cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paranoid Cognition in Social Systems: Thinking and Acting in the Shadow of Doubt

Distrust and suspicion are common and recurring problems at all levels of social organization, ranging from the interpersonal to the collective. Unfortunately, our understanding of the origins and dynamics of such distrust and suspicion remains far from complete. A primary aim of this research, accordingly, was to articulate a new framework for conceptualizing a form of exaggerated distrust and suspicion termed paranoid social cognition. Drawing on recent psychological theory and research, this framework identifies the social cognitive underpinnings of paranoid cognitions. It also specifies some of the situational determinants of such cognition and elaborates on the psychological, behavioral, and social dynamics that sustain them.
Dosimetry of Pediatric PET/CT

The use of PET/CT in children has grown substantially in the past few years. There is also an increased interest in keeping the radiation dose to children from CT as low as is clinically practical. This article reviews the physical aspects of both PET and CT separately and how CT is used in the context of PET/CT to provide the practical insight necessary to approach this issue. Understanding radiation dosimetry and its potential for deleterious health effects, having knowledge of the magnitude of the effective dose and the dose to specific organs from PET and CT, and considering the role of CT in the context of PET/CT will allow the reader to reduce the radiation dose to the patient without compromising the quality of the patient's care.
The power of time: spatiotemporal scaling of species diversity

The species–area relationship (SAR) provides the foundation for much of theoretical ecology and conservation practice. However, by ignoring time the SAR offers an incomplete model for biodiversity dynamics. We used long-term data from permanent plots in Kansas grasslands, USA, to show that the increase in the number of species found with increasing periods of observation takes the same power-law form as the SAR. A statistical model including time, area, and their interaction explains 98% of variation in mean species number and demonstrates that while the effect of time depends on area, and vice versa, time has strong effects on species number even at relatively broad spatial scales. Our results suggest equivalence of underlying processes in space and time and raise questions about the diversity estimates currently used by basic researchers and conservation practitioners.
Displacement and disease: The Shan exodus and infectious disease implications for Thailand

Decades of neglect and abuses by the Burmese government have decimated the health of the peoples of Burma, particularly along her eastern frontiers, overwhelmingly populated by ethnic minorities such as the Shan. Vast areas of traditional Shan homelands have been systematically depopulated by the Burmese military regime as part of its counter-insurgency policy, which also employs widespread abuses of civilians by Burmese soldiers, including rape, torture, and extrajudicial executions. These abuses, coupled with Burmese government economic mismanagement which has further entrenched already pervasive poverty in rural Burma, have spawned a humanitarian catastrophe, forcing hundreds of thousands of ethnic Shan villagers to flee their homes for Thailand. In Thailand, they are denied refugee status and its legal protections, living at constant risk for arrest and deportation. Classified as "economic migrants," many are forced to work in exploitative conditions, including in the Thai sex industry, and Shan migrants often lack access to basic health services in Thailand. Available health data on Shan migrants in Thailand already indicates that this population bears a disproportionately high burden of infectious diseases, particularly HIV, tuberculosis, lymphatic filariasis, and some vaccine-preventable illnesses, undermining progress made by Thailand's public health system in controlling such entities. The ongoing failure to address the root political causes of migration and poor health in eastern Burma, coupled with the many barriers to accessing health programs in Thailand by undocumented migrants, particularly the Shan, virtually guarantees Thailand's inability to sustainably control many infectious disease entities, especially along her borders with Burma.
Fast approximate Random Walker segmentation using eigenvector precomputation

Interactive segmentation is often performed on images that have been stored on disk (e.g., a medical image server) for some time prior to user interaction. We propose to use this time to perform an offline precomputation of the segmentation prior to user interaction that significantly decreases the amount of user time necessary to produce a segmentation. Knowing how to effectively precompute the segmentation prior to user interaction is difficult, since a user may choose to guide the segmentation algorithm to segment any object (or multiple objects) in the image. Consequently, precomputation performed prior to user interaction must be performed without any knowledge of the user interaction. Specifically, we show that one may precompute several eigenvectors of the weighted Laplacian matrix of a graph and use this information to produce a linear-time approximation of the Random Walker segmentation algorithm, even without knowing where the foreground/background seeds will be placed. Finally, we also show that this procedure may be interpreted as a seeded (interactive) Normalized Cuts algorithm.
Witnessed community and parental violence in relation to substance use and delinquency in a national sample of adolescents

This study examined whether witnessed community and parental violence represented risk factors for substance use and delinquency among adolescents, beyond the contribution of direct violence and other risk factors. We also examined the role of violence characteristics. Participants were a national sample of 3,614 adolescents. Structured telephone interviews assessed demographics, trauma history, witnessed violence, delinquency, and substance use. While accounting for trauma history and other risk factors, witnessed community and parental violence were associated with delinquency. Community violence was associated with substance use. Chronic violence, knowing the perpetrator, and violence outside of school were correlated with substance use and delinquency among adolescents who witnessed community violence. These findings highlight the importance of targeting witnessed violence in prevention and intervention efforts.
Teller acuity cards versus clinical judgment in the diagnosis of amblyopia with strabismus.

