cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Somatostatin-stimulated growth hormone-releasing factor secretion in vitro is modified by fetal ethanol exposure.

Exposure to ethanol (ETOH) in utero has been found to alter the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor axis and retard growth. GH release is regulated by the interaction of the hypothalamic hormones somatostatin [somatotropin release inhibiting factor (SRIF)] and GH-releasing factor (GRF). Communication between these factors occurs at both the hypothalamic and pituitary levels. In this study, we examined the effect of fetal ETOH exposure on the postnatal development of SRIF regulation of GRF release at the hypothalamic level. The studies were conducted on hypothalami from 30- and 60-day-old pups in an in vitro perfusion system. SRIF was tested against K + -induced GRF release. Basal GRF release, not in the presence of external stimuli, from the hypothalami of ETOH-exposed pups (both male and female) was greater than GRF release from tissue of offspring of both pair-fed and control dams. GRF release was also greater in female, compared with male hypothalami, and the effect of ETOH was more pronounced at 30, compared with 60, days of age. The heightened release of GRF may reflect reduced sensitivity to feedback regulation by GH in ETOH-exposed pups. Furthermore, fetal ETOH exposure reversed the effect of SRIF modulation on K + -induced GRF release. In hypothalami from offspring of both pair-fed (except 30-day-old females) and ad libitum-fed controls, SRIF enhanced the K + -induced GRF release. In tissue from ETOH-exposed pups (except 60-day-old males), GRF release was inhibited by SRIF. We suggest that this pattern may reflect a change in the characteristics of SRIF connections with GRF neurons by ETOH. In summary, this data indicates that both basal and SRIF-stimulated GRF is altered by ETOH and that effect remains significantly altered at least until puberty.
Methods and Costs to Achieve Ultra Reliable Life Support

A published Mars mission is used to explore the methods and costs to achieve ultra reliable life support. The Mars mission and its recycling life support design are described. The life support systems were made triply redundant, implying that each individual system will have fairly good reliability. Ultra reliable life support is needed for Mars and other long, distant missions. Current systems apparently have insufficient reliability. The life cycle cost of the Mars life support system is estimated. Reliability can be increased by improving the intrinsic system reliability, adding spare parts, or by providing technically diverse redundant systems. The costs of these approaches are estimated. Adding spares is least costly but may be defeated by common cause failures. Using two technically diverse systems is effective but doubles the life cycle cost. Achieving ultra reliability is worth its high cost because the penalty for failure is very high.
Head movement control in visually guided tasks: Postural goal and optimality

This work investigates the control of horizontal head movements in the context of unconstrained visually guided head and arm/finger aiming tasks. In a first experiment, the head was free to move while gaze was directed at randomly presented eccentric targets distributed horizontally (0^@?-120^@?) at eye level. In a second experiment, the horizontal head orientation was constrained to predetermined positions (0^@?,15^@?,30^@?,45^@? or 60^@? rightward) while the right index finger aimed at targets with the arm fully extended. Kinematics of head movements in gaze displacements exhibits an initial component weakly correlated with target position, followed by multiple corrections. Since the eyes are assumed to already be aimed at the target when the corrections occur, it is suggested that one goal of head movement control is to achieve a desired final orientation (posture). This hypothesis is supported by results from the second experiment that reveal an association between eye/head orientation angles and errors exhibited in the visuo-spatial representation of the environment. The minimization of error then underlies the control of head movement as a postural response optimized for a given target and task condition.
Surlyn®/silicate nanocomposite materials via a polymer in situ sol–gel process: Morphology

Surlyn®/silicate hybrid materials were produced via diffusion-controlled polymer in situ sol–gel reactions for tetraethylorthosilicate. The heterogeneous morphologies of these materials were inspected with transmission electron (TEM), atomic force (AFM), and environmental scanning electron microscopic methods. The silicate uptake was highly dependent on the water affinity of the particular Surlyn® form (acid or ionic) rather than on the affinity of the solvent. The morphology consisted of silicate particles with diameters that were on the order of tens of nanometers. Hence, these materials can be classified as nanocomposites. The particle size distributions in both the TEM and AFM images for all composites appeared to be narrow, with un-neutralized Surlyn® exhibiting a broader distribution. Larger particles were found near the film surfaces, and the silicon elemental distribution across the film thickness indicated higher concentrations near the surfaces, which is most likely due to the fact that the sol–gel reaction is diffusion controlled in these polymeric media. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1563–1571, 2003
All-ceramic fixed partial dentures, Part I: in vitro studies.

