cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Injuries in Male and Female Ultimate Frisbee Players at the Elite Club-Level.

# Background Ultimate Frisbee is a rapidly growing sport played in all levels of competition in men’s, women’s, and coed divisions. Despite widespread popularity, there remains a lack of research on injury risk and prevalence during a season. # Purpose To determine the prevalence of injuries among elite club-level men and women Ultimate Frisbee players and to identify elements associated with injury during a single season. # Study Design Descriptive epidemiological study. # Methods Voluntary preseason and postseason online surveys were distributed to local elite club-level Ultimate teams in 2019. Surveys assessed players’ lifetime Ultimate-associated injury history, injury status, training regimen, and other related elements. # Results Fifty-seven and 84 players were eligible to complete the preseason and postseason surveys, respectively. Prior to the 2019 season, 97% of female respondents and 100% of male respondents reported a previous Ultimate-related injury in their career, with all reporting a prior lower extremity injury. During the 2019 season, 56% of respondents reported being injured, and 12% missed one month or more of the season, with 88% of injured players reporting a lower extremity injury. Men reported more ankle and calf injuries than women, and there was a strong negative correlation between time missed due to injury during the 2018 season and the number of days per week spent weight-training and accumulated training. # Conclusion There is a high prevalence of lower extremity injury among elite club-level Ultimate players during a single season and pervasive lower extremity injury history may contribute to high injury prevalence. Observed injury patterns suggest targeted interventions including Nordic Hamstring Exercises and balance and proprioceptive training may decrease injury risk. Further research into this topic is needed to help reduce injury in these athletes. # Levels of Evidence Level 3.
Use of Video Telehealth Tablets to Increase Access for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness.

Veterans experiencing homelessness face substantial barriers to accessing health and social services. In 2016, the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system launched a unique program to distribute video-enabled tablets to Veterans with access barriers. Evaluate the use of VA-issued video telehealth tablets among Veterans experiencing homelessness in the VA system. Guided by the RE-AIM framework, we first evaluated the adoption of tablets among Veterans experiencing homelessness and housed Veterans. We then analyzed health record and tablet utilization data to compare characteristics of both subpopulations, and used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with tablet use among Veterans experiencing homelessness. In total, 12,148 VA patients receiving tablets between October 2017 and March 2019, focusing on the 1470 VA Veterans experiencing homelessness receiving tablets (12.1%). Tablet use within 6 months of receipt for mental health, primary or specialty care. Nearly half (45.9%) of Veterans experiencing homelessness who received a tablet had a video visit within 6 months of receipt, most frequently for telemental health. Tablet use was more common among Veterans experiencing homelessness who were younger (AOR = 2.77; P <.001); middle-aged (AOR = 2.28; P <.001); in rural settings (AOR = 1.46; P =.005); and those with post-traumatic stress disorder (AOR = 1.64; P <.001), and less common among those who were Black (AOR = 0.43; P <.001) and those with a substance use disorder (AOR = 0.59; P <.001) or persistent housing instability (AOR = 0.75; P = .023). Telehealth care and connection for vulnerable populations are particularly salient during the COVID-19 pandemic but also beyond. VA’s distribution of video telehealth tablets offers healthcare access to Veterans experiencing homelessness; however, barriers remain for subpopulations. Tailored training and support for these patients may be needed to optimize telehealth tablet use and effectiveness.
Conveying one's agreeableness: Agreeable people alter their moral judgments to convey a moral identity

Abstract People higher (vs. lower) in agreeableness tend to provide moral judgments that are indicative of a highly moral character, but the mechanisms underlying these judgments requires further understanding. Here, based in a self-verification framework, we suggest that people higher (vs. lower) in agreeableness might indicate third-party punitive judgments (a type of moral judgment) to, in part, convey a more agreeable moral identity. An online study had college participants (N = 306) complete measures of agreeableness and then read about agents who engaged in intentional harm toward others. Participants reported third-party punitive judgments toward the agent. When participants were led to believe that, in prior studies, agreeable people were more punitive than their less agreeable counterparts (intimating that punitiveness is signaling an agreeable identity), agreeableness related to enhanced punitive judgments; but, when participants were led to believe that, in prior studies, agreeable people were less punitive than their less agreeable counterparts (intimating that leniency is signaling an agreeable identity), agreeableness related to reduced punitive judgments. In theory, being agreeable is an identity that, like any identity, must be cultivated and defended, which entails monitoring and controlling the socially-determined symbolic expressions of morality. We discuss the limitations and implications of the study.
Health Disparities Among Women by Sexual Orientation Identity and Same-Sex or Different-Sex Cohabiting Partnership Status

