cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of silicon photomultipliers for use in preclinical tomographs with BGO arrays

To date most examinations of silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) for use in positron emission tomography have involved studies of arrays or single crystals of Lutetium based scintillators. In this work, we describe measurements bearing on the suitability of SiPMs for use with arrays of pixelated BGO scintillators in preclinical tomographs. Most preclinical scanners rely on photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) coupled to scintillators through a light guide to provide spreading of light over a number of sensor pixels. Because SiPMs have similar gains to PMTs and similar or higher photon detection probability, they could prove an attractive, compact alternative to PMTs for use in preclinical scanners. However, because of the relatively high noise of SiPMs compared to PMTs, combined with the low light output and long decay time of BGO, whether SiPMs can provide an adequate alternative for PMTs in such scanners is an open question. We have examined three commercially available SiPM arrays coupled to a BGO scintillator array. These SiPM sensors are: the Philips digital photon counting SiPM (PDPC), the SensL Matrix9 SiPM array and the Hamamatsu S11828 16 channel Multipixel Photon Counter (MPPC). In particular, we examined the triggering and noise of these devices with respect to the energy and spatial resolution obtained with the BGO array. While we were able to identify the crystals in the BGO array with each sensor, the high noise of these devices when operating at room temperature has a large impact on the energy and spatial resolution. Our results indicate better spatial and energy resolution were obtained with the digital SiPM, which allows suppression of noisy microcells.
Quantitative analyses of enhanced thermoelectric properties of modulation-doped PEDOT:PSS/undoped Si (001) nanoscale heterostructures

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has high electrical conductivity (∼103 S cm−1) but it exhibits a low Seebeck coefficient (<15 μV K−1), resulting in a low power factor. Mixing PEDOT:PSS with nanostructured semiconductors can enhance the Seebeck coefficient and achieve an improved thermoelectric power factor. However, underlying mechanisms for those composite thermoelectric systems are scarcely understood so far. In this study, quantitative analyses on the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient for the heterostructures of nanometer-thick PEDOT:PSS on single-crystal Si (001) on sapphire (SOS) are reported. The heterostructures have larger Seebeck coefficients up to 7.3 fold and power factors up to 17.5 fold relative to PEDOT:PSS. The electrical conductivity increased with decreasing combined thicknesses of PEDOT:PSS and Si, and the Seebeck coefficient increased with decreasing PEDOT:PSS thickness, which can be attributed to modulation doping caused by diffusion of holes from PEDOT:PSS into undoped Si. This hypothesis is supported by simulation per band alignment. The valence band offset between Si and PEDOT:PSS dominantly controls the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of the heterostructures. This study not only suggests mechanistic insights to increase the power factors of PEDOT:PSS-based composites but also opens the door for new strategies to enhance the thermoelectric efficiencies of heterostructured nanocomposite materials.
Connective Tissue Growth Factor Induces Anti-Apoptotic Factors in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a progressive hematopoietic malignancy where expression of the oncogenic fusion protein BCR-ABL1 in leukemia stem cells (LSCs) prevents the proper differentiation of myeloid progenitor populations, leading to accumulation of undifferentiated blasts. Current treatments target BCR-ABL1 with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Though effective if administered continuously, TKIs generally fail to eradicate the bone marrow niche-residing LSCs responsible for patient relapse or progression of CML to its terminal stage, Blast Crisis (BC), as evidenced by the high molecular relapse rate following TKI discontinuation. Previous studies performed by ourselves and others show that BC progenitors (CD34 + CD38 + Lin - ) exhibit stem-like behaviors, such as quiescence, self-renewal, and induction of pro-survival gene expression through alternative splicing of BCL2 family members, and thus behave like LSCs. Notably, BC CML LSCs co-cultured on LSC (SL/M2) supportive stroma are resistant to TKIs compared to culturing the cells alone, indicating a role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in promoting LSC survival. We performed RNA-seq and qRT-PCR of CD34 + CD38 + Lin - progenitor cells in CML patient samples and found a significant increase in CTGF (Connective Tissue Growth Factor) expression in BC CML versus chronic phase (CP). Interestingly, CTGF is an ECM protein that enhances cell adhesion and has been shown to predict therapeutic resistance in cancers, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Lentiviral overexpression of CTGF in a CML cell line K562 and CD34 + CP CML patient samples caused proliferation and a decrease in apoptosis markers (cleaved caspase-3), as measured by FACS analysis. Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis of mRNA indicated an increase in pro-survival BCL2 family gene expression. These changes were not observed in normal CD34 + cord blood cells. Currently, lentiviral CTGF transduction of CP CML followed by transplantation into RAG2 -/- gc -/- and NSG-S mice will be used to determine the effects of CTGF on LSC maintenance in vivo . In conclusion, CTGF promotes CML LSC survival in vitro and thus could be a key factor in BC transformation and TKI resistance. Disclosures Jamieson: J&J, Roche: Research Funding.
Kinematic evaluation of cervical sagittal balance and thoracic inlet alignment in degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis using kinematic magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract Background Context T1 slope is a novel thoracic parameter used to assess cervical spine sagittal balance. Thoracic index (TI) parameters including T1 slope and cervical sagittal alignment parameters may play an important role in degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis (DCS). Current literature regarding the relationship between TI and cervical sagittal alignment parameters in patients with DCS is limited. Purpose (1) To evaluate the T1 slope, cervical sagittal alignment, and thoracic inlet parameter in patients with DCS using kinematic magnetic resonance imaging (kMRI), and (2) to find a correlation between the T1 slope, TI, and other cervical sagittal parameters in patients with DCS. Design/Setting Retrospective kMRI study, Level III. Patient Sample Fifty-two patients with DCS from 1,128 patients from a cervical kMRI database. Outcome Measures T1 slope, C2–C7 angle, sagittal vertical axis C2–C7 (SVA C2–C7), cranial tilt, cervical tilt, neck tilt, and thoracic inlet angle (TIA). Methods Cervical spine kMRIs of 52 patients with DCS (mean age 51.7±standard deviation) were analyzed in neutral, flexion, and extension positions. Patients with DCS were divided into two groups: anterolisthesis (N=33) and retrolisthesis (N=19). Each listhesis group was subclassified into grade 1 (slip 2–3 mm) and grade 2 (slip>3 mm). Results Grade 2 retrolisthesis had the largest T1 slope followed by grade 1 retrolisthesis, grade 2 anterolisthesis, and grade 1 anterolisthesis. Significant differences were found between the anterolisthesis and the retrolisthesis groups in the neutral position (p=.025). The flexion position had the largest T1 slope and showed a significant difference with anterolisthesis in the neutral position (p=.041). Sagittal vertical axis C2–C7 showed strong correlation with cranial tilt in all DCS groups and all positions. Conclusions In our study, T1 slope was larger in grade 2 DCS, and the retrolisthesis group had larger T1 slope than the anterolisthesis group. Presence of larger T1 slope was significantly correlated with larger cervical lordosis curvature. Furthermore, cranial tilt was strongly correlated with SVA C2–C7.
A New Method to Predict Ion Effects in RNA Folding

