cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
158: Genome wide maternal leukocyte DNA methylation analysis performed longitudinally throughout normal pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy is associated with significant change in leukocyte composition/function in the establishment/adaptation to pregnancy and parturition. We characterized methylation profiles longitudinally in a group of healthy pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: The methylation profiles were characterized in maternal buffy coat DNA longitudinally in pregnancy: early (<16 gestational weeks GW), mid (24-28 GW), delivery and 6 weeks postpartum in 14 nulligravid, non-smoking, normotensive women. Bisulfite modified genomic DNA was run on the Illumina Methylation Assay 27K platform. Mean methylation levels at each CpG site were compared across all time points using a paired t-test and adjusted for multiple comparisons. Global trends between time points were described as % hypo-methylated. Pathway analysis was performed on differentially methylated genes. RESULTS: There were 2692 unique CpG sites differentially methylated at one or more time points in pregnancy compared to baseline postpartum levels. Most CpGs become differentially methylated early in pregnancy and remain so throughout (870, 32.31%), change during mid-pregnancy and persist through delivery (690, 25.63%) or are altered only at delivery (574, 21.32%). The vast majority of differentially methylated sites become hypo-methylated compared with baseline (early 91%, mid 84%, and delivery 81%). Pathway analysis of subfractions identified expected processes such as innate immune response and leukocyte migration but also processes unique to different time points in pregnancy, such as smooth muscle contraction and mammary gland development at the time of delivery for example (all p<10 -7). CONCLUSION: The differential methylation of maternal leukocyte DNA that starts in the first trimester continues throughout gestation and trends toward hypomethylation. Pathway analysis demonstrates that epigenetic regulation plays a key role in physiologic processes associated not only with immune function but other normal maternal adaptations in healthy pregnancy.
Analysis of trade-off between power saving and response time in disk storage systems

It is anticipated that in the near future disk storage systems will surpass application servers and will become the primary consumer of power in the data centers. Shutting down of inactive disks is one of the more widespread solutions to save power consumption of disk systems. This solution involves spinning down or completely shutting off disks that exhibit long periods of inactivity and placing them in standby mode. A file request from a disk in standby mode will incur an I/O cost penalty as it takes time to spin up the disk before it can serve the file. In this paper, we address the problem of designing and implementing file allocation strategies on disk storage that save energy while meeting performance requirements of file retrievals. We present an algorithm for solving this problem with guaranteed bounds from the optimal solution. Our algorithm runs in O(nlogn) time where n is the number of files allocated. Detailed simulation results and experiments with real life workloads are also presented.
RAINFALL UNCERTAINTY AND OCCUPATIONAL CHOICE IN AGRICULTURAL HOUSEHOLDS OF RURAL NEPAL

Abstract Although agriculture is the main occupation in rural Nepal, evidence suggests that households strive to diversify their sources of income. This paper investigates why this is the case. Using household data from the World Bank and information on rainfall for the various rural districts of Nepal, we find that occupational choice is highly correlated to the uncertainty associated with historical rainfall patterns. Where the head is employed in agriculture, other family members are less likely to choose agriculture as an occupation in districts where rain is more uncertain. Estimates indicate that for a 1 per cent increase in the coefficient of variation of rain, there is a 0.61 per cent decrease in the probability of choosing the same occupation as the household head, where the head is classified as self-employed in agriculture. The negative effect of rainfall uncertainty on occupational choice is less evident in households that have access to credit, and in households with relatively high levels of...
Possible Anaphylaxis after Propofol in a Child with Food Allergy

OBJECTIVE:To report a case of anaphylaxis due to propofol in a child with allergies to egg and peanut oil.CASE SUMMARY:A 14-month-old boy with a history of reactive airway disease was hospitalized for treatment of respiratory symptoms. The patient had documented allergies to egg, peanut oil, and mold. Within the first few hours after admission, acute respiratory decompensation occurred, and arrangements were made to transfer the patient to our tertiary-care hospital. Prior to transfer, he was emergently intubated under sedation and paralysis with propofol and rocuronium. When emergency air transport arrived, the patient was hypotensive and tachycardic. His symptoms of anaphylaxis were managed throughout the flight and, upon arrival at our institution, the patient was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. He improved over a 5-day hospital course, and his caregivers were instructed to avoid propofol in the future. The patient's anaphylactic reaction following propofol was rated as a possible advers...
What is a plasma instability

