cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What Rational Political Actors Can Expect

This article analyzes the distinction between two definitions of rationality, standard expected utility maximization and an alternative that says rational individuals maximize their expected utility given their acts. The latter version can explain important political phenomena that challenge the standard approach. Documenting the empirical advantages of the second definition for political science, the article also argues that conditional expected utility maximizers are normatively rational. Moreover, the article demonstrates that some important and recognized work in political science has unwittingly relied on this version’s underlying assumptions. Finally, it formally shows how this decision theory can ground equilibria in two-person games.
BIOLOGICAL DATA MINING USING BAYESIAN NEURAL NETWORKS: A CASE STUDY

Biological data mining is the activity of finding significant information in biomolecular data. The significant information may refer to motifs, clusters, genes, and protein signatures. This paper presents an example of biological data mining: the recognition of promoters in DNA. We propose a two-level ensemble of classifiers to recognize E. Coli promoter sequences. The first-level classifiers include three Bayesian neural networks that learn from three different feature sets. The outputs of the first-level classifiers are combined in the second-level to give the final result. Empirical study shows that a precision rate of 92.2% is achieved, indicating an excellent performance of the proposed approach.
Trends in atmospheric reactive nitrogen for the Eastern United States.

Abstract Reactive nitrogen can travel far from emission sources and impact sensitive ecosystems. From 2002 to 2006, policy actions have led to decreases in NO x emissions from power plants and motor vehicles. In this study, atmospheric chemical transport modeling demonstrates that these emissions reductions have led to a downward trend in ambient measurements of transported reactive nitrogen, especially atmospheric concentrations and wet deposition of nitrate. The trend in reduced nitrogen, namely ammonium, is ambiguous. As reduced nitrogen becomes a larger fraction of the reactive nitrogen budget, wide-spread NH 3 measurements and improved NH 3 emissions assessments are a critical need.
Differential rates of vertical accretion and elevation change among aerial root types in Micronesian mangrove forests

Abstract Root systems in mangrove swamps have captured the attention of scientists for decades. Among the postulated roles of root structures include a contribution to the geomorphological stability of mangrove soils through sediment trapping and binding. In this study, we used feldspar marker horizons and sediment pins to investigate the influence of three different functional root types—prop roots in Rhizophora spp., root knees in Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, and pneumatophores in Sonneratia alba—on vertical accretion and elevation change in three mangrove forests in the Federated States of Micronesia. Prop roots facilitated vertical accretion (11.0 mm year−1) more than pneumatophores or bare soil controls (mean, 8.3 mm year−1). Sediment elevation, on the other hand, increased at an average rate of only 1.3 mm year 1 across all root types, with rate differences by root type, ranging from −0.2 to 3.4 mm year−1, being detected within river basins. This investigation demonstrates that prop roots can assist in the settling of suspended sediments from estuarine waters, yet prop root structures are not as successful as pneumatophores in maintaining sediment elevation over 2.5 years. As root densities increase over time, an increase in turbulence-induced erosion and in shallow subsidence as organic peat layers form is expected in Micronesian mangrove forests.
Potential for optical imaging in the 1 to 1.3 micron range using an upconverting time gate

Performing imaging in the wavelength region of 1 to 1.3 micrometers is attractive because the scattering coefficient is up to a factor of 2 less in this wavelength region than at wavelengths commonly used near 800 nm. While hemoglobin absorption cannot be used for contrast at the longer wavelengths, the requirements for contrast are reduced, and other contrast sources are available. Higher numbers of photons may be used for imaging in this longer wavelength region. Longer wavelength imaging is challenging because the detectors operating beyond 1 micrometers , we have developed upconverting time gates that upconvert images from longer wavelengths (1-1.3 micrometers ) to wavelengths below 1 micrometers where good detectors exist.
Nonmedical doctoral-level scientists in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service, 1964-1997.

Abstract Introduction: Although historically a training program in applied epidemiology for physicians, veterinarians, and dentists, CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) has been attracting an increasing number of other doctoral-level scientists with prior experience and training in advanced analytic methods. Methods: Using data from alumni records, we studied the participation of these nonmedical scientists in the EIS program and their subsequent employment. Results: 160 nonmedical doctoral level scientists enrolled in EIS from 1964 through 1997; 135 had completed EIS as of July 1997. Of 160 enrolled, 94 (59%) had an advanced degree in epidemiology; other degrees included demography, anthropology, behavioral sciences, statistics, and other health areas; 66% were women. Most (112; 70%) were assigned to work in noninfectious disease areas. After completion of EIS, 113 (84%) of 135 officers continued to work in public health activities: 75 (56%) remained employed at CDC; 17 (13%) in academic institutions; 14 (10%) in local or state health departments; 3 (2%) in international health agencies; 2 (1%) in other federal health agencies; and 2 (1%) in public health foundations. Compared with trainees recruited during 1964–1989, greater proportions of those recruited during 1990–1995 remained employed at CDC (44/74 [59%] versus 31/61 [51%]) or at state or local health departments (10 [14%] versus 4 [7%]). Those training during EIS at a state or local health department (15/20, 75%) or in occupational health (17/24, 71%) were more likely than those in other assignments to work outside CDC following EIS. Conclusion: There is increasing participation and collaboration of persons trained in nonmedical sciences with those trained in traditional medical areas in the EIS training program and in careers in public health at all levels: local, state, and federal.
Combustion-turbulence interaction in the turbulent boundary layer over a hot surface

