Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Light Scattering Characteristics of Aerosols at Ambient and as a Function of Relative Humidity: Part II—A Comparison of Measured Scattering and Aerosol Concentrations Using Statistical Models

ABSTRACT The eastern United States national parks experience some of the worst visibility conditions in the nation. To study these conditions, the Southeastern Aerosol and Visibility Study (SEAVS) was undertaken to characterize the size-dependent composition, thermodynamic properties, and optical characteristics of the ambient atmospheric particles. It is a cooperative three-year study that is sponsored by the National Park Service and the Electric Power Research Institute and its member utilities. The field portion of the study was carried out from July 15 to August 25, 1995. The study design, instrumental configuration, and estimation of aerosol types from particle measurements is presented in a companion paper. In the companion paper, we compare measurements of scattering at ambient conditions and as functions of relative humidity to theoretical predictions of scattering. In this paper, we make similar comparisons, but using statistical techniques. Statistically derived specific scattering associated with sulfates suggest that a reasonable estimate of sulfate scattering can be arrived at by assuming nominal dry specific scattering and treating the aerosols as an external mixture with ammoniation of sulfate accounted for and by the use of Tang's growth curves to predict water absorption. However, the regressions suggest that the sulfate scattering may be underestimated by about 10%. Regression coefficients on organics, to within the statistical uncertainty of the model, suggest that a reasonable estimate of organic scattering is about 4.0 m2/g. A new analysis technique is presented, which does not rely on comparing measured to model estimates of scattering to evoke an understanding of ambient aerosol growth properties, but rather relies on measurements of scattering as a function of relative humidity to develop actual estimates of f(RH) curves. The estimates of the study average f(RH) curve for sulfates compares favorably with the theoretical f(RH) curve for ammonium bisulfate, which is in turn consistent with the study average sulfate am-moniation corresponding to a molar ratio of NH4/SO4 of approximately one. The f(RH) curve for organics is not significantly different from one, suggesting that organics are weakly to nonhygroscopic.
Is Frailty Associated with Cardiovascular Drug Use?

considerable variation in the definition of discrepancies, which explains the large variation of discrepancies found in the previous studies. There was also substantial heterogeneity in the methods used to obtain the comprehensive medication histories. Consequences have been reported to occur in 5% of discrepancies, and the current study found the same rate, but these consequences affect 21% of participants because there were multiple discrepancies per participant. Because discrepancies in nonprescription drugs caused 43% of the consequences, it is important to include nonprescription drugs in the medication history taking. SHIM revealed discrepancies in the medication histories of almost all participants. Clinical consequences occurred in one of five participants, and discrepancies in nonprescription drugs caused almost half of these consequences. SHIM has the potential to prevent these problems and therefore is a useful first step in the medication reconciliation process.
Once‐Yearly Zoledronic Acid in Older Men Compared with Women with Recent Hip Fracture

To assess the efficacy of once‐yearly zoledronic acid (ZOL) 5 mg in increasing bone mineral density (BMD) in men with a recent hip fracture participating in the Health Outcomes and Reduced Incidence with Zoledronic Acid Once‐ Yearly Recurrent Fracture Trial and to compare the efficacy with that in women from the same study.
Efficacy and Safety of Risperidone and Quetiapine in Adolescents With Bipolar II Disorder Comorbid With Conduct Disorder

Abstract Although a frequent co-occurrence between bipolar disorder (BD) and conduct disorder (CD) in youth has been frequently reported, data about pharmacological management are scarce and focused on BD type I. Second generation antipsychotics are frequently used in clinical practice, but no comparative studies are available. The aim of this exploratory study was to compare efficacy and safety of risperidone and quetiapine in a sample of adolescents presenting a BD type II comorbid with CD. Twenty-two patients diagnosed with a structured interview according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, (male/female ratio, 12/10; mean (SD) age 15.0 (1.4) years) were randomized in 2 treatment groups (quetiapine [n = 12] vs risperidone [n = 10]), treated with flexible doses, and followed up for 12 weeks. Efficacy measures assessed manic symptoms, aggression, anxiety, depression, global clinical severity, and impairment. Safety measures included body mass index, serum prolactin, extrapyramidal adverse effects, and electrocardiogram. At the end of the study, all patients improved in all efficacy measures. Both treatments showed similar efficacy in reducing manic symptoms and aggression. Quetiapine was more effective in improving anxiety and depressive symptoms. A change in body mass index was found, and in a post hoc analysis, it was significant only in the risperidone group. Prolactin significantly increased only in the risperidone group. In BD type II, CD comorbidity, quetiapine, or risperidone monotherapy may be effective and relatively safe, although the small sample size, the limited duration of the study, and the design (lack of a blind assessments and of a placebo group) make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions.
Simple Sequence Repeats for Genetic Studies of Alpaca