The strong interaction between metal ions in solution and highly charged RNA molecules is critical for RNA structure formation and stabilization. Metal ions binding to RNA can induce RNA structural changes that are important for RNA cellular functions. Therefore, quantitative modeling of the ion effects is essential for RNA structure prediction and RNA-based molecular design. Recently, inspired by the increasing experimental evidence that supports the importance of ion correlation and fluctuation in ion-RNA interactions, we developed a new computational model, Monte Carlo Tightly Bound Ion (MCTBI) model. The validity of the model is shown by the improved accuracy in the predictions for ion binding properties and ion-dependent free energies for RNA structures. In this chapter, using homodimeric tetraloop-receptor docking as an illustrative example, we showcase the MCTBI method for the computational prediction of the ion effects in RNA folding.
A Brief Overview of the State-of-the-Practice and Current Challenges of Solution Verification

The main goal of solution verification is to assess the convergence of numerical predictions as a function of discretization variables such as element size Δx or time step Δt. The challenge is to verify that the approximate solutions of the discretized conservation laws or equations-of-motion converge to the solution of the continuous equations. In the case of code verification where the continuous solution of a test problem is known, common practice is to obtain several discrete solutions from successively refined meshes or grids; calculate norms of the solution error; and verify the rate with which discrete solutions converge to the continuous solution. With solution verification, where the continuous solution is unknown, common practice is to obtain several discrete solutions from successively refined meshes or grids; extrapolate an estimate of the continuous solution; verify the rate-of-convergence; and estimate numerical uncertainty bounds. The formalism proposed to verify the convergence of discrete solutions derives from postulating how truncation error behaves in the asymptotic regime of convergence. This publication summarizes the state-of-the-practice but also challenges some of the commonly accepted views of verification. Examples are given from the disciplines of computational hydro-dynamics that involve the calculation of smooth or discontinuous solutions of non-linear, hyperbolic equations such as the 1D Burgers equation; and engineering mechanics that involve the calculation of smooth solutions of linear or non-linear, elliptic equations. A non-exhaustive list of topics that warrant further research includes: extending the state-of-the-practice to non-scalar quantities (curves, multiple-dimensional fields); studying the coupling between space and time discretizations; defining a reference mesh for the estimation of solution error; and developing technology to verify adaptive mesh refinement calculations in computational engineering and physics. (Approved for unlimited, public release, LA-UR-06-8078, Unclassified.)
Waiting for a sales renaissance in the fourth industrial revolution: Machine learning and artificial intelligence in sales research and practice