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to compare health outcomes by sexual orientation identity and cohabiting partnership status (defined as whether heterosexual, lesbian, and bisexual women were non-partnered, partnered in a cohabiting same-sex relationship, or partnered in a cohabiting different-sex relationship). Methods We used data on heterosexual (n = 95,289) and sexual minority (n = 2,600) women aged 18 years and older from the 2013–2018 National Health Interview Survey. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from multivariable logistic regression models comparing health outcomes by sexual orientation identity and cohabiting partnership status while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Results Compared with heterosexual women in a different-sex relationship, nonpartnered women generally reported worse health outcomes regardless of sexual orientation. Lesbian women with a same-sex partner were more likely to report poor/fair health (AOR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.09–2.37), current cigarette smoking (AOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.14–1.94), and binge drinking (AOR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.19–2.23) compared with heterosexual women with a different-sex partner. Bisexual women with a different-sex partner were more likely to report poor/fair health (AOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.23–2.97), severe psychological distress (AOR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.78–4.59), current cigarette smoking (AOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01–1.88), and binge drinking (AOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.18–2.32) compared with heterosexual women with a different-sex partner. Conclusion More research is needed to identify the processes in which heterosexual and sexual minority women partner and cohabitate with members of the same or different sex—and whether or how this influences their health. Meanwhile, health care providers should be mindful that families are diverse, and acknowledging this diversity could be a first step toward achieving health equity for all women regardless of sexual orientation.
Health Care Delivery Interventions for Hypertension Management in Underserved Populations in the United States: A Systematic Review.

The high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension in underserved populations is a major cause of health disparities in the United States and requires innovative health care delivery interventions. W...
Elucidating PDC rock cutting behavior in dry and aqueous conditions using tribometry

Abstract While the search for clean and renewable energy technologies continues, the harvesting of fossil fuels and other natural resources will continue as the major source of power around the globe. However as these resources have diminished, deep drilling into more extreme environments has resulted in operational dangers and costs that pose serious obstacles. Due to the complexities inherent in the drilling process, there have been limited experimental strides taken in order to accurately simulate fossil fuel rock drilling at the laboratory scale. It is the goal of this study to present detailed, experiments using tribometry, which differs from lathe studies in employing a freely descending cutter coupled with in situ monitoring of both rate-of-penetration (ROP) and frictional loading. The experimental rig has been outfitted to simulate the rock cutting process using relevant drilling materials such as industrial polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters, drilling fluids, and deep well rock specimens. Results include both dry and lubricated rock cutting experiments with specific analysis into the relationships between ROP, friction, and rock topography.
Religion, Respect, and War: A Critical Examination of the Standard View on Religion and Coercion

The standard view of the relation between justified coercion and religion includes the following two claims, viz., that religious reasons cannot play a decisive role in justifying state coercion and that citizens and public officials in a liberal polity should not endorse state coercion that requires decisive religious support. The standard view is vulnerable to a number of serious objections. I articulate those objections by reflecting on the conception of justified coercion implicit in the so-called Just War Tradition.
Perceived causes of family physicians' errors.

Background Competent physicians occasionally make critical errors in patient care that can lead to long-lasting remorse and guilt. The perceived causes of self-admitted physician errors have not been previously explored. Methods Fifty-three family physicians were interviewed in depth and asked to describe their most memorable errors and the perceived causes. The authors analyzed transcripts of the audiotaped interviews to determine the frequencies of the different causes. Errors were classified according to four general categories. Results Family physicians collectively reported a mean of 8 different causes for each case in which an error was made (range, 1 to 16). In 47% of the cases, the patient died following the error, whereas in 26% of the cases, there was no adverse outcome. Only 4 of the 53 errors led to malpractice suits, and none were addressed by peer review organizations. Seven (10%) of the 70 physicians who were invited to participate could not recall having made any errors. Family physicians attributed their most memorable errors to 34 different causes, which fit into the following categories: physician stressors (eg, bing hurried or distracted), process-of-care factors (eg, premature closure of the diagnostic process), patient-related factors (eg, misleading normal findings), and physician characteristics (eg, lack of knowledge). Conclusions Family physicians attribute their memorable errors to a wide variety of causes, but most commonly to hurry, distraction, lack of knowledge, premature closure of the diagnostic process, and inadequately aggressive patient management. Physicians who understand common causes of errors may be better prepared to prevent them.
Mental Health Disorders: The Neglected Risk Factor in Juvenile Delinquency

Once a neglected area of study, the relationship between mental health and delinquency has recently become a major focus in juvenile justice jurisprudence. Attention to the mental health of juvenile delinquents is particularly important because rates of mental illness in this population are substantially higher than those found in the general adolescent population. The rate of mental illness in the general adolescent population is approximately 20%, and although estimates in the juvenile offender population vary greatly, rates are at least twice those associated with nonoffending youth. This chapter reports the prevalence and characteristics of common mental health disorders in this population and describes the most promising mental health treatment options for juvenile delinquents. Further, risk factors that predispose juveniles to delinquent behavior and mental health problems are reviewed. Finally, the higher rates of mental health-related problems among female juvenile offenders are addressed.
Fatty acid interactions with rat intestinal and liver fatty acid-binding proteins expressed in Escherichia coli. A comparative 13C NMR study.

