cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Between Messages and People A Multilevel Model of Memory for Television Content

Multilevel approaches provide a powerful way to assess simultaneously the contribution of message differences and individual differences to prediction of memory for media content. Many questions about memory legitimately invite investigation of not only factors that describe people but also variables describing messages as well as potential interactions between those two levels. This article introduces an example of how multilevel modeling techniques can be applied to avoid basic pitfalls and to predict memory for electronic media content. Using data from a sample of U.S. adolescents and data regarding the content and prevalence of nationally available health campaign advertisements, this study illustrates main effects and cross-level interactions relevant to an array of communication scholars and professionals.
A Painful Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Infection, loosening, osteolysis, or other causes can lead to the development of pain about a previously well-functioning total hip arthroplasty. An inflammatory reaction unique to metal on metal arthroplasty can lead to a painful total hip. A synovial biopsy is needed to make this specific diagnosis, and included in the differential diagnosis is infection. The workup of infection includes obtaining a C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Elevations of both the C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are felt to indicate possible infection. This case report describes both of these findings and the treatment rendered in a painful subluxing metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty presenting with ongoing pain and a large effusion.
Size of Home Ranges and Movements Determine Size and Configuration of Management Units and Potential Spread of Disease in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Abstract We modeled how variation in size of home ranges and annual movements of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in southern Texas altered ability to manage deer within various sizes of management units and discussed implications for spread of disease. The percentage of adult (≥3.5 years) males remaining on management units varied 98% of males would use management units of 1,000 km2 because their use of space would not result in use of adjoining management units. Migration of deer in northern latitudes resulted in 20% of the population using management units of 1,000 km2, which potentially could expose large areas (>25,000 km2) to disease because a greater percentage of deer would use adjoining management units compared to deer in southern latitudes. Our results are useful in determining...
Insecticide Rotation Programs with Entomopathogenic Organisms for Suppression of Western Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Adult Populations Under Greenhouse Conditions

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is one of the most destructive insect pests of greenhouse production systems with the ability to develop resistance to a wide variety of insecticides. A common resistance management strategy is rotating insecticides with different modes of action. By incorporating entomopathogenic organisms (fungi and bacteria), which have discrete modes of action compared to standard insecticides, greenhouse producers may preserve the effectiveness of insecticides used for suppression of western flower thrips populations. The objective of this study was to determine how different rotation programs that include entomopathogenic organisms (Beauveria bassiana, Isaria fumosoroseus, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Chromobacterium subtsugae) and commonly used standard insecticides (spinosad, chlorfenapyr, abamectin, and pyridalyl) may impact the population dynamics of western flower thrips adult populations by means of suppression. Eight-week rotation programs were applied to chrysanthemum, Dendranthema x morifolium plants and weekly counts of western flower thrips adults captured on yellow sticky cards were recorded as a means to evaluate the impact of the rotation programs. A final quality assessment of damage caused by western flower thrips feeding on foliage and flowers was also recorded. Furthermore, a cost comparison of each rotation program was conducted. Overall, insecticide rotation programs that incorporated entomopathogenic organisms were not significantly different than the standard insecticide rotation programs without entomopathogenic organisms in suppressing western flower thrips adult populations. However, there were no significant differences among any of the rotation programs compared to the water control. Moreover, there was no differential effect of the rotation programs on foliage and flower quality. Cost savings of up to 34% (in US dollars) are possible when including entomopathogenic organisms in the rotation program. Therefore, by incorporating entomopathogenic organisms into insecticide rotation programs, greenhouse producers can decrease costs without affecting suppression, as well as diminish selection pressure on western flower thrips adult populations, which may avoid or delay resistance development.
Capital Management for Banking: Dawn of a New Era

