cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Should dietary calcium and protein be restricted in patients with nephrolithiasis

Renal stone disease is a painful condition that affects 1–20% of the general population. Therapy aimed at decreasing the incidence of recurrent stones includes dietary advice. Dietary considerations include intake of both calcium and protein. Calcium restriction in stone formers is not recommended because it can have adverse effects on bone and the incidence of stones. Although a high-protein diet can elevate urinary calcium, uric acid, and sulfate and decrease urinary citrate, which may alter the propensity to form stones, restriction of protein to less than the current RDA for the management of stone disease can not be recommended at this time.
DECISION MAKING BY CHILDREN AS A FUNCTION OF AMOUNT OF REINFORCEMENT

This study deals with the effect of varying amounts of reinforcement in a two-choice decision making experiment of the Humphreys type. The situation involves prediction by children of a binary sequence of events. The data are analyzed in terms of a linear learning model of the type developed by Estes and Burke ( 1953) and Bush and Mosteller ( 1955). The experimental situation involves a series of discrete trials. Each trial begins with the onset of a ready signal. S then makes one of two responses (Al or A2) ; these responses are mutually exclusive and exhaustive. A trial is terminated by a reinforcing event from one of two classes of events (El and E-). The occurrence of the class Ei means that A{ was the correcr response. Amount of reinforcement is varied by specifying two events in each class Ei; these events are designated EiX and Ei*". In the present experimental setup it is conjectured that Ei"' will have a greater reinforcing effect than will Ei". The reinforcement schedule is probabilistic. On each trial, one of four events, El**, El*, EZX*, or E2+ can occur. The respective probabilities are
Comfortable effort level revisited.

Summary The purpose of this study was to measure the variability of frequency and intensity of speech, using multiple voice samples obtained over a period of time at a speaker's “comfortable effort level.” Variability in vocal output within and across several experimental sessions was assessed from measures of speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) and vocal intensity for utterances repeated three times a day over a 3-day period. Three distinct age groups of men and women—young, middle-aged and elderly—repeated the vowel /a/, read a standard passage, and spoke extemporaneously during each experimental session. Results indicated that variability in SFF and intensity were present across experimental sessions, age groups, gender, and speaking samples. Generally, group means indicated that ∼±1 semitone of variability for SFF and ∼2 db sound pressure level (SPL) variation in vocal intensity from any one experimental session to the next could be expected; individual variations within any group may reach two semitones and 6 db SPL.
Ensheathing Cells and Methylprednisolone Promote Axonal Regeneration and Functional Recovery in the Lesioned Adult Rat Spinal Cord

Axons fail to regenerate after spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult mammals, leading to permanent loss of function. After SCI, ensheathing cells (ECs) promote recovery in animal models, whereas methylprednisolone (MP) promotes neurological recovery in humans. In this study, the effectiveness of combining ECs and MP after SCI was investigated for the first time. After lesioning the corticospinal tract in adult rats, ECs were transplanted into the lesion, and MP was administered for 24 hr. At 6 weeks after injury, functional recovery was assessed by measuring successful performance of directed forepaw reaching (DFR), expressed as percentages. Axonal regeneration was analyzed by counting the number of corticospinal axons, anterogradely labeled with biotin dextran tetramethylrhodamine, caudal to the lesion. Lesioned control rats, receiving either no treatment or vehicle, had abortive axonal regrowth (1 mm) and poor DFR success (38 and 42%, respectively). Compared with controls, MP-treated rats had significantly more axons 7 mm caudal to the lesion, and DFR performance was significantly improved (57%). Rats that received ECs in combination with MP had significantly more axons than all other lesioned rats up to 13 mm. Successful DFR performance was significantly higher in rats with EC transplants, both without (72%) and with (78%) MP, compared with other lesioned rats. These data confirm previous reports that ECs promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord lesions. In addition, this research provides evidence that, when used in combination, MP and ECs improve axonal regrowth up to 13 mm caudal to the lesion at 6 weeks after injury.
Frequency-dependent and cell-specific effects of electrical activity on growth cone movements of cultured Helisoma neurons