Just as a heated solid will melt into a liquid and a liquid heated further will evaporate into a gas, so will a gas subjected to yet further thermal input become ionized. In other words, if the atoms or molecules of a gas are given sufficient thermal energy, particle collisions can tear individual electrons away from these neutral particles, so that the gas becomes a plasma, or a collection of negatively charged electrons and positively charged ions. Thus, the hot, dense fluid of the Sun's atmosphere becomes a plasma at sufficiently high altitudes, and that state is maintained as this atmosphere expands outward to form the solar wind. Ultraviolet radiation can also kick electrons out of their atomic or molecular orbits. If a planet has a neutral atmosphere, that atmosphere acts as a shield against the ionizing effects of such radiation from the Sun. But at sufficiently high altitudes, the tenuous atmosphere is ionized by solar ultraviolet radiation to form the planetary ionosphere and magnetosphere. Thus, plasma is the primary constituent of both planetary magnetospheres and the interplanetary medium.
How long is long enough, and have we done everything we should?—Ethics of calling codes

‘Calling’ a code can be an ambiguous undertaking. Despite guidelines and the medical literature outlining when it is acceptable to stop resuscitation, code cessation and deciding what not to do during a code, in practice, is an art form. Familiarity with classic evidence suggesting most codes are unsuccessful may influence decisions about when to terminate resuscitative efforts, in effect enacting self-fulfilling prophesies. Code interventions and duration may be influenced by patient demographics, gender or a concern about the stewardship of scarce resources. Yet, recent evidence links longer code duration with improved outcomes, and advances in resuscitation techniques complicate attempts to standardise both resuscitation length and the application of advanced interventions. In this context of increasing clinical and moral uncertainty, discussions between patients, families and medical providers about resuscitation plans take on an increased degree of importance. For some patients, a ‘bespoke’ resuscitation plan may be in order.
Localization of unknown sources for parabolic systems on the basis of available observations

The paper considers two problems. Firstly the nonlinear localization problem; on the basis of available observations on the diffusion process, recover the location of an unknown single source generating this process. In general, the solution of this problem is set-valued and disconnected. Secondly, the identifiability problem; what types of observations (finite-dimensional at every moment of time, as generally occurs in physical situations) are able to provide enough information to restore the location point? A new approach is given, based on the introduction of a space of test-functions: in order to determine the unknown location, one needs to analyse a relevant system of algebraic equations. The latter can be determined in advance (‘off-line’). Sufficient conditions of identifiability are derived and the duality relations between the above nonlinear localization problems and the associated adjoint linear control problems are established. The above problems are motivated by environmental monitoring.
1-D compact neural networks for wireless communication and mobile computing

In this paper, a 1-D compact neural network equalizer which implements the maximum-likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) is presented. This equalizer uses the novel optimization technique, hardware annealing, which is a deterministic method, to achieve the optimal solution in a short period of time. Performance in equalizing the received signal has been greatly improved.
Interpenetrating bimodal networks

Sequential interpenetrating networks (IPN's) were obtained from a tetrafunctionally end-linked network [prepared from hydroxyl-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) chains having a number-average molecular weight of 21.3 × 103 g mol−1] by swelling it with very short vinyl-terminated PDMS chains (∼450 g mol−1), which were then themselves tetrafunctionally end linked, Simultaneous IPN's were prepared from a mixture of the same two types of PDMS chains, with different end-linking agents and catalysts for the two separate reactions. In elongation studies, both types of IPN's showed upturns in modulus which were similar to those shown by the usual bimodal networks, which are prepared from mixtures of chains having identical end groups, and are thus entirely interconnected. The sequential IPN's have values of the high deformation modulus close to those of the interconnected networks, possibly because their lack of connectivity is compensated for by the stretching of the long chains by the short-chains used to form the second network, Values of the ultimate strength are smaller for the IPN's, thus demonstrating the advantage of direct bonding between the long and short network chains. The simultaneous IPN's, however, have unusually large extensibilities, which makes their energies for rupture comparable to those of the corresponding interconnected bimodal networks.
Topography of whisking II: interaction of whisker and pad.

The peripheral effector system mediating rodent whisking produces protraction/retraction movements of the whiskers and translation movements of the collagenous mystacial pad. To examine the interaction of these movements during whisking in air we used high-resolution, optoelectronic methods for two-dimensional monitoring of whisker and pad movements in head-fixed rats. Under these testing conditions (1) whisker movements on the same side of the face are synchronous and of similar amplitude; (2) pad movements exhibit the characteristic ‘exploratory’ rhythm (6–12 Hz) of whisking but their movements often have a low frequency (1–2 Hz) component; (3) Pad movements occur in both antero-posterior and dorso-ventral planes but there are considerable variations in the amplitude and topography of movement parameters in the two planes. We conclude that (a) both whisker and pad receive input from a common central rhythm generator; (b) differences in whisker and pad amplitude and topography probably reflect difference...
A Comparison of Diode-Clamped and Cascaded Multilevel Converters for a STATCOM With Energy Storage

