Dynamic reliability analysis of corroded pipeline using Bayesian Network

Funding Information: The authors would like to express appreciation for the support of the sponsor Universiti Malaysia Pahang Internal Grant [RDU1703169].Peer reviewedPublisher PD

H5N1 Clade 2.2 Polymorphism Tracing Identifies Influenza Recombination and Potential Vaccine Targets

Highly pathogenic Influenza A H5N1 was first identified in Guangdong Province in 1996, followed by human cases in Hong Kong in 1997 1. The number of confirmed human cases now exceeds 300 and the associated Case Fatality Rate exceeds 60% 2. The genetic diversity of the serotype continues to increase. Four distinct clades or sub-clades have been linked to human cases 3.4. The gradual genetic changes identified in the sub-clades have been attributed to copy errors by viral encoded polymerases that lack an editing function, thereby resulting in antigenic drift 5. We traced polymorphism acquisition in Clade 2.2 sequences. We report here the concurrent acquisition of the same polymorphism by multiple, genetically distinct, Clade 2.2 sub-clades in Egypt, Russia and Ghana. These changes are not easily explained by the current theory of “random mutation” through copy error, and are more easily explained by recombination with a common source. This conclusion is supported by additional polymorphisms shared by Clade 2.2 isolates in Egypt, Nigeria and Germany including aggregation of regional polymorphisms from each of these areas into a single Nigerian human hemagglutinin gene

Peningkatan Kompetensi Guru IPA di Mgmp SMP Se-kota Semarang melalui Model Evaluasi Pendidikan Karakter

PENINGKATAN KOMPETENSI GURU IPA DI MGMP SMP SE-KOTA SEMARANG MELALUI MODEL EVALUASI PENDIDIKAN KARAKTE

Exploring perceptions of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in older drivers with age-related declines

Perceptions of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) were explored in two semi-structured face-to-face focus group studies of 42 older drivers (aged 65 years and older) with and without age-related declines. Study 1 explored perceptions regarding ADAS, focusing on visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive factors. Study 2 extended this by additionally exploring perceptions following exposure to videos and stationary vehicle demonstrations of an ADAS. Participants had a range of visual, hearing, memory, and health characteristics which impacted on their daily life. In both studies, some participants had insights regarding various ADAS technologies prior to the study, but many were unfamiliar with these systems. Nevertheless, overall, participants reported that ADAS would assist them to drive as they age and increase their mobility and independence. There were comments regarding the benefits of warning alerts, although the potential for them to be distracting was also highlighted. Participants with vision impairment preferred audio alerts and participants with hearing impairment preferred visual display alerts. Findings highlighted the potential for ADAS to assist those with age-related declines and the need to increase the flexibility of warning system alerts to suit the varying requirements of older drivers, as well as to reduce the complexity of vehicle interfaces. Collectively, these strategies would maximize the benefits of these vehicles to increase the mobility, independence, and quality of life of older drivers with and without age-related declines

Thalamocortical relationship in epileptic patients with generalized spike and wave discharges — A multimodal neuroimaging study

AbstractUnlike focal or partial epilepsy, which has a confined range of influence, idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) often affects the whole or a larger portion of the brain without obvious, known cause. It is important to understand the underlying network which generates epileptic activity and through which epileptic activity propagates. The aim of the present study was to investigate the thalamocortical relationship using non-invasive imaging modalities in a group of IGE patients. We specifically investigated the roles of the mediodorsal nuclei in the thalami and the medial frontal cortex in generating and spreading IGE activities. We hypothesized that the connectivity between these two structures is key in understanding the generation and propagation of epileptic activity in brains affected by IGE. Using three imaging techniques of EEG, fMRI and EEG-informed fMRI, we identified important players in generation and propagation of generalized spike-and-wave discharges (GSWDs). EEG-informed fMRI suggested multiple regions including the medial frontal area near to the anterior cingulate cortex, mediodorsal nuclei of the thalamus, caudate nucleus among others that related to the GSWDs. The subsequent seed-based fMRI analysis revealed a reciprocal cortical and bi-thalamic functional connection. Through EEG-based Granger Causality analysis using (DTF) and adaptive DTF, within the reciprocal thalamocortical circuitry, thalamus seems to serve as a stronger source in driving cortical activity from initiation to the propagation of a GSWD. Such connectivity change starts before the GSWDs and continues till the end of the slow wave discharge. Thalamus, especially the mediodorsal nuclei, may serve as potential targets for deep brain stimulation to provide more effective treatment options for patients with drug-resistant generalized epilepsy

