cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intelligent feedforward control and payload estimation for a two-link robotic manipulator

Conventional model-based computed torque control fails to produce a good trajectory tracking performance in the presence of payload uncertainty and modeling error. The challenge is to provide accurate dynamics information to the controller. A new control architecture that incorporates a neural-network, fuzzy logic and a simple proportional-derivative (PD) controller is proposed to control an articulated robot carrying a variable payload. An off-line trained feedforward (multilayer) neural network takes payload mass estimates from a fuzzy-logic mass estimator as one of the inputs to represent the inverse dynamics of the articulated robot. The effectiveness of the proposed architecture is demonstrated by experiment on a two-link planar manipulator with changing payload mass. Experimental results show that this control architecture achieves excellent tracking performance in the presence of payload uncertainty.
Tolerance and Constructability of Soldier Piles in Slurry Walls

Process capability (PC) characterizes the variation in a parameter of a process's output. From a constructability perspective, investigating PCs for geometric variation is important when specifying tolerances for all construction processes. This paper investigates a case involving soldier piles used in a slurry wall and compares the design specified tolerances to as-built field data. As with other cases investigated by the writers covering many major construction processes, this case also shows that designers specify tolerances based on tacit estimates of variation limits, not PCs. Consequently, the PCs consistently exceed the design specified tolerances, preventing the possibility of proper tolerance management and causing problems to manifest during construction. The writers conclude that variation estimates are an inaccurate basis for specifying tolerances and instead should be based on PCs.
Analytical method development for 18 pesticides in house dust and settled residues using SEC, SPE, TMS methylation, and GC-MS.

An analytical method is developed to analyze eighteen pesticides in carpet dust and also dust that has settled on surfaces in order to determine the potential exposure of children to pesticide residues. For nonacid pesticides, the extract after centrifugation and filtration is cleaned up using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and then analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with a mass spectrometer (MS). The best solvent for extraction is ethyl acetate-cyclohexane (3:1). The recoveries of spiked nonacid pesticides from 2 g of dust are between 72% and 110% with a variation between 4.2% and 25.6%, and the detection limit is 10 to 50 ng/g dust, depending on the pesticide. For acid pesticides, the dust is extracted with a saturated Ca(OH) 2 solution, centrifuged, cleaned up by polyvinylbenzene/polystyrene-type solid-phase extraction cartridges, and methylated with trimethylsilyldiazomethane (TMS). Acid pesticides on filter paper samples are extracted with acidified acetone (3mM H 3 PO 4 ) and methylated with TMS. Methylation with TMS is fast and easy to perform. Methyl esters of the pesticides are completely separated and detected at low levels by GC-MS in the selective ion monitoring mode. The average recoveries of pesticides from 2 g of dust are between 81% and 104%. The average recoveries of pesticides spiked on filter paper are between 88% and 113%. A capillary column with a stationary phase of trifluoropropylmethyl polysiloxane gives the best separation and sensitivity for most pesticides on the GC-MS.
A synthesis of decision models for tool management in automated manufacturing

The evidence is clear that a lack of attention to structured tool management has resulted in the poor performance of many manufacturing systems. Plant tooling systems affect product design options, machine loading, job batching, capacity scheduling, and real-time part routing decisions. With increasing automation in manufacturing systems, there is a growing need to integrate tool management more thoroughly into system design, planning and control. This paper critically evaluates various tool management approaches, identifying the operational tradeoffs and analyzing the models developed to address management decisions involving tooling. These decisions range from selecting the optimal machining parameters and the most economic processing rate for a particular operation, to the loading of tools and jobs on machines and the determination of the optimal tool-mix inventories needed for a particular production schedule. We present an integrated conceptual framework for resource planning to examine how tool management issues, depending upon their scope, can be classified into tool-level, machine-level, and system-level concerns. This framework specifies how decisions made at one level constrain those at lower levels, and how information from lower levels feeds back to higher level decisions. The framework structures our critical evaluation of the modeling approaches found in the academic literature and points to promising directions for future research.
Wintering Golden Eagles on the coastal plain of South Carolina

Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are rare winter residents in eastern North America, with most found along the Appalachian Mountains and few reported on the coastal plain of the Carolinas. We used remote cameras baited with wild pig (Sus scrofa) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) carcasses to detect, age, and individually identify Golden Eagles on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site on the coastal plain of South Carolina. We identified eight individual Golden Eagles during the winters of 2013–2014 and 2014–2015, with one detected during both winters. We detected eagles for 19 and 66 calendar days during the winters of 2013–2014 and 2014–2015, respectively, with two adult eagles detected for 30 and 31 calendar days in 2014–2015. Eagles typically scavenged on carcasses for a few days, left, and then returned when cameras were baited with another carcass, suggesting they had remained in the area. These observations suggest that large tracts of forests on the coastal plain may be important wintering areas for some Golden Eagles and, further, that other areas in the coastal plain of the southeastern United States may also harbor wintering eagles. Identification of wintering areas of Golden Eagles in the east will be an important step in the conservation of this protected species, and camera traps baited with carcasses can be an effective tool for such work.
Modeling Soil Matrix Hydraulic Properties for Variably-Saturated Hydrologic Analysis

