cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Intensive Glycemic Control on Risk of Lower Extremity Amputation

Background Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for peripheral arterial disease and lower extremity amputation (LEA). We evaluated the effects of intensive glucose control (IGC) on risk of LEA in patients with type 2 diabetes during a randomized-controlled multicenter trial. Study design The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial randomized patients with type 2 diabetes to IGC (HbA1c target Results Mean post-randomization HbA1c over the course of the trial and post-trial follow-up was 7.3% ± 0.9% (6.8% ± 0.8% in the IGC arm, 7.7% ± 0.7% in the SGC arm). There were 124 participants who had at least 1 LEA during the study period; 73 were randomized to the SGC arm and 51 to the IGC arm (p = 0.049). Randomization to IGC was associated with decreased LEA rate (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.483 to 0.987, p = 0.042). In multivariable models, mean HbA1c was a powerful predictor of LEA (HR 2.07 per 1% increase in HbA1c, 95% CI 1.67 to 2.57, p Conclusions In patients with type 2 diabetes, IGC was associated with a reduction in the risk for LEA. After 3.7 years of IGC, there was an enduring protective effect against LEA. Improved glycemic control was a strong predictor of decreased risk for subsequent LEA. This study suggests that tight glycemic control, even over a short time period, has potential to reduce risk of limb loss.
Concept, Physical Design and Simulator of IRYS Social Robot Head

The paper describes concept behind IRYS social robot and a system of accompanying tools for application in the education and entertainment areas. Some important developments in these areas are pointed out. The concept of a multi-faceted solution of the system is described, which includes the robot and its high fidelity computer simulator. Main assumptions for the robot high-level control system are given, including the concept of lesson scenarios. Because the system is already under development, its current state is described and in particular the current state of the robot head, neck and upper trunk (a bust), where important mechatronic aspects are highlighted. Some illustrative examples of emotions expressed by means of the developed robot bust and its simulator are presented. Possible directions for further development are indicated.
Method and monitoring approach for distributed detection of damage in multi-span continuous bridges

Abstract A method for distributed detection of damage along the lengths of multi-span continuous Bridges is introduced. It is based on monitoring the distributed strains along the length of the bridge by using Brillouin scattering based optical fiber sensors. Identification of damage beyond the signal to noise limits of the instrument is achieved by normalization of the measured distributed strains during multiple positions of a truck with respect to the theoretical influence line of the bridge. Formulation of the method leads to the introduction of a damage index for identification of microcrack locations along the spans of the Bridge. Effectiveness of the proposed method was evaluated by load testing of a five span continuous precast post-tensioned concrete box girder bridge. Locations of detected microcracks by the distributed sensor system were further verified by visual inspections.
The importance of human rights to health

Peter Hall considers the effect that human rights have on health and how denial of those rights has grave implications on wellbeing
Reflecting on what philosophy of epidemiology is and does, as the field comes into its own: Introduction to the Special Issue on Philosophy of Epidemiology

This article is an introduction to the Synthese Special Issue, Philosophy of Epidemiology. The overall goals of the issue are to revisit the state of philosophy of epidemiology and to provide a forum for new voices, approaches, and perspectives in the philosophy of epidemiology literature. The introduction begins by drawing on Geoffrey Rose’s work on how to conceptualize and design interventions for populations, rather than individuals. It then goes on to highlight some themes that emerged in the articles that make up the issue: (1) philosophy of epidemiology and epidemiological theory—what they are and what they ought to be, (2) pluralism in measurement and causal attribution, (3) epistemic and non-epistemic values in disputes epidemiological practices, (4) decentering philosophy of epidemiology’s Eurocentrism, (5) letting pragmatism guide uses of big data in epidemiology, and (6) revisiting the lessons of classic texts in epidemiological causal inference. The introduction concludes with comments on a philosophy of epidemiology debate we see on, regarding the politics of philosophy of epidemiology.
Social and Non-social Reward: A Preliminary Examination of Clinical Improvement and Neural Reactivity in Adolescents Treated With Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Depression.

