bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Bayesian Framework for Estimating Disease Risk Due to Exposure to Uranium Mine and Mill Waste on the Navajo Nation
Authors: Hund Lauren , Bedrick Edward J. , Miller Curtis , Huerta Gabriel , Nez Teddy , Ramone Sandy , Shuey Chris , Cajero Miranda , Lewis Johnnye 
Published: January 2015

SummaryMore than 1100 abandoned mines, milling sites and waste piles from the uranium mining period are scattered across the Navajo Nation, resulting in exposures to environmental metals, including uranium. The Diné Network for Environmental Health project began in response to concerns regarding the community health effects of these environmental exposures on chronic disease. The paper presents the results of the initial Diné Network for Environmental Health survey of 1304 individuals living on the Navajo Nation. We examine the relationship between uranium mine waste exposure and kidney disease, diabetes and hypertension. These chronic diseases are found at high prevalences in the study population, present major public health risks and have been linked to metals exposures in other studies. We model the exposure–outcome relationship by using a multivariate model for the three binary responses. We implement a Bayesian multivariate t-model, which has marginal log-odds ratio parameter interpretations and is computationally efficient. In examining environmental exposures, appropriately adjusting for potential confounders is pivotal to obtaining policy relevant effect estimates. We use Bayesian model averaging to account for uncertainty in the functional form for confounding adjustment within a small set of measured confounders. Using this multivariate framework, we find evidence of associations between these chronic diseases and both historic mining era and legacy mining exposures.
Validation of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults in a Danish population
Authors: Emtekær Hæsum Lisa Korsbakke , Ehlers Lars , Hejlesen Ole K. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo describe how the original American full‐length version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) was translated and adapted for use in the Danish setting and culture. A reliable Danish version of the TOFHLA was created and pretested using patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as case group.MethodsForty‐two patients with COPD completed the Danish TOFHLA and participated in a face‐to‐face interview concerning their basic demographics. Statistical analyses were conducted to explore the demographic data provided by the participants and to determine the internal consistency and reliability of the Danish TOFHLA.ResultsThe mean age of sample was 68.7 years (range 34–86). The face validity, internal consistency and item to scale correlations of the Danish TOFHLA were determined and found to fulfil well‐established criteria; on this basis, we found the reliability and consistency of the Danish TOFHLA to be satisfying.ConclusionThe Danish TOFHLA is now ready for application in future research projects, which test levels of functional health literacy in an elderly Danish population at risk of chronic diseases. The evolvement in the measurement of health literacy is still ongoing, as there is a need to refine existing methods. Until recently, there has been a total lack of instruments for assessing health literacy in Scandinavia; it is hoped that this development of the Danish TOFHLA will promote further research within the field of health literacy in Scandinavia and other European countries.
Factors connected with positive life orientation at age 70, 80, 85 and 90 – The Turku Elderly Study
Authors: Eloranta Sini , Arve Seija , Isoaho Hannu , Lehtonen Aapo , Viitanen Matti 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundA positive life orientation (PLO) is important for staying healthy physically, mentally and functionally. However, little is known about the factors connected with PLO in home‐dwelling older people, even though it is an important topic.AimThe aim of this study was to identify factors connected with positive life orientation among home‐dwelling older people.Study designAn explorative, population‐based cross‐sectional study of the age cohort of 70‐year‐olds living at home at the age of 70, 80, 85 and 90.MethodsThe data were collected in 1991 among all residents of Turku, Finland, born in 1920 (N = 1530). Follow‐ups were conducted in 2001 (n = 656), 2006 (n = 304) and 2011 (n = 156). A multiple regression analysis was conducted to estimate a model of factors that connected with PLO.ResultsSeveral factors were significantly connected with PLO at ages 70, 80, 85 and 90. For example, if 70‐year‐old respondents perceived themselves as being in better health than others of the same age, it improved their PLO. We also observed that PLO was improved by good self‐rated health during the past 12 months at 80, good self‐rated health at 85 and good self‐rated health compared to others of the same age at 90. The various explanatory models explained between 24 and 36% of the variance in outcomes.ConclusionOverall, our results showed that the respondents' own subjective views were significant independent factors of PLO in all four analyses (70, 80, 85 and 90 years). These subjective experiences remained significant even when objective indicators such as medication use, the presence of diseases and functional capacity were taken into account.