The turbulence-combustion interaction in a reacting turbulent boundary layer over aheated flat plate was studied. Ethylene/air mixture with equivalence ratio of 0.35 was used. The free stream velocity was 10.5 m/s and the wall temperature was 1250° K. Visualization of combustion structures was provided by high-speed schlieren photographs. Fluid density statistics were deduced from Rayleigh scattering intensity measurements. A single-component laser Doppler velocimetry system was used to obtain mean and root-mean-square velocity distributions, the Reynolds stress, the streamwise and the cross-stream turbulent kinetic energy diffusion, and the production of turbulent kinetic energy by Reynolds stress. The combustion process was found to be dominated by large-scale turbulent structures of the boundary layer. Combustion caused expansion of the boundary layer. No overall self-similarity is observed in either the velocity or the density profiles. Velocity fluctuations were increased in part of the boundary layer and the Reynolds stress was reduced as compared with the isothermal case. The turbulent kinetic energy diffusion pattern was changed significantly, suggesting that a modification of the boundary layer assumptions will be required when dealing with this problem numerically.
Wigner coefficients for the proton-neutron quasispin group: An application of vector coherent state techniques

SO(S) 3 U(2) reduced Wigner coefficients, needed to extract the n, T-dependence of nuclear matrix elements in the seniority scheme, are evaluated by vector coherent state techniques by casting operators other than the group generators into their Bargmann z-space realizations. Results are given, in terms of simple angular momentum recoupling coefficients and the K-matrix elements of vector coherent state theory, for SO(S) couplings involving the 4., S-, and IO-dimensional representations. Both a simplification of earlier results and a generalization to states of arbitrarily high seniority has been achieved.
A collection of 4,741 word fragments that have unique completions with respect to 146,205 words

A collection of 4,741 word fragments that have a unique completion is described. All word fragments are specified by two letters (e.g.,__Q__U__can only be completed by the word LIQUEURS). The words completing these fragments range in length from five to nine letters. The fragments are unique with respect to a pool of 146,205 words, which helps rule out the possibility that obscure words could be used as a completion to the fragments. The collection of fragments as well as the words that complete them is available in ASCII format on computer disks or in printed form.
Body fluids and exercise: Physiological responses (part I)

Abstract Athletic performance is initially enabled but then becomes limited by changes in body fluids. This subject is reviewed in three parts: physiological responses, replacement strategies, and dietary influences. The first part provides a physiological basis for understanding body fluids and typical changes during exercise, with emphasis on water and electrolytes. It describes the volume and distribution of body water, and the water shifts and changes in concentrations of electrolytes that occur during strenuous exercise, whether brief or prolonged. These changes may relate to muscle activity or reflect losses via sweat or expiration. Changes in electrolyte concentrations influence acid-base status, with decreasing concentrations of strong ions in the horse (but not most species) tending to exacerbate the acidogenic effect of exercise. Electrolyte changes during exercise also tend to exert many effects on neuromuscular excitability, with the extracellular potassium concentration likely to play a dominant role. Relative losses of water and electrolytes lead to hypo-, iso- or hyper-osmotic hypohydration. Loss of equine hypertonic sweat is conducive to hypotonic plasma, and this hypotonicity inhibits voluntary water intake. Reduction in plasma volume initially increases oxygen carriage per unit volume so favors oxygen transport but, if more extreme, risks hypotension or acute heart failure. Reduction of cellular water initially sustains plasma volume but eventually compromises performance. Hypohydration reduces the sweating rate and compromises heat elimination. Increasing muscle temperature at first improves performance (“warming up”) then induces fatigue. The regulation of body water volume is controlled to a large extent by conservation of sodium. Total water turnover is related to energy expenditure, and both variables are dependent largely on the same internal and external factors. The horse's homeostatic capacity may be influenced by diet in general or be supported by supplementation with water and electrolytes before, during or after an event. Potentially beneficial replacement strategies and dietary designs will be discussed in parts two and three of this review.
LINEAR COLLIDER OPTIONS: STATUS OF THE R&D AND PLANS FOR TECHNOLOGY SELECTION

R&D for the linear collider, LC, is well along towards the point where a technology selection can be made. The status of the R&D is described briefly and the evolving procedure for making a selection is presented together with the current ideas on how to proceed.
Of markets, technology, patients and profits.

