Bayesian modeling of spatially differentiated multivariate enamel defects of the children's primary maxillary central incisor teeth

BACKGROUND

The analysis of dental caries has been a major focus of recent work on modeling dental defect data. While a dental caries focus is of major importance in dental research, the examination of developmental defects which could also contribute at an early stage of dental caries formation, is also of potential interest. This paper proposes a set of methods which address the appearance of different combinations of defects across different tooth regions. In our modeling we assess the linkages between tooth region development and both the type of defect and associations with etiological predictors of the defects which could be influential at different times during the tooth crown development.

METHODS

We develop different hierarchical model formulations under the Bayesian paradigm to assess exposures during primary central incisor (PMCI) tooth development and PMCI defects. We evaluate the Bayesian hierarchical models under various simulation scenarios to compare their performance with both simulated dental defect data and real data from a motivating application.

RESULTS

The proposed model provides inference on identifying a subset of etiological predictors of an individual defect accounting for the correlation between tooth regions and on identifying a subset of etiological predictors for the joint effect of defects. Furthermore, the model provides inference on the correlation between the regions of the teeth as well as between the joint effect of the developmental enamel defects and dental caries. Simulation results show that the proposed model consistently yields steady inferences in identifying etiological biomarkers associated with the outcome of localized developmental enamel defects and dental caries under varying simulation scenarios as deemed by small mean square error (MSE) when comparing the simulation results to real application results.

CONCLUSION

We evaluate the proposed model under varying simulation scenarios to develop a model for multivariate dental defects and dental caries assuming a flexible covariance structure that can handle regional and joint effects. The proposed model shed new light on methods for capturing inclusive predictors in different multivariate joint models under the same covariance structure and provides a natural extension to a nested hierarchical model.

An artificial intelligence tool misclassifies sport science journals as predatory

OBJECTIVES

The choice of a scholarly journal, as opposed to a predatory journal, might impact a sport scientist's career negatively if the wrong choice is made, especially at an early stage of their research and publishing careers. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly impacting sport science and academia. In this study, we tested the accuracy and sensitivity of an AI-driven tool, applied specifically to sport science.

DESIGN

Our research relies on the use of a new and free online AI-driven tool, the AJPC System, which claims the ability to distinguish "normal" (scholarly) from "suspected predatory" (unscholarly) journals.

METHODS

The AJPC System was used to assess (1 December 2023) the classification of all ranked sport journals (n = 124), namely those in all four quartiles (Q1-Q4) of SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), in the "Sports Science" category.

RESULTS

The AJPC System considered 47/124 journals to be "suspected predatory", mostly in Q4 journals (54.8 % of total), casting a negative image on their academic standing.

CONCLUSIONS

Sport scientists are likely to consider SJR Q1-Q4 journals to be relatively safe to publish in, reliable and reputable, and might be confused with the "suspected predatory" label assigned to 37.9 % of those journals. The AJPC System is thus misleading sport scientists.

Effect of dry and wet finishing and polishing on color change and opacity of nanofill and nanohybrid composites

BACKGROUND

As superior esthetic is one of the main reasons for using composite resins, it is very important to be familiar with factors and techniques affecting their optical properties and appearance.

AIM

The aim of this study was comparing the effect of finishing and polishing with and without water coolant, on the color change and opacity of composite resin materials.

METHODS

Composites used for preparing samples were Z250 (microhybrid), Z350XT (nanofilled), and Z550 (nanohybrid). Then divided into 4 groups of 5 depending on finishing and polishing technique (dry or wet) and time (immediate and after twenty-four hours). After polishing, samples were assessed using a spectrophotometer. Color change and opacity were determined. Data was analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests.

RESULTS

Type of material at both time had a significant effect on ΔE and opacity. Our results in dry and wet technique immediately(T0) showed that the highest and lowest ΔE and opacity belong to Z350XT (p < 0.001). After Twenty-four hours (T24), opacity of Z250 in wet condition was higher than dry condition (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Wet or dry technique was only effective on color in immediate polishing. Regarding opacity, technique was only effective in case of delayed polishing.

Management of permanent incisors affected by Molar-Incisor-Hypomineralisation (MIH) using resin infiltration: a pilot study

PURPOSE

To compare the aesthetic improvement of Molar-Incisor-Hypomineralisation (MIH) opacities treated by applying Icon-Etch for three cycles with the opacities treated by Icon-Etch for once, in the course of resin infiltration technique.

