cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A case of encephalitis in a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patient treated with etanercept

= Abstract = Tumor necrosis factor- (TNF- ) is a major proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathophysiology of juvenile rheumatoid α α arthritis. Etanercept is an effective inhibitor of TNF- and has shown a beneficial effect in patients with JRA. However, α the most important cause of concern related to etanercept administration is infection. We report a case of encephalitis in a JRA patient receiving long-term treatment with etanercept. The patient was a 4-year-old boy with refractory JRA, and he received etanercept subcutaneously at a dose of 0.4 mg kg -1 day -1 twice a week for 14 months, along with non-steroi- dal anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate, oral steroids, and sulfasalazine. The patient presented with sudden fever, head- ache, vomiting, a generalized tonic seizure, and changes in mental status. We suspected a central nervous system infection, and simultaneously administered antibiotics, an antiviral agent, and steroids. After 2 days of hospitalization, his mental function returned to normal, and he showed no further seizure-like movements. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scan of the patient showed a multifocal cortical lesion on both sides of the temporoparietooccipital lobe, which indicated en- cephalitis. Although we were unable to identify the causative organism of encephalitis, we think that the encephalitis may be attributed to infection, and the use of etanercept may have increased the risk of severe infection. Therefore, etanercept was discontinued and the patient recovered shortly after. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of encep- halitis in a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patient treated with etanercept. (Korean J Pediatr 2010;53:262-266)
Measurements of carbon dioxide on very tall towers: results of the NOAA/CMDL program

Measurements of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) mixing ratios have been carried out since 1992 on a 610-m tall communications tower in North Carolina and since 1994 on a 447-m tall tower in Wisconsin. The data provide insights into the influence of pollution (fossil fuel combustion), biological exchange, boundary layer dynamics, and advective transport on CO 2 mixing ratios over the continents. In this paper, we provide an overview of the data, describe access to the data, and suggest ways in which these results could be used to improve simulations of the global carbon cycle. In particular, the data will be very useful to constrain model estimates of covariance between terrestrial ecosystem fluxes of CO 2 and diurnal and seasonal variations of planetary boundary layer mixing. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1998.t01-4-00001.x
Several Characteristics of Active/Sleep Model in Wireless Sensor Networks

We investigate several characteristics of active/sleep model in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Here, each node of the investigated WSN may be randomly and alternatively in an ACTIVE status or a SLEEP status. When a referenced sensor node is in an ACTIVE status, it may generate data packets with a given stochastic process and may transmit/receive a data packet with a random period of time. However, when the referenced sensor node is in a SLEEP status, it may only be able to stochastically generate date packets but not transmit/receive. If all possible next-hop nodes of the referenced node are in SLEEP statuses, we will say the environment of the referenced node to be in an OFF period. If there exists at least one next-hop node of the referenced node to be in ACTIVE status, we will say that its environment is in an ON period. In this shorter paper, we first derive the steady-state probability distribution of number of data packets in the referenced node and then obtain the distribution function for a node to be in an ON period and in an OFF period, respectively. The novelty of this note is in its development of a stochastic model in WSN with active/sleep feature and the explicit results obtained for above two performance characteristics. These results are expected to be useful as the fundamental results in the theoretic analysis and design of various WSNs with active and sleep status consideration.
Molecular imaging : A primer for interventionalists and imagers

The characterization of human diseases by their underlying molecular and genomic aberrations has been the hallmark of molecular medicine. From this, molecular imaging has emerged as a potentially revolutionary discipline that aims to visually characterize normal and pathologic processes at the cellular and molecular levels within the milieu of living organisms. Molecular imaging holds promise to provide earlier and more precise disease diagnosis, improved disease characterization, and timely assessment of therapeutic response. This primer is intended to provide a broad overview of molecular imaging with specific focus on future clinical applications relevant to interventional radiology.
Conventional and molecular diagnostic testing for the acute neurologic patient

Objective – The aim of this review is to describe and evaluate both conventional and molecular diagnostic testing utilized in dogs and cats with acute neurologic diseases. Various types of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are explored along with novel molecular diagnostic testing that ultimately may prove useful in the critical care setting. Data Sources – PUBMED was searched to obtain relevant references material using keywords: ‘canine OR feline meningitis AND meningoencephalitis,’‘feline infectious peritonitis,’‘canine distemper,’‘canine OR feline AND toxoplasma,’‘canine neospora,’‘canine OR feline AND rickettsia,’‘granulomatous meningoencephalitis,’‘steroid responsive meningitis arteritis,’‘necrotizing encephalitis,’‘novel neurodiagnostics,’‘canine OR feline AND CNS borrelia,’‘canine OR feline AND CNS bartonella,’‘canine OR feline AND CNS fungal,’‘nested OR multiplex OR degenerate OR consensus OR CODEHOP AND PCR.’ Research findings from the authors' laboratory and current veterinary textbooks also were utilized. Human Data Synthesis – Molecular diagnostic testing including conventional, real-time, and consensus and degenerate PCR and microarray analysis are utilized routinely for the antemortem diagnosis of infectious meningoencephalitis (ME) in humans. Recently, PCR using consensus degenerate hybrid primers (CODEHOP) has been used to identify and characterize a number of novel human viruses. Veterinary Data Synthesis – Molecular diagnostic testing such as conventional and real-time PCR aid in the diagnosis of several important central nervous system infectious agents including canine distemper virus, Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, rickettsial species, and others. Recently, broadly reactive consensus and degenerate PCR reactions have been applied to canine ME including assays for rickettsial organisms, Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp., and various viral families. Conclusions – In the acute neurologic patient, there are several key infectious diseases that can be pursued by a combination of conventional and molecular diagnostic testing. It is important that the clinician understands the utility, as well as the limitations, of the various neurodiagnostic tests that are available.
Nongenomic Inhibition of Oxytocin Binding by Progesterone in the Ovine Uterus

