cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Ganglion Cell Layer Thickness and Estimated Retinal Ganglion Cell Counts in the Glaucomatous Macula

Purpose To investigate the relationship between macular ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thickness and estimated macular retinal ganglion cell (RGC) counts in glaucoma. Design Observational cohort study. Participants Cross-sectional study of 77 healthy, 154 glaucoma suspect, and 159 glaucomatous eyes from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study. Methods All eyes underwent 24-2 standard automated perimetry (SAP) and optic nerve and macular imaging using high-definition optical coherence tomography (OCT). The total number of RGCs was estimated using a previously described model that uses SAP and OCT circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) measurements. The number of macular RGCs was estimated from the temporal cpRNFL and SAP test points within the central 10°. Main Outcome Measures The correlation between mGCIPL thickness and estimates of macular RGC counts. Results The average estimated macular RGC count in glaucomatous eyes was 306 010±109 449 cells, which was significantly lower than the estimate of 520 678±106 843 cells in healthy eyes ( P R 2 = 0.67; P P = 0.015). Conclusions The strong association between estimated macular RGC counts and mGCIPL thickness and the better diagnostic performance of the macular RGC counts compared with mGCIPL thickness provides further evidence that estimates of RGC number from cpRNFL thickness and SAP sensitivity can be used to assess neural losses in glaucoma.
Nano state Machines using hysteretic resistors and diode crossbars

A nanoelectronic architecture is proposed that combines configurable, nanoscale diode crossbars with hysteretic resistor crossbars in order to implement general sequential circuits ("nano state machines"). The resulting circuits are inherently nonvolatile, require no static power dissipation, and are tolerant of variation in device characteristics. They are also unusual in that state information is stored using impedance encoding rather than voltage encoding. An example state machine, a two-bit counter, is modeled in SPICE and analyzed.
The effect of outliers on confidence interval procedures for cost-effectiveness ratios

Cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) is defined as the ratio of the difference in cost between a test and standard health care programme to the difference in benefit, respectively. Methods to obtain confidence intervals for CERs are either variants of Fieller's method (1954), or bootstrap methods. We study the effect of outliers in cost measures on the precision of confidence interval procedures for CERs. In particular the performance of the procedures under single and multiple case influential deletion diagnostics, respectively, are evaluated. Simulation studies suggest that the bias-corrected percentile bootstrap procedure gives better precision and coverage under either diagnostic.
Using a cellular automaton model to forecast the effects of urban growth on habitat pattern in southern California

Land use change is one of the most important anthropogenic factors affecting terrestrial ecosystems, causing habitat loss, fragmentation, and interactions with other components of global change, such as biological invasions of non-native species. In southern California, population growth and economic expansion are the primary drivers of land use change, and the population is expected to double in 40 years. Although directly adjacent to the region’s largest metropolitan area, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) remains mostly undeveloped, with 50% of the area protected as parkland. In this study, a cellular automaton (CA) model was calibrated using historical growth patterns in the region, and used to forecast three scenarios of urban growth in the SMMNRA from 2000 to 2050, with development prohibited on slopes greater than 25%, 30%, and 60% slope. Habitat pattern and extent under these scenarios was assessed using several landscape metrics, then compared to results from a GIS overlay model developed for the same region. The CA model predicted urbanization to increase from 11% of the landscape in 2000 to 26%, 35%, and 47% in 2050, respectively, for the three slope scenarios. In 2000, the majority of vegetation constituted one large, interconnected patch. With development prohibited beyond 25% and 30% slope, this patch will become, by 2050, increasingly perforated, but should stay relatively intact. However, if growth is permitted up to 60% slope, the patch breaks apart, resulting in a shift in spatial pattern dynamics on the landscape (as reflected by other landscape metrics). General growth patterns predicted by the GIS overlay model resembled those generated by the CA, but the CA model produced more patches and edge in the landscape. Because it is temporally explicit, the CA model was able to capture non-linear, emergent behavior and a phase transition in the type of growth occurring in the landscape that was not apparent in the GIS overlay predictions.
Low temperature synthesis of lead titanate by a hydrothermal method

Alkoxide-based hydrothermal powder synthesis of lead titanate was investigated. The objective of this work was to lower the synthesis temperature. By modifying titanium isopropoxide with acetylacetone during solution mixing, the phase-pure lead titanate with perovskite structure was synthesized at temperatures as low as 150 °C. It was determined that the pH of the hydrothermal reaction medium and the initial Pb/Ti ratio are critical factors in forming stoichiometric PbTiO3. When the pH of the initial feedstock is above 14 and the Pb/Ti ratio is greater than 1.5, a phase-pure PbTiO3 can be obtained. The modification of titanium alkoxide gave rise to the formation of a stable complex against hydrolysis and eventually reduced the synthesis temperature significantly. A possible formation mechanism for PbTiO3 is the dissolution-recrystallization from an amorphous precursor to a well-crystalline product as originally proposed by Rossetti et al. Hall–Williamson analysis was also performed on the hydrothermally derived PbTiO3 to interpret the systematic peak broadening and asymmetry for {001} reflections, unlike the commercial PbTiO3. It was observed that the strain in the c-axis direction is much higher than that in the a-axis direction while the domain sizes for both directions are similar. This strain anisotropy exerted in the particles may indicate a unique domain structure in the hydrothermally synthesized particles in which either only 180° domains exist or possibly only a single domain.
Variability in the density and sound-speed of coastal zooplankton and nekton

