transformation is, in general, associated with a compression of the range of the transmitted signal magnitude. This would explain why such different sense organs as those for vision and skin vibrations, show very similar lateral-inhibition patterns, since the inhibition occurs mainly in the more central portions of the nervous system, which seem to work more or less linearly.
A detailed analysis of work‐related injury among youth treated in emergency departments

Telephone interviews were conducted with 146 14- to 16-year-olds who incurred an occupational injury treated in an emergency department during the period July through September 1992. Thirty-two percent of the injuries occurred as the result of using equipment. Over half the workers reported not having received prior training on how to avoid injury. The injury limited normal activities for at least 1 day for 68% of the youth and for more than a week for 25%, corresponding to an estimated 6,208 (95% CI: 4,277, 8,139) and 2,639 (95% CI: 1,580, 3,699) youths nationwide, respectively. Employment in retail trades, equipment use, lack of training, and burn injuries were associated with increased limitation of normal activities. Nineteen percent of the youths appear to have been injured in jobs declared to be hazardous, or typically prohibited for their age (14- and 15-year-olds) under federal child labor laws. The prohibited job directly contributed to the injury in 64% of these cases.
Stopping cross sections for helium and hydrogen in H 2 , N 2 , O 2 , and H 2 S (0.3-2.5 MeV)

Ion backscattering has been developed recently as a microanalytical technique for depth microscopy and mass analysis in solids. To establish an absolute depth scale in such studies, the energy loss rate of the ion in the constituents of the solid must be accurately measured. Hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur are often important components of thin solid films; therefore, it is of interest to measure the stopping cross sections of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, and ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$S. A new technique has been developed to accomplish the measurement of the stopping cross sections of high-energy ions (g300 keV) in gases. The technique minimized end-effect problems by passing the ions through a long gas cell and eliminates count-rate difficulties by detecting these ions after they have scattered from a thin Au film. This technique has been used to obtain stopping cross sections for 0.3-2.5-MeV protons and He ions in ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, and ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$S to an uncertainty of less than \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2%. The first stopping cross sections for S are derived by means of Bragg's rule and found to be appreciably greater than currently available theoretical or empirical values.
Late-Adolescent Delinquency: Risks and Resilience for Girls Differing in Risk at the Start of Adolescence

Based on resilience and feminist criminological theories, several individual, family, and community characteristics were hypothesized to predict late-adolescent delinquency for girls varying in early-adolescent risk. Girls aged 12 and 13 were interviewed each year as part of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997. Predictors of late-adolescent delinquency were compared for girls in and below the top 10% in self-reported early-adolescent delinquency. Girls who were higher in delinquency in early adolescence were resilient by 2002 if they had no incarcerated family members and high parental monitoring. Girls with little or no early delinquency were at risk for illegal activity by age 17 primarily due to contextual adversities, low hope for the future, poverty status, and minority racial status. Persistently delinquent girls require programming to address multiple risk and protective factors over an extended time. To prevent delinquency beginning later in adolescence, girls need safe community and sc...
Passive-adaptive flight control design for re-entry vehicles

This paper presents a passive-adaptive design technique intended for the very severe parameter variation problems encountered in lifting re-entry vehicles and in flight control of modern aircraft. The technique is illustrated by means of a detailed application to the pitch axis stability augmentation system of the X-15. The problem is to obtain satisfactory vehicle response to command inputs and gust disturbances, despite the extremely large variations in vehicle parameters, which are encountered when Mach number varies from 6.0 to 0.2, and altitude varies from 160,000 ft to ground level. The given time domain specifications are translated into approximately equivalent frequency response restrictions, enabling the design details to be executed in the frequency domain. This results in the maximum economy in the gain and bandwidth of the system loop transmission. The design is verified by finding the time responses for some of the extreme conditions. The practicality of the design is discussed in terms of the gain and bandwidth demands on the compensating networks, the higher order air frame dynamics, and the effects of any overdesign on the system saturation tendencies.
The effects of acute and chronic cocaine administration of paced responding in intact and gonadectomized male and female Wistar rats

