cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of vitamin D levels with incident depression among a general cardiovascular population.

Background Depression is associated with cardiovascular (CV) disease, and it has been hypothesized that vitamin (vit)D deficiency may be associated with depression and a contributing factor to excess CV events. Therefore, we evaluated whether there is an association between vitD and incident depression among a CV population. Methods Patients (N = 7,358) ≥50 years of age, with a CV diagnosis (coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic accident, atrial fibrillation, or peripheral vascular disease), no prior depression diagnosis, and a measured vitD level were studied. Vitamin D (ng/mL) was stratified into 4 categories: >50 (optimal [O] n=367), 31 to 50 (normal [N] n=2,264), 16 to 30 (low [L] n=3,402), and ≥15 (very low [VL] n=1,325). Depression was defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition , codes: 296.2 to 296.36, 311. VitD categories were evaluated by Cox hazard regression with adjustment by standard CV risk factors. Results Age averaged 73.1 ± 10.2 years, and 58.8% were female. When compared to O, VL, L, and N were associated with depression (adjusted: VL, hazard ratio [HR] 2.70 [1.35-5.40], P = .005; L, HR 2.15 [1.10-4.21], P = .03; N, HR 1.95 [0.99-3.87], P = .06). This association remained even after adjustment by parathyroid hormone levels. Parathyroid hormone was significantly associated with depression, however, became nonsignificant after adjustment by vitD. Winter (December-February) enhanced this association. Significant associations remained when stratifications were made by age ( Conclusion Among a CV population ≥50 years with no history of depression, vitD levels were shown to be associated with incident depression after vitD draw. This study strengthens the hypothesis of the association between vitD and depression.
A Corpus Analysis of Would‐Clauses Without Adjacent If‐Clauses

This article reports the findings of a corpus analysis of a grammatical structure taught in intermediate- or advanced-level ESL/EFL texts: clauses that contain the modal would to signify hypothetical and counterfactual meaning. Contrary to the way these structures are represented in ESL/EFL textbooks—as would-clauses adjacent to conditional clauses with if—these corpus data indicate that would-clauses in counterfactual/hypothetical environments occur more often quite distant from or entirely without any corresponding if-clauses. Often the hypothetical and counterfactual conditions are present but are marked in ways other than by prototypical if-clauses. The study categorizes the conditional and hypothetical uses of would-clauses in spoken and written corpora, and it offers pedagogical suggestions based on the findings.
Alcohol Consumption and Political Ideology: What's Party Got to Do with It?*

Recent research in psychology and sociology has established a connection between political beliefs and unhealthy behaviors such as excessive alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug consumption. In this study, we estimate the relationship between political ideology and the demand for beer, wine, and spirits using a longitudinal panel of fifty U.S. states from 1952 to 2010. Controlling for various socioeconomic factors and unobserved heterogeneity, we find that when a state becomes more liberal politically, its consumption of beer and spirits rises, while its consumption of wine may fall. Our findings suggest that political beliefs are correlated with the demand for alcohol. (JEL Classifications: D3, D12, I1)
Linewidth-insensitive coherent AM optical links: design, performance, and potential applications

The use of coherent detection in analog optical links offers several advantages over direct detection: improved receiver sensitivity, inherent frequency translation, and the ability to utilize angle modulation and separate wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signals. In this paper, we investigate an externally modulated coherent AM optical link. We study the dynamic range of the coherent AM link, considering receiver noise, laser phase noise, laser relative intensity noise (RIN), and system nonlinearities. With proper selection of the receiver's IF bandwidth, the coherent AM link can be made insensitive to the laser linewidth. For optical powers less than 5 mW, RIN of less than /spl minus/160 dB/Hz reduces the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) by less than 3 db with the use of a balanced receiver. The external modulator nonlinearity is the dominant nonideal effect; it reduces the SFDR by 5-19 dB from the theoretical limit for 100% modulation index. We compare the performance of the coherent AM link with that of a conventional direct detection link for two applications: point-to-point links and distribution networks. When the received optical power is less than 1 mW, the coherent link can provide higher SFDR than the direct detection link. Thus, coherent links are well-suited for long distance point-to-point links and FM video distribution systems. >
Spatial SVM for feature selection and fMRI activation detection

This paper describes application of support vector machines (SVM) methodology for fMRI activation detection. Whereas SVM methods have been successfully used for standard predictive learning settings (i.e., classification and regression), the goal of activation detection, strictly speaking, is not achieving improved prediction accuracy. We relate the problem of activation detection in fMRI to the problem feature selection in machine learning, and describe various multivariate supervised-learning formulations for this application. Due to extreme ill-posedness of typical fMRI data sets, the quality of activation detection will be greatly affected by (a) incorporating a priori knowledge into SVM formulations, and (b) using proper encoding for training data. We analyze these issues separately, and introduce (a) novel spatial SVM formulation (reflecting a priori knowledge about local spatial correlations in fMRI data) and (b) two new encoding schemes for fMRI data that incorporate the effects of the brain dynamics (i.e., its hemodynamic response function, or HRF). The effectiveness of these modifications is clearly demonstrated using benchmark simulated and real-life fMRI data sets.
Added Value of Rest to Stress Study for Recognition of Artifacts in Perfusion Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