Mental Disorders, Comorbidity, and Pre‐enlistment Suicidal Behavior Among New Soldiers in the U.S. Army: Results from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS)
Authors: Nock Matthew K. , Ursano Robert J. , Heeringa Steven G. , Stein Murray B. , Jain Sonia , Raman Rema , Sun Xiaoying , Chiu Wai Tat , Colpe Lisa J. , Fullerton Carol S. , Gilman Stephen E. , Hwang Irving , Naifeh James A. , Rosellini Anthony J. , Sampson Nancy A. , Schoenbaum Michael , Zaslavsky Alan M. , Kessler Ronald C. ,   the Army STARRS Collaborators
Published: January 2015

We examined the associations between mental disorders and suicidal behavior (ideation, plans, and attempts) among new soldiers using data from the New Soldier Study (NSS) component of the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS; N = 38,507). Most new soldiers with a pre‐enlistment history of suicide attempt reported a prior mental disorder (59.0%). Each disorder examined was associated with increased odds of suicidal behavior (ORs = 2.6–8.6). Only PTSD and disorders characterized by irritability and impulsive/aggressive behavior (i.e., bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder) predicted unplanned attempts among ideators. Mental disorders are important predictors of pre‐enlistment suicidal behavior among new soldiers and should figure prominently in suicide screening and prevention efforts.
ANN‐based pedotransfer and soil spatial prediction functions for predicting Atterberg consistency limits and indices from easily available properties at the watershed scale in western Iran
Authors: Zolfaghari Z. , Mosaddeghi M. R. , Ayoubi S. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAtterberg consistency limits (liquid limit, LL; plastic limit, PL; shrinkage limit, SL) and indices (plasticity index, PI; friability index, FI) are useful indicators of soil mechanical behaviour. This study was conducted to evaluate the use of soil and environmental data for predicting Atterberg limits or indices using artificial neural network (ANN) models at the watershed scale in western Iran. The LL, PL, SL, PI, FI, particle size distribution, organic matter (OM) and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) were measured in soil samples collected from 113 locations. Three sets of readily available properties were employed as inputs. The first of these data sets or models consisted of soil properties. The second included topographic attributes and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and the third was a combination of soil, topographic attributes and NDVI. Developed ANN models could explain a majority of the variability (62–94%) in Atterberg limits and indices. Greatest and poorest performances were attributed to the third and first models, respectively. No significant efficacy difference was observed between the second and third models. Therefore, the second data set with its readily available environmental variables is suggested for use in predicting Atterberg limits and indices at the regional scale. Sensitivity analysis showed that NDVI, OM, clay content, CCE and topographic attributes (wetness index, elevation, plan curvature and slope) could explain much of the variance associated with Atterberg limits and indices at the watershed scale in western Iran.
Remark: Long‐Distance Reflexives, Blocking Effects, and the Structure of Mandarin Comparatives
Authors: Hsieh I‐Ta Chris 
Published: January 2015

AbstractDrawing on data concerning the long‐distance dependency of the Mandarin bare reflexive ziji ‘self’ in embedded comparatives, this remark compares two types of analyses of Mandarin comparatives—the Reduction Analysis and the Direct Analysis. The discussion shows that the long‐distance dependency of ziji in an embedded comparative can be easily captured in the Reduction Analysis, where a deletion operation is involved in the derivation; however, the Direct Analysis, where the constituent size of the standard of comparison is transparent, encounters challenges when facing the same data.
