cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fatigue and fracture characterization of fiberglass grid-reinforced beam specimens using four-point bending notched beam fatigue test and digital image correlation technique

The purpose of this research is to develop an experimental and analytical framework for describing, modeling, and predicting the reflective cracking patterns and crack growth rates in GlasGrid®-reinforced asphalt pavements. In order to fulfill this objective, the effects of different interfacial conditions (mixture type, tack coat type, and grid opening size) on reflective cracking-related failure mechanisms and the fatigue and fracture characteristics of fiberglass grid-reinforced asphalt concrete beams were studied by means of four-point bending notched beam fatigue tests (NBFTs). Also, the digital image correlation technique was utilized to determine the lengths of the interfacial and vertical cracks during each test. The stress intensity factors (SIFs) at the crack tips were backcalculated using a finite element model and applying linear elastic fracture mechanic principles to the crack lengths. The local effect of the reinforcement on the stiffness of the system at a vertical crack-interface intersection or the resistance of the grid system to the deflection differential at the joint/crack (joint stiffness) for GlasGrid®-reinforced asphalt concrete beams was determined by implementing a joint stiffness parameter into the finite element code. The crack length and SIF test results were used to find the Paris’ law parameters for each interlayer condition. According to the NBFT results, GlasGrid® reinforcement retards reflective crack growth by stiffening the composite system and introducing joint stiffness. The results also show that the higher the bond strength and interlayer stiffness values, the greater the joint stiffness and retardation effects.
Healthcare Utilization and Expenditures Associated With Appropriate and Inappropriate Implantable Defibrillator Shocks.

Background—In patients with implantable cardioverter–defibrillators, healthcare utilization (HCU) and expenditures related to shocks have not been quantified. Methods and Results—We performed a ret...
Therapy of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) in dogs and cats: Part 2

This article explores the different formulations of flea-control products available for use on animals with flea-allergy dermatitis, and in the environment. It also considers the importance of constructing a practical flea control programme based on the particular circumstances of the patient, in-contact animals, owner and surrounding environment. Possible reasons for flea control failure are outlined.
Immunity and Repression in Bacteriophages P1 and P7

The temperate phage P1 (Bertani 1951) is a large complex phage whose double stranded DNA has a molecular weight of 66 × 106 (Yun and Vapnek 1977). The DNA in the phage particles is terminally redundant and cyclically permuted (Ikeda and Tomizawa 1968). P1 is best known for its ability to perform generalized transduction (Lennox 1955; Ikeda and Tomizawa 1965) and has been used extensively as a tool in Escherichia coli genetics. Because of its broad host range, P1 also serves as a transducing phage for other bacterial species (Goldberg et al. 1974; Kaiser and Dworkin 1975). Phage P1 is the prototype of a class of temperate phages whose prophage is not integrated into the host chromosome (Ikeda and Tomizawa 1968), and thus the strategies it uses to maintain lysogeny may differ from those used by integrative prophages. The P1 prophage is a plasmid (of molecular weight 61 × 106: Yun and Vapnek 1977) and is maintained at about one copy per cell nucleoid (Ikeda and Tomizawa 1968). So, in addition to regulation of transcription, the P1 prophage must also regulate its replication. P1 has all of the characteristics of both a temperate phage and a plasmid. Like other temperate phages, P1 prophage is repressed for production of lytic phage functions and a P1 lysogen exhibits immunity to superinfection by other P1 phage. Like other plasmids, the P1 prophage exhibits incompatibility with related plasmids, i. e., it cannot coexist in the same cell with another member of the same incompatibility group (Hedges et al. 1975). The mechanism for this phenomenon is not yet understood.
Effects of hot water extraction pretreatment on pyrolysis of shrub willow

Abstract In this study, we tested the effect of hot water extraction (HWE) as a biomass pretreatment on the pyrolysis of three cultivars of shrub willow via both conventional heating (using a micropyrolyzer, Py-GC/MS) and microwave-assisted heating (using a laboratory scale microwave reactor and activated charcoal as an added microwave absorber). The py-GC/MS experiments revealed that there was little difference in pyrolysis behavior among the cultivars for raw or HWE pretreated samples. Using either heating method, pyrolysis of the HWE pretreated samples produced less acetic acid and CO2 than did the untreated biomass; conversely there was an increase in levoglucosan yield with HWE pretreatment. The difference in levoglucosan yield was particularly large (4 fold increase) for the py-GC/MS experiments and was attributable in large part to the demineralization of the HWE samples. The decreased mineral content appeared to have a larger effect on conventional heating than in the microwave assisted heating. The pyrolysis of HWE pretreated biomass also led to more rapid temperature increases during microwave-assisted pyrolysis performed at 1000 W. Therefore the microwave-assisted pyrolysis of HWE was studied at two different microwave power settings to compare the effect of HWE on both processes at similar temperatures. At similar temperature conditions the yield of bio-oil, bio-char and non-condensable gases from microwave-assisted pyrolysis were similar between the pretreated and raw willow but the bio-oil contained higher concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons and less acetic acid and levoglucosan. Overall, the HWE pretreatment had a greater effect on bio-oil composition than bio-oil yield.
Solid, Semisolid, and Liquid Phase States of Individual Submicrometer Particles Directly Probed Using Atomic Force Microscopy.

