cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MO-FG-207A-01: Overview of Global Usage of X-Rays for Diagnostic Purpose, Issues and Approaches for Safety

There has been increasing use of CT scans globally. This increased use is not in itself of concern, and largely reflects the remarkable clinical benefits of CT. Inappropriate use of CT is, however, of concern, particularly as the potential for carcinogenic effects is yet to be fully understood. The first major media attention to cancer risk from CT scan arose from a series of papers and an Editorial published in AJR in 2001. This was followed by another series of papers in 2007 and associated media attention to the estimation of the number of cancer deaths that may occur in US as a result of radiation exposure from CT. In recent years there have been a series of papers and position statements suggesting that these predictions need to be worded very carefully. This is because they may lead to sensationalistic articles in the public media that might cause some patients and parents to refuse medical imaging procedures, placing them at substantial risk by not receiving the clinical benefits of the prescribed imaging. There is a considerable body of work within the field of cognitive psychology that indicates that a discussion of risk may lead to bias in how parents would interpret information and potentially refuse indicated examinations. It follows that discussion of any potential risk of imaging should be accompanied by a discussion of the corresponding benefit of imaging or the harm if imaging is not done. Studies reported in the literature both for CT scans and for fluoroscopy suggest that when this is done, patients or parents do not refuse needed imaging. Learning Objectives: 1. To understand the global usage of diagnostic x-rays and CT and issues and approaches for safety 2. To learn about science behind current dose effects relationship and risk estimates at the level of few CT scans and the uncertainties in estimating risks from CT scans 3. To understand how issues of CT scan risks are perceived by patients and physicians and how they can be better presented to them
The Whitehead Institute symposium on forces molding the genome

I. Many believe that sooner or later molecular biology will mechanistically provide the precise genotypic basis for phenotypic change. This in turn will provide the basis for attacking several major evolutionary problems posed by paleontology, including the following: — There are approximately 30 phylum-level taxa in the animal kingdom, and yet in the “fast” version of evolutionary history, many of then arose 600 Myr ago in a very short period of time (of order Bauplans. — Some morphologic traits (though probably not individual species) persist for immense periods of geologic time—the general shape of the horseshoe crab, for example, or the bristle patterns of taxa of meiofaunal “worms” living among sand grains. What is the developmental rationale for these persistent traits? In short, what is the molecular basis for genetic and morphologic canalization? — The general pattern of species specialization proceeds unabated overtime, but every once in a while the developmental clock is reset. Organisms which are sexually mature but with simplified or “primitive” morphology arise de novo, and these lineages then form the stock of unspecialized forms from which future specializations evolve. What is the molecular basis for resetting the developmental clock? — Reproductive isolation may arise “accidentally” through genomic changes unrelated to changes in the local environment. To the extent this is true, speciation has a largely accidental component. Knowledge of the rate and type of genomic change is critical for an evaluation of this idea.
Examination of the optimal operation of building scale combined heat and power systems under disparate climate and GHG emissions rates

Abstract This work aims to elucidate notions concerning the ideal operation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions benefits of combined heat and power (CHP) systems by investigating how various metrics change as a function of the GHG emissions from the underlying electricity source, building use type and climate. Additionally, a new term entitled “CHP Attributable” reductions is introduced to quantify the benefits from the simultaneous use of thermal and electric energy, removing benefits achieved solely from fuel switching and generating electricity more efficiently. The GHG emission benefits from implementing internal combustion engine, microturbines, and phosphoric acid (PA) fuel cell based CHP systems were evaluated through an optimization approach considering energy demands of prototypical hospital, office, and residential buildings in varied climates. To explore the effect of electric GHG emissions rates, the ideal operation of the CHP systems was evaluated under three scenarios: “High” GHG emissions rates, “Low” GHG emissions rates, and “Current” GHG emissions rate for a specific location. The analysis finds that PA fuel cells achieve the highest GHG emission reductions in most cases considered, though there are exceptions. Common heuristics, such as electric load following and thermal load following, are the optimal operating strategy under specific conditions. The optimal CHP capacity and operating hours both vary as a function of building type, climate and GHG emissions rates from grid electricity. GHG emissions reductions can be as high as 49% considering a PA fuel cell for a prototypical hospital in Boulder, Colorado however, the “CHP attributable reductions are less than 10%.
Abstract 4780: Nucleosome organization and accessibility of p53 response elements in the chromatin context

