cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of adaptive absorbing boundary condition for finite element solution of three-dimensional scattering

When solving open-region scattering problems using the finite element method, the infinite region exterior to the scatterer must be truncated with an artificial boundary to limit the number of unknowns. Consequently, a boundary condition must be introduced at this artificial boundary for a unique finite element solution. Two classes of such boundary conditions have been developed and employed extensively in the finite element solution of scattering problems. The first class of boundary conditions is derived from the boundary integral equations involving Green's functions. The second class of boundary conditions is derived from the differential wave equations. These boundary conditions relate the field at one point of the boundary only to those at its neighboring points and, thus, are called local boundary conditions. As a result, the corresponding numerical system is a sparse banded matrix, which is similar to the FEM matrix. Such matrices can be stored and solved efficiently. However, these boundary conditions do not lead to exact solutions because they do not possess zero reflection for all incidence angles, and, to minimize the solution error, the artificial boundary must be placed at some distance away from the scatterer, resulting in a large discretization domain. Recently, Li and Cendes (1994) proposed a method to improve the accuracy of the finite element solution of scattering using ABCs. In that method, an adaptive scheme is introduced to update the ABCs using the boundary integral equation in the process of the finite element solution. Li and Cendes applied this method to 2D scattering problems. In this paper, we apply this method to more complicated 3D scattering problems and investigate its advantages, shortcomings, and possible solutions.
Optical characterization of metallic aerosols

Airborne metallic particulates from industry and urban sources are highly conducting aerosols. The characterization of these pollutant particles is important for environment monitoring and protection. Because these metallic particulates are highly reflective, their effect on local weather or regional radiation budget may also need to be studied. In this work, light scattering characteristics of these metallic aerosols are studied using exact solutions on perfectly conducting spherical and cylindrical particles. It is found that for perfectly conducting spheres and cylinders, when scattering angle is larger than approx. 90 deg. the linear polarization degree of the scattered light is very close to zero. This light scattering characteristics of perfectly conducting particles is significantly different from that of other aerosols. When these perfectly conducting particles are immersed in an absorbing medium, this light scattering characteristics does not show significant change. Therefore, measuring the linear polarization of scattered lights at backward scattering angles can detect and distinguish metallic particulates from other aerosols. This result provides a great potential of metallic aerosol detection and monitoring for environmental protection.
Hepatic epithelioid haemangioendothelioma: is transplantation the only treatment option?

Background Hepatic epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (HEH) is a rare vascular neoplasm with unpredictable clinical behaviour.
Immediate adverse reactions to chemotherapy: Experience of a large ambulatory treatment center

8558 Background: In recent years there has been a proliferation of Ambulatory Chemotherapy Treatment Centers (ATC). The incidence of hypersensitivity and other immediate adverse drug reactions (IADR) in these ATC units have not been well studied. We aim to describe our experience with IADR in our ATC. Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted for all patients in the Adverse Drug Reaction Report database (Maxsys II) for the year 2004. Data was abstracted for demographics, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of IADR. Overall frequency of different chemotherapeutic and monoclonal agents infused was obtained for the same period through the pharmacy database. Results: In 2004, 81,580 chemotherapy infusions were given and 256 IADR (0.31%) were reported. The mean age was 55 years and 45% were males. The most common drugs used were fluorouracil (12.9%), paclitaxel (9.4%), docetaxel (6.1%), carboplatin (5.9%), and gemcitabine (5.8%). The table shows the most prevalent agents that led to IA...
Accounting for nonverbal communication in interpreter-mediated events in healthcare settings

Interpreters express in one language what is said in another. Verbal language is, of course, the basic system by which humans often interact, and a large percentage of our communication is based on the exchange of words. Bilingual language skills are fundamental and are, as might be expected, emphasized in any interpreter-training program. Issues dealing with verbal language such as knowledge of medical terminology in two languages, cognates, false cognates, syntactical structures, and idioms are essential. They should be a very important part of the training provided for interpreters working in many public service settings (legal, health, education, housing, environmental health, and social services). Although the organized system of vocal sounds, known as verbal language, is fundamental to communicate meaning between individuals, there are also nonverbal features that are utilized in everyday conversation (including interpreted-mediated events). Following Fernando Poyatos (2002a, 2002b, 2002c), this article briefly examines the triple structure of discourse, language-paralanguage-kinesics, and its relevance for interpreters. One of the main differences between public service interpreting and other types of interpreting (such as conference interpreting) is the opportunity for interpreters to intervene, particularly in healthcare settings. These interventions occur in order to stop the flow of the conversation and clarify terms, expressions or ideas; point to a misunderstanding; signal a cultural reference; and/or relay the meaning of specific nonverbal behavior. The idea of the interpreter as mere conduit has now been put into question, and with reason. S/he is now regarded as a visible co-participant in a verbal and nonverbal interaction that allows two people from different languages and cultures to communicate with each other. Because nonverbal communication is an important part of the triadic interpreted-mediated events that take place in healthcare settings, it is becoming much more visible as part of interpreter education. The present article first considers communication through nonverbal signs, and often just through nonverbal signs. Next, it stresses the need for interpreters to account for nonverbal cues in the routine triadic events taking place in healthcare settings. The article adopts an expanded definition of interpreting, a particular notion of language, and a constructivist approach to learning.
Kinetic Study of High-Pressure Carbonation Reaction of Calcium-Based Sorbents in the Calcium Looping Process (CLP)