The current regulatory environment requires banks to hold capital not just on the current portfolio; they’re also required to plan capital for the next three years. Banks carefully identify the way their businesses, projected revenues, losses, reserves and capital levels will evolve under adverse macroeconomic scenarios. The quantum of capital needed will be progressively increased from 8 percent in 2013 to 10.5 percent in 2019. To ensure maximum loss absorbency of capital during times of stress, the level of Core Tier 1 equity capital is raised to 4.5 percent out of 8 percent minimum capital. Banks will face much pressure to sustain return on equity targets as the level of capital needed substantially increases and as curbs are placed on the activities a bank can engage in (for example, rules that separate traditional commercial banking from investment banking, private equity and proprietary trading). In response, banks will need to efficiently plan and deploy capital and funds to achieve the profitability targets. This paper provides banks with an approach to managing capital that will enable them to proactively steer the vital components of the strategic plan – product mix evolution, revenue growth and risk appetite. It postulates that banks must manage the strategic planning life cycles in tandem with risk appetite and forward capital position. Forward capital position should not create a huge capital surplus or a deficit. This paper illustrates ways to make capital management – that is, forward-looking planning and short- to mid-term utilization – more efficient and more oriented to risk-adjusted performance measures.
Transcriptomic Profiling of Extracellular RNAs Present in Cerebrospinal Fluid Identifies Differentially Expressed Transcripts in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disorder for which prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers are lacking. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an accessible body fluid that comes into direct contact with the central nervous system (CNS) and acts as a nuclease-free repository where RNA transcripts shed by brain tissues can reside for extended periods of time. Objective: We studied the RNA species present in the CSF of PD patients to identify novel diagnostic biomarkers. Methods: Small volumes of CSF from 27 PD patients and 30 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were used for RNA extraction followed by next-generation sequencing (RNA-seq) using the Illumina platform. CSF contains a number of fragmented RNA species that were individually sequenced and analyzed. Comparing PD to control subjects, we observed a pool of dysregulated sequencing tags that were further analyzed and validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: A total of 201 differentially expressed sequencing tags (DETs), including 92 up-regulated and 109 down-regulated DETs were identified. We validated the following DETs by real time PCR in the patient samples: Dnmt1, Ezh2, CCR3, SSTR5,PTPRC, UBC, NDUFV2, BMP7, SCN9, SCN9 antisense ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AC010127.3","term_id":"6139286","term_text":"AC010127.3"}}AC010127.3), and long noncoding RNAs {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AC079630","term_id":"12643010","term_text":"AC079630"}}AC079630 and UC001lva.4 (close to the LRRK2 gene locus), as potential PD biomarkers. Conclusions: The CSF is a unique environment that contains many species of RNA. Our work demonstrates that CSF can potentially be used to identify biomarkers for the detection and tracking of disease progression and evaluation of therapeutic outcomes.
Improving habitat for game animals has mixed consequences for biodiversity conservation

Abstract Habitat alteration to benefit hunted species has been implemented for centuries. These practices are most prevalent on public and private lands where management is funded through hunting licenses and hunting tourism. Habitat management for game species is globally widespread and can take diverse forms — e.g. tree reduction to enhance forage for deer in the United States and burning moorlands in Scotland to increase habitat for wading birds. Yet the effects of these practices on non-targeted animals are poorly understood. Given limited funding for conservation and increasing threats to biodiversity, understanding the shared benefits and unintended consequences of game management for other species is important. To quantify and characterize existing studies on this topic, we synthesized scientific literature that measured the effects of game management on non-targeted animals. We found surprisingly few studies ( n = 26), and the outcomes of these studies illustrated that, through diverse mechanisms, game management can have positive, negative or no effect on non-target taxa. Our analysis suggests that the explicit evaluation of the effects of game management on other species is rare but warranted, offering opportunities to advance ecological understanding and conservation of both target and non-target species. We propose a research agenda to fill knowledge gaps and catalyze a conversation about an approach to wildlife management that affects a large fraction of public and private land.
Body fat distribution and flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation in older men.

Objective: Recent studies indicate that abdominal fat accumulation, in particular intra-abdominal fat, is related to impaired endothelial function in young healthy volunteers. The aim of this study was to examine whether the distribution of body fat depots is related to impaired endothelial function in older men. Methods: Cross-sectional sample of 38 older (68±1 y) sedentary (VO2max=2.4±0.1 l/min) men. Flow-mediated endothelial dependent vasodilation (EDD) was assessed in the brachial artery in response to reactive hyperemia using high-resolution ultrasound. Abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat depots were assessed by computed tomography scan (CT-scan) at the L4–L5 region in the supine position. Percentage body fat was assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Results: Flow-mediated percentage change in brachial artery was 7.6±0.7%, suggesting an impaired flow-mediated EDD. Using simple linear regression analysis, there were no statistically significant relationship observed between flow-mediated EDD and the indices of total and abdominal adiposity (percentage body fat=29.3±0.9%, r=−0.11; total abdominal fat area=465±23 cm2, r=−0.1; intra-abdominal fat area=200±14 cm2, r=−0.14; subcutaneous fat area=265±13 cm2, r=−0.05; BMI=29.3±0.9 kg/m2, r=−0.07; and waist to hip ratio=0.98±0.01, r=−0.20). Conclusion: These findings suggest that in older sedentary men there is no clear correlation between adiposity and body fat distribution and impairment of flow-mediated endothelium dependent vasodilation.
Fixation of [(13)N]N 2 and transfer of fixed nitrogen in the Anthoceros-Nostoc symbiotic association.