Abstract Experts have suggested that the next few decades will herald the fourth industrial revolution. The fourth industrial revolution will be powered by digitization, information and communications technology, machine learning, robotics and artificial intelligence; and will shift more decision-making from humans to machines. The ensuing societal changes will have a profound impact on both personal selling and sales management research and practices. In this article, we focus on machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) and their impact on personal selling and sales management. We examine that impact on a small area of sales practice and research based on the seven steps of the selling process. Implications for theory and practice are derived.
Going electric: Incorporating marine electromagnetism into ocean assimilation models

Having a clear multi-dimensional picture of Earth's oceans is crucial for understanding ocean processes and how they are evolving with climate change. Ocean knowledge is currently limited by relying on in situ data. A possible source of remote data is using the electromagnetic fields produced by the ocean and detected by geomagnetic satellites. Marine electromagnetic signals largely depend on three factors: oceanic transport, the local main magnetic field, and the electrical conductivity produced by the local salinity and temperature. Thus, how can marine electromagnetic signals be utilized to enhance the multi-dimensional picture of Earth's ocean circulation and state?
Model-guided design of high-performance membrane distillation modules for water desalination

Abstract The significance of geometrical and physical parameters of hollow fiber membrane modules in the membrane distillation process has not been fully evaluated. In this study, we develop a three-dimensional multi-physics model of a hollow fiber membrane module in order to investigate the effect of operating and design parameters on the module performance. The permeate flux and thermal efficiency of the system are considered as the characteristic parameters of the module, operated in direct contact membrane distillation mode (DCMD). The simulation results indicate that the permeate flux for the module can be enhanced by 54% when 1) the hollow fibers are in close-packed configuration, and 2) the interspacing parameter, the ratio of a fiber radius to the center-to-center distance between neighboring fibers, is adjusted properly. We identify the fiber interspacing parameter as a critical parameter for the module design. The permeate flux significantly drops when the interspacing parameter is equal to a value of 0.5, implying that the fibers are adjacent to each other. Moreover, the results indicate that, in our system, the time constant for the mass transfer process through the membrane is higher than that of heat transfer, meaning that the DCMD process for a hollow fiber membrane module under parallel flow condition is a mass transfer limited process.
Cellular 3G Broadband and WiFi

This chapter focuses on a potentially important emerging telecommunications market, cellular 3G broadband and WiFi. This study also concerns competition, and the role of both business and the Government. This topic is particularly interesting, because through to 2000 the industry remained buoyant with stock prices appreciating. Until then, telecommunications companies had invested in new technology, wireless spectrum licenses and acquisitions at an extremely high rate. From the enactment of the US Telecommunications Act of 1996, through 2000, the telecommunications industry raised approximately US$ 1.3 trillion in new equity capital from Wall Street. An even greater debt accumulated. According to the Wall Street Journal, telecommunications firms borrowed about US$ 1.5 trillion in debt from banks, and issued US$ 630 billion in corporate bonds from 1996 through 2001. By 1999–2000, new telecommunications-related equipment accounted for 12% to 15% of capital investment among the Standard & Poor 500 firms. As this equipment was being installed demand for new telecommunications services grew at up to 100% per quarter. Demand for additional services continues to grow, but at a tenth of that rate. Much of this optimism, and related aggressive investment activity, was based on the premise that high demand for broadband access to voice, video and data would provide room for many competitors backed by their infrastructure. Financial markets eventually realized the true state of the industry. About US$ 2 trillion of telecommunications industry value was lost through plummeting stock values and defunct corporate bonds. Of course, now things are in the basement, the important question is, where to next?
Effects Of Freeze-Thaw Cycling On Soil Erosion

Landscapes evolve as a result of the interactions of topography, climate, hydrology, vegetation conditions, rock-weathering processes, soil conditions, sediment transport and deposition processes, and land use. An integral part of understanding and modeling that evolution must be a knowledge of the spatial and temporal dynamics in soil erodibility and runoff erosivity and how these dynamics affect the mechanics of soil erosion.
Einsatz von CRM am Beispiel eines City Carriers in der Telekommunikationsbranche

Peters und Watermann1 benennen insgesamt acht Merkmale, die ein erfolgreiches Unternehmen ausmachen: 1. Primat des Handelns 2. Nahe zum Kunden 3. Freiraum fur Unternehmertum 4. Produktivitat durch Menschen 5. Sichtbar gelebtes Wertesystem 6. Bindung an das angestammte Geschaft 7. Einfacher, flexibler Aufbau 8. Straff-lockere Fuhrung
Optimal Marginal Tax Rates -- A Solution to Wealth Disparity

Optimal Marginal Tax rates may be used to lower the potential for wealth disparity and increase productivity at the same time. The author reviews the correlation of the optimal marginal tax rates by historical data.
Criminal Justice Debt During the Prisoner Reintegration Process: Who Has It and How Much?

