cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Acute Thiamine Deficiency on the Electrocardiogram of the Chick

Abstract CARDIAC abnormalities resulting from thiamine deficiency have been reported in man and experimental animals by a number of workers. Some of these have been reviewed and discussed by Hundley et al. (1945). Electrocardiographic changes in swine resulting from the deficiency include: bradycardia, prolonged P-R interval, second degree A-V block, complete A-V block, A-V dissociation, and others (Wintrobe et al., 1943). Partridge (1948) has also reported disturbances in A-V conduction in swine as a result of thiamine deficiency. In rats, sinus arrhythmia, sinus arrest, a trial fibrilation, A-V nodal rhythm, first degree A-V block, shifting pacemaker, and other abnormalities have been reported by Hundley et al. (1945). Some of these abnormalities were also observed in thiamine-deficient cats (Toman et al., 1945). A number of workers have reported the effects of deficiencies in thiamine and other B complex vitamins upon growth and behavior of the chicken, but none has studied the effects …
Advantage of protons compared to conventional X-ray or IMRT in the treatment of a pediatric patient with medulloblastoma.

Abstract Purpose To compare treatment plans from standard photon therapy to intensity modulated X-rays (IMRT) and protons for craniospinal axis irradiation and posterior fossa boost in a patient with medulloblastoma. Methods Proton planning was accomplished using an in-house 3D planning system. IMRT plans were developed using the KonRad treatment planning system with 6-MV photons. Results Substantial normal-tissue dose sparing was realized with IMRT and proton treatment of the posterior fossa and spinal column. For example, the dose to 90% of the cochlea was reduced from 101.2% of the prescribed posterior fossa boost dose from conventional X-rays to 33.4% and 2.4% from IMRT and protons, respectively. Dose to 50% of the heart volume was reduced from 72.2% for conventional X-rays to 29.5% for IMRT and 0.5% for protons. Long-term toxicity with emphasis on hearing and endocrine and cardiac function should be substantially improved secondary to nontarget tissue sparing achieved with protons. Conclusion The present study clearly demonstrates the advantage of conformal radiation methods for the treatment of posterior fossa and spinal column in children with medulloblastoma, when compared to conventional X-rays. Of the two conformal treatment methods evaluated, protons were found to be superior to IMRT.
On the structure and chemistry of complex oxide nanofeatures in nanostructured ferritic alloy U14YWT

The remarkable radiation damage resistance of nanostructured ferritic alloys (NFAs) is attributed to the large numbers of matrix nanofeatures (NFs) of various types, which can enhance the recombination of displacement defects and trap transmutant helium in fine scale bubbles. Characterizing the chemistry, crystallographic structure and orientation relationships of the NFs is critical to understanding how they enhance the radiation damage resistance of NFAs. Conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were used to characterize the various types of NF and larger oxide phases in a model 14Cr–3 W–0.4Ti–0.25Y2O3 NFA (14YWT) hot isostatic pressed (HIP-ed) at 1150°C. Large CrTiO3 precipitates (50–300 nm) and small diffracting NFs (<5 nm) were found in this alloy. One major new result is the observation of an additional type of nanofeature (10–50 nm), orthorhombic in structure, with a square center cross-section, which constitutes a new kind of Y–Ti-oxide p...
Views on the Relevance of Game Theory

This article comments on the works by Michael Hechter, Gordon Tullock, and Aaron Wildavsky that are critical of game theory. Although most of the points raised by the authors have merit, some are not relevant to game theory (as opposed to the misuse of game theory within social science). Those points pertaining to game theory vary in importance from quite central to exceedingly peripheral.
Growth on Urea Can Trigger Death and Peroxidation of the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002

Laboratory conditions have been identified that cause the rapid death of cultures of cyanobacteria producing urease. Once the death phase had initiated in the stationary growth phase, cells were rapidly bleached of all pigmentation. Null mutations in the ureC gene, encoding the alpha subunit of urease, were constructed, and these mutants were no longer sensitive to growth in the presence of urea. High levels of peroxides, including lipid peroxides, were detected in the bleaching cells. Exogenously added polyunsaturated fatty acids triggered a similar death response. Vitamin E suppressed the formation of peroxides and delayed the onset of cell bleaching. The results suggest that these cyanobacterial cells undergo a metabolic imbalance that ultimately leads to oxidative stress and lipid peroxide formation. These observations may provide insights into the mechanism of sudden cyanobacterial bloom disappearance in nature.
Dual Overlapping Promoters Control napF (Periplasmic Nitrate Reductase) Operon Expression in Escherichia coli K-12

