cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preventing Damaging Pressure Gradients at the Walls of an Inflatable Space System

An inflatable structural system to deploy a space system such as a solar shield, an antenna or another similar instrument requires a stiffening element after it is extended by the inflated gas pressure. The stiffening element has to be packaged in folded configuration before the deployment. It must be relatively small, lightweight, non-damaging to the inflated system and be able to become stiff in a short time. One stiffening method is to use a flexible material inserted in the deployable system, which, upon a temperature curing, can become stiff and is capable of supporting the entire structure. There are two conditions during the space operations when the inflated volume could be damaged: during the transonic region of the launch phase and when the curing of the rigidizing element occurs. In both cases, an excess of pressure within the volume containing the rigid element could burst the walls of the low-pressure gas inflated portion of the system. This paper investigates those two conditions and indicates the vents, which will prevent those damaging overpressures. Vent openings at the non-inflated volumes have been calculated for the conditions existing during the launch. Those vents allow the initially folded volume to exhaust the trapped atmospheric gas at approximately the same rate as the ambient pressure drops. That will prevent pressure gradients across the container walls which otherwise could be as high as 14.7 psi. The other condition occurring during the curing of the stiffening element has been investigated. This has required the testing of the element to obtain the gas generation during the curing and the transformation from a pliable material to a rigid on The tested material is a composite graphite/epoxy weave. The outgassing of the uncured sample at 121 deg Celcius was carried with the Cahn Microbalance and with other outgassing facilities including the micro-CVCM ASTM E-595 facility. The test provided the mass of gas evolved during the test. That data, including the chemical nature of the evolved gas, provided the data for the calculation of the pressure produced within the volume. The evaluation of the areas of the vents that would prevent excessive pressures and provide a rapid release of the gas away from contamination sensitive surfaces has be carried out. The pressure decay with time has been indicated.
Esophageal Motility in Nonacid Reflux Compared with Acid Reflux

Esophageal motility has been well studied in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux, but not in nonacid reflux. Consecutive patients who had both 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) and esophageal motility tests for suspected GERD were studied. Patients were grouped into nonacid refluxers, acid refluxers, and nonrefluxers based on positive symptom correlation and objective findings of acid reflux. Of 96 patients enrolled, 21 patients (22%) were nonacid refluxers, 44 patients (46%) were acid refluxers, and 31 patients (32%) had no objective evidence of reflux. Normal motility was recorded in 86% of nonacid refluxers, 71% of acid refluxers, and 60% of nonrefluxers. Ineffective esophageal motility was seen in 24% of acid refluxers, and 5% of nonacid refluxers (P = 0.11). Symptomatic nonacid reflux events comprised 22% of patients studied for GERD symptoms by MII-pH. Esophageal motility in nonacid reflux is normal 86% of the time.
Racial Ideology and Explanations for Health Inequalities among Middle-Class Whites

Middle-class whites' explanations for racial inequalities in health can have a profound impact on the type of questions addressed in epidemiology and public health research. These explanations also constitute a subset of white racial ideology (i.e., racism) that in itself powerfully affects the health of non-whites. This study begins to examine the nature of attributions for racial inequalities in health among university students who by definition are likely to be involved in the research, policy, and service professions (the upper middle class). Investigation of the degree to which middle-class whites attribute racial inequalities in cardiovascular health (between themselves and African Americans, American Indians, or Asian Americans) to biological, social, or lifestyle factors reveals that whites tend to attribute their own health to lifestyle choice and to biology rather than to social factors. These results suggest that contemporary middle-class whites' "self-serving" explanations for racial inequalities in health are comprised of two beliefs: implicit biologism (race is an attribute of organisms rather than a social relation) and liberal belief in self-determination, choice, and individual responsibility--some of the core lay beliefs of the worldview that sustains neoliberal capitalism. Contemporary white middle-class explanations for racial inequalities in health appear to include assumptions that justify class inequality. Liberal approaches to racism in public health are bound to miss a key component of racial ideology that is currently used to justify racial and class inequalities.
The power of peers

We present a study of the contributions of three classes of ranking signals: BM25F, a retrieval function that is based on words in the content of web pages and the anchors that link to them; SALSA, a link-based feature that takes all or part of the result set to a query as input; and matching-anchor count (MAC), a feature that measures precise matches between queries and anchors pointing to result pages. All three features incorporate both link and textual features, but in varying degrees. BM25F is the state-of-the art exponent of Salton's term-vector model, and is based on a solid theoretical foundation; the two other features are somewhat more ad-hoc. We studied the impact of two factors that go into the formation of SALSA's "base" set: whether to use conjunctive or disjunctive query semantics, and how many results to include into the base set. We found that the choice of query semantics has little impact on the effectiveness of SALSA (with conjunctive semantics having a slight edge); more surprisingly, we found that limiting the size of the base set to a few hundred results of high expected quality maximizes performance. Furthermore, we experimented with various linear combinations of BM25F, MAC and SALSA. In doing so, we made a remarkable observation: adding BM25F to a two-way weighted linear combination of MAC and SALSA does not increase performance in any statistically significant way.
Subpopulation of Proepicardial Cells Is Derived From the Somatic Mesoderm in the Chick Embryo

