cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contrast-Enhanced MR Angiography Is Not More Accurate Than Unenhanced 2D Time-of-Flight MR Angiography for Determining ≥70% Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Internal carotid artery (ICA) atheromatous disease is an important cause of ischemic stroke, and endarterectomy or stent placement is typically indicated for symptomatic patients with ≥70% stenosis. Our purpose was to compare contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) with unenhanced 2D time-of-flight MR angiography (2D TOF MRA) in detecting hemodynamically significant ICA stenosis, by using CT angiography (CTA) as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an institutional review board−approved retrospective study. We identified 177 consecutive patients (354 ICAs) who received correlative CE-MRA, 2D TOF MRA, and CTA. Two neuroradiologists blinded to the CTA data graded the degree of ICA stenosis according to a 5-point scale. Additionally, luminal signal-intensity characteristics including 1) signal intensity drop-out, 2) distal-vessel narrowing, and 3) distal-vessel signal-intensity reduction were recorded. MRA results were correlated with those of CTA, and receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. RESULTS: On CTA, there were 55 ICAs with and 299 without ≥70% stenosis. CE-MRA was 84% sensitive and 96% specific for detecting ≥70% stenosis; 2D TOF MRA was 80% sensitive and 95% specific. The area under the ROC curve was 0.97 for CE-MRA and 0.95 for 2D TOF MRA (P = .51, not significant). For both MRA studies, each of the luminal signal-intensity characteristics had high specificity (>98%) but poor-to-mild sensitivity (35%–66%) in detecting ≥70% stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is established that CE-MRA more accurately delineates neurovascular anatomy than does unenhanced 2D TOF MRA, the administration of gadolinium did not offer a significant advantage in distinguishing surgically treatable ICA stenosis. This conclusion may be important in patients with contraindications to gadolinium.
Smectite diagenesis, pore-water freshening, and fluid flow at the toe of the Nankai wedge

The presence of low-chloride fluids in the lowermost sediments drilled at Ocean Drilling Program Site 808, at the Nankai accretionary wedge, has been considered as prime evidence for long-distance, lateral fluid flow from depth. Here, we re-evaluate the potential role of in situ reaction of smectite (S) to illite (I) in the genesis of this low chloride anomaly. This reaction is known to be occurring at Site 808, with both the S content and S to I ratio in the mixed layer clays decreasing substantially with depth. We show that the bulk of the chloride anomaly can generate by in situ clay dehydration, particularly if pre-reaction smectite abundances (Ai) approach ∼10–15% of the bulk sediment. The Ai values, however, are not well constrained. At Ai values <10–15%, an additional source of low-Cl fluid centered close to the decollement could be required. Thus, there remains the important possibility that the observed low-Cl anomaly is a compound effect of both lateral flow and in situ smectite dehydration.
ATP stimulates Ca2+ oscillations and contraction in airway smooth muscle cells of mouse lung slices

In airway smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from mouse lung slices, ≥10 μM ATP induced Ca2+ oscillations that were accompanied by airway contraction. After ∼1 min, the Ca2+ oscillations subsided and the a...
Unpacking Links between Fathers’ Antisocial Behaviors and Children’s Behavior Problems: Direct, Indirect, and Interactive Effects

Building upon previous evidence for the intergenerational transmission of antisocial behaviors, this research assessed and compared three models seeking to explain links between fathers’ antisocial behaviors and children’s behavior problems. A representative sample of children from low-income families (N = 261) was followed from age 3 through age 9. Lagged OLS regression models assessed both short-term (1½ years) and longer-term (5½ years) prospective links between fathers’ antisocial behaviors and children’s behavior problems. Results supported a direct effects model: fathers’ antisocial behaviors predicted growth in children’s externalizing and internalizing behavior problems, with links stronger among resident-father families. Limited evidence of indirect effects emerged, with links between fathers’ antisocial behaviors and children’s behavior problems only slightly attenuated controlling for related risk factors and for parenting quality, showing limited evidence of mediation. A new interactive model was proposed and supported, with high levels of harsh discipline exacerbating negative links between fathers’ antisocial behaviors and children’s internalizing problems. Results suggest caution in policies and programs which seek to universally increase marriage or father involvement without attention to fathers’ behaviors.
Maps of precipitating electron spectra characterized by Maxwellian and kappa distributions