Escherichia coli elaborates a flexible respiratory metabolism, involving differential synthesis of isoenzymes for many oxidation and reduction reactions. Periplasmic nitrate reductase, encoded by the napFDAGHBC operon, functions with concentrations of nitrate that are too low to support respiration by membrane-bound nitrate reductase. The napF operon control region exhibits unusual organization of DNA binding sites for the transcription regulators Fnr and NarP, which activate transcription in response to anaerobiosis and nitrate, respectively. Previous studies have shown that the napF operon control region directs synthesis of two transcripts whose 5' ends differ by about 3 nucleotides. We constructed mutant control regions in which either of the two promoter -10 regions is inactivated. Results indicate that the downstream promoter (P1) was responsible for Fnr- and NarP-regulated napF operon expression, whereas transcription from the upstream promoter (P2) was activated only weakly by the Fnr protein and was inhibited by phospho-NarP and -NarL proteins. The physiological function of promoter P2 is unknown. These results establish the unconventional napF operon control region architecture, in which the major promoter P1 is activated by the Fnr protein bound to a site centered at -64.5 with respect to the transcription initiation site, working in conjunction with the phospho-NarP protein bound to a site centered at -44.5.
Transduction of Blue-Light Signals.

BUT IS IT AN ELEPHANT? In the old tale, several blind men are taken to an elephant. In turn, each is asked to examine and identify the mystery object. One blind man examines a leg and claims it to be a tree, another, examining the trunk, claims it to be a snake, and yet another, feeling a tusk, claims it to be a smooth rock. The pattern continues: each describes a component, none identifies the gestalt. There are a wealth of blue-light responses in higher plants. It is clear that many are biochemically, physiologically, or genetically independent, and others are linked. The mechanism by which a photon of blue light is converted into a biochemical signal and transduced into a biological response is under investigation for several of these responses. In many cases, investigators have successfully defined one or more components of the signaling mechanism. Taken together, the identified components have the potentia1 to define an entire signal transduction mechanism; receptor, G-protein, diacylglycerol, inositol triphosphate, calcium, calmodulin, several kinases, ion channels, and so forth. However, direct demonstration of a11 the components has not been achieved in any one system. Indeed, in some cases specific carriers are known to be absent. Further, the locations of the respective carriers differ in accordance with the location of the specific response (Fig. l). Perhaps the mechanisms responsible for transducing the blue-light signals are best represented by a herd of elephants. Signal transduction paradigms are well established. However, recent data suggest that plants may have several nove1 signal carriers (Deng et al., 1992), and it is not certain that the paradigms will be transferable to plants. The majority of studies of signal carriers for blue-light responses in higher plants make use of standard biochemical tools: direct identification based on biochemical properties or antibody crossreactivity, or indirect identification based on inhibitor/activator studies. These biochemical activities are correlated with the respective blue-light response by the photobiological activity (fluence response and/or time course), physical location, or involvement with the response as demonstrated by activator/inhibitor studies. The biochemical approach has recently been joined by a vigorous genetic approach. There are four blue-light responses in higher plants cur' Supported in part by the National Science Foundation and the
Effects of Physical and Visual Access to Prey on Patch Selection and Food Search Effort in a Sit-and-Wait Predator, the Black Phoebe

Abstract. For sit-and-wait predators, a key factor influencing foraging decisions is the ability to detect and track prey, which is expected to vary with the physical and light properties of the environment. We assessed how changes in visual and physical prey availability altered perch selection and visual search activity (head-movement rate and bout length) in the Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans), a sit-and-wait flycatcher. We used an observational approach by studying individuals in foraging areas that varied in the ecological factors of interest across an urbanized landscape. Black Phoebes selected perches with high levels of tree and grass cover and low light intensity, which could increase access to prey and reduce predation risk. Visual searching for prey decreased as grass cover increased and tree cover decreased, likely because of less physical and visual obstruction. Visual searching increased with light intensity, probably as a result of the effects of glare, but chromatic contrast did not exer...
Design procedures for high-voltage direct current transmission cables

The design of HVDC cables is governed by maximum acceptable values of conductor and ambient temperatures, and by maximum acceptable values of transient and steady-state stresses (voltage gradients) in the cable dielectric. Because these stress distributions are related in a complex fashion to temperature and stress, iterative procedures are required to design these cables. A logic diagram and all equations and reference required to accomplish these designs are provided. The equations are readily solvable with a calculator. >
The Mindanao and Halmahera eddies: Twin eddies induced by nonlinearities

Abstract It is shown analytically that a nonlinear collision of northward- and southward-flowing western boundary currents (WBC) on a β plane produces both an anticyclonic and a cyclonic eddy. (On an f plane no eddies are established; similarly, no eddies are established in the linear limit.) The length scales of both the anticyclonic and cyclonic eddies are larger than most eddies in the ocean. Furthermore, the anticyclone scale is larger than the cyclone length scale because of the higher upstream momentum flux. A reduced-gravity numerical model is used to validate these analytical results. The balance of forces and the eddy size estimates (derived from the numerical simulations) agree with the analytical results. Based on the above collision problem, it is argued that the Halmahera and Mindanao eddies are required to balance the nonlinear momentum fluxes of their colliding parent currents, the southward-flowing Mindanao Current (MC) and the northward-flowing South Equatorial Current (SEC). Assuming tha...
Introduction to immunology at Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (FIMR)

