cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NRC and FDA Regulations Affecting Nuclear Pharmacy Practice

Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive drugs that are used in nuclear medicine practice for diagnosis and treatment of disease. Nuclear pharmacy practice is a patient-oriented pharmaceutical service that promotes the safe and efficacious use of radiopharmaceuticals and other drugs used in nuclear medicine, and is regulated jointly by a variety of federal, state, and local agencies. Given that the medical use of radiopharmaceuticals is highly regulated at multiple levels of government, it is not surprising that nuclear pharmacy practice is conducted in a complex regulatory environment. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of this regulatory environment, primarily in terms of two important regulatory agencies involved (Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Food and Drug Administration), their primary authority and activities, and the regulations that must be satisfied in order to assure the safe and efficacious use of radiopharmaceuticals.
The Avant-Garde and Technology: Toward Technological Fundamentalism in Turn-of-the-Century Europe

The avant-garde's fascination with technology around 1900 grew out of several motivations: to shock the antitechnological bourgeois public; to experience a sense of mastery toward the material world, especially with cars, airplanes, and other machines; and to overcome the nineteenth-century separation of art and technology. The article highlights the radical shifts in the perception of technology that correspond with the emerging hands-on encounter with technological objects in homes, cities and at the workplace at the turn of the century. This technological fundamentalism differed sharply from the anxious and symbolically mediated approach to the “materialism” of the machine in the nineteenth century. It was accompanied by a concept of liberation through technological purity which is reflected by the fact that Gropius, Mies van der Rohe and Corbusier did not just design functional objects but also made special efforts to accentuate their functionalism as part of the aesthetic experience of modernity. As French and Italian artists, especially the Futurists, incorporated speed, virility, and the experience of the elementary in the metaphoric construction of technology, they even expressed a kinship with those painters and sculptors who shifted their focus to the rediscovery of the “primitive” magic in the art works from Africa and Polynesia
Root specific elicitation and exudation of fluorescent β-carbolines in transformed root cultures of Oxalis tuberosa

Abstract Stable transformation was achieved in oca ( Oxalis tuberosa L.) using an Agrobacterium rhizogenes -mediated system. Transformation frequencies varied with the use of different types of strains of A. rhizogenes and the age of explants. The transfer of rol A gene into the oca genome was confirmed by PCR analysis. In vitro transformed root cultures of oca grown in sterile liquid media induced purplish-blue fluorescence of the culture flask medium when irradiated with UV light. We have previously observed a similar phenomenon, the exudation of fluorescent compounds by the roots of in vitro and field-grown oca plants. Hairy root cultures of O. tuberosa transformed with A. rhizogenes (ATCC-15834) exuded constitutive levels of harmine (7-methoxy-1-methyl-β-carboline) and harmaline (3,4-dihydroharmine), the main fluorescent compounds detected from oca’s root exudates. Transformed roots showed better growth and exudation of harmine and harmaline compared to the untransformed normal roots. Upon elicitation with fungal cell wall elicitors from Phytophthora cinnamoni , the production and exudation of harmine/harmaline was enhanced in both transformed and non-transformed roots. Harmine and harmaline showed a wide range of antimicrobial activity against soil-borne microorganisms. Biologically, these findings suggest that in nature β-carbolines are constitutive antimicrobial compounds released into the rhizosphere upon microbial challenge. Transformed root cultures of oca make a simple, reliable and well-defined model system to investigate the molecular and metabolic exudation of fluorescent β-carboline biosynthesis, and to evaluate the biological significance of the phenomenon of root exudation of fluorescent metabolites.
Analysis of mismatch effects among A/D converters in a time-interleaved waveform digitizer

High-speed A/D conversion can be achieved by employing a parallel array of M A/D converters interleaved in time, each working at 1/Mth of the sampling rate. Theoretically, the resolution of the structure is given by the resolution of the A/D converters in the array (subconverters). In practice, however, mismatches among the subconverters lead to a decrease in the resolution. The effect of such mismatches is analyzed in terms of a signal-to-noise ratio defined as the ratio between the energy of the input analog signal and the energy of the error signal due exclusively to these mismatches. The analysis shows that the distortion is comparable to that generated by nonuniform sample timing in the analog demultiplexer when converting a single high-speed signal into several low-speed sampled-and-held signals. The results of the analysis can be used to specify the degree of precision to be achieved in an actual monolithic implementation. >
Different Rho GTPase–dependent signaling pathways initiate sequential steps in the consolidation of long-term potentiation