The use of all-ceramic fixed partial dentures is still controversial, although materials for ceramic frameworks have been introduced into the market and new materials and techniques and technologies for their fabrication are constantly evolving. In the quest to provide scientific data evaluating these new systems and to provide clinicians with guidelines for their use, in vitro studies followed by clinical ones have been and are currently performed. Although in vitro strength studies provide both clinicians and researchers with useful information for selecting ceramic materials and techniques for further research, they might not directly predict or reflect clinical performance. To enhance their clinical relevance, in vitro studies should better mimic oral conditions, such as cyclic loading and contact stresses, tooth mobility, temperature changes, and chemically assisted degradation. Such in vitro studies simulating oral conditions will provide clinically relevant information. However, clinicians must rely on the results of properly designed clinical studies to determine the efficacy of all-ceramic fixed partial dentures before prescribing such treatment to their patients. The “Critical Appraisals” in this issue and the next discuss the in vitro studies. Fart HI of the series will discuss the clinical studies on the clinical performance of all-ceramic fixed partial dentures.
Gene Therapy for Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure accounts for half a million deaths per year in the United States. Despite its place among the leading causes of morbidity, pharmacological and mechanic remedies have only been able to slow the progression of the disease. Today's science has yet to provide a cure, and there are few therapeutic modalities available for patients with advanced heart failure. There is a critical need to explore new therapeutic approaches in heart failure, and gene therapy has emerged as a viable alternative. Recent advances in understanding of the molecular basis of myocardial dysfunction, together with the evolution of increasingly efficient gene transfer technology, have placed heart failure within reach of gene-based therapy. The recent successful and safe completion of a phase 2 trial targeting the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase pump (SERCA2a), along with the start of more recent phase 1 trials, opens a new era for gene therapy for the treatment of heart failure.
Health-status monitoring through analysis of behavioral patterns

With the rapid growth of the elderly population, there is a need to support the ability of elders to maintain an independent and healthy lifestyle in their homes rather than through more expensive and isolated care facilities. One approach to accomplish these objectives employs the concepts of ambient intelligence to remotely monitor an elder's activities and condition. The SmartHouse project uses a system of basic sensors to monitor a person's in-home activity; a prototype of the system is being tested within a subject's home. We examined whether the system could be used to detect behavioral patterns and report the results in this paper. Mixture models were used to develop a probabilistic model of behavioral patterns. The results of the mixture-model analysis were then evaluated by using a log of events kept by the occupant.
The improper fuzzy Riemann integral and its numerical integration

Abstract The improper fuzzy Riemann integral and its numerical integration are proposed in this paper. Under the setting of the improper fuzzy Riemann integral, we can find the expectation of fuzzy random variable. The α-level set of the improper fuzzy Riemann integral is a closed interval whose end points are the improper Riemann integrals. Thus we provide a numerical method to approximate the improper fuzzy Riemann integral by invoking the Simpson's rule. We also fit the end points (closed interval) of the α-level set of the improper fuzzy Riemann integral as polynomials with variable α in a least-squares sense. Finally, the membership function of the improper fuzzy Riemann integral can be transformed into nonlinear programming problem and be solved by any presented optimizer.
Sleep problems, psychiatric hospitalization, and emergency department use among psychiatric patients with Medicaid.

Objective:This study examined the prevalence of sleep problems and their association with the use of inpatient and emergency department services by Medicaid recipients with serious mental illness. Methods:The sample consisted of 1,560 psychiatric patients with Medicaid coverage who were identified in a ten-state random survey of psychiatrists. Sleep problems were assessed by clinician ratings. Results:Over 75% of the patients experienced a sleep problem, and approximately 50% of these patients had problems that were moderate to severe. Greater sleep problem severity was associated with an increased risk of psychiatric hospitalization and emergency department visits for mental health reasons. Conclusions:Sleep problems were highly prevalent among Medicaid patients with serious mental illness and were associated with greater inpatient and emergency mental health service use. More careful monitoring and management of sleep problems in this patient population could address a common clinical need and might hel...
An evaluation of the replicate pool method: quick estimation of genome‐wide linkage peak p‐values

The calculation of empirical p-values for genome-wide non-parametric linkage tests continues to present significant computational challenges for many complex disease mapping studies. The gold standard approach is to use gene dropping to simulate null genome scans. Unfortunately, this approach is too computationally expensive for many data sets of interest. An alternative, more efficient method for sampling null genome scans is to pre-calculate pools of family-specific statistics and then resample from these replicate pools to generate ‘‘pseudo-replicate’’ genome scans. In this study, we use simulations to explore properties of the replicate pool p-value estimator ^ pRP and show that it provides an excellent approximation to the traditional gene-dropping estimator for significantly less computational effort. While the computational efficiency of the replicate pool estimator is noticeable in almost all data sets, by applying the replicate pool method to several previously characterized data sets we show that savings in computational effort can be especially significant (on the order of 10,000fold or more) when one or more large families are analyzed. We also estimate replicate pool p-values for the schizophrenia data described by Abecasis et al. and show that ^RP closely approximates gene-drop p-values for all linkage peaks reported for this study. Lastly, we expand upon Song et al.’s previous work by deriving a conservative estimator of the variance for ^ pRP that can easily be computed in practical settings. We have implemented the replicate pool method along with our variance estimator in a new program called Pseudo, which is the first widely available automated implementation of the replicate pool method. Genet. Epidemiol. 30:320–332, 2006. r 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Shape integral method for magnetospheric shapes