Abstract Teller acuity card testing, which is a form of the preferential-looking procedure, is a popular way of assessing visual acuity in preverbal patients. The authors suspected that the clinical judgment of a pediatric ophthalmologist is superior to the Teller acuity cards in diagnosing amblyopia when strabismus is present. Acuity card and fixation preference measurements on each eye were compared at the same clinical visit in a group of 108 strabismus patients. The authors found that the acuity cards could be used to detect amblyopia. However, the pediatric ophthalmologist was more sensitive in diagnosing amblyopia than the Teller acuity cards in the presence of strabismus.
The Real Options Solution To A Cost-Of-Capital Dilemma

The required rate of return should equal the average expected return in the market for the same level of risk. However, firms should only accept such projects with expected returns that exceed this required rate of return. This contradicts our first statement that the required rate of return equals this average expected return for the market. We study this possible paradox in the context of a stochastic general-equilibrium model with endogenous prices. We find that the capitalization of the real options involved in this model explains away this contradiction or paradox.
Elastic differential cross sections and analyzing powers for p + 54Fe, 58,64Ni at 800 MeV☆

Abstract Elastic scattering analyzing powers and differential cross sections for 800 MeV → p + 54Fe, 58,64Ni are reported. An approximately mode-independent technique is used to extract information concerning the neutron density distributions of these nuclei.
A comparison of CDMA and frequency hopping in a cellular environment

This paper compares the performances of Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and Frequency Hopping (FH) schemes in a cellular multiuser environment. Our multiuser channel model incorporates the effects of propagation, frequency selective fading, and interference among users in the presence of a constrained system bandwidth. The CDMA and FH systems are compared using BPSK modulation. The main point of contrast between these systems is that the orthogonal hopping patterns in a FH system result in a decreased additive interference power, however the frequency spreading nature of CDMA results in the ability to combat fading. An information theoretic analysis is presented, which shows that system capacity is larger for CDMA than for FH. Hence, for this channel, with sufficient coding the CDMA system can achieve a higher level of performance than the FH system. However, it is unclear what level of complexity would be required to achieve such performance, and what effect such complexity would have on the practicality of the system.
ROTATOR CUFF DISEASE: An Arthroscopic View

Rotator cuff disease has become a treatable entity by using the arthroscope; however, a sound understanding of pathology and an appreciation of relevant physical findings are necessary if the arthroscope is to be used effectively. Arthroscopic examination confirms the extent of rotator cuff disease and co-morbid pathology and allows for treatment of many problems related to the rotator cuff.
An operation space approach to robotic excavation

A methodology for automatically generating robot actions for tasks that cannot be abstracted into a geometrical basis because of complex interaction between the robot and the world is proposed. The method considers such a task, robotic excavation, by seeking to satisfy constraints posed by the robot and the world to generate plans that optimize an arbitrary cost function. The constraints, the optimizing scheme, and preliminary simulation results are discussed. >
Myotonic dystrophy: limited electromyo‐graphic abnormalities in 2 definite cases

Two women, aged 37 and 38, with definite myotonic dystrophy are presented. Neither patient had clinical myotonia although both experienced intermittent jaw tightness. Electromyographic (EMG) myotonia was seen only in the masseter muscle in one and in the masseter and flexor pollicis longus muscle in the other patient. The detection rate of EMG-myotonia in clinically normal heterozygotes increases if distal, proximal and cranial nerve innervated muscles are examined.
Molecular mechanisms of pediatric cardiomyopathies and new targeted therapies

Cardiomyopathies are major causes of morbidity and mortality and over the past twenty years, limited improvements in outcome have been reported [1–3]. However, improvement in the understanding of the major forms of cardiomyopathy has occurred over that time, in large part due to advances in genetics and genomics [4,5]. In addition, new forms of cardiomyopathy have been described and classified over that time frame, in large part due to our improved genetic-based understanding of heart muscle disease. Further, the improved understanding gained in heart muscle disease has led to understanding of similarities and differences in heart and skeletal muscle and their often overlapping clinical presentations. A new classification scheme was recently developed for the cardiomyopathies in which five forms of disease were formally classified as distinct forms of cardiomyopathy [6]. These forms include dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), and left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). These were further classified into genetic/inherited forms and acquired/noninherited forms [6]. All of these forms of disease occur in childhood although ARVC is almost always identified in young adults and therefore this disorder will not be discussed herein. In order to understand the mechanisms responsible for the development of the clinical phenotypes of cardiomyo-
Explorations in Interpersonal Competence-I

