cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Realistic simulation of regional myocardial perfusion defects for cardiac SPECT studies

The current 3D XCAT phantom allows users to manually define the regional myocardial perfusion defect (MPD) as a simple pie-shaped wedge region with reduced activity level in the myocardium of left ventricle. To more accurately and realistically model the MPD, we have developed a new regional MPD model for the 3D XCAT phantom for myocardial perfusion SPECT (MP-SPECT) studies based on the location and the severity of the stenosis in a computer generated coronary arterial tree. First, we generated a detailed coronary arterial tree by extending the large proximal branches segmented from patient CT images to cover the whole heart using an iterative rule-based algorithm. Second, we determined the affected downstream vascular segments of a given stenosis. Third, we computed the activity of each myocardial region as a function of the inverse-distance-weighted average of the flow of the neighboring vascular segments. Fourth, we generated a series of bull's-eye maps of MP-SPECT images of different coronary artery stenosis scenarios. Fifth, we had expert physician readers to qualitatively assess the bull's-eye maps based on their similarity to typical clinical cases in terms of the shape, the extent, and the severity of the MPDs. Their input was used to iteratively revise the coronary artery tree model so that the MPDs were closely matched to those found in bull's-eye maps from patient studies. Finally, from our simulated MP-SPECT images, we observed that (1) the locations of the MPDs caused by stenoses at different main arteries were different largely according to their vascular territories, (2) a stenosis at a proximal branch produced a larger MPD than the one at a distal branch, and (3) a more severe stenosis produced a larger MPD than the less severe one. These observations were consistent to those found in clinical cases. Therefore, this new regional MPD model has enhanced the generation of realistic pathological MP-SPECT images using the XCAT phantom. When combining with the mechanical model of the myocardium, the new model can be extended for the simulation of 4D gated MP-SPECT simulation of a pathological heart with both perfusion and motion defects.
Abstract 1877: Age at introduction to solids is associated with the odds ratio of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Introduction: Breastfeeding for > 6 months is associated with protection from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (OR 0.81 95% CI 0.72-0.91), the most common pediatric cancer in the United States. These data are based on any breastfeeding. There is little research concerning infant formula or solid food consumption patterns and risk of pediatric ALL. We previously identified greater duration of milk formula feeding and later age at introduction to solid foods as risk factors for ALL. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the increased OR of ALL was confined to children who began receiving solids after 4 or 6 months of age. Methods: 172 incident cases of ALL aged 0-14 years were recruited at Texas Children9s Cancer Center (TCCC) and matched on sex, age at diagnosis/interview and ethnicity to 344 healthy population-based controls from Houston, San Antonio and Austin, Texas. Data were collected on sociodemographics, infant feeding patterns and known or hypothesized risk factors for ALL. Logistic regression was used to model the OR of ALL according to quartile of age at introduction of solids with the first/earliest quartile as the reference group. Results: In adjusted models, the OR of ALL among children in quartile 3 (7-9 months) was 3.43, 95% CI 1.66 - 7.09; for children in quartile 4 (≥ 10 months) the OR was 4.19, 95% CI 2.00 - 8.75. Each additional month of milk formula feeding was associated with a 7% increase in the OR of ALL (95% CI 1.02 - 1.12). The OR of ALL among non-Hispanic compared to Hispanic children was 1.76 (95% CI 1.10 - 2.84). Discussion: These results support our published findings that later introduction to solids is positively associated with ALL. Our finding of lower risk among Hispanic children contrasts with previous research indicating this group is at greater risk than non-Hispanics. Citation Format: Jeremy M. Schraw, Michael Scheurer, Michele R. Forman. Age at introduction to solids is associated with the odds ratio of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1877. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1877
Generation of Multi-Specific CTL Lines Using Overlapping Pentadecapeptide Pools of Aspergillus f16 and Adenovirus Hexon Antigens Presented on Epstein Barr Virus-Transformed B Cells as Antigen Presenting Cells.

