cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on the Effect of 1,2-Dimethyl-5-Nitroimidazole on Growth and Reproduction in Turkeys and Its Residual Concentration in Tissue

Abstract THE infectious disease originating in the ceca of poultry, and caused by the protozoal flagellate Histomonas meleagridis is known by various names: histomoniasis, infectious enterohepatitis, and blackhead. It is described as being a subacute or chronic infectious disease with the principal lesions confined to the ceca and liver and is primarily a disease of turkeys. According to Barger et al. (1958) it is one of the most destructive infectious diseases to which turkeys are susceptible and is responsible for large losses in the turkey industry. Grumbles et al. (1952a) investigated the use of Enheptin-P for the prevention and treatment of histomoniasis, and its effect on egg production, fertility and hatchability of turkey eggs. These workers found that continuous feeding of this drug was effective in preventing mortality from blackhead, but it appeared to have little value when medication was started after the disease had appeared in the flock. The 0.1%…
A Knowledge-Based Tool to Support Clear Relationship between Threats and Countermeasures Based on International Standards

In this paper, we propose a web application for security policy management by using threats-countermeasure model based on international standards. The main objective of this research is to create a knowledge-base to identify and specify the threats that affect the IT environment. In addition, our proposed knowledge-base system intends to fuse similar security controls or objectives to create effectively a security guideline for a specific IT environment. This web application display a detail of the most common threats to the information systems, and for each threat, present a set of related security controls from different international standards including ISO/IEC 27002.
Violence or its precipitators : which is more likely to be identified as a dating problem?

Persons who have perpetrated and/or been victims of courtship violence may not label this activity as violence. However, jealousy, verbal fighting, and problems regarding sexual access are commonly identified as precipitators of violence, and may be considered risk markers. This study of dating problems ("discontents” and “dilemmas") in samples of high school and college students reveals very low rates of voluntary mention of violent activity in dating, but much higher rates of voluntary mention of its precipitators. Implications for counselors, teachers, and others concerned with identifying and/or preventing courtship violence are offered.
Finding iconic images

We demonstrate that is it possible to automatically find representative example images of a specified object category. These canonical examples are perhaps the kind of images that one would show a child to teach them what, for example a horse is - images with a large object clearly separated from the background. Given a large collection of images returned by a web search for an object category, our approach proceeds without any user supplied training data for the category. First images are ranked according to a category independent composition model that predicts whether they contain a large clearly depicted object, and outputs an estimated location of that object. Then local features calculated on the proposed object regions are used to eliminate images not distinctive to the category and to cluster images by similarity of object appearance. We present results and a user evaluation on a variety of object categories, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach.
Treatment of exposed bilateral Achilles tendons with use of the Dynasplint. A case report.

Third- and fourth-degree burns, which extend beyond the layers of the skin, are the most severe and difficult to rehabilitate. In this case report, a patient's recovery from exposed Achilles tendons bilaterally secondary to a severe burn injury is described. The Dynasplint™, a spring-loaded orthosis designed to deliver a low-load, prolonged stretch to healing connective tissue, was used to facilitate the patient's recovery from an initial loss of −29 and −27 degrees of dorsiflexion of the right and left ankles, respectively. The patient's progress is reported from bed rest to independent ambulation at the time of discharge from the hospital.
Toward risk aware mission planning for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

Long range and high endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicles such as gliders enable sustained oceanographic sampling at larger time-scales and much lower operational costs compared to traditional ship-based sampling methods. While most path-planning methods for AUVs optimize paths with respect to efficiency, obstacle avoidance, and control they do not explicitly address the issue of finding the safest possible path when considering risks such as shipping traffic and bathymetry. In coastal regions with high shipping traffic, reducing collision risk at the path planning stage, at the expense of efficiency, is a worthwhile trade-off. We propose a method of building risk maps using historical data from the Automated Information System. These are used to plan minimum risk paths between a specified start and goal location, while avoiding obstacles, using an algorithm based on A* search. Our planner incorporates the uncertainty in dead-reckoning without explicitly considering the effect of ocean currents. We compare the relative risk of paths produced by our method when compared to a shortest-path planner which does not take risk into account, and show that our methods performs significantly better, while producing competitive paths lengths.
Carbohydrate, protein and amino acid status of Glycine-Glomus-Bradyrhizobium symbioses