The progression of distributed generation within a bulk power system will lead to the need for greater control of transmission-line power flows. Static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs) provide a power-electronics-based means of embedded control of transmission-line voltage and power flows. The integration of energy storage with a STATCOM can extend traditional STATCOM capabilities to four-quadrant power flow control and transient stability improvement. This paper discusses energy storage systems (ESSs) integrated with conventional and multilevel bidirectional power converters for a hybrid STATCOM/ESS. Conventional, diode-clamped, and cascaded multilevel converter-based STATCOM/ESSs are developed, and their performances for a variety of power system applications are compared using battery energy storage. The advantages and disadvantages of each topology are presented. Both simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the conclusions
Collateral channels and histopathology in hepatic vein occlusion

Hepatic arteriography, venography, and histopathology were reviewed in 20 patients with hepatic venous occlusion. The hepatic histologic materials (14 patients) were carefully examined in retrospect and correlated with the angiographic findings. Hepatic arteriographic findings were usually nonspecific but revealed neoplasms in all six patients studied and collaterals in four. Collateral channels that were recognized angiographically in 15 patients were extrahepatic, intrahepatic-interlobar, and indeterminate. The intrahepatic type was found in the partial Budd-Chiari syndrome, whereas other patterns were present in both diffuse and localized forms of hepatic venous occlusive disease. Histologically, the centrilobular sinusoids were congested and distorted in association with parenchymal destruction and compression. Hepatic venography correlated poorly with histopathologic findings.
Reduced perivascular PO2 increases nitric oxide release from endothelial cells.

Many studies have suggested that endothelial cells can act as “oxygen sensors” to large reductions in oxygen availability by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production. This study determined whether s...
Computational Studies on the cAMP Modulation of the HCN2 Channel

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 2 (HCN2) ion channels play a fundamental role in electric signaling in nerves, muscles, and synapses; however, their ligand gating mechanism is not well understood. Through collaboration between experimental and computational methods, this study brings insight into the mechanism of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modulation of the HCN2 channel (residues 443-636) by exploring the monomer and tetramer dynamics in the apo and holo states. We applied all-atom and coarse-grained molecular dynamics on molecular systems containing HCN2 with and without cAMP. Starting from the holo structure resolved by X-ray crystallography, our simulations guide the protein into its apo state. Along this pathway, we observed unfolding of the C'-helix and loss of contact between A’ and B’ helices in the C-linker and the cyclic nucleotide binding domain (CNBD). In addition, by using tmFRET distances as restraints, we were able to capture structural changes in the CNBD. Our results corroborate recent experimental studies showing the outward movement of the C-helix in the absence of cAMP.
Design of Cryptographic Devices Resilient to Fault Injection Attacks Using Nonlinear Robust Codes

This chapter mainly discusses robust and partially robust codes and their application to various cryptographic primitives. Initially, robust nonlinear codes are described in detail and their error detection capabilities are measured theoretically. Next, various nonlinear constructions are provided and their potential applications are described. More specifically, we discuss the protection of the AES data path, finite state machines (FSMs), and elliptic curve cryptosystems (ECCs). The main advantage of robust codes is that they are nonlinear and hence the success of an injected fault is data-dependent. As a result, error detection using nonlinear robust codes is one of the most effective solutions to active fault injection attacks.
A technique for the measurement of radiated emissions in the presence of interference

This paper describes a novel technique that allows accurate measurements of radiated emissions to be conducted when the unit under test only functions as part of a complete system which itself radiates. It can also be used to remove many "ambient" radio signals from open field test site results. It has been implemented on a computer and typical results are given.
Evidence for a new plasma thromboplastin factor. I. Case report, coagulation studies and physicochemical properties.

Studies of defective plasma thromboplastin formation in four siblings indicated a defect which was different from any of the known coagulation factor deficiency states. Although none of the children had any history of hemorrhagic tendencies, a prolonged whole blood clotting time in an 11-year-old girl led to the findings of a markedly prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT), abnormal thromboplastin generation test (TGT), and a normal prothrombin time in the patient and in three of her ten siblings. The abnormal PTT and TGT were corrected by aluminum hydroxide adsorbed fresh plasma and by serum. Using the kaolin-PTT system, equal mixtures of plasma from the patients and normal plasma produced a normal time. In addition, plasmas deficient in plasma thromboplastin antecedent (PTA), Hageman factor (HF), antihemophilic factor (AHF), or plasma thromboplastin component (PTC) corrected the abnormality. Physical and chemical properties of plasma correcting the defect in vitro indicated that the defect is closely related to that found in PTA and HF deficient plasma.
The Need for Enforcement of U.S. Punitive Damages Awards by the European Union