In this study, the high-pressure carbonation kinetics of calcium oxide (CaO) derived from three calcium-based sorbents, namely, limestone (CaCO3), calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2], and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), used in the calcium looping process (CLP) system were studied using a magnetic suspension balance (MSB) analyzer. Different total pressures (1000–15000 torr) and concentrations of CO2 (10–30%) were tested to determine their effects on the carbonation reaction rate at a specific operating temperature of the CLP system, namely, 700 °C. The carbonation reaction rate was found to increase with increasing concentration of CO2 (10–30%) at a constant total pressure of 5000 torr and to exhibit first-order kinetics. However, the total pressure has an effect on the carbonation reaction rate only at lower total pressures. With a 20% CO2 stream, the reaction rate was observed to increase until the total pressure reached 4000 torr, beyond which a further increase in total pressure had a negative effect o...
Polymerase chain reaction-based method for the detection of canine heartworm (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and vertebrate hosts.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based test was developed to aid in identification of Dirofilaria sp. and for use in surveys for infected vectors of Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy). A set of PCR primers was designed based on the DNA sequence of a D. immitis surface antigen gene. The predicted product was a 378 base-pair DNA fragment. The target fragment was amplified from free D. immitis larvae (both L 3 and microfilariae), individual infected mosquitoes, pools of 30 mosquitoes (including a single infected mosquito), infected mosquitoes stored desiccated at room temperature for 7 mo, and whole blood from a dog infected with D. immitis. These primers did not amplify a homologous fragment from a mermithid or from 4 other species of filarioid nematodes (including 1 other Dirofilaria species). Third-stage larvae from field-collected mosquitoes also were tested. Field-collected L 3 , identified tentatively as D. immitis,were confirmed by PCR. There was no amplification using the PCR test for L 3 identified tentatively as Dirofilaria sp. (possibly D. tenuis Chandler). These data provide a strong indication of the specificity of these primers. The potential utility of this technique for detecting the presence of D. immitis in field populations of mosquitoes is discussed.
Therapy for Experimental Endocarditis Due to Staphylococcus epidermidis

Vancomycin was evaluated with and without gentamicin and/or rifampin in therapy for endocarditis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in rabbits. Vancomyin (30 mg/kg iv every 12 hr), gentamicin (3.5 mg/kg im every 8 hr), rifampin (20 mg/kg im every 12 hr), combinations of vancomycin plus gentamicin, vancomycin plus rifampin, and vancomycin plus gentamicin plus rifampin were injected for two days, and the number of bacteria in vegetations was determined. Ratios of minimal inhibitory concentrations to minimal bactericidal concentrations (,ug/ml) for S. epidermidis were 3.1:25 for vancomycin, 0.2:0.8 for gentamicin, and 0.4:0.4 for rifampin. After two days of therapy, mean log colony-forming units ? SD in vegetations were 7.1 + 1.5 (none of eight animals were sterile) for vancomycin; 4.6 ? 2.2 (two of nine) for gentamicin; 4.5 + 2.2 (two of eight) for rifampin; 3.3 ? 1.3 (three of 10) for vancomycin plus gentamicin; 2.7 + 1.2 (three of nine) for vancomycin plus rifampin; 2.1 ? 0.2 (eight of nine) for vancomycin plus gentamicin plus rifampin; and 8.1 + 1.3 (none of 12) for the control group. Gentamicin, rifampin, vancomycin plus gentamicin, and vancomycin plus rifampin were significantly more effective than was vancomycin; vancomycin plus rifampin was more effective than was gentamicin alone; and the combination of vancomycin plus gentamicin plus rifampin was more effective than were the drugs administered alone or in the combinations vancomycin plus gentamicin and vancomycin plus rifampin. Two days of treatment followed by seven days of no treatment resulted in 71%, 29%/, and 14% sterile vegetations in rabbits receiving the combination therapy vancomycin plus gentamicin plus rifampin, vancomycin plus rifampin, and vancomycin plus gentamicin, respectively. Staphylococcus epidermidis is currently the most common cause of prosthetic valve endocarditis in the United States and is associated with a mortality of r60%-75%0 despite a subacute type of course
Innate host defenses against Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans, the predominant etiological agent of cryptococcosis, can cause life-threatening infections of the central nervous system in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is the most common disseminated fungal infection in AIDS patients, and remains the third most common invasive fungal infection among organ transplant recipients. The administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in a decrease in the number of cases of AIDS-related cryptococcosis in developed countries, but in developing countries where HAART is not readily available, Cryptococcus is still a major concern. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapies and/or vaccines to combat cryptococcosis. Understanding the protective immune responses against Cryptococcus is critical for development of vaccines and immunotherapies to combat cryptococcosis. Consequently, this review focuses on our current knowledge of protective immune responses to C. neoformans, with an emphasis on innate immune responses.
Plenary talks: Touching

