cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interannual and spatial variation in the population genetic composition of young‐of‐the‐year Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus) in the Gulf of Alaska

Little is known about the population structure of Alaskan rockfishes, including Pacific ocean perch (POP, Sebastes alutus), and how persistent and variable oceanographic features may influence their structures. Moreover, early life history information is sparse for many species. We used data from 14 microsatellite loci to characterize the genetic structure of young-of-the-year Pacific ocean perch collected during 1998–2003 from the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. Broad-scale geographic variation in genetic structure of the young-of-the-year (FST = 0.005, P < 10−4) had similarities to that observed in a previous adult study. The overall correlation between genetic and geographic distance (isolation by distance) was nearly identical to that observed in the adults. Fine-scale geographic divergence was also observed and may be the result of oceanographic circulation features within the Gulf of Alaska. Interannual variation (between cohorts) at locations sampled in more than one year is consistent with variable oceanography and fine-scale population structure rather than the influence of a sweepstakes effect. The similarities of the young-of-the-year with the adults and the pattern of genetic divergence confirm that dispersal of Pacific ocean perch is limited in all life stages.
Distant Seismic Waves from a High-Altitude Source

Summary Calculations are presented for the description of seismic waves created by the reflection of a spherical shock wave from the surface of the Earth. The Earth is represented by a homogeneous medium, but in order to reproduce measured dispersion data we allow the elastic constants to vary with the frequency of each Fourier component of the incident pulse. The shock is represented by three parameters; a radius of curvature h, a maximum overpressure po, and a duration of positive overpressure t+. The amplitude of a Rayleigh wave whose period is much less than 2nt+ is proportional to po h.
Productivity, diets, and environmental contaminants in nesting bald eagles from the aleutian archipelago

We studied productivity, diets, and environmental contaminants in nesting bald eagles from the western Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA, during the summers of 1993 and 1994. Productivity on Adak, Tanaga, and Amchitka Islands ranged from 0.88 to 1.24 young produced per occupied site and was comparable to that of healthy populations in the lower 48 United States. However, productivity on Kiska Island was depressed, averaging 0.67 young per occupied site. The lower reproductive success on Kiska was associated with elevated levels of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene and other organochlorine pesticides. Many of the organochlorine pesticides were elevated in bald eagle eggs from the four islands, but concentrations of these contaminants and Hg were significantly higher in eggs from Kiska Island than in eggs from the other islands. In contrast, polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations were higher in eggs from Adak, Amchitka, and Kiska (where military facilities have been installed) than in those from Tanaga (which has had little military activity). The most likely source of these contaminants in bald eagles was from their diets, which were variable spatially and temporally. Fish made up most (56%) of the eagles' diet on Adak and Tanaga Islands, followed by birds (25%) and mammals (19%). In contrast, birds comprised the majority (60%) of bald eagle diets on Amchitka and Kiska Islands, followed by mammals (30%) and fish (10%). The high proportion of seabirds in the diet of eagles from Kiska Island could be the major source of organochlorine and Hg contamination. Elevated concentrations of organochlorines in bald eagle eggs from the Aleutian Archipelago was surprising, because of the distance to agricultural areas. The results indicate that these contaminants can be transported long distances and affect wildlife populations in remote and pristine areas. We also discuss potential sources and transport mechanisms of these contaminants to the Aleutian Islands.
Sampling a Site or Region with Spatial Units

Sometimes the sampling elements available for selection are not the same as the elements we wish to study. This happens most frequently in archaeology in spatially based sampling, as in the excavation of a sample of grid squares in a site or the survey of a sample of grid squares or transects in a region. For instance, suppose we have a random sample of 500 sherds from a site. We may want to estimate, say, the mean thickness of sherds at the site or the percentage of a particular pottery type in the sherds at the site. The elements studied are sherds. Suppose the sample had been obtained by excavating a random sample of ten grid squares. The sampling element here is not the sherd but the grid square. It was ten grid squares that were randomly selected from all the squares in the site grid, not 500 sherds from all the sherds in the site. We thus have a sample, not of 500 independently selected elements, but of ten independently selected elements, and these elements do not correspond to the elements we need to study. Each sampling element is, in this case, a group or cluster of a varying number of the elements of study (sherds). This fact must be allowed for in making estimates of means or proportions. Estimating population means and proportions from samples, and attaching error ranges to those estimates was the subject of Chapters 9 and 11. This chapter extends that discussion to the special case where the sampling elements are different from the elements of study. This chapter on cluster sampling, then, can be considered a special case of the general topics dealt with in Chapters 9 and 11, which can be referred to as simple random sampling to distinguish them from more complex kinds of sampling. Cluster sampling is particularly important in archaeology because so much of the sampling we do is based on spatial units.
Getting the Focus and the Group: Enhancing Analytical Rigor in Focus Group Research:

