cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Practice Variation in Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections with Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests During Prepubertal Sexual Abuse Evaluations

Abstract Background Although recent recommendations for children after suspected sexual abuse incorporate nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) in algorithms that detect sexually transmitted infections (STIs), screening practices in the community remain uncertain. Study Objective We examined screening practices over time and across a variety of pediatric settings for the evaluation of STIs in sexually abused children. Methods A consecutive cohort of prepubertal children younger than 11 years of age who were suspected to have been sexually abused were identified between May 2002 and April 2005 at a large tertiary children's hospital and its supporting primary care network. Detailed histories and examinations based on chart abstraction were linked to hospital laboratory records to identify those who were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae by means of cultures, NAATs, or both. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with screening, including the effects of screening location and year of study on the likelihood that particular tests were obtained. Results Among the initial visits of 1068 children, 32% occurred in the specialty child abuse clinic (CARE Clinic), 62% in the emergency department, and 6% in the primary care setting. Follow-up visits occurred in only 7% of children. The performance of at least one screening test increased each year, from 12% in year 1 to 18% in year 3 ( P =0.01). Among the 162 children in whom tests were obtained, there was a significant decrease in the use of culture techniques over time, from 100% in year 1 to 75% in year 3 ( P P P P =0.001). Conclusions Screening rates for STIs increased over time, a trend that is explained primarily by the use of NAATs in the absence of other tests. The increasing use of NAATs will have to be addressed more fully in creating future guidelines for this population.
Reliability analysis of chloride penetration in saturated concrete

Abstract Corrosion of reinforcement in concrete is a major durability problem of reinforced concrete structures. The corrosion is initiated by chloride penetration into the concrete, which is a diffusion-controlled process involving many complex physical and chemical mechanisms. Large random variation has shown in the corrosion damage of reinforced concrete structures, and there is a pressing need to develop a reliability analysis method for chloride penetration and for the onset of steel corrosion in concrete. In order to conduct a reliability analysis, a comprehensive material model for chloride concentration is developed and described, and some of the model parameters (water–cement ratio and curing time) are selected as random variables. By including uncertainties in the selected variables, the chloride penetration front at a point in time can be represented by a time-dependent probabilistic distribution. Similar to the concepts of supply and demand used in structural reliability analysis, the chloride penetration front at a target level (depth) with respect to time can be represented by the probability distribution of crossing the target level. A detailed description of the basic concepts and numerical examples are given. To include the effect of uncertainties of the material parameters, a recently developed Monte Carlo simulation program was used in numerical examples.
Cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity behavior among elementary school personnel: baseline results from the ACTION! worksite wellness program.

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of obesity is increasing during adulthood, there have been few assessments of obesity, cardiovascular risk factors, and levels of physical activity among adult elementary school staff. METHODS: Data were collected from 745 African-American and White female school personnel in a suburban school district in southeastern Louisiana as part of the baseline assessment before implementation of a program to improve eating and physical activity behaviors. Anthropometry, blood pressure, serum lipids and lipoproteins, and glucose were measured using established protocols. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry. RESULTS: For both White and Black females, 30% were overweight (body mass index [BMI]) ≥25 kg/m2 but <30 kg/m2). Whereas 37% of White females were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), 61% of the Black females were obese. There was a positive association between BMI and other cardiovascular risk factors except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, where the association was negative. The mean number of minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was <1 minute per day and was lower for overweight and obese women than for normal weight women. CONCLUSIONS: School personnel in the study have adverse cardiovascular risk factors, including high rates of obesity and very low levels of physical activity. Because these individuals are often called upon to promote health for children, they are an important target population for wellness interventions.
Cell Biological and Functional Characterization of the Vaccinia Virus F10 Kinase: Implications for the Mechanism of Virion Morphogenesis

The vaccinia virus F10 protein is one of two virally encoded protein kinases. A phenotypic analysis of infections involving a tetracycline-inducible recombinant (vDeltaiF10) indicated that F10 is involved in the early stages of virion morphogenesis, as previously reported for the mutants ts28 and ts15. The proteins encoded by ts28 and ts15 have primary defects in enzymatic activity and thermostability, respectively. Using a transient complementation assay, we demonstrated that the enzymatic activity of F10 is essential for its biological function and that both its enzymatic and biological functions depend upon N-terminal sequences that precede the catalytic domain. An execution point analysis indicated that in addition to its role at the onset of morphogenesis, F10 is also required at later stages, when membrane crescents surround virosomal contents and develop into immature virions. The F10 protein is phosphorylated in vivo, appears to be tightly associated with intracellular membranes, and can bind to specific phosphoinositides in vitro. When F10 is repressed or impaired, the phosphorylation of several cellular and viral proteins appears to increase in intensity, suggesting that F10 may normally intersect with cellular signaling cascades via the activation of a phosphatase or the inhibition of another kinase. These cascades may drive the F10-induced remodeling of membranes that accompanies virion biogenesis. Upon the release of ts28-infected cultures from a 40 degrees C-induced block, a synchronous resumption of morphogenesis that culminates in the production of infectious virus can be observed. The pharmacological agents H89 and cerulenin, which are inhibitors of endoplasmic reticulum exit site formation and de novo lipid synthesis, respectively, block this recovery.
The Role of Social Competence in the Community Adjustment of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Processes and Outcomes