p53 is one of best known human proteins that induces or represses hundreds of genes and plays a pivotal role in preventing tumor development. Recent studies established unambiguously that p53 is a nucleosome-binding protein. The rotational positioning of a nucleosome is critical to determine the accessibility of a p53 site. In particular, the p53 site in a nucleosome is accessible if it is bent in the direction similar to that found in the p53-DNA co-crystals; the site becomes inaccessible if the orientation is changed by ∼180°. Importantly, we have shown that p53 response elements (REs) associated with cell cycle arrest are often exposed on the nucleosomal surface, suggesting a new role of nucleosomes in mediating the p53 binding and subsequent gene induction. The present study aims to make a detailed analysis of nucleosome organization of all p53 functional REs in normal and cancer cells. Published genome-wide nucleosome maps from lymphoblastoid (normal) and K562 (cancer) cell lines are used. In general, the p53 REs are located in nucleosome-enriched regions, in accordance with previous findings that p53 can interact with nucleosomal DNA. At the level of individual sites, the p21 5′ RE resides in a genomic region with high nucleosome occupancy, consistent with earlier studies. The GADD45 RE that was believed to be in nucleosome-free region, is, however, characterized with medium-to-high nucleosome occupancy. To evaluate the accessibility of p53 REs in different functional groups such as cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and DNA repair, we used a more rigorous set of nucleosomes, containing 134 million 147-bp fragments (about 7x genome coverage). The REs in the cell cycle arrest group (such as p21) and the DNA repair group (such as GADD45) are often accessible in the chromatin context, consistent with fast induction of these genes after p53 activation. Interestingly, apoptotic REs are divided - the REs associated with the mitochondrial pathway (BAX and p53AIP1) are accessible, while the REs associated with the death receptor pathway (FAS and KILLER) are inaccessible, suggesting different mechanisms for induction of apoptotic genes in vivo. Finally, we observe a clear correlation between the nucleosome occupancy and accessibility of p53 REs. That is, the REs with the higher nucleosome occupancy tend to be accessible, while the REs with lower nucleosome occupancy are likely to be inaccessible to p53. Citation Format: Peter R. LoVerso, Victor B. Zhurkin, Feng Cui. Nucleosome organization and accessibility of p53 response elements in the chromatin context. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4780. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4780
Risk factors for disseminated coccidioidomycosis, United States

Of 150,000 new coccidioidomycosis infections that occur annually in the United States, ≈1% disseminate; one third of those cases are fatal. Immunocompromised hosts have higher rates of dissemination. We identified 8 patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis who had defects in the interleukin-12/interferon-γ and STAT3 axes, indicating that these are critical host defense pathways.
The prognostic value of preoperative participation in activities of daily living on postoperative outcomes following lumbar discectomy

Abstract Objectives In other surgical fields, preoperative level of participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) has been found to be important in predicting outcomes. To date, postoperative ADL measurements have only been used to characterize outcomes following lumbar discectomy. The present study's goal was to determine if patients' preoperative ability to perform ADLs correlates with their postoperative outcomes after lumbar discectomy at 3 months and 1 year. Patients and methods This retrospective study was performed using prospectively collected data from patients prospectively enrolled in a randomized clinical trial. All patients were 18 years or older, spoke English, had not previously had lumbar surgery, and underwent discectomy for a single-level lumbar disc herniation. Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) back and leg pain scores were collected preoperatively and at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. Simple linear regression analysis was performed to detect any significant correlations between three preoperative ODI domain values and postoperative scores. Additionally, regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between the preoperative ODI domains and percentage of good and poor outcomes, where an improvement of at least 18.8 points for ODI and at least 2 points for VAS constituted a good outcome. Results 90 subjects satisfied inclusion criteria (average age 42, 53 males, 37 females). Patients' ability to take care of themselves and to stand preoperatively were correlated with improvement in ODI postoperatively, with worse ability corresponding to more improvement ( p Conclusion This is the first study to suggest that lower preoperative ability to take part in personal care might predict better surgical outcomes after discectomy. The current data might prompt reassessment of the importance of ADLs in pre-operative patient evaluation and may help anticipate outcomes following lumbar discectomy.
Necrotizing Pancreatitis: Best Approaches