Abstract Enterocytes in the small intestinal mucosa contain abundant quantities of two homologous cytosolic proteins known as intestinal and liver fatty acid-binding proteins (I- and L-FABP, respectively). To elucidate structure-function relationships for these proteins, the interactions between 13C-enriched palmitate and oleate and Escherichia coli-expressed rat I- and L-FABP were systematically compared using 13C NMR spectroscopy. NMR spectra of samples containing fatty acids (FA) and I-FABP at different molar ratios (all at pH 7.2 and 37 degrees C) exhibited a single carboxyl resonance corresponding to FA bound to I-FABP (181.4 ppm, peak I) and an additional carboxyl resonance corresponding to unbound FA in a bilayer phase (179.6 ppm). Peak I reached a maximum intensity corresponding to 1 mol of bound FA/mol of I-FABP under all sample conditions examined. NMR spectra for samples containing FA and L-FABP also exhibited a single carboxyl resonance corresponding to FA bound to L-FABP but at a different chemical shift value (182.2 ppm, peak L). Its maximum intensity varied depending on the physical state of the unbound FA (liquid crystalline or crystalline), the FA used (palmitate or oleate), and the sample pH. In the presence of a liquid crystalline (bilayer) phase, up to 1 (oleate) or 2 (palmitate) mol of FA were bound/mol of L-FABP, but in the presence of a crystalline phase (1:1 acid-soap), up to 3 mol of palmitate were bound/mol of L-FABP (all at pH 7.2). Peak I exhibited little or no ionization shift over a wide pH range (pH 3.0-11.0), and its chemical shift was unaffected by the ionization of Lys and His residues. Hence, the carboxylate group of FA bound to I-FABP was solvent inaccessible and most likely involved in an ion-pair electrostatic interaction with the delta-guanidinium moiety of an Arg residue. In contrast, peak L exhibited an ionization shift and an estimated apparent pKa value similar to that obtained for monomeric FA in water, suggesting that the carboxylate groups of FA bound to L-FABP were solvent accessible and located at or near the protein solvent interface. With decreasing pH, FA dissociated from L-FABP but not I-FABP, as monitored by NMR peak intensities. Concurrently, a large decrease in circular dichroism molar ellipticity was observed with L-FABP but not I-FABP. In conclusion, I-FABP and L-FABP are distinct with regards to their FA-binding stoichiometries, binding mechanisms, and sensitivity to pH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Fuzzy Genome Sequence Assembly for Single and Environmental Genomes

Traditional methods obtain a microorganism’s DNA by culturing it individually. Recent advances in genomics have lead to the procurement of DNA of more than one organism from its natural habitat. Indeed, natural microbial communities are often very complex with tens and hundreds of species. Assembling these genomes is a crucial step irrespective of the method of obtaining the DNA. This chapter presents fuzzy methods for multiple genome sequence assembly of cultured genomes (single organism) and environmental genomes (multiple organisms).
Quantum Space-Times

In general relativity space-time ends at singularities. The big bang is considered as the Beginning and the big crunch, the End. However these conclusions are arrived at by using general relativity in regimes which lie well beyond its physical domain of validity. Examples where detailed analysis is possible show that these singularities are naturally resolved by quantum geometry effects. Quantum space-times can be vastly larger than what Einstein had us believe. These non-trivial space-time extensions enable us to answer of some long standing questions and resolve of some puzzles in fundamental physics. Thus, a century after Minkowski’s revolutionary ideas on the nature of space and time, yet another paradigm shift appears to await us in the wings.
A SETI search technique: Monitor stars to which we have sent signals

After the appropriate light travel time, we should monitor stars which have been illuminated by earth's high power radar systems. We know the position of the star, the frequency and the time after which a reply, if sent, could arrive. The problem of computing which stars have been illuminated by the Arecibo planetary radar has been solved by using occultation predictions. It is possible that four stars have been illuminated. Because of planetary motion, radar signals beamed toward any given star have a maximum duration of a few hours, making verification difficult. In order for our searches to be sensitive to an alien civilization's radar signals, immediate verification of any suspicious signal is essential.
Serum Concentrations and Renal Clearances of Amino Acids in Patients with Chronic Active Hepatitis

Summary Serum concentrations and renal clearances of 17 amino acids were measured in 4 patients with chronic active hepatitis before and during glucocorticoid therapy. The most striking abnormality in initial serum amino acid levels was a 20-fold elevation of methionine in 2 girls, but tyrosine, histidine, lysine, and aspartic acid were also elevated. Methionine and tyrosine were at the upper limits of normal or slightly elevated in two men and histidine was elevated in one of them. During glucocorticoid treatment there was a generalized decrease in serum amino acid concentration in the 2 girls while the levels in the 1 man treated remained for the most part unchanged. Renal clearances for all amino acids studied were within normal limits.
Ventral and Dorsal Persistent Primitive Ophthalmic Arteries.