A method is developed for calculating the shape of any magnetopause to arbitrarily high precision. The method uses an integral equation which is evaluated for a trial shape. The resulting values of the integral equation as a function of auxiliary variables indicate how close one is to the desired solution. A variational method can then be used to improve the trial shape. Some potential applications are briefly mentioned.
Design of high-power density and relatively high-efficiency flux-switching motor

A new class of electronically commutated brushless motor, namely, the flux-switching (FS) motor is gradually emerging in power tools and household appliances. This motor offers advantages of both high-power density and relatively high efficiency. There are a number of papers introducing this new class of motor. However, almost all of these papers focused on the analysis, and not the design, of the FS motor. Thus, this paper presents the design and analysis of the FS motor. Design equations are analytically derived for initial calculations of the main dimensions, number of turns, and inductances of the FS motor. Furthermore, a comprehensive time-stepping finite element (TSFE)-behavioral model is developed and utilized for detailed analysis and design refinements of a prototype 8/4-pole FS motor. Finally, test results of the prototype motor are provided to verify the design equations and efficacy of the design methodology.
Itô-Wiener Chaos Expansion with Exact Residual and Correlation, Variance Inequalities

We give a formula of expanding the solution of a stochastic differential equation (abbreviated as SDE) into a finite Ito-Wiener chaos with explicit residual. And then we apply this formula to obtain several inequalities for diffusions such as FKG type inequality, variance inequality and a correlation inequality for Gaussian measure. A simple proof for Houdre-Kagan's variance inequality for Gaussian measure is also given.
Piecewise models for noise analysis of digital CMOS circuits

This paper presents a new piecewise model for switching inverters, which was developed to study the effect of noisy signals on the switching behavior of inverters. The model is more accurate than previous related work. The noise model used in the analysis can represent different types of noise by modifying its parameters.
Polypodium appalachianum: An Unusual Tree Canopy Epiphyte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract The typically lithophilic Polypodium appalachianum was discovered as a canopy epiphyte 35 to 40 m above ground on a horizontal branch of a champion-size Liriodendron tulipifera in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Occurring along with this first documentation of P. appalachianum from the tree canopy was an assemblage of normally terrestrial mosses, an unusual assortment of collembola (springtails), and a flightless proturan insect species previously known only from soil and litter. The distinctive features of this canopy habitat may duplicate some ecological conditions usually found only at ground level, establishing the opportunity for translocating an entire community and providing biologists with new insights on the origin of some epiphytes.
Teaching economic principles with analogies

Abstract According to the generative theory of learning, people understand new concepts by idiosyncratically relating them to prior experiences and prior stored information. This paper describes a practical strategy for using the generative learning teaching technique of analogies to help instructors assess whether students are correctly integrating new learning within the context of their prior experience. Insights from a piloting of the technique are discussed, including student perceptions.
Narratives of Sacrificial Expulsion in the Supreme Court's Affirmation of California's 'Three Strikes and You're Out' Law

This essay examines 2003’s Ewing v. California and Lockyer v. Andrade, decisions which affirmed the constitutionality of California’s notorious repeat offender sentencing laws. The essay argues that the plurality opinions (written by Justice O’Connor) are, in important ways, richly rhetorical texts that suggest much about the complex intersections between law, rhetoric, and the violence enacted in law’s name. In particular, the essay seeks to uncover the operation of a powerful narrative strategy in her opinions that makes them important rhetorical performances in our collective conversation about crime and punishment in this nation.
Retrospective Cyberbullying and Suicide Ideation: The Mediating Roles of Depressive Symptoms, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Thwarted Belongingness:

Research suggests that being cyberbullied is associated with increased risk for suicide ideation; however, few studies have examined the underlying mechanisms of this relation, and fewer have examined this relation within a theory of suicide. Specifically, the interpersonal theory of suicide posits that thwarted belongingness (indicated by loneliness and a lack of reciprocal caring relationships) and perceived burdensomeness (indicated by feelings of liability and self-hatred) increase risk for suicide ideation. The current study aimed to examine depressive symptoms, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness as mediators between intensity of being cyberbullied and suicide ideation. Participants were college students ( N = 348) who completed assessments of retrospective peer victimization, thwarted interpersonal needs (i.e., thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness), and suicide ideation. The results indicated that after adjusting for sexual orientation, depressive symptoms significantly mediated the relation between intensity of being cyberbullied and suicide ideation. Furthermore, depressive symptoms and perceived burdensomeness serially mediated the relation between intensity of being cyberbullied and suicide ideation; however, thwarted belongingness was not a significant mediator. Clinical and research implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
Accuracy of MRI evaluation of meniscus tears in the setting of ACL injuries.