In this paper I: (1) Describe something of the present situation in the United States and briefly contrast this with the state of affairs in other nations of the industrialised world. I emphasise health care but also allude to other social conditions: health care is merely one institution of a society and, just as do its other institutions, the system of health care reflects the basic world-view of that society. (2) Sketch the world-view and the philosophy which underwrites the use of a market system in distributing what are acknowledged to be critically important social goods like health care and higher education. I show that a well-functioning market can indeed be useful when it comes to distributing some, but not when distributing other goods. (3) Suggest that when competition and the market are used to ‘regulate’ health care, technology—instead of being used to benefit patients—is apt to be used primarily to maximise individual profit: it becomes a weapon between what is often painted as ‘warfare’ among health care providers and institutions. I argue that this state of affairs is based on an undue emphasis upon the demands of individual freedom to the detriment of the community. Finally (4) I suggest an alternative approach to balancing individual with communal interests, an approach which is neither based on a predominance of one with neglect of the other, nor on a dialectic balance between them, but rather upon an approach which sees both individual and communal interests as modifying forces in a complex homeostatic balance. Individual success, in any civilised sense of the term, is possible only in a viable and well-functioning community, and a well-functioning community is not possible without individual success: the two are inevitably interdependent and linked.
Analysis of diffusion changes in posttraumatic bone marrow using navigator-corrected diffusion gradients.

OBJECTIVE. This study was undertaken to analyze diffusion characteristics of normal and posttraumatic bone marrow.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Fifty consecutive patients with knee pain underwent both conventional and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (b values, 0-980 sec/mm2). Diffusion maps derived from source data were analyzed on a workstation using region-of-interest techniques. Apparent diffusion values recorded in normal marrow were compared with values recorded in abnormal posttraumatic bone marrow (square centimeters per second).RESULTS. Normal bone marrow identified in 35 patients showed minimal diffusion, with a mean value of 0.15 × 10-5 cm2/sec. Bone marrow in 15 patients sustaining direct traumatic injury (21 bone bruises) showed markedly increased diffusion, with a mean value of 0.8 × 10-5 cm2/sec (range, 0.4-1.3 cm2/sec).CONCLUSION. Marrow injury after trauma with trabecular damage allows increased movement or diffusion of interstitial water relative to normal marrow. The magnitude of diffusion change...
How to assign votes in a distributed system

In a distributed system, one strategy for achieving mutual exclusion of groups of nodes without communication is to assign to each node a number of votes. Only a group with a majority of votes can execute the critical operations, and mutual exclusion is achieved because at any given time there is at most one such group. A second strategy, which appears to be similar to votes, is to define a priori a set of groups that intersect each other. Any group of nodes that finds itself in this set can perform the restricted operations. In this paper, both of these strategies are studied in detail and it is shown that they are not equivalent in general (although they are in some cases). In doing so, a number of other interesting properties are proved. These properties will be of use to a system designer who is selecting a vote assignment or a set of groups for a specific application.
Non-fatal ventricular dysrhythmias associated with severe salicylate toxicity.

Introduction. Cardiac dysrhythmias, other than sinus tachycardia, rarely occur with salicylate poisoning. When dysrhythmias do occur, they are typically a terminal event. Case Report. A 45-year-old woman presented an unknown amount of time after an intentional ingestion of aspirin and acetaminophen. On presentation her vital signs were T 39°C, P 125 beats/minute, R 26 breaths/minute, and BP 153/79 mmHg. She was initially obtunded, but minutes after presentation had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting approximately two minutes, which ceased after 2 mg of intravenous lorazepam. She was sedated, intubated and treated with sodium bicarbonate. Her peak salicylate concentration was 152 mg/dL. Her course was complicated by seizures and dysrhythmias, including monomorphic ventricular tachycardia and Torsades de Pointes. With bicarbonate therapy, hemodialysis, and veno-venous hemofiltration, she survived neurologically intact. Discussion. The etiology of these dysrhythmias is likely multifactorial. Metaboli...
Hospital Characteristics Associated With the Management of Pediatric Splenic Injuries

ContextDespite evidence that more than 90% of children with traumatic injuries to the spleen can be successfully managed nonoperatively, there is significant variation in the use of splenectomy. As asplenic children are at increased risk of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection, nonoperative management may be considered a quality of care indicator.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that children are more likely to undergo splenectomy in general hospitals than in children’s hospitals.DesignRetrospective cohort study using data from the Kid’s Inpatient Database (KID) for the year 2000. Multivariable regression was used to control for patient and hospital characteristics.Setting and ParticipantsAll children aged 0 to 16 years who were hospitalized with a traumatic (noniatrogenic) spleen injury in nonfederal short-stay hospitals in any of the 27 states participating in KID (N = 2851).Main Outcome MeasureSplenectomy performed within 1 day of arrival.ResultsA total of 11 children (3%) with splenic injuries receiving care at children’s hospitals underwent splenectomy compared with 383 children (15.4%) cared for at general hospitals (P<.001). After adjusting for patient characteristics, injury severity, and hospital characteristics, splenectomy was more likely among children treated at general hospitals (odds ratio, 5.01; 95% confidence interval, 2.21-11.36) than among children treated at children’s hospitals.ConclusionsThere is considerable variation in the management of pediatric splenic injuries, with significantly lower rates of splenectomy at designated children’s hospitals. Quality improvement interventions, including increased education and training for physicians in general hospitals, may be needed to increase the use of spleen-conserving management practices.
Superconducting Qubit Storage and Entanglement with Nanomechanical Resonators

