cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and implementation of an interprofessional education certificate program in a community-based osteopathic medical school

Abstract Community-based medical schools face unique barriers in developing meaningful interprofessional education (IPE) opportunities for their students. Here we describe the development, implementation, and preliminary evaluation of an IPE Certificate Program at a community-based osteopathic medical school. The IPE Certificate Program was developed by incorporating new curricular components with pre-existing requirements to minimize the burden on students, administrators, and faculty. The IPE program is delivered longitudinally to medical students, in collaboration with pharmacy and nursing students, over three years using interactive, volunteer, clinical, and reflective experiences. The primary aims of the IPE Certificate Program are to promote interprofessionalism based on the Core Competencies for Interprofessional Practice and provide additional acknowledgment for the students that participate in the program. Student assessments are based on both participation and the use of standardized grading rubrics based on the various activities' learning objectives. The students' knowledge and attitudes regarding interprofessionalism is also assessed using an adapted survey, while the overall program is evaluated with an end-of-year program evaluation. Preliminary results of the attitudes survey display favorable changes towards interprofessionalism. Due to the overwhelming acceptance by students and the administration, the curriculum has transitioned to a for-credit elective course that will appear on the participants’ academic transcripts. The following resources are included: a course syllabus, the course requirements, a grading rubric, the attitudes towards interprofessionalism survey, and a course evaluation. We propose our model can be used to implement IPE at other community-based institutions.
100.01 Calcium analysis in coronary intravascular optical coherence tomography images using deep machine learning and finite element modeling

Calcified plaques can negatively impact stent expansion, requiring meticulous procedure planning from interventional cardiologists. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is the only intravascular imaging technique with the ability to image the extent of calcification, but it is cumbersome and prone to
Stock Splits: Signalling or Liquidity? The Case of ADR 'Solo-Splits'

Stock splits are a common capital structure alteration which ought to have no effect on firm value in perfect capital markets. Empirical studies find that stock prices increase upon announcement of stock splits. The two traditional explanations for the rise in prices are information signaling on the part of managers and improved liquidity for shares that trade at lower prices. We investigate these explanations by studying splits of American Deposit Receipt (ADR) securities which are not associated with splits in the home country stock. We argue that these splits are likely to be motivated by the desire for liquidity improvements only. The results indicate that ADR prices rise by a statistically significant 1 to 2 percent at the announcement. We interpret this evidence as supportive of the liquidity explanation of stock split announcement effects.
Global, national, and urban burdens of paediatric asthma incidence attributable to ambient NO2 pollution: estimates from global datasets

Summary Background Paediatric asthma incidence is associated with exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), but the TRAP-attributable burden remains poorly quantified. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a major component and common proxy of TRAP. In this study, we estimated the annual global number of new paediatric asthma cases attributable to NO2 exposure at a resolution sufficient to resolve intra-urban exposure gradients. Methods We obtained 2015 country-specific and age-group-specific asthma incidence rates from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation for 194 countries and 2015 population counts at a spatial resolution of 250 × 250 m from the Global Human Settlement population grid. We used 2010–12 annual average surface NO2 concentrations derived from land-use regression at a resolution of 100 × 100 m, and we derived concentration-response functions from relative risk estimates reported in a multinational meta-analysis. We then estimated the NO2-attributable burden of asthma incidence in children aged 1–18 years in 194 countries and 125 major cities at a resolution of 250 × 250 m. Findings Globally, we estimated that 4·0 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 1·8–5·2) new paediatric asthma cases could be attributable to NO2 pollution annually; 64% of these occur in urban centres. This burden accounts for 13% (6–16) of global incidence. Regionally, the greatest burdens of new asthma cases associated with NO2 exposure per 100 000 children were estimated for Andean Latin America (340 cases per year, 95% UI 150–440), high-income North America (310, 140–400), and high-income Asia Pacific (300, 140–370). Within cities, the greatest burdens of new asthma cases associated with NO2 exposure per 100 000 children were estimated for Lima, Peru (690 cases per year, 95% UI 330–870); Shanghai, China (650, 340–770); and Bogota, Colombia (580, 270–730). Among 125 major cities, the percentage of new asthma cases attributable to NO2 pollution ranged from 5·6% (95% UI 2·4–7·4) in Orlu, Nigeria, to 48% (25–57) in Shanghai, China. This contribution exceeded 20% of new asthma cases in 92 cities. We estimated that about 92% of paediatric asthma incidence attributable to NO2 exposure occurred in areas with annual average NO2 concentrations lower than the WHO guideline of 21 parts per billion. Interpretation Efforts to reduce NO2 exposure could help prevent a substantial portion of new paediatric asthma cases in both developed and developing countries, and especially in urban areas. Traffic emissions should be a target for exposure-mitigation strategies. The adequacy of the WHO guideline for ambient NO2 concentrations might need to be revisited. Funding George Washington University.
Novel Geometry of an Extended Length Chimeric Scapular Free Flap for Hemimandibular Reconstruction: Nuances of the Technique Streamlined by In-House Virtual Surgical Planning and 3D Printing for a Severely Vessel-Depleted Neck