This article explores the problems U.S. litigants face when attempting to enforce punitive damages judgments in E.U. Member States. The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements singles out such judgments for discriminatory treatment by allowing signatory countries to decline to enforce punitive damages awards rendered in other jurisdictions. While written neutrally so that the enforcement difficulties ostensibly run bilaterally, the effect of the provision is prejudice against litigants from the United States, which has a rich history of awarding punitive damages in civil suits. The article demonstrates that the U.S. approach toward punitive damages is converging on the international approach; as the United States reduces its reliance on punitive damages, foreign jurisdictions are increasing theirs. Thus, the two sides are moving toward a shared middle ground, permitting a limited use of punitive damages both in terms of the types of cases in which they are awarded and the amounts that are authorized. Given the premise that the two sides are no longer so diametrically opposed regarding punitive damages, the provision in the Hague Convention is all the more troubling because it provides a mechanism by which courts in the European Union may penalize U.S. plaintiffs’ interests. The article demonstrates that, by singling out punitive damages for different treatment, assuming that only the United States provides such damages, and permitting enforcing courts to exercise wide discretion in declining to enforce such judgments, the Hague Convention’s provision discourages efficiency, uniformity of treatment, and comity.
Effect of Furosemide on Renal Blood Flow in the Conscious Dog

Summary and ConclusionsFurosemide was administered to unanesthetized dogs containing implanted flow transducers and pressure cannulas. The results show that furosemide increased renal blood flow in the conscious animal after an initial decrease, but that the increase in renal flow produced by 1 mg/kg of the drug was less than previously reported values obtained from anesthetized animals. It was observed that initial renal vascular resistance was lower in unanesthetized animals than the values reported for anesthetized animals. Thus, it was concluded that: (1) furosemide does increase renal blood flow in the conscious dog, and (2) the increase in renal flow produced by the drug in conscious animals is less than the increase in renal flow produced by the drug in anesthetized dogs, because initial resistance to renal flow is lower in conscious than in anesthetized animals.
Rare-Earth-doped Laser Materials: Spectroscopy and Laser Properties

Trivalent rare earth ions in crystalline or fiber hosts are among the most successful of laser materials, but new dopant-host combinations and more detailed understanding of existing materials continue to be needed. This paper presents a few examples from the work of our team at the Army Research Laboratory, highlighting the interrelation between spectroscopic properties and laser behavior. It focuses on bulk solids, though rare-earth-doped fiber lasers are also extremely important. One system discussed is Nd:YAG, particularly concentration quenching in heavily doped ceramic YAG. Spectroscopic properties of Yb:Y2O3 and Yb:Sc2O3 help to elucidate their laser performance. Spectra indicate that Er:YAG is more promising than Er:Sc2O3 for room temperature laser operation, but that the reverse is true for operation at and somewhat above liquid nitrogen temperature.
Concentrations of glycosyl ceramides in plasma and red cells in Fabry's disease, a glycolipid lipidosis

Concentrations of four neutral glycosyl ceramides were determined in plasma and erythrocytes from nine hemizygous patients with Fabry's disease (a hereditary glycolipid lipidosis), from the sister of one of the patients, and from the heterozygous mother of another one. The concentration of a trihexosyl ceramide, galactosylgalactosylglucosyl ceramide, was elevated in plasma from the patients about threefold above the normal mean level, and the amount of this lipid was also increased in plasma from the two female relatives. The concentrations of glucosyl ceramide and lactosyl ceramide in plasma were slightly less than normal in the affected males, while globoside or a similar tetrahexosyl ceramide was slightly higher than normal. All but one of the Fabry patients had significantly less globoside in the red cells, as compared with the normal range, although the red cell concentration of trihexosyl ceramide was normal in all of the patients. Thus the concentration of the lipid that accumulates in the tissues in Fabry's disease is elevated in plasma but not in red cells, whereas in Gaucher's disease the accumulating lipid (glucosyl ceramide) is elevated in both plasma and red cells.
On effectiveness of lossless compression in transferring mHealth data files

The health and fitness data traffic originating on mobile devices has been continually increasing, with an exponential increase in the number of personal wearable devices and mobile health monitoring applications. Lossless data compression can increase throughput, reduce latency, and achieve energy-efficient communication between personal devices and the cloud. This paper experimentally explores the effectiveness of common compression utilities on mobile devices when uploading and downloading a representative mHealth data set. Based on the results of our study, we develop recommendations for effective data transfers that can assist mHealth application developers.
PECAS——An Integrated Land-Use and Transportation Modeling System

