cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activities of the task group 8 on thin film PV module reliability(Conference Presentation)

Photovoltaic (PV) modules and systems are being used increasingly to provide renewable energy to schools, residences, small businesses and utilities. At this time, the home owners and small businesses have considerable difficulty in detecting module and/or system degradation and especially enforcing warranty. It needs to be noted that IEC 61215-1 (test req.), -2 (test proc.) and -1-1 (c-Si) are forecasted to be circulated end of Feb 2016 and only editorial changes would be possible. 61215 series does include thin film technologies and would be replacing 61646. Moreover, IEC 61215-1, section 7.2 power output and electric circuitry does contain significant changes to acceptance criteria regarding rated label values, particularly rated power. Even though it is believed that consensus could be achieved within IEC TC82 WG2, some of the smaller players that do not participate actively in IEC TC82 – may not be surprised and must be informed. The other tech specific parts 61215-1-2 (CdTe), -1-3 (a-Si, µc-Si) and -1-4 (CIS, CIGS) are out for comments. The IEC closing date was January 29, 2016. The additions alternative damp heat (DH) test proposed Solar Frontier is being reviewed. In the past, only 600 V systems were permitted in the grid-connected residential and commercial systems in the US. The US commercial systems can now use higher voltage (1,000-1500V) in order to reduce BOS component costs. It is believed that there would not be any problems. The Task Group 8 is collecting data on higher voltage systems.
Birth Mass Is the Key to Understanding the Negative Correlation Between Lifespan and Body Size in Dogs

Larger dog breeds live shorter than the smaller ones, opposite of the mass-lifespan relationship observed across mammalian species. Here we use data from 90 dog breeds and a theoretical model based on the first principles of energy conservation and life history tradeoffs to explain the negative correlation between longevity and body size in dogs. We found that the birth/adult mass ratio of dogs scales negatively with adult size, which is different than the weak interspecific scaling in mammals. Using the model, we show that this ratio, as an index of energy required for growth, is the key to understanding why the lifespan of dogs scales negatively with body size. The model also predicts that the difference in mass-specific lifetime metabolic energy usage between dog breeds is proportional to the difference in birth/adult mass ratio. Empirical data on lifespan, body mass, and metabolic scaling law of dogs strongly supports this prediction.
Clinical Significance of Molecular Monitoring in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in Chronic Phase (CP) with Imatinib Therapy.

Abstract Most patients (pts) with CML in chronic phase treated with imatinib achieve a major cytogenetic (CG) remission, and increasing numbers of pts are achieving molecular responses. To determine the clinical significance of molecular responses in these pts, we analyzed the results of quantitative PCR monitoring among 280 pts with CML in CP who achieved a complete CG remission with imatinib therapy (117 after IFN-α failure, 163 previously untreated). Pts have been followed for a median of 31.2 mo (range, 3 to 52 mo). The median BCR-ABL/ABL ratio before the start of therapy was 37.43 (range, 0.004 to 170.53). A major molecular response (i.e., BCR-ABL/ABL ratio 1.0 (p=0.0001). The probability of cytogenetic relapse is particularly high for patients who never achieved a major molecular remission. We conclude that achieving a major molecular response, particularly within the first year of therapy with imatinib, is predictive of a durable cytogenetic remission and should be the goal of therapy with imatinib. Increasing transcript levels after achieving a complete CG response predict for a relapse in patients who did not achieve a major molecular response.
Monoprotic Acid—Base Equilibria in Water Solutions

The various species with acid—base properties can be related to each other by the equations expressing their equilibria and by equations expressing conservation of matter: material, charge, and proton balancing equations. When initial (analytical) concentrations of solutes are given, these equations serve to determine as many unknowns as we have equations. Molarities, not activities, must be used in these balances, so we require the conditional (molarity) equilibrium constants appropriate to the solution under consideration.
High Q m ×K 2 t intrinsically switchable BST thin film bulk acoustic resonators

A high Q m ×K2 t fundamental mode intrinsically switchable thin film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) based on Bao.sSro.sTiOa is designed and fabricated at 2 GHz. High Q m ×K2 t BST FBARs are required for the design of low insertion loss switchable BAW filters. Measurement results for the BST FBAR show a resonator mechanical quality factor (Q m ) of 360 with an electromechanical coupling coefficient (K2 t ) of 8.6%. Q m ×K2 t is 30.8, and to the best of authors' knowledge, it is the highest among the previously reported switchable BST resonators. The measured temperature coefficients of frequency (TCF) for the series and parallel resonance frequencies are −65 and −68 ppm/K, respectively.
A Scalable Spark-Based Fault Diagnosis Platform for Gearbox Fault Diagnosis in Wind Farms

Gearbox faults in wind turbines are one of the most important reasons for the failure of these machines which lead to the longest downtime and maintenance cost. While much attention has been given to detect faults in these mechanical devices, real-time fault diagnosis for streaming vibration data from turbine gearboxes still remains an outstanding problem. Moreover, monitoring gearboxes in a wind farm with thousands of wind turbines requires massive computational power. In this paper, we propose a novel feature extraction algorithm to diagnose wind turbines fault using vibration signal. We also implemented the whole system on an Apache Spark, a distributed framework for processing stream data. Using spark clustering enables the fault diagnosis system to scale to large wind farms. The proposed algorithm has been tested by real-world wind turbine data under a different number of input sources, and an accuracy of 98.93% was obtained. Furthermore, a runtime analysis was done to evaluate the effect of parallelization using Spark stream processing.
Association between Sonographic Estimated Fetal Weight and the Risk of Cesarean Delivery among Nulliparous Women with Diabetes in Pregnancy.

