cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Causes of Endodontic Pain and Preventive Strategies

The most common cause of pulp/periapical pathosis is caries. In this chapter host–microbial interaction and the pulp’s dynamic response to the inflammatory process is described. The process occurs within a unique low-compliance environment due to the hard unyielding walls of dentin surrounding the pulp. The result of this anatomy is an inability of the pulp to swell as it becomes progressively more inflamed. Understanding canal anatomy is an essential part of recognizing endodontic symptoms and providing emergency pain relief and subsequent therapy.
Role of endogenous female hormones in hypoxic chemosensitivity

Tatsumi, Koichiro, Cheryl K. Pickett, Christopher R. Jacoby, John V. Weil, and Lorna G. Moore. Role of endogenous female hormones in hypoxic chemosensitivity. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(5): 1706–1710, 19...
Assessing Disfluencies in School-Age Children Who Stutter How Much Speech Is Enough?

The question of what size speech sample is sufficient to accurately identify stuttering and its myriad characteristics is a valid one. Short samples have a risk of over- or underrepresenting disflu...
Advanced imaging among health maintenance organization enrollees with cancer.

Rates of advanced imaging appear comparable among FFS and HMO participants of any age with breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancers.
The dimycocerosate ester polyketide virulence factors of mycobacteria

Recent advances in the study of mycobacterial lipids indicate that the class of outer membrane lipids known as dimycocerosate esters (DIMs) are major virulence factors of clinically relevant mycobacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae. DIMs are a structurally intriguing class of polyketide synthase-derived wax esters discovered over seventy years ago, yet, little was known until recently about their biosynthesis. Availability of several mycobacterial genomes has accelerated progress toward clarifying steps in the DIM biosynthetic pathway and it is our belief that reviewing the bases of our current knowledge will clarify outstanding issues and help direct future endeavors.
Posttranslational Modifications of Tubulin and the Polarized Transport of Kinesin-1 in Neurons

Polarized transport by microtubule-based motors is critical for neuronal development and function. Selective translocation of the Kinesin-1 motor domain is the earliest known marker of axonal identity, occurring before morphological differentiation. Thus, Kinesin-1-mediated transport may contribute to axonal specification. We tested whether posttranslational modifications of tubulin influence the ability of Kinesin-1 motors to distinguish microtubule tracks during neuronal development. We detected no difference in microtubule stability between axons and minor neurites in polarized stage 3 hippocampal neurons. In contrast, microtubule modifications were enriched in a subset of neurites in unpolarized stage 2 cells and the developing axon in polarized stage 3 cells. This enrichment correlated with the selective accumulation of constitutively active Kinesin-1 motors. Increasing tubulin acetylation, without altering the levels of other tubulin modifications, did not alter the selectivity of Kinesin-1 accumulation in polarized cells. However, globally enhancing tubulin acetylation, detyrosination, and polyglutamylation by Taxol treatment or inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta decreased the selectivity of Kinesin-1 translocation and led to the formation of multiple axons. Although microtubule acetylation enhances the motility of Kinesin-1, the preferential translocation of Kinesin-1 on axonal microtubules in polarized neuronal cells is not determined by acetylation alone but is probably specified by a combination of tubulin modifications.
Airflow and Precipitation Structure of Two Leading Stratiform Mesoscale Convective Systems Determined from Operational Datasets

An analysis of the airflow and precipitation structure of two leading stratiform (LS) mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) is presented. Leading stratiform systems are defined as linear MCSs that consist of a convective line with leading stratiform rain. Case studies of LS systems on 7 May 1997 and 30 April 2000 were conducted using the available operational datasets. Several of the features observed, though not all, appear as a mirror image of those seen in trailing stratiform (TS) mesoscale convective systems. Their horizontal reflectivity structure has similar aspects, with convective cells that are sometimes elongated and canted with respect to the convective line, a transition zone of lower reflectivity, and an area of enhanced stratiform rain. The 30 April case shows a leading mesolow that resembles a TS wake low, but its propagation characteristics (and presumably dynamics) differ. A descending leading inflow jet, the counterpart of a rear-inflow jet in a TS system, can be detected in both cases underneath a layer of strong ascending rear-to-front flow aloft. A few features of these LS systems are distinctive from TS systems. Cells in the convective line appear to be more discontinuous, and are elongated more than those of a TS system, although more work is needed to quantify these distinctions. Rear-feeding from an elevated equivalent potential temperature maximum behind the system is a distinguishing feature of these LS MCSs, since TS MCSs are typically fed from the boundary layer. Unlike the rear-inflow jet in TS systems, neither case shows a reversal in the leading inflow jet as it descends to low levels near the convective line. Both cases exhibit front-to-rear storm-relative surface flow throughout the LS systems. Finally, a conceptual model is presented that illustrates the structure observed in the two cases, based heavily on a single-Doppler radar analysis of 7 May 1997.
GaP films grown on Si by liquid phase epitaxy

