cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Continental Shelves and Slopes

One of the most important and interesting geological questions awaiting solution is that of the origin of continental shelves and slopes. Just as for other geological features, more than a single origin is involved for different areas or for different times. Data on structure, composition, and topography provide the clues for interpretation of geological history and thus of origin, but such clues are presently so incomplete that interpretations are uncertain. Common to many areas is the presence of a downwarped basement under the slope and (or) a topographic depression beyond the slope--but is this cause or effect? Also common is the composition: marine sediment--but what can we infer about the precise environment of deposition of these sediments? Are they neritic under t e inner part of the shelves and bathyal beneath the slopes? How important are turbidites for the continental rise beyond? How similar are the Mesozoic and Tertiary sediments to those of the Pleistocene and Recent? The present topography is reasonably well known--but is it similar to ancient topography? In many areas the present shelf has been shaped by processes unique to the Pleistocene--does this mean that continental shelves did not exist before the Pleistocene? A comparison of the results of the field work by different workers in large, but widely separated, areas will provide a much needed fresh approach to the question of the origin of continental shelves and slopes.
Platinum sputtered CMOS-MEMS electrothermal probes with piezoresistive force sensing

We report tip platform platinum sputtering and piezoresistive force sensing employed in CMOS-MEMS electrothermal probes. Pt sputtering is developed to achieve small and reliable electrical contact resistance. Piezoresistive sensors are used to track the force applied on the tips to detect the mechanical contact of the probe and the substrate and to aid in tip registration to the patterned substrates.
Inhalational Anthrax Due to Bioterrorism: Would Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines Have Identified the 11 Patients with Inhalational Anthrax from October through November 2001?

A panel of 10 physicians used the nominal group technique to assess the ability of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) interim guidelines for clinical evaluation of persons with possible inhalational anthrax (IA) to retrospectively identify the 11 patients with IA seen during the October 2001 bioterrorism outbreak. The guidelines would not have identified 10 of 11 of these patients, primarily because the guidelines were designed to address only those patients with a known history of exposure or clearly identified environmental or occupational risk. The panel suggested revisions to the guidelines, primarily consisting of broadening the criteria for evaluation to include either known exposure or environmental occupational risk, or to include clinical symptoms consistent with IA. These extensions of the guidelines retrospectively identified 8 of 11 of the patients with IA from October 2001.
Accuracy of a Priority Medical Dispatch System in Dispatching Cardiac Emergencies in a Suburban Community

Introduction: Over-triage of patients by emergency medical services (EMS) dispatch is thought to be an acceptable alternative to under-triage, which may delay how quickly life-saving care reaches a patient. Previous studies have looked at advanced life support (ALS) misutilization in urban- and countybased EMS systems and have attempted to analyze how dispatch methods either contribute to or alleviate this problem. 1 " 5 Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between dispatches of a cardiac nature in a Medical Priority Dispatch (MPD) system, and the actual clinical diagnosis as determined by an emergency department physician. Methods: Calls for emergency medical assistance in a suburban community outside of a major metropolitan area were surveyed over a three-month period. Medical Priority Dispatch protocols determined that 104 of these calls were cardiac-related. Of these emergency calls, 56 (53.8%) patients were transported to the local community hospital and treated by the emergency physician. A retrospective review of the medical records was conducted to determine whether the patient had a cardiac-related discharge diagnosis from the emergency department. Results: Sixteen (28.6%) of the patients in this cohort were diagnosed with a cardiac-related condition upon discharge from the emergency department. Forty (71.4%) were diagnosed with a non-cardiac-related condition. The positive, predictive value of the dispatch protocol for the detection of an actual cardiac emergency in this EMS system was 28.6%. Conclusion: In this suburban community, the MPD system may over-triage emergency medical responses to cardiac emergencies. This can result in the only ALS (paramedic) unit in the community being unavailable in certain situations. Future studies should be conducted to determine what level (in any) of over-triage is appropriate in EMS systems using a MPD system.
A Systematic Approach to Solvent Selection Based on Cohesive Energy Densities in a Molecular Bulk Heterojunction System

The solubilities of 3,6-bis(5-(benzofuran-2-yl)thiophen-2-yl)-2,5-bis(2-ethylhexyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione (DPP(TBFu)₂) and [6,6]-phenyl-C₇₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) in a series of solvents are measured, and this data is used to calculate the Hansen solubility parameters of the two materials. The dispersion, polar, and H-bonding parameters of DPP(TBFu)₂ and PC₇₁BM were found to be (19.3, 4.8, 6.3) and (20.2, 5.4, 4.5) MPa{sup 1/2}, respectively, with an error of ± 0.8 MPa{sup 1/2}. Based on the solubility properties of the two materials, three new solvents (thiophene, trichloroethylene and carbon disulfide) were utilized for the DPP(TBFu)₂:PC₇₁BM system which, after device optimization, led to power conversion efficiencies up to 4.3%.
Major Advances Associated with Environmental Effects on Dairy Cattle

