cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advances in the Application of Genetics in Marine Turtle Biology and Conservation

Marine turtles migrate across long distances, exhibit complex life histories, and occupy habitats that are difficult to observe. These factors present substantial challenges to understanding fundamental aspects of their biology or assessing human impacts, many of which are important for the effective conservation of these threatened and endangered species. The early development and application of genetic tools made important contributions to understanding marine turtle population and evolutionary biology, such as providing evidence of regional natal homing by breeding adults, establishing connectivity between rookeries and foraging habitats, and determining phylogeography and broad scale stock structure for most marine turtle species. Recent innovations in molecular technologies, statistical methods, and creative application of genetic tools have significantly built upon this knowledge to address key questions in marine turtle biology and conservation management. Here, we evaluate the latest major advances and potential of marine turtle genetic applications, including improved resolution and large-scale syntheses of population structure, connectivity and phylogeography, estimation of key demographic rates such as age to maturity and operational or breeding sex ratios, insight into reproductive strategies and behavior, and assessment of differential human impacts among populations. We then discuss remaining challenges and emerging capabilities, such as rapid, multiplexed genotyping and investigation of the genomic underpinnings of adaptive variation afforded by high-throughput sequencing technologies.
Assessing the risk of hypercalcemic crisis in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Abstract Background Hypercalcemic crisis (HC) is a potentially life-threatening manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). This study aimed to identify patients with PHPT at greatest risk for developing HC. Methods This retrospective cohort study included patients with a preoperative calcium of at least 12 mg/dL undergoing initial parathyroidectomy for PHPT from 11/2000 to 03/2016. We compared those with HC, defined as needing hospitalization for hypercalcemia, to those without HC. Results The study cohort included 29 patients (15.8%) with HC and 154 patients (84.2%) without HC. Demographics and comorbidities were similar between the groups. Patients with HC were more likely to have a history of kidney stones (31.0% versus 14.3%, P = 0.039), higher preoperative calcium (median 13.8 versus 12.4 mg/dL, P Conclusions These data indicate that calcium, PTH, and kidney stones are important in predicting who are at greatest risk of HC. The Classification and Regression Tree can further help stratify risk for developing HC and allow surgeons to expedite parathyroidectomy accordingly.
Accurate modeling, comparative analysis, and performance enhancement of broadband piezoelectric energy harvesters with single and dual magnetic forces

Abstract The accurate electromechanical modeling and effectiveness of a piezoelectric energy harvester having dual magnetic forces at its tip is evaluated for low-frequency excitation purposes. To accurately represent the magnetic force, the exact finite element magnetic force is accurately fitted with a fifth-order polynomial representation in order to use it for low spacing distances between the two magnets. A comparative study is then carried out between the performances of piezoelectric energy harvesters having single and dual magnetic forces. It is indicated that hardening nonlinear behaviors take place in the dual attractive magnets compared to softening behaviors in the single magnet design. Static and eigenvalue problem analyses are also performed in order to determine the impacts of the spacing distance between the magnets on the static deflection and fundamental natural frequency of the energy harvester. The results show that the inclusion of a second magnetic force with an attractive interaction results in a delay in the static pull-in and a decrease in the fundamental natural frequency for same spacing distances. After that, a nonlinear distributed-parameter model is derived using the Galerkin discretization and used to study the performance and effectiveness of a piezoelectric energy harvester with dual attractive magnetic forces. The results show that the attractive dual magnets with same spacing distances lead to the presence of broadband resonance regions when the spacing distance between the magnets decreases to lower values. In addition, unlike the dual magnetic forces configuration which has only cubic nonlinearity, it is demonstrated that the single magnetic force configuration results in the presence of the quadratic nonlinearity which allows the energy harvester to have a softening behavior.
Spastic diplegia with nonperinatal asphyxia in pediatric population

Spastic diplegia is a condition where patients have spasticity mainly in the lower extremities and highly associated with cerebral palsy. However, there exist other entities causing spastic diplegia in a pediatric population some of which are treatable and preventable. In this review, we describe disorders causing spastic diplegia which occur due to non-perinatal asphyxia.
Mammary specific inactivation of pRb family: An in vivo and 3-D culture study