This volume provides an overview of the immunology research at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (FIMR). The institute was founded in 1999 as the North Shore-LIJ Research Institute, an independently chartered not-for-profit research institute in Manhasset, New York. It expanded significantly by acquiring laboratory and other assets, including a graduate training program and a peerreviewed journal,Molecular Medicine, when the Picower Institute ceased operation. In 2005, the name was changed to The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in recognition of a significant gift from Leonard Feinstein, cofounder of Bed Bath & Beyond, and his wife Susan. The Institute mission is to perform basic and clinical research to transform medical care. A major focus of research at the FIMR is the immune system and the nervous system and the connections between them. This focus has led to the identification of the inflammatory reflex; a brain-imaging signature of the placebo effect; mechanisms of neuropsychiatric lupus; cellular biomarkers for chronic lymphocytic leukemia; genetic risk factors for autoimmune diseases; the role of maternal gut microbiome in forming the fetal blood brain barrier; the role of HMGB1 in sterile and infectious inflammation, and more. Investigators at the FIMR study disease to identify molecular targets and develop pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic interventions. This approach has led to the development of small molecule inhibitors of MIF currently in clinical trial and to electrical nerve stimulators, also in clinical trial, and to numerous other therapeutics targeting autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, also proceeding to clinical trial. The articles in this volume demonstrate how this approach to basic molecular medicine is applied to defining disease pathogenesis leading to discovery of novel therapeutic strategies.
Out-of-pocket health care expenditures at the end of life

BACKGROUND A key objective of the Medicare program is to reduce risk of financial catastrophe due to out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures. Yet little is known about cumulative financial risks arising from out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures faced by older adults, particularly near the end of life. DESIGN Using the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS) cohort, we conducted retrospective analyses of Medicare beneficiaries’ total out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures over the last 5 years of life. PARTICIPANTS We identified HRS decedents between 2002 and 2008; defined a 5 year study period using each subject’s date of death; and excluded those without Medicare coverage at the beginning of this period (n=3,209). MAIN MEASURES We examined total out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures in the last 5 years of life and expenditures as a percentage of baseline household assets. We then stratified results by marital status and cause of death. All measurements were adjusted for inflation to 2008 US dollars. RESULTS Average out-of-pocket expenditures in the 5 years prior to death were $38,688 (95 % Confidence Interval $36,868, $40,508) for individuals, and $51,030 (95 % CI $47,649, $54,412) for couples in which one spouse dies. Spending was highly skewed, with the median and 90th percentile equal to $22,885 and $89,106, respectively, for individuals, and $39,759 and $94,823, respectively, for couples. Overall, 25 % of subjects’ expenditures exceeded baseline total household assets, and 43 % of subjects’ spending surpassed their non-housing assets. Among those survived by a spouse, 10 % exceeded total baseline assets and 24 % exceeded non-housing assets. By cause of death, average spending ranged from $31,069 for gastrointestinal disease to $66,155 for Alzheimer’s disease. CONCLUSION Despite Medicare coverage, elderly households face considerable financial risk from out-of-pocket healthcare expenses at the end of life. Disease-related differences in this risk complicate efforts to anticipate or plan for health-related expenditures in the last 5 years of life.
Impact of HIV-1 Membrane Cholesterol on Cell-Independent Lytic Inactivation and Cellular Infectivity.

Peptide triazole thiols (PTTs) have been found previously to bind to HIV-1 Env spike gp120 and cause irreversible virus inactivation by shedding gp120 and lytically releasing luminal capsid protein p24. Since the virions remain visually intact, lysis appears to occur via limited membrane destabilization. To better understand the PTT-triggered membrane transformation involved, we investigated the role of envelope cholesterol on p24 release by measuring the effect of cholesterol depletion using methyl beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD). An unexpected bell-shaped response of PTT-induced lysis to [MβCD] was observed, involving lysis enhancement at low [MβCD] vs loss of function at high [MβCD]. The impact of cholesterol depletion on PTT-induced lysis was reversed by adding exogenous cholesterol and other sterols that support membrane rafts, while sterols that do not support rafts induced only limited reversal. Cholesterol depletion appears to cause a reduced energy barrier to lysis as judged by decreased temperature dep...
Polynomial Interpolation on the Unit Sphere and on the Unit Ball