It has long been known that season of the year has major impacts on dairy animal performance measures including growth, reproduction, and lactation. Additionally, as average production per cow has doubled, the metabolic heat output per animal has increased substantially rendering animals more susceptible to heat stress. This, in turn, has altered cooling and housing requirements for cattle. Substantial progress has been made in the last quarter-century in delineating the mechanisms by which thermal stress and photoperiod influence performance of dairy animals. Acclimation to thermal stress is now identified as a homeorhetic process under endocrine control. The process of acclimation occurs in 2 phases (acute and chronic) and involves changes in secretion rate of hormones as well as receptor populations in target tissues. The time required to complete both phases is weeks rather than days. The opportunity may exist to modify endocrine status of animals and improve their resistance to heat and cold stress. New estimates of genotype x environment interactions support use of recently available molecular and genomics tools to identify the genetic basis of heat-stress sensitivity and tolerance. Improved understanding of environmental effects on nutrient requirements has resulted in diets for dairy animals during different weather conditions. Demonstration that estrus behavior is adversely affected by heat stress has led to increased use of timed insemination schemes during the warm summer months to improve conception rates by discarding the need to detect estrus. Studies evaluating the effects of heat stress on embryonic survival support use of cooling during the immediate postbreeding period and use of embryo transfer to improve pregnancy rates. Successful cooling strategies for lactating dairy cows are based on maximizing available routes of heat exchange, convection, conduction, radiation, and evaporation. Areas in dairy operations in which cooling systems have been used to enhance cow comfort, improve milk production, reproductive efficiency, and profit include both housing and milking facilities. Currently, air movement (fans), wetting (soaking) the cow's body surface, high pressure mist (evaporation) to cool the air in the cows' environment, and facilities designed to minimize the transfer of solar radiation are used for heat abatement. Finally, improved understanding of photoperiod effects on cattle has allowed producers to maximize beneficial effects of photoperiod length while minimizing negative effects.
Gene Genealogies Within a Fixed Pedigree, and the Robustness of Kingman’s Coalescent

We address a conceptual flaw in the backward-time approach to population genetics called coalescent theory as it is applied to diploid biparental organisms. Specifically, the way random models of reproduction are used in coalescent theory is not justified. Instead, the population pedigree for diploid organisms—that is, the set of all family relationships among members of the population—although unknown, should be treated as a fixed parameter, not as a random quantity. Gene genealogical models should describe the outcome of the percolation of genetic lineages through the population pedigree according to Mendelian inheritance. Using simulated pedigrees, some of which are based on family data from 19th century Sweden, we show that in many cases the (conceptually wrong) standard coalescent model is difficult to reject statistically and in this sense may provide a surprisingly accurate description of gene genealogies on a fixed pedigree. We study the differences between the fixed-pedigree coalescent and the standard coalescent by analysis and simulations. Differences are apparent in recent past, within � ,log2(N) generations, but then disappear as genetic lineages are traced into the more distant past.
Accountability for Health.

After a terrific 2014 season in which he won 14 games for the Baltimore Orioles, pitcher Bud Norris struggled in 2015. He lost 9 games and won just 2. On August 8, 2015, in the middle of the season, the Orioles fired him.
ALCHEMIST Trials: A Golden Opportunity to Transform Outcomes in Early-Stage Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

The treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is slowly evolving from empirical cytotoxic chemotherapy to personalized treatment based on specific molecular alterations. Despite this 10-year evolution, targeted therapies have not been studied adequately in patients with resected NSCLC who have clearly defined actionable mutations. The advent of next-generation sequencing has now made it possible to characterize genomic alterations in unprecedented detail. The efforts begun by The Cancer Genome Atlas project to understand the complexities of the genomic landscape of lung cancer will be supplemented further by studying a large number of tumor specimens. The Adjuvant Lung Cancer Enrichment Marker Identification and Sequencing Trial (ALCHEMIST) is an NCI-sponsored national clinical trials network (NCTN) initiative to address the needs to refine therapy for early-stage NSCLC. This program will screen several thousand patients with operable lung adenocarcinoma to determine whether their tumors contain specific molecular alterations [epidermal growth factor receptor mutation (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement (ALK)], making them eligible for treatment trials that target these alterations. Patients with EGFR mutation or ALK gene rearrangement in their tumor will be randomized to placebo versus erlotinib or crizotinib, respectively, after completion of their standard adjuvant therapy. ALCHEMIST will also contain a large discovery component that will provide an opportunity to incorporate genomic studies to fully understand the clonal architecture, clonal evolution, and mechanisms of resistance to therapy. In this review, we describe the concept, rationale, and outline of ALCHEMIST and the plan for genomic studies in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Clin Cancer Res; 21(24); 5439-44. ©2015 AACR.
Statutory Damages and the Tenenbaum Litigation

