cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The comparison of acute high-intensity interval exercise vs. continuous moderate-intensity exercise on plasma calprotectin and associated inflammatory mediators.

Abstract Purpose Calprotectin promotes the release of inflammatory mediators (e.g., monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1] and myeloperoxidase [MPO]) during the innate immune response as a mechanism to augment leukocyte chemotaxis and phagocytosis. Although plasma calprotectin is elevated with traditional continuous moderate-intensity exercise (CME) as an indicator of the inflammatory response, high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) has been shown to attenuate systemic inflammation while providing similar improvements in cardiovascular health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare plasma levels of calprotectin, MCP-1, and MPO between acute HIIE vs. CME. Methods Nine healthy males (24.67 ± 3.27 yrs) were recruited to participate in HIIE and CME on a cycle ergometer. HIIE consisted of 10 repeated 60 s of cycling at 90% max watts (Wmax) separated by 2 min of active recovery intensity of interval exercise, whereas CME consisted of 28 min of cycling at 60% Wmax. Blood samples were collected prior to, immediately post, and 30 and 60 min into recovery following exercise. Results Acute HIIE elicited a lower elevation in calprotectin and MPO compared to CME. An increase in MCP-1 was observed across time in both exercise protocols. Furthermore, our analyses did not reveal any significant correlation in percent change (baseline to immediately following exercise) among calprotectin, MCP1, and MPO in neither HIIE nor CME. However, a significant positive correlation was observed in the overall release of calprotectin and MPO across all four time points in both HIIE and CME. Conclusions Our findings indicate that acute HIIE may potentially diminish the systemic release of inflammatory mediators (calprotectin and MPO) compared to CME.
Marital Conflict Predicts Mother-to-Infant Adrenocortical Transmission.

Employing an experimental design, mother-to-infant transmission of stress was examined. Mothers (N = 117) were randomized to either have a positive or conflictual discussion with their marital partners, after which infants (age = 6 months) participated in a fear and frustration task. Saliva samples were collected to assess maternal cortisol responses to the discussion and infant cortisol responses to the challenge task. Results indicate maternal cortisol reactivity and recovery to the conflict (but not positive) discussion predicted infant cortisol reactivity to the infant challenge. Mothers' positive affect during the discussion buffered, and intrusion during the free-play potentiated, mother-to-infant adrenocortical transmission. These findings advance our understanding of the social and contextual regulation of adrenocortical activity in early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Online Communication about Depression and Anxiety among Twitter Users with Schizophrenia: Preliminary Findings to Inform a Digital Phenotype Using Social Media

Digital technologies hold promise for supporting the detection and management of schizophrenia. This exploratory study aimed to generate an initial understanding of whether patterns of communication about depression and anxiety on popular social media among individuals with schizophrenia are consistent with offline representations of the illness. From January to July 2016, posts on Twitter were collected from a sample of Twitter users who self-identify as having a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (n = 203) and a randomly selected sample of control users (n = 173). Frequency and timing of communication about depression and anxiety were compared between groups. In total, the groups posted n = 1,544,122 tweets and users had similar characteristics. Twitter users with schizophrenia showed significantly greater odds of tweeting about depression compared with control users (OR = 2.69; 95% CI 1.76–4.10), and significantly greater odds of tweeting about anxiety compared with control users (OR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.20–2.73). This study offers preliminary insights that Twitter users with schizophrenia may express elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety in their online posts, which is consistent with clinical characteristics of schizophrenia observed in offline settings. Social media platforms could further our understanding of schizophrenia by informing a digital phenotype and may afford new opportunities to support early illness detection.
The Marrying Kind

We are living in a Constitutional moment. In the span of half a century, LGBT people have been cast out, tolerated, accepted, and finally celebrated: In time with that shift, same-sex marriage has gone from absurdity, to threat, to fundamental right. This Article queries the links between those two processes and their potential implications for constitutional anti-discrimination law more broadly.Specifically, this Article considers two features of equal protection jurisprudence that have entered into strange, silent conflict: the discriminatory purpose doctrine established in Washington v. Davis and Personnel Administrator of Massachusetts v. Feeney, and the tendency of courts to treat same-sex marriage bans as straightforward sexual-orientation discrimination. According to a strict reading of this doctrine, same-sex marriage bans would only disproportionately impact gays and lesbians while facially classifying on the basis of sex. This Article shows how courts on both sides of the issue, uncomfortable with the implications of the discriminatory-purpose doctrine when applied to such bans, largely ignored discriminatory purpose in favor of analytic frameworks that better reflect the social realities of the same-sex marriage debate. This Article then considers Justice Kennedy’s treatment of the classification problem in Obergefell v. Hodges, and the possible ramifications of Kennedy’s holding that same-sex marriage bans demean gays and lesbians for the future of anti-discrimination law.
8 – Clinical Speech Syndromes of the Motor Systems