Progesterone (P4) has been reported to inhibit oxytocin (OT) binding to its receptor in isolated murine endometrial membranes. The purpose of the present research was to 1) examine the in vivo and in vitro effect of P4 on the binding of OT to its receptor in the ovine endometrium and 2) determine whether the endometrial plasma membranes have high-affinity binding sites for P4. Ovariectomized ewes were pretreated with a sequence of estradiol-17b (2 days) and P4 (5 days) before being treated with estradiol-17b plus either vehicle (corn oil), P4 ,o r P4 1 mifepristone (RU 486) for 3 consecutive days. Treatment of ewes with 10 mg P4/day for 3 days suppressed binding of OT (P , 0.01) compared with that of controls, whereas concomitant treatment with the progestin antagonist RU 486 (10 mg/ day) blocked the effect of P4. Similarly, incubation of endometrial plasma membranes with P4 (5 ng/ml) inhibited binding of OT (P , 0.05), whereas this effect of P4 was blocked by the presence of RU 486 (10 ng/ml). By radioreceptor assay, the endometrial plasma membranes were found to contain a high-affinity binding site for P4 and the progestin agonist promegestone (Kd 1.2 3 10 29 and 1.74 3 10 210 M, respectively). Incubation of endometrial plasma membranes with P4 (5 ng/ml) significantly increased the concentration of progestin binding sites. Binding of labeled promegestone (R 5020) was competitively inhibited by excess unlabeled R 5020, P4, RU 486, and OT but not by estradiol-17b, cortisol, testosterone, and arginine vasopressin. These data suggest a direct suppressive action of P4 on the binding of OT to OT receptors in the ovine endometrial plasma membrane. mechanisms of hormone action, oxytocin, progesterone, progesterone receptor, uterus
Mega numbers and lobbying for individuals withintellectual disabilities

Lobbying is a competitive effort directed to reaching legislators who are attempting to balance the demands of individuals, organized groups, political parties and the complex economic realities of our times. Unfortunately, the use of all-inclusive "mega numbers" (whether it is the millions of individuals with intellectual disabilities or the billions of dollars for needed services) is difficult for any person to place in proper perspective. As a result, the millions of children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities become "just numbers" - not actual people. The need is to somehow personalize these numbers if we are to bring increased attention to these individuals with special needs. Census Bureau and private research foundation data are used to illustrate an approach to personalize the information for individual politicians.
Modulation of Opioid Receptor Function by Membrane Lipids

Analogous to the dependence of soluble enzymes on the composition and characteristics of their aqueous milieu, the activity of functional membrane proteins is influenced by properties of the lipid bilayer. Specifically, in numerous studies the function of membrane-bound enzymes, receptors and transport carriers was correlated with membrane fluidity, a biophysical property largely determined by membrane composition at a given temperature (Shinitzky, 1987a; Aloia et al., 1988; Viret et al., 1990). The results of these studies have confirmed the significance of membrane microviscosity as a parameter that affects the dynamics and thereby, the biological activity of various membrane constituents. As shown in progressively fluidized membrane of turkey erythrocytes, the activation of adenylate cyclase following occupancy of the s-adrenergic receptor is a diffusion-controlled process (Hanski et al., 1978). This model depicts the receptor and enzyme as mobile membrane components whose diffusion leads to collision-coupling and initiates signal generation. Thus, in this system, the fluidity of the membrane microenvironment has at least a modulating, if not a ratelimiting role. In contrast, in permanently coupled systems, such as the adenosine receptor, altered membrane microviscosity did not influence the coupling process (Braun and Levitzki, 1979). Both of these modes of coupling can be part of the overall mechanism of a receptor: approximately one-half of the α2-adrenergic receptors that bound to GTP regulatory protein did so by collision-coupling, the others were precoupled (Neubig et al., 1988).
Effects of incubation temperatures and trace mineral sources on chicken live performance and footpad skin development

One experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of two incubation temperature profiles (TEM) and two trace mineral (TM) sources with their inclusion levels on performance and footpad skin development of Ross 708 chickens. A total of 1,000 eggs from 29-wk-old breeders were incubated following two TEM profiles: a standard (S) eggshell temperature (37.8±0.2°C) for 21 d of incubation and an early-low late-high (LH) TEM. The second profile had low (37.2±0.2°C) temperature for the first 3 d, and S until the last 3 d when eggshell temperature was 39.2±0.2°C. At hatch, 15 male and 15 female chicks from each TEM were selected, and footpads sampled. Additionally, 168 males per TEM were placed in 24 battery cages with 7 chickens each. The 48 cages were assigned to two TM dietary treatments: one with inorganic (ITM) sources of Zn (120 ppm), Cu (10 ppm), and Mn (120 ppm) and the other with chelated (CTM) mineral sources using lower inclusion levels of Zn (32 ppm), Cu (8 ppm), and Mn (32 ppm). At 7 and 21 d, BW gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were obtained and chicks sampled for footpads. Histological analysis assessed thickness and area ofstratus corneum(SC), epidermis, and dermis. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized block design in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments with TEM and sex as main factors for hatch data and TEM and TM diets for 7 and 21 d data. The LH chicks were heavier than S chicks at hatch, but had more residual yolk. However, S TEM male chickens were heavier at 7 and 21 d. The S TEM had better FCR than LH TEM.Papillaedermis parameters at hatch were higher in the S TEM. At 7 d, SC height and area were increased by the S TEM. At 21 d CTM increased dermis height and area. In conclusion, TEM affected footpad skin development and broiler performance. Replacing ITM with reduced levels of CTM increased dermis development without affecting live performance or other skin layers.
Silver Nanoparticles on Fe3O4(111): Energetics by Ag Adsorption Calorimetry and Structure by Surface Spectroscopies

The heat of adsorption of Ag atoms and the growth morphology of the resulting silver particles on the Fe3O4(111) surface at 300 K were studied by adsorption microcalorimetry, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and low energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEIS). Thin films (∼6 nm thick) of Fe3O4(111) were grown on a Pt(111) single crystal. The changes in AES and LEIS signals versus Ag coverage during Ag vapor deposition onto Fe3O4(111) were indicative of Ag growing as 3D particles with a fixed density of ∼4 × 1012 particles/cm2. The heat of Ag adsorption increased with Ag coverage from ∼230 kJ/mol initially up to within a few percent of the heat of sublimation of bulk Ag (285 kJ/mol) by ∼2 ML Ag. This corresponds to an increase in Ag atom stability (decrease in chemical potential) by ∼55 kJ/mol as the Ag particle size grows from <1 to ∼4 nm effective diameter on Fe3O4(111). The Ag(solid)/Fe3O4(111) adhesion energy for the 4 nm particles was estimated from the integral heat of adsorption to be 2.5 ± 0.3 J/m2...
Origin of thickness dependence of structural phase transition temperatures in highly strained BiFeO3 thin films

Two structural phase transitions are investigated in highly strained BiFeO3 thin films as a function of film thickness and temperature via synchrotron x-ray diffraction. Both transition temperatures (upon heating: monoclinic MC to monoclinic MA to tetragonal) decrease as the film becomes thinner. A film-substrate interface layer, evidenced by half-order peaks, contributes to this behavior, but at larger thicknesses (above a few nanometers), the temperature dependence results from electrostatic considerations akin to size effects in ferroelectric phase transitions, but observed here for structural phase transitions within the ferroelectric phase. For ultra-thin films, the tetragonal structure is stable to low temperatures.
Cotranslational association of mRNA encoding subunits of heteromeric ion channels.

Oligomers of homomeric voltage-gated potassium channels associate early in biogenesis as the nascent proteins emerge from the polysome. Less is known about how proteins emerging from different polysomes associate to form hetero-oligomeric channels. Here, we report that alternate mRNA transcripts encoding human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) 1a and 1b subunits, which assemble to produce ion channels mediating cardiac repolarization, are physically associated during translation. We show that shRNA specifically targeting either hERG 1a or 1b transcripts reduced levels of both transcripts, but only when they were coexpressed heterologously. Both transcripts could be copurified with an Ab against the nascent hERG 1a N terminus. This interaction occurred even when translation of 1b was prevented, indicating the transcripts associate independent of their encoded proteins. The association was also demonstrated in cardiomyocytes, where levels of both hERG transcripts were reduced by either 1a or 1b shRNA, but native KCNE1 and ryanodine receptor 2 (RYR2) transcripts were unaffected. Changes in protein levels and membrane currents mirrored changes in transcript levels, indicating the targeted transcripts were undergoing translation. The physical association of transcripts encoding different subunits provides the spatial proximity required for nascent proteins to interact during biogenesis, and may represent a general mechanism facilitating assembly of heteromeric protein complexes involved in a range of biological processes.
Periodontal Disease and Breast Cancer-Response.