In the literature on focus groups, far more attention has been devoted to how groups are organized and conducted than to issues of analysis. Although exploitation of group dynamics is touted as a virtue of focus groups, there is very little guidance in the literature with respect to how differences between group and individual discourse impact the analysis and interpretation of focus group data. In this article, the authors describe analytical challenges inherent in the interpretation of focus group data and suggest approaches for enhancing the rigor of analysis and the reliability and validity of focus group findings.
Hybrid Monte Carlo techniques with a minimal interface

Hybrid Monte Carlo Techniques for the solution of elliptical and parabolic partial differential equa tions have been developed. This paper primarily con cerns the implementation of these techniques with a small, general-purpose digital conputer, a modest analog computer, and a minimal interface.
An Online Algorithm for Maximizing Submodular Functions

We present an algorithm for solving a broad class of online resource allocation problems. Our online algorithm can be applied in environments where abstract jobs arrive one at a time, and one can complete the jobs by investing time in a number of abstract activities, according to some schedule. We assume that the fraction of jobs completed by a schedule is a monotone, submodular function of a set of pairs (v, τ), where τ is the time invested in activity v. Under this assumption, our online algorithm performs near-optimally according to two natural metrics: (i) the fraction of jobs completed within time T, for some fixed deadline T > 0, and (ii) the average time required to complete each job. We evaluate our algorithm experimentally by using it to learn, online, a schedule for allocating CPU time among solvers entered in the 2007 SAT solver competition.
Dietary quality and encephalization in platyrrhine primates

The high energetic costs of building and maintaining large brains are thought to constrain encephalization. The ‘expensive-tissue hypothesis’ (ETH) proposes that primates (especially humans) overcame this constraint through reduction of another metabolically expensive tissue, the gastrointestinal tract. Small guts characterize animals specializing on easily digestible diets. Thus, the hypothesis may be tested via the relationship between brain size and diet quality. Platyrrhine primates present an interesting test case, as they are more variably encephalized than other extant primate clades (excluding Hominoidea). We find a high degree of phylogenetic signal in the data for diet quality, endocranial volume and body size. Controlling for phylogenetic effects, we find no significant correlation between relative diet quality and relative endocranial volume. Thus, diet quality fails to account for differences in platyrrhine encephalization. One taxon, in particular, Brachyteles, violates predictions made by ETH in having a large brain and low-quality diet. Dietary reconstructions of stem platyrrhines further indicate that a relatively high-quality diet was probably in place prior to increases in encephalization. Therefore, it is unlikely that a shift in diet quality was a primary constraint release for encephalization in platyrrhines and, by extrapolation, humans.
On exports and economic growth

This paper analyzes the sources of growth in the period 1964-1973 for a group of semi-industrialized less developed countries. An analytical framework is developed, incorporating the possibility that marginal factor productivities are not equal in the export and non-export sectors of the economy. Econometric analyzis utilizing this framework indicates that marginal factor productivities are significantly higher in the export sector. The difference seems to derive, in part, from inter-sectoral beneficial externalities generated by the export sector. The conclusion is therefore that growth can be generated not only by increases in the aggregate levels of labor and capital, but also by the reallocation of existing resources from the less efficient non-export sector to the higher productivity export sector.
Persistent sympathoexcitation long after submaximal exercise in subjects with and without coronary artery disease

There is an increased risk of cardiac events after exercise, which may, in part, be mediated by the sympathoexcitation that accompanies exercise. The duration and extent of this sympathoexcitation ...
Ultrahigh-performance 8-GHz SiGe power HBT

This letter has demonstrated the state-of-the-art SiGe power heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) operating at 8 GHz. In a common-base configuration, a continuous wave output power of 27.72 dBm with a concurrent power gain of 12.19 dB was measured at a peak power-added efficiency of 60.6% from a single SiGe HBT with a 3-/spl mu/m emitter finger stripe width and a 1340 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ total emitter area. The highest power-performance figure of merit (FOM) of 3.8/spl times/10/sup 5/ mW/spl middot/GHz/sup 2/ achieved from the device was resulted from using an optimized SiGe heterostructure and a compact device layout, which is made possible with a heavily doped base region.
Extinction cross sections of arbitrarily shaped randomly oriented nonspherical particles

Extinction cross section of large arbitrarily shaped randomly oriented nonspherical particles is always larger than the extinction cross section of spherical particles of the same volume. This theorem is proved rigorously for particles with the size parameter x ≫ 1. It is conjectured that the same is true for sufficiently wide polydispersions of particles with x > 15.
Corrigendum to “Comparison of surgical and interventional therapy of native and recurrent aortic coarctation regarding different age groups during childhood” [Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg. 39 (2011) 898–904]