High efficiency multijunction solar cells are usually grown on expensive III-V or germanium semiconductor substrates. Growing thin layers of III-V semiconductors on a low cost silicon substrate can reduce the cost. The low lattice constant mismatch between gallium phosphide (GaP) and Si (0.37%) is favorable for epitaxial growth. In this paper, we will demonstrate that gallium phosphide has been epitaxially grown on silicon and briefly outline the photovoltaics applications of GaP growth on Si. Thin films of GaP have been grown on single crystalline p-type Si(111) substrates by liquid phase epitaxy and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), rocking curve x-ray diffraction (XRD). The film composition showed a Si concentration of 15% in the GaP. The lattice constant mismatch between the epitaxial films and substrate was 0.58%. These samples were further processed into diodes and IV curve measurements were made under a solar simulator. Photovoltaic effect and an open circuit voltage of 486mV were observed.
Have we overlooked the importance of small phytoplankton in productive waters

The idea that phytoplankton size structure increases with elevated nutrient content in lakes may be inaccurate because phototrophic picoplankton (Ppico) abundance was not accounted for in studies that originally described this phenomenon. The biomass, composition, and production of an entire phytoplankton community was evaluated in hypereutrophic Lake Apopka, Florida (avg chlorophyll = 105 pg liter-‘, y1 = 20) for 1 yr. Ppico cell abundances commonly exceed 10’ cells ml -I, and size-fractionated chlorophyll (<5 pm) and algal enumeration (cells <2 pm in size) indicate that pica-size cyanobacteria contribute significantly to phytoplankton biomass throughout the year (avg 30%, n = 15), even though clogging of small pore-sized filters used in chlorophyll fractionation studies led to underestimation of Ppico biomass estimates. Ppico production contributed nearly 30% (n = 8) to total phytoplankton production. The quantitative importance of Ppico in Lake Apopka and eight other hypereutrophic systems in Florida (avg 50% Chl <5 pm) indicates that Ppico can be important in waters of high nutrient content. The importance of small phytoplankton in productive waters may have been overlooked because (1) most studies focus on relatively pristine ecosystems, (2) some methodological constraints may impede studies in eutrophic environments (filtration artifacts), and (3) routine assessment of phytoplankton abundance rarely censuses all components of the community, including small algae. The contribution that phototrophic picoplankton (Ppico,
James cretsos leadership award: What ASIS&T means to me

Editor's Summary A professor's advice to “find your community” started Naresh Agarwal as a doctoral student on a path to discovering and connecting to others with similar interests and goals. After visiting other conferences, Agarwal felt welcome at ASIS&T's Annual Meeting in 2008 and made the most of the connections he made. He got involved in several SIGs and with other roles and increased his level of participation over the years. His advice to new members includes continually expanding your circle of connections, finding ways to contribute, focusing on one thing at a time and even trying frugal strategies to attend ASIS&T events. Regular communications help reinforce contacts and are essential for SIG and chapter sharing and continuity. Communications and collaboration are key criteria for the SIG/Chapter-of-the-Year Award, which Agarwal helped SIG/ED to win in 2012. Agarwal hopes to see ASIS&T become more open, agile and responsive to members, supporting collaboration and interaction through social media on the association's website.
Is combination antiviral therapy for CMV superior to monotherapy

Abstract Background Many clinicians are under the impression that the combination of ganciclovir (GCV) and foscarnet is synergistic versus cytomegalovirus (CMV) and/or that combination therapy might prevent the emergence of resistance to one or both antivirals. The combination is frequently used when resistance to either drug is suspected. Objective To review in vitro and clinical data regarding the activity of ganciclovir plus foscarnet and evidence of synergy between the two drugs. Study design We reviewed two in vitro studies of synergy between ganciclovir and foscarnet followed by reviewing all clinical studies utilizing series of patients. Results The combination of ganciclovir and foscarnet was synergistic against three clinical isolates, the Towne strain and one laboratory derived strain moderately resistant to GCV but synergy was not demonstrated against laboratory derived strains highly resistant to GCV or foscarnet. AD169, susceptible to both drugs, was not inhibited synergistically by the combination in one study but was in the second study. In the only carefully controlled in vivo study of combination versus monotherapy for GCV susceptible viremia superiority of the combination was not demonstrated. In treating clinically resistant CMV retinitis, the combination was superior to continued or alternative monotherapy. Conclusion There is suggestive but inconclusive evidence of in vitro synergy for the combination of GCV and foscarnet versus CMV with very limited data versus GCV resistant virus. The in vivo data for synergy is even less convincing. Additional in vitro and in vivo data is needed, especially to prevent or treat CMV resistance.
A lane tracking system for intelligent vehicle applications