The releasable factor adenosine blocks the formation of long-term potentiation (LTP). These experiments used this observation to uncover the synaptic processes that stabilize the potentiation effect. Brief adenosine infusion blocked stimulation-induced actin polymerization within dendritic spines along with LTP itself in control rat hippocampal slices but not in those pretreated with the actin filament stabilizer jasplakinolide. Adenosine also blocked activity-driven phosphorylation of synaptic cofilin but not of synaptic p21-activated kinase (PAK). A search for the upstream origins of these effects showed that adenosine suppressed RhoA activity but only modestly affected Rac and Cdc42. A RhoA kinase (ROCK) inhibitor reproduced adenosine's effects on cofilin phosphorylation, spine actin polymerization, and LTP, whereas a Rac inhibitor did not. However, inhibitors of Rac or PAK did prolong LTP's vulnerability to reversal by latrunculin, a toxin which blocks actin filament assembly. Thus, LTP induction initiates two synaptic signaling cascades: one (RhoA-ROCK-cofilin) leads to actin polymerization, whereas the other (Rac-PAK) stabilizes the newly formed filaments.
Predicting Housing Abandonment with the Philadelphia Neighborhood Information System

ABSTRACT:Several large US cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia, have developed information systems to distribute property-level housing data to community organizations and municipal agencies. These early warning systems are also intended to predict which properties are at greatest risk of abandonment, but they have rarely used statistical modeling to support such forecasts. This study used logistic regression to analyze data from the Philadelphia Neighborhood Information System in order to determine which properties were most likely to become imminently dangerous. Several different characteristics of the property, including whether it was vacant, had outstanding housing code violations, and tax arrearages as well as characteristics of nearby properties were identified as significant predictors. Challenges common to the development of early warning systems—including integrating administrative data, defining abandonment, and modeling temporal and spatial data—are discussed alon...
Numerical Modelling of Generation and Transport of Gas and Heat in Landfills I. Model Formulation

A mathematical model for the generation and transport of gas and heat in a sanitary landfill was developed based on earlier work on the Mountain View Controlled Landfill Project (MVCLP) in California, U.S.A. The present model incorporates biokinetic model equations describing the dynamics of the microbial landfill ecosystem into multi-layer, time-dependent transport and generation of gas and heat models. It is based on the fundamental principles governing the physical, chemical and microbiological processes in a porous media context such as a sanitary landfill. The model includes biochemical and temperature feedback loops to simulate the effects of their corresponding parameters on microbiological processes. The resulting integrated biokinetic, gas and heat generation and transport model was used to simulate field data from the MVCLP and to assess the sensitivity of model results to biological parameters. The model can be used to predict the rate and total production of methane in a landfill. The present work is presented in a series of three papers: (I) model formulation; (II) model application; and (III) sensitivity analysis.
Two-dimensional geometric lifting

Wavelets provide a sparse representation for piecewise smooth signals in 1-D; however, separable extensions of wavelets to multiple dimensions do not achieve the same level of sparseness. Recently proposed directional lifting offers transforms sensitive to edges that are not aligned with the coordinate axes, yet the concatenation of separate 1-D slices implicitly assumes independent directional slices and could create large or isotropic support. True 2-D filters and lifting schemes will avoid both of these problems. By aligning the support of the filters with the expected edge, the filters will create fewer non-zero coefficients. Because these filters correspond to interpolation, the theory of Neville filters can automatically determine the coefficients. For images that consist of two bilinear functions divided by a line, geometric lifting demonstrates a 2–4 times reduction of the number of non-zero coefficients compared with the Daubechies order 2 wavelet. In addition, there is a gain of 2.4 dB in nonlinear approximation.
A comprehensive guide to the ROMK potassium channel: form and function in health and disease

The discovery of the renal outer medullary K+ channel (ROMK, Kir1.1), the founding member of the inward-rectifying K+ channel (Kir) family, by Ho and Hebert in 1993 revolutionized our understanding of potassium channel biology and renal potassium handling. Because of the central role that ROMK plays in the regulation of salt and potassium homeostasis, considerable efforts have been invested in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here we provide a comprehensive guide to ROMK, spanning from the physiology in the kidney to the organization and regulation by intracellular factors to the structural basis of its function at the atomic level.
High performance and low power FIR filter design based on sharing multiplication

We present a high performance and low power FIR filter design, which is based on computation sharing multiplier (CSHM). CSHM specifically targets computation re-use in vector-scalar products and is effectively used in our FIR filter design. Efficient circuit level techniques: a new carry select adder and conditional capture flip-flop (CCFF), are also used to further improve power and performance. The proposed FIR filter architecture was implemented in 0.25 /spl mu/m technology. Experimental results on a 10 tap low pass CSHM FIR filter show speed and power improvement of 19% and 17%, respectively, with respect to an FIR filter based on the Wallace tree multiplier.
Bit-parallel arithmetic in a massively-parallel associative processor

A simple but powerful architecture based on the classical associative processor model is proposed. By distributing logic among slices of storage cells such that a number of bit-planes share a simple logic unit, bit-parallel arithmetic for massively parallel processing becomes feasible. For m-bit operands, this architecture enables complex operations such as multiplication and division to execute in O(m) cycles as opposed to O(m/sup 2/) for bit-serial machines. Algorithms which utilize this bit-parallel property to efficiently perform operations on floating point data have been developed. The simplicity of the architecture enables its implementation using VLSI technology, and hence allows the construction of a word-parallel, bit-parallel, massively parallel (P/sup 3/) computing system. Implementations of the fast Fourier transform and matrix multiplication are presented to illustrate the operation of this system. >
Spatial extent and habitat context influence the nature and strength of relationships between urbanization measures