Currently, the impact of various phase states of aerosols on the climate is not well understood, especially for submicrometer sized aerosol particles that typically have extended lifetime in the atmosphere. This is largely due to the inherent size limitations present in current experimental techniques that aim to directly assess the phase states of fine aerosol particles. Herein we present a technique that uses atomic force microscopy to probe directly for the phase states of individual, submicrometer particles by using nanoindentation and nano-Wilhelmy methodologies as a function of relative humidity (RH) and ambient temperature conditions. When using these methodologies for substrate deposited individual sucrose particles, Young’s modulus and surface tension can be quantified as a function of RH. We show that the force profiles collected to measure Young’s modulus and surface tension can also provide both qualitative and quantitative assessments of phase states that accompany solid, semisolid, and liqui...
ABC of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Future treatments.

Current treatment used in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often poorly effective and fails to halt the relentless decline in lung function that leads to increasing symptoms, disability, and exacerbations. This has stimulated clinicians, scientists, and drug companies to seek more effective ways to control the underlying disease process.​process.
Passive phaseless SAR imaging

Passive synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a coherent imaging method. Thus, performance is very susceptible to phase error, which result because the transmitter is not under control of the user. These errors result from poor clock synchronization, uncertainty in transmitter location and trajectory error, to name a few. In this paper we present an incoherent imaging method for passive SAR which uses phaseless measurements. The approach is appealing over existing methods for passive radar since only a single receiver is required, and robustness to uncertainties is increased. We utilize the observation that the squared modulus of the data is equivalent to a linear mapping of a rank-one positive semi-definite operator, formed as the tensor product of scene reflectivity with itself. Therefore, we pose imaging as least-squares optimization, utilizing this structure to constrain the problem. We consider the use of both convex and non-convex constraints, for which we provide efficient and provably convergent iterative schemes. We demonstrate promising performance through numerical simulations.
Tissue iron overload and mechanisms of iron-catalyzed oxidative injury.

Tissue iron overload causes cell damage and organ dysfunction. The mechanisms of iron uptake by tissues and the probable biochemical pathways of iron-derived tissue injury will be reviewed. The iron-overload states are the initial clinical setting where the contribution of iron-catalyzed oxidative injury to the pathogenesis of a clinical disease has been appreciated. When viewed from the perspective of oxidative injury, the iron-overload syndromes also provide a model of tissue injury that is applicable to other disease states, including inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity. The goal of this chapter will be to provide a brief clinical overview of the iron-overload states, review the mechanisms of tissue iron uptake in normal and pathologic situations, the likely cellular targets and reactions of iron-catalyzed oxidative injury, and the clinical therapy of the iron-overload syndromes. The potential role of iron-catalyzed oxidative injury in the myocardial damage resulting from ischemia and reperfusion, and from anthracycline administration will also be discussed.
Order and Disorder in Monodisperse Latexes

Iridescence due to Bragg diffraction of visible light is exhibited by electrolyte-free monodisperse polymer latexes, and also by redispersions of the polymer spheres in certain polar organic media. The center-to-center particle separation D, the particle diameter Do, and the volume fraction ϕ are related by ϕ(D/Do)3 = 0.74, the value 0.74, being the volume fraction occupied by spheres in a close-packed lattice. The structure responsible for the diffraction is thus identified as a lattice-like array which pervades the entire suspension, and is due to long-range coulombic forces between charged particles. Addition of electrolyte shortens the range of inter-particle forces through a screening action, thereby destroying the lattice and producing a disordered, non-diffracting suspension. At intermediate electrolyte levels, ordered and disordered phases coexist at equilibrium; the volume fractions of the coexisting phases are functions of the ionic strength.
Post-finasteride Syndrome: A Review of Current Literature

A constellation of persistent adverse effects—collectively termed post-finasteride syndrome (PFS)—after 5α-reductase inhibitor treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia (AGA) has recently been described. The severity of these sexual, physical, neurological, and psychiatric side effects raises important concerns regarding the treatment of these conditions, especially given the prevalence of indications for these medications. Here we review the literature exploring the symptoms, proposed mechanisms, and potential disease modulating factors for PFS. While the persistent sexual side effects associated with PFS are well documented, research on the physical, neurological, and psychiatric adverse effects is much less ubiquitous. Though the mechanisms leading to PFS have been proposed, a clear treatment plan for these patients has not been established. In the treatment of BPH and AGA with 5α-reductase inhibitors, the risks of PFS should be considered. The occurrence of persistent adverse sexual, physical, neurological, and psychiatric side effects after 5α-reductase inhibitor is well supported by the existing data. While additional studies are needed to better evaluate the role of 5α-reductase inhibitors in the manifestation of the symptoms of PFS, the risks of PFS should be critically evaluated when treating patients with BPH or AGA.
Assessment of Factors Influencing Intent-to-Use Big Data Analytics in an Organization: Pilot Study