METHODS

Thirty incisors were sorted based on the colour of the opacities and then distributed according to the number of Icon-Etch cycles using a randomisation table into the groups: (1) White/Creamy one cycle, (2) White/Creamy three cycles, (3) Yellow/Brown one cycle, (4) Yellow/Brown three cycles. The primary outcomes of applying the resin infiltration to the opacities were compared amongst groups according to the parents' satisfaction, the amount of coverage, and the colour matching with the surrounding sound enamel. The stability of the results after 3 months was evaluated using a spectrophotometer.

RESULTS

The colour of the opacity pre-treatment affected the outcomes significantly (p < 0.05), compared according to the method of application (p > 0.05) in terms of parents' satisfaction. Whilst the multiple applications for Icon-Etch cycles showed more coverage amount in White/Creamy opacities than the application ones (p < 0.05); in colour matching, there was no statistically significant difference between the two methods (p > 0.05). For yellow/brown opacities, some negative results occurred with the single Icon-Etch cycle.

CONCLUSION

In MIH opacities, it is possible to rely on the resin infiltration as a minimally invasive method to achieve acceptable results, especially with multiple Icon-Etch cycles applications in the white/creamy opacities. The colour stability has not been affected by either the colour of the opacity or the number of cycles.

Radiographic characteristics of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in the STREAM stage 1 trial and their influence on time to culture conversion in the short regimen

BACKGROUND

Stage 1 of the STREAM trial demonstrated that the 9 month (Short) regimen developed in Bangladesh was non-inferior to the 20 month (Long) 2011 World Health Organization recommended regimen. We assess the association between HIV infection and radiographic manifestations of tuberculosis and factors associated with time to culture conversion in Stage 1 of the STREAM trial.

METHODS

Reading of chest radiographs was undertaken independently by two clinicians, and films with discordant reading were read by a third reader. Recording of abnormal opacity of the lung parenchyma included location (right upper, right lower, left upper, and left lower) and extent of disease (minimal, moderately-advanced, and far advanced). Time to culture conversion was defined as the number of days from initiation of treatment to the first of two consecutive negative culture results, and compared using the log-rank test, stratified by country. Cox proportional hazards models, stratified by country and adjusted for HIV status, were used to identify factors associated with culture conversion.

RESULTS

Of the 364 participants, all but one had an abnormal chest X-ray: 347 (95%) had opacities over upper lung fields, 318 (87%) had opacities over lower lung fields, 124 (34%) had far advanced pulmonary involvement, and 281 (77%) had cavitation. There was no significant association between HIV and locations of lung parenchymal opacities, extent of opacities, the presence of cavitation, and location of cavitation. Participants infected with HIV were significantly less likely to have the highest positivity grade (3+) of sputum culture (p = 0.035) as compared to participants not infected with HIV. Cavitation was significantly associated with high smear positivity grades (p < 0.001) and high culture positivity grades (p = 0.004) among all participants. Co-infection with HIV was associated with a shorter time to culture conversion (hazard ratio 1.59, 95% CI 1.05-2.40).

CONCLUSIONS

Radiographic manifestations of tuberculosis among the HIV-infected in the era of anti-retroviral therapy may not differ from that among those who were not infected with HIV. Radiographic manifestations were not consistently associated with time to culture conversion, perhaps indicating that the Short regimen is sufficiently powerful in achieving sputum conversion across the spectrum of radiographic pulmonary involvements.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN ISRCTN78372190. Registered 14/10/2010. The date of first registration 10/02/2016.

Black-box assisted medical decisions: AI power vs. ethical physician care

I raise an ethical problem with physicians using "black box" medical AI algorithms, arguing that its use would compromise proper patient care. Even if AI results are reliable, my contention is that without being able to explain medical decisions to patients, physicians' use of black box AIs would erode the effective and respectful care they provide patients. In addition, I argue that physicians should use AI black boxes only for patients in dire straits, or when physicians use AI as a "co-pilot" (analogous to a spellchecker) but can independently confirm its accuracy. My argument will be further sharpened when, lastly, I give important attention to Alex John London's objection that physicians already sometimes prescribe treatment, such as lithium drugs, even though neither researchers nor doctors can explain why the treatment works.