Trace sequences from the 2X alpaca genome sequencing effort were examined to identify simple sequence repeats (microsatellites) for genetic studies. A total of 6,685 repeat-containing sequences were downloaded from GenBank, processed, and assembled into contigs representing an estimated 4,278 distinct sequences. This sequence set contained 2,290 sequences of length > 100 nucleotides that contained microsatellites of length ≥ 14 dinucleotide or 10 trinucleotide repeats with purity equal to 100%. An additional 13 sequences contained a GC microsatellite of length ≥ 12 repeats (purity = 100%) were also obtained. Primer pairs for amplification of 1,516 putative loci are presented. Amplification of genomic DNA from alpaca and llama by PCR was demonstrated for 14 primer sets including one from each of the microsatellite repeat types. Comparative chromosomal location for the alpaca markers was predicted in the bovine genome by BLAT searches against assembly 4.0 of the bovine whole genome sequence. A total of 634 markers (41.8%) returned BLAT hits with score > 100 and Identity > 85%, with the majority assignable to unique locations. We show that microsatellites are abundant and easily identified within the alpaca genome sequence. These markers will provide a valuable resource for further genetic studies of the alpaca and related species.
Yak (Bos Grunniens) Stomach Lysozyme: Molecular Cloning, Expression and its Antibacterial Activities

The cDNA coding for stomach lysozyme in yak was cloned. The cloned cDNA contains a 432 bp open reading frame and encodes 143 amino acids (16.24 KDa) with a signal peptide of 18 amino acids. Further analysis revealed that its amino acid sequence shares many common properties with cow milk lysozyme. Expression of this gene was also detected in mammary gland tissue by RT-PCR. Phylogenetic relationships among yak stomach lysozyme and 8 cow lysozymes indicated that the yak enzyme is more closely related to both cow milk lysozyme and the pseudogene ΨNS4 than cow stomach lysozyme. Recombinant yak lysozyme purified by Ni2+-column showed a molecular weight of 33.78 kDa and exhibited lytic activity against Staphylococcus aureus, providing evidence of its antibacterial activities.
Identification of Genes Preferentially Expressed in Goat Hair Follicle Anagen-Catagen Transition Using Suppression Subtractive Hybridization

Suppressive subtraction hybridization (SSH) was used to identify differentially expressed genes in goat (Capra hircus) hair follicle anagen-catagen transition. The cDNA fragments, derived from SSH positive subtractive library (tester: anagen-catagen transition, driver: later anagen), were cloned into pEGM-T vector. Two hundred cDNA fragments screened from this library were subjected to identify forty-five unregulated isolates. Sequence analysis revealed that these fragments represented twenty-three genes. Blasting analysis with database in GenBank showed that twenty genes were previously clearly annotated, two were homologous to un-annotated expressed sequence tag (ESTs), and one might be novel. To identify characters of gene expression, seven genes in later anagen and anagen-catagen transition skin tissues were chosen for quantitative real-time PCR. Results indicated that expression of these seven genes varied much, reaching threefold among them, furthering indicating that expression of those genes was up-regulation in the anagen-catagen transition. We characterized expression levels of this potential novel gene and the goat ectodysplasin A during differential stages of hair cycle. These profiles suggested that these two genes might play a role in the goat secondary hair follicle cycle.
Detection of Polymorphism and Sequence Characterization of Toll-Like Receptor 7 Gene of Indian Goat Revealing Close Relationship Between Ruminant Species