Background Before the development of the adult ophthalmic artery (OA), the primitive maxillary artery (MA), the primitive dorsal OA, and the primitive ventral OA contribute to the vascularization of early ocular structures, whereas the primitive olfactory artery (OlfA) forms in the vicinity of the optic vesicle. These vessels are involved in several OA origin variants. Objective To clarify the developmental history of the OA, emphasizing in particular the criteria used to define persistent primitive OAs. Methods Eight rare variants relevant to the discussion of aberrant OA origins are presented. Results Five abnormal anatomic configurations are described including (1) OAs branching from the cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) involving a persistent primitive MA, (2) OAs originating from the distal supraclinoid ICA involving persistent primitive ventral or dorsal OAs, (3) an OA originating from the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) involving a persistent primitive OlfA, (4) a persistent primitive OlfA, and (5) infraoptic ACAs involving the persistent primitive MA, OlfA, and OA. Conclusion Discrepancies regarding the identification of persistent primitive OAs appear to result from a misinterpretation of the literature. Notably, an OA arising from the cavernous segment of the ICA derives from a primitive MA, whereas an OA arising from the ACA represents the partial persistence of a primitive OlfA; neither corresponds to a persistent primitive OA. Two new observations of this latter variant, which is exceptional, are presented.
Cross-design synthesis for extending the applicability of trial evidence when treatment effect is heterogenous: Part II. Application and external validation

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) generally provide the most reliable evidence. When participants in RCTs are selected with respect to characteristics that are potential treatment effect modifier...
Book review of Rural Mental Health: Issues, Policies, and Best Practices

Written primarily from the perspective of counseling psychology rather than clinical psychology or social work, Rural Mental Health summarizes the current status of rural mental health and examines ways to improve its delivery. Chapters are grouped into four broad sections addressing introductory considerations relevant to rural mental health needs, modalities of rural mental health service delivery, specific populations and issues in rural mental health, and a short concluding chapter that addresses future considerations. Social workers and human service workers who may be attracted by the title should note that none of the 52 contributing authors holds the MSW credential, although some of the suggestions for improving the delivery of rural mental health services embrace concepts resembling wrap-around systems of care and community capacity building.
Elastic and Inelastic Scattering at 168 MeV in the O 16 — C 12 System

Differential cross sections for the elastic scattering and the inelastic scattering to the most strongly excited states in the ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$\char22{}${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ system have been measured using the 168-MeV ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ beam from the Yale University heavy-ion linear accelerator. The states most strongly excited are the ${2}^{+}$ state in ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ at 4.43 MeV and the ${3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ state in ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ at 6.14 MeV. The mutual excitation reaction wherein both these levels are excited ($Q=\ensuremath{-}10.57$ MeV) was also observed and measured. All of the angular distributions measured have an oscillatory behavior, a consequence of the strong absorption of the incident wave in the nuclear interior and indicative of a direct interaction mechanism. A distorted-wave Born approximation analysis of the data is obtained in order to extract reliable nuclear parameters. The results of this experiment are compared to previous elastic and inelastic scattering, from ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ in the adiabatic-Fraunhofer limit. Fair agreement in shown in spite of the variety of projectiles used in the comparison. The transition strengths for inelastic scattering are further compared to the electromagnetic transition probabilities and a scheme for relating the two quantities is presented.
Resource Elasticity for Large-Scale Machine Learning

Declarative large-scale machine learning (ML) aims at flexible specification of ML algorithms and automatic generation of hybrid runtime plans ranging from single node, in-memory computations to distributed computations on MapReduce (MR) or similar frameworks. State-of-the-art compilers in this context are very sensitive to memory constraints of the master process and MR cluster configuration. Different memory configurations can lead to significant performance differences. Interestingly, resource negotiation frameworks like YARN allow us to explicitly request preferred resources including memory. This capability enables automatic resource elasticity, which is not just important for performance but also removes the need for a static cluster configuration, which is always a compromise in multi-tenancy environments. In this paper, we introduce a simple and robust approach to automatic resource elasticity for large-scale ML. This includes (1) a resource optimizer to find near-optimal memory configurations for a given ML program, and (2) dynamic plan migration to adapt memory configurations during runtime. These techniques adapt resources according to data, program, and cluster characteristics. Our experiments demonstrate significant improvements up to 21x without unnecessary over-provisioning and low optimization overhead.
Immune Regulators: Not Just for Type 1 Diabetes Anymore?