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the association between an ultrasound-estimated fetal weight (US-EFW) and mode of delivery among nulliparous diabetic women. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of nulliparous women with medication-requiring gestational or pregestational diabetes who delivered term, singleton gestations following a trial of labor. We determined whether having had an US-EFW within 35 days of delivery was associated with cesarean delivery. Results Of 304 women who met the eligibility criteria, 231 (76.0%) had an US-EFW within 35 days of delivery. An US-EFW was associated with increased likelihood of intrapartum cesarean (51.5% for those with an ultrasound vs. 27.4% for those without, p Conclusion An US-EFW within 35 days of delivery among nulliparous women with medication-requiring diabetes was positively associated with intrapartum cesarean delivery.
A Well-Researched Book in Search of an Audience: Making Sense of Genes by Kostas Kampourakis

Making Sense of Genes is a new book by Kostas Kampourakis that offers a well-researched commentary on the strengths and limitations of genetics. The book may be too scientifically complex and too o...
Moving the Wall

This chapter and the next contain the main technical tools which will be used in Part I. Moving the wall is a rigorous but intuitive technique for verifying the hypotheses and expressing the conclusions of Thom’s first isotopy lemma, which is particularly useful when the isotopy lemma is applied to a complicated geometric situation. The power of this method even in the nonsingular case is illustrated in Sect. 4.5, where we reprove the classical result in Morse theory: crossing a nondegenerate critical point corresponds to attaching a handle.
Recursive Linear Estimation (Bayesian Estimation)

In the last chapter, we developed formulas enabling us to calculate the linear minimum variance estimator of X based on knowledge of a random vector Y. Moreover, we also calculated an expression for the so-called covariance of the estimation error. Specifically, then, our output was a random variable \(\hat X\) representing an estimator of X, and a matrix P defined by $$P \triangleq E\left( {\left( {X - \hat X} \right)\left( {X - \hat X} \right)^T } \right).$$ (6.1-1) Both of these outputs were based on knowledge of the means μ x and μ y , the covariances of X and Y, and their combined covariance, cov(X, Y). Of course, as discussed in Chapter 2, one generally would not have knowledge of Y. Instead, one would have knowledge of some realization of Y, that is, Y(ω) for some ω. The real “output” is, therefore, an estimating function (the g of Chapter 2) and a covariance matrix.
Long pulsed dye laser with a back‐to‐back double‐pulse technique and compression for the treatment of epidermal pigmented lesions

Background In the recent past, long pulsed dye lasers (LPDL) have been investigated for the treatment of epidermal pigmented lesions (EPLs). Using a pigmented lesion compression headpiece, blood is pushed laterally out of the laser field focusing laser energy on melanin. Recent studies have demonstrated excellent responses using a single-pulse at the following settings: 9-12 J/cm2 , 1.5 milliseconds, 7-10 mm spot size with compression. However, the majority of these studies report patients requiring up to four treatments for lesion resolution. Herein, we describe our experiences utilizing a back-to-back double-pulse technique to decrease the total number of treatments needed for EPL clearance. Methods Thirty-six patients (27 females, 9 males; skin types I-IV) with benign facial EPLs were included. Each lesion received two back-to-back pulses (fluence of 9-12 J/cm2 , 1.5 milliseconds duration, and 7 mm spot size). If needed, a second treatment was delivered 4-8 weeks later. Pre- and post-photos after the first treatment were evaluated by two independent board-certified dermatologists. Results Lesion clearance after the first treatment was graded on a Likert scale as: 1 = poor ( 75%). Of the 36 participants, 23 had excellent clearing, 10 with good, 2 with fair and 1 with poor clearance. There was only one case of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that subsequently resolved, and no cases or scarring or hypopigmentation. Conclusion LPDL with compression continues to be a safe and effective modality for treatment of EPLs. Double-pulsing decreases the total number of treatments needed for lesion resolution, while maintaining safety and potentially decreasing cost. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:136-140, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functionally distinct language and Theory of Mind networks are synchronized at rest and during language comprehension

Humans differ from nonhuman primates in their abilities to communicate linguistically and to infer others’ mental states. Although linguistic and social abilities appear to be interlinked onto- and...
Variation in Total and Extractable Elements with Distance from Roads in an Urban Watershed, Honolulu, Hawaii