Abstract Background Our purpose was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the pre-operative detection of meniscus tears requiring operative intervention, and identify factors that determined accuracy of diagnosing meniscus tears, in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods Patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed. A meniscus tear was classified as requiring treatment if it was debrided or repaired at the time of ACL reconstruction. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of pre-operative MRIs were determined for medial and lateral meniscus tears. Results Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of MRI were 0.90, 0.75, 0.58, and 0.95 for medial meniscus tears, respectively, and 0.67, 0.81, 0.65, and 0.82 for lateral meniscus tears. MRI-diagnosed medial meniscus tears were associated with a longer time interval between initial injury and imaging compared to ACL tears without concomitant meniscus injury on MRI (p = 0.038). Vertical medial meniscus tears were less likely than other tear patterns to require treatment at the time of ACL reconstruction (p = 0.03). MRI showed a higher diagnostic performance for lateral meniscus tears when surgery was performed within 30 days of imaging. Conclusions This study demonstrates only moderate sensitivity and specificity of pre-operative MRI in the detection of meniscus tears requiring operative treatment in the setting of ACL injury. High rates of false diagnoses were observed, suggesting MRI may not be as accurate in predicting positive or negative meniscus findings at the time of ACL reconstruction as previously reported. Level of Evidence Level III
The Use of Heavy Gases or Vapors for High Speed Wind Tunnels

T importance of the investigation of aerodynamic phenomena at High and at Supersonic Velocities is evident. However, it is not yet imperative enough to justify the building of tunnels with large cross-sections or continuous action, because of the high cost of construction and operation. Instead, most investigations in this field are carried out by means of wind tunnels of small cross-section, depending upon an accumulator of compressed air or a vacuum tank. A relatively small compressor or vacuum pump is sufficient for intermittent operation of the wind tunnel. Such arrangements, however, while answering their purpose to a certain extent, are far from the ideal solution. The intention of this paper is not to give such a solution, but to make a contribution to this difficult and complicated problem by approaching it from another standpoint.* All experiments with models are carried out on the basis of Dynamic Similarity and, in finding the effects of compressibility, it is necessary to take into account the Mach Number V/C, where V is the velocity of the fluid in which the model is placed and C is the velocity of sound in the same fluid. This condition requires that the speed of flow be practically the same in the model test as it is under actual conditions. However, if gases or vapors other than air are used it would be possible to change the value of C and thus operate at smaller velocities while maintaining the same Mach Number. Of course, such experimentation would require an airtight tunnel, and the operation of this tunnel, similar to that of a Variable Density Tunnel, would require remote control for all apparatus inside the tunnel, and in the case of certain compounds, might require temperature conditioning. In addition to this there must be a special arrangement allowing replacement of models in the tunnel in a short time without admitting air or allowing the gas to escape, and another arrangement for the collection and storing of the gas and for its purification (from air, water vapors, etc.). All of these extra difficulties are compensated for by a saving in power, providing heavy enough gases are used. Several factors must be taken into consideration in selecting the substance to be used as a flowing medium.
Response of Heydenia unica (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to Dendroctonus frontalis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) Pheromones and a Host-Tree Terpene

Heydenia unica Cook & Davis, a larval parasite of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman, was attracted in significant numbers to olfactometers baited with the beetle pheromones and a host-tree terpene. The host-tree terpene, α-pinene, attracted considerably more H. unica than did the individual pheromones, which did not attract significantly more than the control.
Genetic Similarities Among Natural Populations of the Horn Fly (Diptera: Muscidae)

Starch-gel electrophoretic techniques were used to assess genetic variability from nine Haematobia irritans (L.) populations representing the North American range and Hawaii. Twenty-four zones of enzyme activity were studied. All populations showed high polymorphism with mean percent polymorphic zones of 0.407 ± 0.045 (x ± SD) and mean heterogeneity per zone of 0.143 ± 0.011; the configuration of electromorph frequencies for each zone was stable among all populations. Genetic identities among populations was 0.989 ± 0.007. Based on high genetic similarities and lack of significant differentiation among populations, there appear to be no barriers to gene flow among these populations.
Testing Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium using the generalized linear model.