Much recent, national attention has centered on financial sanctions and associated debt burdens related to criminal justice. Scholars and practitioners alike have argued that financial debt among t...
Clinical and laboratory diagnosis of autoimmune factor V inhibitors: A single institutional experience.

Abstract Background Coagulation factor V inhibitors (FV-i) may occur in patients with congenital FV deficiency or previously hemostatically normal patients (autoimmune (AI)-FV-i). Most of the published literature is confined to case reports. Objective Describe clinical and laboratory features of AI-FV-i identified through the Special Coagulation Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Methods In this retrospective study individuals with FV-i screens performed from January 1999 to February 2017 were identified through the special coagulation laboratory database. Clinical presentation, management, and outcomes were collected for our institutional patients while detailed laboratory data was collected for all tested patients. Results Of patients with FV-i managed at our institution, 2/8 (25%) patients experienced no bleeding. There was no correlation between inhibitor titers and/or FV activity (FV:C) levels and clinical bleeding. Hemostatic management included fresh frozen plasma, platelet transfusion, activated prothrombin complex concentrates, and recombinant factor VIIa. Only 2 patients received immunomodulatory treatment. FV-i mixing studies with normal pooled plasma (n = 26) demonstrated inhibition on immediate mix but progressive inhibition after 1 h of incubation could not be demonstrated. 71% of platelet neutralization procedures were falsely positive while 59% of DRVVT assays were indeterminate. Conclusion FV-i demonstrates immediate inhibition on mixing studies; however our limited data does not support a time dependent inhibition. Our clinical cohort confirms the variable clinical phenotype for individuals with FV-i and supports the notion that management of FV-i should be guided by clinical symptoms and not FV:C or FV-i titer.
Data Visualizations to Support Health Practitioners’ Provision of Personalized Care for Patients With Cancer and Multiple Chronic Conditions: User-Centered Design Study

Background: There exists a challenge of understanding and integrating various types of data collected to support the health of individuals with multiple chronic conditions engaging in cancer care. Data visualization has the potential to address this challenge and support personalized cancer care. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the health care practitioners’ perceptions of and feedback regarding visualizations developed to support the care of individuals with multiple chronic conditions engaging in cancer care. Methods: Medical doctors (n=4) and registered nurses (n=4) providing cancer care at an academic medical center in the western United States provided feedback on visualization mock-ups. Mock-up designs were guided by current health informatics and visualization literature and the Munzner Nested Model for Visualization Design. User-centered design methods, a mock patient persona, and a scenario were used to elicit insights from participants. Directed content analysis was used to identify themes from session transcripts. Means and SDs were calculated for health care practitioners’ rankings of overview visualizations. Results: Themes identified were data elements, supportive elements, confusing elements, interpretation, and use of visualization. Overall, participants found the visualizations useful and with the potential to provide personalized care. Use of color, reference lines, and familiar visual presentations (calendars, line graphs) were noted as helpful in interpreting data. Conclusions: Visualizations guided by a framework and literature can support health care practitioners’ understanding of data for individuals with multiple chronic conditions engaged in cancer care. This understanding has the potential to support the provision of personalized care.
Position Sensing and High Bandwidth Data Communication Using Impact Ionization Engineered APD Arrays

Position sensing and high bandwidth data reception are functions typically performed by two separate detectors in conventional free-space optical communication systems. In this letter, we report low excess noise, impact ionization engineered InAlAs/InGaAs avalanche photodiode arrays that can perform both functions simultaneously.
Investigating the Relationship between Cytokine Release Syndrome, Graft-Versus-Host Disease, and One-Year Mortality after Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (haplo-HCT) has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional HLA-matched hematopoietic cell transplant more recently. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is an observed phenomenon that occurs as a consequence of haplo-HCT with recent data suggesting a relationship between the severity of CRS and worse clinical outcomes. As the use of haplo-HCT is increasing, the importance of studying the impact of CRS on overall survival continues to grow. We retrospectively analyzed adult patients at USC Norris Cancer Hospital (age ≥ 21) who received haplo-HCT from 2014 to 2017 and identified those who developed CRS after infusion of stem cells until D+14. Patients found to have confirmed sources of infection were not considered to have CRS. Grading of CRS severity was performed using the proposed system by Lee et al. One-year mortality and incidence of both acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were also assessed. Those who died more than one year after haplo-HCT were excluded as they likely decompensated from unrelated causes. A total of 37 adult haplo-HCT recipients were reviewed. Approximately 57% (n = 21) were male and 43% (n = 16) were female. The age range was between 21-71 years (mean = 43, median = 45), and the most common underlying hematologic disorders included ALL (37.8%), AML (32.4%), and aplastic anemia (10.8%). Of the 37 haplo-HCT recipients, 48.6% (n = 18) of patients were noted to have developed CRS with 72.2% (n = 13) of these patients developing Grade 1 symptoms. One patient developed Grade 4 CRS symptoms and died within 30 days of transplant. Among those that developed CRS symptoms, 33% (n = 6) developed acute GVHD and 27.7% (n= 5) developed chronic GVHD while 63% (n = 12) of patients not diagnosed with CRS developed GVHD. The primary end-point was the incidence of GVHD in those who developed CRS symptoms between D0 and D14 of stem cell infusion. Secondary end-points included one-year mortality based on the severity of CRS and one-year mortality in those that developed CRS symptoms at D0 of haplo-HCT compared with later in the course. Though no statistically significant associations were observed between the incidence of GVHD and CRS symptoms or between one year mortality and the severity of CRS, we did observe those who developed CRS symptoms early during the transplant course at D0 had an increased risk of one year mortality (71% of patients with CRS symptoms at D0 through D+6 died within 1 year of haplo-identical transplant vs. 29% of patients with CRS symptoms D+1 through D+6 in the transplant course p = 0.0584) with a relative risk of 3.57. Our results suggest an association between one-year mortality and development of CRS symptoms early at D0 rather than late in haplo-HCT. Further research with a larger sample size is warranted in order to better understand the relationship and to improve outcomes in haplo-HCT recipients.
Image Noise Covariance Can be Adjusted by a Noise Weighted Filtered Backprojection Algorithm