Prevalence and associated factors of enamel developmental defects among Nigerian children with perinatal HIV exposure

To evaluate the prevalence and pattern of developmental defects of the enamel (DDE) and their risk factors among children born infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and those born to HIV-infected mothers compared with their unexposed counterparts (i.e., children born to uninfected mothers). This was an analytic cross-sectional study evaluating the presence and pattern of distribution of DDE in three groups of school-aged children (age, 4-11 years) receiving care and treatment at a Nigerian tertiary hospital, comprising: (1) HIV-infected (HI) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (n = 184), (2) HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) (n = 186) and (3) HIV-unexposed and uninfected (HUU) (n = 184). Data capture forms and questionnaires were used to record the children's medical and dental history based on clinical chart review and recall from their parents/guardians. Dental examinations were performed by calibrated dentists blinded to the study grouping. CD4+ (Cluster of Differentiation) T-cell counts were assayed for all participants. The diagnosis of DDE corresponded with the codes enumerated in the World Dental Federation's modified DDE Index. Analyses relied on comparative statistics to determine risk factors associated with DDE. A total of 103 participants distributed among the three groups presented with at least one form of DDE, which indicated a prevalence of 18.59%. The HI group had the highest frequency of DDE-affected teeth (4.36%), while that of the HEU and HUU groups were 2.73% and 2.05%, respectively. Overall, the most encountered DDE was code 1 (Demarcated Opacity), accounting for 30.93% of all codes. DDE codes 1, 4 and 6 showed significant associations with the HI and HEU groups in both dentitions (p < 0.05). We found no significant association DDE and either very low birth weight or preterm births. A marginal association with CD4+ lymphocyte count was observed in HI participants. DDE is prevalent in school-aged children, and HIV infection is a significant risk factor for hypoplasia, a common form of DDE. Our results were consistent with other research linking controlled HIV (with ART) to oral diseases and reinforce advocacies for public policies targeted at infants exposed/infected perinatally with HIV.

Unilateral double round pneumonia in a child: A case report and literature review

Round pneumonia is a disease that occurs mainly in young children who have a clinical presentation of lower respiratory tract infection together with a chest radiograph showing round opacity. The mean age of patients with round pneumonia is five 5 years; it is uncommonly seen after the age of 8, as the collateral airways tend to be well developed by this age. In our case, we evaluated a 10-year-old girl who presented with fever, cough, and rounded densities on her chest x-ray. The rapid urinary antigen test for Streptococcus pneumoniae was positive, and serum anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies were non-reactive. The diagnosis of round pneumonia was confirmed when the patient showed a complete recovery both clinically and radiographically after a course of penicillin and gentamicin.

Bilateral idiopathic corneal opacity: A report of Ascher ring and a review of the literature

Purpose

To present a case of a rare entity of Ascher ring, a bilateral corneal stromal opacification.

Observation

A 70-year-old male with no ocular history who presented for cataract evaluation was found to have idiopathic bilateral circular stromal corneal rings.

Conclusions

After completion of extensive history, examination, imaging analyses, and laboratory studies for workup of corneal opacities, we arrived at a diagnosis of Ascher corneal ring, an extremely rare entity.

Importance

A rare entity should be considered after excluding other etiologies.

An In-Vitro Assessment of Operator Accuracy and Inter-Operator Agreement in Recording Shade and Shade Characteristics

Color assessment remains a challenging aspect of esthetic dentistry. This study aimed to evaluate inter-operator agreement and accuracy in assessing shade parameters and to investigate the effect of different clinical backgrounds of the operators under different lighting conditions. Three veneers with a single shade (VITA VM7, shade 2M2: VITA Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen) and different shade characteristics (lustre, translucency and opacity) were assessed by 24 operators with different backgrounds using natural and color-corrected light (Trueshade, Interempresas Media, S.L.U. - Grupo Nova Àgora, Spain). Shade assessment accuracy was only 5.5% using natural light and 9.7% using Trueshade. The majority of operators identified value and hue correctly, although chroma was mostly identified incorrectly. The most accurate assessments were recorded by technicians, and translucency was the characteristic to be least accurately recorded. Inter-operator agreement of shade was better with Trueshade compared without Trueshade, although group agreements of shade characteristics were higher without Trueshade for lustre and opacity, but not for translucency. Operators showed limited agreement and poor accuracy in assessing shade and shade characteristics and the clinical background had an effect on shade selection. Technicians were more reliable in shade assessment. Trueshade could be a promising tool to improve shade assessment outcomes.

Comparability of corneal thickness and opacity depth assessed by OCT and UBM

OBJECTIVE

To compare the measurement of central thickness and depth of involvement of opacity-bearing corneas at different intensities (mild, moderate, and dense) using different instruments: Visante and Optovue OCTs, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), and ultrasound pachymetry (central thickness).