The concept that immune cells play a role in the development of obesity-induced inflammation and the development of metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes is well appreciated. As adipose tissue expands, macrophages and T cells infiltrate the tissue, and cytokine-mediated crosstalk between the
A new paradigm for intensity modification of tropical cyclones: thermodynamic impact of vertical wind shear on the inflow layer

Abstract. An important roadblock to improved intensity forecasts for tropical cyclones (TCs) is our incomplete understanding of the interaction of a TC with the environmental flow. In this paper we re-visit the canonical problem of a TC in vertical wind shear on an f-plane. A suite of numerical experiments is performed with intense TCs in moderate to strong vertical shear. We employ a set of simplified model physics – a simple bulk aerodynamic boundary layer scheme and "warm rain" microphysics – to foster better understanding of the dynamics and thermodynamics that govern the modification of TC intensity. In all experiments the TC is resilient to shear but significant differences in the intensity evolution occur. The ventilation of the TC core with dry environmental air at mid-levels and the dilution of the upper-level warm core are two prevailing hypotheses for the adverse effect of vertical shear on storm intensity. Here we propose an alternative and arguably more effective mechanism how cooler and drier (lower θe) air – "anti-fuel" for the TC power machine – can enter the core region of the TC. Strong and persistent, shear-induced downdrafts flux low θe air into the boundary layer from above, significantly depressing the θe values in the storm's inflow layer. Air with lower θe values enters the eyewall updrafts, considerably reducing eyewall θe values in the azimuthal mean. When viewed from the perspective of an idealised Carnot-cycle heat engine a decrease of storm intensity can thus be expected. Although the Carnot cycle model is – if at all – only valid for stationary and axisymmetric TCs, a close association of the downward transport of low θe into the boundary layer and the intensity evolution offers further evidence in support of our hypothesis. The downdrafts that flush the boundary layer with low θe air are tied to a quasi-stationary, azimuthal wave number 1 convective asymmetry outside of the eyewall. This convective asymmetry and the associated downdraft pattern extends outwards to approximately 150 km. Downdrafts occur on the vortex scale and form when precipitation falls out from sloping updrafts and evaporates in the unsaturated air below. It is argued that, to zero order, the formation of the convective asymmetry is forced by frictional convergence associated with the azimuthal wave number 1 vortex Rossby wave structure of the outer-vortex tilt. This work points to an important connection between the thermodynamic impact in the near-core boundary layer and the asymmetric balanced dynamics governing the TC vortex evolution.
Excess base noise in the bipolar junction transistor

Abstract It has been known for some time that the bipolar transistor base region exhibits a noise in excess of that predicted by thermal noise associated with the base spreading resistance measured by large- or small-signal methods. This paper presents a relatively simple mechanism and model involving a transconductance gradient that accounts for the excess noise.
Coherent THz rotational absorption and dephasing of methanol gas

Coherent transients are directly observed in the time-domain as a sequence of decreasing commensurate pulses in methanol (CH3OH) gas at spacing of 21 ps at room temperature. The dephasing time T2 ~ 23 ps was measured for CH3OH from the decaying amplitude in time.
A Note: The CSCE cheddar cheese cash and futures price long-term equilibrium relationship revisited

In the early 1990s, after four decades of relying on government mandated minimum price supports and public stockholding to achieve price risk management, the United States dairy industry is undertaking a shift to a market clearing equilibrium system. A potentially important component of this new structure is the development of an operational futures market for selected milk and dairy products. In June of 1993 the Coffee, Sugar, & Cocoa Exchange introduced a contract on Cheddar Cheese. As the production of cheese represents over one third of the use of raw milk in the United States, this contract has the potential of serving as an important price risk management tool. Using unit root and cointegration techniques, Fortenbery and Zapata studied the cheese cash-futures relationship over the period June 1993–July 1995. They reach the conclusion that the cash and futures markets, during the period of their analysis, had not established an economic equilibrium relationship. F&Z raise the important question as to whether the cheddar cheese market is in some sense “slow” to develop or whether there something fundamentally amiss. The work of F&Z provides an important initial step toward understanding the cash–futures relationship. This research revisits the existence of a cointegrating relation using a much longer time period and additional time-series statistical tests. The results of this study suggest that the data support the establishment of an equilibrium relationship in the cheese markets and therefore provide support for the use of the futures market as a price risk management tool by the dairy industry. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 19: 233–244, 1999
Phenomena and OPC solution of ripple patterns for 65-nm node

The ripple patterns induced by the lithography process will lead to unpredictable necking or bridging risks on circuit patterns. This phenomenon is particularly severe while using the attenuated-phase-shifting mask combined with the strong off-axis illumination. The CD variation induced by the ripple effect is difficult to be accurately corrected by conventional OPC approaches. In this paper, ripples on patterning for the 65nm node have been studied and their problems solved. One of the dominant root causes of ripples is the optical side-lobes from the surrounding patterns. On the L-shape patterns for example, the ripples that occur on the horizontal lines are induced by the side-lobes of the vertical lines. Based on this study of the ripple effect, the layout types resulting in ripple patterns can be classified and predicted. An advanced OPC approach by the segmentation analysis on polygons as well as the correction algorithm optimization has been developed and applied to solve this ripple problem.
A Class of Partially Adaptive Routing Algorithms for n_dimensional Meshes