The common area of interest to attendees at this conference is physical interaction. Haptic and robotic technologies are beginning to merge into one discipline. Touching is the central theme that draws these disciplines together. Whether we are designing a surgical simulation to feel realistic or building a robot to cooperatively carry a load, we must make explicit choices about their mechanical behaviors. In part, this presentation will share our experiences and lessons learned in creating number of haptic and force controllable robotic systems. We will discuss measures of performance and mechanical means for maximizing them. As haptically capable robots engage in more complex and sophisticated physical interactions with humans (HRI) we must consider how the robot's mechanical characteristics affect cooperative task performance as well as the affective effects when humans touch or are touched by a robot. I find fascinating the dual meanings of touch and feel; both have physical and emotional interpretations and are inextricably linked in our language. The study of the emotional aspects of physical interactions between humans and robots is an area that warrants study. I will briefly discuss our own study of encoding and communicating emotional states through handshaking with a robot. My taxonomy of physical interaction between a human and a robot has three levels of abstraction: 1) touching and being touched, 2) taking and giving and 3) leading and being led. At each level bi-directional energy exchanges occur. Behaviors during these interactions impact task outcomes as well as have emotional impact on the humans they touch. Robot characteristics such as impedance, frequency content, fidelity, and more have impact on quality of human/robot physical cooperation and the ensuing affective interpretations. In closing I will discuss our work on wearable robotics. Rather than addressing strength and rehabilitation, our study addresses interactivity, communication, emotional and cognitive issues that arise when a robot becomes part of our self.
Experimental Research on Wide Frequency Transfer Characteristics of Voltage and Current Transformers in Substations

The electromagnetic interference threatens the safe operation of substation,the main route of the electromagnetic disturbances generated in high voltage side of substation propagating into the secondary system is through the voltage and current transformers,the purpose of this paper is to build the transfer characteristic models of voltage and current transformers based on the measurements of actual voltage and current transformers.Firstly,the method to measure the scattering characteristic parameters and the conversion relation to the transfer characteristics was introduced by applying the network analyzer,the transfer characteristics of the CVTs and CTs with rated voltages of 110 kV,220 kV and 500 kV were measured,and the scattering characteristics and their differences of different types of voltage and current transformers with different rated voltage were analyzed.Then,the wide frequency transfer characteristics of voltage and current transformers were determined from experimental results,and the influence of voltage and current transformers on the propagation process of electromagnetic disturbances were analyzed.The analysis results show the transfer characteristics of different transformers have distinguished difference,but their resonance points widely distribute in the frequency range from hundreds kHz to several MHz,high disturbance energy would transfer to secondary side from the high voltage side in lots of special frequency points.These models provide the fundament for the estimation and analysis of electromagnetic interference in substation.
Default Capacity Tariffs: Smoothing the Transitional Regulatory Asymmetries in the Telecommunications Market

District Manager, Demand Analysis, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, St. Louis, Missouri. The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. A number of individuals were kind enough to offer comments on an earlier draft of this paper. I am grateful to Kurt Ables, Pete Grandstaff, David Ho, Chuck Jackson, Don Kridel, Dale Lehman, Ray Miller, Douglas Mudd, and Lester Taylor. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Alfred Kahn whose extensive review of this paper significantly improved both the exposition and the analysis. I would also like to thank the editors of the YALE JOURNAL ON REGULATION, in particular Ed Ludwig and Doug Wood, for their cooperation and diligence in working with me on this paper. Judy Seibel supplied expert typing and editorial assistance. As always, responsibility for any remaining errors rests solely with the author.
miR-21, miR-155, miR-192, and miR-375 Deregulations Related to NF-kappaB Activation in Gastroduodenal Fluid–Induced Early Preneoplastic Lesions of Laryngeal Mucosa In Vivo