Roads play a major role intransporting sediment associated nonpoint sourcepollutants to urban stream networks via storm drains. In urban areas the relationship of erodible soil toroads may be of critical importance in controllingmetal contributions to roads. Two 50-m transects(Park and School) were investigated perpendicular toroads in Manoa basin, Oahu, Hawaii. Concentrations ofnine elements were compared to background control soillocations and to five supplemental samples from nearbyrecreational parks. Sediment from curbside areas ofroads (road deposited sediment) was collected as thestarting point of each transect, and subsequently soilwas sampled from two depths (0–2.5 cm and 7.5–10.0 cm)along the transects. Total and 0.5 M HCl extractableconcentrations were determined for aluminum (Al),calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe),manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn)using either inductively coupled plasma-atomicemission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) or flame atomicemission spectroscopy (FAAS). Ca, Cu, Pb and Znexhibited anthropogenic enhancement, with Pb and Znhaving the greatest enrichment in road sedimentfollowed by locations nearest the road. Copperdisplayed a narrower band of contamination than eitherPb or Zn, and this may reflect larger aerosolassociations and more rapid fall velocities. Lead andZn exhibited substantial decay in concentration at 50 m compared to the road sediment, but enrichment wasstill apparent. The positioning of a band of soilbetween the road-curb area and the sidewalk for thePark transect facilitated deposition and storage oftrace metals, and with subsequent erosion by splash orconcentrated flow this area can account for continuedtransport of contaminated sediment to adjacent roadsurfaces. On the other hand the School transect hadno soil directly beside the road, and the nearestsample from the road (5 m) displayed enrichment butsubstantially lower than the Park transect. Thesepreliminary data suggest that remobilization of soilstored metals in close proximity to roads cansignificantly prolong the environmental contaminationof urban road systems and eventually stream sediments.
Spatial Differences in Price Elasticityof Demand for Ethanol

Increased public environmental awareness, concern for national energy security, and high transportation fuel prices have all served to heighten interest in alternative fuels. A fundamental issue influencing economic viability of the ethanol industry is understanding consumers’ demand responsiveness to both gasoline and ethanol price changes. In this paper we present an alternative approach to studying this problem by estimating geographically varying price elasticity of demand for E85 ethanol fuel across the study area. This is a departure from previous studies of ethanol demand, in which price elasticity of demand is spatially identical. Considering spatial heterogeneity in household composition and demand preferences, using stationary estimates to explain price-demand relationships over a large geographic area may lead to biased results and inference. Resulting price elasticity estimates for ethanol demand revealed significant geographic variation (ranging from 0.5 to 5.0), suggesting that use of spatially disaggregated data provides more detailed empirical results and, therefore, a more thorough understanding by policymakers.
Structural and Functional Neural Targets of Addiction Treatment in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: Addictive disorders start during adolescence for most individuals, and developmental differences in brain maturation and response to treatments are present. Recent studies in adults have identified associations between addiction treatment response and regional and circuit specific brain dysfunction, suggesting candidate neural treatment targets. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to qualitatively and quantitatively summarize findings from structural and functional neuroimaging studies that examine neural correlates of treatment response in adolescents and young adults with addictive disorders. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of peer-reviewed studies was conducted following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies were selected if they included individuals aged 13-26 with a DSM-IV or DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth and Fifth Edition) addictive disorder diagnosis, used neuroimaging, administered a treatment/intervention, and reported within- or between-subject contrasts in brain structure or activity across treatment/intervention and a control condition or brain-behavior correlations with treatment-outcome variables. Quantitative meta-analyses used an activation-likelihood estimation (ALE) approach. Results: Out of 3177 citations, 27 studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Qualitative analyses revealed anatomical, connectivity, and functional brain-behavior associations with response to addiction interventions across a broad array of cortical and subcortical brain regions and associated networks. Eighteen functional magnetic resonance imaging studies involving 354 participants and 88 brain foci were included in the ALE meta-analysis. Despite significant heterogeneity in study design and methods, six ALE activation clusters localized to the anterior cingulate cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, precuneus, and putamen showed consistent brain-behavior associations with treatment-outcome variables. Conclusions: Cortical and subcortical brain regions involved in cognition, emotion regulation, decision-making, reward, and self-reference are associated with treatment response in addicted youth. These results are consistent with findings in the adult literature and suggest overlapping neural treatment targets across developmental stages.
The Phosphatase And Tensin Homolog-Gene (PTEN-Gene) Expression Level is a Novel Indicator for Poor Prognosis in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