Part IA set of categories is presented designed to measure interpersonal competence.The primary plus categories on the individual and interpersonal levels are owning up to, openness, and risk taking. On the norms level they are individuality, concern, and trust.The primary minus categories on the individual and interpersonal levels are not owning up to, not being open, and rejecting risk taking. On the norms level they are conformity, antagonism, and mistrust.Exploratory research suggests that the categories can be used (1) with an encouraging degree of reliability, (2) with an encouraging degree of predictive validity, and (3) as the basis to describe increases or decreases in individual and group competence during T-Group and other training.Part IIThe categories are used as a basis to evaluate the relative effectiveness of lecture versus laboratory education in the subject areas of interpersonal relationships and group dynamics.The study suggests that processes are generated in the lecture approach simi...
Hypoxemia up-regulates interleukin-8 stimulated phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes by differential regulation of CD32w and CD35 messenger RNA expression

Background. The purpose of these studies was to investigate the effect of hypoxemia on interleukin-8 (IL-8) regulation of phagocytosis and surface opsonic receptor expression of whole blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Methods. Whole blood PMNs were rendered hypoxemic (Fvo 2 less than 15 mm Hg) or normoxic (Fvo 2 equals 60 to 80 mm Hg) and incubated with IL-8 (50 ng/ml) before the sequential addition of serum-opsonized fluorescent microspheres (emission wavelength, 560 nm) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated mouse anti-human CD32w or CD35 antibodies (emission wavelength, 513 nm). Concomitant two color flow cytometric analysis was then performed to measure the mean channel fluorescence (MCF) and the percentage of positive PMNs. Steady-state messenger RNA levels for CD32w and CD35 were quantitated by means of Northern blot analysis by using total RNA extracted from purified PMNs from each study group. Results. Hypoxemia increased IL-8 stimulated PMN phagocytosis (percentage of positive PMNs, 38 ± 1.5 versus 27 ± 2.0, MCF, 5491 ± 182 versus 4060 ± 121 for hypoxemia plus IL-8 versus normoxia plus IL-8, respectively ; p < 0.05). Hypoxemia increased IL-8 stimulated PMN expression of CD32w and CD35 (MCF CD32w, 791 ± 105 versus 336 ± 81 ; MCF CD35, 542 ± 87 versus 254 ± 41 ; p < 0.05). Under normoxic conditions IL-8 decreased messenger RNA levels for both CD32w and CD35, but under hypoxemic conditions IL-8 increased messenger RNA levels only for CD32w. Conclusions. Hypoxemia directly regulates IL-8 control ofPMNs by increasing phagocytosis, receptor expression, and messenger RNA for these receptors. Studies investigating cytokine regulation of PMN function need to take into account oxygen tension when establishing the fundamental effects of cytokines on PMN physiology. (SURGERY 1995 ;118 :177-84.)
Neutral Red Induced Hyperglucagonemia

Previous reports of hyperglycemia, reduction in hepatic glycogen and degranulation of alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans, in rats following neutral red administration, has suggested that this dye stimulates glucagon release and/or promotes alpha cell destruction. In the present investigation similar studies in dogs, utilizing radioimmunoassay methods, have revealed peripheral venous hyperglucagonemia in association with neutral red induced hyperglycemia. Additionally, serum insulin response was noticeably blunted in the face of elevated blood sugar levels following intravenous neutral red. In rabbits, the intravenous administration of neutral red resulted in a 50% reduction in extractable pancreatic radioimmunoassayable glucagon. These results therefore suggest that the hyperglucagonemia provoked by neutral red is secondary to abrupt release of preformed glucagon with ensuing hepatic glycogenolysis. The answer to the question of whether this dye actually promotes irreversible alpha cell destruction a...
Abdominal pain and hemoperitoneum: sole presenting symptoms for "leaking AAA" after endovascular repair.

Purpose To describe an unusual presentation of impending aortic endograft rupture and successful endovascular rescue. Case report A 77-year-old man with an enlarging aortic aneurysm was treated with a Talent bifurcated endoprosthesis; a moderate endoleak that appeared to be related to either proximal or distal fixation sites was noted in the body of the aneurysm. The patient was observed for 1 month, and repeat imaging demonstrated persistent endoleak without major increase in the aneurysm diameter. Another examination was scheduled for 3 months hence, but, 2 months later, the patient presented with abdominal pain and a hemoperitoneum. A proximal extension cuff resolved the leak and led to resolution of the hemoperitoneum. Conclusions A leaking aneurysm can be repaired using endovascular techniques in patients with an existing endograft. The need for frequent imaging surveillance of patients with endoleak is underscored.
In Tribute: Steve Haley