A simple model, called the direction restriction model, for developing partially adaptive routing algorithms for n_dimensional meshes is introduced in this paper. This model is based on dividing a system into two unidirectional networks that contain all physical channels of the system.
Contrast analysis and stability on the ExAO testbed

High-contrast adaptive optics systems, such as those needed to image extrasolar planets, are known to require excellent wavefront control and diffraction suppression. The Laboratory for Adaptive Optics at UC Santa Cruz is investigating limits to high-contrast imaging in support of the Gemini Planet Imager. Previous contrast measurements were made with a simple single-opening prolate spheroid shaped pupil that produced a limited region of high-contrast, particularly when wavefront errors were corrected with the 1024-actuator Boston Micromachines MEMS deformable mirror currently in use on the testbed. A more sophisticated shaped pupil is now being used that has a much larger region of interest facilitating a better understanding of high-contrast measurements. In particular we examine the effect of heat sources in the testbed on PSF stability. We find that rms image motion scales as 0.02 l/D per watt when the heat source is near the pupil plane. As a result heat sources of greater than 5 watts should be avoided near pupil planes for GPI. The safest place to introduce heat is near a focal plane. Heat also can effect the standard deviation of the high-contrast region but in the final instrument other sources of error should be more significant.
Testing the Risk Perception Attitude Framework in the Context of Texting While Driving

Texting while driving has become an increasingly prevalent health threat, and research is needed to identify important elements of persuasive messages aimed at reducing its occurrence. The current study tested the risk perception attitude framework (Rimal & Real, 2003) with the outcomes of issue salience, behavioral intentions, and behavioral effects (i.e., a behavioral proxy measure) of texting while driving. Results revealed that risk perceptions and efficacy beliefs increased issue salience and behavioral intentions, and efficacy beliefs moderated the relationship between risk perceptions and behavioral effects. These findings are expected to help inform future intervention efforts to inhibit texting while driving.
Labor Law and Managerial Ideology Employee Participation as a Social Control System

This article examines the legal and sociological aspects of worker participation programs. Section 8(a) (2) of the National Labor Relations Act prohibits employers from dominating or interfering with employee organizations, but despite the statutory mandate, some federal courts endorse participative workplace systems as cooperative, nonadversarial, lawful forms of industrial organization. The authors contend that the judicial doctrine may promote an ideology which furthers managerial control over workers and enables management to undermine support for union representation through participatory techniques. A case study is offered to substantiate that argument.
Synthesis and decay of messenger ribonucleic acid from the lactose operon of Escherichia coli during amino-acid starvation.

Synthesis and decay of messenger RNA from the lac operon of Escherichia coli were studied during amino-acid starvation and normal growth in suA+suA− and rel+rel− strains. At least 35% of the β-galactosidase message length is transcribed during leucine starvation, but there is no evidence that full-length molecules are made during either leucine or tryptophan deprival. In contrast, trp operon mRNA is completed during the same starvations. In both a stringent or relaxed strain βG message is inactivated at the same rates during starvation and normal growth. In normal growth the suA product does not affect the inactivation rates of either βG or transacetylase messages or the chemical loss of lac or total mRNA. However, it does account for 20 to 40% of their decay during leucine starvation. During growth TA message is inactivated two or three times faster than βG message. In starvation TA message is not made, but capacity to complete it and to make TA can be measured after re-addition of leucine. This capacity is lost at a much slower rate than during normal growth and at approximately the same rate as is capacity for βG synthesis. These results suggest: (i) a coupling of transcription to translation in the lac operon during amino-acid starvation, (ii) common targets for loss of capacity of both βG and TA messages on the operator-proximal part of lac mRNA, (iii) a role of the suA product in decay of lac mRNA during starvation and (iv) close to normal decay rates of the incomplete messages even though peptide synthesis is only 7% of normal.
Effectiveness of transluminal extraction atherectomy for debulking saphenous vein graft in-stent restenosis

Treatment of in-stent restenosis in saphenous vein grafts often requires initial debulking, but transluminal extraction catheter (TEC) atherectomy is seldom used for this purpose, and most discussions omit this option. Our experience with 6 episodes of TEC used successfully for saphenous vein graft in-stent restenosis and review of 7 other reported cases suggests TEC may be safe and effective for debulking saphenous vein graft restenosis lesions.
Age-dependent stimulation of Leydig cell steroidogenesis by interleukin-1 isoforms.