Current methods for detecting Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium (HWD) only deal with one locus at a time. We developed a method that can jointly detect HWD for multiple loci. The method was developed under the generalized linear model (GLM) using the probit link function. When applied to a single locus, the new method is more powerful than the exact test. When applied to two or more loci, the method can reduce false positives caused by linkage disequilibrium (LD). We applied the method to 24 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers of a single human gene and eliminated several false positive HWDs due to LD. We developed an R package ‘hwdglm’ for joint HWD detection, which can be downloaded from our personal website (www.statgen.ucr.edu).
Hygienic monitoring status and recommendations of secondary water supply in domestic ships

Secondary water supply has become the main even the most important role in urban water supply and water supply for ship in offshore operation.If the secondary water supply is contaminated,some microorganisms induced diseases can be transmitted through the water.Zoonotic diseases can also be transmitted through secondary water supply.Trace elements too much is easy to cause functional changes of body organs,even leads to poisoning.Therefore,the monitoring on quality of secondary water supply,keeping secondary water supply from pollution are the important measures to ensure public health.As the National Health City,Xiamen should ensure the water quality of secondary water supply for ships in port immediately,based on the strategies of "establishing City on port".This author wants to take regular investigation and water quality detection as ship sanitation inspection indicators,and provide scientific evidence for ship quarantine mode change.At present,there are a few studies of secondary water supply for ship at home and abroad.This article summarizes the home and abroad studies about status of secondary water supply,management mode and sanitary status of water supply in port in recent 10 years to facilitate the launching of test results analysis of secondary water supply for domestic ships in Xiamen Port.
LGBT adolescents in America: Depression, discrimination and suicide

Introduction The mental health of Adolescents in America is a major concern for the field of psychiatry. In particular, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) adolescents are at higher risk of adverse mental health outcomes. This is largely attributed to “minority stress” and from outright bullying and discrimination. In this presentation, this link between bullying and depression will be explored. Objectives By the end of this presentation, the audience will be able to better understand the link between anti-LGBT bullying and mental illness and identify the ways to help their patients. Methods This presentation is informed by a literature search from PubMed In addition, it is informed by a symposium previously done at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) annual meeting in 2014. Results There is clear evidence in the literature that bullying of LGBT adolescents is pervasive. In addition, LGBT people are more likely to be depressed than their heterosexual counterparts. This combination has led to 4-5 times higher rates of attempted suicide by LGBT adolescents. Having Gay-Straight Alliances in schools, supportive teachers and school administrators, and broader anti-discrimination legislation has a protective effect on this. Conclusion LGBT adolescents are exposed to more stress by being a minority in society and by being explicitly bullied and discriminated against. This can lead to depression in some of these adolescents, and can also lead to suicide in the most vulnerable among them. There are proven ways to reduce these risks, and psychiatrists have a role to play in advocating for these reforms.
Sperm motion characteristics in men with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism treated with gonadotropin

The authors compared curvilinear velocity (Vc) and linearity (L) of sperm from fertile oligospermic men with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) to Vc and L of sperm from fertile normal men in order to determine if sperm motion analysis is better than sperm density as an indicator of fertility potential. Nine fertile men with IHH treated with exogenous gonadotropins and 20 fertile normal men were studied. Sperm density was significantly lower in the men with IHH compared with normal men (15.5 ± 4.8 × 10 6 /ml versus 92.4 ± 9.7 × 10 6 /ml; mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM]; P P μ m/second cumulative distribution point ( P 20 × 10 6 /ml versus ≤20 × 10 6 /ml, no differences in Vc were found between the subsets, but for L sperm were somewhat less directional for the subgroup with a density ≤20 × 10 6 /ml ( P = 0.05). Coanalysis using both Vc and L parameters indicated that sperm from IHH patients were distributed similarly to sperm from normal men. However, sperm motion characteristics in men with unexplained infertility were different from values measured in normal men and IHH patients. From our data, we conclude that automated sperm motion analysis is a better indicator of fertility potential than sperm density.
The impact of evolving V.A.C ® Therapy technology on outcomes in wound care. Prologue.

In May 2011, an international panel of wound care experts from multiple disciplines convened to develop this document to summarise the evolution of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) technology devices over the past 15 years, specifically concentrating on the V.A.C.(®) Therapy (KCI USA, Inc., San Antonio, TX) family of products. The aim of this document, which will be comprised of six articles, is to describe appropriate use of current technology options across a variety of wound types. The articles will include literature reviews, initiation criteria, treatment outcomes, technical pearls and clinical cases that will show the enhanced outcomes and potential economic value of the various NPWT technologies in use today.
A First Look at Estimating Body Size in Dentally Conservative Marsupials