Joel Tenenbaum looks a lot like every other defendant who has been accused by the music industry of illegally sharing copyrighted work online, but with one key difference: his defense attorney is Harvard Law School Professor Charlie Nesson, and Nesson is out to turn his case into a public referendum not only on the music industry’s efforts to enforce copyright through these direct-infringer suits, but also on the copyright rules that make the industry litigation possible. In this podcast, we engage Nesson’s key arguments, focusing especially on Nesson’s claim that copyright law’s statutory damages regime runs afoul of constitutional protections against excessive and/or arbitrary civil damages awards. Guests include Professor Nesson himself; Steven Marks, General Counsel for the Recording Industry Association of America; and three of the leading academic experts on punitive damages: New York University Professor Catherine Sharkey, Florida State Professor Dan Markel, and George Washington University Professor Thomas Colby. UCLA Law Professor Doug Lichtman moderates. (Podcast available for free in the archives at ipcolloquium.com.)
From Metric to Topology: Determining Relations in Discrete Space

This paper considers the nineteen planar discrete topological relations that apply to regions bounded by a digital Jordan curve. Rather than modeling the topological relations with purely topological means, metrics are developed that determine the topological relations. Two sets of five such metrics are found to be minimal and sufficient to uniquely identify each of the nineteen topological relations. Key to distinguishing all nineteen relations are regions' margins i.e., the neighborhood of their boundaries. Deriving topological relations from metric properties in $$ {\mathbb{R}}^{2} $$R2 vs. $$ {\mathbb{Z}}^{2} $$Z2 reveals that the eight binary topological relations between two simple regions in $$ {\mathbb{R}}^{2} $$R2 can be distinguished by a minimal set of six metrics, whereas in $$ {\mathbb{Z}}^{2} $$Z2, a more fine-grained set of relations 19 can be distinguished by a smaller set of metrics 5. Determining discrete topological relations from metrics enables not only the refinement of the set of known topological relations in the digital plane, but further enables the processing of raster images where the topological relation is not explicitly stored by reverting to mere pixel counts.
Combined esophageal and duodenal atresia: sonographic findings

A 39-year-old woman, gravida 4, para 3, abortion 0 had polyhydramnios at about 33 weeks gestation which prompted sonographic examination of the uterus and abdomen. This study demonstrated a large cystic structure in the fetal abdomen, and the patient was referred to our hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Repeat prenatal sonography demonstrated: (1 ) a marked degree of polyhydramnios, (2) an anteriorly placed placenta, and (3) a biparietal diameter of 8.5 cm (consistent with a fetal age of 33-36 weeks). In addition, two large, fluid-filled, cystic structures within the fetal abdomen were demonstrated (fig. 1 ). These structures were believed to represent a distended stomach and duodenal bulb, and the diagnosis of duodenal atresia was suggested. Two weeks later, the mother delivered spontaneously. At birth the infant was active and alert, but the abdomen was grossly distended and a radiograph showed an airless abdomen (fig. 2). In addition, a retrocardiac mass was noted on the left side. After several spontaneous breaths, the infant became distressed and cyanotic and was placed on 100% oxygen. Passage of a nasogastric tube was attempted but could
Some Remarks on Stirling's Formula

(1954). Some Remarks on Stirling's Formula. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 61, No. 10, pp. 687-691.
Simultaneous Determination of Acesulfame K,Sodium Saccharin and Caffeine in Cola Drinks by High Performance Liquid Chromatogrphy

Objective To establish a method for the determination of acesulfame K,sodium saccharin and caffeine simultaneously in cola drinks by high performance liquid chromatogrphy.Methods HPLC separations were conducted by using a Lichrospher C18 250mm×4.6mm column and external standard was used for quantification.Results The average recovery of acesulfame K,sodium saccharin and caffeine in cola drinks were 97.9%,102.8%,101.4% respectively.RSDs of method were 3.0%(acesulfame K),3.0%(sodiumsaccharin) and 3.7%(caffeine) respectively.The limit of detection of the method were 0.3μg/ml,0.4μg/ml,0.4μg/ml for acesulfame K,sodium saccharin and caffeine.Conclusion The method is simple,accurate and reliable with good reproducibility.
Measurement of serum eosinophil cationic protein levels in wheezing infants

Many infants have episode of wheezing. Some infants will outgrow the condition in early childhood, but some of them will become asthmatic. However, it is difficult to predict whether the wheezing infant is subsequently likely to experience bronchial asthma. To determine whether eosinophil inflammation is present in wheezing infants and can predict the development of asthma, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were measured in 33 infants who could not be diagnosed typical asthma, and 11 controls. Serum ECP levels were higher in the infants who had asthma within 3 months follow-up period. In addition, all 17 infants with serum ECP levels above 20 ng/ml developed asthma within 3 months. The data suggested that serum ECP measurements appear to be useful for identifying infants with wheezing at high risk for infantile asthma.
Suppressing the Rayleigh–Plateau Instability in Field-Directed Colloidal Assembly