Our physical therapy and rehabilitation community has lost another outstanding colleague. Stephen M. Haley, PT, PhD, FAPTA, died after a protracted battle with leukemia and treatment complications on July 19, 2011. Steve received his certificate in physical therapy from Ohio State University and his PhD in educational psychology from the University of Washington. At the time of his death, he was professor of health policy and management at the Boston University School of Public Health, associate director of Boston University's Health & Disability Research Institute, and director of research at the Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs at Boston's Franciscan Hospital. It is true that Dr. Haley was a distinguished researcher and scholar, that he was highly regarded by many of our health care …
Operating Room Setup, Instrumentation, and Safety Considerations in Transoral Robotic Surgery

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) currently requires the use of the da Vinci® Robotic System (Intuitive Surgical Inc, Sunnyvale, CA) in the operating room setting. This chapter details important perioperative considerations that relate to equipment setup, instrumentation, patient safety, and appropriate staffing and communication to ensure safe and efficient management of patients undergoing TORS.
Visualizing mechanosensory endings of TrkC-expressing neurons in HS3ST-2-hPLAP mice

Somatosensory neurons are classified into three main types according to their modalities: nociceptive, thermal, and mechanosensory. Within each modality group, neurons can be further divided into morphologically and functionally distinct subclasses. Here we show that heparan sulfate D-glucosaminyl 3-O-sulfotransferase 2 (HS3ST-2) is a marker for specific subsets of TrkC-expressing cutaneous low-threshold mechanosensory and proprioceptive mechanosensory neurons. Two-color in situ analysis revealed that almost all HS3ST-2 signals colocalized with TrkC but not with TrkA or TrkB mRNA. To visualize the morphological subtypes of HS3ST-2/TrkC-expressing neurons, we generated a HS3ST-2-hPLAP knock-in mouse line, in which HS3ST-2-expressing neurons and their projections are labeled by human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPLAP). AP staining in these mice demonstrated that sensory endings of muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs as well as the cutaneous mechanosensory Merkel and longitudinal lanceolate endings in the whiskers are strongly positive for hPLAP activity. In contrast, no nociceptive endings are labeled. In the glabrous and hairy skin, rare Merkel endings and transverse lanceolate endings are weakly stained. During development, each type of nerve endings forms at different time point. Muscle innervations differentiate first, followed by formation of cutaneous sensory endings. Our results revealed the subtype identities of TrkC-positive mechanosensory neurons and demonstrated the usefulness of HS3ST-2 as a genetic marker for these subclasses of neurons.
Application of FAMESS to a Large Space Structure Ground Test Facility

Filter Accommodated Model Error Sensitivity Suppression (FAMESS) is applied to the problem of regulating the line-of-sight (LOS) of a laser beam pointing system mounted on a 13 meter flexible beam, which is the current configuration of the Marshall Space Flight Center Large Space Structure Ground Test Verification Facility (LSS/GTV). The configuration of the LSS/GTV exhibits many of the pathologies usually associated with large space structures (LSS): (1) low damping, (2) closely spaced modal frequencies, and (3) very low frequency bending modes. Moreover, the sensor/actuator complement of the configuration is not such that colocation of sensors and actuators can be presumed. The collection of techniques commonly known as FAMESS is used to accomplish the design of the LOS regulating control system for the LSS/GTV. These techniques include decentralization, alpha shifting techniques, model error sensitivity suppression, and filter accommodation. Several problems were encountered during the design of the controller for the facility. These problems include computational hardware limitations, proof-mass actuator limitations, controller model sensitivity, constraint placed on the control signals in the sensitivity suppression technique, and problems with modal separation for closely spaced modes. Representative test results are presented and illustrate the dramatic degradation of performance which can be expected when significant system behavior is unmodeled.
A scalable source coder for a hybrid HDTV terrestrial broadcasting system

A scalable source coder was designed for a hybrid HDTV terrestrial broadcasting system. The hybrid combination of analog and digital methods allows for both high video compression ratios and efficient utilization of the available channel capacity. Efficient channel utilization enables closer receivers to decode high quality video, and allows further receivers to decode natural looking, though lower quality video. The system uses joint source/channel coding to deliver different video components with degrees of integrity reflecting their perceptual importance. Motivation is given for hybrid transmission and analog/digital coding methods. Details of the scalable source coder are provided with a description of its key features, which include pyramid filtering and hybrid video coding. Furthermore, fundamental differences between conventional digital video compression schemes and the proposed scalable hybrid approach are highlighted. Finally, frames of video produced by a computer simulation of the hybrid HDTV system are shown, demonstrating the feasibility of such a system. >
Gender differences in preadolescent children's online interactions: Symbolic modes of self-presentation and self-expression☆

