cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro contact wear of dental composites

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study is to determine the in vitro two-body contact wear mechanisms of three medium filled composites and compare these with a highly filled composite previously investigated. Materials and methods. Three commercial dental composites with filler mass fraction loading of 75–76% were evaluated. Two of the composites contained Ba–B–Al-silicate glass fillers and fumed silica with different particle sizes and distributions. One of these composites contained a fairly uniform distribution of filler particles ranging in size from 1 to 5 μm, whereas the particle size distribution in the second composite was bimodal consisting of small (less than 1 μm) and large (about 10 μm) particles. The third composite contained Ba–Al-silicate glass and silica with a filler particle size of approximately 1 μm. The composite disks were tested for wear against harder alumina counterfaces. Wear tests were conducted in distilled water using a pin-on-disk tribometer under conditions that represented typical oral conditions (sliding speed of 2.5 mm/s and contact loads ranging from 1 to 20 N). The wear tracks were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to elucidate the wear mechanisms. The chemical composition of the water solution collected after the tests was determined using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) to detect possible chemical changes, e.g. dissolution of trace elements due to submersion or wear. The wear results were compared with those reported in an earlier study on a highly filled composite containing predominately alumino-silicate glass fillers and alumina at a filler loading of 92%. Results. The differences in two-body wear rates between the three medium filled composites were not statistically significant (p Significance. This study reveals that subtle changes in the filler particle size and small differences in filler composition do not significantly affect the two-body wear behavior of medium filled composites. However, the chemistry of filler particles plays an important role in altering the wear performance of composites when significant changes are made in the chemical composition of the fillers and when the filler loading is increased.
Ventricular assist device therapy for acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock

at presentation, improved and remained controllable in most patients. During followup: 7 patients were Class I/II, 1 was Class III/IV. The one Class III/IV patient required more frequent medical intervention for heart failure until transplantation soon after presenting with IVR. No catastrophic, life-threatening events occurred. The R-VEs appear to have a unique problem even when taking into account increasing durations of support. In the 5 R-VE LVADs with IVR thus far explanted, the inflow valve conduit appeared subject to excessive distortion despite proper surgical orientation. IVR is an important problem occurring with undesirable frequency in a Recent VE (R-VE) version of the HeartMate VE LVAD. Hopefully, device modifications in progress will be corrective. This early analysis, of the largest experience described to date, suggests a conservative approach with careful diagnosis, supportive management and expectant observation is appropriate for most of these patients.
Resistance measurements of platinum-titania thin film gas detectors in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and reactive ion etcher (RIE) systems

Abstract The application of a conductometric Pt-TiO x thin film gas detector for monitoring oxygen and hydrogen impurities in vacuum and in semiconductor process gases is described. The gas detector exhibits reversible resistance responses to gases such as O 2 and H 2 in the 10 −5 –10 −3 Pa range, but does not register a response to inert gases such as CF 4 . The gas detector utilizes an evaporated 65 A Ti-35 A Pt film deposited on a micromachined dielectric window of the silicon based structure. Additional features of the gas detector structure include Ti-Ir electrodes arranged on the sensing film in a four point probe configuration and a boron-doped silicon heater beneath the dielectric window which is capable of varying the temperature of the sensing film from ambient to 750 °C. The gas detector is activated for sensing with oxidation in 1.3 × 10 −4 Pa O 2 at 750 °C followed by reduction in 1.3 × 10 −4 Pa H 2 at 400 °C. This series of activation steps converts the 65 A Ti-35 A Pt film into a discontinuous network structure of discrete Pt-TiO x islands. Gas detector responses to oxygen and hydrogen in vacuum, both under isothermal and temperature-programmed operation, are reported and mechanistically discussed. The utility of the Pt-TiO x gas detector to detect small leaks and to track in-situ the effluent dynamics during operation of an Applied Materials hexode reactive ion etcher (RIE) is demonstrated.
Field Validation of the Fanger Thermal Comfort Model

Quantitative models of “thermal comfort” commonly involve prediction equations with “votes” on a thermal sensation scale as the criterion and physical variables (temperature, humidity, activity, cl...
Environmental Policy Uncertainty and Marketable Permit Systems: The Dutch Phosphate Quota Program

Tradable permits are generally considered as an efficient instrument to regulate pollution by individual producers. However, uncertainty about changes in or possible discontinuation of the program could make individual farmers reluctant to invest in tradable permits. This article uses the option approach to derive a theoretical model that shows the impact of policy uncertainty on investment in tradable quota. The empirical assessment provides weak evidence for the existence of option values due to policy uncertainty for phosphate quota in swine production in the Netherlands.
Organelle motility and metabolism in axons vs dendrites of cultured hippocampal neurons