Subscapular-based flaps have historically maintained an unparalleled ability to provide a multitude of bone and soft tissue components based on a single vascular pedicle. However, these flaps are often not thought of as an ideal choice for composite defects requiring extended lengths of bone for reconstruction. The ability to harvest long segments of bone and reliably perform multiple contouring osteotomies is fundamental to long-span composite mandibular reconstruction, and microvascular surgeons are often met with significant reconstructive challenges when fibular free flaps cannot be used owing to variant vascular anatomy or occlusive atherosclerotic disease in these specific clinical scenarios. This challenge is further compounded by treatment-related vessel depletion in the neck, which reduces the availability of suitable recipient vessels in close proximity to the reconstruction. We present a case in which all of the aforementioned challenges presented in a single individual, who concomitantly required hemimandibular reconstruction with treatment related vessel depletion in the neck and unsuitable bilateral vascular anatomy in the legs precluding the use of a fibular free flap. This case demonstrates a previously unreported flap component geometry for hemimandibular reconstruction using an extended-length chimeric scapular free flap with scapular tip, lateral scapular border, and parascapular fasciocutaneous skin paddle components.
Evaluation of Omics-Based Strategies for the Management of Advanced Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE:Omic-informed therapy is being used more frequently for patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being treated on the basis of evidence-based decision-making. However, there is a la...
Divergent encoding of active avoidance behavior in corticostriatal and corticolimbic projections

ABSTRACT Active avoidance behavior, in which an animal performs an action to avoid a stressor, is crucial for survival and may provide insight into avoidance behaviors seen in anxiety disorders. Active avoidance requires the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), which is thought to regulate avoidance via downstream projections to the striatum and amygdala. However, the endogenous activity of projection-defined dmPFC subpopulations during active avoidance learning remains unexplored. Here we utilized fiber photometry to record from the dmPFC and its downstream projections to the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and the basolateral amygdala (BLA) during active avoidance learning in mice. We examined neural activity during conditioned stimulus (CS) presentations, active avoidance, and cued freezing. Both prefrontal projections showed learning-related increases in activity during CS onset throughout active avoidance training. The dmPFC as a whole showed increased activity during avoidance and decreased activity during cued freezing. Finally, dmPFC-DMS and dmPFC-BLA projections showed divergent encoding of active avoidance behavior, with the dmPFC-DMS projection showing increased activity and the dmPFC-BLA showing decreased activity during active avoidance. Our results identify differential prefrontal encoding of active and passive coping behaviors in the same behavioral paradigm and demonstrate divergent encoding of active avoidance in projection-specific dmPFC subpopulations.
Tissue Substitution in Reconstruction

As robotic surgical techniques have evolved to include urologic reconstruction, the difficulty of cases amenable to minimally invasive techniques has increased. Some of these more complicated repairs involve compromised local tissue. Therefore, it is critical for the robotic urologic reconstructionist to have a familiarity with the wide arsenal of flaps and grafts available for use to augment various closures or anastomoses. When considering a graft or flap, one must weigh the health of the local tissues, nature of the surgery, and the risks and benefits given the morbidity associated with the donor site. With numerous options for tissue substitution available, we describe some of the more commonly used tissues during urologic reconstruction with salient information regarding indications, technique, and outcomes.
Simultaneous identification of bridge structural parameters and vehicle loads

A time-domain method is proposed to simultaneously identify bridge structural parameters and vehicle axle loads.The estimation of unknown axle loads is incorporated in the framework of an iterative parametric optimization process.A Bayesian inference regularization is presented to solve the ill-posed least squares problem for input axle loads.Numerical analyses are conducted to validate the proposed method.The bridge dynamic response can be accurately predicted using the identified axle loads and structural parameters. Most of the existing methods for identification of vehicle axle loads are based on a model with known system parameters. In this study, a new method is proposed to simultaneously identify bridge structural parameters and vehicle dynamic axle loads of a vehicle-bridge interaction system from a limited number of response measurements. As an inverse output-only identification problem, the estimation of unknown axle loads is incorporated in the framework of an iterative parametric optimization process, wherein the objective is to minimize the error between the measured and predicted system responses. A Bayesian inference regularization is presented to solve the ill-posed least squares problem for input axle loads. Numerical analyses of a simply-supported single-span bridge and a three-span continuous bridge are conducted to investigate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method. Effects of the vehicle speed, the number of sensors, the measurement noise, and initial estimates of structural parameters on the accuracy of the identification results are investigated, demonstrating the robustness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm. Finally, it is shown that the bridge dynamic response can be accurately predicted using the identified axle load histories and structural parameters.
Detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin production genes from patient samples using an automated extraction platform and multiplex real-time PCR