Forman, K. A., and Warren, J. D. 2010. Variability in the density and sound-speed of coastal zooplankton and nekton. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 10-18.Acoustic sampling techniques provide an advantage over traditional net-sampling by increasing scientist ability to survey a large area in a relatively short period, as well as providing higher-resolution data in the vertical and horizontal dimensions. To convert acoustic data into measures of biological organisms, physics-based scattering models are often used. Such models use several parameters to predict the amount of sound scattered by a fluid-like or weakly scattering animal. Two important input parameters are the density (g) and sound-speed (h) contrasts of the animal and the surrounding seawater. The density and sound-speed contrasts were measured for coastal zooplankton and nekton species including shrimps (Palaemonetes pugio and Crangon septemspinosa), fish (Fundulus majalis and Fundulus heteroclitus), and polychaetes (Nereis succinea and Glycera americana) along with multiple physiological and environmental variables. Factors such as animal size, feeding status, fecundity, gender, and maturity caused variations in g. The variations in g observed for these animals could lead to large differences (or uncertainties) in abundance estimates based on acoustic scattering models and field-collected backscatter data. It may be important to use a range of values for g and h in the acoustic scattering models used to convert acoustic data into estimates of the abundance of marine organisms.
Interleukin-2 Administration Causes Reversible Hemodynamic Changes and Left Ventricular Dysfunction Similar to Those Seen in Septic Shock

Interleukin-2, a lymphocyte product, has well demonstrated antitumor activity in humans. Early clinical studies showed hemodynamic alterations in patients receiving the drug as antitumor immunotherapy. We serially assessed interleukin-2-associated hemodynamic parameters and left ventricular ejection fractions in five patients with neoplastic diseases unresponsive to conventional therapies. By day 4 of therapy, compared with baseline (preinterleukin-2), all patients developed tachycardia (p (Chest 1988; 94:750-54)
Filtering of interaction rules in cooperation

Many cooperative control strategies focus on stability concerns to the deficit of global structure in a distributed cooperation task. We present a method of ensuring provable convergence of decentralized switching systems using ad-hoc definitions of proximity graphs, where convergence is measured by a potential function defined on the graph. The method depends on the proper filtering of the time-varying proximity graph structure so as to maintain convergence characteristics. We demonstrate the approach with an underactuated system.
The Leader′s Shadow: Exploring and Developing Executive Character

“The Leader's Shadow: Exploring and Developing the Executive Character,” by William Q. Judge, is an engaging book in which Judge explores an area often ignored by management scholars: the inner lives of executives at the helm of business corporations. A core reason for the book, according to the author, is to add balance to the leadership literature, which predominantly focuses on the external aspects of leadership—what leaders do, rather than who they are. Citing the growth of popular books on the topic of leadership, Judge presents a persuasive argument for additional research in the academic realm, for greater conceptual clarity, for well-developed frameworks, and for precision in the articulation of ideas.
On signalling that it's your turn to speak☆

Abstract The operation of a “speaker-state signal” in two-person, face-to-face conversations is hypothesized. Display of this signal by an auditor appears to indicate, among other things, that he is claiming the speaking turn, differentiating this action from a “back-channel behavior” by which he merely acknowledges some portion of the speaker's message. The signal also appears to play a part in the resolution of situations in which both participants simultaneously claim the speaking turn. The signal is defined as the display of at least one of a set of four behavioral cues, two in paralanguage and two in body motion.
Stabilizing a linear system with Saturation Through optimal control

We construct a continuous feedback for a saturated system x/spl dot/(t) = Ax(t) + B/spl sigma/(u(t)). The feedback renders the system asymptotically stable on the whole set of states that can be driven to 0 with an open-loop control. Trajectories of the resulting closed-loop system are optimal for an auxiliary optimal control problem with a convex cost and linear dynamics. The value function for the auxiliary problem, which we show to be differentiable, serves as a Lyapunov function for the saturated system. Relating the saturated system, which is nonlinear, to an optimal control problem with linear dynamics is possible thanks to the monotone structure of saturation.
Ovine and bovine metallothioneins: purification, number of species, zinc content and amino acid composition.