Regional regulation of organelle transport seems likely to play an important role in establishing and maintaining distinct axonal and dendritic domains in neurons, and in managing differences in local metabolic demands. In addition, known differences in microtubule polarity and organization between axons and dendrites along with the directional selectivity of microtubule-based motor proteins suggest that patterns of organelle transport may differ in these two process types. To test this hypothesis, we compared the patterns of movement of different organelle classes in axons and different dendritic regions of cultured embryonic rat hippocampal neurons. We first examined the net direction of organelle transport in axons, proximal dendrites and distal dendrites by video-enhanced phase-contrast microscopy. We found significant regional variation in the net transport of large phase-dense vesicular organelles: they exhibited net retrograde transport in axons and distal dendrites, whereas they moved equally in both directions in proximal dendrites. No significant regional variation was found in the net transport of mitochondria or macropinosomes. Analysis of individual organelle motility revealed three additional differences in organelle transport between the two process types. First, in addition to the difference in net transport direction, the large phase-dense organelles exhibited more persistent changes in direction in proximal dendrites where microtubule polarity is mixed than in axons where microtubule polarity is uniform. Second, while the net direction of mitochondrial transport was similar in both processes, twice as many mitochondria were motile in axons than in dendrites. Third, the mean excursion length of moving mitochondria was significantly longer in axons than in dendrites. To determine whether there were regional differences in metabolic activity that might account for these motility differences, we labeled mitochondria with the vital dye, JC-1, which reveals differences in mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Staining of neurons with this dye revealed a greater proportion of highly charged, more metabolically active, mitochondria in dendrites than in axons. Together, our data reveal differences in organelle motility and metabolic properties in axons and dendrites of cultured hippocampal neurons.
WeeFIM Normative Sample of an Instrument for Tracking Functional Independence in Children

A cross-sectional community sample of 417 children, ages 6 months to 8 years without developmental delays or in developmental programs, was seen. The Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) was used to assess independence in self-care, sphincter control, transfers, locomotion, communication, and social cognition. Mean total WeeFIM was similar for males and females. There was a significant correlation between the age of the child in months and total WeeFIM scores for children ages 2 to 5 years (n = 222, r = .80, P < .01). There was a progressive increase of functional independence with increasing chronological age across all WeeFIM domains. We conclude that the WeeFIM is a useful instrument for measuring disability in children.
Decision fusion algorithm for target tracking in infrared imagery

We propose a novel decision fusion algorithm for target tracking in forward-looking infrared (FLIR) image sequences recorded from an airborne platform. The algorithm allows the fusion of complementary ego-motion compensation and tracking algorithms to estimate the position of the target in the current frame among a sequence of frames of FLIR imagery. We identified three modes that contribute to the failure of the tracking system: (1) the sensor ego-motion failure mode, which causes the movement of the target beyond the operational limits of the tracking stage; (2) the tracking failure mode, which occurs when the tracking algorithm fails to determine the correct location of the target in the new frame; (3) the reference-image distortion failure mode, which happens when the reference image accumulates walkoff error, especially when the target is changing in size, shape, or orientation from frame to frame. The strategy in our design is to prevent these failure modes from producing tracking failures. The overall performance of the algorithm is guaranteed to be much better than any individual tracking algorithm used in the fusion. One important aspect of the proposed algorithm is its recoverability: the ability to recover following a failure at a certain frame. The experiments performed on Army Missile Command AMCOM FLIR data set verify the robustness of the algorithm.
French Women, Italian Art, and Other “Advocates of the Body” in Harriet Beecher Stowe's The Minister's Wooing

Displays of sanctified eroticism in The Minister's Wooing reveal Harriet Beecher Stowe's conviction that the body is inherently holy. The author's experience of religious paintings and her observation of French women in Europe deepened her belief that the female body is an instrument of spirituality, as can be traced in the novel.
Disparity component matching for visual correspondence

We present a method for computing dense visual correspondence based on general assumptions about scene geometry. Our algorithm does not rely on correlation, and uses a variable region of support. We assume that images consist of a number of connected sets of pixels with the same disparity, which we call disparity components. Using maximum likelihood arguments, at each pixel we compute a small set of plausible disparities. A pixel is assigned a disparity d based on connected components of pixels, where each pixel in a component considers d to be plausible. Our implementation chooses the largest plausible disparity component; however, global contextual constraints can also be applied. While the algorithm was originally designed for visual correspondence, it can also be used for other early vision problems such as image restoration. It runs in a few seconds on traditional benchmark images with standard parameter settings, and gives quite promising results.
On the Jordan structure of the spectral-zero dynamics in multivariable analytic interpolation

The parametrization of solutions to scalar interpolation problems with a degree constraint relies on the concept of spectral-zeros - these are the poles of the inverse of a corresponding spectral factor. In fact, under a certain degree constraint, the spectral-zeros are free (modulo a stability requirement) and parameterize all solutions. The subject of this paper is the multivariable analog of a Nehari-like analytic interpolation with a degree constraint. Our main result is based on Rosenbrock?s pole assignability theorem and addresses the freedom in assigning the Jordan structure of the spectral-zero dynamics.
Convergent evolution of plant chemical discrimination by omnivorous and herbivorous scleroglossan lizards