This paper reviews literature and professional practices which affect the community adjustment and adaptation of developmentally disabled persons. The role of social competence in determining satisfactory adjustments to community-based vocational and residential settings by adult persons with developmental disabilities is explored. The paper is divided into five sections. Section one briefly reviews the community adjustment status of persons with developmental disabilities. Section two discusses the construct of social competence in terms of definitional issues and social validation approaches within community-based vocational and residential settings. Section three describes three types of adjustment (behavioral, social, personal) that are considered important to successful community adaptation. Section four reviews the consequences that accrue to developmentally disabled persons from adjustment failure in vocational and residential settings. Finally, section five advocates for adoption of a social ecolo...
Differences in T cell receptor restriction fragment length polymorphisms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a T cell receptor (TCR) polymorphism, either by itself or in combination with particular HLA polymorphism, leads to susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Eight restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) detected with TCR gene segments were investigated in 46 individuals with RA and were compared with data from normal control subjects. Results. A statistically significant difference in the genotype frequencies of a Taq I RFLP detected with the TCRα constant region (Cα) gene was noted. In addition, when the DR4+ subpopulations were examined, the allelic frequency of a 2-kb Bam HI fragment detected with a Vβ8 gene was increased in the samples from RA patients (P < 0.0086). Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that germline differences in the TCR repertoire may be associated with RA, and that there is a contributory effect of DR4+ haplotypes with certain TCR haplotypes in susceptibility to RA.
Modulated microwave absorption in single crystal Bi–Sr–Ca–Cu–O

Modulated microwave absorption measurements at 9.3 GHz were made on the low field absorption observed in the superconducting phase of Bi–Sr–Ca–Cu–O. The line intensity observed with a low modulation amplitude of 50 mOe showed a maximum between 70 K and 80 K and dropped to zero near 95 K. With a modulation amplitude of 10 Oe, an additional broad line absorption was observed above 88 K, peaking in intensity near 95 K, and disappearing above 100 K. Hysteresis, associated with flux trapping, occurred when the maximum field H max in a sweep cycle exceeded a critical value H*(T), which varied from about 7 Oe at 59 K to 1 Oe at 82 K. For H max > H*, the hysteresis splitting at first varied linearly with (H max – H*), later saturating at a value δH max(T). Above 70 K, the relationship δH max = b(T 0 – T) was obeyed with T 0 = 92.3 K and b· = −0.3 Oe/K for H perpendicular and b· = −0.23 Oe/K for H parallel to the c-axis.
Improving virtual channel discrimination in a multi-channel context

Improving spectral resolution in cochlear implants is key to improving performance in difficult listening conditions (e.g. speech in noise, music, etc.). Current focusing might reduce channel interaction, thereby increasing spectral resolution. Previous studies have shown that combining current steering and current focusing reduces spread of excitation and improves virtual channel discrimination in a single-channel context. It is unclear whether the single-channel benefits from current focusing extend to a multi-channel context, in which the physical and perceptual interference of multiple stimulated channels might overwhelm the benefits of improved spectral resolution. In this study, signal discrimination was measured with and without current focusing, in the presence of competing stimuli on nearby electrodes. Results showed that signal discrimination was consistently better with current focusing than without, regardless of the amplitude of the competing stimuli. Therefore, combining current steering and current focusing may provide more effective spectral cues than are currently available.
The double nature of the intermediate dense line in peripheral nerve myelin.

In myelin of peripheral nerves it is shown that the intermediate dense line is split after aldehyde fixation (with uranium post-treatment) with a 20 A gap intervening between the apposed outer leaflets of the Schwann cell membrane. This gap is permeable to colloidal lanthanum, which indicates that it is continuous with the extracellular space. Our observations are discussed in light of data of other investigators.
Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for offenders: protocol for a pragmatic randomized trial