Abstract Allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT) is the optimal treatment for several hematological malignancies, aplasia or other disorders of the hematopoietic or immune system. Post HPCT, patients undergo a prolonged period of immune incompetence during which they are highly susceptible to viral and fungal infections. Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), Adenovirus (Ad) and Aspergillus fumigates are among the most common and lethal infections during this period. We have described the use of overlapping pools of pentadecapeptides pulsed onto monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) to generate cytolytic T-cell (CTL) lines specific for an A. fumigatus-derived antigen, Asp f16 (Ramadan et. al., 2005, J Clin Immunol 139:257; Ramadan et. al., 200 J Clin Immunol 140:81). We have further demonstrated in 5 donors, the generation of CTL lines recognizing peptides contained within the conserved region of the Adenovirus hexon protein using a similar approach (Keever-Taylor, et. al, Cytotherapy 8, Suppl 1, 122). To reduce the need for large numbers of DC to prime and expand the CTL cultures, we modified our procedures to use peptide pool (pp)-pulsed EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines (BLCL) as antigen presenting cells (APC) following 2–3 rounds of initial priming with pp-DC. This approach results in lines that are predominately reactive to Asp f16 or Ad hexon, and which are moderately reactive to EBV. We expanded our studies to determine the feasibility of generating CTL lines that recognize all three infectious agents. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from donor RD0309 were primed weekly ×3 with autologous DC (10:1 PBL to DC ratio) pulsed with a pool of both Asp f16 (104 individual peptides) and Ad hexon (105 individual peptides) pentadecapeptides, then switched to Asp/Ad-pulsed BLCL as APC. The cultures were screened one week following restimulation for lysis of non-pulsed (np-BLCL) and Asp f16-pp-pulsed (Asp-BLCL) and Ad hex-pp-pulsed (Ad-BLCL) BLCL targets. Weak reactivity to Ad-BLCL was detected after 3 primings with DC alone that increased following one round of Asp/Ad-BLCL priming. Asp f16-specific CTL activity was not clearly detected until one week after 3DC plus 3BLCL primings, at which time there was also clear reactivity to np-BLCL targets (26.4% np-BLCL, 37% Asp-BLCL, and 53.9% Ad-BLCL at 50:1), indicating CTL activity to all three infectious agents. With an additional priming, Aspergillus specific reactivity exceeded that towards Adenovirus and EBV-specific reactivity declined. These data show that a pool of overlapping peptides from two different antigens presented on DC followed by BLCL as APC can result in multi-specific cell lines that can be potentially used in adoptive immunotherapy protocols for the treatment or prevention of common opportunistic infections following HPCT.
The effect of omega-3 supplementation on pregnancy outcomes by smoking status.

Background Smoking during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes such as preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirth, and low birth weight. Because smoking causes oxidative stress, some have suggested using antioxidants to counteract the effects of oxidative stress. Smokers have lower serum levels of omega-3 fatty acids, an important antioxidant, and thus, investigating whether omega-3 supplementation in smokers reduces adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes represents an important area of research. Objective To investigate whether the antioxidant effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes differs between smokers and nonsmokers. Study Design Secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of omega-3 supplementation for preterm delivery prevention in women with a singleton pregnancy and a history of a previous singleton spontaneous preterm delivery. Subjects were randomized to begin omega-3 or placebo before 22 weeks, which was continued until delivery. All women received 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate intramuscularly weekly beginning between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation and continued until 36 weeks of gestation or delivery, whichever occurred first. The primary outcome was spontaneous preterm delivery. Secondary outcomes were indicated preterm delivery, any preterm delivery (spontaneous and indicated), pregnancy-associated hypertension (gestational hypertension and preeclampsia), a neonatal composite (retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage grade III or IV, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, respiratory morbidity, or perinatal death), low birth weight ( Results Of 851 subjects included in the analysis, 136 (16%) smoked. Baseline characteristics between omega-3 and placebo groups did not differ in smokers or nonsmokers. Omega-3 supplementation was associated with a lower risk of spontaneous preterm delivery in smokers (relative risk, 0.56, 95% confidence interval, 0.36–0.87) but not in nonsmokers (relative risk 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.84–1.29); P value for interaction = 0.013. Low birth weight was also less frequent in smokers receiving omega-3 supplementation (relative risk 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.36–0.90) compared with nonsmokers (relative risk 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.71–1.24); P value for interaction = 0.047. The effect on other secondary outcomes did not differ significantly between smokers and nonsmokers. Conclusion Omega-3 supplementation in smokers may have a protective effect against recurrent spontaneous preterm delivery and low birth weight.
Differential Games with Different Intervals of Play

Abstract A differential game is a mathematical model of a competitive situation which evolves over time. Each player controls a different set of inputs to a single dynamic system and each player has an associated pay-off or cost functional. In the differential game considered in this paper, players participate for different intervals of time. The number of players may change during the course of the game. In particular, the situation where the number of players changes between one and two is considered. An example of a differential game with different intervals of play is a pursuitevasion game where the evader starts to evade only after the pursuer penetrates a certain region in state space. It is well known that nonzero-sum differential games may have a variety of acceptable solutions depending on the assumed rationality of the players. In this paper a Nash solution is considered. It is verified that a generalized principle of optimality holds for games with different intervals of play. This leads to a backward translation method for obtaining the strategies. Linear games with quadratic cost functionals over different intervals of play for two players are investigated in detail. The problem leads to a multiple point boundary value problem.
Relationships between central arterial stiffness, lean body mass, and absolute and relative strength in young and older men and women.