Background : The objective was to determine whether rest perfusion (RP) adds to stress perfusion (SP) and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for detection of impaired coronary flow reserve. Methods: We enrolled patients (n = 45) referred for myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) for adenosine CMR stress. SP, RP and LGE images were obtained with 99mTc sestamibi injection during a single adenosine infusion. Segmental perfusion and confidence scores were recorded for SP-LGE interpreted with and without RP. CMR agreement with MPS was determined. Results: MPS was normal in 653 and abnormal in 67 segments. SP-LGE CMR interpreted without RP was normal in 407, abnormal in 313 segments, and showed poor agreement with MPS (58%). Two hundred thirty-seven segments were changed to normal using data from RP, improving agreement (87%, p < 0.0001). Reader confidence was low in 33 patients with SP-LGE and improved in 26 patients using SP-RP-LGE, where 37/45 were read with high confidence. Artifa...
Using temperature and state transitions to forecast wind speed

A major issue in forecasting wind speed is non-linear variability. The probability distribution of wind speed series shows heavy tails, while there are frequent state transitions, in which wind speed changes by large magnitudes, over relatively short time periods. These so-called large ramp events are one of the critical issues currently facing the wind energy community. Two forecasting algorithms are analyzed here. The first is a regression on lags, including temperature as a causal factor, with time-varying parameters. The second augments the first using state transition terms. The main innovation in state transition models is that the cumulative density function from regressions on the states is used as a right-hand side variable in the regressions for wind speed. These two methods are tested against a persistence forecast and several non-linear models, using eight hourly wind speed series. On average, these two models produce the best results. The state transition model improves slightly over the regression. However, the improvement achieved by both models relative to the persistence forecast is fairly small. These results argue that there are limits to the accuracy that can be achieved in forecasting wind speed data. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population and Genetic Consequences of Hurricanes for Three Species of West Indian Phyllostomid Bats

Strong hurricanes can cause population reductions in West Indian birds and bats, but the genetic consequences of such reductions have not been documented. For three species of phyllostomid bats, we report on the genetic effects of three strong hurricanes that struck the northern West Indies in 2004. Hurricane Ivan devastated Grand Cayman and severely depressed populations of several bat species. Despite being smaller than pre-hurricane levels, the population of Artibeus jamaicensis (the only species we could resample) on Grand Cayman contained greater mitochondrial haplotype diversity but similar microsatellite allelic diversity compared to pre-Ivan levels. We suggest that hurricane-aided dispersal from Cayman Brac introduced two new haplotypes into the Grand Cayman population. In the Bahamas, two other phyllostomids (Erophylla sezekorni and Macrotus waterhousii) did not suffer population losses or changes in genetic diversity as a result of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. Our results suggest that strong hurricanes usually have greater demographic than genetic effects but that hurricane-aided dispersal can occasionally introduce new genotypes or haplotypes into island bat populations.
Beyond genomics: Critical evaluation of cell line utility for ovarian cancer research

Objective Comparisons of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) with high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) cell lines used in research reveal that many common experimental models lack defining genomic characteristics seen in patient tumors. As cell lines exist with higher genomic fidelity to TCGA, this study aimed to evaluate the utility of these cell lines as tools for preclinical investigation.
The concept of nerve-muscle specificity.

Summary (1) The concept of nerve-muscle specificity postulates the existence of an inherent, specific attraction between given striated muscle fibres and given nerve fibres or neurons. (2) The chief theories of nerve-muscle specificity, those of Furbringer and Cunningham, are considered. Furbringer's theory–that there is an unvarying, specific relationship between particular macroscopic, peripheral nerve branches and particular muscles–is founded upon a false embryological concept and is completely negated by both comparative and experimental data. Cunningham's theory–that there is a constant relationship between given neurons and given muscles but which recognizes variability in pathways adopted by axons and hence in macroscopic innervation –has some comparative anatomical support but is denied by the findings of experimental embryology. The theory that muscular nerve supply is inconstant, and that there may be secondary innervation, especially in phylogeny, is more in accordance with known facts. (3) Existing knowledge of the development of nerve-muscle relationships–the outgrowth of nerve fibres, the formation of peripheral nerve patterns, and the establishment of terminal connexions–is reviewed. Although a number of important questions remain to be answered, there is nothing to indicate the existence of anything approaching a true nerve-muscle specificity. (4) It is concluded that present evidence is against the concept of nerve-muscle specificity. Thus resemblances in muscular nerve supply must merely reflect general similarity in development. Because of this, innervation is of great aid in homo-logizing the muscles of animals belonging to one vertebrate class, but not in homologizing the muscles of animals of different classes. It is shown that urodeles so differ from other tetrapod vertebrates respecting nerve-muscle relationships that they form a group unto themselves.
Heparin-induced aggregation of lymphoid cells