Equine bone marrow volume reduction, red blood cell depletion, and mononuclear cell recovery using the PrepaCyte‐CB processing system
Authors: Burton Andrew G. , Clark Kaitlin C. , Borjesson Dori L. , Carrade Danielle D. , Burges Julie , Owens Sean D. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundVolume reduction and RBC depletion of equine bone marrow specimens are necessary processing steps for the immediate therapeutic use of bone marrow (BM)‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and for MSC expansion in culture.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the ability of the PrepaCyte‐CB processing system to reduce volume, deplete RBC, and recover mononuclear cells (MNC) from equine BM specimens.MethodsOne hundred and twenty mL of heparinized BM were obtained from each of 90 horses. A CBC was performed on the BM pre‐ and post‐PrepaCyte‐CB processing. Volume and RBC reduction, and total nucleated cell (TNC) and MNC recoveries were determined.ResultsBone marrow volume was reduced from 120 mL to 21 mL with a median RBC depletion of 90.1% (range, 62.0–96.7%). The median preprocessing total TNC count was 2.2 × 109 (range, 0.46–7.9 × 109) and the median postprocessing TNC count was 1.7 × 109 (range, 0.3–4.4 × 109; P < .0001), with a median recovery of 73.5% (range, 22.4–216.7%). The median preprocessing total MNC count was 0.9 × 109 (range, 0.1–4.7 × 109) and median postprocessing total MNC count was 0.8 × 109 (range, 0.1–2.7 × 109; P = .06), with a median recovery of 83.7% (range, 15.4–413.9%).ConclusionsThe PrepaCyte‐CB processing system can be used to deplete both volume and RBC, and recover MNC from equine BM specimens. Further studies assessing the viability of MSC and the efficacy of MSC expansion after using the PrepaCyte‐CB processing system are warranted.
The effect of needle gauge, needle type, and needle orientation on the volume of a drop
Authors: Tripp Geneva K. , Good Kathryn L. , Motta Monica J. , Kass Philip H. , Murphy Christopher J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine impact of needle gauge, type, and orientation on average volume of drop dispensed.ProcedureFive needle gauges (22G, 23G, 25G, 27G, and 30G) were examined. For each gauge, volume of drop delivered was determined for standard sharp beveled tip, blunt tip, and after breaking off of the sharp needle from the hub. Vertical and horizontal orientation of the needle was tested for effect on drop volume for 22‐G and 30‐G sharp beveled needles.ResultsMean drop volume was affected by needle gauge, needle orientation, and whether the needle had been broken off from its hub. Mean drop volume scaled directly with needle diameter with drop volumes of 25.0 μL (±20.2) and 83.9 μL (±16.5) being found for 30‐gauge and 22‐gauge needles, respectively. Intermediate gauges (27, 25, 23G) yielded intermediate drop volumes. Blunt needles tended to produce larger drop volumes compared to sharp beveled needles, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. Breaking off of the needle from the hub produced substantially larger drop volumes with little difference being found between needle gauges. Average volumes of 1 drop from a 22‐G vertical, 22‐G horizontal, 30‐G vertical, and 30‐G horizontal sharp beveled needle were 20.2, 9.1, 10.1, and 3.3 μL, respectively.ConclusionsThese findings have relevance for controlled delivery of topical ophthalmic medications to patients.
Squarefree values of trinomial discriminants
Authors: Boyd David W. , Martin Greg , Thom Mark 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe discriminant of a trinomial of the form $x^{n}\pm \,x^{m}\pm \,1$ has the form $\pm n^{n}\pm (n-m)^{n-m}m^{m}$ if $n$ and $m$ are relatively prime. We investigate when these discriminants have nontrivial square factors. We explain various unlikely-seeming parametric families of square factors of these discriminant values: for example, when $n$ is congruent to 2 (mod 6) we have that $((n^{2}-n+1)/3)^{2}$ always divides $n^{n}-(n-1)^{n-1}$. In addition, we discover many other square factors of these discriminants that do not fit into these parametric families. The set of primes whose squares can divide these sporadic values as $n$ varies seems to be independent of $m$, and this set can be seen as a generalization of the Wieferich primes, those primes $p$ such that $2^{p}$ is congruent to 2 (mod $p^{2}$). We provide heuristics for the density of these sporadic primes and the density of squarefree values of these trinomial discriminants.