Big Data Analytics is a cross-section of big data, machine learning and modeling processes of examining large data sets to uncover hidden patterns, unknown correlations, trends and useful information for decision-making. Big Data Analytics is quickly becoming a critically important driver for business success. Many organizations are increasing IT budget on Big Data Analytics capabilities. The objective of this study is to assess the factors influencing the post-adoption intent-to-use of Big Data Analytics in an organization. A survey method was used for data collection using existing validated IS instruments. A total of 34 valid observations were collected. PLS-SEM was leveraged for data analysis because of the prediction focus of the study and the requirement to assess both reflective and formative measures in the same research model. The measurement and structural models were tested using the PLS algorithm. R2, f2, and Q2 were used as the basis for the acceptable fit measurement. Based on the valid structural model and after running the bootstrapping procedure, Perceived Risk has no mediating effect on Trust-in-Technology on Intent-to-Use. Perceived Usefulness has a mediating effect on Trust-in-Technology on Intent-to-Use.
Calibration Software for Quantitative PET/CT Imaging Using Pocket Phantoms.

Multicenter clinical trials that use positron emission tomography (PET) imaging frequently rely on stable bias in imaging biomarkers to assess drug effectiveness. Many well-documented factors cause variability in PET intensity values. Two of the largest scanner-dependent errors are scanner calibration and reconstructed image resolution variations. For clinical trials, an increase in measurement error significantly increases the number of patient scans needed. We aim to provide a robust quality assurance system using portable PET/computed tomography “pocket” phantoms and automated image analysis algorithms with the goal of reducing PET measurement variability. A set of the “pocket” phantoms was scanned with patients, affixed to the underside of a patient bed. Our software analyzed the obtained images and estimated the image parameters. The analysis consisted of 2 steps, automated phantom detection and estimation of PET image resolution and global bias. Performance of the algorithm was tested under variations in image bias, resolution, noise, and errors in the expected sphere size. A web-based application was implemented to deploy the image analysis pipeline in a cloud-based infrastructure to support multicenter data acquisition, under Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. The automated detection algorithm localized the phantom reliably. Simulation results showed stable behavior when image properties and input parameters were varied. The PET “pocket” phantom has the potential to reduce and/or check for standardized uptake value measurement errors.
Distress tolerance trajectories following substance use treatment.

OBJECTIVE Distress tolerance (DT), the ability to withstand aversive internal states, represents an important risk factor for substance use relapse and a potential treatment target. Neurobiological research in substance using populations suggests that continued substance use could erode DT, whereas abstinence could bolster it. The current study characterized trajectories of behavioral and self-reported indices of DT and examined the prospective effect of substance use on DT trajectories among those seeking treatment for substance use. METHOD Individuals (N = 263, Mage = 42.68, SD = 11.8, 70.7% male, 94.7% African American) in residential substance use treatment completed subjective (Distress Tolerance Scale) and behavioral (Mirror Tracing Persistence Task-computerized version) DT measures, as well as report of daily substance use (timeline follow-back) over 5 assessment time-points from pretreatment to 12 months posttreatment. Latent curve modeling estimated DT trajectories and their associations with substance use behavior, including abstinence duration (days until first use) and substance use frequency (percentage of substance use days between assessments). RESULTS Self-reported and behavioral DT indicators both exhibited positive, nonlinear change over time (standardized slope parameter estimates: Distress Tolerance Scale β = 0.61, p < .01; Mirror Tracing Persistence Task β = 0.34, p < .01). Abstinence duration was associated with greater improvement in behavioral (β = .20, p = .03) DT specifically. Frequency of use was statistically significantly associated with attenuated behavioral DT at 6-month (β = -.12, p = .03) and 12-month follow-ups (β = -.08, p = .045). CONCLUSIONS DT appears to improve appreciably posttreatment, and return to substance use may shape the degree of this improvement. Collectively, these findings support the conceptualization of DT as a malleable treatment target and emphasize the benefit of abstinence on improvement in DT. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
An artificial intelligence-based model-driven approach for exposing off-nominal behaviors