Summary Relationships between muscular strength and arterial stiffness as well as between muscle mass and arterial stiffness have been observed suggesting a link between the neuromuscular system and vascular health. However, the relationship between central arterial stiffness and absolute and relative strength along with muscle mass has not been investigated in both sexes across a broad age range. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between central arterial stiffness and absolute and relative strength as well as between central arterial stiffness and lean body mass (LBM) in men and women across a broad age range. LBM, central arterial stiffness and strength were measured on 36 men and 35 women between the ages of 18 and 75 years. Strength was measured on five machine resistance exercises and summed as one measure of overall strength (absolute strength). Relative strength was calculated as total strength divided by LBM (relative strength). Central arterial stiffness was inversely related to both absolute (r = −0·230; P = 0·029) and relative strength (r = −0·484; P < 0·001) but not LBM (r = 0·097; P = 0·213). The relationship between central arterial stiffness and relative strength was attenuated but still present when controlling for either age, per cent body fat, LBM or mean arterial pressure. These results suggest that, across a wide age range, the expression of relative muscular strength has a stronger relationship with central arterial stiffness compared to either LBM or absolute strength. This suggests that muscle function more than muscle mass may be coupled with vascular health.
Unplanned 30-day readmission in patients with diabetic foot wounds treated in a multidisciplinary setting

Abstract Objective Readmission rates are known to be high for vascular surgery patients in general, but there are limited data describing the risk of surgical and nonsurgical readmission among patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Our aim was to identify factors associated with unplanned readmission in DFU patients treated in a multidisciplinary setting. Methods We studied a single-center cohort of patients enrolled in a multidisciplinary diabetic foot service (July 2012-June 2017). Readmissions were stratified by planned vs unplanned and related vs unrelated to the wound and vascular status. Predictors of unplanned 30-day readmission were examined with univariable and multivariable logistic regression models including all covariates with P ≤ .10. Results There were 460 admissions in 206 patients during the study period, including 99 total readmissions (21.5%). Readmissions were categorized as planned (n = 18 [18.2%]) or unplanned (n = 81 [81.8%]) and as related (n = 67 [67.7%]) or unrelated (n = 32 [32.3%]) to the wound and vascular status. The most frequent reasons for unplanned 30-day readmission were deterioration of the foot wound (41%), vascular complications (15%), gastrointestinal complications (10%), cardiac complications (8%), and acute kidney injury (8%). The average length of stay for the initial admission was 9.0 ± 7.1 days, whereas the average unplanned readmission length of stay was 8.6 ± 9.1 days ( P = .38). On univariable analysis, hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 2.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-6.59), peripheral arterial disease (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.09-2.99), and exposure to an open vascular operation (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.34-5.17) were associated with a higher risk of 30-day unplanned readmission ( P ≤ .02). Private, military, or self-pay insurance was protective (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.28-0.97). Wound duration, location, and Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) classification were not associated with readmission ( P ≥ .22). After risk adjustment, only hypertension (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.19-6.59) and current smoking (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.02-3.73) were independently associated with 30-day unplanned readmission, but the predictive accuracy of the model was weak (C statistic = 0.69). Conclusions We found a 17% unplanned 30-day readmission rate in this prospective cohort of DFU patients enrolled in a multidisciplinary diabetic foot service. Only current smoking and hypertension were independent predictors of readmission after risk adjustment. These findings suggest that implementation of a smoking cessation program may be beneficial to reduce unplanned readmissions in DFU patients. They also highlight the complexity involved in achieving comprehensive DFU care and the unpredictability of readmissions in this unique population of patients.
Equine Respiratory Pharmacology

Differentiation of diseases of the equine respiratory tract is based on history, clinical signs, auscultation, endoscopy, imaging, and sampling of airway exudate. Upper respiratory therapies include surgical correction of airway obstructions; flushing of localized abscesses (strangles), guttural pouch disease, or sinusitis; and oral or parenteral antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy if deemed necessary Pneumonia usually is treated with antimicrobials, anti-inflammatories, and bronchodilators. Pleural drainage is indicated if significant pleural effusion is present. The most commonly used therapies for early inflammatory and chronic allergic obstructive conditions include bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories. Acute respiratory distress, particulary acute pulmonary edema, is treated with diuretics (usually furosemide), intranasal oxygen, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and alleviation of the underlying cause. Furosemide also had been used in North America as a race-day preventative for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), but recent data have shown that furosemide may be a performance-enhancing agent itself.
The Impact of Material Requirements Planning and Distribution Requirements Planning on Materials Management

Material requirements planning (MRP) and distribution requirements planning (DRP) have been two of the most significant developments in production control and materials management for the past several decades. Other scheduling and control concepts and methods now being developed are based on these systems.
Stimulation of Reca Protein Dependent Strand Assimilation and DNA Complex Formation by Single-Stranded DNA Binding Proteins