Abstract Intact and gonadectomized male and female Wistar rats pressed a lever on a multiple (tandem Random-Interval 3-s, Differential Reinforcement of High Rate 0.5-s) (tandem Random-Interval 30-s, Differential Reinforcement of Low-Rate 5.0-s) schedule of reinforcement. The pacing requirements maintained high and low response rates under equal reinforcement frequencies. Low doses of cocaine (1 and 3 mg/kg) either did not affect or slightly increased high and low response rates of intact and gonadectomized female rats, while they did not affect or decrease high and low response rates of intact and castrated male rats. Higher doses of cocaine (up to 30 mg/kg) dose-dependently decreased both high and low response rates for all subjects. Intact male rats were less sensitive to the rate-decreasing effects of these doses of cocaine than castrated male rats or intact and ovariectomized female rats. Chronic cocaine administration consistently resulted in behavioral only in intact male subjects. The results of this experiment provide further support for the notion that the behavioral effects of psychomotor stimulant drugs are not necessarily rate dependent but may depend upon the extent to which schedule contigencies allow for behavioral variability without negatively affecting behavioral outcomes.
Towards designing a user-adaptive web-based e-learning system

This work-in-progress report presents the groundwork for the design of a user-adaptive web-based e-learning system. A survey and two randomized controlled experiments were carried out to compare the effects of active versus passive interaction on attitude and learning and to compare user vs. system initiated control of information presentation. Results showed that the more time-consuming active interaction was indeed more helpful to less-proficient students, but it was not as helpful to more-proficient students. Results also indicate that both more- and less-proficient students learn more from system initiated information presentation. These results will help to design a user-adaptive e-learning system that can determine which kind of interactivity and information presentation works best for which students and when.
Membrane protein changes induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in red blood cells

Abstract Red cells were incubated in the presence of t- Butyl hydroperoxide and effects on red cell membrane proteins were studied by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. t- Butyl hydroperoxide caused diminution in intensity of all major cytoskeletal bands with the concomitant formation of high molecular weight material. Membrane glycoproteins were unaffected. t- Butyl hydroperoxide increased hemoglobin binding to ghosts. After dissolution in SDS and β-mercaptoethanol, membrane-bound hemoglobin appeared on the gels in the form of monomers and crosslinked polymers of hemoglobin or globin chains. Crosslinking was partially prevented by metabolism of t- butyl hydroperoxide by the hexose monophosphate shunt except in methemoglobin-containing red cells where reaction with methemoglobin accounted for most of the consumption of t- butyl hydroperoxide. Metal chelators, deferoxamine mesylate and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, had no effect on membrane protein changes. Butylated hydroxytoluene, diphenylamine and ascorbate, compounds that inhibit t- butyl hydroperoxide-induced red cell membrane lipid peroxidation, had no effect on t- butyl hydroperoxide-induced membrane protein changes. These results suggest that membrane proteins and membrane lipids have different mechanisms of peroxidant damage.
Fluorescence measured using the WETStar DOM fluorometer as a proxy for dissolved matter absorption

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a significant role in freshwater and marine aquatic ecosystems including its effects on nutrients and carbon cycling and trace metal and contaminant availability. The colored fraction of DOM, CDOM, directly affects the quantity and spectral quality of available light, thereby impacting both primary production and UV exposure in aquatic ecosystems. Measuring the DOM absorption coefficient in situ is difficult because it requires prefiltration of the sample. From measurements made in inland, riverine, estuarine and coastal environments, we show that using the WETStar fluorometer (WET Labs), good estimates of dissolved absorption can be obtained from DOM fluorescence (DOM-FL) measured in situ on unfiltered samples. DOM-FL measured with the in situ fluorometer compare very well to values obtained on filtered samples using more sophisticated laboratory spectrofluorometers. Acquisition of high frequency, long-term data series or high-resolution profiles is feasible and artifacts resulting from filtration or sample storage can be avoided when measurements are made using the WETStar DOM fluorometer. The utility of high-resolution DOM-FL profiles for biogeochemical studies is illustrated by in situ data obtained in the East Siberian Sea.
The effects of methadone on cortical and subcortical EEG in the rat.