Gastroduodenal refluxate found in the upper aerodigestive tract is not clinically uncommon. We recently demonstrated the neoplastic potential of gastroduodenal fluids (GDF) on hypopharyngeal mucosa, via NF-κB, using in vitro and in vivo models. Here we will explore the in vivo effect of GDF on laryngeal mucosa (LM) to induce early preneoplastic lesions related to NF-κB activation, along with deregulation of specific microRNA (miRNA) markers previously linked to laryngeal cancer. We used histological, immunohistochemical, automated quantitative analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to examine LM from 35 C57Bl/6J mice previously treated with topical GDF against corresponding controls (4 experimental and 3 control groups; 5 mice/group). Our analysis showed that GDF produced early preneoplastic lesions in treated LM related to NF-κB activation. LM treated by acid and bile combination demonstrated significantly higher expression of the analyzed cell proliferation markers (Ki67, CK14, ∆Np63), oncogenic p-STAT3, and changes of cell adhesion molecules (E-cadherin, ϐ-catenin) versus untreated LM or LM exposed to acid alone (P < .0005). Furthermore, acidic bile but not neutral bile appeared to accelerate the expression of “oncomirs” miR-21, miR-155, and miR-192 (acidic bile versus neutral bile, P < .0001), while reducing tumor suppressor miR-375 (acidic bile versus neutral bile, P = .0137), previously linked to NF-κB and laryngeal cancer. Finally, acidic bile induced reduction of miR-34a, miR-375, and miR-451a, exhibiting an inverse correlation with NF-κB activation. SIGNIFICANCE: Bile in combination with acid has a selective tumorigenic effect on LM, inducing deregulation of “oncomirs” and tumor suppressor miRNAs, produced by NF-κB activation with molecular and early histopathological alterations linked to neoplastic transformation. Systematic acid suppression may in part convey a protective role.
Regulation of animal care and research? NIH's opinion

It is the position of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that investigators and institutions who use animals have the responsibility to provide for the animals' humane care and use. NIH policy requires that recipients of its awards assure NIH that they are carrying out this responsibility. NIH uses the National Academy of Sciences--National Research Council "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" to define acceptable animal care standards and a set of 12 "Principles for the Use of Animals" to define humane animal use.
Reflections on Transformative Experiences with Mathematical Inquiry: The Case of Christine

AbstractWe present a first-hand, longer-term account of one student’s (Christine’s) experiences in and after a mathematics inquiry course. In this course, students actively posed problems, conducted their own mathematical explorations, and wrote journal entries about their experiences. During the course, Christine found that inquiry helped her develop mathematical content knowledge and a deeper understanding of the nature of research. After the course, Christine became a mathematics education faculty member in a mathematics department and reports that the course impacted the way she teaches mathematics. This provides an illustrative case of the potential long-lasting benefits of an inquiry course.
Ischemic stroke subtypes and migraine with visual aura in the ARIC study.

Objective: To investigate the association among migraine, ischemic stroke, and stroke subtypes in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Methods: In this ongoing, prospective, longitudinal community-based cohort study, participants were given an interview ascertaining migraine history in 1993–1995, and were followed for all vascular events, including stroke. All stroke events over the subsequent 20 years were adjudicated and classified into stroke subtypes by standard definitions. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for stroke risk factors were used to study the relationship between migraine and ischemic stroke, overall, as well as stroke subtypes (cardioembolic, lacunar, or thrombotic). Results: We identified 1,622 migraineurs among 12,758 participants. Mean age of the study population at the 3rd clinical visit was 59 years. When compared to nonheadache participants, there was a significant association between migraine with visual aura and ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR] 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–2.6, p = 0.008). Migraine without visual aura was not significantly associated with ischemic stroke (HR 1.2, CI 1.0–1.8, p = 0.28) when compared to nonheadache participants. Among the 3 subtypes of ischemic stroke evaluated, migraine with visual aura was significantly associated only with cardioembolic stroke (HR 3.7, 95% CI 1.6–8.7, p = 0.003). Conclusion: In participants with migraine with visual aura in late middle age, increased risk of cardioembolic stroke was observed. Migraine with visual aura was linked to increased stroke risk, while migraine without visual aura was not, over the period of 20 years. These results are specific to older migraineurs.
Reinforcing signal processing theory using real-time hardware

Today there is a global need for engineers who are “DSP literate.” An obvious solution for supplying this need is to educate the next generation of DSP engineers. To do this, several powerful and highly versatile options are available. Real-time or quasi-real-time systems can be implemented using, for example, microprocessors, FPGAs, dedicated DSP hardware, general-purpose processors, graphical processing units, or smartphones. This paper discusses our efforts over the years using various dedicated DSP hardware devices to enhance our student's understanding of signal processing concepts and to develop the hardware and software skill-set routinely sought by future employers. Specifically, we introduce version three of winDSK8, a Windows-based graphical program that can control any one of three different Texas Instrument (TI) floating-point, real-time, DSP boards. This paper was invited for the special session, “Advances in Signal Processing Education.” A real-time DSP demonstration will be part of our presentation.
Direct Anthropometry of Repaired Bilateral Complete Cleft Lip: A Long-Term Assessment.