Suspensions of superparamagnetic colloids that equilibrate in a toggled magnetic field undergo a Rayleigh–Plateau instability with a characteristic wavelength λ = 600 μm for the toggle frequency ν = 0.66 Hz. The instability is suppressed when the chamber length L in the field direction is less than 2λ. The final size of the magnetic domains perpendicular to the field, D, follows a power law relation of D ∼ L0.71±0.07. These results demonstrate the structural differences of field-directed suspensions when confined to lengths scale set by the phase separation process and can potentially be used to create self-assembled colloidal crystals with well-defined size and shape.
Gender disparities in child health care seeking in northern Vietnam

ABSTRACTVietnam recently demonstrated a skewed sex ratio at birth. Little research has examined postnatal impacts of son preference in Vietnam, such as in child health care seeking. Past research in other Asian countries with son preference has found that parents are more likely to take sons to a health facility when they are sick, to do so more promptly, and invest more resources in care, than daughters. Using data from a paediatric hospital emergency department, we analyse gender differences in illnesses, referral patterns, and outcomes among children to understand how gender disparities in paediatric hospital admissions arise. Almost twice as many boys were brought into the facility as girls. Compared to girls, boys were significantly more likely to have bypassed lower-level facilities and entered care at the tertiary facility, controlling for severity of illness and socio-demographic characteristics. This suggests parents provide preferential treatment to boys, potentially leading to excess morbidity ...
Production of Spherical Ablations Using Nonthermal Irreversible Electroporation: A Laboratory Investigation Using a Single Electrode and Grounding Pad

Abstract Purpose To mathematically model and test ex vivo a modified technique of irreversible electroporation (IRE) to produce large spherical ablations by using a single probe. Materials and Methods Computed simulations were performed by using varying voltages, electrode exposure lengths, and tissue types. A vegetable (potato) tissue model was then used to compare ablations created by conventional and high-frequency IRE protocols by using 2 probe configurations: a single probe with two collinear electrodes (2EP) or a single electrode configured with a grounding pad (P+GP). The new P+GP electrode configuration was evaluated in ex vivo liver tissue. Results The P+GP configuration produced more spherical ablation volumes than the 2EP configuration in computed simulations and tissue models. In prostate tissue, computed simulations predicted ablation volumes at 3,000 V of 1.6 cm 3 for the P+GP configurations, compared with 0.94 cm 3 for the 2EP configuration; in liver tissue, the predicted ablation volumes were 4.7 times larger than those in the prostate. Vegetable model studies verify that the P+GP configuration produces larger and more spherical ablations than those produced by the 2EP. High-frequency IRE treatment of ex vivo liver with the P+GP configuration created a 2.84 × 2.21-cm ablation zone. Conclusions Computer modeling showed that P+GP configuration for IRE procedures yields ablations that are larger than the 2EP configuration, creating substantial ablation zones with a single electrode placement. When tested in tissue models and an ex vivo liver model, the P+GP configuration created ablation zones that appear to be of clinically relevant size and shape.
Orbital exenteration for advanced periorbital non-melanoma skin cancer: prognostic factors and survival.

To describe prognostic factors and survival outcomes in patients who underwent orbital exenteration for periocular non-melanoma cutaneous malignancies. The authors performed an institutional review board-approved retrospective review of all patients who underwent orbital exenteration for non-melanoma periocular cutaneous malignancies at a tertiary care hospital system over a 10-year period. Patient demographics, tumor, and treatment data were recorded. Survival outcomes included disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Log-rank tests were used to test for difference in survival curves among various potential prognostic indicators, and multivariate analysis was performed using Cox’s proportional hazards model. Forty-nine patients with an average age of 70.3 years were followed with a median follow-up of 17.5 months. At 2 years the OS was 78% while the DFS was 61%. The mean DFS for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) were 52.6, 39.2 and 28.1 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only positive final surgical margin was predictive of worse outcome (P=0.002). Recurrences were most frequent in the first 2 years. Despite the relatively more aggressive nature of periocular malignancies that have invaded the orbit, orbital exenteration offers an overall 2-year DFS of ~60%. BCC had the greatest mean survival time, however this was not statistically significant. We found worse prognosis with positive final surgical margins and recommend a multidisciplinary surgical approach to achieve complete resection when indicated.
The Role of Support in Sexual Decision-Making for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

In response to Alexander Boni-Saenz, Sexuality and Incapacity, 76 Ohio St. L.J. 1201 (2015).
Global IP6K1 deletion enhances temperature modulated energy expenditure which reduces carbohydrate and fat induced weight gain