With an increase in the automation of cyber-physical systems (e.g., automated vehicles and robots), quality problems such as off-nominal behaviors (ONBs) have also increased. While there are techniques that can find ONBs at the requirements engineering stage as it reduces the cost of addressing defects early in development, they do not meet the current industrial needs and often ignore functional safety. These techniques suffer from limitations such as scalability, need for significant human effort and inability to detect overlooked or unknown ONBs. To address these limitations we need a technique that analyzes requirements with respect to functional safety, but with less human effort. To achieve this, we propose our artificial intelligence-based model-driven methodology that provides a means to find ONBs during requirements engineering with minimal human effort. Our methodology utilizes existing approaches such as causal component model (CCM) and systems theoretic process analysis (STPA). We describe the details of each step of our approach and how our approach would support finding ONBs. Using our research and the results of our studies, we intend to provide empirical evidence that considering ONBs during requirements engineering stage and analyzing requirements with respect to functional safety can help create more robust designs and higher-quality products.
State of the Art Comprehensive Review of Individual Statins, Their Differences, Pharmacology, and Clinical Implications

Statins are currently the primary treatment for hyperlipidemia, particularly for the treatment of high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), as many studies have proven benefit in a variety of populations. The benefits of statin treatment for high cholesterol have been proven in many trials. Forefront among different adverse events is statin-induced myopathy, which still eludes complete understanding, and may range anywhere from muscle soreness or fatigue to potentially extremely rare occurrence of rhabdomyolysis. As most adverse events are rare and not life-threatening, in high-risk patients, a high-dose statin should be started initially as data suggests that clinicians rarely up titrate statin therapy after initial prescription leading to under-treatment of many patients requiring high-dose statin therapy. As we will discuss in this paper, musculoskeletal side effects are the main concern and reason for discontinuing statin therapy. The occurrence and true association of other adverse events in patients on statin such as new onset of diabetes, hepatic toxicity, or cognitive impairment are rare, controversial, and not proven. In placebo-controlled studies, abnormal liver function occurs to a similar degree in statin- and placebo-treated patients. This led to FDA removal of the requirement to monitor liver function tests in patients on statin therapy. The combination of statins with other compounds such as ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitors has shown some additional benefits in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. The goal of this manuscript is to conduct a comprehensive review about most commonly used statins and compare data on their history, structures, benefits, adverse effects, and clinical outcomes.
Patterns of Trace Element Accumulation in Waterfowl Restricted to Impoundments Holding Coal Combustion Waste.

Waterfowl are often exposed to and readily accumulate anthropogenic contaminants when foraging in polluted environments. Settling impoundments containing coal combustion waste (CCW) enriched in trace elements such as arsenic (As), selenium (Se), and mercury (Hg) are often used by free-ranging migratory and resident waterfowl and represent potential sources for contaminant uptake. To assess accumulation of CCW contaminants, we experimentally restricted waterfowl to a CCW-contaminated impoundment and quantified trace element burdens in blood, muscle, and liver tissues over known periods of exposure (between 3 and 92 d). From these data we developed models 1) to predict elemental bioaccumulation with increased exposure time, and 2) to predict muscle/liver burdens based on concentrations in blood as a nondestructive sampling method. Although Hg and As did not bioaccumulate in our waterfowl, we observed an increase in Se concentrations in muscle, liver, and blood tissues over the duration of our experiment. Furthermore, we found that blood may be used as an effective nondestructive sampling alternative to predict muscle and liver tissue concentrations in birds contaminated with Se and As through dietary exposure. These data provide unique insights into accumulation rates of contaminants for waterfowl utilizing habitats contaminated with CCW and demonstrate the efficacy of nonlethal sampling of waterfowl to quantify contaminant exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1052-1059. © 2020 SETAC.
Influence of Controlled Cooling Rates During Thermal Processing of Ti 6% Al 4% V Alloys Using In-Situ Scanning Electron Microscopy

We describe experimental approaches to real time examination of the microstructural evolution of Ti 6%Al 4%V upon cooling from above the beta transus (~995 °C) while imaging in the scanning electron microscope. Ti 6%Al 4%V is a two phase, α+β titanium alloy with high strength and corrosion resistance. The β →α transformation on cooling can give rise to different microstructures and properties through various thermal treatments. Fully lamellar microstructures, bi-modal microstructures, and equiaxed microstructures can each be obtained by accessing different cooling rates upon the final treatment above the beta temperature, each resulting in uniquely enhanced material properties. Utilizing the capabilities of a heating/tensile stage developed by Kammrath & Weiss Inc., are able to apply real-time imaging techniques in the scanning electron microscope to monitor the development of the microstructure. Annealing temperatures up to 1100 °C are attainable, with cooling rates ranging from 0.1 ° C per second to 3.3 °C per second. This has allowed us to directly observe the formation of lamellae at different annealing temperature/cooling rate combinations to determine the lamellar microstructure width, separation, and colony size.
Identification of palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 substrates defines roles for synaptic depalmitoylation