Because sensory capacities and responsiveness must correspond to adaptively important environmental cues, they may require evolutionary modification to match shifts in the adaptive milieu. Many lizards identify prey by tongue-flicking, especially actively foraging species of Scleroglossa, the speciose lizard taxon that includes snakes. Correspondence between diet and chemosensory responsiveness, although known in two genera of colubrid snakes, has not been established in lizards because most species are generalist predators. Omnivory and herbivory are uncommon among scleroglossans, but have evolved frequently enough to permit tests of the hypothesis that shifts to plant consumption have been accompanied by acquisition of responsiveness to plant food chemicals. Based on literature surveys I traced the evolution of scleroglossan lizard diet and food chemical discrimination. Three tests taking phylogenetic relationships into account (concentrated changes tests, Pagel's tests, and a modification of Ridley's test) showed that correlated evolution has occurred, with strong responses to plant chemicals having evolved convergently in at least five taxa that underwent shifts from insectivory to omnivory or herbivory. In all four origins of omnivory and herbivory in taxa derived from ancestral active foragers, lizards retained prey chemical discrimination. In the single origin of omnivory in an ancestrally ambush foraging taxon, both plant and prey chemical discrimination evolved de novo. These findings show that one aspect of chemosensory identification of food has been evolutionarily adjusted to diet in a major group of vertebrates.
Combined laser in situ keratomileusis and prophylactic high-fluence corneal collagen crosslinking for high myopia: Two-year safety and efficacy

Purpose To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and refractive and keratometric stability of myopic femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with concurrent prophylactic high-fluence corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) compared with the outcomes of standard femtosecond LASIK. Setting Private clinical practice, Athens, Greece. Design Consecutive randomized prospective comparative study. Methods Eyes that had myopic LASIK or myopic LASIK with concurrent high-fluence CXL were evaluated preoperatively and up to 2 years postoperatively for manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), refractive astigmatism, visual acuity, corneal keratometry (K), and endothelial cell count. Results One hundred forty consecutive eyes had myopic LASIK; 65 of the eyes were treated additionally with CXL. In the LASIK–CXL eyes, the mean postoperative MRSE was −0.18 diopter (D) ± 17.0 (SD) from −6.67 ± 2.14 D preoperatively. The postoperative flat K was 37.67 D from 43.92 D, and the steep K was 38.38 D from 45.15 D. The correlation coefficient of SE correction predictability was 0.975. In the LASIK-only eyes, the mean postoperative MRSE was −0.32 ± 0.24 D from −5.49 ± 1.99 D preoperatively. The flat K was 38.04 D from 43.15 D, and the steep K was 38.69 D from 44.03 D. The correlation coefficient of SE correction predictability was 0.968. The differences between the 2 groups at the 20/20 and 20/25 levels were statistically significant (P = .045 and P = .039, respectively). Conclusion Two-year results indicate that the application of prophylactic CXL concurrently with high-myopic LASIK appears to improve refractive and keratometric stability, presumably by affecting corneal biomechanical properties. Financial Disclosure Dr. Kanellopoulos is a consultant to Alcon Surgical, Inc., Wavelight Laser Technologie AG, Allergan, Inc., Avedro, Inc., and i-Optics Corp. Dr. Asimellis has no financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Multi-element array antennas for free-space optical communication

In this paper we examine the feasibility of using 2-dimensional multiple element array antennas for free-space optical communications. Spatial diversity due to multiple antennas on 2-d arrays can increase aggregate link bandwidth. On the other hand, simultaneous transmissions between the elements on the arrays can cause inter-channel interference, reducing the effective bandwidth. We model this inter-channel interference as noise and find the probability of error due to such noise. Based on this error model, we then derive channel capacity estimations. We present design guidelines based on the link range, number of optical transceivers (elements) that can be packed on a given array, and the achievable aggregate bandwidth.
Getting Warmer on Critical Care for Head Injury

Unlike the successes for almost every other organ, resuscitation of the brain has been a fitful pursuit, punctuated by enthusiasm in early trials and subsequent disappointment. Even hypothermia after cardiac arrest, a seeming success, was tempered by a study in the Journal showing that cooling to either 33°C or 36°C gives the same results.1 One strong point in the field had been the treatment of raised intracranial pressure, but trials involving patients with severe head trauma that were also published in the Journal have suggested that removing part of the skull to reduce intracranial pressure is ineffective2 and that in . . .
Growth of Arizona Rose and Attack and Establishment of Gall Wasps Diplolepis fusiformans and D. spinosa (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)

The two cynipid wasps, Diplolepis fusiformans (Ashmead) and D. spinosa (Ashmead), which induce galls on shoots of Rosa arizonica Rydberg, attack longer, more vigorous shoots with a higher probability than less vigorous shoots. Also, more adult insects emerge per gall on more vigorous shoots including Diplolepis , the cynipid inquiline Periclistus , and parasitoids. This indicates that establishment in galls on vigorous shoots in relation to plant resistance is higher than on less vigorous shoots. However, the presence of Periclistus , which makes multiple chambers per Diplolepis host, complicates an exact interpretation of the relative roles of plant resistance and natural enemies in the survivorship of Diplolepis gallers. As ramets of R. arizonica age, mean shoot length declines, and attacks by Diplolepis are concentrated on young vigorous plants. The patterns of attack and establishment of Diplolepis species are similar to those described for three species of tenthredinid sawfly gallers in the genus Euura . This study therefore contributes to an understanding that some herbivores require vigorous plants for successful use of resources, in contrast to arguments that herbivores survive best on stressed plants.
Hugoniots of Colorado Oil Shale