The initial product of fixation of [13N]N2 by pure cultures of the reconstituted symbiotic association between Anthoceros punctatus L. and Nostoc sp. strain ac 7801 was ammonium; it accounted for 75% of the total radioactivity recovered in methanolic extracts after 0.5 min and 14% after 10 min of incubation. Glutamine and glutamate were the primary organic products synthesized from [13N]N2 after incubation times of 0.5–10 min. The kinetics of labeling of these two amino acids were characteristic of a precursor (glutamine) and product (glutamate) relationship. Results of inhibition experiments with methionine sulfoximine (MSX) and diazo-oxonorleucine were also consistent with the assimilation of N2-derived NH 4 + by Anthoceros-Nostoc through the sequential activities of glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) and glutamate synthase (EC 1.4.7.1), with little or no assimilation by glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.1.3). Isolated symbiotic Nostoc assimilated exogenous 13NH 4 + into glutamine and glutamate and their formation was inhibited by MSX, indicating operation of the glutamine synthetase-glutamate synthase (GS-GOGAT) pathway: However, relative to free-living cultures, isolated symbiotic Nostoc assimilated 80% less exogenous ammonium into glutamine and glutamate, implying that symbiotic Nostoc could assimilate only a fraction of N2-derived NH 4 + . This implication was tested by using Anthoceros associations reconstituted with wild-type or MSX-resistant strains of Nostoc incubated with [13N]N2 in the presence of MSX. The results of these experiments indicated that, in situ, symbiotic Nostoc assimilated about 10% of the N2-derived NH 4 + and that NH 4 + was made available to Anthoceros tissue where it was apparently assimilated by the GS-GOGAT pathway. Since less than 1% of the fixed N2 was lost to the suspension medium, it appears that transfer of NH 4 + from symbiont to host tissue was very efficient in this extracellular symbiotic association.
The Fabrication and Dielectric Properties of Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride Trifluoroethylene Chlorofluoroethylene) Terpolymer Nanorods

Poly(vinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene chlorofluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE-CFE)) terpolymer nanorods embedded in Anodic Alumina Oxide( AAO) templates with pore sizes of 25, 70, and 200nm diameter were fabricated by extending the time of the wetting process. The instability of the wetting process induced the terpolymer infiltration into the inner space of tepolymer nanotubes, which formed mostly filled terpolymer nanorods. It was observed that all these nanorods embedded in AAO templates still possess relaxor ferroelectric behavior. The broad dielectric peak shifts progressively to higher temperatures with increasing frequency and the frequency- permittivity peak temperature fits well with the Vogel-Fulcher (V-F) relation. Moreover, the freezing temperature of the V-F relation is reduced, with the reduction of nanorod diameter. This indicates that the lateral confinement of the nanorods influences the relaxor ferroelectric behavior of the relaxor ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) terpolymer.
Abstract 228: Patients’ Views of Consent for STEMI Trials: Are All Trials the Same?

Background: Informed consent for clinical trials in acute MI- especially STEMI- is controversial. Prior data suggest patients want to be asked for permission before enrollment. It is unknown whether trial features affect this desire. This is particularly important in the context of debate about the role of consent in standard of care comparative effectiveness trials. Methods: This interview study included patients admitted with acute MI. Structured, in-depth interviews were conducted in hospital or after discharge. Participants considered 3 scenarios modeled on existing STEMI trials: 1) comparative effectiveness trial of approved antiplatelet drugs; 2) placebo-controlled trial of a novel drug to reduce myocardial injury; and 3) comparative effectiveness trial of intraaortic balloon pump versus medical therapy. Participants were asked their desired involvement in enrollment decisions and willingness to participate in each trial. Results: Thirty patients were interviewed. Most (73-80%) wanted to be asked for permission to be enrolled in all scenarios (Table 1). Willingness to enroll, however, was affected by trial type. For example, 50% vs 20% were unlikely to enroll in scenario 3 vs. scenario 1 (p=0.018). Attitudes regarding enrollment focused on distinctive trial features. Many participants specifically stated they were comfortable with scenario 1 because it involved only approved drugs. Participants split regarding scenario 2 based on whether they viewed the novel agent as a potential benefit or risk, and some had concerns about placebo. The invasive nature of the balloon pump in scenario 3 was the most common basis for not wanting to enroll. For some, this was driven by a desire to receive the intervention; for others, it was driven by a desire to avoid it. Conclusion: In this exploratory study, most patients would prefer to be asked for permission prior to enrollment in 3 different STEMI trial scenarios, including 2 trials evaluating standard of care alternatives. While desire to be involved in enrollment decisions was relatively insensitive to trial features, these features impacted willingness to enroll. This study supports the notion that the form and content of consent processes for STEMI trials should be trial and context specific. Refining these processes requires further study. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
A general theory of ignition and combustion of nano- and micron-sized aluminum particles