In our recent article, we found that among the postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Observational Study (OS), periodontal disease was associated with increased risk of breast cancer, particularly among smokers ([1][1]). As we indicated in our article, there are a number of
Effects of antenatal lipopolysaccharide and postnatal hyperoxia on airway reactivity and remodeling in a neonatal mouse model

Antenatal inflammation and preterm birth are associated with the development of airway diseases such as wheezing and asthma. Utilizing a newborn mouse model, we assessed the effects of maternal inflammation and postnatal hyperoxia on the neonatal airway. Pregnant C57/Bl6 dams were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline on embryonic day 16. Offspring were placed in room air or hyperoxia (50% O2) for 7 d and then returned to normoxia. Airway mechanics, histology, and laser capture micro-dissection (LCM) were performed. At postnatal day 21, maternal LPS- and 50% O2-exposed pups exhibited increased resistance and decreased compliance compared to 21% O2 pups; however their effects were not synergistic. LPS and hyperoxia each increased the thickness of airway smooth muscle (ASM), but not the airway epithelial layer. Structural changes were largely limited to the conducting airways. Upregulation of inflammatory markers in the lung was observed at birth. LCM revealed increased collagen-3, transforming growth factor β, and connective tissue growth factor expression with LPS and hyperoxia within the ASM layer. These novel studies provide functional, structural, and molecular evidence that antenatal inflammation is detrimental to the developing airway. Exposure to moderate hyperoxia does not exacerbate LPS effects on the airway.
ETHANOL AND DIET-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN KUPFFER CELL FUNCTION

The effects of 6 weeks of alcohol feeding on phagocytic, metabolic and secretory functions as well as gene expression of hepatic Kupffer cells were evaluated in vitro using cultured Kupffer cells isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were fed either Teklad pelleted rat chow or the 1982 Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet containing 6% ethanol (36% calories) or the same liquid diet with maltose-dextrin isocalorically substituted for the alcohol. Weight gain was greatest in the chow-fed animals and least in those receiving ethanol. The alcohol-containing diet stimulated Kupffer cell phagocytosis, mitochondrial reduction of Mil, secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and expression of TNF mRNA. However, each of these cell functions was also enhanced by the control Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet alone and the stimulating effect of the control diet often exceeded that induced by ethanol. The results suggest that early in chronic alcohol consumption, the immune system may be stimulated by ethanol, and that during studies of ethanol-induced changes in immune system function, close attention must be given to potentially confounding effects of the diet.
Total belowground carbon flux in subalpine forests is related to leaf area index, soil nitrogen, and tree height

In forests, total belowground carbon (C) flux (TBCF) is a large component of the C budget and represents a critical pathway for delivery of plant C to soil. Reducing uncertainty around regional estimates of forest C cycling may be aided by incorporating knowledge of controls over soil respiration and TBCF. Photosynthesis, and presumably TBCF, declines with advancing tree size and age, and photosynthesis increases yet C partitioning to TBCF decreases in response to high soil fertility. We hypothesized that these causal relationships would result in predictable patterns of TBCF, and partitioning of C to TBCF, with natural variability in leaf area index (LAI), soil nitrogen (N), and tree height in subalpine forests in the Rocky Mountains, USA. Using three consecutive years of soil respiration data collected from 22 0.38-ha locations across three 1-km2 subalpine forested landscapes, we tested three hypotheses: (1) annual soil respiration and TBCF will show a hump-shaped relationship with LAI; (2) variability in TBCF unexplained by LAI will be related to soil nitrogen (N); and (3) partitioning of C to TBCF (relative to woody growth) will decline with increasing soil N and tree height. We found partial support for Hypothesis 1 and full support for Hypotheses 2 and 3. TBCF, but not soil respiration, was explained by LAI and soil N patterns (r2 = 0.49), and the ratio of annual TBCF to TBCF plus aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) was related to soil N and tree height (r2 = 0.72). Thus, forest C partitioning to TBCF can vary even within the same forest type and region, and approaches that assume a constant fraction of TBCF relative to ANPP may be missing some of this variability. These relationships can aid with estimates of forest soil respiration and TBCF across landscapes, using spatially explicit forest data such as national inventories or remotely sensed data products.
General He Yingqin: The Rise and Fall of Nationalist China

A revisionist study of the career of General He Yingqin, one of the most prominent military officers in China's Nationalist period (1928–49) and one of the most misunderstood figures in twentieth-century China. Western scholars have dismissed He Yingqin as corrupt and incompetent, yet the Chinese archives reveal that he demonstrated considerable success as a combat commander and military administrator during civil conflicts and the Sino-Japanese War. His work in the Chinese Nationalist military served as the foundation of a close personal and professional relationship with Chiang Kai-shek, with whom he worked closely for more than two decades. Against the backdrop of the Nationalist revolution of the 1920s through the 1940s, Peter Worthing analyzes He Yingqin's rise to power alongside Chiang Kai-shek, his work in building the Nationalist military, and his fundamental role in carrying out policies designed to overcome the regime's greatest obstacles during this turbulent period of Chinese history.
Resilience Enhancement Strategy for Distribution Systems Under Extreme Weather Events

This paper proposes an optimal hardening strategy to enhance the resilience of power distribution networks to protect against extreme weather events. Different grid hardening techniques are considered, such as upgrading poles and vegetation management. The problem is formulated as a tri-level optimization problem to minimize grid hardening investment and load shedding in extreme weather events. The first level is to identify vulnerable distribution lines and select hardening strategies, the second level is to determine the set of out-of-service distribution lines so that the damage caused by extreme weather events is maximized, and the third level is to minimize load shedding costs according to load priorities and the set of damaged lines. Since the selection of hardening strategies is coupled with the uncertainty set of out-of-service lines, the original tri-level model is transformed to be an equivalent bi-level problem, which is subsequently solved by a greedy searching algorithm. Case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method under multiple severe weather events and different simulation settings.
Network Inference from Multimodal data: A Review of Approaches from Infectious Disease Transmission.