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Amsoy 71] plants were inoculated with either the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus fasciculatum, with a strain of Bradyrhizobium japonicum. or with both endophytes together. Non-inoculated plants were fertilized with levels of N and P that resulted in plant growth similar to that following infection by Bradyrhizobium or Glomus, respectively. In general, plants colonized by Glomus contained more pinitol (1d-3-O-methyl-chiro-inositol) but less starch than corresponding P-fertilized soybeans, while nodulated soybeans contained more pinitol and sucrose in the roots than corresponding N-fertilized plants. Compared to nutrient-amended soybeans, increases or decreases in free amino acids in symbiotically grown plants tended to follow transient changes in N content and endophyte activity. The exception to this was the elevated levels of methionine in nodulated roots or aspartate and arginine in Glomus-inoculated roots regardless of N level. There were both quantitative and qualitative changes in the proteins found in inoculated soybeans, especially in infected roots where nodulins (nodule-specific proteins) and endomycorrhizins (mycorrhiza-specific proteins) were detected by polyacrylamide gel eletrophoresis. Five nodulins (11.8% of root proteins) were detected with molecular weights of 14, 34, 40, 41 and 100 kDa. Five endomycorrhizins (5.1% of root proteins) were detected with molecular weights of 16, 17, 18, 22 and 30 kDa. Differences in nutrient uptake and allocation in symbiotic plants could not be duplicated by fertilizer input alone, although nutrient addition could lead to similar growth rates and dry weight accumulation. These findings suggest that the quality and quantity of plant carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids shift in response to the physiological changes resulting from infection by N2-fixing bacteria or endomycorrhizal fungi.
Radiation Safety and Spine Surgery: Systematic Review of Exposure Limits and Methods to Minimize Radiation Exposure

Background Ionizing radiation is typically used during spine surgery for localization and guidance in instrumentation placement. Minimally invasive (MI) surgical procedures are increasingly popular and often require significantly more fluoroscopy, placing surgeons at risk for increased radiation exposure and radiation-induced complications. This study provides recommendations for minimizing risk of radiation-induced injury to spine surgeons and summarizes studies addressing radiation exposure in spine procedures. Methods The PubMed database was queried for relevant articles pertaining to radiation exposure in spine surgery. Results Discectomy, percutaneous pedicle screw placement, MI transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, MI lateral lumbar interbody fusion, and vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty procedures were assessed. The highest radiation doses were seen with MI pedicle screw placement, MI transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy. Use of lead aprons and thyroid shields reduces effective dose by several orders of magnitude. Proper operator positioning also minimizes radiation exposure. Lead gloves decrease dose to the surgeon's hand from scatter if the hand is out of the x-ray beam most of the time. If prolonged exposure of the hand cannot be avoided, the technician should collimate the surgeon's hand out of the beam or use instruments to position the hand farther from the beam. In addition to using less fluoroscopy, pulsed fluoroscopy can decrease overall dose in a procedure. Conclusions Spine surgeons should reduce their exposure to radiation to minimize risk of potential long-term complications. Strategies include minimizing fluoroscopy use and dose, proper use of protective gear, and appropriate manipulation of fluoroscopic equipment.
Spinal cord stimulation for intractable chronic pain.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is minimally invasive and reversible therapy for treatment of severe, otherwise nonresponsive chronic pain. Such approach is relatively safe, with very few side-effects, not addictive, and provides enduring therapeutic response. A number of clinical studies support the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation in treating failed back surgery syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome, as well as peripheral neuropathic pain, postamputation pain, postherpetic neuralgia, root and spinal cord injury pain. In addition, neurostimulation has been used to treat refractory angina, chronic abdominal pain, peripheral vascular disease, and vaso-occusive syndromes. Clinical use of spinal cord stimulation is expanding at very fast pace, and new technological modalities in SCS will provide a new clinical evidence with likely better pain control.
Relationships Among the Stratospheric and Tropospheric Zonal Flows and the Southern Oscillation

Abstract Relationships among the high-latitude stratospheric zonal wind, the tropospheric zonal wind in the region of the subtropical jet and over the equator, the Southern Oscillation, and the stratospheric tropical quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) were examined from monthly anomaly data for 13 years (1968–80). Patterns of correlation wore found which are broadly consistent with the theory on vertical and latitudinal Rossby wave propagation, with high correlations diminishing rapidly in association with easterly basic flow. Lag correlations as high as 0.8–0.9 were found for leads of ∼1–7 months, based on three-month average anomalies for successive months. The simplified lead path is from Southern Oscillation to equatorial winds to subtropical winds to stratospheric high-latitude winds. Relationships involving the QBO appear weak compared to those involving the extratropical flows, the tropospheric equatorial flow of the east Pacific, and the Southern Oscillation. Even so, the structure of correlation fo...
Treatment of tophaceous pseudogout with custom-fitted temporomandibular joint: a two-staged approach