The problem of interpolation on the unit sphere Sd by spherical polynomials of degree at most n is shown to be related to the interpolation on the unit ball Bd by polynomials of degree n. As a consequence several explicit sets of points on Sd are given for which the interpolation by spherical polynomials has a unique solution. We also discuss interpolation on the unit disc of R2 for which points are located on the circles and each circle has an even number of points. The problem is shown to be related to interpolation on the triangle in a natural way.
Analysis On The Detection And Outcomes Of Tuberculosis Patients In Wuhu City During 2006-2009

Objective To analyse reporting of detection,transferring and tracking of tuberculosis(TB) patientsor suspected TB patients in Non-TB prevention and control institutions in Wuhu from 2006 to 2009,and evaluate the situations of the detection and therapeutic effects of TB patients in the whole city.Methods Monthly,quarterly,annual reports and materials about TB specific inspection of 4 agencies engaged in TB control project in wuhu were collected and analyzed.Results From 2006 to 2009,the reported annual incidence rates of TB in Wuhu were 89.38 /lakh,73.40 /lakh,75.35 /lakh and 83.92 /lakh respectively,the cure rates of new smear-positive TB cases were 88.52%,89.19%,91.30% and 93.11% respectively,the therapy completed rates of new smear-negative cases were 81.57%,87.77%,91.10% and 96.02% respectively.The qualified rates of referral of suspected TB patients reported by Non-TB prevention and control institutions were 34.01%,35.98%,63.25% and 78.76% respectively,and the qualified rates of tracing were 19.37%,33.00%,71.41% and 85.41% respectively.Conclusion The qualified rates of transferring and tracing of suspected TB patients reported by Non-TB prevention and control institutions were greatly improved,the cure rates and the whole-process therapy rates were also improved continuously.
Detection of Thymosin in Thymic Epithelial Cells by an Immunoperoxidase Method

For some decades scientists have maintained the view that the thymus plays a crucial role in the development of the lymphocyte and the functioning of the immune system.
Age adjustment factors, heritabilities and genetic correlations for scrotal circumference and related growth traits in Hereford and Brangus bulls.

Field data records on 10,511 Hereford and 2,522 Brangus bulls between 330 and 430 d of age were analyzed to find age of calf and age of dam adjustment factors for yearling scrotal circumference. Age of calf adjustment factors were .024 cm/d for Hereford bulls and .041 cm/d for Brangus bulls. Sons of Hereford dams were adjusted to a 6- to 8-yr dam age basis by adding .7, .3, .2, .2 or .3 cm for dams 2, 3, 4, 5 or 8 or more years old, respectively. Age of dam adjustment factors for Brangus bulls were .8, .4, .3 and .2 for dams 2, 3, 4 or 8 or more years old, respectively. Variance and covariance components for yearling scrotal circumference and several growth traits were estimated within breed using multiple-trait models and pseudo expectations involving the solutions and the right-hand sides of the mixed-model equations. Additive heritability estimates for yearling scrotal circumference of .53 and .16 were found for Hereford and Brangus bulls, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates of .12 and .10 were found for Hereford and Brangus bulls, respectively. Genetic correlations between yearling scrotal circumference and other growth traits were positive for both sets of data indicating that selection for yearling scrotal circumference should not adversely affect other growth traits in either breed. Environmental correlation estimates between yearling scrotal circumference and adjusted birth weight and between yearling scrotal circumference and adjusted 205-d weight and adjusted 365-d height were positive and moderate in magnitude for both breeds.
Informal Employment in Developing Economies: Multiple Heterogeneity

AbstractThis paper contributes to the literature on the nature of informal employment in developing economies. Drawing on the model with essential heterogeneity, it offers a list of scenarios describing the behavioural patterns which informal workers follow. The list nests not only classical patterns of a rationed formal sector versus an integrated labour market, but also different patterns of rationing. Using non-parametric techniques and data from a few African economies with different levels of development, the paper proposes empirical case studies fitting various informality schemes. Developing economies show disparate patterns of allocation of workers and various patterns of rationing.
Knowledge Structures for a Computer-Based Training Aid for Troubleshooting a Complex System

Turbinia-Vyasa is a computer-based instructional system that trains operators to troubleshoot marine power plants. It is implemented on Apple Macintosh II computers. The simulator,Turbinia is based on a hierarchical representation of subsystems, components, and primitives together with necessary physical and logical linkages among them.Vyasa is the computer-based tutor that teaches the troubleshooting task usingTurbinia. The simulator, an interactive, direct manipulation interface, and the tutor (with its expert, student, and instructional modules) comprise the architecture for the instructional system. Details of knowledge organization that supports the functions of the three major elements of the tutoring system are discussed.
SONAR: A High-Throughput Pipeline for Inferring Antibody Ontogenies from Longitudinal Sequencing of B Cell Transcripts.