Networks inference problems are commonly found in multiple biomedical subfields such as genomics, metagenomics, neuroscience, and epidemiology. Networks are useful for representing a wide range of complex interactions ranging from those between molecular biomarkers, neurons, and microbial communities, to those found in human or animal populations. Recent technological advances have resulted in an increasing amount of healthcare data in multiple modalities, increasing the preponderance of network inference problems. Multi-domain data can now be used to improve the robustness and reliability of recovered networks from unimodal data. For infectious diseases in particular, there is a body of knowledge that has been focused on combining multiple pieces of linked information. Combining or analyzing disparate modalities in concert has demonstrated greater insight into disease transmission than could be obtained from any single modality in isolation. This has been particularly helpful in understanding incidence and transmission at early stages of infections that have pandemic potential. Novel pieces of linked information in the form of spatial, temporal, and other covariates including high-throughput sequence data, clinical visits, social network information, pharmaceutical prescriptions, and clinical symptoms (reported as free-text data) also encourage further investigation of these methods. The purpose of this review is to provide an in-depth analysis of multimodal infectious disease transmission network inference methods with a specific focus on Bayesian inference. We focus on analytical Bayesian inference-based methods as this enables recovering multiple parameters simultaneously, for example, not just the disease transmission network, but also parameters of epidemic dynamics. Our review studies their assumptions, key inference parameters and limitations, and ultimately provides insights about improving future network inference methods in multiple applications.
ERECTOR SPINAE MUSCLE — ILIOCOSTALIS ANATOMIC VARIATION

The erector spinae muscle is categorized as the intermediate layer of the intrinsic back muscles. Textbooks often describe the iliocostalis thoracis as originating superior to the iliocostalis lumborum. Six cadavers were dissected to reveal the iliocostalis thoracis origin and insertion points which show that the iliocostalis thoracis has fascicular attachments to the common erector spinae tendon. After reviewing nine common anatomy textbooks, 66.7% did not describe the iliocostalis thoracis as having fascicular extension into the common erector spinae tendon in both the text and illustrations. Interestingly, 22.2% of these textbooks had text that explained the attachments differently than the illustrations showed. While all cadaver specimens are inherently different, this finding shows that textbooks should reflect the fact that the iliocostalis thoracis originates from the common erector spinae tendon. This outcome could influence the healthcare a patient receives for antalgic compensatory posture associated with low back pain.
The positive impact of radiologic imaging on high-stage cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma management

Background There is limited evidence on the utility of radiologic imaging for prognostic staging of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). Objective Review utilization of radiologic imaging of high-stage CSCCs to evaluate whether imaging impacted management and outcomes. Methods Tumors classified as Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) tumor (T) stage T2B or T3 over a 13-year period were reviewed to identify whether imaging was performed and whether results affected treatment. Disease-related outcomes (DRO: local recurrence, nodal metastasis, death from disease) were compared between patients by type of imaging used. Results 108 high-stage CSCCs in 98 patients were included. Imaging (mostly computed tomography, 79%) was utilized in 45 (46%) patients and management was altered in 16 (33%) patients who underwent imaging. Patients that received no imaging were at higher risk of developing nodal metastases (nonimaging, 30%; imaging, 13%; P = .041) and any DRO (nonimaging, 42%; imaging, 20%; P = .028) compared to the imaging group. Imaging was associated with a lower risk for DRO (subhazard ratio, 0.5; 95% CI 0.2-0.9; P = .046) adjusted for BWH T stage, sex, and location. Limitations Single institution retrospective design and changes in technology overtime. Conclusions Radiologic imaging of high-stage CSCC may influence management and appears to positively impact outcomes. Further prospective studies are needed to establish which patients benefit from imaging.
Simultaneous Moisture Content and Mass Flow Measurements in Wood Chip Flows Using Coupled Dielectric and Impact Sensors.