Rationale:The proepicardium (PE) is a transient structure forming at the venous pole of the heart and gives rise to the epicardium, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. The embryological origin of the PE is presently unclear. Asymmetrical formation of the PE on the right inflow tract is a conserved feature of many vertebrate embryos, and in the chicken is under the control of fibroblast growth factor 8 and snail homolog 1. Objective:To gain further insight into the process of asymmetrical PE formation, we studied the role of TWIST1 during PE formation in the chick embryo. Methods and Results:TWIST1 is asymmetrically expressed on the right side in the somatic mesoderm under the control of snail homolog 1. Fate mapping experiments revealed a contribution of the somatic mesoderm to the PE. After colonization of the heart, this cell lineage gives rise to the epicardium, smooth muscle cells, and potentially fibroblast. Suppression of TWIST1 function in the right coelomic cavity caused a severe disruption of t...
Basolateral amygdala and ventral hippocampus in stress-induced amplification of nicotine self-administration during reacquisition in rat.

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the USA, although only 3–5 % of quitters are successful for 6–12 months. Stress during abstinence increases the likelihood of relapse to smoking. We recently reported that repeated stress during abstinence from operant nicotine self-administration (SA) amplifies the reacquisition of nicotine SA and affects the diurnal intake of nicotine in rats. Herein, we sought to identify brain regions critical for the expression of stress-enhanced nicotine SA during reacquisition. Rats acquired nicotine SA (FR5) with virtually unlimited drug access (23 h/day). During abstinence (8 day), 30 min of restraint stress was applied on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Beginning day 8, nicotine SA was reacquired over 5 days, and basolateral amygdala (BLA) was inactivated bilaterally or disconnected from nucleus accumbens core (NAcc). Similarly, ventral hippocampus (vHP) was inactivated or disconnected from BLA. Bilateral inactivation (muscimol + baclofen) of BLA or disconnection from NAcc abolished the stress-enhanced reacquisition of nicotine SA without affecting basal levels of nicotine SA. Similarly, bilateral inactivation of vHP or disconnection of vHP and BLA also abolished stress-enhanced reacquisition of nicotine SA. BLA, vHP, and functional interactions between BLA-NAcc and vHP-BLA are required for expression of stress-enhanced nicotine SA during reacquisition. However, without stress, these functional interactions are not necessary for reexpression of nicotine SA during reacquisition. Therefore, BLA, vHP, and these regional interactions specifically mediate the effects of repeated stress on the reacquisition of nicotine SA behavior.
Simulations and experiments with metamaterial flat antenna lens using cubic high dielectric resonators

In this paper, a flat metamaterial antenna lens was proposed to improve the gain of a rectangular patch. Cubic high dielectric resonators periodically embedded in a low dielectric substrate were used as a metamaterial lens. Double-negative metamaterial characteristic are obtained around the degenerate mode resonant frequency of cubic resonators. The antenna gain with this lens has increased by nearly 5 dB, as predicted and also measured experimentally.
Bone and Mineral Metabolism in Hyperthyroidism: An Experimental Study

The effect of thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism on bone and on mineral metabolism was studied in adult, parathyroid-intact and parathyroidectomized dogs. Contrary to the findings in earlier studies, experimentally induced hyperthyroidism was found to cause an increase in bone turnover, an increase in the serum calcium and a decrease in the plasma protein concentrations in both groups of animals. In the parathyroid-intact dogs an additional featurewas the development of hyperphosphatemia. These results establish that the increased bone resorption found in hyperthyroidism is independent of the parathyroid glands. It is suggested that the tendency to hypercalcemia is the result of the increased bone resorption. The change in the serum phosphate concentration may be the result of suppressed parathyroid activity consequent upon the increased mobilization of calcium from bone. (Endocrinology 81: 735, 1967)
Using Undergraduate Factors to Predict Psychology Graduate Record Examination Scores

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores and undergraduate academic factors were examined for their prediction of performance on the Graduate Record Examination Subject Test in Psychology (GRE-P). Data from 216 psychology majors indicated that aptitude and academic factors influenced GRE performance. Further analyses revealed that SAT performance affects GRE-P performance directly and indirectly through academic factors. Specific academic factors, including psychology grade point average, number of psychology course hours, and certain psychology courses, also affected GRE-P scores directly.
Influence of Codecs on Adaptive Jitter Buffer Algorithm