Preadolescent children who did not know one another interacted in a multiuser domain (MUD), an online site designed to facilitate identity exploration and peer interaction. Each child participated in two separate sessions, one with a same-sex and one with an opposite-sex peer. Children created characters that reflected real-life properties of themselves, such as gender and interests in popular culture. Boys in same-sex pairs interacted with one another through action, rapid changes, and playful exchanges. Girls in same-sex pairs interacted primarily through written dialogue. In mixed pairs, boys wrote more and engaged in less playful exchanges, and girls wrote fewer and increased their actions. The results suggest that boys and girls have their own unique play styles with same-sex peers, but will moderate those patterns during late childhood to communicate with peers of the opposite sex.
THE LIMITS AND POTENTIAL OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN PARTICIPATORY PLANNING: A CASE STUDY OF THE NEW YORK HIV PLANNING COUNCIL

: In addition to providing a wide range of essential services in local communities, service-providing nonprofit organizations play an important role in shaping de facto local social policy through their participation in community-based planning processes that guide or determine the distribution of federal funding for health and social services. This social policy role has become increasingly important in the United States as the federal government continues to privatize health and human services through providing grant funds to states and cities that are ultimately used to support local nonprofit health and social service organizations. The important role of service-providing nonprofits in shaping local social policy has been understudied, as most studies on nonprofits and policy-making focus on citizen advocacy organizations and their lobbying and protest activities, primarily at the national level. This study uses the case of the New York HIV Planning Council to address this gap in the literature, highlighting the benefits and pitfalls of an urban community planning process dominated by service providers from local nonprofit social service organizations whose own organizations are affected by the planning group's decisions. Factors that contributed to nonprofit providers' dominance as well as factors that limited their self-interested behavior are reviewed. The relationship between the HIV nonprofit service system and the AIDS social movement is explored in light of theory on new social movements to help explain why nonprofit providers were sometimes able to promote attentiveness to the general public good while also advocating for their more self-interested organizational needs.
Modification of a Tumor Antigen Determinant To Improve Peptide/MHC Stability Is Associated with Increased Immunogenicity and Cross-Priming a Larger Fraction of CD8+ T Cells

Altered peptide ligands (APLs) with enhanced binding to MHC class I can increase the CD8(+) T cell response to native Ags, including tumor Ags. In this study, we investigate the influence of peptide-MHC (pMHC) stability on recruitment of tumor Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells through cross-priming. Among the four known H-2(b)-restricted CD8(+) T cell determinants within SV40 large tumor Ag (TAg), the site V determinant ((489)QGINNLDNL(497)) forms relatively low-stability pMHC and is characteristically immunorecessive. Absence of detectable site V-specific CD8(+) T cells following immunization with wild-type TAg is due in part to inefficient cross-priming. We mutated nonanchor residues within the TAg site V determinant that increased pMHC stability but preserved recognition by both TCR-transgenic and polyclonal endogenous T cells. Using a novel approach to quantify the fraction of naive T cells triggered through cross-priming in vivo, we show that immunization with TAg variants expressing higher-stability determinants increased the fraction of site V-specific T cells cross-primed and effectively overcame the immunorecessive phenotype. In addition, using MHC class I tetramer-based enrichment, we demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that endogenous site V-specific T cells are primed following wild-type TAg immunization despite their low initial frequency, but that the magnitude of T cell accumulation is enhanced following immunization with a site V variant TAg. Our results demonstrate that site V APLs cross-prime a higher fraction of available T cells, providing a potential mechanism for high-stability APLs to enhance immunogenicity and accumulation of T cells specific for the native determinant.
The poor stay thinner: stable socioeconomic gradients in BMI among women in lower- and middle-income countries

Background: Recent studies have shown a strong positive association between individual BMI (in kg/m 2 ) or overweight prevalence and socioeconomic status (SES) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, it is not clear whether this association is weakening or reversing over time. Objective: With the use of nationally representative data collected at 2 time points in 37 LMICs, we compared the associations of SES with BMI and of SES with overweight between the earlier surveys and the later surveys. Design: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative samples of 547,056 ever-married nonpregnant women aged 15–49 y: 208,570 women in the earlier round of surveys conducted between 1991 and 2003 and 338,486 women in the later round conducted between 1998 and 2008. We used linear and modified Poisson analyses with a country fixed effect to obtain a pooled estimate and a country-stratified analysis for country-specific estimates. Results: In adjusted models, BMI was 2.32 units higher (95% CI: 2.23, 2.41 units) among women in the wealthiest quintile compared with women in the poorest quintile in the earlier surveys and was 3.00 units higher (95% CI: 2.92, 3.07 units) in the later surveys. The association between BMI and wealth was positive in 37 countries in the earlier round of surveys and in 36 countries in the later round. Patterns were similar for overweight prevalence. Conclusion: The association between SES and BMI or overweight is positive in most LMICs and has not weakened over time. It appears that the burden of overweight is consistently greater among wealthier populations within LMICs. Am J Clin Nutr 2011;94:1348–57.
Propranolol as first-line treatment for rapidly proliferating Infantile Haemangiomas