Background: Pediatric anxiety and depression are highly prevalent and debilitating disorders that often co-occur. Neural circuitry of reward processing has been shown to be implicated in both and there is an emerging evidence base linking treatment response to brain patterns of reward processing. The current study aimed to add to this literature by investigating the association between clinical improvement and social and non-social reward in youth previously treated for anxiety and depression. Methods: The current study leveraged clinical improvement data from a successful randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a transdiagnostic, brief behavioral treatment for youth diagnosed with anxiety or depression. Participants (N = 15) interested in engaging in a neuroimaging follow-up underwent an fMRI scan, during which they completed social (i.e., Face Task) and non-social (i.e., a youth-friendly monetary incentive delay task) reward tasks. Whole-brain activation and functional connectivity analyses identified neural responses to the tasks separately; a third set of analyses directly compared clinical improvement-related findings to understand the impact of task context on neural reactivity to reward. Results: Activation-based findings were sparse; however, connectivity as a function of degree of treatment response was apparent and robust. Within the context of social reward, significant clusters within frontal and temporal regions driven by happy face contrasts, the social reward stimulus, were observed. This supports connectivity between these regions and both amygdala and ventral striatum seeds as a function of degree of clinical improvement. Connectivity within the context of non-social reward also yielded significant clusters in temporal and parietal regions. Here too, the magnitude and direction of region coupling depended on the degree of clinical improvement and the task conditions. No differences in connectivity by task type as a function of clinical improvement were found. Conclusion: Findings serve as preliminary evidence that neural regions found to be related to clinical improvement within the context of social and non-social reward are similar regions that have been shown to support reward processing in normative samples. Implications for treatment and future work are discussed.
Mental health change in the transition to permanent supportive housing: The role of housing and social networks

Aims Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) may improve homeless adults' mental health via housing stabilization and/or improved relational factors, however, the role of housing and social networks on PSH residents' mental health change is minimally understood. Methods Interviews were conducted with a baseline sample of adults experiencing homelessness ( N = 421), across their initial year in PSH (3-months, 6-months, and 12-months). Generalized linear mixed models assessed changes in positive past-month psychiatric disability screenings (Modified-Colorado Symptom Index [MCSI]) and probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PC-PTSD) in controlled models, and between and within-subject effects of time-varying social network correlates on mental health changes. Results Compared with baseline, positive MCSI screens continuously decreased over time (56%, 54%, and 50%) while PC-PTSD screens declined initially (40%) with marginal decreases at remaining follow-ups (39% and 38%). These differences remained significant in controlled models. Gaining a romantic partner was associated with a longitudinal increase in a positive MCSI screening. Between subjects, emotional health counselors and conflicting network members were associated with an increased likelihood in positive screenings, while doctors and case managers were protective. Conclusion Housing may facilitate positive changes in PSH residents' mental health, yet positive screenings remain high. Social network interventions that increase residents' positive interpersonal exchanges and prosocial relationships are warranted.
Publishing habits and perceptions of open access publishing and public access amongst clinical and research fellows

Introduction: Open access (OA) publishing rates have risen dramatically in the biomedical sciences in the past decade. However, few studies have focused on the publishing activities and attitudes of early career researchers. The aim of this study was to examine current publishing activities of clinical and research fellows and their perceptions of OA publishing and public access. Methods: This study employed a mixed methods approach. Data on publications authored by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center fellows between 2013 and 2018 were collected via an in-house author profile system and citation indexes. Journals were categorized according to SHERPA/RoMEO classifications. In-person and telephone interviews were conducted with fifteen fellows to discern their perceptions of OA publishing. Results: The total percentage of fellows’ publications that were freely available OA was 28.6%, with a relatively flat rate between 2013 and 2018. Publications with fellows as first authors were significantly more likely to be OA. Fellows cited high article processing charges (APCs) and perceived lack of journal quality or prestige as barriers to OA publishing. Fellows generally expressed support for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) public access policy. Conclusions: While the fellows in this study acknowledged the potential of OA to aid in research dissemination, they also expressed hesitation to publish OA related to confusion surrounding legitimate OA and predatory publications and frustration with APCs. Fellows supported the NIH public access policy and accepted it as part of their research process. Health sciences information professional could potentially leverage this acceptance of public access to advocate for OA publishing. This article has been approved for the Medical Library Association’s Independent Reading Program .
The Female Athlete Triad

The female athlete triad describes a spectrum of eating behaviors that result in low energy availability, accompanied by a range of less than ideal menstrual function and bone mineral density. Though the true prevalence of the triad along its full spectrum of interrelated pathologies remains unclear, limited studies have reported prevalence in 0–40 % of athletes and 0–3 % of controls. Diagnosis of the female athlete triad relies on a high index of suspicion among primary care physicians and sports specialists alike. If there is concern for one component of the triad, workup for the other components should be performed. Prevention is critical in high-risk groups. The mainstay of treatment is to increase energy availability. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment is best, with involvement of physicians from primary care, psychiatry, and sports specialists as needed, in addition to a nutritionist, trainer, and family members. Future investigation should focus on better quantifying the problem and options for intervention.
Distortions in a segment of the commercial office market: the case of medical office buildings

This article examines the U.S. market for Medical Office Buildings (MOB), a segment of the office market that has received little attention in the academic literature. Our attention is directed tow...
Temporal relations among sleep, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms during intensive cognitive-behavioral treatment.

