cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient painless thyroiditis with hyperthyroidism: a variant of lymphocytic thyroiditis?

WITHIN the past decade and particularly within the past 5 years, an unusual form of hyperthyroidism has received increasing attention (1–22). The hyperthyroid manifestations are generally self limiting, although some cases relapse, are accompanied by chronic inflammatory changes within the thyroid parenchyma, and are marked by a very low 131I uptake. Despite the usually abrupt onset of symptoms and the diffuse lymphocytic infiltration, thyroidal pain and/or tenderness is completely absent. Because this syndrome overlaps many of the features of both lymphocytic thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis, there has been much debate about how to categorize it or whether to consider it a new disease entity. Nomenclature used by the several groups describing it includes: painless thyroiditis (7, 11, 17, 20), silent thyroiditis (3, 9, 19, 22), occult subacute thyroiditis (1), painless subacute thyroiditis (10, 14), subacute nonsuppurative thyroiditis (2), atypical (“silent”) subacute thyroiditis (16), lymphocytic thy...
Computational micro-mechanics for probabilistic failure of fiber composites in tension

The design of a composite from fiber and matrix properties requires micro-mechanics modeling of strength. The strength of a composite has an inherent variability which is a manifestation of the underlying stochastic failure processes of the constituent fiber and matrix. For fiber-dominated tensile composite failures, the failure process starts with the breaking of weak fibers. The initial failure sites are isolated by micro-redundancy provided by local load-sharing of the neighboring fibers. Higher applied load leads to progressive clustering of fiber breaks which ultimately cause macroscopic failure. Probability modeling of the failure sequences of the fiber breaks and the spatial geometry of the clustering of the sites resulted in the local load-sharing model. This model requires numerical evaluation because it contains an extremely large matrix of the transitional probability of the occurrences of the cluster sites. This paper provides an accessible computational implementation of this model for computer platforms ranging from personal computers to supercomputers. The computational algorithm was made general by a three-section piecewise-linear, tri-modal model for fiber statistics. This tri-modal local load-sharing software numerically computes the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the composite strength by using a very wide range of fiber statistics as input. This CDF can be used to analyze composite strength data in testing, to predict size effects in design, to monitor processing quality, and to quantify the reliability of composite structures.
BLOOD CHARACTERISTICS OF FREE-RANGING WHITE-TAILED DEER IN SOUTHERN TEXAS

We present an analysis of some blood characters in 31 newborn fawns and 79 older white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from free-ranging populations in southern Texas. In the newborn fawns, averages were: Erythrocytes 6.95 1068/mm3, leucocytes 3.6 l03/mm8, hemoglobin 10.1 g/100 ml, sedimentation rate 2.2 mm/hr and hematocrit 29.1%. In the older fawns and adults averages were: Hematocrit 49.5%, serum calcium 5.2 mEq/L, serum sodium 157.6 mEq/L, serum potassium 6.8 mEq/L, BUN 14.4 mg%, total serum protein 6.4 g/100 ml, albumin 3.8 g/100 ml, globulins 2.6 g/100 ml, and albumin/globulin ratio 1.5. These values for fawns and older deer generally fell within the ranges reported in other studies. More data are needed, particularly from free-ranging populations, in order to determine which blood composition characters can be used efficiently to indicate subtle differences in health and condition of deer.
One-dimensional modeling of transport in small stellarators

An existing stellarator reactor transport code was modified to model small stellarator experiments. Changes were made in the treatment of neutrals, the atomic physics process, and the transport models. The authors investigated the extent to which the hollow density profiles experimentally detected during electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) experiments in the interchangeable module stellarator (IMS), a small modular stellarator, can be modeled. In this they were guided by the experimental observation of large variations in potential around the magnetic surfaces, which can give rise to radially directed E*B convective flow. A diffusion model based on small-scale convective cell structures cannot simulate the experimental profiles. Including a purely convective term in the particle balance equation allows for a much-more-accurate modeling of the profiles. A comparison between numerical and experimental results is presented. >
(+/−)‐Halothane (2‐Bromo‐2‐chloro‐1,1,1‐trifluoroethane)

(+/−)-[151-67-7] C2HF3BrCl (MW 197.37) InChI = 1S/C2HBrClF3/c3-1(4)2(5,6)7/h1H InChIKey = BCQZXOMGPXTTIC-UHFFFAOYSA-N (R)-[51230-17-2] InChI = 1S/C2HBrClF3/c3-1(4)2(5,6)7/h1H/t1-/m0/s1 InChIKey = BCQZXOMGPXTTIC-SFOWXEAESA-N (S)-[51239-18-3] InChI = 1S/C2HBrClF3/c3-1(4)2(5,6)7/h1H/t1-/m1/s1 InChIKey = BCQZXOMGPXTTIC-PVQJCKRUSA-N Physical Data: bp 50 °C, d 1.872 g cm−3. Solubility: slightly soluble in water, soluble in most organic solvents. Form Supplied in: colorless liquid. Preparative Methods: (+/−)-halothane is commercially available; preparation of its enantiomers has been described.1, 2 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: severe eye irritant. May act as a carcinogen or mutagen. May cause reproductive damage. Experimental teratogen. Harmful if inhaled. May be harmful in contact with the skin or if swallowed. Narcotic. Ceiling limit 2 ppm. Stable, but may be light sensitive. Incompatible with rubber, plastics, strong oxidizing agents. Noncombustible. May be stabilized with 0.01% thymol.
Some convergence and accuracy issues in method of moments solutions to integral equations