The present experiments address the question of how stimulation parameters, which evoke action potentials in neuronal cell bodies, influence growth cone movements of different identified neurons. The motility of growth cones of Helisoma buccal neurons B19 and B4 was monitored while somata were stimulated simultaneously via an intracellular microelectrode. The findings show that the responses of growth cones of B19 and B4 contain components that are common as well as unique to each neuron. Whereas rates of growth cone advance were suppressed in a graded fashion by stimulus frequencies beyond a threshold of 2 s-1 for both neurons, B4 was more sensitive to electrical stimulation and exhibited a new response, namely, growth rates were enhanced during the poststimulation recovery period after stimulation at specific frequencies. Thus, electrical activity can result in enhancement as well as in inhibition of growth cone movement. Changes in number of filopodia on B19 and B4 were graded also, with B4 again displaying greater sensitivity. The frequency dependence of filopodia compared to growth rate changes was different and suggests a possible dissociation between filopodial activity and growth cone motility. Patterned electrical activity produced effects similar to constant stimulation for B19 growth cones, whereas it decreased the threshold frequency and eliminated the growth enhancement effect for B4. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the quantitative features of electrical activity as well as intrinsic properties of neurons both determine the growth cone response to changes in neuronal activity.
Management of Spasticity in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Spasticity and other forms of muscle overactivity caused by cerebral palsy may impair function or ease of care or may cause discomfort or poor body image. The treatment program for a child with spasticity may include allied health therapy, exercise, casting, constraint-induced therapy, oral medications, chemodenervation, intrathecal baclofen, selective dorsal rhizotomy, and orthopedic surgery. Techniques may be combined for greater efficacy and better tailoring to the needs of the child. This article provides an overview of each approach, with a review of significant research findings in support of each.
α-RuCl3: A New Host for Polymer Intercalation. Lamellar Polymer/α-RuCI3 Nanocomposites.

α-RuCl 3 was identified as a new host for polymer intercalation using different intercalative methods. It is found that Li 0.2 RuCl 3 exfoliates in water into single [RuCl 3 ] x− layers which can be used to encapsulate macromolecules. RuC1 3 /polymer nanocomposites such as Li 0.2 (PEO) x RuCl 3 (PEO=poly[ethylene oxide]), Li 0.2 (PVP) x RuCl 3 (PVP=polyvinylpyrrolidone) and (PPY) x RuCl 3 (PPY=polypyrrole) were successfully prepared. (PANI) x RuCl 3 (PANI=polyaniline) was prepared by in situ intercalative polymerization directly from α-RuCl 3 . These nanocomposites were characterized with Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), magnetic measurements, conductivity measurements and thermopower measurements.
Capillary hydraulic conductivity is elevated by cGMP-dependent vasodilators.

Microvascular functions have been shown to be sensitive to agents associated with changes in cyclic nucleotide levels. The central hypothesis of the current study was that one measure of capillary exchange capacity, hydraulic conductivity (Lp), would be elevated by agents shown to elevate cellular levels of cGMP. To evaluate the hypothesis, frog mesenteric capillary Lp was measured during luminal exposure to 1) atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), 2) the truncated atriopeptins ANP-I and ANP-III, 3) the nitrovasodilator sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 4) the cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor MB 10 nM ANP induced a 2.1 +/- 0.3-fold change (n = 8), while 10 nM ANP-III elicited a 1.7 +/- 0.4-fold change (n = 8). In contrast, Lp did not change from basal levels during 10 nM ANP-I infusion (Lp ANP-I/Lp control = 1.2 +/- 0.2; n = 14). SNP (1 microM) induced a reversible, 2.6 +/- 0.5-fold increase in Lp (n = 30) that was inhibitable by methylene blue dye (Lp SNP + MetB/Lp control = 1.1 +/- 0.1; n = 8). Methylene blue did not mask the response to 100 nM ANP (Lp ANP + MetB/Lp control = 2.1 +/- 0.5; n = 7). M&B 22948 (30 microM) increased Lp by 2.8 +/- 0.6-fold (n = 9). These data constitute strong inference that agents demonstrated to elevate cGMP also mediate an increase in capillary Lp in in situ, perfused exchange vessels.
Imagination and false memory inductions: investigating the role of process, content and source of imaginations

Three experiments examined the influence of imaginal encoding on false memory rates induced by the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm. Several features of imaginal encoding were investigated including the processes giving rise to the images (automatic or deliberate), the source of imagery scripts (participant or another person), and imagery content (e.g. individual or integrated images). Deliberately generating images led to a reduction in false memory rates relative to an imagery control condition. However, the effects on false memory rates very much depended on features characterizing the imaginal encoding. Most notably, when participants (rather than someone else) specified the scripts for guiding their imagery experiences, false memory rates were considerably less. Extending the generality of the distinctiveness heuristic as an explanation for the reduction in false memory rates following pictorial encoding, the results also speak to debates about the wisdom of using guided imagery techniques in applied settings. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constraining the symmetry energy from fragment yields

Methods of extraction of the symmetry energy coefficient to temperature ratio from isobaric and isotopic yields of fragments produced in Fermi-energy heavy-ion collisions are discussed. Consistent results are obtained when the hot fragmenting source is well characterized and its excitation energy and isotopic composition are properly taken into account. The results, independent of the mass number of the detected fragments, suggest that their fate is decided very early in the reaction. A comparison to the Statistical Multifragmentation Model (SMM) predictions is also presented. The effort to understand the properties of asymmetric nuclear matter both at normal densities and at densities away from the saturation density has stimulated a growing interest in isospin effects in nuclear reactions. The isotopic distribution of fragments produced in multifragmentation events in central collisions at intermediate energies can probe properties of low density nuclear matter. Different methods to extract the “symmetry energy” coefficient from yield ratios have been proposed. Among those, we focus on three seemingly different approaches: isoscaling [1–4], m-scaling and isobaric yield ratio method [5], and we show that consistent experimental results can be extracted provided that the properties of the hot fragmenting source, such as its isospin composition and excitation energy, are properly taken into account. We remark that experimentally whether the equilibrium process, occurring during the multifragmentation, takes place at constant pressure or volume (freeze-out hypothesis) is not determined. This ambiguity casts some doubts on the derived quantity, i.e. symmetry energy or symmetry enthalpy. Keeping in mind this ambiguity we will refer to the experimentally extracted quantity as the symmetry energy.
A Novel Lightwave Centralized Bidirectional Hybrid Access Network: Seamless Integration of RoF With WDM-OFDM-PON