Maps of characterized auroral electron spectra, developed using 8 years of particle spectrometer data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) suite of polar-orbiting spacecraft are presented. The electron spectra, which were sampled from both hemispheres, are categorized as either diffuse or accelerated. Diffuse spectra were best-fit with Maxwellian or kappa distributions, and accelerated spectra were identified as displaying characteristics of either monoenergetic or broadband acceleration. A total of 30 million spectra were characterized, with 47.05% being best-fit with Maxwellian distributions, 31.37% being best-fit with kappa distributions, 12.20% as monoenergetic, and 9.38% as broadband. The spectra from both hemispheres were then binned in MLAT-MLT using a bin size of (MLAT, MLT) = (1°, 0.25 h), for the ranges of 50° ≤ MLAT 70° and broadband spectra occurred within 75° < MLAT < 80° and the local time regions of 0600 < MLT < 1000 and 1300 < MLT < 1500. For Kp≥ 2, coverage of accelerated spectra varied with Kp. For low levels of Kp, accelerated spectra, primarily monoenergetic spectra, predominated above 70°. With increasing activity, broadband spectra covered more of the daytime MLT sectors, while diffuse spectra (Maxwellian and Lorentzian) became increasingly frequent on the nightside due to the poleward expansion of the diffuse precipitation region.
Molecular signaling observer and predictor: A framework for closed-loop control of cell behaviors having long time delay

Stable in vitro feedback control of cell behaviors using an observer to predict a cell's future response to input cues based on real-time measurement of intracellular signaling molecules is presented. Biological cells, particularly mammalian cells, have a long latency time from receiving cues to producing output responses. Numerous steps of intracellular signal transductions are involved between cues and responses. This slow dynamics is a major obstacle for close-loop control based on measurement of the output response. This paper presents a promising approach to coping with the slow dynamics and forming a stable feedback loop. A molecular signaling observer and predictor is designed for estimating the intracellular state and predict the cell's future response so that input cues can be accommodated proactively before observing the output response. First, a brief background description on relevant cell biology and in vitro micro-fluidics is provided, followed by the basic concept of molecular signaling observer and predictor. Cue-signal-response processes are modeled as a time-delay system with noise dynamics. A k-step ahead predictor is obtained as a conditional mean, and a closed-loop control system is formed based on the future error of the predicted output response. Prediction error and its effect on control performance are analyzed. The method is applied to angiogenic endothelial cell sprouting and migration process. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Ratite Nonmonophyly: Independent Evidence from 40 Novel Loci

Large-scale multilocus studies have become common in molecular phylogenetics, but the best way to interpret these studies when their results strongly conflict with prior information about phylogeny remains unclear. An example of such a conflict is provided by the ratites (the large flightless birds of southern land masses, including ostriches, emus, and rheas). Ratite monophyly is strongly supported by both morphological data and many earlier molecular studies and is used as a textbook example of vicariance biogeography. However, recent studies have indicated that ratites are not monophyletic; instead, the volant tinamous nest inside the ratites rather than forming their sister group within the avian superorder Palaeognathae. Large-scale studies can exhibit biases that reflect a number of factors, including limitations in the fit of the evolutionary models used for analyses and problems with sequence alignment, so the unexpected conclusion that ratites are not monophyletic needs to be rigorously evaluated. A rigorous approach to testing novel hypotheses generated by large- scale studies is to collect independent evidence (i.e., excluding the loci and/or traits used to generate the hypotheses). We used 40 nuclear loci not used in previous studies that investigated the relationship among ratites and tinamous. Our results strongly support the recent molecular studies, revealing that the deepest branch within Palaeognathae separates the ostrich from other members of the clade, rather than the traditional hypothesis that separates the tinamous from the ratites. To ensure these results reflected evolutionary history, we examined potential biases in types of loci used, heterotachy, alignment biases, and discordance between gene trees and the species tree. All analyses consistently supported nonmonophyly of the ratites and no confounding biases were identified. This confirmation that ratites are not monophyletic using independent evidence will hopefully stimulate further comparative research on paleognath development and genetics that might reveal the basis of the morphological convergence in these large, flightless birds. (alignment bias; convergence; gene tree—species tree discordance; mixture models; paleognath.)
Hydrofracking: Disturbances Both Geological and Political: Who Decides?

There is much controversy about the mining of shale gas through a process known as hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) in the Marcellus Shale formation, one of the largest shale gas areas in the world. A debate is raging about its economic benefits and environmental impacts as the New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) considers what standards to require when it issues permits to drillers. New York State law gives permitting authority to DEC and calls into question the historical home rule authority of localities to control the location and land use impacts of gas wells, through comprehensive planning, zoning, and development regulations. This article describes and discusses this debate, the tension between state and local control, local zoning limitations imposed on drilling and ensuing litigation, and options available to municipalities to control the impact of drilling on their local environment and economies. The regulation, advocacy, and negotiation regarding hydrofracking raise critical questions for economic and environmental policy because the facts regarding this emerging technology are highly disputed, the forces pushing and resisting shale gas mining are powerful, and the authority of each level of government is unclear. At stake are critical policy issues about who decides issues that have national, regional, and local impacts and the role of regulation in developing effective strategies for resolving such complex environmental and economic conflicts.
Deletion of CaMKK2 from the Liver Lowers Blood Glucose and Improves Whole-Body Glucose Tolerance in the Mouse

Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) is a member of the Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent protein kinase family that is expressed abundantly in brain. Previous work has revealed that CaMKK2 knockout (CaMKK2 KO) mice eat less due to a central nervous system -signaling defect and are protected from diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance. However, here we show that pair feeding of wild-type mice to match food consumption of CAMKK2 mice slows weight gain but fails to protect from diet-induced glucose intolerance, suggesting that other alterations in CaMKK2 KO mice are responsible for their improved glucose metabolism. CaMKK2 is shown to be expressed in liver and acute, specific reduction of the kinase in the liver of high-fat diet-fed CaMKK2(floxed) mice results in lowered blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance. Primary hepatocytes isolated from CaMKK2 KO mice produce less glucose and have decreased mRNA encoding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α and the gluconeogenic enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and these mRNA fail to respond specifically to the stimulatory effect of catecholamine in a cell-autonomous manner. The mechanism responsible for suppressed gene induction in CaMKK2 KO hepatocytes may involve diminished phosphorylation of histone deacetylase 5, an event necessary in some contexts for derepression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α promoter. Hepatocytes from CaMKK2 KO mice also show increased rates of de novo lipogenesis and fat oxidation. The changes in fat metabolism observed correlate with steatotic liver and altered acyl carnitine metabolomic profiles in CaMKK2 KO mice. Collectively, these results are consistent with suppressed catecholamine-induced induction of gluconeogenic gene expression in CaMKK2 KO mice that leads to improved whole-body glucose homeostasis despite the presence of increased hepatic fat content.
Ballistic Impact Response of Composite Systems

Composite materials are widely used in many engineering applications and are an attractive for armor design because of their increased high toughness, impact resistance, stiffness, and strength-to-weight ratios and the ability to tailor their designs to applications. In this paper, numerical simulation of impact on composites is being performed to predict ballistic limit velocities and evaluate the delamination behavior of different composite systems. The normal impact and penetration of blunt rigid projectile on laminated composite targets was developed to estimate the velocity for which the projectile has complete penetration, the ballistic limits and energy absorbed while perforating a given piece of armor. A non-linear, explicit, three dimensional finite element commercial code (ABAQUS) is used to simulate the response of armor targets at V50 impact velocities. The armor test panel is modeled as a multi-layered laminated plate with different composite systems, thickness, and stacking sequence. The three failure modes that represent the three stages of the penetration process namely transverse shear, tensile fiber breakage, and delamination are identified. The ballistic limit curves for different materials, thickness, and orientations are determined. The target interlaminar stress distributions along the thickness are graphically represented. Strain energy, Plastic dissipation and Kinetic dissipation energy curves for the whole model were obtained including thickness effects.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Mechanisms of Deafferentation-Induced Plasticity in Human Motor Cortex

Deafferentation induces rapid plastic changes in the cerebral cortex, probably via unmasking of pre-existent connections. Several mechanisms may contribute, such as changes in neuronal membrane excitability, removal of local inhibition, or various forms of short- or long-term synaptic plasticity. To understand further the mechanisms involved in cortical plasticity, we tested the effects of CNS-active drugs in a plasticity model, in which forearm ischemic nerve block (INB) was combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the deafferented human motor cortex. rTMS was used to upregulate the plastic changes caused by INB. We studied six healthy subjects. In two control sessions without drug application, INB plus rTMS increased the motor-evoked potential (MEP) size and decreased intracortical inhibition (ICI) measured with single- and paired-pulse TMS in the biceps brachii muscle proximal to INB. A single oral dose of the benzodiazepine lorazepam (2 mg) or the voltage-gated Na+ and Ca2+ channel blocker lamotrigine (300 mg) abolished these changes. The NMDA receptor blocker dextromethorphan (150 mg) suppressed the reduction in ICI but not the increase in MEP size. With sleep deprivation, used to eliminate sedation as a major factor of these drug effects, INB plus rTMS induced changes similar to that seen in the control sessions. The findings suggest that (1) the INB plus rTMS-induced increase in MEP size involves rapid removal of GABA-related cortical inhibition and short-term changes in synaptic efficacy dependent on Na+ or Ca2+ channels and that (2) the long-lasting (>60 min) reduction in ICI is related to long-term potentiation-like mechanisms given its duration and the involvement of NMDA receptor activation.
Thiolated chitosan nanoparticles enhance anti-inflammatory effects of intranasally delivered theophylline