Convergence proofs and measures of accuracy in solutions to integral equations by the method of moments (MoM) remain important issues thirty five years after R. F. Harrington's pioneering work. We discuss the present state of affairs, both in general and specifically applied to surfaces using the computer code EIGER.
Evolving Methods in Genetic Epidemiology. III. Gene-Environment Interaction in Epidemiologic Research

Genetic epidemiology is increasingly focused on the study of common diseases with both genetic and environmental determinants. The concept of geneenvironment interaction is becoming a central theme in epidemiologic studies that assess causes of human disease in populations (1). Advances in genetic technology and the work of the Human Genome Project will make it easier for the study of gene-environment interaction to become an integral part of epidemiologic research. In this presentation, we will review the epidemiologic concepts and definitions applied to die study of gene-environment interaction in epidemiologic research and give an overview of both the traditional and emerging approaches to such research.
Regular expression acceleration on the micron automata processor: Brill tagging as a case study

Brill tagging is a classic rule-based algorithm for part-of-speech (POS) tagging that assigns tags, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc., to input tokens. Due to the the intense memory requirements of rule matching, CPU implementations of the Brill tagging algorithm have been found to be slow. We show that Micron's Automata Processor (AP) — a new computing architecture that can perform massively parallel pattern matching — can greatly accelerate the second stage of Brill tagging via rule template matching. The 218 contextual rules are first converted into regular expressions (regex). Regex is used widely in natural language processing (NLP) tasks, thus, this case study involving Brill Tagging also shows how the AP might accelerate other applications that are able to be framed as regexes. We compare single-threaded, and multithreaded versions of Regex matching on an Intel i7 CPU, an Intel XeonPhi co-processor, and the AP. The results show a 63.90X speed-up using the AP as a regex accelerator over the fastest multi-threaded CPU version. We also investigate how performance of regex matching on both CPU architectures varies depending on the complexity of the regex. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential for significant performance improvements by using accelerators for various NLP computational tasks, particularly those that involve rule-based or pattern-matching approaches.
Cannabis smoking, cardiometabolic health, and cardiovascular disease: United States NHANES, 2005–2010

methods usedwere BBT (1/32 articles) and transvaginal ultrasound (1/32 articles). Conclusions: There is a lack of consistency in methodology used to determine menstrual phase. We recommend combining several methods to improve accuracy of phase identification, minimize costs and burden, and reduce selection bias and confounding. The adoption of these recommendations will yield a decrease in misclassification bias and facilitate cross-study comparisons. Financial support: P50-DA033942, P50-DA016511, P50DA033945, K24DA038240, and K12HD055887.
Hot Forming of Mg AZ31B Alloy Sheet Processed by Warm Rolling

Mg alloy AZ31B is of interest for hot forming because it can achieve a superplastic response at high temperatures and slow strain rates. As temperature decreases and forming rate increases, its strain-rate sensitivity decreases and significant plastic anisotropy can arise. These effects are the result of a transition in deformation mechanisms from grain-boundary-sliding (GBS) to dislocation-climb (DC) creep. However, sheet production using warm rolling can produce a material with a smaller grain size and weaker basal texture. These microstructural changes promote GBS creep and decrease the degree of anisotropy under DC creep. Microstructural and tensile data are presented to show these effects at 350 and 450C through comparisons to a similar material having a more usual microstructure.
Intracranial aneurysms: flow analysis of their origin and progression.

PURPOSE To explain the origin and growth of intracranial aneurysms using the hemodynamic data obtained from a computer simulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pulsatile flow in an intracranial aneurysm cavity was numerically simulated based on physiologic pulsatile flow observed in the aorta. A finite element method was applied to solve the equations of motion and the non-Newtonian viscosity of blood was taken into account in the analysis. An angiogram of a middle cerebral artery segment with aneurysm was used for the computer modeling of blood flow within the aneurysm cavity. Local shear stress and pressure on the wall at the neck of the aneurysm as well as blood flow motions inside the cavity were calculated as a function of time for various stages in the development of the aneurysm. FINDINGS Blood moves into the aneurysm cavity along the proximal wall of the cavity and emerges along the distal wall during the acceleration period of systole; however, during the deceleration period of systole and diastole, blood changes its flow direction, entering along the distal wall of the cavity and leaving along the proximal cavity wall. Rapid changes of blood flow direction result in rapid changes in wall shear stress and pressure at the proximal and distal walls of the cavity, rendering continuous damage to the intima at the cavity neck. These hemodynamic stresses relate to the anatomy of a particular vessel may be responsible for the initiation of aneurysm formation and subsequent progression, thrombosis and/or rupture. CONCLUSION Computer modeling can further our understanding of factors that determine the origin and progression of intracranial aneurysms.
Nuclear Medicine Studies in the Diagnosis of Diseases of the Liver, Pancreas, and Spleen