The relationship between body size and tooth size has been documented for recent primates and insectivores and resulting predictive equations used to estimate body size in fossil species. This relationship is an important one, as body size is related to a host of physiological and ecological factors. In this study, the relationship between body size and molar size in recent dentally conservative marsupials is examined and body size in Cretaceous marsupials is estimated. Body weight information and basic length, width, and area measurements were taken from the molars of individuals from 22 species of Didelphidae and Dasyuridae. Least squares regression analysis shows that, as in previous studies on eutherians, the first molar is generally the most highly correlated with body size. In fact, there is a strong relationship between body size and tooth size throughout the molar series, suggesting that a fairly accurate body size estimate could be obtained from molars other than the first molar. The inclusion of species that are morphologically divergent from the “average” morphotype may affect the analysis. Body mass estimated in Cretaceous marsupials indicates a range of sizes similar to that seen in Recent dentally primitive marsupials.
Two new genera, Mycophoris gen. nov., (Orchidaceae) and Synaptomitus gen. nov. (Basidiomycota) based on a fossil seed with developing embryo and associated fungus in Dominican amber

Aside from a variety of arthropod remains, Dominican amber also contains an assortment of leaves, flowers, and seeds. An orchid seed with a developing embryo in Dominican amber is described as Mycophoris elongatus gen. et sp. nov. Cells of the developing embryo were infected with a fungus that is described as Synaptomitus orchiphilus gen. et sp. nov. The fungus represents a Basidiomycota that was probably serving as an orchid mycorrhiza (OM), based on its morphology and the formation of pelotons inside infected embryo cells. The single piece of amber containing the fossil was obtained from a mine in the Dominican Republic and is at least 15–20 Ma.
A patient feedback reporting tool for OpenNotes: implications for patient-clinician safety and quality partnerships

Background OpenNotes, a national movement inviting patients to read their clinicians' notes online, may enhance safety through patient-reported documentation errors. Objective To test an OpenNotes patient reporting tool focused on safety concerns. Methods We invited 6225 patients through a patient portal to provide note feedback in a quality improvement pilot between August 2014 and 2015. A link at the end of the note led to a 9-question survey. Patient Relations personnel vetted responses, shared safety concerns with providers and documented whether changes were made. Results 2736/6225(44%) of patients read notes; among these, 1 in 12 patients used the tool, submitting 260 reports. Nearly all (96%) respondents reported understanding the note. Patients and care partners documented potential safety concerns in 23% of reports; 2% did not understand the care plan and 21% reported possible mistakes, including medications, existing health problems, something important missing from the note or current symptoms. Among these, 64% were definite or possible safety concerns on clinician review, and 57% of cases confirmed with patients resulted in a change to the record or care. The feedback tool exceeded the reporting rate of our ambulatory online clinician adverse event reporting system several-fold. After a year, 99% of patients and care partners found the tool valuable, 97% wanted it to continue, 98% reported unchanged or improved relationships with their clinician, and none of the providers in the small pilot reported worsening workflow or relationships with patients. Conclusions Patients and care partners reported potential safety concerns in about one-quarter of reports, often resulting in a change to the record or care. Early data from an OpenNotes patient reporting tool may help engage patients as safety partners without apparent negative consequences for clinician workflow or patient-clinician relationships.
Estimating clustering coefficients via metropolis-hastings random walk and wedge sampling on large OSN graphs

We propose estimators for popular clustering coefficient measures 1) network average clustering coefficient and 2) global clustering coefficient (aka transitivity). Unlike most of previous studies estimating clustering coefficients, we do not use independent vertex sampling as it is either unavailable or inefficient to implement in most Online Social Networks (OSNs). Instead, we propose estimators based on Metropolis-Hastings Random Walk (MHRW) and wedge sampling. We use several large scale OSN graphs to compare the accuracy of the proposed estimators with that of the existing alternatives. The evaluation results show that our estimator for transitivity generally outperforms the alternative RW-based estimator in most graphs. However, in general, the underlying graph structure and the studied characteristic has important effect in the estimation accuracy.
Using Volunteered Geographic Information to measure name changes of artificial geographical features as a result of political changes: a Libya case study