Chitosan, a polymer derived from chitin, has been used for nasal drug delivery because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability and bioadhesiveness. Theophylline is a drug that reduces the inflammatory effects of allergic asthma but is difficult to administer at an appropriate dosage without causing adverse side effects. It was hypothesized that adsorption of theophylline to chitosan nanoparticles modified by the addition of thiol groups would improve theophylline absorption by the bronchial epithelium and enhance its anti-inflammatory effects. We sought to develop an improved drug-delivery matrix for theophylline based on thiolated chitosan, and to investigate whether thiolated chitosan nanoparticles (TCNs) can enhance theophylline's capacity to alleviate allergic asthma. A mouse model of allergic asthma was used to test the effects of theophylline in vivo. BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and OVA-challenged to produce an inflammatory allergic condition. They were then treated intranasally with theophylline alone, chitosan nanoparticles alone or theophylline adsorbed to TCNs. The effects of theophylline on cellular infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, histopathology of lung sections, and apoptosis of lung cells were investigated to determine the effectiveness of TCNs as a drug-delivery vehicle for theophylline. Theophylline alone exerts a moderate anti-inflammatory effect, as evidenced by the decrease in eosinophils in BAL fluid, the reduction of bronchial damage, inhibition of mucus hypersecretion and increased apoptosis of lung cells. The effects of theophylline were significantly enhanced when the drug was delivered by TCNs. Intranasal delivery of theophylline complexed with TCNs augmented the anti-inflammatory effects of the drug compared to theophylline administered alone in a mouse model of allergic asthma. The beneficial effects of theophylline in treating asthma may be enhanced through the use of this novel drug delivery system.
“it isn’t fair”: postoperative depression and other manifestations of survivor guilt

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate and explain an array of phenomena, clinical and social, that share a common dynamic although they seem to be quite disparate. These experiences range from combat neuroses to postoperative depressions. Situations and case histories demonstrating this dynamic are presented, namely, the guilt of getting more than one's share of life, material possessions, or physical gifts than the people one loves. The relationship of this getting more and the concept of the "zero-sum game" is discussed. Suggestions are presented for the treatment of depressions resulting from this conflict. Survivor guilt is a common theme, running through our society in both dramatic and subtle ways. An awareness of this can help us explain certain phenomena and deal with some types of depression in our psychiatric work.
Further observations on developmental polymorphism and its evolution in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus

SUMMARY. In laboratory experiments, long, Asplanchna-induced posterolateral spines of Brachionus calyciflorus were very effective in preventing their capture and subsequent ingestion by the predator Asplanchna sieboldi but provided no protection against predation by Mesocyclops edax. Young, short-spined B. calyciflorus were always captured after attack by adult A. sieboldi and were ingested in about 12 seconds. Adult, short-spined forms were captured on c. 35% of occasions when attacked by this predator and were ingested in about 50 s. Young and adult long-spined forms were captured by this predator on c. 60% of occasions when attacked, but they both almost invariably escaped or were rejected 20–35 s after capture. Short- and long-spined B. calyciflorus adults were always captured when attacked by adult, female M. edax and were completely ingested in about 20 s and 30 s, respectively. Life-table experiments conducted with B. calyciflorus at several levels of the food organism, Aerobacter aerogenes, showed that neither the possession of long posterolateral spines nor the production of offspring with long posterolateral spines interfered with survivorship, fecundity, or reproductive potential. In the laboratory, the volumes of the amictic parthenogenetic eggs of B. calyciflorus cultured on Euglena or Aerobacter were significantly greater in individuals from populations maintaining long posterolateral spines than in comparable-sized individuals from populations maintaining short spines. Egg volume was generally independent of adult body length, but it was significantly greater in Brachionus fed on Euglena compared with Aerobacter. Possible reasons why B. calyciflorus does not produce long posterolateral spines in the absence of Asplanchna are discussed. Few organisms other than B. calyciflorus are known to develop novel defensive phenotypes in direct response to the presence of a predator. It is suggested that such developmental responses evolve only when two conditions apply: (1) the defensive structure is primarily effective against a single type of predator, and (2) the prey organism exhibiting the response has a short generation time.
An attribute based model for database access cost analysis

A generalized model for physical database organizations is presented. Existing database organizations are shown to fit easily into the model as special cases. Generalized access algorithms and cost equations associated with the model are developed and analyzed. The model provides a general design framework in which the distinguishing properties of database organizations are made explicit and their performances can be compared.
Application Centric Autonomic BW Control in Utility Computing

QoS and congestion performance are crucial to good application performance in a utility computing environment. Unfortunately, proper IP QoS setup is very complex and is either ignored completely or set rather simplistically. It is well known that without an elaborate end to end QoS setup, TCP connections simply divide up the available excess bandwidth equally among themselves under congestion. In this paper we propose autonomic mechanisms that determine BW requirements of various flows of an application and maintain them in appropriate proportion even during congestion. The estimations are done dynamically and thus can easily track changing application requirements. The paper shows that the scheme not only yields close to desired bandwidth allocation, but also significantly reduces packet losses.
Endophyte-infected and Uninfected Fescue Seeds Suppress White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) Reproduction