We propose a quantum computing architecture based on the integration of nanomechanical resonators with Josephson-junction phase qubits. The resonators are GHz-frequency, dilatational disk resonators, which couple to the junctions through a piezoelectric interaction. The system is analogous to a collection of tunable few-level atoms (the Josephson junctions) coupled to one or more electromagnetic cavities (the resonators). Our architecture combines desirable features of solid-state and optical approaches and may make quantum computing possible in a scalable, solid-state environment.
How Purely Wind-Driven Long Planetary Geostrophic Waves May Be Energized in the Western Part of Ocean Subtropical Gyres

Abstract Satellite observations and idealized numerical studies reveal intensification of long-period (on the order of one cycle per year) waves in the western part of ocean basins. The authors explore the idea that the intensification is associated with the spatial growth of purely time periodic, but baroclinically unstable, motions. The framework is a simple idealized 2½-layer model in which only the upper layer is directly forced by the wind, a setting similar to the shadow zone of the Luyten–Pedlosky–Stommel (LPS) model. The upper two layers participate in the wave motion, which is driven by a large-scale wind stress fluctuating with the annual period, representing the seasonal cycle. Although possibly unstable solutions exist everywhere in the subtropical gyre on account of the nonzero meridional background flow, they are not seen in the eastern part of the basin in satellite observations nor are they excited there by model gyre-scale annual-period winds. Instead, energy injected into the model ocean...
The Use of Risk-Management Approaches to Protect Patients With Cancer-Related Pain and Their Healthcare Providers

Purpose/objectives To describe the factors that contribute to the risk for undertreatment of cancer pain, as well as the risk factors associated with misuse or abuse of opioid analgesics, and to describe approaches to identify and manage the risks. Data sources Published research, articles from a literature review, and U. S. statistics. Data synthesis Oncology nurses should perform systematic assessments to determine whether patients are at risk for undertreatment of cancer pain or whether they are at risk for abuse or addiction to opioid analgesics. Oncology nurses must develop effective approaches to manage both types of risk. Patient education is a critical component to help patients who are at risk for undertreatment to adhere to analgesic regimens and to experience optimal benefit from medications. For patients who are at risk for abuse or addiction, oncology nurses should perform ongoing screening for behaviors that are predictive of addiction and implement appropriate interventions to reduce risks of abuse. Conclusions Oncology clinicians should have a balanced perspective of risk management within the context of cancer pain management. Implications for nursing Clinicians must be cognizant of the fact that a significant risk exists for undertreatment of cancer pain. In addition, oncology nurses should recognize patients who are at risk for abuse or addiction or who are actively abusing opioid analgesics and establish appropriate safeguards for patients with cancer and oncology clinicians.
Effective Learning and Teaching of RDA: Applying Adult Learning Theory

Significant changes in both the cataloging code and our mode of recording metadata are slated to take place in the coming months and years. These changes give us an unprecedented opportunity to change our teaching strategies and our attitudes towards lifelong workplace learning for the better. In this study, we examine results of the U.S. RDA test, some basic principles of adult learning theory, and currently available training materials in order to consider what is most beneficial to practitioners in developing professional fluency and identity and what changes can be made to serve that end.
“Not men, but measures”: The origins and import of an ideological principle

This essay suggests that our insistence on “sticking to the issues” in political argument is an ideological commitment rather than the dictum of logic. The idea originated in an eighteenth‐century maxim and was institutionalized through the example of the Earl of Chatham. Edmund Burke's alternative criterion of decision, derived from public evaluation of a Leader's “image,” is used to expose the dubious, perhaps dangerous, quality of our contemporary dedication to “issue"‐oriented political argument.
A new synthesis of the ORL-1 antagonist 1-[(3R,4R)-1-cyclooctylmethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-piperidinyl]-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (J-113397) and activity in a calcium mobilization assay

A new chiral synthesis of the ORL-1 antagonist 1-[(3R,4R)-1-cyclooctylmethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-piperidinyl]-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (2, J-113397) was developed. J-113397 has a K(e)=0.85nM in an ORL-1 calcium mobilization assay and is 89-, 887-, and 227-fold selective for the ORL-1 receptor relative to the mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Class of Dicopper(I) Bis(carboxylate)-Bridged Complexes