RecA protein promotes the homology dependent hybridization of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with linear or circular duplex DNA (dsDNA) [strand-assimilatin]. Single-stranded DNA binding protein of E. coli (SSB) or the gene 32 protein of bacteriophage T4 stimulates the rate and extent of strand assimilation by a mechanism that does not appear to involve a recA protein. SSB complex. Furthermore, SSB stimulates pairing of circular ssDNA with RFII DNA indicating that free ends on the ssDNA partner are not necessary for SSB action. SSB also stimulates formation of recA protein-DNA complexes under conditions where it enhances strand assimilation, suggesting that these complexes are intermediates in the assimilation reaction. Finally, the recA629 mutant protein, which is cold labile for ssDNA annealing, promotes complex formation at 37°C, but not at 30°C, indicating that the mechanisms of strand pairing in assimilation and ssDNA annealing are closely related.
Mount St. Helens, Washington, USA

May 18, 1980. Sunrise and a crystal-clear morning. Mount St. Helens was a beautiful, peaceful, snow-capped mountain surrounded by pristine forests and lakes(Fig. 15.1). Yes, it was known to be spitting ash and shaking, but it was still fundamentally the same Mount St. Helens that had for decades been a favorite camping and fishing destination of local residents. At 8:32 a.m. Mount St. Helens turned ugly, unleashing a mind-boggling landslide that left a huge crater where the peak had been and a thick jumble of rock with an average thickness of 150-feet (45.7 m) filling the lush valley that once led to much-beloved Spirit Lake.
Amniocentesis: indications and risks.

Learn the risks and benefits associated with amniocentesis and the about the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology's current recommendation that the genetic test be offered to all pregnant women. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Medicine and Humanity

Science is becoming increasingly more complicated as our understanding of the world increases. While the practice of science continues to yield new technology and information, its findings are not the only thing that matters. Science struggles to explain why certain human experiences and connections are powerful, but the value of their occurrence cannot be dismissed. Sometimes, it takes a challenging personal situation to pull those who fixate on the answers science provides back to the world we share, back to the humanity which is central to our being.
Consumer Health Information Technology in the Prevention of Substance Abuse: Scoping Review.

Background: Addiction is one of the most rapidly growing epidemics that currently plagues nations around the world. In the United States, it has cost the government more than US $700 billion a year in terms of health care and other associated costs and is also associated with serious social, physical, and mental consequences. Increasing efforts have been made to tackle this issue at different levels, from primary prevention to rehabilitation across the globe. With the use of digital technology rapidly increasing, an effort to leverage the consumer health information technologies (CHITs) to combat the rising substance abuse epidemic has been underway. CHITs are identified as patient-focused technological platforms aimed to improve patient engagement in health care and aid them in navigating the complex health care system. Objective: This review aimed to provide a holistic and overarching view of the breadth of research on primary prevention of substance abuse using CHIT conducted over nearly past five decades. It also aimed to map out the changing landscape of CHIT over this period. Methods: We conducted a scoping review using the Arksey and O’Malley’s modified methodological framework. We searched 4 electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and EMBASE). Papers were included if the studies addressed the use of CHIT for primary prevention of substance abuse and were published in English between 1809 and 2018. Studies that did not focus solely on primary prevention or assessed additional comorbid conditions were eliminated. Results: Forty-two papers that met our inclusion criteria were included in the review. These studies were published between 1970 and 2018 and were not restricted by geography, age, race, or sex. The review mapped studies using the most commonly used CHIT platforms for substance abuse prevention from mass media in the 1970s to mobile and social media in 2018. Moreover, 191 studies that were exclusively focused on alcohol prevention were excluded and will be addressed in a separate paper. The studies included had diverse research designs although the majority were randomized controlled trials (RCT) or review papers. Many of the RCTs used interventions based on different behavioral theories such as family interactions, social cognitive theories, and harm-minimization framework. Conclusions: This review found CHIT platforms to be efficacious and cost-effective in the real-world settings. We also observed a gradual shift in the types and use of CHIT platforms over the past few decades and mapped out their progression. In addition, the review detected a shift in consumer preferences and behaviors from face-to-face interactions to technology-based platforms. However, the studies included in this review only focused on the aspect of primary prevention. Future reviews could assess the effectiveness of platforms for secondary prevention and for prevention of substance abuse among comorbid populations.
Bone remodeling following MR-guided focused ultrasound: Evaluation with HR-pQCT and FTIR.