Abstract Growth, reproduction, circulation, and thermoregulation in domestic livestock and laboratory rodents are adversely affected by consumption of tissues derived from plants infected with endophytic fungi. Because little is known about the systemic effects of infected diets on wild rodent granivores, we conducted a series of laboratory experiments to assess the effects of consuming endophyte-infected (E+) and uninfected (E−) seeds of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) on reproduction in the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus. Groups of mice (paired and single-sex) were fed diets of either rodent chow, E+, or E− seeds; in several experiments, chow and seeds were ground and mixed in a 1:1 ratio. E− seeds alone suppressed reproductive output compared to chow-fed mice, but consumption of E+ seeds did not further reduce reproductive performance. Furthermore, paired testes mass was more strongly reduced by the presence of seeds in the diet than was the mass of the female reproductive tract, but reprodu...
A Managerial Framework For Evaluating World Markets For Direct Investment

This paper presents a managerial framework for improving the quality of the decision making process involved in selection of new foreign markets for direct investment. The framework consists of four profiles: Market Characteristics, Competitors, Firm Capabilities, and, Competitive Parity/Superiority. Weights of individual elements within each of the profiles as well as the profile as a whole cane be assigned by managers to reflect the internal and external constraints and requirements of the firm considering foreign direct investment.
Astronomy: Topology quest

Michael Blanton enjoys a history of cosmology focused on large-scale structure in the 'spongy' Universe.
Notes on Habrocytus Cerealellae, Parasite of the Angoumois Grain Moth

During the early part of 1932 the writer became interested in studying the life history and habits of a Chalcoid parasite of the Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier). The species was identified by C. F. W. Muesebeck as Habrocytus cerealellae (Ashmead). Later in the year an excellent study of the same species was published by Norman S. Noble (1). Mter reading over Noble's work, the writer decided to prepare the present paper giving briefly a part of the life history work and devoting the remainder to a discussion of certain habits of the adult. The remarkable process of oviposition seems to be specially worthy of greater emphasis. The habits of both host and parasite make them ideal material for the study of all the activities associated with oviposition.
The economics and distribution ofCannabis sativa in urban trinidad

Most of the anthropological literature concerning Cannabis sativa (marijuana) describes its use as a psychotropic agent in so-called "traditional" societies. In these ethnographic contexts, many descriptions inform us, Cannabis ingestion is regarded as a culturally legitimate part of an accepted repertory of techniques aimed to alter moods and states of consciousness (Emboden 1972; Grinspoon 1971). But, more recently, marijuana use has increased throughout sectors of "modern" urban societies. In this sort of socio-cultural setting, marijuana use takes on a rather different texture as it is labelled illegitimate by socially powerful groups in these societies. Marijuana cultivation, distribution, and consumption become illegal, "deviant" activities. Such activities then become markedly surreptitious and those committed to them frequently encounter others whose intention it is to suppress any social engagement with the drug. This state of affairs has numerous consequences on the organization of marijuana distribution and the context of marijuana use. In this paper, I wish to describe some of these consequences as they impressed me during a year of field work in Port-ofSpain, Trinidad in 1970-1971. There is no historical information on the early use of marijuana in Trinidad beyond some rather casual allusions. But the current Trinidadian interest in marijuana has at least two historical bases. After the abolition of slavery in 1834,
Athermochemical Investigation of the La-Sr-Cu-O System

The perovskite related La 2‐x M x CuO 4‐y oxides substituted with alkaline earth metals were one of the first classes of high temperature superconductors discovered. Determining the thermodynamic properties is important to understand the stability and superconducting mechanism of these structures. High temperature solution calorimetry, using a molten lead borate solvent, has been performed on La 2 CuO 4 and the related Sr substituted oxides. Calorimetric measurements on CuO, La 2 O 3 and SrCO 3 yield heats of formation. A change in the trend of the heats of formation appears at Sr content 0.1, the reported orthorhombic to tetragonal transition, the onset of superconductivity and loss of oxygen.
Short and Long Edges in Random Graphs for Neuropil Modeling

Graph theoretical approaches have been very successful in the past decade to describe functional and structural aspects of brain networks; see, for example Eguiluz et al., Phys Rev Lett 94(1):018102, 2005 [1], Reijneveld et al., Clin Neurophysiol 118(11):2317–2331, 2007 [2], Turova and Villa, Biosystems 89(1):280–286, 2007, [3], Tlusty and Eckmann, J Phys A Math Theor 42(20):205004, 2009, [4] and Gallos et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci 109(8):2825–2830, 2012 [5]. The existence of functional links between cortical nodes has been postulated in EEG, MEG, and fMRI data Sporns et al., PLOS Comp Biol 1(4):245–251, 2005 [6], Honey et al., Neuroimage 52(3):766–776, 2010 [7], Stam et al., Cereb Cortex 17:92–99, 2007 [8], Bonifazi et al., Science 326(5958):1419–1424, 2009 [9], Deco and Corbetta, Neuroscientist 17(1):107–123, 2011 [10] and Kim et al., NeuroImage Clin 2:414–423, 2013 [11].
Veterans health administration hepatitis B testing and treatment with anti-CD20 antibody administration.