Abstract 1. (1) Administration of methadone in rats elicited high voltage, slow activity in the cerebral cortex and low voltage irregular waves in the hippocampus. Intravenous administration of methadone (0.2–0.5 mg/kg) markedly increased the threshold for cortical desynchronization by stimulation of the MRF. This increase by methadone was dose dependent. 2. (2) Cortical desynchronization following mechanical stimulation of the tail or foot was blocked by methadone at a dose level of 0.5 mg/kg. At this dose level, the cortical desynchronizing threshold for MRF stimulation increased more than 8-fold whereas the threshold for MT and DH stimulations showed only small but measurable increases. A minimum dose of 0.5 mg/kg was needed to raise the threshold of these structures significantly. 3. (3) The increased threshold following injection of methadone was completely blocked by prior injection of the antagonist naloxone, indicating this response to be specific. Naloxone alone had no effect on electrical activity at any site. 4. (4) The incidence of dissociation of the cortical response from the limbic system response after stimulation of the dorsal hypothalamus was approximately 4 times greater in methadone-treated than in untreated animals.
Hierarchical probabilistic modeling of short-crack growth behavior in AISI 4340 steel

Probabilistic analyses of non-uniform crack growth data sets require a flexible statistical framework to determine the influence of each crack on the resulting inference. Hierarchical generalized linear models provide a rigorous method to analyze such data sets properly. Bayesian techniques are well-suited to analyze these models, especially when the inference, or portions thereof, are ill-posed. A hierarchical generalized linear crack growth model is developed using a semi-conjugate formulation that enables Gibbs sampling simulation. The model is applied to create a probabilistic crack growth model from short-crack data generated from AISI 4340 steel single-edge-notch tension (SENT) specimens. Simulation of the model is performed using a Gibbs sampling procedure, and key results are discussed. Stress ratio effects on experimental scatter and crack growth rates are quantified and discussed.
Preferences for view corridors through the urban environment

Cities with characteristic natural settings are facing the question of how to promote development while preserving views of the natural amenity. The size, shape and number of view corridors have been regulated while the view amenity policy preferred by the general public was largely unknown. This study explores public preference for urban views of a natural amenity using drawings. It was found that preserving a limited number of view corridors while restricting building height was preferred over policies for uniformly low buildings or for taller buildings with multiple views. These results do not agree with some recent recommendations of planners.
Novel pharmacologic therapies for cystic fibrosis

The diagnosis of inherited disorders is increasingly more complex. It is no longer sufficient to make a clinical diagnosis. We must determine the precise sequence abnormalities in order to select the appropriate therapeutic approach. Whereas currently approved pharmaceuticals target the symptoms of CF, progress must now be made in repairing the nucleotide abnormality or intervening to assist a defective protein. This will also be true in other disorders. Monogenic inherited diseases affecting widely different gene families, tissues, or enzymatic pathways reveal common themes in their disruption of cellular processes. It is increasingly more likely that progress made with one orphan disease may favorably influence therapeutic development for another, as is currently being recognized for diseases that result from protein folding or trafficking abnormalities. It has been harder to foresee that drugs developed for one purpose, such as the butyrates for excretion of waste nitrogen, also have profound effects on gene regulation and alternative enzymatic pathways in diseases such as the hemoglobinopathies, cystic fibrosis, adrenoleukodystrophy, and cancer. CF is a complex systemic inherited disorder with a wide variety of severity. The relative abundance of new compounds directed at the Class II trafficking mutation ΔF508 is encouraging and likely to benefit the majority of patients with CF. Because a single mutation can affect both protein function and location, combination therapies may be needed. Multiple approaches will almost certainly be required to control this disease.
On algorithms for operative diagnosis of systems (abstract)