Nuclear medicine studies of these organs have their major clinical application in the evaluation of structure. The drugs and instruments utilized are briefly described, the clinical settings in which the studies are useful are reviewed, and the particular advantages and limitations are elucidated.
Mind and Sign: Method and the Interpretation of Mathematics in Descartes's Early Work

Etude de la conception de la methode developpee par Descartes dans les «Regles pour la direction de l'esprit», a partir de la notion epistemique de computabilite partielle appliquee a l'interpretation des mathematiques en tant que mathesis universalis.
Thoracic outlet syndrome: Does fiction outweigh facts?

Thoracic outlet syndromes (TOS) can be classified as vascular-type TOS (arterial and venous), true neurologic TOS, and the more recently coined disputed neurologic TOS (disputed N-TOS). True neurologic TOS is a rare entity that presents clinically with wasting of the small muscles of the hand, with established pathoanatomy that responds to surgical treatment aimed at preventing progressive neurologic deterioration. Vascular TOS has specific objective clinical findings consistent with arterial compromise, venous compression, or both. Disputed N-TOS, on the other hand, is a vague, subjective pain syndrome with no specific underlying pathoanatomy, and no objective clinical and electrophysiologic findings. It is often treated with varied surgical approaches ranging from transaxillary first rib resection, resection of the scalenus anticus and various other muscles in the vicinity, to resection of various fibromuscular bands and ligaments and neurolysis of the supraclavicular brachial plexus. The results at long term follow-up are generally not encouraging in the posttraumatic disputed N-TOS group covered under a worker's compensation policy. Disputed N-TOS has become the most common indication for surgery for TOS in the United States, accounting for at least 90% of all operations. Diagnosis of disputed N-TOS cannot be made in the presence of the more common true distal peripheral entrapment neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome, even though it is tempting to bundle it and justify its diagnosis and existence with the clinical concept of double-crush injuries.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Techniques

The clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of therapeutic drug monitoring are well established. This overview summarizes the key concepts of therapeutic drug monitoring and reviews the current methodologies.
Examination Procedures in Marketing Education: Profiling Marketing’s Master Teachers

Marketing educators often have difficulty deciding on an examination procedure. This study reports the results of a national survey of marketing educators and students that was undertaken to ascertain what effective marketing educators do when designing examinations.
Recent developments in iron powder cores with high magnetic flux density

The characteristics of iron powder cores with high magnetic flux density were reviewed.And their preparation technique,including the fabrication processes in the MgO insulation coating film and respective iron powder cores,in cores based on the iron powder coating by high operating temperature-resin,and in cores made by iron powder coated with phosphate glass insulator of Sr-B-P-O system,as well as high density compacting method with warm compaction-die wall lubrication,were introduced.
It matters to monitor drug levels.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active metabolite of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been introduced into renal transplant immunosuppressant protocols in combination with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) and steroids. This study compared the pharmacokinetic profiles of MPA and its major metabolite MPA glucuronide (MPAG) in combination with tacrolimus (TAC) or cyclosporine (CyA) during the maintenance period (>6 months) following renal transplantation. There was no difference between TAC and CyA-treated groups in MPA plasma concentration before drug administration (C o ). MPA C o in TAC and CyA-treated patients did not differ from that in patients who were not treated with a CNI. In patients treated with a CNI, MPAG C o was significantly greater in those treated with CyA compared with TAC. The MPAG/MPA ratio in CyA-treated patients was significantly greater than that in the TAC-treated group. We observed that C o of MPA was negatively correlated with that of TAC and CyA. Positive correlation between MPA C o , MPAG C o and serum creatinine was stronger in patients treated with CyA compared with TAC. Our study suggests that CyA, but not TAC, inhibits enterohepatic circulation of MPAG as a secondary excretion pathway, and that renal function makes a major contribution to elimination of MPA and MPAG. We indicate that it may be necessary to estimate biliary excretion of MPAG to avoid the risk of intestinal injury in patients receiving combination therapy with TAC during the maintenance period.
On Chebychev Approximation on Several Disjoint Intervals