Transmitting real-time audio or video applications over the Internet is a challenge for current networking technology. Reduced overhead and enhancement of services are the motivations for deploying voice communications. The integration of voice, video, and data encounters a variable amount of jitter and delay. Typically, packet loss ranges from 0% to 20% and one-way delay ranges from 5 to 500 msec. Reducing jitter delay involves buffering of audio packets at the receiver so that the slower packets arrive sequentially on time at the destination. Adaptive jitter buffering at the receiver improves the quality of voice connections on the Internet. In this paper, the existing jitter buffer model was further enhanced by proposing a model to change the audio codecs dynamically. The audio codecs are changed from a higher bit rate to a lower bit rate during an established call session, reducing the packet loss and improving the call performance.
Procedural Instructions, Principles, and Examples How to Structure Instructions for Procedural Tasks to Enhance Performance, Learning, and Transfer

Objective: The goal of this article is to investigate how instructions can be constructed to enhance performance and learning of procedural tasks.Background: Important determinants of the effectiveness of instructions are type of instructions (procedural information, principles, and examples) and pedagogical goal (initial performance, learning, and transfer).Method: Procedural instructions describe how to complete tasks in a stepwise manner, principles describe rules governing the tasks, and examples demonstrate how instances of the task are carried out. The authors review the research literature associated with each type of instruction to identify factors determining effectiveness for different pedagogical goals.Results: The results suggest a trade-off between usability and learnability. Specific instructions help initial performance, whereas more general instructions, requiring problem solving, help learning and transfer. Learning from instructions takes cognitive effort, and research suggests that lear...
Growth performance of broilers using a phase-feeding approach with diets switched every other Day from forty-two to sixty-three days of age

Phase-feeding (PF; Treatment 2) was tested relative to an NRC regimen (Treatment 1) to evaluate the impact of PF on broilers during the finisher period (42 to 63 d). Two modified PF treatments were also tested during thisexperiment: Treatment 3 involved lowering the amino acid requirements predicted with PF linear regression equations by 10% (PF10), Treatment 4 involved increasing the slope of the linear regression equations by 15% (PF15). Broilers fed Treatment 1 consumed a single diet throughout the experiment, whereas PF treatments were fed in a series of 11 diets in which feed was switched every other day, resulting in steadily decreasing lysine, SAA, and threonine levels. On Day 63, weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, and crude protein intake did not differ (P > 0.05) among birds fed PF treatments and Treatment 1. Digestible lysine and threonine intakes were increased (P < 0.05) for Treatment 1 relative to the PF treatments, and digestible SAA intake for the NRC treatment was increased (P < 0.05) relative to the PF10 and PF15 treatments. Compared to Treatment 1, no differences (P < 0.05) in percentage breast, wing, leg, or abdominal fat were observed when birds were fed PF, PF10, or PF15 diets. These results indicate that PF supports maximum growth performance during an extended finisher period, even when lysine, SAA, and threonine levels are reduced every other day. Economic analysis indicated that PF regimens may lead to savings (S per kg weight gain or breast meat).
Diagnostic accuracy and use of nonmydriatic ocular fundus photography by emergency physicians: phase II of the FOTO-ED study.

Study objective During the first phase of the Fundus Photography vs Ophthalmoscopy Trial Outcomes in the Emergency Department study, 13% (44/350; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9% to 17%) of patients had an ocular fundus finding, such as papilledema, relevant to their emergency department (ED) management found by nonmydriatic ocular fundus photography reviewed by neuro-ophthalmologists. All of these findings were missed by emergency physicians, who examined only 14% of enrolled patients by direct ophthalmoscopy. In the present study, we evaluate the sensitivity of nonmydriatic ocular fundus photography, an alternative to direct ophthalmoscopy, for relevant findings when photographs are made available for use by emergency physicians during routine clinical care. Methods Three hundred fifty-four patients presenting to our ED with headache, focal neurologic deficit, visual change, or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 120 mm Hg had nonmydriatic fundus photography obtained (Kowa nonmydriatic α-D). Photographs were placed on the electronic medical record for emergency physician review. Identification of relevant findings on photographs by emergency physicians was compared with a reference standard of neuro-ophthalmologist review. Results Emergency physicians reviewed photographs of 239 patients (68%). Thirty-five patients (10%; 95% CI 7% to 13%) had relevant findings identified by neuro-ophthalmologist review (6 disc edema, 6 grade III/IV hypertensive retinopathy, 7 isolated hemorrhages, 15 optic disc pallor, and 1 retinal vascular occlusion). Emergency physicians identified 16 of 35 relevant findings (sensitivity 46%; 95% CI 29% to 63%) and also identified 289 of 319 normal findings (specificity 91%; 95% CI 87% to 94%). Emergency physicians reported that photographs were helpful for 125 patients (35%). Conclusion Emergency physicians used nonmydriatic fundus photographs more frequently than they performed direct ophthalmoscopy, and their detection of relevant abnormalities improved. Ocular fundus photography often assisted ED care even when results were normal. Nonmydriatic ocular fundus photography offers a promising alternative to direct ophthalmoscopy.
Culture and Stigma: Popular Culture and the Case of Comic Books