METHODS

Sample of 102 eyes: 70 eyes (68.63 %) with corneal opacity; 32 eyes (31.37%) with normal corneas. Corneal opacity grading included mild (28 eyes, 40.00 %), moderate (27 eyes, 37.57 %), and dense (15 eyes, 21.43 %). Opacity intensity was graded and documented. Central corneal thickness was determined using Optovue and Visante OCTs, ultrasound pachymetry, and UBM VuMax (50 MHz), and depth of corneal opacity, using Optovue and Visante OCTs and UBM.

RESULTS

Total corneal thickness of the control group showed differences with a small correction factor using Optovue OCT (534.03 ± 39.88 μm), Visante OCT (523.72±38.70 μm), and ultrasound pachymetry (529.84 ± 39.76 μm), and were higher when compared to UBM (492.06 ± 37.93 μm). In mild opacity, depth measurements were the same with OCT Optovue and Visante and higher than those by UBM. In moderate opacities, there were no differences in measurements by different instruments. In dense opacities, OCT Optovue and Visante measurements were the same and higher than those by UBM.

CONCLUSIONS

Central corneal thickness measurements were considered higher in corneas with opacity than in normal corneas. We observed that the greatest thicknesses were measured in corneas with dense opacities. There was a difference between the measurements taken by different instruments, both in central thickness and in opacity depth in cases of mild and dense opacity, and no difference in moderate opacity.

Computer Tomography (CT) Characteristics of Pulmonary Cystic Echinococcosis

INTRODUCTION

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a common zoonosis worldwide. The two most frequent location of CE are liver and lung. Confirmatory diagnosis of CE is routinely performed sung imaging methods such as computer aided tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance in humans.

AIM

to investigate CT scan imaging of patients with pulmonary CE in Masih Daneshvari Hospital from 2011 to 2017.

MATARIAL AND METHODS

This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on patients with pulmonary CE referring to Masih Daneshvari Hospital. By using the convenience sampling, 195 cases were selected from eligible patients. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that included demographic, clinical and laboratory information. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.

RESULTS

In this study, 84.1% and 15.9% of patients were diagnosed using surgical method and CT scan, respectively. Our findings indicated CE was most commonly located in liver (28.2%) and spleen was considered as the lowest location (3.1%). Furthermore, cough was the most common clinical symptom of patients. The lower right lobe opacity was found to be higher, while and Lingula was the least frequent.

CONCLUSION

According to the findings of this study, surgery is the most important diagnostic and cough method as the most common clinical symptom of the disease. Since the CE with atypical symptoms is relatively common, physicians should always consider the lung CE in differential diagnosis of localized radiological images.

Vertical and Horizontal Heterogeneity of Atmospheric Dust Loading in Northern Gale Crater, Mars

This paper updates the record of atmospheric dust loading within northern Gale Crater, Mars, by providing line-of-sight extinction (LOS-Ext) measurements of the intervening dust between the rover and the crater rim. These measurements are derived from images taken with the Navigation Cameras (Navcam) onboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, Curiosity. The observations span 2.44 Mars years, from Mars Year (MY) 31 at a solar longitude (L S ) of 208° to t L S = 7° of MY34, sols 100 - 1701 of the MSL surface mission. This work examines the dataset for seasonal trends of the LOS-Ext in addition to horizontal variations and the vertical structure of LOS-Ext. The LOS-Ext has a repetitive pattern with a single peak in the latter half of the Mars year. The atmosphere in the crater is well mixed horizontally but not vertically as larger LOS-Ext is seen nearer the crater floor than at higher altitudes within the crater. The results allow a discussion on whether or not Gale Crater is a sink for atmospheric dust or a source of atmospheric dust in the current era.

Distinguishing Colony Opacity Variants and Measuring Opacity Variation in Acinetobacter baumannii

Many strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, including the highly virulent strain AB5075, undergo a high-frequency switch that results in two cell types that are distinguished by their opaque or translucent colony opacities when viewed by oblique lighting. Opaque (VIR-O) and translucent (AV-T) colonies exhibit multiple phenotypic differences, including virulence. Here we describe how to distinguish between VIR-O and AV-T colony variants and how to generate highly pure stocks of each variant. We also describe methods for measuring opacity switching frequencies of cells grown on agar plates and in liquid cultures.