SUMMARY We report here the identification of substrates of the depalmitoylating enzyme PPT1 by quantitative mass spectrometry. We first used a stringent Acyl Resin-Assisted Capture (Acyl RAC) screen in which PPT1 knockout (KO) mouse brain proteins showing increased in vivo palmitoylation are identified as putative PPT1 substrates. We then validated hits by directly depalmitoylating with PPT1 to confirm bona fide substrates. This novel two-step screen identified >100 substrates not previously known to be depalmitoylated by PPT1, including a wide range of channels/transporters, G-proteins, endo/exocytic components, synaptic adhesion molecules, and mitochondrial proteins. Interestingly, many sites of depalmitoylation on transmembrane proteins were located in extracellular domains facing the synaptic cleft. For this group of substrates, depalmitoylation appears to facilitate disulfide bond formation. Collectively, these diverse substrates may explain the many facets of CLN1 disease caused by the loss of PPT1 function. Highlights 10% of palmitoylated proteins are palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) substrates Unbiased proteomic approaches identify 9 broad classes of substrates, including synaptic adhesion molecules and endocytic proteins PPT1 depalmitoylates several transmembrane proteins in their extracellular domains Depalmitoylation allows for disulfide bond formation in some PPT1 substrates Protein degradation does not require depalmitoylation by PPT1 Other palmitoylated Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis proteins are impacted by deficiency of PPT1, indicating a common disease pathway
Outsourced Emissions: Why Local Governments Should Track and Measure Consumption-Based Greenhouse Gases

While many local governments track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, almost all of them exclude the counting of GHGs associated with consumption. These emissions stem from the lifecycle production, pre-purchase transportation, sale, and disposal of goods, food, and services produced outside of a local jurisdiction but consumed inside the jurisdiction. Based on the limited data measuring these extraterritorial emissions, they amount to more than half, and in some places more than three-fourths, of GHG emissions directly connected to local consumption patterns and behaviors. This Article explores whether local governments should track and measure these pervasive GHGs; and how doing so may unlock meaningful information about our carbon footprint, and further meaningful climate mitigation where it can be most effective. This Article is most concerned with how the dramatic undercounting of GHG emissions at the local level and the proliferation of GHG emissions associated with consumption can lead to both under- and over-regulation at the local level. The Article details the importance of tracking and measuring consumption-based GHGs by identifying four reasons supporting tracking these gases. First, given the voluminous amount of GHGs associated with urban consumption, there are significant opportunities to explore regulation. In order to do so, local communities must have the correct information. Second, failing to measure these GHGs can lead to inaccurate and inefficient regulation. Third, regulating GHGs in the absence of consumption-based information may penalize local production. Finally, measuring local consumption-based GHGs may provide the necessary information leading to more politically feasible and equitable regulation. The Article concludes that tracking these emissions is a critical step to ensuring that the necessary GHG reduction targets are met.
Organizational Disaster Communication Ecology: Examining Interagency Coordination on Social Media During the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Interagency coordination is crucial for effective multiagency disaster management. Viewing government and emergency management organizations as vital components of citizens’ disaster communication ...
Bispecific antibodies for the treatment of breast cancer.

Introduction There are more than two dozen bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) in development with a variety of designs which are relevant to breast cancer. The field of BsAbs for breast cancer includes agents that co-direct immune recognition of the cancer cell, target unique cancer antigens, and target the microenvironment. BsAbs are being developed for use as antibody-drug conjugates and as homing signals for engineered T-cells. Areas covered This review covers potential targets for bispecific antibodies, agents in pre-clinical development, agents in clinical trials, combinatorial therapies, and future directions. Expert opinion There is no BsAb approval expected for breast cancer in the near term, but late-stage trials are underway. Future BsAb roles in breast cancer are possible given unmet needs in estrogen receptor+ disease, residual disease, and de-escalating chemotherapy use. The HER2+ space shows hints of success for BsAbs, but is already crowded. Areas of unmet need still exist.
Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors: Trends for a Ten-Year Period 1972–1982

AbstractThis study assessed sexual attitudes and behaviors of college students over a ten-year period. Data were collected in 1972, 1977, and 1982 from approximately 700 students in a large midwestern university. The instrument utilized was an anonymous 23-item questionnaire which solicited information regarding attitudes and behaviors toward premarital sexual intercourse, the “sexual revolution,” contraception, abortion, marriage, alternative lifestyles, adoption, and religious beliefs. Analysis of the data indicated similar findings across groups with respect to the proportion of subjects who engaged in the sexual behaviors queried. Significant sex differences were discernible in both attitudes and behaviors relating to premarital sexual intercourse. However, while little change occurred between the first two data collection periods, subjects indicated less tolerant attitudes toward abortion and extramarital sexual intercourse in 1982. There is some evidence to indicate that sexual attitudes and behavio...
Vitamin D status and recurrent preterm birth: a nested case-control study in high-risk women.