AbstractThis article presents a method to estimate soil matrix hydraulic properties to be used for variably-saturated hydrologic analysis, such as rainfall/runoff and stormwater management analyses, among others. The methods are described and verified with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Unsaturated Soil Database (UNSODA), and the resultant soil hydraulic properties are presented. For conservative estimates of soil infiltration, a filter is recommended to remove soils from the analysis with high-saturated hydraulic conductivity that are likely to be macropore-dominated, and it is confirmed that the removed soils contain substantially more macropore influence than the retained soils. It is shown with the UNSODA database that good estimations of the soil matrix hydraulic conductivity function may be obtained by using the modified van Genuchten-Mualem model normalized to the saturated hydraulic conductivity with an immutable model parameter he=−0.1 cm if data are not available to calibrate he; this all...
Biology and Development of the Wild and Golden Sport of Grapholita prunivora (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The development of the lesser appleworm, Grapholita prunivora (Walsh), was studied using immature apples as the food source. Degree-hour developmental rates for all life stages were calculated. Developmental rates in degree-hours at 25°C for the eggs, four instars, pupae, and adults were 1,503 (4 d), first larval ecdysis 1,109 (3 d posthatch), second larval ecdysis 1,941 (5 d posthatch), third larval ecdysis 3,186 (8 d posthatch), pupation 5,196 (13 d posthatch), and adult 8,925 (22 d posthatch), respectively. It was determined that 8.5°C was the lower thermal threshold for development of lesser appleworm eggs. Comparisons of growth, survival, and reproduction were made between two different laboratory populations, the wild type and a golden color sport (strain).
Geology of Some American Estuarine Harbors

Geologic causes of harbors and environmental factors that affect character of estuarine deposits in United States; effect of change of sea level; deformation of land; differential erosion; effect of current; glacial action; geologic cause of typical American harbors.
PRESENTATION OF THE CHARLES SCHUCHERT AWARD OF THE PALEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY TO LOREN E. BABCOCK

Madam President, Members of The Paleontological Society Council, Society Members, and Guests; it is my distinct honor to present Dr. Loren E. Babcock, recipient of the Charles Schuchert Award for 2001. These presentations tend toward hyperbole; however, it is often difficult distinguishing between extravagant exaggeration and realistic statement of accomplishments when describing remarkable people. Loren is remarkable! Therefore, taking his place among the previous recipients of this award is richly deserved. Loren was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. His father was a high school science teacher who had a keen interest in geology and books. The family must have spent many weekends collecting in the classic western New York Devonian sections first monographed by James Hall—their house was full of fossils! Loren not only took to the hobby of fossil collecting but did so in the intense, systematic way that characterizes his career today. He had read the classic literature of James Hall, John Clarke, Amadeus Grabau, Charles Schuchert, and others before finishing high school, and became hooked on what has become a lifelong passion. Thus, it was quite logical that Loren was motivated to obtain a degree in geology. He …
Reducing Operational Hurricane Intensity Forecast Errors during Eyewall Replacement Cycles

AbstractEyewall replacement cycles (ERCs) are fairly common events in tropical cyclones (TCs) of hurricane intensity or greater and typically cause large and sometimes rapid changes in the intensity evolution of the TC. Although the details of the intensity evolution associated with ERCs appear to have some dependence on the ambient environmental conditions that the TCs move through, these dependencies can also be quite different than those of TCs that are not undergoing an ERC. For example, the Statistical Hurricane Prediction Scheme (SHIPS), which is used in National Hurricane Center operations and provides intensity forecast skill that is, on average, equal to or greater than deterministic numerical model skill, typically identifies an environment that is not indicative of weakening during the onset and subsequent evolution of an ERC. Contrarily, a period of substantial weakening does typically begin near the onset of an ERC, and this disparity can cause large SHIPS intensity forecast errors. Here, a s...
Site-specific variation in the potentiometric response to subsidence above active longwall mining

Longwall underground coal mining produces major changes in the hydraulic properties and groundwater levels of overlying shallow aquifers because of the fracturing associated with mine subsidence. Many aspects of these impacts remain unclear and unpredictable, particularly the variations in response between different sites. Our detailed, long-term studies of subsidence strains and hydraulic responses at sites in Illinois address this and other aspects of the conceptual model. At a study site in Saline County, inconsistent permeability changes and large rapid head drops, without significant recovery, were observed in a low transmissivity sandstone over an active longwall panel. Corresponding head changes in overlying glacial drift units reflected localized drainage from the drift to the bedrock. In comparison to our earlier study at a site in Jefferson County, Illinois, in which full recovery occurred in a moderately transmissive sandstone aquifer affected by longwall mining, the Saline site illustrates the importance of local hydrogeologic characteristics, particularly variations in transmisivity and continuity with recharge sources, in controlling site-specific responses to longwall mining.
Biomass Gasification — Commercialization and Development: The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Option