OBJECTIVE Bidirectional relations between sleep disturbances, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms have been frequently observed in empirical studies; however, little is known about the temporal relations between these variables in the context of treatment. METHOD The current study examines the temporal relations between sleep parameters, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms in a large sample of individuals undergoing intensive cognitive-behavioral partial hospital treatment (N = 1,184). Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models were fit to these data to determine whether (1) sleep parameters uniquely predicted subsequent depression and anxiety symptoms and (2) depression and anxiety symptoms uniquely predicted subsequent sleep parameters. RESULTS Results revealed relations in both directions: later than usual bedtimes predicted higher than usual anxiety and depression the next day, shorter than usual sleep duration predicted higher than usual depression the next day, shorter than usual nighttime sleep onset latency predicted higher than usual anxiety the next day, and higher than usual anxiety predicted shorter than usual sleep duration on the next night. CONCLUSIONS These finding suggest the potential value of examining sleep behaviors associated with sleep timing and circadian rhythms as important transdiagnostic factors during treatment for anxiety and depression. We discuss the implications for future studies of the relations between sleep and psychopathology symptoms and understanding individuals' experiences in the context of cognitive-behavioral treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Emotion or expressivity? An automated analysis of nonverbal perception in a social dilemma

An extensive body of research has examined how specific emotional expressions shape social perceptions and social decisions, yet recent scholarship in emotion research has raised questions about the validity of emotion as a construct. In this article, we contrast the value of measuring emotional expressions with the more general construct of expressivity (in the sense of conveying a thought or emotion through any nonverbal behavior) and develop models that can automatically extract perceived expressivity from videos. Although less extensive, a solid body of research has shown expressivity to be an important element when studying interpersonal perception, particularly in psychiatric contexts. Here we examine the role expressivity plays in predicting social perceptions and decisions in the context of a social dilemma. We show that perceivers use more than facial expressions when making judgments of expressivity and see these expressions as conveying thoughts as well as emotions (although facial expressions and emotional attributions explain most of the variance in these judgments). We next show that expressivity can be predicted with high accuracy using Lasso and random forests. Our analysis shows that features related to motion dynamics are particularly important for modeling these judgments. We also show that learned models of expressivity have value in recognizing important aspects of a social situation. First, we revisit a previously published finding which showed that smile intensity was associated with the unexpectedness of outcomes in social dilemmas; instead, we show that expressivity is a better predictor (and explanation) of this finding. Second, we provide preliminary evidence that expressivity is useful for identifying “moments of interest” in a video sequence.
A Data Collection System of Forces of Soft Contact Lenses on Eye Models

We design and develop a data collection system to explore the force distribution under soft contact lenses on eye models provided by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. (JJVC). The challenge of this project is to measure and analyze the small forces (6 *10-4 N to 7.8*10-1 N) at different locations in a small area. Several customized devices for different tests are designed and developed. The forces of different soft contact lenses at different locations are tested and analyzed. The experimental results will provide references for the force simulations and the new product design in the future. Our work firstly measures the forces from both frontside and backside of soft contact lenses in the air. It will provide a way for others to measure the tiny forces at the fluid-solid interface in a small area.
The Justiciability of Eligibility: May Courts Decide Who Can Be President?

The 2008 election cycle has been a busy one for legal disputes over the qualifications of presidential candidates, with federal cases having been filed to challenge both major candidates’ eligibility under the “natural born Citizen” clause. These cases unquestionably present vital questions of constitutional law, touching on matters of self-evident national importance. It is doubtful, however, that they are justiciable in lower federal courts. Standing requirements and the political question doctrine make it unlikely that a federal court will reach the merits in cases of the type filed to date. That does not mean that all hope is lost for those seeking to challenge the eligibility of John McCain, Barack Obama, or future presidential candidates. There are other avenues through which the issue might be adjudicated. The most plausible is an action in state court challenging an allegedly ineligible candidate’s access to the ballot, which would not present the same justiciability obstacles. Though state-court challenges to a presidential candidate’s eligibility raise concerns about consistency and political bias, the U.S. Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction in such cases would provide a check against such abuses. In the event that a renegade state court wrongly disqualified a presidential candidate, or that there were an interstate conflict over a particular candidate’s eligibility, the Court would have a vitally important role to play in resolving the issue. Another possibility is that Congress could decide the eligibility of a presidential candidate through its constitutionally assigned role in counting Electoral College votes. The existence of these two alternative means to adjudicate a presidential candidate’s eligibility strengthens the arguments against the justiciability of the federal lawsuits filed to date.
Evolutionary reliability theory.