Damage to the motor system responsible for speech production may occur at any point along the pathway from the cerebrum to the muscle itself. Paralysis, weakness, or incoordination of the oral musculature may result in a clinical entity known as dysarthria. In the classic study of of dysarthria resulting from certain sites of damage in the neural system, six different types were identified from neuroanatomical and acoustic-perceptual judgments of speech: spastic, flaccid, ataxic, hypokinetic, hyperkinetic, and mixed. This chapter describes these dysarthrias according to their neuroanatomical site of dysfunction, associated disease processes, and the effects of these diseases on articulation, resonance, phonation, prosody, and swallowing. Further research using perceptual and acoustic analysis has added to knowledge about the speech characteristics associated with diseases, trauma, and injuries to the neuromuscular aspect of the speech mechanism.
Prediction and Translation of Fractional Brownian Motions

A Girsanov type formula is extended to fractional Brownian motions with Hurst parameterH ∈ (0,1/2). The Radon-Nikodym derivatives are related to “differential equations” of fractional order with “Dirichlet type boundary condition”. This type of equations is solved explicitly. Applications to prediction are given. Our approach is also applied to fractional Brownian motions with Hurst parameterH∈ (1/2, 1).
Postoperative Management of Lower Extremity Free Tissue Transfer: A Systematic Review

Background Free tissue transfer for lower extremity reconstruction is a safe and reliable option for a wide range of challenging wounds; however, no consensus exists regarding postoperative management. Methods A systematic review of postoperative management of lower extremity free tissue transfer was conducted using Medline, Cochrane Database, and Web of Science. Multicenter surveys, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case series were reviewed. Results Fifteen articles investigating current protocols, flap physiology, and aggressive dangle protocols were reviewed. The following evidence-based conclusions were made: (1) Free tissue transfer to the lower extremity is unique due to altered hemodynamics and dependency during orthostasis. Free flap circulation is dependent on locally mediated responses and deprived of compensatory muscular and neurovascular mechanisms that prevent venous congestion in the normal extremity. (2) Compressive wrapping reduces venous congestion and edema and may induce ischemic conditioning, which can increase blood flow. (3) Dangle protocols vary widely in timing of initiation, frequency, and monitoring. Small volume studies examining aggressive mobilization protocols initiating early dependency have led to earlier ambulation and discharge, with no change in flap survival as compared with conservative protocols. (4) Weight bearing may begin after the completion of dangle protocol if no orthopedic injury is present. Conclusions Early initiation of a dangle protocol does not appear to negatively impact flap survival based on this systematic review. Compressive wrapping may be a useful adjunct. Many surgeons agree that clinical monitoring is sufficient; there is no consensus on the utility of adjunct monitoring techniques. Weight bearing may begin after completion of dangle protocol with close flap monitoring, if not prevented by orthopedic restrictions. By providing additional outflow vasculature to reduce venous congestion, flow-through anastomoses may eliminate the need for a dangle protocol. Further research, including large randomized controlled trials is still needed to establish high-level evidence-based conclusions.
Author Correction: Fecal microbiota transplantation for refractory immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated colitis

In the version of this article originally published, an author was missing from the author list. Alexander J. Lazar should have been included between Jorge M. Blando and James P. Allison. The author has been added to the list, and the author contributions section has been updated to include Alexander J. Lazar's contribution to the study. The error has been corrected in the print, PDF and HTML versions of the manuscript.
Kinetic study of SO2 adsorption on microfibrous entrapped sorbents for solid oxide fuel cell cathode protection

Abstract The kinetics of the non-catalytic gas-solid reaction between MnOx/ γ -Al2O3 and SO2 were investigated. A mathematical model based on axial dispersion, external and internal diffusion resistance, as well as a depletion mechanism for the sorbent has been established in this study. It predicted the breakthrough curves of packed bed (PB) and microfibrous entrapped sorbent (MFES) with acceptable deviations. This model consists of two predetermined parameters: the initial sorption rate constant (ko) and the depletion rate constant (kd), which can be determined by fitting the model to experimental data at various temperatures. Due to the uniform flow pattern and minimized bed channeling, MFES outperformed conventional PB consisting of the same sorbent particle size in terms of the reduction in SO2 concentration. The MFES surpassed PB significantly during the in situ regeneration in anode exhaust gas (AEG). Furthermore, MFES maintained its high breakthrough capacity up to five adsorption/regeneration cycles. Therefore, the MFES is a superior approach to remove the potential SO2 from the fuel cell cathode air stream for practical applications.
Can flow batteries scale in the behind-the-meter commercial and industrial market? A techno-economic comparison of storage technologies in California

Abstract Flow batteries have different performance characteristics than established storage technologies such as lithium-ion and lead-acid. We model advanced lead-acid, lithium-ion, and flow batteries for commercial and industrial customers under various tariff scenarios providing retail and wholesale market services to determine if flow batteries can compete in the retail market. We find that flow batteries are uncompetitive with lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries across a range of use cases and modelling assumptions. Flow batteries at a 4-h duration must be less expensive than their competitors on a dollar per installed kWh basis, often by 20–30%, to break even with shorter duration li-ion or lead-acid despite allowing for deeper depth of discharge and superior cycle life. Our results are robust to assumptions of tariff rates, battery round-trip efficiencies, amount of solar generation and whether the battery can participate in the wholesale energy and ancillary services markets.
Placentation in the Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus).