This talk is concerned with Chebychev approximation on the union K of p disjoint, bounded closed intervals Ij of the real axis (j = 1,2 ... p; p > 1).
REGULATORY MECHANISMS IN THE MULTIPLICATION OF POXVIRUS

This chapter analyzes regulatory mechanisms in the multiplication of poxvirus. Although the intracellular site of poxvirus synthesis raises the question of the enzymatic requirements for cytoplasmic DNA synthesis, studies have been directed toward the control of virus induced enzymes with the view to learning something of the regulatory mechanisms operating within the milieu of an animal cell. If poxvirus or phage is irradiated with ultraviolet light before infecting the cells, then enzyme synthesis in both systems continues beyond the time when synthesis is terminated in cells infected with non-irradiated virus or phage. The viral genome is responsible for enzyme regulation. Irradiation either selectively damages a region of the genome directly responsible for regulation or exerts its effect simply by preventing viral DNA synthesis. The regulation of two cowpox-induced deoxyribonucleases exonucleases is also abolished by UV, although in this case the capacity of the virus to induce exonucleases is sensitive to irradiation.
New advances in external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequently encountered sustained arrhythmia in clinical practice. Although electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation using damped sine wave monophasic shocks has been a mainstay of therapy for nearly four decades, it continues to be limited by an unacceptable failure rate, even with shocks of up to 360 J. Although several alternatives have been proposed, including 720 J shocks using dual monophasic defibrillators, ibutilide pretreatment, and internal cardioversion, each of these approaches has significant limitations, which preclude its routine use. Recent data demonstrate that standard use of rectilinear biphasic shocks for cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is associated with nearly 100% cardioversion efficacy. Rectilinear biphasic shocks appear to be particularly effective in patients with high transthoracic impedance, a group that has traditionally fared poorly with damped sine wave monophasic shocks. Current data suggest that biphasic shocks may be the preferred method for the transthoracic electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.
Optimal data rates for electrical links and opportunities for 3D integration and photonics

The existence of optimal data rates for minimum energy per bit performance in electrical links suggests that dense system connectivity options potentially enabled by 3D integration and photonics are required for future processing platforms.
High gene flow in the American badger overrides habitat preferences and limits broadscale genetic structure

Habitat associations are a function of habitat preferences and dispersal capabilities, both of which can influence how species responded to Quaternary climatic changes and contemporary habitat heterogeneity. Predicting resultant genetic structure is not always straightforward, especially in species where high dispersal potential and habitat preferences yield opposing predictions. The American badger has high dispersal capabilities that predict widespread panmixia, but avoids closed-canopy forests and clay soils, which could restrict gene flow and create ecologically based population genetic structure. We used mitochondrial sequence and microsatellite data sets to characterize how these opposing forces contribute to genetic structure in badgers at a continent-wide scale. Our data revealed an overall lack of ecologically based population genetic structure, suggesting that high dispersal capabilities were sufficiently realized to overcome most habitat-based genetic structure. At a broadscale, badger gene flow is limited only by geographic distance (isolation by distance) and large water barriers (Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River). The absence of genetic structure in a species with strong avoidance of unsuitable habitats advances our understanding of when and how genetic structure emerges in widespread, highly mobile species.
Structural Uncertainty and Pollution Control: Optimal Stringency with Unknown Pollution Sources

We relax the common assumption that regulators know the structural relationship between emissions and ambient air quality with certainty. We find that uncertainty over this relationship can manifest as a unique form of multiplicative uncertainty in the marginal damages from emissions. We show how the optimal stringency of environmental regulation depends on this structural uncertainty. We also show how new information, like the discovery of previously unknown emission sources, can counterintuitively lead to increases in both optimal emissions and ambient pollution levels.
Effects of Climate Change on Ecological Disturbance in the Northern Rockies

Disturbances alter ecosystem, community, or population structures and change elements of the biological and/or physical environment. Climate changes can alter the timing, magnitude, frequency, and duration of disturbance events, as well as the interactions of disturbances on a landscape, and climate change may already be affecting disturbance events and regimes. Interactions among disturbance regimes, such as the co-occurrence in space and time of bark beetle outbreaks and wildfires, can result in highly visible, rapidly occurring, and persistent changes in landscape composition and structure. Understanding how altered disturbance patterns and multiple disturbance interactions might result in novel and emergent landscape behaviors is critical for addressing climate change impacts and for designing land management strategies that are appropriate for future climates. This chapter describes the ecology of important disturbance regimes in the Northern Rockies region, and potential shifts in these regimes as a consequence of observed and projected climate change. We summarize five disturbance types present in the Northern Rockies that are sensitive to a changing climate—wildfires, bark beetles, white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), other forest diseases, and nonnative plant invasions—and provide information that can help managers anticipate how, when, where, and why climate changes may alter the characteristics of disturbance regimes.
Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Adherence to Consensus Guidelines in an Academic Health System.