In our recent published paper (Fruh et al., Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2011;39:898—904) the following corrections have been made. In Section 3: Results, first paragraph, the following sentence has been corrected: ‘A total of 48 children were treated at an age 6 years (group C).’ In Section 3.2: Catheter interventions, sixth paragraph, the first sentence has been corrected: ‘In the whole patient group, re-interventions became necessary in 15 (instead of 16) patients (16.5%), including eight patients in group A (children 6 years) (14.8%).’ In the abstract, Results, the second sentence has been changed: ‘Complication rate and re-intervention rate (surgical and interventional) both were comparable between the three age groups (complications: group A 8.3%, group B 6.3%, group C 3.7%, re-interventions: group A 16.6%, group B 18.8%, group C 14.8%).’ The authors regret the mistakes.
Ultrasonographic Identification of Polyhydramnios: Prenatal Diagnostic Implications in Terms of Aneuploidy, Fetal Chromosomal Anomalies and Pregnancy Outcome

Polyhydramnios is a condition where there is more amniotic fluid than is normal for gestational age, and it is associated with various maternal and fetal abnormalities. Ultrasonography is the primary means of assessing the amount of amniotic fluid. To date, an association between polyhydramnios and aneuploidy has not been firmly established. Therefore, a retrospective analysis was conducted of 766 patients who were referred to a high-risk referral center between January 1, 1986 and January 1, 1990 for ultrasound examination and genetic amniocentesis, to investigate the relationship between polyhydramnios and aneuploidy. During the course of the complete ultrasound examination, the amniotic fluid was quantified using standard methods and patients were categorically placed into one of two groups. Group 1 included all patients with normal or decreased amounts of amniotic fluid, and group 2 included all patients with polyhydramnios. The results of the fetal cytogenetic analysis were obtained for each fetus. A...
Space Assessment as a Venue for Defining the Academic Library

Purposeful assessment of space for the understanding and improvement of the academic library is a relatively new area of inquiry. This essay offers a framework to consider different factors affecting such an assessment and insights for undertaking a meaningful inquiry about the relationship of space to an academic library’s evolving purpose as accumulator, service provider, and collaborative partner in learning and knowledge creation. The purpose of the assessment will vary according to the perspective of the library under examination. Paths for approaching such assessment include consideration of the assessment’s purpose, types of questions posed by it, data-gathering methodologies, and reporting strategies of results. These paths are useful to gain insights into the evolving role of the library and its contribution to the academic enterprise. Not surprisingly, the inquiry turns as well to changes in the identity of librarians as separate from the building where they work.
Rah, rah, ROS: metabolic changes caused by loss of adhesion induce cell death

The high rate of glucose utilization by cancer cells has been well characterized. Recent data suggest that when normal mammary epithelial cells are cultured under nonadherent conditions, glucose consumption decreases, ATP levels fall, and concentrations of reactive oxygen species rise. The rise in reactive oxygen species causes death of nonadherent cells, which can be suppressed with antioxidants. Nonadherent ErbB2-transformed mammary epithelial cells maintain glucose transport and antioxidant production; however, antioxidants appear to enhance anchorage-independent growth. These findings integrate aspects of glucose metabolism, anoikis suppression and antioxidant production in tumor cell biology and suggest that antioxidant therapy could stimulate tumor survival.
Ways of branching quantifers

Ways of Branching Quantifers Author(s): Gila Sher Source: Linguistics and Philosophy, Vol. 13, No. 4 (Aug., 1990), pp. 393-422 Published by: Springer Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25001396 . Accessed: 14/10/2013 23:41 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. Springer is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Linguistics and Philosophy. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 72.199.214.225 on Mon, 14 Oct 2013 23:41:04 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Optimal Sampling of Natural Images: A Design Principle for the Visual System

We formulate the problem of optimizing the sampling of natural images using an array of linear filters. Optimization of information capacity is constrained by the noise levels of the individual channels and by a penalty for the construction of long-range interconnections in the array. At low signal-to-noise ratios the optimal filter characteristics correspond to bound states of a Schrodinger equation in which the signal spectrum plays the role of the potential. The resulting optimal filters are remarkably similar to those observed in the mammalian visual cortex and the retinal ganglion cells of lower vertebrates. The observed scale invariance of natural images plays an essential role in this construction.
The Chromatin Remodeling Factor CHD5 Is a Transcriptional Repressor of WEE1