In order to determine the dynamic response of oil shale to the large shock amplitudes experienced in the near-field region surrounding an explosive-filled borehole, we have measured the single-shock Hugoniots of Colorado oil shale as functions of kerogen content and orientation of the shock front to the bedding planes. This report is limited to shock wave behavior above 4 GPa, which is the lower range of in-contact explosive techniques. Behavior in the low-pressure, or far-field, region is presently being investigated, using different experimental techniques, and in general is considerably more complex.
Differential Mechanisms of Ca2+ Release from Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Microsomes

The release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores is a fundamental element of signaling pathways involved in regulation of vascular tone, proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression. Studies of sea urchin eggs have led to the identification of three functionally distinct Ca(2+) signaling pathways triggered by IP3, cADPR, and NAADP. The coexistence and functional relevance of these distinct intracellular Ca(2+) release systems has only been described in a few mammalian cell types. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the IP3, cADPR, and NAADP Ca(2+) release systems coexist in smooth muscle cells (SMC) and to determine the specificity of these intracellular Ca(2+) release pathways. Microsomes were prepared from rat aortic SMC (VSMC) and were loaded with 45Ca(2+). cADPR, NAADP, and IP3 induced Ca(2+) release from VSMC microsomes in a dose-dependent fashion. Heparin blocked only IP3-mediated Ca(2+) release, whereas the ryanodine channel inhibitors 8-Br-cADPR and ruthenium red blocked only cADPR-induced Ca(2+) release. Nifedipine, an L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, inhibited NAADP elicited Ca(2+) release, but had no effect on IP3- or cADPR-mediated Ca(2+) release. An increase in pH from 7.2 to 8.2 inhibited cADPR-mediated Ca(2+) release, but had no effect on IP3- or NAADP-induced Ca(2+) release. By RT-PCR, VSMC expressed ryanodine receptor types 1, 2, and 3. Ca(2+)-dependent binding of [3H]-ryanodine to VSMC microsomes was enhanced by the ryanodine receptor agonists 4-chloro-methyl-phenol (CMP) and caffeine, but was inhibited by ruthenium red and cADPR. We conclude that VSMC possess at least three functionally distinct pathways that promote intracellular Ca(2+) release. IP3-, cADPR-, and NAADP-induced intracellular Ca(2+) release may play a critical role in the maladaptive responses of VSMC to environmental stimuli that are characteristically associated with hypertension and/or atherogenesis.
Assessment on the acute oral toxicity of a water soluble fertilizers containing humic acids

Objective To study the acute oral toxicity of a water soluble fertilizers containing humic acids in rats, and provide experimental evidence for its safety. Methods Toxicity test and safety evaluation were carried out according to the Procedures and methods for toxicological assessment of food(GB15193-2003). Results LD50 of the sample on acute oral toxicity test in male rats was 2.71g/kg BW, in female rats was 3.69g/kg BW. Conclusion This sample was classified as low toxicity substance.
Post-exercise branched chain amino acid supplementation does not affect recovery markers following three consecutive high intensity resistance training bouts compared to carbohydrate supplementation

Amino acid supplementation has been shown to potentially reduced exercise-induced muscle soreness. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine if branched chain amino acid and carbohydrate (BCAACHO) versus carbohydrate-only sports drink (CHO) supplementation attenuated markers of muscle damage while preserving performance markers following 3 days of intense weight training. Healthy resistance-trained males (n = 30) performed preliminary testing (T1) whereby they: 1) donated a baseline blood draw, 2) performed knee extensor dynamometry to obtain peak quadriceps isometric and isokinetic torque as well as electromyography (EMG) activity at 60°/s and 120°/s, and 3) performed a one repetition maximum (1RM) barbell back squat. The following week participants performed 10 sets x 5 repetitions at 80 % of their 1RM barbell back squat for 3 consecutive days and 48 h following the third lifting bout participants returned for (T2) testing whereby they repeated the T1 battery. Immediately following and 24 h after the three lifting bouts, participants were randomly assigned to consume one of two commercial products in 600 mL of tap water: 1) BCAAs and CHO (3 g/d L-leucine, 1 g/d L-isoleucine and 2 g/d L-valine with 2 g of CHO; n = 15), or 2) 42 g of CHO only (n = 15). Additionally, venous blood was drawn 24 h following the first and second lifting bouts and 48 h following the third bout to assess serum myoglobin concentrations, and a visual analog scale was utilized prior, during, and after the 3-d protocol to measure subjective perceptions of muscular soreness. There were similar decrements in 1RM squat strength and isokinetic peak torque measures in the BCAA-CHO and CHO groups. Serum myoglobin concentrations (p = 0.027) and perceived muscle soreness (p < 0.001) increased over the intervention regardless of supplementation. A group*time interaction was observed for monocyte percentages (p = 0.01) whereby BCAA-CHO supplementation attenuated increases in this variable over the duration of the protocol compared to CHO supplementation. BCAA-CHO supplementation did not reduce decrements in lower body strength or improve select markers of muscle damage/soreness compared to CHO supplementation over three consecutive days of intense lower-body training.
Ancient eruptions of η Carinae: a tale written in proper motions