A wide variety of metrics is used to quantify features of urbanization in ecological studies. Selecting statistically independent measures of urbanization depends upon the nature (multivariate collinearity) and strength (correlation coefficient) of correlations between urban metrics. We evaluated the influence of landscape extent and habitat context, factors that commonly differ between studies, on correlations between urban metrics. We examined the nature and strength of relationships between urban metrics at 1105 sites within Massachusetts, USA, including: population, agriculture cover, forest cover, wetland cover, dense residential cover, impervious surface cover, road length and greenspace cover. At each site, values were measured at five extents: 100 m, 250 m, 500 m, 1 km, and 2 km radii buffers. We also investigated the influence of habitat context on correlations by measuring values with a 1 km radius buffer for 100 sites within each of three habitat contexts (salt marsh, forest, and freshwater marsh). Principal component analysis showed that spatial scale did not affect the nature of relationships, but habitat context did. The average strength of bivariate correlations significantly increased at larger extents, and was significantly lower in salt marsh habitat context. Our results indicate that no single set of urbanization metrics is universally applicable and underline the importance of using a suite of statistical techniques to characterize independent aspects of urban environments.
Rosalind and the Nineteenth-Century Woman: Four Stage Interpretations

The nineteenth-century theatregoer in America and in England enjoyed a wonderful diversity of acting styles and roles among the actresses of the period. To be sure, it was an age of the womanly ideal, when playing Juliet appealed to every young actress. Perhaps too many aspired to the youthful, feminine charms of Juliet, for one disgusted New York critic complained that “40,000 American girls were doing the Balcony Scene that ought to be doing the family dishes.” Other roles such as Paulina, Galatea, and Parthenia thrived on the Victorian stage, male theatre critics applauding the feminine virtues of gentility and grace, loyalty, delicate humor, and occasional submissiveness. Interestingly, another sort of female role became extremely popular during this time: the breeches role.
Data on thrombotic ischemic lesions in the presence or absence of amyloid ß-protein precursor or its homolog amyloid precursor-like protein-2 in mice

Amyloid s-protein precursor (AsPP) and amyloid precursor-like protein-2 (APLP2) are potent inhibitors of thrombosis, see related article “The influence of the amyloid s-protein and its precursor in modulating cerebral thrombosis” (Van Nostrand, 2016) [1]. Datapresented are images of photo-induced thrombotic ischemic stroke in wild-type mice, AsPP−/− mice and APLP2−/− mice, and the calculated infarct volume show approximately 40% and 33%, respectively, larger cerebral infarcts compared to wild-type mice.
Adverse events associated with ribavirin in sofosbuvir-based therapies for patients with chronic hepatitis C: A community practice experience.

OBJECTIVE Due to high sustained virological response (SVR) rates, sofosbuvir-based regimens are currently a mainstay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies. The addition of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin impacts patients' quality of life during treatment. This study aimed to compare severe adverse events (SAEs) amongst therapeutic combinations for HCV in a community clinic setting. METHODS From December 2013 to July 2014, 128 chronic HCV-infected patients were treated with sofosbuvir, ribavirin and weekly PEG-IFN for 12 weeks (cohort 1), 12 or 24 weeks of sofosbuvir and ribavirin (cohorts 2 and 3) or sofosbuvir plus simeprevir for 12 weeks (cohort 4). Adverse events were recorded from baseline to 12 or 24 weeks of treatment. RESULTS SAEs appeared in 15.6-53.8% of ribavirin-inclusive treated patients compared to 4.8% of the ribavirin-free regimen. PEG-IFN, sofosbuvir plus ribavirin had the highest frequencies of fatigue, headache and rash compared to either 12 or 24 weeks of ribavirin and sofosbuvir. However, sofosbuvir and ribavirin regimens led to significant increases in dyspnea, need for ribavirin dose reductions and withdrawal from treatment due to SAEs. Anemia was also more frequent in ribavirin-inclusive combinations (P < 0.001). Conversely, sofosbuvir plus simeprevir reached similar SVR rates at week 12 post-treatment compared to all ribavirin-containing regimens, but with significantly fewer adverse events (P = 0.006). At week 12 post-treatment, cirrhotic patients experienced a higher virological relapse rate than non-cirrhotic patients (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS Ribavirin-inclusive HCV therapies increased the frequencies of SAEs, had higher dropout rates and increased patient morbidity.
Density of Yang-Lee zeros in the thermodynamic limit from tensor network methods