I am developing a new branch of reliability theory called evolutionary reliability theory that concerns the evolution of reliability in populations of systems, such as organisms, that evolve. It subsumes the standard reliability theory but has a higher dimension of time, namely, evolutionary time. In reliability theory, failure phenomena are usually classified according to the monotone properties of the hazard rate h(x) = g(x)/R(x), where h is the hazard rate, x is the age at failure, g is the failure density function, and R is the reliability, where R(x) = P(X > x). Following this method of classification, we have three kinds of evolutionary reliability phenomena: failure events that exhibit (1) a decreasing hazard rate, (2) a constant hazard rate, and (3) an increasing hazard rate. An example of (1) is the reliability of biological development—the selection forces that have evolved safeguards, such as redundancy, so that developmental errors are maintained at a tolerable level. An example of (2) is the reliability of the fully developed system as it faces random failure processes, e.g., accidents, disease, and competition, and it thus concerns the evolution of structural and functional redundancy (e.g., two kidneys and two lungs). Category (3) concerns the reliability of the system with respect to wearout (aging) and this is the main subject of this paper.
Loss of estrus

Women lack adaptations designed by natural selection to signal the timing of ovulation to males, and hence ovulation in humans is said to be concealed. Selection for paternal care is the most likely reason why, after our evolutionary divergence from chimpanzees, humans lost the sexual swellings, behaviors, or olfactory signals that accompany estrus in most other primates. The topic, however, is one of ongoing investigation and some authors report that women do experience a kind of covert estrus. Behavioral changes occur over the course of the menstrual cycle, but these are most likely side effects of hormones and metabolism. Keywords: copulation; estrus; menstrual; ovulation; paternity
A Tale of Two Counties: Natives’ Opinions Toward Immigration in North Carolina

This article compares native residents’ opinions and perceptions regarding immigration using a representative survey from a pair of matched North Carolina counties – one that experienced recent growth of its foreign-born population and one that did not. Drawing from several theoretical perspectives, including group threat, contact theory, and symbolic politics, we formulate and empirically evaluate several hypotheses. Results provide limited evidence that competition and threat influence formation of opinions about immigration, with modest support for claims that parents with school-aged children harbor more negative views of immigration than their childless counterparts. Except for residents in precarious economic situations, these negative opinions appear unrelated to the immigrant composition of the community. Claims that the media promotes negative views of immigration receive limited support, but this relationship is unrelated to the volume of local immigration. Finally, sustained contacts with foreign-born residents outside work environments are associated with positive views of immigration, but superficial contacts appear to be conducive to anti-immigration sentiments. Political orientation, educational attainment, and indicators of respondents’ tolerance for diversity explain most of the difference between the two counties in overall support for immigration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Postoperative enteral versus parenteral nutritional support in gastrointestinal surgery: A matched prospective study

The effects of an elemental-enteral diet administered by a needle catheter jejunostomy or central total parenteral nutrition were prospectively studied in 15 patients undergoing abdominal operations. Infusions were started 1 day after operation and continued for 7 to 10 days. The two nutrient modalities were matched to deliver equal amounts of nitrogen and calories. Both promoted positive nitrogen balance and preserved body weight and serum proteins (albumin, transferrin, thyroxine-binding prealbumin, and retinol-binding protein). Both enteral and parenteral nitrogen caused a similar increase in plasma insulin levels. Pancreatic glucagon, total glucagon, gastrin, and pancreatic polypeptide were also maintained at similar levels in both groups. Plasma vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels declined in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition but remained stable in the patients who were fed enterally. Both routes caused modest, inconsequential elevations in liver enzymes, but were otherwise equally safe. Patients tolerated total parenteral nutrition far better in the early postoperative period. Patients whose needs are great are probably better treated by total parenteral nutrition. Needle catheter jejunostomy feeding, however, is much less expensive. These studies do not support the commonly held belief that enteral nutrition is a more efficient route for administration of calories and protein.
A Synthesis of Practice-Oriented Literature in Gender and STEM