The effects of different carbohydrates on cell-to-cell adhesion were examined in an aggregation assay, which consisted of swirling a suspension of cells and monitoring the loss of single cells with a Coulter Counter. Of the carbohydrates tested, only heparin and dextran sulfate induced cell aggregation. This effect occurred in freshly isolated mouse splenocytes and in cultured cells of lymphoid origin (P388, YAA-CI) but not in cell lines of fibroblastic origins (3T3, SV-3T3, BHK, and PY-BHK). Using the YAA-CI cell line for further study, we found that aggregation could be induced by relatively small amounts of heparin (less than 10 micrograms/ml). Binding experiments with 3H-heparin showed that under normal physiological conditions each YAA-CI cell bound approximately 2 X 10(6) molecules of heparin at saturation with a Kd of 3.5 X 10(-7) M. This binding was blocked by both unlabelled heparin and dextran sulfate but not by other carbohydrates. When the pH of the medium was decreased, the heparin-induced aggregation was inhibited, and the Kd of the 3H-heparin binding was increased. In a similar fashion, when the ionic strength of the medium was increased, heparin-induced aggregation was inhibited and the Kd of the interaction was increased. These results suggest that the aggregation is inversely related to the Kd of the interaction and that the binding of heparin to the cell surface is primarily of an ionic nature.
The frequency and rate of pilin antigenic variation in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The pilin antigenic variation (Av) system of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gc) mediates unidirectional DNA recombination from silent gene copies into the pilin expression locus. A DNA sequencing assay was developed to accurately measure pilin Av in a population of Gc strain FA1090 arising from a defined pilin progenitor under nonselective culture conditions. This assay employs a piliated parental Gc variant with a recA allele whose promoter is replaced by lac-regulatory elements, allowing for controlled induction of pilin Av. From this assay, the frequency of pilin Av was measured as 0.13 recombination events per colony, with a corresponding rate of pilin Av of 4×10−3 events per colony per generation. Most pilin variants retained the parental piliation phenotype, providing the first comprehensive analysis of piliated variants arising from a piliated progenitor. Sequence analysis of pilin variants revealed that a subset of possible recombination events predominated, which differed between piliated and nonpiliated progeny. Pilin Av exhibits the highest reported frequency of any pathogenic gene conversion system and can account for the extensive pilin variation detected during human infection.
Geolocation in ad hoc networks using DS-CDMA and generalized successive interference cancellation

Channel estimation and distributed positioning algorithms are presented for geolocation in a wireless ad hoc network. The network uses a direct-sequence code-division multiple-access-based handshaking protocol, in which nodes receive multiple acknowledgment packets in response to a request-to-send waveform. Round-trip travel time (RTT) and angle-of-arrival (AOA) measurements are obtained using the generalized successive interference cancellation/matching pursuits (GSIC/MP) algorithm. The performance of GSIC/MP is evaluated via simulation and comparison to the Crame/spl acute/r-Rao bound. Position estimates are initialized using linearized least-squares and updated by an extended Kalman filter-based algorithm that includes measurement validation for nonline-of-sight error mitigation. The method is generalized for distributed estimation in sparsely connected networks: at each node, position estimates from connected nodes are incorporated via a fusion algorithm and updated using locally processed RTT/AOA measurements. Finally, comprehensive ad hoc network simulations are presented including channel ray tracing, RTT/AOA estimation and validation, and distributed positioning.
Distinct RNA elements confer specificity to flavivirus RNA cap methylation events

The 5' end of the flavivirus plus-sense RNA genome contains a type 1 cap (m(7)GpppAmG), followed by a conserved stem-loop structure. We report that nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) from four serocomplexes of flaviviruses specifically methylates the cap through recognition of the 5' terminus of viral RNA. Distinct RNA elements are required for the methylations at guanine N-7 on the cap and ribose 2'-OH on the first transcribed nucleotide. In a West Nile virus (WNV) model, N-7 cap methylation requires specific nucleotides at the second and third positions and a 5' stem-loop structure; in contrast, 2'-OH ribose methylation requires specific nucleotides at the first and second positions, with a minimum 5' viral RNA of 20 nucleotides. The cap analogues GpppA and m(7)GpppA are not active substrates for WNV methytransferase. Footprinting experiments using Gppp- and m(7)Gppp-terminated RNAs suggest that the 5' termini of RNA substrates interact with NS5 during the sequential methylation reactions. Cap methylations could be inhibited by an antisense oligomer targeting the first 20 nucleotides of WNV genome. The viral RNA-specific cap methylation suggests methyltransferase as a novel target for flavivirus drug discovery.
Light-trail testbed for metro optical networks