Loss of the chromatin remodeling ATPase CHD5 has been linked to the progression of neuroblastoma tumors, yet the underlying mechanisms behind the tumor suppressor role of CHD5 are unknown. In this study, we purified the human CHD5 complex and found that CHD5 is a component of the full NuRD transcriptional repressor complex, which also contains methyl-CpG binding proteins and histone deacetylases. The CHD5/NuRD complex appears mutually exclusive with the related CHD4/NuRD complex as overexpression of CHD5 results in loss of the CHD4 protein in cells. Following a search for genes that are regulated by CHD5 in neuroblastoma cells, we found that CHD5 binds to and represses the G2/M checkpoint gene WEE1. Reintroduction of CHD5 into neuroblastoma cells represses WEE1 expression, demonstrating that CHD5 can function as a repressor in cells. A catalytically inactive mutant version of CHD5 is able to associate with a NuRD cofactor but fails to repress transcription. Our study shows that CHD5 is a NuRD-associated transcriptional repressor and identifies WEE1 as one of the CHD5-regulated genes that may link CHD5 to tumor suppression.
Numerical taxonomy of fenestrate bryozoans: evaluation of methodologies and recognition of intraspecific variation

Species-level taxonomy of fenestrate cryptostome bryozoans has been greatly advanced by a recent study of the fenestrate fauna of the Warsaw Formation (Osage–Meramecian) of the Mississippi Valley; subsequent quantitative analysis placed the earlier research on a sound statistical basis. Reproducibility of these results is tested here, and it is demonstrated that subsequent researchers can duplicate earlier data collection and results. The methodology is then extended in space and time to a second fenestrate faunule (Virgilian of east-central Kansas); morphs within two traditionally defined fenestrate species are successfully distinguished.Lithologic characteristics of the two Virgilian study units suggest differences in depositional environments between the horizons and therefore simple ecophenotypy and intraspecific variation cannot be dismissed. However, chamber dimensions, which provide the most sensitive characters for taxonomic discrimination, change in parallel for the two species, whereas exterior skeletal dimensions, which would presumably respond more readily to microenvironmental fluctuations, vary nonsystematically between populations. These results provide a starting point for the evaluation of morphologic change within fenestrates through stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental sequences. Cumulative data sets spanning long time intervals would allow evaluations of evolutionary histories among members of this important Paleozoic clade.
Effect of Loading Rate on the Energy Release Rate in a Constrained Elastomeric Disk

Defects such as flaws and cracks may form in elastomeric materials due to the manufacturing, handling or ageing. To ensure the integrity and reliability for such structural components, fracture toughness should be ascertained so that the onset of the crack growth can be determined based on the fracture resistance of the material. The energy release rate is a measure of the fracture toughness, and commonly used as a criterion to determine the maximum operating loads for a given pre-existing defect.
Efficiency improvements with low heat rejection concepts applied to diesel low temperature combustion

There is a strong motivation to decrease the production and release of harmful substances such as oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and particulate matter from internal combustion engines. Simultaneously, there are on-going efforts to increase fuel efficiency to curb usage of natural resources and emission of carbon. In general, improvements in one of these areas come at the cost of the other; however, the results of a previous computational study have indicated that emissions can be decreased while simultaneously increasing efficiency through the application of low heat rejection techniques to low temperature combustion. The goal of this study is to experimentally confirm these findings using a light-duty, multi-cylinder diesel engine. Low temperature combustion is realized through high levels of exhaust gas recirculation and retarded injection timings while different degrees of low heat rejection are achieved by means of higher coolant temperatures which should serve to decrease the temperature gradients across ...
Development of PIV System for Jet Mixed Tanks

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is a very useful tool to measure fluid velocity in various systems. In the present study, an “in-house” PIV system was developed for fluid flow measurements in a jet mixed tank. The flow profile was observed for a single jet mixer in a rectangular shaped mixing tank with varying liquid height. The jet angle was varied for the studies from 0 to 45° from the center axis. The liquid height was varied from 17–26 cm. To ensure the system was able to provide accurate results, a gravity driven pipe flow problem was first set up. The PIV system was able to accurately capture the parabolic flow profile that is known to result from Poiseuille flow problems. Results from the jet mixing study showed that recirculation in the mixing tank as a result of the jet impingement on the tank walls varied due to the angle of the jet. Low mixing areas, or locations in which the velocity was minimum, was determined from the jets of different angles. Results showed that the velocity along the surface maintained the same profile for each of the three liquid levels studied. The velocity magnitudes decreased as the liquid level was increased.© 2013 ASME
Reinforcement and the Origin, Rate and Extent of Cultural Diffusion