To minimize specimen volume, handling and testing time, we have developed two TaqMan(®) multiplex real-time PCR (rtPCR) assays to detect staphylococcal enterotoxins A-E and Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin production genes directly from clinical patient stool specimens utilizing a novel lysis extraction process in parallel with the Roche MagNA Pure Compact. These assays are specific, sensitive and reliable for the detection of the staphylococcal enterotoxin encoding genes and the tst1 gene from known toxin producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Specificity was determined by testing a total of 47 microorganism strains, including 8 previously characterized staphylococcal enterotoxin producing strains against each rtPCR target. Sensitivity for these assays range from 1 to 25 cfu per rtPCR reaction for cultured isolates and 8-20 cfu per rtPCR for the clinical stool matrix.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

“Joe the fat boy” from The posthumous papers of the Pickwick Club (DICKENS 1837) is the most celebrated child with obstructive sleep apnoea in literature. DICKENS, a master of astute Observation, depicts Joe as “a fat and red-faced boy in State of somnolency” (Fig. 14.1). Joe was probably red-faced due to polycythaemia secondary to chronic hypoxia. The association between obesity and obstructive upper airway symptoms is now well known, but it is of more importance in adult medicine than in children. Although the relationship between adenotonsillar hypertrophy and a variety of manifestations of airway obstruction in children was recognised in the nineteenth Century (HILL 1889), it was not until the second half of the twentieth that GUILLEMINAULT published the first scientific reports which described in detail the Syndrome we now refer to as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children (GUILLEMINAULT et al. 1976,1981).
Hormones of Pregnancy and Lactation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the hormones of pregnancy and lactation. The ultimate purpose of reproduction is to reproduce a new male or female to maintain or prolong the species. There is extensive anatomical and endocrinological specialization that, besides defining the individual's fundamental male or female status, collectively emphasizes their functional complementarity. It is the successful union both in an anatomical as well as an endocrinological sense that is essential for procreation. Thus, the fundamental unit of reproductive biology is not the individual but the triad of the mother, father, and offspring. The process of conception or fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon initiates a complex series of developmental and metabolic events for both the fetus and the mother, which are controlled by an array of endocrine factors. In this regard, a primordial endocrine event occurring shortly after the merging of the spermatozoon with the ovum to yield the zygote is the determination of the sex or gender of the offspring.
Model-based calibration: A case study for calibrating control systems of downsized boosted engines

This presentation is one of the series from the industry point of view in the Tutorial Session “Model-Based Powertrain and Aftertreatment System Control Design and Implementation”. It discusses the role of the model-based calibration in the design of powertrain control systems through a case study.
Consolidating a Professional Identity in the 21st Century

ABSTRACT In this article, I draw on personal experience from my past fifteen years as a psychology doctoral student, Director of a Counseling Center, Chair of a Graduate Psychology Department, Coordinator of a Psychology Doctoral Program, and private practitioner, and address some of the influential factors during this time frame that have impacted the professional identity of psychologists. Two such primary factors are discussed in relation to the professional identity of psychologists: (a) The academic preparation of professional psychologists, including the growing acceptance of alternative models for training psychologists, new roles for psychologists, and social awareness and diversity issues in the profession, and (b) managed care. Implications of such change for new psychologists who will be serving college students in the 21st century are addressed.
Response of large cavity ion chambers to space protons

The assumption that spherical-shell ion chamber rssponse is equal to the dose in the center of the cavity is found to be a poor approximation for ion chambers used for area monitoring in the space program. The dose response is calculated using the appropriate areal density distribution function. Effects of nuclear reaction are evaluated using proton buildup factors. Errors of up to 100% are found for some components of the space radiation environments.
Assessing interactions among multiple physiological systems during walking outside a laboratory