This paper argues that a better articulated conception of stigma can enhance the analysis of popular culture. Beginning with the work on stigma by Erving Goffman and other scholars, the article contends that the stigma sometimes attached to the production and consumption of popular culture is distinct from the low status associated with certain forms of popular culture. Unlike low status, stigma discredits cultural forms and practitioners often rendering them problematic. This reassessment of stigma is applied and developed further through a study of comic books, showing the various ways stigma can operate in popular culture. The analysis suggests that stigma significantly impeded the evolution of the comic book as an art form, illustrating the potential negative effects of stigma in popular culture.
METHODS FOR ANALYZING HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION AND COSTS

Important questions about health care are often addressed by studying health care utilization. Utilization data have several characteristics that make them a challenge to analyze. In this paper we discuss sources of information, the statistical properties of utilization data, common analytic methods including the two-part model, and some newly available statistical methods including the generalized linear model. We also address issues of study design and new methods for dealing with censored data. Examples are presented.
Emergency management guidelines for telepsychiatry.

Objective: Telepsychiatry, in the form of live interactive videoconferencing, is an emerging application for emergency psychiatric assessment and treatment and can improve the quality and quantity of mental health services, particularly for rural, remote and isolated populations. Despite the potential of emergency telepsychiatry, the literature has been fairly limited in this area. Method: Drawing on the combined clinical and administrative experiences of its authors, this article reviews the common administrative, legal/ethical and clinical issues that arise in emergency telepsychiatry. Results: An initial set of guidelines for emergency telepsychiatry is presented to generate further discussion to assist those who are considering establishing general telepsychiatry and/or emergency telepsychiatry services. Conclusion: The practices and techniques of emergency telepsychiatry are relatively new and require further examination, modification and refinement so that they may be fully utilized within comprehensive mental health service systems.
Thought Disorder in Offspring of Schizophrenic Parents: Findings From the New York High-Risk Project

The goal of the present analyses was to examine the hypothesis that mild forms of thought disorder (TD) may serve as an indicator of genetic liability for schizophrenia. A subset of 232 subjects drawn from the New York High-Risk Project was used to compare individuals at high risk for schizophrenia (ie, offspring of parents with schizophrenia; n = 63) with 2 groups of individuals at low risk for schizophrenia (ie, offspring of parents with affective disorder [n = 52] and offspring of psychiatrically normal parents [n = 117]). Subjects were administered the Rorschach Inkblot Test, and their responses were assessed according to the Thought Disorder Index (TDI). The high-risk offspring displayed significantly more TD than the other 2 groups, as shown by significantly higher TDI scores. Moreover, they had more deviant verbalizations, according to their significantly higher scores on a composite Idiosyncratic Verbalizations score. As expected, the offspring who developed psychosis produced more TD in adolescence than those who did not develop psychosis. In the sample as a whole, TD scores during late adolescence/early adulthood were positively associated with schizotypal features during mid-adulthood. These findings support the assertion that the presence of TD serves as an endophenotypic marker of a schizophrenia diathesis.
An Autonomous Cognitive Access Point for Wi-Fi Hotspots

In this paper, we present an application of the Cognitive Networking paradigm to the problem of development of autonomous Cognitive Access Point (CogAP) for small scale wireless network environments such as Wi-Fi hotspots and home networks. In these environments we typically use only one AP per service provider/residence for providing wireless services to the users. However, note that larger number of APs from multiple service providers/residences vie for bandwidth in any geographic region. Here we can reduce the cost of autonomic network control by equipping the same AP with a cognitive functionality. We first present architecture of our autonomous CogAP. Then we introduce our algorithmic solution, in which a Neural Network-based traffic predictor makes use of historical traffic traces to learn network traffic conditions and predicts traffic loads on each of 802.11 b/g channels. The cognitive decision engine makes use of traffic forecasts to dynamically decide which channel is best for CogAP to operate on for serving its clients. One of the challenges in autonomous cognitive decision making is the computation resource constraints in today's embedded APs. We have built a prototype CogAP device using cognitive software modules and off-the-self hardware components. We carried out performance evaluation of the proposed CogAP system by conducting experimental measurements on our testbed platform; the obtained results show that the proposed CogAP is effective in achieving performance enhancements with respect to state-of-the-art channel selection strategies.
Unveiling the Functions of Presynaptic Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in the Central Nervous System

