COW-CALF PRODUCERS' PERCEIVED PROFIT MAXIMIZATION OBJECTIVE: A LOGIT ANALYSIS

A logistic regression (logit) model was developed to examine how socioeconomic characteristics of cow-calf producers influenced their perceptions of themselves as profit maximizers. Amount of pasture acreage, percent of income earned from the cow-calf operation, and desire to increase net worth and efficiently use labor significantly increased the producer's probability of claiming to be in the business primarily to maximize profits. Some sociological reasons for owning cattle significantly reduced the probability of the producer claiming to be a profit maximizer while others significantly increased the probability.Livestock Production/Industries,

The Effects of Private Self-Consciousness and Perspective Taking on Satisfaction in Close Relationships.

131 heterosexual student couples, aged 17–32 yrs, 30 of whom were married or engaged answered questions concerning themselves and their relationships. It was predicted that individual differences in private self-consciousness would be positively related to relationship satisfaction because of the greater self-disclosure resulting from that heightened self-attention. It was further predicted that individual differences in perspective taking would foster relationship satisfaction, independent of any influence of self-disclosure. Both expectations were confirmed. Scores on the private self-consciousness scale were predictive of reported self-disclosure, and self-disclosure was predictive of satisfaction in the relationship. Once the influence of self-disclosure was removed, no effect of self-consciousness on satisfaction remained. In contrast, after disclosure was controlled, perspective-taking scores were significantly related to satisfaction and were in fact unrelated to disclosure at all. Findings indicate that 2 personality characteristics having to do with habitual attention to behavioral tendencies, emotions, and motivations significantly enhance the quality of close heterosexual relationships in different ways

Optimization of a Particular Aerial Photographic System by Simultaneous Intensification

Under the conditions of a low-altitude, rapid access photographic system, a method of simultaneously intensifying image exposures is compared to low intensity latensification. The simultaneous intensification resulted in a speed increase of 2.4 times, while latensification produced a speed increase of 1.7 times. Latensification was more effective in most of the other responses that were analyzed: reduction of Contrast Index was less by 0.1; speed at the minimum gradient point defined by the untreated strips was increased by latensification by 1.29 times compared to 1.23 times by simultaneous intensification. The detective quantum efficiency of the latensified film was higher than that produced by simultaneous intensification except for the extreme toe region where simultaneous intensification did increase information content. The maximum DQE found for the untreated film was maintained by latensification; the simultaneously intensified film showed a reduction of maximum DQE by 0.66. Because latensification permitted density increases with less loss of contrast, it was found to be the more effective treatment in terms of information, except in the extreme toe, leading to certain compromises. Simultaneous intensification may be suitable only for specialized applications in which use of an exposure in the extreme toe is required over optimum pictorial exposures

Decoupling Crossover in Asymmetric Broadside Coupled Split Ring Resonators at Terahertz Frequencies

We investigate the electromagnetic response of asymmetric broadside coupled split ring resonators (ABC-SRRs) as a function of the relative in-plane displacement between the two component SRRs. The asymmetry is defined as the difference in the capacitive gap widths (\Delta g) between the two resonators comprising a coupled unit. We characterize the response of ABC-SRRs both numerically and experimentally via terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. As with symmetric BC-SRRs (\Delta g=0 \mu m), a large redshift in the LC resonance is observed with increasing displacement, resulting from changes in the capacitive and inductive coupling. However, for ABC-SRRs, in-plane shifting between the two resonators by more than 0.375Lo (Lo=SRR sidelength) results in a transition to a response with two resonant modes, associated with decoupling in the ABC-SRRs. For increasing \Delta g, the decoupling transition begins at the same relative shift (0.375Lo), though with an increase in the oscillator strength of the new mode. This strongly contrasts with symmetric BC-SRRs which present only one resonance for shifts up to 0.75Lo. Since all BC-SRRs are effectively asymmetric when placed on a substrate, an understanding of ABC-SRR behavior is essential for a complete understanding of BC-SRR based metamaterials

STAGS Developments for Residual Strength Analysis Methods for Metallic Fuselage Structures