Objective:To determine the extent to which consensus guidelines for surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are followed within an academic health system.Background:Previous studies have shown that adherence to consensus guidelines in community practice is low.Methods:Adults with
Right atrial mechanics provide useful insight in pediatric pulmonary hypertension

Right atrial (RA) mechanics have been studied infrequently in children in the past due to technical constraints. With the advent of strain imaging, RA physiology can now be studied in greater detail. The principal aim of this study was to describe functional changes in right heart mechanics of children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), by using new applications of RA strain. In this retrospective study, we evaluated RA mechanics of 20 patients (age range = 3-23 years) with PAH and 18 control patients. RA longitudinal strain (RALS) and longitudinal displacement (LD) were calculated by speckle-tracking echocardiography. RALS was plotted against LD, producing a characteristic strain-displacement (S-D) loop. Standard indices of right heart function and right heart catheterization data were obtained. Patients were clinically subdivided into "compensated" and "decompensated" PAH. A chart review was performed to identify patients who subsequently developed adverse outcomes, including death, awaiting or received lung and/or heart transplantation. RALS was significantly lower in decompensated PAH compared with both controls and compensated PAH. Area enclosed by S-D loops differed significantly between the compensated and decompensated PAH subgroups (5.33 [3.90-9.44] versus 1.83 [1.17-2.36], P < 0.05). S-D loop area and RALS possessed high sensitivity and specificity compared to other parameters for identifying children with PAH who subsequently developed adverse outcomes. In particular, their sensitivities and specificities were greatly superior compared to those of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). RALS may represent a useful metric for assessing right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. S-D loops, composed over an entire cardiac cycle, may present useful, composite information regarding both systolic and diastolic right heart function. RA mechanics may serve as useful tools for identifying patients with more severe PAH, who are at risk for future adverse outcomes associated with RV failure.
An Update on the Sense of Taste in Chickens: A Better Developed System than Previously Appreciated

Taste is important in guiding nutritive choices and motivating food intake. The sensory organs for taste are the taste buds, that transduce gustatory stimuli into neural signals. It has been reported that chickens have a low taste bud number and thus low taste acuity. However, more recent studies indicate that chickens have a well-developed taste system and the reported number and distribution of taste buds may have been significantly underestimated. Chickens, as a well-established animal model for research, are also the major species of animals in the poultry industry. Thus, a clear understanding of taste organ formation and the effects of taste sensation on nutrition and feeding practices is important for improving livestock production strategies. In this review, we provide an update on recent findings in chicken taste buds and taste sensation indicating that the chicken taste organ is better developed than previously thought and can serve as an ideal system for multidisciplinary studies including organogenesis, regenerative medicine, feeding and nutritional choices.
Characterizing single isolated radiation-damage events from molecular dynamics via virtual diffraction methods

The evolution and characterization of single-isolated-ion-strikes are investigated by combining atomistic simulations with selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns generated from these simulations. Five molecular dynamics simulations are performed for a single 20 keV primary knock-on atom in bulk crystalline Si. The resulting cascade damage is characterized in two complementary ways. First, the individual cascade events are conventionally quantified through the evolution of the number of defects and the atomic (volumetric) strain associated with these defect structures. These results show that (i) the radiation damage produced is consistent with the Norgett, Robinson, and Torrens model of damage production and (ii) there is a net positive volumetric strain associated with the cascade structures. Second, virtual SAED patterns are generated for the resulting cascade-damaged structures along several zone axes. The analysis of the corresponding diffraction patterns shows the SAED spots approximately doubling in size, on average, due to broadening induced by the defect structures. Furthermore, the SAED spots are observed to exhibit an average radial outward shift between 0.33% and 0.87% depending on the zone axis. This characterization approach, as utilized here, is a preliminary investigation in developing methodologies and opportunities to link experimental observations with atomistic simulations to elucidate microstructural damage states.
A robust system maturity model for complex systems utilizing system readiness level and Petri nets

System development can be plagued with excessive cost and schedule delay. During the system development lifecycle process, the development team makes difficult decisions concerning where to allocate project resources. As systems become more complex, and budgets are more constrained, understanding how to make these decisions becomes more problematic. To assist in the system development lifecycle process, this research introduces a new system maturity model called Petri net system readiness level (PNSRL). PNSRL integrates the fundamentals of System Readiness Level (SRL) and Petri nets (PNs) to create a more robust system view that can be used to analyze and score the readiness of system-of-system architectures. Integrations between technologies are expanded using PN transitions, to offer integration relationships. System workflow can be visualized with PNSRL, which can lead to system model validation utilizing PN tokens. PNSRL expands SRL mathematical equations by including PN capacities, which are used to weight each sub-system’s importance based on the number of interconnections associated. This article will illustrate how to use the PNSRL model by creating a functional system view for system readiness calculations. PNSRL is graphically and mathematically compared to the latest SRL model, Incidence Matrix System Readiness Level (IMSRL), to show how PNSRL represents all system components when calculating system readiness and produces a more accurate readiness value. Guidelines for PNSRL token and capacity allocation are offered, to assist in the system validation process using reachability graphs. Project managers and systems engineers can use this model to accurately depict their system and more precisely calculate technology maturity through the system development lifecycle. This model can aid in the system resource allocation decision process and allows further understanding of how the system’s key components operate.
Resolving Height Uncertainty in Indoor Visible Light Positioning Using a Steerable Laser