The distribution of Yang-Lee zeros in the ferromagnetic Ising model in both two and three dimensions is studied on the complex field plane directly in the thermodynamic limit via the tensor network methods. The partition function is represented as a contraction of a tensor network and is efficiently evaluated with an iterative tensor renormalization scheme. The free-energy density and the magnetization are computed on the complex field plane. Via the discontinuity of the magnetization, the density of the Yang-Lee zeros is obtained to lie on the unit circle, consistent with the Lee-Yang circle theorem. Distinct features are observed at different temperatures---below, above, and at the critical temperature. Application of the tensor network approach is also made to the $q$-state Potts models in both two and three dimensions and a previous debate on whether, in the thermodynamic limit, the Yang-Lee zeros lie on a unit circle for $qg2$ is resolved: they clearly do not lie on a unit circle except at the zero temperature. For the Potts models $(q=3,4,5,6)$ investigated in two dimensions, as the temperature is lowered the radius of the zeros at a fixed angle from the real axis shrinks exponentially towards unity with the inverse temperature.
Endothelin increases the synthesis and secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide in neonatal rat cardiocytes

Endothelin (ET) effected a dose-dependent increment in atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion and ANP mRNA accumulation in neonatal rat atrial and ventricular cardiocytes but had no effect on the processing of the ANP prohormone to the mature ANP product. The secretagogue effect was not limited by cell density. Both basal and ET-dependent secretory activity were abrogated by the calmodulin antagonist calmidazolium but were unaffected by meclophenamate or pertussis toxin. The magnitude of the ET-dependent increment in ANP secretion was amplified by culturing the cells in a dynamically pulsating (vs. static) environment, implying an interaction between mechanical and agonist-mediated secretory stimuli in this system. ET also promoted immunoreactive ANP release from primary cultures of fetal rat hypothalamic cultures, suggesting that this regulatory function may be generally employed in ANP gene-expressing cells. These findings demonstrate that ET has parallel effects on ANP synthesis and secretion and support a role for this peptide in the regulation of local and circulating levels of the natriuretic hormone.
Ultrasonic Cavitation-Assisted Molten Metal Processing of Cast A356-Nanocomposites

There is strong evidence that the mechanical properties of a cast component can be considerably improved if nanoparticles are used as a reinforcement to form a metal-matrix-nano-composite (MMNC).
Computational investigation of selective MOVPE of AlxGa1-xAs in presence of HCl

The deposition of AlGaAs in the presence of HCl was investigated at the macroscopic and mesoscopic scales. Fluid dynamics simulations were first performed in order to study the dependence of the deposition rate on the operating conditions. Unknown gas phase and surface kinetic parameters were estimated by quantum chemistry and transition state computations. The fluxes of all species to the surface were thus computed and provided the input to a kinetic Monte Carlo model used to investigate the morphology evolution of the film.
The formation and management of middle ear granulation tissue in chronic ear disease

Granulation tissue is an important pathogenic feature of all types of chronic ear disease, and it can be controlled and treated with good aural toilet, appropriate antibiotic therapy, topical steroids, and chemical cautery or surgical debridement.
On the heterogeneity of the femoral enthesis of the human ACL: microscopic anatomy and clinical implications.

Most ruptures of the native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and ACL graft occur at, or near, the femoral enthesis, with the posterolateral fibers of the native ligament being especially vulnerable during pivot landings. Characterizing the anatomy of the ACL femoral enthesis may help us explain injury patterns which, in turn, could help guide injury prevention efforts. It may also lead to improved anatomic reconstruction techniques given that the goal of such techniques is to replicate the knee’s normal anatomy. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the microscopic anatomy of the ACL femoral enthesis and determine whether regional differences exist. Fifteen human ACL femoral entheses were histochemically processed and sectioned along the longitudinal axis of the ACL at 20, 40, 60, and 80 % of the width of the enthesis. Four thick sections (100 μm) per enthesis were prepared, stained, and digitized. From these sections, regional variations in the quantity of calcified and uncalcified fibrocartilage, the angle at which the ligament originates from the bone, and the shape profile of the tidemark were quantified. At least 33 % more calcified fibrocartilage and 143 % more uncalcified fibrocartilage were found in the antero-inferior region, which corresponds to the inferior margin of the origin of the anteromedial ACL fibers, than all other regions (Ps < 0.05). In addition, the anteromedial fibers of the ACL originated from the femur at an angle six times greater than did its posterolateral fibers (P = 0.032). Finally, average entheseal tidemark profiles correlated bilaterally (Pearson’s r = 0.79; P = 0.036), the most common profile being convex with a single re-entrant. Systematic regional differences were found in fibrocartilage quantity and collagen fiber attachment angles. The marked differences may reflect differences in the loading history of the various regions of the ACL femoral enthesis. These differences, which could affect the potential for injury, should also be considered when developing new ACL reconstruction approaches.
Vintage VR: a method of processing 19th century stereoviews for display on 21st century VR systems