Abstract Different isoforms of testicular interleukin-1 (IL-1) were analysed to determine whether there were differences in the ability to modulate rat Leydig cell steroidogenesis in vitro. Rat 17K IL-1α and IL-1β, 32K IL-1α precursor (32proIL-1α) and a 24K splice variant (24proIL-1α) stimulated testosterone production by Leydig cells from 40- but not 80-day-old rats. The potency of the isoforms was IL-1α>IL-1β>32proIL-1α>24proIL-1α, IL-1α being 50-fold more potent than IL-1β. IL-1 receptor antagonist reversed the effects and IL-1 receptor type I mRNA was expressed by the responding Leydig cells, indicating a receptor mediated action. Inhibition of PKA and Ca2+ channels abolished IL-1-induced steroidogenesis, while inhibition of PKC had no significant effect. Except for 24proIL-1α which was stimulatory, all IL-1 isoforms suppressed hCG-driven testosterone production. This inhibitory effect was abolished by androstendione, suggesting that P450c17 was suppressed by IL-1. Our results indicate that IL-1 plays a paracrine role in the regulation of Leydig cell steroidogenesis.
Bone remodeling in W/Wv mast cell deficient mice

Strong experimental evidence exists for a relationship between mast cells and bone disease, but the role of mast cells in the regulation of bone remodeling is unknown. In order to address this question, mast cell deficient mice (W/Wv) were paired with their mast cell sufficient (+/+) littermates and evaluated for differences in response to an induced cycle of bone remodeling. This was achieved using a tooth egression protocol, in which a synchronous cycle of bone remodeling was induced in the mandibular buccal alveolar periosteum by extraction of the opposing dentition. Quantitative histomorphometric changes during the activation, resorption, reversal, and formation phases of bone remodeling were documented using standard techniques. Most cell deficient mutants exhibited the following defects in response to an induced cycle of bone remodeling: (a) the onset of the remodeling cycle was delayed by a prolonged activation phase, (b) the duration and extent of the active formation phase was decreased, and (c) the amount of new bone matrix synthesized was diminished while mineralization rates were found to be normal. These results suggest that mast cells and their mediators provide a paracrine mechanism which influences the recruitment of osteoclast and osteoblast progenitors and their participation in bone remodeling. Nonetheless, since bone remodeling occurs in mast cell deficient mice, albeit less efficiently, this mechanism is most likely one of several redundant mechanisms that provide for adequate skeletal homeostasis.
Survey of driving evaluation and rehabilitation curricula in occupational therapy programs.

Objective Our purpose in this study was to examine the preclinical curricular content pertaining to driving evaluation and rehabilitation (DE/R) included in professional entry-level occupational therapy programs. Method An e-mail survey containing questions about the program's structure and extent of course material related to DE/R in the curriculum was sent to directors of all 144 U.S. accredited professional entry-level occupational therapy programs. Results Ninety programs responded (62.5% response rate), of which 80 included content related to DE/R in some required courses, and 9 programs offered a required course specifically in DE/R. Approximately 18% of the respondent programs offered electives with DE/R content. Conclusion Of the respondent professional entry-level occupational therapy programs, few offer a required course specifically devoted to DE/R, butalmost all programs integrate DE/R content into required coursework, thus satisfying the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education standards related to driver rehabilitation.
Components of culture in health for medical students' education.

ABSTRACTMedical educators across the United States are addressing the topics of culture, race, language, behavior, and social status through the development of cross-cultural coursework. Dramatic demographic changes and nationwide attention to eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities make ed
The distribution and binding of cadmium in oyster, soybean, and rat liver and kidney.

Exposure to Cd and/or109Cd has shown that the element was efficiently accumulated in oysters and soybeans as well as in rats. Differential centrifugation of oyster, soybean, rat liver, and rat kidney homogenates followed by analysis showed that Cd was associated primarily with proteins in the 105,000×g supernatants. Separation of these proteins by Sephadex chromatography and subsequent analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy or by radioactivity measurements revealed that Cd in oysters and rat organs was principally bound to proteins of 9,200 to 13,800 molecular weight. A significant amount of Cd in oysters was also associated with fractions of > 50,000 and 50,000 molecular weight.
Effects of gonadal suppression on the regulation of parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D secretion in women.