Veterans health administration hepatitis B testing and treatment with anti-CD20 antibody administration
The Risk: Benefit Ratio in Nuclear Medicine

To what extent should the justified conservatism concerning exposure to high-dose radiation be carried over to the smaller doses entailed in nuclear medicine? While warning against the use of any technique simply because it is available, the author points out that the additional information and, in some situations, therapeutic advantage provided by nuclear procedures have not been accompanied by documentable risk.
Consumption Effects of Foreign Remittances in Jamaica

The term remittances refers to proceeds from the migration of labor that are sent to aid individuals remaining in the migrants’ home communities. In this paper, we investigate whether remittances alter the consumption pattern of recipient households in Jamaica. We present results from an Engel curve estimation specifically using the Working (1943) approach and a two-part fractional response model with instrumental variables to account for selection bias and endogeneity of remittances. The dependent variables are a subsample of the categories of consumption as defined in the Jamaican Survey of Living Conditions and include expenditures on food, schooling, health, gambling, alcohol and donations. We find that receipt of remittances significantly alters the recipient households’ expenditure allocations relative to other sources of income, although this effect occurs more through the participation decision. Overall, total effects of remittances are largest in the areas of luxury expenditures and home production, and to a lesser extent for education and grocery store purchases. These findings have significant implications for those remitting, those receiving, and governments looking to understand this large flow and less documented source of income.
Epidural Spinal Cord Compression in Adult Neoplasms

Abstract Neoplasms can compromise spinal cord function, resulting in devastating neurological deficits with significant limitations in daily functioning, including immobilizing pain and neurological dysfunction. Among all causes of myelopathies in cancer patients, epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) is by far the most common, but its incidence varies widely based on cancer type. An estimated 5% of cancer patients develop epidural metastatic invasion, and 2.5% of all cancer patients have at least one hospitalization for epidural spinal metastases. In a cancer patient reporting back pain, incontinence, weakness, or sensory changes, it is essential that epidural disease be considered. Knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options of ESCC is essential in decreasing the potential morbidities associated with this entity in cancer patients.
An Effort to Develop an Algorithm to Target Abdominal CT Scans for Patients After Gastric Bypass.

Abdominal CT (abdCT) scans are frequently ordered for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain, but often do not reveal intra-abdominal pathology. We aimed to develop an algorithm for rational ordering of abdCTs. We retrospectively reviewed our institution’s RYGB patients presenting acutely with abdominal pain, documenting clinical and laboratory data, and scan results. Associations of clinical parameters to abdCT results were examined for outcome predictors. Of 1643 RYGB patients who had surgery between 2005 and 2015, 355 underwent 387 abdCT scans. Based on abdCT, 48 (12 %) patients required surgery and 86 (22 %) another intervention. No clinical or laboratory parameter predicted imaging results. Imaging decisions for RYGB patients do not appear to be amenable to a simple algorithm, and patient work-up should be based on astute clinical judgment.
Febrile Seizure Duration and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Clinical features of febrile seizures and EEG findings were compared in patients who did and did not develop later afebrile seizures among six selected families and 59 family members with febrile convulsions examined at the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.
Lymphomas Associated with HIV Infection

Lymphomas that develop in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. These lymphomas can arise at the time HIV infection is detected, or when acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops. In the latter scenario, the presence of lymphoma can be a defining criterion for the presence of AIDS. Lymphomas also commonly arise in patients with a long history of HIV infection.
Delay-Based Traffic Signal Control for Throughput Optimality and Fairness at an Isolated Intersection

With the attractive feature of guaranteeing maximum network throughput, backpressure routing has been widely used in wireless communication networks. Motivated by the backpressure routing, in this paper, we propose a delay-based traffic signal control algorithm in transportation networks. We prove that this delay-based control achieves optimal throughput performance, same as the queue-based traffic signal control in the literature. However, a vehicle at a lane whose queue length remains very small may be excessively delayed under the queue-based signal control. Our delay-based backpressure control can deal with the excessive delays and achieve better fairness with respect to delay while still guaranteeing throughput optimality. Moreover, a general weighted control scheme combining the queue-based and delay-based schemes is also investigated, to provide a more flexible control according to the quality of service requirements. Numerical results explore their performance under both homogeneous and heterogeneous traffic scenarios.
Non-uniform dependence of the data-to-solution map for the Hunter–Saxton equation in Besov spaces

The Cauchy problem for the Hunter–Saxton equation is known to be locally well posed in Besov spaces $$B^s_{2,r} $$ on the circle. We prove that the data-to-solution map is not uniformly continuous from any bounded subset of $$B^s_{2,r} $$ to $$C([0, T]; B^s_{2,r} )$$ . We also show that the solution map is Holder continuous with respect to a weaker topology.
A MIXED METHODS STUDY OF AN ENHANCED DECISION AID FOR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PATIENTS WITH LOW-RISK CHEST PAIN