Background: Although screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based technique that, in some health-care settings, has been shown to cost-effectively reduce alcohol and drug use, research on the efficacy of SBIRT among criminal offender populations is limited. Such populations have a high prevalence of drug and alcohol use but limited access to intervention, and many are at risk for post-release relapse and recidivism. Thus, there exists a need for treatment options for drug-involved offenders of varying risk levels to reduce risky behaviors or enter treatment. Methods/design: This protocol describes an assessment of SBIRT feasibility and effectiveness in a criminal justice environment. Eight-hundred persons will be recruited from a large metropolitan jail, with the experimental group receiving an intervention depending on risk level and the control group receiving minimal intervention. The intervention will assess the risk level for drug and alcohol misuse by inmates, providing those at low or medium risk a brief intervention in the jail and referring those at high risk to community treatment following release. In addition, a brief treatment (eight-session) option will be available. Using data from a 12-month follow-up interview, the primary study outcomes are a reduction in drug and alcohol use, while secondary outcomes include participation in treatment, rearrest, quality of life, reduction in HIV risk behaviors, and costs of SBIRT.
Glucocorticoid-Induced Cleft Palate in the Mouse: Two Major Histocompatibility Complex, H-2, Loci with Different Mechanisms

Isolated cleft palate is induced in the progeny of pregnant mice that are given glucocorticoids. The incidence varies among inbred strains and with dose and stage of gestation when the drug is given. One chromosomal region responsible for strain-associated differences in sensitivity is the major histocompatibility complex, H-2. H-2a is associated with susceptibility, H-2b with resistance. There appear to be both maternal and embryonic genetic factors affecting the sensitivity to glucocorticoids. In experiments reported here congenic strains of mice with H-2a, H-2d and H-2k haplotypes on a C57BL/10 genomic background were used. This allowed the determination of the effect on sensitivity by two H-2 subregions; the subregions are H-2K to I-E and I-C to H-2D. Methods included dose-response analysis and reciprocal cross analysis using dexamethasone given on day 12 of pregnancy. Results show that each subregion affects the strain's sensitivity to dexamethasone-induced cleft palate. The regression coefficients for B10.A-H-2a (45.4 +/- 4.13) were different from those for B10.BR-H-2k (67.2 +/- 10.8) and B10.D2-H-2d (70.5 +/- 9.74). The estimated mean arcsine % cleft palate at 160 mg/kg was different for each strain: B10.A-H-2a, 53.1 +/- 2.19; B10.BR-H-2k, 33.1 +/- 2.27; B10.D2-H-2d, 25.0 +/- 2.75. Different patterns of change in sensitivity were observed among the reciprocal crosses. In summary, the H-2K to I-E subregion seemed to influence both maternal and embryonic factors, whereas only embryonic factors were influenced by the I-C to H-2D subregion. These data suggest that the mechanisms affecting glucocorticoid sensitivity which are genetically encoded within each H-2 subregion are different, and there is an interaction between the alleles. The mode of interaction can be either complementation or epistasis.
The complete analysis of wood polysaccharides using HPLC

Abstract The paper describes an analytical method whereby the chemical composition of the polysaccharide fraction of woody materials, including the uronic acids and carbohydrate acid degradation products, can be completely determined. Sealed vessels, termed bombs, are used during the high temperature acid hydrolysis of the materials to retain volatile constituents that would otherwise be lost. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is used for all of the analyses. The sample preparation procedures are simple and easily adopted into a routine. To demonstrate the reproducibility of the method, triplicate samples of Quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) and White fir ( Abies concolor ) were analyzed. No significant peaks in the chromatograms were left unidentified.
An investigation of the contact resistance of a commercial elastomer interconnect under thermal and mechanical stresses

The contact behavior of a commercial elastomer interconnect, composed of silicone rubber and silver particles, was evaluated under thermal and mechanical stresses. Its contact resistance demonstrated a linear relationship in a log-log plot with contact force at room temperature; however, a deviation of the trend occurred when temperature was changed. With the interconnect compressed under a constant force, a fluctuation in contact resistance was initiated by a change of temperature. This phenomenon may be attributed to the inherent conduction mechanisms of the elastomer interconnect. The multiple interfaces between metal particles make the contact sensitive to a variety of factors. This sensitivity may have a direct impact on its long-term reliability.
Social relationships of immigrant and resident female mountain gorillas. I. Male-female relationships.

Adult males are important social partners for all females in mountain gorilla social groups, but male-female relationships can vary in association with variation in female residence status, male age and mating status, and relatedness. Such variation occurred in a large group observed over a 3-year period. All females associated and interacted affiliatively relatively often with a young silverback with whom all mated. Long-term resident females also did so with an old, non-breeding male to whom most were related, but recent immigrants spent little time near him and had few non-aggressive interactions with him. The old male made agonistic interventions to support relatives; interventions in female conflicts by the younger male tended to ameliorate competitive differentials that immigrants faced and may have helped him to retain them as mates. Males aggression toward females was common, most probably served as a mating tactic, and did not involve resource competition. Extensive grooming by an adolescent male suggests that males may also use affiliative behavior to develop mating relationships. Females may have competed for proximity with and social access to the younger silverback; competitive success could influence how well females and their offspring are protected by silver-backs, but the extent of such competition was not clear. Large group size may have heightened differentiation of male-female relationships and competition among females, but comparative data from smaller groups generally corroborate the findings from the large group. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reconceptualizing Cult Coercion and Withdrawal: A Comparative Analysis of Divorce and Apostasy