Abstract A general theory of ignition and combustion of nano- and micron-sized aluminum particles is developed. The oxidation process is divided into several stages based on phase transformations and chemical reactions. Characteristic time scales of different processes are compared to identify physicochemical phenomena in each stage. In the first stage, the particle is heated to the melting temperature of the aluminum core. Key processes are heat and mass transfer between the gas and particle surface and diffusion of mass and energy inside the particle. The second stage begins upon melting of the aluminum core. Melting results in pressure buildup, thereby facilitating mass diffusion and/or cracking of the oxide layer. Melting is followed by polymorphic phase transformations, which also results in the formation of openings in the oxide layer. These provide pathways for the molten aluminum to react with the oxidizing gas; the ensuing energy release results in ignition of nano-aluminum particles. For large micron-sized particles, ignition is not achieved due to their greater volumetric heat capacity. In the third stage, nanoparticles undergo vigorous self-sustaining reactions with the oxidizing gas. Reactions typically occur heterogeneously in the particle and the burning rate is controlled by chemical kinetics. For large micron-sized particles, polymorphic phase transformations result in the formation of a crystalline oxide layer. The oxide layer melts and particle ignition is achieved. In the fourth stage, the large micron-sized particle burns through gas-phase or surface reactions, depending on the oxidizer and pressure. The burning rate is controlled by mass diffusion through the gas-phase mixture.
The Implementary Project of the Standard YY0505-2005 Medical Electrical Equipment-Part1-2:General Requirements for Safety-Collateral Standard:Electromagnetic Compatibility-requirements and Tests Will Be Discussed

The Implementary project of the standard YY0505-2005 medical electrical equipment-part 1-2:general requirements for safety-collateral standard:electromagnetic compatibility-requirements and tests will be discussed.
Dietary Exposure to Individual Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Congeners BDE-47 and BDE-99 Alters Innate Immunity and Disease Susceptibility in Juvenile Chinook Salmon

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used as commercial flame-retardants, are bioaccumulating in threatened Pacific salmon. However, little is known of PBDE effects on critical physiological functions required for optimal health and survival. BDE-47 and BDE-99 are the predominant PBDE congeners found in Chinook salmon collected from the Pacific Northwest. In the present study, both innate immunity (phagocytosis and production of superoxide anion) and pathogen challenge were used to evaluate health and survival in groups of juvenile Chinook salmon exposed orally to either BDE-47 or BDE-99 at environmentally relevant concentrations. Head kidney macrophages from Chinook salmon exposed to BDE-99, but not those exposed to BDE-47, were found to have a reduced ability in vitro to engulf foreign particles. However, both congeners increased the in vitro production of superoxide anion in head kidney macrophages. Salmon exposed to either congener had reduced survival during challenge with the pathogenic marine ba...
Asymmetrical Reciprocity and Practical Agency: Contemporary Dilemmas of Feminist Theory in Benhabib, Young, and Kristeva

This essay presses the need for developing a richer phenomenological description within feminist theory of the process whereby two different persons realize reciprocal recognition. A phenomenological examination of the implicit yet differing ontological assumptions that Benhabib and Young hold, reveals how both the dimensions of symmetry and asymmetry must operate in order to develop the expanded consciousness and affective empathy requisite to recognize another as a three-dimensional moral agent. Implicit in this process, I suggest, is a constructive rather than projective use of imagination. Relying on Kristeva, I sketch a picture of how imagination plays with both dimensions of sameness and difference in communicative interaction. That interplay may catalyze a genuine awakening to the irreducible realities of difference without projecting distorting stereotypes onto other social groups.
Surgical Management of Hiatal Hernia in Children with Asplenia Syndrome

Purpose Patients with asplenia syndrome (AS) are likely to have upper gastrointestinal tract malformations such as hiatal hernia. This report discusses the treatment of such conditions. Methods Seventy-five patients with AS underwent initial palliation in our institution between 1997 and 2013. Of these, 10 patients had hiatal hernia. Of the patients with hiatal hernia, 6 had brachyesophagus and 7 had microgastria. Results Of the 10 patients with hiatal hernia, 9 underwent surgery in infancy (7 before Glenn operation, 2 after Glenn operation). Two underwent typical Toupet fundoplication, and the other 7 underwent atypical repair including reduction of the stomach. Two patients with atypical repair showed recurrence of hernia and required reoperation. Three patients required reoperation due to duodenal obstruction. Duodenal obstruction occurred due to preduodenal portal vein or abnormal vessels compressing the duodenum. Obstructive symptoms were not seen in any cases preoperatively. Conclusions In patients with hiatal hernia, typical fundoplication is often difficult because most have concomitant brachyesophagus, microgastria, and hypoplasia of the esophageal hiatus. However, we should at least reduce the stomach to the abdominal cavity as early as possible to increase thoracic cavity volume and allow good feeding. Increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity thus makes Glenn and Fontan circulations more stable. Duodenal obstruction secondary to vascular anomalies is also common, so the anatomy in the area near the duodenum should be evaluated pre- and intraoperatively.
Evaluating How Post-Bronchodilator Vital Capacities Affect the Diagnosis of Obstruction in Pulmonary Function Tests