Infantile haemangioma is the commonest childhood tumour and approximately 10% requires treatment.(1,2) Recent reports have highlighted the impressive efficacy of propranolol in treating rapidly proliferating haemangioma. The aims of our study were to prospectively assess the efficacy of propranolol as a first line treatment for problematic haemangioma, and develop a treatment regime. 31 consecutive patients with rapidly proliferating infantile haemangioma with functional impairment or cosmetic disfigurement were treated with propranolol as a first line treatment. All patients had cardiovascular pre-treatment work-up and commenced on propranolol at 3 mg/kg/day. A rapid halt in haemangioma proliferation was seen in 100% of patients and significant regression in 87% of patients. This treatment is well tolerated and has little side effects. Since this study, our unit has adopted the policy of using propranolol as a first line treatment for all problematic proliferative infantile haemangiomas.
Case Presentations from the Addiction Academy.

In this article, a case-based format is used to address complex clinical issues in addiction medicine. The cases were developed from the authors’ practice experience, and were presented at the American College of Medical Toxicology Addiction Academy in 2015. Section I: Drug and Alcohol Dependence and Pain explores cases of patients with co-occurring pain and substance use disorders. Section II: Legal and Policy Issues in Substance Use Disorders highlights difficult legal and policy questions in addiction medicine. Section III: Special Populations and Addictive Disorders delves into the complexity of addiction in special populations (pregnant, pediatric, and geriatric patients).
Sex Hormones and Gender Effects following Trauma-Hemorrhage

Trauma is the leading cause of death in the industrialized world between the ages of one and 40. A number of risk factors including age and gender have been implicated in this regard. It is therefore not surprising that the majority of trauma victims are young males. Their mortality rate following trauma is not only higher compared to females, but they are also more prone to subsequent sepsis. Age and gender are therefore important factors in the prevalence of traumatic injury as well as in susceptibility to subsequent septic complications.
Managerial Performance Incentives and Firm Risk during Economic Expansions and Recessions

We argue that the relationship between managerial pay-for-performance incentives and risk taking is procyclical. We study the relationship between incentives provided by stock-based compensation and firm risk for U.S. non-financial corporations over the two business cycles between 1992 and 2009. We show that a given level of pay-for-performance incentives results in significantly lower firm risk when the economy is in a downturn. The documented procyclical relationship between incentives and risk taking is consistent with state-dependent risk aversion. Our findings contribute to the literature on the depressive effects of performance incentives on firm risk by documenting the importance of the interaction between performance incentives and risk aversion.
An Investment-Based Investigation of Mutual Fund Performance

Standard benchmarks that build exclusively on the size, value, and momentum effects can be problematic for evaluating mutual funds. Motivated by investment-based asset pricing, I show that investment and profitability convey useful information about future fund returns. However, such information is not sufficiently taken into account by the standard benchmarks. As a result, funds favoring low investment or high profitability stocks appear to outperform, while funds favoring the opposite appear to underperform. Accounting for investment and profitability can change performance estimates significantly, and helps explain the good performance of funds with growth orientation (Daniel, Grinblatt, Titman, and Wermers (1997)), high active share (Cremers and Petajisto (2009)), or small size (Chen, Hong, Huang, and Kubik (2004)). A new benchmark that incorporate investment and profitability accounts for the cross-section of stock returns better and tracks mutual fund returns more closely.
Resonant structures in the C 12 ( C 12 , Be 8 ) O 16 reaction, E c . m . = 9 to 20 MeV

Coincident detection of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles is used to measure the differential cross section of the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$($^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{8}\mathrm{Be}$)$^{16}\mathrm{O}$ reaction for ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}\ensuremath{\simeq}12\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} \mathrm{to} 68\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ and for each 100 keV interval from ${E}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}=9 \mathrm{to} 20$ MeV. A large number of resonant enhancements is observed in the cross section and the ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ values of these are unambiguously determined. The energies and widths of some of these resonant structures agree with resonances reported in other exit channels, in particular those which have been interpreted as a quasimolecular collective band in $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$. Well defined gross structure with $J=8, 10, \mathrm{and} 12$ is observed at ${E}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}\ensuremath{\sim}12, 14.5, \mathrm{and} 19$ MeV. NUCLEAR REACTIONS Measured $\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{d\ensuremath{\Omega}}$ for $^{12}\mathrm{C}$($^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{8}\mathrm{Be}$) at ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}\ensuremath{\simeq}12\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} \mathrm{to} 68\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ and ${E}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}=9 \mathrm{to} 20$ MeV in 100 keV steps. Determined energy width and dominant ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ value of resonant enhancements.
Space-Time Correlations and Trailing Edge Flow Structure in Fan-Blade Wakes with Trailing Edge Blowing.