It was believed that the noise covariance of an image reconstructed with the filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithm is anisotropic. This paper shows that the noise-weighted FBP algorithm is able to alter the noise covariance and make it approximately isotropic. For the noise-weighted FBP algorithm, this paper develops a closed-form expression for the noise variance image and a closed-form expression for the noise covariance image. Computer simulations are carried out to evaluate the noise covariance with and without the noise weighting in the FBP algorithm. Transmission and emission noise models are used in computer simulations. The noise weighted FBP algorithm has a parameter that emulates the iteration number in the iterative Landweber algorithm. It is observed that the noise covariance can be altered by this emulated iteration number when noise weighting is used. The noise weighting in the noise-weighted FBP algorithm is able to change the noise covariance and a proper selection of the emulated iteration number may be able to give an approximately isotropic image noise covariance function.
Monocyte Distribution Width: A Novel Indicator of Sepsis-2 and Sepsis-3 in High-Risk Emergency Department Patients.

Objectives:Most septic patients are initially encountered in the emergency department where sepsis recognition is often delayed, in part due to the lack of effective biomarkers. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of peripheral blood monocyte distribution width alone and in combination with
An assessment of transesophageal echocardiography studies rated as rarely appropriate tests for infective endocarditis at an academic medical center

Purpose Endocardial involvement documented by echocardiography is a major criterion of the modified Duke criteria (MDC) for infective endocarditis (IE). Though transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is sensitive in the diagnosis of IE, it can be inappropriately used. Methods This retrospective study included all patients who underwent TEE due to bacteremia, fever, and/or endocarditis in a single, tertiary academic medical center in 2013. Data collected from electronic medical charts were as follows: demographics, history, physical examination, blood cultures, and transthoracic (TTE) and TEE findings. Cases were categorized based on appropriate use criteria (AUC) and MDC. An infectious disease (ID) specialist reviewed cases with rarely appropriate TEE use. Results In the 194 patients included, 147 (75.8%) were rated as appropriate, 36 (18.6%) rarely appropriate, and 11 (5.6%) uncertain. Of the 36 with rarely appropriate TEEs, using MDC 31 (86%) were rejected and 5 (14%) were possible for IE. Retrospective chart review by an ID specialist determined that 10 of these patients warranted TEE due to compelling issues, including immunosuppression or complicated infection. Conclusions In this retrospective cohort, almost one fifth of cases were rated as rarely appropriate. However, a review of these cases showed that TEE was often pursued when the clinical situation involved immunosuppression or complex infectious process. There remains room for improvement to our screening process for TEE and a need to implement a nuanced educational plan to better precisely identify appropriate cases for TEE usage.
Lessons from A-bomb survivors: Researching Hiroshima & Nagasaki survivors’ perspectives for use in U.S. social studies classrooms

Abstract As world leaders strengthen their nuclear arsenals, and fears of global nuclear proliferation increase, social studies teachers must be prepared to help learners investigate the devastating consequences on human life and property associated with their use. This manuscript presents an ethnological study of six atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Participants completed a qualitative questionnaire describing their experiences during World War II, and making recommendations to U.S. social studies teachers when teaching about the dropping of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. Data was analyzed to identify patterns and themes, and two categories emerged related to our research question. Findings suggest participants support U.S. teachers imparting global perspectives that speak directly to the destructive power of the atomic bomb and its impact on humans and the environment for years to come. This includes a movement away from using the social studies curriculum to point fingers of historic blame in the use of atomic weapons, and towards empowering learners to become agents of change in actualizing a nuclear free and peaceful world. We discuss the implications of this study’s findings in social studies and global education.
Ultrasound, Gender, and Consent: An Apparent Feminist Analysis of Medical Imaging Rhetorics