Metallothioneins (MTs) were purified with respect to zinc from tissues of cattle and sheep which had been fed high levels of dietary zinc. These proteins were purified by gel filtration (Sephadex G-75),ion exchange chromatog- raphy (twice on DEAE Sephacel) and gel filtration again (Bio-Gel P-10).There is one major and up to three minor MT species in liver, kidney and pancreas from both sheep and cattle. The amount of zinc varies between the different species of MT. Aminoacid analyses of the purified preparations revealed a cysteine content of up to 35.7%and the absence of aromatic amino acids for the major species, but the minor proteins contained less cysteine and some aromatic amino acids. The significance of MT in zinc metabolism is discussed. J. Nutr. Ill: 1207- 1215, 1981. INDEXING KEYWORDS metallothionein ovine bovine
Evaluating and Managing Hyponatremia

Although hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder, its evaluation and management are not well defined. When diagnosed, hyponatremia should be categorized based on four criteria: volume status, urinary Na+, serum K+, and acid-base balance. This approach helps to determine what the cause of hyponatremia is and how it should be treated. Initially, hypovolemic hyponatremia, including cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS), is treated by volume resuscitation and salt supplementation. Euvolemic hyponatremia, including the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), is treated by fluid restriction and salt supplementation, and hypervolemic hyponatremia is treated by fluid restriction and salt restriction. Hyponatremia can be managed well using these primary treatments and medications.
Observations of Gray Foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in a Suburban Landscape in the Piedmont of North Carolina

Studies of Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Gray Fox) in suburban landscapes are rare. Past work has suggested that this species will only tolerate urbanization to a certain density of residences (50-125 residences/km 2 ). To test this, we employed visual observa- tions and camera traps to monitor Gray Fox activity within a suburban and adjacent rural property from January to July 2011. We also used a geographical information system (GIS) to calculate the density of buildings associated with both properties. We observed Gray Foxes and detected them with camera traps in our properties on numerous occa- sions. GIS analyses revealed an estimated suburban density of 237-347 residences/km 2 (depending on spatial scale) and rural density of 50 residences/km 2 . The number of Gray Fox observations did not differ greatly between rural and suburban properties, although the peak periods of Gray Fox observations varied by site. We propose that a tolerance for high suburban building density exhibited by Gray Foxes at our site is related to the large amount of mature wooded buffers located adjacently.
Seasonality of Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) calls off the western Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) is a difficult species to study because of its low visual detectability and preference for living within the sea ice habitat, accessible only by ice-strengthened vessels. Recent identification of the Antarctic minke whale as the source of the seasonally ubiquitous bio-duck call has allowed the use of this sound, as well as downsweeps, to investigate seasonality trends and diel patterns in Antarctic minke whale call production, and their relationship to sea ice cover. Passive acoustic data were collected using an autonomous Acoustic Recording Package (ARP) off the western Antarctic Peninsula. Bio-duck calls were classified into four distinct call variants, with one variant having two subtypes. Bio-duck calls were detected between April and November, with increasing call duration during the austral winter, indicating a strong seasonality in call production. Downsweeps, which were also attributed to Antarctic minke whales, were present throughout most months during the recording period, with a peak in July, and an absence in March and April. Both bio-duck and downsweeps were significantly correlated with sea ice cover. No diel patterns were observed in bio-duck calls or in downsweep call production at this site.
Neutron hole states of /sup 93/ /sup 95/Mo. [l and s assignments from /sup 94/ /sup 96/Mo and (d, t) reactions at 40 MeV (DWBA analysis)]

The ($p,d$) and ($d,t$) reactions on $^{94}\mathrm{Mo}$ and $^{96}\mathrm{Mo}$ have been used at bombarding energies of \ensuremath{\sim}40 MeV to populate neutron hole states of $^{93}\mathrm{Mo}$ and $^{95}\mathrm{Mo}$. Excitation energies and angular distributions were measured for levels up to \ensuremath{\sim}5 MeV in excitation. A distorted-wave Born approximation analysis was used to make $l$ assignments and to obtain spectroscopic factors. Three distinct groups of weakly excited levels, one corresponding to $l=4$ and two corresponding to $l=1$, were observed above 2.3 MeV excitation in both nuclei. A quasiparticle-core coupling model is used to predict the properties of $^{93,95}\mathrm{Mo}$ nuclei and fair agreement with the experiments is obtained.[NUCLEAR REACTIONS, NUCLEAR STRUCTURE $^{94,96}\mathrm{Mo}$($p,d$), $^{94,96}\mathrm{Mo}$($d,t$), $E\ensuremath{\simeq}40$ MeV, measured $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\theta})$, $^{93,95}\mathrm{Mo}$ levels, deduced $l$, ${C}^{2}{S}_{n}$; calculated $J$, $\ensuremath{\pi}$, ${S}_{n}$, quasiparticle-core coupling model.]
ROLE OF MAP KINASE ACTIVATION IN BOVINE TRACHEAL SMOOTH MUSCLE MITOGENESIS