Hundreds of thousands of stereoscopic view cards (stereoviews) produced in the late 1800s and early 1900s are being digitized in collections and museums worldwide. However, viewing this important part of media technology history requires dedicated stereoscopes or difficult eye exercises. With the recent spread of Consumer VR, a fresh way to view, study, and learn from this vast store of knowledge becomes available. In this project, we present an automated method to process digitized stereoviews and make them suitable for VR viewing.
Measurement of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide as a Marker of Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background and aims Definitive diagnosis of IBD requires endoscopic and pathologic confirmation. These tools are also used to classify disease activity. Our aim was to determine if the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) could be utilized to screen for IBD and assess for disease activity. Methods We matched weighted IBD cases and controls from the 2009-2010 NHANES dataset. All subjects underwent measurement of FeNO using standardized techniques. We assessed for potential confounders for FeNO measurement including age, height, and asthma. For IBD subjects, we used the presence of diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss as a proxy for IBD activity. Laboratory parameters examined to estimate disease activity included anemia (≤ 10 g/dl), iron deficiency (ferritin ≤ 20 ng/ml), hypoalbuminemia (≤ 3.2 g/dl), and CRP (≥ 1.1 mg/dl). Results The weighted sample represented 199,414,901 subjects. The weighted prevalence of IBD was 2,084,895 (1.0%). IBD subjects had nearly the same FeNO level as those without IBD (17.0 ± 16.2 vs. 16.7 ± 14.5 ppb). The odds of a FeNO > 25 ppb was half (OR=0.501; 95% CI 0.497-0.504) for subjects with IBD compared to those without IBD after controlling for confounders. The AUROC curve for FeNO was 0.47 (0.35-0.59). FeNO levels were not higher in patients with laboratory values suggestive of active disease. FeNO levels were higher in IBD patients with diarrhea, rectal urgency, and fatigue but were lower in those with unintentional weight loss. Conclusion Measurement of FeNO does not appear to be useful to screen for IBD or assess disease activity.
The Thatcher-Carrington Partnership

Until Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in the spring of 1982, Thatcher gave no sign of being anything but a very ordinary prime minister as far as foreign affairs were concerned. Certainly, she enjoyed the reputation for having some robust opinions about world affairs, but they were indistinguishable from those of many ordinary Conservative party supporters and, arguably, just as cheaply held. The economy remained Thatcher’s priority, and she was content to leave foreign policy matters to the foreign secretary, Lord Carrington. This arrangement was widely judged, by herself included, to have been a great success.1 Had not Carrington taken formal responsibility for the loss of the Falklands by resigning, it is likely that he would have continued as foreign secretary for a considerable period. After all, Geoffrey Howe held the position for a long time, even after his relationship with Thatcher had deteriorated.
Coupling sky images with radiative transfer models: a new method to estimatecloud optical depth

Abstract. A method for retrieving cloud optical depth (τc) using a UCSD developed ground-based sky imager (USI) is presented. The radiance red–blue ratio (RRBR) method is motivated from the analysis of simulated images of various τc produced by a radiative transfer model (RTM). From these images the basic parameters affecting the radiance and red–blue ratio (RBR) of a pixel are identified as the solar zenith angle (θ0), τc, solar pixel angle/scattering angle (ϑs), and pixel zenith angle/view angle (ϑz). The effects of these parameters are described and the functions for radiance, Iλ τc, θ0, ϑs, ϑz , and RBR τc, θ0, ϑs, ϑz are retrieved from the RTM results. RBR, which is commonly used for cloud detection in sky images, provides non-unique solutions for τc, where RBR increases with τc up to about τc = 1 (depending on other parameters) and then decreases. Therefore, the RRBR algorithm uses the measured Iλmeas ϑs, ϑz , in addition to RBRmeas ϑs, ϑz , to obtain a unique solution for τc. The RRBR method is applied to images of liquid water clouds taken by a USI at the Oklahoma Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program site over the course of 220 days and compared against measurements from a microwave radiometer (MWR) and output from the Min et al. (2003) method for overcast skies. τc values ranged from 0 to 80 with values over 80, being capped and registered as 80. A τc RMSE of 2.5 between the Min et al. (2003) method and the USI are observed. The MWR and USI have an RMSE of 2.2, which is well within the uncertainty of the MWR. The procedure developed here provides a foundation to test and develop other cloud detection algorithms.
Electronics on plastic: A solution to the energy challenge, or just a pipe dream?