Impact of double reading on NI-RADS diagnostic accuracy in reporting oral squamous cell carcinoma surveillance imaging – a single-center study

Objectives: The Neck Imaging Reporting and Data System (NI-RADS) is an increasingly utilized risk stratification tool for imaging surveillance after treatment for head and neck cancer. This study aims to measure the impact of supervision by subspecialized radiologists on diagnostic accuracy of NI-RADS when initial reading is performed by residents. Methods: 150 CT and MRI datasets were initially read by two trained residents, and then supervised by two subspecialized radiologists. Recurrence rates by NI-RADS category were calculated, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted. After dichotomization of the NI-RADS system (category 1 vs categories 2 + 3+4 and categories 1 + 2 vs 3 + 4), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were calculated. Results: 26% of the reports were modified by the supervising radiologists. Area under the curve of ROC plots values of the supervision session were higher than those of the initial reading session for both the primary site (0.89 vs 0.86) and the neck (0.94 vs 0.91), but the difference was not statistically significant. For dichotomized NI-RADS category assignments, differences between the initial reading and the supervision session were statistically significant regarding specificity and PPV for the primary site (1 + 2 vs 3 + 4 and 1 vs 2 + 3+4) or even for both sites combined (1 vs 2 + 3+4). Conclusion: NI-RADS enables trained resident radiologists to report surveillance imaging in patients with treated oral squamous cell carcinoma with high discriminatory power. Additional supervision by a subspecialized head and neck radiologist particularly improves specificity of radiological reports

Semantic variant primary progressive aphasia: Practical recommendations for treatment from 20 years of behavioural research

People with semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) present with a char-acteristic progressive breakdown of semantic knowledge. There are currently no pharmacological interventions to cure or slow svPPA, but promising behavioural approaches are increasingly reported. This article offers an overview of the last two decades of research into interventions to support language in people with svPPA including recommendations for clinical practice and future research based on the best available evidence. We offer a lay summary in English, Spanish and French for education and dissemination purposes. This paper discusses the implications of right-versus left-predominant atrophy in svPPA, which naming therapies offer the best outcomes and how to capitalise on preserved long-term memory systems. Current knowledge regarding the maintenance and generalisation of language therapy gains is described in detail along with the development of compensatory approaches and educational and support group programmes. It is concluded that there is evidence to support an integrative framework of treatment and care as best practice for svPPA. Such an approach should combine rehabilitation interventions addressing the language impairment, compensatory approaches to support activities of daily living and provision of education and support within the context of dementia

Symbioses shape feeding niches and diversification across insects.

For over 300 million years, insects have relied on symbiotic microbes for nutrition and defence. However, it is unclear whether specific ecological conditions have repeatedly favoured the evolution of symbioses, and how this has influenced insect diversification. Here, using data on 1,850 microbe-insect symbioses across 402 insect families, we found that symbionts have allowed insects to specialize on a range of nutrient-imbalanced diets, including phloem, blood and wood. Across diets, the only limiting nutrient consistently associated with the evolution of obligate symbiosis was B vitamins. The shift to new diets, facilitated by symbionts, had mixed consequences for insect diversification. In some cases, such as herbivory, it resulted in spectacular species proliferation. In other niches, such as strict blood feeding, diversification has been severely constrained. Symbioses therefore appear to solve widespread nutrient deficiencies for insects, but the consequences for insect diversification depend on the feeding niche that is invaded

Developmental responses to early-life adversity: Evolutionary and mechanistic perspectives

Adverse ecological and social conditions during early life are known to influence development, with rippling effects that may explain variation in adult health and fitness. The adaptive function of such developmental plasticity, however, remains relatively untested in long-lived animals, resulting in much debate over which evolutionary models are most applicable. Furthermore, despite the promise of clinical interventions that might alleviate the health consequences of early-life adversity, research on the proximate mechanisms governing phenotypic responses to adversity have been largely limited to studies on glucocorticoids. Here, we synthesize the current state of research on developmental plasticity, discussing both ultimate and proximate mechanisms. First, we evaluate the utility of adaptive models proposed to explain developmental responses to early-life adversity, particularly for long-lived mammals such as humans. In doing so, we highlight how parent-offspring conflict complicates our understanding of whether mothers or offspring benefit from these responses. Second, we discuss the role of glucocorticoids and a second physiological system-the gut microbiome-that has emerged as an additional, clinically relevant mechanism by which early-life adversity can influence development. Finally, we suggest ways in which nonhuman primates can serve as models to study the effects of early-life adversity, both from evolutionary and clinical perspectives.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152003/1/evan21791_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152003/2/evan21791.pd