Telecommunication networks have rapidly added staggering amounts of capacity to their long haul networks at low costs per bit using DWDM technologies. Concurrently, there has been a wave of new access technologies that are driving customers to demand high-speed, robust and customized data services. These dynamics have led to what is called the "metro gap"-the inability to leverage backbone capacity to create and distribute revenue generating services. This paper presents work in progress at Iowa State Universities' High Speed Systems Engineering laboratory to address the metro gap problem. As an initial step towards solving this problem, we demonstrate a streaming media application over a 3 Gbps optical fiber network employing light-trail technology. The testbed and application presented within illustrates a cost-effective platform and outlines high-speed system level design challenges. This complete solution enables high-bandwidth services to move closer to the user premises by combining commercially available network components and emerging network technologies.
Effect of kinetics and mass transfer on design of extractive reaction processes

A generic model is derived for studying the effects of chemical kinetics and mass transfer on extractive reaction processes. Activity-based models are used to describe non-ideal liquid-liquid phase equilibrium and reaction kinetics. Maxwell-Stefan formulation and the film model are used to describe multicomponent mass transfer. The effects of kinetics and mass transfer are described in terms of Damkohler number matrices for reaction and for mass transfer, respectively. The elements of these matrices measure the rates of reactions and mass transfer relative to product removal. These effects are demonstrated using examples of systems with inherent phase separation and systems with solvent-induced phase separation. The results show that it may not always be beneficial to operate extractive reaction processes near the equilibrium thermodynamic limit. Damkohler numbers have to be chosen carefully to obtain the desired performance. The use of the model in evaluating performance trade-offs and in making judicious choices about reactor attributes is demonstrated.
Calcium preconditioning inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition and apoptosis

We tested the hypothesis whether calcium preconditioning (CPC) reduces reoxygenation injury by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). Cultured myocytes were preconditioned by a bri...
Who Counts as “People” (narod)? A Reconsideration of vox populi in the First Russian Time of Troubles (Smutnoe vremia)

This article is intended as a thought experiment on the meaning of the Russian concept narod, generally translated “people,” during the Time of Troubles (Smutnoe vremia) of the early seventeenth century. The topic is significant, since in this period the Muscovite politico-religious elite propounded a notion of vox populi as a legitimizing and even decisive force in determining the right course of action for the entire realm. Two closely related concepts, the so-called zemskii sobor (Assembly of the Land) and the idea of Holy Russia or Rus’, have been much debated in historiography. I argue that these historiographic discussions could benefit from more emphasis on the fundamental linguistic concepts of the time, as distinct from the later conceptualizations of historians. The present reconsideration of the meaning of narod, or who was included within notions of “the people,” suggests that language as much as anything else played a role in the dramatic historical shifts that have shaped Russian culture to this day.
The Importance of Low Lying Nonvalence Orbitals

In this book, we have assumed uniformly that the LU’s of unsaturated molecules are of the valence (V) type. However, it is well known that in certain molecules the lowest excited state has Rydberg character. Accordingly, one should inquire as to how the existence of such states alters the conclusions reached by considering only valence orbitals. The dynamic LCFC method is an ideal framework for discussing differences in chemical reactivity due to participation of V or Ry orbitals and an abbreviated analysis is presented below.
Distribution of coronary arterial capacitance in a canine model

The capacitative properties of the major left coronary arteries, left main (LM), left anterior descending (LAD), and left circumflex (LCX), were studied in 19 open-chest isolated dog hearts. Capacitance was determined by using ramp perfusion and a left ventricular-to-coronary shunt diastolic decay method; both methods gave similar results, indicating a minimal systolic capacitative component. Increased pericardial pressure (PCP), 25 mmHg, was used to experimentally alter transmural wall pressure. The response to increased PCP was different in the LAD vs. LCX; increasing PCP decreased capacitance in the LCX but increased capacitance in the LAD. This may have been due to the different intramural vs. epicardial volume distribution of these vessels and a decrease in intramural tension during increased PCP. Increased PCP decreased LCX capacitance by ∼13%, but no changes in conductance or zero flow pressure intercept occurred in any of the three vessels, i.e., evidence against the waterfall theory of vascular collapse at these levels of PCP. Coronary arterial capacitance was also linearly related to perfusion pressure.
Prevalence and diversity of Shiga toxin genes in Canada geese and water in western Lake Erie Region

