cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concordance of chlamydia trachomatis infections within sexual partnerships.

Objectives: The enhanced sensitivity of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) provides an opportunity for estimating the prevalence of untreated Chlamydia trachomatis infections. The transmissibility and public health significance of some NAAT-identified infections are, however, not known. Methods: Adults attending an urban emergency department provided specimens for C trachomatis screening using NAAT. Participants testing positive were offered follow-up including re-testing for C trachomatis using NAAT and traditional methods, eg culture and direct fluorescent antibody, and were treated. Partners were offered identical evaluation and treatment. Overall, 90 C trachomatis -positive participants had one or more sexual partners enrolled. Results: Evidence of transmission, as defined by infection concordance between partnerships, was observed among 75% of partners of index cases testing positive by both NAAT and traditional assay but only 45% of partners of index cases testing positive by NAAT only (prevalence ratio 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5). Among index participants returning for follow-up, 17% had no evidence of C trachomatis infection by NAAT or traditional assay (median follow-up three weeks). Conclusions: A substantial proportion of positive NAAT results for chlamydial infection may be of lower transmissibility and may not persist after a short follow-up. The long-term health effects of some positive NAAT are uncertain.
Simultaneous Service Approach for Reducing Air Passenger Queue Time

Simultaneous service offers service-oriented organizations, such as the air passenger transportation industry, the opportunity to differentiate themselves by providing superior customer service. The concept of simultaneous service is analogous to the concept of simultaneous engineering. However, while simultaneous engineering strives to minimize product development time, simultaneous service strives to minimize customer processing time. Overall customer processing time is reduced by the identification and simultaneous alignment of previously sequentially executed customer service activities. A simultaneous service approach was applied to the international ticketing counter at a major international airport. This involved developing both equipment and operational policy alternatives to the normal sequencing of the ticketing and baggage check-in process. A total of five alternative simultaneous service approaches were investigated. Simulation analysis of these alternatives indicates that a 36% improvement in customer queue and servicing time was possible with this approach.
Medicinal and Other Useful Plants in the Faroe Islands before AD 1800

Summary In this paper four authors who write about plant use in the Faroe Islands before AD 1800 are dealt with. Peder Clausson (1545–1614) was a Norwegian priest who wrote the book A True Description of Norway and Surrounding Islands. He mentioned that Potentilla erecta (L.) Rausch. is used for tanning sheep leather. Simon Paulli (1603–1680). German professor in Copenhagen, says in his Flora Danica (1648) that people in the Faroes used roots of Filicales to remove stones in the kidney and bladder. Lucas Debes (1623–1675), a Danish priest who lived in the Faroes, wrote the book A Description of the Faroe Islands and their Inhabitants. He mentions that people cultivated Angelica archangelica L., which they called kvan, and Rhodiola rosea L. gives good rose-water. Jens Christian Svabo (1746–1824), a Faroese student, wrote a voluminous report on a journey to the Faroes (1781–82) which he made for the Danish government. He gives many examples of medicinal plants and has a special chapter on plant dyeing of wool.
Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security.

:The carbon sink capacity of the world’s agricultural and degraded soils is 50 to 66% of the historic carbon loss of 42 to 78 gigatons of carbon. The rate of soil organic carbon sequestration with adoption of recommended technologies depends on soil texture and structure, rainfall, temperature, farming system, and soil management. Strategies to increase the soil carbon pool include soil restoration and woodland regeneration, no-till farming, cover crops, nutrient management, manuring and sludge application, improved grazing, water conservation and harvesting, efficient irrigation, agroforestry practices, and growing energy crops on spare lands. An increase of 1 ton of soil carbon pool of degraded cropland soils may increase crop yield by 20 to 40 kilograms per hectare (kg/ha) for wheat, 10 to 20 kg/ha for maize, and 0.5 to 1 kg/ha for cowpeas. As well as enhancing food security, carbon sequestration has the potential to offset fossilfuel emissions by 0.4 to 1.2 gigatons of carbon per year, or 5 to 15% of the global fossil-fuel emissions.
Estrogenic strength of 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-cyclohexanedione-1,3.

A technique is described for detecting the estrogenic activity of a nonsteroidal compound, 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-cyclohexanedione-l,3. Under the conditions of this experiment, the uterine weight assay indicated that 0.25 mg./ml. of this compound has estrogenic activity of 5.0 1.U. and 0.75 mg./ml. of the same compound has estrogenic activity of 15 1.U. Vaginal smears indicated that this compound gave a positive response.
Two‐factor theories, meaning holism, and Intentionalistic psychology: A reply to Fodor