We propose an indoor Visible Light Positioning (VLP) system that augments Lambertian emissions from conven- tional luminaires with a single steerable laser. By knowing the exact angles between the laser and the receiver being positioned as well as received-signal- strength (RSS) from the Lambertian sources to the receiver, we can predict the position of a receiver in three dimensions (3D). Most RSS-based VLP algorithms assume a constant operating plane (height) of the receiver to stabilize trilateration to produce 2D estimates. By using the angles provided by laser steering, we show that 2D and 3D error can be reduced to near zero for a known height and 3D mean square error is less than 12.89 cm for 95% of the reference volume when the height is unknown a priori. Finally, we show that unlike trilateration-based methods, the technique can operate using as few as a single luminaire, making it more versatile than other RSS-based approaches for establishing receiver position.
Pyrethrin and pyrethroid illnesses in the Pacific Northwest: a five-year review.

Objective.Pyrethrin and pyrethroid insecticides are commonly applied in homes and businesses and on some agricultural crops. This research used a two-state regional approach to analyze reports of a...
Perceptions of Primary Care Notes by Patients With Mental Health Diagnoses

There are concerns regarding whether patients with mental illness should be provided with access to their electronic medical records. This study compared perceptions of patients with (n = 400) and without (n = 2,134) a mental health diagnosis regarding access to primary care clinic notes through secure online portals. Eligible participants viewed at least 1 clinic note during a 12-month period. Administrative data were used to stratify patients by mental health diagnosis. As we hypothesized, patients with and without mental health diagnoses had similar perceptions about online access to notes.
A PDX1-ATF transcriptional complex governs β cell survival during stress

Abstract Objective Loss of insulin secretion due to failure or death of the insulin secreting β cells is the central cause of diabetes. The cellular response to stress (endoplasmic reticulum (ER), oxidative, inflammatory) is essential to sustain normal β cell function and survival. Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), and Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) are transcription factors implicated in β cell survival and susceptibility to stress. Our goal was to determine if a PDX1-ATF transcriptional complex or complexes regulate β cell survival in response to stress and to identify direct transcriptional targets. Methods Pdx1, Atf4 and Atf5 were silenced by viral delivery of gRNAs or shRNAs to Min6 insulinoma cells or primary murine islets. Gene expression was assessed by qPCR, RNAseq analysis, and Western blot analysis. Chromatin enrichment was measured in the Min6 β cell line and primary isolated mouse islets by ChIPseq and ChIP PCR. Immunoprecipitation was used to assess interactions among transcription factors in Min6 cells and isolated mouse islets. Activation of caspase 3 by immunoblotting or by irreversible binding to a fluorescent inhibitor was taken as an indication of commitment to an apoptotic fate. Results RNASeq identified a set of PDX1, ATF4 and ATF5 co-regulated genes enriched in stress and apoptosis functions. We further identified stress induced interactions among PDX1, ATF4, and ATF5. PDX1 chromatin occupancy peaks were identified over composite C/EBP-ATF (CARE) motifs of 26 genes; assessment of a subset of these genes revealed co-enrichment for ATF4 and ATF5. PDX1 occupancy over CARE motifs was conserved in the human orthologs of 9 of these genes. Of these, Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase 2 (Gpt2), Cation transport regulator 1 (Chac1), and Solute Carrier Family 7 Member 1 (Slc7a1) induction by stress was conserved in human islets and abrogated by deficiency of Pdx1, Atf4, and Atf5 in Min6 cells. Deficiency of Gpt2 reduced β cell susceptibility to stress induced apoptosis in both Min6 cells and primary islets. Conclusions Our results identify a novel PDX1 stress inducible complex (es) that regulates expression of stress and apoptosis genes to govern β cell survival.
Abstract TP369: Rapid Evaluation of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients for Intervention

Background: Only Primary Stroke Center (PSC) in large metropolitan area implementing RAPID CT-Perfusion (CT-P) software to quickly determine if patients may benefit from endovascular therapy (E.T.)...
Sex loss in insects: causes of asexuality and consequences for genomes