Abstract Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a novel non-invasive ablation technique that uses focused sound energy to destroy focal tumors, primarily via heat deposition. It is widely used for palliation of pain from bone metastases and has also recently gained popularity as a technique for ablation of benign bone tumors and facet degenerative joint disease (rhizotomy). Clinically, in a subset of patients who have undergone MRgFUS of bone, a variety of treatment responses have been noted on follow-up imaging, including focal sclerosis within the target lesion or more exuberant proliferative changes associated with the periosteum. In this study, high resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT) was used to evaluate remodeling of bone following ablation in a swine model of MRgFUS and compared to samples from a control, non-treated femur. Within each treated femur, two lesions were created: a higher energy focused ultrasound dose was used for one lesion compared to a lower energy dose for the second lesion. Exuberant, extra-cortical bone formation was detected at the higher energy ablation zones, with volumes ranging from 340 mm3 to 1040 mm3. More subtle endosteal and cortical changes were detected in the lower energy ablation zones, however cortical thickness was significantly increased at these sites compared to control bone. For both high and low energy lesions, lower bone mineral density and tissue mineral density was noted in treated regions compared to control regions, consistent with the formation of newly mineralized tissue. Following HR-pQCT analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was subsequently used to detect biochemical changes associated with remodeling of bone following MRgFUS, and compared to samples from the control, non-treated femur. Findings were compared with histopathologic examination following hematoxylin-eosin staining. FTIR analysis demonstrated lower mineral/phosphate ratio and increased crystallinity compared to the control samples (p = 0.013). Histopathologic review demonstrated associated areas of endosteal inflammation, scarring, fat necrosis, and new extra-cortical bone formation associated with the ablations. Overall, these findings provide novel characterization of new bone formation following MRgFUS ablation.
Improved Prediction of Periodicity Using Quartet Approximation in a Lattice Model of Intracellular Calcium Release.

This study uses a probabilistic cellular automata (PCA) to model the spatial lattice arrangement of calcium release units (CRUs) within cardiac myocytes. The CRUs are subject to random activation, nearest-neighbor recruitment, and temporal refractoriness, and their interactions produce a physiologically-important condition called calcium alternans, a beat-to-beat oscillation in the amount of calcium released. In the PCA this manifests as a transition to period-2 behavior in the fraction of activated lattice sites. We investigate this phenomenon using PCA simulations and moment-closure approximation methods of zero order (mean-field), first order (pair), and second order (quartet). We show that only the quartet approximation (QA) accurately predicts the thresholds of the activation and recruitment probabilities for the onset of periodic behavior (alternans), as the lower-order approximations do not sufficiently account for important spatial correlations. The QA also accurately predicts the emergence of spatio-temporal clustering in the PCA, providing an analytical framework for investigating pattern formation dynamics in such models. Our analysis demonstrates a systematic approach to efficiently handling the increased combinatorial complexity of the QA, whose required computation time is nontrivially larger compared to the mean-field approximation but remains an order of magnitude lower than the numerical PCA simulations.
Influence of the atmosphere on the decomposition of vegetable oils: study of the profiles of FTIR spectra and evolution of gaseous products

The thermal stability of vegetable oils may be one of important properties in their use in the food industry, cosmetics and agro-industry, especially for high-temperature applications and there are several methods available to evaluate its thermal stability. In order to investigate the thermal behavior of vegetable oils extracted from seeds of Bixa orellana L., of Caryodendron orinocense K., of Moringa oleifera L., of Chenopodium quinoa W., of Coffea robusta L., of Syzygium cumini and oil extracted from leaves and flowers of M. oleifera L., the following analyzes were performed: FTIR, thermogravimetric study and analysis of gases evolved in thermal decomposition. The spectra obtained through the FTIR showed that all oils have similar characteristics, changing the peak intensity between the samples, which can be used to characterize a sample lot, since the composition can vary from lot to lot. It can be observed that the atmosphere of thermal decomposition influences the profiles of the TG and DTG curves. The samples when submitted to the atmosphere of synthetic air exhibited three mass losses while in atmosphere of N2 they exhibited a single stage of decomposition. The FTIR spectra of the decomposition products of the vegetable oils obtained in the atmosphere of synthetic air and nitrogen are useful data for the characterization of vegetable oils. In relation to the evolution profiles of the decomposition products, in synthetic air and nitrogen, the intensity and the profile of the temperature absorbance plot are related to the composition of each sample.
A trust relationship. A medical advisory board builds physician commitment to a healthcare facility.

Today physicians and hospitals are in competition. To ensure consistent physician input and a forum for two-way communication, St. Edward Mercy Medical Center, Fort Smith, AR, has established a medical staff board. The medical staff board was organized so physicians could formally address managers' concerns without duplicating work done by other medical staff committees (e.g., executive committee, medical staff sections, hospital committees). Membership on the 24-member board was limited to the active staff. A two-year term was established, allowing for two consecutive terms to ensure continuity. The chief of staff and chief executive officer (CEO) are ex-officio members. Some of the issues of interest to physicians include how well informed operating room personnel were on current technology and procedures, how effective the emergency department could be, having been designed almost 20 years ago, and how volume purchasing affects physician familiarity with certain products. St. Edward's medical staff board has the potential to enhance the physician-hospital relationship and to serve as an effective tool in building commitment to the medical center.
Transforming an arbitrary code for the wiretap channel of type I into a code for the wiretap channel of type II