World-wide, biomass is the most used nonfossil fuel and is expanding from its traditional thermal applications to more usage for liquid fuels and electricity. More than 9 gigawatts of biomass electrical generation capacity have been installed in the United States, primarily by forest products industries, since the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) was passed. Combined heat and power (CHP) technologies promise to improve power-to-heat efficiencies to strengthen the economic viability of these electrical generating methods. These technologies, which are now being tested and demonstrated, employ industrial and aeroderivative gas turbines; use a variety of feedstocks including agricultural wastes, residues, and dedicated energy crops; and range in size from 8 MW to 75 MW. Specific demonstrations with the U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Power Program and partners in Vermont and Hawaii are discussed.© 1997 ASME
THE SPINNING AND DRAWING PROPERTIES OF ANTI-PILLING ACRYLIC FIBER BY WET SPINNING

Unexplained phenomena of spinning and drawing properties of acrylic fiber by wet spinning can be explained by analyzing freely extruded velocity Vf regarded as a principal factor under the consideration of Barus effect of spinning solution.(1) Actual draft V1/Vf called filament attenuation in the coagulation bath corresponds to the orientation of coagulated undrawn filament.Vf is represented by a function of flow rate per hole Q and radius of spinnerette R.(2) Drawing property is closely related to V1/Vf which corresponds to orientation of undrawn filament, and the lower V1/Vf results in the higher maximum draw ratio V2m/V1, which can also be seen as a function of Q, R and take-up speed of coagulated filament V1(3) Speeding up of spinning results in decline of drawing property due to the fall of V1/Vf caused by increased shear rate of dope solution in the spinnerette.As the result of speeding-up, tension against filament in the coagulation bath increased slightly but little in drawing bath.(4) The difference of drawing property between sample A prepared in conventional way and sample B by anti-pilling condition is not brought by that of V1/Vf, but by those of the degree of contribution of V1/Vf to it and of molecular mobility affected by polymer composition.
Anisotropic Electron Mobility of Two-Dimensional-Electron-Gas in Modulation Doped Inx.Ga1−y As/InyAl1−yAs Heterostructures

We have investigated the electrical properties of the two-dimensional-electron-gas (2DEG) present in strain relaxed heterojunctions with In x Ga 1−x As channels (x y Al 1−y As as the carrier supply layer. We find typical electron densities and mobilities, for x=0.3, of n s (300 K) = 1.3 × 10 12 cm −2 and µH(300 K) = 9300 cm 2 /V-s; and for n s (1.6 K) = 1.2 × 10 12 cm −2 , µH(1.6 K) = 37800 cm 2 /V-s. While the room temperature electron mobility shows negligible anisotropy, an -orientation dependent low temperature electron mobility of the 2DEG is observed and attributed to dislocation scattering.
Comparison with Lidar-Derived Water Vapor with OTher Moisture Measurements During the CAMEX-2, LASE and WMO Field Campaigns

Three field missions were conducted at Wallops Island, VA in August and September 1995. The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Scanning Raman Lidar participated in all three campaigns by measuring water vapor for ground truth comparisons. We present water vapor comparisons from 3 lidars, 2 in situ hygrometers, VIZ and Vaisala hygrometers, and an infrared interferometer. The comparisons agree to within 5–10% from the ground up to 7 km.
Filtration leukapheresis: effects of donor stimulation with dexamethasone

Dexamethasone was administered to 51 donors prior to filtration leukapheresis. The results of this maneuver, including the consequences of transfusion, were contrasted with results in 52 donors who did not receive the steroid. Yields of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the posttransfusion increments in recipients, themorphologic polymorphonuclear leukocytes obtained, and the incidence of donor and recipient reactions were all beneficially influenced by this manipulation. Possible mechanisms responsible for these observations are discussed. It is recommended that dexamethasone stimulation be used in filtration leukapheresis when circumstances do not otherwise contraindicate such a maneuver.
High-Efficiency Genome Editing of Streptomyces Species by an Engineered CRISPR/Cas System

Next-generation sequencing technologies have rapidly expanded the genomic information of numerous organisms and revealed a rich reservoir of natural product gene clusters from microbial genomes, especially from Streptomyces, the largest genus of known actinobacteria at present. However, genetic engineering of these bacteria is often time consuming and labor intensive, if even possible. In this chapter, we describe the design and construction of pCRISPomyces, an engineered Type II CRISPR/Cas system, for targeted multiplex gene deletions in Streptomyces lividans, Streptomyces albus, and Streptomyces viridochromogenes with editing efficiency ranging from 70% to 100%. We demonstrate pCRISPomyces as a powerful tool for genome editing in Streptomyces.
Characterization of encapsulated quantum dots via electron channeling contrast imaging