We analyze eight epochs of Hubble Space Telescope H$\alpha$+[N II] imaging of Eta Carinae's outer ejecta. Proper motions of nearly 800 knots reveal that the detected ejecta are divided into three apparent age groups, dating to around 1250 A.D., to around 1550 A.D., and to during or shortly before the Great Eruption of the 1840s. Ejecta from these groups reside in different locations and provide a firm constraint that Eta Car experienced multiple major eruptions prior to the 19th century. The 1250 and 1550 events did not share the same axisymmetry as the Homunculus; the 1250 event was particularly asymmetric, even one-sided. In addition, the ejecta in the S ridge, which have been associated with the Great Eruption, appear to predate the ejection of the Homunculus by several decades. We detect essentially ballistic expansion across multiple epochs. We find no evidence for large-scale deceleration of the observed knots that could power the soft X-ray shell by plowing into surrounding material, suggesting that the observed X-rays arise instead from fast, rarefied ejecta from the 1840s overtaking the older dense knots. Early deceleration and subsequent coasting cannot explain the origin of the older outer ejecta---significant episodic mass loss prior to the 19th century is required. The timescale and geometry of the past eruptions provide important constraints for any theoretical physical mechanisms driving Eta Car's behavior. Non-repeating mechanisms such as the merger of a close binary in a triple system would require additional complexities to explain the observations.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Skill of High School Coaches with Regard to the Female Athlete Triad.

Abstract Study Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge high school coaches have about the female athlete triad and to determine if gender differences in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors exist. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Twenty-six high schools in and around the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio. Participants Two-hundred currently employed high school coaches. Interventions Participants completed a 30-question survey used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors coaches had about the female athlete triad. Main Outcome Measures Descriptive statistics (means, SD, frequency) and gender differences in response to triad knowledge, attitude, and behavior questions. Results One hundred twenty-three high school coaches completed the survey. Survey respondents were between 25 and 35 years of age, coached for 6-10 years, and coached female athletes 75%-100% of the time. Twenty-four percent reported "having heard of the triad" and 14% (17 of 123) were able to correctly name all of its components. There were no significant differences between gender and the coach's ability to correctly name the 3 triad components ( t = 1.47, P = .14). There was no correlation between coach gender ( r = 0.13, P = .07), age ( r = 0.07, P = .42), number of years of coaching ( r = 0.014, P = .88), and coach's knowledge of the triad components, respectively. Conclusion Female athletes might be at risk for developing the female athlete triad and high school coaches can be instrumental in identifying athletes who are at risk. This study showed that gaps in knowledge about the triad exist and that educating coaches about the condition could serve as an important means of prevention for the condition.
Noncognitive skills and job match: evidence from military applicants

The study examines the effect of noncognitive skills on early career choices among young job seekers. Specifically, we analyze the influence of personality traits on the decision by military applicants either to choose the military or a civilian career option. We use a unique micro-level data-set of applicants to the US Navy and exploit the fact that many individuals who initially apply for military jobs eventually choose civilian careers instead. In this institutional setting, job candidates use new information to update their beliefs about the military job match. Personality traits are viewed as productive abilities that influence applicants’ expectations about the economic return to the job and occupational training offered by the Navy. The study finds that many of the 15 lower order personality facets associated with the Big Five traits are predictive of applicants’ job choices and provides suggestive evidence of a link between personality traits, job match expectations, and career choice.
Dual-Energy SPECT and the Development of Peptide p5+14 for Imaging Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is associated with a number of rare diseases and is characterized by the deposition, in abdominothoracic organs and peripheral nerves, of extracellular protein fibrils, which leads to dysfunction and severe morbidity. Effective clinical evaluation and management of patients with systemic amyloidosis are hampered by the lack of a noninvasive, quantitative method for detecting whole-body amyloid load. We have used a battery of assays including dual-energy SPECT imaging and comparative effectiveness studies in support of translation of a synthetic polybasic peptide, p5+14, as a novel radiotracer for visualization of amyloidosis by molecular imaging. These data provide support for a phase 1 positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging trial of this reagent, labeled with iodine-124, in patients with all forms of systemic amyloidosis.
Online anomalous vehicle detection at the edge using multidimensional SSA