An 8-electrode capacitance tomography (ECT) sensor was built and used to measure moisture content (MC) and mass flow of pine chip flows. The device was capable of directly measuring total water quantity in a sample but was sensitive to both dry matter and moisture, and therefore required a second measurement of mass flow to calculate MC. Two means of calculating the mass flow were used: the first being an impact sensor to measure total mass flow, and the second a volumetric approach based on measuring total area occupied by wood in images generated using the capacitance sensor’s tomographic mode. Tests were made on 109 groups of wood chips ranging in moisture content from 14% to 120% (dry basis) and wet weight of 280 to 1100 g. Sixty groups were randomly selected as a calibration set, and the remaining were used for validation of the sensor’s performance. For the combined capacitance/force transducer system, root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) for wet mass flow and moisture content were 13.42% and 16.61%, respectively. RMSEP using the combined volumetric mass flow/capacitance sensor for dry mass flow and moisture content were 22.89% and 24.16%, respectively. Either of the approaches was concluded to be feasible for prediction of moisture content in pine chip flows, but combining the impact and capacitance sensors was easier to implement. In situations where flows could not be impeded, however, the tomographic approach would likely be more useful.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Analysis of the Foveal Avascular Zone and Macular Vessel Density After Anti-VEGF Therapy in Eyes With Diabetic Macular Edema and Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose To evaluate the changes in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and the retinal capillary density after a single intravitreal anti-VEGF injection for macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion. Methods In this prospective noncomparative case series, 18 eyes of 15 patients with diabetic macular edema (13 eyes) or macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (5 eyes) were included. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images were obtained, and retinal capillary vessel density and FAZ area were measured in the foveal and parafoveal regions at the level of the superficial (SCP) and deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP) before and at the first visit after intravitreal injection. Results The mean interval between baseline and follow up OCTA was 32.5 ± 9.4 (range, 21-50) days. Foveal and parafoveal vessel density in the SCP and DCP were not significantly different before and after intravitreal injection (all P > 0.1), nor was FAZ area (P = 0.48 and P = 0.42, respectively). No significant difference was found between eyes with diabetic macular edema and those with retinal vein occlusion with respect to the mean change of vessel density and FAZ area (all P > 0.05). Conclusions In this pilot study, retinal capillary density and FAZ area remained statistically unchanged in the short-term after a single intravitreal injection of an anti-VEGF agent.
Liquefied Gaseous Fuels (LGF) Spill Test Facility Program

The Department of Energy (DOE) is constructing a facility at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) which will be capable of the rapid release of large quantities of cryogenic or pressurized flammable or toxic materials. The facility is being built in concert with and in response to the needs of many industrial and governmental organizations.The facility is designed to satisfy the need for information for risk assessment, emergency response, regulation, plant design, plant siting, and hazard mitigation. It will be capable of spilling up to 200 m3 (53,000 gal) of cryogenic fluids such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or refrigerated ammonia at rates between 5 and 100 m3/min (1,000-26,000 gpm). In addition, up to 90 m3 (24,000 gal) of ambient temperature materials such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or chlorine, with pressures up to 2,000 kpa (300 psi), can be released at rates between 2 and 20 m3/min (500-5,000 gpm). An extensive sensor and data acquisition system is available to acquire data on spill characteristics ...
Subsurface Transport of Heavy Metals Mediated by Biosolid Colloids in Waste-Amended Soils

Land application of agricultural and industrial solid waste products (biosolids) is being widely promoted as a cost-effective nutrient management alternative with dramatic increases worldwide in recent years (Linden, 1995). Although many biosolid materials are considered excellent sources of plant macronutrients, some contain high levels of heavy metals in labile forms that may pose a significant threat to soil and groundwater quality (McBride et al., 1997, Scancar et al, 2001). There is a general perception that many hydrophobic contaminants, such as heavy metals, readily sorb to the soil matrix and are considered to be virtually immobile, posing little danger to groundwater supplies (McCarthy and Zachara, 1989). However, the risk may be greater than anticipated considering that a significant metal load may be associated with dispersed biosolid colloid particles, which may be mobilized through soil macropores to lower soil depths and greater distances (Kretzschmar et al., 1995; Gove et al., 2001). The high organic carbon content and increased surface reactivity of mobile biosolid colloids may out-compete the soil matrix in heavy metal sorption affinity, thus facilitating metal transport (Karathanasis, 1999; Karathanasis and Ming, 2002). This colloid-mediated metal transport may explain the negative metal mass balances found by some researchers trying to account for the losses of biosolid-applied heavy metals in soils (McGrath and Lane, 1989; Baveye et al., 1999).
Behavioral lifestyle interventions for moderate and severe obesity: A systematic review

Abstract Moderate and severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2) affect 15% of US adults, with a projected increase over the next two decades. This study reviews evidence of behavioral lifestyle interventions for weight loss in this population. We searched PubMed, PsychInfo, CINAHL®, and Scopus through February 2016 for experimental and quasi-experimental studies that tested a dietary and/or physical activity intervention with a behavioral modification component versus a comparator; and had ≥ six-month follow-up and a weight-related primary outcome. Twelve studies representing 1862 participants (mean BMI 37.5–48.3, mean age 30–54 years) were included. Nine studies compared different behavioral interventions and three tested behavioral intervention(s) versus pharmacological or surgical treatments. Among the 25 behavioral interventions in the 12 studies, 18 reported percent of participants achieving clinically significant weight loss up to 12 months (32–97% achieving 5% or 3–70% achieving 10%). Three studies measured other cardiometabolic risk factors, but showed no significant risk reduction. Seven interventions with greater effectiveness (i.e., at least 31% achieving ≥ 10% or 62% achieving ≥ 5% weight loss up to one year) included multiple components (diet, physical activity, and behavioral strategies), long duration (e.g., one year), and/or intensive contacts (e.g., inpatient stays for clinic-based interventions, weekly contacts for community-based ones). Evidence for the effectiveness of behavioral interventions versus pharmacological or surgical treatment was limited. Comprehensive and intensive behavioral interventions can result in clinically significant, albeit modest, weight loss in this obese subpopulation but may not result significant improvements in other cardiometabolic risk factors. More research on scalable and sustainable interventions is needed.
Resource productivity and resource use efficiency in cashewnut production