Abstract In the third chapter of his book Psychosemantics, Jerry A. Fodor argues that the truth of meaning holism (the thesis that the content of a psychological state is determined by the totality of that state's epistemic liaisons) would be fatal for intentionalistic psychology. This is because holism suggests that no two people are ever in the same intentional state, and so a psychological theory that generalizes over such states will be composed of generalizations which fail to generalize. Fodor then sets out to show that there is no reason to believe in holism by arguing that its primary foundation (i.e. functional‐role semantics), when properly understood (i.e. when construed as a two‐factor theory of content), is demonstrably false. In this paper, I argue two claims. First, I try to show that Fodor has seriously misrepresented two‐factor theories and that his arguments against his strawman do nothing to indicate the falsity of the genuine article. Second, I argue that if one accepts meaning holism ...
A synergistic approach towards understanding the functional significance of dopamine receptor interactions

The importance of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) in the nervous system is underscored by its role in a wide variety of physiological and neural functions in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Binding of dopamine to its membrane receptors initiates precise signaling cascades that result in specific cellular responses. Dopamine receptors belong to a super-family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are characterized by seven trans-membrane domains. In mammals, five dopamine receptors have been identified which are grouped into two different categories D1- and D2-like receptors. The interactions of DA receptors with other proteins including specific Gα subunits are critical in deciding the fate of downstream molecular events carried out by effector proteins. In this mini-review we provide a synopsis of known protein-protein interactions of DA receptors and a perspective on the potential synergistic utility of Caenorhabditis elegans as a model eukaryote with a comparatively simpler nervous system to gain insight on the neuronal and behavioral consequences of the receptor interactions.
Chemical Methods for Encoding and Decoding of Posttranslational Modifications

A large array of posttranslational modifications can dramatically change the properties of proteins and influence different aspects of their biological function such as enzymatic activity, binding interactions, and proteostasis. Despite the significant knowledge that has been gained about the function of posttranslational modifications using traditional biological techniques, the analysis of the site-specific effects of a particular modification, the identification of the full complement of modified proteins in the proteome, and the detection of new types of modifications remains challenging. Over the years, chemical methods have contributed significantly in both of these areas of research. This review highlights several posttranslational modifications where chemistry-based approaches have made significant contributions to our ability to both prepare homogeneously modified proteins and identify and characterize particular modifications in complex biological settings. As the number and chemical diversity of documented posttranslational modifications continues to rise, we believe that chemical strategies will be essential to advance the field in years to come.
Evaluation of novel urinary tract infection biomarkers in children

Pediatricians frequently use urinalysis to diagnose urinary tract infection (UTI) while awaiting urine culture results, but sensitivity and specificity of urinalysis are limited. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) human α-defensin 5 (HD5) and human neutrophil peptides (HNP) 1–3 as novel UTI biomarkers in children. We prospectively enrolled 199 pediatric Emergency Department or Urgent Care patients evaluated for a UTI. Urine concentrations of HD5 and HNP1–3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Urine culture was the reference standard. Sensitivities and specificities of leukocyte esterase (LE), HD5, HNP1–3, and test combinations were compared. For predicting positive urine culture, the areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for HD5 and HNP1–3 were 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81–0.92) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.82–0.93), respectively. Compared to LE ≥ trace, the combination test “LE and HD5” increased specificity by 6% (95% CI: 3–10%) without decreasing sensitivity. In the subgroup whose urine was collected by a clean-catch method, combination tests “LE and HD5” and “HD5 and HNP1-3” increased specificity by > 10% compared to LE alone. Urine AMP profiles are a promising novel strategy as an adjunct to urinalysis to aid UTI diagnosis in children.
Golden wedding couples

The implications of retirement for marital and family relationships were explored in golden wedding couples, against a background of those few studies that have so far examined relationships in long-married couples. Older couples can be described in two domains: behavioral and affective. Five activity types are derived from the amount or diversity of shared activities between spouses during a typical day. These types interact with the degree of intimacy measured on two instruments. It was concluded that retirement does not affect intimacy directly, but that it does indirectly through extra time and proximity which provide opportunity for enhancing prevailing intimacy between partners or for magnifying irritations.
Four new rust fungi

Soris urediosporiferis abaxialibus, oblongis, usque ad 0.5 mm longis, flavobrunneis; paraphysibus hyalinis vel aureis capitatis, ad apicem (12-) 15-20(-26) fi diam., 30-50(-60) /* longis, membrana ad apicem 3-7fi crassa; urediosporis obovoideis vel late ellipsoideis, 24-28(-32) X (19-)20-24(-26) p, membrana l-1.5(-2) fi crassa, minuteque echinulata, cinnamomeo-brunnea, poris germinationis (3)4(5), equatorialibus. Soris amphisporiferis abaxialibus, usque ad 1.0 mm longis vel confluentibus atro-brunneis, paraphysatis; amphisporis (26-)28-34(-36) X (21-)2428(-30) v, obovoideis, late obovoideis vel fere globosis, membrana moderate verrucoso-echinulata, aculeae late conoideae, obscure castaneo-brunnea, ad latere 3-4 n crassa, ad apicem 3?7(?9) /i crassa, poris germinationis (3)4(5), equatorialibus. Soris teliosporiferis urediis conformibus sed obscure brunneis; teliosporis (27-)3240 X (17-) 20-24 (-26) n, ellipsoideis vel anguste obovoideis, membrana lucide cas? taneo-brunnea, levi, ad latere 1-2 (-2.5) n crassa, ad apicem (2-) 2.5-4 (-5) fi crassa; pedicello flavido, persistenti, usque 30fi longo.
Abstract 1646:In vivotarget validation in orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma model using formulated siRNA