A method for characterization of encapsulated epitaxial quantum dots (QD) in plan-view geometry using electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) is presented. The efficacy of the method, which requires minimal sample preparation, is demonstrated with proof-of-concept data from encapsulated (sub-surface) epitaxial InAs QDs within a GaAs matrix. Imaging of the QDs under multiple diffraction conditions is presented, establishing that ECCI can provide effectively identical visualization capabilities as conventional two-beam transmission electron microscopy. This method facilitates rapid, non-destructive characterization of sub-surface QDs giving immediate access to valuable nanostructural information.
Large area CVD monolayer graphene for nanoelectronics: Device performance and analysis

Graphene transistors using large area CVD monolayer graphene are constructed and examined. Back-gated devices with exposed graphene channels are characterized to shed light on some of the apparent doping and transport effects that could impact the device performance. Electrical measurements under vacuum and soft-anneal conditions are used to modulate the effective doping density and carrier mobility for both electrons and holes. A good agreement between measurements and a simple drift-diffusion model is obtained when modeling this CVD graphene with a net p-type doping and asymmetric electron/hole mobility. An extracted mean-free path for scattering suggests the presence of large levels of Coulomb and short-range scattering which could be limiting the mobility in this doped material. The results are of importance for understanding the potential of large-area CVD graphene for use in future radiofrequency devices.
Generation of alpha-Type-1 Polarized Dendritic Cells as a Potent Immunogen in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Abstract We tested the feasibility of generating alpha-type-1 polarized DC (αDC1) from the blood of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients and the in vitro effectiveness of autologous tumor-loaded αDC1s in inducing CTLs against CLL. CD14+ cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of CLL patients and were cultured in rhu GM-CSF and IL-4. On day 6, DC maturation was induced using either a standard cytokine cocktail (in IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6, and PGE2) or αDC1-polarizing cocktail (in IL-1β, TNFα, IFNα, IFNγ, and poly-I:C). In either case, the maturing DCs were loaded with gamma-irradiated autologous CLL cells. αDC1s from CLL patients expressed substantially higher levels of several costimulatory molecules (CD83, CD86, CD80, CD11c and CD40) than standard DCs (sDCs) while CCR7 showed lower expression. Gamma-irradiated CLL cells were more efficienly taken up by DCs compared to UVC-irradiated CLL cells, but the ability of tumor antigen uptake was similar between αDC1 and sDCs. The capacity of IL-12p70 secretion in DCs (baseline and after stimulation with CD40L-transfected J558 cells) was significantly elevated in αDC1s (10–60 times) compared to sDCs. αDC1s also induced significantly higher numbers of functional CD8+ T cells against CLL cells, as determined by IFN-γ ELISPOT, using anti-MHC class I blocking mAb (W6/32) to verify the specificity of CTL responses. Our data demonstrate that αDC1s are a potent alternative to standard DCs as inducers of T cells for adoptive immunotherapy in patients with CLL and a clinical trial will be initiated.
Racial Disparities and Sociodemographic Differences in Incidence and Survival Among Pediatric Patients in the United States With Primary Liver Cancer: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Population Study.

BACKGROUND Primary liver cancer, including Hepatoblastoma (HB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in pediatric populations is often fatal. The outcomes are poor despite universal health care access in pediatric patients. AIM We investigated the sociodemographic factors affecting outcomes in pediatric patients with primary liver cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a large population database study of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry data from 1973 to 2011. HB and HCC were analyzed regarding age, sex, race, geographic area, and treatment-related information including survival. RESULTS In total, 998 patients, the median age at time of diagnosis was 1 year for HB [0-19; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-1.9] and 14 years for HCC (0-19; 95% CI, 12.1-13.3) (P<0.001). Overall Survival (OS) in HB was 374 months (25% failures 19) versus HCC 21 months (25% failures 5; P<0.0001). In HCC, the fibrolamellar subgroup OS was 41 months (32-.) versus 16 months (11-21) in all others [hazard ratio (HR) 2.0; P=0.005]. Diagnosis between 2000 and 2011 (HB: 25% failures not reached; HCC: 38) versus diagnosis 1973 to 1999 (HB: 374; HCC: 12) had different survival (P=0.01; HR 1.9). For HB, OS in patients with age of diagnosis under 2, 25% failures was not reached versus 374 months over the age of 2 (HR 1.7; P<0.0007). African American children with HB had OS of 67 (17-.) versus all others (25% failures 21) and 48% of African American children were diagnosed after the age of 2 versus 34% of whites (HR 1.9; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS Later diagnosis and decreased survival in African American children with HB warrants further research.
Accessory anterolateral talar facet impingement with tibialis spastic varus foot