In this study, approximately 3.4 kb nucleotide sequence of caprine TLR7 (Toll-like receptor 7) gene was generated from twelve different Indian goat breeds belonging to different geographical regions. Goat TLR7 gene ORF (Open Reading Frame) was found to be 3141 nucleotides long coding for 1046 amino acids similar to sheep. The sequence analysis at nucleotide level revealed goat TLR7 having 99.5% homology with sheep, followed by other livestock species. Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool (SMART) was used for the structural analysis of goat TLR7 that showed the presence of 22 leucine rich repeats (LRRs) along with single Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domains. TIR domain, when compared, was found to be similar in ruminant species, goat, sheep, cattle, and buffalo. The phylogenetic analysis also revealed grouping of all ruminant species together, goat being closer to sheep followed by cattle and buffalo. A total of 22 polymorphic sites were observed in TLR7 gene of 24 goats representing 12 different breeds, out of which 19 were present within the coding region and three in 3'UTR. Out of the seven nonsynonymous SNPs, two were in ectodomains and one in TIR domain. Overall our results indicate substantial variation within goat TLR7 gene, which could be exploited for association with disease susceptibility.
Goat Mammary Gland Expression of Cecropin B to Inhibit Bacterial Pathogens Causing Mastitis

The antibacterial peptide Cecropin B (CB), isolated from the giant silk moth, has been shown to effectively eliminate bacteria. In this study, the effects of transgenic CB on dairy goat mammary epithelial cells (DGMECs) and dairy goat mammary gland were investigated. The DNA of CB from silkworm was amplified by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and then fused to the eukaryotic expression vector pECFP-C1. The recombinant plasmid pECFP-Cecropin B (pECFP-CB) was used for the transfection of DGMECs, and the expression of transgenic CB and the antibacterial activity of it were confirmed by western blot and agar diffusion reaction respectively. The stable DGMEC line transfected by pECFP-CB was obtained by screening with G418. In vivo experiment, pECFP-CB was injected into dairy goat mammary gland, and also the expression and antibacterial activity of transgenic CB were confirmed. Results of this study: transgenic CB can be expressed in DGMECs and dairy goat mammary gland, and inhibit the mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
On learning of Sigmoid Neural Networks

The Probably Approximately Correct (PAC) learning theory creates a framework to assess the learning properties of static models for which the data are assumed to be independently and identically distributed (i.i.d.). One important family of dynamic models to which the conventional PAC learning can not be applied is nonlinear Finite Impulse Response (FIR) models. The present article, using an extension of PAC learning that covers learning with m-dependent data, the learning properties of FIR modeling with sigmoid neural networks are evaluated. These results include upper bounds on the size of the data set required to train FIR sigmoid neural networks, provided that the input data are uniformly distributed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Stem Cell Conditioned Media Contains Important Growth Factors and Improves In Vitro Buffalo Embryo Production

ABSTRACT The present study was designed to investigate the effect of MSCs-conditioned media (CM) on quality buffalo embryo production in vitro. MSCs were harvested from Wharton’s jelly of 2-3 month old fetus and MSCs CM was collected. Immunocytochemistry and western blot assay revealed that MSCs secrete several important growth factors viz. FGF-2, IGF-1, LIF, TGF-β, and VEGF. Slaughterhouse derived culture grade cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured and fertilized in vitro. Presumptive zygotes were divided in four groups and cultured in vitro in respective media viz. group I (100% mSOF), Group II (100% Knockout Media DMEM+SR), Group III (50% CM + 50% mSOF), and group IV (100% CM). It was found that though the cleavage rate did not changed significantly (p < 0.05), but blastocyst rate was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in Group III and IV (24.24 ± 1.34 and 23.29 ± 1.25, respectively) compared to group I and II (16.04 ± 1.46 and 17.72 ± 0.94, respectively). Similarly, TCN was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 50% CM and 100% CM replacement group (93.33 ± 1.91 and 92.13 ± 1.04, respectively) than the other two groups. It can be concluded from the study that MSCs secrete several important growth factors and MSCs-CM can be effectively used for enhancement of quality buffalo embryo production in vitro.
Polymorphisms of the Toll-Like Receptor 2 of Goats (Capra hircus) may be Associated with Somatic Cell Count in Milk