A summary of advances in the Structural Analysis of General Shells (STAGS) finite element code for the residual strength analysis of metallic fuselage structures, that were realized through collaboration between the structures group at NASA Langley, and Dr. Charles Rankin is presented. The majority of the advancements described were made in the 1990's under the NASA Airframe Structural Integrity Program (NASIP). Example results from studies that were conducted using the STAGS code to develop improved understanding of the nonlinear response of cracked fuselage structures subjected to combined loads are presented. An integrated residual strength analysis methodology for metallic structure that models crack growth to predict the effect of cracks on structural integrity is demonstrate

Disease activity flares and pain flares in an early rheumatoid arthritis inception cohort; characteristics, antecedents and sequelae

© 2019 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.Background: RA flares are common and disabling. They are described in terms of worsening inflammation but pain and inflammation are often discordant. To inform treatment decisions, we investigated whether inflammatory and pain flares are discrete entities. Methods: People from the Early RA Network (ERAN) cohort were assessed annually up to 11 years after presentation (n = 719, 3703 person-years of follow up). Flare events were defined in 2 different ways that were analysed in parallel; DAS28 or Pain Flares. DAS28 Flares satisfied OMERACT flare criteria of increases in DAS28 since the previous assessment (≥1.2 points if active RA or ≥ 0.6 points if inactive RA). A ≥ 4.8-point worsening of SF36-Bodily Pain score defined Pain Flares. The first documented episode of each of DAS28 and Pain Flare in each person was analysed. Subgroups within DAS28 and Pain Flares were determined using Latent Class Analysis. Clinical course was compared between flare subgroups. Results: DAS28 (45%) and Pain Flares (52%) were each common but usually discordant, with 60% of participants in DAS28 Flare not concurrently in Pain Flare, and 64% of those in Pain Flare not concurrently in DAS28 Flare. Three discrete DAS28 Flare subgroups were identified. One was characterised by increases in tender/swollen joint counts (14.4%), a second by increases in symptoms (13.1%), and a third displayed lower flare severity (72.5%). Two discrete Pain Flare subgroups were identified. One occurred following low disease activity and symptoms (88.6%), and the other occurred on the background of ongoing active disease and pain (11.4%). Despite the observed differences between DAS28 and Pain Flares, each was associated with increased disability which persisted beyond the flare episode. Conclusion: Flares are both common and heterogeneous in people with RA. Furthermore our findings indicate that for some patients there is a discordance between inflammation and pain in flare events. This discrete flare subgroups might reflect different underlying inflammation and pain mechanisms. Treatments addressing different mechanisms might be required to reduce persistent disability after DAS28 and Pain Flares.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

A bioavailable cathepsin S nitrile inhibitor abrogates tumor development

BACKGROUND: Cathepsin S has been implicated in a variety of malignancies with genetic ablation studies demonstrating a key role in tumor invasion and neo-angiogenesis. Thus, the application of cathepsin S inhibitors may have clinical utility in the treatment of cancer. In this investigation, we applied a cell-permeable dipeptidyl nitrile inhibitor of cathepsin S, originally developed to target cathepsin S in inflammatory diseases, in both in vitro and in vivo tumor models. METHODS: Validation of cathepsin S selectivity was carried out by assaying fluorogenic substrate turnover using recombinant cathepsin protease. Complete kinetic analysis was carried out and true K(i) values calculated. Abrogation of tumour invasion using murine MC38 and human MCF7 cell lines were carried out in vitro using a transwell migration assay. Effect on endothelial tube formation was evaluated using primary HUVEC cells. The effect of inhibitor in vivo on MC38 and MCF7 tumor progression was evaluated using cells propagated in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice respectively. Subsequent immunohistochemical staining of proliferation (Ki67) and apoptosis (TUNEL) was carried out on MCF7 tumors. RESULTS: We confirmed that this inhibitor was able to selectively target cathepsin S over family members K, V, L and B. The inhibitor also significantly reduced MC38 and MCF7 cell invasion and furthermore, significantly reduced HUVEC endothelial tubule formation in vitro. In vivo analysis revealed that the compound could significantly reduce tumor volume in murine MC38 syngeneic and MCF7 xenograft models. Immunohistochemical analysis of MCF7 tumors revealed cathepsin S inhibitor treatment significantly reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, these results highlight the characterisation of this nitrile cathepsin S inhibitor using in vitro and in vivo tumor models, presenting a compound which may be used to further dissect the role of cathepsin S in cancer progression and may hold therapeutic potential. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-016-0513-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