The objective of the present work was to formulate and evaluate floating microspheres containing Roxatidine acetate HCl prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion technique. To achieve extended retention in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT), this may result in enhanced absorption and thereby improved bioavailability. Roxatidine acetate HCl is a competitive H2 receptor antagonist used to treat gastric ulcers. Floating microspheres systems have a density less than gastric fluids, and so these systems remain buoyant in the stomach without affecting the gastric emptying rate for a prolonged period. Floating microspheres were prepared by using hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K4M and HPMC K15M) and ethyl cellulose. The microspheres were evaluated for parameters like particle size, entrapment efficiency, shape and surface morphology, drug content, in-vitro drug release study and drug release kinetic study. The floating microspheres were found to be spherical, and the FTIR study confirmed the drug-polymer compatibility. All floating microspheres formulations showed good flow properties, and buoyancy was found to be 71–87%. Among all formulations, F2 showed an appropriate balance between buoyancy and drug release rate (90% in 12 hour); hence it is considered as the best formulation. The data obtained in this study thus suggests that the floating microspheres of roxatidine acetate HCl are promising for sustained drug delivery, which can be used for reducing dosing frequency. How to cite this article: AL-Temimi, S.M. and AL-Rekabi, A.M. (2019). The Pten-Gene Expression Level is a Novel Indicator For Poor Prognosis in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology, 9(4): 538-543.
Chapter 3 – Immune System Basics

Publisher Summary The immune system is a complex set of tissues with mobile elements, whose function is to protect the organism from invasion by exogenous microscopic life. The immune system is composed of a variety of cell types, which form its major organs and circulate through vast networks of lymphatic and blood vessels. The immune system must detect invaders and abnormal cells to accomplish its task of protecting the individual from microscopic invaders or abnormal cells arising within the individual. The various cell types that make up the immune system are classified according to size, shape, appearance, staining properties, and functional properties. The switching of genes on and off is the fundamental mechanism whereby stem cells differentiate into the various immune tissue cells, alter their functional state, destroy themselves, or even become transformed into abnormally functioning malignant cells. Neutrophils are granular leukocytes possessing a nucleus with three or more lobes. They are short-lived cells. Eosinophils are cells that contain granules and irregularly shaped nuclei. Monocytes have nuclei with a more regular appearance that gives the impression of being folded. They also contain granules, which can destroy bacteria after they are ingested by the monocyte.
Chirped-grating spectrometer-on-a-chip

We demonstrate an on-chip spectrometer readily integrable with CMOS electronics. The structure is comprised of a SiO2/Si3N4/SiO2 waveguide atop a silicon substrate. A transversely chirped grating is fabricated, in a single-step optical lithography process, on a portion of the waveguide to provide angle and wavelength dependent coupling to the guided mode. The spectral and angular information is encoded in the spatial dependence of the grating period. A uniform pitch grating area, separated from the collection area by an unpatterned propagation region, provides the out-coupling to a CMOS detector array. A resolution of 0.3 nm at 633 nm with a spectral coverage tunable across the visible and NIR (to ∼ 1 µm limited by the Si photodetector) by changing the angle of incidence, is demonstrated without the need for any signal processing deconvolution. This on-chip spectrometer concept will cost effectively enable a broad range of applications that are beyond the reach of current integrated spectroscopic technologies.
Quantitative spatiotemporal Li profiling using nanoindentation

Abstract The rate capability and lifetime of Li-ion batteries is largely dictated by the composition dynamics of the electrodes. We set forth a nanoindentation approach to probe the spatiotemporal Li profile using the functional dependence of the mechanical properties on Li composition. This mechanics-informed material dynamics allows us to measure the composition-dependent diffusivity, assess the rate-limiting process in Li reactions, and quantitatively evaluate the stress regulation on Li transport. The experiments show that Li diffusivity in amorphous Si varies exponentially by three orders of magnitude from the pristine to the fully lithiated state. Lithiation in amorphous Si is limited by diffusion at the micron scale. We further evaluate the thermodynamic driving force for Li diffusion by including the material non-ideality and mechanical stresses. Through computational modeling, we find that the composition dependence of the Li diffusivity in general creates an asymmetry on the rate capability during lithiation versus delithiation. In Si, the exponential dependence results in a fast lithiation that proceeds via a steep concentration gradient compared to a slow and relatively smooth delithiation. This asymmetric behavior appears to be a root cause of Li trapping and loss of the deliverable capacity in Si. This work sheds light on the thermodynamics of Li transport and the lithiation kinetics of amorphous Si. It demonstrates the potential of operando nanoindentation in the mechanics-informed understanding of Li chemistry and aiding battery research beyond mechanical measurement.
Intermittent fasting ameliorates PM2.5 exposure-induced abnormalities in glycaemic control.

