Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coronary CT Angiography: Variability of CT Scanners and Readers in Measurement of Plaque Volume.

Purpose To determine reader and computed tomography (CT) scan variability for measurement of coronary plaque volume. Materials and Methods This HIPAA-compliant study followed Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy guidelines. Baseline coronary CT angiography was performed in 40 prospectively enrolled subjects (mean age, 67 years ± 6 [standard deviation]) with asymptomatic hyperlipidemia by using a 320-detector row scanner (Aquilion One Vision; Toshiba, Otawara, Japan). Twenty of these subjects underwent coronary CT angiography repeated on a separate day with the same CT scanner (Toshiba, group 1); 20 subjects underwent repeat CT performed with a different CT scanner (Somatom Force; Siemens, Forchheim, Germany [group 2]). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman analysis were used to assess interreader, intrareader, and interstudy reproducibility. Results Baseline and repeat coronary CT angiography scans were acquired within 19 days ± 6. Interreader and intrareader agreement rates were high for total, calcified, and noncalcified plaques for both CT scanners (all ICCs ≥ 0.96) without bias. Scanner variability was ±18.4% (coefficient of variation) with same-vendor follow-up. However, scanner variability increased to ±29.9% with different-vendor follow-up. The sample size to detect a 5% change in noncalcified plaque volume with 90% power and an α error of . 05 was 286 subjects for same-CT scanner follow-up and 753 subjects with different-vendor follow-up. Conclusion State-of-the-art coronary CT angiography with same-vendor follow-up has good scan-rescan reproducibility, suggesting a role of coronary CT angiography in monitoring coronary artery plaque response to therapy. Differences between coronary CT angiography vendors resulted in lower scan-rescan reproducibility. © RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
WSN18-5: Asymptotic Distribution of The Number of Isolated Nodes in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks with Unreliable Nodes and Links

In randomly-deployed wireless ad hoc networks with reliable nodes and links, vanishment of isolated nodes asymptotically implies connectivity of networks. However, in a realistic system, nodes may become inactive, and links may become down. The inactive nodes and down links cannot take part in routing/relaying and thus may affect the connectivity. In this paper, we study the connectivity of a wireless ad hoc network that is composed of unreliable nodes and links by investigating the distribution of the number of isolated nodes in the network. We assume that the wireless ad hoc network consists of <i>n</i> nodes which are distributed independently and uniformly in a unit-area disk or square. Nodes are active independently with probability 0<<i>p</i> <sub>1</sub>les1, and links are up independently with probability 0<<i>p</i> <sub>2</sub>les1. A node is said to be <i>isolated</i> if it doesn't have an up link to an active node. We show that if all nodes have a maximum transmission radius <i>r</i> <sub>n</sub>=radicln<i>n</i>+xi/pi<i>p</i> <sub>1</sub> <i>p</i> <sub>2</sub> <i>n</i> for some constant xi, then the total number of isolated nodes is asymptotically Poisson with mean <i>e</i> <sup>-xi</sup> and the total number of isolated active nodes is also asymptotically Poisson with mean <i>p</i> <sub>1</sub> <i>e</i> <sup>-xi</sup>. In addition, the work can be extended for secure wireless networks which adopt <i>m</i>-composite key predistribution schemes in which a node is said to be <i>isolated</i> if it doesn't have a secure link. Let <i>p</i> denote the probability of the event that two neighbor nodes have a secure link. We show that if all nodes have a maximum transmission radius <i>r</i> <sub>n</sub>=radicln<i>n</i>+xi/pi<i>pn</i> for some constant xi, then the total number of isolated nodes is asymptotically Poisson with mean <i>e</i> <sup>-xi</sup>.
Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in fruits and vegetables by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method was assessed for the determination of several pesticides (organochlorine, organophosphorus, pyrethroids, triazole, amidine) using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The extraction of pesticides was carried out by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) using two types of columns (CN and C18). The extracts were cleaned by the addition of florisil, the pesticides were separated by capillary column gas chromatography and detected by mass spectrometry in the electron impact mode. The extraction using C18 column provided the best results for most of the analyzed pesticides. The majority of pesticides recoveries from the four fruits and vegetables (apples, pears, tomatoes and pepper) were greater than 60%. Linearity and precision were satisfactory. The estimated limits of detection and limits of quantification ranged from 0.01 to 0.1 mg/kg and from 0.02 to 0.3 mg/kg, respectively. The proposed procedure was found to be useful for the multiresidue analyses of pesticides in agricultural products for routine monitoring programs.
Hyperoxia exposure impairs surfactant function and metabolism