In recent years, some authors have reported accessory anterolateral talar facet impingement with flatfoot including peroneal spastic flatfoot. Conversely, to our knowledge, no case report has been published about accessory anterolateral talar facet impingement with tibialis spastic varus foot. We report the first case in a 22-year-old man with intellectual disability, bilateral cleft hands and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Since spraining his left ankle over a year earlier, he experienced left sinus tarsi pain while standing and walking. Physical examination revealed that his left foot was in the varus position with spasm of the anterior tibial muscle, tenderness in the sinus tarsi and lateral hindfoot pain upon attempted passive hindfoot eversion. He could not stand on his left toes. His pain decreased after lying down and receiving a massage on his anterolateral lower leg at night. Radiographs and computed tomography scans revealed the absence of tarsal coalition and the presence of accessory anterolateral talar facet in both feet. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated abutting bone marrow edema between the talus and calcaneus around the accessory anterolateral talar facet. We diagnosed the patient with accessory anterolateral talar facet impingement and tibialis spastic varus foot. After conservative treatment failed, resection of accessory anterolateral talar facet achieved good results with short-term follow-up.
Naming Brazil's previously poor: “New middle class” as an economic, political, and experiential category

The early years of the twentyâ€ first century were historic for socioeconomic relations in Brazil. While long known for stark socioeconomic inequality, the nation became internationally celebrated for its economic growth and successful povertyâ€ reduction initiatives, which together propelled some 35 million â€œpreviously poorâ€ Brazilians into what became called a â€œnew middle class.â€ The apparent rise of this â€œnewâ€ class has generated contentious debate and a range of social science studies in Brazil; yet this literature is little known in the Anglophone academic world. While some have interpreted this demographic transformation as an expansion of the existing middle class, others have questioned the utility of incomeâ€ or consumptionâ€ based criteria for the category â€œmiddle class.â€ Drawing from ongoing research in workingâ€ class neighborhoods in three Brazilian cities (Recife, Rio de Janeiro, and SA£o Paulo), this article reviews and engages these important debates, examines the extent to which Brazil's class structure has changed, and presents a conceptual framework for understanding experiences of socioeconomic mobility and class subjectivities among Brazil's â€œpreviously poor.â€
Improved systemic metabolism and adipocyte biology in miR-150 knockout mice

Abstract Introduction Short non-coding micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional factors that directly regulate protein expression by degrading or inhibiting target mRNAs; however, the role of miRNAs in obesity and cardiometabolic disease remains unclarified. Based on our earlier study demonstrating that miR-150 influences lipid metabolism, we have studied effects of miR-150 on systemic metabolism and adipocyte biology. Materials and Methods Metabolic phenotypes including body weight, food intake, body composition, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were assessed in WT and global miR-150 KO male mice fed a high-fat diet. Molecular changes in epididymal adipose tissue were evaluated through qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Results miR-150 KO mice displayed lower body weight characterized by a reduction in % fat mass while % lean mass was increased. Lower body weight was associated with reduced food consumption and an increase in circulating leptin concentrations, as well as enhanced insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance compared with WT mice. Absence of miR-150 resulted in increased mTOR expression known to participate in increased leptin production leading to reduction of food intake. Expression of PGC-1α, another target gene of miR-150, was also increased together with upregulation of PPARα and glycerol kinase in adipose tissue as well as other genes participating in triglyceride degradation and lipid oxidation. Conclusion miR-150 KO mice showed metabolic benefits accompanied by reduced body weight, decreased energy intake, and enhanced lipid metabolism. miR-150 may represent both a biomarker and novel therapeutic target regarding obesity and insulin resistance.
Does inflammation affect outcomes in dialysis patients

Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a common comorbid condition in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and particularly in chronic dialysis patients. In this review, we consider the question of whether inflammation affects outcomes in dialysis patients. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines, as well as C-reactive protein, are elevated in chronic dialysis patients. Multiple factors likely contribute to chronic inflammatory activation in kidney disease patients including the uremic milieu, lifestyle and epigenetic influences, infectious and thrombotic events, the dialysis process, and dysbiosis. Increased inflammatory markers in both CKD and chronic dialysis patients are associated with adverse clinical outcomes including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, kidney disease progression, protein energy wasting and diminished motor function, cognitive impairment, as well as other adverse consequences including CKD-mineral and bone disorder, anemia, and insulin resistance. Strategies that have been shown to reduce chronic systemic inflammation in CKD and chronic dialysis patients include both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. However, despite evidence that systemic inflammatory markers can be lowered in kidney disease patients treated with various strategies, evidence that this improves clinical outcomes is largely unavailable and represents an important future research direction. Overall, there is strong observational evidence that inflammation is high in chronic dialysis patients and that this is independently associated with numerous adverse clinical outcomes. Targeting inflammation represents a potentially novel and attractive strategy if it can indeed improve adverse outcomes common in this population.
PET/CT Interpretative Pitfalls in Thoracic Malignancies

Applications of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the thorax include the evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules, staging and restaging of oncologic patients, assessment of therapeutic response, and detection of residual or recurrent disease. Accurate interpretation of PET/CT requires knowledge of the physiological distribution of [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose, as well as artifacts and quantitative errors due to the use of CT for attenuation correction of the PET scan. Potential pitfalls include malignancies that are PET negative and benign conditions that are PET positive. Awareness of these artifacts and potential pitfalls is important in preventing misinterpretation that can alter patient management.
Transversus Abdominis Plane Blockade as Part of a Multimodal Postoperative Analgesia Plan in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy

Background Radical cystectomy (RC) is a morbid procedure with frequent complications that may benefit from implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. Objective To examine the benefits of a multimodal analgesic plan that uses continuous transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blockade as part of an ERAS protocol after RC. Methods A retrospective comparison of consecutive patients undergoing RC over a 4-year period was conducted. Patients were designated as having surgery either before or after implementation of an ERAS protocol. A major component of the ERAS protocol was a multi-modal analgesia plan with TAP blockade. Patient demographics, comorbidities, operative details, and outcomes, including days to flatus, bowel movement (BM), narcotic usage, and length of stay (LOS) were compared. Results In total, 171 patients were included: 100 pre-ERAS and 71 ERAS. There were no differences in age, smoking status, operative approach, or diversion type. The patients in the ERAS cohort were less likely to be male, had a higher median BMI, and more likely to have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Total and early postoperative narcotic use were lower in the ERAS cohort: 89 vs. 336 mg (p < 0.001) and 62 vs 203 mg (p = 0.001), respectively. The ERAS cohort had fewer days to flatus (3 vs. 4, p < 0.001) and fewer days to bowel movement (4 vs. 5, p < 0.001). Median LOS was shorter in the ERAS cohort (7 vs. 8.5d, p = 0.001). There were no differences in complications or readmission rates between the two cohorts. Conclusions TAP blockade as part of an ERAS multi-modal pain plan is associated with low narcotic usage, and significant improvement in time to flatus, BM, and LOS compared to traditional post-RC pain management.
Measurement of the vibrationalrotational and hyperfine spectrum of the molecular anion NH

We have measured the vibrational-rotational spectrum of the negative molecular ion NH− using a coaxial ion beam/laser beam spectrometer. A 2–5-keV beam of a few nanoamperes of NH−, produced in a hot-cathode discharge source from the source gas HN3, is overlapped coaxially by a tunable IR laser beam from a Burleigh FCL-20 laser. Resonant vibrational-rotational transitions near 3000 cm−1 are driven from ν = 0 to ν = 1. The upper level autodetaches producing a fast neutral.
Public as gatekeepers survey favors serious news values in same-day international events

On September 14, 1982, two very different international events vied for attention in the mass media. Each incident - the accidental death of Grace Kelly and the assassination of Bashir Gemayel - seemed to embody distinct news values. Kelly was believed to be better known, more of a celebrity; her story was simple, relatively unambiguous. Gemayel's death was believed to be more significant, more consequential, more fraught with conflict, yet his story was clearly more foreign, more complex, more ambiguous and difficult to understand. Which deserved more attention in the U.S. news media? This study asked members of the public via a survey designed to put them in the role of critic and gatekeeper. A seven page questionnaire was devised to determine information recall, diffusion channels, prior familiarity, perceptions of news values inherent in each subject, and, most important, evaluation of coverage. Results indicate that audiences (at least literate, relatively educated audiences) may select substance ove...
Preliminary Comparison of the Effects of Iloprost, Prostacyclin (PGI2) and Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on Human Platelet Function

Temporary control of platelet reactivity is potentially desirable in a number of clinical settings including cardiopulmonary bypass, dialysis, and long-term extracorporeal circulation. Of those agents currently available which provide antiplatelet therapy, only the prostaglandins offer the dual advantages of potency and rapid reversibility. Consequently, we evaluated the relative potency of three: Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), Prostacyclin (PGI2), and Iloprost. In addition, we attempted to find insights into the mechanisms of their action with the hope of determining the ideal control agent.
Time-Delay Attacks in Network Systems

Modern cyber-physical systems rely on dependable communication channels to accomplish cooperative tasks, such as forming and maintaining a coordinated platooning configuration in groups of interconnected vehicles. We define and study a class of adversary attacks that tamper with the temporal characteristics of the communication channels, thus leading to delays in the signals received by certain network nodes. We show how such attacks may affect the stability of the overall interconnection, even when the number of compromised channels is limited. Our algorithms allow us to identify the links that are inherently less robust to this class of attacks and to study the resilience of different network topologies when the attacker goal is to minimize the number of compromised communication channels. Based on our numerical results, we reveal a relation between the robustness of a certain network topology and the degree distribution of its nodes.
One Day for Democracy: Independence Day and the Americanization of Iron Range Immigrants

Review of: "One Day for Democracy: Independence Day and the Americanization of Iron Range Immigrants," by Mary Lou Nemanic.
Caregiver-Reported Asthma Control Predicts Future Visits, Independent of Guideline-Based Control Measures.