Abstract Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) elicits various abnormalities in glycaemic control and thus correlates with type 2 diabetes. Intermittent fasting is an emerging treatment for type 2 diabetes. This study, therefore, tested whether intermittent fasting ameliorates PM2.5 exposure-induced abnormalities in glycaemic control. To this end, C57Bl/6 J mice were exposed to filtered air (FA) or concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAP) for 16 weeks and concurrently subject to ad libitum feeding or intermittent fasting. The food intake assessment showed that CAP exposure transiently reduced food intake in ad libitum fed mice, but persistently reduced food intake in intermittently fasted mice. In contrast, CAP exposure persistently promoted mouse weight gain in ad libitum fed mice, while intermittent fasting blocked this CAP exposure-induced weight gain. The glucose homeostasis assessments revealed that CAP exposure elicited insulin resistance and glucose intolerance and meanwhile increased glucose-induced insulin secretion (GIIS). The insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, but not the increase in GIIS, induced by CAP exposure were blocked by intermittent fasting. Analysis of Akt phosphorylation, the indicator of local insulin signaling, showed that CAP exposure reduced insulin signaling in the liver and adipose tissues but not in the skeletal muscle. Intermittent fasting blocked CAP exposure-induced insulin resistance in the liver but not in the adipose tissues. The present study demonstrates that intermittent fasting ameliorates PM2.5 exposure-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, strongly supporting that it may be used to prevent type 2 diabetes due to exposure to PM2.5.
Evaluating skills correlated with discriminated responding in multiple schedule arrangements

One potential solution for excessively high-rate functional communication responses (FCR) is to establish stimulus control of the FCR through a multiple schedule. However, several studies have demonstrated difficulty with establishing discriminated responding across multiple schedule components. The primary aim of the current study was to evaluate how participants' skills related to color discrimination may be related to the emergence of discriminated responding in a multiple schedule with colors as the schedule-correlated stimuli. Three secondary aims of the current study were to evaluate: a) varied multiple schedule arrangements, b) if topographically dissimilar stimuli facilitated the emergence of discriminated responding, and c) if employing different colored stimuli across multiple schedule arrangements reduced the likelihood that discriminated responding emerged simultaneously across varied arrangements. Nine participants' ability to match, select, tact, and respond intraverbally to colors was assessed, and 1 of 2 evaluations of multiple schedule arrangements were conducted. Results indicated that participants' ability to select and tact colors was strongly correlated with the efficacy of standard multiple schedule arrangements. Additionally, multiple schedule arrangements employing topographically dissimilar stimuli were observed to be equally as effective as standard arrangements and the inclusion of different colored stimuli across arrangements did not reduce the likelihood that discriminated responding emerged simultaneously across all conditions, when it was observed to emerge at all.
Minimally Invasive Myomectomy: Examining Surgical Route and Racial/Ethnic Trends within a Large Integrated Healthcare System

Study Objective To assess trends in practice pattern and racial and ethnic differences among women who underwent minimally invasive myomectomy (MIM) for benign uterine leiomyomas. Design Retrospective observational data-only cohort study. Setting A large integrated healthcare delivery organization serving over one million reproductive-aged women annually. Patients or Participants Women aged 18 or older who underwent a myomectomy for benign leiomyoma between 2009 and 2019 within Kaiser Permanente Norther California were included. Cases with hysterectomy, pregnancy-related procedures, or malignancy were excluded. Interventions N/A Measurements and Main Results Between 2009 and 2019, a total of4040 women underwent a myomectomy for benign uterine leiomyoma with an incidence rate of 0.12 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12-0.13) in 2009 to 0.25 (95% CI 0.24-0.25) in 2019 per 1000 women (Table 1). Over the 11-year period, the rate of MIM increased from 6.5% to 89.5% (1280% increase) with an increase in robotic myomectomy from 3.6% in 2012 to 64.6% in 2019. Unadjusted prevalence of MIM increased at a higher rate for non-Hispanic white women than others (Figure 1). Future analyses, adjusting for patient and healthcare system characteristics including fibroid weight and surgeon operating volume, will determine if racial/ethnic variations in myomectomy route persist over time. Conclusion Within an integrated healthcare delivery system, initiatives to encourage minimally invasive surgery had a substantial impact on increasing the number of MIM for all women, although white women saw the greatest increase compared to their racial and ethnic counterparts. Further research is needed to identify determinants of racial and ethnic disparities in MIM rates.
Modelagem matemática na Educação Infantil: quanto tempo falta para o Natal?

This work aims to highlight the contributions of mathematical modeling in early Childhood Education. The theme was proposed by a child consisting of knowing: how much time is left before Christmas? This question became a real problem of interest to the class whose investigation focused on the calendar. The research is qualitative whose instruments used in the production of data were participant observation, the logbook, photographic records and audio recordings. The results reveal that the mathematical modeling developed is in line with the principles of children, historical and rights subject, co-producer of culture, protagonist of the teaching and learning process; attributed intentionality to educational practice providing the experience of setting time, developing and acquiring new knowledge. In this sense, mathematical modeling contributes to overcoming the assistentialist conception towards an early Childhood Education that values the singularities of childhood, promoting the integral development of the child as a citizen.
Effectiveness of a Novel Implementation of the Otago Exercise Program in Rural Appalachia.