We are witnessing the giant leap of Smart Cities and the prosperity of Internet of Things (loTs), but the anomalous vehicle surveillance issues in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are still challenging, especially when more computing tasks are migrated from Cloud center to the network edge. Different research studies attempted to tackle this problem, however, existing approaches are either requiring large training data sets or presenting detection unreliability without prior knowledge. In this paper, we propose to identify anomalous vehicles on roads in real-time using multidimensional Singular Spectrum Analysis (mSSA). Inspired by the excellent performance of the SSA algorithms in change point detection in time series, we adopted it to catch the differences in the dimension of characteristics of vehicles on roads. The multiple factors of vehicles' behavior are mapped into multiple channels in the mSSA framework. Instead of pre-training or defining normal motion patterns of vehicles, the anomaly detection is formatted as an outlier identifying problem. Using two vehicle trajectory data sets, the feasibility and effectiveness of our approach are verified. Comparing to other proposed methods like clustering, the experimental results show that our approach is more reliable and robust.
MECHANISMS OF NON-REJECTION OF THE FETO-PLACENTAL ALLOGRAFT

This chapter discusses mechanisms of nonrejection of the fetoplacental allograft. At an early stage in the history of transplantation biology, it was recognized that one of the most consistently reproducible and dramatic of all immunological phenomena was the rejection of allografts. Subsequent studies uncovered the complexity of the multiple, genetically determined, cell surface antigenic polymorphisms responsible, especially those of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that has been found in all species so far investigated. Prior specific sensitization of a female against the transplantation antigens of her mate does not interfere with conception and normal pregnancy. Pregnant females are immunologically cognizant of the presence of allogeneic fetoplacental units (FPUs) in their uteri, and do mount certain modalities of immunological response against them, but they never develop a state of transplantation immunity that will bring about second-set rejection of paternally derived test grafts. The chapter provides an overview of the major hypotheses that have been put forward to account for the success of the FPU as an allograft, paying particular attention to those that are still on the plausible list. It also discusses the uterus as a special site for allografts.
Le point de vue de l’indigène ou Comment on écrit l’histoire de la littérature

Quelle est leur relation au temps ? A la chronologie ? Quels sont leurs ancetres reels ? Quels sont leurs ancetres mythiques ? Comment s'inscriventils dans cette histoire qu'ils racontent ? Quel est le but avoue de leurs recits ? Quel est le but cache de leurs recits ? Ces questions sont d'autant plus pertinentes que, au XXe siecle, la litterature est concue comme une activite historique et bien souvent presentee comme telle. Faire de la litterature, c'est se situer dans le temps, avoir un passe et des predecesseurs, pour s'affilier ou pour rompre avec eux, mais toujours en s'inscrivant dans un temporalite orientee. Pas seulement donc la memoire, les souvenirs de l'ecole ou des premieres lectures, mais bien l'histoire. De sorte que faire de la litterature, c'est peut-etre esperer faire l'histoire, mais c'est en tout cas toujours faire de l'histoire. A ce titre, cette tribu les ecrivains--que nous etudions est une societe chaude au sens strict : nos indigenes ont une conscience historique ou, plus exactement, l'histoire est au nombre des categories et des outils intellectuels qu'ils mobilisent pour se penser eux-memes (2). C'est ce qui fait que l'histoire litteraire des ecrivains est interessante : ce n'est pas seulement une autre version des faits, mais--en tout cas des la fin du XIXe siecle--, une veritable conscience de soi. L'histoire litteraire des ecrivains, ce n'est pas la meme histoire d'un autre point de vue, et ce n'est pas seulement un registre parmi d'autres de l'activite litteraire (qu'on pourrait ou non opposer a l'histoire litteraire savante) ; c'est un mode de pensee consubstantiel a l'activite litteraire et creatrice, qui l'impregne jusque dans ses recoins : lorsque Rimbaud place un pronom non tonique a la cesure d'un alexandrin, c'est un geste habite d'une conscience historique. Ce n'est pas que cela, mais c'est aussi cela. Le reductionnisme commence lorsqu'un tel geste est rabattu sur son intention historique--qu'il s'agisse de faire l'eloge de sa > ou au contraire de n'y voir qu'une habile tactique pour >--, de telles lectures etant tout aussi pauvres que celles qui voient dans un je a la cesure l'effet d'une vitalite creatrice debordante qui n'aurait que faire des conventions. Une question epineuse apparait ici, et qui restera en suspens - celle de l'emergence historique de cette conscience historique. De la meme facon qu'il n'y a pas de societes sans histoire, il n'existe pas de litterature soustraite au contexte et indifferente a son propre passe. Mais de la meme facon que les hommes peuvent choisir ou non de penser l'histoire comme une contingence dont il faut se premunir ou comme une force directrice qu'il faut accompagner et orienter, la maniere dont les ecrivains se rapportent au flux historique a elle-meme historiquement varie. Y avait-il pour Racine des evenements litteraires, y avait-il meme une histoire litteraire ? Au sens etroit, sans aucune doute--mais au sens ou certaines oeuvres auraient dessine un avant et un apres, auraient modifie la perception du passe et les conditions de l'exercice futur de la litterature (3) ? …
Revisiting Bergmann’s Occupational Crowding Model:

In 1971, economist Barbara Bergmann developed the “occupational crowding model,” which posited that black men are “crowded into” low-wage occupations and “crowded out” of high-wage occupations due ...
Sexual dysfunction in female cancer survivors: A narrative review.