PECAS is the recently designed and widely recognized modeling system that integrates land-use and transportation models. Under the assumption of a short-run (usually one year) market equilibrium in commodities, including goods, services, labor, etc., that are produced or consumed by activities within an entire region, and by using a series of NL models, the system allocates and distributes quantities of activities among land-use zones, with travel demands predicted according to these allocations. In addition, based on probabilities of various land-use developments, the system handles the un-transportable land and floor-space separately. The paper presents the basic concepts, system structure, model constructs, calculation flowchart, and calibration strategies that are used in PECAS, along with interrelations between PECAS and other land-use and transportation models. A brief discussion of practical applications of PECAS is included as well.
Burgeoning Electric Internet of Things

Internet of things (IOT) has been one of important support technologies of smart grids, and smart grids have been one of important application domains of IOT. Thus, the development of the IOT industry has been relating with a national strategy. This paper introduces basic connotation, characteristics and architecture of the electric IOT and the relationship between IOT and smart grids, and analyzes shortcomings of the current development of the electric IOT. Further, combining the construction of smart grids planning with business characteristics, this paper summarizes its major research and development direction and key research contents at the current development stage. Finally, this paper looks ahead at senior forms of the electric IOT.
On the Local Area Network to Share Printers with the Use of Techniques

Printer is one of our most commonly used office equipment, local area network to achieve the shared printers, we not only bring convenience and saving resources, can effectively improve efficiency. This paper introduces the local area network to share the printer with the skills, is to hold back the hopes of a point to help you.
Design and Application of Rock Tunnel Visualization Procedures Based on Key Block Theory

The visualization for the structural planes of rock tunnels provides an effective measure to study the stability of the rock.Here,based on the block theory and combining VC ++6.0 with OpenGL images on the basis of existing modeling methods,the three-dimensional network simulation is made for the structural planes of rocks by using discontinuity network diagram.Such functions as the modeling,display and geometrical move of the rock tunnel are realized,as well as the computer searching and image display of the key blocks.The application results show that the method is simple and reliable,and has the three-dimensional display function.
Design Method and Application of an Improved Federated Filter

This paper proposes a design method of local feedback compensation FKF.Comparing with no-reset FKF presented by Carlson,the fault-tolerance of the local feedback compensation FKF is the same as that of no-reset FKF and its precision is better.The local feedback compensation FKF is applied to the ship-borne integrated navigation system,through the computer simulation,comparing with the simulation result of the no-reset FKF presented by Carlson,the local feedback compensation FKF is better.
Using an Implicit Method for Coreference Resolution and Ellipsis Handling in Automatic Student Answer Assessment

The automatic student answer assessment problem is challenging because it requires natural language understanding. This problem is even more challenging in conversational Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) because in such conversations the speakers develop common ground as the dialogue proceeds, which means contextual information from previous utterances in the dialogue is heavily relied upon to understand a speaker’s utterances. Different linguistic phenomena should be addressed in order to improve the performance of automatic answer assessment systems in conversational ITS. Two such important phenomena are: references to entities mentioned earlier in the dialogue and ellipsis (i.e., answers with contextually implied parts) . In this paper, we present an implicit approach to resolving coreferences and handling elliptical responses in the context of automatic student answer evaluation in dialogue based intelligent tutoring systems.
The assessment of the identified substance-abusing adolescent

Assessment of a young person is the logical next step following his or her identification as abusing alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. This article discusses in depth the adolescent interview, including key questions and ideas as to how to further assess the adolescent. Reviews of family interaction patterns that contribute to substance abuse and considerations for a family interview are also included. Concluding this article are discussions of psychological testing and screening instruments that can be used to help assess the adolescent.
Molecular and Biological Role of CD40 in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a progressive and fatal disease characterized by the accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Although the cause of myeloma remains unknown, interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been demonstrated to be a primary growth factor for malignant plasma cells in vitro [1, 2]. Elevated levels of IL-6 in myelomatous bone marrow and a direct correlation of IL-6 levels with disease severity suggest that IL-6 may be a crucial factor for tumor expansion in vivo as well [2, 3]. At the present time, it remains uncertain, however, as to whether paracrine or autocrine sources are responsible for the significant increases in IL-6 levels that occur during disease progression (reviewed in [4]).
A biomineralization study of the Indo-Pacific giant clam Tridacna gigas