Continuing debates center on the causes of cult conversion and the mental and emotional effects of involvement. In recent years, expanded credibility has been given to the "brainwashing" or "coercive-persuasion" model by psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric social workers widely influencing the courts, media, and public opinion. Members of nontraditional religions are likened to prisoners of war (POWs) and are depicted as victims of manipulative behavioral conditioning practices that produce special cult-induced symptoms. However, clinical evidence has been contradictory and empirical support has not been forthcoming. Consequently, a study was conducted to explore the attitudes and experiences offormer members of three new religious cults (Unification Church, Hare Krishna, and Children of God/Family of Love) to assess the effects of participation and withdrawal. Focusing on disengagement, this study provides a comparative analysis of divorce and apostasy to demonstrate a more salient model for explaining commitment, disaffection, and withdrawal. At the threshold of the 1990s, controversies surrounding involvement in unconventional religious movements continue to raise important legal, ethical, and scientific questions about the causes of conversion and the mental and emotional effects of participation. During the last decade, the anticult movement has enjoyed increased professionalization, "a process in which research and the roles of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers have become more salient" (Robbins 1988:6; see also Bromley & Shupe 1987). Expanded credibility has been given to the "brainwashing" or "coercive-persuasion" model by psychiatrists and mental health professionals who argue that involvement in nontraditional religions stems from manipulative psychological practices inducing ego destruction and overstimulation of the nervous system, resulting
Yeast leavened banana-bread: Formulation, processing, colour and texture analysis

Banana powder (BP) was added to hard-red spring wheat (HRSW) flour intended for yeast-leavened bread formulation. Five different formulations containing 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% BP were prepared with varying amounts of base flour, while vital gluten was maintained at 25% in all blends. Based on the added BP amounts only, the prepared bread could deliver 42.87–128.6 mg potassium/30 g of bread (one regular slice) and 0.33–1.00 g of fibre. Although the dough water absorption was increased, due to BP addition, the dough mixing tolerance (MTI) decreased. The bread loaf volume was significantly higher than the control except for the 30% blend, where the loaf volume was similar to the control. Bread staling increased with BP levels due to the high sugar content but, this effect was limited to the first two days of storage. Blends exhibited darker colour due to the high sugar and protein, while the 25% and 30% blends had the lowest percent of freezable water. The amounts of acetic acid extractable proteins from the dry blends and the dough decreased with increase in BP. The linear rheological properties of the control, 10%, and 30% blends exhibited similar viscoelastic solid behaviour, where both G 0 and G 00 had plateaus (G 0 > G 00 ) and they were parallel to each other over three decades of the frequency. Blends showed higher moduli values than the control.
An Investigation of Transmission on the Higher Radio Frequencies

A preliminary range chart has been constructed for telegraphic communication, 5 kw. in the antenna, at various frequencies. The conclusions upon which the range chart is based are derived from experiments made by the Naval Research Laboratory, from experiments made by amateurs, and upon such data as the Laboratory has had access to from commercial and Government sources at home and abroad. An attempt has been made to indicate in a general way the advantages and disadvantages of high frequency telegraphic transmission. Various critical regions are pointed out where new phenomena make their appearance: in particular these regions are (1) the region between 2,000 and 3,000 kilocycles where daylight ranges begin to increase with increasing frequency at the same time that the night ranges show extremely great increase and a degree of reliability which would be wholly unanticipated from obervations made at frequencies lower than 2,000 kilocycles. (2) A region around 6,000 kilocycles where an uncertainty develops during the winter nights at relatively very short ranges. (3) The development at successively higher frequencies of this uncertain range into the missing region which is most pronounced in the winter nights, and finally as the frequency is increased makes itself felt in the summer nights and at still higher frequencies even in the daytime. The development of this missing region to extensive areas is shown to take place with frequency rise to 20,000 kilocycles.
DDDAS-Based Information-Aggregation for Crowd Dynamics Modeling with UAVs and UGVs

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) collaboratively play important roles in crowd tracking for applications such as border patrol and crowd surveillance. Dynamic data-driven application systems (DDDAS) paradigm has been developed for these applications to take advantage of real-time monitoring data. In the DDDAS paradigm, one crucial step in crowd surveillance is crowd dynamics modeling, which is based on multi-resolution crowd observation data collected from both UAVs and UGVs. Data collected from UAVs capture global crowd motion but have low resolution while those from UGVs have high resolution information of local crowd motion. This paper proposes an information-aggregation approach for crowd dynamics modeling by incorporating multi-resolution data, where a grid-based method is developed to model crowd motion with UAVs’ low-resolution global perception, and an autoregressive model is employed to model individuals’ motion based on UGVs’ detailed perception. A simulation experiment is provided to illustrate and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Projecting avian response to linked changes in groundwater and riparian floodplain vegetation along a dryland river: A scenario analysis