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and its incidence continues to increase. Although there are approved therapies for HCC, the prognosis remains poor. The 5-year survival rate is Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1646. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1646
60 COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF 3 STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH POST TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT (THR) PULMONARY EMBOLI-DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS IN 1769 POST THR CASES

Costs-benefits of 3 strategies to deal with pulmonary emboli (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after total hip replacement (THR) in 1769 cases were assessed. Based on examining 23 PE and 20 DVT cases and 43 matched controls, PE-DVT cases were more likely to have ≥ 1 abnormality of antithrombin III, protein C, or the prothrombin gene mutation (21/42 [50%] vs 3/43 [7%]) (p
flyDIVaS: A Comparative Genomics Resource for Drosophila Divergence and Selection.

With arguably the best finished and expertly annotated genome assembly, Drosophila melanogaster is a formidable genetics model to study all aspects of biology. Nearly a decade ago, the 12 Drosophila genomes project expanded D. melanogaster’s breadth as a comparative model through the community-development of an unprecedented genus- and genome-wide comparative resource. However, since its inception, these datasets for evolutionary inference and biological discovery have become increasingly outdated, outmoded, and inaccessible. Here, we provide an updated and upgradable comparative genomics resource of Drosophila divergence and selection, flyDIVaS, based on the latest genomic assemblies, curated FlyBase annotations, and recent OrthoDB orthology calls. flyDIVaS is an online database containing D. melanogaster-centric orthologous gene sets, CDS and protein alignments, divergence statistics (% gaps, dN, dS, dN/dS), and codon-based tests of positive Darwinian selection. Out of 13,920 protein-coding D. melanogaster genes, ∼80% have one aligned ortholog in the closely related species, D. simulans, and ∼50% have 1–1 12-way alignments in the original 12 sequenced species that span over 80 million yr of divergence. Genes and their orthologs can be chosen from four different taxonomic datasets differing in phylogenetic depth and coverage density, and visualized via interactive alignments and phylogenetic trees. Users can also batch download entire comparative datasets. A functional survey finds conserved mitotic and neural genes, highly diverged immune and reproduction-related genes, more conspicuous signals of divergence across tissue-specific genes, and an enrichment of positive selection among highly diverged genes. flyDIVaS will be regularly updated and can be freely accessed at www.flydivas.info. We encourage researchers to regularly use this resource as a tool for biological inference and discovery, and in their classrooms to help train the next generation of biologists to creatively use such genomic big data resources in an integrative manner.
Performance evaluation of multi-pixel photon counters for PET imaging

The multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC), also known as the silicon photo-multiplier (SiPM), is a novel, solid-state photodetector that contains an array of Geiger-mode photodiodes (called microcells below) to a gain in range of 105 -106 when operating at a low voltage of 40-70 V. The device also has relatively high photon detection efficiency (PDE) and fast timing response. It is also compact and insensitive to magnetic fields. These properties of the MPPC has recently created substantial interest in using the device for PET imaging. In this paper, we evaluate and compare the performance properties of three designs of 1times1 mm2 MPPC offered by Hamamatsu for use in PET. We examine the gains of devices, and also their energy and timing resolutions when coupled to LYSO.
On-chip “baluntennas” for differential-mode non-contact characterization of mmW/THz devices and ICs

We present a novel on-chip, lens-integrated differential-mode double-slot antenna structure to enable iso-lated, pure differential-mode signal injection and interrogation for on-wafer devices and integrated circuits. Testing of on-chip differential devices and circuits conventionally requires Marchand-type baluns integrated either with the device or with the dual-tip contact-probes. Nevertheless, these state-of-the-art balun-integrated probes can cover only up to 110 GHz. In this work, we demonstrate a 180°-hybrid “baluntenna” based on a novel on-chip antenna design that concurrently acts as a high isolation balun. The baluntenna is integrated with the device-under-test and a quasi-optical link is used to effectively couple test signals into and out of the on-wafer ports of the device under test. As such, this approach allows, for the first time, non-contact, pure differential-mode characterization of on-chip devices and integrated circuits at well beyond 100 GHz.
Translational Correlation: Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s palsy is the most common disease of the facial nerve. It is a clinical syndrome with acute unilateral paralysis of muscles innervated by the facial nerve. About half of all cases develop maximum paralysis within 48 h. The diagnosis is mainly based on clinical symptoms. Oral steroids are used for patients with acute Bell’s palsy. The majority of patients will have full recovery.
The Increasing Wildfire and Post-Fire Debris-Flow Threat in Western USA, and Implications for Consequences of Climate Change