5090 Breast cancer is a major cause of mortality among women worldwide. An understanding of molecular mechanisms regulating breast cancer formation and progression is important for developing new diagnostic tools to identify marker genes in breast cancer early. Our lab has generated a genetically engineered mouse model for breast cancer with a mutant of SV40 T antigen (T121) mediated inactivation of the pRb tumor suppressor family of proteins. We have shown in a WAP-T121 mammary tumor model that T121 is able to induce mammary adenocarcinomas. Most apoptosis in mammary epithelial (ME) cells has been shown to be p53 dependent and p53 heterozygosity results in a shorter tumor latency. The specific transgene for the mouse model of interest here is called MFT121 and has T121 downstream of the MMTV promoter with a floxed eGFP reporter gene upstream of T121. We are crossing these mice to WAP-Cre mice to generate mammary specific expression of T121 under the MMTV promoter. As MMTV is expressed in both virgin and lactating mammary glands unlike WAP (only expressed in lactating glands) this model will allow us to study mammary tumorigenesis in virgin females. We are developing a 3-D mammary epithelial culture using these mice to study T121 onset in these ME cells. We are using the 3D epithelial culture system to investigate mechanisms of T121 mammary tumorigenesis in parallel with genetic studies described above. The presence of a floxed eGFP will give a visual assay for T121 turn on upon Cre viral infection, by deleting GFP expression in the ME cells. To establish that the 3D system recapitulates effects seen in vivo, we are investigating T121 expression, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Confocal microscopy is being utilized to evaluate acinar structure and cellular properties. T121 expression is being detected by immunostaining, proliferation is being detected by immunofluorescence staining of Ki-67 while apoptosis is being detected by ethidium bromide fluorescence. We are determining if apoptosis is p53-dependent by performing parallel experiments with ME from MFT121p53-/- animals. In the future, to evaluate genetic pathways and cooperating lesions in T121 oncogenesis, we will combine T121 expression with dominant expression or suppression of additional genes. MFT121 cells will be infected with retroviruses that express potential cooperating oncogenes or repress transgenes using short hairpin RNAs for RNA interference. We anticipate that the 3D culture system will recapitulate T121-dependent effects on proliferation and apoptosis of ME, providing a powerful model for screening potential cooperating lesions. Such lesions should result in increased proliferation, decreased apoptosis, increased genomic instability or disruption of acinar structures. The increased accessibility of an in vitro system will also allow more careful examination of T121-induced phenotypes, possibly providing additional clues about the mechanism of tumorigenesis.
Camelina Seed Supplementation at Two Dietary Fat Levels Change Ruminal Bacterial Community Composition in a Dual-Flow Continuous Culture System.

This experiment aimed to determine the effects of camelina seed (CS) supplementation at different dietary fat levels on ruminal bacterial community composition and how it relates to changes in ruminal fermentation in a dual-flow continuous culture system. Diets were randomly assigned to 8 fermenters (1,200-1,250 mL) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with four 10-d experimental periods that consisted of 7 d for diet adaptation and 3 d for sample collection. Treatments were: 1) no CS at 5% ether extract (EE, NCS5); 2) no CS at 8% EE (NCS8); 3) 7.7% camelina seed at 5% EE (CS5); and 4) 17.7% CS at 8% EE (CS8). Megalac was used as a control to adjust EE levels. Diets contained 55% orchardgrass hay and 45% concentrate, and fermenters were equally fed a total of 72 g/d (DM basis) twice daily. The bacterial community was determined by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequencing data were analyzed using mothur and statistical analyses were performed in R and SAS. The most abundant phyla across treatments were the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, accounting for 49% and 39% of the total sequences, respectively. The bacterial community composition in both liquid and solid fractions of the effluent digesta changed with CS supplementation but not by dietary EE. Including CS in the diets decreased the relative abundances of Ruminococcus spp., Fibrobacter spp., and Butyrivibrio spp. The most abundant genus across treatments, Prevotella, was reduced by high dietary EE levels, while Megasphaera and Succinivibrio were increased by CS supplementation in the liquid fraction. Correlatively, the concentration of acetate was decreased while propionate increased; C18:0 was decreased and polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially C18:2 n-6 and C18:3 n-3, were increased by CS supplementation. Based on the correlation analysis between genera and fermentation end products, this study revealed that CS supplementation could be energetically beneficial to dairy cows by increasing propionate-producing bacteria and suppressing ruminal bacteria associated with biohydrogenation. However, attention should be given to avoid the effects of CS supplementation on suppressing cellulolytic bacteria.
A Phase I Study of the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of the Novel Dopamine D1 Receptor Partial Agonist, PF-06669571, in Subjects with Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease

There is an unmet medical need for additional treatment options for Parkinson’s disease. This was a Phase I, double-blind clinical trial assessing safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of multiple doses of the novel dopamine D1 receptor partial agonist, PF-06669571, in subjects with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease on a stable dose of l-DOPA. Subjects received PF-06669571 (or matching placebo) titrated from 1 mg to 3 mg over 7 days. The primary pharmacodynamic endpoint was the change from baseline in Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part III total motor score at the pharmacodynamic time of maximum change from baseline on day 7. Twenty subjects were randomized and 19 completed the study. Maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) of PF-06669571 were reached 3.35 and 3.19 h post-dose on day 1 and day 7. Geometric mean Cmax and area under the plasma concentration–time profile from time 0 to 24 h post-dose on day 7 were 92.51 ng/mL and 1626 ng·h/mL, respectively. The primary pharmacodynamic endpoint did not meet the pre-specified criteria for significant improvement; however, the criteria were met in a sensitivity analysis excluding data from a l-DOPA outlier (l-DOPA dose of 2550 mg/d). The most common adverse events (AEs) were nausea (experienced by 2 subjects each in the PF-06669571 and placebo groups). There were no permanent discontinuations or dose reductions due to AEs. Multiple daily doses of PF-06669571 were safe and well tolerated with no notable safety concerns. The pharmacodynamic endpoint did not meet the pre-specified criteria for significant improvement. NCT02565628.
PRECIPITATE GROWTH AND RE-SOLUTION