Abstract Objective IP6 kinases (IP6Ks) regulate cell metabolism and survival. Mice with global (IP6K1-KO) or adipocyte-specific (AdKO) deletion of IP6K1 are protected from diet induced obesity (DIO) at ambient (23 °C) temperature. AdKO mice are lean primarily due to increased AMPK mediated thermogenic energy expenditure (EE). Thus, at thermoneutral (30 °C) temperature, high fat diet (HFD)-fed AdKO mice expend energy and gain body weight, similar to control mice. IP6K1 is ubiquitously expressed; thus, it is critical to determine to what extent the lean phenotype of global IP6K1-KO mice depends on environmental temperature. Furthermore, it is not known whether IP6K1 regulates AMPK mediated EE in cells, which do not express UCP1. Methods Q-NMR, GTT, food intake, EE, QRT-PCR, histology, mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR), fatty acid metabolism assays, and immunoblot studies were conducted in IP6K1-KO and WT mice or cells. Results Global IP6K1 deletion mediated enhancement in EE is impaired albeit not abolished at 30 °C. As a result, IP6K1-KO mice are protected from DIO, insulin resistance, and fatty liver even at 30 °C. Like AdKO, IP6K1-KO mice display enhanced adipose tissue browning. However, unlike AdKO mice, thermoneutrality only partly abolishes browning in IP6K1-KO mice. Cold (5 °C) exposure enhances carbohydrate expenditure, whereas 23 °C and 30 °C promote fat oxidation in HFD-KO mice. Furthermore, IP6K1 deletion diminishes cellular fat accumulation via activation of the AMPK signaling pathway. Conclusions Global deletion of IP6K1 ameliorates obesity and insulin resistance irrespective of the environmental temperature conditions, which strengthens its validity as an anti-obesity target.
Optimizing power efficiency for 3D stacked GPU-in-memory architecture

With the prevalence of data-centric computing, the key to achieving energy efficiency is to reduce the latency and energy cost of data movement. Near data processing (NDP) is a such technique which, instead of moving data around, moves computing closer to where data is stored. The emerging 3D stacked memory brings such opportunities for achieving both high power-efficiency as well as less data movement overheads. In this paper, we exploit power efficient NDP architectures using the 3D stacked memory. We integrate the programmable GPU streaming multiprocessors into the NDP architectures, in order to fully exploit the bandwidth provided by 3D stacked memory. In addition, we study the tradeoffs between area, performance and power of the NDP components, especially the NoC designs. Our experimental results show that, compared to traditional architectures, the proposed GPU based NDP architectures can achieve up to 43.8% reduction in EDP and 41.9% improvement in power efficiency in terms of performance-per-Watt.
Editorial: Platelet Secretion.

These are exhilarating times for platelet researchers. Through the applications of new technologies (e.g., high resolution imaging, mass spectrometry, and DNA/RNA profiling), we continue to discove...
On Sylvester sums of compound sequence semigroup complements

Abstract In this paper, we consider the set NR ( G ) of natural numbers which are not in the numerical semigroup generated by a compound sequence G. We generalize a result of Tuenter which completely characterizes NR ( G ) . We use this result to compute Sylvester sums, and we give a direct application to the computation of weights of higher-order Weierstrass points on some families of complex algebraic curves.
The Lateral Habenula and Adaptive Behaviors

The evolutionarily conserved lateral habenula (LHb) enables dynamic responses to continually changing contexts and environmental conditions. A model is proposed to account for greater mnemonic and contextual control over LHb-mediated response flexibility as vertebrate brains became more complex. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) provides instructions for context-specific responses to LHb, which assesses the extent to which this response information matches the motivation or internal state of the individual. LHb output either maintains a prior response (match) or leads to alternative responses (mismatch). It may also maintain current spatial and temporal processing in hippocampus (match), or alter such activity to reflect updated trajectory and sequenced information (mismatch). A response flexibility function of the LHb is consistent with poor behavioral control following its disruption (e.g., in depression).
Abdominal vascular injuries: injuries to the aorta.

This article discusses injuries to the abdominal aorta at its supra-and infrarenal positions, focusing on the surgical approaches to abdominal aorta injuries and renal vascular pedicles. The controversy regarding the use of bioprosthetic materials and the collective experience with these injuries as reported in the literature are reviewed. Primary renal artery repair versus nephrectomy also is examined.
Alternative Sampling Designs for Time-to-Event Data With Applications to Biomarker Discovery in Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract Researchers conducting clinical studies face various challenges. One of these challenges is obtaining full covariate information on all study participants. When the outcome of interest is rare, investigators find that they have significantly more subjects who did not develop the outcome of interest than those who did. In such cases, it is useful to consider only a small portion of controls (people who did not develop the outcome of interest). The nested case–control and the case–cohort designs were developed for these types of scenarios. Both methods make use of all cases and randomly sample the controls that these cases will be compared to. In this chapter, we discuss these methods and their variations in relation to time-to-event data. Through simulation results, we examine the performance of the nested case–control and case–cohort designs, showing that they both provide consistent estimates and sacrifice little precision in some scenarios. This is followed by an example of the implementation of both designs using the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data. Only participants who were diagnosed as having mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were considered for the example, and the outcome of interest was progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results for the various designs were compared to each other and to the full cohort analysis, all of which show that higher levels of phosphorylated tau protein (P-tau) are associated with a larger relative risk of developing AD. We then compare and contrast the scientific and statistical implications of the two designs and discuss various considerations for implementing them in practice.
Shear wave elasticity imaging of pancreatic cancer tumors treated with immunotherapy and radiotherapy