We experimentally demonstrated a novel lightwave centralized hybrid bidirectional access network for integration of wavelength-division-multiplexing orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-OFDM-PON) with radio-over-fiber systems employing multiwavelength generation and the carrier-reuse technique. In this proposed architecture, one of the main impairments of bidirectional transmission over single fiber link, Rayleigh backscattering, can be reduced, because of different frequencies for downlinks and uplinks. In the wired transmission over 25-km single-mode fiber (SMF-28), power penalties are less than 0.5 dB for both 11.29-Gb/s OFDM-16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM) downlink and 5.65-Gb/s OFDM quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) uplink. Moreover, successful access network transmissions have been demonstrated since the error vector magnitude (EVM) measurements for worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) 17.28-Mb/s OFDM-64QAM downstream and 11.52-Mb/s OFDM-16QAM upstream are always under the thresholds of IEEE 802.16e.
What is the Role of Social Work in China? A Multi-Dimensional Analysis

This article analyzes the role of social work in the context of the special political, economic, cultural, and historical background in China. A historical perspective is used to understand the evolution of the Chinese welfare system and explain the timing of reintroducing the social work profession. A pluralistic perspective is adopted to define social work relating to different stakeholders in social welfare and services. The government starts to diminish its role as a direct service provider. The traditional family and community have less capacity to take care of people. Yet, the social work profession is not ready to take over. Finally, a social development perspective is used to illustrate why economic growth is prioritized by the Chinese government and social work as profession is supposed to work to promote social stability and prosperity. Implications for social work research and practice are discussed.
Otitis media and associations with overweight status in toddlers

Abstract Introduction Otitis media (OM) is a significant disease that affects nearly all children early in life. Recently, childhood overweight has become an epidemic. Past research has demonstrated that a history of OM is related to food preferences and overweight through proposed physiological mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between recurrent OM (ROM)/tympanostomy tube treatment and overweight status. Methods Data were analyzed from a prospective cohort of mothers and children recruited from 1991–1996 from a local health maintenance organization. ROM and tympanostomy tube status were obtained through a combination of physical exam and medical record abstraction. ROM and tympanostomy tube status were analyzed as categorical variables with weight-for-length (WFL) data from well child checks. Chi-square and logistic regression for univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results 11.4% of children had a WFL measure at two years of age ≥ 95th percentile. Those children with a history of tympanostomy tube treatment had a significantly increased risk of having a WFL ≥ 95th percentile after controlling for birth weight, maternal prenatal smoking, maternal education, and family income (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.43–7.72). The alternative hypothesis that children with larger WFL at two month of age would have a greater number of OM episodes by two years of age was not significant. Conclusion The findings of this study are consistent with the hypothesis and prior research that OM treated with tympanostomy tubes is associated with overweight status.
Shear Heating in Granular Layers

Heat-flow measurements imply that the San Andreas Fault operates at lower shear stresses than generally predicted from laboratory friction data. This suggests that a dramatic weakening effect or reduced heat production occur during dynamic slip. Numerical studies intimate that grain rolling or localization may cause weakening or reduced heating, however laboratory evidence for these effects are sparse. We directly measure frictional resistance (μ) shear heating and microstructural evolution with accumulated strain in layers of quartz powder sheared at a range of effective stresses (σ n = 5–70 MPa) and sliding velocities (V=0.01–10 mm/s.) Tests conducted at σ n≥ 25 MPa show strong evidence for shear localization due to intense grain fracture. In contrast, tests conducted at low effective stress (σ n = 5 MPa) show no preferential fabric development and minimal grain fracture hence we conclude that non-destructive processes such as grain rolling/sliding, distributed throughout the layer, dominate deformation. Temperature measured close to the fault increases systematically with σ n and V, consistent with a one-dimensional heat-flow solution for frictional heating in a finite width layer. Mechanical results indicate stable sliding (μ ~ 0.6) for all tests, irrespective of deformation regime, and show no evidence for reduced frictional resistance at rapid slip or high effective stresses. Our measurements verify that the heat production equation (q = μσ nV) holds regardless of localization state or fracture regime. Thus, for quasistatic velocities (V≤10 mm/s) and effective stresses relevant to earthquake rupture, neither grain rolling/sliding or shear localization appear to be a viable mechanism for the dramatic weakening or reduced heating required to explain the heat flow paradox.
A review of the use of biological agents for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Abstract Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a group of idiopathic, acquired, immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the peripheral nervous system. A majority of patients with CIDP respond to “first-line” treatment with IVIG, plasmapheresis and/or corticosteroids. There exists insufficient evidence to ascertain the benefit of treatment with “conventional” immunosuppressive drugs. The inconsistent efficacy, long-term financial burden and health risks of non-specific immune altering therapy have drawn recurrent attention to the possible usefulness of a variety of biological agents that target key aspects in the CIDP immunopathogenic pathways. This review aims to give an updated account of the scientific rationale and potential use of biological therapeutics in patients with CIDP. No specific treatment recommendations are given. The discovery, development and application of biological markers by modern molecular diagnostic techniques may help identify drug-naive or treatment-resistant CIDP patients most likely to respond to targeted immunotherapy.
Impact of Poor Retention in HIV Medical Care on Time to Viral Load Suppression