Abstract Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) poses a major health risk by causing gastrointestinal illness and has been isolated from wild birds, including Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ). The major virulence factor for STEC infection is Shiga toxin. This study was designed to evaluate the occurrence and diversity of the Shiga toxin gene ( stx ) in Canada geese in the western Lake Erie region. Samples were collected from the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) at Oak Harbor, Ohio from June to December, 2012, and occurrence of the stx gene was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genetic diversity of stx variants among the fecal samples was examined using denaturing-gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The Shiga toxin gene 2 ( stx2 ) variant were detected in 20.8% (n = 77) of the geese fecal samples and 7% (n = 71) of the water samples. DGGE and clustering analysis showed a low stx2 diversity and single genetic lineage of all the stx2 fragments. All the stx2 sequences from excised DGGE bands were similar to those from a toxin form of high potency ( stx2a ) and those from reported outbreak-causing serotypes ( E. coli O157:H7, O165:H25, and O111:H–). Detection of stx from Canada geese suggested that viable Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli may be present. Further investigations, such as bacterial isolation, are suggested to better understand potential public health hazards in Lake Erie recreational areas, the role of Canada geese as a reservoir of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli , and dissemination of these pathogenic bacteria.
Youth Historians in Harlem: An After-School Blueprint for History Engagement through the Historical Process

ABSTRACTThis manuscript, written with the educator in mind, describes the Youth Historians in Harlem (YHH) program, a twenty-week after-school history program that engaged urban students in history by immersing them in aspects of the historical process. Throughout the program, a group of Black male high school students were apprenticed as historical scholars, learning the various skills of a historian through a carefully sequenced, four-step curriculum. Furthermore, students self-selected a historical topic relating to their lives, personal interests, and mostly, their Harlem community in which they live and/or learn. Despite new pedagogical strategies in history education, still, rarely are students exposed to history by “doing” it in ways that model the processes undertaken by historical scholars and that promote deep engagement in the discipline itself. Despite the relatively short length of the program, students were able to create historical projects and developed a newfound interest in history throu...
Birds in Urban Ecosystems: Population Dynamics, Community Structure, Biodiversity, and Conservation

With the global high rate of urbanization and the rapid loss of wild habitat land, cities are now viewed as challenging ecosystems for sustaining biotic communities and rich diversity. During the 2000s research on urban bird populations and communities focused on global patterns, as well as processes and mechanisms that lead to the two globally recognized patterns: increased overall population densities and decrease in species diversity compared with wildlands. Birds adapt to the urban ecosystem both physiologically (changes in stress hormones), and behaviorally (e.g., changes in foraging behavior, extending the breeding season). The increase in population density is related to the increase in food abundance, and probably to the reduction in predation pressure. The loss of diversity is related to loss of habitat, the high human density, and negative interactions with synanthropic species. Recognizing that the urban habitat will continue to grow, efforts to turn the city into a more friendly habitat for a variety of bird species should focus not only on habitat and vegetation structure, but also on niche opening for subordinate species, by excluding locally aggressive, synanthropic species. Although the study of urban birds has a fairly long history, urban ecosystems have been largely ignored throughout many decades of ecological research (Miller and Hobbs, 2002; Collins et al., 2000). Since the early 1990s, a different view emerged, accepting urban settings as ecosystems that are structured and function like other natural ecosystems (McDonnell and Pickett, 1990; Rebele, 1994; Grimm et al., 2000; McKinney, 2002; Miller and Hobbs, 2002). This theoretical view represents an emerging realization that by now, most of the world’s land is managed and dominated by humans (approximately 50% of the human population lives in cities). Wildlands are continuously converted to agricultural fields E. Shochat, Global Inst. of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Box 875411, Tempe, AZ 85287 (eyal. shochat@asu.edu); S. Lerman, Dep. of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts, 319 Morrill Science Ctr. South, 611 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003 (slerman@nsm.umass. edu); E. Fernandez-Juricic, Dep. of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, G-420 Lily Hall, 915 W. State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 (efernan@purdue.edu). doi:10.2134/agronmonogr55.c4 Copyright © 2010. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Agronomy Monograph 55. Urban Ecosystem Ecology. J. Aitkenhead-Peterson and A. Volder (ed.)
Organ dysfunction following stem cell transplantation: relationship to plasma cytokine concentrations.

Patients receiving high-dose preparation for stem cell transplantation are at risk for organ dysfunction (OD). Signs of early OD include hypoxia, mental status changes, and liver dysfunction. These early signs have not been correlated with potential cytokine mediators. We compared plasma concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 in OD patients and controls. Cytokines were measured before preparation, 5 days before OD, day of OD, and 5 days after OD. TNF-α and IL-10 were not measurable prior to preparation. IL-10 was more likely to be measurable in OD patients than in controls 5 days prior to onset of OD (P = 0.039), on the day of OD (P = 0.023), and 5 days later (P < 0.0001). TNF-α was more likely to be measurable only on the day of OD (P = 0.0035). IL-6 was significantly elevated in OD patients at all time points. Patients who had measurable IL-6 on admission were 5.1 times more likely to develop OD (95% CI = 1.4–17.9; P = 0.011). Five days prior to OD for each 100 pg/ml increase in IL-6, patients were 2.75 times more likely to develop OD (95% CI = 1.3–5.8; P = 0.0087). The early elevation of IL-6 in patients who develop OD may help identify a high risk group where preventive therapies can be evaluated. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2001) 28, 889–893.
Communication Style as an Antecedent to Reactance, Self-Efficacy, and Restoration of Freedom for Drug- and Alcohol-Involved Women on Probation and Parole