HighlightsWe developed a smart-phone based gait monitor.The proposed device records several physiological signals simultaneously.ECG, skin conductance, respiration, strides and gait acceleration signals were measured.The devices enable us to understand physiological interactions during walking. Gait function is traditionally assessed using well-lit, unobstructed walkways with minimal distractions. In patients with subclinical physiological abnormalities, these conditions may not provide enough stress on their ability to adapt to walking. The introduction of challenging walking conditions in gait can induce responses in physiological systems in addition to the locomotor system. There is a need for a device that is capable of monitoring multiple physiological systems in various walking conditions. To address this need, an Android-based gait-monitoring device was developed that enabled the recording of a patient's physiological systems during walking. The gait-monitoring device was tested during self-regulated overground walking sessions of fifteen healthy subjects that included 6 females and 9 males aged 18-35 years. The gait-monitoring device measures the patient's stride interval, acceleration, electrocardiogram, skin conductance and respiratory rate. The data is stored on an Android phone and is analyzed offline through the extraction of features in the time, frequency and time-frequency domains. The analysis of the data depicted multisystem physiological interactions during overground walking in healthy subjects. These interactions included locomotion-electrodermal, locomotion-respiratory and cardiolocomotion couplings. The current results depicting strong interactions between the locomotion system and the other considered systems (i.e., electrodermal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems) warrant further investigation into multisystem interactions during walking, particularly in challenging walking conditions with older adults.
Abstract 201: Gemfibrozil In Combination With Statin Is Associated With Reduction In All Cause Mortality: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: Statins and gemfibrozil as individual monotherapy have shown to reduce major cardiovascular events with statins alone reducing all cause mortality. However, it is uncertain whether the combination of statins with gemfibrozil is associated with further reduction in all cause mortality compared to mortality reduction by statins alone. We will examine the hypothesis that combination of gemfibrozil with statin is associated with greater reduction in all cause mortality compared to statin alone. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort chart review of the VistA database between January 1, 2003 and January 1, 2013 at the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Fargo, North Dakota. All veterans greater than or equal to 18 years of age taking either the combination of statin and gemfibrozil or statin alone for a minimum of 12 months were included in the study. The subjects in either group were selected randomly from the pharmacy database, which divided the subjects into statin or combination group. The total sample size was 1800 with 900 subjects in each group. Our primary outcome variable was all cause mortality. The Kaplan Meier Survival curve was drawn for the combination group versus statin alone group. The adjustment for mortality covariates was by the Cox proportional hazard regression. Findings: Statin versus the combination group differed demographically by age (73 ± 11.5 vs 68 ± 11.8), BMI (29.9 ± 50 vs 31.7 ± 5.4), hypertension (72.1% vs 80.9%), diabetes mellitus (33.0% vs 47%), smoking (22% vs 28.2%) and stroke (8.3% vs 5.2%); all P<0.01. The two groups were similar for myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, and coronary artery bypass graft outcomes. The all cause mortality difference was 10.2% between statin and the combination group at 10 years (25% vs 14.8%, P<0.0001). The unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis over 10 years subsequent to lipid therapy initiation showed a highly significant group difference. Cox proportional hazard adjustment for age, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes revealed persistence of the group difference (P <0.0001). Conclusion: Combination of gemfibrozil with statin is associated with greater reduction in all cause mortality compared to statins alone. Keywords: gemfibrozil, mortality ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Synaptic interactions between GABA-immunoreactive profiles and the terminals of functionally defined myelinated nociceptors in the monkey and cat spinal cord.

This study analyzes the synaptic interactions between the central terminals of A delta high threshold mechanoreceptors (A delta HTMs) and GABA-immunoreactive profiles. A delta HTM primary afferents from three monkeys and one cat were electrophysiologically identified and intracellularly labeled with HRP, and their terminal arborizations in laminae I and II of the sacrocaudal spinal cord were studied at the ultrastructural level. GABA-immunoreactive profiles in relation to A delta HTM terminals were demonstrated using postembedding colloidal gold techniques. Monkey A delta HTM terminals (n = 131) usually constituted the central element of synaptic glomeruli; they established large asymmetric synaptic contacts with 1-13 dendrites (modal value 2- 4) and were surrounded by 0-6 peripheral axon terminals (modal value 2- 3). The large majority (around 85%) of the peripheral axon terminals were GABA immunoreactive. They were found presynaptic to the A delta HTM terminal and/or to dendrites postsynaptic to the primary afferent terminal. Furthermore, all peripheral axon terminals found presynaptic to the A delta HTM terminals showed GABA immunoreactivity. Within a single A delta HTM fiber, this synaptic arrangement was found in 20-60% of its boutons. In addition, 28% of the postsynaptic dendritic profiles displayed weak GABA immunoreactivity. Some of them contained vesicles; however, only in a few cases did we observe synapses between a GABA- immunoreactive vesicle-containing dendrite and a dendritic profile postsynaptic to an A delta HTM terminal. Similar synaptology and interactions with GABA-immunoreactive profiles were displayed by the terminals of the single cat A delta HTM fiber studied. Our data support the hypothesis that GABA-containing neurons use both presynaptic and/or postsynaptic mechanisms to exert a powerful control, presumably inhibitory, over the transmission of nociceptive information between A delta HTM afferents and second-order neurons in monkey and cat spinal cord. Our results also imply that GABA may be released within the synaptic glomeruli formed by A delta HTM terminals either by local dendrites or by axon terminals. We discuss the possibility that these GABAergic synapses can be driven by inputs from both primary afferents and/or descending systems to modulate the transmission of nociceptive sensory information.
Seasonal patterns of ammonium and nitrate uptake in nine temperate forest ecosystems