Investigation was carried out during the year 2013-14. In all 48 cashewnut growers were randomly selected from sixteen villages of two tehsils in South-Goa district of Goa State. Cross sectional data were collected from cashewnut growers with the help of pretested schedule by personal interview method. Data were related to cashewnut outputs and inputs like machine labour, manure, fertilizers, irrigation and family human labour as resources. Cobb Douglas production function was fitted to the data. The results revealed that, regression co-efficient of area under cashewnut was 0.278 followed by that of machine labour (0.052). In next order, regression coefficient of potash was 0.008 followed by irrigation (0.139). Regression co-efficient of manure, nitrogen and family human labour were positive but non-significant. Marginal product of area under cashewnut was 6.431 quintals followed by that of machine labour (0.129 q), family human labour (0.035 q) and manure (0.129 q) and so on. MVP to price ratio with respect to machine labour was 2.28 followed by area under cashewnut (1.86), family human labour (1.61), potash (1.49), nitrogen (1.25), irrigation (1.19) and manure (1.16). Hence, preference might be given to increase machine labour on priority basis in cashewnut cultivation. Optimum resource use of area under cotton was 1.26 hectares and that of irrigation was 5505.50 m 3 .
Summary and Conclusions: Leaping Across the Abyss

By and large our discussion up to this point has tended to the “positive” rather than the “normative,” When, where, and how such economic discontinuities might occur, as well as their varieties, has been our main topic, despite occasional editorial asides. Let us now indulge ourselves in a more value-laden and policy-oriented contemplation of this apparently powerful tendency to discontinuities in economic events.
Association of LN Evaluation with Survival in Women Aged 70 Years or Older With Clinically Node-Negative Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

Some suggest that lymph node (LN) evaluation not be performed routinely in women aged ≥70 years with clinically (c) LN-negative (−), hormone receptor (HR)-positive (+) breast cancer. We sought to determine the association of omission of LN evaluation on survival. Patients who met the above criteria and were diagnosed from 2004 to 2012 were identified in the NCDB and SEER databases. Overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were determined. Using the NCDB, we identified 157,584 cLN− HR+ patients aged ≥70 years in whom survival and LN evaluation data were available. A total of 126,638 patients (80.2%) had regional LN surgery. With a median follow-up of 41.6 months, there was a significant difference in OS between those who had LN evaluation and those who did not (median OS: 100.5 vs. 70.9 months, respectively, p < 0.001). After adjusting for patient age, race, insurance, income, comorbidities, tumor characteristics and treatment, patients who had undergone LN evaluation still had a lower hazard rate for death than those who had not (hazard ratio = 0.633; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.613–0.654, p < 0.001). We then did a parallel analysis using SEER data that showed LN evaluation was associated with a lower hazard rate for both BCSS (hazard ratio = 0.452; 95% CI 0.427–0.479, p < 0.001) and non-BCSS (hazard ratio = 0.465; 95% CI 0.447–0.482, p < 0.001). Roughly 20% of patients older than aged 70 years with cLN−, HR+ breast cancer did not have LN evaluation. Those who did had better OS controlling for sociodemographic, pathologic, and treatment variables; however, this may be due to patient selection.
Vocal Fold Immobility due to Birth Trauma: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis

Objectives To describe the present understanding of birth trauma-related vocal fold immobility and quantitatively compare it with idiopathic congenital vocal fold immobility to explore whether it is a discrete entity. Data Sources PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane databases. Review Methods English-language, observational, or experimental studies involving infants with idiopathic congenital or birth trauma-related vocal fold immobility were included. Data from these studies were pooled with our institution's vocal fold immobility database, with the resultant idiopathic congenital and birth trauma cohorts compared regarding patterns and outcomes of immobility. Results The search returned 288 articles, with 24 meeting inclusion criteria. Of studies reviewing all-cause immobility, 8 of 9 (88.9%) identified birth trauma as an etiology, although birth trauma definitions and proposed mechanisms of immobility varied. The study subjects, combined with our institution's database, yielded 188 idiopathic congenital and 113 birth trauma cases. Compared with idiopathic congenital cases, birth trauma cases had a higher proportion of unilateral immobility (72 of 113 [63.7%] vs 52 of 188 [27.7%], P < .001) and rate of resolution (41 of 51 [80.4%] vs 91 of 159 [57.2%], P = .003). Resolution occurred in 24 of 26 (91.3%) unilateral and 17 of 25 (68.0%) bilateral birth trauma cases and in 30 of 40 (75.0%) unilateral and 59 of 109 (54.1%) bilateral idiopathic congenital cases ( P = .11 and .20, respectively). Conclusion While the definition and mechanism of birth trauma-related vocal fold immobility warrant further investigation, these findings suggest that it is distinct from idiopathic congenital vocal fold immobility, with a unique presentation and potentially more favorable outcomes. This can inform counseling and management for infants with otherwise unexplained immobility but known birth trauma.
Manufacturing of unidirectional glass/epoxy prepreg with microencapsulated liquid healing agents