In southern California and the intermountain west of the USA, debris flows generated from recently-burned basins pose significant hazards. Increases in the frequency and size of wildfires throughout the western USA can be attributed to increases in the number of fire ignitions, fire suppression practices, and climatic influences. Increased urbanization throughout the western USA, combined with the increased wildfire magnitude and frequency, carries with it the increased threat of subsequent debris-flow occurrence. Differences between rainfall thresholds and empirical debris-flow susceptibility models for southern California and the intermountain west indicate a strong influence of climatic and geologic settings on post-fire debris-flow potential. The linkages between wildfires, debris-flow occurrence, and global warming suggests that the experiences in the western United States are highly likely to be duplicated in many other parts of the world, and necessitate hazard assessment tools that are specific to local climates and physiographies.
Yoga in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa

Though scholarship on diverse methods of yoga in the Indian traditions abounds, there has not been sufficient research that examines the traditions of yoga in the purāṇas. The present paper explores yoga articulated in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa (fourth century CE) and argues that what seems like a unified teaching is a composite of an eight-limbed yoga embedded within an instruction on proto-Sāṃkhya. An evaluation of the key elements of yoga as developed in this text as a whole, clarifies our understanding of the emergence of yoga and its relationship to epic formulations on the one hand and to the Classical System of the Yogasūtras of Patanjali on the other.
Elucidation and compensation of valve stiction-induced oscillations in closed-loop systems

Stiction, a manifestation of friction that causes an object to stick in a position until a strong enough force is applied to cause the object to start moving, is a common nonlinearity in control valves in the chemical process industries that can cause set-point tracking issues and control loop oscillations. In this work, we initially investigate the cause of these issues to emphasize that they are closed-loop properties dependent on the controller, process, and valve dynamics. Subsequently, we use these insights to discuss how three methods for reducing the negative effects of stiction modify the force being applied to the valve by the actuation to improve the closed-loop response. A level control example demonstrates these concepts.
Light pulse delay in semiconductor quantum well Bragg structures

We present a theoretical analysis of light pulse delay in resonant photonic bandgap structures made from Bragg-spaced semiconductor quantum wells. Quantum well Bragg structures offer the possibility for parametric manipulation of the polariton band structure. This, in turn, may be used for stopping, storing, and releasing of light pulses. Based on a theoretical model utilizing a time-dependent transfer matrix approach to the solution of Maxwell's equations, we study light pulse propagation, light pulse trapping and releasing, and light pulse deformation in these structures. We discuss the photonic band structure concepts relevant to our light delay scheme and present numerical simulation results of pulse delay through presently existing quantum well Bragg structures.
The Gramscian Approach to the Chinese State

This chapter elucidates the author’s theoretical approach to the Chinese party-state, which integrates Gramsci and Poulantzas’s theories. In addition, this chapter summarizes how the notion of hegemony has been used, although ambiguously, by scholars in the field of China Studies. Subsequently, it explicates how the author understands hegemony and the party-state in the Chinese context.
“The Cliff Sign” – A New Radiographic Sign of Hip Instability

Background:The preoperative diagnosis of hip microinstability is challenging. Although physical examination maneuvers and magnetic resonance imaging findings associated with microinstability have b...
Abstract TP346: Pge2 Ep1-4 Temporospatial Expression Level Changes in the Brain After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Young, Aged, and Ep1 Deficient Mice Suggests Cross-talk Interactions

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most severe form of stroke with the highest mortality. Neuroinflammation contributes to ICH-induced brain injury and the upregulation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2...
Workforce Diversity: Why It Matters and How to Get There

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, underrepresented minority in medicine (UiM) is defined as those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population. Historically the racial and ethnic groups considered underrepresented minorities in medicine referred to Blacks , Latinos, and Native Americans. While these minority groups make up over 31% of the US population, only 13% of physicians are UiM. Improving diversity in the healthcare workforce can improve health outcomes for minority patients. Increased diversity in medical schools has been proven to improve the cultural competency and preparedness of White medical students as they take care of minority patients. When doctors and patients have racial/ethnic congruency, patients are more likely to adhere to plans and report higher satisfaction with their providers. Additionally, UiM providers are more likely to practice in medically underserved areas and care for patients receiving Medicaid. Unfortunately, there are a number of barriers to careers in medicine for UiM students. These barriers include exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers, educational barriers during primary and secondary education, lack of mentoring and role models, and other personal and environmental factors. Formalized mentoring programs, both traditional and nontraditional, are providing resources for students to promote careers in the health professions.
Tracking a Moving Object for Tomographic Below Ground Imaging