The syntheses, spectroscopic properties, crystal and molecular structures, and bonding of several dicopper(I) bis(carboxylate)-bridged complexes are described in which the bridging dicarboxylate ligand is the dianion of m-xylylenediamine bis(Kemp's triacid imide) (H2XDK, 1). A sterically demanding benzyl derivative of H2XDK was prepared, H2BXDK (6). Reaction of these two ligands as well as the propyl analog, H2PXDK (2), with thallium ethoxide provided dithallium salts Tl2L (L = XDK, 7; PXDK, 8; and BXDK, 9). Reaction of 7, 8, or 9 with excess CuBr(Me2S) in CH2Cl2/MeCN afforded dinuclear acetonitrile adducts [Cu2L(MeCN)] (L = XDK, 10; PXDK, 11; and BXDK, 12) in high yield and multigram quantities. The coordination chemistry of the Cu2(XDK) platform was explored with a range of ancillary ligands. Treatment of 10, 11, or 12 with an excess of the specified neutral donor ligand provided complexes [Cu2(XDK)(PPh3)2] (13), [Cu2(XDK)(2,6-Me2C6H3NC)3] (14a), [Cu2(XDK)(μ-2,6-Me2C6H3NC)(2,6-Me2C6H3NC)2] (14b), [Cu2(X...
An Idealized Nonlinear Model of the Northern Hemisphere Winter Storm Tracks

Abstract In this paper, a nonlinear dry model, forced by fixed radiative forcing alone, has been constructed to simulate the Northern Hemisphere winter storm tracks. A procedure has been devised to iterate the radiative equilibrium temperature profile such that at the end of the iterations the model climate closely resembles the desired target climate. This iterative approach is applied to simulate the climatological storm tracks in January. It is found that, when the three-dimensional temperature distribution in the model resembles the observed distribution, the model storm tracks are much too weak. It is hypothesized that this is due to the fact that eddy development is suppressed in a dry atmosphere, owing to the lack of latent heat release in the ascending warm air. To obtain storm tracks with realistic amplitudes, the static stability of the target climate is reduced to simulate the enhancement in baroclinic energy conversion due to latent heat release. With this modification, the storm tracks in the...
OBSERVATION OF THE GZK CUTOFF BY THE HIRes EXPERIMENT AND THE PIERRE AUGER OBSERVATORY

Results from the High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) experiment and the Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO) on the observation of the Greissen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cutoff in the cosmic ray spectrum are presented. Both experiments observe a cutoff consistent with the GZK predictions with a five and six sigma significance respectively. The nature of the cosmic ray composition near the GZK cutoff is discussed as well as the recent claim of a correlation of the highest energy cosmic rays with AGNs in the Southern sky.
Abortion, some slippery slope arguments and identity over time.

L'A. presente une nouvelle version de l'argument conservateur contre la legitimite de l'avortement, argument dit " slippery slope ". Il soutient un gradualisme moral en ce qui concerne les personnes morales et le droit a la vie
Delayed sodium pyruvate treatment improves working memory following experimental traumatic brain injury.

Prior work indicates that cerebral glycolysis is impaired following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and that pyruvate treatment acutely after TBI can improve cerebral metabolism and is neuroprotective. Since extracellular levels of glucose decrease during periods of increased cognitive demand and exogenous glucose improves cognitive performance, we hypothesized that pyruvate treatment prior to testing could ameliorate cognitive deficits in rats with TBI. Based on pre-surgical spatial alternation performance in a 4-arm plus-maze, adult male rats were randomized to receive either sham injury or unilateral (left) cortical contusion injury (CCI). On days 4, 9 and 14 after surgery animals received an intraperitoneal injection of either vehicle (Sham-Veh, n = 6; CCI-Veh, n = 7) or 1000 mg/kg of sodium pyruvate (CCI-SP, n = 7). One hour after each injection rats were retested for spatial alternation performance. Animals in the CCI-SP group showed no significant working memory deficits in the spatial alternation task compared to Sham-Veh controls. The percent four/five alternation scores for CCI-Veh rats were significantly decreased from Sham-Veh scores on days 4 and 9 (p < 0.01) and from CCI-SP scores on days 4, 9 and 14 (p < 0.05). Measures of cortical contusion volume, regional cerebral metabolic rates of glucose and regional cytochrome oxidase activity at day 15 post-injury did not differ between CCI-SP and CCI-Veh groups. These results show that spatial alternation testing can reliably detect temporal deficits and recovery of working memory after TBI and that delayed pyruvate treatment can ameliorate TBI-induced cognitive impairments.
Factors related to patient compliance in the treatment of acne vulgaris