This article uses an apparent feminist approach to engage a two-part research question: First, does gender affect the frequency with which people become subjects of medical digital imaging? Second,...
Axillary access TAVR: Entrapment of a transcatheter aortic valve in the innominate artery with aortic dissection

Non-femoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is indicated when peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed. We describe the "double-stick" technique via the axillary artery. During the procedure, the pigtail coiled around the TAVR system. While retracting the TAVR sheath, the seam along system split dislodging the valve from the balloon. The valve was entrapped in the innominate artery, and an aortic dissection required surgery. With the double-stick technique, friction and resistance between the pigtail and delivery system must be avoided. Pre-procedural planning and early identification is paramount. Smaller and more seamless delivery systems may reduce risk for dissection and entrapment.
Get flipped: Using learning technologies to engage student learning: by Giovanna Follo, Cognella, Inc., San Diego, CA, 2018, 142 pp., $39.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-5165-0656-9

As a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and the unexpected and urgent shift to online teaching and learning in spring 2020, faculty are inundated with resources to adapt. Now more than ever, f...
Physicochemical properties of skim milk powder dispersions prepared with calcium-chelating sodium tripolyphosphate, trisodium citrate, and sodium hexametaphosphate

Due to health benefits of proteins, the demand for protein beverages has grown rapidly. Translucent protein drinks with neutral pH may have advantages over acidic beverages that may cause dental erosion, and skim milk powder (SMP) is an affordable protein ingredient. Dissociating casein micelles by calcium chelators is a well-known method to reduce SMP dispersion turbidity, but much is to be studied for physicochemical properties as affected by chelator type and concentration. The objective of the present study was to characterize physicochemical properties of dispersions with 5% (wt/vol) SMP after addition of 0 to 30 mM sodium tripolyphosphate, trisodium citrate, or sodium hexametaphosphate. The turbidity was decreased with increasing chelator concentration, with the lowest turbidity observed in the SMP dispersions with sodium hexametaphosphate. The smallest hydrodynamic diameter was observed at an intermediate chelator concentration, resulting from the balance of casein micelle dissociation and aggregation of dissociated caseins induced at an elevated ionic strength. Heating at 90°C for 5 min increased turbidity but lowered hydrodynamic diameter of SMP dispersions, with some exceptions. The morphology of SMP dispersions differed for each chelator and was also affected by chelator concentration and heating. Trisodium citrate was the most effective to demineralize colloidal calcium phosphate in casein micelles, but the amount of dissolved calcium was not directly correlated with the decreased turbidity, indicating different chelating mechanisms by each chelator. Analysis of serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations also suggested that the type and concentration of soluble and insoluble calcium phosphates and their partitioning in the serum and casein micelles were dynamically changed by the studied parameters to affect dispersion turbidity and structures of casein micelles. Findings from the present study may be used to formulate translucent beverages incorporating SMP and other casein micelle ingredients.
Opioid Use Disorder Trends from 2002 to 2017 by Cigarette Smoking Status in the United States.

INTRODUCTION There have been significant increases in opioid use and opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States (US). While cigarette smoking remains disproportionately high among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), it is unknown whether trends in OUD differ by cigarette use. This study examined differences in OUD by smoking status and trends in OUD by smoking status over time. METHODS Data were harnessed from US National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, annual cross-sectional, nationally representative samples of individuals aged 12 and older. Past-year OUD prevalences were estimated each year from 2002 to 2017 among persons with current daily, current nondaily, former, and never cigarette smoking (n = 891 548). Linear time trends of OUD were examined using logistic regression models. RESULTS In 2017, OUD was significantly more common among persons with daily (2.6%) and nondaily (1.5%) smoking compared with those with former (0.5%) or never (0.2%) smoking. Overall, the prevalence of OUD increased between 2002 and 2017, although trends differed by smoking status. Adjusting for background characteristics, the prevalence of OUD increased significantly among individuals with daily (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04, 1.07), nondaily (AOR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.05), and former smoking (AOR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.09), but decreased among those who never smoked (AOR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97, 0.99). CONCLUSIONS In the United States, the prevalence of OUD was higher among individuals with current cigarette smoking relative to those with former and never smoking. OUD increased among persons with current and former smoking from 2002 to 2017, in contrast to a decrease in OUD among those who never smoked. IMPLICATIONS OUDs are increasing in the United States and are associated with difficulty quitting cigarettes. Our data from representative national samples of US individuals showed that although OUD increased among those with both current and former smoking over time, OUD remained significantly higher among persons with current (daily and nondaily) smoking versus persons who formerly smoked cigarettes. In addition, youth with cigarette smoking had particularly high prevalences of OUDs. Cigarette smoking may be important to address alongside OUD to reduce the harmful consequences of OUD and cigarette use especially among younger individuals.
Coronal cooling and its signatures in the rapid aperiodic variability of Galactic black-hole candidates