For over 50 years, conjugated organic compounds have been recognized as an important class of electronic semiconductor materials, with potential application to light emission and detection. Very recently, these materials have been shown to generate extremely high efficient white light, and can also have high detection efficiencies. Due to their very low cost and low deposition temperatures, this suggests that organic thin film semiconductor light emitting diodes and solar cells may present a practical solution to mankind's greatest challenge: the use and generation of low cost renewable, and largely pollution free energy. In this talk, I will address both the reality and fantasy of this suggestion. While organic thin film devices can have extremely high performance, they also suffer from shorter operational lifetime than conventional semiconductor (e.g. silicon) devices. And, although their low cost has yet to be proven in large scale manufacturing environments, the potentially unlimited promise of this materials class is driving a substantial global research effort to determine their ultimate applicability to meeting our energy challenges.
Republication of “On Becoming a Critically Reflexive Practitioner”:

Critically reflexive practice embraces subjective understandings of reality as a basis for thinking more critically about the impact of our assumptions, values, and actions on others. Such practice...
Combining fully convolutional networks and graph-based approach for automated segmentation of cervical cell nuclei

Cervical nuclei carry substantial diagnostic information for cervical cancer. Therefore, in automation-assisted reading of cervical cytology, automated and accurate segmentation of nuclei is essential. This paper proposes a novel approach for segmentation of cervical nuclei that combines fully convolutional networks (FCN) and graph-based approach (FCNG). FCN is trained to learn the nucleus high-level features to generate a nucleus label mask and a nucleus probabilistic map. The mask is used to construct a graph by image transforming. The map is formulated into the graph cost function in addition to the properties of the nucleus border and nucleus region. The prior constraints regarding the context of nucleus-cytoplasm position are also utilized to modify the local cost functions. The globally optimal path in the constructed graph is identified by dynamic programming. Validation of our method was performed on cell nuclei from Herlev Pap smear dataset. Our method shows a Zijdenbos similarity index (ZSI) of 0.92 ± 0.09, compared to the best state-of-the-art approach of 0.89 ± 0.15. The nucleus areas measured by our method correlated strongly with the independent standard (r2 = 0.91).
The association among prematurity, cochlear hyperintensity, and hearing loss.

BackgroundPrematurity is a major risk factor for neonatal hearing loss. Recent advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have made it possible to evaluate structural details of the membranou...
A multilevel in space and energy solver for multigroup diffusion eigenvalue problems

Abstract In this paper, we present a new multilevel in space and energy diffusion (MSED) method for solving multigroup diffusion eigenvalue problems. The MSED method can be described as a PI scheme with three additional features: (1) a grey (one-group) diffusion equation used to efficiently converge the fission source and eigenvalue, (2) a space-dependent Wielandt shift technique used to reduce the number of PIs required, and (3) a multigrid-in-space linear solver for the linear solves required by each PI step. In MSED, the convergence of the solution of the multigroup diffusion eigenvalue problem is accelerated by performing work on lower-order equations with only one group and/or coarser spatial grids. Results from several Fourier analyses and a one-dimensional test code are provided to verify the efficiency of the MSED method and to justify the incorporation of the grey diffusion equation and the multigrid linear solver. These results highlight the potential efficiency of the MSED method as a solver for multidimensional multigroup diffusion eigenvalue problems, and they serve as a proof of principle for future work. Our ultimate goal is to implement the MSED method as an efficient solver for the two-dimensional/three-dimensional coarse mesh finite difference diffusion system in the Michigan parallel characteristics transport code. The work in this paper represents a necessary step towards that goal.
Solvent Effect on the Diffusion of Unentangled Linear Polymer Melts

We conducted molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study how solvent chains affect the diffusion of linear polymers in the unentangled regime. For monodisperse solvent chains, the self-diffusivity of a tagged chain scales with its chain length. The solvent chain length affects both the prefactor and the exponent, the latter of which ranges from −0.79 to −0.85. The scaling exponent here deviates from −1 as predicted by the Rouse model, which may suggest that the friction coefficient increases with the solvent chain length. In addition, we carried out diffusion simulations on two polydisperse melts, one with the Flory–Schulz distribution and the other with the Gaussian distribution. The measured diffusivity as a function of the tagged chain length agrees with a simple proposed model accounting for the heterogeneous medium.
Fast Inverse Planning of Beam Directions and Weights for Small Animal Radiotherapy

Current preclinical irradiation systems, such as the small animal radiation research platform, provide many capabilities of clinical systems, including on-board cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging, which motivates the development of treatment planning systems. The time for preclinical treatment planning is often limited, however, due to the large number of subjects and the need for anesthesia for imaging and radiation delivery. This paper presents a 3-D inverse planning solution that optimizes beam directions and weights within a timeframe suitable for small animal radiation research. The system begins with a large number of beams and takes advantage of a graphics processing unit-accelerated implementation of the superposition-convolution method to quickly compute the dose for each beam. Optimization is performed by a linear programming solver, with a minimum bound on dose to the target and a maximum bound on dose to organs at risk (OAR). It is extended to dose shells by using hollow cylinders instead of solid beams. The method is demonstrated on mouse CBCT images with arbitrarily defined targets and OAR. Inverse planning is performed in about 5 min, which enables a preclinical workflow that includes CBCT acquisition, treatment planning, and radiation delivery in a single session.
Analysis of the Exercise Hyperpnea Using Dynamic Work Rate Forcings