Seasonal patterns of net N mineralization and nitrification in the 0–10 cm mineral soil of 9 temperate forest sites were analyzed using approximately monthlyin situ soil incubations. Measured nitrification rates in incubated soils were found to be good estimates of nitrification in surrounding forest soils. Monthly net N mineralization rates and pools of ammonium-N in soil fluctuated during the growing season at all sites. Nitrate-N pools in soil were generally smaller than ammonium-N pools and monthly nitrification rates were less variable than net N mineralization rates. Nitrate supplied most of the N taken up annually by vegetation at 8 of the 9 sites. Furthermore, despite the large fluctuations in ammonium-N pools and monthly net N mineralization, nitrate was taken up at relatively uniform rates during the growing season at most sites.
Effects of gender of the computer on informational social influence: the moderating role of task type

The present experiment examined if and how "gender" of the computer, manifested in character representation, would affect its informational influence on individuals' decisions on masculine (sports) or feminine (fashion) topics. In a 2 (participant's gender) × 2 (character gender) × 2 (nature of topic: masculine vs. feminine) between-subjects experiment, participants played a trivia quiz game with the computer. During the game, they were given a chance to change their initial answer after seeing the computer's answer, which they knew was not necessarily correct. Results suported the match-up hypothesis such that while the male computer elicited greater conformity on the masculine topic than on the feminine topic, the opposite was true for the female counterpart. In addition, men were less likely to yield to the computer's suggestion than women on the masculine topic whereas women, were less likely to succumb to the computer's influence on the feminine topic. These findings are discussed in terms of the robustness of gender-stereotyping in human-computer interaction and the implications for Computers Are Social Actors paradigm.
SU‐GG‐J‐34: Aperture Design of Two‐Dimensional MLC Motion for Dose‐Rate‐Regulated Tracking

Purpose: Real‐time adaptive tumor tracking called Dose‐Rate‐Regulated Tracking (DRRT) is based on a preprogrammed MLCsequence and real‐time dose‐rate modulation. We have developed an algorithm for designing the MLCsequence reflecting 2‐D MLC motion. MLC apertures were designed from 4D‐CT images, and the algorithm was tested in the 3‐D phantom. Method and Materials: The 2‐D MLC motion and the corresponding tumor shape are derived from ten‐breathing bins of 4D‐CT. The closed MLC leaves that are not participating in the beam aperture are programmed to remain in motion to minimize leaf‐end leakage. This feathering motion is intended to spread the leakage dose to the normal tissue beneath the closed MLC leaves. We performed phantom studies with a 3‐D Phantom (Washington Univ.) for two cases: (1) a circular moving target (2) a patient's lungtumor in the lower lobe. The results of these two measurements were compared with those for the case of a static beam aperture and a static phantom (static‐static case). The accuracy of the 2‐D MLCsequence was determined by γ analysis with those for the static‐static case. The effectiveness of the feathering motion was quantified with the leakage dose normalized to the maximum dose measured by the film. Results and Conclusion: For both of the above cases, the γ analysis showed that 95% of the pixels are less than 1 for 3 % and 3 mm criteria. The feathering motion reduced the leaf‐end‐leakage dose from ∼15% to ∼7%. A careful design of the MLC‐leaf sequence done in advance can not only facilitate real‐time tumor tracking, but also reduce the dose to healthy tissue, and thus can lead to improved results using DRRT.
Major Psychological Disorders in Chronic TMD Patients: Implications for Successful Management

The authors assessed psychological disorders in 50 chronic TMD patients. These disorders appear to be a major concomitant factor in chronic TMD, and may need to be treated for successful outcomes.
An O(n log n) unidirectional distributed algorithm for extrema finding in a circle

Abstract In this paper we present algorithms, which given a circular arrangement of n uniquely numbered processes, determine the maximum number in a distributive manner. We begin with a simple unidirectional algorithm, in which the number of messages passed is bounded by 2 n log n + O ( n ). By making several improvements to the simple algorithm, we obtain a unidirectional algorithm in which the number of messages passed is bounded by 1.5 n log n + O ( n ). These algorithms disprove Hirschberg and Sinclair's conjecture that O ( n 2 ) is a lower bound on the number of messages passed in undirectional algorithms for this problem. At the end of the paper we indicate how our methods can be used to improve an algorithm due to Peterson, to obtain a unidirectional algorithm using at most 1.356 n log n + O ( n ) messages. This is the best bound so far on the number of messages passed in both the bidirectional and unidirectional cases.
Gait Prediction Using Concurrent Musculoskeletal Control and FE Simulations