This chapter discusses how the changed values of A(X ) and B ( X ) interact with the deposit and how the deposit affects the chances of nucleation at neighboring sites. The chapter discusses precipitate growth, precipitate re-solution, and the corresponding adjustments of solute concentration and addresses the origins and development of periodic structures. There are evidently two possibilities regarding decremented values of A ( X ) and B ( X ). These concentrations may increase or decrease as a result of further diffusion. In the presence of a deposit, it is highly unlikely that the concentration product would ever reach K SP . However, if that product came to be higher than K S , the deposit, originally at equilibrium, would grow; if it were to fall below K S , it would begin to re-dissolve. The chapter introduces two adjustable coefficients, R SC ; the re-solution coefficient, and G RC , the growth coefficient. The chapter shows how one might arrive at plausible values of G RC and R SC for use in the computations.
Organization of Hostile Military Expeditions

International law unmistakably postulates that a neutral state must maintain an attitude of strict impartiality toward belligerents in the presence of a war.1 Included in this obligation is the duty of a neutral government not only to abstain from participating in the conflict but also to refuse the use of its territory and resources for the organization of military expeditions against states with which it is at peace.2 A similar obligation exists in the presence of a civil war or an insurgency in the territory of a foreign state.3 It can thus be seen that the duty to prevent the formation of military expeditions is not in any way limited by the relations of neutrality. It is a duty which exists in peacetime as well. Though the law in this regard is relatively clear, it is believed that its somewhat narrow construction has made it susceptible of violations by the states. For present purposes it is important to emphasize that a military expedition is organized by private persons seemingly without the participation of the government. A critical examination of this act may therefore bring out the deficiencies of the law and the urgent necessity for its revision.
RED BLOOD CELL CHOLINE AS A POTENTIAL MARKER IN PSYCHIATRIC AND NEUROLOGIC DISEASE

Over the past four years several groups have explored the role of red blood cell (RBC) choline (Ch) as a potential marker in neuropsychiatric disorders. This chapter provides an overview of available findings to date, and summarizes the current status of our understanding in this area of investigation.
Treating pediatric conjunctivitis without an exam: An evaluation of outcomes and antibiotic usage.

ObjectiveThe objective of this research paper is to compare antibiotic treatment, follow-up rates, and types of follow-up encounters among eVisits, phone calls, and in-person encounters for pediatr...
MODIS Retrievals of Cloud Effective Radius in Marine Stratocumulus Exhibit No Significant Bias

Satellite retrievals of cloud effective radius re are frequently validated using aircraft in situ measurements. Past intercomparisons have found a significant bias toward larger remotely sensed re. Explanations for this bias have focused on retrieval algorithms and large scale heterogeneity, with in situ measurement uncertainty regarded as a minor factor. We compare Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) re with in situ observations of marine stratocumulus clouds from three aircraft campaigns using a phase Doppler interferometer (PDI) probe. Retrieved and in situ re typically agree within uncertainty in both non-precipitating and drizzling conditions with no apparent systematic bias (mean bias of -0.22 m, mean relative bias 3%). Agreement depends on the choice of in situ probe as well as microphysical context. We demonstrate that probes must adequately characterize the width of the drop size distribution to avoid systematic underestimation of re.
Abstract WP242: An International Survey of Progressive Stroke System Processes

Introduction: Understanding of high performing stroke systems can help development of regional stroke systems of care and bring meaningful system improvement. We sought to evaluate the current stat...
Disowning Certainty: Tragic and Comic Skepticism in Cavell, Montaigne, and Shakespeare

Stanley Cavell has influentially argued that a particularly modern form of skepticism can be found in Shakespeare’s great tragedies. In this chapter, I suggest that attending to different, early modern notions of skepticism, especially as found in the writings of the essayist Michel de Montaigne, leads us to a different notion of skepticism with different dramatic possibilities—a comic skepticism, where comedy offers a playwright the opportunity of working through the dramatic implications of skeptical thinking. I illustrate this possibility through an analysis of Twelfth Night.
Differential Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Is Associated With Fetal Regeneration After Myocardial Infarction