Cultural diffusion occurs as a logistic process and the dependent variables in this investigation are origin, rate and asymptotes from logistic equations which were fitted by Zvi Griliches to through-time data on the adoption of hybrid corn in each of 132 crop-reporting districts. In multiplicative power functions measures, actual reinforcement to farmers explained 57 percent of the variance in the rate of adoption, expected reinforcement to farmers explained 59 percent of the variance in the asymptotes of the logistic processes and expected reinforcement to developers explained 91 percent of the variance in the origins. This is evidence for the possible importance of reinforcement in explaining variations in macro social change processes. One of the most significant theoretical problems in sociology is what influences the beginnings, the rate, and the extent of macro social change processes. The purpose of this article is to investigate how reinforcement influences the origin, rate and extent of one large-scale social change process, cultural diffusion. The investigation uses Zvi Griliches' data on the adoption of hybrid corn by farmers in the midwestern and southern states and builds upon Griliches' logistic analyses of those data.1
Tenodesis of the Chronically Unstable Distal Ulna

Treatment of the chronically unstable distal ulna often requires reconstruction using tenodesis techniques. A review of described techniques for distal ulnar stabilization is presented, addressing chronic instability with and without distal radioulnar joint degenerative disease.
T-bet Transcendent: Unmasking the Faces of Multifarious Immunity

We dwell in an environment filled with germs of different sizes and lifestyles. In response, we have evolved a sophisticated system of host defense that can recognize nearly limitless antigenic shapes. We have also evolved the flexibility to combat the different evasion mechanisms of intruders with
Evaluating cell reprogramming, differentiation and conversion technologies in neuroscience

The scarcity of live human brain cells for experimental access has for a long time limited our ability to study complex human neurological disorders and elucidate basic neuroscientific mechanisms. A decade ago, the development of methods to reprogramme somatic human cells into induced pluripotent stem cells enabled the in vitro generation of a wide range of neural cells from virtually any human individual. The growth of methods to generate more robust and defined neural cell types through reprogramming and direct conversion into induced neurons has led to the establishment of various human reprogramming-based neural disease models.
Wiring Together Synthetic Bacterial Consortia to Create a Biological Integrated Circuit

The promise of adapting biology to information processing will not be realized until engineered gene circuits, operating in different cell populations, can be wired together to express a predictable function. Here, elementary biological integrated circuits (BICs), consisting of two sets of transmitter and receiver gene circuit modules with embedded memory placed in separate cell populations, were meticulously assembled using live cell lithography and wired together by the mass transport of quorum-sensing (QS) signal molecules to form two isolated communication links (comlinks). The comlink dynamics were tested by broadcasting “clock” pulses of inducers into the networks and measuring the responses of functionally linked fluorescent reporters, and then modeled through simulations that realistically captured the protein production and molecular transport. These results show that the comlinks were isolated and each mimicked aspects of the synchronous, sequential networks used in digital computing. The observ...
Predictors of Staphylococcus aureus Colonization and Results after Decolonization

Protocols for the screening and decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus prior to total joint arthroplasty (TJA) have become widely adopted. The goals of this study were to determine: (1) whether implementation of a screening protocol followed by decolonization with mupirocin/vancomycin and chlorhexidine reduces the risk of revision compared with no screening protocol (i.e., chlorhexidine alone) and (2) whether clinical criteria could reliably predict colonization with MSSA and/or MRSA. Electronic medical records of primary patients undergoing TJA that were screened (,927) and were not screened (,751) for Staphylococcus aureus at least 4 days prior to surgery, respectively, were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received chlorhexidine body wipes preoperatively. Patients carrying MSSA and MRSA were treated preoperatively with mupirocin and vancomycin, respectively, along with the standard preoperative antibiotics and chlorhexidine body wipes. Screened patients were 50% less likely to require revision due to prosthetic joint infection compared to those not screened (). Multivariate regression models were poorly accurate in predicting colonization with MSSA (AUC = 0.58) and MRSA (AUC = 0.62). These results support the routine screening and decolonization of S. aureus prior to TJA.
Wearable thermoelectric generators for human body heat harvesting

A thermoelectric generator (TEG) can be used to harvest electrical energy from human body heat for the purpose of powering wearable electronics. At the NSF Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST), TEGs are one of the enabling technologies being explored to advance the center’s mission of creating wearable, self-powered, health and environmental monitoring systems. As part of this effort, an exploration of the relevant parameters for maximizing the wearable TEG power output from the body heat and maintaining the body comfort is particularly important. For this purpose, the heat from the body must be directed into TEG with minimal loss, the generator must be designed for maintaining a high temperature differential across the thermoelectric material, and the generator must have a small form factor to maintain the body comfort. In order to address these requirements, an optimum TEG design was developed and experiments were conducted both on a temperature-controlled hot plate and on different body locations including the wrist, upper arm, and chest. The TEG was further fabricated into a T-shirt and the power was recorded for different human activities. Comparison of the experiments on various body locations and on the T-shirt yielded the highest to lowest power generated on the upper arm, wrist, chest and T-shirt, respectively. The prospect of powering a wearable electrocardiogram sensor by a TEG on the upper arm is discussed.
Correlation between predictability index and error performance in Customer Baseline Load (CBL) calculation