Groundwater is a key driver of riparian condition on dryland rivers but is in high demand for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses. Approaches are needed to guide decisions that balance human water needs while conserving riparian ecosystems. We developed a space-for-time substitution model that links groundwater change scenarios implemented within a Decision Support System (DSS) with proportions of floodplain vegetation types and abundances of breeding and migratory birds along the upper San Pedro River, AZ, USA. We investigated nine scenarios ranging from groundwater depletion to recharge. In groundwater decline scenarios, relative proportions of tall-canopied obligate phreatophytes (Populus/Salix, cottonwood/willow) on the floodplain progressively decline, and shrubbier species less dependent on permanent water sources (e.g. Tamarix spp., saltcedar) increase. These scenarios result in broad shifts in the composition of the breeding bird community, with canopy-nesting and water-obligate birds declining but midstory nesting birds increasing in abundance as groundwater declines. For the most extreme draw-down scenario where all reaches undergo groundwater declines, models project that only 10% of the upper San Pedro floodplain would be comprised of cottonwood/willow (73% saltcedar and 18% mesquite), and abundances of canopy-nesting, water-obligate, and spring migrant birds would decline 48%, 72%, and 40%, respectively. Groundwater recharge scenarios were associated with increases in canopy-nesting birds particularly given the extreme recharge scenario (all reaches regain shallow water tables and perennial streamflow). Model outputs serve to assess the sensitivity of biotic groups to potential changes in groundwater and thus to rank scenarios based on their expected ecological impacts. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collaborative Study of Antibiotic Medium 3 and Flow Cytometry for Identification of Amphotericin B-Resistant Candida Isolates

Center 1 used the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards M27-A2 method and antibiotic medium 3 (AM3) test to determine amphotericin B resistance in 5 of 30 Candida isolates. These isolates were tested at center 2 by AM3 test and flow cytometry (FC). The agreements (C1-C2) were 90% for AM3 test and FC and 73% for the AM3 tests.
Effects on Content Acquisition of Signaling Key Concepts in Text Material.

Eighty college students read textbook passages that either included marginal inserts to signal key concepts or did not include these inserts. Signaling key concepts enhanced performance on content quizzes overall and on subsets of items assessing signaled material. Performance was not affected on subsets of items for nonsignaled content. Students reported preferring the signaled format and found it both clearer and easier to understand than the nonsignaled format. Signaling key concepts by extracting and highlighting them in marginal inserts may facilitate encoding and retention of these concepts.
Future of cell and gene therapies for Parkinson's disease

The experimental field of restorative neurology continues to advance with implantation of cells or transfer of genes to treat patients with neurological disease. Both strategies have generated a consensus that demonstrates their capacity for structural and molecular brain modification in the adult brain. However, both approaches have yet to successfully address the complexities to make such novel therapeutic modalities work in the clinic. Prior experimental cell transplantation to patients with PD utilized dissected pieces of fetal midbrain tissue, containing mixtures of cells and neuronal types, as donor cells. Stem cell and progenitor cell biology provide new opportunities for selection and development of large batches of specific therapeutic cells. This may allow for cell composition analysis and dosing to optimize the benefit to an individual patient. The biotechnology used for cell and gene therapy for treatment of neurological disease may eventually be as advanced as today’s pharmaceutical drug-related design processes. Current gene therapy phase 1 safety trials for PD include the delivery of a growth factor (neurturin via the glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor receptor) and a transmitter enzyme (glutamic acid decarboxylase and aromatic acid decarboxylase). Many new insights from cell biological and molecular studies provide opportunities to selectively express or suppress factors relevant to neuroprotection and improved function of neurons involved in PD. Future gene and cell therapies are likely to coexist with classic pharmacological therapies because their use can be tailored to individual patients’ underlying disease process and need for neuroprotective or restorative interventions.
Concepções de enfermagem, saúde e ambiente: abordagem ecossistêmica da produção coletiva de saúde na atenção básica

6O presente estudo procurou compreender os significados da categoria conceitual ambiente, produzidos pelas enfermeiras atuantes em atencao basica. Trinta enfermeiras participaram do estudo. Os dados foram obtidos por entrevista semidirigida. A analise foi realizada pelo metodo tematico dos significados empiricos, ancorado na abordagem ecossistemica do trabalho. O estudo mostrou os significados de ambiente nos limites do espaco das relacoes humanas, sejam essas produzidas no trabalho, na abrangencia familiar e da comunidade em geral, em uma sistematica transversal que viabiliza relacoes de troca mutua pela propria condicao humana na sociedade. A compreensao final e que o desenvolvimento no campo da enfermagem, numa abordagem ecossistemica da saude humana, exige a construcao de estrategicas integradas do meio ambiente para a promocao da saude. A ciencia da enfermagem pode ser um aliado na construcao de ambientes saudaveis e sustentaveis.
Potential host and range expansion of an exotic insect-pathogen complex: Simulating effects of sassafras mortality from laurel wilt disease invasion in the central hardwoods region1