Abstract Tophaceous pseudogout, a variant of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition, is a relatively rare juxta-articular disease. It is a metabolic condition, in which patients develop pseudo-tumoral calcifications associated with peri-articular structures secondary to calcium pyrophosphate deposition into joints with fibrocartilage rather than hyaline cartilage. These lesions are reported in the knee, wrist, pubis, shoulder, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and induce a histocytic foreign body giant cell reaction. We report a case of tophaceous pseudogout affecting the left TMJ with destruction of the condyle and glenoid and middle cranial fossa that was reconstructed with a TMJ Concepts (Ventura, CA) custom-fitted prosthesis in a 2-staged surgical approach using a silicone spacer. The surgical management using a patient-specific TMJ is a viable option when the fossa or condylar component has been compromised due to breakdown of bone secondary to a pathologic process. Our case describes and identifies the lesion and its rare occurrence in the region of the temporomandibular region. The successful management of tophaceous pseudogout of the TMJ must include a thorough patient workup including the involvement of other joints as well as the modification of bone of the glenoid fossa and condylar relationship of the TMJ.
Modeling damage initiation and growth in discontinuous random fiber composites

The motivation for the present work is to enable the designer to achieve optimum structural performance in discontinuous fiber reinforced composites by investigating the influence of fiber and resin properties. This is accomplished by exploring the damage initiation and growth in discontinuous structural reaction injection molded (SRIM) composite using a representative volume element (RVE). The RYE utilizes a moderate strain elasto-plastic-fracture constitutive formulation for the resin based on a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into elastic and plastic components. An elastic-fracture large strain constitutive response is utilized for the fiber. The resin properties (coefficient of linear thermal expansion, yield stress, fracture strain, modulus) are a function of temperature. The constitutive formulations for the resin and fiber are implemented into a commercial finite element program, ABAQUS®, as a user material subroutine to track damage initiation and growth. Processing stresses are accounted for using a finite element model with a transient heat transfer analysis to supply the temperature distribution at the nodes as a function of time to simulate the cool down of the composite from 93 to 21°C during manufacture. A tensile loading condition at 21°C was modeled with and without thermal processing stresses. The simulation is compared to experimental data. Further comparisons are made with tensile tests conducted at -40 and 77°C. Results indicate that thermal processing stresses must be accounted for to accurately predict damage initiation and growth in SRIM composites. Excellent agreement is displayed between the RVE model and test data. The methodology presented allows the designer to develop an understanding between resin properties, fiber properties and processing conditions on damage initiation and growth in composites.
Distributional Patterns of Selected Western North American Insects: Distribution of Diurnal Mutillidae in Western North America

Diurnal Mutillidae (velvet-ants) of the United States usually are easily recognized by their aptery and colored pubescence. Mickel, in various publications, has revised the genera Dasymutilla, Timutlla , and Pseudomethoca , and divided the genera into species groups based on structural characteristics.
A Comprehensive Handbook: Handbook to the University of Oxford

(1934). A Comprehensive Handbook: Handbook to the University of Oxford. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 112-113.
The Exceptions that Disprove the Rule? The Impact of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on Exceptions to the Sovereignty Principle

This Recent Development examines Moscow’s rationale for recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia and its potential application to other disputed post-Soviet territories. It argues that Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia has extended the gray zone of partial recognition ushered in by Kosovo and has set the stage for a proliferation of ethnonationalist states. Russia’s rationale, using a similar logic to the case for Kosovo, lays bare the absence of consensus on the application of international law on separatism and self-determination of peoples to multiethnic, former Communist states.
A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE STATUS QUO OF ENGLISH CLASSROOM TEACHING AT THE STAGE OF BASIC EDUCATION IN RURAL AREAS

The research on English teaching at the stage of basic education in rural areas is obviously at a disadvantage and has been artificially marginalized compared with that in urban areas.The paper sorts out relevant research literature on English teaching in rural middle schools since 15 years ago based on Shu dingfang's theory of foreign language teaching from 3 aspects such as ontology,the theory of practice,methodology and then it conducts a review of them and offers reflection on the problems existing in the literature.
Operative Strategy, Risk Factors for Leak, and the Use of A Defunctioning Ileostomy with Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis: Let's Not Divert from Diversion and the Traditional 3-Stage Approach for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Operative strategy, risk factors for leak and the use of a defunctioning ileostomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: let’s not divert from diversion and the traditional 3-stage approach for inflammatory bowel disease. Two articles are reviewed. The first paper, ‘Modified 2-stage ileal pouch-anal anastomosis results in lower rate of anastomotic leak compared to traditional 2-stage surgery for ulcerative colitis’, is an informative single-institution retrospective review of 2-stage ileal pouch-anal anastomosis [IPAA] procedures, the traditional versus the modified, over a 13-year period. The outcome of interest was anastomotic leak following pouch creation and was defined as ‘a clinical or radiographic leak originating from the ileo-anal anastomosis or the top of the J-pouch’. The authors report a significantly reduced and impressive leak rate in the modified 2-stage group, 4.6% vs 15.7%, along with a significantly reduced length of stay albeit at 9.5 days. The sequelae and morbidity of an ileal pouch-anal anastomotic leak are not necessarily comparable to those of a tip of the J-pouch leak, with or without a diverting ostomy. The exact sites of the 46 leaks across both groups are not reported here. We are told the ‘pouch failure’ rate in the study was 0.7%, that is three patients, but it is not readily apparent what this means. Furthermore, there are no data reported on the remaining 43 patients with leaks, i.e. pouch salvage, pouch excision, temporary or permanent pouch diversion. The predominant symptom following either site of leak is poor pouch function with a direct impact on the quality of life, and these data are often impossible to glean in the current retrospective setting. However, it would be widely agreed upon that pouch function following a leak is suboptimal in comparison with pouch function with no leak. We agree, as is clearly demonstrated here in terms of outcome, that … Both authors contributed equally to this work. Corresponding author: Dr F.H. Remzi, MD, FASCRS, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Tel: 12164455020; fax: 12164458627; Email: remzif{at}ccf.org
Human Telomeres and Telomere Biology Disorders