The giant clam, Tridacna gigas, is an important faunal component of reef ecosystems of the Indo-Pacific region. In addition to its ecological role, shells of this bivalve species are useful bioarchives for past climate and environmental reconstructions. However, the biomineralization processes involved in shell aragonite deposition are insufficiently understood. Here, we present a study of the shell microstructure of modern specimens from Palm Island, Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia, and Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea (PNG), using a combination of petrography, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and stable carbon isotope ratios. Daily growth increments were recognizable in all specimens through ontogeny, and counting these growth lines provides a robust specimen age estimate. For the internal layers, paired increments of organized aragonitic needles and compact, oblong crystals were recognized in a specimen from PNG, whereas specimens from GBR were composed of shield-like crystals that were not definable at the microscale. The combination of nutrient availability, rainfall and solar irradiance are likely to be the most significant factors controlling shell growth and may explain the observed differences in microstructure. The external layer, identical in all specimens, was composed of dendritic microstructure that is significantly enriched in 13C compared to the internal layer, suggesting different metabolic controls on layer deposition. We propose that the mineralization of the internal and external layers is independent from each other and associated with the activity of specific mantles. Future studies using T. gigas shells as bioarchives should consider the microstructure as it reflects the environment in which the individual lived and the differences in mineralization pathways of internal and external layers.
AUTOIMMUNE POLYGLANDULAR SYNDROME TYPE II AS A CAUSE OF RECURRENT CARDIAC TAMPONADE

Objective: This study reports an unusual presentation of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type II (APS II) with recurrent cardiac tamponade due to pericarditis in a young male patient. Method: We report clinical presentation, laboratory data, and imaging studies for our patient. Relevant literature is reviewed. Results: Our patient is a 29-year-old Hispanic man with a history of primary hypothyroidism who presented to the emergency department complaining of chest pain and found to have cardiac tamponade due to pericardial effusion. He rapidly became hemodynamically unstable and underwent pericardiocentesis, after which he was admitted to the intensive care unit. The patient gradually recovered and was discharged after 15 days of hospitalization while the etiology of his illness remained unclear. Four months later, he again presented with similar symptoms and was diagnosed with recurrent cardiac tamponade. He became hemodynamically unstable, and underwent pericardiocentesis. His morning serum cortisol lev...
An Overdetermined System of Transform Equations in Support of Robust DCE-MRI Registration With Outlier Rejection.

Quantitative hepatic perfusion parameters derived by fitting dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of liver to a pharmacokinetic model are prone to errors if the dynamic images are not corrected for respiratory motion by image registration. The contrast-induced intensity variations in pre- and postcontrast phases pose challenges for the accuracy of image registration. We propose an overdetermined system of transformation equations between the image volumes in the DCE-MRI series to achieve robust alignment. In this method, we register each volume to every other volume. From the transforms produced by all pairwise registrations, we constructed an overdetermined system of transform equations that was solved robustly by minimizing the L1/2-norm of the residuals. This method was evaluated on a set of 100 liver DCE-MRI examinations from 35 patients by examining the area under spikes appearing in the voxel time–intensity curves. The robust alignment procedure significantly reduced the area under intensity spikes compared with unregistered volumes (P < .001) and volumes registered to a single reference phase (P < .001). Our registration procedure provides a larger number of reliable time–intensity curve samples. The additional reliable samples in the precontrast baseline are important for calculating the postcontrast signal enhancement and thereby for converting intensity to contrast concentration. On the intensity ramp, retained samples help to better describe the uptake dynamics, providing a better foundation for parameter estimation. The presented method also simplifies the analysis of data sets with many patients by eliminating the need for manual intervention during registration.
Recurrent mutations and targeted therapy in FL.

In this issue of Blood , [Krysiak et al][1] expand our understanding of the genetic events which drive follicular lymphoma (FL), and provide insights into potential applications of targeted therapy.[1][2] FL is a pathologically and clinically heterogeneous disease. For the majority of patients, FL
A scalable approach for tree segmentation within small-footprint airborne LiDAR data

This paper presents a distributed approach that scales up to segment tree crowns within a LiDAR point cloud representing an arbitrarily large forested area. The approach uses a single-processor tree segmentation algorithm as a building block in order to process the data delivered in the shape of tiles in parallel. The distributed processing is performed in a master-slave manner, in which the master maintains the global map of the tiles and coordinates the slaves that segment tree crowns within and across the boundaries of the tiles. A minimal bias was introduced to the number of detected trees because of trees lying across the tile boundaries, which was quantified and adjusted for. Theoretical and experimental analyses of the runtime of the approach revealed a near linear speedup. The estimated number of trees categorized by crown class and the associated error margins as well as the height distribution of the detected trees aligned well with field estimations, verifying that the distributed approach works correctly. The approach enables providing information of individual tree locations and point cloud segments for a forest-level area in a timely manner, which can be used to create detailed remotely sensed forest inventories. Although the approach was presented for tree segmentation within LiDAR point clouds, the idea can also be generalized to scale up processing other big spatial datasets. A scalable distributed approach for tree segmentation was developed and analyzed.~2 million trees in a 7440 ha forest was segmented in 2.5h using 192 cores.2% false positive trees were identified as a result of the distributed run.Estimated number of trees and the tree height distribution aligned with field data.The approach can be used to scale up processing other big spatial data.
A Function Worth a Second Look