Abnormal growth of airway smooth muscle may play an important role in the pathogenesis of human airway diseases. Little is known about the proliferative responses of cultured airway smooth muscle cells, nor of the precise pathways responsible for mitogenesis in these cells. We assessed DNA synthesis, cell proliferation, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation in bovine tracheal myocytes after exposure to four potential mitogens: platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Stimulation with either PDGF or IGF-1 induced substantial increases in DNA synthesis and cell number, as reflected by [3H]thymidine incorporation, flow cytometry, and methylene blue staining. Treatment with EGF or 5-HT, on the other hand, induced only modest DNA synthesis and no increase in cell number. Immunoblots and kinase renaturation assays of cell extracts demonstrated activation of both the 42- and 44-kDa MAP kinases within minutes of either PDGF, IGF-1, EGF, or 5-HT exposure. However, relative to EGF and 5-HT stimulation, late-phase MAP kinase activation was significantly greater after treatment with the mitogens PDGF and IGF-1. We conclude that in cultured bovine tracheal myocytes 1) PDGF and IGF-1 are potent mitogens; 2) MAP kinase may be activated subsequent to stimulation of either receptor tyrosine kinases (PDGF, EGF, IGF-1) or G protein-linked receptors lacking in known tyrosine kinase activity (5-HT); and 3) unsustained MAP kinase activation is insufficient for mitogenesis. Finally, the finding that mitogenicity correlates with the late phase of MAP kinase activation is consistent with the notion that sustained MAP kinase activation is important for bovine tracheal myocyte proliferation.
Authors’ reply to Smith and colleagues

Some of Smith and colleagues’ statements about our editorial require clarification.1 2 They interpret our statement that: “No important adverse effects have been identified to date, probably because a modest level of fortification has proved very effective in preventing these devastating birth defects” as a claim that fortification is safe because it is effective for one condition. This interpretation is incorrect. Food fortification in the US has resulted in an average exposure to about 200 µg of folic acid per day.3 This is half the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). We were indicating that it is not surprising that no adverse effects have been seen from such a modest dose. As Smith and colleagues point out, WHO states that even high folic acid exposure, in contrast to the small amount fortification delivers, “has not reliably been shown to be associated with negative effects.”4 Thus, the postulated adverse effects, if any, have not been proved. The reduction in neural tube defect rates produced by fortification is proportional to the underlying rate,5 and reported reductions vary depending on the completeness of ascertainment.6 Many …
Laparoscopic versus conventional fundoplication.

ABSTRACT The operative and short-term results of 29 patients who had an open fundoplication were compared to 36 patients who had a laparoscopic fundoplication. The operative time was 2.8 ± 0.4 and ...
Towards Simultaneous High-Speed Mixture Fraction and Velocity Imaging in Turbulent Jets

In this paper we will describe recent advances made in our laboratory in the development of both high-speed mixture fraction ([) imaging and simultaneous mixture fraction and velocity imaging in turbulent nonreacting jets. High-repetition rate mixture fraction imaging has been developed in turbulent jets using planar Rayleigh scattering imaging, with the goal of extending this measurement capability to include simultaneous high-speed planar velocity measurements using particle imaging velocimetry (PIV). In this respect, conventional Rayleigh scattering imaging will be replaced with Filtered Rayleigh scattering (FRS), so that [￻ [￻ [￻ [￻ can be measured in the presence of the PIV seed particles without interference. In this paper, we will report a successful demonstration of high-speed (10 kHz) mixture fraction imaging using Rayleigh scattering and progress towards simultaneous mixture fraction and velocity imaging using FRS/Mie scattering at low (10 Hz) repetition rates. Future work entails merging the two independent work paths to enable a simultaneous high-speed mixture fraction/velocity measurement capability.
Comment on “Methodological Innovations from the Sociology of Emotions – Theoretical Advances”:

Emotions are an emergent feature of interaction, and many of the articles in this special section touch on this. What I find interesting is that we get a glimpse into how emotions unfold in a situation, and how the flow of emotions in any study can run from participant to participant, participant to researcher, and researcher to participant. Part of this flow of emotions is influenced by reflexivity or the awareness of self and other feeling states, which is addressed by some of the contributors. What is particularly challenging is how to carefully study emotions as they surface in situations, and many of the contributors encourage us to pause and think about how to do this.
Partial Oxidation of Methane and Oxygen Permeation in SrCoFeOx Membrane Reactor with Different Catalysts

Partial oxidation of methane (CH4) and oxygen permeation in a dense SrCoFeOx disk membrane reactor were studied with the reducing side of the membrane packed with different catalysts (catalyst supp...
Effect of nitrogen fertilizer and harvest stage on yield and quality of forage green naked oat