In the United States approximately 290,000 patients develop acute pancreatitis annually. The revised Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis stratifies patients with acute pancreatitis into mild, moderately severe, or severe categories, based on the presence of organ failure and the presence of local or systemic complications. Severe acute pancreatitis is divided into two clinical phases: an early vasoactive and a late septic phase. The vasoactive phase typically occurs during the first two weeks and is dominated by the consequences of SIRS. The second phase of the disease is characterized by infection of pancreatic necrosis and subsequent sepsis. Intravenous contrast-enhanced CT scanning is the preferred imaging test for identifying pancreatic necrosis. Pancreatic and peripancreatic necrosis may be sterile or infected. Sterile necrosis is best managed medically during the first 3–4 weeks. After this interval, if abdominal pain persists and prevents oral intake, debridement should be considered. In the setting of infected pancreatic and peripancreatic necrosis, the goal of intervention is to debride all necrotic infected tissue, drain infected fluid collections, and minimize the risk of technical complications, including bleeding and enteric fistula. These goals can be accomplished either operatively, endoscopically, percutaneously, or by a combination of all approaches. Operative intervention should be delayed for at least 4 weeks after the original presentation, due to the excessive mortality and morbidity from early operative debridement. The main complications associated with pancreatic necrosectomy include perioperative hemorrhage; pancreatic fistula and disconnected left pancreatic remnant; enteric fistulas (colon, duodenum, stomach); intestinal/gallbladder ischemia; and pancreatic endocrine and exocrine insufficiency.
mma: An R Package for Mediation Analysis with Multiple Mediators

Mediation refers to the effect transmitted by mediators that intervene in the relationship between an exposure and a response variable. Mediation analysis has been broadly studied in many fields. However, it remains a challenge for researchers to consider complicated associations among variables and to differentiate individual effects from multiple mediators. [1] proposed general definitions of mediation effects that were adaptable to all different types of response (categorical or continuous), exposure, or mediation variables. With these definitions, multiple mediators of different types can be considered simultaneously, and the indirect effects carried by individual mediators can be separated from the total effect. Moreover, the derived mediation analysis can be performed with general predictive models. That is, the relationships among variables can be modeled using not only generalized linear models but also nonparametric models such as the Multiple Additive Regression Trees. Therefore, more complicated variable transformations and interactions can be considered in analyzing the mediation effects. The proposed method is realized by the R package mma . We illustrate in this paper the proposed method and how to use mma to estimate mediation effects and make inferences.
Health Evaluation and Referral Assistant: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Web-Based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment System to Reduce Risky Alcohol Use Among Emergency Department Patients

Background: Computer technologies hold promise for implementing alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT). Questions concerning the most effective and appropriate SBIRT model remain. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a computerized SBIRT system called the Health Evaluation and Referral Assistant (HERA) on risky alcohol use treatment initiation. Methods: Alcohol users (N=319) presenting to an emergency department (ED) were considered for enrollment. Those enrolled (n=212) were randomly assigned to the HERA, to complete a patient-administered assessment using a tablet computer, or a minimal-treatment control, and were followed for 3 months. Analyses compared alcohol treatment provider contact, treatment initiation, treatment completion, and alcohol use across condition using univariate comparisons, generalized estimating equations (GEEs), and post hoc chi-square analyses. Results: HERA participants (n=212; control=115; intervention=97) did not differ between conditions on initial contact with an alcohol treatment provider, treatment initiation, treatment completion, or change in risky alcohol use behavior. Subanalyses indicated that HERA participants, who accepted a faxed referral, were more likely to initiate contact with a treatment provider and initiate treatment for risky alcohol use, but were not more likely to continue engaging in treatment, or to complete treatment and change risky alcohol use behavior over the 3-month period following the ED visit. Conclusions: The HERA promoted initial contact with an alcohol treatment provider and initiation of treatment for those who accepted the faxed referral, but it did not lead to reduced risky alcohol use behavior. Factors which may have limited the HERA’s impact include lack of support for the intervention by clinical staff, the low intensity of the brief and stand-alone design of the intervention, and barriers related to patient follow-through, (eg, a lack of transportation or childcare, fees for services, or schedule conflicts). Trial Registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): NCT01153373; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01153373 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6pHQEpuIF) [J Med Internet Res 2017;19(5):e119]
Elastin insufficiency causes hypertension, structural defects and abnormal remodeling of renal vascular signaling

Elastin deficiency causes vascular stiffening, a leading risk for hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The mechanisms mediating hypertension and/or CKD pathogenesis due to elastin deficiency are poorly understood. Using the elastin heterozygous ( Eln+/− ) mouse model, we tested whether renal dysfunction due to elastin deficiency occurs independently of and precedes the development of hypertension. We assessed blood pressure and renal hemodynamics in 30-day and 12-week-old male and female mice. At P30, blood pressure of Eln+/− mice was similar to wild-type controls; however, renal blood flow was lower, whereas renal vascular resistance was augmented at baseline in Eln+/− mice. At 12 weeks, renal vascular resistance remained elevated while filtration fraction was higher in male Eln+/− relative to wild-type mice. Heterozygous mice showed isolated systolic hypertension that was evident only at nighttime. Acute salt loading with 6% dietary sodium increased daytime systolic blood pressure only in male Eln+/− mice, causing a rightward shift and blunted slope of the pressure-natriuresis curve. Renal interlobar artery basal tone and myogenic response to increasing intraluminal pressure at day 10 were similar, whereas they were augmented at day 30 and at 12 weeks old in Eln+/− mice, and normalized by the AT1R blocker, candesartan. Heterozygous mice also exhibited podocyte foot process damage that persisted even when blood pressure was normalized to wild-type levels with hydralazine. Thus, elastin insufficiency triggers structural defects and abnormal remodeling of renal vascular signaling involving AT1R-mediated vascular mechanotransduction and renal hyperfiltration with increased blood pressure sensitivity to dietary sodium contributing to systolic hypertension.
A Brief History of Time Warp