Although a causal association between estrogen deficiency and bone loss has been established for many years, the mechanism by which estrogen deficiency leads to bone loss is unclear. Estrogen deficiency could induce bone loss either by a direct effect on bone cells to modify the production of bone-resorbing cytokines or by altering the production or response to calcium regulatory hormones such as PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. To assess the effects of ovarian hormones on calcium regulatory hormones, we evaluated the ability of calcium to suppress PTH secretion and the ability of PTH to increase serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and whole blood ionic calcium levels in women before and after GnRH analog-induced ovarian suppression. Sixteen women with endometriosis underwent i.v. infusion of calcium (1.1 mg calcium gluconate/cc in 5% dextrose) at a rate of 4 cc/kg x h (n = 7) or human PTH-(1-34) (Parathar) at a dose of 0.55 U/kg x h (n = 9) before and after 6 months of suppression of ovarian function with the GnRH analog nafarelin acetate (200 microg, intranasally, twice daily). Initial infusions were performed between days 6-10 of the menstrual cycle. Serum PTH and whole blood ionic calcium levels were measured at -20, -10, and 0 min and then every 10 min for 2 h during i.v. calcium infusions. Whole blood ionic calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were measured every 6 h for 24 h during i.v. human PTH-(1-34) infusions. Serum estradiol levels were markedly suppressed by nafarelin therapy in both groups of women. The relationship between whole blood ionic calcium and serum PTH levels was similar before and during nafarelin-induced ovarian suppression. The net change and rate of rise in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in response to PTH infusion were similar before and during nafarelin therapy. Peak whole blood ionic calcium and incremental increases in ionic calcium in response to PTH were similar before and during nafarelin therapy. Our data suggest that ovarian suppression does not alter the regulation of PTH secretion in response to calcium, the ability of PTH to stimulate 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D formation, or the skeletal sensitivity to PTH. These findings suggest that alterations in calcium regulatory hormones by estrogen deficiency are unlikely to play a major role in the pathogenesis of estrogen deficiency bone loss.
Abasic site recognition by two apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease families in DNA base excision repair: the 3′ ends justify the means

DNA damage occurs unceasingly in all cells. Spontaneous DNA base loss, as well as the removal of damaged DNA bases by specific enzymes targeted to distinct base lesions, creates non-coding and lethal apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites. AP sites are the central intermediate in DNA base excision repair (BER) and must be processed by 5' AP endonucleases. These pivotal enzymes detect, recognize, and cleave the DNA phosphodiester backbone 5' of, AP sites to create a free 3'-OH end for DNA polymerase repair synthesis. In humans, AP sites are processed by APE1, whereas in yeast the primary AP endonuclease is termed APN1, and these enzymes are the major constitutively expressed AP endonucleases in these organisms and are homologous to the Escherichia coli enzymes Exonuclease III (Exo III) and Endonuclease IV (Endo IV), respectively. These enzymes represent both of the conserved 5' AP endonuclease enzyme families that exist in biology. Crystal structures of APE1 and Endo IV, both bound to AP site-containing DNA reveal how abasic sites are recognized and the DNA phosphodiester backbone cleaved by these two structurally unrelated enzymes with distinct chemical mechanisms. Both enzymes orient the AP-DNA via positively charged complementary surfaces and insert loops into the DNA base stack, bending and kinking the DNA to promote flipping of the AP site into a sequestered enzyme pocket that excludes undamaged nucleotides. Each enzyme-DNA complex exhibits distinctly different DNA conformations, which may impact upon the biological functions of each enzyme within BER signal-transduction pathways.
Patterns and Determinants of Physical Activity in U.S. Adolescents

Abstract Purpose The objectives of this study were to describe longitudinal trends in adolescent physical activity in a sample of U.S. adolescents and to assess the effect of multiple individual, parental, and environmental factors on initial level and rates of change in adolescent physical activity. Methods Study subjects were 12,812 boys and girls 10 to 18 years of age who were participating in the Growing Up Today Study and their mothers. We used accelerated longitudinal analysis to describe trajectories of physical activity from 1997–1999, and random effects linear mixed models to determine which factors were independently associated with baseline physical activity and changes in physical activity over time. Results Mean hours of physical activity ranged from 7.3–11.6 hours per week in boys and from 8.0–11.2 hours per week in girls. Physical activity was best modeled as a quadratic function of age, increasing until early adolescence and declining after age 13 in boys and girls. Multivariable modeling demonstrated that variables associated with physical activity level at baseline in boys and girls were age, body mass index, psychosocial variables, personal attitudes about body shape, perceived peer attitudes about body shape/fitness, parental attitudes about physical activity, parental physical activity, and environmental barriers to physical activity. Age was the only factor that predicted change in physical activity over time. Conclusions Interventions to increase physical activity in adolescents should begin before adolescence. Interventions may be more effective if they are multimodal and focus on modifiable individual, parental, and environmental factors.
Thoughts and oughts

Many now accept the thesis that norms are somehow constitutively involved in people's contentful intentional states. I distinguish three versions of this normative thesis that disagree about the type of norms constitutively involved. Are they objective norms of correctness, subjective norms of rationality, or intersubjective norms of social practices? I show the advantages of the third version, arguing that it improves upon the other two versions, as well as incorporating their principal insights. I then defend it against two serious challenges: (1) If content is constituted by others' normative judgments, how can content be causally efficacious? (2) This account appears to make having contentful thoughts a matter of people having contentful thoughts about your thoughts. That appears to be viciously circular and so can't be naturalistic.
The influence of linguistic and situational variables on phonemic accuracy in apraxia of speech.

Twelve subjects with apraxia of speech and minimal aphasic involvement were tested in four experimental conditions: effects of instructions, the effect of three different experimentally imposed res...