The most popular models for the complex phase and time lags in the rapid aperiodic variability of Galactic X-ray binaries are based Comptonization of soft seed photons in a hot corona, where small-scale flares are induced by flares of the soft seed photon input (presumably from a cold accretion disc). However, in their original version, these models have neglected the additional cooling of the coronal plasma due to the increased soft seed photon input, and assumed a static coronal temperature structure. In this paper, our Monte-Carlo/Fokker-Planck code for time-dependent radiation transfer and electron energetics is used to simulate the self-consistent coronal response to the various flaring scenarios that have been suggested to explain phase and time lags observed in some Galactic X-ray binaries. It is found that the predictions of models involving slab-coronal geometries are drastically different from those deduced under the assumption of a static corona. However, with the inclusion of coronal cooling they may even be more successful than in their original version in explaining some of the observed phase and time lag features. The predictions of the model of inward-drifting density perturbations in an ADAF-like, two-temperature flow also differ from the static-corona case previously investigated, but may be consistent with the alternating phase lags seen in GRS 1915+105 and XTE J1550-564. Models based on flares of a cool disc around a hot, inner two-temperature flow may be ruled out for most objects where significant Fourier-frequency-dependent phase and time lags have been observed.
Service Quality, Ratings and Digital Platforms: An Analysis of a Medicine Delivery Platform Using a Quasi-Experiment

Digital platforms and firms in the sharing economy routinely invest in service- quality improvements and still grapple with service quality inconsistency. The impact of service inconsistency on platform members’ rating behavior remains un-examined. I use unique data from an online medicine delivery platform in India that relies on delivery persons for their service delivery. Exploiting idiosyncratic variation in delivery person allocation, I find that when a customer encounters a well-performing delivery person, she will give a poor rating to the delivery person in the next encounter and vice-versa. This cyclical nature can be explained by the customer’s prior expectations about the next delivery person based on her previous encounter with a delivery person. I further show that this effect is moderated by the nature of the ailment and the monetary value of the transaction.
Diaphoresis as the Prominent Manifestation of Pheochromocytoma

Abstract: Background /objective : Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor, afflicting 0.6-0.8 of 100,000 people per year. The “classic triad” of headache, diaphoresis, and tachycardia is well documented in the literature, although its clinical utility has come into question. Diaphoresis is part of the “classic triad” and occurs in less than half of patients with pheochromocytoma. There are few reports of diaphoresis as the sole symptom of pheochromocytoma. Our objective is to report a patient with diaphoresis as the only prominent manifestation of a pheochromocytoma. Case Description A 20-year-old man presented with five years of worsening diaphoresis, diffuse but predominantly the upper half of his body. No other symptoms present. Blood pressure was 138/82mmHg and heart rate was 60bpm. The physical exam was unremarkable. Thyrotoxicosis, infection, including tuberculosis, and lymphoma/leukemia were ruled out. 24-hour urine norepinephrine level was 1,002ug/24-hours (0-135ug/24hrs), plasma normetanephrine was 2,873pg/mL (0-145pg/mL) and plasma norepinephrine was 2,869pg/mL (0-874pg/mL). CT abdomen revealed a 4.0x3.1x4.3cm left adrenal mass. After preoperative preparation with doxazosin, he underwent laparoscopic left adrenalectomy. The diaphoresis resolved. Pathology confirmed a completely resected pheochromocytoma. Genetic testing for germline mutations was negative. Discussion This patient was a young adult and did not exhibit features of pheochromocytoma common to the pediatric/adolescent or adult populations. Monosymptomatic presentations are additionally sparce in the literature. Conclusion This Case reflects an atypical presentation of pheochromocytoma; a disease with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and helps to establish the need to better quantify individual symptoms of patients with this disease to better understand the entire spectrum.
Neurobiology: Novel peptide pathways impact threat discrimination.

Summary Discriminating dangerous predictive stimuli from non-threatening stimuli is vital for maintaining optimal behavioral strategies. A new study finds that novel stress-related peptide pathways to the dopaminergic midbrain play a fundamental role in threat generalization.
Storage and network bandwidth requirements through the year 2000 for the NASA Center for Computational Sciences

The data storage and retrieval demands of space and Earth sciences researchers have made the NASA Center for Computational Sciences (NCCS) Mass Data Storage and Delivery System (MDSDS) one of the world's most active Convex UniTree systems. Science researchers formed the NCCS's Computer Environments and Research Requirements Committee (CERRC) to relate their projected supercomputing and mass storage requirements through the year 2000. Using the CERRC guidelines and observations of current usage, some detailed projections of requirements for MDSDS network bandwidth and mass storage capacity and performance are presented.
A design reliability methodology for CMOS VLSI circuits