Boasting a staggering diversity of reproductive strategies, insects provide attractive models for the comparative study of the causes and consequences of transitions to asexuality. We provide an overview of some contemporary studies of reproductive systems in insects and compile an initial database of asexual insect genome resources. Insect systems have already yielded some important insights into various mechanisms by which sex is lost, including genetic, endosymbiont-mediated, and hybridization. Studies of mutation and substitution after loss of sex provide the strongest empirical support for hypothesized effects of asexuality, whereas there is mixed evidence for ecological hypotheses such as increased parasite load and altered niche breadth in asexuals. Most hypotheses have been explored in a select few taxa (e.g. stick insects, aphids), such that much of the great taxonomic breadth of insects remain understudied. Given the variation in the proximate causes of asexuality in insects, we argue for expanding the taxonomic breadth of study systems. Despite some challenges for investigating sex in insects, the increasing cost-effectiveness of genomic sequencing makes data generation for closely-related asexual and sexual lineages increasingly feasible.
Composite Polymeric Scaffolds with Controlled Pore Opening and Drug Delivery for Tissue Engineering Applications

Composite scaffolds fabricated from biodegradable polymers as drug carriers are used extensively in the field of tissue engineering. Ideal tissue engineering scaffolds must possess a 3D interconnected porous network for tissue ingrowth and construct vascularization. However, the porous interconnected network may reduce the initial mechanical support needed for the scaffold in the implant site. In this study, composite scaffolds consisted of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) $\leq$ 250 $\mu$ MS and Simvastatin loaded poly beta amino acid (PBAE) Hydrogel Microspheres (HG MS) $\leq \sim 500 \mu$ were fabricated via a novel device to investigate several new functions: controlled drug release, PBAE HG MS time-dependent degradation exhibiting pore opening resulting in interconnected pattern of porosity development, better initial mechanical support and the true wet-state compressive moduli.
Protein F1 and protein kinase C may regulate the persistence, not the initiation, of synaptic potentiation in the hippocampus.

Brain information storage likely involves enhanced neuronal responsiveness which persists for long periods of time following learning. Hebb (1949) first postulated a mechanism for such enhanced responsiveness in which repetitive activation of a synapse would produce persistent increases in the efficacy of transmission at that synapse.
The Power of History and Leveraging Past Institutional Success

Understanding our history can help us learn from the mistakes of the past, it can help us to advance our current knowledge by building upon past experiences and most importantly it can allow us to adapt to the inevitable changes that will occur throughout our careers. The history of urology taught during residency can provide residents with a sense of historical perspective and connection to the past, provide better judgment and reasoning, allow one to develop a more critical approach to contemporary surgery, lead to a deeper understanding of professionalism and be used to help teach medical ethics. For the history of urology to be effectively taught it has to be relevant and incorporated into the regular residency schedule (taught on rounds or in the operating room, as part of introductory slides to a lecture, in a journal club setting, and in a formal dedicated lecture). There are a number of different sources that can be used to help teach the history of urology, from journal articles, introductory chapters in textbooks, the experiences of our older urologists and The William P. Didusch Center of Urologic History. Teaching institutional history can foster a greater connection among members of an academic department and lead to institutional pride. The history of a department should help the current residents and faculty feel connected to the accomplishments of the past and to further connect them to their mentors. Appreciating past institutional success can also be used to inspire future accomplishments. An important vehicle to chronicle and formally acknowledge the accomplishments of individuals is a departmental newsletter. Older urologists or professor emeriti can be a great resource to all of us as their perspective on our field and their experience can be invaluable.
2014. Assessment of Cost, Morbidity, and Mortality Associated with Blood Culture Contamination

Background Blood cultures are the primary diagnostic tool for bloodstream infections, but accuracy of results is dependent on collection technique. Decreasing blood culture contaminations is a priority for antimicrobial stewardship programs as false positives can expose patients to adverse effects of unnecessary antibiotics. In this study, we present an analysis comparing clinical outcomes and cost associated with false-positive and true negative blood cultures at our institution.
5 – Radiation and Materials

Publisher Summary Bombarding particles may have low or high energy. They may be charged, uncharged, or photons; they may be heavy or light in the scale of masses. The targets may be similarly distinguished, but they may also exhibit degrees of binding that range from none, to weak, to strong. In most interactions, the higher the projectile energy in comparison with the energy of binding of the structure, the greater is the effect. Radiation of especial interest includes electrons, heavy charged particles, photons, and neutrons. Each of the particles tends to lose energy by interaction with the electrons and nuclei of matter, and each creates ionization in different degrees. The ranges of beta particles and alpha particles are short, but gamma rays penetrate in accord with an exponential law. Gamma rays can also produce electron–positron pairs. Neutrons of both high and low energy can create radiation damage in molecular materials. This chapter discusses radiation and materials. It also describes neutron reactions, that is, the interaction of neutrons with matter. Neutrons may be scattered by nuclei elastically or inelastically. It may be captured with resulting gamma ray emission, or may cause fission. If their energy is high enough, neutrons may induce (n, p) and (n, α) reactions as well. Neutrons of both high and low energy can create radiation damage in molecular materials.
Measuring TCP Round-Trip Time in the Data Plane