Abstract Objectives Due to improvements in earlier detection and expansions in available treatments, the number of individuals surviving with cancer is steadily increasing. Sexual dysfunction is a common and often persistent complication for cancer survivors, affecting >60% of women diagnosed with cancer. Although highly prevalent, issues related to sexual health are often not addressed among survivors, with women reporting less discussion with providers compared to men. Methods In this narrative review, we present a case series of three women seen in a psycho-oncology clinic who experienced sexual dysfunction following a cancer diagnosis. We then review existing literature on the presentation and management of sexual issues associated with cancer and its treatment. Results The three cases highlight different mechanisms of sexual dysfunction after cancer, including anatomic changes, hormonal alterations, psychiatric conditions and medication side effects. The literature review includes discussion of the prevalence and course of sexual dysfunction in female cancer survivors. Tools for screening and assessment are then reviewed, as well as contributing factors and common presenting symptoms. We conclude with a discussion of both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches to management. Conclusions Despite its high prevalence and considerable impact on quality of life, the complication of sexual dysfunction after cancer diagnosis and treatment is still under recognized and undertreated. Improving awareness, communication, and screening, as well as appropriate referral to treatment, could have a profound impact on the ever growing number of women surviving with cancer with sexual health concerns.
Precision Surgical Therapy for Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus and Esophagogastric Junction.

Abstract Introduction To facilitate the initial clinical decision regarding whether to use esophagectomy alone or neoadjuvant therapy in surgical care for individual patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction—information not available from randomized trials—a machine-learning analysis was performed using worldwide real-world data on patients undergoing different therapies for this rare adenocarcinoma. Methods Using random forest technology in a sequential analysis, we (1) identified eligibility for each of four therapies among 13,365 patients: esophagectomy alone (n = 6649), neoadjuvant therapy (n = 4706), esophagectomy and adjuvant therapy (n = 998), and neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy (n = 1022); (2) performed survival analyses incorporating interactions of patient and cancer characteristics with therapy; (3) determined optimal therapy as that predicted to maximize lifetime within 10 years (restricted mean survival time; RMST) for each patient; and (4) compared lifetime gained from optimal versus actual therapies. Results Actual therapy was optimal in 61% of those receiving esophagectomy alone; neoadjuvant therapy was optimal for 36% receiving neoadjuvant therapy. Many patients were predicted to benefit from postoperative adjuvant therapy. Total RMST for actual therapy received was 58,825 years. Had patients received optimal therapy, total RMST was predicted to be 62,982 years, a 7% gain. Conclusions Average treatment effect for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus yields only crude evidence-based therapy guidelines. However, patient response to therapy is widely variable, and survival after data-driven predicted optimal therapy often differs from actual therapy received. Therapy must address an individual patient's cancer and clinical characteristics to provide precision surgical therapy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction.
Container monitoring with infrared catadioptric imaging and automatic intruder detection

We describe a framework for global shipping container monitoring using machine learning with low-power sensor hubs and infrared catadioptric imaging. A mesh radio satellite tag architecture provides connectivity anywhere in the world, with or without supporting infrastructure. We discuss the design and testing of a low-cost, long-wave infrared catadioptric imaging device and multi-sensor hub combination as an intelligent edge computing system that, when equipped with physics-based machine learning algorithms, can interpret the scene inside a shipping container to make efficient use of expensive communications bandwidth. The histogram of oriented gradients and T-channel (HOG+) feature is introduced for human detection with low-resolution infrared catadioptric images, and is shown to be effective for various mirror shapes designed to give wide volume coverage with controlled distortion.
Heart-lung transplantation: A viable option for connective tissue diseases.

BACKGROUND While lung transplantation (LTx) has been effective for connective tissue disease (CTD) patients with pulmonary involvement, outcomes for heart-lung transplantation (HLTx) are less defined. The aim of this study is to evaluate HLTx in CTD patients utilizing the UNOS database. METHODS HLTx patients with CTD (HLTx-CTD) were compared to both LTx patients with CTD (LTx-CTD) and HLTx patients with all other indications (HLTx-OI) from 1999 to 2018. Primary outcome was 1- and 5-year graft survival. Secondary outcomes included freedom from first-year rejection and outcomes prior to transplant discharge. RESULTS 1143/29 323 adults received first-time HLTx or LTx for CTD. Seventeen were HLTx-CTD (3.3% of total HLTx) and 1126 were LTx-CTD (3.9% of total LTx). There were 492 HLTx-OI. Transplant hemodynamic values including cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and calculated pulmonary vascular resistance were significantly worse for HLTx-CTD vs LTx-CTD (4.2 vs 5.4 L/min, P = .005; 14 vs 10 mm Hg, P = .009; 439 vs 267 dynes, P = .007, respectively). Cardiac status 1 was more common for HLTx-CTD vs HLTx-OI (94% vs 56%, P < .001). HLTx-CTD 1 and 5-year graft survival was similar compared to LTx-CTD and HLTx-OI. CONCLUSION HLTx-CTD is a valid option for carefully selected patients with CTD cardiac and pulmonary involvement with similar morbidity and mortality compared to LTx-CTD and HLTx-OI.
Acid–base effects of continuous infusion furosemide in clinically stable surgical ICU patients: an analysis based on the Stewart model