Maturation processes in glass-ionomer dental cements

Glass-ionomer cements are used for a variety of tooth-repair functions in clinical dentistry. They are formed by reaction of a basic glass powder with a solution of polymeric water-soluble acid, usually polyacrylic acid. After the initial neutralization reaction, by which the cement hardens, various maturation reactions occur. Changes induced by these maturation reactions are identified as: increase in strength; reduction in plasticity; improvement in opacity; and increase in proportion of tightly bound water. In addition, in contact with the tooth, an ion-exchange interfacial layer is gradually formed. This is mechanically strong and chemically-resistant. These changes are described in the current paper, which reviews the extent to which they occur, and reports what is know about the chemistry that underlies them. Processes involving slow diffusion of various ions and of water through the set cement bring about these changes. They include a secondary setting reaction to form a phosphate-based phase, binding of water to co-ordination sites around metal cations and to a hydration sheath around the polymer molecules, and possibly reaction of water with glass particle surfaces to form silanol groups. Evidence from a wide range of literature sources is used to be build up a detailed picture of the chemistry of the maturation processes, and gaps in our understanding are highlighted. The article concludes that, given the importance of glass-ionomers in contemporary dentistry, it is important to know the extent to which such maturation processes occur in current cement formulations, and also to determine how rapidly they take place.

Sufficiency of curing in high-viscosity bulk-fill resin composites with enhanced opacity

OBJECTIVES

The study aims analyzing if improved opacity in modern high-viscosity bulk-fill resin composites (BF-RBC) contradicts with the sufficiency of curing and to assess material's tolerance to less ideal curing conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Simulated large cavities (10 × 6) mm were filled in one increment with three BF-RBCs (Filtek One, FO; Tetric Evo Ceram Bulk Fill, TEC-BF; SonicFill2, SF2). One central and two peripheral (4 mm apart from the center) micromechanical property line-profiles (HV, Vickers hardness; Y_HU, indentation modulus) were measured in 0.2-mm steps at 24 h post-polymerization (n = 6). Depth of cure (DOC) was calculated from the HV variation in depth. A scratch test (DOC_{scratch test}) estimated the tolerance in polymerization when simulating clinically relevant curing conditions (exposure distance up to 7 mm; centered and with a 3-mm offset placement of the LCU). Irradiance and spectral distribution of the used light curing unit (LCU) were assessed at various curing conditions.

RESULTS

DOC varied among 3.6 mm (SF2, peripheral) and 5.7 mm (FO, central). The BF-RBC influences DOC stronger (p < 0.001, ηP² = 0.616) than the width (p < 0.001, ηP² = 0.398). Significant lower DOC (t test) was measured peripheral compared to center in all materials. Y_HU was more sensitive to the varied parameters as HV. DOC_{scratch test} varied among 2.4 mm (SF2, 3-mm offset, exposure distance 7 mm) and 3.9 mm (FO, center, 0 mm).

CONCLUSIONS

Whether opacity competes with DOC is material dependent. BF-RBCs tolerate small variations in LCU's centricity better than variations in exposure distance.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The upper incremental thickness threshold of 4 or 5 mm was not reached in all BF-RBCs under simulated clinically relevant curing conditions.

Does translucency influence cure efficiency and color stability of resin-based composites?

OBJECTIVE

To determine if material's translucency influences the cure efficiency and color stability of resin-based composites (RBCs).

METHODS

Four commercially-available RBCs indicated for aesthetic restorations were selected in different translucent/opaque shades: IPS Empress Direct (IED) A3 Dentin, A3 Enamel, Trans 20, and Trans 30; Filtek Z350 XT (FZX) A3D, A3B, A3E, and CT; Estelite ∑ Quick (EQ) OA3, A3, and CE; and Opallis (OP) DA3, EA3, and T-Neutral. Color was obtained in the L'C'h' system at three distinct periods: 24h after photoactivation (baseline), after 30d of water storage (WS), and after 30d of coffee storage (CS). The translucency parameter (TP) of each RBC was calculated at baseline. The degree of CC conversion (DC) was obtained by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy at 0.05mm (top) and 2mm (bottom) surfaces; the cure efficiency considered the bottom/top ratio. The CIEDE2000 color difference (ΔE₀₀) was calculated considering the WS-baseline and CS-baseline values. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (α=0.05). Pearson's tests were used to analyze the correlations between TP and DC, and between TP and ΔE₀₀.

RESULTS

For all RBCs, cure efficiency was not affected by materials' translucency. A positive, significant correlation was observed between TP and DC at the bottom surface for FZX only. For all RBCs, the higher the TP, the higher the ΔE₀₀. The ΔE₀₀ was higher after CS than after WS, except for EQ A3. Positive correlation between TP and ΔE₀₀ were observed for all materials.