The rapid advance of massively parallel or next-generation sequencing technologies has made possible the characterization of B cell receptor repertoires in ever greater detail, leading to a proliferation of software tools for processing and annotating this data. Of especial interest, however, is the capability to track the development of specific antibody lineages across time, which remains beyond the scope of most current programs. We have previously reported on the use of techniques such as inter- and intra-donor analysis and CDR3 tracing to identify transcripts related to an antibody of interest. Here, we present Software for the Ontogenic aNalysis of Antibody Repertoires (SONAR), capable of automating both general repertoire analysis and specialized techniques for investigating specific lineages. SONAR annotates next-generation sequencing data, identifies transcripts in a lineage of interest, and tracks lineage development across multiple time points. SONAR also generates figures, such as identity-divergence plots and longitudinal phylogenetic “birthday” trees, and provides interfaces to other programs such as DNAML and BEAST. SONAR can be downloaded as a ready-to-run Docker image or manually installed on a local machine. In the latter case, it can also be configured to take advantage of a high-performance computing cluster for the most computationally intensive steps, if available. In summary, this software provides a useful new tool for the processing of large next-generation sequencing datasets and the ontogenic analysis of neutralizing antibody lineages. SONAR can be found at https://github.com/scharch/SONAR and the Docker image can be obtained from https://hub.docker.com/r/scharch/sonar/.
Ligand-Induced Variations in Symmetry and Structural Dimensionality of Lead Oxide Carboxylates

Four new lead oxide carboxylates have been prepared through solvothermal reactions between lead oxide and substituted benzoic acids. In these extended inorganic hybrids, edge-sharing Pb4O tetrahedra form 1-D inorganic substructures that are further coordinated by the carboxylate ligands. In two isostructural phases, Pb2O(C7H4(CH3)O2)2·0.25(H2O) and Pb2O(C7H4BrO2)2·0.23(C2H5OH), distorted Pb4O tetrahedra produce helical Pb2O2+ chains. The 1-D chains in these structures are coordinated by p-toluate and 4-bromobenzoate ligands, respectively. Right- and left-handed helices are related through inversion, and the structures crystallize in the centrosymmetric I41/a space group. In Pb2O(C7H4O3), linear Pb2O2+ chains are linked into 2-D layers by salicylate ligands, resulting in the achiral, polar space group Fdd2. In Pb3O2(C7H3FO3)·0.71(H2O), linear Pb3O22+ double chains are linked into layers by 4-fluorosalicylate ligands. The compound crystallizes in the chiral, noncentrosymmetric space group P21. For each of t...
Water Uptake in Polymer Composites with Voids

Long-term durability assessment of polymer matrix composite materials exposed to humid air or liquid water requires a firm understanding of the mechanisms governing water uptake and the chemical interactions involved in degradation of the matrix and the fiber/matrix interface. The added mass of water will cause swelling of the matrix, which tends to degrade bonding between fiber and matrix. Voids provide space where water may accumulate, and if they are located at the fiber/matrix interface, the accumulated water may cause hydrolysis. Voids, furthermore, are geometrical irregularities that cause stress concentration, and reduction of strength. Fickian diffusion is considered valid to analyze the moisture uptake in polymers and void-free composites. For composites containing voids, however, deviations from Fickian diffusion are observed. Voids in the form of capillaries along the fibers define flow channels and promote ‘wicking’, which is a rapid water uptake mechanism. Experimental studies on water uptake in polymer matrix composites show a strong dependence of voids. A composite containing even a small void volume fraction will absorb moisture in excess of that contained in the matrix resin. The moisture uptake in a composite immersed in seawater has been modeled using a combination of diffusion of moisture in the matrix resin, combined with the capillary flow in the voids. The predictions qualitatively agree with experiments, but saturation times are off. More detailed characterization of the void structure and improved flow modeling are required to accurately predict the dynamics of water uptake in a composite.
A slap or a jab: An experiment on viewing uncivil political discussions on facebook

Abstract Across two experiments conducted at the end of the last presidential election, we replicate previous findings that exposure to incivility while viewing political debates on Facebook can be both upsetting and engaging. This study adds to research by testing the differential effects of two kinds of incivility: insults and mockery. The effects of these two types of incivility change depending on the topic, whether gun control or abortion, suggesting that future research on online incivility may need to better address topic-specific outcomes.
Planar varactor diode development

ill./ A.F.AL11.11,16...1,1,11 Schottky barrier varactor diodes are used as frequency multipliers to supply local oscillator power for heterodyne receivers at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. Whisker contacted diodes have been developed which generate sufficient power at frequencies as high as 700 GHz for ground based and airborne experiments [1,2,3]. These devices have proven to be very reliable and effective, however there remains great interest in developing multipliers which are more mechanically robust, and which are capable of delivering larger amounts of power. This research is focussed on the development of planar diodes to achieve both of these important goals. It is hoped that such diodes will eventually be used in a multiplier chain to the THz frequency range.
Ivtreatreg: A Command for Fitting Binary Treatment Models with Heterogeneous Response to Treatment and Unobservable Selection:

In this article, I present ivtreatreg, a command for fitting four different binary treatment models with and without heterogeneous average treatment effects under selection-on-unobservables (that is, treatment endogeneity). Depending on the model specified by the user, ivtreatreg provides consistent estimation of average treatment effects by using instrumental-variables estimators and a generalized two-step Heckman selection model. The added value of this new command is that it allows for generalization of the regression approach typically used in standard program evaluation by assuming heterogeneous response to treatment. It also serves as a sort of toolbox for conducting joint comparisons of different treatment methods, thus readily permitting checks on the robustness of results.
Utilizing of MRCP/MRI in differentiation between benign and malignant biliary obstruction

Obstruction is one of the most common problems in biliary tree pathology, combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) regarded as accurate imaging modalities in diagnosis the cause of obstruction and treatment planning due to information obtain from MRCP about biliary and pancreatic ducts, information obtains from MRI cross sections about surrounding parenchyma. This study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of combined MRCP and MRI in differentiation between benign and malignant causes of biliary dilatation and their sensitivity in detection specific cause of biliary dilatation. This study involved 72 patients and conducted in Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital, Iraq during a period from February 2013 to June 2017, the diagnosis of biliary dilatation was done by abdominal ultrasound to all patients followed by MRCP/MRI, the results of MRCP/MRI was compared with final diagnoses done by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), surgical, histopathological and laboratory results. The results revealed that a strong correlation between MRCP/MRI and other gold standard tools in differentiation between benign and malignant causes of obstruction. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRCP in differentiation between malignant and benign causes of biliary dilatation were 98.4%, 100% & 99.7% respectively. There was a strong correlation (0.990) between MRCP/MRI & final diagnosis to determine the specific cause of obstruction, correct diagnosis the cause of obstruction in 68 patients out of 72 with a sensitivity of 94%. This study concluded that combined MRCP/MRI plays an important role in differentiation benign & malignant causes of biliary obstruction and in differentiation the specific cause of obstruction. Keywords: MRI; MRCP; Biliary obstruction; ERCP
Evaluation of prescriber responses to pharmacogenomics clinical decision support for thiopurine S-methyltransferase testing.

Purpose Results of a study of prescribers’ responses to a pharmacogenomics-based clinical decision support (CDS) alert designed to prompt thiopurine S -methyltransferase (TPMT) status testing are reported. Methods A single-center, retrospective, chart review–based study was conducted to evaluate prescriber compliance with a pretest CDS alert that warned of potential thiopurine drug toxicity resulting from deficient TPMT activity due to TPMT gene polymorphism. The CDS alert was triggered when prescribers ordered thiopurine drugs for patients whose records did not indicate TPMT status or when historical thiopurine use was documented in the electronic health record. The alert pop-up also provided a link to online educational resources to guide thiopurine dosing calculations. Results During the 9-month study period, 500 CDS alerts were generated: in 101 cases (20%), TPMT phenotyping or TPMT genotyping was ordered; in 399 cases (80%), testing was not ordered. Multivariable regression analysis indicated that documentation of historical thiopurine use was the only independent predictor of test ordering. Among the 99 patients tested subsequent to CDS alerts, 70 (71%) had normal TPMT activity, 29 (29%) had intermediate activity, and none had deficient activity. The online resources provided thiopurine dosing recommendations applicable to 24 patients, but only 3 were prescribed guideline-supported doses after CDS alerts. Conclusion The pretest CDS rule resulted in a large proportion of neglected alerts due to poor alerting accuracy and consequent alert fatigue. Prescriber usage of online thiopurine dosing resources was low.
The Onclarity Human Papillomavirus Trial: Design, methods, and baseline results

Abstract Objectives The baseline phase of the Onclarity trial was conducted to determine the screening performance of the Onclarity human papillomavirus (HPV) assay for detecting cervical cancer and precancer (≥CIN2) during triage of women ≥21 years with ASC-US cytology, as an adjunct test in women ≥30 years with normal cytology and for primary screening (HPV alone) in women ≥25 years. Methods 33,858 women ≥21 years were enrolled during routine clinic visits. All women with abnormal cytology, women ≥25 years that were high-risk HPV positive, and a random subset of women ≥25 years, negative by cytology and for HPV, were referred for colposcopy and cervical biopsy. Verification bias adjustment with 95% confidence intervals was applied. Results ASC-US prevalence was 5.8%. The overall HPV prevalence was 14.7%; for HPV 16, 18, and the 12 other HPV types it was 2.7%, 0.8%, and 11.2%, respectively. The prevalence of ASC-US and HPV was inversely proportional with age. The verification bias adjusted prevalence of ≥CIN2 and ≥CIN3 was 1.8% and 0.8%, respectively. Overall, five cases of cervical cancer were identified (all were HPV positive). The odds ratios associated with any HPV positive genotype, or with individual genotypes HPV 16, HPV 18, and HPV 31, for ≥CIN3, were statistically significant when compared to negative histology (p Conclusions This report provides demographic information, cytology findings, HPV genotype information, and histopathology for participants in the baseline phase of this trial and offers further evidence to support genotype-specific screening for cervical cancer and precancer. Clinical Trial Registry URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01944722.
Sustainability Under Severe Uncertainty: A Probability-Bounds-Analysis-Based Approach