Though computer modeling of physiological processes has yielded substantial insights, it can be argued that the most important contribution of mathematical modelling is to suggest appropriate laboratory experiments. This was asserted some years ago by Ralph Kellogg1 in his reference to the seminal work of John Gray2. Though the terminology is dated, the message is clear. “Perhaps the greatest benefit derived from Gray’s writing is that they present his conclusions in such clear, economical, quantitative terms, … that they have attracted widespread attention and challenged other investigators to devise critical experiments to confirm or refute them”.
The Cockroach Escape Response

In the American cockroach Periplaneta americana, remarkably low velocity wind puffs evoke a running escape response oriented away form the source of the wind puff. This behavior and its underlying neural components provide considerable advantages for neurobiological studies. These include a quantifiably predictable behavior and numerous neural elements that are identifiable from animal to animal. The behavior requires that the cockroach not only must detect a wind stimulus, but also it must be able to determine the direction from which the wind originated. The information on wind direction is then used to establish a behavioral decision; that is, where and how to move. Far from being a simple movement, even the initial turn involves the coordination of six legs each of which possesses a complex musculature controlling five separate leg parts.
Learning in Paradise: The Role of Botanic Gardens in University Education

The word garden, while diverse in its application, is related to the word paradise. Both refer to enclosed places where plants grow. The botanic garden has a more precise meaning, referring to plant collections designed for display, research, and education. Botanic gardens have been venues for university education for more than five centuries. Today, they are underutilized, even though they remain essential components of sound education in botany, as well as many other disciplines. Skills sought by many employers, including plant identification, are skills that are best taught with living plants. Educational experiences in natural areas are also important, and they cannot be replicated in gardens. Yet, gardens offer many benefits with respect to teaching. These include accessibility, diversity of collections, and the opportunity for frequent repeat visits. Learning in botanic gardens also offers a pleasant respite from the hectic college campus, and the aesthetic garden’s environment is conducive to learning and creativity. The garden itself is perhaps the prime example of the human–nature relationship; yet, far too often we discuss this only in the classroom. Collaborative links between gardens and universities is the key to fully realizing the potential of gardens for university education. A well-equipped teaching lab situated within a garden creates the ideal situation for botanical education, but much can be done without it. With a few cutting tools, magnification devices, and a modest teaching space, any botanical garden can become a valuable venue for teaching and research.
Integrated PET-CT and PET-MR: Pitfalls and Applications in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The strengths and potential pitfalls of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic (FDG-PET) imaging in patients with head and neck cancer, especially those who have undergone surgery and/or chemotherapy and irradiation, is reviewed. PET is performed using the radiopharmaceutical [18F]-FDG, a D-glucose analog. The increased vascularity of tumors and glucose metabolism by malignant cells result in preferential uptake of FDG by tumor cells. The inability to process metabolites of the modified glucose molecule causes intracellular accumulation of 18F-containing radioisotopes. This metabolism has been invaluable in the evaluation of many cancer patients, and PET plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis, staging, and restaging of head and neck oncology patients. The ability to assess the functional status of tissue with FDG-PET has been remarkable and addresses this well-known limitation of conventional cross-sectional computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.
Transrectal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Men with Low Volume Azoospermia

The evaluation of the subfertile man has changed with the advent of noninvasive imaging techniques. We used high resolution transrectal ultrasound early in the evaluation of 25 men 24 to 35 years old with probable ductal obstruction represented by azoospermia or severe oligospermia (less than 1 million sperm per cc) and low volume ejaculate. Of these patients 13 were found to have a post-testicular obstructive cause including ejaculatory duct obstruction (5), voluminous seminal vesicle dilatation with obstruction (3), seminal vesicle aplasia (2), nonpalpable vas (2) or epididymal obstruction (1). The other 12 men had either a varicocele (8) or testicular failure (4). Except for vasal or epididymal pathology, the other causes of post-testicular azoospermia presented with an ejaculate volume consistently less than 1.0 cc. All 10 patients with low volume and an abnormal ultrasound had normal follicle stimulating hormone levels and testicular biopsy findings. Sonography not only was helpful in establishing the diagnosis but also in determining the distal extent of the obstruction. Transrectal ultrasound is an important noninvasive diagnostic tool that minimizes the need for more invasive studies in the evaluation of azoospermia, particularly when associated with low ejaculate volume.
The nasal spine.