Background and purpose Despite evidence that falls can be prevented with specific exercise interventions such as the Otago Exercise Program (OEP), translation of these programs into practice is limited in rural and medically underserved areas. The Community Health and Mobility Partnership (CHAMP) addresses this problem through a community-based implementation of the OEP in rural Appalachia where medical resources are scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the CHAMP on physical performance and balance confidence in community-dwelling older adults. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of quasi-longitudinal data. Older adults received fall screenings at local senior centers. Those with increased fall risk received individualized OEP home exercises and were advised to return for monthly follow-up visits. Three physical performance measures-Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Four-Stage Balance Test (4SBT), and chair rise test (CRT)-and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC) were assessed at the initial visit (IV) and each follow-up visit. Two groups were created to distinguish participants who returned for their second follow-up (F2) visit within 3 months from those who returned between 3 and 6 months. Within-group change from IV to F2 was calculated using repeated-measures t tests. Repeated-measures 2-way analyses of variance were used to test for main and interaction effects of group and visit. Results and discussion One hundred thirty CHAMP participants aged 76.1 (SD = 8.1) years demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in the 3 physical performance measures (mean 4SBT: IV 29.5 seconds, F2 31.5 second, P = .001), (mean TUG: IV 12.7 seconds, F2 11.9 seconds, P = .021), (mean CRT: IV 0.258 stands/second, F2 0.290 stands/second, P = .002), but not in balance confidence (mean ABC: IV 62.2, F2 64.4, P = .154). A significant interaction of group by visit for the TUG was observed, suggesting that better TUG performance was associated with quicker return for follow-up. Conclusions Results indicated that program participants improved from IV to F2 in measures related to fall risk.
Addressing financial toxicity in urologic oncology patients.

170Background: Financial toxicity, or the financial burden related to cancer care, is a source of distress for urologic oncology patients. This study aimed to address financial toxicity among prost...
Evali masquerading as COVID-19: A case report

Introduction: The CDC first defined e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) as the presence of pulmonary infiltrates on plain film chest radiograph or ground glass opacities on chest CT in September 2019. However since the COVID-19 pandemic, the same radiological appearance have become synonymous with COVID-19 pneumonia. We present a case of a patient who was mistakenly presumed to have COVID-19 and was later found to be a case of EVALI. Case Presentation: 33 year old obese Caucasian male with 15 pack year smoking history and no past medical history presented with one month of worsening exertional dyspnea associated with cough, sore throat, subjective chills, and diaphoresis. He was admitted to the COVID-19 unit due to hypoxemia requiring 3 L/min of oxygen and chest CT scan with contrast showing bilateral ground glass opacities with mosaic attenuation. COVID-19 reverse transcriptase RNA PCR test was negative twice. Labs showed leukocytosis of 12,700 with 74.4% neutrophils and 15.7% lymphocytes, normal procalcitonin of 0.09 ng/mL, and normal BNP of 83 pg/mL. Pulmonary was consulted and after detailed history was obtained, the patient reported vaping nicotine three weeks prior to admission. Respiratory viral panel, including influenza A and B, urine legionella and pneumococcal antigens were all negative. He underwent inpatient flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy with right upper lobe bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and right upper lobe transbronchial biopsy. BAL cell count showed 89% alveolar macrophages including numerous lipid laden macrophages and 6% eosinophils with transbronchial biopsy showing benign respiratory epithelium with unremarkable alveolated lung parenchyma. Diagnosis of EVALI was made, and patient clinically improved after starting on prednisone. He was discharged on steroid taper and will be followed in the pulmonary clinic with repeat CT imaging to check for resolution. Discussion: With the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic there is a bias in diagnosing all ground glass opacities on CT chest in the setting of hypoxemia as COVID-19 pneumonia. However, as per CDC guidelines, our patient met the criteria for EVALI with recent history of vaping within 90 days, typical radiological findings, and infectious causes ruled out. This diagnosis was made more robust by the findings of lipid laden macrophages on BAL. Our case emphasizes the importance of preventing anchoring bias during this COVID-19 pandemic by taking time to obtain a more thorough history and including other causes of lung injury, such as, EVALI in our differential diagnoses.
The Broken Heart

The broken heart has been the subject of interest to poets, songwriters, and playwrights for centuries. However, doctors have questioned whether the broken heart is a true phenomenon. In 1990, Dr. Hikaru Sato and colleagues in Japan described for the first time “stress-related cardiomyopathy” or the “broken heart syndrome.” In this chapter, the author discusses the broken heart syndrome seen more commonly in women and often related to emotional and physical stress exemplified in the histories of several of his patients. Although the syndrome can mimic a heart attack with deformation of the hearts anatomy evident by echocardiography and MRI, the coronary arteries are normal. The “broken heart syndrome” is most often associated with complete recovery.
Compact nuclear-driven semiconductor reactor/laser system

Abstract A model for a solid state nuclear pumped laser (SSNPL) has been developed. The laser model includes the spatial inhomogeneities of electron-hole pairs generated by fission products. A MCNP model was produced which transported the 20 most common U-235 fission fragments to dictate the 1-dimensional spatial inhomogeneity. The MCNP model included a variety of thicknesses to the layers involved. Core properties include a minimally critical cubic bare nuclear core which has dimensions less than one cubic meter on a side and laser thresholds in the sub-megawatt range. Laser efficiencies ranged from 2 to 5%. The SSNPL has the potential to be compact, low mass and efficient making it a promising space-based laser system.
Hospital-level factors associated with death during pneumonia-associated hospitalization among adults-New York City, 2010-2014.