BACKGROUND: Although the ratio of FEV1 to the vital capacity (VC) is universally accepted as the cornerstone of pulmonary function test (PFT) interpretation, FVC remains in common use. We sought to determine what the differences in PFT interpretation were when the largest measured vital capacity (VCmax) was used instead of the FVC. METHODS: We included 12,238 consecutive PFTs obtained for routine clinical care. We interpreted all PFTs first using FVC in the interpretation algorithm and then again using the VCmax, obtained either before or after administration of inhaled bronchodilator. RESULTS: Six percent of PFTs had an interpretive change when VCmax was used instead of FVC. The most common changes were: new diagnosis of obstruction and exclusion of restriction (previously suggested by low FVC without total lung capacity measured by body plethysmography). A nonspecific pattern occurred in 3% of all PFT interpretations with FVC. One fifth of these 3% produced a new diagnosis of obstruction with VCmax. The largest factors predicting a change in PFT interpretation with VCmax were a positive bronchodilator response and the administration of a bronchodilator. Larger FVCs decreased the odds of PFT interpretation change. Surprisingly, the increased numbers of PFT tests did not increase odds of PFT interpretation change. CONCLUSIONS: Six percent of PFTs have a different interpretation when VCmax is used instead of FVC. Evaluating borderline or ambiguous PFTs using the VCmax may be informative in diagnosing obstruction and excluding restriction.
Targeted proteomics effectively quantifies differences between native lung and detergent-decellularized lung extracellular matrices.

Abstract Extracellular matrix is a key component of many products in regenerative medicine. Multiple regenerative medicine products currently in the clinic are comprised of human or xenogeneic extracellular matrix. In addition, whole-organ regeneration exploits decellularized native organs as scaffolds for organotypic cell culture. However, precise understanding of the constituents of such extracellular matrix-based implants and scaffolds has sorely lagged behind their use. We present here an advanced protein extraction method using known quantities of proteotypic 13C-labeled peptides to quantify matrix proteins in native and decellularized lung tissues. Using quantitative proteomics that produce picomole-level measurements of a large number of matrix proteins, we show that a mild decellularization technique (“Triton/SDC”) results in near-native retention of laminins, proteoglycans, and other basement membrane and ECM-associated proteins. Retention of these biologically important glycoproteins and proteoglycans is quantified to be up to 27-fold higher in gently-decellularized lung scaffolds compared to scaffolds generated using a previously published decellularization regimen. Cells seeded onto this new decellularized matrix also proliferate robustly, showing positive staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The high fidelity of the gently decellularized scaffold as compared to the original lung extracellular matrix represents an important step forward in the ultimate recapitulation of whole organs using tissue-engineering techniques. This method of ECM and scaffold protein analysis allows for better understanding, and ultimately quality control, of matrices that are used for tissue engineering and human implantation. These results should advance regenerative medicine in general, and whole organ regeneration in particular. Statement of Significance The extracellular matrix (ECM) in large part defines the biochemical and mechanical properties of tissues and organs; these inherent cues make acellular ECM scaffolds potent substrates for tissue regeneration. As such, they are increasingly prevalent in the clinic and the laboratory. However, the exact composition of these scaffolds has been difficult to ascertain. This paper uses targeted proteomics to definitively quantify 71 proteins present in acellular lung ECM scaffolds. We use this technique to compare two decellularization methods and demonstrate superior retention of ECM proteins important for cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation in scaffolds treated with low-concentration detergent solutions. In the long term, the ability to acquire quantitative biochemical data about biological substrates will facilitate the rational design of engineered tissues and organs based on precise cell-matrix interactions.
Optimality conditions for a hierarchical control problem governed by a PDE

We consider the approximate pointwise control of a linear parabolic system with multiple targets. Assuming a hierarchy among the objectives, we derive optimality conditions for a particular test problem and provide numerical results.
Unseen Enemy: The English, Disease, and Medicine in Colonial Bengal, 1617–1847. By Sudip Bhattacharya. (Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2014. Pp. xii, 245. $81.99.)

This study is a richly archival work that looks into the world of early European doctors in Bengal to study their take on indigenous diseases. The book is, as the author admits, “not the story of T...
Impact of industry collaboration on randomised controlled trials in oncology.