Background It is unknown whether caregiver perception of a child's asthma control, independent of guideline-based asthma control assessment, is a predictor of future acute visits. Objective To determine whether caregiver-reported asthma control is an indicator of future risk of acute visit. Methods Two study populations of low-income, minority 5- to 17-year-old children with persistent asthma were included. Questionnaires administered at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months captured symptoms, short-acting β-agonist use, acute visits in the previous 3 months, and caregiver-reported asthma control. Well-controlled, not well-controlled, and very poorly controlled asthma were defined using National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guideline-based assessment. Relationships between caregiver-reported control and acute visits in the subsequent 3 months were examined. Results At baseline, both populations were predominantly black/African American (91% and 79%) with public insurance (85% and 88%) and very poorly controlled asthma (47% and 50%). In both populations, most caregivers reported that their child's asthma was well controlled (73% and 69%). In both populations, participants whose caregivers reported that their child had uncontrolled asthma had greater odds of having an acute visit in the following 3 months as compared with participants whose caregivers reported that their child's asthma was well controlled, independent of guideline-based control, age, sex, race, controller medication, insurance, and atopy (odds ratio [95% CI], 2.4 [1.4-4.2] and 1.6 [1.1-2.4]). Conclusions Among predominantly low-income minority children with asthma, caregiver-reported asthma control may provide information about the risk of future acute visit for asthma that is complementary to guideline-based control assessment.
Abstract TP206: Prevalence and Predictors of Cerebral Microbleeds Among Racial Minorities With Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack

Background: Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) are associated with dementia and stroke. CMB are attributed to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (lobar CMB), and hypertensive angiopathy (deep CMB). Racial minorit...
A 54-Year-Old Man Presenting With Progressive Dyspnea and Interstitial Lung Abnormalities.

Case Presentation A 54-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of progressive dyspnea occurring at rest and with minimal exertion. His medical history was notable for hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, coronary artery disease, and factor V Leiden heterozygosity. His social history was notable for a 43-pack-year smoking history but was otherwise unremarkable.
Evening intake of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine: night-to-night associations with sleep duration and continuity among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Sleep Study

Study objectives We examined the night-to-night associations of evening use of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine with actigraphically estimated sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset (WASO) among a large cohort of African American adults. Methods Participants in the Jackson Heart Sleep Study underwent wrist actigraphy for an average of 6.7 nights and completed concurrent daily sleep diary assessments to record any consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine within 4 hours of bedtime. Linear mixed-effect models were fit and adjusted for age, sex, educational attainment, body mass index, depression, anxiety, stress, and having work/school the next day. Results Eligible participants (n = 785) were an average of 63.7 years (SD: 10.6), and were predominantly female (67.9%). There were 5164 days of concurrent actigraphy and sleep diary data. Evening alcohol use was associated with that night's lower sleep efficiency (-0.98% [95% CI: -1.67% to -0.29%], p = 0.005), but not with WASO or sleep duration. Evening nicotine use was associated with that night's lower sleep efficiency [1.74% (95% CI: -2.79 to -0.68), p = 0.001] and 6.09 minutes higher WASO ([95% CI: 0.82 to 11.35], p = 0.02), but was not associated with sleep duration. Evening caffeine use was not associated with any of the sleep parameters. Conclusion Nicotine and alcohol use within 4 hours of bedtime were associated with increased sleep fragmentation in the associated night, even after controlling for multiple potential confounders. These findings support the importance of sleep health recommendations that promote the restriction of evening alcohol and nicotine use to improve sleep continuity.
The radiation dose‐response of non‐retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma with positive margins: An NCDB analysis

OBJECTIVES Positive margins can increase the risk of local recurrence of soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Utilizing a national registry, we investigated patterns of care and overall survival (OS) of patients with margin-positive non-retroperitoneal STS who received preoperative radiation therapy, adjuvant radiation therapy, or both. METHODS Adult patients with non-retroperitoneal STS who underwent resection and RT from 2004 to 2015 were included. Kaplan-Meier, log-rank analysis, and Cox regression analysis were performed. RESULTS We identified 5726 patients. Most had a tumor size >5 cm (60%), grade 3 disease (67%), and microscopically positive margins (57%). Compared to ≤50.4 Gy, a dose of 66 to 69.99 Gy was associated with decreased risk of death on multivariate analysis (HR 0.69, 95%; CI, 0.50-0.94). Receipt of a boost was associated with decreased risk of death on univariate analysis (HR 0.54, 95%; CI, 0.29-0.99). In patients with grade 2 to 3 tumors without the gross disease, there was an OS benefit associated with a boost on multivariate analysis (HR 0.39, 95%; CI, 0.16-0.97). CONCLUSION This analysis appears to show an OS benefit of dose escalation to 66 to 69 Gy for margin-positive non-retroperitoneal STS. A Postoperative boost is associated with higher OS in grade 2 to 3 STS without the gross disease.
The effects of extracellular volume and intradialytic peripheral resistance changes on ambulatory blood pressure in hemodialysis patients with and without recurrent intradialytic hypertension.