DiagHunter and GenoPix2D: programs for genomic comparisons, large-scale homology discovery and visualization

The DiagHunter and GenoPix2D applications work together to enable genomic comparisons and exploration at both genome-wide and single-gene scales. DiagHunter identifies homologous regions (synteny blocks) within or between genomes. DiagHunter works efficiently with diverse, large datasets to predict extended and interrupted synteny blocks and to generate graphical and text output quickly. GenoPix2D allows interactive display of synteny blocks and other genomic features, as well as querying by annotation and by sequence similarity

Is Body Composition or Body Mass Index Associated with the Step Count Accuracy of a Wearable Technology Device?

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 3: Issue 1, Article 5, 2022. A simple way to gauge daily physical activity levels is to use a wearable technology device to count the number of steps taken during the day. However, it is unknown whether these devices return accurate step counts for persons with different body fat percentages or body mass index scores. The purpose was to determine if there is a correlation between either body fat percentages and/or body mass index values and the percent error calculated between a manual step count and values recorded by a wearable technology device. Forty volunteers participated. The Samsung Gear 2, FitBit Surge, Polar A360, Garmin Vivosmart HR+, and the Leaf Health Tracker were evaluated when walking and jogging in free motion and treadmill conditions. All devices were worn simultaneously in randomized configurations. The mean of two manual steps counters was used as the criterion measure. Walking and jogging free motion and treadmill protocols of 5-minute intervals were completed. Correlation was determined by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Significance was set at \u3c0.05. There were no significant correlations for body mass index vs percent error. For body fat, significant positive correlations were observed for the Samsung Gear 2 free motion walk: (r=0.321, p=0.043), Garmin Vivosmart HR+ free motion walk: (r=0.488, p=\u3c0.001), and the Leaf Health Tracker treadmill walk: (r=0.368, p=0.020) and treadmill jog: (r=0.350, p=0.027). Body fat may have a limited association with a device’s step count percent error. Lower body mechanics along with device placement may be more of a factor in step counting accuracy

Evidence for a late glacial advance near the beginning of the Younger Dryas in western New York State: An event postdating the record for local Laurentide ice sheet recession

Widespread evidence of an unrecognized late glacial advance across preexisting moraines in western New York is confirmed by 40 14C ages and six new optically stimulated luminescence analyses between the Genesee Valley and the Cattaraugus Creek basin of eastern Lake Erie. The Late Wisconsin chronology is relatively unconstrained by local dating of moraines between Pennsylvania and Lake Ontario. Few published 14C ages record discrete events, unlike evidence in the upper Great Lakes and New England. The new 14C ages from wood in glacial tills along Buttermilk Creek south of Springville, New York, and reevaluation of numerous 14C ages from miscellaneous investigations in the Genesee Valley document a significant glacial advance into Cattaraugus and Livingston Counties between 13,000 and 13,300 cal yr B.P., near the Greenland Interstadial 1b (GI-1b) cooling leading into the transition from the Bölling-Alleröd to the Younger Dryas. The chronology from four widely distributed sites indicates that a Late Wisconsin advance spread till discontinuously over the surface, without significantly modifying the preexisting glacial topography. A short-lived advance by a partially grounded ice shelf best explains the evidence. The advance, ending 43 km south of Rochester and a similar distance south of Buffalo, overlaps the revised chronology for glacial Lake Iroquois, now considered to extend from ca. 14,800–13,000 cal yr B.P. The spread of the radiocarbon ages is similar to the well-known Two Creeks Forest Bed, which equates the event with the Two Rivers advance in Wisconsin