Over the past few years, political systems have changed in several countries of the Middle East as a result of citizen revolutions on the ruling regimes. These geopolitical changes have had effects on the names of artificial geographical features, such as roads and schools. Many of the names, especially those that were associated with previous regimes, were changed to become associated with the revolutions, their dates, their leaders, or their martyrs. The recent change in the paradigm of Web use towards data sharing and crowd-sourcing in the Web 2.0 provides new opportunities to get insight into a local community’s perception of political events. Crowd-sourced spatial data, often referred to as Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), can be contributed and accessed through various websites and data repositories. These data can supplement traditional data sources, such as road maps hosted by governmental offices. Libya’s governmental maps of urban infrastructure are scarce and incomplete. This provides an incentive for citizens and grassroots groups to collect and generate spatial data on their own and to express changed realities of feature names by the means of crowd-sourced mapping. Using two districts in Libya this study evaluates for five Web 2.0 platforms (OpenStreetMap, Wikimapia, Google Map Maker, Panoramio, and Flickr) to which extent VGI reflects name changes of geographical features as a result of the revolution in 2011. Other data sources, such as school directories posted by teachers on Facebook, serve as additional information for feature name change detection. Results show that the extent to which VGI reflects name changes based on the 2011 revolution in Libya varies strongly between VGI data sources. VGI provides a useful supplement to limited governmental resources to better understand how names of artificial geographical features are affected by changes in political systems.
Spatial Distribution of Mosquitoes: Effects of the Water Supply and Drainage System in a Typical Metropolitan Area

The relationship between the spatial pattern of mosquitoes and the water supply and drainage system at Zhujiajiao district Shanghai province, China, was studied by sample-plot and Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed that the TWINSPAN method sorted 61 sample in the study area into 5 types. The clustering results showed a strong correlation between landuse and population of mosquito. Correlation analysis showed that a significant negative correlation between the Aedes albopictus density and population constituent and perforated strainer, rainwater manhole covers, rain water covers, significant positive correlation existed between the Pale culex ones and perforated strainer, rainwater manhole covers, rain water covers. The Culex tritaeniorhynchus ones had the same trend as the Aedes albopictus. While significant correlation between the Anopheles sinensis and Culex tritaeniorhynchus , and significant negative correlation withsewage.
The effect of technologist hip height on fetal radiation dose

2245 Objectives: Fetal radiation dose limits are set much lower than those of an adult working in Nuclear Medicine in order to protect the baby from the harmful affects of radiation. Fetal badge readings of pregnant technologists within our department have varied distinctly over the past few years. This study is aimed at comparing the hip height of an individual with the heights of imaging tables and countertops where radiation doses are placed and determining the effect on fetal badge readings. Methods: Fetal thermo luminescent dosimeter (TLD) readings were measured for three pregnant women and twelve volunteer technologists working at St. Joseph’s Hospital between November 2005 and December 2007. The three pregnant women’s readings were summed over the first four months of pregnancy and compared to the technologists’ one-month data after extrapolation. The height of image acquisition tables and countertops where doses are placed were measured, allowing us to see what affect hip height had on fetal radiation exposure. Results: Upon examination of the results, a correlation exists between hip height and radiation exposure. Higher fetal TLD readings were found for those technologists whose hip height was near the height of imaging tables and countertops within the department. Conclusions: Pregnant women whose height causes them to carry a fetus at or near the height of countertops or imaging tables will receive more radiation exposure than those who do not.
Energy-Efficient Data Centers

As demands on data centers grow exponentially, its time for another holistic, clean-slate redesign. Improvements should encompass new server architectures, heterogeneous computing platforms, radical networking paradigms, new mechanical and electrical designs, intelligent cluster management, and a radical rethinking of software architectures that also considers changing use patterns. This special issue investigates many of these opportunities and challenges.
Spectacle of Horror: Brexit Plus, Angry White People, and the National Nightmare

19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche believed that all political ideologies are rooted in the herd psychology of resentment which is directed against superior individuals and classes and the state. In particular, Nietzsche developed a vitriolic attack on the modern state, finding it to be a “new idol” that is “the coldest of all cold monsters,” run by annihilators” who continuously lie and re-lie.
Arterial diameter and the gender disparity in stroke thrombectomy outcomes.

Background Compared with males, females consistently fare worse following mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel ischemic strokes. Understanding why this gender disparity occurs may guide improvements in future treatment strategies. In this study, we aim to determine whether gender differences in cerebral arterial diameter correlate with clinical outcomes following stroke thrombectomy. Methods We performed an observational study of consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy at a single, urban tertiary care medical center. Catheter angiographic images were used to manually measure proximal segment arterial diameters in a standardized fashion. Medical record review was used to obtain relevant independent and dependent variables. Results Ninety two patients (42 females) between June 2013 and August 2016 met inclusion criteria. Internal carotid artery (ICA) terminus diameters for males and females were 3.08 mm (SD=0.46) and 2.81 mm (SD=0.45), respectively (P=0.01). M1 segment middle cerebral artery (MCA) diameters for males and females were 2.47 mm (SD=0.30) and 2.18 mm (SD=0.31), respectively (P Conclusions These results provide limited evidence that males have larger cerebral arterial diameters than females and that larger arterial diameters may improve the odds for favorable clinical outcomes. If future studies validate these findings, arterial diameter may become a relevant variable in the design of improved thrombectomy strategies.
PEDUNCULATED AORTIC ROOT THROMBUS CAUSING RECURRENT MYOCARDIAL INFARCTIONS

Aortic thrombosis is a rare cause of acute myocardial infarction in young patients. A 56-year-old man with 20-pack-year smoking history and hypertension presented with acute onset substernal chest pain and ST-segment elevation in inferolateral leads. Coronary angiogram revealed an acute thrombotic
LASER CLADDING OF Ni-Cr-Al-Hf ON INCONEL 718 FOR IMPROVED HIGH TEMPERATURE OXIDATION RESISTANCE.