Even as endorsement for the idea of "evidence-based practice" has become widespread, there has been little headway to find an empirical way to gauge whether models for best practice put forward in practice-oriented literature are warranted. This research addressed questions about trends over time in both the quantity and quality of the evidence base of articles describing activities initiated to promote the recruitment of retention of women and girls in STEM. Practice-oriented publications (n=142) were identified from a larger database (N=976) of articles with references to gender and STEM in the title or abstract. A six-point ordinal scale was used to measure the quality of the foundational or evidence base of the articles. Between 1995 and 2009, the percentage of articles meeting the threshold definition of being evidence-based grew from 43.8% in the first time period, to 49.3% in the second time period, and to 59.6% in the most recent time period. The relatively recent expansion of the digital infrastructure that supports the dissemination of STEM-related publications, promises to minimize redundancy and to ensure that resources are invested in initiatives where there is evidence to support its potential to be effective.
Teaching Caring to Nursing Students

This article reports on phenomenological research designed to discover how caring was taught in a nursing education program. The basic questions were: 1) What is the meaning of caring to the faculty and students; 2) How do the faculty communicate this meaning to the students; and 3) How does this meaning shape the experience of the students? Data were collected from a small associate degree nursing program using: a) semi-structured interviews with all faculty and a selected group of students, b) classroom observations, and c) review of documents. Data were analyzed for and found to have content explaining the meaning of caring, how caring was being taught, and what students were learning about caring as the essence of nursing. Implications derived speak to the need for faculty and administrators to have caring as a way of being if they wish to communicate caring as the essence of nursing to students.
Direct detection of nonchiral dark matter

Direct detection experiments rule out fermion dark matter that is a chiral representation of the electroweak gauge group. Nonchiral real, complex and singlet representations, however, provide viable fermion dark-matter candidates. Although any one of these candidates will be virtually impossible to detect at the LHC, it is shown that they may be detected at future planned direct detection experiments. For the real case, an irreducible radiative coupling to quarks may allow a detection. The complex case in general has an experimentally ruled out tree-level coupling to quarks via $Z$-boson exchange. However, in the case of two $SU(2{)}_{L}$ doublets, a higher-dimensional coupling to the Higgs can suppress this coupling, and a remaining irreducible radiative coupling may allow a detection. Singlet dark matter could be detected through a coupling to quarks via Higgs exchange. Since all nonchiral dark matter can have a coupling to the Higgs, at least some of its mass can be obtained from electroweak symmetry breaking, and this mass is a useful characterization of its direct detection cross section.
The Political Economy of Core-Periphery Systems

In a recent article, Richard Blanton and Gary Feinman (1984) argue that pre-Columbian Mesoamerica was a kind of world system. Following the lead of Immanuel Wallerstein (1974), they suggest that the relative wealth and power of different parts of Mesoamerica were due principally to the ability to manipulate flows of material, energy, and people at the macroregional scale through the establishment of ties of superordinance and dependency. In their view, positions of power and authority at the time of the Spanish conquest were based on the ruling elite “maintaining control of the flow of ‘luxury’ goods, which were ... important in attracting and materially rewarding the cadre of soldiers and officials that were the lifeblood of the state” (Blanton and Feinman 1984:676). Although nearby areas often paid tribute in foodstuffs, fuel, and other bulk items, “controlling the flow of [preciosities] was so important that it provided the major motivation for external conquest” (Blanton and Feinman 1984:677).
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Cucurbit Gummy Stem Blight Fungi Based on Microsatellite Markers.

Combining population genetics with epidemiology provides insight into the population biology of pathogens, which could lead to improved management of plant diseases. Gummy stem blight, caused by th...
The Foreign Language Anxiety in a Medical Office Scale: Developing and Validating a Measurement Tool for Spanish-Speaking Individuals

Communication research has been hindered by a lack of validated measures for Latino populations. To develop and validate a foreign language anxiety in a medical office scale (the Foreign Language Anxiety in a Medical Office Scale [FLAMOS]), the authors conducted a survey of low income, primarily Spanish-speaking Latinos (N = 100). The scale factored into a unidimensional construct and showed high reliability (α = .92). The Foreign Language Anxiety in a Medical Office Scale also demonstrated convergent and divergent validity compared with other communication anxiety scales (Personal Report of Communication Apprehension–24, Communication Anxiety Inventory, and Recipient Apprehension Test), and predictive validity for acculturation measures (the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics). The Foreign Language Anxiety in a Medical Office Scale provides a validated measure for researchers and may help to explain Latino health care communication barriers.
Understanding conceptual change: connecting and questioning

We engage in a metalogue based on eight papers in this issue of Cultural Studies of Science Education that review the state of conceptual change research and its possible affect on the teaching and learning of science. Our discussion addresses three aspects of conceptual change research: theoretical, methodological, and practical, as we discuss conceptual change research in light of our experiences as science educators. Finally, we examine the implications of conceptual change research for the teachers and students with whom we work.
231Pa and230Th chronology of mid-ocean ridge basalts