This study extends research on psychological reactance theory by examining probation and parole officer (PO) communication style as an antecedent to female offenders' reactance and 2 indicators of subsequent drug and alcohol abuse while serving probation or parole sentences. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test a mediational path model, the results of which demonstrated that perceptions of PO conversational communication style were negatively associated with reactance but positively associated with self-efficacy to avoid drugs and alcohol. Conversely, women who perceived their POs as having a conformity communication style were more likely to report higher levels of reactance and lower self-efficacy to avoid drugs and alcohol. Psychological reactance led to desire to restore freedom, whereas self-efficacy to avoid drugs and alcohol did not. Desire to restore freedom was linked with reports of using drugs and alcohol and violations of parole or probation for using drugs and alcohol. These findings highlight the importance of communication style as an antecedent to reactance and in the relationship between POs and offenders.
Detection of Squalene in Health Foods by Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC)

Objective A method was developed in determining Squalene in the healthy food by UPLC.Methods The samples were ultrasonic extracted with mixture of acetonitrile and water(95: 5).The Squalene were separated with ODS-C18(2.1mm* 100mm,1.7 μm) chromatogram column.The speed of mobile,pure water and acetonitrile(5: 95) was 0.25 ml / min and the DAD detector was set at 210 nm wavelength.Results The recovery and relative standard deviation(RSD) of the two were 94.6%-103.4% and 1.3%-2.5% respectively;the minimum detection concentration was 0.2 mg/kg.Conclusion Due to its simplicity and repeatability,the methods is suitable to determine the Squalene in health foods.
Pathology of calves with diarrhoea in southern Britain.

Twenty-one moribund calves with diarrhoea were purchased from 11 farms, their faeces examined for enteropathogens and samples of intestinal tissue removed under anaesthesia. Lesions and presence of enteropathogens on the mucosal surface were scored by histological examination of immunostained paraffin sections. Two or more enteropathogens were detected in 19 calves. Cryptosporidium appeared to be the principal cause of diarrhoea in six calves, rotavirus in four, Salmonella typhimurium in two, bacteria adherent to the surface of the large intestine in two, coronavirus in one and K99 + Escherichia coli in one calf. Diarrhoea in four calves was the consequence of mixed infections in which no one enteropathogen appeared to predominate. In one calf no enteropathogen was detected. Diarrhoea was associated with infections and lesions throughout the small and large intestines. The enteropathogens most frequently associated with lesions in the small intestines were rotavirus, coronavirus and Cryptosporidium; in the large intestines they were coronavirus and bacteria apparently adherent to the mucosal surface.
Social and Economic Aspects of Large-Scale Farming in the Corn-Belt

agree upon some common understanding in respect to the term, "large-scale farming" it seems rather quixotic either to "'view with alarm" or "point with pride" to new developments in agricultural production. There seems to be a disposition to call the adoption of new machinery together with the resultant subsequent changes in farm organization "large-scale farming." In fact many persons, who by nature are inclined to look backward rather than forward, and who believe that any change from the practices of their forefathers is not only impractical but positively immoral, seem to delight in crying "large-scale production" upon every occasion when a new technique gives promise of being generally adopted. During these years of agricultural depression, many people who know little or nothing about agriculture have hailed "large-scale farming" long and loudly as the salvation of the farming industry. In consequence there has been a great din and clatter about a development which to a considerable extent is non-existent, at least in the Corn-Belt. Many of the improvements in agricultural technique can be applied as effectively on the small farm of a quarter-section or less as they can upon the large farm. It is not necessary to operate a large acreage in order to reap the benefits from hybrid seed corn, a soil improvement program, and modern methods of breeding and feeding livestock. As yet only a few improvements require a large acreage in order that they may be most effectively used. There are enough of these improvements already worked out, however, to suggest that we are just at the threshold of a series of developments that will give the large farm an advantage it has not thus far enjoyed. Until recently farm machinery has had a very narrow range in its capacity for crop production. Farm implement manufacturers were concerned
Dual Satellite-Aided Planetary Capture with Interplanetary Trajectory Constraints

The system entry problem entails the capture of a spacecraft about a planet by way of propulsive maneuver(s) or flyby(s) of a planetary satellite(s), or both. In the case of the Jovian system, a ba...
Pharmacological Approach for Managing Pain in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review Article.