We construct a modular scheme which extends codes for wiretap channels of type I for use in wiretap channels of type II. This is done by using a concatenate and permute strategy, wherein multiple uses of the wiretap type I code are concatenated and then the joint sequence of symbols permuted. The choice of permutation is then encoded with a short code and appended to the transmitted sequence. Analysis shows essentially no degradation in operational parameters (rate, error rate, leakage) for the new code over the wiretap type II channel when compared to those of multiple uses of the original code over the wiretap type I channel.
Abstract WMP67: Changes in Left Atrial Strain Are Associated With Embolic Appearing Ischemic Stroke

Background: Accruing evidence suggests that changes in cardiac structure and function, irrespective of tachyarrhythmia, are responsible for thrombus formation. Although transthoracic echocardiogram...
Generalized trapezoidal ogive curves for fatality rate modeling

Abstract The construction of a continuous family of distributions on a compact set is demonstrated by concatenating, in a continuous manner, three probability density functions with bounded support using a modified mixture technique. The construction technique is similar to that of generalized trapezoidal (GT) distributions, but contrary to GT distributions, the resulting density function is smooth within its bounded domain. The construction of Generalized Trapezoidal Ogive (GTO) distributions was motivated by the COVID-19 epidemic, where smoothness of an infection rate curve may be a desirable property combined with the ability to separately model three stages and their durations as the epidemic progresses, being: (1) an increasing infection rate stage, (2) an infection rate stage of some stability and (3) a decreasing infection rate stage. The resulting model allows for asymmetry of the infection rate curve opposite to, for example, the Gaussian Error Infection (GEI) rate curve utilized early on for COVID-19 epidemic projections by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). While other asymmetric distributions too allow for the modeling of asymmetry, the ability to separately model the above three stages of an epidemic’s progression is a distinct feature of the model proposed. The latter avoids unrealistic projections of an epidemic’s right-tail in the absence of right tail data, which is an artifact of any fatality rate model where a left-tail fit determines its right-tail behavior.
Longitudinal Analysis of the Contribution of 3D Patella and Trochlear Bone Shape on Patellofemoral Joint Osteoarthritic Features

To explore bone shape features that are associated with patellofemoral joint (PFJ) osteoarthritic features. Thirty subjects with PFJ degeneration (6 males, 53.2 ± 9.8 years) and 23 controls (12 males, 48.1 ± 10.6 years) were included. Magnetic resonance (MR) assessment was performed to provide bone segmentation, morpholgocial grading, and cartilage relaxation times. Additionally, subject self-reported symptoms were reported. Logistic regressions were used to identify the shape features that were associated with the presence and worsening of PFJ morphological lesions over 3 years, and worsening of self-reported symptoms. Statistical parametric mapping was used to evaluate the associations between shape features and cartilage relaxation times at 3 years. Results indicated that subjects with PFJ degeneration exhibited a trochlea with longer lateral condyle and shallower trochlear groove (adjusted OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.86; p = 0.025). Subjects with worsening of PFJ degeneration exhibited a patella with equally distributed facets (adjusted OR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.05, 9.37; p = 0.040) and lateral bump (adjusted OR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.83; p = 0.030). No shape features were associated with worsening of self-reported symptoms. Elevated T1ρ and T2 times at 3 years were associated with a patella with a lateral hook, equally distributed facets, round and thick as well as a trochlea larger in size (R = 0.38~0.46, p = 0.015~0.025). The study demonstrated the ability of 3D statistical shape modeling to quantify patella and trochlear bone shape features that are associated with the presence and progression of PFJ osteoarthritic features. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Production of common carp donor-derived offspring from goldfish surrogate broodstock

Abstract Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is the fourth most-produced species in worldwide aquaculture. Significant efforts are invested in breeding and preservation of genetic integrity of this important species. However, maintaining a carp gene bank in situ can be demanding due to the large body size of the fish. Moreover, ex situ gene banking in common carp is as in other fish species limited to sperm cryopreservation. Recent progress in reproductive biotechnology in fishes has allowed the transfer of germ stem cells (gamete precursors) between individuals or even species. After maturation, the recipients are producing gametes of the donor. Surrogacy can serve as a valuable tool in germplasm banking to recover cryopreserved germ stem cells. Some unfavourable characteristics of the donor species such as long maturation time or large body size hampering its reproduction can be overcome by choosing a surrogate with more convenient characteristics. Efficient protocols for cryopreservation of common carp male and female germ stem cells have been recently developed in our laboratory. The next step has been to assess the potential of smaller goldfish (Carassius auratus) surrogates to produce donor-derived gametes of common carp after intraperitoneal transplantation of testicular cells. High transplantation success was achieved when 44% of the surviving goldfish produced pure donor-derived gametes of common carp at the age of 3 years giving rise to viable progeny. Donor-derived identity of the offspring was confirmed by genotyping and the production of a typical phenotype corresponding to the donor species. Reproductive performance of chimeras was similar to goldfish controls. Assessment of gamete characteristics showed that the size of donor-derived eggs is between control common carp and goldfish eggs. Interestingly, flagellum length in donor-derived spermatozoa was comparable to the common carp flagellum and significantly shorter than goldfish flagellum. Genotyping of the Y chromosome locus in chimeric goldfish provided a novel insight on the fate of transplanted cells, where only genotypic females were capable of producing eggs, while both genotypic males and females were capable of producing sperm. The present technology can be combined with cryopreservation procedures to ease needs for common carp breeds preservation and their recovery using many times smaller goldfish surrogates but also serve as a convenient model to study interspecific surrogacy in cyprinids.
DNN Classification Model-based Speech Enhancement Using Mask Selection Technique