Abstract Unidirectional glass/epoxy prepreg with embedded microcapsules containing a liquid healing agent was developed for the fabrication of laminated self-healing fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites (PMCs). Microcapsules containing a liquid healing agent were distributed throughout a prepreg fabric using a custom designed prepregger. The microcapsules of ca. 2.5 μm in diameter resided in the fiber interstitial spaces and remained intact during prepregging and subsequent hot-pressing of laminated composites. The prepreg fabric displayed uniform distribution of microcapsules within the fiber yarns and throughout the fabric. Laminated composites produced with the prepreg attained 0.56 fiber volume fraction with 0.063 microcapsule volume fraction distributed uniformly throughout the composite. Embedded microcapsules within the laminated composites lead to a small reduction in transverse storage modulus and glass transition temperature.
Analyst earnings forecast precision and local advantage: evidence from American depositary receipt firms

Prior research has documented a finding that local analysts provide more accurate earnings forecasts than nonlocal analysts in many settings. However, little is known about local and nonlocal analysts’ relative earnings forecast abilities for ADR stocks. In this study, we find that the local advantage disappears for ADR stocks and that nonlocal analysts in fact outperform local ones in this case. We investigate the source of this ‘local disadvantage’ and find evidence against hypotheses based on accounting standards and exchange rates. We document that the local advantage decreases with increased investor interest in foreign firms, consistent with our nonlocal investors’ interest hypothesis.
Insights into the evolution, biogeography and natural history of the acorn ants, genus Temnothorax Mayr (hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Temnothorax (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) is a diverse genus of ants found in a broad spectrum of ecosystems across the northern hemisphere. These diminutive ants have long served as models for social insect behavior, leading to discoveries about social learning and inspiring hypotheses about the process of speciation and the evolution of social parasitism. This genus is highly morphologically and behaviorally diverse, and this has caused a great deal of taxonomic confusion in recent years. Past efforts to estimate the phylogeny of this genus have been limited in taxonomic scope, leaving the broader evolutionary patterns in Temnothorax unclear. To establish the monophyly of Temnothorax, resolve the evolutionary relationships, reconstruct the historical biogeography and investigate trends in the evolution of key traits, I generated, assembled, and analyzed two molecular datasets: a traditional multi-locus Sanger sequencing dataset, and an ultra-conserved element (UCE) dataset. Using maximum likelihood, Bayesian, and summary-coalescent based approaches, I analyzed 22 data subsets consisting of 103 ingroup taxa and a maximum of 1.8 million base pairs in 2485 loci. The results of this study suggest an origin of Temnothorax at the Eocene-Oligocene transition, concerted transitions to arboreal nesting habits in several clades during the Oligocene, coinciding with ancient global cooling, and several convergent origins of social parasitism in the Miocene and Pliocene. As with other Holarctic taxa, Temnothorax has a history of migration across Beringia during the Miocene. Temnothorax is corroborated as a natural group, and the notion that many of the historical subgeneric and species group concepts are artificial is reinforced. The strict form of Emery’s Rule, in which a socially parasitic species is sister to its host species, is not well supported in Temnothorax.
Baseline 24-2 Central Visual Field Damage Is Predictive of Global Progressive Field Loss

Purpose Central visual field (VF) damage in glaucoma patients can significantly hinder daily activities. The present study investigates whether the presence of localized baseline damage to the central 10 degrees of the VF is predictive of faster global mean deviation (MD) progression. Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Eyes from the multicenter African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES) with established glaucoma and VF loss and a minimum of 5 24-2 VFs were eligible. Baseline central 24-2 damage was defined as any of the 12 central-most points with total deviation (TD) values at P −5 dB MD loss over the entire follow-up. Results A total of 827 eyes of 584 patients were studied. Mean rate of MD change of the entire sample was −0.15 dB/year (95% CI: −0.19 to −0.12, P central = −0.07 dB/year, 95% CI: −0.11 to −0.01, P = .011) and were more likely to experience MD loss greater than 5 dB (hazard ratio = 3.0 [95% CI: 2.1–4.1, P Conclusion The presence of central VF damage at baseline is significantly associated with more rapid global progression. Detection of central VF damage aids in stratification of high-risk patients who may need intensive surveillance and aggressive treatment.