Context Visceral pain is a leading symptom for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that affects 10% - 20 % of the world population. Conventional pharmacological treatments to manage IBS-related visceral pain is unsatisfactory. Recently, medications have emerged to treat IBS patients by targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and peripheral nerves to alleviate visceral pain while avoiding adverse effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Several investigational drugs for IBS also target the periphery with minimal CNS effects. Evidence of acquisition In this paper, reputable internet databases from 1960 - 2016 were searched including Pubmed and ClinicalTrials.org, and 97 original articles analyzed. Search was performed based on the following keywords and combinations: irritable bowel syndrome, clinical trial, pain, visceral pain, narcotics, opioid, chloride channel, neuropathy, primary afferent, intestine, microbiota, gut barrier, inflammation, diarrhea, constipation, serotonin, visceral hypersensitivity, nociceptor, sensitization, hyperalgesia. Results Certain conventional pain managing drugs do not effectively improve IBS symptoms, including NSAIDs, acetaminophen, aspirin, and various narcotics. Anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs (Benzodiazepines, TCAs, SSRI and SNRI) can attenuate pain in IBS patients with relevant comorbidities. Clonidine, gabapentin and pregabalin can moderately improve IBS symptoms. Lubiprostone relieves constipation predominant IBS (IBS-C) while loperamide improves diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D). Alosetron, granisetron and ondansetron can generally treat pain in IBS-D patients, of which alosetron needs to be used with caution due to cardiovascular toxicity. The optimal drugs for managing pain in IBS-D and IBS-C appear to be eluxadoline and linaclotide, respectively, both of which target peripheral GI tract. Conclusions Conventional pain managing drugs are in general not suitable for treating IBS pain. Medications that target the GI tract and peripheral nerves have better therapeutic profiles by limiting adverse CNS effects.
Design of composite systems for rotary wear applications

Abstract Due to the prevalence of sliding interfaces in mechanical assemblies, fast and reliable wear prediction capabilities are imperative for system design and analysis. This study investigates the rotary wear of multi-material composite systems that have thrust washer geometries. An analytical rotary wear model is developed to predict the rotary wear performance based on Archard's wear law and a Pasternak elastic foundation model. Numerical methods are used to track the evolution of key wear parameters including surface profile, contact pressure distribution, volume loss and composite wear rate during both run-in and steady-state wear regimes. A direct method is also developed to determine the steady-state characteristics from just the initial conditions and configurations of a given composite system. Optimal designs and design guidelines for several wear objectives are identified. Initial optimal material distributions for target steady-state surface profiles are determined. In addition, the steady-state composite wear rate is minimized to reduce material loss for bi-material systems with prescribed volume fractions. It is found that the optimal material configuration for this objective is counterintuitive. Wear tests are conducted to evaluate the proposed models and optimal design solutions. Results obtained from the wear models agree well with the experimental measurements.
Decentralized and cost-effective solar water purification system for remote communities

In this study, a modified stepped solar still is proposed for water desalination. The overall objective of this work is to develop and test the proposed still design to identify the productivity enhancement as compared to conventional basin type solar still. The proposed design takes the advantage of its stepped configuration that allows the water stream to maintain a minimum desirable water column height and the water flow through the stages under the force of gravity. A minimum water depth in the still results in a higher rate of evaporation. The still is also incorporated with Fresnel lens to increase the water temperature that eventually increases the rate of water evaporation. Another important aspect of this design is the incorporation of phase-change-material (PCM) to increase the operational hours of the solar still. Consequently, daily productivity of fresh water is increased.
Kaposi’s Sarcoma and AIDS: The Role of Interferons in Treatment

The term acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) refers to a disease complex encompassing a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations including characteristic infections and neoplasms. This manuscript describes the role of interferons in the treatment of the most common AIDS-associated tumor, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and discusses the potential role of interferons in the treatment or prevention of some of the opportunisitc infections associated with the syndrome. The rationale for therapeutic trials of interferon alpha, alone or in combination with other antiretroviral agents, to evaluate efficacy in the treatment of the underlying infection with the human immunodeficiency virus is also discussed.
Relations Among Estimations; Monte Carlo Methods

In previous chapters we have examined several estimators for the parameters of the standard (structural) simultaneous equations model.
Diagnosis and correction of twin pregnancy in the mare