Background Global extracellular matrix (ECM)-related gene expression is decreased after myocardial infarction (MI) in fetal sheep when compared with adult sheep. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is a key regulator of ECM; therefore we hypothesize that TGF-β1 is differentially expressed in adult and fetal infarcts after MI. Methods Adult and fetal sheep underwent MI via ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Expression of TGF-β1 and ECM-related genes was evaluated by ovine-specific microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Fibroblasts from the left ventricle of adult and fetal hearts were treated with TGF-β1 or a TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor (LY36497) to evaluate the effect of TGF-β1 on ECM-related genes. Results Col1a1, col3a1, and MMP9 expression were increased in adult infarcts 3 and 30 days after MI but were upregulated in fetal infarcts only 3 days after MI. Three days after MI elastin expression was increased in adult infarcts. Despite upregulation in adult infarcts both 3 and 30 days after MI, TGF-β1 was not upregulated in fetal infarcts at any time point. Inhibition of the TGF-β1 receptor in adult cardiac fibroblasts decreased expression of col1a1, col3a1, MMP9, elastin, and TIMP1, whereas treatment of fetal cardiac fibroblasts with TGF-β1 increased expression of these genes. Conclusions TGF-β1 is increased in adult infarcts compared with regenerative, fetal infarcts after MI. Although treatment of fetal cardiac fibroblasts with TGF-β1 conveys an adult phenotype, inhibition of TGF-β1 conveys a fetal phenotype to adult cardiac fibroblasts. Decreasing TGF-β1 after MI may facilitate myocardial regeneration by "fetalizing" the otherwise fibrotic, adult response to MI.
The Context of Caution: An Examination of Age, Social Context, and Sex on Measures of Inhibitory Control and Risky Decision-Making:

Understanding how older adults successfully navigate complex choices like driving requires the consideration of processing speed, inhibitory control, attentional processes, and risk management, and...
Effects of low-dose intraoperative fentanyl on postoperative respiratory complication rate: a pre-specified, retrospective analysis.

Abstract Background Fentanyl is one of the most frequently administered intraoperative drugs and may increase the risk of postoperative respiratory complications (PRCs). Methods We performed a pre-specified analysis of 145 735 adult non-cardiac surgical cases under general anaesthesia. Using multivariable logistic regression, we evaluated the association of intraoperative fentanyl dose and PRCs within 3 days after surgery (defined as reintubation, respiratory failure, pneumonia, pulmonary oedema, or atelectasis). We examined effect modification by patient characteristics, surgical site, and anaesthetics used. Results PRCs within 3 days after surgery occurred in 18 839 (12.9%) patients. In comparison with high intraoperative fentanyl doses [median: 3.85; inter-quartile range (IQR): 3.42–4.50 μg kg−1, quartile 4 (Q4)], low intraoperative fentanyl dose [median: 0.80, IQR: 0.00–1.14 μg kg−1, quartile 1 (Q1)] was significantly associated with lower odds of PRCs [Q1 vs Q4: 10.9% vs 16.2%; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.79; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.75–0.84; P Conclusions Intraoperative low-dose fentanyl (about 60–120 μg for a 70 kg patient) was associated with lower risk of postoperative respiratory complications compared with both no fentanyl and high-dose fentanyl. Beneficial effects of low-dose fentanyl were magnified in specific patient subgroups. Clinical trial registration NCT03198208.
Preventing Hepatitis B in the Dialysis Unit

Patients with end-stage renal disease are at risk for contracting hepatitis B virus (HBV) because of their exposure to blood products and compromised immune status. Despite a decrease in the incidence of HBV infection, continued vigilance in the form of surveillance is imperative in preventing the spread of this robust DNA virus. Regular review of serologic markers with isolation and decontamination practices as appropriate are paramount to maintaining a safe environment for dialysis to occur. Vaccination response rates are known to be suboptimal in the hemodialysis population. This has been attributed to altered cellular and humoral immunity. Vaccine response rates are improved with modification of the vaccine schedule. Explicit care must be taken to ensure patients are screened on entry to the dialysis unit especially after hospitalization, and periodically thereafter. This review discusses HBV in terms of epidemiology, prevention strategies, vaccination options, and identifying serologic markers. Finally, our experience with incorporation of an alert system incorporated within the electronic medical record that highlights markers of infection and immunity is described.
Tracheobronchomalacia in the Adult: Is Imaging Helpful?