ABSTRACT Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) plays an important role in recognition by the innate immune system of Gram-positive bacteria. As Gram-positive bacteria cause mastitis, we examined variations in the region of the TLR2 gene that codes for the extracellular domain. Samples of forty goats from a single dairy herd were collected, half with low SCC (≤200,000 cells/mL), and half with higher SCC. Two synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified: 840G > A and 1083A > G. One nonsynonymous SNP 739G > A was identified. This coded for valine or isoleucine, which have similar physiochemical properties, and was not in a region coding for a known functional domain. Surprisingly, the least square mean SCC of the heterozygous goats (146,220) was significantly lower than the SCC of homozygous GG goats (537,700; p = 0.004), although these two groups were similar in days in milk (p = 0.984), and there was no significant difference by breed (p = 0.941). Because factors other than mastitis can affect SCC and our sample sizes were limited, additional studies are needed to corroborate an association between TLR2 genotype and SCC or mastitis in goats.
Genetic Variation in FABP4 and Evaluation of Its Effects on Beef Cattle Fat Content

ABSTRACT FABP4 is a protein primarily expressed in adipocytes and macrophages that plays a key role in fatty acid trafficking and lipid hydrolysis. FABP4 gene polymorphisms have been associated with meat quality traits in cattle, mostly in Asian breeds under feedlot conditions. The objectives of this work were to characterize FABP4 genetic variation in several worldwide cattle breeds and evaluate possible genotype effects on fat content in a pasture-fed crossbred (Angus-Hereford-Limousin) population. We re-sequenced 43 unrelated animals from nine cattle breeds (Angus, Brahman, Creole, Hereford, Holstein, Limousin, Nelore, Shorthorn, and Wagyu) and obtained 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) over 3,164 bp, including four novel polymorphisms. Haplotypes and linkage disequilibrium analyses showed a high variability. Five SNPs were selected to perform validation and association studies in our crossbred population. Four SNPs showed well-balanced allele frequencies (minor frequency > 0.159), and three showed no significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg proportions. SNPs showed significant effects on backfat thickness and fatty acid composition (P < 0.05). The protein structure of one of the missense SNPs was analyzed to elucidate its possible effect on fat content in our studied population. Our results revealed a possible blockage of the fatty acid binding site by the missense mutation.
Mapping of Calf Death in Japanese Black Cattle

ABSTRACT Weak calf syndrome (WCS) is a major cause of calf death in Japanese Black cattle. Among IARS disorders, the isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase c.235G>C mutation has been identified as one of the causes of WCS. However, calf deaths differing from those attributed to IARS disorder has been occurring. To identify other genes potentially responsible for these calf deaths, we constructed three populations of three bulls (Bull-1, -2 and -3) that did not carry the IARS mutation, and dead calves (18, 28, and 31 calves) and healthy cattle (18, 15, and 10 cattle) sired by these bulls. The populations were genotyped using the BovineSNP50 BeadChip, but homozygosity mapping did not detect any associated genomic regions with calf death. Linkage analysis performed using each population as a paternal half-sib family of Bull-1, Bull-2, and Bull-3 revealed that, in the Bull-1 population, calf death was mapped to the 8.94 Mb–14.53 Mb and 29.82 Mb–33.77 Mb regions of BTA29. The findings suggested that the incidence of calf death in calves sired by Bull-1 was a hereditary disease exhibiting a dominant, not recessive, inheritance pattern.
Effects of Recombinant Human Lactoferrin on Osteoblast Growth and Bone Status in Piglets