Mass spectrometric measurements of235U231Pa and238U230Th disequilibria are used to further constrain processes producing U-series disequilibria in young mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) and to determine eruption ages for samples from 9–10°N East Pacific Rise and Juan de Fuca-Gorda ridges.231Pa/235U activity ratios for axial basalts are large and relatively uniform within ridge segments. The systematically large231Pa/235U,230Th/238U, and226Ra/230Th activity ratios in MORB are inconsistent with simple equilibrium melting models and crustal contamination or seawater alteration processes. More complicated melting processes involving disequilibrium or heterogeneous melting of mantle sources and disequilibrium transport of melts to the crust could produce the large U-series disequilibria in MORB. 231Pa and230Th model ages were determined by estimating initial231Pa/235U and230Th/232Th ratios from axial samples and by assuming constancy of these ratios over time. All231Pa and230Th ages agree to ±0–7 ka for samples with ages of 0–130 ka. These concordant ages validate the model assumptions of the two dating methods and suggest that mantle sources and melt generation processes have been uniform for these areas during the past 130 ka. Consequently,231Pa and230Th age-dates can be used to quantify the temporal and spatial dependence of volcanism at oceanic spreading centers during the past 375 ka.
Contesting the Responsibility to Protect

This article explores the responsibility to protect (R2P) as a contested norm through a detailed study of the position of one major power—Russia—and brief consideration of those of the remaining BRICS. Although Russia's position on R2P has been toward the extreme end of the oppositional spectrum, Russia's concerns about the implementation of R2P are reflected in statements advanced by other BRICS members. Non-Western perspectives on the R2P are explored through the evolution of Russian foreign policy responses to R2P over three periods: from NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia to the UN Summit in 2005; from 2005 to 2011, when Moscow misapplied the R2P norm in the Russo-Georgian war; and the debates in 2011–2013 over R2P in the Libyan and Syrian cases. International pressure has been sufficiently strong to induce formal adherence to the norm of protecting vulnerable populations, though sovereignty issues and concerns about the implementation of R2P make internalization of the norm among non-Western states problematic in the near future.
Prevalence and Correlates of Depression as a Secondary Condition Among Adults With Disabilities

This article examines the associations among environmental factors, healthy behaviors, and depression in a sample of adults with major disabilities. When sociodemographics and type and level of disability were controlled, environmental factors (e.g., access to care, contacts with friends, and experience of assault) and risk behaviors (e.g., tobacco use, marijuana use, and physical exercise) were significant correlates of depression. Public health practice and research implications are discussed.
Differences among three macaque species in responsiveness to an observer

Behavioral responses of experimentally naive captive-born juvenile females of three macaque species (Macaca mulatta, M. radiata, M. fascicularis)to a passive human observer were compared across three periods, beginning approximately 6 weeks after animals were transferred from multianimal groups housed outdoors to individual cages in colony rooms and ending approximately 6 months later. Responsiveness was assessed using eight relatively stereotyped behavior patterns characteristic of this genus. Although overall responsiveness declined across periods in all groups, this measure was consistently highest for M. fascicularis.Patterns were also analyzed as indicative of “fear” or “hostility.” Responses of M. fasciculariswere frequent in both categories, although fear scores exceeded those for hostility. M. mulattascored more frequently as hostile than as fearful. Both fear and hostility scores for M. radiatawere extremely low. The only response shown with more than minimal frequency was lip-smacking, a pattern that is usually construed as an appeasing, submissive, or affiliative display. Differences among species in their responses to the observer are generally consistent with other behavioral and psychophysiological data on the same subjects and with patterns of social interaction between conspecifics.
Succinylcholine in electroshock treatment.

Electroshock treatment not infrequently leads to vertebral fractures and other complications. Where cardiovascular or skeletal disease exists, its use though desirable, may be fraught with danger. The search for muscle relaxants to dampen the violence of the electrical convulsion has culminated in Succinylcholine. Injected intravenously as the chloride it produces a rapid paralysis of the musculature. Complete and permanent recovery occurs within a few minutes because of the quick destruction of the drug by cholinesterase. A series of 416 treatments in 46 patients is reported. Somatic pathology in 8 of these electroshock would have been contraindicated. With Succinylcholine all patients made an eventful recovery. The discomfort of Succinylcholine is slight and not sufficient to require the use of intravenous anesthesia. One death is reported but evidence indicates that this may not be attributed to Succinylcholine. Succinylcholine has no disadvantageous side-effects. Many times the clinically effective dose has been administered without prolonged apnea. In conclusion this study indicates that Succinylcholine is a very safe, simple means of improving and widening the application of the technique of electroshock.
A comparative study of the lipid composition of isolated rat Sertoli and germinal cells.