Abstract Background Industry funders can simply provide money or collaborate in trial design, analysis or reporting of clinical trials. Our aim was to assess the impact of industry collaboration on trial methodology and results of randomised controlled trials (RCT). Methods We searched PubMed for oncology RCTs published May 2013 to December 2015 in peer-reviewed journals with impact factor > 5 requiring reporting of funder role. Two authors extracted methodologic (primary end-point; blinding of the patient, clinician and outcomes assessor; and analysis) and outcome data. We used descriptive statistics and two-sided Fisher exact tests to compare characteristics of trials with collaboration, with industry funding only, and without industry funding. Results We included 224 trials. Compared to those without industry funding, trials with collaboration used more placebo control (RR 3·59, 95% CI [1·88–6·83], p Conclusions Oncology RCTs with industry collaboration were more likely to use some high-quality methods than those without industry funding, with similar rates of positive results. Our findings suggest that collaboration is not associated with trial outcomes and that mandatory disclosure of funder roles may mitigate bias.
Zoonotic Diseases and Food Safety

Livestock, poultry, fish, and other animals can host a wide range of diseases and infections. As a result, the farmed animal industry has a fundamental public health dimension. When humans consume or come into contact with sick or contaminated animals or animal products, they can get sick as well. Zoonotic diseases, also called zoonoses, are a sub-category of animal diseases that are transferable from animals to humans (in contrast to diseases that pass only from animals to other non-human animals). Many types of pathogenic agents, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, cause zoonotic diseases. Some zoonoses, like Salmonellosis (Salmonella poisoning), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or Mad Cow Disease) have made international headlines. Others, like brucellosis (Bang’s Disease), are less familiar but still pose a major global threat to animal and human health and well-being.
Artificial Intelligence and Human Teams: Examining the Role of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps to Support Team Decision-Making in a Crisis-Management Simulation

The research presented in this paper examined the impacts decision-aids have on team decision-making. To conduct this examination, the research first developed the NeoCITIES simulation, an emergenc...
Have the Ethics Changed? An Examination of Ethics in Advertising and Public Relations Agencies

ABSTRACTAdvertising and public relations executives claim the rules for ethical practices are changing. On the basis of 29 in-depth interviews with advertising and public relations executives, and an analysis guided by identity theories and moral justifications, new insights address the most pressing issues faced today, greater opportunities to behave unethically, and the lack of ethics training received. Some of the executives perceive a personal responsibility to be ethical, whereas others adopted a self-interested attitude by suggesting it’s the publishers’ or consumers’ responsibility to make ethical decisions. Emerging marketing practices have increased the need for more ethics training and more sophisticated perspectives on professionalism and virtuous behavior that are also flexible enough to apply to envelope-pushing strategies.
18 Fluorine sodium fluoride positron emission tomography, a potential biomarker of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis

Non-invasive imaging to diagnose and quantify amyloid load, progression, and response to treatment are central for the care of patients with cardiac amyloidosis. 18Fluorine-labeled sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) is a widely available radioisotope and PET imaging allows for absolute quantification of tracer uptake. Patients with biopsy-proven transthyretin (ATTR-CA) and light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL) (3 ATTRwt, 2 ATTRV122I, 2 AL) and controls (n = 5), underwent 18F-NaF PET imaging. Scans were assessed visually for radiotracer uptake and analyzed using standard uptake values in the entire myocardium (SUVm) and in a 17-segment cardiac model. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for statistical analyses. Qualitative 18F-NaF uptake was absent in controls and AL patients. There was qualitative 18F-NaF uptake in ATTR-CA patients, with slightly increased uptake in wild-type patients. SUVm for controls and AL patients overlapped at 0.8(0.4-0.9) and 0.95(0.9-1.0), respectively (P = 0.434). At 1.5(1.4-1.7), SUVm for ATTR-CA patients was ≈1.5*SUVm of controls (P = 0.012) and AL patients (P = 0.078). While there was diffuse 18F-NaF myocardial in ATTR-CA patients, the degree of uptake varied according to cardiac segment. 18F-NaF PET effectively imaged and differentiated ATTR-CA patients. Semi-automatic software enabled quantification of radiotracer uptake and regional distribution. 18F-NaF PET may be useful for disease monitoring and localizing amyloid deposition in ATTR-CA patients.
An overview of the fundamentals of battery chargers

This paper presents an overview of the fundamentals of battery chargers, including charging algorithms and circuit implementation of linear and switching battery chargers. First, the basic operation of batteries is described under open circuit, discharging, and charging conditions. Next, an overview of the pulse charging scheme and its implementation is presented, followed by an overview of the Constant-Current Constant-Voltage (CCCV) charging scheme and the special considerations pertaining to charging Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries. Linear and switching circuit realizations of the CCCV charging scheme are then presented, followed by an overview of battery fuel-gauging circuits, multi cell chargers, and cell-balancing techniques.
Chicano Poetry, Chicana Art: Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales and Carlota d.Z.EspinoZa

Through archival research, literary and visual analysis, and the critical navigation of downtown Denver, this chapter brings to fruition the methodology of gender and place that the book overall contributes. The chapter revisits Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales’s epic poem “I Am Joaquin,” first published in 1967 and recently recovered in Message to Aztlan: Selected Writings, but more importantly it introduces the work of Denver-based artist Carlota d.Z. EspinoZa, especially her two murals, The Three Mexican Heroes and Pasado, Presente, Futuro. The chapter reads EspinoZa’s two murals through a place-based methodology of gender that illustrates her connection to Chicano nationalism and Chicana feminism, and it further distinguishes the aesthetics of Chicana/o critical regionalism.
Stochastic Transmission Impedance Control for Enhanced Wind Energy Integration