Objective:The purpose of this study was to evaluate how poor retention in HIV care impacts time to viral suppression after initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy.Methods:A retrospective co...
Population issues and social indicators of well-being

Relating demographers' measures of various population characteristics (size, growth/decline, density, age/sex structures, migration, et cetera) to measures of well-being recently developed within the social indicators movement promises to provide new knowledge about the linkage of population and well-being that can enhance decision making about important population issues.
The experience and communicative management of identity threats among people with Parkinson's disease: Implications for health communication theory and practice

ABSTRACTParkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative illness that can yield a host of well-documented physical and psychosocial challenges; however, the impact of the disease on the identity of persons with PD (PWPs) is not well understood. Based on a constructivist grounded theory approach, data gathered from in-depth interviews with 47 PWPs were analyzed using constant comparison. The resulting theoretical structure related to identity and communication states that (a) PD threatens identity in several significant ways; (b) PWPs communicatively manage threats to identity; and (c) communicatively managing threats to identity is a complex, varied process. Results offer a theoretical understanding of the ways in which identity, communication, and PD are linked, and can inform interventions and care for this population.
Creep Compliance Characterization of Vapor-Grown Carbon Nanofiber/Vinyl Ester Nanocomposites Using a Central Composite Design of Experiments

The effects of vapor-grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF) weight fraction, applied stress, and temperature on the viscoelastic response (creep compliance) of VGCNF/vinyl ester (VE) nanocomposites were studied using a central composite design (CCD). The nanocomposite test articles were fabricated by high shear mixing, casting, curing, and postcuring in an open face mold under a nitrogen environment. Short-term creep/creep recovery experiments were conducted at prescribed combinations of temperatures (23.8 – 69.2 C), applied stresses (30.2 – 49.8 MPa), and VGCNF weight fractions (0.00 – 1.00 parts of VGCNF per hundred parts of resin, phr) determined from the CCD. The response surface model (RSM) for predicting the creep compliance was developed using the least squares method and an analysis of variance procedure. The response surface estimates indicate that increasing the VGCNF weight fraction marginally increases the creep resistance of the VGCNF/VE nanocomposite at low temperatures (i.e., 23.8 – 46.5 C). However, increasing the VGCNF weight fraction for temperatures greater than 50 oC decreased the creep resistance of these nanocomposites. The latter response may be due to a decrease in the nanofiber-to-matrix adhesion as the temperature is increased. The creep compliance RSM revealed the interactions between the VGCNF weight fraction, stress, and temperature on the creep behavior of thermoset polymer nanocomposites.
A Longitudinal Assessment of the Impact of Selected Organizational Influences on Salespeople's Organizational Commitment during Early Employment:

To examine the antecedents and consequences of the development of salespeople's organizational commitment during early employment, the authors conducted a longitudinal study. The study focused on h...
Expression of Immune-Related Molecules is Downregulated in Twitcher Mice following Bone Marrow Transplantation

Twitcher (twi/twi) is a murine model of a human genetic demyelinating disease, globoid cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease). The affected mice usually die before reaching age 45 days, having demyelination associated with extensive glial activation. The twi/twi mice that receive wild-type bone marrow transplantation (BMT) survive up to 3 times longer with improved pathology. We hypothesize that immune-related molecules such as cytokines and chemokines are partly responsible for the demyelination in twi/twi, and that the decrease in the expression of such molecules following BMT contributes to clinico-pathological improvement. Cells expressing TNF-alpha, MCP-1, and MIP-1beta were conspicuous in the twi/twi CNS accompanied by infiltration of Ia+ and CD8+/CD3- hematogenous cells. These cells decreased gradually after BMT TNF-alpha mRNA and mRNA of C-C chemokine families, including MCP-1, IP-10, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES, were upregulated in the twi/twi CNS but downregulated gradually following BMT. In twi/twi that survived to 20 wk of age, cells expressing TNF-alpha, MCP-1, MIP-1beta, Ia, or CD8 were hardly detected and pathology was clearly improved. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that cytokine expression in glial cells contributes (to some extent) to the pathogenesis of demyelinating lesions in the twi/twi mice.
Culture trauma, morality and solidarity The social construction of ‘Holocaust’ and other mass murders