The aim of this article is to: 1) Review the imaging features of tracheobronchomalacia and excessive dynamic airway collapse 2) To highlight the recent advances in imaging of the central airways. Imaging of the central airways requires dedicated techniques optimized to evaluate the transient collapse of the central airways either due to excessive movement of the posterior membrane and/or secondary to weakness of the tracheal cartilages. Routine imaging of the chest is limited in its ability to demonstrate the true extent of collapsibility of the airways. The more recently introduced imaging protocols utilize dynamic acquisition during active expiration which demonstrate the transient but true extent of the airway collapse. CT also has potential applications in treatment in the form of 3D-printed splints. Dedicated imaging protocols introduced with recent advances in CT technology allow diagnosis of tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) noninvasively. However, there is a current lack of clear threshold for diagnosis which has led to a wide range of reported prevalence of TBM and excessive dynamic airway collapse.
Influence of the Laser Scanning Rate on the Structure of Rotating Lattice Single Crystal Lines

Localized controlled heating of glass with a continuous wave laser has introduced the possibility of engineering the lattice of recently discovered rotating lattice single (RLS) crystals and thus obtaining novel metamaterials. Toward this goal, we report the role of the laser scanning speed on the lattice structure of a model system: Sb2S3 straight RLS crystal lines created in a 16SbI3–84Sb2S3 glass. The electron backscatter diffraction analysis shows that above a critical laser scanning speed the lattice rotates along the direction of scanning, the rate of lattice rotation is relatively insensitive to scanning speed, and the growth front is symmetric. In contrast, for laser scanning speeds below this critical value, the rate and direction of lattice rotation are strongly affected by the speed. Further, the growth front becomes asymmetric, which promotes the formation of new grains misoriented by ≤10°. These observations are explained in terms of the relative dominance of the temperature gradient from las...
Evaluating the evidence for youth outcomes in 4-H: A scoping review

Abstract 4-H is an extremely influential youth development program, serving over six million youth across the United States and worldwide. These programs are designed to promote youth development; empirical evidence for youth development outcomes of participation in 4-H programs can help to document the nature of their effects on youth. We conducted a scoping review to describe the quality, type, and focus of research on 4-H program outcomes from both peer-reviewed and grey literature. After abstraction, coders assessed 107 papers across several indices, with results indicating that the body of evidence for youth outcomes from 4-H programming is lacking, with no studies rigorously assessing causal program impact. More rigorous research is needed to evaluate and report the evidence for youth outcomes from participation in 4-H. Improving the quality of 4-H research can strengthen 4-H programming.
Cognitive decline profiles differ in Parkinson disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Objective To examine whether domain-specific patterns of cognitive impairment and trajectories of decline differed in patients with clinically diagnosed Parkinson disease dementia (PDD) (N = 29) and autopsy-confirmed dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) (N = 58) or Alzheimer disease (AD) (N = 174) and to determine the impact of pooling patients with PDD and DLB in clinical trials targeting cognition. Methods Patients were matched on demographics and level of global cognitive impairment. Patterns of cross-sectional performance and longitudinal decline were examined in 4 cognitive domains: Visuospatial, Memory, Executive, and Language. Power analyses were performed to determine the numbers of participants needed to adequately power a hypothetical clinical trial to slow cognitive decline in pure PDD, pure DLB, or a mixed PDD/DLB group. Results Both DLB and PDD were more impaired and declined more rapidly than AD in the Visuospatial domain. Patients with PDD exhibited the most impairment and fastest decline in Executive, although patients with DLB also declined faster than AD. Memory was more impaired in AD than DLB and in both compared with PDD; however, all 3 groups declined at comparable rates. In contrast, PDD declined at a slower rate on Language measures than DLB or AD. Power analyses suggest that Visuospatial and Executive outcome measures would be most sensitive in PDD, but Memory and Language in DLB. Conclusion DLB and PDD differ from each other, and from AD, in a cognitive domain-specific manner. As such, different outcome measures may be most sensitive to detecting changes in DLB vs PDD, suggesting that the 2 should be analyzed separately in clinical trials.
Direct solid-state nucleation and charge-transport dynamics of alkali metal-intercalated M2Mo6S6 (M = K, Rb, Cs) nanorods

Microwave-assisted solid-state heating has been employed to control anisotropic growth of M2Mo6S6 (M = K, Rb, Cs) pseudo-Chevrel phase nanorods without a growth template for the first time. Pronounced preferential crystal nucleation along the hexagonal axis is observed, and electrochemical methods are implemented to elucidate viability for employment of these materials in energy storage and energy conversion systems. It is observed that these nanomaterials exhibit moderate and under-explored capacitive behavior with charge storage capabilities ranging from 2–8 F g−1 in strongly acidic aqueous electrolyte, as well as promising electrochemical performance, evolving hydrogen gas at 10 mA cm−2 under an applied bias of less than 300 mV vs. RHE.
Topology identification method of low voltage distribution network based on data association analysis

This paper introduces a topology identification method of low-voltage distribution network based on data association analysis. The low-voltage distribution network to be identified is divided into the single distribution transformer power off station areas, multiple distribution transformer station areas caused by 10kV distribution line power outage and the distribution transformer areas without power interruption based on low-voltage distribution network blackout event, restoration power on event and geographic location information. In each type of station area, Tanimoto similarity coefficient is used to calculate the correlation and non-correlation between distribution transformer, branch box, meter box and smart meter in each group, so as to achieve the topology identification of the low-voltage distribution network. And then the identified topology can be verified by combining the topology verification rules of the same distribution transformer station area has the same of outage and live state, outage duration, geographical location, power supply radius and so on. Through the actual case, it is proved that the method proposed in this paper can solve the problems of large amount of calculation, inaccuracy of calculation results, and inability to verify based on the existing big data mining methods. It realizes the efficient and accurate identification of distribution transformer substation topology, and improves the information level and data quality of distribution network.
Coverage, Formulary Restrictions, and Out-of-Pocket Costs for Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists in the Medicare Part D Program.