CONCLUSION

The translucency did not influence the cure efficiency but affected the color stability for all RBCs.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

High-translucent RBCs presented lower color stability and should be used carefully.

Improvement of chronic corneal opacity in ocular surface disease with prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem (PROSE) treatment

Purpose

To demonstrate clearing of chronic corneal opacities and improvement of visual acuity with the use of BostonSight prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem (PROSE) treatment in ocular surface disease.

Observations

We undertook retrospective analysis of the medical records of a series of patients who underwent PROSE treatment from August 2006 to December 2014. Patients were referred for ocular surface disease of various etiologies. Primary inclusion criterion was corneal opacity that improved with PROSE treatment. Patients were excluded if topical steroids or adjuvant therapy used once PROSE treatment was initiated. Underlying disease, prior treatment, clinical presentation, and clinical course were extracted from the medical record. Four patients are included in this series. There were three females and one male; median age at time of treatment initiation was 30 years (range = 0.5–58 years). Median duration of PROSE treatment at time of retrospective analysis was 3.5 years (range = 1–8 years). Two cases had corneal opacification in the context of neurotrophic keratopathy: a unilateral case due to presumed herpes simplex keratitis and a bilateral case due to congenital corneal anesthesia associated with familial dysautonomia. One case had corneal opacity from exposure related to seventh nerve palsy, and one had corneal opacification associated with recurrent surface breakdown, neurotrophic keratopathy, and limbal stem deficiency of uncertain etiology. After consistent wear of prosthetic devices used in PROSE treatment for support of the ocular surface, visual acuity improved and clearing of the opacities was observed, without use of topical steroids or adjuvant therapy.

Conclusions and importance

These cases demonstrate clearing of chronic corneal opacity with PROSE treatment for ocular surface disease. This clearing can occur with no adjuvant therapy, suggesting that restoration of ocular surface function and integrity allows for corneal remodeling.

Algorithmic Decision-Making Based on Machine Learning from Big Data: Can Transparency Restore Accountability?

Decision-making assisted by algorithms developed by machine learning is increasingly determining our lives. Unfortunately, full opacity about the process is the norm. Would transparency contribute to restoring accountability for such systems as is often maintained? Several objections to full transparency are examined: the loss of privacy when datasets become public, the perverse effects of disclosure of the very algorithms themselves ("gaming the system" in particular), the potential loss of companies' competitive edge, and the limited gains in answerability to be expected since sophisticated algorithms usually are inherently opaque. It is concluded that, at least presently, full transparency for oversight bodies alone is the only feasible option; extending it to the public at large is normally not advisable. Moreover, it is argued that algorithmic decisions preferably should become more understandable; to that effect, the models of machine learning to be employed should either be interpreted ex post or be interpretable by design ex ante.

A rare case of Theileria annulata induced corneal opacity in a calf

A 10 months old male cross-bred calf was presented in OPD Medicine, Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar with the history of anorexia, impaired vision, heavy tick infestation and diarrhoea for the last 1 week. The clinical examination revealed enlarged pre-scapular lymph nodes, prominent cloudiness in eyes and exophthalmos. The presence of Koch blue bodies in biopsied lymph nodes and a PCR assay confirmed it to be bovine tropical theileriosis associated with unique corneal opacity. Treatment with buparvaquone at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg i.m. two doses 48 h apart was successful and typical ocular manifestations completely subsided after 2 weeks of therapy.

Adult male with non-resolving opacity in the right hemithorax

Pulmonary agenesis is a well-known but rare congenital anomaly of the respiratory system. It represents failure of development of the primitive lung bud. We are reporting bilobar agenesis of the right lung associated with multisystem involvement in an adult patient.

The coronal fricative problem

This paper examines a range of predicted versus attested error patterns involving coronal fricatives (e.g. [s, z, θ, ð]) as targets and repairs in the early sound systems of monolingual English-acquiring children. Typological results are reported from a cross-sectional study of 234 children with phonological delays (ages 3 years; 0 months to 7;9). Our analyses revealed different instantiations of a putative developmental conspiracy within and across children. Supplemental longitudinal evidence is also presented that replicates the cross-sectional results, offering further insight into the life-cycle of the conspiracy. Several of the observed typological anomalies are argued to follow from a modified version of Optimality Theory with Candidate Chains (McCarthy, 2007).