Sustainability is a vital issue for the long-term, healthy development of human society. In the methodological study on sustainability, one of the most challenging issues is how to deal with various types of uncertainties, since the available information and data are almost always incomplete and imprecise, and the possessed knowledge is usually insufficient and imperfect. In Probability bounds analysis (PBA) method, uncertainty is represented by probability box (p-box), which explicitly expresses both variability and imprecision. The important characteristics of a p-box are the probability bounds that define upper and lower bounds on the cumulative probability over the domain of the uncertain quantity. In this chapter, the PBA-based approach is introduced to gain a better understanding of its applicability and efficacy in solving a certain type of uncertainty problem in sustainable development. The most challenging issue in using PBA is how to model the propagation of uncertainty through complicated mathematical models in simulation and decision-making. Two types of p-box computational algorithms: the Dependency Bounds Convolution (DBC) method and the black-box compatible methods were studied. It was found that the DBC method can be used in simple algebraic-model-based simulation, but not in black-box models. On the other hand, the black-box compatible methods can be used in complicated models and they are applicable in optimization under uncertainty.
Evaluation of passage and sorting of adult Pacific salmonids through a novel fish passage technology

Abstract Throughout their life cycle, salmonids migrate between different habitats. During their journey, they often encounter barriers, such as hydropower dams, which may impede their migration and therefore decrease habitat connectivity. Fish passage systems have been developed to enable the migration of fish around barriers but their design is rarely adaptable to a wide range of species and hydraulic conditions. The Whooshh Fish Transport System (WFTS) is a fish passage technology that was designed to move fish around barriers through a flexible tube using differential air pressure. In this study, we evaluated the combination of the WFTS with the Whooshh Ellips Scanning Sorting system (WESS). This combined system allows autonomous and volitional entry, and subsequent selective upstream passage for fish of different sizes. The sorting by size and the passage efficiency of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss) through the WESS-WFTS was assessed. We found that the WESS-WFTS was able to sort the fish by size, few fish had external injuries, and few unexpected events (e.g. backward transport, discontinuous transport) occurred. Our results support the use of the WESS-WFTS as an effective transport system for adult salmonids when used in conjunction with a volitional fishway entrance.
Chemical Stimulation of Rapidly Adapting Receptors in the Airways

The lungs are known to contain and release a number of biologically active substances that produce important effects both within and outside the lungs themselves. Among the substances are histamine, which is released from mast cells in the lungs (and elsewhere) as a consequence of IgE-mediated antigen-antibody reactions1, and the prostaglandins, in particular PGF2α , which can be released by a number of factors including anaphylaxis, hyperventilation and mechanical stimulation of the lungs . Among the effects produced by these substances are tachypnea and bronchoconstriction, which in dogs are known to have reflex components mediated by afferent fibers in the vagus nerves3–5. The receptors responsible for these reflex effects in the lungs are not known, although they are believed to be receptors other than the slowly adapting stretch receptors, which reflexly are believed to cause apnea and relaxation of airway smooth muscle .One candidate receptor for this role in reflex bronchoconstriction could be the rapidly adapting vagal receptor that we characterized recently in intrapulmonary airways of dogs. These receptors give rapidly adapting responses to maintained hyperinflation of the lungs, and their discharge can be made to increase by several other ventilatory stimuli.
Awareness of Native Hawaiian Traditional Knowledge in a Climate of Western Commodification of Culture

This essay is an abstract of a paper entitled Safeguarding Hawaiian Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Heritage: Supporting the Rights to Self-Determination and Preventing the Commodification of Culture. The thesis of this essay and the paper is that the domination of western intellectual property law over western markets should not extend to the traditional knowledge and cultural heritage of Native Hawaiians. The essay and the paper explain that Indigenous traditional knowledge and cultural heritage are inextricably linked to Indigenous identity and community survival and, therefore, Indigenous resources should not, in most cases, be governed by western intellectual property law.
High-fidelity mapping of repetition-related changes in the parietal memory network