Background Missed appointments are a major problem in healthcare delivery, and are one element of patient compliance with treatment. Aim To determine whether there was a relationship between the beliefs, attitudes, expectations of treatment, and previous treatment experiences of acne patients and the keeping of follow-up appointments for treatment. Methods One hundred and forty-four consecutive patients presenting to a private dermatologist's office for the treatment of acne completed questionnaires concerning their beliefs and previous treatment, and a record was maintained of missed appointments over a series of five scheduled appointments. A control group of middle and high school students completed the same pretreatment questionnaire. Six months after starting treatment, a second questionnaire was completed regarding compliance with treatment, problems with medication, and frequency of appointments and appointment keeping. Results There were very few differences between patients and controls in beliefs about the cause and treatment of acne. Patient appointment keeping was as follows: 28% of acne patients attended all four follow-up appointments, 10% three follow-up appointments, 15% two follow-up appointments, 13% one follow-up appointment, and 19% no follow-up appointments. Fifteen per cent of patients dropped out of treatment for one or two appointments and then returned. Conclusions Demographic factors, such as gender, race, method of payment for medical services, and type of therapy prescribed, were more important in determining appointment keeping behavior than were patient attitudes and beliefs, previous therapy, or severity of acne. Although there was no correlation between appointment keeping and knowledge of the condition, knowledge of the medication, severity of acne, age, or previous medical treatment, relationships were observed between demographic factors and appointment keeping.
Systematic review: Efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in selected neurologic disorders Report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology

Objective: To determine the efficacy of medical marijuana in several neurologic conditions. Methods: We performed a systematic review of medical marijuana (1948–November 2013) to address treatment of symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, and movement disorders. We graded the studies according to the American Academy of Neurology classification scheme for therapeutic articles. Results: Thirty-four studies met inclusion criteria; 8 were rated as Class I. Conclusions: The following were studied in patients with MS: (1) Spasticity: oral cannabis extract (OCE) is effective, and nabiximols and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are probably effective, for reducing patientcentered measures; it is possible both OCE and THC are effective for reducing both patient-centered and objective measures at 1 year. (2) Central pain or painful spasms (including spasticity-related pain, excluding neuropathic pain): OCE is effective; THC and nabiximols are probably effective. (3) Urinary dysfunction: nabiximols is probably effective for reducing bladder voids/day; THC and OCE are probably ineffective for reducing bladder complaints. (4) Tremor: THC and OCE are probably ineffective; nabiximols is possibly ineffective. (5) Other neurologic conditions: OCE is probably ineffective for treating levodopa-induced dyskinesias in patients with Parkinson disease. Oral cannabinoids are of unknown efficacy in non–chorea-related symptoms of Huntington disease, Tourette syndrome, cervical dystonia, and epilepsy. The risks and benefits of medical marijuana should be weighed carefully. Risk of serious adverse psychopathologic effects was nearly 1%. Comparative effectiveness of medical marijuana vs other therapies is unknown for these indications. Neurology® 2014;82:1556–1563
Phagocytic challenge induces changes in phosphorylation of retinal pigment epithelium proteins.

Changes in protein phosphorylation induced by phagocytic challenge were identified in cultured rat retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) following exposure to isolated rat rod outer segments (ROS) or to polystyrene latex microspheres (PSL). RPE phosphoproteins were characterized based on molecular weight and isoelectric point and 32p incorporation into phosphoproteins was quantified by digitized image analysis of two-dimensional gel autoradiograms. Changes in the phosphorylation of RPE proteins were determined by comparing 32P gel data from phagocytically challenged cultures with control cultures. ROS-specific changes were defined as those occurring only in response to ROS while nonspecific changes were those associated with either ROS or PSL phagocytosis. A parallel study was conducted to identify those proteins which also show increased phosphorylation following protein kinase C (PKC) activation by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. ROS-specific increases in the phosphorylation of 2 RPE proteins were found, 1 ...
Comparative biochemical and morphological changes in imbibed cotton seed hypocotyls and radicles in situ and in vitro – Protein breakdown and elongation growth

Axes, hypocotyls and radicles excised from dry cotton seeds (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. M-8, a double haploid) were imbibed for 24 h and compared with axial segments (excised sections of embryos below the cotyledons) of imbibed, intact seeds. Radicles of excised axes had a 7.4-fold increase in length compared with only 5.2- and 5.7-fold increases, respectively, in radicles of intact seeds and in those isolated when dry. Change in hypocotyl length was not as extensive. EM data for hypocotyl and radicle cortical cells from dry and imbibed seeds revealed a major reduction in matrix protein in protein storage vacuoles along with significant organelle development at 24 h from the start of imbibition. This occurred in parallel with a reduction in salt-extracted proteins and an increase in 2% SDS-extractable proteins. SDS-PAGE of protein from low (0.2 M NaCI) and high (1.0 M NaCI) salt extracts showed a reduction in amount of the major storage proteins (53 and 48 kDa), these bands being almost totally absent in gels of protein extracts from imbibed radicles and significantly reduced in hypocotyls, within 24 h from the start of imbibition. These results indicate that initial elongation of hypocotyls and radicles in intact seeds or of excised axes, after 24 h imbibition, involves breakdown of storage proteins in these axial parts to supply nutrients for growth, with very limited contribution from the cotyledons.
The role of hypersalinity in the persistence of the Texas ‘brown tide’ in the Laguna Madre