This paper presents a speech enhancement algorithm using a DNN classification model combined with noise classification-based ensemble. Although various single-channel speech enhancement algorithms based on deep learning have been recently developed, since it is optimized for reducing the mean square error, it can not accurately estimate the actual target values in a regression task, resulting in muffled enhanced speech. Therefore, this paper proposes the DNN classification-based single-channel speech enhancement algorithm to overcome disadvantages of the existing DNN regression-based speech enhancement algorithms. To replace the DNN regression task into the classification task, gain mask templates are predefined using k-means clustering among the gain masks. The input feature vector extracted from the microphone input signal is fed into the DNN’s input and then an optimal gain mask is selected from the gain mask templates. Furthermore, we define the gain mask templates for each noise environment using the DNN-based noise classification to cover various noise environments and use an ensemble structure based on a probability of the noise classification stage.
Lateral Vibration Suppression of a Disturbed Mining Cable Elevator with Flexible Guideways

In an ultra-deep mining cable elevator, the guideway consists of several tensioned cables from the surface to thousands of meters underground. The interaction dynamics between the cage and the flexible guideway is approximate as a spring-damping system, and the cage is subject to external disturbances. Lateral vibration suppression of the mining cable elevator is addressed in this paper, where an adaptive output-feedback boundary controller is designed for coupled hyperbolic PDEs with spatially-varying coefficients and on a time-varying domain, of which the uncontrolled boundary is coupled by an ODE subject to uncertain disturbances. The asymptotic convergence to zero of the ODE state and the boundedness of the PDE states are proved via Lyapunov analysis. The performance of the proposed controller on lateral vibration suppression of a mining cable elevator is verified in the numerical simulation.
Coming untied? Narrative accounts of social network dynamics from first‐time mental health clients

Existing research demonstrates a relationship between mental illness and social network attrition over time - a pattern attributed to dysfunctional psychosocial and interpersonal processes and rejection. Yet, according to the social network perspective, personal network dynamics naturally accompany important biographical transitions or events, suggesting that our current understanding of mechanisms underlying network instability in mental illness may be incomplete. This research uses data from the Indianapolis Network Mental Health Study, a longitudinal study of social network dynamics spanning five years. It focuses on in-depth interviews with 135 individuals making their first major contact with the mental health treatment system. First, levels of tie attrition and replacement in the core discussion networks of individuals with mental illness are compared to a sample with no self-reported history of mental illness. Second, using open-ended responses describing why specific individuals mentioned in previous waves were not listed again, respondents' explanations of attrition are analysed qualitatively. In addition to providing support for existing perspectives, the themes suggest a need to also consider: (i) interaction strategies that maximise the supportiveness of social networks and minimise burden and (ii) changing life circumstances external to social networks that influence opportunities for social interaction.
Hand-Held Dynamometry: A Practicable Alternative for Obtaining Objective Measures of Muscle Strength

Hand-held dynamometry is a portable and objective alternative for measuring muscle strength. This paper reviews issues relevant to instrumentation and procedures. Thereafter it summarizes information on the clinimetric properties of hand-held dynamometry. Normative values are briefly addressed.
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELD CHANGES AND THE MAGNETOTAIL

The latest topical review (Burch, 1974) of magnetospheric effects directly related to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) described several observed associations between IMF changes and variations within the geomagnetic tail. The most firmly established among these was the good correlation between increases in the magnetic field intensity inside the tail lobes and intervals of southward-oriented IMF.
Plain Orifice Spray Nozzles

Plain orifice, or “pressure atomizers” are the most commonly used atomizers due primarily to their simplicity and ease of manufacture. This chapter provides background on the characteristics of these devices in terms of spray production and general behavior. Classical linear theories are reviewed to provide a basis for theoretical droplet size predictions. More recent developments assessing the unsteadiness within these devices, and its role in spray production, is also provided in subsequent discussion. The chapter closes with modern nonlinear simulations of spray production using modern numerical techniques.
Teacher Salaries and Teacher Attrition.