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, which include mGlu1-8 receptors, are a heterogeneous family of G-protein-coupled receptors which function to modulate brain excitability via presynaptic, postsynaptic and glial mechanisms. Certain members of this receptor family have been shown to function as presynaptic regulatory mechanisms to control release of neurotransmitters. In general, Gi-coupled mGlu receptor subtypes appear to negatively modulate excitatory (and possibly also inhibitory) neurotransmitter output when activated. Localization studies have shown that mGlu7 is restricted to the presynaptic grid at the site of vesicle fusion. These studies along with other evidence suggest that mGlu7 is the nerve terminal autoreceptor that regulates physiological release of glutamate. Other mGlu subtypes, in particular mGlu2, mGlu8, and possibly mGlu4, are also localized presynaptically, but at perisynaptic sites outside the active zone of neurotransmitter release. Gi-coupled mGlu receptors also may exist on presynaptic elements of neighboring gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons where they play a role in heterosynaptic suppressions of GABA release. This suggests that these receptors may have evolved to monitor glutamate that has "spilled" out of the synapse. Thus, they may serve as the brain's evolutionary mechanism to prevent pathological changes in neuronal excitability and thus maintain homeostasis. Recent progress on the molecular and pharmacological aspects of these presynaptic mGlu receptors is unveiling their functions and the therapeutic directions of agents designed for these novel glutamate receptor targets.
Cytoskeletal Motor Proteins in Plant Cell Division

Plant cell division involves anastral spindles with incompletely focused poles and the phragmoplastwith antiparallel microtubules. The organization of the spindle microtubule array and the phragmoplastarray is thought to be dependent on microtubule-based motor kinesins. Among the more than 50 kinesinsencoded by a single plant genome, a number of them are either proven or predicted to beessential for cell division. Members of the Kinesin-14 subfamily play a critical role in organizingspindle poles. Some kinesins yet to be identified could be required for facilitating nuclear envelopebreakdown at the end of prophase, and others for mediating the interaction between chromosomes andmicrotubules for spindle assembly. During anaphase, the disassembly of kinetochore fibers and theaccompanying sister chromatid movement would definitely be assisted by kinesins. Similarly to fungiand animals, plants likely use Kinesin-5 for microtubule sliding, leading to spindle elongation. Duringcytokinesis, Kinesin-12 is required for establishing the antiparallel fashion of the phragmoplastmicrotubule array. Microtubule turnover in this highly dynamic array also depends on plant-specifickinesins acting on an MAP kinase cascade. More than one kinesin is predicted to deliver vesiclesfor cell plate assembly. Lastly, recent data also suggest that kinesins play a critical rolein spatial regulation of cytokinesis. Very little has been learned about the potential roles of myosinsin plant cell division. Whether myosins are also involved in vesicle transport in the phragmoplastawaits further examination. We can conclude that splendid cytoskeletal motors play splendid rolesin plant cell division.
Intracellular Trafficking and Signaling: The Role of Endocytic Rab GTPase

Binding of growth factors and other cell-activating agents to cell surface receptors is known to trigger a complex series of events that initiate signal transduction. Ligand activation of many signal-transducing receptors accelerates receptor endocytosis. The classical view is that receptor internalization is primarily a mechanism of signal attenuation and receptor degradation, but more recent evidence suggests that internalization may mediate the formation of specialized signaling complexes on intracellular vesicles. The small Rab GTPases, master regulators of vesicle transport, can influence both receptor trafficking and receptor signaling pathways. They are localized to specific organelles and domains where they not only mediate vesicle docking and fusion but also influence the recruitment of effector proteins that mediate signal transduction and vesicle motility. It is interesting to speculate that extracellular stimuli contribute to the endocytosis of cell surface compo- nents for survival, defense, repair, storage and degradation. In addition, traffic regulation by external stimuli emphasizes the possible role in infection, aging, cancer and several degenerative diseases. Thus, receptor-mediated endocytosis regulation by small Rab GTPases not only provides a mechanism for attenuation of signaling but may also determine the quality of signal output by providing different combinations of downstream effectors at various endocytic compartments.
Development of a subjective cognitive decline questionnaire using item response theory: A pilot study

Introduction Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may indicate unhealthy cognitive changes, but no standardized SCD measurement exists. This pilot study aimed to identify reliable SCD questions.
Zoogeography of reptiles and amphibians in the Intermountain Region

Few, if any, amphibians and reptiles are endemic to Utah. This is also true for much of the Great Basin, upper Colorado Plateau, southern Idaho, and Wyoming. Many species that would seemingly survive in this inland, mountainous area are not here. Only one widespread salamander and a few frogs and toads have occupied suitable habitats in the area. Lizards and snakes, like the amphibians, provide few distributions that extend throughout the area. A migration which presumably followed the Pleistocene Ice Age brought most of the species into the area as climatic conditions warmed. Distribution maps of our modern species and subspecies indicate rather clearly that these vertebrates have invaded the Intermountain Region in relatively recent geological time. Only the periphery of Utah and adjoining states to the east and west have been penetrated by many of the species in the regional fauna.
Docetaxel for gastric and esophageal carcinomas.