Abstract Introduction The wildebeest is a populous African ungulate, but despite its wide distribution within that continent few reports exist on the structure and endocrine functions of its placenta. Methods The pregnant uteri of 43 Blue Wildebeest estimated to be at less than 70 days of the 8 month gestation period were examined grossly and histologically. Results and discussion The cervix divided into left and right components which eliminated any connection between the uterine horns and limited conceptus development and placentation to the single ipsilateral horn. The placenta was typically ruminant synepitheliochorial macrocotyledonary with numerous flat placentomes developing in the gravid horn. Appreciable quantities of exocrine secretion were accumulated in the lumen of both gravid and non-gravid uterine horns and proliferation of the trophoblast into presumptive villi was evident between the placentomes. The single corpus luteum of pregnancy persisted unchanged during the period of gestation monitored and the mononuclear trophoblast cells of the intercotyledonary, but not the cotyledonary, allantochorion stained strongly for 3-β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase indicating their likely secretion of progesterone. The binucleate trophoblast cells stained positively with antisera raised against placenta-associated glycoprotein and bovine placental lactogen. Neither the maternal corpus luteum or the allantochorion showed immunohistochemical staining for cytochrome P450 aromatase.
Effects of Shared Gaze Parameters on Visual Target Identification Task Performance in Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) technologies provide a shared platform for users to collaborate in a physical context involving both real and virtual content. To enhance the quality of interaction between AR users, researchers have proposed augmenting users’ interpersonal space with embodied cues such as their gaze direction. While beneficial in achieving improved interpersonal spatial communication, such shared gaze environments suffer from multiple types of errors related to eye tracking and networking, that can reduce objective performance and subjective experience. In this paper, we conducted a human-subject study to understand the impact of accuracy, precision, latency, and dropout based errors on users’ performance when using shared gaze cues to identify a target among a crowd of people. We simulated varying amounts of errors and the target distances and measured participants’ objective performance through their response time and error rate, and their subjective experience and cognitive load through questionnaires. We found some significant differences suggesting that the simulated error levels had stronger effects on participants’ performance than target distance with accuracy and latency having a high impact on participants’ error rate. We also observed that participants assessed their own performance as lower than it objectively was, and we discuss implications for practical shared gaze applications.
Application of machine learning in Bose-Einstein condensation critical-temperature analyses of path-integral Monte Carlo simulations

We detail the use of simple machine learning algorithms to determine the critical Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) critical temperature $T_\text{c}$ from ensembles of paths created by path-integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) simulations. We quickly overview critical temperature analysis methods from literature, and then compare the results of simple machine learning algorithm analyses with these prior-published methods for one-component Coulomb Bose gases and liquid $^4$He, showing good agreement.
The Efficacy of Topical HGF on Corneal Fibrosis and Epithelial Healing after Scar-Producing PRK Injury in Rabbits

Purpose To determine the effect of topical hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on myofibroblast development and corneal opacity after fibrosis-producing photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Methods Twelve New Zealand rabbits had transepithelial PRK. Six rabbits received topical recombinant human HGF (rhHGF) (50 µL of 0.1 mg/mL) 3 times a day for 1 week beginning 6 hours prior surgery and until full closure of the epithelium, and 6 control rabbits received vehicle by the same schedule. Slit lamp photos were taken immediately and at 43 to 45 hours after surgery to determine the rate of epithelial healing. Slit lamp photographs and immunohistochemistry for α-smooth muscle actin were analyzed at 1 month in masked fashion. Results The rhHGF group tended to have slower re-epithelization when compared with the controls, but no statistically significant difference was noted (P = 0.62). There was no significant difference in the density of myofibroblasts in the central stroma (P = 0.49) or corneal opacity (P = 0.84) between the HGF and control groups at 1 month after PRK. Conclusions Topical rhHGF applied three times a day during the early postoperative period prior to epithelial closure did not significantly change the corneal epithelial healing rate, myofibroblast density, or opacity compared with vehicle after transepithelial -9.0 D PRK injury of the central cornea in rabbits. Translational relevance HGF has been reported to decrease myofibroblast generation and fibrosis in many organs, but topical HGF applied to the cornea until epithelial healing had no effect on scarring fibrosis in rabbit corneas.
12 GHz low-noise MMIC amplifier designed with a noise model-that scales with MODFET size and bias