A brown tide bloom of the alga Aureoumbra lagunensis was present without interruption in the Laguna Madre of Texas from January 1990 through October 1997. This is the longest continual phytoplankton bloom of which we are aware. Although the factors leading to the initiation of this bloom have been well documented, the factors contributing to its persistence are still being investi- gated. Two physical characteristics of the Laguna Madre may play an important role: the long turnover time for waters in this coastal lagoon (-1 year) and the hypersaline conditions that usually exist (40-60 PSU) due to evaporation exceeding precipitation. In this study, we examined the effects of salinity on the growth rates of the brown tide alga and on the growth of one of its protozoan grazers. Historical data from before the onset of the brown tide provide evidence for the suppression of micro- zooplankton populations and mesozooplankton growth caused by hypersalinity. The brown tide alga will grow in a remarkably wide range of salinities ranging from 10 to 90 PSU. Maximum growth rates are achieved at salinities ranging from 20 to 60 PSU. One common grazer on the brown tide alga, the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina, was found to grow more slowly under hypersaline conditions. The normally hypersaline conditions of the Laguna Madre may, therefore, favor the brown tide alga over other phytoplankton species that do not grow well under hypersaline conditions, and also suppress the growth and feeding rates of potential grazers.
Developmental neuroimaging of the human ventral visual cortex

Here, we review recent results that investigate the development of the human ventral stream from childhood, through adolescence and into adulthood. Converging evidence suggests a differential developmental trajectory across ventral stream regions, in which face-selective regions show a particularly long developmental time course, taking more than a decade to become adult-like. We discuss the implications of these recent findings, how they relate to age-dependent improvements in recognition memory performance and propose possible neural mechanisms that might underlie this development. These results have important implications regarding the role of experience in shaping the ventral stream and the nature of the underlying representations.
Pulmonary veno‐occlusive disease associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and chemotherapy of gastric adenocarcinoma

A 68-year-old man was treated with FAM (5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin [Adriamycin], mitomycin-C) for metastic gastric adenocarcinoma. Twelve months later while in complete clinical remission, pulmonary hypertension and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia were recognized, progressed, and ended in his demise 6 months later. At necropsy, minimal residual cancer and severe pulmonary veno-occlusive disease was found. Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease may occur in association with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and cancer chemotherapy.
Targeting cholesterol synthesis increases chemoimmuno-sensitivity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

Cholesterol plays an important role in cancer development, drug resistance and chemoimmuno-sensitivity. Statins, cholesterol lowering drugs, can induce apoptosis, but also negatively interfere with CD-20 and rituximab-mediated activity. Our goal is to identify the alternative targets that could reduce cholesterol levels but do not interfere with CD-20 in chemo immunotherapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). MEC-2 cells, a CLL cell line, and the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from CLL patients were treated with cholesterol lowering agents, and analyzed the effect of these agents on cholesterol levels, CD-20 expression and distribution, and cell viability in the presence or absence of fludarabine, rituximab or their combinations. We found that MEC-2 cells treated with cholesterol lowering agents (BIBB-515, YM-53601 or TAK-475) reduced 20% of total cellular cholesterol levels, but also significantly promoted CD-20 surface expression. Furthermore, treatment of cells with fludarabine, rituximab or their combinations in the presence of BIBB-515, YM-53601 or TAK-475 enhanced MEC-2 cell chemoimmuno-sensitivity measured by cell viability. More importantly, these cholesterol lowering agents also significantly enhanced chemoimmuno-sensitivity of the PBMCs from CLL patients. Our data demonstrate that BIBB-515, YM53601 and TAK-475 render chemoimmuno-therapy resistant MEC-2 cells sensitive to chemoimmuno-therapy and enhance CLL cell chemoimmuno-sensitivity without CD-20 epitope presentation or its downstream signaling. These results provide a novel strategy which could be applied to CLL treatment.
Give peace a chance: Nonviolent protest and the creation of territorial autonomy arrangements

This study examines factors that predict the formation of territorial autonomy arrangements for regionally concentrated ethnic communities. Territorial autonomies are institutional arrangements that allow ethnic groups to express their distinct identities while keeping the borders of host states intact. Although an extensive literature has investigated the capacity of autonomy arrangements to manage interethnic disputes, little research has addressed the precise origins of these institutions. The existing literature considers violent tactics as a primary factor that enables ethnic collectivities to attain territorial autonomy. In this study, the reasoning from the extant literature is juxtaposed with the arguments developed in the research on nonviolent opposition. Nonviolent movements enjoy moral advantage vis-a-vis violent groups. Moreover, peaceful tactics have the advantage of garnering attention for the concerns of ethnic groups without the liability of provoking the animosity or distrust created by violent conflict. Based on the analysis of a dataset representing 168 ethnic groups across 87 states from 1945 to 2000, it is found that the peaceful tactics groups employ when seeking greater self-rule is the single strongest predictor of the formation of autonomy arrangements. In particular, this study concludes that groups that rely on peaceful tactics, such as protests and strikes, and demand territorial autonomy, as opposed to an outright independence, have a greater potential to achieve territorial autonomy in comparison to those groups making extreme demands through the use of violence.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: a case study