This chapter is about the history of the Time Warp algorithm and optimistic approaches to parallel discrete event simulation. It concentrates on the early history from our personal perspective as active developers of the ideas over several decades.
A Biblical Model of the People of God: Overcoming the Clergy/Laity Dichotomy:

The paper explores the theological and historical relationship between clergy and laity to see if a justification exists for a clergy/laity dichotomy. The paper also explores the intent of Reformat...
Warren J. Samuels: Intellectual historian of economics

The late Warren J. Samuels saw intellectual history as an integral part of his economic scholarship. As an intellectual history he sought to elucidate a past economist’s general theory of economic policy in order to assess the relevance of that policy approach to contemporary settings. For Samuels, a general theory was the background valuation system by which alternative policies were judged. Samuels’ analyses of the Physiocrats, the classical economists, Pareto, and the Chicago School are stories of contest and negotiation over both the nature of the economic order and the power relations that it creates.
Unique Gadolinium Enhancement Pattern in Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

Importance Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (sDAVF) is often misdiagnosed as an inflammatory or a neoplastic myelopathy, often because of intraparenchymal gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); proper early diagnosis is important because deficits are reversible and a delay in treatment is associated with permanent morbidity. Tortuous flow voids on MRI are not universally present; thus, recognition of a unique gadolinium enhancement pattern may also aid in the early recognition and treatment of sDAVF. Objective To describe a unique pattern of spinal cord gadolinium enhancement on MRI in sDAVF. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective evaluation included pretreatment MRIs from 80 patients referred to the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 2017, with a confirmed diagnosis of sDAVF and a control group of 144 patients with alternative confirmed myelopathy diagnoses. All participants underwent a neurologic evaluation at the Mayo Clinic. Main Outcomes and Measures Evidence of at least 1 focal geographic nonenhancing area within a long segment of intense holocord gadolinium enhancement (termed the missing-piece sign ) on MRI. Results Of 51 patients with an sDAVF and a pretreatment MRI with gadolinium enhancement, 44 (86%) had intraparenchymal contrast enhancement, and 19 of these patients (43%) displayed the characteristic missing-piece sign. Of these 19 patients, symptom onset occurred at a median age of 67 years (range, 27-80 years); 15 patients were men. Progressive myelopathy features affecting the lower extremities occurred during a median of 33 months (range, 1-84 months). Eleven patients (58%) received an alternative diagnosis before confirmation of sDAVF. Tortuous flow voids were present on T2-weighted MRI in 13 of 19 patients. More than 1 digital subtraction angiogram was required for 5 patients to confirm the diagnosis. The missing-piece sign was not seen in any patients from the control group. Conclusions and Relevance This unique gadolinium enhancement pattern in sDAVF was not found in a large control group of patients with other myelopathy. Identifying the missing-piece sign on MRI could potentially result in earlier time to angiography with improved outcomes for patients with an sDAVF.
Identifying psychophysiological stress targets for the promotion of mental health in pregnant women.

HighlightsPsychological stress significantly correlated with maternal mental health.Physiologic stress (HRV) did not correlate or effect maternal mental health.Psychological stress predicted depressive symptoms in pregnant women.Perceived stress was the best predictor of resourcefulness.
Estimation of global recoverable human and animal faecal biomass

Human and animal faeces present persistent threats to global public health and also opportunities for recovery of resources. We present the first global-scale accounting of recoverable faeces (livestock animal and human) from 2003 to 2030 using country-specific human and animal population estimates and estimated species-specific faeces production by human or animal body mass. We also examine global coverage of domestic livestock animals and sanitation facilities to describe the distribution of onsite versus offsite hazards from animal and human faeces. In 2014, the total mass of faeces was 3.9 × 1012 kg per year, increasing by >52 × 109 kg per year since 2003 and anticipated to reach at least 4.6 × 1012 kg in 2030. Annual global production of faeces from animals (primarily cattle, chickens and sheep) was about four times that from humans. Ratios of animal faeces to human faeces continue to increase (geometric mean of 4.2:1 for 2003 versus 5.0:1 for 2014 versus a projected 6.0:1 for 2030). Low-income populations bear the greatest burden of onsite faeces, mostly from animals in or near the domestic environment. This analysis highlights the challenges of resource recovery from concentrated and dispersed sources of faeces, and the global public health policy needed for safe management of animal faeces. Human and animal faeces simultaneously threaten global health and provide resources for recovery. This study presents the first global-scale analysis of recoverable faeces from 2003 projected to 2030 and of associated burdens. Production from domestic animals is about four times that of humans, emphasizing the need for better onsite management.
Study on sustainability of Bulgarian agro-ecosystems