Telomeres consist of long nucleotide repeats and a protein complex at chromosome ends essential for chromosome stability. Telomeres shorten with each cell division and thus are markers of cellular age. Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a cancer-prone inherited bone marrow failure syndrome caused by germ-line mutations in key telomere biology genes that result in extremely short telomeres. The triad of nail dysplasia, abnormal skin pigmentation, and oral leukoplakia is diagnostic of DC but highly variable. Patients with DC may also have but numerous other medical problems, including pulmonary fibrosis, liver abnormalities, avascular necrosis of the hips, and stenosis of the esophagus, lacrimal ducts, and/or urethra. All modes of inheritance have been reported in DC and de novo mutations are common. Broad phenotypic heterogeneity occurs within DC. Clinically severe variants of DC are Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome and Revesz syndrome. Coats plus syndrome joined the spectrum of DC with the discovery that it is caused by mutations in a telomere-capping gene. Less clinically severe variants, such as subsets of apparently isolated aplastic anemia or pulmonary fibrosis, have also been recognized. These patients may not have the DC-associated mucocutaneous triad or complicated medical features, but they do have the same underlying genetic etiology. This has led to the use of the descriptive term telomere biology disorder (TBD). This chapter will review the connection between telomere biology and human disease through the examples of DC and its related TBDs.
Pretreatment of fibrous biomass and growth of biosurfactant-producing Bacillus subtilis on biomass-derived fermentable sugars

Pretreatment of six fibrous biomasses (switchgrass, alfalfa, soy hulls, soy fiber, DDGS and Baggase) and subsequent hydrolysis using cellulolytic enzymes at a 2.5 % (v/v) and 5 % (v/v) loading 2.5 (v/v) and 5 % (v/v) loading was compared for higher amounts of sugars released. Soaking of biomasses of switchgrass, alfalfa, soy hulls and bagasse in 15 % w/w ammonia was optimal at 60 °C for 12 h, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis, yielding 72, 70, 80 and 75 % carbohydrate conversions, respectively. However, soaking in ammonia was not needed for soy fiber and DDGS as these contained very little lignin. Ultrasonication for 3 min @ 100 % amplitude (170 µM) was found to be optimal for soy fiber and DDGS from which 77 and 83 % carbohydrate conversion, respectively, was obtained following enzyme treatment at 5 % (w/v) enzyme. The sugars released by enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated biomass were utilized as an energy source by Bacillus subtilis in fermentation media at 2 % (w/v) of concentration. In shake flask trials, cell growth was 15–20 % higher on hydrolysates of ammonia-treated switchgrass and alfalfa vs. glucose-based control media due to the presence of a wider range of monomeric sugars (glucose, xylose, arabinose, mannose and galactose). In contrast, growth was less on soy hull hydrolysates prepared with ammonia pretreatment.
PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT PLANNING

This chapter discusses the principles of treatment planning. Treatment planning begins with the decision to treat. This decision is made by the physician who decides what volume must be treated, the dose necessary to accomplish the goal of the treatment, and the fractionation of this dose, that is, the total number of treatments, dose per treatment, and the spacing of the treatments. The method by which the dose is delivered is decided upon by the physician along with supporting services of a physics group who are familiar with the clinical needs and have detailed information of the capabilities of the equipment. This information includes the radiation output of each machine, the isodose distributions in a water phantom, effects on the beam from inserting various beam shaping devices, and the attenuation of the beam resulting from such inserts. The optimal treatment plan is one which results in a uniform dose to the target volume while minimizing the dose to adjacent tissue. Treatment planning computers are capable of quick and fairly accurate computation of isodose distributions from the information entered as data. Information regarding the patient and the radiation beams measured in a water phantom is entered into the computer.
Assessing the Social Environment of Adult Classes