Cultural trauma occurs when members of a collectivity feel they have been subjected to a horrendous event that leaves indelible marks upon their group consciousness, marking their memories forever and changing their future identity in fundamental and irrevocable ways. While this new scientific concept clarifies causal relationships between previously unrelated events, structures, perceptions, and actions, it also illuminates a neglected domain of social responsibility and political action. By constructing cultural traumas, social groups, national societies, and sometimes even entire civilizations, not only cognitively identify the existence and source of human suffering, but may also take on board some significant moral responsibility for it. Insofar as they identify the cause of trauma in a manner that assumes such moral responsibility, members of collectivities define their solidary relationships that allow them to share the suffering of others. Is the suffering of others also our own? In thinking that ...
Causative analysis of unplanned extubation of received gastric tube and its countermeasures in neonates

Objective: To evaluate the cause of unplanned extubation of received gastric tube in neonates,and to detect its countermeasures. Methods: Specimens were collected from 469 patients received gastric tube. The incidence of unplanned extubation was analyzed by statistics. Results: The results showed 58patients of all( 12. 37%) detected unplanned extubation. The most reason of unplanned extubation included inadequate fixation for gastric tube,cause of medical staffs and patients. Conclusion: For patients of received gastric tube,the measures of prevent the happening of unplanned extubation included adequate fixation for gastric tube,effective constraint patients,standardize operation,and enhancing medical staffs the sense of responsibility and so on. It was to make sure effective treatments for patients.
Analysis of the results on active surveillance of suspected cases of adverse events following DTaP and meningitis immunization in 2011 in Danyang City

OBJECTIVE Features of active surveillance of adverse events following immunization(AEFI) of DTaP and meningitis vaccines in 2011 in Danyang City were analyzed to evaluate the implementation of AEFI surveillance system and the safety of vaccines under the National Immunization Program(NIP).METHODS 2011 data on the cases of AEFI of DTaP and meningitis vaccines reported in Danyang City before Februray 11thof 2012 were extracted from the National AEFI Information System,and the epidemiology was analyzed by using the descriptive methods.RESULTS The AEFI surveillance system in Danyang City received reporting of a total of 2 408 AEFI cases in 2011,accounting for 75.51% of all reported vaccination-related cases.Among the 2 408 cases,1 451 cases(60.26%) were younger than 1 year of age,and the male/female ratio was 1.09︰1.The majority of the cases(1 576 cases,65.45%) were reported between July and December.The reported adverse reactions included fever(1 488 cases,61.79%),redness and swelling(797 cases,33.10%),and scleroma(331 cases,13.75%).2 016 cases(83.72%) were reported in less than 2 days after vaccination,and reporting rates of the 1stto 4thdose of DTaP vaccination were 3 194.99,2 876.42,4 216.93,and 5 773.20 per 100 000,respectively.Reporting rate of AEFI significantly increased with the number of dosages received by the patients(χ2= 117.71,P﹤0.01),and the rate for the second dose of meningitis A+C vaccine(1 147.51 per 100 000) was significantly lower than that of the first dose(2 759.42 per 100 000)(χ2= 44.83,P﹤0.01).CONCLUSION Sensitivity of the AEFI surveillance system in Danyang City is within an acceptable range.AEFI reporting rate under active surveillance of vaccination is significantly higher than that under passive surveillances.Enhancement of the frequency and intensity of supervision may significantly improve the reporting rate of AEFI cases,especially those with mild and moderate immunization reactions.AEFI often occurs in young children,and thus the first 2 days are the primary focus of the surveillance.AEFI reporting rate of NIP vaccines has fall within the estimated range.
Regression analysis between polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and susceptibility to lung cancer of nonsmoking women

Aim:To evaluate the relationship between the polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XRCC1 codon-399 and the susceptibility to lung cancer in nonsmoking women,and to explore the possible interaction between XRCC1 and some indoor air pollution factors such as passive smoking and cooking oil exposure with the risk of lung cancer.Methods:A case-control study including 162 new diagnosed lung cancer cases and 244 healthy resident controls was conducted. PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RLFP) techniques was used to analyze the XRCC1 polymorphisms at Arg399Gln loci. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between XRCC1 polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility.Results: The frequency of allele Arg and Gln in case group was 62.04% and 37.96%, respectively; while in the control group, it was 69.06% and 30.94% (P=0.0383). The carriers of Gln/Gln had higher risk of lung cancer than Arg/Arg carriers (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.18, 95% confidence interval (95%CI)=1.10~4.35). In passive smoking group, the carriers of Gln/Gln had higher risk of lung cancer than Arg/Arg carriers (AOR=3.52, 95%CI=1.35~9.19). Moreover, the carriers of Gln/Gln who exposed in all three environmental factors, such as passive smoking,using coal or wood as the fuel of cooking,and non-usage of ventilation equipments in kitchen possessed extreme high risk than the carriers of wild genotype Arg/Arg who lived without any of the three factors (AOR=20.25, 95%CI=5.06~81.11).Conclusion:Genetic polymorphism of DNA repair gene XRCC1 codon-399 might play an important role in lung cancer of nonsmoking women. Furthermore, three universal environment factors, such as passive smoking, use coal or wood as the fuel of cooking, and non-usage of ventilation equipments in kitchen might hold synergistic effect with the polymorphisms of XRCC1 codon-399 in the occurrence of lung cancer of nonsmoking women.
The composition of peptidochitodextrins from sarcophagid puparial cases