An image-based lane tracking system for use in intelligent vehicles is developed. For each frame, the algorithm develops estimates of the geometry and width of the current lane ahead of the vehicle and also the position and orientation of the vehicle with respect to the center-line of the lane. Basic image processing techniques are used to extract a candidate set of lane marker locations from the image. These are used to generate a pool of center-line candidates with properties dependent on the lane markers. A method of elimination based on dynamic programming is used to isolate a final set of center-line candidates that constitute the actual geometry of the road. The road geometry is modeled using a clothoid curve, which stipulates that the curvature of the road varies as a linear function of arc length. The clothoid center-line representation also aids in determining the offset of the vehicle from the center-line and the heading angle of the vehicle with respect to the road. Finally, a Kalman filter is applied to the estimated parameters to preserve smoothness and to predict lane parameters for the next image frame. A set of confidence measures for the estimated data is calculated for use by a higher level data fusion algorithm The system gives an estimate of parameters under normal traffic and driving conditions and runs in real-time on off-the-shelf hardware.
The genome and structural proteome of an ocean siphovirus: a new window into the cyanobacterial 'mobilome'

Summary Prochlorococcus, an abundant phototroph in the oceans, are infected by members of three families of viruses: myo-, podo- and siphoviruses. Genomes of myo- and podoviruses isolated on Prochlorococcus contain DNA replication machinery and virion struc- tural genes homologous to those from coliphages T4 and T7 respectively. They also contain a suite of genes of cyanobacterial origin, most notably photo- synthesis genes, which are expressed during infec- tion and appear integral to the evolutionary trajectory of both host and phage. Here we present the first genome of a cyanobacterial siphovirus, P-SS2, which was isolated from Atlantic slope waters using a Prochlorococcus host (MIT9313). The P-SS2 genome is larger than, and considerably divergent from, previously sequenced siphoviruses. It appears most closely related to lambdoid siphoviruses, with which it shares 13 functional homologues. The ~108 kb P-SS2 genome encodes 131 predicted proteins and notably lacks photosynthesis genes which have con- sistently been found in other marine cyanophage, but does contain 14 other cyanobacterial homologues. While only six structural proteins were identified from the genome sequence, 35 proteins were detected experimentally; these mapped onto capsid and tail structural modules in the genome. P-SS2 is poten- tially capable of integration into its host as inferred from bioinformatically identified genetic machinery int, bet, exo and a 53 bp attachment site. The host attachment site appears to be a genomic island that is tied to insertion sequence (IS) activity that could facilitate mobility of a gene involved in the nitrogen- stress response. The homologous region and a secondary IS-element hot-spot in Synechococcus RS9917 are further evidence of IS-mediated genome evolution coincident with a probable relic prophage integration event. This siphovirus genome provides a glimpse into the biology of a deep-photic zone phage as well as the ocean cyanobacterial prophage and IS element 'mobilome'.
Effects of Information and Cueing on Recall and Organization of a Categorizable Word List

Sirmmary.-Ss in the information-category name group were told words could be categorized and were given the category names as cues at each recall; Ss with information but no category names were told the words could be categorized but were exposed to the category names only one dme, and the no-information group was given no indication the words could be categorized. The results indicated that groups with information but no category name and no information did not differ on number of words recalled or subjective organization but did differ on category clustering. Ss with information and category name exceeded the no-information group on words recalled and subjective organizacion as well as clustering. The resulcs were discussed in terms of the implications for storage-retrieval systems. Several investigators (e.g., Bower, Lesgold, & Tieman, 1969; Mandler, 1967) have suggested chat recall is dependent upon organization, and they have presented evidence to this effect. Other investigations, however, have not found increases in recall concomitant with increases in organization, This failure to find increases in recall concomitant with increases in organization has been particularly prevalent in studies of clustering in free recall. In fact, Cofer (1967) was led to suggest that the critical variable for recall is degree of inter-item association rather than degree of conceptual organizacion. Ss almost certainly organize to-be-remembered items according to some system. Tulving (1962) and others have repeatedly demonstrated this with measures of subjective organization. The thesis of this paper is that people are so good at organizing a list of even "unrelated" words that, in the standard free recall study, it is fairly easy to find independent variables that will affect the extent of organization as defined by E, but it is fairly difficult to impose or suggest an Edefined storage-retrieval system thac will be more efficient than the idiosyncratic systems adopted by Ss. Studies (e.g., Earhard, 1969; Bower, et dl., 1969) which have successfully manipulated variables which affect both organization and amount recalled have used rather drastic manipulations to ensure that, in fact, Ss followed the E-defined system of storage and retrieval. Studies on category clustering have typically been more natural in thac the E-defined system of storage-retrieval was only suggested, either by explicit information (e.g., Hudson, 1968) or by the obvious taxonomic nature of the to-be-remembered words used.
Getting Lost on the Way to the Party: Ambivalence, Indifference, and Defection with Evidence from Two Presidential Elections