(1987). Assessing the Social Environment of Adult Classes. Studies in the Education of Adults: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 127-136.
Treating children and adolescents with HIV infection

With the advent of HAART, dramatic progress has been made in the treatment of children with HIV infection. Rates of perinatal transmission have fallen significantly because of increased prenatal and newborn testing. New research has demonstrated the long-term positive effects of HAART on immune status, growth, and development. The metabolic effects of HAART are being evaluated. Improving medication adherence and managing psychosocial stressors continue to be challenges to treatment, particularly in adolescents.
Rev-erb agonist and TGF-β similarly affect autophagy but differentially regulate hepatic stellate cell fibrogenic phenotype

We demonstrated that ligand-activated nuclear receptor Rev-erbα mitigates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Rev-erbα is also a novel regulator of autophagy, a crucial eukaryotic catabolic system in which lysosomes degrade substrates for energy generation. In hepatic stellate cells (HSC) autophagy is reportedly required for this purpose to activate HSCs during fibrogenesis. Here, we examined whether pharmacological activation of Rev-erb with its synthetic ligand SR9009 or treatment with the pro-fibrotic cytokine, TGF-β, each differentially modulate autophagy to regulate the HSC phenotype. We measured the effects of SR9009 on autophagy markers in a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model. Using primary and immortalized HSCs in vitro, we quantified SR9009 and TGF-β effects on autophagy flux. Compared with vehicle-treated controls, livers from CCl4-treated mice exhibited lower AMPK, higher P70S6K phosphorylation, elevated P62 and lower levels of ATG proteins, indicating a disruption of autophagosome (AV) formation. SR9009 treatment prevented CCl4-induced P70S6K phosphorylation but did not affect CCl4-induced changes in AMPK, ATG proteins or P62. Analysis of autophagy markers and autophagy flux in primary HSCs or an immortalized human HSC line (LX2), revealed that SR9009 exposure down-regulated AV biogenesis. These events were associated with lower levels of fibrogenic gene expression, P70S6K phosphorylation and HSC proliferation. However, HSC exposure to TGF-β enhanced fibrogenic gene expression, P70S6K phosphorylation and HSC proliferation, while it simultaneously decelerated AV synthesis. The autophagy activator rapamycin and the autophagy inhibitor wortmannin each decreased HSC activation, P70S6K phosphorylation and HSC proliferation. Furthermore, knock-down of P70S6K using siRNA blocked basal and TGF-β-induced cell proliferation in human activated LX2. We conclude that SR9009 and TGF-β both similarly affected autophagy but, differentially regulated HSC fibrogenic phenotype through modulation of P70S6K, which is crucial for cell proliferation and fibrogenesis.
Survival after subsequent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-small cell lung cancer in patients with malignant thymoma.

Background: Survivors of malignant thymoma (MT) are at an increased risk of developing subsequent neoplasms. We compare overall survival (OS) between MT survivors who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and patients with first primary NHL (NHL-1) or NSCLC (NSCLC-1), respectively. Methods: Using the population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for 1973 through 2013, 273,313 patients who had NHL-1, 21 patients with MT-NHL, 566,819 patients with NSCLC-1, and 38 patients with MT-NSCLC were identified. Univariate and multivariate models were used to assess the impact of various factors on OS. Results: The observed-to-expected ratio among MT patients was 2.63 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.40−4.49; P Conclusions: Patients who develop NHL after MT have inferior survival than those with first primary NHL. A history of MT does not have an adverse prognostic impact on subsequent NSCLC. Clinicians must be aware of the intrinsic risk for subsequent malignancies after MT and the potential adverse impact of MT history on NHL prognosis but not NSCLC.
An Experimental investigation of cooperative SLAM

Abstract This paper considers the problem of cooperative navigation and mapping by a heterogeneous team of multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). We addressa form of cooperative Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) in which only one vehicle is responsible for maintaining estimates of the map and poses for each robot. By combining inter-vehicle measurements with observations of the environment made by each vehicle, the result is a better knowledge of the poses of each robot in the group. We present results of an experiment in which three land robots perform cooperative SLAM in a large, ambiguous environment. Comparisons with ground truth are provided.
Technical Report: New developments in Total Quality Management

This paper considers the application of Total Quality Management (TQM) to the aerospace and defence industries. An introduction to the history, definition and principles of TQM is given first. Briefly, TQM involves a customer focus, the prevention of defects rather than the detection, reducing chronic waste in time and material, pursuing continuous quality improvements, employing structured problem–solving methods, using statistical tools to reduce process variation, and recognizing the importance of people in the total process. The role and importance of process variation in the quality of products or services is discussed. The circumstances of applying TQM to the organizations described is presented. An account of the experiences and results of some sample companies adopting the TQM philosophy is discussed. Many of the organizations considered are adopting this philosophy as a means of adapting to and surviving in a rapidly changing business environment.
Space as a Reinforcer in a Continuous Free-Operant Environment