1. N-Bromosuccinimide cleaved proteins and pigments from fly puparia, increasing the chitin:protein ratio from 0.5 to 1.5. The product afforded subfractions (ratio 5:1) of molecular weights of 1200 and 1600 devoid of aromatic residues and N-terminal β-alanine, direct aryl links between polysaccharide chains being discounted. 2. The chitin–protein complex decreased in molecular weight when treated with Pronase, which suggested polypeptide bridges within the native chitin micelle. The limit dextrins generated by chitinase were mixtures of unsubstituted dextrins and peptidylated oligosaccharides, with the former predominating. 3. Peptidochitodextrins of similar molecular weight but markedly different solubility were prepared, which were indistinguishable with respect to amino acid, glucosamine, acetyl, X-ray or infrared characteristics. It is suggested that physical interactions contribute to the stability of the integument in addition to the covalent bonds that form during sclerotization.
Improvement of beef tenderness and quality traits with calcium chloride injection in beef loins 48 hours postmortem.

Boneless strip loin subprimals (n = 24) were fabricated from 12 USDA Standard yield grade 2 carcasses at a commercial beef processing facility and processed 48 h postmortem to determine the effect of injection of 200 or 250 mM calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution at 5% (wt/wt) on beef quality traits. One-third of the subprimal served as the control; the remaining portion was injected with either 200 or 250 mM CaCl2 at 5% (wt/wt). The CaCl2 concentration treatment was randomly assigned to strip loins fabricated from either the right or left side of the carcass. After 7 or 14 d of postmortem storage at 2 degrees C, 2.5-cm-thick steaks were cut from each control and treated portion of the subprimals and evaluated for Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) force, retail display characteristics, Minolta colorimeter L*, a*, and b* values, and trained sensory panel ratings. Treatment of the muscle with 250 mM CaCl2 increased (P .05) for the 200-mM treatment compared with the control. Scores for discoloration in the retail display decreased (P .05] d 1 through 5). The L* values did not differ (P < .05) for interactions of CaCl2 concentration, x aging time, and retail display.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Is Transforming Stem Cells to Pancreatic Beta Cells Still the Holy Grail for Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a progressive disease affecting millions of people worldwide. There are several medications and treatment options to improve the life quality of people with diabetes. One of the strategies for the treatment of diabetes could be the use of human pluripotent stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells. The recent advances in differentiation of stem cells into insulin-secreting beta-like cells in vitro make the transplantation of the stem cell-derived beta-like cells an attractive approach for treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. While stem cell-derived beta-like cells provide an unlimited cell source for beta cell replacement therapies, these cells can also be used as a platform for drug screening or modeling diseases.
Management of Symptomatic Pancreatic Pseudocyst

Management options for pancreatic pseudocyst are numerous and include endoscopic and surgical approaches. Much debate exists regarding which of these approaches is superior and when each is most appropriate. While endoscopy offers less post-procedural pain, shorter length of stay, and fewer complications, laparoscopic surgical approaches are more suitable for pseudocysts whose locations or other characteristics present significant technical challenge or are otherwise unamenable to endoscopic drainage. Endoscopic management should be attempted when technically feasible, and a laparoscopic approach should be employed when endoscopic drainage would be technically difficult or in symptom recurrence following initial endoscopic management.
The Wind Farm Aggregation Impact on Power Quality

This paper explores the effects of wind farm power fluctuations on the power network. A dynamic simulation of a wind farm is performed and the spatial distribution of the wind turbines is considered. In a wind farm, many wind turbines feed power into the power grid at the point of common coupling. The power fluctuation from one turbine may cancel that of another, which effectively rectifies the power fluctuation of the overall wind farm. The effect of power fluctuations is quantified by measuring the flicker and the voltage variation for different case studies. We took a conservative approach to explore a wind farm that consists mainly of stall-controlled wind turbines with fixed frequency induction generators and a specified grid with a known short circuit capacity.
A phase II trial of high-dose calcitriol and docetaxel in patients with untreated, incurable pancreatic adenocarcinoma

15099 Background: Taxanes have activity in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In preclinical studies, calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, potentiates docetaxel-induced cell dea...
Systematic Review of Measures Used in Pictorial Cigarette Pack Warning Experiments.