Abstract Laurel wilt disease is altering forests of the southeastern USA with widespread mortality to lauraceaous hosts, such as redbay (Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng.) and sassafras (Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees). Sassafras is broadly distributed throughout the eastern USA and could serve as a pathway for laurel wilt disease spread into deciduous forests. The resulting invasion and widespread mortality of sassafras would affect these forests ecologically. In anticipation of this, we used preexisting vegetation data and the Forest Vegetation Simulator to predict future characteristics of invaded and noninvaded forests under two sassafras mortality scenarios, 33% and 99%. We calculated changes in total basal area and basal area of dominant species to assess the effects of invasion on forests of central Kentucky. We found that simulated sassafras mortality immediately resulted in significant declines to total basal area (0.87–2.32 m2/ha reductions) and also affected basal areas of selected species over time...
REGULAR PHYSICAL EXERCISE REDUCES CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS

Inflammation is an active process in atherogenic vasculature. Atherosclerosis is no longer considered the result of passive endothelial injury and lipid infiltration. Both local and systemic markers give evidence that atherosclerosis is an active inflammatory state that has no regard for age. Although prevention of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, nevertheless regular exercise is therapeutic and a deterrent. QUESTIONS 1. Which one of the various screening tests is the most accurate in predicting the risks of an impending cardiovascular (CV) event? a. plasma D-dimer b. interleukin-6 (IL-6) c. high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) d. tumor necrosis factor (TNF) e. cardiac troponin f. pregnancy-associated plasma protein A 2. The systemic response to inflammation, the acute phase response (APR), is measured by an increase in which of the following? a. fibrinolysis b. plasma proteins (fibrinogen, IL-6) c. interleukin inhibitors d. CRP
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant for multiple myeloma: Comparative results of planned therapy versus salvage therapy

7035 Background: Despite advances in therapy for multiple myeloma, the disease remains incurable using chemotherapy or immune-modulating agents alone. Several newer hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) strategies including tandem HCT, and non- myeloablative (NMA) regimens have reported encouraging results. However, the appropriate timing for utilizing these strategies is not clear. Methods: We report outcomes in 51 patients with multiple myeloma who received an allogeneic HCT; either as salvage therapy (after failing a prior autologous HCT), n= 15 or as planned therapy, n= 36, between the years 1996 and 2008 at University of Minnesota. Results: Patients in salvage therapy group were significantly older than in planned therapy group (median age 58 versus 49 years) and had a longer interval from diagnosis to transplant (median 47 versus 10 months). Forty four patients received a HCT from a HLA-identical sibling. Five received umbilical cord blood (four in salvage therapy, one in planned therapy group) and tw...
Enhancing host based intrusion detection systems with danger theory of artificial immune systems

Rather than discriminating activity by belonging to self or non-self, danger theory extends its discrimination to be between non-self but harmless and self but harmful. The danger theory states that the system does not respond only to foreignness (non-self) but to danger signals. In this dissertation, three methods performing host-based anomaly intrusion detection that use trails of system calls have been implemented and investigated. One system (the lookahead-pairs method based IDS) was then enhanced by incorporating danger theory mechanisms to its original design. The research consisted of two stages. In the first stage, three intrusion detection systems (IDSs) have been implemented based on the following methods: the sequence profile method, the lookahead-pairs methods, and overlap-relationship method. All systems were unable to detect the system-call-denial-of-service attack and the lookahead-pairs method had the smallest storage requirements. In the second stage, the lookahead-pairs method based IDS has been enhanced with functionalities of the danger theory. The original lookahead-pairs method based IDS can only detect intrusions resulting from mismatch instances. In addition to detecting mismatches, the enhanced system considered the danger signals resulting from high usages of CPU and memory while in detection mode. Parameters corresponding to danger signals can be easily modified or added to our system. The lookahead pairs method enhanced with danger theory IDS had better detection rate, false positive rate and false negative rate. Both systems finished their detection stage in less than one second. Furthermore, when the lookahead pairs method based IDS is only enhanced with the iDC functionality, it will not experience any significant additional storage costs. However, if the B cell functionality is added, the storage cost would double. The systems were tested against the databases obtained from the university of New Mexico and in specific the datasets of the both the “login” and “ps” applications. In addition, different test cases were created to test the functionalities of the modified system. The implemented systems were also validated and verified and passed these tests.
The Basilica Aemilia and S. Biagio at Montepulciano