Docetaxel (Taxotere) has been successfully investigated in the therapy for advanced gastroesophageal tumors as both a single agent and in combination regimens. As a single agent, phase II study results demonstrate an overall response rate of 17% to 24%, with occasional complete responses in a disease in which complete responses are rare. These figures classify docetaxel among the most active agents for the disease.
Establishment of earthworms on reclaimed lignite mine soils in east Texas

Abstract Little is known about earthworm establishment after surface mining of lignite coal in continental climates such as the south central region of the United States. This study examined the abundance and species composition of earthworms in afforested lignite coal mine soils in east Texas. In a 3 × 3 × 2 factorial design, earthworms were sampled under two methods of land reclamation, haul-back (n = 30) and mixed overburden (n = 30). The study was conducted on a chronosequence of 2–28 years since afforestation under pine plantations and mixed pine and hardwood stands. The fieldwork was conducted from January 2012 through March 2014 using hand-sorting field methods. Forest cover type was significant at the mixed overburden sites (p = 0.0128); mixed pine and hardwood forest soils (13.7 ± 25.46 ind. m−2) contained 43% more earthworms than pine plantation soils (7.6 ± 17.06 ind. m−2). The number of earthworm individuals was significantly lower in 2–8 year-old stands than in 12–18 and 22–28 year old stands (p
Is nitric oxide the only endothelium-derived relaxing factor in canine femoral veins?

Nitric oxide may be an endothelium-derived relaxing factor in systemic arteries and pulmonary veins. The endothelium-derived relaxing factor of systemic veins has not been characterized. Experiment...
Increasing participation rates by SMS reminders and flexible examination hours in Kuusamo Health Examination Survey in Finland

Background Declining participation rates are an increasing problem in population surveys. Different kinds of methods have been used to ensure as high participation rates as possible. Monetary incentives and reminders have been found to be effective ways to increase participation rates but these are rather expensive to implement in large population surveys. There is a need for cheaper ways to …
Teaching Intelligent Systems at the University of Cincinnati

Due to its effectiveness, the amount of projects and people involved in research of Intelligent Systems is growing. This positive trend has resulted in the increase in demand for academic educational courses/learning experiences especially at the graduate level. This paper focuses on the approaches of two educators at the University of Cincinnati in the area of fuzzy logic and intelligent & adaptive systems. The lessons learned and the winning strategies are underscored in an attempt to enhance the open exchange of ideas, teaching styles and methodologies.
First-principles search for efficient activators for LaI3

Abstract First-principles calculations were performed using density functional theory with Hubbard corrections or hybrid exchange-correlation functionals, as well as the GW approximation, to predict dopants that could serve as efficient activators for LaI 3 , a potentially very bright scintillator for which an appropriate activator has not been identified yet. The dopants considered in this work included a series of lanthanide ions (Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, and Tb) and several n s 2 ions (Tl, Pb, Bi, and Sb). Based on both ground-state calculations and constrained DFT calculations to simulate excited states, the trivalent lanthanide dopants were shown not to constitute an improvement over Ce 3+ , for which experimental data exist, as they showed occupied 4f states below the valence band maximum (VBM) and 5d states above the conduction band maximum (CBM). In contrast, the only divalent lanthanide considered, Eu 2+ , displayed occupied 4f states within the band gap of the host, but its 5d states were calculated to be above the CBM. Eu 2+ could nonetheless be exploited as an activator by increasing the band gap energy slightly through substitution of iodide ions by bromide ions. Similar results were obtained for Tl + . Finally, Bi 3+ and Sb 3+ were predicted to be efficient activators in LaI 3 by virtue of having unoccupied p states below the CBM, which can serve as electron traps and can combine with holes at the VBM to form localized luminescence centers. Therefore, Bi- and Sb-doped LaI 3 should be grown and tested experimentally. Comparison with empirical relationships of the relative positions of the energy levels of rare-earth dopants and implications for efficient doping schemes and scintillation mechanisms in LaI 3 are also discussed.
Long-Term Study of Relationships between Blood Pressure, Age and Body Weight in Steelmill Workers