In-situ Ni-Cr-Al-Hf alloy was developed by laser surface cladding with a mixed-powder feed for improved high-temperature oxidation resistance. Oxidation-resistant materials for operation at elevated temperatures must satisfy two requirements: diffusion through the oxide scale must occur at the lowest possible rate, and the oxide scale must resist spallation. Formation of an Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ protective scale fulfills the former requirement but its adherence is poor. A reactive metal such as Hf is added to improve adhesion. A 10-kW CO/sub 2/ laser was used for laser cladding. Optical, SEM and STEM microanalysis techniques were employed to characterize the different phases produced during the cladding process. Microstructural studies showed a high degree of grain refinement, increased solid solubility of Hf in the matrix and the formation of Hf-rich precipitates. A thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to determine the oxidation properties of these clad alloys with an extended solid solution of Hf. Considerable improvement over the base metal was observed. This paper discusses microstructural development in this laser-clad alloy and its effect on oxidation.
Regional trapping of microspheres in the lung compares well with regional blood flow

Microspheres (MS) are often used to measure the distribution of pulmonary blood flow in the assumption that the number of MS trapped in a region is proportional to blood flow. However, regional distribution of trapped MS has not been directly compared with regional blood flow in the lung. Regional trapping of MS was compared with regional flow of erythrocytes (RBC's) in isolated, perfused left lungs of dogs. Radioactivity from labeled MS and RBC's was measured by external detection using a gamma camera. We defined six regions of interest in the image of the left lateral surface of the lung: a dorsocaudal, a caudal, two ventral, an apical, and a central region. In each lung, regional trapping of MS was measured from the image of radioactivity obtained after slow injection of a suspension of MS into the arterial perfusion tubing. A radioactive bolus of labeled RBC's was injected during rapid imaging of the lung to obtain radioactivity vs. time curves from each region. The peaks of the regional radioactivity vs. time curves were used to estimate regional flows, though compensation had to be made for overlap of the washout and washin phases of the bolus of labeled RBC's. The results indicatedmore » that there were no differences in the regional distribution of MS compared with the regional distribution of RBC flow in isolated, perfused dog lungs.« less
Dose Rate Evaluation for the ES-3100 Package with HEU Content Using MCNP, ADVANTG, Monaco, and MAVRIC

AbstractThis paper presents a comparative study of dose rate calculations for the ES-3100 package with highly enriched uranium (HEU) content for different source configurations using the following ...
Do We Have a Religious Need for Each Other? Pope Francis and Interreligious Dialogue

In October 2017, I participated in the Religions for Peace annual meeting. The participants included leaders from the world’s religions, philanthropists, government representatives, and foundations committed to interreligious cooperation for the common good. Held in Rome, the general theme of the meeting was “Advancing a Moral Alliance Among the World’s Religions for an Integral Ecology.” The theme was obviously inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home), calling for dialogue and cooperation in addressing the urgent problems of environmental degradation and global warming.
A Comparison of Resource Use and Costs of Caring for Patients With Exfoliation Syndrome Glaucoma Versus Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose To characterize differences in resource utilization and cost of managing enrollees with exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) compared to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Design Retrospective utilization and cost comparison using Medicare claims data. Methods We identified Medicare beneficiaries with XFG or POAG and ≥5 years of continuous enrollment from January 2008 to December 2014. We distinguished newly diagnosed cases from those with preexisting disease. We compared ophthalmic resource utilization and costs over 2 years of follow-up for persons with newly diagnosed and preexisting XFG vs those with POAG. Main outcome measures were number of clinic visits, diagnostic procedures, medication fills, laser and incisional surgery, and mean eye care costs per beneficiary. Results Among 192 eligible enrollees (median age 77.6 years) with newly diagnosed XFG and 7339 enrollees (median age 77.3 years) with newly diagnosed POAG, those with XFG had more office visits (mean, 9.1 vs 7.9; P = .001), cataract surgery (34.9% vs 19.0%; P Conclusions Healthcare resource utilization and costs are substantially higher for managing patients with XFG compared to POAG.
Specifications for Urban Horizontal Control Survey Networks

Three urban horizontal control survey networks measured in Newfoundland during 1976 are examined to test their compliance with the Surveys and Mapping Branch specifications of 1973 and 1977.