Objective:To evaluate the effects of hyperoxia exposure on lung function and the endogenous surfactant system in spontaneously breathing adult rats. Design:Analysis of the pulmonary surfactant system isolated from adult rats following exposure to >90% oxygen or room air for 48 or 72 hrs. Setting:A basic science research laboratory in a university setting. Subjects:Sixty pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats. Interventions:Exposure to >90% oxygen for 72 hrs. Measurements and Main Results:Exposure to >90% oxygen for 72 hrs resulted in significant lung dysfunction and an increase in neutrophils and total protein concentrations within the airspace compared with animals exposed to room air or 48 hrs of 90% oxygen exposure. Total alveolar surfactant and large aggregate pool sizes were increased after 72 hrs of hyperoxia compared with the other groups, and there was evidence of lipid peroxidation within these large aggregate subfractions. The biophysical function of large aggregate isolated from 72-hr hyperoxia-exposed animals was also impaired and converted into small aggregate forms faster than large aggregate from normoxia-exposed animals when assessed using in vitro surface area cycling techniques. Conclusions:Oxidative stress on the endogenous surfactant system may represent an important mechanism contributing to the surfactant dysfunction and abnormal surfactant metabolism associated with hyperoxia-induced lung injury.
Application of Actor-Critic Learning Algorithm for Optimal Bidding Problem of a Genco

The optimal bidding for generation companies (GenCo) in the deregulated power market is an involved task. The problem is formulated in the framework of the Markov decision process (MDP), a discrete stochastic optimization method. When the time span considered is 24 hours, the temporal difference method becomes attractive for application. The cumulative profit over the span is the objective function to be optimized. The temporal difference technique and actor-critic learning algorithm is employed. An optimal strategy is devised to maximize the profit. A market-clearing system is included in the formulation. Simulation cases of three, seven, and ten participants are considered, and the results obtained are discussed.
The number of people with sickle‐cell disease in the United States: national and state estimates

Sickle-cell disease is not a reportable condition, making it difficult to ascertain the number of affected individuals. We estimated the number of people with sickle-cell disease for the United States and each individual state, adjusting for increased mortality. US Census population data for each of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia were obtained. The published prevalence of sickle-cell disease for blacks and Hispanics of either Mexican or non-Mexican ancestry was applied. Analysis revealed 89,079 (95% confidence interval: 88,494―89,664) people with sickle-cell disease in the United States, 80,151 black and 8928 Hispanic. The state with the highest sickle-cell population was New York with 8308, followed by Florida with 7539, and Texas with 6765 people with sickle-cell disease. This study provides important information for researchers and policymakers attempting to better plan for the care of the sickle-cell population.
Safety of aerosol tobramycin administration for 3 months to patients with cystic fibrosis