This paper explores the correlation between the low-frequency content of customers' consumption load, measured by a proposed index called predictability index, and the accuracy of Customer Baseline Load (CBL) estimation methods. The customer's consumption signal is transformed from time-domain to frequency-domain to separate its high- and low-frequency components. After reconstructing the time-domain equivalent of both high- and low-frequency signals, the predictability index for all customers is calculated. This proposed index is employed for the purpose of clustering the customers into different bins by a k-means clustering algorithm. The CBL for customers of each bin is estimated by two methods: CAISO and Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The data employed in this study belongs to Australian Energy Market Operation (AEMO), and are hourly consumption of 189 customers for the time span of a year (2012). In this paper, the correlation between average predictability index of each bin and its normalized average error is calculated. It is found that there is a strong correlation between the predictability index and the error performance of the CBL estimation methods.
Brain activation in high-functioning older adults and falls: Prospective cohort study

Objective: To determine whether brain activity over the prefrontal cortex measured in real time during walking predicts falls in high-functioning older adults. Method: We examined166 older persons (mean age 75 years, 51% women) enrolled in a prospective aging study. High-functioning status defined as the absence of dementia or disability with normal gait diagnosed by study clinicians. The magnitude of task-related changes in oxygenated hemoglobin levels over the prefrontal cortex was measured with functional near-infrared spectroscopy during motor (walking at normal pace) and cognitive (reciting alternate letters of the alphabet) single tasks and a dual-task condition (walking while reciting alternate letters of the alphabet). Incident falls were prospectively assessed over a 50-month study period. Results: Over a mean follow-up of 33.9 ± 11.9 months, 116 falls occurred. Higher levels of prefrontal cortical activation during the dual-task walking condition predicted falls (hazard ratio adjusted for age, sex, education, medical illnesses and general mental status 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.70). Neither behavioral outcomes (velocity or letter rate) on the dual task nor brain activation patterns on the single tasks (normal walk or talk alone) predicted falls in this high-functioning sample. The results remained robust after accounting for multiple confounders and for cognitive status, slow gait, previous falls, and frailty. Conclusions: Prefrontal brain activity levels while performing a cognitively demanding walking condition predicted falls in high-functioning seniors. These findings implicate neurobiological processes early in the pathogenesis of falls.
Microbial Typing by Machine Learned DNA Melt Signatures

There is still an ongoing demand for a simple broad-spectrum molecular diagnostic assay for pathogenic bacteria. For this purpose, we developed a single-plex High Resolution Melt (HRM) assay that generates complex melt curves for bacterial identification. Using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as the phylogenetic marker for HRM, we observed complex melt curve signatures as compared to 16S rDNA amplicons with enhanced interspecies discrimination. We also developed a novel Naive Bayes curve classification algorithm with statistical interpretation and achieved 95% accuracy in differentiating 89 bacterial species in our library using leave-one-out cross-validation. Pilot clinical validation of our method correctly identified the etiologic organisms at the species-level in 59 culture-positive mono-bacterial blood culture samples with 90% accuracy. Our findings suggest that broad bacterial sequences may be simply, reliably and automatically profiled by ITS HRM assay for clinical adoption.
Influences of multilocus heterozygosity on size during early life

Genetic diversity has been hypothesized to promote fitness of individuals and populations, but few studies have examined how genetic diversity varies with ontogeny. We examined patterns in population and individual genetic diversity and the effect of genetic diversity on individual fitness among life stages (adults and juveniles) and populations of captive yellow perch (Perca flavescens) stocked into two ponds and allowed to spawn naturally. Significant genetic structure developed between adults and offspring in a single generation, even as heterozygosity and allelic richness remained relatively constant. Heterozygosity had no effect on adult growth or survival, but was significantly and consistently positively related to offspring length throughout the first year of life in one pond but not the other. The largest individuals in the pond exhibiting this positive relationship were more outbred than averaged size individuals and also more closely related to one another than they were to average-sized individuals, suggesting potential heritability of body size or spawn timing effects. These results indicate that the influence of heterozygosity may be mediated through an interaction, likely viability selection, between ontogeny and environment that is most important during early life. In addition, populations may experience significant genetic change within a single generation in captive environments, even when allowed to reproduce naturally. Accounting for the dynamic influences of genetic diversity on early life fitness could lead to improved understanding of recruitment and population dynamics in both wild and captive populations.
When should brain imaging precede lumbar puncture in cases of suspected bacterial meningitis

Brain imaging should precede lumbar puncture in patients with focal neurologic deficits or immunodeficiency, or with altered mental status or seizures during the previous week. However, lumbar puncture can be safely done in most patients without first obtaining brain imaging. Empiric antibiotic and
Comparison of analgaesia with lumbar epidurals and lumbar plexus nerve blocks in patients receiving multimodal analgaesics following primary total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective analysis.