Background Repair of bilateral complete cleft lip requires more than following a design in a textbook. The operative strategy should incorporate knowledge of anticipated nasolabial changes with growth. Methods Direct nasolabial anthropometry was recorded in 174 children with bilateral complete cleft lip before and immediately after primary repair. Serial measurements were taken in 66 Caucasian patients between the ages of 6 months and 15 years and compared to Farkas' normal values. Data for upper philtral width were unavailable; therefore, this dimension was measured in 454 nonsyndromic Caucasian male and female subjects aged 1 year to adulthood. Rates and types of revision were also documented. Results Inter-medial canthal width stayed above the mean and within normal limits throughout puberty. Interalar width was initially narrowed and hovered in the high normal range throughout adolescence. Columellar height and nasal projection were constructed slightly long and paralleled normal growth. Available cutaneous philtral length was used in the primary repair; however, this dimension remained short. The philtrum was made narrow and matched normal values throughout adolescence. Normal inferior/superior philtral width ratio was 1.60 for female subjects and 1.59 for male subjects. A full median tubercle was built at primary repair but, sometimes in late childhood, necessitated secondary augmentation with a dermal graft in 31 of 174 patients (18 percent), usually performed in late childhood or adolescence. Conclusions Serial anthropometry documented postoperative changes in nasolabial dimensions compared to normal growth curves. Repair of bilateral complete cleft lip requires primary correction of nasal and labial features based on their differential growth, with special attention to nasal width, philtral height and proportions, and size of the median tubercle. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, IV.
An Examination of before and after Rehearsal Pitch Tendencies of String and Wind Musicians

The purpose of this study was to examine the before and after rehearsal pitch tendencies of college string and wind musicians and compare possible: (1) differences in pitch before and after rehears...
The complete mitochondrial genome of the scorpion Centruroides vittatus (Arachnida: Scorpiones).

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the Striped scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) was assembled from Illumina-based whole genome sequencing. The circular genome is 14,602 bp in length ...
Optimal pilot reuse factor based on user environments in 5G Massive MIMO

Massive MIMO is designed to improve capacity and performance of the network by using hundreds or even thousands of antenna and terminals attached to the base station. However, the fundamental limitation of this technology is pilot contamination problem during uplink which limits throughput. Pilot contamination problem can be solved by using pilot reuse factor value higher than one and to get maximum area throughput in the system, this factor must be switched dynamically according to the environment and number of active users. As of now increasing either bandwidth or cell density has been considered but the other factor increasing area throughput, i.e., spectral efficiency has been untouched. In this paper, we find the optimal values of pilot reuse factor to always run the system at maximum spectral efficiency to get higher area throughput. The experiment was simulated in six different environments with the variable number of active users in the cell and results through MATLAB simulations show that with appropriate use of the value of pilot reuse factor based on environment and number of active users, we can always run the system with maximal spectral efficiency and achieve higher area throughput.
Land Cover Change, Surface Mining, and Their Impacts on a Heavy Rain Event in the Appalachia

It is hypothesized that land cover change (LCC), driven by mountain top removal (MTR), in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky would change biogeophysical properties of land surface and subse...
Organization of the S II Parietal Cortex

Previous physiological studies of the cortical location of responsiveness to somatic stimuli within and along the upper bank of the Sylvian fissure in primates demonstrated a single topographic representation in this part of the cortex (1, 76, 79, 80, 81). This somato-sensory representation was called the second somatic sensory area (S II) since it was discovered subsequent to the first somatic sensory area in most species that contained multiple cortical somatosensory representations. According to some investigators, the effective somatic stimuli for activating evoked potential or single neuron recording sites in SII in animals anesthetized with barbiturates were considerably different from the adequate stimulus parameters for eliciting activity in S I. Receptive fields in primates (1,76-79) and subprimates (4,45,58,60,81) were larger, often bilateral, poorly demarcated and extensively overlapping. Activity in the primate SII was also found to be more susceptible to the level of barbiturate anesthesia (77, 78). As a consequence, the topographic representation of the body in S II was found to be coarser and more difficult to define. In addition, the receptors associated with the sense of position and movement were said not to be represented in S II according to some (76), but not all investigators (41).
Complete Versus Partial LV Unloading after LVAD Implantation and Association with Outcomes