Background In New York City (NYC), pneumonia is a leading cause of death and most pneumonia deaths occur in hospitals. Whether the pneumonia death rate in NYC reflects reporting artifact or is associated with factors during pneumonia-associated hospitalization (PAH) is unknown. We aimed to identify hospital-level factors associated with higher than expected in-hospital pneumonia death rates among adults in NYC. Methods Data from January 1, 2010–December 31, 2014 were obtained from the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System and the American Hospital Association Database. In-hospital pneumonia standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated for each hospital as observed PAH death rate divided by expected PAH death rate. To determine hospital-level factors associated with higher in-hospital pneumonia SMR, we fit a hospital-level multivariable negative binomial regression model. Results Of 148,172 PAH among adult NYC residents in 39 hospitals during 2010–2014, 20,820 (14.06%) resulted in in-hospital death. In-hospital pneumonia SMRs varied across NYC hospitals (0.77–1.23) after controlling for patient-level factors. An increase in average daily occupancy and membership in the Council of Teaching Hospitals were associated with increased in-hospital pneumonia SMR. Conclusions Differences in in-hospital pneumonia SMRs between hospitals might reflect differences in disease severity, quality of care, or coding practices. More research is needed to understand the association between average daily occupancy and in-hospital pneumonia SMR. Additional pneumonia-specific training at teaching hospitals can be considered to address higher in-hospital pneumonia SMR in teaching hospitals.
Word Spotting in Bitmapped Fax Documents

Images and signals may be represented by forms invariant to time shifts, spatial shifts, frequency shifts, and scale changes. Advances in time-frequency analysis and scale transform techniques have made this possible. However, factors such as noise contamination and “style” differences complicate this. An example is found in text, where letters and words may vary in size and position. Examples of complicating variations include the font used, corruption during facsimile (fax) transmission, and printer characteristics. The solution advanced in this paper is to cast the desired invariants into separate subspaces for each extraneous factor or group of factors. The first goal is to have minimal overlap between these subspaces and the second goal is to be able to identify each subspace accurately. Concepts borrowed from high-resolution spectral analysis, but adapted uniquely to this problem have been found to be useful in this context. Once the pertinent subspace is identified, the recognition of a particular invariant form within this subspace is relatively simple using well-known singular value decomposition (SVD) techniques. The basic elements of the approach can be applied to a variety of pattern recognition problems. The specific application covered in this paper is word spotting in bitmapped fax documents.
Role of adenosine nucleotides in the regulation of a stress-response transcription factor in Bacillus subtilis.

The RNA polymerase sigma factor sigma B is a stress-response regulatory protein in Bacillus subtilis. The activity of sigma B is controlled in part by RsbW, a protein that inhibits sigma B, and RsbV, a protein that counteracts this inhibition. We now demonstrate that purified RsbW is capable of forming alternative complexes with either sigma B or RsbV. Sigma B in the RsbW. sigma B complex was transcriptionally inactive. RsbV reversed this inhibition by sequestering RsbW in a RsbW-RsbV complex, thereby allowing sigma B to remain free and active. In contrast to interactions among the components of the homologous regulatory system for the sporulation transcription factor sigma F, the binding of RsbW to RsbV and sigma B did not require adenosine nucleotides. Experiments involving the exchange of proteins between the two regulatory systems demonstrated that RsbW and its homolog in the sigma F system, SpoIIAB, exhibit strong preference in binding to RsbV and sigma B, and SpoIIAA and sigma F, respectively, and that the difference in nucleotide-dependence of binding between these two systems is attributable to a difference between RsbW and SpoIIAB. In confirmation and extension of previous results, we show that RsbW is also a protein kinase that uses ATP to phosphorylate RsbV, thereby blocking the capacity of RsbV to bind to RsbW and activate transcription. A close correlation was observed between the concentration of ATP required for efficient RsbW-mediated phosphorylation of RsbV, inhibition of RsbW.RsbV comlex formation, and inhibition of sigma B-directed transcription. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that activation of sigma B under certain stress condition is due to a decrease in cellular ATP levels.
Chapter 11 Functional brain imaging and modeling of brain disorders