SummaryWe take a closer look at an interesting function introduced in a recent Classroom Capsule by Denis Bell.
CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH PACEMAKER IMPLANTATION AFTER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT: META-ANALYSIS AND META-REGRESSION

Background: Conduction abnormalities and need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) are frequent complications of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). While the incidence and predictors of PPM implantation have been well studied, data is conflicting on its clinical impact. Methods: A
Impact of Hospital “Best Practice” Mandates on Prescription Opioid Dispensing After an Emergency Department Visit

Objective Washington State mandated seven hospital “best practices” in July 2012, several of which may affect ED opioid prescribing and provide a policy template for addressing the opioid prescription epidemic. We tested the hypothesis that the mandates would reduce opioid dispensing after an ED visit. We further assessed for a selective effect in patients with prior risky or chronic opioid use. Methods We performed a retrospective, observational analysis of ED visits by Medicaid fee-for service beneficiaries in Washington State, between July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013. We used an interrupted time series design to control for temporal trends and patient characteristics. The primary outcome was any opioid dispensing within 3 days after an ED visit. The secondary outcome was total morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) dispensed within 3 days. Results We analyzed 266,614 ED visits. Mandates were associated with a small reduction in opioid dispensing after an ED visit (-1.5%, 95%CI: -2.8% to -0.15%). The mandates were associated with decreased opioid dispensing in 42,496 ED visits by patients with prior risky opioid use behavior (-4.7%, 95%CI: -7.1% to -2.3%) and in 20,238 visits by patients with chronic opioid use (-3.6%, 95%CI: -5.6% to -1.7%). Mandates were not associated with reductions in MMEs per dispense in the overall cohort or in either subgroup. Conclusions Washington state “best practice” mandates were associated with small but non-selective reductions in opioid prescribing rates. States should focus on alternative policies to further reduce opioid dispensing in subgroups of high risk and chronic users. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Evaluating upstream passage and timing of approach by adult bigheaded carps at a gated dam on the Illinois River

Dams are a conservation threat because they function as barriers to native fish movement; however, they may prevent the spread of invasive species. Invasive bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) threaten the Great Lakes ecosystem and are advancing towards Lake Michigan via the Illinois River. Navigation dams on the Illinois River may deter bigheaded carps' upstream movement. We investigated the permeability of the Starved Rock Lock and Dam (SRLD), the most downstream gated Illinois River dam, to bigheaded carps' migration by examining the timing of individuals approaching and passing through SRLD in relation to gate openness, tailwater elevation, and water temperature. Using acoustic telemetry of (N = ~104 per year) tagged fish, 13 upstream passages of bigheaded carps occurred through SRLD between 2013 and 2016. Eleven passages occurred through the dam gates and 2 through the lock chamber, indicating deterrents (e.g., CO2) placed in SRLD lock chamber may only limit passage of a small proportion of all fish passing through the lock-and-dam structure. Passages were documented only in 2013 and 2015. Most of the dam gate passages occurred during high water when gates were completely out of the water. Timing of bigheaded carps approaching SRLD was positively correlated with rising water temperature and high tailwater elevation, and all fish approached during late March through mid-September. Movement through dams is rare; modifying gate operations to reduce gate openness during late spring and summer could further reduce the permeability of gated dams such as SRLD to bigheaded carps, slowing their upstream advance.
Improvisation as an Evolutionary Force in Laptop Orchestra Culture

Improvisation has always been at the heart of the laptop ensemble and it constitutes a core force in the evolution of individual laptop orchestras and the art form at large. A drive to innovate artistically, technologically, and collaboratively opens the way for many new modes of improvisation that are unique to the laptop-orchestra (or LOrk) setting, such as improvising with collective instruments, gestural controllers, and live coding. Navigating these novel logistical settings, collaborative forms, technologies, and sonic structures demands rapid, creative responses to emergent possibilities and challenges. Due to their tradition-defying, multidimensional, and hybridic nature at cultural, stylistic, geographical, personal, social, and technological levels, laptop orchestras may be viewed as a matrix of related behaviours and beliefs rather than a definite genre. In this essay I focus on how non-idiomatic improvisation serves as a crucial local and global evolutionary force within LOrk culture by breaking with old patterns to discover new sui generis expressive possibilities and by developing skills that radically expand improvisatory strategies. I also provide a snapshot of current improvisatory practices that are unique or have special implications for laptop orchestras (based on extensive contact and email interviews with laptop orchestra directors and members across various geographical and cultural contexts). Additionally, I offer my own experiences as founder and director of the Concordia Laptop Orchestra (CLOrk).
Confidence Limits for Proportion of Conformance