Although not a frequent occurence, when present a prominent nasal spine contributes to unpleasing septolabial and columella-alar angles which detract from the overall aesthetic quality of the face. It is important to recognize and correct this deformity. In some patients the necessity for spine resection may be subtle. Resection of the nasal spine must be conservative.
Implicit Minimization of GPIS

We present a complete procedure to generate and select GPIs based on implicit computations. This approach combines techniques for implicit enumeration of primes and implicit solution of covering tables together with a new formulation of the problem of selecting an encodeable cover of GPIs.
Technology-Based Medical Interpretation for Cross-Language Communication: In Person, Telephone, and Videoconference Interpretation and Their Comparative Impact On Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Patient and Doctor

Health care organizations face challenges in providing language services for Limited English proficiency (LEP) clients. Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, we have been working to develop a technology for proximate simultaneous medical interpretation. In an effort to understand the relative importance of physical proximity, audio cues and visual cues to effective interpretation, we conducted two controlled trials of the comparative impact on patient and provider satisfaction of four conditions which represent the interpretation circumstances with LEP patients and monolingual providers in hospital settings; a certified interpreter present in the consultation room (“In Person”); at a remote location mediated by audio only (“Telephone”); at a remote location mediated by audio and video (“Videoconference”), and no interpreter present (“No Interpreter). In study 1, dyads of a medical student and a standardized patient were randomly assigned to In Person or No Interpreter condition on a rotating basis, producing a total of 25 encounter sessions. In Study 2, four interpretation communication modes including Videoconference and Telephone condition simulated 25 encounters. Repeated measure one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) showed preferences of patients and physicians for four different methods of interpretation. Patients expressed high satisfaction for their doctors regardless of the communication mode. Doctors’ perception of the interpretation quality was also as desirable in remote communication as onsite human interpretation. Patients reported significantly greater feelings of being guarded for their privacy and were more satisfied with the interpretation quality in the remote communication via telephone over in-person interpretation.
Health Care in the Age of Interoperability: The Potential and Challenges

It is hard to conceive of a better rationale for healthcare interoperability than the management of chronic disease. People in advanced, industrialized countries are living longer, and chronic disease rates among the elderly are on the rise in part because of lifestyle issues, such as obesity and inadequate exercise. As a result, the care of chronic diseases (such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and chronic kidney disease) accounts for well over 90% of spending by Medicare, the U.S. health insurance program for people age 65 and over. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has found that the top 5% of patients with four or more chronic diseases are responsible for 30% of all Medicare chronic disease spending. While just 17% of Medicare patients live with more than six chronic conditions, they account for half of all spending on beneficiaries with chronic disease.
Joint ownership by farmers and investors in the agri-food industry: an exploratory study of the limited cooperative association

Since the 1990s, producers of farm commodities have been attempting to enter value-added agri-food sectors by means of joint ownership of hybrid cooperatives. New generation cooperatives, characterized by substantial supply and equity requirements, inspired much farm producer optimism before revealing weaknesses and limitations in the early 2000s. In response, recent innovations in US cooperative state law introduced the limited cooperative association (LCA), a new legal entity allowing joint ownership by member patrons and member investors to facilitate large-scale equity acquisition. However, business registration data indicate few such organizations have been formed in the agri-food industry. The LCA is adopted by several small-scale operations in niche markets such as lamb, elderberry, and non-GMO seed, but there is not much interest among business organizations in the commodity sector. This paper raises possible explanations for the limited adoption of the LCA, including the competing objectives of farmers and investors, the ambiguous legal interpretation of investor objectives, the superiority of other legal structures, and the lack of strategic advantages. The conclusion facilitates an invitation to further study the challenging future of farmer cooperatives in the agri-food industry.
Sporadic Obliterative Bronchiolitis: Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract Objective To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients diagnosed with obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) not associated with transplantation or point-source exposures to inhaled toxins. Patients and Methods We compiled all confirmed diagnoses of OB at our institution and analyzed their demographic characteristics, treatments, and outcomes as defined by pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and transplant-free mortality. The study period ranged from July 2007 to August 2017. Histological diagnosis was confirmed by a pathologist, and high-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed and scored by chest radiologists. We also performed a systematic literature review of sporadic OB series. Results We identified 19 confirmed cases at our institution and 9 publications in the literature containing 104 patients. In both our series and the literature, patients were disproportionately middle-aged Caucasian women. The disease was idiopathic in 42% and was associated with connective tissue diseases and inhalational exposures in 31% and 15%, respectively. Chest CT showed expiratory air trapping in all patients. Patients were treated with corticosteroids, steroid-sparing agents, and macrolides in 77%, 46%, and 22%, respectively. Over a median follow-up in our series of 1703 days (range, 11-3206 days), PFTs did not change significantly. In all series combined, mortality incidence from any cause was 82/1000 patient-years (95% CI, 65-102). Of 14 patients who died, 3 deaths were due to respiratory failure and 5 were potentially related to complications of immunosuppressive therapy. Conclusion Sporadic OB is a rare disease that is uniformly associated with air trapping on high-resolution chest CT. The diagnosis should be established with surgical biopsy if possible. The illness is not typically progressive.
A multi-omics approach to understanding the field effect in bladder cancer.

The field effect in cancer is a phenomenon that describes histologically normal-appearing tissue surrounding or adjacent to a neoplasm that can give rise to additional neoplastic lesions. Bladder cancer has a high rate of recurrence and the development of multifocal lesions is common.