The effect of different nitrogen applied amounts and harvest stages on yield and quality of forage green naked oat were studied.The results showed that nitrogen fertilizer could increase the yield and protein contents in the straw of oat.When the amount of nitrogen application was 69 kg/hm~2,the dry weight of forage green naked oat in sandy soil were 6 023.4 kg/hm~2,being higher than CK;and the yield in medium loam meadow soil was the highest,being 9 013.4 kg/hm~2.Under the treatment of 69 kg/hm~2 nitrogen,the crude protein contents and true protein contents in the straw were 12.09% and 7.45% respectively,being 6.81% and 3.61% more than CK respectively.The yield of forage green naked oat was the highest when harvested at early milk stage.The dry weight of Pin16 and 9348 was 10 916.7 kg/hm~2 and 10 700.0 kg/hm~2 respectively.The transformation rate from crude protein to true protein was the highest when forage green naked oat was harvested at early milk stage.
Current situation and breakthrough method of study on adversarial intention recognition technique

Correct recognition of the adversarial intention is the premise of victory in adversarial activity.Intention recognition in military domain is one of the most difficult and complex recognition problems.A brief introduction and analysis are presented about some traditional intention recognition techniques,including the techniques based on logic reasoning and probabilistic reasoning.A few problems that need to be solved in these techniques are also pointed out.These problems include absence of knowledge about the recognized agent,available information conflicting and difficulty to discrimination the feint of the recognized agent.At last,two kinds of approaches based on extension theory,game theory and conflict analysis are presented to solve above-mentioned problems.
Growth Trajectories of Mexican-Origin Adolescent Mothers' Educational Expectations

Pregnant and parenting adolescents are at significant risk for educational underachievement. Educational expectations play a critical role for understanding subsequent educational attainment; yet, limited empirical attention has been given to changes in educational expectations across the transition to parenthood among adolescent mothers. This longitudinal study explored stability and change in educational expectations across the transition to parenthood among 191 first-time pregnant Mexican-origin adolescents (Mage = 16.76, SD = .98). The current study also examined how several contextually relevant risk and protective factors were associated with differential patterns of educational trajectories across this transition and subsequent educational attainment. Latent class growth analyses revealed three educational expectation trajectories: low and stable (< high school degree), moderate and increasing (≈ associate degree), and high and increasing (≈ bachelor's degree). Adolescent mothers in the low and stable group encountered several educational risk factors that partially explained their probability of membership in this trajectory and subsequent lower attainment. Conversely, probability of membership in the high and increasing expectations class was partially explained by adolescents' on-track school status at the time of pregnancy and their mother figures' educational expectations for their pregnant daughters. These findings have implications for understanding the malleable factors that help to explain why some adolescent mothers describe consistently high educational expectations and subsequent higher attainment, while others do not.
Striking Immune Phenotypes in Gene-Targeted Mice Are Driven by a Copy-Number Variant Originating from a Commercially Available C57BL/6 Strain

We describe a homozygous copy-number variant that disrupts the function of Dock2 in a commercially available C57BL/6 mouse strain that is widely used for backcrossing. This Dock2 allele was presumed to have spontaneously arisen in a colony of Irf5 knockout mice. We discovered that this allele has actually been inadvertently backcrossed into multiple mutant mouse lines, including two engineered to be deficient in Siae and Cmah. This particular commercially obtained subline of C57BL/6 mice also exhibits several striking immune phenotypes that have been previously described in the context of Dock2 deficiency. Inadvertent backcrossing of a number of gene-targeted mice into this background has complicated the interpretation of several immunological studies. In light of these findings, published studies involving immune or hematopoietic phenotypes in which these C57BL/6 mice have been used as controls, as experimental animals, or for backcrossing will need to be reinterpreted.
Framing and source effects on White college students' reactions to racial inequity information.

OBJECTIVES This study addressed: (a) Do professors' race/ethnicity and the race-related inequity information they present influence students' evaluations of the professors, acknowledgment of racial inequity, or motivation to respond without prejudice (MRWP)? (b) Do collective guilt and students' evaluations of professors mediate these relationships? METHOD White American undergraduate students (N = 614, 66.3% females, 64.7% first year, mean age of 19.3 years [age SD = 1.5]) completed an anonymous online survey. Students imagined they were taking a racial diversity course with either a Black or a White male professor who presented either White privilege or Black disadvantage statements. Participants then completed surveys that assessed their evaluations of the professor, collective guilt, beliefs regarding racial inequity, and MRWP. RESULTS Students evaluated White professors as having lower expertise, learning conduciveness, and warmth/intelligence but rated Black professors as more biased. Consistent with the inequality-framing model, intergroup sensitivity effect (ISE), and findings from prejudice confrontation research, White professors induced greater acknowledgment of racial inequity when they discussed White privilege rather than Black disadvantage. But, Black professors induced more external MRWP when they presented White privilege rather than Black disadvantage. Students' perceptions of the professors' warmth/intelligence determined the effectiveness of the inequity message while perceptions of the professors' expertise, judgmental, and conduciveness to learning determined students' concerns about appearing prejudiced. CONCLUSIONS The presenters' race/ethnicity and how they frame racial inequity information affect students' evaluation of the presenters, the message effectiveness, and students' external MRWP. (PsycINFO Database Record
Normal main portal vein diameter measured on CT is larger than the widely referenced upper limit of 13 mm