Abctract. Despite huge progress in the theory and practice of this new area, still there is no consensus on how to assess the sustainability of agro-ecosystems due to diverse understandings, approaches, methods, employed data, etc. In Bulgaria there are practically no deep studies on sustainability level of diverse agro-eco-systems. This paper tries to fill the blank and assesses the sustainability level of agro-ecosystems of different type in Bulgaria. First a holistic hierarchical framework for assessing integral, economic, social and ecological sustainability of agro-ecosystems in Bulgaria is suggested including 17 principles, 35 criteria, and 46 indicators and reference values. After that, an assessment is made on overall and aspects sustainability of large (agro)ecosystems in North-Central, South-Eastern, South-Central and South-Western geographic regions, and particular main and specific types of agro-ecosystems of the country - mountainous, plain-mountainous, plain, riparian (Struma, Maritza, Yantra), southern Black Sea, mountainous area with natural constraints, non-mountainous area with natural constraints, protected areas and reserves, Western Thracian Plain, Middle Danube Plain, Dupnitsa and Sandansko-Petrich Valley, Sredna Gora Mountains and Western Rila Mountains. The assessment is based on first-hand information collected though in-depth interviews with the managers of “typical” farms in the respective ago-ecosystems. The study has found out that there is a considerable differentiation in the level of integral sustainability in agricultural ecosystems of different types. Furthermore, there are substantial variations in the levels of economic, social and ecological sustainability of agro-ecosystems of different type, and the critical indicators enhancing or deterring overall and particular sustainability of individual agro-ecosystems. Keywords. Agro-ecosystem , S ustainability, Assessment, Economic, Social, Ecological, Bulgaria. JEL. Q10, Q56, R33.
Gradient-based hybrid topology/shape optimization of bioinspired microvascular composites

Abstract Construction of bioinspired vasculature in synthetic materials enables multi-functional performance via mass transport through internal fluidic networks. However, exact reproduction of intricate, natural microvascular architectures is nearly impossible and thus there is a need to create practical, manufacturable designs guided by multi-physics principles. Here we present a Hybrid Topology/Shape (HyTopS) optimization scheme for microvascular materials using the Interface-enriched Generalized Finite Element Method (IGFEM). This new approach, which can simultaneously perform topological changes as well as shape optimization of microvascular materials, is demonstrated in the context of thermal regulation. In the current study, we present a new feature that enables the optimizer to augment network topology by creating/removing microchannels during the shape optimization process. This task has been accomplished by introducing a new set of design parameters, which act analogous to the penalization factor in the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) method. The analytical sensitivity for the HyTopS optimization scheme has been derived and the sensitivity accuracy is verified against the finite difference method. We impose a set of geometrical constraints to account for manufacturing limitations and produce a design which is suitable for large-scale production without the need to perform post-processing on the obtained optimum. The method is validated by active-cooling experiments on vascularized carbon-fiber composites. Finally, we compare various application examples to demonstrate the advantages of the newly introduced HyTopS optimization scheme over solely shape optimization for microvascular materials.
Measurement of Mixed Mode Interfacial Strengths with Cementitious Materials

Abstract In the oil and gas industry, a successful zonal isolation, which is the primary goal of cementing, is achieved by a strong bond at the cement-rock and the cement-casing interfaces. We introduce a universal test in conjunction with an analytical solution to measure the mixed mode interfacial strength of cementitious materials at the casing-cement or rock-cement interfaces. To this end, the most practical method is employed, which is the direct measurement of adhesion at the interface. This experimental setup is consisted of a rotational disk composed of two identical halves. Each half includes a cylindrical hole at its center, which can be filled by cement slurry, a rock cylinder or a steel bar. Therefore, different interfaces i.e. cement-cement, cement-steel, and cement-rock can be examined. After curing, the disk is subjected to two diametral point loads using a compressive frame. By adjusting the angle between the load direction and the overlapping interface, we can examine different combinations of modes I and I I . On the other hand, an analytical elasticity solution is developed to calculate the critical shear strength that would initiate sliding between the interfaces. Analytical results show a non-uniform distribution of shear tractions along the sliding interface. Having the peak load obtained from experiment, derived formulations are used to evaluate the bonding strength of cementitious materials corresponding to different loading modes of pure shear, the combination of tension/compression and shear. The value of the current analytical derivation can be appreciated by comparison with the typical approach that assumes a uniform traction distribution along the sliding interface. We find that assuming uniform distribution will overestimate the shear strength at the cement-casing interface. The analytical solution in conjunction with the experimental results can also be used to calibrate cement interfacial friction properties.
Acquisition of Cholera Within the United States.