Objectives Building on work noting the difference between ambivalence and indifference, and long-standing theories of partisanship, this article seeks to examine the extent to which ambivalence and indifference differ in their impact on the likelihood of individuals defecting from their party when voting. Methods Examining two national surveys, the voting behavior of ambivalent, indifferent, and one-sided individuals are compared. Results It is shown that indifferent individuals are the most likely to defect from their partisanship and vote for the other major party or a third party and one-sided the least. Conclusion Those who are indifferent toward the parties are distinct from those with one-sided or ambivalent evaluations, and this difference leads to a greater likelihood of voting against one's party in presidential elections.
An autonomous production system that coexists harmoniously with human-development of autonomous mobile robot system

Base on its experience as a leading robot user, DENSO developed a mobile robot designed for autonomous production system (APS). The APS is a new automated production system, where the concept is based on the characteristics of human-based assembly lines. One of the most important advantages of human-based assembly lines is flexibility, that is, the configuration of a production line can be rapidly changed according to the increase or decrease of production volume and period caused by market uncertainty. The flexibility is realized by autonomy, mobility and manipulation skill of a human. Therefore, we have developed mobile robots in order to construct the APS, which contains production machines, or mobile robots. The mobile robots equip autonomy, mobility and manipulation skill, and configure cooperative function, such as human social functions. Cooperative algorithm among robots is also addressed. The proposed cooperative algorithm is simple but efficient, and implemented in a practical line for an automotive starter assembly. As a result, we realized an automated production system that can change its production capacity between 4,700 and 61,000 units/month through fast transformation of the system structure.
Dormancy, Quiescence, and Cellular Senescence

Dormant tumors are defined as microscopic (diameter of ∼1 mm) human cancers, either primary, recurrent or metastatic, and can remain in an asymptomatic, non-detectable, and occult form for a long period of time. In other words, this phenomenon of long-term persistence of cancer cells that do not grow is called tumor dormancy (hibernation). Patients can carry cancer cells for a very long time, in some cases indefinitely without relapsing. Based on tumor type and stage, the dormancy period may range from years to even decades between the initial therapy and the occurrence of relapsed tumors or recurrent metastatic disease. As seen in autopsies of adults who have died from non-cancer causes, tumors can be dormant as long as a lifetime without ever becoming clinically evident. Dormant tumors represent the earliest stages in tumor development and are highly prevalent in humans. This phenomenon occurs early in tumor development, indicating that tumor growth is not continuous, and may pass through a long period of subclinical equilibrium. Dormant tumors have been identified in many organs, including thyroid, breast, and prostate, and are being described as cancer without disease. Therefore, clinical relevancy of tumor dormancy is important.
Risk factors and global cognitive status related to brain arteriolosclerosis in elderly individuals

Risk factors and cognitive sequelae of brain arteriolosclerosis pathology are not fully understood. To address this, we used multimodal data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data sets. Previous studies showed evidence of distinct neurodegenerative disease outcomes and clinical-pathological correlations in the "oldest-old" compared to younger cohorts. Therefore, using the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center data set, we analyzed clinical and neuropathological data from two groups according to ages at death: < 80 years (n = 1008) and ≥80 years (n = 1382). In both age groups, severe brain arteriolosclerosis was associated with worse performances on global cognition tests. Hypertension (but not diabetes) was a brain arteriolosclerosis risk factor in the younger group. In the ≥ 80 years age at death group, an ABCC9 gene variant (rs704180), previously associated with aging-related hippocampal sclerosis, was also associated with brain arteriolosclerosis. A post-hoc arterial spin labeling neuroimaging experiment indicated that ABCC9 genotype is associated with cerebral blood flow impairment; in a convenience sample from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (n = 15, homozygous individuals), non-risk genotype carriers showed higher global cerebral blood flow compared to risk genotype carriers. We conclude that brain arteriolosclerosis is associated with altered cognitive status and a novel vascular genetic risk factor.
A Strategy for the Assessment of Competencies in Higher Education

The Berkeley Evaluation and Assessment Research (BEAR) Center has developed an assessment system called the BEAR Assessment System (BAS), which is based on four principles of sound assessment (Wilson, 2005). In turn, each principle is associated with a practical “building block” that embodies the way in which the principle is used in an assessment context, and the whole system is brought together by an integrative activity that can take on different aspects under different circumstances (e.g., assessment moderation, cut score setting, etc.).
The Role of the Zona Incerta in Water Intake Regulation

Our understanding of the brain mechanisms that regulate water intake has undergone revolutionary change in the past decade. Where we once thought that the lateral hypothalamus controlled thirst and related behaviors, it now seems clear that we must look to the zona incerta (ZI) and preoptic region. My associates and I have intensively studied the effects of ZI lesions in the past decade. References to specific experiments and a more detailed account of our findings are available (1).
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GLIMEPIRIDE AND GLICLAZIDE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS ON SAFETY, EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY

Background and Objective: Impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glycaemia are risk categories for future development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Apart from being the leading cause of renal failure, it also increases the risk of lower limb amputations, visual impairment and tuberculosis. Higher incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in the last decade has compelled us to conduct the present study with an objective to establish safety, efficacy and tolerability of gliclazide against glimepiride in the treatment of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Methodology: The present study was single centered, prospective and observational conducted after obtaining approval from the ethics committee. A total of 40 patients who visited the outpatient block of Apollo hospital at Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire was used to record the response of subjects participated in the study. Results: A higher proportion of patients belonged to the age group of 41-50 years. Gliclazide did not result in any ADR while glimepiride caused eight ADRs. Average reduction of FBS and PPBS in gliclazide group was found to be 52.5% and 41.3% respectively. Corresponding figures for glimepiride were 56.9% and 32.3%. HbA1c reduction in gliclazide and glimepiride group was 2.44 and 1.91 respectively. Both drugs were found to be well tolerated by the patients. Conclusion: Gliclazide was found to be superior in terms of safety and efficacy. Hence it can be concluded from the study that gliclazide is a better option in diabetes when compared to glimepiride. Keywords: diabetes mellitus, efficacy, gliclazide, glimepiride, safety, tolerability
The structure of premixed flames in isotropic and shear driven turbulent flows

The characteristic properties of constant density flames in turbulent flows have been analyzed using the results from direct simulations. A thin flame model incorporating the effects of flame stretch has been implemented into a pseudo spectral Navier-Stokes solver to simulate the propagation of the flame sheet in forcedidecaying isotropic turbulence. and in a temporal mixing layer with three-dimensional instability. The study concentrates on curvature, alignment, and strain rate statistics, and turbulent flame speed estimations. Ihe most probable shape of the flame, regardless of the flow configuration is found to be cylindrical. This agrees with Pope et al. (1989) and Ashurst (1992). The probability is decreased slightly by stretch effects. The flame normal has a large probability of aligning with the most compressive strain rate direction for both flow configurations. agreeing with Ashurst (1992). Again, the probability is slightly decreased by stretch effects. The mean tangential strain rate is found to be positive, for the isotropic forced/decaying turbulence simulations. This agrees with Cant et al. (1990) and Yeung et al. (1990). The turbulent flame speed as a function of u'/S, including stretch effects is in reasonable agreement with recently published analytical, numerical, and experimental data. The flame stretch reduces the turbulent flame speed by reducing the amount of flame wrinkling. %~
Low-loss pre-patterned annealed proton exchanged optical circuits in ion-sliced single-crystal thin films of LiNbO3

Proton exchanged optical circuits were pre-patterned on a Z-cut Lithium Niobate wafer and ion-sliced to produce ~10-µm-thick optical chips with a typical measured waveguide propagation loss of 0.2-0.7 dB/cm.
Modeling and Control of Small PEMFC Flow System

A model was proposed to describe the dynamic behavior of the flow system of a small PEM Fuel Cell.According to this model,an adaptive PID control algorithm based on CMAC neuron network was applied to control the pressure of the cathode and anode.At the same time,a control system based on an ARM microprocessor and visual supervise and control configuration software was designed to realize the control algorithm.The simulation results and practice experimental results have a good consistence.The practical control effect shows that this control system is efficient,economical and reliable and is of very high practical value.
Pyelo-Choledochal Fistula Accompanying Operative Cholangiography

AbstractFistulous communications between the biliary system and the urinary tract are encountered infrequently and, routinely, they are associated with operative dissections involving both systems. We report a case of opacification of the right renal collecting system during cholangiography following uneventful cholecystectomy. Prompt spontaneous resolution was verified by subsequent excretory urography.
Alcoholic Steatonecrosis:1. Relationship between severity of hepatic disease and presence of Mallory bodies in the liver

The histological, clinical, and biochemical features of 257 patients with "alcoholic" liver disease were studied. One hundred patients whose liver biopsies showed steatonecrosis (alcoholic hepatitis) including alcoholic hyaline (Mallory bodies) were compared with 157 patients whose biopsies did not show alcoholic hyaline. The severity of the clinical, biochemical, and histological findings was somewhat greater in the group with Mallory bodies. There was, however, no significant difference in the mortality rate between the two groups. Eight and 13% respectively of the patients in the groups with and without alcoholic hyaline died. This study demonstrates that "alcoholic hepatitis" can present without Mallory bodies in the liver. It also supports the view that the presence of Mallory bodies in liver sections does not necessarily signify the very poor prognosis that has been traditionally attributed to this lesion, particularly in patients whose total clinical condition permits liver biopsy. Reasons are offerred for the use of the term "alcoholic steatonecrosis" for the entity usually called "alcoholic hepatitis".
Melatonin, Immunity and Cancer in Humans

Science, medicine and social development are progressing hand in hand. Science and medicine or social situation which were believed to be self-contained endogenously regulated areas are now seen to be closely intregrated and cast penetrating influence on one another. Close observations illuminate how social problems slowly transform into medical problems: Following examples indicate the existence of this communication network:
Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Reconstruction With a Polytetrafluoroethylene Monocusp Valve: A 20-Year Experience

In patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), pulmonary atresia (PA), and other congenital right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) malformations, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) monocusp outflow tract patches (MOTP) relieve obstruction and provide pulmonary valve competence. The purpose of this study was to determine whether our PTFE-MOTP was an acceptable short- and mid-term remedy for patients with TOF or PA as assessed by freedom from severe pulmonary regurgitation and freedom from reoperation. From 1994-2014, 171 patients (mean age 1.5 ± 1.5 years; median 1.1 years) with TOF or PA underwent initial right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction with a PTFE-MOTP. Patients were studied intraoperatively and serially postoperatively using echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) to determine pulmonary valve dysfunction defined as a peak gradient >40mmHg or valve regurgitation>moderate. The mean follow-up duration was 10.9 ± 5.8 years (range: 1 month-20 years). There were 5 late deaths and 1 early death. There was a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative peak RVOT gradients (74.0 vs 25.2mmHg). Of the 171 patients, 25 were lost to follow-up, and 42 have required replacement of their monocusp valves 10.1 ± 5.0 years (range: 5 months-19 years) after original monocusp insertion. At 10-year follow-up, severe pulmonary regurgitation was seen in less than 25% of patients, and severe pulmonary stenosis was seen in less than 10% of patients. Since 2007, CMR was used in 44 patients to characterize cardiac function in patients under consideration for PTFE-MOTP replacement. The average right ventricular-to-left ventricular (RV/LV) ratio on CMR was 1.7 ± 0.5 in these patients. CMR also showed that RV ejection fraction (52 ± 9%) and left ventricular ejection fraction (58 ± 7%) were both preserved in most patients. The PTFE-MOTP is an excellent short-term and mid-term option for initial RVOT reconstruction, particularly in children with TOF with nonsalvageable pulmonary valve or PA-ventricular septal defect.
Classification and analysis of VMS data in vertical line fisheries: Incorporating uncertainty into spatial distributions

Commercial fishing fleets play a critical role in the population dynamics of exploited stocks. Understanding the spatial distribution of fleets allows managers to anticipate how fishing pressure on exploited stocks changes in response to fishing regulations or to large-scale perturbations. By anticipating how fishing pressure changes, managers can develop proactive responses to better protect stocks that are vulnerable to overfishing. Modern fisheries monitoring techniques, including vessel monitoring systems (VMS), have advanced this endeavor. This paper presents a framework for using VMS data to develop spatial distributions of catch, fishing effort, and catch per unit of effort (CPUE) as well as associated estimates of uncertainty in a vertical line fishery. VMS data are classified as fishing using a random forest (RF) model. Uncertainty is calculated using a two-step approach to account for uncertainty arising from the RF modeling process and the classification accuracy of the model. This framework is...
Trends in Heart Failure Incidence in the Community: A Gathering Storm.

Article, see p 1214 In populations around the world, a gathering storm of cardiovascular disease occurrence is building on the horizon, the likes of which we have not seen in decades. Between 1970 and 2010, age-adjusted cardiovascular mortality rates declined dramatically in almost all Western nations; in many countries, rates fell by ≥70%.1 However, in 2016, Sidney et al1 reported that in the United States, a substantial deceleration in the decline of all cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke mortality rates began over the past 5 years, signaling a dramatic shift. Prompted by this report, Lloyd-Jones2 suggested that perhaps we are now just beginning to “reap what we have sown” in the obesity epidemic over the past several decades. It is not a new concept that the Western world’s obesity epidemic can affect population health. What is less well documented is whether the epidemic obesity is beginning to reverse long-standing declines in disease incidence. A recent report from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention indicates that between 2014 and 2015, age-adjusted death rates in the United States increased for 8 of 10 leading causes of death, including cardiovascular disease rates.3 Given that heart disease accounts for >30% of all deaths in the United States, the 0.9% increase in age-adjusted mortality from heart disease is of particular concern. At first glance, from …
On Mutual Consent to Divorce: A Debate with Two Sides to the Story

This article presents the public policy basis for a preference for mutual consent of no-fault divorce when minor children are involved, critiquing proposed legislation to do so.
Isocontour Based Visualization of Time-Varying Scalar Fields

Time-varying scalar fields are produced by measurements or simulation of phys- ical processes over time, and must be interpreted with the assistance of computational tools. A useful tool in interpreting the data is graphical visualization, often through level sets, or isocontours of a continuous function derived from the data. In this paper we survey isocontour based visualization techniques for time-varying scalar fields. We focus on techniques that aid selection of meaningful isocontours, and algorithms to extract chosen isocontours.
Bivariate and Multivariate Interpolation with Noncommutative Projectors

A number of papers appearing in the last decade have been concerned with developing the algebraic and lattice-theoretic aspects of “blending-approximation” operators. This theory has proved most useful in the task of synthesizing multivariate interpolation operators for various special purposes. Often, the fact that the component operators commute with each other is helpful in predicting the properties of the operators constructed from them. In several important situations, however, the basic approximation operators do not commute with each other. A general theory to encompass this case has been lacking, and we offer here the beginnings of such a theory. A full report on this subject is in preparation and will appear among the publications of the Center for Numerical Analysis, University of Texas.
More than a face: Neural markers of motivated attention toward social and non-social reward-related images in children.