Background Hypertension and extracellular volume (ECV) overload are interrelated mortality risk factors in hemodialysis (HD) patients, but confounding related to changes in ECV and vasoconstriction during and between treatments obfuscate their relationship. We sought to clarify independent contributions of post-HD ECV and intradialytic changes in vasoconstriction on ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in patients with and without recurrent intradialytic hypertension (IH). Methods In this prospective observational study, we obtained measurements of pre- and post-HD ECV with bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS), pre- and post-HD total peripheral resistance index and 44-h ambulatory BP. Linear regression determined associations between post-HD ECV/weight and intradialytic change in total peripheral resistance index (TPRI) with interdialytic BP and slope. Results In fully-adjusted models for participants with complete data, post-HD ECV/weight associated with mean ambulatory BP (β = 133, P = 0.01; n = 52) and ambulatory BP slope (β = -4.28, P = 0.03; n = 42). ECV/weight was associated with mean ambulatory BP in those with recurrent IH (β = 314, P = 0.0005; n = 16) and with ambulatory BP slope in those without recurrent IH (β = -4.56, P = 0.04; n = 28). Interdialytic weight gain percentage and intradialytic TPRI change were not associated with ambulatory BP or slope in any analyses. Conclusion Ambulatory BP in HD patients is more strongly associated with post-HD ECV assessed with BIS than with intradialytic TPRI changes or interdialytic ECV increases. These findings highlight the essential role of recognizing and managing chronic ECV overload to improve ambulatory BP in HD patients, particularly so for those with IH.
Long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes in free flap reconstruction of the weight-bearing heel pad and non-weight-bearing Achilles tendon regions.

Background The non-weight-bearing (NWB) Achilles tendon and weight-bearing (WB) heel pad regions are technically challenging to reconstruct with distinct functional and aesthetic considerations that have not been previously considered in the literature. This study is the first to characterize the long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes of these components to better inform patients about the postreconstruction period. Methods A retrospective review of medical records and phone-based survey of adult patients who underwent free flap reconstruction of the heel/ankle with 6-month minimum clinical follow-up was performed. Results Forty-three patients, with 31 (72.1%) NWB and 12 (27.9%) WB defects, treated from January 1, 2000 to February 28, 2017 were included. Muscle flaps were more common than fasciocutaneous flaps (N = 36 [83.7%] vs. 7 [16.3%]). Flap survival rate was 95.3% and limb salvage rate was 93.0% at median follow-up of 12.0 months (interquartile range [IQR] 6.2, 25.5). Flap ulceration occurred more frequently in the WB region (41.7 vs. 6.5%, p = .0123). The survey response rate was 63.6%. The majority of patients complete daily tasks with no/little impairment (76.2%), walk half a mile or more (85.7%), returned to work (86.6%), and fit shoes "fair" or "well" (71.4%). Most patients were "very satisfied" with heel/ankle function (71.4%) and would "very likely" undergo the same procedure if needed (76.2%). Conclusions Free flap reconstruction in both the NWB Achilles tendon and WB heel pad has excellent limb salvage and flap survival rates. Patients were satisfied with heel/ankle function, but additional counseling is recommended for variance in appearance and higher ulceration rates in WB defects.
Early integration of palliative care in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is warranted based on symptom burden and quality of life.

Commentary on: Butler SJ, Ellerton L, Gershon AS et al . Comparison of end-of-life care in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or lung cancer: a systematic review. Palliat Med . 2020;34(8):1030–43. doi: 10.1177/0269216320929556. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are two of the leading causes of death, with approximately 3.02 and 1.71 million deaths worldwide in 2016, respectively.1 Both these diseases show a similar pattern of symptom burden, specifically at the end of life, which include pain and dyspnoea. …
Multisensor Data Fusion Schemes for Wireless Sensor Networks

Data fusion systems is an active research field with applications in several fields such as manufacturing, surveillance, air traffic control, robotics and remote sensing. The wide interest in wireless sensor networks has fueled the interest in data fusion as a medium to compress and interpret the collected data from the spatially distributed sensors. The present paper gives a general overview on the current state of data fusion schemes for wireless sensor networks. Specifically this paper presents a review on some of the commonly used techniques such as Kalman filtering, beamforming, transferable belief model, filter-based techniques and linear mean square estimator.
Structure-property studies of a new {FeIII2MnII} complex

Abstract The preparation, structure, and magnetic properties of a trinuclear complex, {[(Tp*)FeIII(CN)3]2[MnII(phen)2]} (1), are described. The trinuclear complex is obtained via treatment of dimethylformamide/diethyl ether mixtures of [NEt4][(Tp*)FeIII(CN)3]∙H2O [Tp* = tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate], manganese(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate, and two equivalents of 1,10-phenanthroline. Analysis of the magnetic data suggests that 1 contains a 2:1 ratio of low spin FeIIILS (S = ½) and high spin MnIIHS (S = 5/2) ions that undergo cyanide-mediated antiferromagnetic exchange within the FeIIILS(μ-CN)MnIIHS units. Overall, an S = 3/2 magnetic ground state is found for the complex, with Jiso = -6.9(1) cm−1 and giso = 2.11(1).
The dialectics of subversion: prison theatre, human rights, and social justice

I began my life as a prison theatre artist 25 years ago. Over the years, through first-hand experience with prisoners, their families, and others, I came to understand some of the more oppressive e...