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease a 5-year-survival rate less than 7%. To improve the patient overall survival, recent developments in pancreatic cancer research have been targeting various components of the tumor microenvironment such as the extracellular matrix, blood vessels and immune cells. We hypothesize that targeted therapies will affect the biomechanics of the tumor microenvironment. To corroborate this hypothesis, we used shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) to investigate how different therapies (immunotherapy and radiotherapy) impact tumor stiffness.
The Iris Cerclage Suture for Permanent Mydriasis: A Running Suture Technique

Permanent mydriasis can be a disabling condition. The author describes an iris cerclage running suture technique for the treatment of permanent mydriasis caused by diffuse iris sphincter damage. A long, curved transchamber needle on 10-0 polypropylene is passed in and out of the anterior chamber through limbal paracentesis openings while weaving the needle through the iris near the pupillary margin to form the cerclage. The technique minimizes stretching and distortion of the iris and creates a pupil that is precisely sized and rather round.
Yield Model for Yield Projection from Test Site

Defect identification, monitoring and yield play an important role in VLSI circuit manufacturing.
Weighted L_2 B Discrepancy and Approximation of Integrals over Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Spaces

We extend the notion of $L_2$ $B$ discrepancy provided in [E. Novak, H. Wo'zniakowski, $L_2$ discrepancy and multivariate integration, in: Analytic number theory. Essays in honour of Klaus Roth. W. W. L. Chen, W. T. Gowers, H. Halberstam, W. M. Schmidt, and R. C. Vaughan (Eds.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2009, 359 -- 388] to the weighted $L_2$ $mathcal{B}$ discrepancy. This newly defined notion allows to consider weights, but also volume measures different from the Lebesgue measure and classes of test sets different from measurable subsets of some Euclidean space. We relate the weighted $L_2$ $mathcal{B}$ discrepancy to numerical integration defined over weighted reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces and settle in this way an open problem posed by Novak and Wo'zniakowski.
Influence of Dietary Sodium Modulation on Electrocardiographic Voltage Criteria for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Normotensive Individuals

Objective Dietary sodium intake and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on electrocardiogram (ECG) are both independent determinants of cardiovascular risk. Prior studies demonstrated that acute dietary sodium modulation significantly altered LVH-specific ECG voltage in hypertensive individuals, thus modifying cardiovascular risk prediction; but whether this phenomenon exists in normotensive individuals is not known. We evaluated the influence of dietary sodium intake on ECG voltage and ECG criteria for LVH in normotensive individuals. Methods Retrospective evaluation of ECGs of healthy normotensive individuals (n = 39) who were prospectively randomized to a dietary study protocol of 1 week of high-sodium diet (>200 mmol of sodium per day) and 1 week of low-sodium diet ( Results As expected, blood pressure declined and measures of circulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity rose significantly with low-sodium diet. No significant changes in specific LVH voltage criteria or overall precordial or limb lead ECG voltage amplitudes were detected between diets. Conclusion Although immediate dietary sodium modulation has been shown to significantly alter LVH-specific ECG voltage and the detection of LVH in hypertensive individuals, dietary sodium intake did not influence ECG voltage in normotensive individuals. Healthy normotensive individuals may exhibit adaptive measures that dampen ECG voltage fluctuations in response to dietary sodium modulation. More specific cardiac imaging studies may provide additional insight into this observation and the influence of dietary sodium in cardiac health.
Normal meniscal dimensions at different patient ages—MRI evaluation

The purpose of this work is to evaluate the normal meniscal and tibial dimensions in relation to age and gender in different children using conventional MRI sequences. Morphometric measurements of the menisci were retrospectively performed on knee MRIs of children (< 18 years). All knee MRIs over a 7-year period were collected. Exclusion criteria included: prior knee surgery or diseases involving the knee joint. A total of 186 children were included, 110 boys and 76 girls, with a mean age of 8.2 years (range, 0.3–17.8 years). Menisci and tibial measurement changes with age and gender as well as differences between the medial and lateral menisci were evaluated. The medial menisci measurements increased with age (p value < 0.001). The lateral menisci measurements increased with age (p value < 0.001), except for the coronal meniscal width (p = 0.084). Coronal and sagittal percentage of meniscal coverage of the tibia decreased with age (p < 0.001). Medial menisci have greater sagittal width and anterior horn height than lateral menisci (p value < 0.001). Lateral menisci are larger in their coronal width and height, and sagittal posterior horn height in comparison to medial menisci (p < 0.001). Menisci increase in all dimensions in correlation with age; except in the coronal meniscal width, which is a useful dimension to diagnose discoid meniscus on MRI, based on this, it would seem that the currently published size criteria, based on adults, could be applicable to children. The tibia has a faster rate dimension increase in correlation with age in comparison to the menisci.
The opportunity for international ophthalmology in treating blindness.