Abstract Affective images engage motivational systems that shape emotional experience and cognitive processes. However, relatively little work has examined motivated attention toward distinct categories of approach motivation, particularly social motivation, in children. In the current study, event-related potentials (ERPs) were collected while children (n = 43; 22 females; Mage = 8.49 years) completed a picture-viewing task using a novel stimulus set of child relevant images representing social and non-social categories of reward-related images. Results showed that the frontal N400 (fN400) was more prominent for intrapersonal images that showed individuals playing alone or achieving rewards (e.g. medals). For the LPP, males showed the greatest reactivity to non-social object-based reward images. In contrast, females showed a larger LPP response for interpersonal images that showed scenes of social interaction between individuals. Overall, LPP reactivity to intrapersonal images was correlated with greater behavior regulation problems. Collectively, these results highlight unique patterns of neural prioritization to distinct categories of social and non-social reward-related stimuli that may serve as important markers in tracking connections between approach motivation and the development of self-regulation in children.
Association between initial diagnostic procedure and hysteroscopy and abnormal peritoneal washings in patients with endometrial carcinoma

BACKGROUND Hysteroscopy has been implicated in the finding of positive peritoneal washings (PW) in patients with endometrial carcinoma in several case reports. The current study was designed to evaluate whether there was an increased incidence rate of positive peritoneal washings in patients after hysteroscopy compared with patients who did not undergo hysteroscopy. METHODS Two hundred eighty-four women with endometrial carcinoma were treated by hysterectomy with intraoperative PW at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 1995–1998. They were diagnosed by either endometrial biopsy (EMB) or dilatation and curretage (D & C) with or without hysteroscopy during the same period. RESULTS Of 173 patients diagnosed by EMB, 16 had abnormal PW (9.2%). Of 111 patients diagnosed by D & C, 11 had abnormal PW (9.9%). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.85). Of 23 patients who were diagnosed by D & C with hysteroscopy, 3 had abnormal PW (13.0%). Of 177 patients who did not undergo hysteroscopy, 17 had abnormal PW (9.6%). Of 84 patients for whom information regarding hysteroscopy was not available, 7 had abnormal PW (8.3%). The incidence rates among the three groups were not significantly different (P = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS The initial diagnostic procedure, including hysteroscopy, does not appear to be associated with a high incidence rate of abnormal PW in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2000;90:143–7. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Teacher propensities, desires and practices

‘Teacher Propensities, Desires and Practices’ is a fitting theme for this issue of Teachers & Teaching: Theory & Practice. The term, propensities, is apt because concepts like attributions, compete...
Differentiable Representations For Multihop Inference Rules.

We present efficient differentiable implementations of second-order multi-hop reasoning using a large symbolic knowledge base (KB). We introduce a new operation which can be used to compositionally construct second-order multi-hop templates in a neural model, and evaluate a number of alternative implementations, with different time and memory trade offs. These techniques scale to KBs with millions of entities and tens of millions of triples, and lead to simple models with competitive performance on several learning tasks requiring multi-hop reasoning.
The use of PCV chemotherapy in oligodendrogliomas

Abstract Oligodendrogliomas are now defined by the presence of whole-arm co-deletion in chromosomal arms 1p and 19q. The treatment paradigm for oligodendroglioma has shifted, owing to new diagnostic criteria and phase III clinical trial evidence. The treatment with radiation therapy plus chemotherapy with procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) results in prolongation of both progression-free and OS compared to treatment with radiation alone. Clinical trials, including RTOG 9402, EORTC 26951, and RTOG 9802, in contrast to NOA-04 and EORTC 22033, have conclusively demonstrated that chemoradiation is superior to either radiation therapy alone or chemotherapy alone for patients with oligodendroglioma. Regardless of grade, PCV chemotherapy, in addition to radiation, has a clear benefit in patients with oligodendroglioma and IDH mutated astrocytoma. Temozolomide may be less effective in the treatment of oligodendroglioma, but clearly has a benefit in astrocytoma.
Rhinoviruses and the onset of asthma

Abstract Rhinoviruses (RVs) can cause the common cold or more severe illnesses, often accompanied by wheezing, in young children. In addition to the morbidity of the acute illness, RV wheezing illnesses are also associated with a high risk for the subsequent development of childhood asthma. Therefore, if RV illnesses contribute to asthma causation, an important goal is to develop treatments to prevent severe illnesses in the hope of reducing subsequent asthma. While antiviral medications for RV are unavailable, a number of cofactors have been identified that promote severe RV illnesses. These factors include host factors such as genetics and allergy, and environmental exposures including airway microbiome and air pollutants. These advances may provide opportunities to develop new strategies for prevention of RV wheezing illnesses in infancy, and perhaps reduce the risk for childhood asthma.
Low rates of pediatric dental coverage for families purchasing marketplace insurance plans