2 experiments were conducted to assess the reinforcing properties of space. Key pecks were reinforced on several FR schedules of reinforcement by access to a large space from a smaller one. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the bird spent more time in the food box before responding to meet the FR requirement as the FR requirement for access to space increased. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the results of Experiment I were not a function of social reinforcement or changes in the behavior as a result of time in the experiment. The results were interpreted as demonstrating that access to space can act as an effective reinforcer.
Nietzsche and value creation: subjectivism, self-expression, and strength

For Nietzsche, the creation of value is of such great importance because it is the only means by which value can come to exist in the world. In this paper, I examine Nietzsche’s views about how val...
Evaluation and characterization of monoclonal gammopathies using serum protein electrophoresis in a major urban population: one institution's experience.

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) with serum protein immunofixation electrophoresis (SPIFE) are clinical laboratory techniques used to identify, evaluate and monitor a wide range of disease states where abnormal serum protein levels are observed.1 Such disorders include solid tumors, lymphoproliferative disorders (eg, multiple myeloma (MM), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, primary amyloidosis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoma), acute and chronic infections, trauma, connective tissue diseases, and liver disorders.2 Clinical indications for ordering SPEPs are varied: suspected lymphoproliferative disorders; unexplained back pain, anemia, weakness or fatigue; osteolytic lesions; unexplained renal insufficiency; hypercalcemia; unexplained peripheral neuropathy; elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate; and recurrent infections.2 Changes observed in SPEPs follow predictable patterns guiding clinicians toward correct interpretation and diagnosis. Polyclonal gammaglobulin protein elevation typically results from reactive, inflammatory or infectious processes. Monoclonal gammaglobulin protein elevation (monoclonal gammopathy; MG) is typified by a sharp band or monoclonal spike (M-component) confined to the gammaglobulin region of the electrophoretogram; however, MG proteins can also be observed within α-1, α-2 and β-globulin regions.1 2 These monoclonal bands result from a single abnormal plasma cell or B lymphocyte clone, which could be from a malignant (MM, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia) or premalignant process (MGUS).1 2 Initial SPEP evaluation is typically performed in conjunction with SPIFE to identify and confirm monoclonality, and determine the …
Improving reliability in critical healthcare sector using FAMECA methodology

Background Healthcare systems are critical to the well-being of the society. In such a setting, the ability of the system to perform its intended mission/function during the designed period of time (ie, reliability) is essential. However, there remains a scarcity of literature, suggesting how the concept of reliability can be addressed in the context of critical healthcare infrastructure systems. Methods We recognise the importance of healthcare in the context of critical infrastructures. These systems produce goods and services essential for maintaining and sustaining public well-being. We suggest the use of failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FAMECA) approach to increase reliability in critical healthcare systems. Phases of FAMECA are described. Results After reviewing the application of FAMECA and describing its basics, authors describe critical healthcare sector in terms of components, organisations, management and non-healthcare interdependent systems. The resulting application indicates applicability of the approach and articulates failure modes, effects and development of possible solutions to such modes and effects to increase reliability. The presented application, however, is very general and specific case applications are needed. Conclusions A decision to suggest the FAMECA as a methodological approach in critical healthcare systems is pivotal to improving systems reliability and enhances the ability of the system to meet its intended missions during the designed period of time. The utility of FAMECA is found in its ability to identify potential failure modes, their effects and suggesting remedial efforts, including tools and technologies to address failure modes and their effects.
The Reasonableness of Wonder

AbstractNussbaum’s politics of wonder focuses on non-human animals. However, the sense of wonder within it also applies to human beings. Can wonder in Nussbaum’s sense be helpful when articulating justice between people on politically liberal grounds? I argue that it can because it helps us consider our specific form of striving, that is, human freedom, in comparison and contrast with other kinds of living striving. Thereby it keeps in view striving as such. To make my case, I show how wonder in Nussbaum’s sense is helpful for Rawls’s core legitimation scenes of democratic fairness, the original position, and public reasoning. Furthermore, wonder is not objectionable in these scenes, since it brings into view the considerability of life, such that life should not be used without a good enough reason, on the basis of which any socialized conception of how to live well ought to proceed. Thus an environmental sensibility has a useful place within mainstream liberal justice.
Prevalence and Medical Costs of Chronic Diseases Among Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries

Introduction This review summarizes the current literature for the prevalence and medical costs of noncommunicable chronic diseases among adult Medicaid beneficiaries to inform future program design. Methods The databases MEDLINE and CINAHL were searched in August 2016 using keywords, including Medicaid , health status , and healthcare cost , to identify original studies that were published during 2000−2016, examined Medicaid as an independent population group, examined prevalence or medical costs of chronic conditions, and included adults within the age group 18−64 years. The review and data extraction was conducted in Fall 2016−Spring 2017. Disease-related costs (costs specifically to treat the disease) and total costs (all-cause medical costs for a patient with the disease) are presented separately. Results Among the 29 studies selected, prevalence estimates for enrollees aged 18−64 years were 8.8%−11.8% for heart disease, 17.2%−27.4% for hypertension, 16.8%−23.2% for hyperlipidemia, 7.5%−12.7% for diabetes, 9.5% for cancer, 7.8%−19.3% for asthma, 5.0%−22.3% for depression, and 55.7%−62.1% for one or more chronic conditions. Estimated annual per patient disease-related costs (2015 U.S. dollars) were $3,219−$4,674 for diabetes, $3,968−$6,491 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and $989−$3,069 for asthma. Estimated hypertension-related costs were $687, but total costs per hypertensive beneficiary ranged much higher. Estimated total annual healthcare costs were $29,271−$51,937 per beneficiary with heart failure and $11,446−$20,585 per beneficiary with schizophrenia. Costs among beneficiaries with cancer were $29,384−$46,194 for the 6 months following diagnosis. Conclusions These findings could help inform the evaluation of interventions to prevent and manage noncommunicable chronic diseases and their potential to control costs among the vulnerable Medicaid population.
Retrofitting and the epistemological problem of urban sustainability

The growing use of green building certificates within the construction industry reflects a societal shift towards environmentally sensitive practices. However, role of technology in providing sustainable commodities can be considered contradictory: while green building certificates neither incentivize, nor disincentivize new construction building in favor of refurbishing, they pose an implicit claim that new construction buildings can be, at the least, as sustainable as retrofitting ones. This paper adds to the rhetorical analysis of sustainability’s discourse by analyzing the gap existing among knowledge and discourse, in public policy arguments made regarding to the choice between building refurbishing and demolition. In the light of the analysis of main indicators of the “three pillars of sustainability” and follows a current policy debate at Bajos de Mena (Chile) where the discussion between opting for refurbishing and new building construction of social housing takes place. In doing so, the paper addresses the quantitative-bias leveraging a developmentalist approach towards urbanization, and highlights the underlying epistemological conflict eroding the notion of sustainability.
Electron Backscatter Diffraction Measurement of Structural Reorientation after Nanoindentation of Nanoporous Gold

Characterizing individual ligaments’ behavior during deformation of nanoporous (np) structures remains crucial in further understanding the mechanical response of such materials. In this paper, we report, for the first time, quantifiable results describing the reorientation of ligament structure in np gold (np-Au) subjected to nanoindentation, based on characterization by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) orientation mapping. The analysis was performed on a cross-sectioned face at the center of an indent, after specimen preparation utilizing focused ion beam (FIB) techniques. This work provides insights into how the np structure accommodates the material volume displaced during nanoindentation, as well as the strain propagation under the indent. This new knowledge will be fundamental to optimizing utilization of the nanoindentation technique for measurement of np materials and, in particular, np thin films.
Measuring How Customers Value Electricity Service Offers

In a competitive environment, where retail customers are free to choose electric service offers according to their preferences, cost-based pricing is inappropriate. Market-based pricing involves understanding customer preferences and offering products that match these preferences at prices that provide value to customers. This paper presents the willingness to pay (WTP) methodology as an approach for measuring how customers value electricity service offers beyond commodity electricity. While the WTP methodology is clearly a useful tool for designing and pricing electric service offers, we suggest it also yields powerful information for the critical decisions that must be made prior to the development of an offer—namely, to determine strategic positioning in the marketplace.
S-Nitrosylation - How Cancer Cells Say NO to Cell Death

Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly reactive gaseous free radical that regulates various physiological and pathological processes. Of these functions, the role of NO in the transformation, growth, and metastasis of cancers has generated particular interest. However, research describing the role of NO in cancers seems to be conflicting – some studies describe the suppressive role of NO in cancers, while numerous other studies describe the positive role of NO in tumor survival and progression. In this review, we shall examine the various roles of NO with a focus on how NO regulates tumor microenvironment and the various phases of tumor progression from neoplastic evolution, tumor growth, and metastasis. We will also discuss how NO-mediated S-nitrosylation, or covalent attachment of NO to protein cysteine thiols, regulates carcinogenesis by modulating proteins involved in the different phases of cancer development.
Affect, Coping, and Satisfaction with Life Among Military Spouses

AbstractThis study used the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions to examine the relationship between coping strategies and psychological well-being in military spouses. The goal was to det...
497. Identification of Patients at Risk of Clostridium difficile Infection for Enrollment in Vaccine Clinical Trials

Background Vaccine efficacy trials against C. difficile infection (CDI) require a study population with an observed event rate that supports feasibility and timely study completion. The goal of this study was to develop a predictive algorithm to identify patients at high risk of developing CDI over the next 2–12 months for enrollment in a vaccine clinical trial.
Ground truth construction and parameter tuning for the detection of sleep spindle timing in rodents.