As our worldview has become more pervasive, there has been a maturation of various international ophthalmological organizations. They have created several new initiatives that have the potential to dramatically affect preventable and treatable blindness, worldwide. The first international ophthalmological organization (the International Council of Ophthalmology, established in 1927) evolved from the longest continuously held medical meeting in the world (the International Congress of Ophthalmology, first held in 1857). Subsequently, a number of supranational and international organizations have been created, and these groups are beginning to communicate with each other and with national ophthalmological societies in joint planning. The international nongovernmental organizations, lay ophthalmic international organizations (e.g., International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness), and the World Health Organization have recently joined to create a proposal called Vision 2020: The Right to Sight. The International Council in partnership with Academia Ophthalmolgica Internationalis has created a parallel and complementary plan, Vision for the Future. The potential to alleviate or prevent blindness in over 150 million people requires our attention. Understanding the seemingly complex interrelationships of these many organizations--often unfamiliar to American ophthalmology--is important for the uniquely strong ophthalmic organizations in the United States. American involvement can make a difference. This presentation describes the background, relationships, and present plans, which, if implemented, will have a tremendous impact on treatable and preventable blindness and the level and quality of ophthalmic services throughout the world.
Circulating insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, growth hormone, and resumption of estrus in postpartum cows subjected to dietary energy restriction.

The objective of this study was to determine whether serum concentrations of growth hormone (GH), IGF-I, IGF binding proteins (IGFBP), and glucose at wk 2 and 10 postpartum were associated with the ability of postpartum beef cows to resume cycling when maintained on a limited nutrient environment. Cows (n = 29) were individually fed either 130 or 170 kcal ME x BW-75 x d-1 during nonlactation and 170 or 210 kcal ME x BW-75 x d-1 during lactation for an average of 4.1 yr before sample collection. The proportion of cows that resumed estrus within 20 wk after parturition was less (P < .05) at the lower feeding rate (5 of 14) than at the higher feeding rate (11 of 15). Concentrations of IGF-I increased from wk 2 to 10 in cows that resumed cycling but not in cows that remained anestrous and were less (P < .05) at wk 2 and 10 in cows that remained anestrous compared to cows that resumed cycling. Circulating amounts of IGFBP-2 at wk 2 were greater (P < .05) and IGFBP-3 concentrations were lower (P < .05) in cows that remained anestrous compared to cows that resumed cycling. Cows on the lower feeding rate that did not cycle had lower body condition scores and greater concentrations of GH compared (P < .05) to other cows. At the higher feeding rate, body condition score and concentrations of GH did not differ between cows that did or did not resume cycling. Circulating concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-2 and -3 at wk 2 postpartum were indicators of the capacity of energy-restricted cattle to resume cycling after parturition.
Islamic international law: an emerging branch of law which answers the contentious question of ‘authority to use force’ in Islamic law and politics

‘Authority to use force’ has been a subject of contentious debate, not least among the academics, politicians and lawyers, since the oft-occurrence of use of armed forces by non-state actors and terrorist groups in modern world. Since 9/11 terrorist attacks, most use of force by non-state actors and terrorist groups, which occurred primarily in Muslim majority states, have been categorized as acts of terrorism. This categorization has been made without any rational or sound scrutiny of such use of force and accordingly resulted in controversies. This article is a historical, legal and political account of Islamic international law on the use of force. It defines and interprets the fundamental principles of use of force in Islamic international law, such as jihad, and analyses the significance of those principles in scrutinizing legal and political authority to use force at the state level and inter-state level.
Image-Guided Chondrocyte Harvesting for Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: Initial Feasibility Study with Human Cadaver and Pilot Clinical Experience.