Please cite this paper as: Thorp J, Camargo C, McGee P, Harper M, Klebanoff M, Sorokin Y, Varner M, Wapner R, Caritis S, Iams J, Carpenter M, Peaceman A, Mercer B, Sciscione A, Rouse D, Ramin S, Anderson G. Vitamin D status and recurrent preterm birth: a nested case–control study in high-risk women. BJOG 2012;119:1617–1623. Objective To determine whether vitamin D status is associated with recurrent preterm birth, and any interactions between vitamin D levels and fish consumption. Design A nested case–control study, using data from a randomised trial of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to prevent recurrent preterm birth. Setting Fourteen academic health centres in the USA. Population Women with prior spontaneous preterm birth. Methods In 131 cases (preterm delivery at <35 weeks of gestation) and 134 term controls, we measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) from samples collected at baseline (16–22 weeks of gestation). Logistic regression models controlled for study centre, maternal age, race/ethnicity, number of prior preterm deliveries, smoking status, body mass index, and treatment. Main outcome measures Recurrent preterm birth at <37 and <32 weeks of gestation. Results The median mid-gestation serum 25(OH)D concentration was 67 nmol/l, and 27% had concentrations of <50 nmol/l. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was not significantly associated with preterm birth (OR 1.33; 95% CI 0.48–3.70 for lowest versus highest quartiles). Likewise, comparing women with 25(OH)D concentrations of 50 nmol/l, or higher, with those with <50 nmol/l generated an odds ratio of 0.80 (95% CI 0.38–1.69). Contrary to our expectation, a negative correlation was observed between fish consumption and serum 25(OH)D concentration (−0.18, P < 0.01). Conclusions In a cohort of women with a prior preterm birth, vitamin D status at mid-pregnancy was not associated with recurrent preterm birth.
Development of Interactional Competence in Japanese as a Second Language: Use of Incomplete Sentences as Interactional Resources

This study investigates the development of interactional competence by second language (L2) learners of Japanese studying abroad as indexed by their use of incomplete sentences, a common linguistic phenomenon in Japanese conversations. Eighteen international students of mixed L1 backgrounds participated in the study at a Japanese university. They conversed with a peer for 20 minutes in Japanese, while the researcher participated in the conversation occasionally. Analysis of the two conversations, recorded 12 weeks apart at the beginning and end of the semester, showed a notable increase in the learners' production of incomplete utterances, although change in participant structure (dyadic between learner peers vs. triadic among learner peers and the researcher) showed no effect in the learners' use of incomplete sentences. Close analysis of the use of the incomplete sentences in sequential organization revealed the learners' development in interactional competence: Over time they became able to use the linguistic resource of incomplete utterance endings to co-construct meaning in talk-in-progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Quantitative Single-Cell Differences in μ-Opioid Receptor mRNA Distinguish Myelinated and Unmyelinated Nociceptors

A remarkable feature of opioids is that they inhibit pain that persists from previous injuries without eliminating either the initial pain of a new injury or the protective reflexes triggered by it. Here we ask whether selective expression of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) gene in primary nociceptors (pain-sensing neurons) might contribute to this aspect of opioid specificity. We quantified single-cell levels of MOR mRNA and measured opioid inhibition of Ca channels on identified nociceptors and low-threshold mechanosensors (non-nociceptors) isolated from rats. Negligibly few non-nociceptors express MOR mRNA, thereby rendering nonpain sensations insensitive to opioids. Nearly half of nociceptors of all size classes also fail to express MOR mRNA or to respond to opioids. Among the opioid-responsive nociceptors, a gene dose-response relationship exists such that maximal opioid inhibition occurs when the MOR mRNA concentration of a cell is >15 pm. Almost all large, myelinated nociceptors express MOR mRNA below this level, whereas small, unmyelinated nociceptors are likely to express above it. Because myelinated nociceptors mediate anti-nociceptive reflexes, the data suggest that fine control of the MOR mRNA level contributes to a complex neural trait: the ability of opioids to suppress persistent pain without preventing response to a new injury.
Diagnostic Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (DIS-IV)

The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (DIS-IV; Robins, Cottler, Bucholz, Compton, North, & Rourke, 2000) is a structured interview designed to diagnose in a reliable and valid fashion the major psychiatric disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). The DIS-IV is unique among the multidisorder structured diagnostic interviews in that it is a fully structured interview specifically designed for use by nonclinician interviewers, whereas the other interviews are semi-structured. By definition, a fully structured interview specifies clearly all questions and probes and does not permit deviations. Keywords: psychiatric diagnosis; structured interview; assessment
Environmental Justice: Law, Policy, and Regulation

Environmental justice is a significant and dynamic contemporary development in environmental law. Professors Rechtschaffen, Gauna, and O'Neill provide an accessible compilation of interdisciplinary materials for studying environmental justice, interspersed with extensive notes, comments and questions designed to facilitate classroom discussion. Environmental Justice integrates excerpts from empirical studies, cases, agency decisions, informal agency guidance, law reviews and other academic literature, as well as community-generated documents. The materials include writings from the fields of environmental law and civil rights law, as well as sociology, political science, and risk assessment.After examining various conceptions of justice, studies about disparities in environmental harms and benefits, and the theories concerning the causes of such inequities, the book looks at environmental justice in a variety of regulatory contexts. Environmental Justice also explores various tools used in the effort to achieve environmental justice, including citizen suit enforcement of environmental laws, claims brought under the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and various non-litigation strategies, including land use and planning tools, disclosure laws and collaborative projects.This second edition includes a new chapter addressing climate change. It also adds expanded coverage of international environmental justice issues, risk and the public health, empirical environmental justice research, and environmental justice for American Indian peoples.
Leveraging structural knowledge for hierarchically-informed keyword weight propagation in the web