McCammond’s normal forms for free aperiodic semigroups revisited
Authors: Almeida J. , Costa J. C. , Zeitoun M. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis paper revisits the solution of the word problem for${\it\omega}$-terms interpreted over finite aperiodic semigroups, obtained by J. McCammond. The original proof of correctness of McCammond’s algorithm, based on normal forms for such terms, uses McCammond’s solution of the word problem for certain Burnside semigroups. In this paper, we establish a new, simpler, correctness proof of McCammond’s algorithm, based on properties of certain regular languages associated with the normal forms. This method leads to new applications.
Greater impairments in cerebral artery compared with skeletal muscle feed artery endothelial function in a mouse model of increased large artery stiffness
Authors: Walker Ashley E. , Henson Grant D. , Reihl Kelly D. , Morgan R. Garrett , Dobson Parker S. , Nielson Elizabeth I. , Ling Jing , Mecham Robert P. , Li Dean Y. , Lesniewski Lisa A. , Donato Anthony J. 
Published: January 2015

Key points
Increased large artery stiffness is a hallmark of arterial dysfunction with advancing age and is also present in other disease conditions such as diabetes. Increased large artery stiffness is correlated with resistance artery dysfunction in humans.
Using a mouse model of altered arterial elastin content, this is the first study to examine the cause‐and‐effect relationship between large artery stiffness and peripheral resistance artery function.
Our results indicate that mice with genetically greater large artery stiffness have impaired cerebral artery endothelial function, but generally preserved skeletal muscle feed artery endothelial function. The mechanisms for impaired cerebral artery endothelial function are reduced nitric oxide bioavailability and increased oxidative stress.
These findings suggest that interventions that target large artery stiffness may be important to reduce disease risk associated with cerebral artery dysfunction in conditions such as advancing age.
AbstractAdvancing age as well as diseases such as diabetes are characterized by both increased large artery stiffness and impaired peripheral artery function. It has been hypothesized that greater large artery stiffness causes peripheral artery dysfunction; however, a cause‐and‐effect relationship has not previously been established. We used elastin heterozygote mice (Eln+/–) as a model of increased large artery stiffness without co‐morbidities unrelated to the large artery properties. Aortic stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity, was ∼35% greater in Eln+/– mice than in wild‐type (Eln+/+) mice (P = 0.04). Endothelium‐dependent dilatation (EDD), assessed by the maximal dilatation to acetylcholine, was ∼40% lower in Eln+/– than Eln+/+ mice in the middle cerebral artery (MCA, P < 0.001), but was similar between groups in the gastrocnemius feed arteries (GFA, P = 0.79). In the MCA, EDD did not differ between groups after incubation with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (P > 0.05), indicating that lower NO bioavailability contributed to the impaired EDD in Eln+/– mice. Superoxide production and content of the oxidative stress marker nitrotyrosine was higher in MCAs from Eln+/− compared with Eln+/+ mice (P < 0.05). In the MCA, after incubation with the superoxide scavenger TEMPOL, maximal EDD improved by ∼65% in Eln+/– (P = 0.002), but was unchanged in Eln+/+ mice (P = 0.17). These results indicate that greater large artery stiffness has a more profound effect on endothelial function in cerebral arteries compared with skeletal muscle feed arteries. Greater large artery stiffness can cause cerebral artery endothelial dysfunction by reducing NO bioavailability and increasing oxidative stress.
Temporal sequence of activation of cells involved in purinergic neurotransmission in the colon
Authors: Baker Salah A. , Hennig Grant W. , Ward Sean M. , Sanders Kenton M. 
Published: January 2015

Key points
Platelet derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα+) cells in colonic muscles are innervated by enteric inhibitory motor neurons.
PDGFRα+ cells generate Ca2+ transients in response to exogenous purines and these responses were blocked by MRS‐2500.
Stimulation of enteric neurons, with cholinergic and nitrergic components blocked, evoked Ca2+ transients in PDGFRα+ and smooth muscle cells (SMCs).