Current computational methods of simulating activities of daily living (ADL) have primarily consisted of musculoskeletal simulations [1]. Due to computational expense, simulations generally include assumptions which simplify joint or soft-tissue behavior. Joints are modeled as hinge or spherical and soft-tissue effects are included as spring-dashpot systems. Incorporating detailed deformable soft-tissue models would help overcome simplifying assumptions by coupling the behavior of a muscle loaded model with the underlying structures. Important clinical applications for a multi-domain simulation framework include, but are hardly limited to, predicting modifications to ADL to compensate for osteoarthritic pain or minimizing peak plantar pressures, which are believed to be significant for diabetic foot ulceration.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The Utility of MMPI-2 Scores with a Correctional Population & Convicted Sex Offenders

The MMPI-2 is a widely used objective personality measure across all settings. It is especially useful in correctional settings due to its objectivity with standardized administration and scoring This helps aid many factors including volume, legal accountability, the nature of the clientele, and the need for security. Since assessments provide very useful information about prisoners for correctional staff, these factors make the MMPI-2 a very valuable test to use in prison. Studies have found no significant differences between African Americans and Caucasians, however have found subtle differences between MMPI-2 scores of males and female offenders. One specific area the MMPI-2 has been used for in prison is with sex offenders. Previous studies have aimed to use the MMPI-2 to identify high and low risk sex offenders, as well as differentiate between general sex offenders and internet sex offenders. Not only has it been used to identify certain sex offenders, it has been used in examining the predictors of completion of sex offender treatment programs.
Cluster modeling of three types of double-walled armchair silicon carbide nanotubes

A systematic study of three types of armchair double-walled SiC nanotubes (DWNT) (n,n)@(m,m) (3 ≤ n ≤ 6; 7 ≤ m ≤ 12) using the finite cluster approximation is presented. The geometries of the tubes have been spin optimized using the hybrid functional B3LYP (Becke’s three-parameter exchange functional and the Lee-Yang-Parr correlation functional) and the all electron 3-21G* basis set. The study indicates that the stabilities of the double-walled SiC nanotubes are of the same order as those of single-walled SiC nanotubes suggesting the possibility of experimental synthesis of both single-walled and double-walled SiC nanotubes. The binding energy per atom or the cohesive energy of the double-walled nanotubes depends not only on the number of atoms but also on the coupling of the constituent singlewalled nanotubes and their types. A study of the binding energies, Mulliken charges, density of states and HOMO-LUMO gaps has been performed for all nanotubes from (n,n)@(n + 3,n + 3) to (n,n)@(n + 6,n + 6) (n = 3 − 6). Type 2 DWNTs do not preserve the coaxial geometry when the difference in the chirality of the outer and inner tubes is 5 or less. For type 3, this occurs when the chirality difference is 4 or less. The gaps of types 2 and 3 DWNTs are lower than those of the corresponding single-walled nanotubes and are significantly less than those of type 1 DWNTs.
Action of various 19-norsteroids on the uptake of radioactive testosterone by sex accessory organs of the mouse.

Abstract A small dose (10 μg/kg) of tritiated testosterone was rapidly incorporated into the arterior lobes of prostate glands (coagulating gland) of normal mice. A 5 min uptake period revealed radiosteroid in several other organs including the liver, kidney, brain and salivary glands. The previous administration of various synthetic steroids altered the assimilation of radiosteroid by the prostate glands of mice. Norethandrolone, norethynodrel and 17-α-(2-methallyl)-19-nortestosterone antagonized the uptake of radiosteroid by the prostate gland. Androsterone was also effective in reducing the assimilation of radiosteroid when injected just prior (10 min) to labeled testosterone. Cortisone was ineffective in altering the level of radioactivity in these sex accessory structures. The mechanism whereby these 19-norsteroids alter the uptake of radiosteroid by the prostate gland is probably a competitive antagonism.
Near-infrared fluorescence goggle system with complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor imaging sensor and see-through display

We have developed a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence goggle system based on the complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor active pixel sensor imaging and see-through display technologies. The fluorescence goggle system is a compact wearable intraoperative fluorescence imaging and display system that can guide surgery in real time. The goggle is capable of detecting fluorescence of indocyanine green solution in the picomolar range. Aided by NIR quantum dots, we successfully used the fluorescence goggle to guide sentinel lymph node mapping in a rat model. We further demonstrated the feasibility of using the fluorescence goggle in guiding surgical resection of breast cancer metastases in the liver in conjunction with NIR fluorescent probes. These results illustrate the diverse potential use of the goggle system in surgical procedures.
Mood States as Predictors of Characteristics and Precipitants of Suicidality Among College Students

This article examines college students' self-reported mood states during a suicidal crisis and the relationship between mood and indicators of suicidality. Multilevel modeling demonstrated that the moods of hopelessness and anger predicted stronger intent; anxiety/worry predicted weaker thoughts of suicide; hopelessness increased the odds of receiving professional help, having a specific plan, and having contemplated methods; and guilt decreased the odds of having made preparations for an attempt. The associations between mood and precipitants of suicidal ideation are presented. Implications of these findings for increasing collaboration during the course of risk assessment and treatment are also discussed.
Symptomatic intracranial stenosis: best medical treatment vs. intracranial stenting.