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews some of the methods that have been used for the analysis of functional brain imaging data. The chapter describes the neural modeling that can be used to provide the basis for understanding the functional networks mediating specific cognitive tasks in normal subjects and in patients with brain disorders. Two types of neural modeling have been applied to functional brain imaging data: systems-level modeling and large-scale neural modeling. The chapter also reviews the use of structural equation modeling. The chapter discusses how large-scale neural modeling can be used to enhance interpretation of functional imaging data. The chapter describes that large-scale neural modeling can help to elucidate complex interactions, such as those that result from recurrent feedforward/feedback loops that are thought to be operative in the brain. With a large-scale model, explicit hypotheses can be examined in different contexts by varying the effects of parameters that correspond to biological substrates, such as synaptic density or receptor efficacy.
Fetal cranial and craniocervical masses. Ultrasound characteristics and differential diagnosis

Ultrasound is assuming an essential role in the detection of fetal cranial and spinal anomalies. Illustrated in this article is the sonographic appearance of cranial abnormalities wherein the diagnosis of encephalocele is clear cut because the anatomic defect of the neural tube is visualized. Additionally presented is a variety of cranial and craniocervical cystic masses, including meningocele, wherein the anatomic defect of the neural tube is not apparent and the diagnosis is reached by careful attention to the specific ultrasonic characteristics of each mass.
Phase II Trial of Intravesical Nanoparticle Albumin Bound Paclitaxel for the Treatment of Nonmuscle Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder after bacillus Calmette-Guérin Treatment Failure

Purpose: Response rates to current second line intravesical therapies for recurrent nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer range between 10% and 30%. Nanoparticle albumin bound (nab-)paclitaxel has increased solubility and lower toxicity compared to other taxanes. Results of the phase I intravesical trial of this compound demonstrated minimal toxicity during dose escalation. We now report the results of a phase II trial to assess efficacy.Materials and Methods: This study was an investigator initiated, single center, single arm, phase II trial investigating the use of nab-paclitaxel in patients with recurrent Tis, T1 and Ta urothelial carcinoma in whom at least 1 prior regimen of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin failed. Patients received 500 mg/100 ml nab-paclitaxel administered in 6 weekly intravesical instillations. Efficacy was evaluated with cystoscopy, biopsy, cytology and imaging. If complete response was achieved, patients were treated with full dose monthly maintenance treatments for 6 months.Resu...
Dynamically and Statistically Downscaled Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Hindcast Ensembles for the Southeastern USA

We present results from a 15-year 10-member warm season (March–September) hindcast ensemble of maximum and minimum surface air temperatures and precipitation in southeast USA. The hindcasts are derived from the Florida State University/Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies Global Spectral Model (FSU/COAPS GSM) and downscaled using both the FSU/COAPS Nested Regional Spectral Model (NRSM) and a statistical downscaling method based on stochastic weather generator techniques. We additionally consider statistical bias correction of the dynamical model output. Basic descriptive statistics indicate that the bias-corrected and statistically downscaled data reduce the FSU/COAPS GSM bias considerably in terms of basic climatology. Statistics describing the daily precipitation process are improved by both downscaling techniques relative to the bias-corrected GSM. Improvement in monthly and seasonal hindcasts relative to FSU/COAPS GSM is spatially and temporally varying. Precipitation hindcasts are generally less skillful than those for temperature, although useful precipitation predictability exists at many locations. Hindcast improvements due to downscaling are greatest over peninsular Florida. The smallest root mean square errors (RMSE) for temperature hindcasts are found in the southern part of the study region during the spring months of March, April and May (MAM) for maximum surface air temperature, and in the summer, June, July and August (JJA), for minimum surface air temperature. Overall, there is no indication that either downscaling method has a direct advantage over the other. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Application of passive hemagglutination for evaluation of antisperm antibodies and a modified coombs' test for detecting male autoimmunity to sperm antigens

Abstract A rapid, specific, and sensitive assay using passive hemagglutination and Coombs' tests has been established for detecting male autoimmunity and female isoimmunity to sperm antigens. Antisperm antibody titers evaluated by this method were similar in 156 normal females, 400 pregnant females, 25 gonadal dysgenetics, 43 users of Oracon (an oral contraceptive), and 25 normal males. In contrast, in the evaluation of 50 couples with unexplained infertility, 16 males were found to have significantly elevated Coombs' autoantibody titers (primarily IgG) and correspondingly higher antisperm antibody titers in their serum and seminal plasma; another 28 had low autoantibody titers and low serum and seminal plasma antibody titers; and 6 had intermediate titers. The wives of 63% of the males with high autoantibody titers were found to be ‘isoimmune’, as compared with 7% of those with low titers. The isoimmune females had significantly higher antisperm antibody titers than did those with normal titers. In general, comparable titer values were obtained whether sperm extract or seminal plasma was used as the erythrocyte coat for passive hemagglutination. The titers were consistently higher in the seminal plasma than in the serum of males. Very little crossreactivity was apparent between anti-Candida and antisperm antibodies, and antibodies to blood group antigens did not appear to influence the results. When the results obtained by passive hemagglutination were compared with those obtained by immunofluorescence, Franklin-Dukes, and hanging drop interface methods, only those of the passive hemagglutination and Coombs' test correlated well with the results of postcoital tests and seminal analysis.