This cross-sectional study assesses drug coverage, formulary restrictions, median retail prices, and annual out-of-pocket costs associated with commonly used insulin products across Medicare Part D plans.
Data Falsification Attacks on Consensus-Based Detection Systems

This paper considers the problem of signal detection in distributed networks in the presence of data falsification (Byzantine) attacks. Detection approaches considered in the paper are based on fully distributed consensus algorithms, where all of the nodes exchange information only with their neighbors in the absence of a fusion center. For such networks, we first characterize the negative effect of Byzantines on the steady state and transient detection performance of conventional consensus-based detection algorithms. To avoid performance deterioration, we propose a distributed weighted average consensus algorithm that is robust to Byzantine attacks. We show that, under reasonable assumptions, the global test statistic for detection can be computed locally at each node using our proposed consensus algorithm. We exploit the statistical distribution of the nodes’ data to devise techniques for mitigating the influence of data falsifying Byzantines on the distributed detection system. Since some parameters of the statistical distribution of the nodes’ data might not be known a priori , we propose learning based techniques to enable an adaptive design of the local fusion or update rules. Numerical results are presented for illustration.
SpartanGold: A Blockchain for Education, Experimentation, and Rapid Prototyping

Since the introduction of Bitcoin and the blockchain, the cryptocurrency space has seen rapid innovation in both academic research and in cutting edge designs from industry. Student interest has likewise increased rapidly.
Abstract 13455: Association of Inflammation and Hemostasis Biomarkers with Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Heart Disease: the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study

Introduction: Recent studies suggest atrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). AF and CHD are both associated with increased levels of inflammation and hemostasis biomarkers but it is unknown whether these biomarkers modify CHD risk in AF. Methods: The REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study recruited 30,239 black and white participants between 2003 and 2007 who have been followed for CHD events through 2011. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), d-dimer, factor VIII, and fibrinogen were measured in CHD cases (n=647) and a stratified cohort random sample (n=883). Using a case-cohort approach, Cox models tested the association between AF and CHD and whether hemostasis or inflammation biomarkers were associated with CHD in those with and without AF. Results: At baseline, 12.2% of the CHD cases and 7.1% of the cohort random sample had AF. AF was associated with higher levels of factor VIII (β=10.2, p=0.03) and fibrinogen (β=27.4, p=0.002) but not D-dimer or CRP. Over a median of 4.4 years (interquartile range=3.1, 5.5), AF was associated with an increased risk of CHD (HR 2.08, 95% CI=1.15, 3.74) after adjusting for risk factors listed in Table 1. Per standard deviation increments, there were no significant interactions between AF and CRP, factor VIII, and fibrinogen (Table 1). The association of d-dimer with CHD was greater in those with AF (HR 2.52, 95% CI=1.49, 4.26) than in those without AF (HR 1.34, 95% CI=1.12, 1.61) (p-interaction=0.02). Conclusions: D-dimer is a stronger risk factor for CHD in those with than without AF. Our data suggest that alterations in hemostasis play a unique role in the increased CHD risk among those with AF and d-dimer potentially is a useful marker for identifying AF persons at risk for CHD.
The Geometry of Representing Measures and their Critical Values

The author [1] has recently described a smooth parametrization of the convex set of representing measures M0 for evaluation of analytic functions at a point q0 in a g holed planar domain with analytic boundary. Here this parametrization is used to provide answers to three questions from the literature concerning the geometry of M0 and the nature of the critical values of elements in M0. First, in answer to a question of Nash [5] it is shown that for domains with g > 2 holes the set M0 is not strictly convex. Further the details of a class of symmetric examples are completed. In these examples it is shown that M0 is the span of 2g isolated extreme points answering a question of Nash [5]. Finally, in answer to a question of Sarason [6] it is shown that elements in M0 can have “double” critical values on the boundary of the domain.
Observed Angular Motions in Planetary Nebulae

Plates of planetary nebulae taken in October 1965 and June 1967 with the 100-inch and 60-inch telescopes on Mount Wilson are compared with photographs taken with the same instruments 40 or more years previously, to determine the amount of angular motion of material outward from the central stars. Densitometer tracings of the nebulae yield values of \( \dot \theta \) the radial motion in seconds of arc per century for condensations (filaments, rings, etc.) as well as for the edges of the visible material. Preliminary data are presented for NGC 2392, 6818 and 7662. For NGC 2392 and NGC 7662 distances are derived.
Treks of Imagination