*† ‡ This paper presents a detailed analysis of measurements made in the wakes of idealized aircraft engine fan blades with and without trailing edge blowing. New measurements of the mean velocity field around the trailing edge are presented. These reveal that the structure of the trailing edge flow plays an important role in determining the effects of blowing on the wake further downstream. New analysis of two-point measurements made in the wakes further downstream reveal the most likely occurring eddy types, their potential to produce broadband noise, and the effects of blowing upon them. Finally practical prospects for predicting these two-point correlations, and thus the broadband noise source terms are discussed.
Staphylococcal clumping on microtiter plates: a rapid, simple method for measuring fibrinogen split products.

A rapid, simple method for measuring fibrinogen split products in serum is described. It is based on clumping of staphylococci after serial dilution of test samples on a microtiter plate. The assay can be completed in less than 30 min.; its usual sensitivity is 0.75 μ g. per ml. (in fibrinogen equivalents). The sera of 52 blood bank donors had a range of 0.75 to 9 μ g. per ml. (mean ± , 2.7 ±2.1 ±g. per ml.), with only one value > 6 μ g. per ml. The results by this method were in good agreement with those obtained by a hemagglutination-inhibition method for frozen sera of patients with evidence of the intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis (ICF) syndrome. Analysis in cases of suspected ICF should be done on fresh sera.
Recent Research Activity Towards Future Data Storage

Continued scaling of existing information storage paradigms appears to be near its end. A slowdown in the increase in areal storage density in magnetic hard disk drives, a system at the forefront of storage density, has been apparent in the last eighteen months and is likely to be seen in optical and solid state systems as well. However, this slowdown is a consequence of the engineering paradigm itself rather than any manifestation of fundamental physical limits on storage system performance. This paper suggests that storage densities orders of magnitude greater than those demonstrated today are possible.
Particle size effects on transformation kinetics and phase stability in nanocrystalline TiO2

Kinetic studies conducted primarily between 465 and 525 degrees C demonstrate that the rate of the polymorphic anatase to rutile transformation increases dramatically when the reacting anatase is very finely crystalline. Coarsening of the reactant anatase and product rutile crystallites occurs simultaneously with the transformation. Kinetic behavior and quantification of transformation rate as a function of average crystallite size indicate that the increase in favorable nucleation sites is a likely cause of increase in transformation rate at small crystallite sizes. Additionally, experimental evidence supports the reversal of stabilities of anatase and rutile at small crystallite sizes. It is proposed that the reversal of stabilities is the result of rutile having a higher surface energy than the anatase phase. Data for coarsening kinetics of anatase and rutile supports the prediction that the surface energy of rutile is significantly larger than that of anatase. Thermodynamic data and theoretical estimates are used to show that a 15% greater surface energy for rutile causes the total free energy of rutile to be greater (less negative) than anatase at crystallite diameters in the few nanometer range. Given the fact that anatase and rutile structures have no polymerized octahedral fragments in common, this may be significant in determining the nature of the nucleated phase.
Sex steroids regulate skin pigmentation through nonclassical membrane-bound receptors

The association between pregnancy and altered cutaneous pigmentation has been documented for over two millennia, suggesting that sex hormones play a role in regulating epidermal melanocyte (MC) homeostasis. Here we show that physiologic estrogen (17β-estradiol) and progesterone reciprocally regulate melanin synthesis. This is intriguing given that we also show that normal primary human MCs lack classical estrogen or progesterone receptors (ER or PR). Utilizing both genetic and pharmacologic approaches, we establish that sex steroid effects on human pigment synthesis are mediated by the membrane-bound, steroid hormone receptors G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), and progestin and adipoQ receptor 7 (PAQR7). Activity of these receptors was activated or inhibited by synthetic estrogen or progesterone analogs that do not bind to ER or PR. As safe and effective treatment options for skin pigmentation disorders are limited, these specific GPER and PAQR7 ligands may represent a novel class of therapeutics.
Mechanism of Heart Function Improvement After Myocardial Transplantation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Myocardial Infarction

Objective:To discuss the mechanism of the heart functional improvement after transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)from patients with CAD in a rat model. Methods:Bone marrow was harvested from sternum of CAD patients,and then the MSCs were isolated,cultured and labeled. Two weeks after LAD ligation,the chosen rats were randomly divided into two groups:cell transplantation and control groups.At 4 weeks after injection,eehocardiography was performed to assay the change of ventricular function and remodeling.The histological examination and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)analyses were also performed to identify and analyse the implanted cells. Resuhs:Echocardiogram showed,both systolic heart function and the change of anterior wall thickening in transplantation group were significant higher than those in control group.By histochemical staining,continuous slices showed the labled cells could be stained positively for Desmin and Actin but negatively for cardiac specific troponin-Ⅰ.RT-PCR results indicated that the expressions of collagenⅠ,collagenⅢ,SDF-1,VEGF,Bcl-2 were much higher in the infarcted region in transplantation group and the expressions of collagenⅠ,collagenⅢwere much lower in the intact region in transplantation group. Conclusion:Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can promote heart function and alleviate left ventricle remodeling when transplanted into rat infarted heart.The possible mechanisms may be involve with the increased generation of neovessles,the changes of extracellular matrix,paracrine effects,anti-apoptosis and myocardial regeneration.
Relationship between PVA and myocardial oxygen consumption can be derived from thermodynamics