We determined mean main portal vein diameter in healthy patients evaluated with CT, compared this value to the “upper limit of normal” reported previously, and evaluated effects of age, sex, height, and BMI on portal vein diameter. Our cohort of healthy patients underwent abdominal CT as potential renal donors. We excluded patients with evidence of liver or severe cardiac disease. We recorded patients’ age, sex, height, weight, and BMI. Patients’ main portal vein diameters were measured by fellowship-trained abdominal imagers on non-contrast and post-contrast images in axial and coronal projections at a defined location. A general linear mixed model was used for analysis. 191 patients with 679 main portal vein measurements were included in the analysis. Mean main portal vein diameter was 15.5 ± 1.9 mm; this value was significantly different from the upper limit of normal of 13 mm commonly referenced in the literature (95% CI: 2.22–2.69 mm higher, p < 0.0001). Portal vein diameter does not vary significantly when measured on axial vs. coronal images. On average, post-contrast main portal veins were 0.56 mm larger compared to non-contrast, (95% CI: 0.40–0.71 mm, p < 0.0071). Patient height and BMI are positively correlated with MPV diameter. Normal mean portal vein diameter measured on CT was significantly larger (mean 15.5 mm) than the accepted upper limit of 13 mm. Contrast-enhanced main portal veins are significantly larger (0.56 mm) than unenhanced. Sex, height, and BMI significantly affect main portal vein diameter.
Management of Reproductive Disease in Dairy Cows.

Postpartum diseases are common in dairy cows, and their incidence contributes to reduced fertility and increased risk of culling, making their prevention and management extremely important. Reproductive efficiency has a major impact on economic success of any dairy production unit. Optimizing reproductive efficiency contributes to overall efficiency of production units, minimizing environmental impacts and contributing to sustainability of food production. Additionally, control of reproductive diseases is important for maintenance of health and welfare of dairy cows; for minimizing use of antibiotics; and ensuring a wholesome, safe, and nutritious product.
Near miss: the importance of the natural atmospheric CO2 concentration to human historical evolution

When fossil fuel energy was discovered, the timing and intensity of the resulting climate impacts depended on what the natural CO2 concentration in the atmosphere was at that time. The natural CO2 concentration is thought to be controlled by complex, slow-acting natural feedback mechanisms, and could easily have been different than it turned out to be. If the natural concentration had been a factor of two or more lower, the climate impacts of fossil fuel CO2 release would have occurred about 50 or more years sooner, making it much more challenging for the developing human society to scientifically understand the phenomenon of anthropogenic climate change in time to prevent it.
Gut Microbiota and Autism: Key Concepts and Findings

There is an emerging body of evidence linking the intestinal microbiota with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Studies have demonstrated differences in the composition of gut bacteria between children with ASD and controls. Certain intestinal bacteria have been observed in abundance and may be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD; including members of the Clostridium and Sutterella genus. Evidence from animal models suggest that certain microbial shifts in the gut may produce changes consistent with the clinical picture of autism, with proposed mechanisms including toxin production, aberrations in fermentation processes/products, and immunological and metabolic abnormalities. In this article, we review studies examining the relationship between intestinal bacteria and ASD, and discuss bacterial species that may be implicated and proposed mechanisms.
Impact of care at NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers (NCICCC) and payor status on outcomes in osteosarcoma (OS), Ewing sarcoma (ES) and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS).

e17537 Background: Effective management of ES/OS/RMS requires a multidisciplinary approach. Whether care at specialized centers (e.g., NCICCCs) affords a survival advantage across socioeconomic strata remains unstudied. Methods: We constructed a population-based cohort of 629 patients with newly diagnosed (dxed) ES/OS/RMS reported to Los Angeles cancer registry between 1998 and 2008. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine impact of care at NCI sites (NCICCCs [all ages]; Children’s Oncology Group [COG] sites [<21y]) on overall survival adjusting for dx, stage, age, SES, payor. Logistic regression was used to determine likelihood of care at NCI sites, adjusting for above variables and distance to nearest center (using GIS). Results: Clinical characteristics in Table.Median age at dx was 17y (0-65y). Survival: Multivariable analysis revealed payor as a risk factor for survival (uninsured: HR=1.7, 95%CI 1.0-2.8, p=0.04; ref: private insurance). A significant NCI/payor interaction (p=0.01) was obse...
Negotiating the Cultural Steps in Developing an Online Intervention for Korean American Intimate Partner Violence