Significant post-operative pain occurs after hip arthroplasty. In a prior study, lumbar plexus nerve blocks provided comparable analgaesia to lumbar epidurals; however, multimodal analgaesics were not used consistently. This study assessed a randomly selected cohort of 48 patients undergoing primary hip arthroplasty who received a regional anaesthesia technique for post-operative pain. Twenty-four patients with lumbar epidurals and 24 with single-injection lumbar plexus nerve blocks were reviewed using electronic medical records. Post-operative opiate consumption was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were participation in physical therapy, side effects, and time to discharge. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe patients in the different groups. Opiate consumption was compared using linear mixed models. Multivariable models were examined for both primary and secondary endpoints. In comparison with patients receiving lumbar epidural catheters, patients with lumbar plexus blocks consumed less opiates post-operatively at 24–36 and 36–48 hours (P = 0.037 and 0.002, respectively); it did not differ at zero to 12 hours or 12–24 hours post-operatively. Patients with lumbar plexus blocks had earlier times to first ambulation (28.5 ± 3.29 vs 21.9 ± 1.76 h; P = 0.043). However, differences by block type were not observed for ambulation distance, level of assistance to ambulate or time of discharge orders. Following primary total hip arthroplasty, lumbar plexus nerve blocks provide effective post-operative analgaesia with decreased opiate consumption compared with lumbar epidural catheters. Lumbar plexus blocks also promote earlier post-operative ambulation and are compatible with post-operative prophylactic anticoagulants.
Impact of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation on the outcome of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Abstract For younger patients with intermediate- or high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first remission, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) offers the best chance of cure and therefore is the treatment of choice. The role of allogeneic HCT in the treatment of older patients is less well defined. In this review, four issues concerning the role of HCT in the treatment of older AML patients will be addressed: the frequency of allogeneic HCT in the older AML population in the US; the impact of age on the outcome of HCT; the comparative outcome of allogeneic HCT versus chemotherapy in older AML patients; and some of the barriers to the effective use of HCT in older AML patients.
Antiepileptic Drugs and Liver Disease

Acute, symptomatic seizures or epilepsy may complicate the course of hepatic disease. Choosing the most appropriate antiepileptic drug in this setting represents a difficult challenge, as most medications are metabolized by the liver. This article focuses on the acute and chronic treatment of seizures in patients with advanced liver disease and reviews the hepatotoxic potential of specific antiepileptic drugs. Newer antiepileptic drugs without, or with minimal, hepatic metabolism, such as levetiracetam, lacosamide, topiramate, gabapentin, and pregabalin should be used as first-line therapy. Medications undergoing extensive hepatic metabolism, such as valproic acid, phenytoin, and felbamate should be used as drugs of last resort. In special circumstances, as in patients affected by acute intermittent porphyria, exposure to most antiepileptic drugs could precipitate attacks. In this clinical scenario, bromides, levetiracetam, gabapentin, and vigabatrin constitute safe choices. For the treatment of status epilepticus, levetiracetam and lacosamide, available in intravenous preparations, are good second-line therapies after benzodiazepines fail to control seizures. Hepatotoxicity is also a rare and unexpected side effect of some antiepileptic drugs. Drugs such as valproic acid, phenytoin, and felbamate, have a well-recognized association with liver toxicity. Other antiepileptic drugs, including phenobarbital, benzodiazepines, ethosuximide, and the newer generations of antiepileptic drugs, have only rarely been linked to hepatotoxicity. Thus physicians should be mindful of the pharmacokinetic profile and the hepatotoxic potential of the different antiepileptic drugs available to treat patients affected by liver disease.
Data Integrity in Pharmaceutical Industry

Data collected observed or created enable researchers to answer complex questions test hypotheses and evaluate outcomes of research Research data can be generated for different purposes and by using different processes and techniques however the components of data are the same regardless of the field of study including physical chemical medical etc Timely accurate and complete data generation recording and maintenance are essential for the integrity of research The requirements that assure validity of robust data apply equally to data recorded on paper electronic or combination of both The primary goal for preserving data integrity is to detect and prevent human or accidental and intentional or deliberate errors during collection and protecting original data from intentional modifications falsifications or even deletion during life cycle management of data Research misconduct unethical research practices poor mentoring or training in handling data lack of proper guidance and attention to details and poor data collection practices can risk data quality and integrity Some of the examples of research misconduct and unethical research practices are fabricating falsifying collecting or selecting data for getting desired results and testing until the desired results are obtained
Acute Redness of the Eye