As interest in developing expert systems continues to grow, it become more important for us to increase our understanding of how to successfully build these systems. The major problem that currently constricts the development of expert systems is the formidable process of eliciting knowledge from human experts.A possible solution to alleviate this knowledge-acquisition bottlenecks is to equip historical database with some deductive capabilities that will allow us to emulate expert-system reasoning entirely in the database's terms.In this paper we describe a system that tries to extend an existing database containing component test-repair history with several features to support inferencing at the reasoning level of human trouble shooters. That is, the system features automatic knowledge-base derivation. This presentation demonistrate the structure of a system that, when queried with a test step, will provide trouble shooting advice describing the most likely cause for failure.
Alteration of the Bovine Estrous Cycle with Oxytocin

Summary The daily administration of natural or synthetic oxytocin to post-puberal nonlactating dairy heifers, during the first week of the estrous cycle, resulted in marked shortening of the diestrual period, the next heat occurring from eight to 12 days after the previous estrus, instead of the usual 21 days. These precocious heat periods appeared normal in every respect, being followed in all cases by ovulation at the expected time. In all cases, the subsequent diestrual periods were of normal lengths. The corpora lutea formed during the oxytocin treatments failed to attain the expected size and contained a decreased number of normal luteal cells and an increased proportion of connective tissue elements. Concurrent injections of prolactin failed to overcome the diestrum-shortening effect of oxytocin. Daily progesterone injections prevented the oxytocin-treated heifers from returning to estrus until from four to six days after cessation of the progesterone injections. It was concluded that the observed effects of oxytocin were caused by inhibition of normal corpus luteum function, possibly by interfering with the secretion of a luteotrophic hormone from the anterior pituitary. Oxytocin was less effective in causing diestrual shortening when either atropine or reserpine was administered concurrently, and was completely ineffective in inducing precocious estrus in hysterectomized, but not in sham-operated, heifers.
Health policy and cardiovascular medicine: rapid changes, immense opportunities.

The United States is in the midst of a healthcare crisis. With access that is spotty,1 quality that is uneven,2 and care that is often suboptimal, we lag behind other countries in key health metrics such as life expectancy and infant mortality.3 Furthermore, our healthcare costs are approaching an unsustainable 18% of Gross Domestic Product, and we were recently ranked among the least efficient healthcare systems in the world.4 Clearly, new solutions are needed. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in March 2010,5 the United States started down a complex path toward reform of our healthcare delivery system, with the goal of making health care higher in quality and lower in cost. As a result, we have seen an enormous number of rapid and significant changes in health policy. As the provisions of the ACA roll out across the country, patients and healthcare providers alike are trying to keep up with new quality metrics, payment models, organizational changes, and reporting requirements. These interventions although initiated by the ACA, are often mirrored by private payers and represent a fundamental and likely long-lasting change in the way that health care is financed and delivered. Policies can be enacted at the federal or state level and may interact with strategies used by private payers or professional societies; they can target hospitals or hospital systems, clinicians, patients, or payers (Table). View this table: Table. Policy Efforts and Related Tools Relevant to Cardiovascular Medicine In large part owing to the fact that heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States and among the highest-cost areas in medicine,6 many new policies specifically target cardiovascular disease for quality and cost interventions. Thus, it is critical for cardiovascular clinicians to understand the policy landscape. …
Revealing the invisible: confronting passive racism in teacher education

by Sherry Marx, Abingdon, Routledge, 2006, 216 pp., £22.99 (paperback), ISBN 978‐0‐415‐95343‐6 Americans and people worldwide are overwhelmed by the significance of the election of the first Africa...
The calculation of the effective temperature of planar antennas in a plasma environment

The solution to the boundary-value problem required for the calculation of the effective noise temperature of planar antennas due to linear lossy inhomogeneous plasma media existing outside the antenna is presented. The resulting solution is in such a form that a computer program is readily obtained for numerical calculations when the plasma environment is assumed to be either a series of homogeneous slabs or a continuous model.