We sought to test the strength of correlation between predicted and observed systemic acid–base status based on the Stewart model equations during continuous infusion (CI) furosemide therapy. This was a prospective, single-center, observational study conducted in the Surgical ICU of a large academic medical center. Ten critically ill patients who received CI furosemide were included. The primary purpose was to characterize the relationship between changes in serum electrolyte and acid–base status and the excretion of electrolytes in the urine during infusion of CI furosemide in critically ill patients. As a secondary endpoint, we sought to evaluate the predictive application of the Stewart model. Over 72-h, intake and output volumes, electrolyte content of fluids administered, plasma and urine electrolytes, urine pH, and venous blood gases were collected. Predicted and observed changes in acid-based status were compared for each day of diuretic therapy using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The mean (SD) strong ion difference (SID) increased from 45.2 (3.2) at baseline to 49.6 (4.0) after 72 h of continuous infusion furosemide. At Day 1, the mean SID (observed) (SD) was 47.5 (3.5) and the predicted SID was 49.5 (5.8). Day 1 observed plasma SID was positively correlated with the predicted SID (rs = 0.80, p = 0.01). By Days 2 and 3, the correlations of observed and predicted SID were no longer statistically significant. Using the Stewart model, increases in SID as an indicator of metabolic alkalosis due to the chloruretic effects of furosemide were observed. Predicted and observed SID correlated well over the first 24 h of treatment.
The moderating role of spirituality on quality of life and depression among adolescents with spina bifida.

Aim To investigate the relationships between spirituality, somatic symptom distress/severity, depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) for adolescents diagnosed with spina bifida (SB). Design Exploratory, cross-sectional design. Methods Fifty-eight adolescents with SB in southern California were recruited during routine visits to a multidisciplinary clinic at a healthcare university from January 2016-January 2017. Each adolescent completed a series of self-report measures, including the System of Belief Inventory, Somatic Symptom Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Path analysis was performed to examine regression coefficients for each direct and indirect effect. Results The mediation-moderation analysis showed that depressive symptoms fully mediated the relationship between symptom distress and QOL (B = 0.029 [0.014], CI [0.007, 0.061]) and higher levels of spirituality moderated the relationship between depressive symptoms and QOL (B = 0.052, p = .018). Spirituality was higher for adolescents with greater symptom severity; including shunt status Welch's F(1, 53.689) = 4.174, p = .046, level of lesion F(2,57) = 3.382, p = .041, and ambulation status F(3, 57) = 2.920, p = .042. Conclusion Adolescents with SB who had greater levels of symptom distress experienced significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and a lower QOL. Contrary to our expectations, adolescents with greater levels of spirituality had a lower QOL when depressive symptoms were mild/moderate, but no differences were noted when depressive symptoms were severe. Impact This study examined the relationship between spirituality and quality of life (QOL) in adolescents with spina bifida, who were experiencing different levels of depressive symptoms and symptom distress/severity. Depressive symptoms appeared to have a more profound effect on QOL than spirituality. Accordingly, we recommend that healthcare professionals actively screen for depressive symptoms when assessing these adolescents and their physical symptoms/distress levels.
Revisiting the PD-1 pathway

Programmed Death-1 (PD-1; CD279) is an inhibitory receptor induced in activated T cells. PD-1 engagement by its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, maintains peripheral tolerance but also compromises anti-tumor immunity. Blocking antibodies against PD-1 or its ligands have revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. However, only a fraction of patients develop durable antitumor responses. Clinical outcomes have reached a plateau without substantial advances by combinatorial approaches. Thus, great interest has recently emerged to investigate, in depth, the mechanisms by which the PD-1 pathway transmits inhibitory signals with the goal to identify molecular targets for improvement of the therapeutic success. These efforts have revealed unpredictable dimensions of the pathway and uncovered novel mechanisms involved in PD-1 and PD-L1 regulation and function. Here, we provide an overview of the recent advances on the mechanistic aspects of the PD-1 pathway and discuss the implications of these new discoveries and the gaps that remain to be filled.
Freedom of speech: talk and slavery in the Anglo-Caribbean world: by Miles Ogborn, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2019, 336 pp., US$35.00 (paperback), ISBN 9780226657684

Miles Ogborn’s Freedom of Speech: Talk and Slavery in the Anglo-Caribbean World highlights how speech helped define the history of Jamaica and Barbados from the late seventeenth to the early ninete...