To determine the potential toxicity of prolonged aerosol tobramycin administration, 22 patients with cystic fibrosis were monitored while receiving inhaled tobramycin three times a day for 12 weeks. Prior to, four times during administration and approximately 6 weeks after discontinuation of treatment, we assessed pulmonary function, weight, height, body temperature, eighth cranial nerve function, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urinary creatinine clearance, plasma iothalamate clearance, urinary β‐2 microglobulin concentration, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa density in sputum. There was no detectable laboratory evidence of nephrotoxicity. Neither a decrease in auditory acuity (range 250–20,000 Hz) nor vestibular dysfunction was detected. Pulmonary function tests significantly improved during the first month in all subjects (P < 0.05) but returned to enrollment values by the end of the 12th week of administration of tobramycin aerosol. Sputum P. aeruginosa density initially decreased from a mean of 107 cfu/gm to a mean of 104 cfu/gm after 2 weeks of aerosol tobramycin administration and remained significantly below the enrollment value throughout. Coincident with the reduced bacterial density, a reduction in cough frequency and sputum production, as well as a weight gain was observed. Seventy‐three percent of the patients with sputum P. aeruginosa isolates susceptible to tobramycin on enrollment yielded resistant organisms during aerosol administration. However, 1 year later all sputum P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from patients were susceptible to tobramycin. We conclude that thrice daily aerosol tobramycin administration for 3 months is not associated with detectable eighth cranial nerve or renal toxicity. Transient emergence of tobramycin resistant P. aeruginosa may occur. Pediatr Pulmonol 1989; 7:265–271.
Implementation of IEEE 1609 WAVE/DSRC stack in Linux

Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) is a wireless communication standard intended for high speed secure communication between vehicles and the infrastructure. In order to overcome the limitations that vehicular environment imposes such as high mobility, IEEE published the 802.11p amendment widely known as Wireless Access in Vehicular Environment (WAVE). To the best of our knowledge, most of the WAVE stack implementations and studies that are carried out till now are simulator based. This paper majorly focuses on the implementation of IEEE 1609 WAVE /DSRC stack on a Linux based system that forms the backbone of vehicular communication. It dives deep into the changes and the development of new modules that have to be made in Linux kernel to cater the need for vehicular communication. We also discuss in brief about the various challenges faced and design decisions that were made in this process. Finally, we conclude by depicting the performance of our developed stack in comparison with commercially available stack in terms of packet losses.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Degree of Obesity, and Metabolic Risk Markers in a Cohort of Swedish Children with Obesity

Background/Aims: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is affected in obesity and might influence metabolic risk. It is unclear what mechanisms cause elevated TSH in obesity. We aimed to investigate TSH status within the normal range and the association of TSH with degree of obesity and metabolic parameters in children with obesity. Methods: A total of 3,459 children, aged 3.0–17.9 years, were identified in the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Registry, BORIS. Age, gender, TSH, free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI SDS), as well as variables of lipid and glucose metabolism were examined. Results: Children with high-normal TSH (>3.0 mU/L) (28.8%) had higher BMI SDS compared to children with low-normal TSH (<3.0 mU/L) (p < 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis adjusted for age and gender showed that TSH levels were associated with BMI SDS (β: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.14–0.28, p < 0.001). Associations of thyroid hormones with markers of lipid and glucose metabolism were observed, where TSH was associated with fasting insulin, HOMA (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance), total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Conclusions: A positive association between TSH levels and BMI SDS was seen in children with obesity. Associations of TSH and free thyroid hormones with glucose metabolism indicated that TSH might be one of several factors acting to determine body weight and obesity co-morbidities, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear.
CCN predictions: Is theory sufficient for assessments of the indirect effect?

This study quantitatively assesses the sensitivity of cloud droplet number (CDNC) to errors in cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) predictions that arise from application of Köhler theory. The CDNC uncertainty is assessed by forcing a droplet activation parameterization with a comprehensive dataset of CCN activity and aerosol size and chemical composition obtained during the ICARTT field campaign in August 2004. Our analysis suggests that, for a diverse range of updraft velocity, droplet growth kinetics and airmass origin, the error in predicted CDNC is (at most) half of the CCN prediction error. This means that the typical 20–50% error in ambient CCN closure studies would result in a 10–25% error in CDNC. For the first time, a quantitative link between aerosol and CDNC prediction errors is available, and can be the basis of a robust uncertainty analysis of the first aerosol indirect effect.
Challenges and treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy

ABSTRACT Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can spontaneously improve during pregnancy. However, a considerable proportion of patients can experience a flare and high disease activity has been associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. Thus, the treatment of RA in pregnant women should be selected taking into account both the potential harmful effects of the treatment and the risk associated with discontinuation. Areas covered: Recent publications regarding safety of the most important disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) during pregnancy has been reviewed. A systematic literature search of MEDLINE was conducted using pregnancy, teratogenicity, adverse effects, embryo/foetal-toxicity as key search terms for each DMARD. Expert opinion: A great body of evidence suggest that hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and non-fluorinated steroids can be continued throughout pregnancy, while methotrexate and leflunomide should be discontinued 3 months before pregnancy. Continuation of TNFi during the first part of pregnancy should be considered when benefits outweigh the potential risk of teratogenicity. Data regarding other biologics are scant and, at present, they should be stopped before pregnancy.
An obligately aerobic soil bacterium activates fermentative hydrogen production to survive reductive stress during hypoxia

Significance Obligate aerobes require survival strategies to persist in temporarily oxygen-deprived environments. In this article, we reveal a previously unidentified survival mechanism for obligately aerobic bacteria. Under oxygen-limiting conditions, the saprophytic actinomycete Mycobacterium smegmatis can rapidly switch between fermentative hydrogen production and hydrogen oxidation coupled to either oxygen or fumarate reduction depending on electron acceptor availability. To our knowledge, these results demonstrate for the first time (i) hydrogen production in an obligate aerobe, (ii) the unambiguous confirmation of fermentation in a mycobacterium and (iii) strong evidence that hydrogen has a role in survival and not just growth. Oxygen availability is a major factor and evolutionary force determining the metabolic strategy of bacteria colonizing an environmental niche. In the soil, conditions can switch rapidly between oxia and anoxia, forcing soil bacteria to remodel their energy metabolism accordingly. Mycobacterium is a dominant genus in the soil, and all its species are obligate aerobes. Here we show that an obligate aerobe, the soil actinomycete Mycobacterium smegmatis, adopts an anaerobe-type strategy by activating fermentative hydrogen production to adapt to hypoxia. This process is controlled by the two-component system DosR-DosS/DosT, an oxygen and redox sensor that is well conserved in mycobacteria. We show that DosR tightly regulates the two [NiFe]-hydrogenases: Hyd3 (MSMEG_3931-3928) and Hyd2 (MSMEG_2719-2718). Using genetic manipulation and high-sensitivity GC, we demonstrate that Hyd3 facilitates the evolution of H2 when oxygen is depleted. Combined activity of Hyd2 and Hyd3 was necessary to maintain an optimal NAD+/NADH ratio and enhanced adaptation to and survival of hypoxia. We demonstrate that fermentatively-produced hydrogen can be recycled when fumarate or oxygen become available, suggesting Mycobacterium smegmatis can switch between fermentation, anaerobic respiration, and aerobic respiration. Hydrogen metabolism enables this obligate aerobe to rapidly meet its energetic needs when switching between microoxic and anoxic conditions and provides a competitive advantage in low oxygen environments.
Validity and Reliability of the Experience‐Sampling Method

To understand the dynamics of mental health, it is essential to develop measures for the frequency and the patterning of mental processes in every-day-life situations. The Experience-Sampling Method (ESM) is an attempt to provide a valid instrument to describe variations in self-reports of mental processes. It can be used to obtain empirical data on the following types of variables: a) frequency and patterning of daily activity, social interaction, and changes in location; b) frequency, intensity, and patterning of psychological states, i.e., emotional, cognitive, and conative dimensions of experience; c) frequency and patterning of thoughts, including quality and intensity of thought disturbance. The article reviews pratical and methodological issues of the ESM and presents evidence for its short-and long-term reliability when used as an instrument for assessing the variables outlined above. It also presents evidence for validity by showing correlation between ESM measures on the one hand and physiological measures, one-time psychological tests, and behavioral indices on the other. A number of studies with normal and clinical populations that have used the ESM are reviewed to demonstrate the range of issues to which the technique can be usefully applied.
Enhanced Potency of a Broadly Neutralizing HIV-1 Antibody In Vitro Improves Protection against Lentiviral Infection In Vivo