Background We sought to describe characteristics and psychometric properties of measures used in pictorial cigarette pack warning experiments and provide recommendations for future studies. Methods Our systematic review identified 68 pictorial cigarette pack warning experiments conducted between 2000 and 2016 in 22 countries. Two independent coders coded all studies on study features, including sample characteristics, theoretical framework, and constructs assessed. We also coded measurement characteristics, including construct, number of items, source, reliability, and validity. Results We identified 278 measures representing 61 constructs. The most commonly assessed construct categories were warning reactions (62% of studies) and perceived effectiveness (60%). The most commonly used outcomes were affective reactions (35%), perceived likelihood of harm (22%), intention to quit smoking (22%), perceptions that warnings motivate people to quit smoking (18%), and credibility (16%). Only 4 studies assessed smoking behavior. More than half (54%) of all measures were single items. For multi-item measures, studies reported reliability data 68% of the time (mean α = 0.88, range α = 0.68-0.98). Studies reported sources of measures only 33% of the time and rarely reported validity data. Of 68 studies, 37 (54%) mentioned a theory as informing the study. Conclusions Our review found great variability in constructs and measures used to evaluate the impact of cigarette pack pictorial warnings. Many measures were single items with unknown psychometric properties. Recommendations for future studies include a greater emphasis on theoretical models that inform measurement, use of reliable and validated (preferably multi-item) measures, and better reporting of measure sources. Implications Robust and consistent measurement is important for building a strong, cumulative evidence base to support pictorial cigarette pack warning policies. This systematic review of experimental studies of pictorial cigarette warnings demonstrates the need for standardized, theory-based measures.
SBA-15 templating synthesis of mesoporous bismuth oxide for selective removal of iodide.

Abstract Mesoporous δ-Bi2O3 samples with high surface area and small crystallite sizes were prepared by using different SBA-15 silicas as hard templates. The latter were synthesized hydrothermally using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), sodium metasilicate (SMS), and water glass (WG) as silica sources. The resulting SBA-15 silicas showed high surface area and pore volume. Among SBA-15 samples studied, the WG-generated SBA-15 exhibited the thinnest pore walls and lowest percentage of complementary pores. Interestingly, SBA-15 obtained from WG gave δ-Bi2O3 with the highest surface area and pore volume. This mesoporous δ-Bi2O3 was applied for the removal of iodide from aqueous solutions and was able to adsorb 2.87 mmol/g of iodide at ambient conditions. In addition, mesoporous δ-Bi2O3 displayed high selectivity for iodide removal in the presence of chloride. Due to the high toxicity of the radioactive isotopes of iodine, this substance is required to be immobilized before its release to environment. This work presents a promising sorbent for selective capture of iodide from aqueous solutions.
Contact Networks and Mortality Patterns Suggest Pneumonia-Causing Pathogens may Persist in Wild Bighorn Sheep

Efficacy of disease control efforts is often contingent on whether the disease persists locally in the host population or is repeatedly introduced from an alternative host species. Local persistence is partially determined by the interaction between host contact structure and disease transmission rates: relatively isolated host groups facilitate pathogen persistence by slowing the rate at which highly transmissible pathogens access new susceptibles; alternatively, isolated host groups impede persistence for pathogens with low transmission rates by limiting the number of available hosts and forcing premature fade-out. Here, we use long-term data from the Hells Canyon region to investigate whether variable host contact patterns are associated with survival outcomes for 46 cohorts of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) lambs subject to recurrent pneumonia outbreaks. We build social contact networks for each lamb cohort, and quantify variation in lamb mortality attributable to populations, years, and groups. We then refine estimates of chronic carriage rates in ewes, and disease-induced mortality rates in lambs, by finding parameters for the disease process that produce lamb morality rates similar to those observed when simulated on the observed host contact networks. Our results suggest that summer lamb hazards are spatially structured at the subpopulation level: 92.5 percent of the variation in lamb hazards during pneumonia outbreak years was attributable to sub-population-level groups, whereas 1.7 percent and 5.6 percent were attributable to year and population, respectively. Additionally, the posterior distribution generated by our disease transmission model suggests that pneumonia-causing pathogens may persist locally in bighorn sheep populations, even during apparently healthy years.
Proceedings of the 45th annual Design Automation Conference