SUMMARY I. In 404 male steelmill workers blood pressure and body weight were followed for 2. It appears that age on average has a negligible influence on diastolic pressure 3. In contrast to this, weight gain influences both pressures positively regardless 15-25 years and their relationships analysed. and has a positive influence on systolic pressure only after 45 years of age. of age.
Successful Operative Repair of Delayed Left Ventricle Rupture From Blunt Trauma

A 21-year-old female was found to have an enlarging pericardial effusion 10 days after a 40-foot fall. Initial cardiac evaluation was negative. Ten days after presentation she developed hemodynamic compromise and chest computed tomography was concerning for cardiac rupture. The patient was taken to the operating room where the ruptured posterior ventricle was repaired, perforation in the P1 leaflet was identified and the mitral valve was replaced. The patient survived. To our knowledge, this is the first report of survival after delayed presentation of atrioventricular rupture at the level of the mitral valve.
Abstract 1739: Calcium to magnesium intake ratio and colorectal carcinogenesis, results from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian cancer screening trial

Background A recent randomized trial found no effect of calcium supplementation on reducing risk of colorectal adenoma recurrence. However, the role of calcium in carcinogenesis is yet unconfirmed. An earlier trial found calcium treatment only reduced recurrence when the baseline calcium: magnesium intake ratio was Methods The PLCO is a large, multicenter, population-based randomized trial designed to determine the effects of screening on cancer-related mortality with a median of 12.5 years of follow up. We evaluated the associations between calcium intake and the risks of incident colorectal adenoma (1,147 cases), recurrent adenoma (855 cases) and incident colorectal cancer (697 and 578 cases in intervention and control arms, respectively) among 108,563 PLCO participants aged 55 to 74 years. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for incident adenoma and recurrent adenoma, and hazard ratios (HR) and 95%CIs for colorectal cancer incidence were calculated using unconditional logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazard models after adjusting covariates. Results Compared to low calcium intake ( Conclusion Intake of calcium may be more strongly related to reduced risks of incident advanced/multiple adenoma and incident colorectal cancer among those without active screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy than to recurrent adenoma and incident colorectal cancer risks among those with active screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy. Citation Format: Jing Zhao, Xiangzhu Zhu, Martha J. Shrubsole, Todd L. Edwards, Edward L. Giovannucci, Wei Zheng, Qi Dai, PLCO Project Team. Calcium to magnesium intake ratio and colorectal carcinogenesis, results from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian cancer screening trial. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1739.
Causes, Timing, Hospital Costs and Perioperative Outcomes of Index vs Nonindex Hospital Readmissions after Radical Cystectomy: Implications for Regionalization of Care

Purpose: We compared the timing, causes, hospital costs and perioperative outcomes of index vs nonindex hospital readmissions after radical cystectomy.Materials and Methods: The 2013 Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried for patients with bladder cancer undergoing cystectomy. Sociodemographic characteristics, hospital costs and causes of readmission were compared among index and nonindex readmitted patients. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of nonindex readmissions, mortality during the first readmission and subsequent readmission.Results: Among 4,991 patients identified 29% (1,447) and 11% (571) experienced an index and nonindex readmission, respectively. Compared to index readmissions, nonindex readmissions were more likely late readmissions (p <0.001) of older patients (p=0.047) who underwent cystectomy at higher volume hospitals (p=0.02) and were readmitted to hospitals located in less populated areas (p <0.001). Compared to index readmis...
Intercellular Interactions as Regulators of NETosis.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are chromatin-derived webs extruded from neutrophils in response to either infection or sterile stimulation with chemicals, cytokines, or microbial products. The vast majority of studies have characterized NET release (also called NETosis) in pure neutrophil cultures in vitro. The situation is surely more complex in vivo as neutrophils constantly sample not only pathogens and soluble mediators, but also signals from cellular partners including platelets and endothelial cells. This complexity is beginning to be explored by studies utilizing in vitro co-culture, as well as animal models of sepsis, infective endocarditis, lung injury, and thrombosis. Indeed, various selectins, integrins, and surface glycoproteins have been implicated in platelet-neutrophil interactions that promote NETosis, albeit with disparate results across studies. NETosis can also clearly be regulated by soluble mediators derived from platelets such as eicosanoids, chemokines, and alarmins. Beyond platelets, the role of the endothelium in modulating NETosis is being increasingly revealed, with adhesive interactions likely priming neutrophils toward NETosis. The fact that the same selectins and surface glycoproteins may be expressed by both platelets and endothelial cells complicates the interpretation of in vivo data. In summary, we suggest in this review that the engagement of neutrophils with activated cellular partners provides an important in vivo signal or “hit” toward NETosis. Studies should therefore increasingly consider the triumvirate of neutrophils, platelets, and the endothelium when exploring NETosis, especially in disease states.
Short-term wind forecast of a data assimilation/weather forecasting system with wind turbine anemometer measurement assimilation