In this paper, we present a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technique currently under development to image a moving object. This GPR system localizes and tracks a moving spherical object that could be in a plastic pipe under the ground for a given bistatic and multi-static radar geometry. Two different approaches (two dyadic Green’s functions) are applied to image a moving object using Maxwell’s equations, and analyzing the comparison between two dyadic functions is considered. The object is assumed to be inside a region of interest (ROI). Due to the excellent geometric results in [6], the applied GPR system can localize and track a moving object underground by scanning the region of interest in t intervals. During each scan, the GPR system detects and calculates the exact location of the object using a Threshold Technique Method (TTM) based target detection system by analyzing the electromagnetic fields. The 3D FEKO Electromagnetic (EM) simulation software tool is used to model and simulate the GPR system. Simulation results achieve an excellent and accurate performance in the absence of external and unknown disturbances.
Some Variants of Constrained Estimation in Finite Population Sampling

This is a review article that unifies several important examples using constrained optimisation techniques. The basic tools are three simple mathematical optimisation results subject to certain constraints. Applications include calibration, benchmarking in small area estimation and imputation. A final illustration is constrained optimisation under a general divergence loss.
Within and beyond a grow-your-own-teacher program: Documenting the contextualized preparation and professional development experiences of critically conscious Latina teachers

This study provides an account of seven Latina teachers’ select educational, professional, and personal experiences over the past 10 years as they completed a grow-your-own-teacher program, became ...
THE WORLD EMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE

This chapter presents the details of the world employment conference. Unique among the recent series of international meetings was the world employment conference in Geneva (4–17 June 1976). The employment conference approached this range of problems from a position of unique vantage. Its tripartite structure—with representatives of governments, workers, and employers sitting together—gave it the ability to study and act in a manner more comprehensive than other meetings. The Conference had a five-point agenda that focused attention on the issues related to employment strategies, international migration of workers, technology, transnational enterprises, and the need to assist the process of international change. The delegates were in agreement that satisfying the basic needs of the world's poorest people should be the priority objective of development during the next 25 years. Developed countries were urged to achieve and maintain full employment, and also to take special measures to ensure equal treatment for women, migrants, the young, and the handicapped.
Motivational Drivers of Chinese Consumers’ Brand Avoidance Behaviors: A Perspective of Sportswear

The Chinese sportswear market has become increasingly competitive in the last few years. Additionally, Chinese domestic brands’ up marketing and global brands’ down marketing initiatives may generate confusion in consumers’ minds regarding the position and image of the brands. It is vital to investigate not only Chinese consumers’ positive purchase behaviors, but also their negative avoidance toward sportswear brands. The purpose of this study was to examine consumers’ brand avoidance behaviors due to their negative perceptions toward sportswear brands in the Chinese sportswear market based on brand avoidance framework. The results suggested that Chinese consumers have shown avoidance toward both domestic and global sportswear brands. The following motivational factors were revealed as significant influencers of Chinese consumers’ avoidance behaviors toward sportswear brands: negative shopping and consumption experience, negative brand identity, and unpleasant advertisement. Additionally, the relationships between brand avoidance drivers and brand avoidance were moderated by brands’ country of origin.
Supplemental Nitrate in Cured Meats as a Means to Potentially Increase Dietary Nitric Oxide

ObjectivesNumerous human clinical studies have demonstrated that dietary nitrate is a significant contributor to physiological nitric oxide and associated human health benefits. Consequently, cured meats could provide a vehicle for delivery of supplemental nitrate (SN) in human diets, but information on effects of high nitrate concentrations on product properties is needed. The objectives were to evaluate physical, chemical and microbial effects of SN in products with 220 mg nitrate per 112 g serving, similar to consumption of vegetables by combining conventional sodium nitrate with celery juice powder (CJP) containing additional nitrate. Materials and MethodsEffects of SN from CJP on residual nitrite, residual nitrate, rancidity (TBARS), microbial growth, color, sensory properties, and proximate composition of frankfurters, cotto salami and boneless ham during storage (1°C) were investigated. The products were assigned one of two replicated treatments: control (156 ppm sodium nitrite) or SN (156 ppm sodium nitrite, 1718 ppm sodium nitrate and 2% CJP). Trained 9-member sensory panel parameters and proximate composition were measured once for each replication. All other analytical measurements were conducted at regular intervals for 98 d. Statistical analysis was by SAS mixed procedure. ResultsResidual nitrite did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments for salami and hams; however, frankfurter control (15.8 ppm) and SN (11.9 ppm) were different (P 0.05) in residual nitrate levels for any products were observed during storage. There was no effect (P > 0.05) on microbial growth. TBARS differed (P 0.05) for hams. Hunter L-values for salami control (49.65) and SN (46.94) were different (P < 0.05), and Hunter a-values for ham control (8.59) and SN (7.92) also differed (P < 0.05). In addition, internal Hunter a-values for control frankfurters (10.62) differed (P < 0.05) from SN (10.11). None of the other physical, chemical or microbial measurements conducted were affected as a result of SN treatment. Sensory evaluations (15-cm line scale) were similar to instrumental color results for salami, frankfurters, and ham treatments in that frankfurter (9.33) and ham (9.86) controls received greater intensity of pink color scores than frankfurter (6.93) and ham (6.56) SN treatments. Panelists also determined that control salami (6.65) had a lighter visual appearance than SN (9.87). Frankfurters showed no differences for sensory panel odors or flavors; salami treatments resulted in some differences in aromas and flavors, while the greatest effect on aroma and flavor occurred with hams. ConclusionThe results showed that addition of SN did not alter most physical, chemical or microbial properties of cured meat products during refrigerated storage, but product-dependent sensory effects were observed. Therefore, cured meat products could serve as a viable dietary source of nitrate, but use of CJP to achieve nitrate concentration above that allowed for conventional nitrate will be product-dependent and determined by the products sensory profile.
Vitamin D actions in neurons require the PI3K pathway for both enhancing insulin signaling and rapid depolarizing effects