Cholera has been woven into human history through numerous pandemics, with the most recent ongoing since 1961. Global rates of cholera continue to decline, but outbreaks continue to pose diagnostic...
Hybrid systems modeling of ecological population dynamics

Abstract Discrete-time models are the traditional approach for capturing population dynamics of insects living in the temperate regions of the world. These models are characterized by an update function that connects the population densities from one year to the next. We revisit classical discrete-time models used for modeling interactions between two insect species (a host and a parasitoid), and provide novel result on the stability of the population dynamics. In particular, for a class of models we show that the fixed point is stable, if and only if, the host equilibrium density is an increasing function of the host’s reproduction rate. We also introduce a hybrid approach for obtaining the update functions by solving ordinary differential equations that mechanistically capture the ecological interactions between the host and the parasitoid. This hybrid approach is used to study the suppression of host density by a parasitoid. Our analysis shows that when the parasitoid attacks the host at a constant rate, then the host density cannot by suppressed beyond a certain point without making the population dynamics unstable. In contrast, when the parasitoid’s attack rate increases with increasing host density, then the host population density can be suppressed to arbitrarily low levels. These results have important implications for biological control where a natural enemy, such as a parasitoid wasp, is introduced to eliminate a pest that is the host species for the parasitoid.
Prevention of surgical delays by pre-admission type and screen in patients with scheduled surgical procedures: improved efficiency.

Ideally, a patient’s blood samples are collected in advance of the intended transfusion to allow for the Type and Screen (T&S) test, that is, determination of the patient’s ABO group and Rh type and screening for unexpected, clinically significant allo-antibodies1. A standard T&S can be completed with 30 minutes. If the screen is negative, ABO-compatible blood from the local inventory can be cross-matched within a matter of minutes. By contrast, if the antibody screen is positive, further (sometimes extensive and time-consuming) work-up is necessary to determine the target antigen and clinical significance, and identifying antigen-negative units can be a lengthy and difficult process. So-called antibodies of “unclear clinical significance” (usually auto-antibodies with possible underlying allo-antibody) are especially problematic because these cases need to be sent to a reference laboratory, and the results may not be available for several days. At our hospital, T&S samples obtained from patients admitted on the same day as the planned surgery were traditionally sent to the Blood Bank on the morning of the surgery according to the practice of most institutions in the USA2. Indeed, in 2003 a College of American Pathologists Q-probe of 8,941 T&S tests in 108 institutions revealed that only 2,095 these cases (23% of total) were sent to the Blood Bank at least 3 days prior to the operation, allowing for adequate work-up3. This practice was recognised to result in an unwieldy amount of testing in the Blood Bank during the morning hours (when the bank is usually understaffed) and, consequently, cause delays in blood availability3–5. In many instances, the surgeon either had to take the risk of not being able to transfuse if needed or cancel and postpone surgery until the pre-transfusion testing was completed and cross-match compatible blood was obtained4,5. To address this problem, the Joint Commission has highlighted the importance of completing the pre-transfusion testing days before the operation is to be performed6. Indeed, many hospitals (especially large, academic institutions) have extended the time interval for collection of T&S samples to 30 days prior to surgery6. Monmouth Medical Center requires that T&S or type and cross-match (T&C) is done on patients who undergo operations in which significant blood loss is anticipated (the list of these operations is reviewed annually and approved by the Blood Utilisation Committee). In February 2013, we implemented a new pre-admission process that includes T&S testing for these patients at least 6, and no more than 28, days before the date of the elective surgery. Patients with a positive antibody screen are reported to the Anaesthesiology Department (an example of this report is shown in Figure 1) and surgeons are advised of the anticipated delay (if any). In this study, we examined the clinical utility of this approach based on 1 year of experience. Open in a separate window Figure 1 Form to register the data of patients with positive antibody screen.
Narrative review of management strategies and outcomes in node-positive prostate cancer