Korean American (KA) immigrants experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) underutilize existing services, but instead rely on KA clergy for assistance. However, there had not yet been an interve...
A Case of Early Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Caused by Staphylococcus warneri in a Patient Presenting With Congestive Heart Failure

Staphylococcus warneri , a coagulase negative staphylococcus, has been isolated in prosthetic device-related infections and has been reported as a rare cause of endocarditis. We report a case of prosthetic aortic valve S. warneri endocarditis, in which the patient lacked typical infectious signs and symptoms, instead presenting with congestive heart failure due to perforation of the valve. Providers should consider endocarditis with a low virulence pathogen such as S. warneri when a patient with a prosthetic valve presents with heart failure, even in the absence of fever, leukocytosis and other infectious symptoms. Cardiol Res. 2017;8(5):236-240 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/cr588w
Indoor–Outdoor TV White and Gray Space Availability: A U.S. Case Study

The global transition from analogue to digital over-the-air TV broadcasting has freed up a large portion of spectrum in the United States and in other countries. Meanwhile, in response to the rapidly increasing traffic on wireless access networks the paradigm of shared spectrum , which allows secondary devices to opportunistically access licensed spectrum that is underutilised by primary users (PUs), is being actively explored. In TV bands, research has focused largely on enabling white space (WS) sharing, i.e. co-channel reuse outside the protection region . In this overlay mode, secondary users (SUs) must not operate in the protection region (which consists of the service region and its vicinity and is known as the no-talk zone ) to protect primary users (e.g. TV receivers). The existence of no-talk zones is to protect PUs in the boundary service region. In contrast, grey space (GS) sharing is co-channel reuse inside the protection region . In this underlay mode, an SU needs to ensure that the additional interference it contributes is weak enough at nearby PUs to be deemed acceptable. This is facilitated by the presence of built environments within a protection region, i.e. if the secondary is indoors and the primary outdoors, we expect the availability of (indoor) GS and (outdoor, in the vicinity of the buildings) WS to increase, due to the attenuation effects that provide additional inherent protection to primary receivers. The goal of this article is to revisit interference protection criteria for outdoor WS, and extend them to outdoor GS and (further) indoor WS/GS. We carry out a case study for US TV bands to assess the (new) indoor–outdoor WS and GS availability. Our results show that there is more WS indoors than outdoors (as expected); we quantify this as a function of key parameters of the deployment scenario and (importantly) the attention effects of building walls. We also show that there are sufficient GS opportunities in outdoor environments, and many more indoors, leading to the conclusion that the often-repeated folk theorem that ‘white (and grey) spaces don't exist where they are needed most’ needs substantial revision.
Neuroradiology as a Tool in Neuropathologic Diagnosis of Intracranial Masses

This chapter discusses characteristics of intracranial and intraspinal masses on the primary neuroradiological imaging studies – magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT). First, a very brief description of these imaging techniques – CT uses x-rays, while MRI shows the magnetic properties of tissues, without ionizing radiation. Both of these techniques operate with digital images – ­during the actual scanning a huge amount of digital data is being acquired, which is then processed by a powerful computer and converted into images on the scanner. MRI is generally the preferred modality, offering higher contrast resolution between tissues and lesions, and an increased amount of information. CT may offer a more reliable visualization of calcifications and better depiction of osseous morphology. Intravenous contrast agents (iodine-based for CT and gadolinium-based for MRI) are frequently used with both modalities.
Style Signatures to Combat Biometric Menagerie in Stylometry

In this paper, we investigate the challenges of using a person's writing style as a cognitive biometric modality by applying Doddington's idea of Biometric menagerie. To the best of our knowledge, biometric menagerie analysis has been on performed on a cognitive biometric modality for the first time. The presence of goats, wolves and lambs in this modality is demonstrated using two publicly available datasets - Blogs and IMDB1M. To combat this challenging problem, we further propose using person-specific features referred to as "Style signatures" which may be better at distinguishing different individuals. Experimental results show that using person-specific Style signatures improve verification by 3.6-5.5% on both datasets.
Preparation of Carbon-Supported K-Fe-Mn and Fe-Mn Catalysts Using Carbonyl Clusters

Highly dispersed Fe-Mn bimetallic particles have been formed on a high surface area amorphous carbon black support using Fe-Mn and K-Fe-Mn carbonyl clusters containing different Fe/Mn ratios. These catalysts have been characterized by hydrogen adsorption and CO chemisorption at 195K and 300K, and by their kinetic behavior for CO hydrogenation at 1 atm. The K-promoted KMnFe and KMnFe2 catalysts gave 85-90 wt? ethylene, propylene, and butene with CHH as the only other detectable hydrocarbon product. Comparison with other Mn-Fe catalysts reported in the literature shows that these catalysts not only have a much higher selectivity to light olefins but also have higher activity per gram iron.
Changes in the 8th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging of Head and Neck Cancer: Rationale and Implications