Responses to nerve stimulation were abolished by MRS‐2500 and not observed in muscles with genetic deactivation of P2Y1 receptors.
Ca2+ transients evoked by nerve stimulation in PDGFRα+ cells showed the same temporal characteristics as electrophysiological responses.
PDGFRα+ cells express gap junction genes, and drugs that inhibit gap junctions blocked neural responses in SMCs, but not in nerve processes or PDGFRα+ cells.
PDGFRα+ cells are directly innervated by inhibitory motor neurons and purinergic responses are conducted to SMCs via gap junctions.
AbstractInterstitial cells, known as platelet derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα+) cells, are closely associated with varicosities of enteric motor neurons and suggested to mediate purinergic hyperpolarization responses in smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract (GI), but this concept has not been demonstrated directly in intact muscles. We used confocal microscopy to monitor Ca2+ transients in neurons and post‐junctional cells of the murine colon evoked by exogenous purines or electrical field stimulation (EFS) of enteric neurons. EFS (1–20 Hz) caused Ca2+ transients in enteric motor nerve processes and then in PDGFRα+ cells shortly after the onset of stimulation (latency from EFS was 280 ms at 10 Hz). Responses in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were typically a small decrease in Ca2+ fluorescence just after the initiation of Ca2+ transients in PDGFRα+ cells. Upon cessation of EFS, several fast Ca2+ transients were noted in SMCs (rebound excitation). Strong correlation was noted in the temporal characteristics of Ca2+ transients evoked in PDGFRα+ cells by EFS and inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) recorded with intracellular microelectrodes. Ca2+ transients and IJPs elicited by EFS were blocked by MRS‐2500, a P2Y1 antagonist, and absent in P2ry1(−/−) mice. PDGFRα+ cells expressed gap junction genes, and gap junction uncouplers, 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid (18β‐GA) and octanol blocked Ca2+ transients in SMCs but not in neurons or PDGFRα+ cells. IJPs recorded from SMCs were also blocked. These findings demonstrate direct innervation of PDGFRα+ cells by motor neurons. PDGFRα+ cells are primary targets for purinergic neurotransmitter(s) in enteric inhibitory neurotransmission. Hyperpolarization responses are conducted to SMCs via gap junctions.
Fault Detection for Gas Turbine Sensors Using I/O Dynamic Linear Models: Methodology of Fault Code Generation
Authors: Bettocchi R. , Spina P. R. , Azzoni P. M. 
Published: January 2015

This paper presents a methodology of sensor diagnosis which appears to be particularly suitable also for application in the field of small/medium power size industrial gas turbines.
The methodology is based on the Analytical Redundancy technique and uses ARX (Auto Regressive with eXternal input) MISO (Multi-Input/Single-Output) linear dynamic models obtained from time series data of the gas turbine operating condition. The linear models allow the on-line calculation of some measurable parameter starting from the values of other measured parameters. The comparison between computed and measured values of the same parameters allows setting-up a vector of residuals which, if compared with the columns of the fault matrix, permits the identification of a possible sensor fault.
The initial applications of the methodology to a single-shaft industrial gas turbine show an unambiguous and certain detection and isolation of fault in sensors used both in the measurement only and in feedback by the machine control system.
Testing the Model V84.3A Gas Turbine: Experimental Techniques and Results
Authors: Boehm W. , Raake D. , Regnery D. , Seume J. , Terjung K. 
Published: January 2015

Like its predecessors, Siemens’ first Hybrid Burner Ring® machine (Becker et al., 1995) underwent an extensive experimental development and test programm prior to its introduction to the market.
The present paper describes the philosophy of prototype testing, some of the challenges encountered in instrumenting the machine and the methodology and experimental techniques used to solve the problems. In particular, it describes some of the advanced implementations of blade vibration measurements, optical pyrometry and other temperature measurements, and techniques to determine efficiency.
The experimental results confirm the design of the model V84.3A gas turbine and show some potential for further improvements.