A scalable, bias-dependent FET noise model developed for monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) design is discussed. A three-stage, 12-GHz MMIC low-noise amplifier (LNA) designed with the model is described. The LNA has a 1.6-dB noise figure and 25.6-dB gain. Lumped elements were used to design an LNA that was significantly smaller per stage (0.31 mm/sup 2/) than previous MMIC LNAs. >
Susanna and the Elders: A Hebrew Legend with Egyptian Wordplay?:

The Egyptian word seshen (“water lily,” a cognate of the Hebrew name Susanna, written with hieroglyphs depicting a door bolt, a garden pool, and water), may have inspired the setting of the Theodot...
Engineering sorghum for higher 4-hydroxybenzoic acid content

Lignocellulosic biomass represents a renewable source of sugars for the manufacturing of bioproducts such as biofuels. The high cost associated with deconstruction of plant biomass to simple sugars remains one of the challenges preventing the deployment of economically sustainable advanced bioproducts. The accumulation in-planta of value-added coproducts such as platform chemicals can improve the economics of biofuels. Among other crops, sorghum is an ideal bioenergy feedstock due to its low input requirements, efficient nitrogen recycling, and high water use efficiency and biomass yields. In this work, we engineered sorghum to overproduce the valuable chemical 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) by co-expressing plastid-targeted versions of Escherichia coli chorismate pyruvate-lyase (UbiC) and feedback-resistant 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulonate-7-phosphate synthase (AroG*). Two independent lines containing the dual aroG*-ubiC construct were selected for characterization in the T2 generation. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, analysis of methanolic extracts obtained from biomass samples revealed an accumulation of 4-HBA in the two transgenic lines (corresponding to 1.56% and 1.72% dry weight, respectively), with 4-HBA glucose conjugates representing major forms. Measurements of biomass composition and several agronomic traits showed no significant difference between transgenic and wild-type control plants grown under controlled environment. This work demonstrates the transferability of the ubiC engineering approach to sorghum; generated lines will be useful to assess the agronomic performance of modified 4-HBA-rich sorghum under natural conditions.
Setting Our Sights on Vision: A Rationale and Research Agenda for Integrating Eye-Tracking into Leisure Research

Predictive models of leisure behavior typically rely on measuring internal drivers of behavior (e.g., attitudes, beliefs); however, there are an array of external forces (e.g., culture, context) th...
3D++: Unlocking the Next Generation of High-Performance and Energy-Efficient Architectures using M3D Integration

Three-dimensional (3D) integration has frequently been described as a means to overcome scaling bottlenecks, and advance both “More Moore” and “More Than Moore” through the use of vertical interconnects and die/wafer stacking. Recent industry trends show the viability of 3D integration in real products. Flash memory producers have also demonstrated multiple layers of memory on top of each other. However, conventional TSV-based 3D designs cannot achieve the full-potential of vertical integration and perform suboptimally. Monolithic 3D (M3D) is an emerging vertical integration technology that promises significant power-performance-area benefits compared to TSVs. Hence, it is important to understand the necessary design trade-offs and challenges associated with this new paradigm. In this paper, we present both the advantages and the various design challenges in M3D-enabled system design considering Processing-in-Memory (PIM) and manycore systems as suitable case-studies.
Risk factors of skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer undergoing treatment with zoledronate

Skeletal-related events (SREs) are related to morbidity and mortality in patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer, and preventive strategies based on patient risk assessment are recommended. However, potentiating factors for SREs in patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer are not well elucidated. We analyzed the clinical data from a controlled arm of a clinical trial comparing denosumab with zoledronate in patients with bone metastatic, castration resistant prostate cancer (ClinicalTrial.gov ID: NCT00321620) available at Project Data Sphere, a broad-access research platform. The primary endpoint was the first SRE after the inclusion to the trial, and the time to the first SRE was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards model based on patients’ baseline characteristics including age, race, ECOG performance status (PS), Gleason score, TNM stage at diagnosis, metastasis pattern, and urine and serum laboratory data. Seven hundred ten patients without documented history of osteopenia or osteoporosis whose data was available in the zoledronate arm of the trial were analyzed. The median age of the patients was 71 years old, the median follow-up was 225 days, and 295 patients (42%) had at least one SRE during this period. The univariate analysis showed that history of SREs, Gleason score ≥ 7, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and high urine N-telopeptide cross-links/creatinine ratio (NTx/Cre) are significant baseline risk factors for SREs. Patients with the characteristics of history of SREs, Gleason score ≥ 7 and elevated serum ALP also showed a significantly higher hazard ratio of SREs in multivariate analysis. The incidence of SREs in patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer may be higher in those with history of SREs, Gleason ≥ 7, and elevated serum ALP.
The Cerebellum as a CNS Hub Modulating Autism-Relevant Behaviors