The lipid composition of enriched preparations of sertoli cells and of germinal cells, isolated from the testes of mature rats, has been investigated. Sertoli cells contained a much lower content of phospholipids (in particular, much less phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine) and a higher content of triacylglycerols than did germinal cells. In addition, the Sertoli cells had a higher ratio of esterified to unesterified cholesterol than did germinal cells. Total lipids of Sertoli cells contained considerably lower levels of palmitic and docosa-4,7,10,13,16-pentaenoic acids and higher levels of stearic and oleic acids than did the total lipids of germinal less palmitic and docosa-4,7,10,13,16-pentaenoic acids, more stearic and oleic acids and also more arachidonic acid than did the corresponding lipid classes of the germinal cells. Minor differences between cell types were also noted for the content of palmitoleic, linoleic, docosa-7,10,13,16-tetraenoic, docosa-4,7,10,13,16,19-hexaenoic and tetracosa-9,12,15,18-tetraenoic acids.
An improved fluorogenic substrate for the alternative complement pathway C3/5 converting enzyme CVFBb.

By lengthening the sequence of a previously available tripeptide to a pentapeptide, we were able to increase the specificity of the substrate for the complement enzyme CVFBb (EC 3.4.21.47) over Factor Xa (EC 3.4.21.6). This increase in specificity was achieved by both an increase in the kcat/Km for CVFBb for the longer substrate compared to the original substrate, and a decrease in the Kcat/Km for Factor Xa. The new substrate, Boc-Nle-Gln-Leu-Gly-Arg-amino methyl coumarin (AMC) was synthesized by coupling Boc-Nle-Gln-Leu-Gly to Arg-AMC in solution. p-Toluenesulfonic acid was added to the coupling mixture to improve the solubility of the arginine derivative and avoid the need for covalent protection.
Familial aggregation of phenotypic expression of premature hair hypopigmentation in the craniofacial region

There are many patients who experience premature hypopigmentation of hair, but do not understand the underlying causes and potential dangers associated with them. The causes range from genetic predisposition to environmental influences such as tobacco use. Premature hypopigmentation of the hair shaft can also be associated with many syndromes; some which cause dental anomalies. Today, treatment options are limited for patients, although various studies are being done on mice to target the underlying mechanism of action. Understanding the differences between all of the possible causes of this particular phenotype can help clinicians better identify the symptoms, educate patients, and possibly modify treatment to suit the needs of each patient on an individual basis.
Self-stabilizing dynamic mutual exclusion for mobile ad hoc networks

We propose a self-stabilizing mutual exclusion algorithm for mobile ad hoc networks, in which the composition of processors that want to enter the critical section can change dynamically. Our algorithm is based on dynamic virtual rings formed by circulating tokens. The algorithm always guarantees mutual exclusion and it guarantees different levels of progress under different levels of performance of the token circulation in the presence of mobility and message loss. Rigorous proofs of correctness and performance are given.
A laboratory analysis of bargaining power in a random ultimatum game

Abstract The experiment reported on here was designed to test the stability of bargaining power with respect to the distribution of disagreement payoffs in a two-person bargaining game. The ‘random ultimatum’ design allows one to make inferences about players' expectations concerning demands acceptable to the other player, and to isolate those demands that are unacceptable to bargainers. The results indicate that such expectations vary with the distribution of disagreement payoffs. Players with different disagreement payoffs make different demands and accept demands in a systematically different way, related to the expected earnings implied by the players' initial demands.
Interrenal function and smoltification

Abstract Interrenal tissue undergoes hypertrophy and plasma titers of corticosteroids increase during smoltification. Increased interrenal activity plays a role in the alterations in osmoregulatory organs, the immune system, metabolism, and possibly behavior of smolting salmonids. Clarification of the relation between peak interrenal activity and peak thyroid activity would define the nature of any association between seawater tolerance and seawater preference, and add clues about the mechanisms initiating changes in the pineal—hypothalamo-hypophysial axis and regulating the timing of smoltification. Such information could increase success of culture of these fish.
Risperidone in the treatment of Hispanic inpatients with schizophrenia: A pilot study