ABSTRACT Over the past 5 years, a new generation of highly potent and broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies has been identified. These antibodies can protect against lentiviral infection in nonhuman primates (NHPs), suggesting that passive antibody transfer would prevent HIV-1 transmission in humans. To increase the protective efficacy of such monoclonal antibodies, we employed next-generation sequencing, computational bioinformatics, and structure-guided design to enhance the neutralization potency and breadth of VRC01, an antibody that targets the CD4 binding site of the HIV-1 envelope. One variant, VRC07-523, was 5- to 8-fold more potent than VRC01, neutralized 96% of viruses tested, and displayed minimal autoreactivity. To compare its protective efficacy to that of VRC01 in vivo, we performed a series of simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) challenge experiments in nonhuman primates and calculated the doses of VRC07-523 and VRC01 that provide 50% protection (EC50). VRC07-523 prevented infection in NHPs at a 5-fold lower concentration than VRC01. These results suggest that increased neutralization potency in vitro correlates with improved protection against infection in vivo, documenting the improved functional efficacy of VRC07-523 and its potential clinical relevance for protecting against HIV-1 infection in humans. IMPORTANCE In the absence of an effective HIV-1 vaccine, alternative strategies are needed to block HIV-1 transmission. Direct administration of HIV-1-neutralizing antibodies may be able to prevent HIV-1 infections in humans. This approach could be especially useful in individuals at high risk for contracting HIV-1 and could be used together with antiretroviral drugs to prevent infection. To optimize the chance of success, such antibodies can be modified to improve their potency, breadth, and in vivo half-life. Here, knowledge of the structure of a potent neutralizing antibody, VRC01, that targets the CD4-binding site of the HIV-1 envelope protein was used to engineer a next-generation antibody with 5- to 8-fold increased potency in vitro. When administered to nonhuman primates, this antibody conferred protection at a 5-fold lower concentration than the original antibody. Our studies demonstrate an important correlation between in vitro assays used to evaluate the therapeutic potential of antibodies and their in vivo effectiveness.
Case Quiz 2

A N 86-YEAR-OLD WOMAN PRESENTED WITH a few months’ history of progressive fullness in the right side of her face along with localized discomfort in her right maxillary region. She denied any trauma, nasal obstruction, diplopia, neurologic deficits, dysphagia, odynophagia, voice changes, weight loss, cough, pulmonary symptoms, fever, or chills. She also denied any history of tobacco or alcohol use but did report a history of hypertension, narcolepsy, and previous orthopedic procedures. The results of her clinical examination were remarkable for bone loss in the region of the anterior hard palate and the bilateral premaxilla. However, no masses or mucosal lesions were detected during the rest of the head and neck examination. Facial computed tomography revealed a contrast-enhancing soft-tissue mass involving the right anterior paramedian maxilla and the anterior maxillary alveolar ridge, with evidence of bone destruction of the adjacent maxilla and invasion into the right nasal passage and the right maxillary sinus (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Hematoxylineosin staining of incisional biopsy specimens, which were obtained through a sinusotomy, demonstrated sheets of small blue cells (Figure 3). Further staining with CD20 revealed immunoreactivity only among a subpopulation of cells within the samples. Many nonstained small blue cells were also evident in the samples (Figure 4). Other immunohistochemical stainswerepositive forCD79a,CD3, and CD45RO. The specimen was negative for EpsteinBarr virus on in situ hybridization. What is your diagnosis?