This paper presents two approximate methods for constructing lower confidence limits for proportion of conformance. Proportion of conformance is defined as the proportion of products with quality characteristic inside the specification limits. The perfo..
Reliability and One-Year Stability of the PIN3 Neighborhood Environmental Audit in Urban and Rural Neighborhoods

Reliable and stable environmental audit instruments are needed to successfully identify the physical and social attributes that may influence physical activity. This study described the reliability and stability of the PIN3 environmental audit instrument in both urban and rural neighborhoods. Four randomly sampled road segments in and around a one-quarter mile buffer of participants’ residences from the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition (PIN3) study were rated twice, approximately 2 weeks apart. One year later, 253 of the year 1 sampled roads were re-audited. The instrument included 43 measures that resulted in 73 item scores for calculation of percent overall agreement, kappa statistics, and log-linear models. For same-day reliability, 81% of items had moderate to outstanding kappa statistics (kappas ≥ 0.4). Two-week reliability was slightly lower, with 77% of items having moderate to outstanding agreement using kappa statistics. One-year stability had 68% of items showing moderate to outstanding agreement using kappa statistics. The reliability of the audit measures was largely consistent when comparing urban to rural locations, with only 8% of items exhibiting significant differences (α < 0.05) by urbanicity. The PIN3 instrument is a reliable and stable audit tool for studies assessing neighborhood attributes in urban and rural environments.
Defining normal apical vaginal support: a relook at the POSST study.

The purpose of this study is to reanalyze data from the original 2005 Pelvic Organ Support Study (POSST) data set to define normal values for apical Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) points C and D and total vaginal length (TVL) in an asymptomatic population of women. In this retrospective observational data-set review, patient were >18 years presenting for annual gynecologic exams to six centers in the United States. Data included demographics, questions about prolapse symptoms, and POP-Q points. Means and standard deviations were determined for each POP-Q point in the total population. The data set comprised 1011 women; 59 were excluded because they met criteria for having POP or were missing data. This left 948 for study. Mean age of our study population was 42 ± 14 years, and 45.6% were white, 25.1% black, and 25.2% Hispanic. One hundred fifty-six had a prior hysterectomy. Mean values with standard deviations (SD) for POP-Q values are as following: point C (vaginal cuff) −7.3 ± 1.5 cm, point C (cervix) −5.9 ± 1.5, point D −8.7 cm ± 1.5 cm, TVL (no hysterectomy) 9.8 cm ± 1.3 cm, and TVL (hysterectomy) 8.9 cm ± 1.5 cm. This data suggests normal values for POP-Q apical points in a population of patient with annual gynecological exams.
Lakes in Valles Marineris

The Valles Marineris is a large system of troughs extending just south of the Martian equator from about longitude 250° E to 320° E. They trend approximately N 75° W for a distance of about 4000 km, equivalent to nearly the entire width of the United States. The troughs opened about 3.5 Ga ago. Initial collapse along structural planes of weakness formed ancestral troughs, littered with chaotic hills, which filled rapidly with water from ground ice, subterranean aquifers, or nearby valley networks. Ancestral outflow channels spilled out of these troughs and flowed across the adjacent plateaus. Sediments may have filled the troughs gradually, as the basins sank, or were deposited into deep lakes after rapid basin collapse. The major lakes within the Valles Marineris dried up, except for a few late shallow lakes on the trough floors that were locally fed by tributary canyons or lingering valleys. Spur-and-gully erosion, which carved the early walls, apparently also stopped. It is nearly inevitable that lakes or playas with varying levels of surface or ground water existed at some time inside the Valles Marineris. It is difficult to envision the formation of or alteration to hydrated evaporite and iron oxide deposits without some aqueous activity. Ongoing investigations, especially with hyperspectral data, may eventually shed more light on the origin of the ILD and perhaps clarify the still ongoing debate over the extent to which the original ILD were of sedimentary, volcanic, or mixed provenance.
Test of parameter changes in a class of observation-driven models for count time series

This paper investigates the parameter-change tests for a class of observation-driven models for count time series. We propose two cumulative sum (CUSUM) test procedures for detection of changes in ...
Pitching Home: Medicine Shows and the Performance of the Domestic in Southern Appalachia

Exploring questions of identity, commerce, and domestic labor, Bringardner’s chapter argues that medicine shows crafted explicit performances of domesticity that strategically couched their product pitches in the language of home. In doing so, these shows actively constructed an idealized vision of the family house as a tactic to woo potential consumers. However, Bringardner also demonstrates how audiences asserted agency, constructing and reconstructing their own identities as Southern and Appalachian through active participation in these shows. Whether choosing to become a purchaser or to remain a passive spectator, the individual participated in changing ideas of what it meant to be Southern and Appalachian, identities that ultimately relied upon specific understandings and dreams of home.