Differences in cerebellar structure, function, and connectivity are well documented in autism spectrum disorder, and developmental cerebellar damage significantly elevates the risk for an autism diagnosis. Here we discuss the evidence for specific regional cerebellar disruption in autism, with a broader consideration of the impact of these regional differences on the modulation of cerebro-cerebellar circuits supporting autism-relevant behaviors. Further, we consider whether cerebellar contributions to these networks could disrupt predictive processing in autism, leading to the range of behavioral and neural patterns that characterize this complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Finally, we propose that the cerebellum could offer a potential therapeutic target for modulating autism-relevant circuits and behaviors.
Kalman Smoothing for Distributed Optimal Feedback Control of Unicycle Formations

In many multi-agent control problems, the ability to compute an optimal feedback control is severely limited by the dimension of the state space. In this work, deterministic, nonholonomic agents are tasked with creating and maintaining a formation based on observations of their neighbors, and each agent in the formation independently computes its feedback control from a Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation. Since an agent does not have knowledge of its neighbors’ future motion, we assume that the unknown control to be applied by neighbors can be modeled as Brownian motion. The resulting probability distribution of its neighbors’ future trajectory allows the HJB equation to be written as a path integral over the distribution of optimal trajectories. We describe how the path integral approach to stochastic optimal control allows the distributed control problems to be written as independent Kalman smoothing problems over the probability distribution of the connected agents’ future trajectories. Simulations show five unicycles achieving the formation of a regular pentagon.
Multipath channel parameter estimation using the wavelet transform

This paper investigates the resources of a multiresolution framework for probing a multipath channel. In order to clearly identify advantages as well as limitations, the channel is assumed Doppler free and channel parameters are assumed constant during the estimation process. The parameters of interest are the attenuation factors and delay times of the different active paths. The channel is probed periodically, between data transmissions.
Impact of HIV on liver fibrosis in men with hepatitis C infection and haemophilia.

Summary. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major cause of liver disease in haemophilia. Few data exist on the proportion with liver fibrosis in this group after long-term HCV and HIV co-infection. We conducted a cross-sectional multi-centre study to determine the impact of HIV on the prevalence and risk factors for fibrosis in haemophilic men with chronic hepatitis C. Biopsies were independently scored by Ishak, Metavir and Knodell systems. Variables were tested for associations with fibrosis using logistic regression and receiver operating curves (ROC). Of 220 biopsied HCV(+) men, 23.6% had Metavir ≥F3 fibrosis, with higher mean Metavir fibrosis scores among HIV/HCV co-infected than HCV mono-infected, 1.6 vs. 1.3 (P = 0.044). Variables significantly associated with fibrosis included AST, ALT, APRI score (AST/ULN × 100/platelet × 109/L), alpha-fetoprotein (all P < 0.0001), platelets (P = 0.0003) and ferritin (P = 0.0008). In multiple logistic regression of serum markers, alpha-fetoprotein, APRI and ALT were significantly associated with ≥F3 fibrosis [AUROC = 0.77 (95% CI 0.69, 0.86)]. Alpha-fetoprotein, APRI and ferritin were significant in HIV(−) [AUROC = 0.82 (95% CI 0.72, 0.92)], and alpha-fetoprotein and platelets in HIV(+) [AUROC = 0.77 (95% CI 0.65, 0.88]. In a multivariable model of demographic and clinical variables, transformed (natural logarithm) of alpha-fetoprotein (P = 0.0003), age (P = 0.006) and HCV treatment (P = 0.027) were significantly associated with fibrosis. Nearly one-fourth of haemophilic men have Metavir ≥3 fibrosis. The odds for developing fibrosis are increased in those with elevated alpha-fetoprotein, increasing age and past HCV treatment.
The Struggles of Solidarity: Chicana/o-Mexican Networks, 1960s–1970s

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, members of the Chicana/o Movement reached across class, borders, and ideologies to proclaim a political solidarity with the Mexican Left. Both, Chicana/os and Mexican activists expressed a narrative of political solidarity that encompassed a perceived shared experience of oppression and struggles for liberation. I contend, however, that both groups saw the source of their oppression and forms of resistance through different lenses. Chicana/o activists identified racism, discrimination, and cultural erasure with oppression, and they retrofit Mexican nationalism with political radicalism. In contrast, Mexican activists celebrated Marxist ideologies as radical political resistance against an increasing authoritarian government and associated Mexican nationalism with state repression and political manipulation.
America's Best Kept Secret: An Adult Child's Duty to Support Aged Parents

Many states have statutes that, like child support statutes, require adult children to support their indigent parents. The statutes have been mostly ignored ever since Medicaid stopped requiring applicants to exhaust this resource (suing their adult children for support). However, some of the statutes still provide ways for adult children who are, in fact, supporting needy parents to obtain contribution from their siblings. As long as the statutes remain, Medicaid could, of course, reverse its policy of not requiring their enforcement.
Tormented: Anti-Gay Bullying in Schools