Abstract fMRI studies of human memory have identified a “parietal memory network” (PMN) that displays distinct responses to novel and familiar stimuli, typically deactivating during initial encoding but robustly activating during retrieval. The small size of PMN regions, combined with their proximity to the neighboring default mode network, makes a targeted assessment of their responses in highly sampled subjects important for understanding information processing within the network. Here, we describe an experiment in which participants made semantic decisions about repeatedly-presented stimuli, assessing PMN BOLD responses as items transitioned from experimentally novel to repeated. Data are from the highly-sampled subjects in the Midnight Scan Club dataset, enabling a characterization of BOLD responses at both the group and single-subject level. Across all analyses, PMN regions deactivated in response to novel stimuli and displayed changes in BOLD activity across presentations, but did not significantly activate to repeated items. Results support only a portion of initially hypothesized effects, in particular suggesting that novelty-related deactivations may be less susceptible to attentional/task manipulations than are repetition-related activations within the network. This in turn suggests that novelty and familiarity may be processed as separable entities within the PMN.
Safety of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Patients with Thrombocytopenia

Background According to current literature and guidelines, thrombocytopenia is considered a relative contraindication for performing transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). In cancer patients, thrombocytopenia is frequently present. No prior studies have assessed the safety and complications of TEE in a thrombocytopenic population. Methods From January 2002 to December 2017, all patients who underwent TEE at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the nonoperative setting were included in the study. Patient characteristics, laboratory data, indications, and complications of TEE were obtained from medical records. Thrombocytopenia was defined as platelet count Results During the study period, 2,345 TEE studies were performed. The mean age was 58.2 ± 15.3 years and 58.8% of patients were male. Thrombocytopenia was found in 814 patients (34.7%). More thrombocytopenic patients had hematologic malignancy, when compared with patients with normal platelet level (79.7% vs 30.2%; P Conclusions Thrombocytopenia is common in cancer patients undergoing TEE. TEE-related complications are minimal in patients with both normal or low platelet count. With appropriate patient preparation and careful probe manipulation, TEE can be safely performed in thrombocytopenic patients.
Examining Parent Versus Child Reviews of Parental Control Apps on Google Play

Mobile devices have become a ubiquitous means for teens and younger children to access the internet and social media. Such pervasive access affords many benefits but also exposes children to potential online risks, including cyberbullying, exposure to explicit content, and sexual solicitations. Parents who are concerned about their children’s online safety may use parental control apps to monitor, manage, and curate their children’s online access and mobile activities. This creates tension between the privacy rights and interests of children versus the legal, emotional, and moral imperatives of parents seeking to protect their children from online risks. To better understand the unique perspectives of parents and children, we conducted an analysis of 29,272 reviews of 52 different parental control apps from the Google Play store. We found that reviews written by parents differed statistically from those written by children such that it is possible to computationally automate the process of differentiating between them. Furthermore, latent themes emerged from the reviews that revealed the complexities and tensions in parent-child relationships as mediated by parental control app use. Natural Language Processing (NLP) revealed that the underlying themes within the reviews went beyond a description of the app, its features or performance and more towards an expression of the relationship between parents and teens as mediated through parental control apps. These insights can be used to improve parental control app design, and therefore the user experience of both parents and children.
Are all transit stations equal and equitable? Calculating sustainability, livability, health, & equity performance of smart growth & transit-oriented-development (TOD)

Abstract Purpose While “Smart Growth”, Transit-Oriented-Development, and “Livability" have been around for years, little research has provided a framework to measure and understand their performance so we can realize key sustainability, livability, health, and equity outcomes. Procedures In response, this paper builds on literature and practice to evaluate over 350 light rail stations throughout the US, using smart growth, livability, and Transportation/Land-use Coordination (TLC) principles. Using recently developed Livability and Smart Growth Equity calculators ( http://bit.ly/SmartGrowthEquity ), and a smart growth/livability place-typology framework, this research assesses and grades “livability opportunity access” performance of these station areas along such key dimensions as regional/local access to jobs, services, transit, walkability. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods, we show the significant associations between this livability access and the potential for realizing key quality-of-life benefits important for both individuals and society. But are all people able to equitably access these livability opportunities around transit so they can work towards realizing their desired quality of life? Findings This study provides a unique evaluation of urban quality performance related to Transportation Land-use Coordination (TLC), “Smart Growth” and “New Urbanism. We find stations with higher levels of livability opportunity access to be significantly associated with key quality of life outcomes for individuals and society, such as lower rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, asthma, driving, carbon emissions, and even lower poverty and unemployment. These higher-performing stations also have higher rates of walking, bicycling, transit use associated with lower household transportation costs which offset higher housing costs. Unfortunately, these stations are not socio-economically inclusive – in sum, all stations are not equal, or equitable. Using livability-opportunity-access-assessments with livability ethics, we recommend transportation and land-use agencies coordinate policies to provide equitable access to opportunities so all people can pursue and realize sustainability, livability, health, and equity outcomes for themselves and society.