Despite correlations between low vitamin D levels and diabetes incidence/severity, supplementation with vitamin D has not been widely effective in improving glucose parameters. This may be due to a lack of knowledge regarding how low vitamin D levels physiologically affect glucose homeostasis. We have previously shown that the brain may be a critical area for vitamin d-mediated action on peripheral glucose levels. However, the mechanisms for how vitamin D acts in the brain are unknown. We utilized a multimodal approach to determine the mechanisms by which vitamin D may act in the brain. We first performed an unbiased search (RNA-sequencing) for pathways affected by vitamin D. Vitamin D (125-dihydroxyvitamin D3; 1,25D3) delivered directly into the third ventricle of obese animals differentially regulated multiple pathways, including the insulin signaling pathway. The insulin signaling pathway includes PI3K, which is important in the brain for glucose regulation. Since others have shown that vitamin D acts through the PI3K pathway in non-neuronal cells (muscle and bone), we hypothesized that vitamin D may act in neurons through a PI3K-dependent pathway. In a hypothalamic cell-culture model (GT1-7 cells), we demonstrate that 1,25D3 increased phosphorylation of Akt in the presence of insulin. However, this was blocked with pre-treatment of wortmannin, a PI3K inhibitor. 1,25D3 increased gene transcription of several genes within the PI3K pathway, including Irs2 and p85, without affecting expression of InsR or Akt. Since we had previously shown that 1,25D3 has significant effects on neuronal function, we also tested if the PI3K pathway could mediate rapid actions of vitamin D. We found that 1,25D3 increased the firing frequency of neurons through a PI3K-dependent mechanism. Collectively, these data support that vitamin D enhances insulin signaling and neuronal excitability through PI3K dependent processes which involve both transcriptional and membrane-initiated signaling events.
Abstract 38: New Mutations Linked to Cerebral Autosomal Recessive Arteriopathy With Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy in Africa and North America

Introduction: Cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL) is a rare hereditary disease. It is linked to mutations in the high-temperature r...
Synthesis andin vivocharacterization of a promising 11-carbon labeled receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1) kinase radioligand

1042 Objectives: Receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1) kinase is a crucial upstream regulator of necroptosis, and the association of RIP1 kinase with a variety of pathologies, such as ischemic injury, inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases(PD, MS and ALS), has been investigated. Inhibitors of RIP1 kinase have the potential to provide new therapeutic opportunities to neurodegenerative diseases with significant unmet medical needs. A new 7-oxo-2,4,5,7-tetrahydro-6H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine derivative was reported as a novel receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1) kinase inhibitors. This compound significantly suppressed necroptotic cell death both in mouse and human cells. To investigate the RIP1 kinase regulate functions for the brain disorders, we radiosynthesized [11C]TZ7774 and performed initial in vivo in rodent to determine if [11C]TZ7774 could be a suitable PET radiotracer for imaging RIP1 kinase in the brain. Methods: The radiosynthesis of [11C]TZ7774 was accomplished by N-[11C]methylation of its amide precursor TZ7799 with [11C]CH3I under basic condition (NaOH) in DMF, heated at ~80 oC for 5 min. The radiolabeled product was purified on semi-preparative reversed phase HPLC column combined with solid phase extraction (SPE). The biodistribution study of [11C]TZ7774 was performed using male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Animals were euthanized at 5, 30, 60 min post i.v. injection of [11C]TZ7774. Tissues of interests were collected, weighed, and counted on an automated Beckman Gamma counter. The uptake of radioactivity was calculated as percentage injected dose per gram (%I.D./g). Results: The radiosynthesis of [11C]TZ7774 was successfully achieved with good radiochemical yield (30-40%), high chemical and radiochemical purity (> 99%), and high specific activity (> 700 Ci/mmol, decay corrected to EOB). The biodistribution study indicated that the initial brain uptake was high with %ID/gram values of 0.53 at 5 min and then washed out quickly with %ID/gram values of 0.14 at 30 min, and 0.07 at 60 min. Conclusions: Our preliminary biodistribution results suggested that [11C]TZ7774 has good brain uptake. Together, [11C]TZ7774 has great potential to be a PET tracer for imaging RIPK1 in vivo. Further in vitro autoradiography studies and microPET studies of [11C]TZ7774 in animal model of diseases to assess the RIP1 expression response to the progression of disease are ongoing. Research support: NIH/NS075527, NS103988. References: ADDIN EN.REFLIST J. Med. Chem., 2018, 61, 2384-2409; Cell Rep., 2015, 10, 1836-1849; Neural Regener. Res. 2015, 10,1120-1124; Science, 2016, 353, 603-608.
Family Caregiving and Palliative Care: Aligning Theory, Practice, and Policy