Although web navigation hierarchies, such as Yahoo.com and Open Directory Project, enable effective browsing, their individual nodes cannot be indexed for search independently. This is because contents of the individual nodes in a hierarchy are related to the contents of their neighbors, ancestors, and descendants in the structure. In this paper, we show that significant improvements in precision can be obtained by leveraging knowledge about the structure of hierarchical web content. In particular, we propose a novel keyword weight propagation technique to properly enrich the data nodes in web hierarchies. Our approach relies on leveraging the context provided by neighbor entries in a given structure. We leverage this information for developing relativecontent preserving keyword propagation schemes. We compare the results obtained through proposed hierarchically-informed keyword weight (pre-) propagation schemes to existing state-of-the-art score and keyword propagation techniques and show that our approach significantly improves the precision.
Effect of single point mutations in a form of systemic amyloidosis

Amyloid deposits of light-chain proteins are associated with the most common form of systemic amyloidosis. We have studied the effects of single point mutations on amyloid formation of these proteins using explicit solvent model molecular dynamics simulations. For this purpose, we compare the stability of the wild-type immunoglobulin light-chain protein REI in its native and amyloid forms with that of four mutants: R61N, G68D, D82I, and A84T. We argue that the experimentally observed differences in the propensity for amyloid formation result from two effects. First, the mutant dimers have a lower stability than the wild-type dimer due to increase exposure of certain hydrophobic residues. The second effect is a shift in equilibrium between monomers with amyloid-like structure and such with native structures. Hence, when developing drugs against light-chain associated systemic amyloidosis, one should look for components that either stabilize the dimer by binding to the dimer interface or reduce for the monomers the probability of the amyloid form.
Conformational transitions of duplex and triplex nucleic acid helices: thermodynamic analysis of effects of salt concentration on stability using preferential interaction coefficients

For order-disorder transitions of double- and triple-stranded nucleic acid helices, the midpoint temperatures Tm depend strongly on a +/-, the mean ionic activity of uniunivalent salt. Experimental determinations of dTm/d ln a +/- and of the enthalpy change (delta H(o)) accompanying the transition in excess salt permit evaluation of delta gamma, the stoichiometrically weighted combination of preferential interaction coefficients, each of which reflects thermodynamic effects of interactions of salt ions with a reactant or product of the conformational transition (formula; see text) Here delta H(o) is defined per mole of nucleotide by analogy to delta gamma. Application of Eq. 1 to experimental values of delta H(o) and Tm yields values of delta gamma for the denaturation of B-DNA over the range of NaCl concentrations 0.01–0.20 M (Privalov et al. (1969), Biopolymers 8,559) and for each of four order-disorder transitions of poly rA.(poly rU)n, n = 1, 2 over the range of NaCl concentrations 0.01–1.0 M (Krakauer and Sturtevant (1968), Biopolymers 6, 491). For denaturation of duplexes and triplexes, delta gamma is negative and not significantly dependent on a +/-, but delta gamma is positive and dependent on a +/- for the disproportionation transition of poly rA.poly rU duplexes. Quantitative interpretations of these trends and magnitudes of delta gamma in terms of coulombic and excluded volume effects are obtained by fitting separately each of the two sets of thermodynamic data using Eq. 1 with delta gamma PB evaluated from the cylindrically symmetric Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) equation for a standard model of salt-polyelectrolyte solutions. The only structural parameters required by this model are: b, the mean axial distance between the projections of adjacent polyion charges onto the cylindrical axis; and a, the mean distance of closest approach between a salt ion center and the cylindrical axis. Fixing bMS and aMS for the multi-stranded (ordered) conformations, we determined the corresponding best fitted values of bSS and aSS for single-stranded RNA and DNA. The resulting best fitted values of aSS are systematically less than aDS by 2–4 A. Uncertainty in the best-fitted values of bSS is significantly lower than in the aSS, because bMS is known with relatively high precision and because the larger uncertainty in aMS has a relatively small effect on the best-fitted values of bSS:bSS = 3.2 +/- 0.6 A for single-stranded poly rA and poly rU; and bSS = 3.4 +/- 0.2 A for single-stranded DNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Combustion Initiated by a Porous Ceramic Regenerator in a Reciprocating Engine Environment