Welcome to the 45th Design Automation Conference and the City of Anaheim! DAC is the premier event for the electronic design community. It offers the industry's most prestigious technical conference in combination with the biggest exhibition. DAC is also increasingly the meeting place for many related organizations --- the conference this year has attracted a record number of additional events. In particular, 14 workshops and seven collocated events are taking place during DAC. We are privileged to have as guest speakers, the ACM Turing Award winners, who have been recognized with the highest honor in the area of computing for their role in developing Model-checking into a highly effective verification technology, widely adopted in the hardware and software industries: Edmund M. Clarke, FORE Systems Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, E. Allen Emerson, Endowed Professor, University of Texas at Austin and Joseph Sifakis, CNRS Research Director, Verimag. DAC is proud to present outstanding industry leaders in three keynote presentations. On Tuesday, Justin R. Rattner, Intel Senior Fellow, Vice President, Director, Corporate Technology Group and Chief Technology Officer, Intel Corp., will re-examine radio architecture and describe the expected shift from largely analog to nearly pure digital and programmable multi-radios design. On Wednesday, Sanjay K. Jha, Chief Operating Officer, Qualcomm and President, Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, will present the design challenges of advanced wireless silicon systems. His talk will focus on how partnering companies need to collaborate to tackle complex design issues through synergistic groups. On Thursday, Jack Little, President, and Co-founder of The MathWorks, Inc., will discuss the emerging workflow from idea to system implementation. Such a design flow will provide great value to companies that develop embedded systems and electronics. DAC's 82 member Technical Program Committee selected 147 papers for this year's technical program from a pool of 639 submissions. Highlighted topics this year are Business, Design Methodologies, System Level and Embedded Design, Interconnect and Reliability, Synthesis and FPGA, Low Power, Multi-core, Wireless, Physical Design, DFM and the Manufacturing Interface, Analog/Mixed Signal/RF and Simulation, Verification and Test, Strictly Design and New and Emerging Technologies. The program also includes eight Panels, eight Special Sessions, six Tutorials and six Hands-on Tutorials, Management Day and WACI ("Wild and Crazy Ideas"). DAC's exhibition features over 225 companies and includes 20 exciting Pavilion Panels. New this year are DAC's iDesign sessions, the DACeZine newsletter, the YouTube preview of the technical program, the Exhibitor Forum that offers a series of technical presentations from exhibitors, and the Best of DAC Contest, which invites you to vote for your favorite products and vendors.
Medication-Assisted Treatment and Opioid Use Before and After Overdose in Pennsylvania Medicaid.

This study uses Medicaid data to compare prescription opioid use, duration of opioid use, and rates of medication-assisted treatment (buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone) among enrollees before and after an overdose event.
Abstract 14517: Adaptive Cluster Analysis of Individual Patient Level Adherence From Electronically Monitored Medication Adherence Predicts Hospitalization Rates in Heart Failure Patients

Background: Electronic monitoring (EM) of medication use is the gold standard measure of medication adherence with the capacity to explore patient’s patterns of medication taking over time. However...
Discovery of a novel subset of lung resident macrophages that regulate pathogen clearance and immune homeostasis after respiratory infection

The importance of tissue resident macrophages (TRMϕ) for pathogen clearance and homeostasis is beginning to emerge. However, our understanding of the multifaceted roles these macrophages play in mucosal tissues such as the lung remains incomplete. Currently the major population of TRMϕs in the lung is known to be alveolar macrophages (AMϕ) that express CD11c and CD169. Here we report a novel subset of CD169+ lung resident macrophages that are phenotypically and developmentally distinct from the alveolar or interstitial macrophages. These novel TRMϕ were CD169+CD11C−CX3CR1+Ly6C−CSF−1R+. A remarkable quality of these TRMϕs was their geographical location, which was important for their function. They were exclusively localized around the airways of the lung close to the airway epithelial cells. These airway-associated macrophages (AAMϕ) were radio-resistant, self-renewing and failed to recirculate. To determine the function of lung TRMϕs, we used genetic mouse models and bone marrow chimeric mice to exclusively deplete AMϕ or AAMϕ following influenza infection. We show that AAMϕ cell numbers dramatically increased during infection due to local proliferation and differentiation of infiltrating monocytes. Depletion of CD169+ Mϕ in mice during influenza infection resulted in elevated morbidity. In the absence of CD169+ Mϕ, we observed dramatic changes in the recruitment of innate immune cells such as neutrophils and monocytes in the lungs following infection. Overall, our study relates structure to function at a fundamental level and provides essential insights into a novel subset of AAMϕ in the lung that along with alveolar Mϕ are crucial in mediating protection and maintaining immune homeostasis during influenza infection.
Data-driven optimal charging decision making for connected and automated electric vehicles: A personal usage scenario

Abstract This study introduces an optimal charging decision making framework for connected and automated electric vehicles under a personal usage scenario. This framework aims to provide charging strategies, i.e. the choice of charging station and the amount of charged energy, by considering constraints from personal daily itineraries and existing charging infrastructure. A data-driven method is introduced to establish a stochastic energy consumption prediction model with consideration of realistic uncertainties. This is performed by analyzing a large scale electric vehicle data set. A real-time updating method is designed to construct this prediction model from new consecutive data points in an adaptive way for real-world applications. Based on this energy cost prediction framework from real electric vehicle data, multistage optimal charging decision making models are introduced, including a deterministic model for average outcome decision making and a robust model for safest charging strategies. A dynamic programming algorithm is proposed to find the optimal charging strategies. Detailed simulations and case studies demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithms to find optimal charging strategies. They also show the potential capability of connected and automated electric vehicles to reduce the range anxiety and charging infrastructure dependency.