In recent years, renewable energy supply in the U.S. has increased dramatically, among which wind energy has experienced the largest growth. Since the grid is not designed to handle high levels of intermittent generation, involuntary wind curtailment has been implemented commonly in many regional transmission organizations. Transmission congestion is one of the main barriers, which avoids full delivery of the produced wind energy. An obvious but extremely costly solution to this problem is building new transmission lines. Alternatively, transfer capability over the existing transmission system can be enhanced using variable-impedance flexible ac transmission system (FACTS) devices. This paper proposes a two-stage stochastic optimization model for integrating FACTS into power system operation for a system with high levels of wind penetration. The first stage identifies an optimal base dispatch, while the second stage finds the optimal deployment of FACTS flexibilities and operational reserves for each wind scenario. Using this model, the paper studies the impacts of FACTS operation on wind energy integration. The simulation studies on an RTS-96 system verify the effectiveness of the proposed method in reducing the operation cost as well as wind curtailment. The proposed model is also computationally-efficient, as a linear FACTS model is employed.
Bioprosthetics and repair of complex aerodigestive defects

Aerodigestive defects involving the trachea, bronchi and esophagus are a result of prolonged intubation, operative complications, congenital defects, trauma, radiation and neoplastic disease. The vast majority of these defects may be repaired primarily. Rarely, due the size of the defect, underlying complexity, or unfavorable patient characteristics, primary repair is not possible. One alternative to primary repair is bioprosthetic repair. Materials such as acellular dermal matrix and aortic homograft have been used in a variety of applications, including closure of tracheal, bronchial and esophageal defects. Herein, we review the use of bioprosthetics in the repair of aerodigestive defects, along with the unique advantages and disadvantages of these repairs.
Unmanned aerial vehicles: challenges and technologies for improved autonomy

This paper describes recent advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles aimed at improving their autonomy and reliability for a diverse domain of applications from forest fires and rescue operations to military and border patrol missions. We introduce an experimental VTOL aircraft and discuss instrumentation requirements and control strategies that are essential to maintain stable operations as the vehicle executes extreme maneuvers. We review next mission scenarios that require the deployment of multiple UAVs and suggest briefly mission planning and control algorithms to achieve such challenging tasks. The control technologies are demonstrated through flight testing that illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the planning and control strategies.
Structure of Mitochondria

Transmission electron microscopy of thin sections has provided most of the basic information responsible for our present general concept of mitochondrial organization. Observations on material from a variety of sources have confirmed that the ground plan of mitochondria is generally the same from one type of cell to another (e.g., see Vogell 1963, Steinert 1969). The view first proposed by Palade (1953) and Sjostrand (1953) seems correct, at least in general outline. In thin sections, mitochondria appear to be enclosed by two membranes. An outer membrane delineates the mitochondrial-cytoplasmic interface. The inner membrane enclosing the mitochondrial matrix forms infoldings (the cristae) projecting into the mitochondrial lumen. The cristae can be lamellar or tubular. The size of the space between the two membranes differs depending on the technique used. With freeze-substitution of fresh specimens, for example, the membranes appear closely apposed (Malhotra 1966). A close apposition of inner and outer membranes is also shown in freeze-cleavage under at least some conditions (e.g., Hackenbrock 1968, 1972) although the two membranes appear to separate in the condensed state. Generally, however (with negative staining or conventional fixation), a significant space is apparent between the two membranes. Several kinds of junctions between mitochondrial membranes have been reported (e.g., Newcomb et al. 1968, Hall and Crane 1970, Tani et al. 1971, Bartok et al. 1973, Morton et al. 1973, Saito et al. 1974). These structures can take the form of a dense midline in the intracristal space or, alternatively, of ladder-like connections spanning the space between membranes. Apparently, the appearance of these connections depends on physiological conditions (e.g., hydration after a period of dehydration, Bartok et al. 1973). Although they may be virtually absent normally, in most mitochondria they appear after brief delays in fixation (Saito et al. 1974). These results suggest that, in at least some cases, the junctions are not normally present but they do reflect a molecular organization of mitochondrial components. At least in special functional states this molecular organization becomes apparent at these special junctions.
Development of a Six-Year Old Digital Human Body Model for Vehicle Safety Analysis