The church of the Madonna di 5. Biagio at Montepulciano, begun by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder in 1518 and consecrated by Clement VII in 1529, has long been considered a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture.1 The beauty of its location on a terrace outside the hilly city overlooking the landscape of southern Tuscany (Figs. 1, 2), the purity of its composition, the bold severity of its style have been repeatedly noted. Its dome has been hailed as “the first of the great Cinquecento domes to be completed.”2
Changing perceptions: Creating new identities in the work place

In collaboration with Additional Support for People in Retraining and Employment (ASPIRE), Work Opportunities Unlimited, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), The Children's Cabinet and DHHS case managers, a twelve week peer support program was established which resulted in participants not only getting to tell their life stories and be heard, but more importantly getting to rediscover the roots of their own resiliency. Resiliency theories often relate to the abilities of children to navigate through the complex issues of trauma and recovery. Seldom do we consider the application of such theories to adult life situations. Utilizing the group process that explored both the pain and resiliency of individuals who have had tremendous barriers to employment and feeling successful in the world, through peer support and problem solving with the Children's Cabinet, many obstacles were resolved. In review of each adult's life story one could observe both the barriers and opportunities that were embedded in the relational fabric of their life events.
CORRELATION OF A NEW ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC INDEX OF RIGHT VENTRICULAR REMODELING IN PULMONARY HYPERTENSION WITH INVASIVE HEMODYNAMICS IN RAT MODEL

Right ventricular (RV) remodeling is important to humans with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Small animal models of PH are used to investigate novel therapies, but assessment of RV remodeling is difficult. The aim was to compare a new RV remodeling index (echo RV to LV area ratio) to invasive
Concurrent antibiotic-use review in a small hospital

A method of concurrent antibiotic-use review in a 60-bed pediatric hospital is described. The pharmacy department monitors appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing using criteria specified by the pharmacy and therapeutics committee. Antibiotic orders are reviewed by the pharmacist for compliance with the criteria at the time that the orders are written. At three-month intervals, information about the infections treated and the percentage compliance for all physicians, as well as for each individual physician, is compiled and reported to the pharmacy and therapeutics committee. Written and oral feedback are provided to each physician to further improve compliance. This comprehensive monitoring system has resulted in substantial improvement in antibiotic prescribing by physicians at this hospital.
A Rare Case of Cushing Syndrome Caused by an Adrenocorticotropic Hormone-Producing Pulmonary Carcinoid Tumor

We present a rare of case of a carcinoid tumor-causing Cushing syndrome. Cushing syndrome, if left untreated, can result in severe morbidity and even mortality. Common causes of endogenous Cushing include pituitary gland adenomas and excess cortisol produced from various adrenal gland pathologies. Rarely, tumors such as pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors can produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cause …
Acute hypoxia increases cytosolic calcium in fetal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

We studied the effect of acute hypoxia on the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of fetal vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) from late gestation fetal lambs. We tested the following hypothes...
Serum Lipids, Diet, and Cardiovascular Disease

Elevated serum cholesterol value is more atherogenic, although less common, than elevated serum triglyceride level, but both are equally important risk factors in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, the effect of dietary manipulation on cholesterol is small and on triglyceride, uncertain.
From many one: Novel approaches to translation quality in a social network era

For decades, the fuzzy notion of translation quality has evolved parallel to the theorizations of translation and localization. This paper focuses on a novel approach to quality evaluation in the localization industry: how Facebook crowdsourced quality evaluation to an active community of users that votes on proposed translations. This approach, unthinkable a decade ago, seems to combine and distill some of the best aspects of several previous Translation Studies evaluation proposals, such as user-based approaches (Nida, 1964), functionalist approaches (Nord, 1997; Reiss and Vermeer, 1984) or corpus-assisted approaches (Bowker, 2001). These models were largely criticized at the time because they did not explicitly indicate how they could be professionally implemented. The current paper critically reviews the emerging crowdsourcing model in light of these approaches to quality evaluation and describes how mechanisms suggested in these earlier theoretical proposals are actually implemented in the Facebook model.
Absurd Speculations: The Tragedy of Development in Maria Edgeworth’s Ormond

Matthew L. Reznicek, “Absurd Speculations: The Tragedy of Development in Maria Edgeworth’s Ormond ” (pp. 291–314) This essay explores shared concerns regarding the representation of economic development that occurs in Maria Edgeworth’s Irish bildungsroman Ormond (1817) and in Johann Wolfang von Goethe’s two-part tragic retelling of the Faust myth (1808, 1832), building on recent interest in the representation of money in literature from the romantic period. While these two literary works are often seen as foundational texts in their respective national literatures, they both also explore the damning effects of economic and social development, especially through the medium of paper money. To this end, I examine the representation of paper money in Goethe’s Faust Part Two and of the capitalist ventures of Sir Ulick O’Shane in Ormond in order to situate more firmly Edgeworth’s writing within the broad European literary and social landscape. By focusing on the tragic representation of modernizing economics in these two works, it becomes obvious that Edgeworth, like Goethe, participates in and advances the formation of a modern world.
Social Capital: Critical Perspectives