Acute redness of the eye may involve the globe, lids, or adnexal structures. It is a very common clinical sign that is often associated with eye emergencies. The three major processes responsible for the majority of red eye cases are subconjunctival hemorrhages, ocular inflammation, and vascular abnormalities. Ocular inflammation accounts for the majority of red eye presentations, whereas vascular abnormalities are the least common causes. Successful diagnosis of red eye cases requires careful differential analysis of all the possibilities, careful examinations of medical and surgical history, and complete ophthalmic examinations. Major anterior segment etiologies associated with acute red eyes are discussed in this chapter.
Laser Doppler Study of the Onset of Turbulent Convection at Low Prandtl Number

The transition to turbulence by a sequence of instabilities, although extensively studied both theoretically and experimentally,1 is not well understood at this time. In particular, it is not known whether there are some features of the process that are universal, in the sense of characterizing the onset of turbulence in all systems that show a sequence of instabilities. (We exclude from consideration those situations in which turbulence occurs catastrophically with no intermediate periodic states, such as boundary layers and pipe flow.) Unfortunately, the term “turbulence” implies different degrees of disorder to different workers, and this ambiguity interferes with the possibility of making clear distinctions between turbulent and non-turbulent regimes. Consequently, we concentrate on a well-defined problem, namely the onset of aperiodic motion, which can be detected by the absence of sharp peaks in the power spectrum of the velocity field, or by the decay of the autocorrelation function of the velocity field.
Efficacy and safety of tenofovir in preventing mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus: a meta-analysis based on 6 studies from China and 3 studies from other countries

The vertical transmission of HBV from mothers to their infants at birth or in early infancy has a significant role in the endemicity of HBV infection. Tenofovir is one of the most potent anti-HBV agents with a high genetic barrier to resistance. The study is to evaluate the efficacy of tenofovir in preventing perinatal HBV transmission, as well as monitoring safety for mothers and infants. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI (National Knowledge Infrastructure, China) database were systematically reviewed for studies that compared the efficacy and safety of tenofovir with other treatments. Pooled estimates were expressed with weight mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CIs. Nine studies involving 1046 pregnant patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with other treatments, tenofovir significantly reduced maternal HBV DNA levels (WMD = 2.33 log10 IU/mL, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.64; P < 0.001), infant HBsAg positivity rate (RR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.38; P < 0.001), infant HBeAg positivity rate (RR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.48; P < 0.001), infant HBV DNA positivity rate (RR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.31; P < 0.001), and immunoprophylaxis failure rate (RR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.73; P = 0.008). Moreover, maternal and infant safety profiles, including ALT, CK, and Cr were comparable between tenofovir and other treatment groups. Based on the current evidence, our study suggested that tenofovir significantly reduced the rate of vertical transmission of HBV, as well as the HBV DNA levels in HBV-infected mothers. Moreover, tenofovir was safe and tolerable for both mothers and their infants.
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease Management Principles

The management of patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease, especially pulmonary disease (PD), is neither intuitive nor simple. As is often lamented, treatment of NTM PD is typically more complicated and difficult than the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Complexity begins with the requirement to select patients that meet established diagnostic criteria and who would benefit from therapy. Essentially all patients with NTM PD have respiratory comorbidities, typically bronchiectasis and/or chronic obstructive lung disease which also requires evaluation and treatment. Management of these comorbidities in the presence of NTM PD is critical but presents additional challenges such as symptomatic overlap with NTM PD that obfuscates NTM treatment responses. Likewise, the decision to begin a multidrug mycobacterial regimen must always involve careful risk-benefit assessment on an individual patient basis. In those instances that treatment for NTM PD is not started, continued monitoring and follow-up of patients are essential. For successful treatment outcomes, clinicians managing NTM PD patients must be familiar with the characteristics of individual NTM PD pathogens and especially the nuances and peculiarities of drug susceptibility patterns. For selected pathogens and antibiotics, the avoidance of acquired mutational drug resistance is imperative. Management requires close and ongoing patient monitoring to assess treatment response and drug toxicity. There are multiple impediments to successful NTM PD therapy so that even with optimal management strategies, treatment success can be elusive. In that context, however, adherence to basic management principles will maximize the chances for a successful treatment outcome. Specific recommendations for comprehensive NTM disease management are offered in this chapter.