This Article begins a theoretical and empirical discussion on bullying and cyberharassment of all students, but particularly gay and lesbian youth. Despite the recent spate of bullying-related suicides, I argue that antibullying proposals that include harsh criminal punishments for egregious cases of bullying and cyberbullying in schools lack validity as a matter of legal theory and practice. In fact, it is what makes criminalization so initially attractive — that is, the public’s emotional and retributive need for punishments equal to bullying tragedies — that ultimately leaves the proposal devoid of reason. Criminalization proposals only satisfy retributive aims and are unlikely to solve the problem of bullying and cyberbullying in schools and unlikely to succeed as effective punishments. If criminalization will not work for theoretical and practical reasons, I propose further study into affirmative “soft power” antibullying programs. In this context, I analyze the latest social science data about face-to-face and online bullying — their frequency, effects, and solutions—but also begin to fill the broad gap in empirical research on cyberharassment of gay and lesbian teenagers by studying one California high school and proposing specific avenues for further study. Those results will appear in a future paper. This study focuses on cyberbullying, the LGBT community, and unique school- and community-based solutions. My preliminary analysis suggests that school use of diversity inclusive curricula and teacher and peer support venues may create a more civil school climate that reduces the frequency and effects of bullying and cyberbullying, especially for gay and lesbian teens.
From Barbie to Mortal Kombat: gender and computer games

Many parents worry about the influence of video games on their children's lives. The game console may help to prepare children for participation in the digital world, but at the same time it socializes boys into misogyny and excludes girls from all but the most objectified positions. The new "girls' games" movement has addressed these concerns. Although many people associate video games mainly with boys, the girls games' movement has emerged from an unusual alliance between feminist activists (who want to change the "gendering" of digital technology) and industry leaders (who want to create a girls' market for their games). The contributors to From Barbie(R) to Mortal Kombat explore how assumptions about gender, games, and technology shape the design, development, and marketing of games as industry seeks to build the girl market. They describe and analyze the games currently on the market and propose tactical approaches for avoiding the stereotypes that dominate most toy store aisles. The lively mix of perspectives and voices includes those of media and technology scholars, educators, psychologists, developers of today's leading games, industry insiders, and girl gamers. Contributors: Aurora, Dorothy Bennett, Stephanie Bergman, Cornelia Brunner, Mary Bryson, Lee McEnany Caraher, Justine Cassell, Suzanne de Castell, Nikki Douglas, Theresa Duncan, Monica Gesue, Michelle Goulet, Patricia Greenfield, Margaret Honey, Henry Jenkins, Cal Jones, Yasmin Kafai, Heather Kelley, Marsha Kinder, Brenda Laurel, Nancie Martin, Aliza Sherman, Kaveri Subrahmanyam.
Improvement of metal-semiconductor-metal GaN ultraviolet detectors

Summary form only given. We have carried out a systematic study on the performance of the photoconductors made from GaN grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using different growth conditions, and have found that both response time and responsivity of the GaN detector are improved when the material is grown using increased ammonia flow rates. We attribute this improvement to the reduction of the point defects in GaN.
Blessing for a Long Time: A Circle of Stories

Robin Ridington and Dennis Hastings. Blessing for. Long Time: The Sacred Pole of the Omaha Tribe. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1997. Xv. 259 pp.
A community-based obesity prevention program for minority children: Rationale and study design for Hip-Hop to Health Jr.

Abstract Background. The increasing prevalence of overweight among children in the United States presents a national health priority. Higher rates of overweight/obesity among minority women place their children at increased risk. Although increased rates of overweight are observed in 4- to 5-year-old children, they are not observed in 2- to 3-year-old children. Therefore, early prevention efforts incorporating families are critical. Methods. The primary aim of Hip-Hop to Health Jr. is to alter the trajectory toward overweight/obesity among preschool African-American and Latino children. This 5-year randomized intervention is conducted in 24 Head Start programs, where each site is randomized to either a 14-week dietary/physical activity intervention or a general health intervention. Results. This paper presents the rationale and design of the study. Efficacy of the intervention will be determined by weight change for the children and parent/caretaker. Secondary measures include reductions in dietary fat and increases in fiber, fruit/vegetable intake, and physical activity. Baseline data will be presented in future papers. Conclusions. The problem of overweight/obesity is epidemic in the United States. Behaviors related to diet and physical activity are established early in life and modeled by family members. Early intervention efforts addressing the child and family are needed to prevent obesity later in life. This paper describes a comprehensive, family-oriented obesity prevention program for minority preschool children.
Neonatal detection of generalized resistance to thyroid hormone.