Background LVAD implantation improves survival in end-stage heart failure (HF) patients. It is unclear at this time whether the goal of partial or complete left ventricle (LV) unloading is the best long-term strategy to maintain favorable outcomes especially when it relates to patients who received LVAD as destination therapy. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of end-stage HF patients who underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation and subsequent right heart catheterization (RHC) to determine partial or complete LV unloading using invasive hemodynamics. Complete LV unloading was defined as cardiac index (CI) > 2.2 and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) Results Our sample size included 142 patients. Mean age 57.4 (range 25-79), 75.5% of male gender and 55% had an ischemic etiology of HF. Complete LV unloading was seen in 52 (36.6%) patients compared to 90 (63.4%) patients with partial LV unloading. There was a trend towards worse outcomes (mortality and HF readmission) in the group with partial LV unloading, however, did not reach statistical significance ( Table 1 ). Discussion Although there was a trend towards worse 1-year outcomes in patients with partial LV unloading, this did not reach statistical significance. Our institution uses invasive hemodynamics based on RHC for LVAD speed optimization and alterations in LVAD speed done at the time of RHC may potentially have played a role in influencing outcomes of the partially unloaded LV group and hence not met statistical significance. Best long-term strategy for LV unloading remains unclear at this time and further studies are needed to guide management to maintain favorable long-term outcomes.
Geographic patterns of prescription opioids and opioid overdose deaths in New York State, 2013-2015.

Abstract Objectives To examine the relationship between prescription opioid rates and prescription opioid overdose deaths using spatial cluster and regression analyses. Methods Publicly available county-level data were obtained from the New York State Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013–2015. Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic was used to investigate spatial clustering of New York State opioid prescription overdose death rates, as well as opioid prescription rates. A Poisson regression was used to analyze opioid prescriptions as a predictor of mortality accounting for spatial autocorrelation in the residuals. Results We report 1440 overdose mortalities and 26.8 million opioid prescriptions throughout New York State in 2013–2015. Multiple significant clusters were found for both opioid prescription mortalities as well as prescriptions, although the locations of the elevated rates did not strongly overlap. Poisson regression showed a significant, small, negative relationship between prescriptions and opioid mortalities, wherein for every 10,000 prescriptions increased, the number of opioid mortalities decreased approximately 0.12%; therefore, essentially a null relationship. Conclusions Simply reducing the number of prescriptions may not be effective in reducing prescription related mortality; although opioid prescription dosing information should be made available to engender a better evaluation of the epidemic. Geographical differences in opioid mortalities exist above and beyond what can be explained by prescription rate data; identifying these locations may help inform and guide public health interventions. Despite the recent reduction in opioid prescription rates, the overall population is still inundated with prescriptions.
The World Heart Federation criteria raise the threshold of diagnosis for mild rheumatic heart disease: Three reviewers are better than one.

Abstract Background The World Heart Federation (WHF) criteria, published in 2012, provided an evidence-based guideline for the minimal diagnosis of echocardiographically-detected RHD. Primary aim of the study was to determine whether use of the WHF criteria altered the threshold for the diagnosis of echocardiographically-detected RHD compared with the previous WHO/NIH criteria. A secondary aim was to explore the utility of a three reviewer reporting system compared to a single or two reviewer reporting structure. Methods 144 de-identified echocardiograms (RHD, congenital valvar abnormality, physiological valvar regurgitation) were independently reported using the WHF criteria by two reviewers blinded to the previous WHO/NIH diagnosis. If there was discordance between the two reviewers, a third cardiologist independently performed a tie-breaker review. Results There was a 21% reduction of cases classified as RHD using the WHF criteria compared to the modified WHO/NIH criteria (68 cases compared to 86, p = 0.04). There was a 60% consensus across the different diagnostic categories with 2 reviewers, 89% majority agreement with 3 reviewers. 11% required an open label discussion. There was moderate agreement between 2 reviewers for any RHD, kappa 0.57 (CI 0.44–0.70), with no significant difference in agreement between the different categories. Conclusion The WHF criteria have raised the threshold for the diagnosis of RHD compared to the WHO/NIH criteria. However, inter-reporter variability of the WHF criteria is high. A three reviewer system is likely more accurate than a single or two reporter system for the diagnosis of mild RHD. This has resource implications for echocardiographic screening programmes.
Transrectal and transvaginal catheter drainages and aspirations for management of pelvic fluid collections: technique, technical success rates, and outcomes in 150 patients

To evaluate outcomes of image-guided transrectal/transvaginal (TR/TV) drainage for symptomatic pelvic fluid collections (SPFCs). Single-center retrospective study of 150 consecutive patients (36 males, 114 females, average age 41 years) who underwent attempted TR/TV drainages of SPFCs during an 11-year, 5-month period. All patients presented with pain and had SPFCs with rectal or vaginal contact on preceding diagnostic CT. Routine technique included Foley catheter insertion, image-guidance with ultrasound and fluoroscopy, 18 g/20 cm Chiba needles, and Seldinger technique for catheter insertion. No anoscope or speculum was used. SPFCs causes were classified by etiology including postoperative—70 (47%); gynecologic—49 (33%); and gastrointestinal—31 (21%). Resolutions of the SPFCs without the need for surgical intervention, collection recurrence, and complications were assessed. Surgical management after attempted TR/TV drainage was considered a failure. Technical success was achieved in 172/180 procedures [TR 128/134 (95%); TV 44/46 (96%)]. TR/TV drainage successfully managed SPFCs in 141/150 patients (94% success rate) and 145/150 patients (97%) did not require surgical intervention; 4 patients with failed TR/TV drainage attempts were managed conservatively. In 5 patients requiring surgery, 4 were after technically successful TR/TV and 1 was after a failed TR attempt. Complications occurred in 4 (3%) patients: 2 bladder punctures (both resolved with medical management), 1 propagation of sepsis, and 1 hemorrhagic return from TR drainage that prompted surgical exploration. Transrectal and transvaginal drainage had high technical success rates and were successful in managing the majority (141/150; 94%) of patients with pelvic fluid collections.
DWE-Med: Dynamic Word Embeddings for Medical Domain