Cardiac stress testing is often recommended for patients presenting to the ED with low-risk chest pain. We used an explanatory mixed-methods design to assess correlation between real-life ED patients' intent to undergo cardiac stress testing and their general preference for medical care after
Divergent Mechanisms of Candidal Immunity at Different Anatomical Sites

Candida albicans is a ubiquitous fungal organism that is part of the normal microflora of most, if not all, individuals. However, it is also an opportunistic pathogen that can quickly transform from a harmless mucosal commensal to a highly pathogenic organism of the same tissues on which it resides as a commensal, causing significant morbidity and even mortality under the appropriate conditions (reviewed in Fidel 1999). Infections by C. albicans can be acute, chronic, or recurrent.
The Role of Natural and Anthropogenic Pollutants in Cloud and Precipitation Formation

Since the resurgence of interest in cloud and precipitation physics, stimulated by the demonstration in 1946 of the possibility of cloud modification by artificial nucleation, an ever-increasing amount of research has been reported in the literature on the mechanisms which underlie the formation of clouds and precipitation in the atmosphere. This research has essentially been carried out along two lines of study: studies of the cloud microphysical processes including the phase change of water substance in the atmosphere and the growth of the formed cloud particles to precipitation particles, and studies of the cloud macrophysical processes including all those dynamic processes which govern the formation, growth, dimensions, shape, organization, lifetime, and vigor of the cloud as a whole. In recent years, it has been realized that the cloud dynamical and cloud microphysical processes have to be viewed in a combined manner for a complete understanding of the formation of clouds and precipitation. Thus, much work is currently being done with this aim in mind.
The Social Ecology of Childhood

Imagine that you could arrange for a satellite to circle the earth with extremely accurate high-resolution cameras and sound equipment on board, and that you could direct this satellite to hover over the culture areas of the world. Imagine that you could program your satellite to randomly sample communities, and within each community systematically select households with boys and girls of different ages, and that you could then monitor the members of those households throughout their day. Your cameras would record whom these family members are with; how far they stray from their home; what work they do; and with whom they do it. It would tell you the characteristics of the work and play groups, as well as the domestic group surrounding the child. It would tell you the kinds of physical stimulation the children are exposed to and how the children react and interact with their physical surroundings and social settings. Imagine that the microphones in your satellite could systematically sample what the children talk about; could study the content of their speech and with whom the children talk; and could observe the context of speech activities.
Osteoblast responses to as-deposited and heat treated sputtered CaP surfaces.

The clinical success of dental implants is governed by implant surfaces and bone cell responses that promote rapid osseointegration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro osteoblast cell response to heat treated and non-heat treated CaP coatings. In this study, the heat treated surfaces exhibited a poorly crystallized HA-type structure whereas the non-heat treated surface exhibited an amorphous structure. The heat treated CaP surfaces were observed to have a mean contact angle measurement of 57.95±0.95 degrees, whereas the non-heat treated CaP surfaces were observed to have a mean contact angle measurement of 44.6±0.3 degrees. From the in vitro cell culture study, the ATTC CRL 1486 human embryonic palatal mesenchyme (HEPM) cells displayed a similar protein production and hexosaminidase activity on the heat treated and non-heat treated CaP surfaces throughout the nine day experiment. However, the HEPM cells cultured on non-heat treated CaP surfaces were observed to have higher specific ALP activity after nine days’ incubation compared to cells cultured on heat treated CaP surfaces. The higher specific ALP activity by cells on non-heat treated surfaces were suggested to be attributed to the lower degree of crystallinity and the lower contact angles observed in this study. © 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers
An agent-based model of the Anopheles gambiae mosquito life cycle

Anopheles gambiae is the primary mosquito species that serves as a vector for the transmission of the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite among humans in malaria endemic areas. This paper introduces an agent-based model representing the Anopheles gambiae mosquito life cycle and its C++ implementation called AGiLESim. This model explicitly simulates the eight distinct stages in the Anopheles gambiae mosquito life cycle and handles female and male mosquitoes in the aquatic and adult phases individually. In this paper, we discuss the daily mortality rate and the mosquito development time at each stage, and the oviposition rule that guides egglaying behavior of gravid adult female mosquito agents. In the implementation section, we illustrate the framework of our C++ software architecture. Finally, sensitivity analysis of the three key parameters, the initial mosquito abundance, the adult daily mortality rate, and the daily temperature, used in our model is given.
What Should (Knightian) Economists Do? James M. Buchanan's 1980 Visit to Chile