The Road to Reality A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe. By Roger Penrose . Jonathan Cape, London, 2004. 1122 pp. £30, C$85. ISBN 0-224-04447-8. Knopf, New York, 2005. $40. ISBN 0-679-45443-8. The author offers a comprehensive account of his perspective on our understanding of the physical behavior of the universe and the mathematical theory that underlies it.
Reaction rates of ozone and terpenes adsorbed to model indoor surfaces

UNLABELLED Reaction rates and reaction probabilities have been quantified on model indoor surfaces for the reaction of ozone with two monoterpenes (Δ(3) -carene and d-limonene). Molar surface loadings were obtained by performing breakthrough experiments in a plug-flow reactor (PFR) packed with beads of glass, polyvinylchloride or zirconium silicate. Reaction rates and probabilities were determined by equilibrating the PFR with both the terpene and the ozone and measuring the ozone consumption rate. To mimic typical indoor conditions, temperatures of 20, 25, and 30°C were used in both types of experiments along with a relative humidity ranging from 10% to 80%. The molar surface loading decreased with increased relative humidity, especially on glass, suggesting that water competed with the terpenes for adsorption sites. The ozone reactivity experiments indicate that higher surface loadings correspond with higher ozone uptake. The reaction probability for Δ(3) -carene with ozone ranged from 2.9 × 10(-6) to 3.0 × 10(-5) while reaction probabilities for d-limonene ranged from 2.8 × 10(-5) to 3.0 × 10(-4) . These surface reaction probabilities are roughly 10-100 times greater than the corresponding gas-phase values. Extrapolation of these results to typical indoor conditions suggests that surface conversion rates may be substantial relative to gas-phase rates, especially for lower volatility terpenoids. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS At present, it is unclear how important heterogeneous reactions will be in influencing indoor concentrations of terpenes, ozone and their reaction products. We observe that surface reaction probabilities were 10 to 100 times greater than their corresponding gas-phase values. Thus indoor surfaces do enhance effective reaction rates and adsorption of terpenes will increase ozone flux to otherwise low-reactivity surfaces. Extrapolation of these results to typical indoor conditions suggests that surface conversion rates may be substantial relative to gas-phase rates, especially for lower volatility terpenoids.
Vibration and Damping of Thin-Walled Cylinders

The frequencies of normal modes of free vibration of three cylinders of different thickness were found experimentally. For some of the modes damping was also found. The modes excited were of a single axial half wave and multiple circumferential waves. The shells were geometrically similar except for thickness and were made by electroplating copper on accurately machined wax mandrels. Melting the wax produced shells of very uniform thickness without seams. The modes and frequencies agreed to within 10% of the theoretical values for cylinders with fixed ends, except at small numbers of waves where they agreed more closely with the theoretical values for freely supported ends. The damping factors tended toward a small constant value with increasing numbers of waves above the mode with fundamental frequency, but increased rapidly as the numbers of waves decreased below the fundamental.
Editorial on the Special Issue “Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Public Health: Progress and Current Challenges”

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) affect the quality of fresh and marine waters and adversely affect both animals and humans. [...]
Studies On The Structure And Cellular Location Of Various Ribosome And Ribosomal Rna Species In The Green Alga Chlamydomonas Reinhardi

Under ionic conditions effecting little or no subunit dissociation, Chlamydomonas reinhardi contains 2 major classes of ribosomes with generic sedimentation velocities of 83 and 70s and 3 minor classes with sedimentation velocities of 66, 54, and 41s. Ribosomal RNAs with sedimentation velocities of 25, 23, 18, 16 and 5s have been identified. The 70-s ribosomes are in the chloroplast and contain 23-, 16- and 5-s ribosomal RNA whereas the 83-s ribosomes are in the cytoplasm and contain 25-, 18- and 5-s ribosomal RNA. Numbers of chloroplast ribosome particles counted in electron micrographs of wild type C. reinhardi and the ac-20 and y mutants have been compared with relative amounts of 70-s ribosomes determined by sucrose gradient sedimentation and amounts of 23-, 16- and 5-s ribosomal RNA determined by gel electrophoresis. In response to reduced concentrations of magnesium the 70-s ribosomes of wild type are susceptible to a progressive reduction in sedimentation velocity whereas the 66-s ribosomes of the mutant ac-20 are not. Chlorophyll synthesis and the formation of the chloroplast lamellar system do not appear to be correlated with the relative amounts of chloroplast ribosomes.
Cancer and the family physician