Recent advances in unsupervised language processing methods have created an opportunity to exploit massive text corpora for developing high-quality vector space representation (also known as word embeddings) of words. Towards this direction, practitioners have developed and applied several data driven embedding models with quite good rate of success. However, a drawback of these models lies in their premise of static context; wherein, the meaning of a word is assumed to remain the same over the period of time. This is limiting because it is known that the semantic meaning of a concept evolves over time. While such semantic drifts are routinely observed in almost all the domains; their effect is acute in domain such as biomedicine, where the semantic meaning of a concept changes relatively fast. To address this, in this study, we aim to learn temporally aware vector representation of medical concepts from the timestamped text data, and in doing so provide a systematic approach to formalize the problem. More specifically, a dynamic word embedding based model that jointly learns the temporal characteristics of medical concepts and performs across time-alignment is proposed. Apart from capturing the evolutionary characteristics in an optimal manner, the model also factors in the implicit medical properties useful for a variety of bio-medical applications. Empirical studies conducted on two important bio-medical use cases validates the effectiveness of the proposed approach and suggests that the model not only learns quality embeddings but also facilitates intuitive trajectory visualizations.
Cystic fibrosis protein, a confirmed diagnostic marker for detecting heterozygote carriers: significance in relation to future screening and to a proposed primary defect in alpha 2-macroglobulin.

Letter to the Editor: Cystic Fibrosis Protein, a Confirmed Diagnostic Marker for Detecting Heterozygote Carriers: Significance in Relation to Future Screening and to a Proposed Prijnary Defect in Alpha 2 -Macroglobulin
Primary-school teachers’ expectations of handwriting skills in primary-school children

Date Presented 04/06/19 This study aims to investigate primary-school teachers' expectations of handwriting skills in primary-school children and explore differences in expectations between upper and lower primary-school children’s handwriting skills. Identification of handwriting components primary-school teachers view as important will allow OTs to better tailor interventions to ensure that handwriting concerns are adequately addressed. Primary Author and Speaker: Li Hui Ong Contributing Authors: Siok Khoon Soh, Shu-Jun Ho, May Yan Melissa Yeong
Collection development vs. access in academic science libraries

The academic science librarian of today faces many challenges as we move toward a new cenutry. Not the least of these is the transition from a collection which is primarily print-based to information sources which will exist substantially in electronic formats. This paper examines some of the concepts and dilemmas which an academic science library must consider in order to align its collection development activities with the changing environment of scientific and technical librarianship. In particular, the problem of serials access versus ownership is considered.
Altered miRNA landscape of the anterior cingulate cortex is associated with potential loss of key neuronal functions in depressed brain

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a family of non-coding RNAs, have recently gained a considerable attention in neuropsychiatric disorders. Being a pleiotropic modulator of target gene(s), miRNA has been recognized as central to downstream gene regulatory networks. In the recent past, reports have suggested their role in changing the epigenetic landscape in brain of subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD). Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a brain area implicated in several complex cognitive functions, such as impulse control, emotion, and decision-making and is associated with psychopathology associated with mood regulation. In this study, we examined whether MDD is associated with altered miRNA transcriptome in ACC and whether altered miRNA landscape is associated with modifications in specific gene network(s) at the functional level. Using next generation sequencing (NGS), it was observed that 117 miRNAs (4.61%) were significantly upregulated and 54 (2.13%) were downregulated in MDD subjects (n = 22) compared with non-psychiatric controls (n = 25). Using 24 most significantly upregulated miRNAs in the MDD group, we determined functional enrichment of target genes and found them to be associated with long-term potentiation, neurotrophin signaling, and axon guidance. Intra- and inter-cluster similarities of enriched terms based on overrepresented gene list showed neurobiological functions associated with neuronal growth and survival. Web centric parameters and ontology enrichment functions identified two major domains related to phosphatidyl signaling, GTPase signaling, neuronal migration, and neurotrophin signaling. Our findings of altered miRNA landscape along with a shift in targetome relate to previously reported morphometric changes and neuronal atrophy in ACC of MDD subjects.
Good sleep for healthy kidneys

Poor sleep shows potential causal relationship with risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
Central Banks and the Governance of Monetary Space