The largest shopping day of the year in the USA is the Friday following the Thanksgiving holiday. More recently online retailers have joined the weekend shopping frenzy with promotions focused on Cyber Monday. In an effort to ascertain if price levels are different during these major shopping days and a random shopping day during the holiday season, this project investigates price differences between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and December 10. Using data extracted from the websites of five retailers our analysis reveals that price differences alone do not account for the increased spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Since changing prices during the holiday may be too costly for retailers they may resort to limiting availability until price changes can be made.
Does retailer CSR enhance behavioral loyalty? A case for benefit segmentation

We study the effects of consumer perceptions of four types of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities on their behavioral loyalty toward retailers. The four activities are environmental friendliness, community support, selling locally produced products, and treating employees fairly. Behavioral loyalty is measured by share-of-wallet (SOW). We control for other retailer attributes that drive attitudes and SOW, and examine how the market is segmented in terms of consumer response. We partition the total effect of CSR on SOW into a direct effect and an indirect effect mediated through attitude towards the store. These effects differ by CSR activity and customer segment. The effects on attitude are positive and positive attitude enhances SOW, so the indirect effects on SOW are positive. While we generally find positive total effects, the total effect of one of the CSR activities, environmental friendliness, is significantly negative for one group of consumers. The magnitude of CSR's total impact on SOW is not only statistically significant but also managerially meaningful in an industry where every share point carries a substantial dollar amount. We characterize the customer segments and conclude with implications for how best a retailer can manage its CSR initiatives.
Pythagoras in the Sacred Cosmos of Chartres Cathedral

This paper, indebted to Peter Ellard’s Sacred Cosmos, explores the ramifications of twelfth-century culture on the figure of Pythagoras in the Incarnation Portal of the west facade of Chartres Cathedral. Its goal is to provide a historical perspective on contemporaneous discussions of creative human understanding of the cosmos. The text is a gloss, albeit historical, on the sense of the Pythagoras in light of the pedagogy and scientific attitudes in the School of Chartres and in the light of the criticism of conservative theologians, like Bernard of Clairvaux. References include William of Conches, Thierry of Chartres and their Medieval Neo-Platonism through Boethius and Martianus Capella, lectio divina vs integument as a means of approaching God. An underlying theme is the ontopoietic work of the scholar.
Perceptual-Motor Coupling in the Development of Grasp

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of haptic attributes of objects on infants' grasping patterns and evaluate whether this effect is influenced by the infant's age (i.e., phase of motor development). Method Grasping patterns of 180 infants who were typically developing were measured by the Posture and Fine Motor Assessment of Infants (PFMAI); the PFMAI-I was administered to infants 2 months to 6 months of age (n = 60), and the PFMAI-II was administered to infants 6 months to 12 months of age (n = 120). Grasping patterns were compared for ages by month and for three objects, each with differing haptic features. The interaction between age and object was analyzed. Results Grasping patterns were significantly different when scores by age in months were compared. In addition, grasping patterns differed depending on the object and its haptic features and were influenced by the interaction between object held and age. Certain haptic features were associated with primitive grasp at younger ages and precision grasp at older ages. More mature skills were observed when the objects' haptic features appeared to match an infant's perceptual-motor skill. Conclusion The haptic features of objects influence an infant's grasping patterns, and this influence changes with the infant's age. These results suggest that therapists attempt to match the haptic features of objects to the infant's perceptual-motor skill in intervention in order to enhance grasping patterns.
Stimulation of Guanosine 3',5'-Monophosphate-Phosphodiesterase Activity by Adrenocorticotropic Hormone-Activated Increase of Guanosine 3',5'-Monophosphate in Isolated Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cells*

The decline of ACTH-stimulated cGMP to the basal level in isolated adrenocortical carcinoma cells was inhibited by cyclic phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Time-course experiments showed that the ACTH-induced level of cGMP preceded the activation of phosphodiesterase. Cells incubated with increasing concentrations of exogenous cGMP responded with a corresponding increase in the cGMP-phosphodiesterase activity. cAMP was 100-fold less effective than cGMP in the activation of cGMP-phosphodiesterase, indicating the nucleotide specificity of enzyme activation. The activation of cGMP-phosphodiesterase by ACTH-induced cGMP or exogenous cGMP was rapid. In contrast to these observations, there was no activation of cAMP-phosphodiesterase by exogenous cAMP or cGMP. These results indicate that one mechanism by which isolated adrenocortical carcinoma cells regulate the ACTH-induced increase in cGMP is the cyclic nucleotide control of the activity of its phosphodiesterase, thereby regulating cGMP degradation.
Nonlinear Convection in a Horizontal Layer with an Internal Heat Source

The problem of thermal convection is studied in a horizontal layer of fluid with an internal heat source which is restricted to vary linearly with the vertical variable. Square and hexagonal cells are found to be the only possible stable convection cells. Finite amplitude instability can occur for a range of the amplitude of convection. The presence of internal heating is found to be able to affect strongly the cell's size, the critical Rayleigh number, the heat transported by convection, the stability of the convective motion and the internal motion of the hexagonal cells.