Biomechanical differences between children and adults are anatomically obvious and physiologically evident. Nevertheless, scaling laws have been used between child and adult mechanical properties in biomechanical injury studies. These laws may or may not be valid depending on the aging properties of the tissue being studied. Detailed adult human body finite element models have been developed in recent years, but not for children. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop an industry-first, full-body digital human finite element (FE) model of a six-year old child aimed at helping improve vehicle safety for children and also validating the scaling laws between child and adult mechanical properties.The child digital model was developed based on CT scan images from a living six-year old child++. Model geometry was extracted from the CT scans through image analysis. Finite element (FE) mesh for different parts of the body was created from the geometric data obtained in the CT scan image analysis process. While the CT scans were taken with the subject supine, the model in this study is in a standing position, representing a pedestrian posture. Biomechanical properties of each component in the model were obtained from the literature. The model includes a detailed anatomical representation of human organs for a six-year old child, from head to toe. Predicted model responses are compared with test data found in the literature. Forces, displacements for the neck, chest, and abdomen; pressures for the brain are output for injury reference analysis. The analysis of the FE model was performed by using LS-DYNA software. Although the geometric accuracy of the six-year child FE model has been ensured by extracting data from living CT scan images, the mechanical property data used in the model and the impact response used for model comparison can only be considered tentative; since these data are sparse in literature.
Maz’ya’s work on the biography of Hadamard

I knew Maz’ya’s work long before I met him. Whenever I looked in works on functional analysis, potential theory, and elsewhere, it seemed I found some important contribution by Vladimir Maz’ya. Although the thought of meeting him was far from my mind when I was invited to spend part of the winter of 1991 at the Institut Mittag-Leffler, my feeling when I was introduced to him was one of seeing for the first time up close a person you felt you knew from his writing.
The impact of traveling distance and hospital volume on post-surgical outcomes for patients with glioblastoma.

High-volume hospitals are associated with improved outcomes in glioblastoma (GBM). However, the impact of travel burden to high-volume centers is poorly understood. We examined post-operative outcomes between GBM patients that underwent treatment at local, low-volume hospitals with those that traveled long distances to high-volume hospitals. The National Cancer Database was queried for GBM patients that underwent surgery (2010–2014). We established two cohorts: patients in the lowest quartile of travel distance and volume (Short-travel/Low-Volume: STLV) and patients in the highest quartile of travel and volume (Long-travel/High-Volume: LTHV). Outcomes analyzed were 30-day, 90-day mortality, overall survival, 30-day readmission, and hospital length of stay. Of 35,529 cases, STLV patients (n = 3414) traveled a median of 3 miles (Interquartile range [IQR] 1.8–4.2) to low-volume centers (5 [3–7] annual cases) and LTHV patients (n = 3808) traveled a median of 62 miles [44.1–111.3] to high-volume centers (48 [42–71]). LTHV patients were younger, had lower Charlson scores, largely received care at academic centers (84.4% vs 11.9%), were less likely to be minorities (8.1% vs 17.1%) or underinsured (6.9% vs 12.1), and were more likely to receive trimodality therapy (75.6% vs 69.2%; all p < 0.001). On adjusted analysis, LTHV predicted improved overall survival (HR 0.87, p = 0.002), decreased 90-day mortality (OR 0.72, p = 0.019), lower 30-day readmission (OR 0.42, p < 0.001), and shorter hospitalizations (RR 0.79, p < 0.001). Glioblastoma patients who travel farther to high-volume centers have superior post-operative outcomes compared to patients who receive treatment locally at low-volume centers. Strategies that facilitate patient travel to high-volume hospitals may improve outcomes.
Sketching and Sublinear Data Structures in Genomics

Large-scale genomics demands computational methods that scale sublinearly with the growth of data. We review several data structures and sketching techniques that have been used in genomic analysis...
ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY (ERCP): ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF THE PROCEDURE IN THE PATIENT WITH ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS.

ABSTRACT Background: Obesity can be treated with bariatric surgery; but, excessive weight loss may lead to diseases of the bile duct such as cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for these conditions, and may be hampered by the anatomical changes after surgery. Aim: Report the efficacy and the safety of videolaparoscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography technique in patients after bariatric surgery with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Method: Retrospective study performed between 2007 and 2017. Data collected were: age, gender, surgical indication, length of hospital stay, etiological diagnosis, rate of therapeutic success, intra and postoperative complications. Results: Seven patients had choledocholithiasis confirmed by image exam, mainly in women. The interval between gastric bypass and endoscopic procedure ranged from 1 to 144 months. There were no intraoperative complications. The rate of duodenal papillary cannulation was 100%. Regarding complications, the majority of cases were related to gastrostomy, and rarely to endoscopic procedure. There were two postoperative complications, a case of chest-abdominal pain refractory to high doses of morphine on the same day of the procedure, and a laboratory diagnosis of acute pancreatitis after the procedure in an asymptomatic patient. The maximum hospital stay was four days. Conclusion: The experience with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography through laparoscopic gastrostomy is a safe and effective procedure, since most complications are related to the it and did not altered the sequence to perform the conventional cholangiopancreatography.