Generalized resistance to thyroid hormone (GRTH) is an inherited disease that is usually suspected when elevated serum thyroid hormone levels are associated with nonsuppressed thyrotropin. Often these test results are obtained because of short stature, decreased intelligence, and/or hyperactivity with learning disability noted in childhood and adolescence, or because of goiter in adulthood. We detected GRTH at birth by analysis of blood obtained during routine neonatal screening. The proposita, born to a mother with GRTH, had a thyrotropin level of 26 mU/L and a corresponding thyroxine concentration of 656 nmol/L (normal, 84 to 232 nmol/L). Administration of thyroid hormone in doses eightfold to 10-fold above replacement levels (liothyronine sodium, 21 μ/kg per day, and levothyroxine sodium, 44 μg/kg per day) were required to reduce serum thyrotropin to normal levels without induction of hypermetabolism. This case, and the retrospective finding of high thyroxine levels in five newborns subsequently diagnosed as having GRTH, suggest that measurement of thyroxine at birth, in conjunction with thyrotropin, could allow the early detection of GRTH. ( JAMA . 1990;264:2245-2250)
A mixed mock modular solution of the Kaneko–Zagier equation

The notion of mixed mock modular forms was recently introduced by Don Zagier. We show that certain solutions of the Kaneko–Zagier differential equation constitute simple yet non-trivial examples of this notion. That allows us to address a question posed by Kaneko and Koike on the (non)-modularity of these solutions.
Local ocular compensation for imposed local refractive error

Abstract Chicks were raised in a low-ceiling environment to find out if their eye growth could compensate for locally imposed hyperopic refractive errors. These chicks became selectively more myopic in the upper visual field than chicks raised in a high-ceiling environment. The vitreous chamber in the low-ceiling birds showed a selective elongation in the ventral region that was not seen in the eyes of the high-ceiling birds. This morphological difference was small, but probably adequate to account for the additional myopia in the low-ceiling birds. These results are consistent with the idea of a visually mediated growth mechanism regulating the local refractive state across the entire visual field so that it matches the customary viewing conditions. Such a mechanism might account for the finding of Fitzke, Hayes, Hodos, Holden and Low (Journal of Physiology, London, 369, 33–44, 1985) that the refractive errors in the lower field are exactly appropriate for focusing the image of the ground on the retina.
Nocturnal polysomnographic characteristics of habitually snoring children initially referred to pediatric ENT or sleep clinics

Abstract Objectives To determine clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of children initially referred by primary care physicians (PCP) to either otolaryngology or sleep clinics for a history of habitual snoring. Methods Retrospective review of clinical characteristics and nocturnal polysomnograms (PSG) of snoring children referred initially to otolaryngologists by PCP (i.e., ENT) compared to a cross matched population of snoring children initially referred to a pediatric sleep center (i.e., SLEEP). Results Sixty-eight ENT referred children were cross-matched to 68 SLEEP children. ENT referred children were found to have significantly larger tonsillar size compared to SLEEP children (tonsil size score 3.1 vs. 2.5, p value Conclusions Children referred by ENT are not more likely to be diagnosed with OSAS than snoring children directly referred to a pediatric sleep clinic by their pediatricians. The only difference in the referral decision between ENT and SLEEP seems to be tonsil size. Furthermore, PSG revealed a large percentage of children in whom surgical indication for AT is not obvious, thus suggesting that PSG is useful in determining the management of snoring children initially referred to ENT. Finally, SLEEP referred children diagnosed with OSAS exhibited increased indices among selected parameters indicative of sleep-disordered breathing.
A Single-Objective Recovery Phase Model

The Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA has identified the four phases of disaster related planning as mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery. The recovery phase is characterized by activity to return life to normal or improved levels. Very little research considers the recovery phase, which encompasses restoring services and rebuilding disaster stricken areas of the highway transportation network. Existing recovery phase models deal primarily with travel times and do not focus on specific routes for reconstruction. This research proposes a plan for repair and restoration of bridges to restore a highway network that allows accessibility to key facilities in the area. This research differs from other recovery phase models in that actual routes are chosen for recovery based on given criteria. The single-objective optimization model developed in this paper is a flexible model that can be applied to a variety of natural disaster situations and other situations that involve damage to transportation components where decisions on recovery strategies must be made.
Particle-swarm harmony search for water network design

The optimal design of water distribution networks is a non-linear, multi-modal, and constrained problem classified as an NP-hard combinatorial problem. Because of the drawbacks of calculus-based algorithms, the problem has been tackled by assorted stochastic algorithms, such as the genetic algorithm, simulated annealing, tabu search, shuffled frog-leaping algorithm, ant colony optimization algorithm, harmony search, cross entropy, and scatter search. This study proposes a modified harmony search algorithm incorporating particle swarm concept. This algorithm was applied to the design of four bench-mark networks (two-loop, Hanoi, Balerma, and New York City networks), with good results.
Influence of mechanical properties, toughness, and barrier properties of PMMA‐EVA‐organoclay nanocomposites with and without in situ crosslinking

Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA)-ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-organoclay nanocomposites were prepared with and without in situ crosslinking using tetrapropoxysilane (TPOS) as a crosslinking agent and dibutyl tin oxide (DBTO) as a catalyst. Brabender Plasticorder experimental results suggest that in situ crosslinking transforms the EVA from a liquid to a viscoelastic solid. Transmission electron micrographs analysis indicates that most of the organoclay was clustered in the crosslinked EVA phase. X-ray diffraction and morphology indicate that the PMMA-EVA-organoclay nanocomposites were intercalated and incompatible. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results indicate some interaction between PMMA-EVA-clay nanocomposites. The in situ crosslinked of EVA and the addition of organoclay increased the modulus properties of PMMA. However, in situ crosslinking slightly reduced the barrier properties of PMMA-EVA-organoclay nanocomposites. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screen channel liquid acquisition device outflow tests in liquid hydrogen

This paper presents experimental design and test results of the recently concluded 1-g inverted vertical outflow testing of two 325x2300 full scale liquid acquisition device (LAD) channels in liquid hydrogen (LH2). One of the channels had a perforated plate and internal cooling from a thermodynamic vent system (TVS) to enhance performance. The LADs were mounted in a tank to simulate 1-g outflow over a wide range of LH2 temperatures (20.3 - 24.2 K), pressures (100 - 350 kPa), and flow rates (0.010 - 0.055 kg/s). Results indicate that the breakdown point is dominated by liquid temperature, with a second order dependence on mass flow rate through the LAD. The best performance is always achieved in the coldest liquid states for both channels, consistent with bubble point theory. Higher flow rates cause the standard channel to break down relatively earlier than the TVS cooled channel. Both the internal TVS heat exchanger and subcooling the liquid in the propellant tank are shown to significantly improve LAD performance.
Complicated congenital splenic cyst: Saved by a splenunculus

A 12-year-old girl presented with a large congenital splenic cyst complicated by Salmonella organisms. After failure of conservative management and percutaneous drainage, a splenectomy was performed. An incidental splenunculus was preserved. On follow up the splenunculus had increased to normal splenic size and there was no evidence of Howell-Jolly bodies, suggesting normal splenic function.
On the problems of describing joint axis alignment

Each three-dimensional joint possesses at least one potentially oblique axis of rotation. Several systems are used to express joint axis alignment. One system, designated the plane projection (PP) method, describes angles based on orthogonal projections onto two, of the three, anatomical planes. Alternatively, a joint axis may be described in two different ways using two sequential Cardan angle rotations. These expression systems all lay claim to similar descriptive labels, such as deviation and elevation. Difficulties arise as researchers use these various methods to compare their own data to the results of others. A joint axis alignment, described as 27 degrees deviation and 41 degrees elevation in PP, differs by as much as 6 degrees when expressed as Cardan angles. Differences among expression systems increase as the joint axis alignment becomes more oblique -- eventually differing by as much as 75 degrees . This paper explores implications for this lack of congruence among the joint axis expression systems. Effective steps in dealing with these issues begin with recognizing the existence and extent of the problem. The paper provides a common set of algorithms to illustrate and alleviate the possible problems associated with the exchange of joint axis alignment data.
Conformation and circular dichroism of DNA

CD spectra of calf thymus, C. perfringens, E. coli, and M. luteus DNA have been measured in the vacuum-uv region to about 168 nm for the A-, B-, and C-forms. The positive band at about 187 nm and the negative band at about 170 nm found for each type and form of DNA are sensitive to the source of the DNA and the base–base interactions of the double-stranded helix. The A-form spectra confirm that these bands are indeed sensitive to secondary structure. In the near-uv, the CD of B-form DNA is well analyzed as a linear combination of 27% A-form and 78% C-form. However, an analysis of the extended spectrum demonstrates that the near-uv analysis is not correct. The extended analysis shows that the base–base interactions are similar for B- and C-forms in solution, which implies that these two forms have nearly the same number of base pairs per turn. Various types of CD difference spectra are also discussed.
In vitro scan for enhancers at the TCF7L2 locus

Aims/hypothesis Recent functional characterisations of genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci suggest that cis-regulatory variation may be a common paradigm for complex disease susceptibility. Several studies point to a similar mechanism at the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) GWAS locus for type 2 diabetes. To address this possibility, we carried out an in vitro scan of this diabetes-associated locus to fine-map cis-regulatory sequences within this genomic interval.
What is the essential many-body Hamiltonian for copper-oxide superconductors?

Abstract We discuss how the many-body Hamiltonian derived from constrained density functional calculations can be reduced to simpler two or three band effective Hamiltonians, and we give realistic parameters. The reduction to fewer bands leads to longer ranged hopping terms.