Abstract This paper examines teacher labor mobility within and out of the teaching profession. Previous studies of teacher mobility treat attrition as a binary choice where inter-district transfers are grouped with stayers or exits. Either case ignores the possibility that transfer attrition may be influenced by different factors than exit attrition. Using data for new teachers in Wisconsin, I estimate separate hazard rates for transfers and exits. Transfers are found to respond most strongly when district salaries are increased relative to nearby districts. Salary increases for more experienced teachers may also reduce exit attrition among newer female teachers. Simulations suggest that fairly large salary increases are needed to reduce attrition out of Milwaukee down to the levels experienced by the average Wisconsin district.
Resistance of proteinuric rats to furosemide: urinary drug protein binding as a determinant of drug effect.

Abstract The effect of drug binding to urinary proteins on the diuretic response to furosemide was assessed in normal and nephrotic rats. Nephrosis was induced by treating Sprague-Dawley rats with puromycin aminonucleoside. Binding of furosemide to urinary proteins was found to range from 60 to 95% depending on the concentration of urinary protein. The diuretic response to furosemide reaching the renal tubular lumen was inversely correlated with the degree of proteinuria, a finding that was independent of serum protein concentration of glomerular filtration rate. These data suggest that the binding of furosemide to urinary protein decreases the diuretic effect of furosemide and that drug-protein interactions of this type may also be important in modulating the activity of other lumenally-active drugs or endogenous substances exhibiting a high degree of protein binding. The binding of furosemide to urinary protein may explain the refractoriness of some patients with proteinuria to this agent.
Structure-based virtual screening for drug discovery: a problem-centric review.

Structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) has been widely applied in early-stage drug discovery. From a problem-centric perspective, we reviewed the recent advances and applications in SBVS with a special focus on docking-based virtual screening. We emphasized the researchers’ practical efforts in real projects by understanding the ligand-target binding interactions as a premise. We also highlighted the recent progress in developing target-biased scoring functions by optimizing current generic scoring functions toward certain target classes, as well as in developing novel ones by means of machine learning techniques.
Cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol stimulates phospholipid synthesis and CTP-phosphocholine cytidyltransferase in cultured LLC-PK cells

Abstract The present study was conducted to examine the effect, if any, of triol on the rate of total or individual phospholipid synthesis by LLC-PK cells in culture. LLC-PK cells were incubated in medium with or without 10 μg/ml of 5α-cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol (triol) for 24 h. Triol-treated and control cells were then incubated with medium containing either [14C]glycerol or [32P]phosphate for 1, 6 or 12 hr. In triol-treated cells, the amount of labeled glycerol and [32P]phosphate incorporated into glycerophospholipids and phospholipids (PL), respectively, were higher in triol-treated cells than in control cells, indicating a higher rate of PL synthesis in triol-treated cells. The results also showed that the increase in PL synthesis was higher in magnitude for some PL than others, thus disturbing the ratios among the PL fractions in the cell membrane. CTP-phosphocholine cytidyltransferase activity was greatly enhanced in the cytosolic as well as the particulate fractions of the triol-treated cells, which explains the increase of PC synthesis under triol effect. The rate of [3H]acetate incorporation into the total and free fatty acid fractions was significantly increased in triol-treated cells. The activation of the cytidyl transferase enzyme was related to the enhanced de novo synthesis and cellular uptake of fatty acids in triol-treated cells, which make fatty acids more available in these cells and can upregulate the enzyme. The increased synthesis of phospholipids in the triol cells and the increased level of phopholipid in these cells (as μg lipid phosphorus/mg cell protein) observed in our previous study indicate changes in the phospholipid head group composition of the triol cells. These changes can affect several membrane properties and membrane bound enzymes.
Slowly progressive aphasia without generalized dementia

Six right-handed patients experienced a slowly progressing aphasic disorder without the additional intellectual and behavioral disturbances of dementia. The symptoms almost universally started in the presenium. The initial difficulty was an anomic aphasia in five of the patients and pure word deafness in the sixth. Continuous and gradual deterioration occurred in the five patients who presented with an anomic aphasia. They eventually experienced additional impairment of reading, writing, and comprehension. In four patients, other areas of comportment were not involved within the 5 to 11 years of follow-up. A more generalized state of dementia may have emerged in the other two patients, but only after 7 years of progressive and debilitating aphasia. Neurodiagnostic procedures were consistent with preferential involvement of the left perisylvian region. In one patient, cortical biopsy did not show any pathognomonic change; specifically, no neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid plaques, neuronal inclusions, or gliosis were seen. This condition may constitute a syndrome of relatively focal cerebral degeneration with a predilection for the left perisylvian region.