From regional redistribution through mortgage markets to the monetary policy effects on local house price dynamics, the Great Financial Crisis (GFC) has been a powerful reminder that money and credit matter for the evolution of the space economy. In addition to the spatially uneven impact of money and credit, the GFC has also underlined the crucial role of central banks as institutional pivot points on which the global financial system hinges. This chapter examines the evolving role and function of central banks in the post-crisis geography of money. Paying particular attention to Francois Perroux’s analysis of economic spaces, I argue that central banks form the institutional, operational, and functional apex in the inherent hierarchy of global monetary spaces. As such, central banks critically shape three fundamental relationships among constituent economic elements in the Perrouxian system, i.e. (i) monetary space as defined by a plan; (ii) monetary space as a field of forces; and (iii) monetary space as a homogeneous aggregate.The remainder of the paper further argues that, despite an enthusiastic re-engagement with the “economic geography of money and finance” in the decade after the GFC, central banks and monetary space plays no more than a perfunctory role in the current literature. Consequently, much of this rapidly expanding literature tends to remain singularly faithful to locational and agglomerational aspects of what Perroux termed “banal economic space” wherein the true monetary power of central banks is difficult to analyse.
Entanglement Entropy of Fermi Liquids via Multidimensional Bosonization

Highly deft technical work by a group of three theoretical physicists leads to much needed fundamental understanding of the ``area law'' governing the entanglement entropy of a many-particle quantum system and shows that the leading form of the law survives the addition of particle-particle interactions.
Ectopic Parathyroid Adenoma in an 11-Year-Old Girl: Case Report and Literature Review.

Objective Primary hyperparathyroidism secondary to an ectopic parathyroid adenoma is rare among children and adolescents. Methods We describe the case of an 11-year-old girl with incidentally diagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism secondary to an intrathymic parathyroid adenoma and performed a review of the related literature. Results 99mTechnetium sestamibi single-photon emission computerized tomography/computed tomography and 4-dimensional computed tomography confirmed the ectopic location of the adenoma. The patient underwent thoracoscopic thymectomy and remained normocalcemic with elevated parathyroid hormone showing a downward trend. Parathyroid hormone normalized 18 months after successful parathyroidectomy. Conclusion We review the case of a rare mediastinal parathyroid adenoma in a pediatric patient and summarize the epidemiologic profile, diagnosis, and management of similar pediatric cases.
Permafrost ice caves: an unrecognized microhabitat for Arctic wildlife.

The Arctic is changing rapidly, introducing new challenges and opportunities for animals. Rising air temperatures are driving dramatic shifts in habitat quality and availability, including increased shrub abundance, reduced pond area, and reduced springtime snow cover (Hinzman et al. 2005). In some cases, these changes have net positive effects for particular species, as exemplified by northward range expansions of moose and beavers following shrubification (Tape et al. 2016, 2018).
Activity-dependent regulome of human GABAergic neurons reveals new patterns of gene regulation and neurological disease heritability

Neuronal activity-dependent gene expression is essential for brain development. Although transcriptional and epigenetic effects of neuronal activity have been explored in mice, such an investigation is lacking in humans. Because alterations in GABAergic neuronal circuits are implicated in neurological disorders, we conducted a comprehensive activity-dependent transcriptional and epigenetic profiling of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived GABAergic neurons similar to those of the early developing striatum. We identified genes whose expression is inducible after membrane depolarization, some of which have specifically evolved in primates and/or are associated with neurological diseases, including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We define the genome-wide profile of human neuronal activity-dependent enhancers, promoters and the transcription factors CREB and CRTC1. We found significant heritability enrichment for ASD in the inducible promoters. Our results suggest that sequence variation within activity-inducible promoters of developing human forebrain GABAergic neurons contributes to ASD risk. Boulting et al. profile activity-dependent gene expression and regulatory elements in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived GABAergic neurons and uncover a possible role for calcium-responsive gene promoters of these neurons in autism risk.
Tools and techniques for modelling production systems

Industry needs software tool kit environments that integrate functions performed by engineers that are responsible for developing production systems. These tool kits would help engineers be more productive in the process of conceiving, designing, modelling, evaluating, and planning the implementation of manufacturing systems. Although individual tools are available to perform some of these functions, integrated tool kits are not. The lack of common information models and interface standards inhibits the development of interoperable software tools. The Production System Engineering (PSE) project at NIST is working with U.S. industry, academia, and a number of international collaborators to address this problem. This project is a part of the larger Systems Integration for Manufacturing Applications (SIMA) Program underway at NIST. The project team, working with the Black and Decker Corporation, selected a mitre saw as a test case for production system engineering. The mitre saw assembly line has been used to identify functional and data requirements for integrating engineering tools. This paper will present our progress in developing modelling techniques, software tools, and tool kit interfaces for production systems engineering.