(2002). Social Capital: Critical Perspectives. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 824-826.
An Integrated Model of Health and Happiness Among Post-9/11 Military Veterans

ABSTRACTThe authors developed an integrated model of well-being, defined by happiness and physical health, among post-9/11 veterans, by examining associations of religious attendance, trauma, appreciation in life, and ease of readjustment to civilian life with well-being. Data on 712 post-9/11 military veterans (81.0% male) were drawn from the Pew Research Center's 2011 Veterans Study. The authors conducted multiple regression analyses to identify predictors of health and happiness and used structural equation modeling to develop an integrated model of veteran well-being. The authors' findings indicate that ease of readjustment to civilian life is a critical contributor to the health and happiness of veterans.
Abstract 254: Small Molecule Induced Caveolin Regulate GPCR Signaling In IPS cells Survival And Differentiation

Background: Previously we reported the use of a small molecule in upregulating cardiac genes by GPCR signaling. We further investigated the small molecule mediated effect involve caveolin and critical miRs that modulate the signaling pathway for increased survival reduced apoptosis and cardiac regeneration in ischemic myocardium. Methods and Results: IPs were treated with a small molecule (ZP-G;20uM) for three to five days. Increased cell survival and proliferative activity (p<0.01 vs non treated IPS) with reduced cytochrome c release in cytosol was observed in small molecule treated IPS. Given the upregulation of cardiac genes, ultrastructure feature of small molecule treated IPS cells showed caveolin formation on transmission electron microscopy. miR Microarray analysis of treated IPS cells showed upregulation of miR 705,149, cardiac specific miR −133,762 and down regulation of miR-16, miR 34a, miR-290/292-5p modulating the downstream targets Chemokines, VEGFA, Vesicles associated membrane protein (Vamp...
Gene regulatory network state estimation from arbitrary correlated measurements

Advancements in gene expression technology allow acquiring cheap and abundant data for analyzing cell behavior. However, these technologies produce noisy, and often correlated, measurements on the transcriptional states of genes. The Boolean network model has been shown to be effective in capturing the complex dynamics of gene regulatory networks (GRNs). It is important in many applications, such as anomaly detection and optimal intervention, to be able to track the evolution of the Boolean states of a gene regulatory network using noisy time-series transcriptional measurements, which may be correlated in time. We propose efficient estimators for the Boolean states of GRNs using correlated time-series transcriptional measurements, where the nature of the correlation and of the measurements themselves are entirely arbitrary. More specifically, we propose new algorithms based on a hypothesis tree to compute optimal minimum mean square error (MMSE) filtering and smoothing state estimators for a Partially-Observed Boolean Dynamical System (POBDS) with correlated measurements. The algorithms are exact but may be computationally expensive for large state spaces or long time horizons, in which case a process for pruning the hypothesis tree is employed to obtain an approximation of the optimal MMSE estimators, while keeping computation tractable. Performance is assessed through a comprehensive set of numerical experiments based on the p53-MDM2 negative-feedback loop Boolean regulatory network, where the standard Boolean Kalman Filter (BKF) and Boolean Kalman Smoother (BKS) for uncorrelated measurements are compared to the corresponding new estimators for correlated measurements, called BKF-CORR and BKS-CORR, respectively.
Forces, energetics, and dynamics of conjugated-carbon ring tethers adhered to CNTs: a computational investigation

The strength and nature of the interactions between carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and molecular tethers plays a vital role in technology such as CNT–enzyme sensors. Tethers that attach noncovalently to CNTs are ideal for retaining the electrical properties of the CNTs since they do not degrade the CNT surface and effect its electrical conductivity. However, leaching due to weak CNT–tether attachment is very common when using noncovalent tethers, and this has limited their use in commercial products including biosensors. Thus, understanding the fundamental mechanics governing the strength of CNT–tether adhesion is crucial for the design of highly sensitive, viable sensors. Here, we computationally investigate the adhesion strength of CNT–tether complexes with 8 different tethering molecules designed to adhere noncovalently to the CNT surface. We study the effects of CNT diameter, CNT chirality, and the size/geometry of the tethering molecule on the adhesion energy and force. Our results show an asymptotic relationship between adhesion strength and CNT diameter. Calculations show that noncovalent tethers tested here can reach adhesion forces and energies that are up to 21% and 54% of the strength of the carbon–carbon single bond force and bond energy respectively. We anticipate our results will help guide CNT–enzyme sensor design to produce sensors with high sensitivity and minimal leaching.