Abstract Background The precise detection of cortical sleep spindles is critical to basic research on memory consolidation in rodents. Previous research using automatic spindle detection algorithms often lacks systematic parameter variations and validations. New Method We present a method to systematically tune and validate algorithm parameters in automatic spindle detection algorithms using a moderate number of human raters. Results Comparing a Hilbert transform-based algorithm to a ground truth constructed by six human raters, this method produced a parameter set yielding an F1 score of 0.82 at 10 ms resolution. The algorithm performance fell within the range of human agreement with the ground truth. Both human and algorithm failures arose largely from disagreement in spindle boundaries rather than spindle occurrence. With no additional tuning, the algorithm performed similarly in recordings from different days or rats. Comparison with existing methods Most spindle detection algorithms do not perform systematic parameter variations and validation using a ground truth. To our knowledge, our study is the first in which rodent spindle data is scored by humans, and in which an automatic spindle detection algorithm is evaluated with respect to this ground truth. The rodent data from this study make it possible to compare our algorithm with others previously tested on human data. Conclusions We present a general ground truth based approach for the tuning and validation of spindle extraction algorithms and suggest that algorithms aimed at extracting precise spindle timing in rats should use a systematic approach for parameter tuning.
Effect of high KCl concentrations on membrane-localized metastable proton buffering domains in thylakoids

Recent work showed that chloroplast thylakoid membranes stored in 100 mM KCl-containing media have delocalized energy coupling consistent with a rapid equilibration of the proton gradient between the proton-producing redox steps and the lumen bulk phase (Beard and Dilley 1986). Thylakoids stored in low salt media showed localized energy coupling. A related thylakoid membrane property is the occurrence of sequestered, metastable, acidic domains, associated with pK a ≈7.5 amine groups. For low salt-stored membranes the domain protons appear to be in the direct (localized) diffusion pathway of protons involved in energizing ATP formation, whereas in thylakoids stored in high KCl, domain protons equilibrated with the lumen during the development of the ATP energization threshold (Theg et al. 1988). This work tested whether the 100 mM KCl storage treatment did or did not cause the dissipation of the metastable acidic domain protons in the dark, storage period. By three criteria, it was found that the 100 mM KCl storage treatment had only a slight tendency to dissipate the acidic domain protons into alkaline media under dark conditions. Storage in KCl does not cause the dissipation of the acidic domains in the dark, but allows domain protons to equilibrate with the lumen after the redox system begins turning over, but before the ATP energization threshold ΔpH is reached. These results must be considered in models of how the thylakoid structure can accommodate metastable acidic domains and how such domain protons diffuse to the CF0-CF1 complexes in energy coupling.
Performance Characteristics of a Multiplex Flow Immunoassay for Detection of IgG-Class Antibodies to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella-Zoster Viruses in Presumptively Immune Health Care Workers

ABSTRACT Immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella-zoster viruses (VZV; MMRV) is a common condition of employment for health care workers (HCWs) to ensure compliance with national standards and state laws. When documentation of complete vaccination or laboratory-confirmed infection is not available, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) criteria are used to guide vaccination or anti-MMRV IgG testing. We assessed the performance of the BioPlex 2200 MMRV IgG multiplex flow immunoassay (MFI; Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA) and matched immunofluorescence assays (IFAs; MBL Bion, Des Plaines, IL) in 220 HCWs categorized by ACIP criteria for presumptive immunity to MMRV. Among HCWs presumptively immune to measles, mumps, rubella, and VZV, the Bio-Rad MFI was positive in 77.3, 85.4, 84.3, and 91.1% of HCWs, respectively. Comparatively, the Bion IFA was positive in 92.9, 91.1, and 93.5% of HCWs presumptively immune to measles, mumps, and VZV (a rubella IFA was unavailable). Among HCWs fully vaccinated against measles, mumps, and VZV, Bio-Rad MFI/Bion IFA positivity rates were 77.4%/93%, 84.8%/90.7%, and 54.5%/90.9%, respectively. The Bio-Rad MFI was positive in 83.7% of HCWs fully vaccinated against rubella. For HCWs whose last vaccination event occurred within 15 years of enrollment, 83.3, 93.3, and 74.2% were positive by the Bio-Rad measles, mumps, and rubella IgG MFIs, respectively. We show significantly decreased Bio-Rad MFI sensitivity for detection of anti-measles and anti-mumps IgG-class antibodies in presumptively immune or fully vaccinated HCWs. Although negative results typically prompt revaccination, failure to recognize presumptive immunity in individuals unable to receive live, attenuated vaccines may have employment implications.