Although Milton Friedman and Arnold Harberger became involved with Pinochet's Chile in the mid‐1970s, an increasingly influential body of scholarship argues that James M. Buchanan was similarly eager to provide Pinochet's dictatorship with advice. Buchanan reportedly had a heavy influence on the development of Chile's 1980 Constitution and similarly helped to design Chile's binomial electoral system. Buchanan's seeming willingness to advise Pinochet's dictatorship provides a stark contrast to his longstanding advocacy of Frank Knight's view that democracy is “government by discussion” and Buchanan's oft‐repeated insistence that democratic consensus trumps economic expertise. This article draws upon a wealth of largely ignored archival evidence and Chilean primary source material to engage and evaluate whether Buchanan—a Knightian economist par excellence—abandoned his advocacy of “government by discussion” and provided early 1980s advice that helped Pinochet's regime of “institutionalized terror” (Valdes 1995, p. 30) design a constitution that would chain any subsequent Chilean democracy.
Multi-energy CT with triple x-ray beams and photon-counting-detector CT for simultaneous imaging of two contrast agents: an experimental comparison

Multi-energy CT (MECT) enabled by energy-resolved photon-counting-detector CT (PCD-CT) is promising for materialspecific imaging with multiple contrast agents. However, non-idealities of the PCD such as pulse pileup, K-edge escape, and charge sharing may degrade the spectral performance. To perform MECT, an alternative approach was proposed by extending a “Twin Beam” design to a dual-source CT scanner with energy-integrating-detector (EID) by operating one or both sources in the “Twin Beam” mode to acquire three (triple-beam configuration) or four (quadruple-beam configuration) distinct X-ray beam measurements. Previous computer simulation studies demonstrated that the image quality and dose efficiency of the triple-beam configuration were comparable to that in PCD-CT for a three-material decomposition task involving iodine, bismuth, and water. The purpose of this work is to experimentally validate the proposed triple-beam MECT technique in comparison with PCD-CT. To mimic the dual-source triple-beam acquisition, two separate scans, one at 80 kV and the other at 120 kV operated in the “Twin Beam” mode, were performed on a single-source CT scanner. Two potential clinical applications of MECT for multiple contrast agents were investigated: iodine/gadolinium for biphasic liver imaging and iodine/bismuth for small bowel imaging. The results indicate that the imaging performance of the EID-based MECT may be comparable to that on the current PCD-CT platform for both the iodine/gadolinium and the iodine/bismuth material decomposition tasks.
The Cultural Logics of Shame and Guilt: Emotional Cultures of Social Regulation in Organizations

Social regulation and behavioral ethics are increasingly important to organizations. Within this context, moral emotions such as shame and guilt play an influential role in promoting self-regulatio...
Ground Beef Particle Size and Patty Thickness Effects on Flavor and Aroma

ObjectivesTo measure flavor and aroma on ground beef patties with different particle sizes and patty thicknesses. Approved as IRB2015-0507M.Materials and MethodsBeef trimmings, 80% lean-20% fat, were ground through a 0.95 cm plate, 0.64 cm plate, or bowl chopped at high speed (4000 RPM) for 6 revolutions. Two replications of patties were hand-pressed in triplicate to either a 0.64 cm or 2.54 cm thickness, crust frozen, vacuum packaged and frozen until day of sensory testing. Patties (n = 18) were thawed 24 h before testing. Prior to cooking, internal temperature and weight were recorded. Patties were placed on a flat electric grill set at 177°C, and the time was recorded. Patties were turned on reaching an internal temperature of 35°C, using a probe thermometer and were removed when the internal temperature reached 70°C. Final temperature, time and cooked weight were recorded. Patties were cut into 6 pie-shaped pieces and served to the trained sensory panel. Patties were evaluated for flavor and texture attributes. A portion of each patty was frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at –80°C for GC analysis. Samples for GC analysis were placed in glass jars with a Teflon cover and allowed to thaw in a 70°C water bath. A SPME was inserted into each jar and the headspace was collected for 2 h. The SPME was injected into a multi-dimensional GC/MS/Olfactory machine and aroma compounds were separated, identified, and smelled. Cook and sensory data was analyzed using analysis of variance with an ɑ set at 5% and LSD was used for mean comparisons. Volatile data from the GC/MS was log transformed to normalize variance and analyzed, using analysis of variance with grind and thickness of patty set as fixed effects.ResultsCook time was greater (P 0.05). Brown roasted and fat-like flavors were both greater (P > 0.024) for 2.54 cm than 0.64 cm patties, but no differences (P > 0.05) were found for beef flavor, bloody serumy, metallic, umami, overall sweet, sour, salty, bitter, minor attributes, burnt, buttery, cardboard, smoky charcoal, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness of mass, and particle size. A total of 160 aroma volatiles were present across all treatments. Percentage of volatiles present were greater (P < 0.001) in bowl chop (28.88%) and 0.64 cm fine grind (28.10%) than in 0.95 cm coarse grind (18.63%). Percentage of volatiles present were greater (P < 0.031) in 2.54 cm thickness than 0.64 cm thickness patties. We concluded that to produce the greatest amount of volatile, aroma events, patties should be prepared to have the greatest particle surface area.ConclusionTherefore, patties should be either ground through a 0.64 cm plate or bowl chopped to reduce particle size, and patties should be formed to a 2.54 cm thickness to increase the exposure time to the grill, producing a greater number of volatiles.