A growing body of scientific evidence over the last two decades suggests that certain ethnic groups may require lower dosages of standard antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia symptoms. Recent studies have implicated the role of genetic and environmental factors in the metabolism of these drugs as the basis for this differential response. In this pilot study, 10 Hispanic and 8 non-Hispanic patients with schizophrenia were enrolled in a double-blind, parallel-group, inpatient risperidone dosing (daily versus twice daily) trial with the novel antipsychotic risperidone. The result of repeated measures ANOVA reveals a significant interaction effect for race, indicative of a faster rate of symptom improvement (PANSS General) in Hispanic patients. The findings suggest that this novel agent may be preferable for certain ethnic groups. A trend toward more frequently occurring extrapyramidal symptoms among Hispanics was also found, which suggests that dosages lower than those typically recommended may be necessary in Hispanic schizophrenics.
Characterization of Mixed Mode Delamination Growth in Glass/Epoxy Composite Cylinders:

Analysis and experiments on angle-ply laminate MMB fracture specimens with curved cross-section machined from filament-wound composite cylinders are presented. The analysis is based on superposition of compliance and energy release rate expressions previously derived from laminated theory for angle-ply laminate DCB and ENF specimens with curved cross-section. Elastic interactions between the two arms of the specimen, asymmetry in geometry and lay-up, and interlaminar shear deformation are incorporated in the analysis. The analysis predicts global compliance of the specimen and energy release rate components, GI and GI,, obtained from global considerations. It was found that the ratio between GI and GI, is only slightly sensitive to ply angle in the angle-ply laminates. The ratio G/GH, likewise, is only weakly dependent on crack length. An experimental study was conducted on glass/epoxy MMB specimens using contoured loading tabs and supports to accommodate the curved cross-section. Specifically, [±016 and ...
Aortic Valve Replacement and Concomitant Coronary Artery Bypass: Assessing the Impact of Multiple Grafts

Background The impact of multivessel coronary artery disease and multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting on outcomes after combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting (AVR-CABG) has not been sufficiently evaluated. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent AVR-CABG at our institution between January 2000 and December 2004. Patients with any previous or concomitant procedures were excluded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival and freedom from postoperative repeat revascularization. Predictors of mortality were determined by Cox regression analysis. Results The study cohort consisted of 233 AVR-CABG patients. Mean follow-up was 2.2 ± 1.7 years with one patient lost to follow-up. Preoperative clinical characteristics were well-matched between patients who received one (n = 86), two (n = 81), or three or four (n = 66) bypass grafts. Operative mortality was 9.3%, 11.1%, and 7.6%, respectively ( p = 0.76). Patients in all groups demonstrated significant improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) status ( p p = 0.93). Five-year survival for each group was 63.6%, 72.4%, and 63.9%, respectively ( p = 0.91). Emergent operation, ejection fraction less than 0.30, operative age greater than 65 years, NYHA class III/IV, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were significant predictors of mortality. The number of stenosed vessels, the number of bypass grafts, incomplete revascularization, and the presence of aortic stenosis or aortic insufficiency did not predict mortality. Conclusions For patients undergoing AVR-CABG, the number of bypass grafts does not adversely affect survival. Rather, a patient's preoperative risk factors are a better predictor of outcome.
Optical tomographic imaging of the hemodynamic response to a breath hold in breast cancer patients

Continuous wave optical tomography is non-ionizing, uses endogenous contrast, and can be performed quickly and at low cost which makes it a suitable imaging modality for breast cancer screening. Using multiple wavelengths of light to illuminate the breast at various angles, three-dimensional images of the distribution of chromophores such as oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin can help identify cancerous tissue. Dynamic optical imaging can provide additional insight into cancer characteristics such as angiogenesis and metabolism. Here we present the first clinical data acquired with our novel digital breast imaging system. This system is based upon a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) architecture that leverages the immediate digitization of acquired analog data to reduce noise and quickly process large amounts of data. Employing this new instrument we have investigated the dynamic changes due to a breath hold and its potential for use in breast cancer screening. Over the course of a breath hold, images have been collected simultaneously from both breasts at a rate of 1.7 frames per second with 32 sources and 64 detectors per breast and four wavelengths of light at 765, 805, 827, and 905nm. Initial results involving one healthy volunteer and one breast cancer patient support the potential use of dynamic imaging for breast cancer detection.
Stimulus control by part of a complex SΔ

Pigeons were trained to peck at each of four stimuli projected onto a response key. Subsequently, responding was reinforced in the presence of a compound stimulus composed of two of these stimuli (red background with horizontal white bar) and extinguished in the presence of a compound stimulus composed of the other two stimuli (green background with vertical white bar). In an extinction session following this discrimination training, each of the four stimuli were again presented separately. Differential responding was found to the components associated with reinforcement and to the components associated with nonreinforcement. These results replicate earlier demonstrations of selective control by part of a complex SD and add a demonstration of selective control by part of a complex SΔ.