We present a data-plane algorithm that passively and continuously monitors the Round-Trip Time of TCP traffic, by matching data packets with their associated acknowledgments and calculating a time difference. Compared with traditional measurement systems based on active probing or measuring only SYN/ACK packets, our algorithm passively produces many samples for long-running connections. This enables network operators to observe abnormal RTT increases, which signal possible security or performance issues in the network, in real-time. To satisfy the stringent memory size and access constraints of programmable switches, our algorithm uses a multi-stage hash table data structure to maintain records for in-flight packets; the records not receiving their acknowledgments are lazily expired and overwritten. We implement our algorithm on a Barefoot Tofino programmable switch. Evaluation using a real-world traffic trace from a 10 Gbps campus network link demonstrates that our solution can accurately capture 99% of available RTT samples, using only 4 MB of data-plane memory.
Penetration of Bone by Inferior Vena Cava Filters: Safety and Technical Success of Percutaneous Retrieval

Purpose The technical success and safety of percutaneous inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) retrieval when filter elements are penetrating into adjacent bony structures is unknown. Therefore, our purpose was to evaluate the technical success and safety of IVCF retrieval when filter elements are penetrating into adjacent bone. Materials and methods Using percutaneous IVCF retrievals from 2008 to 2018 in adult patients, we conducted a multi-institutional, retrospective review of filters found to penetrate lumbar vertebrae by computed tomography scans. Technical success following the retrieval procedure was recorded. Patient records were assessed for complications from retrieval. Results 13 patients (2 males; 11 females; mean age: 53.2 years (range: 22-71) were included. Hundred percent of the filters were optional (retrievable) filters. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) with a contraindication to anticoagulation (n = 7; 53.8%) and prophylaxis without venous thromboembolism (n = 3; 23.1%) were the 2 most common indications for IVCF placement. Two filters (15.4%) had >15° of tilt relative to the IVC prior to retrieval while no IVCFs had migrated or caused caval thrombosis. One filter (7.7%) was found to have a fractured strut prior to retrieval. Ten patients (76.9%) were either on anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications at the time of retrieval. No patients were on antibiotics and no patients received periprocedural antibiotics. Median dwell time was 116.5 days (range: 49-5395). All 13 IVCFs were successfully retrieved in a single session (technical success: 100%). Standard snare technique was used in 8 cases (61.5%), endobronchial forces were used in 3 cases (23.1%), and wire loop snare technique was used in 2 cases (15.4%). There were no complications in any patient. Percutaneous retrieval of IVCFs with elements that have penetrated into adjacent vertebrae is both safe and technically feasible.
Drivers of lower inpatient hospital costs and greater improvements in health-related quality of life for patients undergoing total shoulder and ream-and-run arthroplasty.

Background With increasing emphasis on value-based care and the heavy demands on the US health care budget, surgeons must be cognizant of factors that drive cost and quality of patient care. Our objective was to determine patient-level drivers of lower costs and improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 2 anatomic shoulder arthroplasty procedures: total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and ream-and-run arthroplasty. Methods This study included 222 TSAs and 211 ream-and-run arthroplasties. Simple Shoulder Test, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and Short Form 36 scores were collected preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated as a measure of HRQoL. Univariate and multivariate analyses determined factors significantly associated with decreased hospitalization costs and improved HRQoL. Results In the TSA group, female sex, lower American Society of Anesthesiologists class, diagnosis other than capsulorrhaphy arthropathy, lower pain score, and higher Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score were associated with decreased total hospitalization costs; in addition, female sex was an independent predictor of lower total costs. Insurance other than workers' compensation, a diagnosis of chondrolysis, and higher optimism led to greater QALY gains, but a diagnosis of capsulorrhaphy arthropathy was the only independent predictor of greater QALY gains. In the ream-and-run arthroplasty group, older age, lower body mass index (BMI), lower American Society of Anesthesiologists class, insurance other than Medicaid, diagnosis other than capsulorrhaphy arthropathy, no history of surgery, higher preoperative Simple Shoulder Test score, and higher preoperative Short Form 36 Physical Component Summary score were associated with lower total costs; moreover, lower BMI was an independent predictor of lower costs. Higher preoperative optimism was an independent predictor of greater QALY gains. Conclusions Identifying factors associated with decreased costs and increased quality is becoming increasingly important in value-based care. This study identified fixed (sex and diagnosis) and modifiable (BMI) factors that drive decreased hospitalization costs and increased HRQoL improvements in shoulder arthroplasty patients. Higher preoperative patient optimism is a consistent predictor of improved HRQoL for both TSA patients and ream-and-run arthroplasty patients, and further study on optimizing the influence of patient expectations and optimism may be warranted.