Pelvic nodal involvement is present in 13% of new prostate cancer diagnoses each year and is associated with a poor prognosis compared to localized disease. Grouped as stage IV along with distant metastatic disease, node-positive nonmetastatic patients historically received systemic therapy alone as primary treatment. This treatment paradigm has shifted as data have demonstrated that these patients may benefit from aggressive locoregional therapy and are potentially curable. There is currently a lack of randomized evidence to define the optimal management for node-positive patients. While a few trials have included node-positive patients, the majority of data are derived from large multi-institutional series or population-based series. This narrative review summarizes the current literature supporting curative-intent management strategies for patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic clinically node-positive prostate cancer (cN1M0), as well as patients found to have pathologic nodal disease at the time of surgery (pN1M0). Treatment of both scenarios requires multimodality considerations including surgery, radiation therapy (RT) and systemic therapy to minimize the risks of both locoregional and distant recurrence. Future considerations include developments in enhanced imaging and systemic therapy. Inclusion of node-positive patients on prospective, randomized trials such as NRG GU 008 is needed to enhance our understanding of optimal management strategies.
It’s a wonderful loan: local financial composition, community banks, and economic resilience

Abstract Using data on the composition of the banking sector for U.S. counties, we explore two channels through which banking composition may impact county-level development outcomes: a direct channel through employer establishments, and an indirect channel through a county’s resilience to macroeconomic shocks. An increase in community bank presence has a direct effect on rural and micropolitan counties via faster employment growth, but no statistically significant direct impact on establishment births. However, we show community banks had a significant impact on regional economic resilience during the Great Recession. Counties with greater pre-recession community bank presence experienced smaller declines in employment growth and establishment births during the recession—an effect that is most pronounced for small establishments in rural counties. In contrast, home prices were substantially more resilient in metropolitan areas that had concentrations of local capital in the form of community banks.
Perceptions of physical activity and technology enabled exercise interventions among people with advanced chronic kidney disease: a qualitative study.

Exercise improves health outcomes and quality of life in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The numbers of persons with advanced CKD meeting physical activity guidelines however is low. We undertook a qualitative study of men and women aged 36–74 from various race/ethnic populations with advanced CKD not requiring dialysis to describe their experiences and opinions around prior physical activity, motivating factors for and barriers to exercise, and perceptions of exercise-promoting technology and group-based programming designed to improve physical activity levels. Nineteen persons with advanced CKD not requiring dialysis were interviewed at two high volume nephrology clinics enriched with racial/ethnic minority patients (Emory University and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center). We used thematic analysis to identify dominant themes (n = 4) and subthemes (n = 19) around exercise experience, barriers, motivators, views, and preferences. Four dominant themes and 19 subthemes were identified. The most common motivators to exercise included physical and mental health benefits, appearance, improvement in energy levels, and potential social interaction in group-based programs. Common barriers included health concerns, particularly complications related to other co-morbidities, as well as time and transportation constraints. Participants were skeptical of exercise programs solely reliant on technology. The use of group-based exercise programs may motivate persons with CKD to increase exercise levels, while programs entirely based on technology may be less effective.
Marker-Free Tracking of Facet Capsule Motion Using Polarization-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography

We proposed and tested a method by which surface strains of biological tissues can be captured without the use of fiducial markers by instead, utilizing the inherent structure of the tissue. We used polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS OCT) to obtain volumetric data through the thickness and across a partial surface of the lumbar facet capsular ligament during three cases of static bending. Reflectivity and phase retardance were calculated from two polarization channels, and a power spectrum analysis was performed on each a-line to extract the dominant banding frequency (a measure of degree of fiber alignment) through the maximum value of the power spectrum (maximum power). Maximum powers of all a-lines for each case were used to create 2D visualizations, which were subsequently tracked via digital image correlation. In-plane strains were calculated from measured 2D deformations and converted to 3D surface strains by including out-of-plane motion obtained from the PS OCT image. In-plane strains correlated with 3D strains (R(2) ≥ 0.95). Using PS OCT for marker-free motion tracking of biological tissues is a promising new technique because it relies on the structural characteristics of the tissue to monitor displacement instead of external fiducial markers.
Could Data Broker Information Threaten Physician Prescribing and Professional Behavior

Privacy is threatened by the extent of data collected and sold by consumer data brokers. Physicians, as individual consumers, leave a ‘data trail’ in the offline (e.g. through traditional shopping) and online worlds (e.g. through online purchases and use of social media). Such data could easily and legally be used without a physician’s knowledge or consent to influence prescribing practices or other physician professional behavior. We sought to determine the extent to which such consumer data was available on a sample of more than 3,000 physicians, healthcare faculty and healthcare system staff at one university’s health units. Using just work email addresses for these employees we cheaply and quickly obtained external data on nearly two thirds of employees on demographic characteristics (e.g. income, top 10% national wealth, children at home, married), purchases (e.g. baby products, cooking, sports), behavior (e.g. charitable donor, discount shopper) and interests (e.g. automotive, health and wellness). Consumer data brokers have valuable, cost-effective and detailed information on many healthcare professionals, including data that could be used to segment, target, detail and generally market to physicians in ways that seem under‐appreciated. We call for greater attention to this potential aspect of physician-industry relationships.
Vibrational relaxation of CO2(ν2) by O(3P) in the 142–490 K temperature range