This paper presents the experimental results of thermally initiated, premixed combustion by a porous ceramic matrix physically located above the cylinder bore inside a combustion chamber. This article’ s purpose is to show the ability of the matrix to act as a combustion initiator and to show its ability for promoting complete combustion. Surface temperatures and exhaust gas composition were recorded using thermocouples and a nondispersive infrared gas analyzer. Results show that complete combustion at mass air ‐ fuel ratios above 20 were possible with products (on a dry, molar basis ) of CO below 0.35%, CO 2 above 11.5%, and unburned hydrocarbon emissions below 40 ppm. When the ignition source was the ceramic surface (unaided by spark ignition ) there was no noticeable carbon particulate buildup on its surface. Based on these results, ceramic matrix surface ignition shows potential for becoming a better ignition source than an ordinary electric spark for lean-burning engines.
Application of the Isgur-Karl model to the low-lying S states of charmonium

The low-lying S states of the charmonium system are used as a test case for the application of the Isgur-Karl model to mesons. Fitting exactly to the psi and psi' masses, the masses of the eta/sub c/ and eta/sub c//sup prime/ are obtained within 0.7% of the experimental values. The constituent mass of the c quark is predicted to be 1450 MeV.
Window displays and consumer shopping decisions

Abstract Window displays are an ubiquitous and prominent but under-researched element of retail strategy. This paper explores how the store and product category information communicated by a store's windows are related to consumers’ shopping decisions, such as store entry and product purchase, and how these relationships vary for consumer segments that differ in terms of their knowledge of the retailer's product(s). Results of a study conducted in the context of clothing retailers demonstrate that the store entry decision is related both directly as well as indirectly (through acquisition of inferred, store-related information) to the acquisition of observed, store-related information from window displays. However, it is product category-related information (e.g. fashion and product-self fit) rather than store-related information (e.g. merchandise and store image) that is more strongly associated with the product purchase decision. Moreover, consumers with medium levels of clothing knowledge are more influenced by windows in their shopping decisions than those with low or high levels.
Maintenance energy model for microbial degradation of toxic chemicals in soil

A new kinetic model incorporating maintenance energy requirements is developed for use in the description of microbial degradation of toxic chemicals in soil. This model better describes extended, long-term CO2 respiration data that typically occurs when substrate concentrations are low. The model is tested with data from the respiration of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) to CO2 and is shown to statistically fit better than an associated model without maintenance considerations.
Thickness of the Flowing Superfluid Film

It has recently been shown experimentally that the thickness of a saturated helium film is independent of its state of superflow. We present a simple model in which the thickness of such a film is fixed by dynamical considerations at the gas-film interface, and the required balance of forces is then provided by relatively minor adjustments in the film surface tension.
1013-110 Effects of Cocaine on Human Platelet Aggregation In Vivo

A temporal relation has been established between cocaine ingestion and acute myocardial infarction. Based on in vitro data, an increase in platelet aggregation has been hypothesized as a factor contributing to ischemic events following cocaine abuse. To determine whether cocaine administration increases platelet aggregation in vivo, 12 healthy volunteers were studied twice, each subject receiving cocaine (2 mg/kg intranasally) or placebo in a double-blind, randomized, crossover fashion. Aggregation was tested at baseline and 40, 80 and 120 minutes following administration of the study drug, using a turbidimetric method. Aggregation was induced using arachidonic acid (AA, 625 μM), epinephrine (5, 10 and 25 μM), and ADP (1, 2, 4 and 10 μM). Data are expressed as difference in aggregation (%) [cocaine placebo]: Agonist (μM) Baseline 40 min 80 min 120 min ADP 1 0 ± 1 0 ± 1 –2 ± 1 –2 ± 2 2 1 ± 3 0 ± 2 –4 ± 2 –5 ± 3 4 6 ± 5 –2 ± 5 –6 ± 6 –10 ± 8 10 4 ± 3 –1 ± 3 –1 ± 3 –8 ± 3 Epinephrine 5 2 ± 9 0 ± 9 –4 ± 6 –11 ± 7 10 –6 ± 7 –6 ± 4 –5 ± 4 –11 ± 7 25 3 ± 6 –3 ± 4 –5 ± 6 –13 ± 6 AA 625 11 ± 8 3 ± 12 –3 ± 11 –2 ± 14 Data are presented as mean ± SEM. By doubly repeated ANOVA, there was a decrease in aggregation after cocaine no matter which of these 3 agonists were used (p l 0.05). Conclusions These data do not support an increase in platelet aggregation as a primary cause of myocardial infarction following low dose cocaine administration. It is unlikely that low dose cocaine causes a direct thrombogenic effect. No conclusion can be reached for high dose cocaine.
Global Inequalities in the Care of Women With Cancer

Cancer is a leading cause of global mortality, and women in low- and middle- income countries are disproportionately affected due to vulnerabilities related to gender inequality, poverty and environmental factors. Cancers affecting women are given low priority in the developing world and resources for screening, diagnosing and treating cancer are limited. The Millennium Development Goals may serve as a guide to design programs that address the allocation of cancer services, equipment, medications and trained health care providers. This article aims to provide readers with strategies to advocate for gender parity in worldwide cancer control policies.