Reproductive Physiology 1. Twin pregnancies result in high rates of abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality. 2. Twins develop subsequent to multiple ovulations. Multiple ovulations are related to breed, parity, and mare history. Multiple ovulations are most frequently seen in Thoroughbred and Draft mares. Multiple ovulations are more common in barren and perhaps maiden mares than in lactating mares, and they are more common in certain individual mares. 3. Equine embryos are motile in the uterus from the time of first detection (Days 9 to 10) until fixation (Day 16). They are frequently located in the uterine body on Days 9 and 10. 4. Twin embryos have a pattern of motility and fixation similar to that of single embryos, and fixation is more frequently unilateral than bilateral (70 per cent versus 30 per cent, respectively). 5. Mares have an efficient natural embryo-reduction mechanism to eliminate excess (greater than 1) embryos resulting from multiple ovulations. Natural embryo reduction is more successful in unilateral than bilateral twin pregnancies (89 per cent versus 11 per cent successful reduction, respectively). 6. After the establishment of endometrial cups (Days 35 to 40), mares that are aborted will frequently not cycle for several months. Management of Twin Pregnancy 1. Breed all mares regardless of the number of preovulatory follicles. Withholding mares with preovulatory follicles from breeding does not decrease the incidence of twin pregnancy, but it decreases the overall pregnancy rate and results in a loss of breeding time. 2. Check all mares for twins, regardless of the number of detected ovulations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Carbon fiber-based electrically conductive concrete for salt-free deicing of pavements

Abstract Traditional methods of removing snow/ice from pavements involve application of deicing salts and mechanical removal that carry environmental concerns. In this study, the feasibility of applying carbon fiber-based electrically conductive concrete (ECON) in heated pavement systems (HPS) as an alternative to traditional methods was investigated. Optimum carbon fiber dosage to achieve desirable electrical conductivity and avoid excessive fiber use was determined by studying carbon fiber percolation in different cementitious composites. System design was evaluated by finite element (FE) analysis. Heating performance in terms of energy consumption regime was studied by quasi-long-term (460-day) experimental study using a prototype ECON slab. Percolation transition zone of carbon fiber in paste, mortar, and concrete were respectively 0.25–1% (Vol.), 0.6–1% (Vol.), and 0.5–0.75% (Vol.). Optimum fiber dosage in ECON with respect to conductivity was 0.75%, resulting in volume conductivity of 1.86 × 10−2 (S/cm) at 28 days and 1.22 × 10−2(S/cm) at 460 days of age. Electrical-energy-to-heat-energy conversion efficiency decreased from 66% at 28 days to 50% at 460-day age. The results showed that the studied technology could be effectively applied for ice/snow melting on pavement surfaces and provide a feasible alternative to traditional methods if the ECON mixing proportions and system configurations are made with necessary precautions.
Benign call rate and molecular test result distribution of ThyroSeq v3.

Background The benign call rate (BCR) is the percentage of cytomorphologically indeterminate cases with subsequent benign or negative molecular results. For rule-out tests, the BCR is an important parameter because these molecular "negative" cases may be managed similarly to those with a benign cytology diagnosis. Although earlier versions of ThyroSeq molecular tests were less effective in excluding malignancy, the extensively expanded v3 version with a high negative predictive value is considered to represent a rule-out test. In the current study, the authors evaluated the BCR and the overall molecular result distribution of ThyroSeq v3. Methods All indeterminate thyroid fine-needle aspiration cases (except those deemed suspicious for malignancy) with available ThyroSeq v3 results from November 2017 to June 2018 were retrieved from the cytopathology files. Because the ThyroSeq v3 genomic classifier was designed for thyroid follicular-derived lesions, cases in which parathyroid and medullary carcinoma molecular markers were detected and those that were inadequate or limited for molecular testing were excluded from the study. For the remaining cases, the indeterminate diagnoses were correlated with molecular and histologic results. Results Among the 224 indeterminate cases (except those deemed suspicious for malignancy), the overall ThyroSeq v3 molecular test BCR was 74.1% (166 of 224 cases). The category of atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) had higher BCRs compared with the other indeterminate diagnostic categories. RAS mutations were the most common positive results. Conclusions The high BCR demonstrates that ThyroSeq v3 is potentially effective in sparing the large majority of indeterminate cases with "negative" results from surgery while offering risk assessment for the positive cases and guiding clinical management.
Thermostable lyoprotectant-enhanced cell-free protein synthesis for on-demand endotoxin-free therapeutic production.

Abstract Cell-free protein synthesis has emerged as a promising platform for the production of therapeutic proteins due to its inherently open reaction environment, flexible reaction conditions and rapid protein synthesis capabilities. In recent years, lyophilized cell-free systems have widened the application space of cell-free technology by improving reagent stability outside of cold-chain storage. Current embodiments of the system, however, demonstrate poor stability at elevated temperatures. Lyoprotectants have long been recognized for the ability to preserve the activity of biological molecules during drying processes, but the application of this technology to lyophilized cell-free systems has been limited and has failed to address the negative effects that such lyoprotectants may have on cell-free systems. Here, several lyoprotected, lyophilized cell-free protein synthesis systems are demonstrated using antiplasticized sugar glasses as lyoprotectants, showing significant improvement over standard lyophilized systems or trehalose-preserved systems. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time, preservation and therapeutic expression, specifically of FDA-approved crisantaspase, from a truly single-pot lyophilized, endotoxin-free, cell-free protein synthesis system, exemplifying the potential for on-site therapeutic synthesis.