Abstract In recent years, adopting renewable energy, such as wind power, has become a national energy policy for many countries due to concerns of pollution and climate change from fossil fuel consumption. However, accurate prediction of wind is crucial in managing the power load. Numerical weather prediction (NWP) models are essential tools for wind prediction, but they need accurate initial conditions in order to produce an accurate forecast. However, NWP models are not guaranteed to have accurate initial conditions over wind farms in isolated locations. This study hypothesizes that short-term, 0–3 h, wind forecast can be improved by assimilating anemometer wind speed observations from wind farm turbines into a numerical weather forecast system. A technique was developed to circumvent the requirement of simultaneously ingesting the wind speed and direction in a data assimilation/weather forecasting system. A six-day case study revealed that assimilating wind speed can improve the 0–3 h wind speed (power) forecast by reducing the mean absolute error up to 0.5–0.6 m s−1 (30–40%).
Advanced MRI Techniques for the Ankle

OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this article are to present a state-of-the-art routine protocol for MRI of the ankle, to provide problem-solving tools based on specific clinical indications, and to introduce principles for the implementation of ultrashort echo time MRI of the ankle, including morphologic and quantitative assessment. CONCLUSION. Ankle injury is common among both athletes and the general population, and MRI is the established noninvasive means of evaluation. The design of an ankle protocol depends on various factors. Higher magnetic field improves signal-to-noise ratio but increases metal artifact. Specialized imaging planes are useful but prolong acquisition times. MR neurography is useful, but metal reduction techniques are needed whenever a metal prosthesis is present. An ultrashort echo time sequence is a valuable tool for both structural and quantitative evaluation.
NATO after Sixty Years: A Stable Crisis

NATO after Sixty Years addresses the challenges of adaptation confronting the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in the early twenty-first century. Comprised of essays from a range of experts, each chapter examines an aspect of NATO's difficult adjustment to the post Cold War security challenges within and without its treaty-based responsibilities and competencies. In the book s introductory chapter, James Sperling establishes the framework and analytical themes to be developed and explored. The first set of essays discusses the changing operational and strategic purposes of the alliance. Sean Kay examines the problem of sustaining the deterrent capability and collective defence function of the alliance, particularly the debate over ballistic missile defence. Mark Webber considers the expanded role of NATO peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and its implications for NATO as a military alliance, while Stanley Kober discusses the negative impact of Afghanistan on alliance solidarity and credibility. The second section examines the expanded geographical reach and responsibility of the alliance. Melvin Goodman traces the engagement of the alliance with the Russian Federation, and Yannis A. Stivachtis explores NATO's role in the southern and eastern Mediterranean. Stephen J. Blank covers allied interests in the Black Sea region and the potential liabilities and benefits of an active NATO engagement in that region. Nathan Lucas delivers a sceptical analysis of NATO's ability and need to claim the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean as strategic areas of operational responsibility. The final chapters position NATO in the institutional context that will shape its evolution as a security actor in the new geostrategic environment. Lawrence Kaplan establishes the potential role of NATO as an agent for the United Nations. Dennis Sandole focuses on the complementary relationship between the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and NATO. Stanley Sloan investigates NATO s fraught institutional relationship with the European Union, particularly the emergence of the latter as an increasingly effective security actor. Finally, Jamie Shea reflects on the difficulty of crafting a new strategic concept that would ensure NATO's continuing viability and credibility as the primary security institution for the nations of the North Atlantic area. This volume offers the basis for guarded optimism that NATO will persist and continue to perform its twin functions of collective defence and deterrence into the foreseeable future, despite the periodic crises that temporarily cast its future into doubt. An in-depth exploration of research and emerging ideas, NATO after Sixty Years is essential reading for those interested in NATO s past and present as well as those looking to its future.
Crowdsourced Urban Package Delivery: Modeling Traveler Willingness to Work as Crowdshippers

Crowdsourced shipping presents an innovative shipping alternative that is expected to improve shipping efficiency, increase service, and decrease cost to the customer, and such shipping promises to enhance the sustainability of the transportation system. This study collected data on behavioral responses to choose from available crowdsourced shipping jobs. The goal of the study was to measure the potential willingness of individuals to change status from pure commuters to traveler–shippers. In particular, the study quantified potential crowdsourced shippers’ value of free time, or willingness to work (WTW) in a hypothetical scenario in which crowdsourced shipping jobs were available in a variety of settings. This WTW calculation is unique compared with the traditional willingness to pay (WTP) in that it measured the trade-off of making a profit and giving up time instead of spending money to save time. This work provides a foundation to analyze the application and effectiveness of crowdsourced shipping by ...