As integrated circuits become more complex, ensuring product reliability in a timely and efficient manner is becoming more challenging. Historically, the focus has been to manage reliability through robust manufacturing processes. This approach does not address reliability issues associated with IC design. 'Design-for-Reliability' (DFR) methodologies should be incorporated into chip design flow and CAD tools, to meet the submicron challenge. At Cadence Spectrum Design, a set of practical DFR tools and procedures have been developed and deployed to realistically manage product reliability throughout the design phase of a VLSI circuit. These procedures manage wear-out concerns through verifying compliance of every node with all the reliability design rules. Random failures (bottom of the bathtub curve) are addressed by analyzing the interaction between design and random process defects in order to determine a failure rate. Finally, infant mortality concerns are managed by insuring that the library is 'robust', by verifying the validity of test and/or burn-in screens.
Factors Associated With Adherence to Blood Pressure Measurement Recommendations at Pediatric Primary Care Visits, Minnesota and Colorado, 2007-2010.

INTRODUCTION Elevated blood pressure in childhood may predict increased cardiovascular risk in young adulthood. The Task Force on the Diagnosis, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood pressure in Children and Adolescents recommends that blood pressure be measured in children aged 3 years or older at all health care visits. Guidelines from both Bright Futures and the Expert Panel of Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents recommend annual blood pressure screening. Adherence to these guidelines is unknown. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess compliance with blood pressure screening recommendations in 2 integrated health care delivery systems. We analyzed electronic health records of 103,693 subjects aged 3 to 17 years. Probability of blood pressure measurement documented in the electronic health record was modeled as a function of visit type (well-child vs nonwell-child); patient age, sex, race/ethnicity, and body mass index; health care use; insurance type; and type of office practice or clinic department (family practice or pediatrics). RESULTS Blood pressure was measured at 95% of well-child visits and 69% of nonwell-child outpatient visits. After adjusting for potential confounders, the percentage of nonwell-child visits with measurements increased linearly with patient age (P < .001). Overall, the proportion of children with annual blood pressure measurements was high and increased with age. Family practice clinics were more likely to adhere to blood pressure measurement guidelines compared with pediatric clinics (P < .001). CONCLUSION These results show good compliance with recommendations for routine blood pressure measurement in children and adolescents. Findings can inform the development of EHR-based clinical decision support tools to augment blood pressure screening and recognition of prehypertension and hypertension in pediatric patients.
Evaluation of ERG as a Model of Cerebral Tissue PO2 Changes with Environmental Stress

Abstract : The amplitude and latency of the a- and b-waves of the electroretinogram (ERG) and cerebral oxygenation (PO2) were measured in the rhesus macaque as a function of hypoxic and stagnant hypoxia caused by increasing altitude (decreasing ambient PO2) and G sub z (centrifugal force induced by a centrifuge), respectively. Previous studies had shown a decrease in the amplitude of the ERG b-wave in response to anoxia or retinal ischemia. The a-wave was relatively unaffected. The present study was designed to determine the relationship between cerebral PO2 and ERG parameters under two types of hypoxic conditions. As an extension of the central nervous system (CNS), the retina may serve as a physiological correlate of cerebral tissue PO2. Good correlation of one or more ERG metrics with cerebral oxygenation would allow the use of a non-invasive technique to monitor cerebral PO2.
Cannabinoids suppress synaptic input to neurones of the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve

Cannabinoids bind central type 1 receptors (CB1R) and modify autonomic functions, including feeding and anti-emetic behaviours, when administered peripherally or into the dorsal vagal complex. Western blots and immunohistochemistry indicated the expression of CB1R in the rat dorsal vagal complex, and tissue polymerase chain reaction confirmed that CB1R message was made within the region. To identify a cellular substrate for the central autonomic effects of cannabinoids, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made in brainstem slices to determine the effects of CB1R activation on synaptic transmission to neurones of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). A subset of these neurones was identified as gastric related after being labelled retrogradely from the stomach. The CB1R agonists WIN55,212-2 and anandamide decreased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic currents in a concentration-related fashion, an effect that persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin. Paired pulse ratios of electrically evoked postsynaptic currents were also increased by WIN55,212-2. The effects of WIN55,212-2 were sensitive to the selective CB1R antagonist AM251. Cannabinoid agonist effects on synaptic input originating from neurones in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) were determined by evoking activity in the NTS with local glutamate application. Excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs arising from the NTS were attenuated by WIN55,212-2. Our results indicate that cannabinoids inhibit transfer of synaptic information to the DMV, including that arising from the NTS, in part by acting at receptors located on presynaptic terminals contacting DMV neurones. Inhibition of synaptic input to DMV neurones is likely to contribute to the suppression of visceral motor responses by cannabinoids.