Background Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), a promising modality for repairing full-thickness cartilage defects, requires 2 consecutive arthroscopic procedures for chondrocyte harvesting and implantation. In the present study, we assessed the feasibility and efficacy of image-guided chondrocyte harvesting as an alternative to arthroscopic biopsy. Methods We induced full-thickness cartilage defects in 10 human cadaveric knees. Computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) was performed following the intra-articular administration of Omnipaque 350 to measure the diameters of the induced cartilage defects. Subsequently, 2 independent operators conducted CTA-guided chondrocyte harvesting (from the medial and lateral trochlear ridges) in each knee. The time for chondrocyte harvesting, accuracy (distance between the predefined target on CTA and the final insertion site of the needle), and number of needle readjustments were recorded. In the institutional review board-approved clinical study, informed consent was obtained and chondrocyte harvesting was performed both with use of a conventional arthroscopic biopsy method and with use of a needle through an arthroscopy access site in 10 subjects for whom ACI was indicated. The samples were processed and cultured blindly, and the quantity and quality of the samples were determined. Results CTA measurements of full-thickness cartilage defects showed high to perfect absolute agreement and consistency when compared with direct measurements (overall interclass correlation coefficient, 0.933 to 0.983; p < 0.05). For both operators, image-guided chondrocyte harvesting from the lateral ridge was more accurate (p = 0.007 and 0.040) and faster (p = 0.056 and 0.014) in comparison with harvesting from the medial ridge. In the clinical study, no significant difference was observed for the growth index of samples between the needle-harvest and conventional methods (p = 0.897). Conclusions CTA can be used for precise measurement of full-thickness cartilage defects. Image-guided chondrocyte harvesting is a viable alternative to traditional arthroscopic biopsy for ACI. Clinical Relevance We recognize the current pivotal role of arthroscopic biopsy, as a part of ACI, for chondrocyte harvesting as well as for delineating the nature of the lesion. However, on the basis of our results, image-guided chondrocyte retrieval may obviate the need for arthroscopic biopsy in some patients in the future.
Enhanced Selection of Candidates for Same-Day and Outpatient Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Medicare removed total knee arthroplasty (TKA) from its inpatient-only list and private insurers created ambulatory surgical codes; these changes bring about logistical challenges for TKA episode planning. We identified preoperatively determined factors associated with hospital length of stay for (1) same-day discharge (SDD) and (2) inpatient TKA defined by Medicare’s 2-midnight rule benchmark. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 325 consecutive unilateral primary TKAs performed on patients completing the Perioperative Surgical Home preoperative optimization pathway within a single hospital system. Stepwise logistic regression modeling was performed to identify preoperatively determined factors associated with (1) SDD and (2) inpatient TKA. We compared these models’ ability to discern the length of stay category to the Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool (RAPT) score alone. Results The cohort included 32 (10%) SDD, 189 (58%) next-day discharges, and 104 (32%) inpatients. Lower body mass index (BMI; odds ratio [OR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85-0.1.0; P = .04) and fewer self-reported allergies (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.46-0.95; P = .03) were associated with SDD. The SDD model outperformed the RAPT alone (C-statistic, 0.73 vs 0.52; P Conclusion We identified preoperatively determined factors associated with (1) SDD as BMI and allergies and (2) inpatient TKA as age, BMI, RAPT score, and surgery start time. Hospitals, providers, patients, families, and payers can use this information for TKA episode planning.
Intrafraction 4D-cone beam CT acquired during volumetric arc radiotherapy delivery: kV parameter optimization and 4D motion accuracy for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) patients.

Purpose Elekta XVI 5.0 allows for four-dimensional cone beam computed tomography (4D CBCT) image acquisition during treatment delivery to monitor intrafraction motion. These images can have poorer image quality due to undersampling of kV projections and treatment beam MV scatter effects. We determine if a universal intrafraction preset can be used for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) lung patients and validate the accuracy of target motion characterized by XVI intrafraction 4D CBCT. Methods The most critical parameter within the intrafraction preset is the nominal AcquisitionInterval, which controls kV imaging acquisition frequency. An optimal value was determined by maximizing the kV frame number acquired up to 1000 frames, typical of pretreatment 4D CBCT. CIRS motion phantom intrafraction phase images for 16 SBRT beams were obtained. Mean target position, time-weighted standard deviation, and amplitude for these images as well as target motion for three SBRT lung patients were compared to respective pretreatment 4D CBCTs. Evaluation of intrafraction 4D CBCT reconstruction revealed inclusion of MV only images acquired to remove MV scatter effects. A workaround to remove these images was developed. Results AcquisitionInterval of 0.1°/frame was optimal. The number of kV frames acquired was 567-1116 and showed strong linear correlation with beam monitor unit (MUs). Phantom target motion accuracy was excellent with average differences in target position, standard deviation and amplitude range of ≤0.5 mm. Target tracking for SBRT patients also showed good agreement. Evaluation of phase sorting wave forms showed that inclusion of MV only images significantly impacts intrafraction image reconstruction for patients and use of workaround is necessary. Conclusions A universal intrafraction imaging preset can be used safely for SBRT lung patients. The number of kV projections with MV delivery parameters varies; however images with fewer kV projections still provided accurate target position information. Impact of the reconstruction workaround was significant and is mandated for all 4D CBCT intrafraction imaging performed at our institution.
Effect of Leaf Segments and Potting Media on Plant Performance of Sansevieria trifasciata Hort. ex Prain Grown under Ex vitro Conditions

The present study was conducted to investigate the vegetative propagation of Sansevieria trifasciata under ex vitro conditions. The experiment was conducted at the net house to select the best leaf segment among apical, middle and bottom portions of leaves and also to evaluate their performance in different potting media. Leaf segments were taken from apical, middle and bottom portions and planted in soil: compost at 1:0, soil: compost at 1:1 and soil: compost at 1:2 ratios. After 90 days, number of shoots per cutting (>1cm), number of shoot buds (<1cm), length of longest shoots, leaf area, fresh weight of shoots, dry weight of shoots, number of roots, length of longest root, fresh weight of roots and dry weight of roots were recorded. The result indicated that leaf segments and potting media showed the significant influence on number of days taken to emerge shoots, leaf area, number of roots per segment, longest shoot length, longest root length, fresh weight of shoot, fresh weight of roots, dry weight of shoot, dry weight of roots among the tested treatments. Apical segment of leaf was the best to produce higher number of shoots while bottom portion of leaf was more suitable to produce longest root. Among the potting media, shoot formation was quicker in soil: compost at 1:1 than that in other potting media.