The objectives of this article are to review the major changes in the staging of head and neck cancers and the rationale for the modifications. Information gathered from various institutional reports lead to a better understanding of the clinical and biological behavior of head and neck tumors, resulting in distinct outcomes, which were used to update the staging system. This article reviews the changes in the staging of head and neck cancers published in the 8th edition of the AJCC/UICC TNM staging system.
Orbits of Hamiltonian Paths and Cycles in Complete Graphs

We enumerate certain geometric equivalence classes of subgraphs induced by Hamiltonian paths and cycles in complete graphs. Said classes are orbits under the action of certain direct products of dihedral and cyclic groups on sets of strings representing subgraphs. These orbits are enumerated using Burnside's lemma. The technique used also provides an alternative proof of the formulae found by S. W. Golomb and L. R. Welch which give the number of distinct $n$-gons on fixed, regularly spaced vertices up to rotation and optionally reflection.
Military Sexual Trauma and Intimate Partner Violence: Subtypes, Associations, and Gender Differences

Military sexual trauma (MST) is associated with future intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences among women Veterans. Yet, no studies have examined this relationship among men nor determined whether MST, as a sexual trauma, is more related to sexual IPV than other forms of IPV. Thus, this study examined the associations between MST, and separately military sexual harassment (MSH) and assault (MSA), with both lifetime IPV and past-year IPV (physical, sexual, and emotional) among men and women Veterans. Participants included 1094 Veterans (567 women, 524 men, 3 unknown) from a survey of post-9/11 Veterans enrolled in Veterans Administration healthcare. The survey assessed MST using the VA 2-item screen, past year IPV using the Extended-Hurt Insult Threaten Scream screener, and lifetime IPV using the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire. Chi-square tests revealed that women Veterans reported higher rates of MST, lifetime IPV, and recent sexual IPV. Men reported higher rates of recent overall IPV and recent psychological IPV. Men and women had equal rates of recent physical IPV. For men, MST was associated with lifetime IPV and recent psychological IPV. Among women, MST was associated with lifetime IPV and all forms of recent IPV, particularly sexual IPV. Moreover, IPV had a stronger relationship to MSA than to MSH. Results indicate that MST is related to IPV for men and women Veterans yet this relationship is stronger for women. Importantly, MSA appears more related to IPV than does MSH, underscoring a need to examine these variables separately in future studies.
INTEGRATION OF COMPUTER–AIDED PROCESSES INTO TOTAL ENGINEERING–THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER-AIDED DRAFTING (CAD) AND COMPUTER NUMERICAL CONTROL (CNC) FOR THE DRAFTING AND DESIGN TECHNOLOGY AND ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM AT CERRITOS COLLEGE, NORWALK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

Publisher Summary The total involvement of computer aided processes in the areas of engineering, manufacturing, and architecture is having a major impact on education. As engineering design is closely tied to the community college programs in drafting and tool design, it is essential that the students are involved in the computer-aided process at the earliest possible time. All students in engineering technology fields need good working knowledge of basic graphic processes, manufacturing procedures, and involvement of computer application. The integration of computer-aided drafting (CAD) in all advanced level work will speed up total appreciation of the concept of computer processes as an integral part of both engineering and architecture. The computer processes forms an integral part of both engineering and architecture. In the Cerritos installation, a switching device allows the plotter to handle either the basic micro-computer network or the advanced CAD/computer numerical control (CNC) network. This software eliminates the need for large amounts of training in the special language of numerical control, making it possible to translate design data into CNC data.
Sexual Orientation Disparities in Pregnancy Risk Behaviors and Pregnancy Among Sexually Active Teenage Girls: Updates from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which sexual identity and/or sexual behaviors were associated with pregnancy risk factors (condom use, alcohol or other dr...
Communication for coproduction: a systematic review and research agenda

Government and nonprofit organizations communicate with the public to reduce the degree of information asymmetry that could impede the two parties from working together to achieve higher levels of ...
SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE OF IMPELLA ASSISTED HIGH RISK PCI IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS

Impact of Impella assistance is unclear in patients with Aortic stenosis (AS) and is contraindicated in patients with aortic valve area of less than 0.6 cm2 as per the manufacturer. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is increasingly performed for severe AS patients and there is no
Disrupting the commonplace: Critical literacy practices in the ESL reading classroom

This critical qualitative research study explored the possibility of drawing on critical literacy in the Intensive English Program (IEP) classroom, specifically using ESL reading texts as learning materials for its practices. Five ESL participants recruited from the IEP at a major US Midwestern university engaged in critical literacy practices, which consisted of eight group discussion sessions about the content and points of view of selected ESL texts. Audio and video recorded discussion data were analyzed through the four dimensions model, used as both conceptual and analytical frameworks for this study. Based on the findings, this research study offers ESL/IEP educators a variety of effective strategies to promote ESL students’ critical engagement with their texts, specifically to help them disrupt the commonplace.