[1] Laboratory measurements of the quenching of CO2(ν2) by O atoms are presented over the 142–490 K temperature range relevant to the 75–120 km altitude region of the terrestrial atmosphere. The primary cooling mechanism in this region occurs when CO2 is efficiently excited through collisions with ambient O atoms, populating the bending vibrational (ν2) modes. A significant fraction of the vibrationally excited CO2 relaxes through spontaneous 15-μm emission that escapes into space, thereby removing kinetic energy from this region of the atmosphere and generating a local cooling effect. The rate coefficient for the vibrational relaxation of CO2(ν2) by O atoms, kO(ν2), is measured using transient diode laser absorption spectroscopy. A slight negative temperature dependence is observed for kO(ν2), with values ranging from 2.7 (±0.4) × 10−12 cm3 s−1 at 142 K to 1.3 (±0.2) × 10−12 cm3 s−1 at 490 K.
Medication Development for the Treatment of Substance Abuse

Publisher Summary The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) divides substance abuse into two categories: Substance Use Disorders (substance dependence and abuse) and Substance-Induced Disorders (intoxication, withdrawal, and dementia). This chapter focuses on recent developments in the treatment of narcotic (opioids) and stimulant (cocaine and methamphetamine) abuse. Drug abuse research therefore relies heavily on the use of animal behavioral pharmacology models that are divided into two broad categories impulsive use (self-administration) and relapse (craving). Three broad animal models of drug-seeking reinstatement are used to model relapse drug-induced reinstatement, cue-induced reinstatement, and stress-induced reinstatement. The most successful approach to date has been the development of partial agonists. Antagonist treatment has been used in opioid addiction but the results have been mixed. There is a possibility that a depot form of naltrexone being developed for the treatment of alcoholism could be useful in the treatment of opioid addiction. Various drug strategies have focused on methods to reduce the effects of excess dopamine; these include partial antagonists at dopamine receptors, D3 agonists, or indirect modulation by interaction with the opioid, serotonin, norepinephrine, and sigma receptor systems.
Multi-Objective Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks with a Differential Evolution Algorithm

Wireless distributed sensor networks are an increasingly important technology for the deployment of robotics in complex distributed environments. The routing strategy for such networks typically involves multiple objectives including energy, latency, and channel capacity. This paper describes a multiobjective differential evolution (MODE) algorithm that identifies a set of Pareto optimal routings with respect to these multiple objectives for both single and multipath routing problems. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated using simulation studies, and application of the algorithm to distributed underwater networks incorporating both static and mobile (AUV) sensor nodes is being assessed
Processing and characterization of Ni-Al-Fe-B shape-memory alloy wires produced by rapid solidification

This work describes net-shape ductile wires of Ni-Al-Fe doped with boron produced directly from the melt by in-rotating-liquid (IRL) melt spinning, thus avoiding the difficult and costly problem of fabricating bulk castings. This method produces wires of 0.1 to 0.5 mm diam and lengths to 2 m. X-ray diffraction (XRD) scans showed that the as-spun wires consist of the B2, L12, and bct martensite phases and that the B2 phase further transforms to bet martensite upon cold working. Shape-memory behavior showed an Ap temperature of ˜180°C as measured by bend recovery tests and by tensile cycling tests. The effects on the wires of IRL processing parameters are discussed.
III The Radon Transform and Its Applications

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the Radon transform, its applications, present state of knowledge about the Radon transform, and some of its lesser-known applications. Although x-ray projections and tomographic reconstruction are used in the chapter as a starting point, no consideration is given to such things as fan-beam geometries, iterative reconstruction algorithms, polyenergetic X-rays, detector noise, or clinical applications. It is undoubtedly medical computed tomography (CT) that has attracted more attention than any other application of the Radon transform. The basic data obtained in a CT procedure are x-ray transmission measurements through a two-dimensional (2D) slice of the patient's body. Because of the overwhelming clinical and commercial success of CT, the 2D Radon transform is studied in exhaustive detail.
A do-it-yourself Femtoduino

This paper examines the use of photosensitive paint in the context of low-cost educational printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication. Photosensitive paint is used to minimize unwanted bubbles trapped between the photosensitive layer and copper. To demonstrate the application of the proposed technique, a double-sided PCB is constructed for a Femtoduino microcontroller. The details are extensively documented so that the same process can be adopted and improved by other hobbyists, educators, and researchers.