The American Cancer Society estimates that several hundred thousand lives could be saved per year if the current knowledge about the early treatment and prevention of cancer could be applied to all of the individuals in this country without new cancer "breakthroughs." The family physician has a unique opportunity, by virtue of his accessibility to a large segment of the patient population, to deliver patient education information as well as perform most of the procedures that are necessary to effect an early diagnosis. The family physician must develop a "preventive attitude" in himself, his office support staff, and the cadre of the consultants frequently used. He must be willing to assume the position of being a leader of the cancer team in all phases, which includes prevention, early diagnosis, definitive diagnosis, initial treatment, adjunctive treatment, reconstruction, continued surveillance for the lifetime of the patient, and finally, supportive care for the terminally ill. Care coordinator and primary communicator are positions he assumes on a continuing basis while acting as the patient advocate within the existing structure of the healthcare system. He must assume the role as financial advisor for the patient and his family with recommendations that are individualized, considering the patient's financial circumstance, age, general physical condition, support mechanisms, community resources available, family attitude, available consultation, and stage of disease. Ideally, we should strive to develop many thousands of cancer centers in individual family physicians, as well as other primary care physicians' offices across the country where correct information about cancer and proper diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can be obtained in that office or through proper consultation, with the alternatives in such procedures clearly provided to the patient and his family. These centers would provide an effective means of reducing morbidity and mortality of cancer within the existing structure of healthcare in this country and, if it were coordinated with episodic care, it could be done in the most effective manner.
Steady State Temperature Gradients in a Non-Blinking Human Eye Prepared for Surgery

LASER surgery on the human eye is intended to reduce a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. Any type of Laser surgery has heat effects on the eye. In laser surgery specific parts of the eye are exposed to concentrated high heat doses, too high heat at a certain spot results in permanent medical damage to the specific exposed eye cells. Precise temperature monitoring of the live interior of the human eye is not possible with the current technology. Published modeling assumes that the human eyeball is at a constant temperature, mostly at 37 °C. Understanding the exact temperature gradients in the prepared open human eyeball in room temperature before surgery is a first step in better understanding the heat effects of either laser surgery on specific treated spots of the cornea, or the effects of insertion of synthetic lenses in the human eye, or treating the retina with laser. In this article the anatomy of the human eyeball, dimensions, and properties are considered in constructing a finite element steady state thermal model of the normal open human eye for an adult, in preparation for surgery under normal room conditions. Also, room boundary conditions are used. Based on the model, the temperature gradients in the open eye are reported.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Preparation and properties of the protein and nucleic acid components of pea enation mosaic virus.

Abstract Preparations of pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV), purified by a procedure designed to handle large quantities of infected plant material easily, contained four sedimenting components; the two components that sedimented the most rapidly were aggregates of the major virus component. The virus contains 2.48% phosphorus and 28–30% RNA. PEMV nucleic acid in intact virus had an extinction coefficient of 23.2/mg/ml/cm at 260 mμ and a hypochromicity of 0.68, and consisted of 24.1% adenylic acid, 26.1% guanylic acid, 24.0 cytidylic acid, and 25.8% uridylic acid. The virus has a single structural protein with a relatively high content of basic amino acids. The protein is comprised of approximately 199 amino acid residues and has a molecular weight of 21,800.
Skin temperature biofeedback and migraine.

SYNOPSIS Skin temperature biofeedback was used in treating two groups of patients with migraine. The experimental group received true auditory feedback controlled by increases in skin temperature of their fingers, while the control group received a similar “positive” signal independent of skin temperature changes and controlled by the investigator. The true feedback group increased their skin temperature significantly more (p < 0.05) than the control group, but both groups showed similar improvement in headaches. This study suggests that biofeedback techniques are useful in treating patients with migraine, and the mechanism, presumably a placebo effect, is independent of peripheral skin temperature changes.
Sensitivity of NWP model skill to the obliquity of the GPS radio occultation soundings

The impact of accounting for the drift of the tangent point of the global positioning system radio occultation (GPS RO) profiles within a data assimilation system has been investigated. The GPS RO processing centers provide geographic coordinates for each retrieved value within a profile, as well as profile-representative coordinates. Instead of assimilating each retrieved value with its corresponding latitude and longitude, several numerical weather prediction (NWP) centers have alternatively been using the profile-representative horizontal coordinates. This study shows that this simplification of the geometry of the GPS RO data should be avoided when possible in order to get optimal results in terms of NWP forecast skill. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Blockage of the cochlear aqueduct.

An experiment was performed on guinea pigs to determine whether blockage of their cochlear aqueducts would cause any morphological changes in their inner ears and, in particular, whether it would cause endolymphatic hydrops. In 17 animals in which the cochlear aqueducts were successfully blocked without injury to other structures, there were no histological changes as determined by light microscopy after postoperative survival times of 1 to 7 months. Even by electron microscopy, fine structural alterations were not found. In 5 animals, with postoperative survival times of 2 to 5 months, in which both the cochlear aqueducts and vestibular aqueducts were blocked, there was endolymphatic hydrops and degeneration of sensory and neural structures in the same anatomical pattern and magnitude as that observed in previous experiments in which only the vestibular aqueducts were blocked. It is concluded therefore that the function of the cochlear aqueduct, in providing a wide communication between the cerebrospinal...