Objectives Pediatric dental care is an essential health benefit that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most private health plans to cover. Insurance marketplaces have flexibility in how pediatric dental coverage is offered, with states requiring purchase of dental coverage or embedding dental coverage in all medical plans. It is unknown how these different offerings may affect uptake of coverage. Methods We analyzed the 2014-2015 National Health Interview Survey to determine rates of private dental coverage for children obtaining private medical insurance from all state marketplaces (weighted N = 12,380). Results We found low rates of dental coverage for children in states where purchase of dental coverage was required (9%) and in states where all marketplace medical plans had embedded dental coverage (24%). Conclusions Few families obtaining private medical insurance on the marketplaces report having pediatric dental coverage, suggesting that the ACA essential health benefit policy may not be having its intended effect.
Experimental response surface study of the effects of low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation mixing on turbocharger compressor performance

Abstract In Low-Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation (LP-EGR), clean exhaust gas is extracted downstream of the after treatment, and reintroduced upstream of the turbocharger compressor. A major pathway for engine fuel economy improvement, by employing LP-EGR, is the enhancement of compressor and turbine efficiencies by increased flow rates which moves the operating points towards higher efficiencies. However, what is often overlooked in the literature is the influence of LP-EGR/air mixing flow field on the compressor performance. Here, we systematically study this effect on a turbocharger unit for a diesel engine on a hot gas stand using response surface methodology. In addition, the mixing flow field of LP-EGR and air upstream of the compressor was scanned using a 3-dimensional directional probe. A reconfigurable T-junction mixer geometry was used, enabling the study of major mixing parameters such as mixing length, and EGR introduction angle. The mixing flow field showed a strong dependence on EGR-to-air momentum ratio, significantly affecting the EGR uniformity and axial velocity uniformity. Furthermore, multiscale stream-wise vortices were generated in the mixing section, with an intensity that increased with momentum ratio, and decreased with mixing length. In addition, by eccentric LP-EGR introduction a bulk swirl was generated in the mixing section similar to the flow field obtained using an intake guide vane. A decrease in compressor efficiency with LP-EGR introduction, compared to baseline compressor map, was observed. The efficiency degradation was larger at higher EGR momentum ratios and flow rates. In the range of mixing lengths limited by engine packaging, up to length-to-diameter ratio (L/D) = 2.5, the flow perturbations were not damped, and a decline in both compressor pressure ratio and efficiency was observed. Efficiency degradation mechanism is found to be the formation of strong vortices in the mixing zone upstream of the compressor, which are advected to the compressor impeller inlet and perturb the local incidence angle. In contrast, the EGR and axial velocity non-uniformities did not show a negative impact on the compressor. This study identifies the major flow parameters that cause significant degradation of compressor performance, and proposes a figure of merit for design of efficient LP-EGR mixers to benefit from the fuel economy advantages of LP-EGR architecture in diesel and gasoline direct injection engines.
Coherent optical transition radiation imaging for compact accelerator electron-beam diagnostics

Application of coherent optical transition radiation (COTR) diagnostics to compact accelerators has been demonstrated for the laser-driven plasma accelerator case recently. It is proposed that such...
Reevaluating Suicide Mortality for Veterans With Data From the VA-DoD Mortality Data Repository, 2000–2010

Objective:The Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense Mortality Data Repository (MDR) compiles National Death Index records for all veterans and military service members. This stud...
Serum 24S-hydroxycholesterol predicts long-term brain structural and functional outcomes after hypoxia-ischemia in neonatal mice:

The major pathway of brain cholesterol turnover relies on its hydroxylation into 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-HC) using brain-specific cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1). 24S-HC produced exclusively in the brain normally traverses the blood-brain barrier to enter the circulation to the liver for excretion; therefore, the serum 24S-HC level is an indication of cholesterol metabolism in the brain. We recently reported an upregulation of CYP46A1 following hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in the neonatal mouse brain and a correlation between serum 24S-HC levels and acute brain damage. Here, we performed a longitudinal study to investigate whether the serum 24S-HC concentrations predict long-term brain structural and functional outcomes. In postnatal day 9 mice subjected to HI, the serum 24S-HC levels increased at 6 h and 24 h after HI and correlated with the infarct volumes measured histologically or by T2-weighted MRI. The 24 h levels were associated with white matter volume loss quantified by MBP immunostaining and luxol fast blue staining. The animals with higher serum 24S-HC at 6 h and 24 h corresponded to those with more severe motor and cognitive deficits at 35-40 days after HI. These data suggest that 24S-HC could be a novel and early blood biomarker for severity of neonatal HI brain damage and associated functional impairments.