Although a large analytic base documents the key role that family caregivers play in providing essential care to persons with chronic or life-threatening illnesses, caregiver support has largely been absent from policy discussions. Supporting family involvement in palliative care requires skills, monitoring, and attention to emotional and spiritual factors as well as skilled clinical care. Most policy discussions have focused on professional, clinical, regulatory, and financial aspects of palliative care but have not kept pace with palliative care theory and practice regarding family caregivers. The time is right for increased attention, funding, and support, and this chapter outlines some opportunities for change.
SEACOIN--an investigative tool for biomedical informatics researchers.

Peer-reviewed scientific literature is a prime source for accessing knowledge in the biomedical field. Its rapid growth and diverse domain coverage require systematic efforts in developing interactive tools for efficiently searching and summarizing current advances for acquiring knowledge and referencing, and for furthering scientific discovery. Although information retrieval systems exist, the conventional tools and systems remain difficult for biomedical investigators to use. There remain gaps even in the state-of-the-art systems as little attention has been devoted to understanding the needs of biomedical researchers. Our work attempts to bridge the gap between the needs of biomedical users and systems design efforts. We first study the needs of users and then design a simple visual analytic application tool, SEACOIN. A key motivation stems from biomedical researchers’ request for a “simple interface” that is suitable for novice users in information technology. The system minimizes information overload, and allows users to search easily even in time-constrained situations. Users can manipulate the depth of information according to the purpose of usage. SEACOIN enables interactive exploration and filtering of search results via “metamorphose topological visualization” and “tag cloud,” visualization tools that are commonly used in social network sites. We illustrate SEACOIN’s usage through applications on PubMed publications on heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and asthma.
Little evidence of native and non-native species influencing one another's abundance and distribution in the herb layer of an oak woodland

Question To what extent are species, including native and non-native species, influencing one another's distribution and abundance in the herb layer of a Minnesota oak woodland? Location Oak woodland succeeding into a more mesic forest, on bluffland of the Mississippi River, east-central Minnesota. Methods We collected plant composition and species cover data in 182 1.0 × 0.5 m quadrats regularly spaced on a 6-ha study grid in the oak woodland. We also recorded slope, slope position, aspect, elevation and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at each quadrat. Results Presence and abundance of other plant species, topographic variables and light availability explained only a small portion of the variation (5–19%) in the distribution and abundance of individual species. The most common strongest predictor of cover for the ten most common species was species richness, with the association being positive. The non-native species, garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) exhibited the strongest positive association with species richness. Only one of the 45 pair-wise comparisons of the ten species resulted in a negative relationship between the species. Abundance and distribution of two species were associated with topographic features, but this accounted for much less of the variation in abundance than did species richness. Conclusion We found little evidence that competition or any other interactions among common herb layer species, including the non-native Alliaria petiolata, play an important role in determining the abundance and the distribution of herb layer species in this oak woodland. Topographic factors may explain a small amount of the distribution and abundance patterns of a few species. But, for the most part, species are more likely to be present when other species are present, suggesting that they are simply establishing in microsites favourable to plants in general.
Pain as a predictor of heavy drinking and any drinking lapses in the COMBINE study and the UK Alcohol Treatment Trial.

Aims To test the association between pain and heavy drinking lapses during and following treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUD).
CONTINUUM THEORY OF NONLINEAR VISCOELASTICITY

Abstract : An assessment of the recent developments in the field of nonlinear continuum mechanics is presented with the view of developing a systematic approach to the formulation of nonlinear theories of viscoelastic materials. Contact is established with various types of approximations useful in the treatment of engineering problems involving solid propellant materials. (Author)
Bed thickness distributions on Mars: An orbital perspective