ABSTRACT Lactoferrin (LF), an ~80 kDa iron-binding glycoprotein, modulates many biological effects, including antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. Recently, it was shown that LF also regulates bone cell activity, suggesting its therapeutic effect on postmenopausal bone loss. However, a minimal amount is known regarding the effects of recombinant human LF (rhLF) supplementation on bone status in young healthy infants. We found osteoblast cell differentiation was significantly promoted in vitro. Furthermore, treatment of human osteoblast cells with rhLF rapidly induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44/p42 MAPK, ERK1/2). In order to investigate the effects of rhLF on bone status in vivo, we used a piglet model, which is a useful model for human infants. Piglets were supplemented with rhLF milk for 30 days. Bone formation markers, Serum calcium concentration, bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), tibia bone strength, and the overall metabolite profile analysis showed that rhLF was advantageous to the bone growth in piglets. These findings suggest that rhLF supplementation benefits neonate bone health by modulating bone formation.
Therapists’ projection: The effects of therapists’ relationship themes on their formulation of clients’ relationship episodes

Abstract In this analogue study, therapists identified the core conflictual relationship themes (CCRT; wishes, responses of others, and responses of self) in relationship episodes taken from multiple clients in Luborsky and Crits-Christoph (1998). Judges identified the therapists’ own CCRT using the Relationship Anecdotes Paradigm (Luborsky, 1990). Profile similarity analysis was used to examine the relationship between therapists’ CCRT and the CCRT that they identified. Projection was identified by a significant relationship between the therapists’ own CCRT pattern and the CCRT pattern that they rated in relationship episodes from Luborsky and Crits-Christoph, especially for wishes. The therapists’ tendency to project was moderated by therapeutic experience and receipt of personal therapy.
Analyzing psychotherapy process as intersubjective sensemaking: An approach based on discourse analysis and neural networks

Abstract The authors propose a method for analyzing the psychotherapy process: discourse flow analysis (DFA). DFA is a technique representing the verbal interaction between therapist and patient as a discourse network, aimed at measuring the therapist–patient discourse ability to generate new meanings through time. DFA assumes that the main function of psychotherapy is to produce semiotic novelty. DFA is applied to the verbatim transcript of the psychotherapy. It defines the main meanings active within the therapeutic discourse by means of the combined use of text analysis and statistical techniques. Subsequently, it represents the dynamic interconnections among these meanings in terms of a “discursive network. ” The dynamic and structural indexes of the discursive network have been shown to provide a valid representation of the patient–therapist communicative flow as well as an estimation of its clinical quality. Finally, a neural network is designed specifically to identify patterns of functioning of the discursive network and to verify the clinical validity of these patterns in terms of their association with specific phases of the psychotherapy process. An application of the DFA to a case of psychotherapy is provided to illustrate the method and the kinds of results it produces.
Ethics Environment in Long-Term Care

This study assesses three hypotheses regarding a long-term care facility’s ethics environment and the relationships between ethics environment, employees’ work features, and residents’ outcomes. Validated questionnaires measure ethics environment, work satisfaction, managing disagreement, goal attainment, care and work opinion including retention, and mental health status among full-time employees (N = 110; 53%) and residents (N = 139; 57%) who volunteered for this cross-sectional cohort analysis. Ethics environment is rated above average (> 3.0, 1-5 scale) by employees and residents, with statistically significant (p = .001) Spearman correlations between ethics environment and employees’ attainment of goals, opinion of care, and work satisfaction; between residents’ ethics environment and care opinion and mental status (MCS, SF-36). Among others, ethics environment is revealed as a robust correlate to two critical factors for quality care: employees’ care opinion including retention and residents’ mental health. It is possible to develop and sustain ethics environments, thus these findings are applicable to clinical practice.
The ups and downs of psychotherapy: Sudden gains and sudden losses identified with session reports

Abstract Psychotherapy does not always follow a linear path. The present study explores the frequency of sudden gains and losses during the course of outpatient psychotherapy. The sample includes 1500 patients treated at three different outpatient centers. The patients were 57.4% female, and suffered primarily from anxiety and depressive disorders. Progress was measured by session reports. Significant sudden shifts in both directions were prevalent for 28.9% of the patients. Patients with early sudden gains showed the highest effect sizes and patients with sudden losses showed the smallest at the end of treatment. The therapeutic relationship was significantly better after the sudden gain sessions. Results suggest further investigation of the occurrence of sudden gains in relation to early response as well as further exploration of sudden losses during the course of treatment with respect to differential patterns of change and outcome.