The pressure-volume area (PVA) has been shown to be an excellent, linear index of myocardial oxygen consumption. The thermodynamic basis for this result, however, has not been elucidated. The present study was undertaken to determine what information could be gained from analyzing the cardiac pressure-volume (P-V) cycle as an approximation to some "ideal" thermodynamic cycle operating under the constraints imposed by cardiovascular anatomy and physiology. The myocardium was approximated as a linear, chemically driven elastance in accordance with the time-varying elastance model. Analysis provided descriptions of a Carnot cycle for myocardium and a suboptimal ideal cycle, including isovolumic phases. Further analysis of the ideal cycle indicated that the end-systolic P-V relationship (ESPVR) is an approximation to the adiabatic P-V trajectory that primarily determines total energy consumption. Analysis also indicated possible explanations of current results that seem to be at odds with the time-varying elastance model. These results suggest that thermodynamic cycle analysis may provide a useful analytic tool for investigation of the cardiac cycle.
Memory Clinics and Care Management Programs

Memory clinics were initially described in the US in the 1970s, expanded to the UK in the 1980s and have since become an adopted concept internationally (Postgrad Med J 82:199–206, 2006; Oxford textbook of old age psychiatry, Oxford University Press, 2013). Dementia rates worldwide are rising yet diagnoses, especially in early stages when interventions are most likely to be effective, are not well established in primary care. Families and caregivers have high rates of burden and the high societal cost of dementia care has been well-established (World Alzheimer’s Report. Journey of caring, an analysis of long term care for dementia http://www.alz.co.uk/research/world-report-2013, 2013; World Alzheimer’s Report. http://www.alz.co.uk/research/world-report, 2011). Memory clinics can help meet the needs of persons with dementia and their families by providing interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to improve outcomes of care. Other innovative models such as care management may also provide a benefit in delaying institutionalization, offer long term services and supports, and coordinate medical care (Neurology 67:1592–1599, 2006; Care coordination for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias: Literature review. http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/2013/alzcc.shtml, 2013). This chapter will review memory clinics from a historical perspective and describe its attributes, population serviced, staffing, and outcomes, as well as a review of care management models.
Hemorrhagic infarct following myocardial revascularization.

Aorta-coronary bypass grafting is a widely established treatment for disabling angina. In the presence of an acute myocardial infarction, re-establishment of blood flow distal to the coronary obstruction may prevent cellular necrosis in the early stages. If this procedure is carried out late, adverse effects may result, such as severe arrhythmias, extension of the myocardial injury, and hemorrhage in the infarcted area. Three patients with an evolving myocardial infarct underwent myocardial revascularization. After the operation severe arrhythmias accompanied by low cardiac output syndrome were observed, and at postmortem examination large hemorrhagic infarcts were found. These patients motivated us to investigate reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium in the laboratory. Acute myocardial infarction was created in 29 dogs by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The ligation was permanent in five dogs as a control group. In six dogs (Group II) reperfusion was carried out after 3 hours of temporary ligation, and in 18 dogs (Group III) the ischemic area was reperfused at 5 hours. The results revealed no hemorrhage in the control group, but hemorrhage in all of the reperfused animals. In Group II, 83 percent of the animals developed a small area of hemorrhage. In Group III, 67 percent of the animals developed a large area of hemorrhage. These results, analyzed together with our clinical experience, led us to conclude that revascularization of an ischemic myocardium should be undertaken as early as possible in order to reduce the amount of cell necrosis and at the same time avoid the complications of later reperfusion leading to hemorrhagic infarction.
Asymptotic normality and efficiency analysis of the cyclic seesaw stochastic optimization algorithm

In many real-world optimization problems, the loss function to minimize is unknown and only observable in the presence of noise. In other words, it is possible to obtain a noisy measurement of the loss function at a given input parameter. Here, stochastic optimization algorithms (which are often iterative in nature) can be used for optimization. Cyclic stochastic optimization is a type of stochastic optimization where only a subset of the parameter vector is updated at a time. While cyclic algorithms are commonly used in practice, most of the results on the asymptotic behavior of the iterates are restricted to the deterministic optimization setting (where the loss function is known). In this paper, we derive asymptotic normality results for the iterates produced by cyclic stochastic optimization algorithms. We also define and investigate the relative efficiency between a stochastic optimization algorithm and its cyclic formulation.