Studies on Earth show that sedimentary bed thickness and bed thickness distributions record information about the processes controlling sediment deposition. High-resolution digital terrain models (DTMs) such as those derived from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) now provide the opportunity to quantify bed thickness properties on Mars over several orders of magnitude, down to the submeter scale. This study uses HiRISE DTMs and visible images to measure bed thickness distributions at 10 deposits on Mars, with the aim of determining whether statistical techniques can provide useful criteria for distinguishing sedimentary depositional processes. Basic statistics, including mean thickness and range, are examined, as are histograms, cumulative frequency plots, and log-log plots. Statistical tests interrogate these deposits for thinning or thickening upward trends and the presence of normal, lognormal, and exponential distributions. Although there are challenges associated with these methods, the statistical analysis of bed thickness, coupled with morphological and mineralogical interpretations, has the potential to be a powerful tool for characterizing and classifying sedimentary rocks on Mars. In particular, bed thickness statistics are particularly well suited for examining changes in sediment supply and accommodation within Martian sedimentary sequences.
Sensory Fibers of the Pelvic Nerve Innervating the Rat's Urinary Bladder

Much attention has been given to the pelvic nerve afferent innervation of the urinary bladder; however, reports differ considerably in descriptions of afferent receptor types, their conduction velo...
Relationship between test frequency and outcomes of anticoagulation: a literature review and commentary with implications for the design of randomized trials of patient self-management.

Background: Patient self-management (PSM) of anticoagulation, which is primarily based upon the premise that more frequent testing will lead to tighter anticoagulation control and thus to improved clinical outcomes, is a promising model of care. The goals of this paper are (1) to describe the strength of evidence correlating more frequent testing with improved outcomes; and (2) to discuss implications of these findings for the design of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of PSM. Methods: We performed two literature reviews: one examining the strength of the relationship between time in target range (TTR) and the clinical outcomes of major bleeding and thromboembolism; and the second examining the strength of the relationship between frequency of testing and TTR. Results: We found that (1) the relationship between TTR and clinical outcomes is strong, thus supporting use of TTR as a primary outcome variable; and (2) more frequent testing seems to increase TTR, although the studies supporting this latter conclusion were relatively few and not definitive. Statistical analysis suggested that a study which uses clinical event rates as its primary outcome would need to be much larger than a comparable study which is based upon TTR. Conclusions: When designing randomized trials of PSM, the design should (1) use as its control group high quality anticoagulation management rather than usual care; (2) include the maximum possible amount of self-management in the intervention group; (3) include different testing intervals in the intervention group; (4) use TTR as the primary outcome variable and event rates as a secondary outcome; and (5) base the sample size calculations upon a 5–10% absolute improvement in TTR. Additional RCTs are needed in order to determine how the promise of PSM can best be fulfilled.
Analysis of impulse noise based on wavelet transform for military applications

In this project, we present a data acquisition and analysis study of impulse noise based on wavelet transform for military applications. Impulse noise is a type of highly transient signal widely experienced in military fields (e.g., an intense blast wave). The wavelet transform has been used to analyze signals of impact noise and vibrations, and it showed superior advantages on analysis of transient signals compared to the fast Fourier transform and the short-time Fourier transform. This study focuses on analysis of A-wave type impulse noise in the T-F domain using the continual wavelet transforms. Three different wavelets (i.e., Morlet, Mexican hat, and Meyer wavelets) were investigated and compared based on theoretical analysis and applications to experimental generated impulse noise signals. The underlying theory of continual wavelet transform was given and the temporal and spectral resolutions of different wavelets were theoretically analyzed. The results on singularity detection of the impulse noise showed the Mexican hat wavelet could better reflect the signal oscillations. Furthermore, the similarity of signals between the impulse noise and wavelets functions was investigated in time and frequency domain. The results showed the waveform of Mexican hat wavelets is more similar to the impulse noise signal than the other two wavelets. In summary, although all of three wavelets can represent detailed features of impulse noise in the T-F domain, the Mexican hat wavelets show obvious advantages over the Morlet and Meyer wavelets. The results of this study provide a possible strategy to design special wavelets for impulse noise detection and analysis.
Comparison of determinate and indeterminate lines of sesame for agronomic traits

With its availability via mutation induction, determinate growth habit is now one of the prerequisites for developing cultivars of sesame with synchronous capsule maturation and thus suited to mechanized harvesting despite its natural indeterminate character. In order to assess whether six determinate sesame mutants and two determinate improved lines were capable of closing the yield gap, compared with corresponding indeterminate wild types and sibs, field experiments were performed in the three growing seasons of 1998, 1999 and 2000 in Antalya, Turkey. The seed yields of the determinate mutants and breeding lines were found to be lower than their wild types and counterparts. Plant height and fruiting zone length in the determinates were also shorter than the indeterminates while there was no difference for stem height to the first capsule. The short stature habit of the mutants may resist lodging when lodging is a problem but this was one of the factors leading to low yield compared to the indeterminates. Our observations indicated that the production practices developed for indeterminates should be modified and adapted for the determinates. These practices will include narrower row spacing and denser stands that may lead to taller plants and higher seed yield without affecting lodging.