Purpose of review The high risk of stroke and death in patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis despite medical therapy has spurred interest in endovascular treatment approaches. Recent findings Three stents have been designed for the treatment of intracranial stenosis, and two, the Wingspan and Neurolink Stent Systems, have been evaluated in single-arm trials. The trials and two prospective registries evaluating the Wingspan Stent System suggest that stenting is most likely to be beneficial in patients with the highest risk of stroke on medical therapy, namely those with 70-99% stenosis. Summary Randomized treatment trials comparing stenting with medical therapy in symptomatic intracranial stenosis need to target the patients at highest risk of recurrent vascular events on medical therapy. Such trials are in progress. Ongoing trials in Asia are also assessing medical therapies, including cilostazol, in patients with intracranial stenosis.
Out of place: Narrative insights into agoraphobia

This study explores how agoraphobia is realized through the activity of storytelling. Analysis of one agoraphobic woman's narratives articulates (a) the narrative structuring of a panic episode, (b) the grammatical resources systematically recruited to portray panic as unaccountable and the protagonist as irrational and helpless, and (c) a recurrent communicative dilemma narrated in the setting, which anticipates the onset of panic. The narrator presents two conflicting accounts of panic: One foregrounded in her stories and in clinical literature links panic to an immediate activity and location; another backgrounded in her stories and heretofore unrecognized in the literature links panic to a failure to communicate unwillingness to participate in proposed activities that compromise the protagonist's perceived well‐being. We conclude that agoraphobia is a communicative disorder that constructs a range of relationships. This study offers a methodology for researchers, clinicians, and sufferers of agoraphob...
Historical Pesticide Exposure in California Using Pesticide Use Reports and Land-Use Surveys: An Assessment of Misclassification Error and Bias

We used California's Pesticide Use Report (PUR) and land-use survey data to conduct a simulation study evaluating the potential consequences of misclassifying residential exposure from proximity to agricultural pesticide application in health effect studies. We developed a geographic model linking the PUR with crop location data from land-use surveys to assess the impact of exposure misclassification from simpler exposure models based solely on PUR or land-use data. We simulated the random selection of population controls recruited into a hypothetical case-control study within an agricultural region. Using residential parcel data, we derived annual exposure prevalences, sensitivity, and specificity for five pesticides and relied on the PUR plus land-use model as the "gold standard." Based on these estimates, we calculated the attenuation of prespecified true odds ratios (ORs), assuming nondifferential exposure misclassification. True ORs were severely attenuated a) when residential exposure status was based on a larger geographic area yielding higher sensitivity but low specificity for exposure, in contrast to relying on a smaller area and increasing specificity; b) for less frequently applied pesticides; and c) with increasing mobility of residents among the study population. Considerable effect estimate attenuation also occurred when we used residential distance to crops as a proxy for pesticide exposure. Finally, exposure classifications based on annual instead of seasonal summaries of PUR resulted in highly attenuated ORs, especially during seasons when applications of specific pesticides were unlikely to occur. These results underscore the importance of increasing the spatiotemporal resolution of pesticide exposure models to minimize misclassification.
On the conformation of transfer RNA in solution: Dependence of denaturation temperature and structural parameters of mixed and formylmethionyl Escherichia coli transfer RNA on sodium ion concentration☆

Abstract There is at present considerable evidence that transfer RNA in the presence of Mg 2+ exists in a more highly ordered state than predicted by simple cloverleaf models (Levitt, 1969; Cramer, 1970, Abstr. 8th Internat. Cong. Biochem. p. 214; Cramer, 1971). This highly ordered structure is shown here to correspond closely to that found in the presence of high concentrations of Na + (2 m ) at pH 6.5. As the Na + counterion concentration is decreased, progressive denaturation occurs to a state finally approximating a coil. We have determined the dependence of the mid-point of the thermal denaturation profiles ( T m ), ultraviolet absorbance, viscosity, circular dichroism spectra, and tritium exchange-out rates and number on counterion concentration for both unfractionated (mixed) Escherichia coli tRNA as well as the purified E. coli formylmethionine specific tRNA. The transition and physical data are consistent with a simple interpretation of the states of tRNA present as a function of ionic strength. Specifically, at pH 6.5 in the region of 0.1 to 2 m -NaCl, below 25 °C, tRNA exists as a cloverleaf with varying degrees of superstructure converging to the Mg 2+ state. Below 0.1 m -Na + denaturation of the cloverleaf structure itself takes place, representing the electrostatically induced transition to some type of coil configuration. In the vicinity of 0.1 m -Na + we suggest that the average structure in solution approximates a cloverleaf conformation, although we have no information on the distribution of molecules among closely related states. This picture provides a useful reference for physical and functional studies, which may define more completely the tertiary conformation and specific biological interactions of this molecule.
Smart nitrate-selective electrochemical sensors with electrospun nanofibers modified microelectrode

This paper presents a highly sensitive dedicated sensor that selectively measures nitrate ions. Nitrate-selective electrode of the three-electrode electrochemical sensor is formed by modifying the working electrode of the sensor with a novel nanofibrous mat made of conductive polypyrrole nanofibers. The nanofibers are formed by electrospinning technique. By doping the polypyrrole nanofibers with nitrate ions during an electrochemical polymerization process, numerous nanopores complimentary to the size of the target ions are created in the surface of the nanofibers, thus forming nitrate selective trapping sites. In addition, the porous structure of the nanofibers provides a large surface area of interacting with the analyte. This leads to high sensitivity of the sensor at the level of 1-2 nA per μM. The design, fabrication, and characterization of this new sensor are presented. The results are also discussed. Keywords—nitrate sensor; electrospinning; electrochemical sensor; ion selective electrode.
Instrumentation Research and Development in DOE Health Physics Programs

Planning and control of exposure to ionizing radiation require the use of accurate, reliable instrumentation to establish dose rates, indicate high exposure rate areas, and control the spread of contamination. The Radiological Controls Division of the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) operates several programs under the technical direction of DOE's lead laboratory in health physics, the Pacific Northwest Laboratory. These programs involve the evaluation and development of instruments to measure dose rates, internal depositions, and airborne and surface contamination. Several important developments, including the total dose meter, the laser-heated dosimeter reader, and a beta survey meter will be described.
A high speed power system transmission line protection scheme using a 32-bit microprocessor

Abstract The availability of cheap and powerful microprocessors in recent years has led to their increasing use in all aspects of power engineering. In future years they are expected to play an even greater role in power system protection schemes because of their ability to: (1) compare on-line data and come to a logical or quick decision; (2) store information from past events and make an expert decision; (3) combine various complicated tasks, etc. Thus, the application of microprocessors in power system protection is much more attractive than in many other fields. As an example, this paper develops a high speed digital protection scheme for a power transmission line. A signal processing technique is used to analyze the power spectrum of the transient fault currents, which makes it possible to develop a desired digital filtering algorithm using computer-aided design (CAD) techniques and minimize the potential for false tripping due to the steady-state system harmonics. This design was implemented on a 32-bit MVME133 monoboard microcomputer to demonstrate the protection of a model power transmission line.
A model of integrated primary care for HIV-positive patients with underlying substance use and mental illness

Abstract There is a high burden of underlying substance use and mental illness in HIV-infected populations. HIV-care settings provide an important opportunity to assess substance and mental health needs among HIV-positive patients and to provide or make referrals for appropriate treatment services. In 2003, with funding from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), we developed a model of integrated substance-use counselling and referral for treatment within a primary care HIV-care setting at The Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. The project uses a multidisciplinary approach to provide linkage to treatment services for substance use and mental illness as well as to help participants with social service needs, such as housing and medical coverage, to ensure continuity of care and optimal HIV treatment adherence. Twelve percent of the 965 HIV-infected patients in care at our center have been enroled in the project. Of these, all have a current substance-use disorder and 79.3% have been di...
Excess of depressive symptoms and life events among diabetics

We compared a group of insulin-dependent diabetic outpatients with normal control subjects for their scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and for their experience of recent life events. Diabetic patients had significantly higher BDI scores than controls and had experienced significantly more life events during the previous 6 months. These results suggest that psychiatric symptoms and social problems are common among insulin-dependent diabetics. Longitudinal studies of psychiatric disorder among diabetic patients appear to be indicated.
Let the Buyer Beware: Governors, Career Paths and Public Corruption in Ten States

Despite extensive research into state government corruption, little is known about when or why governors engage in corruption. This article presents a study of ten states and examines the previously unexplored possibility that career path plays an important role. It finds that state government insiders are more likely than outsiders to engage in corruption as governor. This is an important issue, since many governors will continue to have been socialized in the state legislature before assuming office.